OT: Someone Suggest Some New Music

Most Unique Band of the last 10 Years

Wilco.

by Yakker on Feb 28, 2008 12:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

I agree on Wilco along with Son Volt too! You can also go back and listen to both these bands when they were known as Uncle Tupelo.

by mhkl on Feb 28, 2008 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+2

Need to try some Son Volt: Trace, Straightaways
Uncle Tupelo
and I also like solo Jay Farrar as well

I liked all the same music as you John and converted to the "Americana" sound

Others I like include:
Lucero
Drive By Truckers
Peter Case
Ryan Adams also Whiskeytown

by RogoRooter on Feb 28, 2008 7:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Best band going right now IMO. Just saw them at the Tower in Phila last weekend, show was incredible.

Some other good ones to try:
Spoon
Old Crow Medicine Show
Kings of Leon
Arcade Fire
Nada Surf

John - not sure how you get your music but a great free place to get a sampling of bands is hypem.com.

by sprucemoose on Feb 28, 2008 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pandora.com

pandora.com is also a good site to try and seems like the perfect way to answer John's question since you enter a band you like and it plays music of other bands that it thinks you will like.

Personally, I would say to try any of Radiohead's 3 big albums...
The Bends
OK Computer
Kid A
you're bound to like one of them.

by thefume on Feb 28, 2008 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+2

One for Pandora (which rocks) and another one for Radiohead.

What do you think about their latest one?

by Yakker on Feb 28, 2008 5:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

an awesome, awesome album. one of my faves altho nothing will top kid a or okc. reckoner is amazing. i'm waiting for them to tour since the live versions of some of these new songs is amazing. u seen them live yet?

pandora indeed rocks, it pointed me to a lot of new groups i had never heard of because i refuse to listen to the local radio.

by thefume on Feb 28, 2008 9:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Radiohead

Awesome, thanks. I'll snag IR now, don't really know why I waited...Never seen them live, unfortunately. I usually gravitate towards smaller venues, but I'd obviously make an exception for RH.

Oh, another great way I avoid radio is podcasts...KEXP has a few that are among my favorites, and there are also many local/indie-oriented ones out there. And if you're running iTunes, the Internet Radio tab (which I just found a few months ago) is worth exploring too...

by Yakker on Feb 29, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+2

Son Volt is my favorite band..look at the Bottle Rockets also

by NYSOX on Feb 28, 2008 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

based on those bands

i'd say wolfmother and minus the bear

by znyfan on Feb 28, 2008 12:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+2

Exactly the two bands I would have recommended. Especially Minus the Bear, definite Pink Floyd vibe. I'd also probably recommend British Sea Power, and maybe the Yeasayers.

I recommend Ghostland Observatory to everyone, but I'm not sure they really fit John's tastes.

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ghostland

Very cool band, if you like them I'd recommend a SF Bay Area band called Honeycut, somewhat similar wavelength, elements of soul/funk/electronic/etc.

by southboundpachyderm on Feb 28, 2008 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Certainly on Minus the Bear, easily my favorite band right now.

by ajake57 on Feb 28, 2008 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Try Robert Randolph

and the Family Band. It's got both funk and blues influences, and Robert Randolph is a fantastic guitarist. I recommend Colorblind - one of my favorite albums.

by demondeaconbaseball on Feb 28, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Live at the Wetlands

Great live album from them

by slurve on Feb 28, 2008 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Coldplay?

I'm an old guy from your era. My kids took me to a Coldplay concert(well, I paid for the tickets). Anyway, I'm a pretty big fan now. They're a bit on the vapid side, but I'd put them somewhere between the Beatles and Pink Floyd in terms of sound. Easy to listen too, a bit spacey sounding, songs are short enough to not get too boring.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 28, 2008 12:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

With very diverse interests - I suggest....

I love Floyd but my high school/college years were filled with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc. Some of the newer stuff I have listed to are:

Nickelback
Live
as a Buffalo native - give some love to the Goo Goo Dolls - their Live in Buffalo 2004 is a double length that is really cool.
if you want a little combination of instruments and female contribution - Evanescence - they tend to lean a little harder with a female singer but they bring in a lot piano and interesting music.

There is also a 9/11 CD out there that has some interesting music including a remake of Comfortably Numb being sung by I believe the singer from the Goo Goo Dolls and someone else.

Tragically Hip and Dave Mattews band if you get their older stuff is pretty cool too.

My 3 1/2 year old is asking to hear Europe's The Final Countdown since it was in a Wii commercial but I don't really recommend that.

The new Bruce Springstein CD is really good and I won't even recommend country but some of it is really good.

by slickwdb on Feb 28, 2008 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not to be a jerk

but minus one-million to these.

I guess that is kind of a jerk post, but sometimes I can't help myself. Especially when it come to music. Or baseball. Or politics. Or . . .

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is why people are entitled to opinion

Couple things -

With Nirvana and Soundgarden being "ok" - then some of these bands like Live would fit.
With some of the eerie listening like Pink Floyd - you can find some interesting musice with Evanescence.

I write music, have played the piano since I was 6, trumpet since I was 8 and have picked up a couple other instruments along the way. I could give you a 100 reasons why each of the bands listed have merit and there can be appreciation gained from most forms of music even to the point of Eminem. If you close your mind to dismiss something - then you have no ability to grow. So mock out my choices all you want - you entitled to you opinion.

by slickwdb on Feb 28, 2008 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Point Taken

I've grown snobby when it comes to music. Most of what you hear on commercial radio is pretty much garbage IMO. With Nickelback being worse than most. Maybe not worse than Daughtry, but it's a close competition. I generally feel like when people are looking for recommendations, they're generally looking for stuff they haven't heard. Unless John hasn't turned on a radio in the last 15 years, I'd be very surprised if Live, Nickelback, and Evanescence are going to be "New Music" to him, as was his request.

Given your tastes, such as enjoying Evanescence, maybe you should check out Feist or Tegan & Sara. Not nearly as "heavy" but both are fantastic female vocalists. For pop-friendly rock, along the lines of Nickelback and Live, maybe try Spoon, or New Pornographers, or even the Hold Steady.

BTW - I'd be genuinely intested in the "merit" of Nickelback :-)

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

RayRay, no need to apologize

for dissing nickelback. i mean honestly, John is putting his trust into us...admitting he hasnt listened to anything released in the last 16 years is kinda big. and it proves his distrust for modern shite. the least we can do is give him some good recommendations ... and nickelback is the worst drivel ive ever heard. evanescense aint far behind.

by daveh33 on Feb 28, 2008 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+ 1,000,000,000

I mean, I don't mind the singer's voice in Evanescence, but do we really need opera being sung over linkin park? Really?

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And actually

Most of what I recommend is finding those bands early stuff before they got on the radio. Everything gets commercialized once it becomes popular. Listen some of the last Pink Floyd stuff and it was way more mainstream than Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

You listen to some really early Goo Goo Dolls or get cuts of Live before they hit mainstream - there is good music there. Nickelback is the same way - I am not prescribing we all listen to Rock Star but even that is pretty cool when you incorporate the ZZ Top aspect. Take that the next step and give the little Sickel boys some toy guitars and it is really amusing - I only stopped in the last month or 2 since my 6 year old is repeating too many of the lyrics.

Rock combining with opera/orchestra is very powerful - the Metallica cd they did combined so really cool music in a forum that does not normally exist.

