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  • Salanis

    Oct. 21, 2008 12:15 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

    Tim Baxter wrote:

    Portishead's latest is difficult, at best. I'm not ready to say it sucks, yet, but it's definitely a challenging listen. That's what they wanted to do, but I haven't decided if it's difficult and worth it, or if it's just a dissonant mess.

    I gave it a listen through once and didn't like it. I sum it up as an album of all tension and no release. Music needs tension and release, and 3rd just lacked the second part.

    My girlfriend absolutely hated it and left the room. She said it "Reminded [her] of what a headache feels like... and why we get them." It took a lot of work to turn her onto any other Portishead after that first impression. Now she loves their early stuff.

    It seemed like an experiment. Like they were exploring the line between music and noise. That doesn't make for a good listen though.

    It could make for decent mood music for another work though. I could see using selections for a soundtrack or something. I'm planning to run a modern SF/Horror RPG for some friends, and might use it for that. But that's because I don't want music people listen to actively. I just want something that will back up the horrific vibe I want to create.

    I almost got their live album, but decided against it because of "Roads". The audience trying to clap along just ruined it for me.

  • Twin_Cam

    Oct. 21, 2008 3:35 p.m. Twin_Cam Dork

    Well...where do I start?

    Two bands to check out: The Cat Empire (Australian latin rock/swing/every style ever), and Killswitch Engage (metal). You'll never hear them on the radio (ok, Killswitch's cover of Holy Diver was, but it was a cover) and they are awesome.

  • Josh

    Oct. 21, 2008 8:47 p.m. Josh Reader

    I'll second a few of those already mentioned - The Hold Steady, Spoon, New Pornographers. I have also become a huge fan of Okkervil River over the past couple years. But really, the Pandora iPhone app is the best thing that's ever happened to my car stereo. Somehow it is able to keep a stream going, even at 85mph over the edge network, of the best radio station I have ever listened to :).

  • noisycricket

    Oct. 21, 2008 9:38 p.m. noisycricket New Reader

    I normally like quality metal, but for the 24 Hours of Lemons, I wanted an iPod with Fear Factory's "Manic Cure" on permanent repeat. Very fast, very flowing. (It is an amalgamation of some of their more popular songs)

    Our team captain put the kibosh on that, though. I use it for deathmatching now.

  • rebelgtp

    Oct. 21, 2008 9:58 p.m. rebelgtp HalfDork

    Today I actually remembered to take my MP3 player with me while I was working in the lab after classes.

    So I spent some time extracting and cleaning some fossils while listening to the new AC/DC album. I was surprised at how well that combination worked out, and it helped the time pass a bit faster. Lemme tell you working with fossils can be damn boring at times.

    Hmmm that Pandora plugin for the iPhone would be cool if I actually had one, I have a Blackberry

  • HappyAndy

    Oct. 21, 2008 10:14 p.m. HappyAndy New Reader

    may I suggest: southern culture on the skids (a.k.a. S.C.O.T.T.S. to thier fans). Sort of rockibilly sort of surf rock. Lots of fun lyrics and great surf guitar licks. lots of automotive references too (thier most popular record is called dirt track date) And the most entertaining live performance you will ever see for $25. if you get a chance to see a live show don't miss it.

    You can't go wrong with Wilco, or Ryan Adams, if you lean even slightly country

    If you like portishead you will probably also like Belle & Sebastian, and morcheeba.

    I never get tired of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips

    I also have a Hank Williams Senior compilation that I don't listen to a lot, but every time I do I get a big smile

  • PHeller

    Oct. 21, 2008 10:23 p.m. PHeller Reader

    House of Heroes

  • EastCoastMojo

    Oct. 21, 2008 11:06 p.m. EastCoastMojo Reader

    Top five on my recently played list:

    Reverand Horton Heat
    Marilyn Manson
    Anthrax
    Motorhead
    Johnny Cash

    And yes, SCOTS is awesome. I saw them live last summer.

  • gamby

    Oct. 21, 2008 11:27 p.m. gamby UberDork

    Tim Baxter wrote:

    Some of my favorite discs of the past year:

    • Raveonettes: Lust Lust Lust -- If Nancy Sinatra fronted the Jesus & Mary Chain, it would sound a lot like the Raveonettes
    • LadyTron: Velocifero -- Not sure about 'soulful', but to my ears it's electronic music done well. Tons of hooks, and not just an hour of bump-bump-bump
    • BitterSweet -- Like Portishead, if portishead wanted to get nekkid and tickle you all night
    • Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga -- These guys REALLY know how to write a catchy tune
    • Blue October: Foiled -- just a really good, solid record. Didn't think I'd like it, but the more I listen, the better it sounds.
    • New Pornographers: Challengers -- some sort of indie-rock "supergroup" with Neko Case and a bunch of other people I'm not hip enough to have ever heard of. Anything Neko Case does is worth listening to.
    • Neko Case -- it doesn't matter what album. Go get you some Neko Case.
    • The Replacements: Tim -- Yeah, I know it's not even close to this past year, but I just replaced my old vinyl copy, and have been struck all over again with what a killer record it is.

    Also, I'll second Cold War Kids, and MAYBE MGMT, although I'm not convinced MGMT is going to hold up to repeated listening.

