Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

[Toaster]

List some bands that are bucking the trend in terms of what music is and how it is created. Try to refrain from plugging mainstream bands (unless you can explain yourself).


Imogen Heap

Electronica / Synth-Pop / New Wave / Experimental

From the MySpace page:

"However the real emphasis here is on the minutiae; the fluctuating dynamics beneath the soaring sounds. Aside from textured incidental noises, like trains rumbling past the tracks outside Heap’s studio, breaths, sighs, whispers and intimate vocal quirks make this electronic wonder sound human again. And this warmth compliments the intensely personal nature of Heap’s songs."

It's the chick from Frou Frou and it's great to see her doing new things as she's got such an energy about everything she comes up with. I've had the opportunity to see her Live and the experience was fantastic. The whole creative process and the way the music is created is really inspiring.

Beirut

Folk / Alternative

I don't really 'get' Beirut myself, but there's defeniately something there. Plus the website is a great artistic showcase and you get to watch videos and listen to their entire album, "The Flying Club Cup", for free. So check them out.

MadVillian

Rap / Hip-Hop

The concept behind MadVillian is that he's a crazed comic book villian and his album plays out in this fashion. What's not to like?

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds

Experimental / Rock & Roll

Widely regarded by many music critics to be the one of the best CDs ever made and frequently appears in top 10 charts for that category. Brian Wilson made this project on his own while he let the Beach Boys tour without them when The Beatles craze hit the United States and cast a shadow over their fame. He knew that he had to somehow top them. So while the rest of the band went out without him, living the rock and roll life style Brian stayed at home (probably smoked a bunch of pot) and came up with Pet Sounds. He then went into the studio and while he wasn't very trained himself he had enough money to hire professional musicians to get the results he wanted.

It's very experimental and well organized in terms of musicallity. You could call it a pre-cursor for Pink Floyd (in terms of music concrete and experimentation) and while today it isn't anything mind-blowing but for it's time, it sure as hell was. Not to mention it's aged beautifully. The Beatles even took out full pages ads in British newspapers out of their own pocket telling the people to go out and buy Pet Sounds because they were so impressed with it.

There's a lot more I could list off, such as Radiohead and Sigur Ros, but I don't feel like looking for more links and writing more captions. Please contribute.

[Vanilla Iced Tea]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

Zach Condon's (Beirut's) ability to adapt to different styles of music is pretty great. Flying Club Cup is definitely in my top 3 albums for 2007, and Gulag Orkestar was also really good.

Off the top of my head, Beck's versatility is probably worth mentioning here.

[Toaster]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

How could I have forgotten Beck?

I Friggin' LOVE Beck.

[Perversion]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

Flying Saucer Attack-they take their cues from the "shoegazer" scene of the early 90s, but make their own beautiful noise. It's basically really melodic, pastoral folk music, drenched in reverb, feedback, distortion, and other unidentifiable guitar noise. Most of the actual "music" and all the vocals are almost always buried in the mix, so you really have to listen to pick up the wistful, melacholy beauty of a lot of the songs. Otherwise, all you're going to hear is a bunch of noise.

Kranky Records (in particular Labradford and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and later, Low)-this is/was pretty much THE post-rock record label to record for. Labradford is probably, maybe excepting Joy Division, the bleakest band I've ever heard (on their first few albums anyway). Both sparse and full at the same time, and more often than not either instrumental or with (once again) the vocals buried WAY low in the mix, this, honestly, is music to commit suicide to. It's not really depressing, per se, but without even really understanding why myself, their first two albums just evoke this mood of unrelenting bleakness. Labradford's first album, Praizision, has been hailed as one of the most influential albums of the 90s.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor, on the other hand, is a bit more cheery. That's not to say it's "happy," by any stretch. Having a band with (at times; live, at least) 13 members, who play orchestral music within a rock framework (or rock music within an orchestral framework...I'm not sure which) is something to be respected. I would venture to guess their average song length is about 15-17 minutes, and, aside from found sound vocal "diatribes," it's pretty much all instrumental. Possibly excepting Spiritualized, I've never heard another band's music that has taken me on such an emotional rollercoaster in the course of one song. The climaxes (or crescendos) of the songs are such a cathartic drain for me that they sometimes leave me feeling exhausted after it's over. All of this without ANY vocals or traditional songwriting to speak of. If you cannot listen to the entirety of East Hastings in one sitting (it's 17 minutes long) and feel SOMETHING when it's over, you'll probably not be interested in any of my other suggestions here.

