The "Random Band You Should Check Out" Thread

[Shadowstorm]

There's actually several artists I've been getting into recently that aren't really in the spotlight but should be. A lot of them are in the dubstep genre. I'm not sure how many here listen to that but the album that most people seem to be familiar with as their "introductory album" per se into the genre is Burial (http://www.last.fm/music/Burial)'s Untrue.

Secondly, following in that vein, I'd like to make people aware of 2562. Here's his MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/2562dub) where you can listen to some of his stuff (regrettably there is only one song from Aerial there; it's a damn fine album), as well as his Last.fm (http://www.last.fm/music/2562), discogs (http://www.discogs.com/artist/2562), and a Beatport (https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/artist/detail/46973/2562) link, where you can listen some stuff. Listen to Moog Dub. Here's the review (http://www.beatportal.com/the20/review/aerial/) of the album.

Dubstep. Good stuff, eh?

Your turn!

[Mdot]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Jupiter One (http://jupiterone.com/)

[Shadowstorm]

A side note, there is now a CoG Last.fm group (http://www.last.fm/group/ColonyofGamers) for those interested in joining.

[The Iron Weasel]

Gojira! A progressive metal band from France. Their latest cd slays pretty hard, even has guest vocals by Randy Blythe!

[hunterx280]

I am a pretty big fan of a local Seattle band called Minus the Bear (http://www.minusthebear.com/). They are a rock band. Their latest studio album, Planet of Ice, makes me think of Pink Floyd with a bit of electronica. Their older stuff that I've listened to so far has been pretty much straight rock. Either way they are awesome.

Another musician that I have started listening to recently is Zoe Keating (http://www.zoekeating.com/). One woman, one cello, a computer, and some electronic music equipment. It's pretty amazing. There is an interview with her here (http://blogs.wnyc.org/radiolab/2008/08/25/quantum-cello/). Definitely listen to the embedded audio file. It's totally worth it.

[Raen]

Uh off the top of my head...

Flobots (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2Fflobots&ei=pTrmSJPiGJLKwQHUncCXCg&usg=AFQjCNHmChFxntwusxhlxOSKVgEY0hKx5A&sig2=JFc_wLjYNm8G8nPfEj2QEQ), Late of the Pier (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lateofthepier.com%2F&ei=yzrmSOuZL4K6wAHs3tSTCg&usg=AFQjCNFLlDeCKAiIevibgUIZCETgs7fCbg&sig2=Yq8Z888LLq3csFDinz2Yxg) and Unicorn Kid (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2Funicornkid&ei=5jrmSO2CO6OGwAHYhdCdCg&usg=AFQjCNFPG-dx36C3DMkLqkqsT0u8Fa-R3w&sig2=4FONf_vXQg5QpBgS1YRGgA) stick out as really cool stuff I've heard recently. DJ Shadow (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2Fdjshadow&ei=XDvmSLeiN5ys1gasi-X6CA&usg=AFQjCNEpTPyM3qFd8ZrXQIMrm4oYGTe-3w&sig2=lQvMgwRDX9O5xeOMeyX5Kg) as well for something I love. A lot of people have only heard his remixes, but his albums are crazy good as well.

Edit: Oh and MGMT (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2Fmgmt&ei=OjvmSMqPDZys1gaWhZDxCw&usg=AFQjCNFGU8Q61Ws_Z9uEZUjngPtbQ5su2g&sig2=DZQ_WL1FjCLfyFN88RnnqA). Dunno how I forgot them.

[Dave]

GENITORTURERS. (Hands down, best live band you'll see outside of the Rollins Band, The Stooges, SLAAAAAAAAAAYEEEEEER!!!!, and maybe GWAR.)

I think more people should give The Duke Spirit a listen too.

[pomeroy]

I will always advocate for more people listening to Bloc Party, no matter how big they get.

[Raen]

I will always advocate for more people listening to Bloc Party, no matter how big they get.

How's the new album?

[pomeroy]

How's the new album?

Wonderful.

[Suave Peanut]

A side note, there is now a CoG Last.fm group (http://www.last.fm/group/ColonyofGamers) for those interested in joining.
...now there is? Is it anything like this (http://www.last.fm/group/Colony+of+Gamers) one?

[Brady]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Jupiter One (http://jupiterone.com/)

Didn't expect Jupiter One to get a mention in this thread. Good work. I agree.

