What the hell are you listening to?...2008 Edition

[Easy Mac]

Listened to Evil Urges about 5 times now... I still can't grab an opinion on it. Its nowhere near Z, which is one of the top 5 albums of the past decade (The Streets-A Grand Don't Come for Free; and Franz Ferdinand's debut are also in there), but its interesting. I can't tell if they just said, fuck it, we're My Morning Jacket, people will give us the benefit of the doubt on it.

[samifan24]

New Coldplay. It's good.

[Young Drachma]

Shearwater released Rook a few weeks ago and it's seriously the best album of the year to date. I just got it now and I'm astounded. I had no idea it would be THIS good. Nothing else like it, can't explain it. Just listen.

Here's a track called Rooks.

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[Kodos]

I'm really enjoying Man Raze's new album. It's Phil Collen (Def Leppard), Paul Cook (Sex Pistols), and the drummer from Girl (Phil's old band). I think I actually like it better than the new Def Leppard album.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0jMWqdmdl4Y&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0jMWqdmdl4Y&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[ISiddiqui]

Of the three CDs I mentioned I got a few weeks ago, I'm really, really digging The Kills most of all. They just have an utterly captivating sound:

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Argh... obviously I don't know how to embed, so:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JkEwk7wZVV8&feature=user

[Passacaglia]

Shearwater released Rook a few weeks ago and it's seriously the best album of the year to date. I just got it now and I'm astounded. I had no idea it would be THIS good. Nothing else like it, can't explain it. Just listen.

Here's a track called Rooks.

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I just listened, pretty cool. Are you in Chicago yet? I just saw that they'll be here this Tuesday.

[Kodos]

Of the three CDs I mentioned I got a few weeks ago, I'm really, really digging The Kills most of all. They just have an utterly captivating sound:

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Argh... obviously I don't know how to embed, so:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JkEwk7wZVV8&feature=user


Here you go. :)

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[Young Drachma]

I just listened, pretty cool. Are you in Chicago yet? I just saw that they'll be here this Tuesday.

Shit, no. Sucks, I'd love to take the woman and go.

[ISiddiqui]

Thanks Kodos... I will remember this act of kindness when the revolution comes :)

[samifan24]

Just downloaded the new Girl Talk album, "Feed the Animals," which was released today online in a name your own price format (http://74.124.198.47/illegal-art.net/__girl__talk___feed__the__anima.ls___/). Interestingly enough, if you choose free, as I did (because I am unfamiliar with them and didn't know if I'd like them), the website asks you why and you must select from several different answer options.

If you don't know anything about Girl Talk, basically it's just one guy who samples from about 20 different artists/songs in each one of his tracks. It's really great stuff.

[Young Drachma]

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Sebastian Tellier, Divine.

[cthomer5000]

Just downloaded the new Girl Talk album, "Feed the Animals," which was released today online in a name your own price format (http://74.124.198.47/illegal-art.net/__girl__talk___feed__the__anima.ls___/). Interestingly enough, if you choose free, as I did (because I am unfamiliar with them and didn't know if I'd like them), the website asks you why and you must select from several different answer options.

If you don't know anything about Girl Talk, basically it's just one guy who samples from about 20 different artists/songs in each one of his tracks. It's really great stuff.

I paid a buck for it. I liked the last album a lot, but dont like his prior stuff. I havent' actually listened to this new one yet though , despite buying it a few days ago.

[Easy Mac]

You should have just paid $5 for Lossless audio

Night Ripper is one of favorite albums from the past decade. The latest hasn't really grabbed me yet, but I haven't listened to it enough to form an opinion.

[Young Drachma]

The Age Of The Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets is still great.

So is Watershed by Opeth

[Young Drachma]

Hayes Carll - Trouble in Mind is the best country album this year that you'll never hear.

<object width="300" height="80"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/m/O3-mmjPzxJ/aus=false/"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/O3-mmjPzxJ/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="110" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://www.imeem.com/hayescarll/music/MpOR9PNM/hayes_carll_wild_as_a_turkey/">Wild As A Turkey - Hayes Carll</a></object>

[korme]

DC, what do you know about M.I.A., if anything?

She's responsible for the song that is in the trailer for Pineapple Express, and I love that song ("Paper Planes").

[Young Drachma]

DC, what do you know about M.I.A., if anything?

She's responsible for the song that is in the trailer for Pineapple Express, and I love that song ("Paper Planes").

Paper Planes is one of those songs that sneaks up on you, being way better than it sounded the first time I heard it.

She's of Sri Lankan descent, but was raised in England. This is her 2nd album. Her first, was called Araular is pretty all right, the best songs on that album were "Sunshowers" and "URAQT". It was clearly produced in her boyfriend's basement, because it was low-fi and not particular well produced. Junkyard music ftw.

This new album "Kala" is just as spastic obviously, but way better produced and far more catchy and EXTREMELY diverse. I think it's an album that you'll either love or absolutely hate. Check it out and decide what you think...

