The Sort-of-Definitive Music Thread

[ZombieRockStar]

I've noticed not a lot of music threads. Sure, there's a few on specific topics, like you're musical shame, and you can go back a fiew pages to find ancient threads about favourite bands and such, but nothing about discussing music in general. Also, music seems to be outnumbered here. If my avatars aren't clue enough, I like music! One of my favourite topics for discussion.

So what this thread is supposed to be is simply a free-flowing discussion about music. Discuss the virtues of a specific band or song, who your guitar hero is, etc. As long as it's about music. If you have something specific you'd like to discuss, best to be making another thread. Feel free to go off topic, just as long as the new topic is about music.

I'll start with the simple concept of "what's your favourite band/musician and why?"

Mine? Nirvana. Don't look at me like that. I'm emotionally stable and mentally healthy with no suicidal tendencies. I also don't idolize Kurt Cobain as much as I identify with the guy. Of all the celebrities ever, he was the one who came of as actually human. And the music is so much more than loud. Listen to the MTV Unplugged album and you'll see how. Nirvana was just emotinally pure, with well-written, intelligent lyrics. And Dave Grohl ranks as one of my favourite drummers. To bad he's singing/guitaring with that sort-of-okay band of his now.

[Deckmaster]

And Dave Grohl ranks as one of my favourite drummers. To bad he's singing/guitaring with that sort-of-okay band of his now.

Um...

*awkward pause*

Yeah, that "sort-of-okay band" is actually the first thing that came to mind when you asked what my favorite band is. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but the Foo Fighters are the only band where I can honestly say I like every song I've ever heard by them.

[ZombieRockStar]

No offense meant, towards the Foo Fighters or to your taste in music. I like their sound, but they just don't seem that different from other generic alternative rock acts, and I primarily rate my favourite musicians on inventiveness. I think it's great that Dave Grohl is doing his own thing and not carrying on in the shadow of Nirvana, unlike some other musicians of disbanded groups (no names), but I just can't get behind their music.

[Deckmaster]

No offense taken.

Another band I like is Audioslave, they were the second band I thought of.

[Quirinus_Obsidian]

Audioslave is a fantastic band. I really need to see them live.

Favorite? I would have to throw Dream Theater into the ring as the best band to ever grace the earth.

[Lucky]

Favourite band?

Bad Religion, no real question there. They have been going since 1981 and they only get better each album. Considering they label themselves as a Punk Rock band, their sound is rather unique. They also have amazing lyrics, and well, their is not only unique, it's great! Oh, and I am stoked out of my mind... They're coming to Ottawa in October!!!

[NeonBlack]

Favourite band?

Bad Religion, no real question there. They have been going since 1981 and they only get better each album.

Well, their no-Gurewitz albums (with the exception of The Gray Race) were rather weak. I'm just glad they came back to form again with The Process of Belief. And The Empire Strikes First is just awesome. My favourite Punk Rock band, for sure.

As for my favourite band... hard for me to pick only one, considering I like lots of different Rock styles. The Smashing Pumpkins come to mind in the Grunge/Alternative section. Sure, Corgan is a weirdo, and a prick to boot, but his compositions were awesome back then (not in his solo album, which, IMHO, sucks so much it's not funny). They were also the first time I learned not to consider the singer's voice as the main selling point of a band. My mother used to say Corgan's voice sounds like a tortured cat. I tend to agree... ;D. Pearl Jam would come second in this section, followed closely by Nirvana.

Now for the Metal side. I already sang the praises for Opeth and Symphony X in the "Overrated/Underrated" thread, so I won't repeat myself here. Other great bands are Rage, Blind Guardian (not so much lately), Testament, Hypocrisy... But my absolute favourite right now is Nevermore (even though they kind of sucked when I saw them live two weeks ago :-/). I even got my nickname from their most awesome album, called Dreaming Neon Black ;D.

As for classic Rock, three words which are not words: R.E.M., U2, and AC/DC.

[ElfLad]

Beatles, Beatles, Beatles, Beatles.

Really, these are easily my favorite guys of all time. They have some great simple tunes from the early albums like "Twist and Shout" "I Should Have Known Better" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and they also have complex layered, experimental stuff like "I Am The Walrus" "Within You, Without You" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My favorite Beatle is easily George Harrison. His songs are often the standouts of the album, including "Something" "I Me Mine" "Think for Yourself" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Also, IMO, he's the only Beatle who got better after the break-up.

My favorite current bands are Jimmy Eat World and Green Day.

