Friday Morning Music Open Thread

Alaska in Winter – Close Your Eyes/We Are Blind

Couldn’t find a studio version of this song, but this is a pretty good live version.

What band or musician do you know little or nothing about that you’ve always been curious about, but for whatever reason haven’t delved into?

I have always thought I should be more into the Pretenders, especially given my predilection for other similar music of that era, but for some reason I have “Pretenders: The Singles” and that’s about it. I don’t really know why I’ve never dug deeper, but I never have. Every time I pick up a record, I always put it back down because I find five other things I want to buy – it’s almost like I’m gunshy at this point. What’s yours?

And I can’t get enough of it

and even if I did, i live in Kansas so all I’d here is the mainstream stuff from the late 90s (Buckcherry, Matchbox 20, Creed, blah, blah, blah, blah, barf).

The most recent bands I’ve fallen for are Ghostland Observatory (you can find some of their stuff on YouTube) and Miss Li. Yeah, I’m that dork that checks out the catchy stuff from the iPod commercials.

I keep meaning to expand my nerdcore hip hop collection, but mostly just end up listening to my old MC Frontalot stuff and random Kompressor tracks.

I have no organized method for exposing myself to new music. What I do know is that I need to get the same 4 CDs I’ve been listening to for the last 24 months the hell out of my car.

But a good friend of mine took me to one of his shows, and I was blown away. He’s a very talented songwriter, and isn’t always silly with his songs. Observe:

Space Doggity — Tribute to Laika, the first dog to go to space.

Always the Moon — Heart-rending song about break-up, using various Creation metaphors.

This is going to become an ongoing and never-ending list of new music I need to check out. Like I don’t have anything else to do.

It was going to be local bands who are Mariners fans, but now it’s going to be Morrissey.

White Winter Hymnal

who still dig Modest Mouse. It probably doesn’t hurt that I never go to shows and have lived outside of the Seattle area during most of their development arc.

and Soul Coughing, of course. I dig the steady rhythms and lyrical poetry.

Starstruck

I really expected to hate her album, but I love it.

The Smiths and that sort of thing. I’ve never seen the appeal, but I haven’t listened to much. I do like the Stiff Little Fingers and Generation X.

every time I hear Centerfield by John Fogerty.

I have it on a mixtape that’s been in my car since I bought it 18 months ago, so that is fairly regularly.

but Visqueen did a cover of it a few years back that totally redeemed that song in my mind.

None of you guys probably have heard of them. But they have some good songs. (That’s four different links)

Consider the Source is based out of NYC and rarely plays out west but I seriously suggest checking them out next time they do. No vocals and a bit off the beaten path for many, but I am in love with their bass player.

Here
And here

Not quite as melodic as a lot of what I see mentioned here, but putting it out there.

stupid government…

Hot hot fire. Local hip-hop, fronted by Ishmael from Digable Planets. Truly innovative production, amazing rhyme schemes. I can see them being national in short order. Soundscapes are kind of bleak and sparse with some old world and early-80s influences, a little dubstep and Carribean noise for spice.

I will probably listen to this for the rest of the day.

with Thirstin’ Howl III

Foo Fighters and Journey

Andrew Jackson Jihad—Folk punk with dark, sometimes whiny, but oftentimes true lyrics. They’re usually kind of humorous.
Arctic Monkeys—Older, forgotten, still good.
At the Drive-In—Probably one of my favorite all-time bands. If you haven’t listened to them, you’re wearing your fuck-up boots.
Bearvsshark—Kind of hard to categorize their sound. They broke up 5 years ago, but I refuse to take them off my ipod.
Edna’s Goldfish—A really mainstream sounding (and therefore weak) ska-punk band, but I like ‘em.
The Fall of Troy—They’re from Mukilteo, and they’re a great nearly hardcore band. A lot of fans have abandoned them as they’ve evolved for not being as hardcore, and not screaming as much. But I think they’re just as good now, just different.
Horse the Band—A goofy “Nintendocore” band that’s just catchy and fun.
Islands—A pretty cool indie band that has a sound that should be accessible to just about anyone. Used to be The Unicorns.
Kid Cudi—He calls himself a rapper, but it’s not really typical rap. This track is featuring MGMT and Ratatat, two awesome bands…if you like rap, hip hop, or indie music, give him a listen. I find Stanky Leg to be hilarious fun and all, but it’s nice to see some rappers still earning it.
Man Man—A pretty unique indie band. They’re weird, but not abrasive to the ear.
MGMT—everyone knows MGMT.
Notorious B.I.G.—Classic but awesome.
The Protomen—A small band out of Tennessee that plays…wait for it…Mega Man Rock Opera music. Honestly, they’re probably my favorite or second favorite band right now. They’re epic as hell and great driving music.
Reel Big Fish—Well known. Still awesome. One of the better ska bands around.
Streetlight Manifesto—My favorite band. Third wave ska…they mesh horns and traditional rock band instruments extremely well, and Thomas Kalnoky’s voice fits the music. If this band isn’t your favorite band right now, I hate you.
Tera Melos—Super technical math rock. They used to be instrumental only, then they came out with the album with the song I linked. Now they’re a bit punky, but still good. It’s really easy to vibe and chill to this music.
A Tribe Called Quest—My favorite song by my favorite old hip hop group.
The Unicorns—The slightly better predecessor to Islands. They’re a bit trippy and weird, and easy to listen to.