The Velvet Underground-generally considered to be one of the most influential groups of all time (they've inspired everyone from The Jesus and Mary Chain, Spacemen 3 (Spiritualized, E.A.R., et al), Mazzy Star, Sonic Youth, R.E.M., Nirvana, the entire "shoegazer" scene, and pretty much the majority of "alt-rock" in the 90s, be it directly, or through another band who was originally influenced by them). They've even inspired pretty much the entire "krautrock" scene in Germany in the early to mid 70s, who, of course, went on to inspire a plethora of other bands. Pretty much any band that uses dischordant guitar noise to one extent or another owes a debt of gratitude to the Velvet Underground. My personal favorite album is "The Velvet Underground and Nico," but fans of noise might prefer "White Light/White Heat." And if you want to talk about an album REALLY breaking new ground, look no further than Lou Reed's solo album Metal Machine Music. It's basically a direct blueprint for ANY "noise" band that followed, and, not surprisingly, flopped upon release, but gained a cult-like status over the intervening years. It was recorded in the early 70s, and consisted entirely of manipulated guitar feedback. Four lengthy pieces of music, without any actual "music" to speak of. Just feedback. This was the ultimate expression of George Martin and Brian Wilson's concept of "studio as instrument." And, not surprisingly, this album itself was influenced by John Cage and other "musique concrete" pioneers.

Stereolab-used to be my fave band of all time...INCREDIBLY difficult to try to categorize...it's like if you threw The Velvet Underground, Pet Sounds, French pop music, krautrock (Can, Faust, Neu!, etc), and (on later albums) "electronica" in a blender. Their album "Emperor Tomato Ketchup" is included in Rolling Stone's Top 100 albums of the 90s, and fairly high on the list, if I remember correctly. Their early to mid period albums have such wonderful vocal harmonies, inventive guitar work and drumming, and deeply sociopolitical lyrics (sung in French quite frequently) that I could not help myself by immediately falling in love with them. To me, their masterwork is the 17 minute Jenny Ondioline, from the album "Transient Random Noise-Bursts with Announcements." Do yourself a favor, and check them out if you've never heard them before.


I could go on and on here, but I'll quit for now.

[Bon]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

Ah, I know Imogen.


Mmmmm what you say.....*hums*

[Cosmic Jeff]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

X

X was totally awesome. Originally from the California punk rock circuit circa the late 70's/early 80's they often get lumped together with totally disparate groups from the scene like Black Flag and the Dead Kennedys, which doesn't really give a good indication of what they actually sound like. Although they were loud and pretty raw sounding, they were more of a rockabilly group more than anything else; with vocal harmonies between Singer Exene and Bassist John Doe, as well as guitarist Billy Zoom's kind of classic approach (with awesome signature rave-ups). In their heyday, their albums received high praise from critics, but as is often the case, sales charts and critical success seem to repel each other.

Albums:
Los Ageles
Released: 1980


1. Your Phone's Off the Hook, but You're Not
2. Johny Hit and Run Paulene
3. Soul Kitchen
4. Nausea
5. Sugarlight
6. Los Angeles
7. Sex and Dying in High Society
8. The Unheard Music
9. The World's a Mess; It's in My Kiss

The first album is often cited as a favorite, but most likely due to it being the rawest, fans of California punk will always like this one the best. This is not to say that isn't the best; Personally I'd say it ties with it's follow up. This album and the three that follow were all produced by Ray Manzarek (Keyboardist for the Doors), which is kind of odd for a so-called punk band. He also happens to play organ on this record, but is more removed from the others. Consequentially, this happens to explain the cover of the Doors song 'Soul Kitchen', which is one the few cases where I actually prefer the cover over the original. The X cover is far more menacing. The opening track, however, being half sung/half shouted and its saw-bone guitar, is a good indication of what follows the rest of the album and probably following 3 years as well. Some of the following songs might be more recognizable though, as 'Johny Hit and Run Paulene' was featured on the Rhino Records 80's compilation 'Left of the Dial' and I'm pretty sure their most famous song, and title track, 'Los Angeles' is featured on one of the Guitar Hero games. 'Nausea' is another song I really like also. It stands out with it's slow disorienting chug. The album closes with a typical sing-along chant, 'The Worlds A Mess; It's In My Kiss', but it's the sort that's done so well you understand why it's done so often.

Wild Gift
Released: 1981


1. The Once Over Twice
2. We're Desperate
3. Adult Books
4. Universal Corner
5. I'm Coming Over
6. It's Who You Know
7. In This House That I Call Home
8. Some Other Time
9. White Girl
10. Beyond and Back
11. Back 2 the Base
12. When Our Love Passed Out on the Couch
13. Year 1

The follow up album to Los Angeles dodged the sophomore slump that often is associated with punk bands. Usually both tempo and ideas slow on the second record, but Wild Gift is simultaneously both louder and softer than its predecessor. 'We're Desperate' and 'Adult Books' were originally from 7" records that predate the first album, but are reworked here. I might be mistaken, but I believe the original versions are featured on the Rhino 'No Thanks!' 70's punk box set. The aforementioned 'Desperate' is probably the hardest song in the X catalog, while 'Adult Books' has surprising world influences for being one of the earliest songs. The songs that were newly written are slower than earlier material, but show a greater sense depth and better songwriting detail. The two traits you hope to find in the absence of songs that are bashed out. The sinister grit of 'White Girl' greatly benefits from this effect. This is probably the album that I'd recommend first to someone that is interested in X.

