Recommend an album to me.

[Ink Asylum]

So I took my overstuffed change bank down to a local Coinstar and dumped it all in, choosing to get an iTunes gift certificate so as to get full value for my money. I chose iTunes because I was expecting between $20-40. Instead, I had $106 in change! I should've gone for an Amazon card and put it towards Christmas presents. Oh well.

So now I'm sitting on a huge account credit in iTunes and figue it's a good time to try out a couple new bands. My musical tastes are a bit eclectic, but I really enjoy high-energy indie music with singable lyrics, stuff that really gets the toe tapping. I also love brass, particularly trumpets. I'm horrible at describing music so I'll throw up some examples of what I'm looking for right now.

Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls Never Know
UkihU5YFy4g

Ok Go - Here It Goes Again
dTAAsCNK7RA

The Cat Empire - Fishies
BGaRh71xQOY

The Lisps - Try
I recorded this video myself on my iPhone so the audio isn't great, but they're one of my favorite bands ever, still very independent, and don't have many videos up on Youtube yet.
1bzambalTsU

Anyone got anything similar?

[violent]

Just get Underdog World Strike by Gogol Bordello and thank me later.

[National Kato]

You should already have Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Or, really, any album they've released in the last eight years.

[Ink Asylum]

Thanks. I'll check those out.

[Superman's Dead]

I don't know how indie they are, but Third Eye Blind's 'Blue' album might have kinda a sound you're looking for. Check out the song 'Wounded'.

[Shadowstorm]

Not SUPER DUPER upbeat but this is a really chill tune/album:


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Of course, dialing up a few notches - you can't go wrong with Refused. This is their most popular song in accordance with their last.fm charts but be sure that the entire album is equally as great.


m3AoiVMQqX4&fmt=18

It's not pop/rock or whatever, but this gets me going too.

9T7IA2fb5Yc&fmt=18

[Shadowstorm]

I've probably failed in my attempts to recommend you something you'd actually like though.

[Bad Buddha]

Either the new 11:11 or the self-titled first album by Rodrigo y Gabriella.

I'll second the Gogol Bordello choice!

[civil]

Just get Underdog World Strike by Gogol Bordello and thank me later.
Cubano, you might not know much about underage rape but you know your music. Ink, if you don't have it, buy it.

Also, the Pogues. In fact punch yourself if you don't own any of their records.

[violent]

Cubano, you might not know much about underage rape but you know your music. Ink, if you don't have it, buy it.

Also, the Pogues. In fact punch yourself if you don't own any of their records.

I try to keep my knowledge of underage rape to a minimum. ;)

[Sandman]

Singable lyrics you say? Most of the music I listen to is out.

[wyeast]

Eclectic? I'd say give Pink Martini a try. :D

[Shadowstorm]

Singable lyrics you say? Most of the music I listen to is out.

Contribution fail.

[Ink Asylum]

Also, the Pogues. In fact punch yourself if you don't own any of their records.

Ow.

My musical tastes took a radical shift about five years ago when I stopped listening to the radio, got into a few independent artists then began looking for music similar to theirs. Few of my friends have the same tastes as I do. So I don't have a large collection built up and am likely to miss a lot of bands if I don't hear them incidentally or through a recommendation. Last.fm/Pandora and iTunes Genius have helped a bit.

Definitely a lot of bands to try out. I'll check some out later tonight, starting with Gogol Bordello since it has three votes.

[civil]

Bah! I take back my Bordello and give you fifteen Pogues.

Seriously. If you want sing-a-long music with soul...go for them. I personally think Rum Sodomy & the Lash is their best but I know there's lots of love for If I Should Fall from Grace with God (my second favorite of theirs).

I loves me some Bordello (especially live), but nothing compares to the Pogues.

[Sandman]

I will go ahead and recommend my 2 favorite albums so far this year:

Mastodon - Crack The Skye
song: Crack The Skye
yQ3ehmsQSV0

Goatwhore - Carving Out the Eyes of God
song: Apocalyptic Havoc
obLrWjEAleY

and my favorite from last year:
Hank III - Damn Right Rebel Proud
song: Six Pack of Beer
PlaBEffriBw

[total]

Just get Underdog World Strike by Gogol Bordello and thank me later.

How in the fuck...that is exactly what I was thinking before I even saw any recommendations about the thread. All you see on the front page is recommend me an album and that is exactly what I intended on suggesting as I am playing it (again) in my car on repeat.

[Ink Asylum]

I'll check out at least a couple songs from everything recommended here. Just starting at the top. Also, I just now realized that Gogol Bordello are the "Start Wearing Purple" band. My g/f put them on a mix CD for me so clearly a lot of people think I should be listening to them. My iPhone is tugging their album through 3G as I type this.