Jimmy Eat World I like for lyricism, although they have a few songs where the instruments are good. "Get It Faster" has my favorite guitar solo since "Iron Man"

I like new and old Green Day equally, old Green Day because of the raw feeling and new Green Day because of the polish and work that goes into each of their songs. Seems contradictory, but I know what I like, and new/old Green Day are not mutually exclusive.

And then there's Relient K, a semi-mainstream Christian band. They're great. I have liked every single song on their last two albums, no exaggeration.

[Lucky]

Well, their no-Gurewitz albums (with the exception of The Gray Race) were rather weak.


Well, I'll admit The New America was rather weak, but I will have to disagree with you, I quite enjoyed No Substance and have trouble seeing it being weak... There were no big stand out songs, but the title track, and songs like Hear It, Raise Your Voice, The Same Person, and Victims of the Revolution were quite solid and very fun to listen to, and overall it was a good album.

[Jibar]

I feel out of place.
My favorite band is Athlete, though my favorite singers are Dido and Robbie Williams.

[Chunklets]

Various and sundry punk bands for me, but the ones I keep coming back to are The Clash and Operation Ivy/Rancid. I'm also quite fond of a band called F-minus.

Outside of punk, I would have to with Springsteen, probably, as my favourite artist, although I've been listening to a fair amount of Hole lately, oddly enough.

[ZombieRockStar]

You're not the only one feeling out of place, Jibar. Seems a lot of people here like standard alternative rock, which is okay. As I said, Nirvana is my favourite. But when it comes to "current" music, my tastes run more towards indie rock and indie pop. My favourite bands of that particular genre include Arcade Fire, Radiohead, and Neutral Milk Hotel(which is sort of an aquired taste, I've found). When it comes to "classic" rock, I'm partial to prog-rock and art rock, particularly The Velvet Underground, Supertramp and Pink Floyd(both early and late).

And, of course, there's the Beatles, who did more to push music ahead than anyone since some caveman started grunting musical notes.

[RoboticSheeple]

According to my last.fm profile my favorite bands are

1 AFI
2 Nightmare of You
3 System of a Down
4 Yellowcard
5 lostprophets
6 Muse
7 Thrice
8 The Dresden Dolls
9 Matchbook Romance
10 The Smashing Pumpkins

But for how much music I really listen to I'd say Thrice is lower (not top 10 for sure) and Fort Minor is much higher (like on my top 10). And Somehow AFI should be a lot higher because they are the other cd I have in my car. Of course that list is 5 days old, so everything may of changed spots by now...
I guess you could say I don't have a favorite band I more just have a dynamic interest in music.

[Lucky]

You're not the only one feeling out of place, Jibar. Seems a lot of people here like standard alternative rock, which is okay. As I said, Nirvana is my favourite. But when it comes to "current" music, my tastes run more towards indie rock and indie pop. My favourite bands of that particular genre include Arcade Fire, Radiohead, and Neutral Milk Hotel(which is sort of an aquired taste, I've found). When it comes to "classic" rock, I'm partial to prog-rock and art rock, particularly The Velvet Underground, Supertramp and Pink Floyd(both early and late).

And, of course, there's the Beatles, who did more to push music ahead than anyone since some caveman started grunting musical notes.

Well, actually, my Mp3 player is loaded with Nirvana, The Clash, Misfits etc. You just asked for my favourite. ;)

[Uber_Nerd]

You can dance if you want to
You can leave your friends behind...

[Vaniel]

I'm the guy that loves power/speed/score/epic metal, music such as Rhapsody, Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Stratovarius, and that is only naming a few.

Do I have a definite all-time favorite band? No, of course not. I have many, hehe.

HOWEVER, there are msuic that I just refuse to listen to, especially anything Pop, Rap, anything Pop related (GreenDay, Simple Plan), and all that bad emo music. I mean no offense to anyone, just explaining my tastes and dislikes.

[Alarra]

You can dance if you want to
You can leave your friends behind...
;D

Anyway...favorite band....

Nightwish, hands down. They are a finnish band for those of you who may not have heard of them. According to the band they play: "Melodic Heavy Metal with a female voice" which pretty well describes the stunning vocals and fantastic rhythms of this group. I'm quite quite quite upset that Tarja Turunen, their fantastic lead singer has just left the group, she 'made' this music and I cannot imagine how they will survive without her. Think Evanescense without Amy Lee....just doesn't seem right. sigh..

[Vaniel]

She didn't leave the group, the other guys kicked her out

Or so... that was what I heard.

