NOTE: COMMENTS ARE NO LONGER OPEN FOR THIS POST!
I want to get back on a new music trip. Believe me, I could listen to the same twenty CDs over and over without too much problem, but I am interested in keeping up (to some extent) with new stuff.
I’ve said before that I’m not that interested in entire albums. There are some that work for me, but for the most part I’m kind of no longer willing to tolerate six okay tracks for the benefit of four good ones. It’s easier than ever to buy a single song from an album and that’s fine with me.
I’ve been downloading KEXP‘s “Music That Matters” podcast (mainly the ones with John in the morning) and discovering some stuff there, such as this:
That’s an excellent example of something I like. Here are more examples, but I’m open to try anything, even rap and country.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: In the comments (or in an email, or on Twitter, or on Facebook) I’d like you to please send me THREE songs. I’d prefer if they were released no earlier than 2011 (and it would be nice if at least one was from 2012). Just songs, please. If you think “anything” from an album or artist is good, that’s fine, but pick one. I know I’m being pretty picky for a beggar, but I’m already trying to deal with the fact that there’s so much stuff out there.
HERE’S WHAT I WILL DO: I will listen to all of them. Every one. (Yes, you can make me listen to truly awful stuff if you want.) I’ll then do a blog post where I talk about them and we’ll see which ones “took”.
How does that sound? Does that sound like fun?
To this end, COMMENTS ARE OPEN. Or, as I say, you can email me (click on “Contact” under “Elsewhere” in the right-hand menu), hit me up on the Twitter, or leave a comment or message on Facebook.
Please help me or I will be very sad.
I do have more than a few tracks like that, but they’re older than 2011. Here’s what I’ve been listening to lately:
“Getaway car” by Enter the Haggis.
“Learn me Right” by Birdy (Brave Soundtrack)
This is far older than 2011, but it’s one of those fun instrumentals that few people have heard:
“Overture” Shock Treatment Soundtrack (Composed by Richard O’Brien)
Janelle Monáe – Tightrope:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnefUaKCbc
Gusttavo Lima – Balada:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYhF56heGxw
Because it’s both Rap & Country, B.O.B & Taylor Swift – Both Of Us:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sa9qeV6T0o
Faves lately:
Norah Jones, “Say Goodbye” — She’s usually someone I recognize as talented who also bores me to tears, but this album is GREAT, and this for me is one of 4-5 standouts.
Arctic Monkeys, “Brick by Brick” — Just a favorite band in general.
Twilight Singers, “Get Lucky” — Greg Dulli is an acquired taste. So, may not work for you.
Andrew Bird is one of my favorite contemporary rock artists. Despite your post, I think the whole album is worth checking out. If you go to the back catalogue, start with The Mysterious Production of Eggs. Here’s a 2012 song called Near Death Experience Experience [sic]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXZ55umDlEg
If you like folk music at all, you probably know Gillian Welch. Here’s one from her newest album, The Harrow and the Harvest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiS37_EULj8
If you prefer a live verision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBke402nyIQ
The Head and the Heart a new band I was just introduced to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afmqWsyqD7A
Here’s a better song by The Head and The Heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLLvocsmnNU
I’m always going to answer “Noisettes” to these questions, and they have a new album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDdXLWxtCJM
There’s also Liam Finn’s new album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAsmdsCrMRw
And I really dug the Kingship album:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzjOP2wYsO8
Mount Eerie- Through The Trees pt. 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ZWgFv0JDE
Th’ Mole- I’m Over Dubstep (Splatinum Remix)- http://soundcloud.com/splatinum/th-mole-im-over-dubstep
Hot Chip- Motion Sickness- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f_olfZTbMo
The lead singer of Arctic Monkeys (Alex Turner) has an EP out that’s really fantastic (songs from the movie Submarine, which is also really fantastic). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Bysb3ceR0
Stars is my favorite band of late. This is from their album from two years ago, but they have a new record coming out in a couple of months. Also this video will haunt your soul forever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57i_6lcLdpU
Up and coming I would look at “Sail” or “It’s not you Fault” by AWOLNATION.
Just starting to make it big is “Comeback Kid” or “End of the Line” by the SLEIGH BELLS.
DINOSAUR JR has a new album called I Bet On Sky.
