Any recommendations for good tunes on eMusic?

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  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    What I grabbed yesterday.

    Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof. I hope they release their new CD, I want to hear it.

    Korpiklaani - Tales Along this Road. I hope somebody gives these guys a shot. I don't even think you have to like Metal to enjoy it. They are probably my favorite discovery of late. This is fun music.

    Mushuggah - I EP. one song, 20 minutes. if you do not like metal, avoid.

    Dead Meadow - these guys got name dropped 2 weeks ago on HBO's the Wire so I checked it out. If the Drive-by Truckers ever decided to go into seclusion in the woods for 2 years and got high every waking moment, it would come out something like this.

    Mountain Goats - Nine Black Poppies. Just to continue my Darnielle obsession. Their new one will appear on the 19th and I will be there to get it.

    I forgot to get the Jason Collett. I read some pretty good reviews on it, if you get a comparison to The Band, I will give it a listen.
  • soclose
    soclose Posts: 629
    Most recent downloads:

    Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane, Over the Sea
    I've been meaning to check this one out for a couple years. I guess this album is hitting the 10 year mark, so I've been reading retrospectives in recent weeks. I've only listened two times - and I like the record a lot - but I'm missing out on the breakthrough/life-changing element that so many people seem to have experienced. Still glad I purchased it though. Maybe the true beauty will be revealed upon repeated listens.

    Elliott Brood - Tin Type
    Canadian "death country." It's a nice little album. I'll have to check out the follow-up.

    Centro-Matic - Fort Recovery
    I'm still trying to decide if I actually like the singer's voice, but I certainly enjoy the music. I love the opening guitar on the first track. Haven't listened close enough to pick out lyrics yet.

    I plan on finishing up my current download cycle with the Bon Iver album when it becomes available tomorrow, then I think I'm going to get some Peter Case. I'm listening to his album Thank You St. Jude streaming on last.fm right now and loving it.
  • brainofPJ
    brainofPJ Posts: 2,361
    Portugal. The Man...

    just do it.


    Esther's here and she's sick?

    hi Esther, now we are all going to be sick, thanks
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    brainofPJ wrote:
    Portugal. The Man...

    just do it.
    why? need more info.
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    soclose wrote:
    Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane, Over the Sea
    I've been meaning to check this one out for a couple years. I guess this album is hitting the 10 year mark, so I've been reading retrospectives in recent weeks. I've only listened two times - and I like the record a lot - but I'm missing out on the breakthrough/life-changing element that so many people seem to have experienced. Still glad I purchased it though. Maybe the true beauty will be revealed upon repeated listens.
    I agree with everything you typed here. I have had it for years, give it a half-dozen spins a year and I fully enjoy it, but I wouldn't rank it anywhere near one of the greatest indie release that most people do. I am a stubborn bastard though, one day I feel it will strike me like a two-ton heavy thing. Until then I will enjoy every spin I give it.
  • otis mcfluster
    otis mcfluster Posts: 536
    transplant wrote:
    I agree with everything you typed here. I have had it for years, give it a half-dozen spins a year and I fully enjoy it, but I wouldn't rank it anywhere near one of the greatest indie release that most people do. I am a stubborn bastard though, one day I feel it will strike me like a two-ton heavy thing. Until then I will enjoy every spin I give it.
    The King Of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1 is one of my absolute favorite tunes.

    Also, to me the title track is lyrically brilliant, as is the whole album.

    Musically, it is good, but I agree a bit over rated. Reading the lyrics changed everything about that album for me.

    Matt Pond PA does a great cover of In The Aeroplane Over The Sea.
  • brainofPJ
    brainofPJ Posts: 2,361
    transplant wrote:
    why? need more info.


    it's. good. music.


    Esther's here and she's sick?

    hi Esther, now we are all going to be sick, thanks
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    otis mcfluster wrote:
    The King Of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1 is one of my absolute favorite tunes.

    Also, to me the title track is lyrically brilliant, as is the whole album.

    Musically, it is good, but I agree a bit over rated. Reading the lyrics changed everything about that album for me.