[Tiferet]

Disturbed is my favorite band. I like every song on their two CDs. Korn and HIM are close runner ups. (I suppose it's pretty obvious that I listen to alternative muisc ;) ) I also listen to a lot of instramental music, mostly by Midnight Sydicate and Nox Arcana. . . oh, and almost any Final Fantasy game soundtrack.

[Caillach]

Hey, know who kicks tushy? Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Know who kicks tushy even more? Led Zeppelin.

Know who will rock forever? The Beatles. ;D

[Alarra]

She didn't leave the group, the other guys kicked her out

Or so... that was what I heard.

Why would they do that? She's so great....and after 9 years?

[Vaniel]

I don't know, really.

I'm just saying what I've heard.

[Jibar]

Hey, know who kicks tushy? Red Hot Chili Peppers.


Hell yes they kick tushy.
I'm rather disappointed though that I only have their greatest hits album.

[ZombieRockStar]

^ You should really pick up Stadium Arcadium. I was quite impressed with it. Of course, the "Dani California" video has become a bit bothersome after all the heavy airplay it's been getting on MuchMusic, but still a great song.

Alarra: Wikipedia says she was fired by the band in an open letter, citing "a changed attitude." Too bad. I really like her voice. Love the operatic touch she gave Nightwish.

[Jibar]

I quite like the "Dani California" video.
And if all my monies didn't always end up going to books and video games, I would buy Stadium Arcadium, but I know people who aren't usually Chilli fans who say they love it.

[InaVegt]

I have no favourite band, though I like Bach a lot.

[Jack Squat]

If I had to say one band, it'd be Journey right now, of course my opinion changes every day or so. For instance, yesterday I would have said Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and about a week or so ago it was George Thorogood. I can't say what I like in a band, or why I'd pick them, just something in me says "this band rocks".

[Caillach]

I quite like the "Dani California" video.
And if all my monies didn't always end up going to books and video games, I would buy Stadium Arcadium, but I know people who aren't usually Chilli fans who say they love it.

I preffer the first disc to the second. They had some really dinamite songs on the first disc, which I highly recomend you listen to. Dani California, Slow Cheeta, and Strip My Mind, really amazed me, they were so brilliant both in lyrical and musical achievement. Just great songs. (even though Dani California sounds a little bit like a Tom Petty song)

All in all if you don't have many Chili discs, but like their music I highly reacomend you get at least one of these three: Californication, Blood Sugar Sex Magic, or Stadium Arcadium. In my opinion these are their best.

[Athanatos]

Disturbed is my favorite band. I like every song on their two CDs.

Disturbed has at least three CDs, wouldn'tcha know.

Favorite bands? Ouch, hard to name just one. I mostly listen to varied indie stuff. Dance-punk, post-punk, post-rock, indie pop.

Specific bands:
The Arcade Fire
Architecture in Helsinki
Murder by Death
The New Pornographers
Wolf Parade

If anybody else listens to any of those bands, they can apply for a free Cookie of Recognition of Awesome Music Tastes.

Least favorite music? Probably progressive metal. It doesn't work for me in the slightest.

[ZombieRockStar]

Ooh! Another Indie lover! I listen to all of the above; can I get five cookies?

My favourite of the ones you mentioned is definitely Arcade Fire. I'm actually listening to Funeral right now.

[Tptmanno1]

Favorite band?
Tool.
Absolutly no question there. Lateralus is possibly the most perfect album in existance.

I like many types of music though, but alot of it is more underground stuff you wont ever hear on the radio.

[Athanatos]

My favourite of the ones you mentioned is definitely Arcade Fire. I'm actually listening to Funeral right now.

Here, take FIVE cookies, buddy!

I woke up with the power out...

[LazyJoe]

I'm not seeing enough love for Radiohead. Six fantastic albums, countless B-sides to discover and a host of tributes from other artists make them my all-time favourite band. They have such an unrecognised variety in terms of style; a song for evey occasion, if you will.

The early stuff (Pablo Honey & The Bends) are fantastic rock albums in their own right, also have hints of potential, such as Street Spirit and the cult favourite, Creep. OK Computer was, in my opinion, the greatest evolution in recent music history. Every track is a stunner and it is deservedly a highly celebrated album. A 'you need to hear it before you die' kind of thing.

