I can kind of see the Pixies comparison, going by the loud/quiet/loud kind of thing. But Modest Mouse varies a lot more from the three-minute three-chord pop song stuff that the Pixies do a lot. I just really dig the sad/depressing vibe coupled with some really pretty melodies.
I’d recommend checking out Lonesome Crowded West which is a proper album, or Building Nothing Out Of Something which is a singles collection but feels like an actual album in a lot of ways. It’s probably one of my top five favorite records of all time. But I can see how people might not dig them.
Why thank you, I’m touched. I’ve been moving crosstown the past few days so I’ve been a little pissed at it lately - moving close to a thousand CDs while keeping them in order (alphabetical by artist and chronological within each artist’s section) is no small feat.
I’ve been checking back on this thread and trying to grab MP3s (legally, from their websites) of the bands mentioned - I’ve got a lot of new stuff to check out now, thanks to all here.
It’s really funny to me how most indie label bands will have Mp3s available on their sites while most major label bands only have RealAudio or Windows Media samples available - I ain’t buying nobody’s record if I can’t have an MP3 in my playlist for a couple of days to see if it grows on me. It’s sad that people are so freaked out that they won’t even give me one tiny MP3 to keep as a sample.
No MP3 on your site = much lower chance that I’ll buy your record.
I’d recommend any album by His Name is Alive. The vehicle of Livonia, MI musician Warren Defever, HNIA’s output ranges over 13 years so far and covers a wide variety of genres. Those of you who have listed bands on the label 4AD (Throwing Muses, Breeders, Pixies) would definitely like HNIA, also a 4AD band and Warren was the favourite of 4AD founder Ivo Watts-Russell. HNIA’s new album Last Night is coming out in the US later on this month, and is a blues and jazz foray with vocalist Lovetta Pippen. Other albums, such as 1996’s oldies revival Stars On E.S.P. and 1991’s Home Is In Your Head, full of the brooding dark sound that 4AD was famous far with bands like early Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil, are also highly recommended.
Just a comment on the MP3 thingy, not to change the subject, but it is my thread, after all. (So much as ownership can be assigned to such things, of course.)
I agree, chorizo. And to tell the truth, I may be guilty of occassionally swiping an MP3 from unofficial sources. I don’t know whether most people are like this (probably not), but as a music lover, I enjoy having a physical product, and I enjoy financially supporting bands I like. So if I find an MP3 I like, more often than not, I go out and buy the actual CD. I’ve discovered many bands in this manner. As an artist, I of course support protection of copyright, and defending one’s copyright is a huge issue in my area (photography.) But there’s gotta be a good middle ground somewhere, and bands officially offering full MP3s as a taster are a good start.
And those of you who are adventurous and perhaps want to check out some things going on in the Budapest music scene, there’s a pretty cool indie band called Stig Roar Husby. Check out their downloads at: http://www.stigroarhusby.com
I am peripherally involved with them, so I will offer that disclaimer. Maybe a bit retro, but decent production and great songwriting, IMHO. Give it a whirl. And if you know of any local favorites with MP3s, please suggest.
Lots of cool stuff mentioned in this thread. A recent favourite of mine is Mass Romantic by The New Pornographers. Very catchy power-pop, indie group based out of Vancouver. They have a '70s type sound but definitely not like those gimmicky retro-New York groups like The Strokes.
Alex Lloyd (Watching Angels Mend)- great voice, a bit mid-'90s Gin Blossomsis, but with such a nice variety of songs on one album it isn’t hard to find a favourite
Missy Elliot- genius level IQ, multimillionaire, dirty, dirty mouth
The Donnas- somehow, even with all the press they’ve gotten, they’ve managed to stay relatively underground. Probably a tired comparison, but they’re a lot like a female version of The Ramones
Try “Penniless”, which used to be called “Penniless People From Bulgaria”. Might be a bit hard to find, as they’re a Finnish band, though they sing in English.
The Donna’s, similar to Ramones, but all girls, and all named ‘Donna’, ironically. Their new album is supposed to be good. The Snakes, kinda indie rock. Death Cab for Cutiekinda indie rock.
I’ll second Death Cab For Cutie, and recommend the absolutely beautiful Augie March from Melbourne. Try and listen to The Hole In Your Roof or There Is No Such Place (I’m not sure the situation with MP3s on their site). These are absolutely gorgeous, rich, examples of poetic indie-pop. Very special.
Thanks, I’ll check out the Hungarianites you mentioned.
Songs for the Deaf - Queens of the Stone Age and () - Sigur Rós
I haven’t had time to let them both sink in but () easily rivals Ágætis Byrjun for sheer beauty and Songs for the Death really rocks. Hard. From what I hear, Dave Grohl’s stint with the Queens has rubbed off on the sound of the new Foo Fighters album, so I might have to check that one out, as well.
Chorizo, I’d have to agree with a lot of your choices. Just started getting into Modest Mouse by picking up Lonesome Crowded West. Very cool album.
Personally though, I think the most brilliant album that hasn’t been mentioned here yet is “In the Aeroplane over the Sea” by Neutral Milk Hotel. An absolutely amazing album. One of the few that’s ever given me a chill just listening to it.
Also, as a proud Canadian, I don’t think any music collection is complete without something from The Tragically Hip.
(So much as ownership can be assigned to such things, of course.)