    Matt Pond PA does a great cover of In The Aeroplane Over The Sea.
    Ok, I'll read the lyrics next time. It is usually last on my list (lyrics). First glance of the track names and the pure stupidity of their band name led me to think the lyrics are mindless and somewhat incomprehensible. I am slowly coming to the conclusion as I type this that I have been seriously misguided.

    has anybody checked out the eMusic only releases they are pimping? High Places and Breathe Owl Breathe? I downloaded them however I haven't listened yet. I like the idea of eMusic branching out like this. I'll probably download at least a track or 2 from every artist they do this with just to keep the idea alive...show some support.
  • soclose
    soclose Posts: 629
    transplant wrote:
    Ok, I'll read the lyrics next time. It is usually last on my list (lyrics). First glance of the track names and the pure stupidity of their band name led me to think the lyrics are mindless and somewhat incomprehensible. I am slowly coming to the conclusion as I type this that I have been seriously misguided.

    I think I'll give that a try as well. I'm hearing the words fairly clearly but seeing them in print might help to make more sense of it all.

    I'm also wondering if my lack of enthusiasm is due to the fact that I'm hearing the album for the first time in 2008 rather than 1998. A lot has happened musically over the last ten years and maybe the record simply isn't as impressive to someone who has 10 more years worth of reference points to compare the music to, if that makes sense?

    On a semi-related note, I'm possibly suffering from music overload at the moment. I feel like I've heard more new music (well, new and old) over the last year than I had in the previous 10 combined - yet I feel like I need more! I can't decide if I should upgrade my e-music subscription to satisfy my desires or cancel it and immerse myself in the music I've already got! I see that most of my recent purchases only have a play count of 2 or 3 in iTunes, and two seconds later I'm thinking "what should I get next?" I feel an upgrade coming on . . .
  • soclose
    soclose Posts: 629
    Oops! My first double-post ever!
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    soclose wrote:
    On a semi-related note, I'm possibly suffering from music overload at the moment. I feel like I've heard more new music (well, new and old) over the last year than I had in the previous 10 combined - yet I feel like I need more! I can't decide if I should upgrade my e-music subscription to satisfy my desires or cancel it and immerse myself in the music I've already got! I see that most of my recent purchases only have a play count of 2 or 3 in iTunes, and two seconds later I'm thinking "what should I get next?" I feel an upgrade coming on . . .
    It happened to me...big time, however as of now, I get 90 downloads for the price others get 75. If I were to drop my subscription to a lower level I could never get that back. So, since then I purchased an iPod with a small stereo I can play at work. I listen to approx. 8 albums a day and have been able to 'catch up'.

    It is sort of addicting, downloading all this material. It is a blast discovering 6-8 new bands a month, even if some aren't the greatest.

    I say UPGRADE!

    To keep this on topic, I am enjoying very much

    Belong - October Language. Straight up the My Bloody Valentine alley...darker though.
  • soclose
    soclose Posts: 629
    transplant wrote:
    It happened to me...big time, however as of now, I get 90 downloads for the price others get 75. If I were to drop my subscription to a lower level I could never get that back. So, since then I purchased an iPod with a small stereo I can play at work. I listen to approx. 8 albums a day and have been able to 'catch up'.

    It is sort of addicting, downloading all this material. It is a blast discovering 6-8 new bands a month, even if some aren't the greatest.

    I say UPGRADE!

    To keep this on topic, I am enjoying very much

    Belong - October Language. Straight up the My Bloody Valentine alley...darker though.

    I upgraded last night! It's been a rough week so I decided I deserve a present. I'm up to 75 a month now (and I'm terribly jealous of your special deal).

    I promptly used up my 25 additional downloads:

    Swell Season - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
    Devotion - Beach House
    If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle and Sebastian (I only got the first 4 songs - I'll have to wait until my downloads are replenished this Friday to finish it off)

    I've been in the mood for something soft and pretty lately. I think it's the weather doing it to me.
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    soclose wrote:
    Swell Season - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
    Devotion - Beach House
    If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle and Sebastian (I only got the first 4 songs - I'll have to wait until my downloads are replenished this Friday to finish it off)
    well, If You're Feeling Sinister is probably the greatest CD I have picked up from there. It honestly changed the way I looked at music. If you ever have an extra download to waste, pick up I'm Waking Up to Us. Truly an incredible tune.