To tell the truth, I hated Kid A when I first heard it. My immediate reaction was 'what the hell have I spent my hard-earned cash on?', and went back to listening to Paranoid Android. So, the album gathered dust on my shelf for a while until I saw fit to give it another go. Optimistic and How To Disappear Completely hit the mark a bit more, but I was totally alienated from the whole album. I'd never voluntarily listened to anything like it ever. It was only my steely determination to appreciate all facets of Radiohead that made me work on it. And, finally, it all clicked into place. I saw past my inhibitions and gazed upon the genius of Idioteque and In Limbo. Everything In Its Right place was the clincher, and now I listen to it more than any other album. That's the thing about Radiohead; they're the band that keeps on giving.

Amnesiac is something of a four-star for me, it felt too much like Kid A II, although it does contain two of the most beautiful songs I have heard: Pyramid Song and Knives Out.

Most people disparage talk about Hail To The Thief, referring to it as a 'lesser album', but I see it as the union between Radiohead's rock-y beginnings and their experimentalism. 2+2=5 is the most played song on my laptop and although the lyrics to most of the songs are still quite indecipherable, the tone of Thom Yorke's voice really speaks to me. Radiohead's a very personal thing, for me at least, and I probably wouldn't listen to much of it in front of other people.

The new album is still a mystery to me. I haven't heard any demos from it, and I've no idea whether they'll fall back into something a little more traditional or go completely off at the deep end. That's the thing with Radiohead, they're probably the only mainstream (kind of) band that's still pushing the boundaries of music, still not afraid to do something a bit different. My fear is that their seventh album could be their last. I've heard rumours of tension in the group and Thom's new album The Eraser shows that he's at least willing to split off and do his own thing once in a while.

[/fanboyism]

[Athanatos]

Interesting fact about Kid A: Have two music playing programs play it about 17 or 18 seconds apart. If you time it right, everything syncs up perfectly (for the entire album) and it sounds absolutely amazing.

[Tptmanno1]

Good points with Radiohead.
I simply do not have enough of their albums. I have Kid A and OK Computer, HAD Amnesiac, but my dad lost it on me.
Simply amazing band.
Kid A is so...Trancendant. I can listen to it over and over.

[ZombieRockStar]

Love Radiohead and I like Hail to the Thief. As you say, it's a bit more rock-y than what Radiohead's normally known for, but I like the energy. Especially of "2+2=5" (nice Orwell reference). I also like the more classic rock-like riffs of "Go to Sleep." And Kid A is amazing, of course.

Does anybody know why they don't sell Radiohead on iTunes? (Or, at least, on the Canadian iTunes. Apple is notorious for screwing over the Canadian version) For such a well-known band, you'd think they'd have at least a little. That's one of my major gripes with iTunes, is that they don't have Radiohead.

[Tptmanno1]

I'd actually prefer they didn't seeing as they arn't a "single" band, and people should buy their records for the experience.

[McDeath]

I like Colours of Infinity.

Actually, there's no such band (to teh best of my knowledge). But I think it would be an awesome band name.

I really do like Gorillaz, U2, Beatles, Butterfingers...

And *cough* Rammstein. Although I admit, some of their songs (ref. "Stein um Stein") are disturbing, they have some nice sound. Note: I am trying to get an Arcade Fire CD, but it's hard in Australia!

Also like Dubdoubt, but they're a local band.

[GeeVee]

I'm the guy that loves power/speed/score/epic metal, music such as Rhapsody, Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Stratovarius, and that is only naming a few.

I've been getting a bit into music like that. Any reccomendations for songs/albums?

Anyway, my favorites. I love, love, love, love Pink Floyd, and everything Pink Floyd related. I especially like listening to their albums as a whole. I went to a Roger Waters concert last June (second largest paid concert to ever be held in Iceland) and it was AWESOME. I was so happy I wanted to cry, especially during the second encore, Comfortalby Numb (my favorite song ever). His voice is better now that it was at Live 8.

I like blues-rock like Led Zeppelin (their debut album is probably my favorite album at the moment).
I'm growing rather fond of U2, having recently aquired a large collection of their CD's.

[NeonBlack]

I've been getting a bit into music like that. Any reccomendations for songs/albums?


Some favourites of mine in the Power Metal genre:

- Sonata Arctica. Ecliptica is one of the best debut albums ever, and Silence is also awesome. The newest albums are a bit weaker IMHO, but still good.

- Blind Guardian. Their older albums are quite good, but Somewhere Far Beyond and Imaginations from the Other Side are their finest hour, I think. Oh, and Nightfall in Middle Earth is a must listen if you like Tolkien's world (it's a concept album based on the Silmarillion).

