Why: Great laid back vocalist with quite a style on the guitar. Blues based writing. Great album for porch drinking or a wine filled evening. Good for dinner or Sunday morning breakfast.
Check out Ride Me High, Traveling Light, You've Got Something.
Why I like them - Debuted in the late 80's as a funk metal band and had a couple minor rock hits. A couple years later they released the awesome "Dropped." Very dark and grungey. They added Jason Everman of Soundgarden fame to contribute to the new sound. I highly recommend picking it up out of the bargain bin if you can find it.
WHY:
if you've heard their hit single, "jude law and a semester abroad" you probably dont want to hear anymore. but give it a chance. they burst out of the crappy punk-pop genre with this album. it was tough choosing between it and their new one (the devil and god are raging inside me). but deja entendu is incredible. it's angry, rhythmic, dark, and honest at different turns. they can rock the hell out with the best of them and turn a touching acoustic number as well as anyone. it's a fantastic album. and i've seen them live and they are the real thing. his voice is incredible and they played for over 2 hours, par for the course for pearl jam but all too rare among artists these days. they did all of deja entendu in order and it was amazing. if the jam at the end of "good to know" doesn't get you headbanging, you're probably dead too.
ok, they aren't exactly a secret if you listen to post-rock but they are hardly mainstream so...
I choose Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They are a nine-piece canadian band who make orchestral rock epics that can reach up to 25 minutes in length but never get boring. This band can seriously take you on a journey. Basically their sound resembles the Arcade Fire on a much grander scale and fully instrumental (with the exception of vocal samples here and there). The band includes violins, trombones and guitars which vary from nice clean picked sequences to raging feedback.
As far as albums go, if you want an easy entry into the world of GY!BE then I would suggest the Slow riot for new zero kanada EP but if you want to experience one of the most incredible musical works in existence, go and buy "Lift your skinny fists like antennas to heaven". The album is a 2-disc, 87 minute behemoth with only 4 "songs", each split up into several movements. Nothing could have prepared me for the first time I heard the opening track, "Storm". It may be cliche but I was literally left breathless by the song.
One of the accusations often levelled at GY!BE is that their music consists entirely of crescendos and, to be fair, this is essentially true. However, that doesn't make the music predictable, and it definitely adds to the effect. If these 20+ minute mini-symphonies meandered without direction for their entirety, the album would be incredibly dull. However, the "calm before the storm" aspect, particularly in the album opener, means that when the songs finally reach their peak, the momentum is unstoppable. I can only imagine what this stuff must sound like live. Unfortunately GY!BE are on an indefinite hiatus at the moment while the members focus on other projects (including the almost as brilliant A silver mt. Zion), but the records are there, just waiting for people to find them. I'm certainly glad I did.
"I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
Why I Like Them: This record is like the poppier British version of Pet Sounds that no one heard. Also find the b-side "Walking In The Sun" if you're into good songs.
the zombies were a pretty damn popular band. they have some big hits. i hope everyone knows who they are.
Artist: Jenn Grinels
Essential Album: Little Words (her only full album)
Why I Like Her: I discovered Jenn, an unsigned artist, when I went to review a performance by David Mead. She privately financed her first full album and is currently driving across the county in her Sentra playing little gigs in an attempt to make it. Her voice is absolutely stunning. She's an outstanding lyricist. Very solid guitar player. If you are into the female singer-songwriter types like Ani Difranco, Tori Amos, etc., you'll love Jenn. She has everything it takes to be a star. You can hear her stuff at http://www.myspace.com/jenngrinels and buy her albums at http://www.jenngrinels.com.
It makes much more sense to live in the present tense.
Comments
Essential Album: Troubadour
Why: Great laid back vocalist with quite a style on the guitar. Blues based writing. Great album for porch drinking or a wine filled evening. Good for dinner or Sunday morning breakfast.
Check out Ride Me High, Traveling Light, You've Got Something.
'98 - 9/1 9/4 9/18
'00 - 8/6 8/7 8/15 8/17 9/5
'03 - 4/9 4/15 4/19 7/11 7/12
'04 - 10/6 10/8
'05 - 9/11 9/12 9/13 9/15
'06 - 5/27 5/28 7/7 7/13 7/18 7/22 7/23
Essential Album - Dropped
Why I like them - Debuted in the late 80's as a funk metal band and had a couple minor rock hits. A couple years later they released the awesome "Dropped." Very dark and grungey. They added Jason Everman of Soundgarden fame to contribute to the new sound. I highly recommend picking it up out of the bargain bin if you can find it.
brand new
ALBUM:
deja entendu
WHY:
if you've heard their hit single, "jude law and a semester abroad" you probably dont want to hear anymore. but give it a chance. they burst out of the crappy punk-pop genre with this album. it was tough choosing between it and their new one (the devil and god are raging inside me). but deja entendu is incredible. it's angry, rhythmic, dark, and honest at different turns. they can rock the hell out with the best of them and turn a touching acoustic number as well as anyone. it's a fantastic album. and i've seen them live and they are the real thing. his voice is incredible and they played for over 2 hours, par for the course for pearl jam but all too rare among artists these days. they did all of deja entendu in order and it was amazing. if the jam at the end of "good to know" doesn't get you headbanging, you're probably dead too.
I choose Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They are a nine-piece canadian band who make orchestral rock epics that can reach up to 25 minutes in length but never get boring. This band can seriously take you on a journey. Basically their sound resembles the Arcade Fire on a much grander scale and fully instrumental (with the exception of vocal samples here and there). The band includes violins, trombones and guitars which vary from nice clean picked sequences to raging feedback.
As far as albums go, if you want an easy entry into the world of GY!BE then I would suggest the Slow riot for new zero kanada EP but if you want to experience one of the most incredible musical works in existence, go and buy "Lift your skinny fists like antennas to heaven". The album is a 2-disc, 87 minute behemoth with only 4 "songs", each split up into several movements. Nothing could have prepared me for the first time I heard the opening track, "Storm". It may be cliche but I was literally left breathless by the song.
One of the accusations often levelled at GY!BE is that their music consists entirely of crescendos and, to be fair, this is essentially true. However, that doesn't make the music predictable, and it definitely adds to the effect. If these 20+ minute mini-symphonies meandered without direction for their entirety, the album would be incredibly dull. However, the "calm before the storm" aspect, particularly in the album opener, means that when the songs finally reach their peak, the momentum is unstoppable. I can only imagine what this stuff must sound like live. Unfortunately GY!BE are on an indefinite hiatus at the moment while the members focus on other projects (including the almost as brilliant A silver mt. Zion), but the records are there, just waiting for people to find them. I'm certainly glad I did.
the zombies were a pretty damn popular band. they have some big hits. i hope everyone knows who they are.
any other new stuff i should try?
Essential Album: Little Words (her only full album)
Why I Like Her: I discovered Jenn, an unsigned artist, when I went to review a performance by David Mead. She privately financed her first full album and is currently driving across the county in her Sentra playing little gigs in an attempt to make it. Her voice is absolutely stunning. She's an outstanding lyricist. Very solid guitar player. If you are into the female singer-songwriter types like Ani Difranco, Tori Amos, etc., you'll love Jenn. She has everything it takes to be a star. You can hear her stuff at http://www.myspace.com/jenngrinels and buy her albums at http://www.jenngrinels.com.