    Let me know what you think of that Beach House. I have their previous one and I found it a snoozefest. Just couldn't get into it.
  • soclose
    soclose Posts: 629
    transplant wrote:
    well, If You're Feeling Sinister is probably the greatest CD I have picked up from there. It honestly changed the way I looked at music. If you ever have an extra download to waste, pick up I'm Waking Up to Us. Truly an incredible tune.

    Let me know what you think of that Beach House. I have their previous one and I found it a snoozefest. Just couldn't get into it.

    I've given the Beach House one listen through. I'm liking it, but I have the feeling you might consider this one "snoozefest" as well (though I haven't heard the first album, so I can't make comparisons). It's pretty, haunting, dreamy stuff. No particular song reached out and grabbed me, but the experience was pleasant over all. I'll probably use it as background music rather than a serious headphone album. Not the best CD I've heard recently.

    I'm really looking forward to the Belle and Sebastian. I downloaded "Boy With the Arab Strap" (the song, not the album) from Napster or some such peer to peer program during my first year of college. I liked what I heard but forgot about them before I ever got around to buying an album.
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    ok, blew through all my downloads in 4 days.

    Belle and Sebastian - Tigermilk. I love this band. Love them. This CD is their debut and it is great. It isn't If Your Feeling Sinister great, but very fine nonetheless

    Andrew Bird - Soldier On. I think he makes beautiful music. He covers Dylan's Oh Sister on this EP.

    Mission of Burma - vs. I have had Signals Calls and Marches for years. I can't honestly say I love it, however being a huge fan of that early 80's movement, I figured I would give this a shot. Matador just released a remaster on it so what the hell.

    Meshuggah - ObZen. This has best of 2008 potential. The musicanship on this CD is off the charts.

    Ministry - The Last Sucker. If anything, the Bush years made for some good Ministry releases. The Last Sucker is no different. If you like their latest output, you will love this.

    Taylor Swift. Let's just say it wasn't my choice :)

    Rocket From the Crypt - R.I.P. God, I just love these guys and basically everything Reis touches. Good clean fun punk with a light ska touch. Since we are sorta on topic, Reis side band Hot Snakes (since disbanded) has one of my top 5 emusic releases ever, with Suicide Invoice.
  • soclose
    soclose Posts: 629
    transplant wrote:
    ok, blew through all my downloads in 4 days.

    And I thought I'd overdone it using up all my downloads in two weeks! I usually try to space them out downloads but I just couldn't do it this time. I'll be ready to post my reviews in the next day or two.

    How would you describe Andrew Bird's sound (say, last two albums or so)? I've heard a little bit of his music and I wasn't impressed, but he seems like someone I should like. And how much time does he really spend whistling on a record? I enjoy a good whistling solo, but I don't know how much I can take in one sitting.;)

    I might just get that Armchair album next month and see what happens.
  • soclose
    soclose Posts: 629
    Okay, here are my March downloads:

    Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
    Not as impressive as You Forgot it in People but very good none the less. I'm obsessed with this group right now (see my next purchase). Why isn't Metric available on emusic!?!

    Stars - Set Yourself on Fire
    I have mixed feelings on this one. I love Amy Millan's vocals, but I'm not quite into the male singer (who is basically the lead I guess). Some of the songs are fantastic, some annoy me. I'm also not a huge fan of some of the electronic stuff on a few of the songs - a bit too cartoonish, I think. We'll see how this one ages for me. I know at least a few of the songs are keepers.

    Tift Merritt - Another Country
    This is a very pretty country/folk-rock album with some r&b influences. The lady has a fine voice, but there isn't a lot of power behind this music or her singing, and after a while her voice is just a little too sweet for me. This is a nice one for a quiet Sunday afternoon, but I'm not blown away.

    Gillian Welch - Hell Among the Yearlings
    I think I've already expressed how I feel about the woman. This particular album probably isn't going to go down as my favorite, but still a very nice record. I'm pretty sure that title goes to Revival.

    Songs: Ohia - Didn't it Rain
    I still consider The Magnolia Electric Co to be one of my favorite emusic discoveries, but I can't seem to get into this one. Maybe a little too sparse for me. Repeated listens may change that though.

