posted
Lately I've been listening to a lot of Heavy Crüde. They're the group that did most of the music for Hiatus, and they're as freaking amazing as every other element of that show would have been.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Have you heard the bootleg of their Hiatus-themed concert? Fantastic stuff; Nils Östergård's solo in Venture: Earthfall is absolutely breath-taking.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
pH- Claudio may sound like girl, but that girl (err, guy) can sing, and they are all tremendous musicians who write the most technical yet catchy rock music I have ever heard.
Posts: 748 | Registered: Dec 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
SIA! You got to hear her. They used her song in a that so you think you can dance show and in other places like the last episode of 6 Feet Under. She has sung with Zero 7. She's great! Her CD Colour the Small one has great texture in its songs.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Here are some other great bands that you may or may not have heard (most of which have broken up). I know I've posted many of these before (years ago), so many of you who were around back then will probably remember some of these.
The Mars Volta - While they have gotten some radio play (and are currently on tour with the Chilli Peppers), they're still relatively unkown. My favorite band out there right now. An Indie, jazz influenced Pink Floyd. If you get the chance, see them live.
Elliot - (NOT to be confused with Elliot Smith)Great indie band that put out 3 very diferent CD's. All 3 are great, but check out False Cathedrals for their best work.
Mineral - Mid-90's indie/emo band. powerful stuff and helped shape the sound of the early emo scene.
The Gloria Record - ex-members of Mineral. They have a very cool, mellow, ambient sound (kind of 80's influenced).
Sunny Day Real Estate - The band that really started the whole emo thing in the early 90's. Their later 2 CD's are a bit of a departure from their first 2, but equally good.
The Fire Theft - Most of the original line-up of Sunny Day Real Estate (minus guitarist/songwriter Dan Hoerner). If you like the later Sunny Day sound, buy this record.
Further Seems Forever - excellent guitar melodies and vocals (despite having 3 different singers on their 3 albums). Some fairly sophisticated song structuring in there too.
Give Until Gone - Terrific Orange County band. If you can find the CD Settled for the Art Official buy it. Versatile little emo band with some really good musicianship (the vocals are a litle sketchy though).
Rilo Kiley - Sometimes alt-country, sometimes indie. Very versatile. Their quality is up and down, but they have written some really good songs.
No Knife - Great guitar sounds and textures from this band.
Far - 90's post hardcore band. Very Simple, but powerful (especially the vocals).
Texas is the Reason - mid-90's emo/post-hardcore. simple, catchy, good.
Stavesacre - You may have to look past the Christian rhetoric with these guys, but they are a powerful hardrock band with some post-hardcore roots. Great vocals.
Sparta - Ex-members of At the Drive In (the ones that didn't go to the Mars Volta). great indie-rock, but it took me a while to get used to the vocals. You know, I never liked At the Drive In , but I really like both the bands spawned by it's demise. kinda weird.
Zwann - Short lived post Smashing Pumpkins project for Billy Corgan (and Jimmy Chamberlain). More laid back with more texture than the Pumpkins.
Cave In - Great band, but you have to be careful when buying their albums. Their first 2 are screaming metal-core; decent, but not for the faint of heart. They went through a huge metamorphosis and completely changed their sound after those first 2 records. Buy Antenna , Jupiter , and Tides of Tomorrow (in that order) for some of the best rock you will ever hear. Big guitars with some spacey effects. Stay away from the album Perfect Pitch Black though. Horrible stuff on that one.
Open Hand - good rock. nuff said.
Sensefield - really good post-punk/emo band. Great vocals and melodies (and the tallest lead singer I have ever seen, he's at least 6'8", who was also the last lead singer for Further Seems Forever).
Posts: 748 | Registered: Dec 1999
| IP: Logged |
The Reputation - fantastic girl-led power pop with a nice mixture of guitars and moody piano. Sarge - the former band of The Reputation's lead singer/ primary songwriter; pretty much the same thing except with more of a pop-punk edge. Rx Bandits - punk and reggae meets prog rock. Ratatat - instrumental electronica rock, with a sound reminiscent of old 16-bit Nintendo systems on crack.