In 1995 - Pink Floyd came out with The Symphonic Music of Pink Floyd - it is cool for what it is. Anytime you take contrasting music and put it together - there is something to be taken away from it. Kid Rock doing old school country on stage with Merle or whoever that was made me stop the remote for a few minutes. You miss so much when you try to dismiss a band or a song because it got played on the radio too much.

When it comes to country - most of it is pop music with some acoustic guitar mixed in and I don't like much of that. However, Alan Jackson has been the one country singer who never sold out and kept to the way he plays music. He has some stuff that is good driving music. With 30,000 miles a year on the road - I would rather have 800 cds that I like 2 songs on each from than to listen to the same stuff over and over again. I will listen to anything once, twice if I like it to give something a chance and not be a music "snob." It is not really even being a snob - in my opinion it is being narrow minded.

by slickwdb on Feb 28, 2008 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

actually

Actually I HAVEN'T listened to commercial rock radio in 15 years. I play nothing but CDs in my car, and the only music radio I've listened to lately is the horrid soft romantic crap Jeri plays that wakes us up at 7:30 AM each morning on the clock radio. Ugh. But it encourages me to get up.

Quite honestly the only popular artists I'm at all familiar with at all in the last ten years are Pink (my wife has her Mizunderstood CD) and Avril Lavigne...sue me, I like "Complicated", lol. Oh, yeah, Faith Hill is hot but I don't know any of her songs.

by John Sickels on Feb 28, 2008 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't decide

if it's actually a good or bad thing that you've had such limited exposure to commercial radio. I think you're probably lucky. I do feel bad for you being subjected to Pink and Avril. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemies. Not even on Nickelback fans :-)

Seriously, if you love Floyd, I'd start with Minus the Bear. The album is called Planets of Ice. I was amazed at how I couldn't help getting a Pink Floyd vibe, but how I didn't feel like it was entirely derivative of Floyd.

Well, actually I guess I'd start with Radiohead, if you don't really know them. I think they are the obvious flag bearer for PF's experimental brand of rock (and also the best band on the planet). Personally, I think Kid A is the most genius piece of music at least in my lifetime, which admittedly only spans about 20-25 years of paying attention to music.

If you haven't really been exposed to Blind Melon, I'd also check them out. Way better than people think.

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kid A

is pretty frackin' unreal. Only thing about Radiohead is...if you live in Seattle or the drearier parts of the Midwest, you really need to lock those CDs up during the winter.

by Yakker on Feb 28, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

HEY!!

There is nothing wrong with listing to radio stations that play lots of easy listening 80's music. I happen to have liked the 80's.

I really like Pink, but I will admit that there are just a handful of current music artists more current than about 1990 whose music I could pick out. I might hear an individual song that strikes a cord, but I seldom know who sings it.

Like, that song about the 'big black horse and a cherry tree'.

JERI

John's wife and Email Secretary

by mssickels on Feb 28, 2008 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed as to the 80s

I actually have XM 8 as one of my programmed stations. All 80s all the time. Gotta love it!

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

XM

XM 90s and Flight 26 are also nice easy-listening, as is the SBUX/Hear Music (45?) channel.

Not going to be too challenging, but sometimes you just want some nice background tunes.

Oh, and you gotta love the rebroadcatsed Kasey's Top 40 on Sunday on XM 8, with long-distance dedications and all. Awesome.

by Yakker on Feb 28, 2008 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

KT Tunstall

black horse and cherry tree. Some of her other stuff is pretty good, too.

by dodgem on Feb 28, 2008 5:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+ infinity

I think Nickleback is the worst band ever. Photograph may be the worst song of all time. I get mad just thinking about it. Biggest bunch of sellouts ever.

by bl on Feb 28, 2008 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Amusing part of everything

Because a radio station over plays and kills a song - a band gets banished.

In January of 1995 or so - my buddy and I stumbled on Jagged Little Pill and found this young girl who was basically a pop artist from Canada or something singing these songs filled with hate and it was kinda cool and different from anything out there at the time. By the end of 1995 - You Oughta Know had been played more times than the replay of Roger Clemens Congressional testimony.

My buddy and I predicted correctly in order the 4 songs that would be picked by the radio stations off that album. Anything becomes mundane and boring when overkilled. It becomes "cool" to mock guys like Daugherty because he was on American Idol.

Anyone heard of Johnny Vegas? They were pretty cool in the mid-90's but they never went anywhere so that makes them obscure and cool to post in this thread so I guess that is who I will talk about now.

Go back and listen to early Nickelback stuff. Every successful band goes through this type of thing - they start with a way of doing things and finally after 3-4 unsuccessful albums - they get a lucky break. Then they sell out for a couple albums and eventually get back to writing what they are really about. Even a guy like Springstein had some of that for a little while. When Gilmour brought the group back together - some of the music was not really "classic" Floyd. If all you know is Rock Star and Photograph, it shows how little you know about the band meaning you really have not right to judge them.

by slickwdb on Feb 28, 2008 9:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Snobby

Snob Wars gets old fast. People start one-upping each other until the one who makes the most obscure reference "wins."

"Pfft. Flexecutive Tempest is just a warmed-over version of Sneaky Bleat, especially the Sizeist On Message album.* Bunch of sellouts. I only listen to the sound of my own blood circulating in my brain."

(*Thanks, Oxford English Dictionary random word feature!)

by FlipYrWhig on Feb 28, 2008 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed in principle

it can get old and be somewhat annoying, but that being said, they are a great way to hear about "local" music that's not from your area and to find really cool new stuff. I appreciate someone hitting me up with their most obscure band (provided they really do think they're great and not just obscure). Then I can go check em out.

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

Right, there's such a thing as snobbery-as-bonding rather than snobbery-as-exclusion.

by FlipYrWhig on Feb 28, 2008 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And

As in all cases like this, I should clarify that that was a sincere statement, not a sarcastic one. Sigh. :P

by FlipYrWhig on Feb 28, 2008 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Magic

Yes, the new Springsteen CD, Magic, is really good. My 14 yo daughter, who listens to a wide variety of current music, loves it too. Not the same old Springsteen. More poppy than is recent stuff, but its still growing on me. Steve's guitar solo on Gypsy Biker is one of the best I've heard in years.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 28, 2008 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Concert coming to Buffalo

We are going to be seeing Bruce for about the 100th time as he swings through Buffalo again. The concerts are great because he opens with some new stuff but still plays all the classics. Anything with the sax is always so awesome in concert.

I am still trying to get the rest of the CD under my belt as my 3 1/2 year keeps making me repeat the first song over and over and over.....

by slickwdb on Feb 28, 2008 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Boss Concert

We have tix for Springsteen at the Honda Center in Anaheim on April 8.

by DrBGiantsfan on Feb 28, 2008 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

For anyone who likes Explosions in the Sky

Check out El Ten Eleven. Similar but even better, in my opinion.

by patsfan on Feb 28, 2008 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have

and yet no. Not close.

For you: try Caspian or maybe This Will Destroy You.

by marc w on Feb 29, 2008 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

Explosions in the Sky is a pretty awesome band. They are perfect to listen to on a long drive.

Good to see that other people have heard of them!

by Bib12 on Feb 28, 2008 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A couple for your tastes.....