[Young Drachma]

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I can't stop listening to this. It's Yoon Mi Rae (aka Tasha), the best rapper in Korea, hands down. She's half-American and was apparently born in Houston. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasha_Reid)

[Fidatelo]

I heard Paper Planes on thesixtyone a couple weeks back and immediately bumped it like crazy. Awesome tune, neat to see that it's getting some mainstream play.

[samifan24]

Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State Matthew Ryan's latest album. Highly recommended for fans of early Springsteen.

[Easy Mac]

FYI, The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely is only $5 at Amazon's mp3 store (along with Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool)

[korme]

Paper Planes is one of those songs that sneaks up on you, being way better than it sounded the first time I heard it.

She's of Sri Lankan descent, but was raised in England. This is her 2nd album. Her first, was called Araular is pretty all right, the best songs on that album were "Sunshowers" and "URAQT". It was clearly produced in her boyfriend's basement, because it was low-fi and not particular well produced. Junkyard music ftw.

This new album "Kala" is just as spastic obviously, but way better produced and far more catchy and EXTREMELY diverse. I think it's an album that you'll either love or absolutely hate. Check it out and decide what you think...

Dc, you have no limitations. Thanks, I'll try to find out how Kala sounds.

[korme]

BTW, anyone else have the iTunes problem whereas everytime I open it, it detects that iTunes is not the default music player? It tells me this everytime, even though I have no other audio player that I use

[samifan24]

BTW, anyone else have the iTunes problem whereas everytime I open it, it detects that iTunes is not the default music player? It tells me this everytime, even though I have no other audio player that I use

That's strange that you're seeing that error message even though you only use iTunes. There should just be a check box for "set iTunes as default player" to fix that.

[korme]

Yeah, I set iTunes as my default player every.time I open it... it's odd.

[samifan24]

Rhapsody is celebrating the opening of its new MP3 store by giving away 100,000 free albums from now until July 4. You have to create an account and enter your credit card info to get your free album credit but can cancel the account immediately after downloading the album.

[Easy Mac]

Also, if you have multiple credit cards and a gmail account, you can sign for multiple free albums.

To do so, just put a period in a random place in your gmail name. It will treat you as a new customer. It only works once per credit card.

That being said, they're selection ranges from 1 to shit-tastic.

[Young Drachma]

She & Him - Volume One
Came out amidst little fanfare in March, but it sounds great. I stumbled into it today. It's Disney star Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. She could totally quit her day job if she wanted to. She's convincing, this project is excellent work and it's seriously a breezy, 60s inspired pop foray that's refreshing to hear.

<object width="300" height="80"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/m/YSa2oXBMP2/aus=false/"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/YSa2oXBMP2/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="110" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://www.imeem.com/shawnyetothe/music/TmHhda98/she_him_this_is_not_a_test/">This Is Not A Test - She & Him</a></object>

[samifan24]

She & Him - Volume One
Came out amidst little fanfare in March, but it sounds great. I stumbled into it today. It's Disney star Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. She could totally quit her day job if she wanted to. She's convincing, this project is excellent work and it's seriously a breezy, 60s inspired pop foray that's refreshing to hear.


Yes, good stuff indeed. Zooey Deschanel will probably be introduced as "that singer who acts" from now on after this.

[samifan24]

Also, if you have multiple credit cards and a gmail account, you can sign for multiple free albums.

To do so, just put a period in a random place in your gmail name. It will treat you as a new customer. It only works once per credit card.

That being said, they're selection ranges from 1 to shit-tastic.

By the way, there are several box sets available with a list price of $9.99 which are free using this promotion. The Doors box set of 90+ songs is one of them.

[Ksyrup]

Seeing who was in this pretty much convinced me to buy before I even heard the music, but after hearing the samples, I'll be downloading and paying a few bucks for this.

Bleu + Mike Viola = How Could This NOT Be Great?

THE MAJOR LABELS

Band Members:
Bleu
Ducky Carlisle
Mike Viola

Influences:
An adventurous mix of authentic 60's/70's AM radio. McCartney, Nilsson, XTC, 10CC etc...

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[DrAFTjunkie]

Right now, I'm really digging the All for Nots out of Brooklyn. Not only are they an excellent band, but their youtube mockumentaries are fantastic. Check them out!!!

[Young Drachma]

Jean Grae teamed up with 9th Wonder, who produced stuff for underground hip-hop artists like Murs and was part of Little Brother, on an album called Jeanius. Album was supposed to be released 4 years ago, but got leaked on the web. But they've finally reworked it and released it this week on Talib Kweli's label.

Her flow is sick, his beats are on point as always. Maybe the best hip-hop album released this year.

<object width="300" height="80"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/m/qx5OPybuuY/aus=false/"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/qx5OPybuuY/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="110" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://www.imeem.com/jeangrae/music/cbOaDQ8j/jean_grae_number_eight/">Number Eight - Jean Grae</a></object>

[kurtism]

Oh great googily-moogily! New Matthew Sweet coming late August, new Ben Folds mid-September!

http://www.flashenhanced.com/matthewsweet/

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/07/ben-folds-talks-new-album-and-release-date.html

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, the Matthew Sweet has already leaked, but I've been too lazy to track it down. I'll listen to the Ben Folds, but he hasn't touched the awesomeness of RTS in some time, so I'm a bit burned out on him right now.