    The Decemberists - Five Songs EP
    I like it. Not much more to say here. I need to give in and get a full album by these guys.
  • transplant
    transplant Posts: 1,088
    soclose wrote:
    Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
    Not as impressive as You Forgot it in People but very good none the less. I'm obsessed with this group right now (see my next purchase). Why isn't Metric available on emusic!?!
    I was a little disappointed with this release. You Forgot it In People is just awesome though.
    soclose wrote:
    Songs: Ohia - Didn't it Rain
    I still consider The Magnolia Electric Co to be one of my favorite emusic discoveries, but I can't seem to get into this one. Maybe a little too sparse for me. Repeated listens may change that though.
    I think Magnolia is the best of the Songs:Ohia CD's also (of the ones I have) however I also adore Impala and Ghost Tropic. You may want to look into Magnolia Electric Co's release What Comes After the Blues. (not sure if you know the history, however Songs:Ohia changed their name to Magnolia Electric Co after they released that album and released CD's under that name.) What Comes After the Blues is more Neil Young-ish than sparse. Molina's solo is really sparse.
    soclose wrote:
    The Decemberists - Five Songs EP
    I like it. Not much more to say here. I need to give in and get a full album by these guys.
    you should grab The Tain EP, one song, 19 minutes long :) I have all their stuff and you can't really go wrong with any of it.

    Now as for Andrew Bird, I would prefer to describe just about ANYBODY besides him :D I only have Armchair and Soldier On, and make no mistake, the guy likes to whistle. I have heard bits and pieces from his other releases, and the guy is all over the map. He is an artist I cannot recommend to anybody. You know those people who hate indie pop with a passion? People like Andrew Bird are the reason why (if that makes sense). However I find it beautiful to listen to. Songs like Fiery Crash and Plasticities are pure gold.
  • otis mcfluster
    otis mcfluster Posts: 536
    I'm one of those guys who loves Andrew Bird. His music is amazing. Start with Armchair--if you are not into it, I think it is fair to say you won't like much of his other stuff. It was however my favorite album of '07. Transplant is right; Fiery Crash and Plasticities = solid gold

    My downloads refresh tomorrow, but here is what I have downloaded recently. I recomend them all:

    Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover: a little bit like Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah. A few excellent songs on the album--The Taming Of The Hands & For The Pier

    Belle & Sebastian - ironic that there has been a discussion about them recently. The Boy With The Arab Strap changed my music interests and outlook during senior year of high school. Hard to believe that album came out 10 years ago. It remains my favorite B&S album. Recently downloaded Tigermilk to complete the catalogue.

    Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago: just downloaded a few from this album, very mellow and enjoyable, as is...

    Breathe Owl Breathe - Ghost Glacier EP: I listened to a few song on their mysace page, which were great but I could find them on eMusic. This EP is pretty good. Perhaps a less peppy B&S.

    In light of the fact that Ted Leo is opening for some of PJ's east coast dates, may want to check out his Living With The Living album, if you haven't already. I think he is much better live than this or other albums would indicate.

    Really glad we are keeping this thread going--I've picked up tons of great recomendations from here over the months. Thanks.

    I recently discovered a guy named Devendra Banhart--most his albums are on eMusic--great stuff. Check out his myspace and homepage:
    http://www.devendrabanhart.com/
    http://www.myspace.com/devendrabanhart
  • soclose
    soclose Posts: 629
    transplant wrote:
    I think Magnolia is the best of the Songs:Ohia CD's also (of the ones I have) however I also adore Impala and Ghost Tropic. You may want to look into Magnolia Electric Co's release What Comes After the Blues. (not sure if you know the history, however Songs:Ohia changed their name to Magnolia Electric Co after they released that album and released CD's under that name.) What Comes After the Blues is more Neil Young-ish than sparse. Molina's solo is really sparse.


    you should grab The Tain EP, one song, 19 minutes long :) I have all their stuff and you can't really go wrong with any of it.
    Yeah, I have What Comes After the Blues. It's pretty good but still doesn't compare to The Magnolia Electro Co in my opinion. I may just stick with that album for now and forget he ever released another album.

    On the Decemberists: I got The Tain EP a while ago and it is pretty incredible, and certainly a bargain! I don't know why I keep going for the EP's and not a full album.

    I'll definitely consider getting the Andrew Bird, but I already have a few downloads in mind for next month, so I don't know if I'll get to it right away. I MUST get the She & Him album. I love the few songs I've heard so far.

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