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I think there are basically two types of music listeners in the world. Those who are willing to accept the music that is fed to them by the mainstream media. And those who want to find music that really communicates to them on a more emotional level. Whether that emotion is anger, happiness, frustration, love, peacefulness, angst or whatever, the mainstream often falls well short in catering for those feelings.
Are you the type of person who reads the music press regularly for interesting new releases, or orders music by mail order/by the Net? For myself it's a necessity, as unless you live in a large city, national record stores don't stray too far beyond the usual suspects. Especially now as they are taking up shelf space with more games, DVDs and videos. If you're lucky, you can find a good independent shop, with greater variety (and quite often cheaper prices as well), but there just aren't enough of them around.
So I thought a recommended listening topic would be a good idea. List three artists you think other people should check out, with a description of their musical style, and the reason why others should hunt them down. So the idea is not to list popular/mainstream artists.
I'll set the ball rolling with:
Killing Joke - Dark, almost industrial music. They started out in the late 70s, and have been an influence on a lot of bands (probably most famously Nirvana and Metallica). At the time of release, a lot of their music had a genuinely scary and nervous edge (unlike a lot of the cartoon horror metal around today). Of course, time has dated certain songs. But recommended listening would be Killing Joke (industrial rhythms circa 1980), Night Time (immense sounding songs, from the mid 80s), and Pandemonium (early 90s - heading into full on industrial music). Or check out the 'best of' 'Laugh? I nearly bought one'.
Devin Townsend - Generally metal at the heavier end of the scale. In the past he sang with Steve Vai, but really came into his element with Strapping Young Lad. Immense sounding thrash metal, with a pervading air of claustrophobia. Check out 'City', their second album. Other metal bands are starting to catch up now, but this will be an influential album. If you like music in the Fear Factory or Static X vein, it's a must. I don't listen to a lot of the heavier bands anymore, as it'd getting to be a case that I've heard it all before. That's definitely not the case here. He has had other projects on the go, including the superb Ocean Machine. Less full on, but powerful metal, with an almost Pink Floyd edge. I haven't really heard anything else like this yet.
Devo - My name sake! Earlier albums have a punky new wave edge, progressing through 80s pop, and even a cover of 'Head Like a Hole'. Most famous for wearing flowerpots on their heads, and singing 'Whip it'. If you like quirky music (though not irritating), or early 80s pop, take a listen. Their fans include(d) Nirvana, Soundgarden, RATM and Fu Manchu. Never really big in the UK, which is a shame, as their music holds up a lot better than a lot of the UK new wave bands efforts.
I look forward to reading other people's suggestions. I'm hoping we can introduce each other to some great music!
Are you the type of person who reads the music press regularly for interesting new releases, or orders music by mail order/by the Net? For myself it's a necessity, as unless you live in a large city, national record stores don't stray too far beyond the usual suspects. Especially now as they are taking up shelf space with more games, DVDs and videos. If you're lucky, you can find a good independent shop, with greater variety (and quite often cheaper prices as well), but there just aren't enough of them around.
So I thought a recommended listening topic would be a good idea. List three artists you think other people should check out, with a description of their musical style, and the reason why others should hunt them down. So the idea is not to list popular/mainstream artists.
I'll set the ball rolling with:
Killing Joke - Dark, almost industrial music. They started out in the late 70s, and have been an influence on a lot of bands (probably most famously Nirvana and Metallica). At the time of release, a lot of their music had a genuinely scary and nervous edge (unlike a lot of the cartoon horror metal around today). Of course, time has dated certain songs. But recommended listening would be Killing Joke (industrial rhythms circa 1980), Night Time (immense sounding songs, from the mid 80s), and Pandemonium (early 90s - heading into full on industrial music). Or check out the 'best of' 'Laugh? I nearly bought one'.
