The "Where do I start?" thread

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Re: Re: Re: Re: The "Where do I start?" thread

Axver said:


Ah, well, if you're digging Blackest Eyes and Gravity Eyelids, then the metal influence that is present to varying degrees on In Absentia, Deadwing, and Fear Of A Blank Planet shouldn't be a problem for you. I'd say that the only heavier songs are Wedding Nails (In Absentia), Orchidia (Futile EP, In Absentia era), and parts of Anesthetize (FOABP).

Personally, my favourite of those three albums is Deadwing, but In Absentia deserves its reputation and FOABP was my album of 2007 until Alcest released Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde.

My personal favorite of the three remains In Absentia. However, I think two of the top three songs from this "era" of Porcupine Tree comes from Deadwing (Lazarus and Arriving Somewhere).

Fear Of A Blank Planet is an incredible album, my #2 pick of the year, behind the same album Axver mentions, Alcest's.
 
FitzChivalry said:
I do really need to investigate some new music, well, at least new to me.

Bands I've heard about and always wanted to check out, but never have: Placebo, The New Pornographers, Sunny Day Real Estate, Mutemath . . . . I guess that's good for starters . . . .

. . . . oh, yeah, and this Explosions In The Sky band that I'm always seeing references to. :yes:

For MuteMath, they have one full album and an EP currently available, so start with the full album, which is self-titled.

For Explosions In The Sky, my favorite is The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place from a few years back, but the latest one is also very good (All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone).
 
I only have one Placebo album so far. It's called "Sleeping with Ghosts." Good album. :) Weird name, though.
 
Cute Irish Bono said:
I only have one Placebo album so far. It's called "Sleeping with Ghosts." Good album. :) Weird name, though.

I have Sleeping with Ghosts, which I *love*, and Meds which I like but never got into as much as SWG. Great band.

I can't believe I don't have any New Pornographers, though I have some random songs in my iTunes, but Fitz you might like Neko Case (sometimes member of NP). Her album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood is fantastic--one of my favorite records from last year.
 
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FitzChivalry said:
I do really need to investigate some new music, well, at least new to me.

Bands I've heard about and always wanted to check out, but never have: Placebo, The New Pornographers, Sunny Day Real Estate, Mutemath . . . . I guess that's good for starters . . . .

. . . . oh, yeah, and this Explosions In The Sky band that I'm always seeing references to. :yes:

Sunny Day Real Estate: I have Diary and The Rising Tide (I think The Rising Tide is a compilation). Both are very good. Also check out the lead singer, Jeremy Enigk's solo career and his other band, The Fire Theft. Top notch stuff :up:

Explosions in the Sky: The Earth is Not a Cold, Dead Place is essential. Then, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone (their latest), Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever, and if you get really into them, try to find a copy of the re-release of their first album, How Strange, Innocence. I actually like How Strange better than Those Who Tell the Truth, but the first two I mentioned are absolutely the best place to start.
 
LemonMelon said:


Skylarking, Apple Venus Vol. 1

I only recall Skylarking, so I vote for it. And it had the big (controversial) "hit" "Dear God".

I recognize a few songs from other 80s releases, but never followed them after I left my record store job. But we do own Skylarking. Don't know if we have others....
 
lazarus said:



Oranges & Lemons FTW, Lemon.

Well, yeah. I think that one is slightly uneven, but Mayor Of Simpleton, Pink Thing, Miniature Sun, King For A Day...all brilliant.
 
For The New Pornographers, both their first two CDs are very good: Mass Romantic and Electric Version. I think I prefer Mass Romantic.
 
for New Porns... I think "Twin Cinema" is their best album and the best place to start, then "Mass Romantic" and "Electric Version" and theeeeen... "Challengers"
 
joyfulgirl said:


I have Sleeping with Ghosts, which I *love*, and Meds which I like but never got into as much as SWG. Great band.

I can't believe I don't have any New Pornographers, though I have some random songs in my iTunes, but Fitz you might like Neko Case (sometimes member of NP). Her album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood is fantastic--one of my favorite records from last year.


I absolutely agree on the Neko Case. Fantastic album. So different than what else is out there.

I know a few songs of Bright Eyes but where do I start?
 
U2inUtah said:
Radiohead?

I only have 'In Rainbows' cause it was free.

The only other song I know is Creep.

Get the following albums in this order:

The Bends
Ok Computer
Kid A

You could also get OkC first if you see it on sale or something and then go for the Bends. OkC is more likely to be on sale than the Bends. Both are beyond brilliant.