[Young Drachma]

http://www.last.fm/music/Nas/Untitled

The new Nas album is online now a week early on Last.FM. I hated it (http://sominty.com/music/untitled-by-nas), but that doesn't mean anything.

[Passacaglia]

Anyone heard anything about James Pants? I heard a couple songs, one awesome, one pretty good. Great name, at least.

[Young Drachma]

"Two Men With The Blues" by Wynton Marsalis and Willie Nelson is the truth. An excellent album.

[Young Drachma]

Portishead - Third is good. I wasn't really much of a Portishead fan, but...I hadn't really delved into all of their stuff and I did last night and love it, a lot.

[clemsonfan]

Lately I've been listening to:

Flight of the Conchords
Sondre Lerche- Faces Down

[Young Drachma]

We Brave Bee Stings and All by Thao with the Get Down Stay Down was released in January and I haven't heard the whole thing yet, but from what I've heard of them, I'm hooked and interested.

Here's a track by them called Feet Asleep.

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[Young Drachma]

Dola --

The debut album from Jacksonville-based indie group Black Kids ~ Partie Traumatic is out and it's just as good as advertised. They're the real deal. Nothing earthshattering here in terms of uniqueness, but the real knock against them was whether they could make their shtick last an entire album. I feel like they've done that with one walkthrough of the album.

<object width="300" height="110"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/m/iuVeuoJ2Z_/aus=false/"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/iuVeuoJ2Z_/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="110" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://www.imeem.com/clarenyc/music/20KlDnmn/black_kids_im_making_eyes_at_you/">Im Making Eyes At You - Black Kids</a></object>

[cthomer5000]

FYI, The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

I absolutely love this album. Clear front-runner for album of the year to me.

I'd never been a Jack White guy really... it was a song here or there that I liked... but I think something about his combo with Brendan Benson really brings out the best in both of them. This album is friggin' great.

[Easy Mac]

Dola --

The debut album from Jacksonville-based indie group Black Kids ~ Partie Traumatic is out and it's just as good as advertised. They're the real deal. Nothing earthshattering here in terms of uniqueness, but the real knock against them was whether they could make their shtick last an entire album. I feel like they've done that with one walkthrough of the album.

[/URL]<object width="300" height="110">

<embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/iuVeuoJ2Z_/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="300" height="110">[URL="http://www.imeem.com/clarenyc/music/20KlDnmn/black_kids_im_making_eyes_at_you/"]Im Making Eyes At You - Black Kids (http://media.imeem.com/m/iuVeuoJ2Z_/aus=false/)</object>

I wholeheartedly disagree with you. I'm not going to shit on them like Pitchfork just for the hell of it, but the album rests somewhere between their review and the AV Club's. Somehow, most of the energy the band possessed on the EP is completely lost on this album. The 5 songs they transferred over are completely over produced now. Part of the charm was the catch calls and scruffiness of it all. The album just sounds like any other too-slick 80's revival. The only re-do that comes close to measuring up is I've Underestimated My Charm (Again). Hurricane Jane and Hit the Heartbreaks were torn to shit.

The only new song that stuck with me is the one you chose to highlight. Even then, you can almost feel the potential the chorus possesses, but they cut it too short and its too isolated from the rest of the track.

Plus, Youngblood over-enunciates everything. His pounding of "t" at the end of every line really took me out of it.

That being said, I'm still going to see them in ATL next month, but I'm now anticipating my Black Keys viewing more.

[samifan24]

I've been listening to The Dark Knight soundtrack since I saw the film last weekend. It's a pretty good soundtrack.

[Young Drachma]

I wholeheartedly disagree with you. I'm not going to shit on them like Pitchfork just for the hell of it, but the album rests somewhere between their review and the AV Club's. Somehow, most of the energy the band possessed on the EP is completely lost on this album. The 5 songs they transferred over are completely over produced now. Part of the charm was the catch calls and scruffiness of it all. The album just sounds like any other too-slick 80's revival. The only re-do that comes close to measuring up is I've Underestimated My Charm (Again). Hurricane Jane and Hit the Heartbreaks were torn to shit.

The only new song that stuck with me is the one you chose to highlight. Even then, you can almost feel the potential the chorus possesses, but they cut it too short and its too isolated from the rest of the track.

Plus, Youngblood over-enunciates everything. His pounding of "t" at the end of every line really took me out of it.

That being said, I'm still going to see them in ATL next month, but I'm now anticipating my Black Keys viewing more.

I'll agree with the overproduced nature of it. But I thought it sounded good, because they were clearly going for an 80s sound and it seems to me that they executed that extremely well. I don't know how seriously I take their shtick, so I expected the LP to flop. I still say it holds up well, compared to my own expectations.