The thing is great, they are streaming “Watch the Corners” from their website.
Ooh, a new Noisettes album. Excellent, thanks. Now there’s something newer than “Never Forget You” that I can use whenever anyone (else) asks for new music. As for mine…
Buck 65 – Gee Whiz. “If you like love, you’ll love this, most likely.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4p_fFgZxyM
I just heard of Bear in Heaven a few months ago. Here’s “Reflection of You”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjW5rkXiQdc
All of POS’s solo videos are a few years old, so here’s Doomtree’s “Bangarang”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2dX_k6MvWM
Cut Copy-Where I’m Going
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cHbgYisy5M
Poolside- Slowdown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlun7VOJDmI
The Black Keys- Gold on The Ceiling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yCIDkFI7ew
Minutes – The Sheriff of Morlock County
http://minutes.bandcamp.com/track/sheriff-of-morlock-county
Saint Etienne – Tonight
http://youtu.be/v8Mv9z3H8Ow
Starfucker – Death as a Fetish
http://youtu.be/SXFDQ6xRlqM
If you want music like this I’d recommend:
Darker My Love (from the album 2)
High Dials (from their first two records)
Outrageous Cherry from their middle records.
Asteroid No. 4 (These Flowers of Ours, Hail to the Clear Figurines)
Fresh and Onlys
This is what I’ve been into this year:
http://rateyourmusic.com/list/sisteray/favorites_of_2012
Also Chapel Club
Hal (stuff off the first record)
Delta
January (off of the first record)
Pacific UV
and if for some crazy reason you don’t know them:
Charlatons UK (especially suff off the first and third record)
Thanks so far, but a reminder:
THREE, no more.
NEW, no older than 2011.
SONGS, not bands or albums.
Hey, I kind of dig that Deep Sea Arcade track!
Dengue Fever – Cement Slippers
http://youtu.be/empmNg7lCcA
Moon Wiring Club – Spellcasting Summat
http://youtu.be/4tlo43VR6Qc
Father John Misty – Well, You Can Do It Without Me
http://youtu.be/Qw8l3Nhmbh8
Outerhope just released a new EP. Start with “No End in Sight” — but it’s all good, shimmery synths, beguiling tunes, sweet harmonies and all.
http://numberlinerecords.com/releases/outerhope-no-end-in-sight-ep
Free for downloading, too.
Sorry, just realized you asked for three songs. :) So in addition to Outerhope’s “No End in Sight,” I recommend:
“Being Sober is Such a Drag” by The Strangeness
http://youtu.be/XbRF9rrDIa0
and
“Deathless Gods” by Tarsius
http://youtu.be/vyAv0RWQssw
All these songs came out in 2011/2012.
First Aid Kit, “The Lion’s Roar” (title track from _The Lion’s Roar_)
Audra Mae, “The Happiest Lamb” (title track from _The Happiest Lamb_)
Carolina Chocolate Drops, “Kerr’s Negro Jig” (from _Leaving Eden_)
M. Ward – Primitive Girl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KADgwgjCWiI
Mark Lanegan Band – Gravedigger’s Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP5GWYXp4d0
Wild Flag − Romance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J8n9R8rnB8
Some pop music I think you will like:
Tigercats: Harper Lee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jop63DMKM3M
Phantom Band – O
http://youtu.be/BaaErYwV4MQ
Standard Fare: At The Lake
http://wiaiwya.bandcamp.com/track/at-the-lake
Here are some that I’ve enjoyed.
Matt Haimovitz and Christopher O’Riley playing a cover of Arcade Fire’s In The Backseat, 2011. I’m astounded by the harmonics Heimovitz plays on the cello near the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwI0x3ACXzc
David’s Theme, piano version from 2011 computer adventure game Grey Matter, composed by Robert Holmes, who also plays in a band called the Scarlet Furies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffv9bk-zJa0
Pop Up Holy by Japanese composer Yoko Kanno, released in 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btGvEzi99vM
The first two are available to buy on eMusic and Amazon.com as individual tracks. I don’t know where to get the Yoko Kanno song without buying the whole album. The album, Aquarion Evol, is available from CD Japan and Amazon.co.jp.
Thanks everyone! Comments are now closed. I’ll get on listening to these right away and report back!