I realized that I never listen to the radio anymore and that the only way I ever hear any new music is if friends recommend it to me, so I wanted to see who on the boards likes the same music as I do, and what y’all think I should check out.
The artists who are most common in my collection (in no order):
Pearl Jam
Black Crowes
The Grateful Dead
Van Morrison
The Who
The Beatles/John Lennon
Ben Harper
Steely Dan
Grant Lee Buffalo/Phillips
Gov’t Mule
REM
Radiohead
Ween
I also like blues and jazz: SRV, Howlin’ Wolf, Freddy King, Coltrane, Miles, Brubeck, Soulive, Scofield, Redman, etc.
And I do like some of the “new” rock: Wilco, White Stripes, Spoon, Modest Mouse.
I have a hard time finding new music too, and it seems we share some very similar tastes, minus Van Morrison.
New stuff Ive foud…Jet, The Darkness, The Strokes
New Jazz…Charlie Hunter, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, although Im guessing youre familiar with them.
Other Jazz:Purists be damned, Cannonball Adderly the Capitol Years is a disk for the ages.
I also rediscovered Beck a few years ago.
[Aside]Does Modest Mouse’s Float On remind anyone of an 80’s song, Im thinking Tears for Fears or Duran Duran. [/Aside]
Hmm…recommendations. You don’t seem to be too much of a hard rock person, so I guess we can take that out. How about these? The first three (plus the Libertines) are unbearably trendy, it’s true, but the music is gorgeous.
Death Cab for Cutie
The Killers
The Shins
Les Savy Fav
Division of Laura Lee (maybe a little punky)
The Soviettes
Rilo Kiley
The Libertines
The Dirtbombs (also maybe a little too punky)
The Explosion
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (no relation :))
If you like Wilco, check out Uncle Tupelo. Seriously. Genius. And the Old 97’s are really great too. Ooh, and Steve Earle!
And for a great female singer/songwriter with one of the most unusual (yet wonderful) voices I’ve ever heard, listen to Angela McCluskey. Shannon Wright is great as well, but pretty intense.
I am familar with most of the people you mentioned. I saw Charlie Hunter live once and he was awesome. Never heard of Cannonball Adderly, so I will check 'em out. I used be OK with Beck a while ago, maybe I should go back and listen again. I actually did that with Pearl Jam about a year ago after not listening to them in about 8 years and now they are one of my more listened to bands.
Thanks. I do like the Shins and have heard of Death Cab, but never heard any of their stuff. The rest of your list is all new to me, so I have a bunch of listening to do this weekend.
Anyone else like The Killers? Unless they are really awesome, I will have a hard time listening to a band with a name so bad. I am not offended or anything, I just think it is an extremely crappy band name.
Also, I was watching The O.C. last night (I can admit it) and The Thrills sounded pretty good from the small snippit of the song they played. Can anyone speak about the rest of their record?
Eh, I think they’re OK. I have their first album, “So Much for the City”, which I understand is much better than their new album (haven’t heard it yet). Just a little too light and dreamy for me most of the time (more than the Shins even). However, depending on how much you like the Shins, you might really like them. Check out their first album first, though.
I’ll second the Shins, Rilo Kiley, and the Strokes, and I’ll add the New Pornographers and especially the Raveonettes. I can’t say enough great things about any of those bands! If you like Wilco’s alt-country sound, give Ryan Adams (male) and Neko Case (female) a shot, plus the aforementioned Uncle Tupelo (where Jeff Tweedy from Wilco started). Of course, I have to give a plug to my favorite artist, Tom Waits, whose 30+ year career defies categorization.
Oh, Cannonball Adderley is a “he,” not a “they.” He’s one of the giants of the alto sax, from back in the old days. My personal favorite sax players (being one myself) are Charlie Parker (alto), Stan Getz (tenor), Sonny Rollins (tenor), Lester Young (tenor), and Paul Desmond (alto)–who you would definitely know if you’re a Dave Brubeck fan.
Argh! I forgot about the New Pornographers! I freaking love them! And the Raveonettes are super-cool too. I also quite like Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Stellastarr, Franz Ferdinand, Le Tigre, PJ Harvey, and the Secret Machines. If you’re willing to go a little harder, I recommend Queens of the Stone Age and the Eagles of Death Metal (not an actual death metal group).
I know, I know, I’m monopolizing this thread, but I just remembered Kings of Leon and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. And yes, Jet and the Darkness are also personal favorites of mine.
:sigh: I just can’t stop myself. I’ll quit now. Promise.
The Libertines
The Killers
Franz Ferdinand
The Strokes
Yes, all newer, pretty trendy bands. I still find far more to appreciate in these albums than most new stuff.
REM (early albums)
The Replacements (again mostly the early stuff)
The Pixies
some Pere Ubu
All stuff I feel in love with in college and still enjoy
Mission of Burma
These guys are the reason I have a stereo. Old stuff, new stuff. Mind-blowing.
If you aren’t familiar with them you should check out any of the early stuff on Ace of Hearts (re-issued by Rykodisc) or their first album in 22 years put out last year on Maverick. Or go to iTunes and download the new live ep they just put out.
I’ll second Death Cab, New Pornographers, and the Shins. You may also want to check out the Flaming Lips (albums: Soft Bulletin, Yoshimi Battles…). Great stuff there.
If you’re into gorgeous, but often depressing music, I’d recommend Elliott Smith (like a more personal Radiohead without the electronica).
If you’re into swing, then Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Squirrel Nut Zippers are a couple of swing revivalist bands that you may enjoy.
Beck came out with an album called “Sea Change” a few years ago. IMO, his best work. It’s not as techno pop as his earlier work, he wrote it right after a breakup so it’s more slow and melodic. I reccomend it highly, and it fits in with the type of music you’re looking for.
Another reccomendation is the band “**Magnolia Electric Co. **”, previously called “Songs: Ohia” until about a year ago. They are one of my favorite bands, kind of a bluesy folk rock with fantastic lyrics. They travel throughout the country alot, so you may be able to catch a show at a local music club. Covers don’t ever go for over 5-10$ so it’s economical too. Here’s some links (there’s some mp3’s on the label’s website):
There will also be a new Beck album in March, and it’s supposed to be a return to a more rocking sound. It includes at least one collaboration with Jack White of the White Stripes, and I’m looking forward to it greatly.
The two essential Beck CD’s so far are Sea Change and Odelay. Both are fantastic.
And if all you’ve heard of Warren Zevon is Werewolves of London, you should pick up some of his early music. Warren Zevon and Excitable Boy were two of the best albums of the 1970’s. I’ve been listening to him since 1978, and he’s still the most listened-to artist in my collection. His music simply never gets old.
Also highly recommended from Zevon:
Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School Sentimenal Hygiene The Wind (his last CD)
There are also some compilations and best-ofs of his work, which would also be a good place to start.
Give him a try. I think you’ll like him a lot. The first two CDs I mentioned are even available at ‘Super Saver’ prices, like 8 bucks each or something.