Posts: 1321 | Registered: Sep 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
The only Sunny Day album I can listen to from start to finish is Rising Tide. Others I can listen to some songs off each album at a time, but not as a whole.
And I wouldn't say that Elliot's False Cathedrals is that different from Song in the Air.
I would second Open Hand. My friend sara sent me an ep six years ago and it rocked my face off. I have since bought their "album" The Dream,which as essentially eps packaged together as one record, and their You and Me record.
Dillinger Escape Plan - a math-metal band that I enjoy.
For Squirrels - a band from the early/mid 90s that ended in a carcrash. One album titled Example. so good.
Guns N Roses: A band from the late 80s early 90s that stood out from the rest of the glam metal acts due to solid songwriting and guitarwork. Their Guitarists signature was a top hat and big glasses. The singer had long red hair. They had a few minor hits, but never really broke through to become superstars. maybe someday their genius will be appreciated.
2 Skinnee J's - Fun nerdcore rap band.
Lake Trout - best described as live Drum and Bass.
Dr. Ring Ding and the Senior Allstars - A fantastic ska/reggae band from the now defunct Moon Ska label. Plus the singer was german. That amuses me for some reason. Very underappreciated.
[ August 31, 2006, 08:18 AM: Message edited by: Ben ]
Posts: 1572 | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by solo: I have to disagree about At The Drive-In though. I like Sparta and The Mars Volta but neither live up to At The Drive-In to me.
Really? Someone once convinced me to pick up their album In Casino Out, and I'll never forgive them. It's a serious contender for least favorite album in my whole collection. I can't get two songs into that thing without wanting to stab someone in the eye with an icepick. I once listened to about 2/3 of that disc at a stretch and I felt like I'd run a marathon.
So what is it about them that you find appealing? Please, take some of the mystery out of it for me. Because up until now I just assumed it was recommended to me as a cruel practical joke.
Posts: 563 | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by kojabu: twinky: Metric had a song play on Grey's Anatomy and I'm so obsessed with it now. One of the songs was "Police and Private" and I think another one was "Monster Hospital"
I saw Metric live this summer. They were at the same festival where I saw Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, Gnarls Barkley, The Flaming Lips, Bob Mould and The Who.
I can't say the show turned me into a big fan, but they were okay. After their gig they came into the crowd and stood about 10 feet from us for the Gnarls Barkley set. They are, if nothing else, a fairly attractive assemblage of musicians.
Posts: 563 | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I love In Casino Out. one of their appeals was the bands the live set. When they were around, I had never seen a band work as hard as they did on stage. Those guys poured everything they had out on stage and then some.
But their albums are great as well (i still listen regularly). I think it's just their energy pours out through the speakers even then. Their passion for music is obvious and they have alot of fun. Their lyrics are outrageous though.
Posts: 1572 | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Luet13: I agree with Twinky. The Canadian scene, particularly in Montreal, has some great things happening such as: God Speed You Black Emperor! Do Make Say Think The Black Ox Orkestar Non-Canadian obscure things I love: Disrobe-Local Chicago DIY Thrash/Punk/Metal Ferdinand Fox-Local Chicago Pop/Funk/Rock/Rap (Both have MySpace pages, check 'em out) Mike Patton and all his fun projects like Peeping Tom and Fantomas Random Bollywood soundtracks because the female vocals truly amaze me.
It's Godspeed You! Black Emperor
But joking aside, I second this recommendation and also recommend their side project, The Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band.
Someone mentioned Dance in My Blood by Men Women and Children; that's not their only good song, as their self-titled album is really fantastic.
I'm going to third Cave In as well, as their non-metal stuff is really quite good. My roommate last year is very much into metal and also likes their other albums, as well as Dillinger, so for those of you who like metal, it'd be good to check them out, as well as Converge and Thrice.
There's a band called Murder By Death that's also really fantastic. They're largely acoustic, with a singer who sounds quite similar to Johnny Cash (they actually have a song called Sometimes the Line Walks You).