Devin Townsend - Generally metal at the heavier end of the scale. In the past he sang with Steve Vai, but really came into his element with Strapping Young Lad. Immense sounding thrash metal, with a pervading air of claustrophobia. Check out 'City', their second album. Other metal bands are starting to catch up now, but this will be an influential album. If you like music in the Fear Factory or Static X vein, it's a must. I don't listen to a lot of the heavier bands anymore, as it'd getting to be a case that I've heard it all before. That's definitely not the case here. He has had other projects on the go, including the superb Ocean Machine. Less full on, but powerful metal, with an almost Pink Floyd edge. I haven't really heard anything else like this yet.
Devo - My name sake! Earlier albums have a punky new wave edge, progressing through 80s pop, and even a cover of 'Head Like a Hole'. Most famous for wearing flowerpots on their heads, and singing 'Whip it'. If you like quirky music (though not irritating), or early 80s pop, take a listen. Their fans include(d) Nirvana, Soundgarden, RATM and Fu Manchu. Never really big in the UK, which is a shame, as their music holds up a lot better than a lot of the UK new wave bands efforts.
I look forward to reading other people's suggestions. I'm hoping we can introduce each other to some great music!
Goatboy - you seem to have broad tastes, so some recommendations for you and anyone who's vaguely paying attention:
Fanfare Ciocarlia (romanian brass band who play so fast its silly)
Fantomas - mike patton of faith no more's completely mental metal ish band with the lyrics mainly being made up of 'checkacheckacheckachecka', etc...
Mr.Bungle - see above, but add funk, swing and tunes.
Ozomatli - crazy mexican music. Top Class.
But most of all, you can't go wrong with FRANK ZAPPA!
Fanfare Ciocarlia (romanian brass band who play so fast its silly)
Fantomas - mike patton of faith no more's completely mental metal ish band with the lyrics mainly being made up of 'checkacheckacheckachecka', etc...
Mr.Bungle - see above, but add funk, swing and tunes.
Ozomatli - crazy mexican music. Top Class.
But most of all, you can't go wrong with FRANK ZAPPA!
F***! Someone else who is Devin obsessed! He is just an enigma.. i mean, he wrote a song about the moth leader of the insect universe! But whats great is he's so 'real' - none of that rock star crap. He's just a bloke. But he don't half bang out choons somefink rotten. I'm going to see him this month cos he's supporting me all time favourite band The Wildhearts. I'm going to 2 shows.. then going to see him headlining The London Forum in July. I'm creamin' meself thinkin' about it!
Clutch - Rock n roll the way it's supposed to be done. Soundgarden meets Led Zepplin with a little bit of Kyuss thrown in
Dr John - The Elder statesman of funk/jazz.
Gorecki - Polish composer
The Meters - Alan Touissant and The Nevill Bros make the purest funk known to man
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Indian singer. Brilliant
Dr John - The Elder statesman of funk/jazz.
Gorecki - Polish composer
The Meters - Alan Touissant and The Nevill Bros make the purest funk known to man
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Indian singer. Brilliant
I think there are basically two types of music listeners in the world. Those who are willing to accept the music that is fed to them by the mainstream media. And those who want to find music that really communicates to them on a more emotional level. Whether that emotion is anger, happiness, frustration, love, peacefulness, angst or whatever, the mainstream often falls well short in catering for those feelings.
Are you the type of person who reads the music press regularly for interesting new releases, or orders music by mail order/by the Net? For myself it's a necessity, as unless you live in a large city, national record stores don't stray too far beyond the usual suspects. Especially now as they are taking up shelf space with more games, DVDs and videos. If you're lucky, you can find a good independent shop, with greater variety (and quite often cheaper prices as well), but there just aren't enough of them around.
So I thought a recommended listening topic would be a good idea. List three artists you think other people should check out, with a description of their musical style, and the reason why others should hunt them down. So the idea is not to list popular/mainstream artists.