One of my favorite bands is Quasi, a Portland band with a pretty retro/heavy sound, a very good first disc to check out would be 'Featuring Birds', Amazon lets you listen to snippets of most tracks on this for free. Quasi is very forthright in their appreciation for early Floyd and the british invasion, and this comes through in the songwriting to a degree.

I've also gotten into Steve Malkmus (formerly of Pavement) & the Jicks. A great initial listen would be 'Pig Lib', also available for a listen on Amazon.

Malkmus' earlier band, Pavement, is another favorite of mine. Their album 'Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain' is superb, and they have influenced countless bands in the past decade, although some critics have noted the similarities in their sound to The Fall (and English band active in the 70s).

For a more pop angle, I'd recommend The Shins album 'Chutes Too Narrow', very catchy and an excellent album from start to finish.

Happy Listening!

by southboundpachyderm on Feb 28, 2008 1:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+100

Wow, i couldn't agree more. Pavement is my favorite band and CR,CR is a great starter album for introducing their catalog. I also feel the 'Chutes too Narrow' is the best album since NMH 'In the Aeroplane Over the Sea'.

But, based on John's Favorite bands I would try Blind Melon. They are often considered a one hit wonder because of No Rain but they were just overlooked because they were such a throwback to early 70's music. If interested try the songs; Change, Tones of Home, Soup, Three is a Magic Number(a school house rocks cover), Skinned(about serial killer Ed Gein), or Mouthfull of Cavities.

by joeywyen on Feb 28, 2008 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Fellow Blind Melon fanatic

Good to hear from you again. I think they're new album has to be coming out soon, or might already be out. Without Shannon, though, not too excited.

Easily my favorite band of all time.

I think Aeroplane takes some working up to. Beirut's newest album is ridiculously good and reminds me somewhat of Aeroplane given the hugely divergent instruments on the album.

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 1:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And The Link Between Quasi And The Jicks Is...

Janet Weiss, who was the (fantastic)drummer for one of my favorite bands of all-time, Sleater-Kinney.

I'll just go with my two favorite bands of recent times, Sleater-Kinney and The White Stripes.

by Brett Keith on Feb 28, 2008 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+80000

For Sleater-Kinney. I'd also throw Rainer Maria in there.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 28, 2008 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Doing My Part

I try to spread the word on Sleater-Kinney as much as I can. I went to Barnes & Nobles yesterday to buy my best friend the BA Prospect Handbook to hopefully keep his mind off being in Iraq starting this May, and since I had $75 worth of gift certificates that I probably wasn't going to use, I bought his girlfriend two of my favorite CD's, so she can better know what she's going to be dealing with. I bought her Dig Me Out(although I went back and forth between that and The Woods) to rock and Le Tigre's self titled debut to dance.

by Brett Keith on Feb 28, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dig Me Out is an all-time classic

that is all.

by marc w on Feb 29, 2008 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To sample these

either download iTunes if you don't have it, or log on to amazon.com and go to their mp3 page, and it should have 30 second samples of the songs from each album, and you can see what is interesting to you.

re: Artists. You might like Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, especially his latest double cd, Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus(2nd one is better IMO), and also No More Shall We Part.

by andwoo on Feb 28, 2008 1:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

fyi

growing up, Floyd was my favorite band, but has been replaced by Dylan, though they are still top 5. I second the mentions below for the Flaming Lips and Lucinda Williams, with Yoshimi or Soft Bulletin from the FL being my favorite and World Without Tears by LW. Tom Waits also if you really want someone with an off kilter voice and somewhat experimental.

by andwoo on Feb 28, 2008 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And one more

Neko Case. She's got a wonderful set of lungs on her

by andwoo on Feb 28, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Neko is awesome. 'Blacklisted' is an incredible album, and she's sexy as hell.

by southboundpachyderm on Feb 28, 2008 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

A great way to listen a ton of music is Rhapsody...you don't get to "keep" the music, but you get to listened to an unlimited number of full track songs for a monthly fee.

Sorta like Netflix, but music and it's streamed over the Web.

by Yakker on Feb 28, 2008 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm an unabashed floydian

I would recommend (somewhat in order):

Porcupine Tree
Wilco
Sigur Ros
Flaming Lips
Arcade Fire
Mercury Rev

by Sigur Ros on Feb 28, 2008 1:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

for Sigur Ros and Flaming Lips... those would be good for john

by daveh33 on Feb 28, 2008 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+50000

For seconding Sigur Ros and the Flaming Lips.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 28, 2008 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Flaming Lips, especially the Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.

Of course Zaireeka is really cool - it's 4 CDs that were meant to be played at the same time out of 4 different CD players and speakers. No two performances are the same.

by sabernar on Feb 28, 2008 8:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

John, i really think you'd dig

Talk Talk_Laughing Stock (1991).... they kind of ushered in post-rock... i get a pretty heavy PF-vibe with this...but its different. after looking at your list, this was the album that immediately came to mind. of course, if you're looking for something else entirely, then let me know. but based on your tastes, i really think this album is for you. Though I can't speak for the rest of Talk Talk's discog.

some other more obvious picks, but maybe you really havent heard anything since 92...

RadioheadKid A
The Olivia Tremor Control_ Dusk at Cuibst Castle and Black Foliage

by daveh33 on Feb 28, 2008 1:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Some suggestions

You appear to have a classic rock/jam/experimental taste.

In no order, 90s to modern:

Portishead
Phish
Wolfmother
Jeff Buckley (RIP)
Wilco
Eisley
Lenny Kravitz
Oasis
System Of A Down

by niespodj on Feb 28, 2008 1:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

for Portishead

by daveh33 on Feb 28, 2008 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+2

for Portishead. Got to give a shout for PJ Harvey too.

by StickRat on Feb 28, 2008 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

soad

System of a Down (who I like, mind you) looks really out of place on that list.

by ajake57 on Feb 29, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One more....

His voice can be hit or miss for some people, but I'm also a big fan of Beck. I'd recommend the albums 'Sea Change' or 'Mutations', his stuff varies A LOT from album to album stylistically, but both of these are a bit more along the lines of the acoustic/meloncholy vibe.

Ok, I could do this all day, but I've more than shared my opinions so I'll step aside and check out some other recommendations from folks.

by southboundpachyderm on Feb 28, 2008 1:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Internationals

If you aren't averse to music in a foreign language, check out:

Zucchero
Ligabue
Caetano Veloso (except the Foreign Tongue album--yech).
Cesaria Evora

all very cool stuff. The first 2 are rock (and Italian), the last Brazilian and Cape Verdean, and more traditional, but poly-rhythmic and melodic in the extreme.

by granne on Feb 28, 2008 1:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Zucchero

+1 on zucchero

by dodgem on Feb 28, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Remedial course

I'd suggest that you start with some of these huge albums from the last ~15 years, and then branch out into the less mainstream stuff based on what you like:

Radiohead - OK Computer
Nirvana - Nevermind
Blur - Parklife
White Stripes - Elephant
Oasis - What's the Story (Morning Glory)
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Coldplay - Parachutes
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

by dkdc on Feb 28, 2008 1:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A few suggestions

If you like Neil Young's Harvest album, I would try some of the bands/people listed below.
Wilco
Ryan Adams
Lucinda Williams
Son Volt

This one is out in left field, but find some samples of the Agalloch CD The Mantle.

casejud the proctologist says, "i know he shitting under .200 now but, I have seen a LOT to be impressed with"

by redsoxfn on Feb 28, 2008 1:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Adams

Probably the most soulful pop singer I've heard in a long, long time. Up there with Mark Hollis and Elvis Costello.