I absolutely must recommend Porcupine Tree. They're a small British group with something like a dozen albums in their discography. A lot of their earlier stuff isn't so good, but more recent albums like Deadwing and In Absentia are among my favorites of all time. They're prog rock with breathy vocals, and it's beautiful.
Somewhat similar is Opeth and their album Damnation. They're pretty well-known on the metal scene, as I understand it, but Damnation takes a softer instrumental approach with some of the most beautiful vocals I've ever heard.
The Seatbelts are also pretty good; their music is all over the place, so it's difficult to describe, but for those of you who have seen Cowboy Bebop, they did the music for the show.
I've just started to get into a group called Ted Leo & The Pharmacists. They're a rock/indie group that are definitely worth checking out.
Seconding They Might Be Giants, though they're pretty well-known, if I remember right.
Someone mentioned Zero 7 above, and I highly recommend that as well. It's pretty varied, too, so the best way to describe their music is to tell you to listen to it.
For those of you who like Celtic music, Battlefield Band is amazing. They have a huge discography, and everything I've heard by them is superb.
For those of you who like Pink Floyd (so I guess mostly everyone, right?), you might be interested in checking out Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music. They were on the music scene around the same time and influenced each other pretty heavily, if I remember right.
Another band metal fans might like is a band started in my hometown of Parkersburg called Zao. Most, if not all, of the original members are gone now, but they're good as far as metal goes (heck, I mostly can't stand to listen to metal, but I can tolerate Zao pretty well). Oh, there's also Glassjaw (metal) and their side project Head Automatica (dancepop). HA's quite good, and I hear good things about Glassjaw from people who like that genre.
As for a few artists that you all probably already know, John Mayer recently teamed up with Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino for the John Mayer Trio, and it is wonderful stuff. A lot of people learned about Modest Mouse from their album Good News for People Who Love Bad News, but even though it's a great album, it is not their best; check out The Moon & Antarctica in particular, though they've got quite a lot of work in their name. I'm also going to have to say that I very much prefer The Mars Volta to At The Drive-In; I think he does better vocal work and that there's somewhat more depth and variation to the instrumentation with The Mars Volta than there is with At The Drive-In.
I'm sure most of you know about it already, but for those of you who don't, Pandora, an internet radio station, is an absolutely fantastic way to listen to and to research some of the suggestions made here. It's free, and it can also help you learn of even more artists you haven't heard of before.
Edit: I also want to add that I both love and hate these posts. I love them because of all the new music, I hate them because I'm busy for months afterwards trying out so much different stuff and so I don't listen to a lot of the great stuff I already have.
Posts: 143 | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ben - I'm surprised at your opinion regarding Elliot. I could maybe understand if you had said U.S. Songs didn't sound that diferent from False Cathedrals, as those two albums have some striking similarities, but False Cathedrals has a very different sound from Songs in the Air. Songs in the Air is a very melow, almost ambient rock album (in fact, many Elliot fans argue that it is too mellow, though I disagree). The 2nd guitarist uses a lot of effects and textured chords (as opposed to the more common single-string, octave-chord, and power chord use on the first 2 records. This is due, in large part, to a change in guitarist) and there is much less crunch and power from both guitars.
Posts: 748 | Registered: Dec 1999
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by solo: I have to disagree about At The Drive-In though. I like Sparta and The Mars Volta but neither live up to At The Drive-In to me.
Really? Someone once convinced me to pick up their album In Casino Out, and I'll never forgive them. It's a serious contender for least favorite album in my whole collection. I can't get two songs into that thing without wanting to stab someone in the eye with an icepick. I once listened to about 2/3 of that disc at a stretch and I felt like I'd run a marathon.
So what is it about them that you find appealing? Please, take some of the mystery out of it for me. Because up until now I just assumed it was recommended to me as a cruel practical joke.
I can't comment specifically on In Casino/Out as I haven't listened to it enough to remember specific songs. I would recommend checking out Relationship of Command and Vaya if you want to hear some of their best work.
