# Help me spend some iTunes dollars - need recommendationss for new music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 15, 2014, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155 "2014-07-15T13:05:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/1 "2014-07-15T13:05:06Z")
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. Links are very much appreciated. Thanks! mmm ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/2 "2014-07-15T13:13:43Z")
“Inform - Educate - Entertain” by [Public Service Broadcasting](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Service_Broadcasting_(band)) I’ve been listening to it a LOT over the past year and don’t seem to be stopping any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/3 "2014-07-15T13:34:52Z")
_If You Don’t Like It, You Can Leave_ by Julian Velard is a great disk. I’m a big fan of most of the artists in your OP and I really dig it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/4 "2014-07-15T14:38:30Z")
Based on the iTunes store snippets, I like both of these a lot. I could see myself becoming addicted to listening to PSB in particular. To further clarify my tastes, I also hold Warren Zevon, Tom Waits, and Lyle Lovett in high regard. mmm ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2014, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/5 "2014-07-15T14:44:17Z")
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: [Johnny Got A Boom Boom](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZucJAkzCNq8) [Psycho](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_NkJwFucnM) [Mayhem](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxj5wlXY9No) 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! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/6 "2014-07-16T15:36:20Z")
No snark intended, **MMM** but isn’t Lyle Lovett kind of country? How about Black Keys [El Camino](http://www.allmusic.com/album/el-camino-mw0002243314), Milk Carton Kids [The Ash & Clay](http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-ash-clay-mw0002472642), or The Kongos [Lunatic](http://www.allmusic.com/album/lunatic-mw0002602847). ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/7 "2014-07-16T23:32:48Z")
How about Rodrigo y Gabriela? I am currently at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference and they opened up the show on Monday morning. They are two Mexican artists that play kind of a heavy metal influenced flamenco (I kid you not!) I was blown away by their music. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/8 "2014-07-17T15:21:55Z")
+1 to R y G, they are well worth giving a listen to! ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/9 "2014-07-17T19:27:26Z")
> [@tripthicket](#): > > I don’t know how I ran across Imelda May, about a year or so ago, but she still fascinates me. 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!! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/10 "2014-07-19T22:32:22Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > No snark intended, **MMM** but isn’t Lyle Lovett kind of country? 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 ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/11 "2014-07-20T17:28:08Z")
Also depends on your definition of country music, but I really like Drive-By Truckers. “Ghost to Most” from _Brighter Than Creation’s Dark_. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DEW5p3vGo10/hqdefault.jpg "Drive-By Truckers- A Ghost to Most (Brighter Than Creation's Dark)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEW5p3vGo10) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/12 "2014-07-20T17:40:37Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > I have tickets to see her on 8/1 You just made me look and see that she’s in Chicago on Aug 3rd. Score! ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/13 "2014-07-20T18:02:30Z")
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”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoiQNvwf2E) and [“Ne Me Quitte Pas”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWXWivwhi14); there’s also the McCartney-esque [“Jessica”.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FceDSfo8DAo) Getting a bit more into the anti-folk scene, there’s [“Us,”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fczPlmz-Vug) [“Blue Lips,”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccZuKOTb6ug) [“Two Birds”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oGrwGCRImY) and [“One More Time With Feeling.”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysuns_3Qweo) If you’re into jazz (though I’m not and I still enjoy it), [“Rejazz”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGFQ0AcXmc) is also great. [“Musicbox”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkSwF42cOm8) 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”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8s15Zt1S30) does justice (which isn’t easy). ETA: Oh, and if you like a bit of blue-eyed soul, you might want to give [“How”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mBfW-CdgLE) a listen. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/14 "2014-07-20T18:22:38Z")
> **[Jami Cat on Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jami-cat/646611828)** > > Listen to music by Jami Cat on Apple Music. Find top songs and albums by Jami Cat including Where Are You Now and Yesterdays Dream. LOL 😃 ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/15 "2014-07-20T18:50:18Z")
Do you like Arcade Fire? Check out their Suburbs album. Here’s [Suburban War](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNdqoQWz34E) off of it. Terrific track. And another great cut from it - [Culture War](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGGMqOdRJtA). Enjoy! (I hope) ETA: How could I not recommend the [title track](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Euj9f3gdyM)? ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/16 "2014-07-20T21:45:05Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/17 "2014-07-20T22:16:58Z")
I picked up the debut album of The Winery Dogs a while back and liked it quite a bit. > **[THE WINERY DOGS](http://www.thewinerydogs.com/)** > > THE WINERY DOGS // III ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/18 "2014-07-21T15:26:59Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > You just made me look and see that she’s in Chicago on Aug 3rd. Score! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/19 "2014-07-22T03:49:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155/20 "2014-07-22T12:33:00Z")
[quote=“Accidental\_Martyr, post:11, topic:693155”] Also depends on your definition of country music, but I really like Drive-By Truckers. “Ghost to Most” from _Brighter Than Creation’s Dark_. [/QUOTE] I came on to recommend the newest album from the DBT: _English Oceans_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spend-some-itunes-dollars-need-recommendationss-for-new-music/693155.md?page=2)