Here is one of my favorite live performances from Letterman ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkGw5eAFovw&feature=related

by StickRat on Feb 28, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Geto Boys

by Galt on Feb 28, 2008 1:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I sit alone in my four cornered room...

staring at candles. What? That shit is on? Let drop some shit like this here.

At night I can't sleep, I toss and turn. Candlesticks in the dark, visions of bodies being burned..

I was, and am still a Geto Boys fan. Have most of their albums and still listen to them on occasion when I think about it. But I have well over 14,000 mp3s on my computer, so there is a lot that I don't listen to often.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Feb 28, 2008 7:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

subject

I'm not sure John would be a fan of the Geto boys. I'm a geto boy fan, but like scarface better on his own.

Mary Jane

When the world starts to stress you out - what you do?
Put a cancer stick up in your mouth - or grab a brew
Sold in stores but the fact remains is - they the blame
And the government's been taxin' that ( ) - gettin' paid
If it's taxable it's cool to smoke - kill or not
And the alcohol is killin' folks - true or not
Other people try to make you bad--but I know you not
When my situation's lookin' sad I know I got
A true friend in my time of need - all I need
Your natural you come from seeds - I decree
Makes me happy when I'm feelin' pain
Once again makes me happy just to hear your name
Do your thang MaryJane

by Josh on Feb 29, 2008 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Drive by Truckers

Southern college jam band. Incredible live, and their studio stuff is great also.

My favorite new band of the past 5 years.

by b1leper on Feb 28, 2008 1:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

New Truckers...

Just picked up the new DBT album..not bad. I like the Old lead singer Asbells CD also

by NYSOX on Feb 28, 2008 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Meh

New album's just OK in my book. Although "Daddy Needs a Drink" is dark and haunting...

by Yakker on Feb 28, 2008 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Best show

I've been too a long time was Ryan Bingham. He opened for DBT on their last tour.

by themurph on Feb 29, 2008 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

a wide range...

Muse
Foo Fighters (i really love Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace)
Colbie Calliat
Jonatha Brooke
Dishwalla (VERY underrated band from the mid-late 90's)
Eva Cassidy
Snow Patrol
Gomez
The Shins
The Weepies

http://www.simdynasty.com/index.jsp?refer=mychiefs58

by huckleberry on Feb 28, 2008 1:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gomez

How We Operate ... bitchin' tune. Plus I'm all for a music video that begins with 15 seconds of silence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8bDpzpDVu4

by StickRat on Feb 28, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Personally

I like most of that list, but Colbie Caillat? Really?

by drob320 on Feb 28, 2008 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe not new

but two of my favorites - Warren Haynes and Derrick Trucks!!! 1st clip is acoustic and very raw, second will give you cold chills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UauECrCIYl8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqMz7NqKkXQ&feature=related

No offense to Mayer and Fruciante (see Rolling Stones Guitar Gods), but they cannot touch the talent these two have.

by scstrato on Feb 28, 2008 2:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oops

That should be Derek.

by scstrato on Feb 28, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One more

Just in case you needed more proof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuadh1o0yC8&feature=related

by scstrato on Feb 28, 2008 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Warren Haynes is soooo under-rated. Plays with Alman Bros (as does Trucks). Warren's best known for Gov't Mule. Love those guys.

by slurve on Feb 28, 2008 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Was going to suggest Govt Mule

But you guys beat me to it.

Also try Moe.

by Guyute on Feb 28, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

CD Baby

You might try CD Baby - kind of a cool concept. Any band can send in their CD's to them, decide what price to sell them for, and CD baby puts them up on the site. For most artists, you can listen to two minute samples of some or all of their songs. I can find something to like in just about any genre - here are some artists whose CD's I've bought off CD baby in the past couple years.

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
Freak Mountain Ramblers (love these guys)
The Budos Band
Misty River
Bingo Band
Mel Brown Quintet

Their website is cdbaby.com

by dodgem on Feb 28, 2008 2:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

by coochorama on Feb 29, 2008 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Metallica

great music even though the guys in the band are d-bags

by wibadger on Feb 28, 2008 2:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stuff I'm listening to

Ceu: Musica Brasileira. no, it's nothing like Pink Floyd or the Beatles. It sounds like music that was produced in the jungle. But Gosh-darn it, it makes me want to dance and move and it's amazing music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNgyFJOzbs4

-1 and only member of the Jed Lowrie fan club!

by Jgaztambide on Feb 28, 2008 2:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Radiohead

In rainbows.....you
need to have it, it is amazing.

by krisangels on Feb 28, 2008 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Big Head Todd and the Monsters

Good stuff, but not exactly current.

Baseball Instructor - www.frozenropes.com

by HuskerBob on Feb 28, 2008 2:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Electric Six!

The Strokes
Muse
The Sounds
The Killers
Foo Fighters
Silversun Pickups
My Chemical Romance
Fall Out Boy
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Guided by Voices

by ACif23 on Feb 28, 2008 2:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Listen to them live before their recorded works. Trust me.

by StickRat on Feb 28, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

i went to see the white stripes and the YYY (who i had never heard) was the undercard. the white stripes were good, but YYY was way way better. been a big fan ever since. waiting to see what they've got left in them after show your bones, which is probably my favorite.

by thefume on Feb 28, 2008 9:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i dont think any of this would appeal to john

ok, it may be music you like, and it is of verying degree of quality...but remember who youre talking to here... I think Id lose a bit of respect for Mr Sickels if i knew he listened to MCR and fall out boy.... damn. honestly.

yeah yeah yeahs can be good... but im much younger than John... the Strokes' Is This It? is about the only album i would recommend to John, from the bands on your list... though Jeri might like some of the YYY stuff...maybe

by daveh33 on Feb 28, 2008 11:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

-1

Topic was to suggest new music. I did just that. Weather Jon likes it or not is up to him. I didnt do anything different than anyone else did.

by ACif23 on Feb 29, 2008 3:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Respected but not much radio play...

John Hiatt seems to have a gem or two on all of his albums dating back to 1987. Great combo of melody and songwriting with a little grit mixed in.
Steve Earle is similar but more political if you like that sort of thing. "Amerika 6.0" and "Revolution" are two of my favorites from him.
I read a suggestion for the "Bottle Rockets" in an earlier post. I love their sound. Are they still around? I was under the impression they fizzed out in the early 90's.

by kcdaren on Feb 28, 2008 2:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bottle Rockets

still around...making good music. nothing beats Radar Gun though!@!!!!!

by NYSOX on Feb 28, 2008 7:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

great song!

makin money and hav-in fun, with my ra-dar gun!

classy move Belichek...Quitter

by jrose643 on Feb 28, 2008 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

allow myself to plug

radiofreetexas.org, which is where I spend most of my music listening time, and which is where I first heard Bottle Rockets.

my current new fave album is Johnny Cooper: Ignition.

classy move Belichek...Quitter

by jrose643 on Feb 28, 2008 8:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re

Blink 182 - Untitled (don't poopoo it before you listen)
Rilo Kiley
TV On The Radio
Jimmy Eat World
Kings of Leon
Pedro The Lion

by blee1134 on Feb 28, 2008 2:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Kings of Leon

Very under appreciated band. They're damn good.

by slurve on Feb 28, 2008 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Slow Night So Long..........

