I'M TAKING SOME STEPS BEHIND...

M83-DEAD CITIES...
BASEMENT JAXX-ROOTY
THE POSTAL SERVICE-GIVE UP

This is a great topic, klt. Sorry I'm so slow to getting around to it.

Not to stray too far, but 2004 was actually a more active year for discovering music that had gotten past me in the past than 2005 has been.

Despite all of the acclaim Shuggie Otis' Inspiration Information received when it was reissued several years back, I didn't really get into his music until last year.

Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band was a big "rediscovered for the first time" group for me last year. I don't know how to explain how they'd gotten past me for so long except that so much of their stuff has been out of print, but that's rarely stopped me in the past.

The same can be said, I guess, of the Mississippi Sheiks. For all the years I spent on a hardcore country blues kick, I never spent any time with them until Legacy put out a collection last year, Honey Babe Let the Deal Go Down. Great stuff.

As for 2005, Imprezu has been catching me up on a number of artists who don't go way back, but fall outside of my usual listening like Buck 65, K-OS, Ulrich Schnauss, and Hint all of whom I'm liking a lot and Sage Francis, who I might actually be coming to like a little for the first time.

I have you to thank, klt, for Lambchop. I'm sorry they got past me for so long, but that's what happens when you take an entire decade off.

Finally, Peewee, m.leland, and pE through a combination of helpful suggestions and threats of reprisals finally got me on board with Super Furry Animals. After listening intensely for a week about two months ago, I can safely ask myself, "What was I thinking?!!" when I said I just didn't get them.

Now Playing: "Ascension (Edition I)" John Coltrane Ascension (Impulse!)

quote:

Finally, Peewee, m.leland, and pE through a combination of helpful suggestions and threats of reprisals finally got me on board with Super Furry Animals. After listening intensely for a week about two months ago, I can safely ask myself, "What was I thinking?!!" when I said I just didn't get them.

You can have your indie badge back.

quote:

Originally posted by m.leland:
You can have your indie badge back.

I believe that's my pop badge you're hanging onto, pal. You know I'm entirely too L-7 for an indie badge.

Now Playing: "You Got It In Your Soulness" Les McCann & Eddie Harris Swiss Movement (Atlantic)

quote:

You know I'm entirely too L-7 for an indie badge.

I just had mine taken away for not knowing what L-7 means. I'll just make a new one and fasten it on with safety pins. I'm so DIY.

Edit: Wait — square? My apprecation for typography is becoming a hinderance.

Its been a huge year for me and old music. The internet.......what would we do with it:

Whiskeytown, although I had most of Ryans solo stuff.
Uncle Tupelo
Smog
Nas
MF Doom
Fugazi
Husker Du
Turbonegro
GSYBE
Explosions in the sky (both thanks to the Melb band Season getting me into post Rock)
NMH, and still not on board 100%
Spiritualized (my favourite "discovery" this year)
Fu Manchu and Kyuss
Pavement
Springsteen (accustic mode)

Dungen

Phoenix
Rilo Kiley (I gave in -- they're so fucking cute)
Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism (I caved in on this bigtime, I KIND OF like it now)

There's more. I don't care to list it.

The Go-Betweens
Quasi
Siouxsie and The Banshees

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
Dungen

Yes! They are so awesome. Europe seems to consistently kick North America's butt.

I've been expanding deeper into the catalogues of specific artists rather than new artists, but some that did come to my attention were:

Josh Rouse
Mazarin
The 101ers
Pixies (yeah, I know, I was slow on that one)
Nick Drake

Just got into Sleater-Kinney with The Woods. I will try and pick up some of their earlier albums like One Beat I've read is great.

The New Pornographers are new to me with Twin Cinema. I may pick up Mass Romantic.

I tried Sufjan Stevens for the first time cuz of Illinois, well...er...i'm from Chicago so I thought "what the hell" right? Good shit though.

...and am curious about The Super Furry Animals but not sure yet.

yeah--Super Furries are quite good. i don't know of a poor album.

new to me:

Scott Walker
Prince (i don't know how i resisted for so long)
Cristina

Great topic! Best of the best new-to-me music of '05, so far:

Union Carbide Productions
BBQ
Andre Williams
Bright Eyes
Buck 65
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
The Kills
Suzy & Los Quatros
Lewis Taylor
Knights of the New Crusade
The Decemberists
Goblin Market
Keren Ann
Madeline Peyroux
The Eels
Gorillaz
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
The Dirtbombs
Bill Fay
The Legendary Shack-Shakers
Cat Power

Self
Minus The Bear
Joy Division
My Bloody Valentine
Dredg
I also bought a Clash album for the first time, although I heard them a little bit before (I plan to get more of course)

This was a great year for me as far as new music and rediscovering classics. Let me recollect...

New for me:
Drive-By Truckers
Spoon
Husker Du
Cursive (heard before but got into now)
Camper Van Beethoven
M Ward
Death Cab For Cutie
The Dismemberment Plan

and more. oh so many more.

Rediscovered the awesomeness of:
Violent Femmes
Nick Drake
Elliot Smith
Cat Power
Portishead
Blur
Mazzy Star
Muddy Waters
The Pretenders
Aimee Mann
Asha Putli
Beach Boys
Crowded House
Traffic

Strange year for me-
Richard Hell- been meaning to check him out for years. Now, I have gone back and superimposed listening to "Blank Generation" during my punk days in high school.
Yabba You- my new favorite reggae guy. Jesus Dread!
The Flamingos- Checked them out cuz I wanted to play "I only have eyes for you" for my girlfriend, and love love love them now.

The Go! Team!!

Wilco - Summerteeth (this band is just too awesome)
The Notwist - Neon Golden
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse (I suck, I like Sonic Youth even in 2005!)
Primus - The Brown Album
The Hives - Tyrannausaurus Hives


Some songs I listen in these times, discovered in 2005 that I wish to suggest:

Wilco - she's a jar
Sonic Youth - Stones
The Notwist - One with the freaks
Primus - Shake hands with beef
Matt Sweeny/Bonny Prince Billy - Goat and Ram
Minus Story - Time waste itself
and so many more...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: eggtweedyegg,

quote:

The Notwist - Neon Golden

That is my favorite album from the past 5 years. So good. Acher's voice and the electronics and the banjo, it just all comes together so incredibly well. To me, every track is a standout. Now, if they would only make a proper follow-up (I don't even want to listen to the 13+God album).

If you like that album I definitely recommend you look into:

Ms. John Soda - No P or D

and also

Lali Puna - Scary World Theory

Both bands share members with the Notwist and both albums are superb, if not quite as astoundingly magical as Neon Golden.

Thanks RavingLunatic, I'll consider this.