I still think it’s all mostly shit. Save for a few under the radar bands. I’m more of a prog and metal head and as far as I’m concerned, the state of metal music is pretty sad these days.
Check out The White Stripes if you have not already done so. They have a new album coming out in June, but I would start with “De Stijl” and “Elephant.” It’s prettty bluesy stuff, and the guitar playing is great.
Along similar lines, I have recently got into the Black Keys, who are also really good.
On the rock side, I can vouch for Wolfmother.
On the indie scene, Modest Mouse are still my favorite. Their new album, “We Were Dead Before the Ship Sank,” is pretty good, but not their best. I suggest you start with “The Moon and Antarctica” and give it a few listens as it takes a while to grow on you.
Others:
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The Raconteurs
Wilco
Radiohead
Beck
TV On The Radio (these guys are pretty new, but could do some awesome things in the future)
I listen to more classical/world music. As far as rock + popular music, I imagine the biggest change going forward will be in fusing different types of music together. Used to be progressive to mix rap + metal. What if you mix metal + gamelan? Harmonically and structurally, music hasn’t changed that much–still a bunch I-IV chords–in a song which is 3-6 minutes
Give a listen to:
Gorecki - Symphony #3
Penderecki - Threnody for the Survivors of Hiroshima
Reich - Music for 18 Instruments
Ligeti - Etudes for Piano
Any gamelan musc (from Bali) – if you’re into techno you might really like this.
Granted–alot of this is pretty old compared to recent pop stuff but it is new by classical standards
[quote]tveddy wrote:
Mudvayne has been my favorite since they released their last cd.[/quote]
You given HELLYEAH a listen? Mudvayne’s singer and guitarist, Nothingface’s guitarist and bassist, and the great Vinnie Paul on drums…fuckin badass
Back in the late 80s and through the nineties, we had the ‘neo-soul’ movement. I never really liked that term, because soul music is soul music, regardless. But, the defining feature was that the artists were writing and performing their music with real arrangements and less computer programming(that had become popular with this type of music)
I think that today, we’re seeing a resurgence of that mentality. Where cut-and-paste artists are becoming less desirable, and real songwriters and performers are crafting songs that will stick around for a while.
So, some artists that I think are doing that today…
Robin Thicke has got a really unique sound that he is largely responsible for (songwriter, pianist, producer, singer…etc.) Great voice, excellent production.
Joss Stone, although her ‘sound’ is very much a vintage throwback, it is still approached from a new angle, incorporating lots of new musical ideas… largely thanks to production from this man,
Raphael Saadiq. Who, in my opinion, has been pushing the boundaries of soul music for the past 20 years, and he continues to do so, consistently ahead of the pack.
Jamie Lidell, blending abstract electronic avant-garde with classic soul, very experimental, and forward thinking.
Dwele, Soul singer that writes, arranges, produces, and plays all the instruments. His songwriting skills are unmatched, they are completely original and very unique.
Van Hunt, Again with the classic vibe, but applying it in a new way. Writes and produces much of his own stuff.
I don’t listen to a lot of modern jazz, but two names do float to the top when I think about who is pushing the edges. Roy Hargrove and Hiromi.
As far as hip-hop, I would like to say hieroglyphics, but to be fair, it has been a while since they put out anything as solid as 3rd eye vision. Pep Love, however, consistently puts down tremendous cuts.
I think hip-hop is kind of in a lull right now, actually. A couple years ago, a lot of producers were toying around with some pretty experimental beats. Polyrhythmic, off-time, complex, and disjunct, but still danceable. But then the crunk scene came into view, and since then, it seems like mainstream hip hop has gotten staler again.
Electronic music is always on the bleeding edge, with breakcore, avant-garde, glitch and all that. But, that’s pretty underground. Mainstream, nothing phenomenal is really happening, except for the fact that modern indie-rock is taking a lot of cues from old-school electronic rock, additionally, I have heard some rock bands make increasing use of breakcore and jungle influence.
[quote]dannyrat wrote:
Prof, check out OneBeLo (formerly one man army) on Myspace and then buy some of his stuff. he’s an excellent intelligent emcee, like a throwback to the true school. Influenced by Poor Righteous Teachers and wu tang et al.
[/quote]
On that kick…
Binary Star has got to be one of the realest, purest, and talented rap groups of all time. Masters of the Universe is easily one of my favorite albums. SONOGRAM is really good too.
Once you hear ‘Reality Check’ you’re dead. Few MCs in the history of rap have even come close…
[quote]lesotho72 wrote:
Reich - Music for 18 Instruments
[/quote]
Reich is easily one of my all-time favorites. I have his entire collection. I would also recommend New York Counterpoint and Variations for winds, strings, and keyboards.
3 doors down
18 Visions
Snow patrol
Maximo Park
Within Temptations (rock/opera lol)
[quote]lesotho72 wrote:
Harmonically and structurally, music hasn’t changed that much–still a bunch I-IV chords…[/quote]
And so it will remain as long as Western diatonic theory remains at the forefront.
However, there is a reason why cadences like the ii/V/I and I/IV/V work well in music that is not just physiological phenomenon–our eardrums like sinusoidal, perfect integer multiple harmonics.
When tensions are created, for example, by playing the II, VI, or IV of a scale, resolutions will move back into perfect integer multiple sinusoidal waves (the V moving into I, for example) and “relieves” the eardrum. How musicians use and resolve these tensions, along with rhythmic structure, are what make music interesting.
I am sure there are people who contend that Western diatonic music is purely a cultural phenomenon and has nothing to do with physics.
