What music/artist have you discovered this year? [Archive]

chriskisn

07-08-2011, 09:32 AM

So far this year I have "discovered" music by the following people:

Leon Russell: After doing a duet album with Elton John which I played a couple of times, I realised I liked him, and started checking out his back catalogue. Some bad, some good, but certainly prolific.

John Stewart: Like most FM fans on here I have Bombs Away Dream Babies, but hadn't listened to any of his work other than that. Downloaded one of his albums from iTunes and liked it, and before you know it, I've added another twenty or so. Great folk style music that is easy to listen to.

Kev Carmody: An Australian Aboriginal musician who is referred to by some as the "Black Bob Dylan". Very good thought provoking work, although some tracks are just weird. The track "Are You Connected" which was just ringing telephones and fax/modem noises was the weirdest of all.

Jo Ann Kelly: I'd heard her on the two Tramp albums that she did with her brother Dave, Mick Fleetwood, Danny Kirwan & Bob Brunning (among others). I hadn't listened to her solo stuff until very recently. One of the most powerful white blues singers ever. The first time I heard her 1969 album a couple of years back it scared me so much I deleted it. I gave it another try this time around and really enjoyed her work. So few solo albums and tragically taken from us too early.

Dave Kelly: Like sister Jo-Ann, I had only heard Dave Kelly though his work with Tramp, but when his 1971 album was re-released, I started to try to find other solo works by him. Very hard to find a complete discography and even harder to find albums (which is sad).

So, thats my musical year so far. Nothing particularly modern but then I don't really do modern music.

KarmaContestant

07-08-2011, 11:09 AM

This year? There aren't many, so far.

Amos Lee would be the one that stands out for me. I'd never heard of him before he had a free single on iTunes, but after one listen I bought an album and played the hell out of it through much of the first half of this year.

Also, Ray LaMontagne. I am a bit late to this party, but the guy is an amazing artist, and that voice of his is is so versatile. After hearing friends chatter about him for the past 5 years or so, I decided it was time to pick up his latest album.

The Black Keys...ok, so technically I doscovered them last year. :laugh:

skcin

07-08-2011, 12:37 PM

Also, Ray LaMontagne. I am a bit late to this party, but the guy is an amazing artist, and that voice of his is is so versatile. After hearing friends chatter about him for the past 5 years or so, I decided it was time to pick up his latest album.

Me too.

Florence & Tha Machine. Although that may have been last year. :shrug:

Mumford & Sons, but it's hit & miss with them for me.

The Trews. Sh*t, that was last year too, lol. As usual, late to the party.

chiliD

07-08-2011, 01:07 PM

Hmmm...nothing by any "new" artist has caught my attention, but there's a few things from artists who've been around for a while that I've fell upon...

RE-discovered PRINCE after seeing him in concert in late April, I went on a Prince CD buying binge (tripled my collection). Amazing and prolific output of stuff in the mid/late 90's when he was doing his O\+> thing. From rock to rap to soul to gospel to R&B to jazz to blues and believe it or not, there's even a couple of country-ish things, too. His LotusFlow3r album is great...kind of a sequel to Jimi's Electric Ladyland.

I've known them apart, but now their first album together the Tedeschi Trucks Band's Revelator with Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks is REALLY good.

And, since Rhino came out with some long-time in the dust & darkness live tapes of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends with Eric Clapton from their December '69 UK tour, it was a revelation at the missing material finally coming to light. (the seeds of Derek & The Dominos start to sprout)/ Really showed how pathetic the official Delaney & Bonnie and Friends with Eric Clapton On Tour album actually was. Just don't think that box set is worth the $120 price tag...I was even balking at the original $79 price tage the first two weeks of it's release and they RAISED the price? Dumb move.

Leon Russell: After doing a duet album with Elton John which I played a couple of times, I realised I liked him, and started checking out his back catalogue. Some bad, some good, but certainly prolific.

"Bad"? Leon? I've been a "Leon-lifer" since the days before Mad Dogs & Englishmen, never heard anything "bad". "Weak"? Yeah. "Sappy"? certainly. "off the wall"? definitely. But "bad"? Like one legendary musician is quoted as saying (can't recall exactly who right now, but someone in the era of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington or Count Basie) "There's no such thing as 'bad' music, just some is better than others".

tilthefirefades

07-08-2011, 02:24 PM

Pearl Jam-I found my mom's copy of Ten and have played it constantly since March, but after buying Vs and rearviewmirror I don't think I like much more :laugh:

Silver Springs

07-08-2011, 03:03 PM

Fleet Foxes - I heard a song playing in HMV the over month and I noted down the lyrics to see who it was as I do love a bit of folk music. They remind me some of Mumford And Sons in a lose way, but I do have to admit that Fleet Foxes are just a *wee" bit better at harmonizing. Though I do prefer Mumford overall.

