Must-have music?

[mollyringle]

Let's have an open forum: name a musical group (or composer) you think everyone should hear. This can be a longtime love, a recent obsession, or a personal advertisement; whatever you wish. A little bit of description of what kind of music they make would be helpful too.

Then I, and others reading this, can rush out to our libraries and record stores, or at least the Amazon.com "listen to samples" features, and find some new tunes.

My own recommendations? Well, lately I'm working my slow way through the works of Rufus Wainwright (theatrical-style singer/songwriter), and I am enjoying that. Also have discovered Bell X1 (Irish pop) recently, and they've got some delightfully catchy stuff. And naturally I think everyone should look up The Cure and Pulp from the '80s and '90s if not every other era...

Comments

[mikailborg.livejournal.com]

The Electric Light Orchestra. I assumed everyone knew them, but it turns out my lovely wife didn't (and is now a fan!) so I guess others haven't either. George Harrison once opined that they'd be the 'next Beatles', but that didn't really happen.

Still, they wrote some of the richest, layered work to come out of the 70's and early 80's. "Time" "Discovery" are my two favorite albums of theirs, but plenty of folks prefer their their older work. I had a minor geekgasm when I stumbled upon this work by some Japanese fans who went on to form a major animation studio. The ELO track starts around 1:45.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

You mean like THIS? *brandishes original 'Xanadu' soundtrack* I have to admit a lot of these songs are great, even though the movie was thoroughly on crack. (Cocaine, at the time, actually.) I shall indeed go listen to more!

[avari-maethor.livejournal.com]

The Veronicas - Very dance, techno, rockish duo. The lyrics of their songs say so much.

Boys Like Girls - Punk/Rock, great songs to road trip to.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Aha, I think I've heard Boys Like Girls on the radio. Just didn't know who they were--an increasing problem as I get older and lose track of band names. :) Adding Veronicas to my list too. Thanks!

[pokeystar.livejournal.com]

British Sea Power - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2n-7K0Ef6Y

Starsailor - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhXSbLbE6_c

Two Door Cinema Club - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJDCMth8poM

Kaiser Chiefs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAkg4cwJp1Y

MGMT - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIobf__8V2w

Okkervil River - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROlCPlnCIfo

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Listened to all those while doing computer tasks yesterday. You have good taste! And I think I've heard all of them at some point on our local KEXP. I do have the first British Sea Power album, but must seek out more of those others. (And hey, the Starsailor singer is pretty cute...)

[laleonaenojada.livejournal.com]

I second Kaiser Chiefs and MGMT, and would add Kings of Leon to that group -- although MGMT and Kings of Leon are rather different. Kings of Leon is new wave southern rock (e.g. Sister Hazel, Collective Soul, but a generation on) whereas MGMT probably shares more musically with the Strokes and that whole post-punk New York scene.

I also love Ray LaMontagne, and if you're a fan of Rufus Wainwright, you probably will, too. I can listen to his first album again and again.

Lately I've been listening to the Brandenburg Concertos (J.S. Bach) an old favorite that never fails to soothe my soul and put order in my world.

[laleonaenojada.livejournal.com]

And I don't know how I could forget Jimmy Buffett, especially since he's my husband's favorite, and we listen to him more than to any other since artist. I know he's got some cheesy songs, but he's probably one of, if not the best American singer/songwriter of the 20th century. The man tells stories. I would start with the albums "Coconut Telegraph" "Volcano" and "Changes in Latitude"

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Good calls--I do have LaMontagne's 'Trouble' album as well as the Brandenburg Concertos, and tracked down some Kings of Leon a while back. I ought to look up more of theirs. And all right, Jimmy Buffett too. :)

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

I confess a weakness for BNL.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I ought to look into their more recent stuff. A handful of years back, I listened to them a lot, and got quite attached to some tracks in particular!

[gavinworld.livejournal.com]

The Hidden Cameras. Newer music seldom really gets my attention, but this is compellingly great indie/art pop: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5OtP6kMR4U

I also recommend the very Beatlesque group the Orgone Box: http://www.nme.com/video/id/L5nl8aW1v4s/search/The%20Orgone%20Box

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Hidden Cameras were one of the ones who grabbed me most in my sampling yesterday, so I picked up the album I found of theirs in the store (Origin: Orphan). Love it!

Heh, Orgone Box does sound Beatlesque. Will seek them out too...

[baranduin.livejournal.com]

Hey there. Do you know that Rufus is going to be at the Paramount in august? I think it's August 25 but might be off a couple of days. I don't know if tickets have gone on sale for general public though they have for fan club members or some such thing.

The Waterboys: http://www.mikescottwaterboys.com/

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I totally have a best of Waterboys CD! Great for the "needing an Irish fiddle fix" days.

I've heard Rufus is coming, yes! But with the two little kiddies and all, I don't know if this is my year to do concertgoing...we'll see.

[wildecate.livejournal.com]

Allow me to recommend Alex Cornish. List and enjoy. I find him particularly good for when I'm writing.

http://www.alexcornish.com/

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Ooh, his music is lovely! Definitely writing that down. Cheers!

An English poet

[(Anonymous)]

This was a great idea!

Molly already knows this singing poet: Nick Drake

Visit his estate and listen if you like:

http://www.brytermusic.com/

It's a magic world...

From:

The Illusionist

More Action

[(Anonymous)]

Try this Youtubeclip if you want less poetry and more action ( from the north of Sweden) :-)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMDXLrTs6Lo&feature=related


The Illusionist

ABBA-Benny before ABBA

[(Anonymous)]

Many great tips in this forum. Thanks a lot!

If you want to know what ABBA-Benny did before becoming a member of ABBA you can watch this from the 60's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUgx0FQ_JrE&feature=related

The Illusionst

Re: ABBA-Benny before ABBA

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

That must be Hans--hi!

Indeed, Nick Drake is always lovely. Didn't know about the Hep Stars. Great sound--they're now on my list. Thanks!

Dolph Lundgren...oh dear, too funny!

Re: ABBA-Benny before ABBA

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Molly!

Yes it's me but don't tell anyone...:-)
Darke's music is very unique and his life is very fascinating. Didn't sell many records. Perhaps he was too anachronistic for the 60's? Or maybe hedidn't get the right promotion?
Today his music is more popular than ever...It's a strange world.
Anyway, should have been in Edinburgh by now if it hadn't been for the moody volcano on Iceland.
People prefer to travel by bus and train in Europe now so I'll wait at least until August when I hope it will be less crowded.I just discovered that I can travel by coach from Gothenburg to London.

Summertime...and the living is easy... :-)

Drive-By Truckers

[(Anonymous)]

I'm a huge fan of the Drive-By Truckers, a Southern Rock band in the Allman Brothers/Lynyrd Skynyrd vein with a lot of surprises thrown in. How can you not love a band that has a song about Lynyrd Skynyrd called "Shut up and Get on the Plane" or this brilliant lyric from "Zip City": I've got 350 heads on a 305 engine, I get 10 miles to the gallon, I ain't got no good intentions"? If nothing else, it's great for dancing around the house when nobody's watching.
Tracey

Re: Drive-By Truckers

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I know I've heard the Drive-By Truckers on KEXP and enjoyed them, so, agreed, I should dedicate some actual listening to them. Thanks!