SnoopDogg

Well I think it is time to try out some new music. Please tell us what kind of music it is!

My first guy you guys should check out is Sage Francis. I seen him w/ Atmosphere in Minneapolis, and I fell in love w/ the guy. He is GREAT, check out the Album Personal Journals. He is a deep poetry type of guy.

So who do you guys like.... underground or commercial.

Spike Jonze

Some of you have probably heard of him, but I really like Brendan Benson. I would have never heard of him if it wasn't for Jack White.

Rypro 525

commercial

borisdisco

If you have not checked out Canadian artist Matthew Good, I highly recommend him. His Beautiful Midnight CD is a good place to start.

Gunshy

Well, if any of you are into the heavy "stoner"* rock scene (EG Kyuss, QOTSA, Lowrider, Spritual Beggars...) and haven't checked out the band Cowboys & Aliens, I highly reccommend this band. They have 2 CDs out, "Trip to the Stonehenge Colony" and "Love Sex Volume". Really, not a filler track on either. They're from Belgium but all /lyricstracks are in English.

-Gunshy

* yeah I know, not a great moniker but usually people know what you mean when you use it.

tonyc3742

I don't get into most 'popular' music, but I took my wife to the Toad the Wet Sprocket concert last weekend, and one of the opening acts, Bleu, we both really liked. Sounded similar to Toad, the pop/alternarock stuff, but there was something about it--the first couple of songs he played reminded me of Dexys Midnight Runners, and some of the later songs had a Bowie 'feel' to them. We bought his CD as we were leaving the concert, which was cool too, because he and the musicians were hanging out, shaking hands and signing CD's/posters. When an artist is willing to do that, it says something to me. His site is http://bleutopia.com/ .
Also, check out Koop, jazz/fusion, I guess; I'm listening to them right now. And one of my more preferred 'underground' bands is Inkubus Sukkubus, http://www.inkubussukkubus.com/ ; a Wiccan/pagan/gothic band from UK.

whaaat

Fans of Pink Floyd, Radiohead or just plain good soul music should check out Lewis Taylor. He's sort of unclassifiable in the way that the above artists are, but could broadly be described as "psychedelic soul".
He's got 2 albums out on Island (Lewis Taylor, Lewis II) and one on his own label called "Stoned Part I". His music, especially his first album is intricately layered, and has tons of countermelodies, so you have to train your ears to listen to him. Once you do, however, his stuff gets better with each listen. One of his big influences is Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and he creates a similar "wall of sound" in his music. You can download some b-sides from:
http://lewistaylormusic.com/audibles.html
I especially recommend, Waves, A Little Bit Tasty, Cherry Blossom, Bittersweet (extended, not the K&D mixes) and all the live and rehearsal stuff. Straight funk heads will also enjoy Got Me Thinkin' All About It.
Check it out, and change your life.
Enjoy.

JNielsen

Underground

Check out Mr. Lif - I Phantom

remjim

Great thread idea!

A couple of bands that I'm listen to at the moment that I try to 'push' (in a friendly way of course ) on people:

Plaid - Amazing electronic group. If you are into Boards of Canada or Aphex Twin's more ambient stuff then definitely check these guys out. Double Figure is a good album to begin with.

The Flaming Lips - Now I realize that there has been a good deal of hype surrounding them for their latest, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. And they deserve it! My favorite album of last year. Just download "Are You a Hypnotist?" and "Fight Test" and you'll fall in love. I promise.

On a sidenote I have tickets to see them in NYC in April. Has anyone here seen them yet? I read a really good review of them in Q and can't wait.

Duckie

Plaid are great. The Trainer collection is my favorite from them.

I bet you'd like Casino vs. Japan if you haven't heard them. Whole Numbers Play the Basics keeps finding it's way back to my cd carousel. It falls somewhere between Boards of Canada and Plaid. Warm, lucious sounds in playful arrangements.

remjim

Thanks. I'll definitely check them out.

Just curious Duckie - were you as disappointed in the last BOC album as I was?

Duckie

It's a cd that I keep meaning to give more listens to because of all the praise heaped upon it. But I was disappointed I suppose in that initially it just sounded like more of the same only a lot less interesting. If it didn't have the BOC name or critical acclaim, I probably would have forgotten about it already.

jk4w

GOATWHORE is a must !
They have one CD out on Rotten Records called Eclipse Ages into the Black Sun & their new one comes out on 4/15.
If you love Black Metal this band is for you.They are the Heaviest most Evil band ever.

the aftermath

Type: Underground HipHop
Artist: Zion I
Evidence: "Mind over Matter"

zak52

I saw them about 10 years ago open for the Butthole Surfers. They are a hit or miss band with me. IMO they have great songs and they have terrible songs.

SnoopDogg

Dude, I downloaded a song, and I am going to purchase the cd when I find it. Pretty good.

Da Thrilla

@ aftermath's sig

fallow

After reading about them in several online publications, I finally heard Broken Social Scene, and I have to say that it is really an amazing group. I've been into the Canadian collective music scene for awhile (ie - Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion, Do Make Say Think, etc etc), and it was really great to hear them push their musical limits again, not to mention actual singing (!!). I hate to rehash reviews, but they combine infallible hooks with great song structure and sound. One of the best indie-pop albums I've heard in a long time. By a long shot.

Other than that I've been listening to more stuff by bands like The Sea and Cake, The Walkmen (disappointed I only heard their stuff recently), and The Notwist (same as The Walkmen...can't believe I didn't hear it sooner).

Giantrobo

I will suggest sufi qawwali(Islamic prayers) singer Nusrat Fetah Ali Khan.

Just when the Western World was getting to know him back in '97, he died.

Peter Gabriel, Eddie Veder, and many others found inspiration in his music.

Some more info here

the aftermath

Glad you liked it. I changed it again to make it even more deceiving

Sweet. If you liked that one song, I'm sure you'll like the rest. Very consistent cd, one of my faves

bdrules

i also am promoting the flaming lips. along with beulah and spoon. all great bands. and believe it or not most people i know haven't heard of wilco either, so i sort of push them too. accually i probably push them the most.

Giantrobo

I would also like to tell all about John Mayer

http://www.johnmayer.com


I'm sure he's old news to most here but he's "new" to me and I dig his stuff.

woofman

Martin Sexton: If you like a good bluesy folk/acoustic album check out one of his earlier (and best) CD's "Black Sheep". His studio recordings don't do justice to his true talent as a performer-his voice and guitar skills are exceptional. Check out his double live CD "live wide open" to get a taste of the live vibe.

You can listen to him on Amazon.com:


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004Y9XM/qid=1048004715/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/102-5321778-7891319

and his official website is www.martinsexton.com

slop101

Anyone who likes good melodic rock - check out :

Ocean Colour Scene

They have a good best-of collection that's as good a place to start as any (most of their albums aren't available Stateside).
Well written songs with great guitars and singing.

Their new album should be out soon.

Mudhead

My alltime favorite - I wonder who knows these guys are still making crazy, vital music.

King Crimson - The Power To Believe.

These guys can out-thrash bands twenty years their junior - hell, Robert Fripp is almost as old as my dad!

mud