I would try the Decemberists as well. Very underappreciated

Member: Coalition For The Advancement Of Greek Baseball Players

by fischbowl on Feb 28, 2008 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

All I listen to is from late 80's to 90's really

For some of yall who know a lot about music. I really like Snow Patrol when I heard them. If I liked Snow Patrol who else would I like?

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Feb 28, 2008 2:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Snow Patrol Comps

Well, if it's the Scottish accent you're into, try Belle & Sebastian. If it's the pop-y kind of rock, I'd try Pela, or maybe the Kaiser Chiefs (a little more punk-y, though). If it's the ballads and obvious drug references, then definitely Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos.

I'd say that the Doves, Coldplay, Athlete, Travis, and Keane are all in the same vein. More recent similar bands are probably the Benzos, and maybe Pinback and Rogue Wave. Admittedly, the last three don't have Snow Patrols huge sound. Really only Keane and Coldplay can match that. Pela's close (and way way better).

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

on Pela, especially if you're lucky enough to see them live.

Other Snow Patrol-esque sounds (although it's kind of a tough comp, because they're sorta unique)...try Death Cab for Cutie/Postal Service, Junior Boys, and also try a Welsh female singer named Jem. She won't sound like Snow Patrol, but I have a feeling you'd like the harmony/electronic meld she brings (similar to SP).

by Yakker on Feb 28, 2008 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pela live

I've seen them and I'm seeing them again in SF next Friday. I can't wait. The only downside is I can't stop thinking "How is it that Modest Mouse is huge, and no one knows about these guys?"

Then I just feel lucky that I'm getting to see them in what's basically a bar.

by RayRay on Feb 28, 2008 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pela

Hmmm...I'm surprised to say I've never heard of them. I absolutely love Snow Patrol and Keane though, so I'll check them out.

by drob320 on Feb 28, 2008 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

Gonna be a great show...

by Yakker on Feb 29, 2008 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For sure

I saw them a couple months back at Bottom of the Hill with Film School (who I also absolutely love). Two songs into Pela's set and I just felt bad for Film School. For what it's worth, Waiting on the Stairs is one of the best album openers. I'd put it up there with Dead Leaves on White Blood Cells. And here goes my indie cred, but also a great opener: Everything Zen, by Bush.

by RayRay on Feb 29, 2008 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Are you going to Film School tonight too?

by Yakker on Feb 29, 2008 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not so sure I'd lump

Doves in there with the Coldplay/Keane group, although they're quite good. I'd recommend them above that whole group, honestly.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 28, 2008 6:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Some suggestions

Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond
Built to Spill - Keep It Like a Secret
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It in People

by Scott Proctor Fan Club on Feb 28, 2008 3:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1 on Built to Spill

Keep It Like a Secret is am amazing album.

by naropean on Feb 28, 2008 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I love John Mayer

He's one of the best guitarists in the world and his stuff from the trio has an awesome jazzy tone.

by Dfarth on Feb 28, 2008 3:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Some modern stuff

As mentioned already - Gov't Mule and Robert Randolph

The last few Pearl Jam albums have been amazing. They kind of fell out of favor with No Code and Binaural, but the last three CD's have been very well done and I think they would lne-up with John's musical sensibilities based on the bands he posted.

Radiohead - In Rainbows. Probably not something your used to, but it will grow on you quick. Same could be said of all of their albums for that matter.

If anybody hasn't heard Rodrigo y Gabrialla, check them out. Couple of Latin acoustic players that are amazing They do great covers of Metallica's "Orion" and Zep's Stairway. The other stuff is also fantastic.

by slurve on Feb 28, 2008 4:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

great band choices

The big names you mentioned aside (which I love both), Rodrigo y Gabrialla are excellent. I started listening after my bro saw them at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer. One of the more amazing recordings I've heard since Leo Kottke, and I hear they're great live (Leo can be a tad boring but that may be too obscure for people).

HOWEVER... to answer JOHN'S question...

Based on your list and more important based on the fact that you have the ability to listen to the same songs for 15 years without turning them in for new ones, I think you should give the following similarly-catchy bands a good listen:

Built To Spill (definitely gets an A in my book for their ability to sustain songs for more than 5 minutes while keeping interest - a good blend of major-key jams without the goofy crap that many Grateful Dead jam bands get into)
The White Stripes (if you like a lot of energy in your garage rock band on stage)
The Shins (lo-fi, thoughtfully written and complex arrangements)
Smashing Pumpkins (as far away from lo-fi as it gets, but similarly thoughtful writing and complex arrangements)

Not that this is necessarily up John's alley, but a shout out to a Cleveland band called Machine Go Boom (whose live energy way exceeds their acoustic-punk-with-synthesizer act, a-la Ozma or Weezer).

by TigerFanInCleveland on Feb 28, 2008 9:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I'm also a huge White Stripes fan. Jack and Meg are awesome. For John, I'd recomend Icky Thump from them. If he likes that he can move backwards into Elephant and or Get Behind Me Satan.

Just starting to listen to the Shins - so far so good.

Another one I'm shocked to have not seen yet is My Morning Jacket.

by slurve on Feb 28, 2008 10:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Obscure

I've been on the lookout lately for new rock that's heavily influenced by the classic stuff with an emphasis on jamming and has a bluesy vibe to it. Recently came across these two bands...

http://www.myspace.com/graveyardsongs

AND

http://www.myspace.com/earthless

Should be up your alley. ENJOY!

by rutgersjpm on Feb 28, 2008 4:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

O.A.R.

OAR is an amazing band!

by Tyler on Feb 28, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

OAR

Agreed on the OAR nomination

by mookstra2 on Feb 29, 2008 12:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BONEPONY! BONEPONY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzvGg2qM7-Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQB7BNc-zGA&feature=related

If there were any justice these guys would be MONSTER HUGE.

Paul Householder, Gary Redus, Tommy Lawless, Duane Walker ... prospects rawk!

by design28 on Feb 28, 2008 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Matthew Good (+band)

Matthew Good is a phenomenal artist from the great white north, available as the Matthew Good Band and when he went solo, Matthew Good. I would recommend starting with the following albums:

Matthew Good: Avalanche
Matthew Good Band: Beautiful Midnight

Other Bands HIGHLY recommended:

Jellyfish/The Grays (pop rock)
Toad the Wet Sprocket (popish rock)
Dada (popish rock)
Owsley (popish rock)
Posies (rock)
Our Lady Peace (rock)
Giant: Last of the Runaways (hair rock)
King's X: older stuff, though the new album is solid (hard rock with harmonies)
Galactic Cowboys: older stuff (hard rock with harmonies)

Go Twins?

by Turrrrrrrkey Bucket on Feb 28, 2008 4:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Seconding Matthew Good (Band)

As far as his pre-solo stuff goes, I'm kind of partial to a couple of songs from "The Audio of Being" ("Carmelina" and "Anti-Pop") but "Beautiful Midnight" is easily a more consistent (and consistently better) album.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 28, 2008 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Josh Ritter

I'm also a fan of Wilco and Porcupine Tree.

by Josh on Feb 28, 2008 4:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Two suggestions ...

(outside of Ryan Adams, who I praised above)

Going two sides of the spectrum here.

