# Some gaps in my musical knowledge (and what to do about it.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [February 22, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943 "2024-02-22T13:47:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/21 "2024-02-22T18:47:51Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Have you listened to **Blood, Sweat & Tears** ’ first album " _Child Is Father to the Man_"? Because, fuuuuuuuck… > > Also, what do you know of **Chicago**? Right. I’m taking bookings for NEXT winter now… j ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/22 "2024-02-22T18:50:44Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I am extremely ignorant about Olivia Rodrigo. And Ariana Grande. And Dua Lipa. And Lizzo. And Doja Cat. And, yes, Taylor Swift. I’m not really into any of those other artists but I have been a fan of Lizzo since 2015. Her albums are well worth checking out because they are in fact musically tight. But if you’re not in to celebrating your blackness, fatness, woman-ness or dancing around the room you might not be as thoroughly into it as I am. I’d suggest giving the album “Cuz I Love You” a try, at least. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/23 "2024-02-22T18:54:14Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > I did decide early on that Rap (and similar stuff) is rubbish, and I’m not going to apologise for that. > It ain’t music, and nobody is going to be playing ‘Rap Classics’ in 50 years time. Erm, hip-hop is 50 years old this year. People are indeed playing “rap classics” right now. Did you see the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show? That was “rap classics” and it wasn’t even from the earliest years. There’s a ton of rap _right now_ that is worthy to be forgotten but the same goes for every genre in every decade. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/24 "2024-02-22T19:07:44Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > There’s a ton of rap _right now_ that is worthy to be forgotten but the same goes for every genre in every decade. Very true, of course. How often are Schoenberg’s or Webern’s 12-tone pieces played nowadays other than in rather academic situations…? Not many people dance to those at weddings, I think? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/25 "2024-02-22T19:37:40Z")
There are obviously endless artists that would fit, so I’ll pick two that I’d consider seminal artists for anyone’s musical knowledge - one old, one new(ish). In the old category, **The Cure**. I became a fan in the mid-80s but mostly stuck to _Seventeen Seconds_ and _Faith_, and various hits off other albums. I finally went through their complete discography in order, and it was really cool to see the progression. And as counter-programming to Taylor Swift (an excellent plan), I plan to go through all of Beyoncé. I started liking some of Taylor’s music by accident in the _1989_ era, became an actual fan with _Folklore_, and finally went through all her albums last year. Her first two aren’t my thing, but everything since then has been excellent. So now I feel like I should do the same with Beyoncé. I like some of her stuff, and I think I’ll like more if I dedicate the time. ---
**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:** [February 22, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/26 "2024-02-22T19:50:51Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I’d suggest giving the album “Cuz I Love You” a try, at least. Thanks for the guidance. I’m currently in the process of sampling some of Lizzo’s offerings and, to my surprise, I am familiar with at least one of her songs - the catchy “Juice”. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/27 "2024-02-22T20:51:43Z")
I’m not sure if we’re supposed to be making recommendations, but other essential albums for me would include Television’s _Marquee Moon_, the first two Pretenders albums, Gang of Four _Entertainment_ to cover some post-punk ground of the late 70s/early 80s. I would also give that Olivia Rodrigo _Guts_ a spin. Sonic Youth’s _Daydream Nation_ also comes to mind. Kanye West’s _My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy_. Whatever you think of him as a person, he can put together some sick beats. Nikki Minaj’s lines on “Monster” are particularly killer, but I take it hip-hop is not a favorite style of yours, so you may not like it. Surprised you didn’t like that Stone Roses album. Definitely a late 80s classic. Oh, and around that time My Bloody Valentin’s _Loveless_, my #1 or #2 record of all time (along with _Pet Sounds_), but it might be a slow- or no-burn as it’s pretty much a wall of soud. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/28 "2024-02-22T21:00:32Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m not sure if we’re supposed to be making recommendations Recommendations are great; but I was also interested in the idea of persuading people to try this themselves - I have a long list of things I really should get around to listening to (longer than I realized, it turns out - thanks, guys!); and I assume others are in a similar position. It looks like @Mean_Mr.Mustard had already started, and it’s kind of interesting to hear what he’s been up to. j ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/29 "2024-02-22T21:05:28Z")
Ok, I get it. Yeah, I go through spurts like that when I try to “catch up” on stuff. Over the summer I listened to all the Taylor Swift albums in about three days. A year before I went through a Kanye spurt of all the albums. I don’t really have anything on deck, though, so I’ll be looking through this thread for recs. Oh, I did promise a friend to listen to a couple of Elvis Costello and the Attractions albums, _Get Happy_ and _Trust_. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/30 "2024-02-22T21:38:47Z")
A few Canadian bands: The Tragically Hip - Up To Here Lighthouse April Wine A representative song from each: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LAZUsCONjIQ/maxresdefault.jpg "The Tragically Hip - New Orleans Is Sinking (.)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAZUsCONjIQ) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/O7rm7uBcyNg/maxresdefault.jpg "Sunny Days") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7rm7uBcyNg) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/YlcY_enzwmI/hqdefault.jpg "April Wine - I Like to Rock (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlcY_enzwmI) ---