I'll set the ball rolling with:
Killing Joke - Dark, almost industrial music. They started out in the late 70s, and have been an influence on a lot of bands (probably most famously Nirvana and Metallica). At the time of release, a lot of their music had a genuinely scary and nervous edge (unlike a lot of the cartoon horror metal around today). Of course, time has dated certain songs. But recommended listening would be Killing Joke (industrial rhythms circa 1980), Night Time (immense sounding songs, from the mid 80s), and Pandemonium (early 90s - heading into full on industrial music). Or check out the 'best of' 'Laugh? I nearly bought one'.
Devin Townsend - Generally metal at the heavier end of the scale. In the past he sang with Steve Vai, but really came into his element with Strapping Young Lad. Immense sounding thrash metal, with a pervading air of claustrophobia. Check out 'City', their second album. Other metal bands are starting to catch up now, but this will be an influential album. If you like music in the Fear Factory or Static X vein, it's a must. I don't listen to a lot of the heavier bands anymore, as it'd getting to be a case that I've heard it all before. That's definitely not the case here. He has had other projects on the go, including the superb Ocean Machine. Less full on, but powerful metal, with an almost Pink Floyd edge. I haven't really heard anything else like this yet.
Devo - My name sake! Earlier albums have a punky new wave edge, progressing through 80s pop, and even a cover of 'Head Like a Hole'. Most famous for wearing flowerpots on their heads, and singing 'Whip it'. If you like quirky music (though not irritating), or early 80s pop, take a listen. Their fans include(d) Nirvana, Soundgarden, RATM and Fu Manchu. Never really big in the UK, which is a shame, as their music holds up a lot better than a lot of the UK new wave bands efforts.
I look forward to reading other people's suggestions. I'm hoping we can introduce each other to some great music!
Are you the type of person who reads the music press regularly for interesting new releases, or orders music by mail order/by the Net? For myself it's a necessity, as unless you live in a large city, national record stores don't stray too far beyond the usual suspects. Especially now as they are taking up shelf space with more games, DVDs and videos. If you're lucky, you can find a good independent shop, with greater variety (and quite often cheaper prices as well), but there just aren't enough of them around.
So I thought a recommended listening topic would be a good idea. List three artists you think other people should check out, with a description of their musical style, and the reason why others should hunt them down. So the idea is not to list popular/mainstream artists.
I'll set the ball rolling with:
Killing Joke - Dark, almost industrial music. They started out in the late 70s, and have been an influence on a lot of bands (probably most famously Nirvana and Metallica). At the time of release, a lot of their music had a genuinely scary and nervous edge (unlike a lot of the cartoon horror metal around today). Of course, time has dated certain songs. But recommended listening would be Killing Joke (industrial rhythms circa 1980), Night Time (immense sounding songs, from the mid 80s), and Pandemonium (early 90s - heading into full on industrial music). Or check out the 'best of' 'Laugh? I nearly bought one'.
Devin Townsend - Generally metal at the heavier end of the scale. In the past he sang with Steve Vai, but really came into his element with Strapping Young Lad. Immense sounding thrash metal, with a pervading air of claustrophobia. Check out 'City', their second album. Other metal bands are starting to catch up now, but this will be an influential album. If you like music in the Fear Factory or Static X vein, it's a must. I don't listen to a lot of the heavier bands anymore, as it'd getting to be a case that I've heard it all before. That's definitely not the case here. He has had other projects on the go, including the superb Ocean Machine. Less full on, but powerful metal, with an almost Pink Floyd edge. I haven't really heard anything else like this yet.
Devo - My name sake! Earlier albums have a punky new wave edge, progressing through 80s pop, and even a cover of 'Head Like a Hole'. Most famous for wearing flowerpots on their heads, and singing 'Whip it'. If you like quirky music (though not irritating), or early 80s pop, take a listen. Their fans include(d) Nirvana, Soundgarden, RATM and Fu Manchu. Never really big in the UK, which is a shame, as their music holds up a lot better than a lot of the UK new wave bands efforts.
I look forward to reading other people's suggestions. I'm hoping we can introduce each other to some great music!