Okay, so I'm working on learning to write well-crafted music reviews. So I want you cats to recommend some music (preferably some that I can download and "test" for free) that I can practice on. I cannot guarantee I will like what you send me, but I promise I will give it a well-thought critique, and if I feel comfortable with my reviews, I'll post them for you to see.
Also, I will admit that I have a bit of a difficult time listening to rap for more than...say... thirty seconds at a time. I have heard some that I like (some of Outkast is pretty acceptable to me), but I would prefer to give a try to reviewing music that I at least know how to listen to, if that makes sense.
Thanks!
Richard Cheese. He does these funny swing lounge music versions of Hard Rock and Rap songs. He is actually pretty catchy and he had a song in a Dawn of the Dead movie
Walls of Jericho. One of the few female-fronted metalcore bands. For obvious reasons, they have a feminist edge.
Also, for both the various flavors of metal and hip hop, I seriously suggest listening to the whole song once, whether or not it doesn't initially hook you. Then, go back and listen with the lyrics. I know a good many artists I would have cast off too hastily without doing this.
Gandalf Murphy and the Salmbovian Circus of Dreams (http://www.slambovia.com). An interesting blend of psychedelic rock and folk music. Almost as if Bob Dylan joined Pink Floyd and started signing about... well, go listen and see for yourself :)
You can't download them for free, but the site does have a section that plays a pretty good selection of their songs, apparently designed especially for the people that just want a free test run.
ade fenton
heavy duty english dj heavily involved with industrial electronica
http://www.adefenton.com/
Tiken Jah Fakoly.
Reggae from the Cote d'Ivoire.
http://www.myspace.com/tikenjah
Dragonforce (http://www.dragonforce.com)
Power Metal.
Queensryche. Think of them as the bastard children of Iron Maiden and Rush. I can't find any free songs, but just go to YouTube and look for videos. (Operation: Mindcrime (Which is also the title for an entire
rock opera, Lady Wore Black, Walk in the Shadows, and Roads to Madness are all songs I'd recommend)
QuoteDragonforce
Power Metal.
QFT.
wow, there's been a surprisingly high proportion of metal amng those suggestions. interesting.
anyways.
the rest of his stuff his okay, but check out King Kapisi specifically for his song "Screams from the old plantation". It's awesome.
i'll say more later today
Moxy Fruvous.
Quote from: Captain Obviouswow, there's been a surprisingly high proportion of metal amng those suggestions. interesting.
Don't look at me. I suggested psychefolk.
Try a Hawk and a Hacksaw's album The Way the Wind Blows.
Or 3 Leg Torso's album Astor in Paris.
Both demonstrate the infinite 1337itude of the accordion. Plus tuba in the case of H&H. Plus xylophone in the case of 3LT.
EDIT: It's a Hawk and a Hacksaw. All this time I've been calling it a Hawk and a Handsaw.
Quote from: GriznuqMoxy Fruvous.
Holy crap. People other than me listen to Moxy Fruvous?
Gogol Bordello. Not to everyone's taste, but I like it.
Quote from: Sdragon1984Quote from: Captain Obviouswow, there's been a surprisingly high proportion of metal amng those suggestions. interesting.
Don't look at me. I suggested psychefolk.
Or me, I suggested reggae. Although I could easily have suggested metal. Just, ahem, I would have suggested GOOD metal.
And before anyone responds, yes, I do realise that music is a matter of taste and thus none is inherently "better"
Due to that, you will have to forgive me for thinking that Dragonforce suck to such an absolutely hard degree they may well turn blue at any moment from sheer sucktitude. Although they can be entertaining in a comedic way, in small doses. :P
Jealousy Curve, Black Widow is my favorite song by them. I find genre names to be pointless, so just give it a quick listen if you've gt the time.
myspace.com/jealousycurve
Quote from: KindlingAnd before anyone responds, yes, I do realise that music is a matter of taste and thus none is inherently "better"
I disagree. My counterpoint? Backstreet Boys.