Everyone take a look, and if you enjoy Jupiter One, also take a look at Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (http://www.myspace.com/boris). Listen to the song Think I Want To Die.

[Abyssion]

The Automatic! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0lo9YfiUmU)

The Loved Ones (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=36995169)(sorry, myspace link!)

[Shadowstorm]

...now there is? Is it anything like this (http://www.last.fm/group/Colony+of+Gamers) one?

... wow. I didn't even see anyone mention that anywhere :(. Someone beat me :(.

[Whunpo]

For those who aren't already in the know: Desert Sessions (http://www.last.fm/music/Desert+Sessions). Now I'll take a few of the people who are in Desert Sessions and shill their bands.

Goon Moon (http://www.last.fm/music/Goon+Moon) is the absolute shit. Kinda weird, but but awesome.

Fatso Jetson! (http://www.last.fm/music/Fatso+Jetson)
Fucking amazing band.

Masters of Reality (http://www.last.fm/music/Masters+of+Reality) are similar to Goom Moon, so if you liked them, check these guys out. Some epic albums. Give us Barabbas kicks ass.

Yawning Man (http://www.last.fm/music/Yawning+Man) is the best jam band I have ever heard. This is where Desert Rock began.

If you need any help finding any of these albums, send me a PM. I know how hard it can be to get some of these.

(Non desert rock bands follow):
Soulwax (http://www.last.fm/music/Soulwax). I think they were mentioned to me by one of you guys, but I just want to get the name out there. Awesome.

And because there is no such things as too much Blue Scholars, I give you: Blue Scholars (http://www.last.fm/music/Blue+Scholars).

[WhyThree]

Four Star Mary (http://www.last.fm/music/Four+Star+Mary)

Alt Rock band from LA, they were featured as the fake band The Dingoes Ate My Baby on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A throw back to mid-90's alt rock that's under appreciated.

[The Iron Weasel]

SikTh (http://www.myspace.com/sikth). Though they recently broke up, their release Death Of A Dead Day is a must listen for any fans of Protest the Hero, Between the Buried and Me, or The Human Abstract. Really neat stuff, very technical, odd time sigs, dual vocalists. Very unique sound.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I have a blog I am building on this very premise. :D

It's in my signature ;)

Note: Only for those who like loud angry music.

[The Iron Weasel]

I have a blog I am building on this very premise. :D

It's in my signature ;)

Note: Only for those who like loud angry music.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4460/ideasintriguemejz3bc0nd7.jpg

[Maskatron]

Dubstep. Good stuff, eh?



Ya mon, definitely.

Some of the stuff I'm really into can be considered to be on the fringes of Dubstep (although I really like a lot of straight up Dubstep as well).

On constant rotation is the new Bug cd "London Zoo" (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/142132-the-bug-london-zoo). It's sort of a mix of dub/dubstep/dancehall and industrial sounds (The Bug, a.k.a. Keven Martin, has a background in industrial/noise/techno from a lot of past projects he was involved in). Excellent stuff.

The darkest dubstep you'll find these days is the recent Scorn cd "Stealth" (http://www.adnoiseam.net/label/catalog/88/enter.htm). The beats and bass is just brutal.

The group Vex'd (http://www.last.fm/music/Vex'd) makes me think of what Skinny Puppy would sound like if they got into Dubstep.

[Shadowstorm]

Ya mon, definitely.

Some of the stuff I'm really into can be considered to be on the fringes of Dubstep (although I really like a lot of straight up Dubstep as well).

On constant rotation is the new Bug cd "London Zoo" (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/142132-the-bug-london-zoo). It's sort of a mix of dub/dubstep/dancehall and industrial sounds (The Bug, a.k.a. Keven Martin, has a background in industrial/noise/techno from a lot of past projects he was involved in). Excellent stuff.

The darkest dubstep you'll find these days is the recent Scorn cd "Stealth" (http://www.adnoiseam.net/label/catalog/88/enter.htm). The beats and bass is just brutal.

The group Vex'd (http://www.last.fm/music/Vex'd) makes me think of what Skinny Puppy would sound like if they got into Dubstep.

You should check out:

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/3968/coverfj8.jpg

Babylon Fall Collection by Pulshar. Again, dubstep. Kind of intersects with reggae just a bit. Good stuff.