EDIT: Bah. One song on the album is over 10mb and that's stopping me from buying the album as a whole. I'll download it as soon as I can get to some WiFi.

[total]

I'll check out at least a couple songs from everything recommended here. Just starting at the top. Also, I just now realized that Gogol Bordello are the "Start Wearing Purple" band. My g/f put them on a mix CD for me so clearly a lot of people think I should be listening to them. My iPhone is tugging their album through 3G as I type this.

Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony is also a great album.

[Sandman]

Another you might like that might be a bit more your style:

Scott H. Biram - Something's Wrong/Lost Forever
song: Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue
ADgCYjAtRUY

[violent]

How in the fuck...that is exactly what I was thinking before I even saw any recommendations about the thread. All you see on the front page is recommend me an album and that is exactly what I intended on suggesting as I am playing it (again) in my car on repeat.

Been playing it for days straight now.

[Jeffool]

Because I mentioned it in Twitter overnight, and have been listening to it since (I'm sure it won't mesh with your taste, but the album is all over the place.) Harvey Danger's Little by Little (free (http://harveydanger.com/downloads/).)
AGQQpiRoP6U

[total]

Been playing it for days straight now.

Odd...I burnt a new copy of it and Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony on Saturday to play in the car. GET OUT OF MY HEAD.

[Ink Asylum]

Just previewed some of The Pogues. I knew I recognized the name. I bought a couple Flogging Molly albums and some other celt/scot/etc-punk a two years ago and while I do enjoy it it's not....exactly...the sound I'm looking for at the moment. I've been bouncing back and forth between The Cat Empire, Franz Ferdinand, and similar albums this past month and something that slots into that mix is ideal.

Not saying I won't buy one of their albums, Civil!

[Ink Asylum]

Because I mentioned it in Twitter overnight, and have been listening to it since (I'm sure it won't mesh with your taste, but the album is all over the place.) Harvey Danger's Little by Little (free (http://harveydanger.com/downloads/).)

I snagged that when it was released for free. Great album, sad that the band broke up recently.

[violent]

Odd...I burnt a new copy of it and Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony on Saturday to play in the car. GET OUT OF MY HEAD.

Genius is singular and therefore sharable.

[Jeffool]

I snagged that when it was released for free. Great album, sad that the band broke up recently.(It still is free, but...) Yeah, it was sad. But I thought it damn stylish that they announced it in May, and continued to tour until the end of August. "Hey, yeah guys, we're done... In a few months."

[spcialk]

Stateless is laid back. Kind of portis head meets coldplay (in a good way)

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Bloodstream/2861531

For more toe tapping, Passion Pit:

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Little_Secrets/22789367

[Shadowstorm]

Stateless is laid back. Kind of portis head meets coldplay (in a good way)

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Bloodstream/2861531

For more toe tapping, Passion Pit:

http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Little_Secrets/22789367

Portishead is fantastic. Coldplay? Not so much.

[spcialk]

Portishead is fantastic. Coldplay? Not so much.

I DID specify "in a good way". Check out the song, it's pretty decent.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

The Dear Hunter

bOAjB3Hw248

o_xlCIGZr1g

TXiEK60ubrY

BE5kCKtD7YY

They do it all. They've got three records and they're all fantastic.

They have 2 all vocal tracks that are amazing.
6IVrzNK1pZY

-6zU61Ggrnk

Give them a shot. You can preview all their music on Youtube.

[Camel]

Check out "Costello Music" by The Fratellis. It's really fun and upbeat, has tons of catchy songs, and is just an overall great listen. Definitely one of my favorite albums.

pKQK8rYZNHY

f1Bs9_k3kVc

[Re3x]

From those bands that you list you might like The Horrors new album. Nothng liek their first, but its still good.

yNjcSgU0Nrg

Here is something from the old album if its your thing. I dig them both

7JkRlxV49Lg

[Camel]

Some more fun stuff:

I love MGMT, and recently made a station out of this song on Pandora (this one is my favorite, although lots of people like "Kids" or "Time to Pretend")...

UtUI5MC9tVM

One of the songs that got recommended to me was by Mika, who I immediately took a huge liking to. I love his sound, because it is often ridiculously upbeat and he sounds a bit like Freddy Mercury sometimes.

F99IuKUCAc4

Some other fun tunes that might interest you:

"Ruby" by the Kaiser Chiefs

d14511Amd08

"Don't Make Me Wait" by Locksley

rPCPNh19uDw

I have no idea how popular some of these songs are as I only listen to an indie rock station down here, so you might already know them all, but hopefully I was a bit of help!