- Iced Earth. A bit more thrashy than your average power metal band. With them, I would pass on the individual albums (although they rock, specially Something Wicked This Way Comes and Burnt Offerings) and go directly with Alive in Athens, a triple live album which covers all their career, except their two latest albums (which, incidentally, are probably their worst, so you won't be missing much).

- Savage Circus. If you like Blind Guardian, this is the way to go. They only have one album so far (Dreamland Manor), but it sounds so much like the good old BG that you'll have to check the cover to be sure it's not them!

- Lost Horizon. I haven't followed them that much, but the one album I have from them (Awakening the World) is awesome.

- Hibria. Another relatively unknown band with only one album available (that I know of), called Defying the Rules. They sound just like Hammerfall should sound, quick and to the point.

I'm not a big fan of Stratovarius or Rhapsody, so I won't comment on them. I will say, though, that both sucked thoroughly when I saw them live (Strato just two weeks ago). Their studio albums are quite good, though.

[ZombieRockStar]

I'd actually prefer they didn't seeing as they arn't a "single" band, and people should buy their records for the experience.

I agree, but I mostly find myself buying full albums off of iTunes, so I'd really like to save on the money. Of course, there are some albums you should have copies of just be able to hold in your hands (Sgt. Pepper, Dark Side of the Moon, Highway 61 Revisited, Kid A). Radiohead's not the only band/artist I really wish was on iTunes. They also don't have any Ani DiFranco or Beatles for some reason. (I expect it has something to do with Apple Computer's feud with Apple Corp.) The Canadian version also has a terrible podcast and movie trailer selection and they don't let us have TV shows. The only reason I like the iTunes store is the prices.

[Caillach]

I'm growing rather fond of U2, having recently aquired a large collection of their CD's.

U2 actually has to be one of my least favorite bands of all time. Bono's voice just drives me nuts :P. I usually only have one song on their CD's I'll listen to.

[Athanatos]

War was a brilliant album if the singles are any indication. Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day are the only U2 songs that I really like.

[Kiara]

I never get tired of discussing music.

I like all sorts of things, really. Mostly rock, or in that general area. But I will admit to being a pophead on occations.

A Perfect Circle, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Nickelback, Audioslave, Tori Amos, Seether, Fiona Apple, U2... don't really have any favorites, but these are all bands/artists I like, and own albums by. I'm really into a couple of Norwegian rock bands as well.

[ZombieRockStar]

I like pre-Joshua Tree U2. I don't know...somewhere around that album they got really pretentious.

And it's okay to be a pop lover, Kiara, as long as you make up for it by liking some good bands, like the ones you just mentioned (although I disagree with you on Nickelback...ugh). And welcome to the boards.

[Athanatos]

Conversely, what are some of you guys' least favorite types of music? The song/artist/genre that you just can't stand?

Just remember, we don't want any flamewars here.

[Tptmanno1]

I'm not a big fan of Stratovarius or Rhapsody, so I won't comment on them. I will say, though, that both sucked thoroughly when I saw them live (Strato just two weeks ago). Their studio albums are quite good, though.
You listen to any Opeth?
They are up there as one of my favorite band


Country, or mainstream rap, I can listen to underground stuff, Immortal Technique or MF doom or stuff, but mainstream is way to stupid for me.

[Lucky]

Conversely, what are some of you guys' least favorite types of music? The song/artist/genre that you just can't stand?

"Gangsta" Rap.

From most other genres I have at least a few bands that I can listen to, and some rap I can stand. (Some of Eminem's stuff is decent) But "Gangsta" Rap is just terrible, utterly terrible, I'll take country or anything else over that anyday.

[ZombieRockStar]

Least favourite: country pop. I like real country (Johnny Cash, of course) and country rock (Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers), but the stuff you hear on the radio these days...a lot of pretty boys posturing as macho, in my opinion.

[Deckmaster]

Coheed and Cambria. Absolutely epic rock without being overblown. I love them despite the fact that I have no idea what the lyrics mean.

Also, Crossfade. I loved every track on their self-titled debut album. I hear their supposed to release a follow-up sometime this year.

[Lucky]

Also, Crossfade. I loved every track on their self-titled debut album. I hear their supposed to release a follow-up sometime this year.

Wow! I am really surprised to hear them mentioned for some reason, I guess I thought they weren't that known or whatever. But yes, they are really great. I love how everyone who plays an instrument can still sing really well, and they show it a lot.

[General Leitmann]

Oh man, I could go on forever about music and bands and overrated this and underrated that. Seriously, I could.