Why I prefer them to Sparta and The Mars Volta? Probably due to the more raw nature of their sound. The Mars Volta are great when I want to listen to amazing technical guitar playing but they are a little bit self indulgent there. Sparta are a great alternative rock band with excellent tone and an interesting sound (though I lost interest in their second album pretty quickly). At The Drive-In are more punk/post-punk influenced and that is a sound I really enjoy. They were more experimental with sound in general than either of the bands that sprung from their ashes.
Posts: 1336 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Just heard a great band that I had never heard of before.
The Receiving End of Sirens - Dynamic band with big guitars offset by intricate single string melodies as well as mellow, moody, ambient, effects-laden parts. They also like to play around with time signatures from time to time. The only minor drawback is that they occasionally fall into some of the standard screamo stylings, but even those parts are usually pulled off well with something a little extra thrown in to set them apart from your average screamo band.
Posts: 748 | Registered: Dec 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
There's a few groups/artists I didn't bring up in my first post because I only have one or two albums by each of them, so I can't personally vouch for their entire catalogue. But the albums I have are good enough, and the groups/artists obscure enough, that it might fit.
Kila is a modern celtic group. It's mostly instrumental, but with a few vocals here and there when it suits the music. They're fairly experimental, so they probably don't sound like any celtic music you're likely to have heard before. A lot of it sounds like a cross between The Chieftains and The Gipsy Kings, but of course that doesn't capture it completely. And they have ways of throwing in curveballs. For example, you can listen to the piece that convinced me to buy the album here. [click on the link that reads "Listen to The Hour Before Dawn"] Be warned, this track doesn't really sound like anything else on the album. It's utterly brilliant, but in a totally different way.
While you're at the link from the last paragraph, the next track down is by a Ugandan musician named Samite. Again, this song is much simpler than most of his work, dispensing with the percussive African polyrhythms that feature prominently in his albums. But it's still breathtaking, a tribute to the musician's late wife that communicates his feelings toward her with crystal clarity, even though you won't understand any of the words. I liked that track enough that I ended up buying two of his albums, and they're both amazing from start to finish.
Going back to the Celtic sound, or at least somewhere near it, there's a musician from Norway named Annbjorg Lien. She plays the violin and a similar instrument called the Hardingfele. Her music has traditional Nordic roots with a fresh modern approach. It sounds sort of like if Edvard Grieg were a rock star. The compositions are first-rate, and they're augmented by brilliant performances, full of character, soul and energy. Baba Yaga is the album I own, and it's highly recommended.
Speaking of Norwegian music, Jaga Jazzist are pretty damn sweet themselves. They're from the same country as Lien, but you'd never guess it from their music. They're a 10-piece acid-jazz combo with great chops in both jazz and techno. If you can imagine a jam session with Charles Mingus, Aphex Twin, John Coltrane and Stereolab, you might have some idea what you're in for. I own their album A Livingroom Hush, and anyone with any interest in either jazz or electronica will have a hard time not digging it.
Posts: 563 | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Jenny Lewis Plain White Ts Tim Hardin Rufus Wainwright Benjamin Wagner Postal Service (actually pretty popular thanks to Grey's Anatomy and Veronica Mars)
Posts: 1592 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Wow, I forgot all about this thread since I killed it last time. I'm curious, did anyone listen to Kila or Samite from the NPR link in my last post (two up from this one)? Any opinions, good or bad?
Posts: 563 | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
"While you're at the link from the last paragraph, the next track down is by a Ugandan musician named Samite."
Samite is fabulous. We see him(them) every summer at GrassRoots. In fact, I believe he lives in Ithaca now(or is based there) Richie STearns often joins them for a late night set. He is an old time banjo player. It sounds strange, but it is freaking AMAZING. The banjo came from Africa, anyway.
"a tribute to the musician's late wife that communicates his feelings toward her with crystal clarity, even though you won't understand any of the words."
You are so right! It is very moving.
There are so very many African bands that blow me away. Oliver Mtukudzi is one.
Tinariwen, a gypsy band from Mali(I think) is another. Mamadou Diabate is a third. He plays the kora, which is this giant many-stringed instrument that looks like, well, never mind. It is beautiful and soothing, and the skill for playing it is passed down through generations.