EDIT: UGH, sorry they are mostly unable to be seen when embedded. Hopefully that doesn't dissuade you from giving them a listen!

SUPER DOUBLE EDIT: Just got paid, and it looks like I'll be spending some of that cash on The Pogues. Thanks for the recommendation civil!

Not really feeling Gogol Bordello yet. Need to listen a little more.

[Re3x]

I would vote Kiaser Chiefs first album, hands down the best.

[The Continental]

I agree with all of Camel's picks, great songs for the style you're looking for. If I can throw in a couple more I'd go with:
Does It Offend You, Yeah?
g173CIjqpPA

And in what is quickly becoming the obligatory music recommendation of 2009, Phoenix. There's a reason everyone is calling this album of the year and licensing the songs like crazy.
Q4MXFOMpVIw

[Abyssion]

I heard about these two bands through a podcast I listen to, I'm enjoying them a lot.

Miniature Tigers-Cannibal Queen
WrUrv7CBbN4

The Thermals-Now We Can See
QJu611UdfxA

[pomeroy]

Camel...you mention Mika and then link to Lollipop? Grace Kelly and Billy Brown are better.

Anyway, I'd recommend Jason Mraz's second album, Mr. A-Z.

[Camel]

Camel...you mention Mika and then link to Lollipop? Grace Kelly and Billy Brown are better.

Anyway, I'd recommend Jason Mraz's second album, Mr. A-Z.
The first song I heard by him was actually "Relax, Take it Easy," but it was "Lollipop" that sold the album to me. I find that song irresistibly upbeat. The songs you mentioned are also awesome, though! I haven't really listened to his new album all that much yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

[inmostlight]

I'll second the Thermals, but I think I liked their previous album (The Body, The Blood, The Machine) more than their still-good new one.
A4Iobo18U9w

I think you might also dig Telekinesis, a new indie pop band on Merge. Their debut album is ridiculously catchy, and they're great live too.
FD8XhRfn6Rg

Los Campesinos! had two of the best albums of 2008. Highly recommended.
Nj6SO_yKMe8

If you like a Scottish accent, I also suggest checking out either The Twilight Sad or We Were Promised Jetpacks. Or both.

[Thanasimos]

If you like a Scottish accent, I also suggest checking out either The Twilight Sad or We Were Promised Jetpacks. Or both.

You seem to be forgetting Frightened Rabbit when you mention Scottish accents. Must have been a typo! ;)

ReCQEMcZHwE

[Whunpo]

Eclectic? I'd say give Pink Martini a try. :D

Wow, could you be more Oregonian? :confused::D

On topic, I know that they're not really able to be sung with, but I have yet to meet anyone who really dislikes RATATAT:
1zTkrPNNpkc
64liF2VuLxI
If you only get one album of theirs, have it be Classics. Their self-titled is pretty cool, and LP3 isn't bad, but Classics is just where it's at.

[Ink Asylum]

Phew. Finally home. Time to start at the top and see what clicks. I do have that Fratellis album. They were recommended to me through iTunes Genius because of my love for Franz Ferdinand.

[The Iron Weasel]

Never Better by P.O.S.

1JHbUuWzVNE

[Zecon]

Lenny Kravitz - 5

[Nuggsy]

I always like having a reason to plug Sparta:

Cut Your Ribbon

6mh2vagWPxU

Collapse
PO92qy7OwYI

Assemble the Empire
WmOi3LSwIOU

My wife has been enjoying Company of Thieves
fTMqPTIbvzI

[Ink Asylum]

Phew. Thanks for all the recommendations. I sampled a lot of it and tonight I'm downloading Gogol Bordello, Spoon, and Mika. The Underdog by Spoon is definitely my kind of song. I know I've heard it somewhere before.

I'll definitely be coming back to this thread to check out some more music. The Dear Hunter is kind of up my alley, too.

[pomeroy]

Dude, you'll love Mika. So awesome.

[Thanasimos]

Everybody who doesn't love Mika had best learn to. Personally, I loved it the first time I heard it. His music is just unbridled happiness!

[Ink Asylum]

The Lollipop video sold me. Anyone who doesn't smile at that has no soul.

[Blue]

I recommend Blind Pilot. My wife and I saw them opening for The Decemberists and they near stole the show (and we had never heard of them prior to that). Here's 2 of theirs (both live):

Story I Heard:

<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vX2jNbiXf5U&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vX2jNbiXf5U&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

We Are The Tide:

<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xU_QivY9pjI&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xU_QivY9pjI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

[Restlessavenger]

I do so love these threads. First off I am going to agree with many of these choices, in particular the Phoenix and Frightened Rabbit. I'll throw a couple your way

I've been digging a lot on Mother Mother as of late bHFsKTu2x-A

For those of you who sometimes really miss The Smiths, you can't go wrong with The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
FpiG8KxFbCw

If you want to see the possible future of shoegaze, there is always The XX Pib8eYDSFEI

[inmostlight]

For those of you who sometimes really miss The Smiths, you can't go wrong with The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart


Also seconded! I'm seeing them tomorrow night along with Cymbals Eat Guitars!