And I'd always anticipate The Black Keys more than these kids. Black Kids are just a novelty act.

[ISiddiqui]

I absolutely love this album. Clear front-runner for album of the year to me.

I'd never been a Jack White guy really... it was a song here or there that I liked... but I think something about his combo with Brendan Benson really brings out the best in both of them. This album is friggin' great.

Heh, it's kind of funny. While, I think Consolers is alright, I don't think it can compare to any White Stripes album. Different strokes for different folks :D.

On that note, I've been listening to De Stijl by the White Stripes (which for some reason I didn't know) and alternating between them Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and The Kills' Midnight Boom.

[Buccaneer]

Joshua Tree: Live from Paris 1987 Just released last week on iTunes (even though it was included in a box set, which I don't have).

[kurtism]

http://www.myspace.com/fun

Fun is Nate Ruess (formerly the singer of The Format) with two new compatriots. Getting ready to record their first album, to be arranged by some fellow named Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

First demo (Benson Hedges) is streaming from their myspace. Very much in step with what I loved about The Format.

[samifan24]

http://www.myspace.com/fun

Fun is Nate Ruess (formerly the singer of The Format) with two new compatriots. Getting ready to record their first album, to be arranged by some fellow named Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

First demo (Benson Hedges) is streaming from their myspace. Very much in step with what I loved about The Format.

Thanks for this. I didn't know Nate had a new band already. I was a big fan of The Format and will definitely check this out.

[Young Drachma]

Flobots aren't that good. But "Handlebars" is money.

[Easy Mac]

FYI, Amazon has the Hold Steady's new album Stay Positive for $2 for today only. Very good album.

Amazon.com: Stay Positive: MP3 Downloads: The Hold Steady (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CKHJHE/ref=amb_link_7344512_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=0V85EZ3Z880NHVQ6VR1P&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=429002901&pf_rd_i=163856011)

[MikeVic]

After watching Closer, I've discovered Damien Rice. Really like some of the songs. He has a nice voice. Eskimo off of his album O is just epic.

[samifan24]

After watching Closer, I've discovered Damien Rice. Really like some of the songs. He has a nice voice. Eskimo off of his album O is just epic.

Yeah, I like his stuff although I liked "O" a lot more than his most recent album.

[kurtism]

Nothing new, but given that things have been relatively quiet in this thread of late, and given that I am a huge fan of his work, I figured why not offer up a few of Richard Thompson's tunes thanks to our friends at YouTube:

First off, a little something from Austin City Limits - a classic RT spite tune, with a killer solo:

YouTube - Richard Thompson - Put It There Pal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5GshY7CEEA)

Next, one of his classics, an acoustic tragic love song:

YouTube - Richard Thompson - Beeswing - California 2005 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdrG4tZf4uw)

Staying on the same theme, another tragic love song (this time with motorcycles and bank robbery):

YouTube - Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent - California 2005 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lepOPV0YIaY)

Finally, a live piece from a 2007 show. The audio is pretty good for an amateur recording, but this one is in for the solo:

YouTube - Richard Thompson Band - Hard On Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgvevtPRqC4)

Enjoy!

[samifan24]

I've been listening to Amy MacDonald's debut album lately. It's been out for about a year in the UK but was only released stateside last week. She has incredible talent for her age, 20, and the whole album has a very '70s vibe to it. These songs are pretty upbeat, catch and highly recommended. MacDonald will inevitably be compared to another female Scottish singer-songwriter, KT Tunstall, but MacDonald is 13 years younger than Tunstall and, at least in my mind, more enjoyable, too.

[path12]

FYI, Amazon has the Hold Steady's new album Stay Positive for $2 for today only. Very good album.

Amazon.com: Stay Positive: MP3 Downloads: The Hold Steady (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CKHJHE/ref=amb_link_7344512_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=0V85EZ3Z880NHVQ6VR1P&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=429002901&pf_rd_i=163856011)

Just picked this up on emusic. Liking it a bunch so far.

[Young Drachma]

Albert Hammond, Jr.'s Como Te Llama is good listening.

Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) album in his name is okay, but not that notable.

Janelle Monae released her debut CD (though it only has enough tracks to make me think it's a glorified EP) and it's...strange and kooky, but she's got talent.

[korme]

Shwayze - Shwayze
Shwayze's debut album is easy going, most songs sound very similar, with every chorus backed up by Cisco. I love his two singles - Buzzin', and Corona and Lime - easy going, simple summer songs that just put you into a good mood. Some songs on the rest of the CD are just bad, but all in all it's a nice CD to put in if you've got company and you're having a barbecue.

[sabotai]

I'm probably the last person to hear this song, but I've been listening to the Jason Nevin's remix of Rock Star by N.E.R.D. since hearing it recently in Burnout: Paradise.

(fan made video) : YouTube - Burnout 2007 - Rockstar remix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QGW43KJkEE&feature=related)

[Fidatelo]

I'm probably the last person to hear this song, but I've been listening to the Jason Nevin's remix of Rock Star by N.E.R.D. since hearing it recently in Burnout: Paradise.