    Fantastic taste there, Tim. Bravo. I'm a fan of the New Pornographers as well--although I never picked up the most recent album. "Bleeding Heart Show", "The Laws have Changed" and "All For Swinging You Around" are all obscenely catchy power pop that is instantly likeable and very accessible.

    I'll throw the Kings of Leon into the mix of new traditional rock bands. Huge in England, obscure here--despite being from Tennessee.

  • Luke

    Oct. 21, 2008 11:49 p.m. Luke Dork

    Speaking of records of the past year, I'll add Fleet Foxes debut album and The Charlatans newest album (or anything by them, for that matter.)

  • gamby

    Oct. 22, 2008 12:05 a.m. gamby UberDork

    Didn't know the Charlatans were still at it.

    I think the last disc I bought of theirs was the one w/ "Can't Get Out Of Bed" on it.

  • thatsnowinnebago

    Oct. 22, 2008 1:29 a.m. thatsnowinnebago Reader

    What about Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, and Bargain Music? Mostly reggae type stuff if you're in to that. The Mars Volta is pretty sweet too if you want some "interesting" music. Their albums, save the first one, really have to be listened to all the way though. You can't really pick and choose songs from them.

  • gamby

    Oct. 22, 2008 8:31 a.m. gamby UberDork

    For clarification/categorization purposes, the OP should fine The Mars Volta under "progressive".

  • confuZion3

    Oct. 22, 2008 9:43 a.m. confuZion3 Dork

    Lloyd dobler effect. Good, chill music. Rock with a touch of Latin beat. Also the vocalists can really sing! I met The lead guitarist / singer. Cool guy.

  • Twin_Cam

    Oct. 22, 2008 10:28 a.m. Twin_Cam Dork

    You guys have damn good taste in music. Shameless plug for where I interned for two summers, WXPN. You can listen to them live at xpn.org, they're the guys that do the World Cafe with David Dye, which is syndicated all over the country. They play all these bands you guys have been naming. They rock.

  • Salanis

    Oct. 22, 2008 10:33 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

    Has Primus been recommended yet? It has been now!

  • Jerry From LA

    Oct. 22, 2008 11:03 a.m. Jerry From LA Reader

    rebelgtp wrote:

    Kinda in the mood for some music that actually has some soul to it, not the cookie cutter crap that is so common these days.... I don't care how old it is or what kind of music it is just so long it is good music with some soul.

    http://www.myspace.com/thesoulofjohnblack http://www.thesoulofjohnblack.com/news/

    Former lead guitarist for Fishbone John "JB" Bigham is the real deal. He has two albums out under the name, "The Soul Of John Black" and will release a third one in February. the first album is soul and funk oriented. The second, "Good Girl Blues" is more bluesy (surprise surprise). Hear more samples at amazon.com

    I remember being in John's apartment and seeing his vinyl collection. He has so much different music from so many different genres. This is a guy who's listened and enjoyed everything. A great guitar player who plays everything from slide to Strat to acoustic funk. His song "Joy" from his first album was almost our first dance song at my wedding two years ago. "Carolyn" is my favorite. "Good Girl Blues" is a close second.

    This stuff is so up your alley it's not funny. The soul is not purely soul. The blues is not purely blues. It's sounds a little old and a little new at the same time. John is one guy who deserves greater recognition. Everybody who's ever heard me play cuts from his CDs just goes out and buys the stuff for themselves. OK, I'll stop overselling now. Enjoy.

  • ignorant

    Oct. 22, 2008 11:18 a.m. ignorant UberDork

    Twin_Cam wrote:

    You guys have damn good taste in music. Shameless plug for where I interned for two summers, WXPN. You can listen to them live at xpn.org, they're the guys that do the World Cafe with David Dye, which is syndicated all over the country. They play all these bands you guys have been naming. They rock.

    http://yrockonxpn.org <-- good as well. I went to High School with "Jake Rabid"

  • gamby

    Oct. 23, 2008 6:50 p.m. gamby UberDork

    Jerry From LA wrote:

    rebelgtp wrote:

    Kinda in the mood for some music that actually has some soul to it, not the cookie cutter crap that is so common these days.... I don't care how old it is or what kind of music it is just so long it is good music with some soul.

    http://www.myspace.com/thesoulofjohnblack http://www.thesoulofjohnblack.com/news/

    Former lead guitarist for Fishbone John "JB" Bigham is the real deal. He has two albums out under the name, "The Soul Of John Black" and will release a third one in February. the first album is soul and funk oriented. The second, "Good Girl Blues" is more bluesy (surprise surprise). Hear more samples at amazon.com

    WOW. Not a huge Fishbone fan, but I dig oldschool funk/soul bigtime.

    Will investigate.

  • Xceler8x

    Oct. 23, 2008 9:20 p.m. Xceler8x Reader

    I just found out that Pandora has a mobil version. Was that already posted? For guys who can't run that you can also try out www.moodio.fm. It's internet radio....for your freaking cell phone!

    Also, if you like you punk with a good sense of humor check out Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. A bit of an all-star punk band that does some wacked covers. Think about "Saved The Best For Last" and "I Believe I Can Fly" and a whole album of show tunes. Fun stuff.

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