Music Roamer Is a good site to show you musicians that are similar to ones you like. Also Music-Map
Moved to Cafe Society, our forum for the arts.
I think I’ve got a pretty good sense of what kind of music you like. However, you say you want to expand your collection and are afraid to try new things, so I will try to suggest some that aren’t like anything on your list. That said, I’d recommend the following absolutely 5-star albums (please go to AllMusic or a similar site, they can explain them much better than i) :
Billy Bragg - Talking with the Taxman About Poetry
Robert Wyatt - Nothing Can Stop Us
Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels On a Gravel Road
Split Lip Rayfield - Never Make It Home (Thrash Bluegrass!)
Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer
David Byrne by his lonesome ain’t bad. (though, of course, this release was with Brian Eno).
The Hold Steady, Boys and Girl in America
More or less classic rock. Great lyrics, with a recurring cast of characters who mostly happen to be drug-addled losers. Losers who seem to know an unusual amount about John Berryman and Catholicism. Hipsters will tell you to buy their first CD, but hipsters always say that. Song to download: “Stuck Between Stations”
Wilco, Sky Blue Sky
Not my favorite Wilco record, but it fits your list and it’s new. In its best places it sounds oddly like 70s AM radio with a lot more kick. And Nels Cline is a heroic guitarist. Song to download: “Impossible Germany”
Tom Waits, Rain Dogs
Maybe the high point of Waits’ throw-the-banjo-down-the-well-and-sing-through-a-bullhorn period. Actually, I’d suggest the “Brawlers” disc off Orphans but I don’t think you can buy it alone. If you’re loose with money, buy Orphans. Song to download: “Jockey Full of Bourbon.”
Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins, Run Devil Run
A great country-rock record. She’s witty, she writes great melodies, and she’s adorable. Song to download: “The Big Guns”
Big Star, #1 Record/Radio City
The great forgotten records of the early 70s. Just beautiful, happy music, like the high points of Revolver with a little Memphis in place of the druggy haze. Actually, I don’t know how to describe it, but almost every song has floated up into my iPod’s top 100. Song to download: “When My Baby’s Beside Me.”
The Faces, Long Player or Ooh La La
The great forgotten band of the early 70s. I’ve been on a big Ronnie Lane kick lately and have come to believe that the Faces are criminally overlooked. Probably because there’s no one left on earth who can take Rod Stewart seriously. It’s a lot to get over, those late 70s videos. But these are great records – sloppy, sweet, loud, funny. Song to download: “Sweet Lady Mary.” If you already have “Stay With Me” and “Ooh La La”
And pick up a greatest hits CD by Cheap Trick.
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Social Distortion for Bad Religion
My favorite punk band. Mike Ness is great and also has a solo alt-country CD. Good stuff. -
Buzzcocks for Offspring
The progenitors of pop-punk, but still true to its roots -
Wolfmother for AC/DC
Great Australian hard rock. Missing them at Bonnaroo 2006 is one of my musical regrets now that they’ve split.
I have lists miles long, but you are going to get great suggestions anyway and the boards are acting up still so I will give you just one AWESOME pic based on your fandom of Optimus Rhyme you must check out MC Frontalot.
Check it (youtube links)
Bah! I can’t leave it at that.
Ok 4 more from my, “everyone should be listening to these bands why aren’t you” file.
Again, Youtube links.
Voxtrot
Wolf Parade
Gogol Bordello
The Thermals
The Pogues
Ok, I feel better. Enjoy.