1 - Cat Power

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vj_tR4p184&feature=related

2 - Arctic Monkeys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJO1DxEWaD8&feature=related

by StickRat on Feb 28, 2008 5:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

Forgot them on my list.

by ACif23 on Feb 28, 2008 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Modest Mouse

I'm astonished no one has mentioned them yet. All their stuff starting at The Moon & Antarctica and then moving backwards through the EPs and earlier albums like Lonesome Crowded West and This Is a Long Drive... are all amazing. Even their latest album is pretty good, and Good News I never really considered bad.

by naropean on Feb 28, 2008 5:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

by demondeaconbaseball on Feb 28, 2008 9:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Favs

Santana -- Abraxas = greatest album ever
Creedence
Motown: Smokey, 4 Tops, Ben E. King, Drifters, Marvin Gaye

by Jihan1 on Feb 28, 2008 5:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Creedence

You should check out Fogerty's latest - best stuff he'd done in years. Great album.

by dodgem on Feb 28, 2008 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pushing 40

myself, and have tried to keep up musically. My friends, haven't necessarily, so to my buds who are stuck in the 70's, I suggested:

The Raconteurs--Can't believe they haven't been mentioned above (or maybe I missed it)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1pu0ZxQ6M70

Agreeing with above, Wolfmother and White Stripes as well.

Oh, and Mark Lanegan and PJ Harvey (singing backup here) are my two favorite singers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xMvw9lCOBw

by drwmsu1 on Feb 28, 2008 6:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Old enough that you might know it

But if you love Pink Floyd, I'd recommend My Bloody Valentine, who took the atmospheric sound to the Nth degree on Loveless. It's from 1991, but might be obscure enough. It's not particularly accessible though, so not worth listening to if you don't want to be challenged a bit.

Another band from the mid-to-late 90's that has that kind of vibe that you might like was Catherine Wheel.

Bands already mentioned I'll throw plusses on include Wilco, Minus the Bear, Spoon, and Flaming Lips (their stuff from about 1998 or later - they were a bit more goofy and raw before then). Possibly Blind Melon also, although they sounded a bit more hippieish. Possibly also OAR, but they're a bit more jam band.

Wolfmother sounds very 70's, but more like Led Zeppelin than the bands you mentioned.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 28, 2008 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hahahaha

i was waiting for an MBV.... i thought about it... but i dont know...i think they'd be more fun for John to 'stumble on' or 'happen upon'...than to be recommended...but i guess this is what this diary is for... so +1 for mBV

by daveh33 on Feb 28, 2008 11:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i might as well pipe in...

since i like the same bands you do. the only band i've discovered in the last 10 years that i have taken to is carbon leaf. strengths: nice catchy melodies, pitch-perfect harmony, top-notch musicianship. weaknesses: well, they're not pink floyd; their lyrics are adequate but not profound. you can listen to a bunch of their songs for free on www.carbonleaf.com and last time i looked, two entire old albums of theirs are free downloads at amazon. however, that does not include indian summer, their best CD.

by jpahk on Feb 28, 2008 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

what i have listened to lately

ben folds
new amsterdams/get up kids
bob dylan
rilo kiley
andrew bird

by ultxmxpx on Feb 28, 2008 6:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

for Ben Folds

by blee1134 on Feb 28, 2008 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Check out...

The Killers
Foo Fighters (I am liking them more and more lately)
Jack Johnson-I have never met anyone who did not like his music. One of the coolest cats out there. He's got record labels trying to throw money at him yet just does what he wants. Money means very little to him, he just does what he enjoys (surf and make music.) All three of his albums are great, I think you would really like him John.

by bl on Feb 28, 2008 7:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Richard Buckner

check out his older stuff..Bloomed is a classic

by NYSOX on Feb 28, 2008 7:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Best rock guitarist of past decade

...is Andy Cohen. His new band, Bottomless Pit, has four songs from their album Hammer of the Gods available at their website (http://bottomlesspit.us/music.php), and from his old band Silkworm, I think you'd like the Italian Platinum and Lifestyle records best.

by asinwreck on Feb 28, 2008 8:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'll go with:

Kaiser Chiefs
Keane
The Killers
Muse
Snow Patrol

and 3 less well-known bands:

Nightmare Of You
Shiny Toy Guns
Strata

by drob320 on Feb 28, 2008 8:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1 Nightmare Of You

Really love that band.

"A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day." - Calvin

by RVachon on Mar 3, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My music blog

Check out my music blog -- just turned three years old a few weeks ago -- for some new indie rock fix.
The web folks at VH1's "Best Week Ever" and New York Magazine have linked to me in recent months.

http://jonkmusic.blogspot.com

by jonk1982 on Feb 28, 2008 8:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

mmmm

that's tasty right there

by ajake57 on Feb 29, 2008 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

unrelated favorite - Tom Waits

Tom Waits. He's been around forever, but he puts out music unlike anyone else in the music world.

by sabernar on Feb 28, 2008 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Peter Frampton - Fingerprints

OK he's not new, but worth a listen. If all you know of him is chessy Gieco commercials and Frampton Comes Alive your not getting the full story. This CD is all instrumental tracks- what a totally under appreciated guitarist! Fits in with the artists you like. Tends to be more bluesy and latino influenced that I thought. Definitely a pleasant surprise!

by red257 on Feb 28, 2008 9:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

my take

Since musical tastes (including mine) tend to be varied, I'll just throw some of my faves out there, some well-known, others not as much:

The Black Keys (think Cream)
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Foo Fighters
Gin Blossoms (whatever, they were good, perhaps deserving a Failed Prospect thread)
The Jayhawks (yes, they're from Kansas)
Matthew Good
Neil Young (if you like Neil, you should get his live disc, "Live at Massey Hall")
Tom Petty

by El Duq of Hurl on Feb 28, 2008 9:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Failed Prospects?

I'd say the Gin Blossoms fit that mold. Pumped out one of the greatest albums of the 90's (yes, really) in "New Miserable Experience", boot their songwriter due to his alcoholism (he offs himself later on), and they don't really go very far afterwards. But easily one of the most underrated bands of their time.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 28, 2008 10:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

weezer

surprised nobody mentioned these guys. not everything they put out was considered great but the blue and green albums are very excellent, and don't take 2 listens to get into.

also smashing pumpkins, siamese dream and mellon collie (1st disc especially) were huge in the alternative movement, and awesome albums. especially siamese dream.

by thefume on Feb 28, 2008 9:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

OMG

Amazing how soon we forget, isn't it? Siamese Dream is one of the best albums I've ever heard.

by Yakker on Feb 29, 2008 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good stuff

There's been a ton of great stuff out here. I'll throw out a bunch of various levels of good that span different genres.

Kanye West - Graduation
Against Me! - New Wave (harder punk-ish)
Finger Eleven - Them v You v Me
The Yardbirds
Breaking Benjamin - Phobia (harder rock)
Muddy Waters - he's a blues master
Johnny Lang - blues rock
Alicia Keys
Dropkick Murphy's - Blackout (Boston punk rock)
Guster - Lost and Gone Forever
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Fear
Faith No More
The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
Social Distortion - Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell
Pixies
Ned's Atomic Dustbin - Are You Normal?

If you want something like metal: Tool, System of a Down, or Shadows Fall.