(fan made video) : YouTube - Burnout 2007 - Rockstar remix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QGW43KJkEE&feature=related)

You are now no worse than second last. Cool song.

[Marc Vaughan]

Last few albums kicked on my ipod:

Wings - Band on the Run
Lilly Allen - Can't remember the name of the album but the one with LDN in it
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open

(yeah I have varied tastes what can I say)

[Easy Mac]

Not really "new" albums,

But Amazon mp3 has Beck's "Modern Guilt" and The National's "Boxer" for $5 each. Highly recommend both albums.

[samifan24]

Not really "new" albums,

But Amazon mp3 has Beck's "Modern Guilt" and The National's "Boxer" for $5 each. Highly recommend both albums.

I second "Boxer," it's really a great album. I'd wanted to listen to The National for a long time but every time I tried I just couldn't get into them. I finally just bought the album and it was all I listened to for weeks straight. It's haunting.

[path12]

Joe Jackson's old stuff is now on Itunes. I downloaded Beat Crazy and have been listening to that a bunch. Still stands up pretty well. It was always my favorite album of his.

[Mac Howard]

Being the father of a 13 year old girl I hear far too much of Miley Cyrus than is good for me. But horror of all horrors my daughter recently found the Chipmunks version of "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road" on youtube. If you've ever had one of those songs go around and around in your head then you'll know what a nightmare this one is :rolleyes:

But while helping her search out Miley's songs we came across a youtube video that had me saying "there's no way that's Miley Cyrus" and had me searching for the real singer. It turned out to be Miranda Lambert and the song was "Gunpowder and Lead". Good to watch too. Here:

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I've tried to find more music of this type - only one other from Miranda called "Kerosene" - but I guess you guys are the ones that can point me in the right direction. I suppose I'd call it "sassy, country rock". Do you know of artists/music similar to this?

Here's another song I came across in a different vein. I'm not sure this forum will allow me to type in the title - it's Martha Wainwright singing "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole". Don't be put off by the title:

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The chorus itself (not till halfway through the video) is one of the most appealing musical sequences I've ever heard.

If there's any Leonard Cohen fans reading this then look up Martha singing Cohen songs. Haunting!

[JonInMiddleGA]

I've tried to find more music of this type - only one other from Miranda called "Kerosene" - but I guess you guys are the ones that can point me in the right direction. I suppose I'd call it "sassy, country rock". Do you know of artists/music similar to this?

From Miranda, you definitely need to hear Crazy Ex-Girlfriend too.

Assuming you mean female vocals with some attitude on the rock side of country (and not just edgier country in general), first one that came to mind was Gretchen Wilson (a protege of sorts of Big & Rich), quite a few songs to choose from there across several albums.

Former American Idol Carrie Underwood strikes a similar note with Before He Cheats. Mindy McCready's Guys Do It All the Time fits the bill. You might also like Lila McCann Down Came A Blackbird too. Sara Evans goes there with Suds in the Bucket.

Not all that many artists that are in the country mainstream are consistently in that style (gotta mix it up to maintain airplay) but maybe this will give you a few more songs if not artists to enjoy.

[samifan24]

Miranda Lambert's "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" is an outstanding album.

[Mac Howard]

Thanks, guys. I've scribbled all those names down. I have come across and been impressed by Carrie Underwood, Jon.

It doesn't have to be female - though I am trying to wean my daughter off Miley Cyrus :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

It doesn't have to be female - though I am trying to wean my daughter off Miley Cyrus :)

Ohhhhhh ... heck, there are more guys in that niche than gals. Lemme see here, I could probably just check my iTunes and knock out some for you. I'll miss plenty of good ones (or even better ones) that way but it'll cover some lesser known artists that are quite good IMO.

Big & Rich -- big stars ever since Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy. Quite a few songs that fit the description.

Chris Cagle -- Lightning Does the Work[i] caught my attention. [i]Chicks Dig It was a bigger hit.

Chris LeDoux -- Died in 2005 but left a legacy of rodeo & cowboy inspired songs. Was an underground favorite who caught national attention when his name was mentioned in Garth Brooks hit Much Too Young. Little Long Haired Outlaw and Even Cowboys Like A Little Rock & Roll weren't hits but fit the bill.

Montgomery Gentry -- Country's power duo. Hell Yeah, All Night Long, Hillbilly Shoes, even Gone.

David Lee Murphy -- Not quite rockin' but solid up tempo country.
I recommend older songs like Dust On the Bottle and Out With A Bang

I could be here all day at this rate. Let me just throw some more names & titles at you.

