So from the comments in my last post it appears we are fairly evenly divided on musical preference. That got me curious – just what kind of music do you all like?
While I enjoy watching American Idol, I have never and probably will never buy a CD that any of those contestants put out. They’re talented and I love hearing their unique voices but, and even in spite of their supposed different musical styles, they pretty much all end up producing what I call pop “fluff”. And while pop fluff may be catchy, it’s not what I consider “good” music (ouch! don’t hit me!)
Of course I’ll still listen to and sing along with it on occasion (Shania, Ace of Base, ABBA), but it doesn’t impress. For one, I like the whole package. Not just an impressive singer, but one who writes their own songs and won’t conform to ideas of popular music just to make a buck. That’s why I loved Jewel so much when she first came on the scene. I loved her folksy voice and the beauty of a solo guitar accompaniment. Then the overwhelming background noise along with the conformity of typical pop song beats made their way into her music and transformed her into just another cheesy pop queen.
So, while I do enjoy your average pop and rock from time to time, I really love and appreciate music that is off the beaten path. Anyhow, here is a list of some of my current and all time favorite artists and bands:
*Sufjan Stevens – The first time I heard him all I could think was, “I’ve never heard anything like this before.” My favorite Album is Illinoise
* Beth Gibbons – I love her album, Out of Season. I enjoy that Beth changes her voice from song to song. It’s very cool.
* Iron & Wine – Love this guys soft but distinctive voice
* Wilco – I’ve heard every album and I’ve loved every song. These guys stay awesome even with all the evolving they’ve done. My personal favorite song at the moment is Side with the Seeds. I love to blast it and feel the energy from the guitar solo. It’s awesome!
The Cranberries – I loved this band since I was in Junior High and still listen to my favorite Album of theirs, No Need to Argue.
Jaymay – I just discovered her this week, though I can’t remember how. But I’m hooked.
Depeche Mode – Loved them since I was a teenager, and some of their songs still give me chills. Synthesizers aren’t usually a good thing, but these guys know how to make it work.
There’s plenty more but that’s a good start. So what do you like to listen to? Any artists or bands you recommend?
The groovy music tab on my blog is linked to my playlist. Love The Wailin’ Jennys, Reed KD, Oren Lavie, Rose Thomas…have found so many lovely, unique performers recently. Thanks for reminding me that it’s too quiet in here right now!
We have an album of Christmas music by Sufjan Stevens, which I just adore.
I will forever be a fan of The Cure, Radiohead, and R.E.M. This is probably the kind of music that my children will mock me for in about 7 years.
I can listen to Mozart and Bach exclusively for long periods of time.
The only way I can slog through 30 minutes on the treadmill is by listening to U2, Postal Service and of all groups, Journey.
Some of my new favorites are the Flaming Lips, Jem, and Rogue Wave.
Thankfully, my husband keeps up with the music scene pretty well, otherwise my playlists would be pretty mundane. Oh, and my guilty little pleasure…Milli Vanilli.
i haven’t listened to my own music in too long. however i use to work for a record company and some of the bands that were different but i loved:
the why store (lack of water – best song eva)
freddy jones band (smooth voice, southern rockish)
jupiter coyote
texas
i loved being on the cutting edge. now i am out of it, i have to get my new music from the mac commercials, they rock iwth what songs they pick.
Yeah for Sufjan Stevens! He went to my alma mater, Hope College in Holland. He is very cool! I love that he wants to write a song about every state.
Some other suggestions: Guster, Band of Horses, the Thrills (teenager), and Kimya Dawson (a little strange but my personal fave right now). I also agree with the Cranberries and Depeche Mode. I still listen to those regularly and not even just the “popular” tracks. But I have to add REM to the list as well. Can I have a little “Radio Song” please??
My brother got me into DePeche Mode durign their earlier years and I got hooked. I haven’t listened in a long time because my husband never liked anything out of the ordinary but now I think I will have to go search out the old cassettes. Otherwise, I may be singing “Somebody” in my head for the nest hour.
I’m with those who love DM…great Kristi…now I’ll be singing “Somebody” for about the next week!!! And to lookmomlook, thanks for reminding me of the wonderful REM “Nightswimming” – how it all takes me back.
I love 80s music. I have alway loved Boston, U2, Police (and Sting) good stuff…
I actually also love good country music. My husband wishes I didn’t…but I just do.
I also love classical music (which is a good thing since I’m married to a classical violinist) & *gasp* Mo Tab.
I guess my musical tastes are surprisingly varied….maybe too much so…hm…
I love the Cranberries too, did you know Dolores O’Riordan came out with a solo album recently? Sounds a lot like the original Cranberries stuff. I mainly like 90′s alternative, I really dislike the current over-produced stuff that’s popular. I’m also really burnt out on all the singer / songwriters that are big right now. I like Fiona Apple, Daughtry, Alanis Morisette, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Bjork, Poe, Creed, Dixie Chicks, the Mamas and the Papas, the Doors, Robin Thicke, Norah Jones, Jewel, ABBA, Lifehouse, Evanescence, Blue October, Shakira, Alicia Keyes, Natasha Bedingfield, Metallica, Gwen Stefani, Sublime, Matchbox 20, GooGoo Dolls, Chris Isaak, Andrea Bocelli, and Sarah Brightman. An odd mix, but whether I like a genre or not, some artists will appeal and some won’t.
Well you should know what kind of music I’m into.
I haven’t done a music trade with your husband in a long time, so here’s some of my latest discoveries that I think you might like:
Jose Gonzalez
Ladyhawk
Josh Ritter
Devotchka
Yeasayer
Your Black Star
Cake Sale
In defense of ABBA, they actually did write all of their (35) hit singles listed by Wikipedia. (Benny and Bjorn did, at least, sometimes with their manager.)
Very nice blog you have here