Under The Big Black Sun
Released: 1982


1. The Hungry Wolf
2. Motel Room in My Bed
3. Riding With Mary
4. Come Back to Me
5. Under the Big Black Sun
6. Because I Do
7. Blue Spark
8. Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
9. Real Child of Hell
10. How I (Learned My Lesson)
11. The Have Nots

'Under The Big Black Sun' saw X branch out further from their roots. It's the first of their albums that I would say genuinely has 'pop' songs, such as 'Come Back To Me', 'Under The Big Black Sun', and 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes'. Under normal circumstances this would be a bad sign; Groups before them that tried reaching for larger audiences frequently wound up alienating long time fans and being completely rejected commercially. Obviously still never finding that larger audience, X were still able to continue their winning streak with critics, despite playing nicer. By this point, the boy/girl harmonies and melody on 'Under The Big Black Sun' had pretty much been perfected. This is pretty much the same band from two years earlier, however, so the rest of the songs here follow the same template as before, although a little darker. 'Come Back To Me', 'Riding With Mary' are about the death of singer Exene's sister and others like 'Because I Do' and leader 'The Hungry Wolf' deal with the struggles of marriage. All in all, this is another quite respectable release.

More Fun In The New World
Released: 1983


1. The New World
2. We're Having Much More Fun
3. True Love
4. Poor Girl
5. Make the Music Go Bang
6. Breathless
7. I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts
8. Devil Doll
9. Painting the Town Blue
10. Hot House
11. Drunk in My Past
12. I See Red
13. True Love Pt. #2

This is the last great X album, as unfortunately after this album, the marriage between John Doe and Exene Cervenka collapsed, which culminated into a switch of producers, band members exiting, and so on. This album is still great though, maybe less so than the other three, but the consistency up to this point had been amazing. The lyrics this time are more overtly political than it's preceding albums, but remain direct and are handled with a good satirical sense of humor; 'The New World' particularly so. This song speaks to me especially, since I deal with people that have no idea what they're talking about on a daily basis. My favorite song on the album, and probably my favorite X song in general would be 'I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts'. Others like 'I See Red' rock as much as X ever did. Even though some of the songs like the cover of 'Breathless' and few others are just okay, when considering the strengths album, it sits right up there with all the rest.

*Highlights Bold

[Magik]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

The Real Tuesday Weld (myspace page with tracks)

1930s inspired music with electronic undertones. Stephen Coates is the pioneer of "antique beat" music.

I recommend listening to "kix" first.

BLASTOIDS! (myspace site)

As shown on their site, this is how they describe themselves:



Listen to "Kids and Candy" or "Cowboys" first.

[JPS]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

out of all these bands, Ive only heard of 1 or 2 :/

[Magik]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

Here's a chance to expand your horizons.

I haven't heard of Flying Saucer Attack or MadVillian before.

[SheepThursday]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

If you're looknig for interesting music, look no further than Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. I'm obviously a fan (note my avatar), and I must say that Zappa is pretty "out there".
The Mothers have a distinctive sound that includes lots of marimba and mallet instruments, shredding lead guitar, ******-off funk beats, and even some doo-wop. The subject matter of their lyrics range from modified dogs to hungry freaks.
Some albums include Freak Out!, Uncle Meat, Joe's Garage, We're Only in it for the Money/Lumpy Gravy, Cruisin' with Rueben and the Jets, and Weasels Ripped my Flesh.






Some of my favorite Zappa tunes are:
1. Pojama People
2. Evelyn the modified dog
3. Don't eat the yellow snow
4. Stink Foot
5. Peaches en regalia

Even though Frank Zappa passed away in 1993 (prostate cancer), you can go see his son Dweezil perform in Zappa Plays Zappa.

For more info. check out www.zappa.com.

[LunarWingCloud]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

My only comment is RIP Kurt Cobain. I don't care what you say, Nirvana and Alice In Chains are two bands that started a completely new form of Rock. They turned the early 90s on their head. And it was amazing.

[Magik]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

I'm a fan of Nirvana and all, but they hardly "started" grunge rock. The may have brought it out of the shadows, but, for example, the Melvins and other bands were experimenting with the new genre years before Kurt Cobain's story begins. And even then, bands like the Pixies deserve a lot of credit for Nirvana's style.

I don't dispute that they had a huge impact on the early 90s music scene though, and they certainly built their own legacy, but the genre didn't start in 1991 with Nevermind.

[LunarWingCloud]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

True. I discussed this with my friend (who's a true blue grungie) and he said part of it actually started with artists like Alice Cooper.

[Ωbright]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

COIL
The Legendary Pink Dots
Autechre
Dead Can Dance

[LunarWingCloud]

Re: Music that's interesting (versus music that isn't)

I like Crush 40. They make some of the 3D Sonic games' songs (Live & Learn, Sonic Heroes, Open Your Heart). I heard their version of Seven Rings In Hand andno longer like the one made for Sonic and the Secret Rings. There's a description of them on Wikipedia, as well as a few samples of their music. I personally like them.