It is interesting to see how African music has evolved from its roots, and to compare it to American music, much of which also evolved from African roots. The roots are strong, for sure. They hold up a mighty huge tree!
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Also, I am seriously addicted to gypsy jazz these days. I saw a performer at Rhythm and Roots, John Jorgenson, who is an American expert in the genre.
If you have never seen the film(mockumentary?) "Sweet and Lowdown," with Sean Penn, rent it now! He is brilliant, and the music is fabulous.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Elizabeth: Mamadou Diabate is a third. He plays the kora, which is this giant many-stringed instrument that looks like, well, never mind. It is beautiful and soothing, and the skill for playing it is passed down through generations.
HIs he related to this guy? If so, I'm sure he's very good.
Posts: 563 | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
He was nominated for the Polaris, and was robbed by that sissy violin player Owen Pallett. K'naan is a refugee from Mogadishu. This album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, is an unstoppable tour de force. It just never stops being heart stoppingly awesome. See: "If Rap Gets Jealous" and "I Was Stabbed by Satan."
And there's so much more on that site. And did I mention it is FREE and LEGAL?
Oh, and the second source of music, which is kind of like a subset of the first.
The CBC Radio3 podcast. Updates on Fridays; it's an hour long full of the best new Canadian music. If you want your mind blown, open up your itunes and download #69, the Polaris prize episode. All the music comes from New Music Canada, and so yes, it is alllllllll legal.
Posts: 1515 | Registered: Feb 2002
| IP: Logged |
These are the taper friendly bands that fit in the "music you don't know" category, but hey, that's the thread! However, if you search the archive, there is tons and tons of music that is being saved from extinction. It is a very cool thing.
[ October 01, 2006, 10:43 AM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think anyone who enjoys blues, world music, or guitar sounds in general should check out Ali Farka Toure's Savane.
It's not a genre that I listen to in great abundance, but I'm tempted to call it the best album of 2006.
Posts: 1855 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
That is cool stuff. It is like the African roots of blues redcycled back to Africa. It is a little bit disconcerting, but fascinatingly so! Albums which people make when they know they are dying are awfully powerful.
Another musician who rocks my world is Ernest Ranglin. Yowza.
posted
I love the violin played by Kunnakudi – Vaulting With The Strings Daara J – Senegalese rap Cheb Mami – album Dellali provides astounding voice and synth dance beat rhythm Vas reminds me of Dead Can Dance and Enya: voice and atmosphere Konono is amped thumb piano The beautiful sound of the Bulgarian Female Choir on Le Mystere les voix Bulgares Jazz funk of NOMO - New Tones Boubacar Traore – Macire is African Folk Corvus Corax has a wonderful sound and they look bizarre to me Oud player Hamza el Din Oud and violin player Simon Shaheen Scandinavian rock band Dungen (doon-Yen) Allison Shaw’s voice amid Cranes electronic chimes is quiet and beautiful The three voices of Trio Mediaeval Anna Oxygen’s playful All Your Faded Things The rock voices of Scanners (Violence is Golden), Curve (Cuckoo), Duke Spirit (Cuts Across the Land) and Broadcast (Tender Buttons) Coachwhips is abrasive discordant garage punk and I delight in it whereas another band like this would not appeal. Timing? Anyone listened to Mew’s new disc And The Glass Handed Kites. Wainwright’s sister Martha has a very good album. Armenian duduk player Djivan Gasparyan
“Yeah” vote to My Morning Jacket, Pinback, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Opeth (Have you listened to Ulver? Friend brought my attention to them), Dredg and Oliver Mtukudzi. Nightwish? How about Rain Fell Within and The Gathering? The international music I found from allmusic.com and the samples disc from Global Rhythm magazine (Tinariwen made the cover).
Posts: 61 | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I bought the Under the Influence of Giants album this morning, finally. I've been walking into stores and staring at it for a while. I kept telling myself that I could just put it on my mp3 player, but I was worried that I'd get shuffle-happy.
You need this album. Every single song is awesome. And it sounds cool. And there are horns.
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