Jamey Johnson -- Rebelicious
Hot Apple Pie -- Hillbillies
Jason Aldean -- Hicktown
Keith Anderson -- Pickin' Wildflowers, Three Chord Country and XXL[i]
Little Big Town -- [i]Boondocks
Trace Adkins -- Rough & Ready, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Chrome
Trent Tomlinson -- Hey Batter Batter
Van Zant -- Help Somebody, My Kind of Country
Travis Tritt -- hell, half his songs fit here
Toby Keith -- see Tritt, Travis
Lost Trailers -- Holler Back
Blake Shelton -- Ol' Red
Joe Nichols -- Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off (not really rockin but it appealed to the same crowd IMO)

There's definitely some stuff in there that's better described as modern country than anything rock, but given her Miley Cyrus fetish I figure what might appeal would be broader than any narrow definition. And let's face it, a lot of things would qualify as an improvement ;) Good luck.

[Passacaglia]

Joe Jackson's old stuff is now on Itunes. I downloaded Beat Crazy and have been listening to that a bunch. Still stands up pretty well. It was always my favorite album of his.

You mean it wasn't on itunes before? I have a few of his albums (my favorite swings a lot more recent, Heaven and Hell), but not Beat Crazy (though I probably have some songs from it). I'll have to check it out.

[path12]

You mean it wasn't on itunes before? I have a few of his albums (my favorite swings a lot more recent, Heaven and Hell), but not Beat Crazy (though I probably have some songs from it). I'll have to check it out.

It wasn't a few months ago which had been the last time I checked. They had a couple of partial things was all. Now it's whole catalog. I need to get Jumpin' Jive also.

[Draft Dodger]

Gunpowder and Lead is neck and neck with Paper Planes as my favorite song of 2007.

and I am SO off to check out Martha Wainwright this minute.

[Draft Dodger]

finally fished out Metallica's Death Magnetic from the sea of fakes floating around out there. I've only skimmed through, and I'm not really sure what to make of it. It seems like there's some really interesting parts (I'm digging Cyanide, for example), but a lot of the songs seem like interesting riffs that just end up going into St Anger-like noise, and that album is completely unlistenable. It's one thing to like certain songs on albums, but I don't think it's going to work to like just parts of certain songs.

Production has always been hit or miss for these guys - some albums (Black Album, Master) sound great, others - St Anger, Justice - sound like crap. This sounds more like the latter. It seems like goal #1 was to make Ulrich's drums drown out everything else. Not a good idea.

[Young Drachma]

New Kings of Leon album comes out tomorrow. Only By The Night (http://www.last.fm/music/Kings+of+Leon/Only+By+The+Night) and you can stream it now (though only a few songs entirely at a time) on last.fm.

It sounds outstanding, as usual.

New TV On the Radio comes out tomorrow, too. From what I've heard, sounds good, I'll need to hear more.

[cthomer5000]

The new TV On The Radio is great. I hated their first album outside of "Staring At The Sun," thought the 2nd album was pretty interesting with some nice bright spots, but think they finally nailed whatever it is they are working towards on this one.

If you didn't like this band before (I thought they sucked for years), i would recommend giving them another chance via the new album.

[Scoobz0202]

<object width="425" height="344">

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The chorus itself (not till halfway through the video) is one of the most appealing musical sequences I've ever heard.

If there's any Leonard Cohen fans reading this then look up Martha singing Cohen songs. Haunting!

Thank you for introducing me to Martha Wainwright. Gawd Damn....

[Young Drachma]

The new TV On The Radio is great. I hated their first album outside of "Staring At The Sun," thought the 2nd album was pretty interesting with some nice bright spots, but think they finally nailed whatever it is they are working towards on this one.

If you didn't like this band before (I thought they sucked for years), i would recommend giving them another chance via the new album.

+1

I loved them before and they're still on fire.

[Butter]

+1

I loved them before and they're still on fire.

Me too.

Quite enjoying the new Walkmen album as well.

[Passacaglia]

I'm not sure if I've mentioned James Pants in here yet, but if not, this album is awesome.

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[Draft Dodger]

interesting followup to my Metallica production complaint above:
Analysis: Metallica's Death Magnetic Sounds Better in Guitar Hero | Listening Post from Wired.com (http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/09/does-metallicas.html)

[Young Drachma]

King Khan & The Shrines are a tour de force.

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[Passacaglia]

King Khan & The Shrines are a tour de force.

<object width="300" height="110"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/m/3o-fE4veeJ/aus=false/"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/3o-fE4veeJ/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="110" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://www.imeem.com/jukeboxmusic9/music/xm-CFbIs/king_khan_and_the_shrines_welfare_bread/">Welfare Bread - King Khan and The Shrines</a></object>

ooh, I just heard a song by King Khan on Sound Opinions a while ago, and really liked it. I'll definitely check this out...sometime.

[Young Drachma]

Oh Darius Rucker's country album is actually pretty good.

Brad Paisley plays guitar on this one track All I Want...which I think is probably the best song on the album.

<object width="300" height="110"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/m/8ExG9RPZHQ/aus=false/"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/8ExG9RPZHQ/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="110" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://www.imeem.com/keltarponspg/music/_DkxOpYW/darius_rucker_all_i_want/">All I Want - Darius Rucker</a></object>

[Fidatelo]

Jeez, that Darius Rucker song is actually pretty good. Considering I'm not a fan of country or Hootie, and I pretty much only clicked play to get a chuckle, that says something.