1. If you love all 3 albums, go for Amnesiac and Hail. Get Pablo Honey last.
2. If you love Bends & Ok but don't care much for Kid A, it might be a good thing to check out Pablo Honey.
3. If you love Kid A and don't care much for Bends & Ok, do as in #1... except forget that Pablo Honey ever existed. :wink:
 
joyfulgirl said:
Hawksley Workman. I like every song I've ever heard but there are so many records I don't know where to start.
This is a little late, but I'd definitely recommend "For Him And The Girls". A great example of his early signature sound, as well as his vocal range and abilities. :heart:

His sound has changed quite a bit lately (ie. "Lover/Fighter"), which is good or bad for some, but I just think it's equally as good - just a different direction.
 
mediaman44 said:


I know a few songs of Bright Eyes but where do I start?

Lifted


It blows my mind that there are 4 people from Utah here these days. Mediaman, U2inUtah, Hoodlem, me. My how things have changed.
 
onebloodonelife said:


Sunny Day Real Estate: I have Diary and The Rising Tide (I think The Rising Tide is a compilation). Both are very good.

The Rising Tide is not a compilation it's actually their last album as SDRE. You are right though, it's very good. I would recommend it to any U2 fan. The only other album I have by them is the 'Pink Album' actually it's called LP2 (but they call it that because the cover is Pink) . It's pretty good, not nearly as accessible or frankly as good as The Rising Tide.
 
U2isthebest said:
The Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam:D

Pumpkins - start with Siamese Dream or their Best Of. Then just go chronologically.

Pearl Jam - I'd go chronologically as well, make sure you give Lost Dogs a listen though.
 
FitzChivalry said:
Sunny Day Real Estate

My favourite of theirs is How It Feels To Be Something On.
Also, check out Jeremy Enigk's one-album band The Firetheft. It's pretty spectacular.
 
MrBrau1 said:


Ænima

song and album.

volume is required. tinny little pc speakers won't do.

Yeah, I would have recommended Aenima as well. Probably their best.

I'd also say to Martha, if you prefer more of the straight forward approach of metal/rock (as opposed to the more psych/proggish hints) then Undertow is quite fucking badass. Then again, Undertow has some of those tendencies as well. I just think it rocks directly a little more. The song 'Intolerance' is killer, 'Flood' is as well. I could list songs all day really.....

If you eventually dig Aenima, of course there is always Lateralus which is essentially the thematic sequel to Aenima.

'Jambi' from their newest album is probably one of my 5 favorite Tool songs of all time. Check out some YouTubeness on that one.
Fucking great song. One of the most sheer metal songs they've ever done.
 
powerhour24 said:
For Pearl Jam, to get their grunge roots, the height of their popularity, the essentials are Ten and Vitalogy, after that they become more esoteric, but for accessibility their self-titled is a go-to.

I'd have to go with Ten and Vs. for the starter kit.
Even though I think Vitalogy is their best album.

Avoid anything after Yield until you've already fell in love with them.
 
joyfulgirl said:


:up: I agree. I'd start with either Debut or Post.


I'll third that opinion.
Bjork has made some other excellent albums but that is as good as they come, really.

'Isobel' from Post
'Come To Me' from Debut :drool: :drool:
 
U2DMfan said:

Avoid anything after Yield until you've already fell in love with them.

Except perhaps the eponymous newest album? Anyway, I'm not 100% sure I agree with that anyway as Binaural is one of my favourite of their albums, and the 3rd one that I got (only Vs. and Lost Dogs before it).
 
The solo albums by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison (besides Harrison's All Things Must Pass and Lennon's Imagine)?
 
the tourist said:
The solo albums by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison (besides Harrison's All Things Must Pass and Lennon's Imagine)?

Paul: McCartney, Ram, Flaming Pie

John: Plastic Ono Band, Double Fantasy

George: Cloud Nine, Brainwashed
 
FitzChivalry said:
. . . . oh, yeah, and this Explosions In The Sky band that I'm always seeing references to. :yes:

Do it. The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place and All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone are both fantastic albums.
 
phillyfan26 said:


Do it. The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place and All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone are both fantastic albums.

I really like EINACDP too. They're definitely an acquired taste, but at least check out that one.
 
the tourist said:
The solo albums by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison (besides Harrison's All Things Must Pass and Lennon's Imagine)?

McCartney: Wingspan (Best Of), Band on the Run, Ram, Chaos and Creation...

Lennon: John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band, Mind Games, Double Fantasy

Harrison: Cloud Nine, Thirty Three & 1/3, Brainwashed
 
New Pornographers....start with Mass Romantic then on to Twin Cinema. I was a little disappointed with Challengers.

As mentioned before Fox Confessor is great also worth a try.
 
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