# Strange, Dark Music Suggestions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 10, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760 "2003-01-10T16:25:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sacrilegium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f05b48/32.png) [@Sacrilegium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sacrilegium)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/21 "2003-01-11T14:07:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mouthbreather \* > Try _Rembrant Pussyhorse_ or _Hairway to Steven_. Will do. > [@](#): > > I really can’t seem to shutup about **Black Heart Procession’s** new album _Amore Del Tropico_. I don’t have the new one yet. I have two of their old ones, which I bring to work from time to time. My boss always refers to them as the “ **Flaming Lips** wannabes.” Of course, he also said **Ataraxia** was ripping off **Led Zeppelin** and mistook a fairly straight **Cure** cover as being a **Beck** ripoff… > [@](#): > > _Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven_ I have that one. While I can appreciate it on some level, it doesn’t do anything for me emotionally. When the music is that out-there, I just tend to forget it’s on and my mind wanders. I do like their **Molasses** side project though. ---
**Author:** ![Fibonacci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Fibonacci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fibonacci)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/22 "2003-01-11T16:36:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rsvp9146 \* > \*\*Im surprised no one has mentioned the Residents. > > They are proabably the most unique band I have ever heard, musically and conceptually. > > Nobody knows who they really are. They all wear giant eyeball masks on stage, and for a while it was thought it was the Beatles in disguise. \*\* I would also suggest the Residents. I even have an autographed Residents album and have met at least one of them. Perhaps start with **Eskimo** a bit of a concept album, extremely unique. I’d also suggest some of their early label mates, Snakefinger, maybe start with **The Man In The Dark Sedan** or almost anything off **Chewing Hides The Sound**. Tuxedo Moon. Maybe start with **Half-Mute**. Now something a little more mainstream, albeit taking a left fork, you might try Fred Neil, **Everybody’s Talking** and **The Dolphin**. Warning, stick with Fred Neil’s originals! I’d also suggest the Velvet Underground, and perhaps Marianne Faithfull’s **Broken English**. Let us know how we can hone our suggestions. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Kantalooppi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a5b964/32.png) [@Kantalooppi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kantalooppi)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/23 "2003-01-11T17:09:30Z")
I’d like to second **Firewater** , though I don’t see any particular reason why Psychopharmacology would be any worse than the first two. Somewhat different, maybe, but not worse. Also, I’d like to show my appreciation for what seems to be another “Bands Few People Have Heard Of” threads. I love them! I just go through them and download everything that sounds good to try it out - in fact, I think I came across Firewater that way. I have a bookmark collection of this type of SDMB threads, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/24 "2003-01-11T17:19:33Z")
I just read your music list, and this hopped out at me like a frog on meth: \*\*Shut Up Little Man - - (The Antics Of Peter & Raymond) - \*\* PLEASE tell me two things: 1. This is an original 2. You know where I can get one. Thanks! 🙂 Tying into Peter & Raymod: Have you heard **Thinking Fellers Union Local 282**? They may be a littlier poppier than you like, but they have put out some really quirky, cool records. I’d start with _Strangers from the Universe_ or _The Funeral Pudding_. Oh, and while _Bob Dinners and Larry Noodles present Tubby Turdner’s Celebrity Avalanche_ is not my favorite record of theirs, it is my favorite album title of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Nightime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nightime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightime)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/25 "2003-01-11T18:48:05Z")
Rasputina, _Thanks for the Ether_ ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/26 "2003-01-11T19:55:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HenrySpencer \* > \*\*I’d recommend the early **Leonard Cohen** records _Songs From The Room_, _Songs of_ (his debut), and _Songs of Love and Hate_ (I see you already have some of his 80/90s records - his 60s/70s records are quite different). > \*\* Not to hijack or anything, but could you describe what the earlier stuff sounds like? I had one album from the 80’s, and while I find him to be a terrific songwriter, excellent lyricist, and great vocalist, I found the arrangements and production to be far too lounge-y for my tastes. It’s like they took great songs and ruined them. Is the earlier stuff any different? ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/27 "2003-01-11T20:08:44Z")
Tom Waits’ newest CD, _Blood Money_, definitely falls into the dark and strange category. A few song titles: “Misery’s the River of the World,” “Everything Goes to Hell,” “Starving in the Belly of a Whale.” **Nightime** already mentioned Rasputina. They’re great. Very beautiful and often grim. ---
**Author:** ![Sacrilegium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f05b48/32.png) [@Sacrilegium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sacrilegium)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/28 "2003-01-11T20:43:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mouthbreather \* > \*\*\*\*Shut Up Little Man - - (The Antics Of Peter & Raymond) - \*\* > > PLEASE tell me two things: > > 1. This is an original > 2. You know where I can get one. > \*\* 1. No - Eddie Lee Sausage has the only TRUE originals 🙂 2. Sure do! [http://members.aol.com/leesausage/shut\_up.html](http://members.aol.com/leesausage/shut_up.html) ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/29 "2003-01-11T20:52:55Z")
Man, this thing has really come a long way since I first heard it 10 years ago. Art by Dan Clowes? I’m somewhat amazed. Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/30 "2003-01-11T21:05:15Z")
