Monday, September 24, 2007

A post for my music-savvy friends

You know who you are. You're the ones who are always downloading music from itunes, playing cool new tracks when I'm over at your house, listening to obscure music no one else has ever heard of, or, gasp, actually still buys CDs.

I need your help.

Many months ago, I wrote about how my music collection was stuck in the 90s. With a few exceptions -- such as U2 and The Killers -- very few new CDs have entered my world in many years. That's not to say all my music is from the 80s and 90s -- but a vast majority of it is.

So, here's where I need some help. I listen to my ipod on almost a daily basis -- as it's my staple to get me through work when I don't want to be distracted. And, I'd like my music on it to not be circa 1996. So, last week, I went on a downloading binge based solely on music I've been hearing on the radio. It had been many months since I last updated my ipod and I was tiring of listening to the same David Grey, Jack Johnson, Blue Rodeo mixes. (Mixed with some other older stuff.)

Here's what I downloaded: Arcade Fire, Bedouin Soundclash, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, John Mayer, Dixie Chicks (I know) and Chantal Kreviazuk. I haven't listened to it all yet -- but am so far enjoying what I have listened to. It's nice to have music that's new to listen to. And I'd like to have more, but haven't a clue where to start finding something I'd like. As I said, I downloaded those choices based on what I've heard on the radio.

So, my music-savvy friends, please help me answer these questions:
If I like the Killers, I'll also like ___________
If I like Arcade Fire, I'll also like ___________
If I like John Mayer and David Grey, I'll also like _____________
If I like Chantal Kreviazuk, Sarah Harmer and Sarah McLachlan I'll also like _____________

And tell me what else you'd think I'd like, because right now, I'm all ears.

3 comments:

Suzanne Gardner said...

Okay, so this is going to be a little...um...long. I have a slight obsession with music, okay? ;)

1. If I like the Killers, I'll also like SNOW PATROL and FRANZ FERDINAND.
--> I'm not a huge Killers fan (I liked their first album but I'm not as keen on the new one) but I think these two bands are somewhat in the same genre and I like both of them quite a bit.

2. If I like the Arcade Fire, I'll also like THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, THE DECEMBERISTS, and INTERPOL.
--> I absolutely love both the New Pornographers and the Decemberists and strongly recommend them to anyone. Interpol's also pretty good and somewhat Arcade Fire-esque.

3. If I like John Mayer and David Grey, I'll also like PETER ELKAS, BEN LEE, and RUFUS WAINWRIGHT.
--> I just discovered Peter Elkas actually and he's very good and quite John Mayer-y. Ben Lee and Rufus Wainwright are two of my very favourite male artists and I recommend both highly.

4. If I like Chantal Kreviazuk, Sarah Harmer and Sarah McLachlan I'll also like REGINA SPEKTOR, EMILY HAINES & THE SOFT SKELETON, RILO KILEY, CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG, JENNY LEWIS WITH THE WATSON TWINS, and FEIST.
--> You listed three of my favourite female artists, so here are the rest of my favs. :) I recommend all of these extremely highly!

Plus: Have you ever listened to Metric or Amy Winehouse? You know I love Metric (so you should give them a listen if you never have) and Amy's a lot of fun (if not a little messed-up psychologically).

If you want any more info about any of these (such as which albums are best or whatnot) just let me know! :)

Anonymous said...

I actually left a comment here the first night you posted, but it's gone?? Weird :S

Anyway, IF YOU LIKE THE KILLERS, and I do, then you might also like:
Finger Eleven - Paralyzer (my personal fav right now!!!)
Blue October - Hate Me
My Chemical Romance - Teenagers
or Welcome to the Black Parade

I find all of these enjoyable when I'm in an alternative kinda mood!
ENJOY!

Rob said...

1 AND 2. (I'm going to combine 1 and 2 - since they're not that fart apart.) Try "The Back Room" by the Editors, and "Alligator" by the National. They're both a little different - you might love or hate. Definitely try their older albums first before the new 2007 stuff. (I'll play some for you tommorrow night.)

3. Albert Hammond Jr. - "Yours to keep" (a poppy new album by the guitarist from the Strokes). Jack Johnson isn't new but fits the bill. It's like 4 years old, but I think you'd like Pete Yorn's "Musicforthemorningafter"

4. Feist. Tegan and Sara's "So Jealous" is probably my most played album from last year (even though it's from 2004). I'm just giving their new album from this summer a solid listen now - it's got potential, but you'll like it more if you get hooked on "So Jealous" first.