My favourite band *of all time* is definately none other than the Art-Rock sound (A.K.A. Prog Rock) of Pink Floyd

2. - David Gilmour
3. - Beatles
4. - David Bowie
5. - The Guess Who
6. - Led Zeppelin

[Caillach]

Those chicks with the "Buttons" song must die
please join my crusade and rid the world of this scar on the face of music.
(oh, and I hate any "Tween" music too: Ashely Simpson, Hillary Duff, you know who you are)

[Kiara]

"Gangsta" Rap.
I second that! Every rapper sounds alike to me. "Look at me, I'm the most gangsta of all, and I'll shoot your mama and do nasty things to your dog, and I have twenty half-naked women dancing around in my video!". Ugh.

Not a fan of country music either. (Johnny Cash aside. The man is God) And techno/trance/dance/WHATEVER makes my head hurt.

Hey, I like Crossfade too!

[Jibar]

Never heard any of Johnny Cash.
Then again, my teacher almost flipped when I didn't know who Jimmy Paige was.

And yes, Gansta Rap is the spawn of the Devil.





The Devil I say.

[InaVegt]

I really hate dutch hip hop, can't people just realize it's crap?

[Athanatos]

I second that! Every rapper sounds alike to me. "Look at me, I'm the most gangsta of all, and I'll shoot your mama and do nasty things to your dog, and I have twenty half-naked women dancing around in my video!". Ugh.

Obviously you've never heard of Sage Francis or Canibus.

[ZombieRockStar]

Well, there's exceptions to every rule. I think she's talking about the (in)famous ones like 50 Cent and Tupac. I've heard of rappers and hip-hop "singers" who are socially progressive with their lyrics (even though I still don't like the "music," if you can call it that), but they're not the ones that get all the big media exposure.

[Caillach]

Well, there's exceptions to every rule. I think she's talking about the (in)famous ones like 50 Cent and Tupac. I've heard of rappers and hip-hop "singers" who are socially progressive with their lyrics (even though I still don't like the "music," if you can call it that), but they're not the ones that get all the big media exposure.

too true.

and Jibar, see "Walk the Line". I didn't really know Cash before that movie, but afterwards...Wow. What a guy.

[Tptmanno1]

Coheed and Cambria. Absolutely epic rock without being overblown. I love them despite the fact that I have no idea what the lyrics mean.

Also, Crossfade. I loved every track on their self-titled debut album. I hear their supposed to release a follow-up sometime this year.
Coheed is awesome!
And their lyrics have something to do with a graphic novel I believe...

[LazyJoe]

Good call on Pink Floyd. My mum used to love them and it transferred very easily to me. They were without a doubt the best thing at Live 8.

Least favourite genre of music? Has to be 21st Century RnB. It's now descended into a load of whiney, 'look how sensitive I can be', love-song-singing, 'I've got all the money in the world but I'd give it up for that one special girl' young men that are so detached from reality that they should be living in the void between this world and the infinite parallel universes. Terrible lyrics, shameless self-promotion and the backbeat is the same for every song, I swear!

Back to the good music, and I really enjoy The Smiths. I was introduced How Soon Is Now (from Hatful Of Hollow) on Radio 2 and decided to check them out. I bought The Queen Is Dead and the intricacies of the music and lyrics immediately appealed to me. Bigmouth Strikes Again is, in my opinion, their best song and the second most played song on my laptop. The quality of the music almost compares to The Beatles and Radiohead, although they're one of the less recognised bands in spite of their accomplishments.

However, it was only until someone pointed it out to me that the songs in themselves are very... 'homosexually-orientated'. In my ignorance, the way Morrissey keeps talking about his mother and songs like This Charming Man never really struck me in that way. I even dragged some of my friends to see a Smiths tribute act, and they all swore that the rest of the people there played for the other team.

Anyway, they remain one of my favourite bands in a kind of post-modern, self-depricating way. Vive la self-esteem problems and a troubled youth!

[ElfLad]

Agh, how could I forget Pink Floyd? Awesome, awesome band, The Wall is one of my top 10 albums of all time. Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here also absolutely own.

Also Rolling Stones (awesome), Switchfoot (very awesome), and Led Zeppelin (beyond awesome).

As for my least favorite genres, rap (particularly "gangsta" rap) and pop (Gwen Stefani makes my ears bleed).

Exception to pop: Duran Duran. Fairly good band

[Lianae]

Jibar, you didn't know who Jimmy Page is?! *faints*

As you may have guessed, Led Zep is my favourite favourite favourite band, I just bought their DVD (not How the West Was Won, the other one) and it is AWESOME!