I’m a huge Magnetic Fields fan, though they aren’t as hardcore or rocky as some of the other things here. Dreadfully depressing but inventive lyrics set to happy tunes. ---
**Author:** ![Junior\_Spaceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Junior\_Spaceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Junior_Spaceman)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/31 "2003-01-11T22:47:32Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by interface2x_ > Not to hijack or anything, but could you describe what the earlier [Leonard Cohen] stuff sounds like? I had one album from the 80’s, and while I find him to be a terrific songwriter, excellent lyricist, and great vocalist, I found the arrangements and production to be far too lounge-y for my tastes. It’s like they took great songs and ruined them. Is the earlier stuff any different? His earlier records are much darker and folkier than the 80s and 90s records, and his voice changed quite a bit over the years. I can’t guarantee that you’ll like them, but it’s worth hearing them (particularly his debut and _Songs of Love and Hate_) if you think the records you’ve heard could have been better. ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/32 "2003-01-11T22:50:04Z")
It’s time you tracked down some **The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath a Cloud**. They’ve got about half a dozen releases… I’d start with **Amara Tanta Tyri** pr **The Smell of Blood But Victory**. ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/33 "2003-01-11T23:00:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Of course, he also said **Ataraxia** was ripping off **Led Zeppelin** Well, it’s not impossible. They like Kate Bush, and both Kate Bush and Led Zeppelin love Roy Harper. Perhaps they both ripped off the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/34 "2003-01-13T06:05:17Z")
Lately I’ve been rediscovering my Varttina album _Seleniko_. Finnish folk singers. Quite good–and I _hate_ folk music. If you want seriously violent & anarchic punk rock check for The Feederz, specifically the album Ever Feel Like Killing Your Boss? I’ve been meaning to burn it onto mp3. Since they advocate stealing, arson, and general nastiness, if you’re real nice and want to give it a try, I might be able to email it to you… Another good dark punk offering is The Exploited’s album Horror Epics. IMO, one of the best punk albums ever made. Of course, Minor Threat’s Red Album was the best, but that goes without saying. ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/35 "2003-01-13T06:32:45Z")
I’m sorry. I was having trouble viewing your list…so not sure if you have The The’s first album?? It’s very different from their later stuff. It was very experimental for the time - but it still sounds so current. Actually, it still sounds experimental! I think it will blow your mind. And yes, it’s dark-ish…however, you may hate it…lol. ---
**Author:** ![longjohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@longjohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longjohn)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/36 "2003-01-13T12:37:17Z")
If you like the stripped down, often acoustic, confessional approach to music, you may like Arab Strap. I noticed that you say you’re not much of a fan of electronic music, so you’ll probably either love or really hate Aphex twin. When he wants to do dark, he does not mess around. “Come to Daddy” may be the most evil bit of music I possess. It definitely qualifies on the dark criteria, throwing in a side order of twisted and extra creepiness. Got to second Portishead, they are often dark, and their music is exquisitely crafted. In a similar vein, Tricky makes superb claustrophobic, paranoid, music. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/37 "2003-01-13T14:16:40Z")
Two recommendations that may or may not work for you: Kronos Quartet’s album _Black Angel_ is way creepy music for a string quartet, sort of like Diamanda Galas on the violin and cello. The album’s title piece is a commentary on the Vietnam War written according to numerological principles and involves shattering glass, shouts, and string instruments making noises like shrieking giant monster insects. Good stuff :). The rest of the album explores different creepy pieces about (or resulting from) war, ending with a powerful version of Shostakovich’s Quartet #8, my favorite piece of classical music. And then there’s Willie Nelson’s album _Teatro_, a moody Latin-influenced bit of country music. Some of the pieces on the album are dark indeed, such as the tender love song in which the singer strangles his estranged girlfriend. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Mith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Mith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mith)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/38 "2003-01-13T14:27:29Z")
Sacrilegium, I don’t know if you are wanting to hunt down new bands or if you’re just after some new sounds… but sometimes movie soundtracks hit my buttons. Think of a movie where the scenes moved you… or some movie which you enjoyed the overall feel to it. Check out it’s soundtrack and kick back. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/39 "2003-01-13T14:38:03Z")
Early Blue Öyster Cult. _She’s as beautiful as a foot_, _Cagey cretins_ and _Harvester of eyes_ are particularly creepy, as are the lines from _Career of Evil_ (written by Patti Smith): > [@](#): > > I’d like your blue eyed horseshoe, I’d like your emerald horny toad > I’d like to do it to your daughter on a dirt road ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760/40 "2003-01-13T15:04:44Z")
Lee Hazelwood & Nancy Sinatra have been mentioned but not their most well known song collaboration- which had been covered by Lydia Lunch & got new life in the past two years when Art Bell started using it as bumper music… SOME VELVET MORNING [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-dark-music-suggestions/147760.md?page=3)