**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:** [February 22, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/31 "2024-02-22T21:54:39Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Oh, I did promise a friend to listen to a couple of Elvis Costello and the Attractions albums, _Get Happy_ and _Trust_. Ahh, now we’re talking my language. “Trust” is not Elvis at his best. It is fine, but not one that I would recommend to a newbie. I would direct you to “Armed Forces”, “Imperial Bedroom” (this one will take a couple of listens but is so worth it), or his wonderful collaboration with Burt Bacharach, “Painted From Memory”. Did I mention “King of America”? No? Oh, then, “King of America” as well. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/32 "2024-02-22T23:29:10Z")
Elvis Costello is one of those artists who (like Bowie, for another example) adopted different sounds/styles on different albums, so you can’t really judge him based on any one album. My introduction to Elvis was _Punch the Clock_, which I still really like and consider one of his more underrated albums, though I don’t say it’s as good as _Armed Forces_ or _Imperial Bedroom_. _King of America_ never really grabbed me though, for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/33 "2024-02-23T00:18:02Z")
That’s interesting. My friend who is the biggest Costello nerd says of _Trust_ : “As for pop perfection, the follow-up album “Trust” is as good as it gets” I’ll try it all and see what resonates with me. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2024, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/34 "2024-02-23T01:17:41Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s interesting. My friend who is the biggest Costello nerd says of _Trust_ : “As for pop perfection, the follow-up album “Trust” is as good as it gets” You know what? I got my Elvis albums mixed up. When I responded, I was thinking of “Goodbye Cruel World” for some reason (maybe cuz they both have blue-ish covers). “Trust” is indeed outstanding. “Goodbye Cruel World” is…fine. mmm ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/35 "2024-02-23T02:40:22Z")
Back in 2021 I came to the realization that, because all the music I listen to now is streamed, I had basically stopped listening to complete albums entirely. So I found a listing of NME’s 500 greatest albums of all time. And, silly though it is, I liked the look of it more than the Rolling Stone list. I loaded it into Excel, randomized it and began listening to an album a day (roughly). Very interesting experience - I found plenty of really good stuff that I had never really listened to before. Several bands whose popular songs I didn’t like had albums that I did. And I got back to listening to albums, just as I did when I first fell under the lure of music. There were 5 Elvis Costello albums on the list _This Year’s Model_, _My Aim is True_, _Imperial Bedroom_\*,Punch the Clock\* and _Blood and Chocolate_. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/36 "2024-02-23T03:24:31Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Just pick an album you really, really ought to know (but don’t), and YouTube (etc) awaits. Tell us what you think. Cat Power is a name I’d heard numerous times but never looked for an album or heard a song played (that I knew of) so, inspired by the thread, I looked up a list of albums and saw _Moon Pix_ as highly rated. It was a limited success: I don’t necessarily mind a noodly and loosely constructed song without much traditional rhyme structure (for example, much of Mazzy Star) but I found a lot of the album hard to keep focused on. It would be fine for playing in the background but I drifted regularly while listening. “Cross Bones Style” was the most attractive, probably because it had the most energy, and I liked “Say” and “Back of Your Head” enough to flip my phone screen on and see what the song was called. I don’t see me slotting it into my collection but at least now I know. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/37 "2024-02-23T03:30:36Z")
Since I see some prog-ish stuff on here, I recommend Jethro Tull for many solid whole-album listens. They had a great high quality run. Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, Stand Up, Minstrel in the Gallery, Songs from the Wood are all great listens. On the metal-ish side of things, the Van Halen albums of David Lee Roth era are also tight solid listens with almost no filler. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/38 "2024-02-23T09:02:07Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Aside from Aja, the only one falling into the 40-minutes-of-my-life-wasted category (and a big surprise, given their reputation) was the Stone Roses. It felt like listening to a strangely failed Mamas And Papas tribute act. That … is so far from my experience, that I have to wonder if you actually listened to a bad female-led Stone Roses tribute act or something. The _Mamas and the Papas_? I don’t see how that comparison even exists, especially for _The Stone Roses_ album. I _finally_ listened to Rush last week - I thought I’d start with _Tom Sawyer_, as it seemed to be considered definitive, and then pick an album. I did not get to picking an album. I did not finish the song. I did not get halfway through the song. I feel like I lost some of my musical taste just for lasting that long. Gods, that was just unmitigated shit. I know enough Steely Dan to know I won’t last an album. They did give a name to _Deacon Blue_, though, so not a total loss. Saw them (Deacon Blue) last night, in fact, awesome concert. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/39 "2024-02-23T12:07:17Z")
Now I have some albums to check out. Thanks everyone. For Steely Dan people, Donald Fagen has four solo albums with the same style of Steely Dan. Two of them are in the 2000’s. I listen to all four plus all the Steely Dan albums on a regular basis. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943/40 "2024-02-23T15:09:55Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I _finally_ listened to Rush last week - I thought I’d start with _Tom Sawyer_, as it seemed to be considered definitive, and then pick an album. I did not get to picking an album. I did not finish the song. I did not get halfway through the song. I feel like I lost some of my musical taste just for lasting that long. Gods, that was just unmitigated shit. As a long time Rush fan, I have to say that “Tom Sawyer” is not representative of most of their work. At least give the rest of the “Moving Pictures” album a listen. If you still think it’s crap, then at least you’ve done your due diligence. But please don’t base an opinion of “Rush is crap” on half a song. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-gaps-in-my-musical-knowledge-and-what-to-do-about-it/997943.md?page=3)