[Shadowstorm]

I'm recommending Benn Jordan. He's the man behind The Flashbulb. In short, pick up these albums:

The Flashbulb - Kirlian Selections
The Flashbulb - Soundtrack to a Vacant Life
Benn Jordan - Pale Blue Dot

I haven't been really listening to anything else the last few days except his stuff. Pale Blue Dot is really spacey. This album strikes me as being similar to Biosphere, particularly the album Substrata. Really, really digging this. As far as the style of this man, I'm thinking Wikipedia describes it better than I could:

As The Flashbulb, Jordan typically releases drill 'n' bass (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Drill_%27n%27_bass&action=edit&redlink=1) or breakcore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakcore) styled music. His style differs strongly between albums, but they all have a cohesive bond tied around fast drum programming (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_machine), acid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_music)-influenced melodies, and a wide array of live instrumentation from various instruments Jordan has acquired.

He also often records his melodies through MIDI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI)-synced guitars. His guitar style and skill has gained attention because he typically plays it strung backwards, and makes heavy use of fast sweeping and tapping (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapping). The last two Flashbulb albums have featured violinist Greg Hirte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Hirte), who is featured heavily on The Flashbulb's most recent album, Soundtrack to a Vacant Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundtrack_to_a_Vacant_Life), as well. [B]Soundtrack to a Vacant Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundtrack_to_a_Vacant_Life) is, as Jordan stated in a recent interview, a step away from the breakcore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakcore) genre. He also said that this step is likely to be a permanent trend in the direction of his music.Kirlian Selections, an earlier album, varies quite a bit in style throughout the album:

Alongside his trademark drill'n'bass (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Drill_%27n_bass&action=edit&redlink=1) songs like "Lawn Wake IX" and IDM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_dance_music) tunes such as "Binedump (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binedump_EP)" and "Melann", The Flashbulb employs slower, less abrasive songs like "Shortcuts" and "Miles and Miles". At the other end of the spectrum, he shows his more hardcore side, with the pair of "Kirlian Isles II" and "Dishevel".

Benn is known to have a long list of tracks on each album with a short running time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_time) for each, and Kirlian Selections is no exception. Even with 28 tracks on this album, only 10 reach the 3:00 mark.
Benn Jordan @ Last.fm (http://www.last.fm/music/Benn+Jordan)
His work under the pseudonym The Flashbulb @ Last.fm (http://www.last.fm/music/The+Flashbulb/).


He did the music for this Dove commercial (called Passage D, which is on Kirlian Selections):


iYhCn0jf46U

[Shadowstorm]

Eluvium (http://www.last.fm/music/Eluvium) put out an amazingly solid and impressive record in 2007 called Copia. Ambient-ish. Highly recommended.

Listen to this (http://www.last.fm/music/Eluvium/_/Indoor+Swimming+at+the+Space+Station?autostart) and this (http://www.last.fm/music/Eluvium/_/Prelude+For+Time+Feelers). I find it incredibly disappointing that these previews are only a mere thirty seconds long. Really doesn't do the songs justice at all. At all.

What a fantastic album. I encourage anyone who listens to ambient-ish stuff to check this out if you haven't already.

Similar to Stars of the Lid.

[civil]

Eluvium (http://www.last.fm/music/Eluvium) put out an amazingly solid and impressive record in 2007 called Copia. Ambient-ish. Highly recommended.
I'll second and third this. Excellent. I'll also add another one for Minus the Bear.

And (sorry I can't provide links, I'm trying not to get fired at work):

Bobby Bare, Jr
Architecture in Helsinki
Breathe Owl Breathe
Low
Loney, Dear
A Hack and a Hacksaw
Bon Iver (though he's gotten pretty big now)
Marching Band
Mucca Pazza
Detholz
Baby Teeth
Bobby Conn
Gil Mantera's Party Dream
The Bitter Tears
Devotchka if you haven't heard of them
Metric
Timo Raisanen
Gravediggaz (getting into them again)
Midlake
Jens Lekman
Danielson
Crooked Fingers
Lambchop
The Handsome Family
Silver Jews
Isobell Campbell
Antony & the Johnsons

Shit, gotta go!

[Mdot]

Didn't expect Jupiter One to get a mention in this thread. Good work. I agree.


Went to see them this weekend. Long story short, I drank my fucking face off and was falling asleep at the venue before they went on so I took a cab back to Hoboken lol. Wasn't pretty.

[Ink Asylum]

I've been on an Americana music kick lately, fueled largely by two local Brooklyn bands that I catch live whenever possible, Salt and Samovar (http://thereslifeinthislandyet.com/) and The Lisps ("http://www.thelisps.com/).