[Young Drachma]

Jeez, that Darius Rucker song is actually pretty good. Considering I'm not a fan of country or Hootie, and I pretty much only clicked play to get a chuckle, that says something.

News : "Learn to Live" #1 (http://www.dariusrucker.com/blogs/dariusruckernews/archive/2008/09/24/60.aspx)

His album sold just over 60,000 copies last week and is #1 on the country charts and #4 on billboard's top 200 this week.

Not a bad start at all. Good for him.

[MikeVic]

I've heard the first three songs or so of Bloc Party's new album... they really changed their sound, eh?

[Young Drachma]

I've heard the first three songs or so of Bloc Party's new album... they really changed their sound, eh?

I haven't checked it out. I will tonight, but I didn't mind their last album too much. Is this way different than that?

[MikeVic]

I haven't checked it out. I will tonight, but I didn't mind their last album too much. Is this way different than that?

I liked the guitars and sound of their first two quite a bit... enough so that they're listed with four or five other bands as my favourite... so I was 110% fine with their old sound. This new sound seems different. I think two of the songs I heard had no guitars at all, and one had some choir chanting thing. Need to listen to it multiple times completely to give on an opinion, but I definitely think it's different (the first three or four songs leads me to believe at least).

[HerRealName]

King Khan is incredible. Check out King Khan and the BBQ Show too. Great stuff.

[Young Drachma]

I liked the guitars and sound of their first two quite a bit... enough so that they're listed with four or five other bands as my favourite... so I was 110% fine with their old sound. This new sound seems different. I think two of the songs I heard had no guitars at all, and one had some choir chanting thing. Need to listen to it multiple times completely to give on an opinion, but I definitely think it's different (the first three or four songs leads me to believe at least).

I listened to it last night some. I'm not sure I have an opinion strongly on it yet.

In other news, Ray LaMontagne is amazing. I knew this. Just wanted to say it again.

[samifan24]

In other news, Ray LaMontagne is amazing. I knew this. Just wanted to say it again.

Yes, I'm looking forward to "Gossip in the Grain" when it comes out next month.

[Mac Howard]

Ohhhhhh ... heck, there are more guys in that niche than gals. Lemme see here, I could probably just check my iTunes and knock out some for you. I'll miss plenty of good ones (or even better ones) that way but it'll cover some lesser known artists that are quite good IMO.

Big & Rich -- big stars ever since Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy. Quite a few songs that fit the description.

Chris Cagle -- Lightning Does the Work[i] caught my attention. [i]Chicks Dig It was a bigger hit.

Chris LeDoux -- Died in 2005 but left a legacy of rodeo & cowboy inspired songs. Was an underground favorite who caught national attention when his name was mentioned in Garth Brooks hit Much Too Young. Little Long Haired Outlaw and Even Cowboys Like A Little Rock & Roll weren't hits but fit the bill.

Montgomery Gentry -- Country's power duo. Hell Yeah, All Night Long, Hillbilly Shoes, even Gone.

David Lee Murphy -- Not quite rockin' but solid up tempo country.
I recommend older songs like Dust On the Bottle and Out With A Bang

I could be here all day at this rate. Let me just throw some more names & titles at you.

Jamey Johnson -- Rebelicious
Hot Apple Pie -- Hillbillies
Jason Aldean -- Hicktown
Keith Anderson -- Pickin' Wildflowers, Three Chord Country and XXL[i]
Little Big Town -- [i]Boondocks
Trace Adkins -- Rough & Ready, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Chrome
Trent Tomlinson -- Hey Batter Batter
Van Zant -- Help Somebody, My Kind of Country
Travis Tritt -- hell, half his songs fit here
Toby Keith -- see Tritt, Travis
Lost Trailers -- Holler Back
Blake Shelton -- Ol' Red
Joe Nichols -- Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off (not really rockin but it appealed to the same crowd IMO)

There's definitely some stuff in there that's better described as modern country than anything rock, but given her Miley Cyrus fetish I figure what might appeal would be broader than any narrow definition. And let's face it, a lot of things would qualify as an improvement ;) Good luck.

Thanks, Jon. Georgie's gone to bed now and I have the PC to myself :rolleyes: I look up some of those.

[Mac Howard]

Thank you for introducing me to Martha Wainwright. Gawd Damn....

That song is the first I ever heard from her. Every so often you hear something that creates so much emotion it sends shivers down your spine. Dylan's harmonica solo at the end of Desolation Row is another such moment. Some things just hit it right.

[kurtism]

Accidentally stumbled over a band called "The Parlor Mob" the other day, and have been giving their debut album a listen. Jersey boys, apparently formerly more "prog-rock" before making the move over to Zeppelin-esque colossal blues rock. Great rhythm section, great guitar, and a lead who conjures echoes of Robert Plant in his hedonistic heyday quite readily.