[quote]LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
lesotho72 wrote:
Harmonically and structurally, music hasn’t changed that much–still a bunch I-IV chords…
And so it will remain as long as Western diatonic theory remains at the forefront.
However, there is a reason why cadences like the ii/V/I and I/IV/V work well in music that is not just physiological phenomenon–our eardrums like sinusoidal, perfect integer multiple harmonics.
When tensions are created, for example, by playing the II, VI, or IV of a scale, resolutions will move back into perfect integer multiple sinusoidal waves (the V moving into I, for example) and “relieves” the eardrum. How musicians use and resolve these tensions, along with rhythmic structure, are what make music interesting.
I am sure there are people who contend that Western diatonic music is purely a cultural phenomenon and has nothing to do with physics.[/quote]
Damn right, music will always be about movement, emotion, tension and resolution.
Oh, I forgot to mention GNARLS BARKLEY. They’re a duo from the states, that have been huge this side of the pond. They have a unique sound, a fusion of soul/r&b/hip hop/experimental/electronic.
The singer Cee-lo has a real old-school sound to his voice…and has the vocal dexterity to match! Whilst ‘dangermouse’ is a gifted musician and producer. He produced the ‘gorillaz’ last album in addition to heavily influencing the sound of ‘the good the bad and the queen’ whilst performing production duties for said album. He was in effect a 5th member.
Prof, if you have the time or the inclination - you should at least check out the track ‘crazy’ (and ‘smiley faces’)on their myspace player…it’s one of those timeless superlative songs that nobody dislikes.
It was in the ether over here for weeks before it was released, and seemed to hypnotise the whole nation. It became the biggest selling song of 2006 in the UK. It’s one of those songs that makes you want to narrow your eyes and stare wistfuly at the sky…
[quote]orinoco wrote:
It was in the ether over here for weeks before it was released, and seemed to hypnotise the whole nation. It became the biggest selling song of 2006 in the UK. It’s one of those songs that makes you want to narrow your eyes and stare wistfuly at the sky…
www.myspace.com/gnarlsbarkley[/quote]
zane lowe was the one on radio 1 who blew it up, had it all over his tv adverts etc. it was played to death and got boring really quickly.
i’ll admit its a very well made pop tune. i guess i’m one of those “loved his early work” kinda guys. check his “the mouse and the mask” album and “the grey album” where he mixes up jay-zs “black album” with the beatles “white album”.
Alexisonfire
They aren’t really new, but they are just now starting to be well known.
This could be anywhere in the world:
Rough Hands: (Not the actual video)
To a Friend (Not the actual video)
This thread makes me smile.
Here are some songs that you might like.
Muse - hysteria
Papa Roach - getting away with murder, last resort
Trapt - Made of glass, echo, waiting
Mudvayne - Dig (this song is hardcore)
Rammstein- Bestrafe Mich (others too)
The Exies - ugly
POD - boom
Puddle of Mud - Control
Adema - giving in, the way you like it
Bush - Machine head, glycerine
Cypress Hill - Rock superstar, Trouble
Earshot - Wait, someone
Guano Apes - open your eyes
In Flames - only for the weak
Korn - got the life
Knoc Turn’al - Muzik (this is rapish)
I also have a few linkin park songs on there too… i just named off the mostly rockish songs on my mp3 player. Enjoy.
[quote]Phatshady912 wrote:
Alexisonfire
They aren’t really new, but they are just now starting to be well known.
This could be anywhere in the world:
Rough Hands: (Not the actual video)
To a Friend (Not the actual video)
[/quote]
Alexisonfire is great, but you really gotta hear Dallas Green’s solo stuff. He’s the back up singer in Alexis and has an extremely soulful sound. Very talented writer/artist. Very different sound from his other band.
I skipped through most of the posts but had to write that if you are looking for a harder sounding group that can ALSO sing, try Killswitch Engage. They finally have had a few newer songs played on the radio, but even the old stuff is REALLY good.
[quote]Frank Castle wrote:
but there are 4 albums that are absolute must have’s for hip hop fans IMO. Check out anything by:
EL-P
Mr. Lif
Cannibal Ox
[/quote]
is one of those 4 RJD2s dead ringer? that is in my top 10 albums of all time. i haven’t really kept up with hip hop got any recommendations in the similar vein?
a few classics in mind that you might like (if you don’t already know them):
Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030 (one time album made by gorrilaz, mr lif, mark bell aka LFO, kid koala)
Antipop Consortium - Tragic Epilogue (now defunked group but very experimental)
Baby Namboos - Ancoats 2 Zambia (one time album feat tricky and loads of his mates, more along the trip hop portishead / massive attack vein)
Atmosphere - Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EP’s
KMD - Black Bastards
I’m loving Ska right now. The Aquabats are damn unique, and I’ve yet to here anything like Streetlight Manifesto. A lot of underground ska is very well done as well, like I Voted for Kodos. It takes some talent to put rock and a trumpet together and make it sound awesome.
Besides that, why does everyone dislike Linkin Park? Is it the whole sell out vibe (like these people wouldn’t take money if they were offered it?)? Linkin Park is/was damn good.
As well, a lot of bands these days have one or two amazing songs, and then they produce utter shit otherwise. Seems to be the trend.
We’re living in Andy Warholes world of the golden fifteen minuets of fame. Blame it on youtube, blame it on napster, blame it on myspace, blame it on whatever you like, but it’s here.
Any self respecting male that thinks Justin Timberlake has any talent beyond having a voice, and being able to dance needs to check their pants - I fear someone has stolen their huevos.
There mere fact that Nate Green is championing the genius that is JT should speak volumes.
I can see the good side to most all of the artists mentioned in this thread with the exception of Gnarles Barkley, and Timberlake.