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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Tune me up!

One of the things on my 40 before 40 list is to listen to a CD of a band/ musician/ music group/ singer I've never heard before.

This is hard. It sounds dumb to say this is hard but it is. ITSam and I went to a really cool used record store, which also carries CDs, and found one and I don't like it. It's not even something I can remotely find interesting enough to listen to the whole thing. As a matter of act I had to text Sam while typing this post to even ask the name of the band: The Black Keys.

So, I'm appealing to all of you for help. Prizes will be given. I need some musical suggestions.

What I do NOT like:
  • country (however, bluegrass is okay... like Allison Kraus)
  • scream-o
  • rap
  • music that has rap or talking anywhere in it (Mac will play me some "Great band, mom" and I ask if it's rap. He says no and then half way through the song, it's totally rap. Yuck.)
  • hip-hop
  • emo/ Goth/ industrial
  • disco
  • most classic rock... uh, yeah I suck... (I do love all things Beatles)

I do like:

  • pop
  • Elton John, Barry Manilow, Rob Thomas, Matchbox 20, Billy Joel
  • 1980's
  • some rock
  • Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Dean Martin
  • 50s & 60s music
  • Glenn Miller, big band, swing, jazz, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday

I obviously like so many other types and styles of music but I can't say too many more without adding some sort of clarification. I like "most" hairbands. For example, I love Bon Jovi but am not a huge G&R fan. I LOVE Green Day but don't care much for the rest of the Punk scene. I like about 4 John Mayer songs but don't care for the rest of his sound. I can say the same for Pogue Mahone, Flogging Molly, Red Hott Chili Peppers, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, Pearl Jam, Katy Perry, and the Black Eyed Peas. All of these, I love SOME of their stuff, but not all.

If you could make suggestions of bands/ songs/ stylings of anything that could be compared to what I do like, I'm open to suggestions. The name of a group plus a recommended album would be especially sweet.

I'll even give a prize to the blogger whose suggestion of band & album I buy and listen to all the way through!

This is a tough challenge, I know, since I listen to a wide and eclectic group of music. It has to be a band or group I've never heard. I'm thinking of amending it to to a singer or group that maybe I heard 1 song on the radio and should get the whole album?

Please help me with your musical stylin' sounds recommendations!

musically yours,

Mags

8 comments:

Maggie said...

Via email, I got a recommendation to listen to the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, which I was told was like Brian Setzer.

Bragger said...

Wow....what a challenge. I was going to suggest one of Billy Joel's early ones, like Cold Spring Harbor or Streetlife Serenade. Or you could try HIS classical album, Fantasies and Delusions.

Random comment: When I got that CD in the mail, Hubby and I were leaving to go somewhere. I excitedly tore open the package and queried aloud, "Wonder why he called it Fantasies and Delusions?" Hubby responded, "Probably because you THINK you're going to play that in the car." He's a scream.

Oh crap. Just realized you said a band you've never listened to before, not just an album. How about.... Atlanta Rhythm Section from the 70's? Either "Third Annual Pipe Dream" or "Dog Days" or "Underdog".

Sorry so long!

Melissa said...

I know this is not specifically the goal you set for yourself, but I think listening to a new singer or band from a genre you don't care for would be awesome. You never know, you might hit on something you absolutely love. Okay, I'm a country music lover so I of course have to take issue with the fact that you don't like it and I must find a way to change your mind! I'm totally kidding, by the way. I hated country until about 10 years ago and somehow I got hooked on one song, then another, and now here I am. I'd be happy to give you some suggestions. There's a lot of country music that isn't all twangy. =]

Anonymous said...

If you like Jazz Maggie I'd suggest you listen to Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis.

Wiley said...

How about Feeder - their cd Yesterday Went Too Soon is pretty damn good. They're a lot Britpop, a little alternative. Like Blur only better and way more mellow.

angel81 said...

There's this girl group called Danity Kane. I've only listened to one song, but I loved it. It's called "Show Stopper."

Maggie said...

Bragger- I'm totally going to get all three Billy J albums, though I think I have Streetlife Serenade.

Hubby is hilarious... not!

And I don't mind the long comment; I appreciate the recommendations.

And I'll get Atlanta Rhythm Section, too!

Melissa- I see your point but I usually get so "turned off" by the stuff I don't like that I tune it out.

And I listened to a lot of country in my past and for right now, that's something I'm done with. I lived in the Wild West and the only music that wasn't country was what I bought or downloaded. I think I'm ready for something less... twangy.

Paul- Oh I ADORE Miles Davis!

Wiley- I don't know Feeder, so I'll get that CD. And I don't know Blur either- would you recommend them as well?

booknut- okay, I'll add them to the list. I love a girl group sound!

Thanks all for the suggestions!

Wiley said...

If you're not into punk, I'd avoid Blur. It's more Britpop, but they definitely have some punk influences.
Also, if you want to laugh, check out Bowling for Soup's "A Hangover You Don't Deserve". I guarantee you will be smiling after listening to that. Great, great band.