Roadrunner Records has some of their stuff for free. Worth a listen if you like your new rock with a nod towards the past. Also some tunes out there via YouTube, but I can't link from here.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/ParlorMob/

[path12]

New Kings of Leon album comes out tomorrow. Only By The Night (http://www.last.fm/music/Kings+of+Leon/Only+By+The+Night) and you can stream it now (though only a few songs entirely at a time) on last.fm.

It sounds outstanding, as usual.

Word. I'm really liking this. Also pretty happy with the new Cold War Kids disc.

[Draft Dodger]

In other news, Ray LaMontagne is amazing. I knew this. Just wanted to say it again.

Completely agree.

I've been listening to Feed the Animals, the new one from Girl Talk. Girl Talk is a DJ who mixes all sorts of popular samples - from Jimi Hendrix to Soulja Boy - in often hilarious fashion. It's a little too chaotic to listen to all the time, but I'm still enjoying it a great deal.

[MrBug708]

best single I've heard in a while:

MGMT - "Time To Pretend"

YouTube - MGMT - Time To Pretend (http://youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE)

I'm really digging their next single. "Kids"

YouTube - MGMT "Kids" Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIEOZCcaXzE)

[AlexB]

Word. I'm really liking this. Also pretty happy with the new Cold War Kids disc.

Second listen of KOL has got me liking the first three songs before they descend into an impression of an average lounge band.

Each album has gotten worse since their debut IMHO.

On the plus side, really liking the Glasvegas album: best I've bought in a long while.

[Lathum]

I finally got around to picking up the new Offspring album Rise and Fall Rage and Grace. It is absolutly fantastic and has reknewed my love for the band.

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[Young Drachma]

Ray LaMontagne's new album Gossip In The Grain is bondafide. I've seen him live and I tell ya, this guy is the goods.

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[ISiddiqui]

I'm really digging their next single. "Kids"

YouTube - MGMT "Kids" Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIEOZCcaXzE)

I've been thinking of picking up the MGMT album for a while. One day I actually will.

[Young Drachma]

I've been thinking of picking up the MGMT album for a while. One day I actually will.

You should. It's pretty awesome.

[Qwikshot]

Just picked up (though it's been out a while)

The Hold Steady "Stay Positive" and it's one of the more refreshing things I've listened to in a while (think early Bruce Springsteen meets Cracker and dabble a little punk accent to roots rock).

I like it.

[Butter]

Didn't know if this band had been talked about yet, but I've heard them on XM a few times, and now have picked up their first album...

Miniature Tigers - Tell it to the Volcano

A very good album, with 2 top-notch songs, at least... "The Wolf", and this one:

YouTube - Miniature Tigers - Cannibal Queen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrUrv7CBbN4)

[samifan24]

Jay-Z mixed over Coldplay = Viva La Hova (http://www.vivalahova.com/).

It's sort of like the Gray Album all over again except that this album has the approval of both artists. Pretty cool and I don't normally like rap.

[Buccaneer]

I've been spending a good part of this weekend ripping the audio tracks from a lot of my favorite movies and putting them on my iPod as an audiobook. This works best for dramas and comedies that have great dialogues to listen to.

[Young Drachma]

I love the song Kids by MGMT. It's been in my head a lot lately and I dunno why. But it's awesome.

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[cthomer5000]

I've heard the first three songs or so of Bloc Party's new album... they really changed their sound, eh?

I think in general, I never want to be a fan of a band who isn't changing their sound. If you aren't trying something new, what is the point of doing more music?

It's a reason I'm excited for the new Killers album (who I like) and Kanye West (who I really don't care about). They both seem to have some interesting ambitions. It's far better to try something different and fail than keep doing the same thing with diminishing returns.

[cthomer5000]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/fixup/cc-ghost-sleeve.jpg
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
"Far Away"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78HegEcMgsg

Probably one of the 10 best albums this year.

[MikeVic]

I think in general, I never want to be a fan of a band who isn't changing their sound. If you aren't trying something new, what is the point of doing more music?

It's a reason I'm excited for the new Killers album (who I like) and Kanye West (who I really don't care about). They both seem to have some interesting ambitions. It's far better to try something different and fail than keep doing the same thing with diminishing returns.

I don't mind changes, but I don't like a lot of the new stuff I guess. There's a couple of songs, but it also feels short.

[MikeVic]

MGMT is good. I like a few songs off their album.

[samifan24]

MGMT is good. I like a few songs off their album.

I just started listening to them after I heard them on the FIFA 09 soundtrack. Good stuff...

[samifan24]

I love the song Kids by MGMT. It's been in my head a lot lately and I dunno why. But it's awesome.

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This is the song I heard in FIFA 09. It's a bit strange but really catchy and it just grows and grows on you.

[samifan24]

I heard the Killers single "Human" again today and just read online that the chorus line is actually "Are we human or are we dancer?" and not "dancers" or "denser." Brandon Flowers apparently got the line from a Hunter S. Thompson quote (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4767472a1860.html) but I think it's a pretty stupid lyric.

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