There are a heap of other bands I like (but LZ eclipses all :p ) which may or may not include (read do):

Crowded House (second fave)
The Darkness
The Ramones
The Beatles
The Who
Oasis
Bruce Springsteen
Marilyn Manson
Enya
Black Sabbath
Wolfmother
Bernard Fanning
Simon and Garfunkel
Dusty Springfield
Roxy Music
Spandau Ballet
+ heaps more, 80's The ... and otherwise
Crowded House
Ennio Morricone

[ZombieRockStar]

I love the Smiths. I've heard some people call it "gay rock" before, but I never really cared. Morrissey himself said that he was celibate, so it seems moot for the most part.

I think Pink Floyd is a given on most people's favourite lists. "Comfortably Numb" gets my vote for best song in the world. Yes, I put it above "Stairway to Heaven" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Like a Rolling Stone" and other songs that usually top people's lists. Does anybody else listen to early, 60's Floyd, when they were lead by Syd Barrett(who died only last month)? Not as good as 70's Floyd, but still an interesting representation of psychedelia.

[Mr Croup]

I'm a big fan of the Smiths, as well as most of Morrissey's solo work.


Galthough they're one of the less recognised bands in spite of their accomplishments.

I'm surprised to read that, as I've always run into accounts of the Smiths influence. In music critical circles, I've heard/read the term "post-Smiths" a number of times in reference to other bands sounds and themes. Maybe it's just the circles I travel in though. I wonder if it doesn't have something to do with me being in the States versus the UK. I think currently, mister Stephen Patrick Morrissey has a bigger following in the US than the UK, as I've encountered a large number of raging Morrissey fans here, but not many while I was at university in the UK. But who knows.

[Herbert_West]

my favorite bands are probably the Allman Brothers, Jethro Tull and Captain Beyond. A couple other ones are The Doobie Brothers, Little Feat and Black Sabbath.

[LazyJoe]

Maybe it's because I live in Suffolk (the arse of England. Seriously, look on a map), but I only have one friend who likes The Smiths, and nobody else I've talked to seems to know anything beyond the band name and the fact that they're from 'up north'. No matter, I can enjoy it as much as I want and be snobbishly elitist about it.

I was listening to Coldplay today and starting wondering: have they translated as well in other countries? They're (or were, circa 2003) the biggest band in the UK, and deservedly so. National anthems like Yellow really seep into one's subconcious, especially if you're a teenager who grew up in their rise to power. The Scientist is the type of thing I'd want played at my funeral.

[Athanatos]

Coldplay isn't anything special, but their faster songs (Clocks is the only one that I can think of at the moment) are pretty good. And yes, they're rather big in the States. I don't think quite AS big as their UK presence though.

[Jibar]

Maybe it's because I live in Suffolk (the arse of England. Seriously, look on a map), but I only have one friend who likes The Smiths, and nobody else I've talked to seems to know anything beyond the band name and the fact that they're from 'up north'. No matter, I can enjoy it as much as I want and be snobbishly elitist about it.

I was listening to Coldplay today and starting wondering: have they translated as well in other countries? They're (or were, circa 2003) the biggest band in the UK, and deservedly so. National anthems like Yellow really seep into one's subconcious, especially if you're a teenager who grew up in their rise to power. The Scientist is the type of thing I'd want played at my funeral.

Yes. Yes, you are the arse.
At least you aren't Essex. That's a reputation nobody needs.

And I love Coldplay. "Fix you" is one of my favorites.

[ZombieRockStar]

I've could never really get into Coldplay. I don't know why, I just don't like them.

I have a question: why do a lot of people seem to not like Bob Dylan? I know that he is not the world's greatest voice (which belonged to Freddy Mercury), but come on. It can't be just the voice, can it? It fits the song style perfectly, in my opinion, and they are great songs. And he can sing well (Listen to "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and any other of his 70s stuff), he just doesn't. Of course, that was his voice in the 60s. His voice now is something terrible, I'll admit. But on my list of favourites, Dylan comes in second (behind Nirvana) because he's been this incredible creative force over four decades, while nobody else here seems to think much of him.

[MasterofDisaster]

I love Bob Dylan! His stuff like Knockin' on Heavens Door, Mr. Tambourine and LIly, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts is so great.
I never liked Coldplay either. One of my fav. bands of all time is either Led Zeppelin or Cream or pretty much Eric Clapton in general. ^Jimi Hendrix is great too ZombieRockStar

[Deckmaster]

I like Muse. I think they are under-rated. I can't even describe what I like about them except that it's the kind of music that gets me in the mood to write stories.