I've provided a bunch that might not fit your typical listening group, but I like to try different styles.

by lenred on Feb 28, 2008 9:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

There's a name you don't see that often

In regards to Ned's Atomic Dustbin, I'd probably recommend God Fodder, but that's probably because of the hits. :P

Also, I've been getting some strange looks when I play people The Go! Team, but that's their loss. They're, uhm, sort of like indie-rock cheerleaders in a 70's cop show. I love 'em, although the Audio Assault Course promo (an EP of performances from college radio stations) is probably a bit better.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 28, 2008 9:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ned's

I love Ned's. I've gone on kicks listening to nothing but them for weeks at a time. They just have that different sound from the two basses. I like God Fodder too, but I find that I can listen to all of Normal? all the way through. Every song to me is at least one star, where Normal? has songs that I can skip.

Just my preference.

Go! Team has that one song The Huddle Formation that just gets your blood pumping a little faster. An excellent song to hear as your near the end of your first cup of coffee in the morning :) I'll have to check out their other stuff. Haven't had time to follow-up on what I already know from them.

by lenred on Feb 28, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm 32

And I love The Go! Team's "Thunder Lightning Strike" album.

by samjjones on Feb 29, 2008 8:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Go! Team

There's an archived clip of an in-studio they did at KEXP back in 2006 (I think) which absolutely rules.

Hearing that live on the radio made me go out and by the album, which, honestly, pales in comparison to the live in-studio.

Has anyone seen them live? What are they like?

by Yakker on Feb 29, 2008 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Neds

Completely forgot about them... thx for the reminder. Ah, college days...

by FlipYrWhig on Feb 29, 2008 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Guster

Love "Lost and gone forever" Great album!

by Tyler on Feb 28, 2008 11:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

On Guster. And their live album (Live On Ice) is phenomenal.

Other good bands (mostly mentioned):

OAR
Dispatch
Band of Horses
The Decemberists
The National
Minus the Bear
The Shins
Travis
Panda Bear

"A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day." - Calvin

by RVachon on Mar 3, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seconding some, adding others

A few I'd recommend:

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Sparta
They Might Be Giants
Interpol
Editors
Fugazi
The Evens (yeah, nowhere near Fugazi, despite having the same singer)
The Walkmen (re-recorded Harry Nilsson's "Pussy Cats" a while back, although I can't imagine it's anywhere near the same)

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 28, 2008 9:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

One more I forgot

Arab Strap. Maybe that's just me, though.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 29, 2008 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Going the Opposite Way

Nothing new here, but those who like Floyd might be well served to try some Nektar. They were doing albums like Pink Floyd's trilogy of Sid Barrett tributes before "Dark Side" was ever released. "Remember the Future" is particularly recommended.

One of the most underpublicized bands from the old days would be Taste, when Rory Gallagher was a front man and not yet a solo artist.

Something recently artist released which may have slipped by some is the first Buddy Whittington solo CD. Whitington is the most recent (maybe last seven years or so) lead guitarist for John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and can flat cook. Google his name and order from the website. If you like Mayall, with a touch of Texas blues tossed in for good measure, you'll go for this release. Plus, Buddy Whittington is really one of the good guys in the music industry.

by Toad on Feb 28, 2008 10:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

For you Hard Rock FANS

I like to love some of these:

Smashing Pumkins- tonight,tonight
Atreyu - No one cares
Chevelle - Fad,Safewaters, ..really anything

anything:

Breaking Benjamin #1 for me
Three Days Grace
Muse
Chevelle - again probably my 2 to most fav. band
Atreyu - new album is really AMAZING
Anberlin
Radiohead
Puddle of Mudd OLd stuff is good and new stuff
H.I.M.
Silverstein
Avenged Sevenfold.. is OK - I won't see you tonite part #2 is GOOD
Incubus
Interpol
The Exies
papa Roach ??? na
Seether ??? na
Korn ??? na
Ozzziee the legend??? na
Killswitch Engage
Bullett for My Valentinie - JUST some fo there stuff is OK
Hot Hot HEAT !!!
CKY
MANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Sickles... I strongly recomend Puddle of Mudd some of there older stuff I AM SURE you'd like
or HIM

PAT NESHEK's FAVORITE SONG is HIM- the Sacrament
TRY it it is an awesome song

The Twins WILL compete in 2008!!!

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Feb 28, 2008 10:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

the puddle of mud comment at the end

....made me think this post was done in jest...
especially with all the !!!!!!s and the CAPs....

by daveh33 on Feb 28, 2008 11:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll go a complete other direction

with Heiruspecs - Jazz-Hip-hop band.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vmZ9umLuEp0 - Heartsprings
http://youtube.com/watch?v=i24lYJBzLu0& - Positions of Strength
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qc9BjyRhxYk - 5ves

http://www.myspace.com/heiruspecs

Talkin' Sports

by BlackOps on Feb 29, 2008 12:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

This Thread Warms My Heart

Music is the only thing I can compare to my love of baseball, so it's good to see a lot of people expressing their opinions here.

Some bands I'll echo from above that I think fit with John's list:
Wilco
Sigur Ros <-- best live show ever... but be aware that they sing in Icelandic and/or an entirely fictional language
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (I'd stick to the record Howl, though)
Broken Social Scene
Band of Horses
Blind Melon
Radiohead
Minus the Bear (as I noted before)
The Shins

Some bands mentioned above that I enjoy, but wouldn't necessarily recommend in this case:
Muse
Interpol
Foo Fighters (early records, maybe)
Jimmy Eat World (their first two records)
Pearl Jam

Some bands not mentioned above that I would definitely recommend(at least not that I noticed)
Mogwai
Pinback
Sufjan Stevens
The Like (yes, i am aware that they are a chick band)
Do Make Say Think (basically an instrumental Broken Social Scene)
Stone Temple Pilots (Tiny Music only)
My Morning Jacket
Starsailor
VAST
Ambulance LTD
Longwave
The Autumn Defense

and I would also recommend the Garden State Soundtrack, it would supply you with a nice mix of some sweet tunes.

Bands I wouldn't necessarily recommend but might be worth an illegal download to see if you like them at all:
The Mars Volta
Isis
Pelican
Queens of the Stone Age
At the Drive-In
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Cave In

There's a good site that lets you listen to music for free without downloading it, but doesn't offer a terribly wide selection. www.skreemr.com

Out of all the bands I mentioned I would recommend My Morning Jacket the most, I was really surprised I didn't see them listed before I got to this thread. I would describe them as a sort of contemporary classic rock band. They are phenomenal.

I would also like to use this opportunity to shamelessly promote my friends' band, Misfortunte500. They're sort of Interpol-esque, if you will. They're doing a long tour in the next couple months, so keep your ears tuned for them, small though they may be. Oh, and sorry for doing that.

by ajake57 on Feb 29, 2008 12:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

BRMC

If John likes The Doors, Cream, Jimi Hendrix... then he shouldn't check out just "Howl" by BRMC. It would seem he might find their other albums more to his liking.

by jonk1982 on Feb 29, 2008 1:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BRMC

It's funny, none of their albums really sound like any of the other ones. "Howl" definitely has a southern, country feel to it, but then you want to turn up the volume for Weight of the World and Sympathetic Noose. Their newest record ("Baby 81") goes away from that a little bit, but it's still a very solid album.