[wyeast]

Wow, could you be more Oregonian?
Why? They spend way more time touring in Europe than they do hanging out at the Crystal Ballroom, heretic. :p :D

[Ink Asylum]

Wow, Mika really is like the second coming of Freddie Mercury in some songs.

In before pun about "coming."

[opsin]

Just listening to Cat Empire the now. Always good to see them getting a recommendation. And Gogol.

If you're into them, you might want to check out:

Youngblood Brass Band
Think of One
Jaune Toujours
Hazmat Modine

And anyone with a passing interest in jazz should definitely check out Esbjornn Svenson Trio.

Also, if you like a Scottish accent, I have to pimp Lau (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2s8m_7DL7Y&feature=related), although whether you dig anything that folky or not is the question.

[Ink Asylum]

Just bought my ticket to The Cat Empire show they're putting on in NYC in December. Two years ago I saw them at a small club, standing a few feet back from the stage, this time it's at the Nokia Theater. They've definitely been busy. I'll miss the personal feeling of that small show, but I'm happy for their success.

I'll definitely at least sample all the bands mentioned in this thread. This morning I'm definitely enjoying Mika and Spoon.

[opsin]

I'll miss the personal feeling of that small show, but I'm happy for their success.

Yea, first time I saw them was playing the Spiegeltent in Edinburgh, which had sort of, 150 people maybe... Was just the best way to see them. Last couple of times have been the same venue, but had about twice as many people the other week when I saw them, and have to be honest, it's not even slightly detrimental to the show... Particularly at the point where everyone was going nuts.
Just about as good as it gets live.

(If there's any bootlegs or early releases you don't have and want, (Live @ Adelphia, The Sun, Tapes Breaks and Outtakes for instance) lemme know. More than happy to spread those around.)

[Ink Asylum]

Yea, first time I saw them was playing the Spiegeltent in Edinburgh, which had sort of, 150 people maybe... Was just the best way to see them. Last couple of times have been the same venue, but had about twice as many people the other week when I saw them, and have to be honest, it's not even slightly detrimental to the show... Particularly at the point where everyone was going nuts.
Just about as good as it gets live.

True, but the only venue they're playing here is Nokia Theater, which is all seating. I want to be up on my feet for this show, without being that douchebag standing in his seat and blocking everyone else.

(If there's any bootlegs or early releases you don't have and want, (Live @ Adelphia, The Sun, Tapes Breaks and Outtakes for instance) lemme know. More than happy to spread those around.)

That'd kick ass. I've just got the regular albums: The Cat Empire, Cities, Two Shoes, and So Many Nights.

[Camel]

Ink - I'm happy you ended up liking Mika! It's also a great time to become a fan, as he just came out with a new album last week. I haven't bought it yet (I keep waiting for it to become a daily deal on Amazon, although I don't think it will), but I like what I have heard thus far.

[civil]

Gah! I forgot to mention The Beautiful South! Stupid me. Toe-tapping, sing-a-long, has brass (their earlier records) and is smart as fucking hell.

Them combined with The Housemartins (another band you need to look into) are in my top 5 bands. I combine them because at the center of both bands is Paul Heaton, who is the singer/songwriter for both. Excellent stuff, I can't recommend them enough. I'd suggest starting off with:

The Housemartins - London 0 Hull 4
The Beautiful South - Welcome to the Beautiful South

Really, I can't recommend these guys enough. Their lyrics alone are worth reading just because they're so biting and clever. Some videos (Housemartins first, Beautiful South second):

-ehden6aPl0

8ICm9VRo1yk

[Ink Asylum]

Once again I'd like to thank everyone for their awesome recommendations. It'll take me a while to exhaust the possibilities in this thread, and so far I'm loving the albums I've bought so far.

I have to say I didn't expect so many people to be into the same kind of music as I am. The lasst big music thread I remember seeing was about metal, so I incorrectly believed musical tastes on CoG trended towards heavier sounds. Very glad to see that isn't the case.

[KSmitty]

Either the new 11:11 or the self-titled first album by Rodrigo y Gabriella.

Wow, I'd heard the names a couple times from other people and sampled a couple of their songs, but watching them perform live on Conan last night was crazy. Definetely picking this one up.