[Athanatos]

Muse is like Firefly. Underrated by the people who've never heard of it (which is a LOT of people, unfortunately), and slightly overrated by the people who have.

[LazyJoe]

Muse don't really have a 'best' album as such, it's more of taking your favourite tracks from each album and lumping them together, like taking Muscle Museum from Showbiz or Plug In Baby from Origin. They have their awesome moments (Butterflies And Hurricanes), but a few duff songs off each album takes the shine off a little. Still, a very highly-rated band, in my opinion.

And who doesn't love Bob Dylan? I look up to him in a musical sense, because he isn't afraid to say what he thinks and manages to put it into music everyone can enjoy. Mr. Tambourine Man has to be his ultimate, although the William Shatner version comes a close second...

[Jibar]

Just read your list Liane,
Crowded House rock!

[Ted_Stryker]

Acts that I haven't seen named yet - Pixies, Sleater-Kinney, Beck, Nick Drake, Fugazi, Ani DiFranco, Liz Phair (esp. her early work), Hendrix.

Acts that have been named - Zep, Floyd, The Beatles, TMBG, Radiohead, Nirvana.

[ZombieRockStar]

@^ I believe I mentioned that I was upset that they didn't have Ani DiFranco on iTunes. She is definitely one of my absolute favourites. But I have so many that it'd be impossible to name them all. And I must say, excellent taste, man.

[Ted_Stryker]

@^ I believe I mentioned that I was upset that they didn't have Ani DiFranco on iTunes. She is definitely one of my absolute favourites. But I have so many that it'd be impossible to name them all. And I must say, excellent taste, man.
That's why I stipulated "that I haven't seen," since it's certainly possible that I overlooked some acts that had already been named.

And, thanks. :)

[Athanatos]

An interesting band that I've started listening to recently is Holy F**k (awful name, I know). They're an improvisational electronica band, who instead of using programs like Cubase or Reason, use actual instruments or non-instrument objects (like film canisters) to recreate an electronica sound. Pretty impressive stuff, in additon to the whole novelty factor.

[Mattaeu]

I think the band I could always come back to would be Blue Man Group. Been dying to make it to one of their shows. (okay, so not so much band as...well...group ::))

Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, and The Smashing Pumpkins are good in my book, as well.

edit:even googled the kings name only to spell it wrong. gosh. ::)

[alec]

ACDC and The Whitlams are at the top of my list at the moment.
ACDC is just brilliant. I'm only saying that because I don't have the right words to describe how good they are. They have some not so good songs, but for the most part they have great songs.
The Whitlams are a Sydeny band, and have won a few Aussie awards, but didnt really take off overseas as well as over here. Great music though. Some real variation.

[Tursho]

More well known indie: Modest Mouse, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, My Bloody Valentine (I realize it's shoegaze), the Decemberists, Silver Jews. Indie type metal: Boris, Sunn o)))

Less well known indie (if you recognize these, you have 1337 skills): Cinemechanica, the Evangelicals (not at all christian rock, just sort of weird indie pop/rock), Slint, the National.

Among other things, Rammstein (especially the music videos. watch Amerika.), Laibach, Big Black (also a 1337 skills band), Radiohead, Ensiferum, a couple older Russian bands, Kraftwerk, and most importantly, Mogwai, which is my favorite band.

[Spuddly]

I like the indie rock/indie pop stuff. Stuff like:

Elliott Smith
Murder by Death
Nada Surf
Radiohead
Minus the Bear
Neutral Milk Hotel
Wilco
Andrew Bird
The Faint
The Decemberists
Modest Mouse
Silversun Pickups

Anyone here get MBDs new album? I heard it was another concept album like Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them?

Tursho– what Modest Mouse album's your favorite? Don't say Good News For People Who Love Bad News >:(

[Athanatos]

Anyone here get MBDs new album? I heard it was another concept album like Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them?

Sorta. It doesn't tell a direct narrative like Who Will Survive?, but the entire album's lyrics have an overarching theme. In this case, the theme is sin and redemption. Try it out, it's a masterful album.

And y'know what? I don't care if it's the album that caused them to "sell out", and I don't care how many popped-collar idiot jocks have Float On ringtones, Good News is still my favorite Modest Mouse album. The Moon & Antarctica comes in at a close second, though- Tiny Cities Made of Ashes is just an awesome song, no matter how you look at it.

By the way, I love every band on your list, except for NMH and Wilco. So boring...