Also, if it's Cream you crave, check out The Black Keys.

by El Duq of Hurl on Feb 29, 2008 7:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You May Be Right

But I could just never get myself into any of their other records, despite repeated attempts. I find it's in bad taste to recommend stuff you wouldn't personally listen to.

by ajake57 on Feb 29, 2008 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

another site

That I like because it gives you info about the band as well as free mp3s to listen to is stereogum.com

Also, Wilco is on SNL this week, for those of you who don't already know.

by ajake57 on Feb 29, 2008 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good stuff

Hmm...I agree with a ton of this. Nice call on Sufjan Stevens...Illinoise is a musically great and lyrically brilliant album. It's also just a super cool idea...Wonder if we'd have similar views on baseball stuff, too... ;-)

Thanks for the mp3 link, still getting the hang of the site, but it seems pretty cool.

BTW, if you like BSS and DMST, you'd probably also like Ratatat.

by Yakker on Feb 29, 2008 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I really

wish he would get back to the theme. I hope he's just recording all 48 albums at once, and then releasing them one at a time, because I wouldn't put it past the man.

by ajake57 on Feb 29, 2008 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Yeah, or he could package them in a multi-disc set with maps. I might even buy the hard discs then.

by Yakker on Feb 29, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

TMV/ATDI

Mars Volta and At The Drive In are so freaking excellent. They seem to be very hit or miss though, as you indicated. I think anyone looking to sample the Mars Volta should probably look to some of their shorter/less rambling songs - Televators, Eriatarka, or especially Vermicide. Maybe also something a little longer, but hard rock like Viscera Eyes. I say this because some people see the 20 minute track lengths of some songs, hear a heavy riff with too much gain, and turn them off quickly. Their loss.

http://rswanzey.blogspot.com

by rswanzey on Feb 29, 2008 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

TMV/ATDI

Mars Volta and At The Drive In are so freaking excellent. They seem to be very hit or miss though, as you indicated. I think anyone looking to sample the Mars Volta should probably look to some of their shorter/less rambling songs - Televators, Eriatarka, or especially Vermicide. Maybe also something a little longer, but hard rock like Viscera Eyes. I say this because some people see the 20 minute track lengths of some songs, hear a heavy riff with too much gain, and turn them off quickly. Their loss.

http://rswanzey.blogspot.com

by rswanzey on Feb 29, 2008 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i hesitate

anytime i try to recommend the mars volta to anyone, because their music is just unlistenable for most people. A baseball person who knows their guitarist's father (from having him as a professor at Rice) told me he was always excited by hearing about him being a successful musician until he listened to the music and basically gave them a "wtf?" I played their first LP when giving him a ride one day and he just couldn't take it. Their newest album almost completely lacks any structure whatsoever. So while I enjoy them a great deal, I never doubt a person or discredit them for not enjoying it. Their first record and the initial EP (named Tremulant) is fabulous music though. But they're weird.

At the Drive-In's last record (Relationship of Command) is easily my favorite record to have come out in the last 10 years. I wouldn't say it's as good as Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but I would argue that it's better than anything else. It's probably the most passionate music I'll ever hear.

by ajake57 on Feb 29, 2008 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Right, I'm very selective in who I recommend them to. You'll never find someone who says "oh, they're ok, I like a couple of their songs". It's always the 1 in 10 who loves them, the 4 in 10 who can't stand them, and the 5 in 10 who have never heard them

http://rswanzey.blogspot.com

by rswanzey on Feb 29, 2008 7:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The scary thing

Is that since Jeremy Ward died, they've actually been clean. So that doesn't explain where they're coming from...

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Feb 29, 2008 7:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bands

Most of these have been mentioned but in no particular order

Incubus
Kings of Leon
The Killers
Arctic Monkeys
Stereophonics
The Hoosiers

by JimmyJack on Feb 29, 2008 5:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Try these John

Super Furry Animals- One of the best bands of the last dozen years most do not know about.

M.Ward- Think Tom waits lyric's with beatles tunes.

Wilco- of course

Ryan Adams- Not a band, but aweseme music

Golden Smog-

Spoon- great great band

Morphine- Check then out. I suggest Cure for pain, Candy(songs)

Mercury Rev- Deserter's songs is a must have album

Acetone- maybe the greatest unheard of band in the past 30 years.

The Bees/Band of Bee's- great retro sounding band. check them out John.

My morning Jacket. One of the best bands around today.

Sea and Cake

For those of you who like Coldplay check out Travis, who I have always though(save for their neweset album ,bleh) were better.

other, but not sure you'd dig em.

Husker Du(Older)
Guided by Voices
Granddady

by Bondomania on Feb 29, 2008 11:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Husker

Defunct since, what, 1987? But Bob Mould keeps soldiering on, under his own name and with Sugar. And he blogs, too.

by FlipYrWhig on Feb 29, 2008 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If you're really looking to expand musical taste

Try these albums:

Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere in the Between
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
Semisonic - All about Chemistry
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

Those are four of my favorite albums, anyway, and they're all totally different.

Hey fish, leave those kids alone!

by The Congo Hammer on Feb 29, 2008 11:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

excellent indie bands

I'm sure some of these were mentioned somewhere, but here are some of the better indie bands out there:

Belle & Sebastian (poster children of indie)
Animal Collective (I prefer the older, less mainstream stuff)
Apples in Stereo (very twee)
Magnetic Fields (smart, lyrical, lo-fi)
Mates of State
Okkervil River
Super Furry Animals (some songs are in Welsh)

by sabernar on Feb 29, 2008 12:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Faintly remember.....

http://www.slate.com/id/2185219?GT1=10935

Interesting story regarding some music I faintly remember listening too in the late 90's. The article itself is enough to just search some of their music out in my opinion.

by slickwdb on Feb 29, 2008 12:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh wait - one more

John, I think you'd like a band from texas called Centro-matic.

Plus, their songwriter/singer is a huuuge baseball nut.

Think you'd like 'em. Try any of their last three albums.

by marc w on Feb 29, 2008 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Music

Some have already been mentioned, some not, some probably mainstream and crappy, oh well....

The Pipettes
Robert Plant + Alison Krauss
The Hives
Audioslave
Steve Earle
Green Day
The Libertines
Tea Party
Delerium
Jet
Collective Soul
Dido

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that. George Carlin

by GregJP on Feb 29, 2008 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

For the Weird Al in You...

They Might Be Giants (as mentioned before)
Logan Whitehurst and the Junior Science Club (a tragic loss)
Barenaked Ladies

Others worth a listen:
Self (Gizmodgery...if you can find it)
Cake
Brian Setzer

Other stuff that I love but know some hate:
Mika (I guess you either love it or hate it)
Guster

As mentioned before, I also think that the White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, and The Kaiser Chiefs might be up your alley...

by coochorama on Feb 29, 2008 4:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Old sounds from new(er) voices

Lucinda Williams--Sweet Old World and Car Wheels on A Gravel Road. Bluesy, twangy and a terrific lyricist.

Dwight Yoakum--Population Me The country folks have neglected him, but he writes great songs and can rock.

James Hunter--People Gonna Talk. An album from 2007 that sounds like it was recorded in 1960. A voice that can evoke Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and a lot of less well known r&b singers of the era. He was Van Morrison's guitar player.

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. The Dap Kings are the band on the Amy Winehouse album. Sharon Jones is the realer deal.

Robert Randolph & the Family Band. Randolph is the Hendrix of steel guitar. They're a jam band. The song structure could tighten up, but they're still a good listen.

Galactic. Killer funk from New Orleans ala the vastly under appreciated Meters.

by JoeSchlobotnik on Feb 29, 2008 5:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs