I’ve accumulated a semi-hefty iTunes balance and would like to spend it wisely. I am looking for recommendations for some music that is new to me. I intend to buy 3-4 albums.
For reference this is a sample of what I like (in random order):
Jack White, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Lumineers, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, Lou Reed, Beck.
Above all I value originality and cleverness. I am extremely uninterested in anything techno, country, rap, or dance-pop.
So, tell me an album or two that would blow me away.
I don’t know how I ran across Imelda May, about a year or so ago, but she still fascinates me. What she and her band play is usually called rockabilly; you be the judge. Here’s a few YouTube videos to give you some idea of her sound; all are SFW if yer boss doesn’t mind you playing music on company computers:
I’m not caffeinated enough to figure out how to link to an iTunes page, but the most bang for your buck will likely be either the $11.99 Love Tattoo (there’s also a $9.99 version, same title, with the more expensive album having several live cuts added) or the $9.99 More Mayhem (mostly like the same-priced Mayhem, but with a few more cuts added).
I have an iTunes account and a gift card, but have yet to acquire an iPod. When I do, Imelda May will very likely be my first purchase(s). Enjoy!
P.S. I’m trying to get my wife to wear an outfit like Imelda does in the Psycho video. No luck so far!
I just discovered her a few months ago (when she was a guest on the April 18th episode of The Graham Norton Show), and I’m kind of obsessed. I have tickets to see her on 8/1, and I ordered her newest album from Amazon UK because it won’t be released here until September. Love her!!
That’s what I used to think. He started out pure country, to be sure, but he ventured away from it (for the most part) over the course of several albums.
mmm
I have similar tastes to you, and I love Regina Spektor. It takes some people a while to get used to her voice, as it’s an aquired taste, but she’s a fantastic pianist and poet. She has a wide range of music, so it’s possible that you might like some of her albums/songs and not others. Two of her more pop-ish songs are “Hotel Song” and “Ne Me Quitte Pas”; there’s also the McCartney-esque “Jessica”. Getting a bit more into the anti-folk scene, there’s “Us,”“Blue Lips,”“Two Birds” and “One More Time With Feeling.” If you’re into jazz (though I’m not and I still enjoy it), “Rejazz” is also great. “Musicbox” has got to be one of the lightest songs about suicide. Last but not least, I normally don’t like covers of John Lennon, but her cover of “Real Love” does justice (which isn’t easy).
ETA: Oh, and if you like a bit of blue-eyed soul, you might want to give “How” a listen.
Have you heard David Grey? He’s like a slightly more pop version of Bob Dylan. The albums I’d recommend are White Ladder and Lost Songs. Try listening to the songs Flame turns Blue, This Years Love or My Oh My for good examples of his songs.
If you are interested in small independent bands, look up Border Crossing. the album I believe they have up on iTunes is Stuff and Things. It’s a mix of funny and serious mostly original work. (There’s one cover of Elinor Rigby.) They have a heavy folk influence. they are small so the production isn’t perfect. but it’s good. Better is my favorite track.
I have tickets to see her on 8/1, and I ordered her newest album from Amazon UK because it won’t be released here until September. Love her!!