Yes but the Backstreet Boys have sold more records than a lot of the bands and artists I like, implying that, in general, people like them more. Therefore they could be seen, in some way, as being "better"
As I said, it's all subjective. Except that my opinion is worth more than anyone else's.
Ryan Leblanc (http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=52991)
This guy is amazing. He is from near where I live. They call what he plays "percussive jazz"... make sure to search youtube for videos as well, because I'm not sure that that website has all of his performances.
Oh... and just because Ishy said he cannot listen to hip hop: some hip hop. Just keep my earlier suggestions in mind (listen to it, find lyrics, listen again, then judge).
Immortal Technique (http://www.immortal-technique.com/). Ordinarily, gangsta rap gets a bad rap; it usually deserves it. Most of the popular stuff played on the radio today is of this variety, and is typically utter crap. Very few of these artists produce anything worthwhile. Fewer still are good musicians in general.
Immortal Technique doesn't get played on the radio, for good reason. His music is the kind of thing that makes people uncomfortable, and not because of it's explicit content, but because it has a message. He has three songs for download on his website fairly representative of the rest of his music, and almost all of the rest of his music can be found on YouTube. Even if you don't like rap, check Tech out. He's worth it.
Start Wearing Purple, Gogol Bordello (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_81l4DXlwM&feature=related)
Awesome song. Heh.
You can look up most of these at www.seeqpod.com. It's a search engine for streaming audio.
Check out Einsturzende Neubauten. Start with the song "Blume."
I always thought Einsturzende Neubauten would be amazing, both from the name and the descriptions I'd heard, but when I finally got round to listening to them, I found them slightly boring... Not trying to put anyone off checking them out, mind you. One thing I know for sure, is very few people share my exact tastes in music.
And yay, Gogol Bordello. Sick ch00n, that.
Quote from: WickedTrollRyan Leblanc (http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=52991)
This guy is amazing. He is from near where I live. They call what he plays "percussive jazz"... make sure to search youtube for videos as well, because I'm not sure that that website has all of his performances.
There's a very similar and equally good musician from near me, called Jon Gomm. (http://www.jongomm.com/)
Quote from: limetomOh... and just because Ishy said he cannot listen to hip hop: some hip hop. Just keep my earlier suggestions in mind (listen to it, find lyrics, listen again, then judge).
I heartily second the opinion that while the majority of mainstream rap does suck, it is possible to find rare gems. My contribution would be MF Doom (http://www.myspace.com/mfdoom)
I recommend the Sufjan Stevens album "Illinois" and The National's "Alligator".
I reccomend pretty much any Malagasy (from madagascar) stuff, and just other african stuff in general.
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
Miriam Makeba
Milimani Park Orchestra
Thomas Mapfuno
Youssour N'dour
there's a fantastic collection album called Soweto Street Sounds. That's great
Also, Zydeco music, and Celtic stuff are some of my favourites.
If you can find it, Mouth Music are IMO one of the greatest groups ever.
Thanks for all the responses guys! I've heard a few things I like, lots that I don't like, and some that don't really influence my emotions in one way or another. I'll get back to you guys very soon on my reviews.
Super Furry Animals. superfurry.com. Just damn good rock.
Go back into the archives a bit. Laurie Anderson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYstszOnvgs). Johnny Cash. Lyle Lovett (http://www.lylelovett.com/). Early Talking Heads, like Remain in Light (http://www.amazon.com/Remain-In-Light/dp/B00125WV90).
I haven't searched high and low for good links, but these are all classic acts that have fallen out of the limelight a bit lately, so you shouldn't have trouble finding stuff on youtube. If you haven't seen it, it's new to you.
Aw... Lyle Lovett and Talking Heads... haven't listened to them in ages. I'll second the recommendation, as both are pretty awesome.
Hecate (http://www.myspace.com/hecate) - industrial, black-metal influenced breakcore.
Quote from: snakefingGo back into the archives a bit. Laurie Anderson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYstszOnvgs).
Oh my god! Someone other than me on the cbg listens to Laurie Anderson?!?!?
Award youself an awesome copper medal (cause it's a coler metal than those other sucky ones)