Adam Hurst - What can I say? I'm a sucker for the Cello.

The Lemon Pipers - I've always been fascinated with more ethereal, what some would deem "trippy" music, and when I heard Green Tambourine I had to explore these further.

Simon And Garfunker - I was always a fan of "Sound Of Silence", but never really did anything about exploring them further. Then one day I was curious enough to listen to a few of my Dad's CDs and I've been in love ever since.

Nick Drake - I've always been a fan of what I deem "Bare Arsed Guitar". A Guitar and a Troubadour are a sure way to garner my interest.

I recently bought a book entitled "1001 songs to listen to before you die" and I'm steadily listening my way through the book with some very interesting discoveries for myself.

Other artists I have recently discovered but wouldn't call myself a "die hard fan" just yet :-

James Taylor
Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Edith Piaf
Dory Previn
The Cars
John Martyn

Macfanforever

07-08-2011, 06:58 PM

I have to add .Adele .What a powerful voice.

chriskisn

07-08-2011, 06:58 PM

"Bad"? Leon? I've been a "Leon-lifer" since the days before Mad Dogs & Englishmen, never heard anything "bad". "Weak"? Yeah. "Sappy"? certainly. "off the wall"? definitely. But "bad"? Like one legendary musician is quoted as saying (can't recall exactly who right now, but someone in the era of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington or Count Basie) "There's no such thing as 'bad' music, just some is better than others".

Well I guess one person's bad music is another person's classic but nevertheless I would consider the Asylum Choir albums (especially the first one) and some of the stuff with his then wife to be pretty bad. Oh and Acid Annapolis off of Carney :lol:. Someone else may love them though...

Dodfather

07-09-2011, 01:19 AM

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James Taylor

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You've just discovered James Taylor? Oh you're in for some wonderful music when you start exploring more...

The main one I've really discovered this year so far is Judee Sill - wow.

Silver Springs

07-09-2011, 03:46 AM

You've just discovered James Taylor? Oh you're in for some wonderful music when you start exploring more...

The main one I've really discovered this year so far is Judee Sill - wow.

I was always aware of him, but I never really took the time to do anything about it. There's so much wonderful music out there that it's hard to keep track. But I do look forward to getting to know his work more.

Meowi

07-09-2011, 04:38 AM

Austra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LJtMrhb558

Others: Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Blur (Thankyou, 90's music doco) and Daft Punk.

RickRobert

07-09-2011, 07:51 AM

Alisan Porter! What a singer. Cash Cash and Ratatat too.

markolas

07-09-2011, 10:27 AM

Silver Springs

07-09-2011, 10:35 AM

I recently decided that I needed some music by current artists on my iPod - to my surprise, I found some pretty good stuff (some of it might be 3 or 4 years old, but that's pretty damn current to me, considering). Some of it's already been mentioned:

- Fleet Foxes
- Mumford & Sons
- Belle & Sebastian
- The Killers/Brandon Flowers
- Adele
- Florence + the Machine
- Empire of the Sun
- Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes

I adore Mumford And Sons and Fleet Foxes! Florence And The Machine are pretty good too. But Mumford are my favourite. What are your favourite songs of theirs? Lover Of The Light, Wagon Wheel and Sister are my personal favourites. Heard them play these live last year and they were fantastic.

Dodfather

07-09-2011, 10:43 AM

I was always aware of him, but I never really took the time to do anything about it. There's so much wonderful music out there that it's hard to keep track. But I do look forward to getting to know his work more.

I love Sweet Baby James, Mudslide Slim and the Blue Horizon, JT and also his eponymous debut for Apple records before he went back to the US, as well as so many others! Controversially though, I think Jackson Browne is better - but I love them both!

CreepingDeath

07-09-2011, 12:47 PM

James Taylor

My mother got me into all those singer/songwriters when I was a kid. Carole King, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, etc.

I first saw James Taylor live in 1998. My mother and I were actually going to Reno to see Stevie Nicks during the amazing Enchanted tour. We got there a day early and saw that JT was playing and decided to see him as well. One of the only things I really remember though is a lot of the creepo drunks asking me, "aren't you too young to be at this show?" Wankers.

I saw him again a few years ago when he and Carole King were touring together. That's still one of my favorite shows I've seen. Carole <3

Silver Springs

07-09-2011, 02:23 PM

I love Sweet Baby James, Mudslide Slim and the Blue Horizon, JT and also his eponymous debut for Apple records before he went back to the US, as well as so many others! Controversially though, I think Jackson Browne is better - but I love them both!

I'm still a baby when it comes to my James Taylor knowledge, so I'll add these to my list of "must listen to" songs. Though, It's going to be difficult to dissuade myself away from Fire And Rain.

My mother got me into all those singer/songwriters when I was a kid. Carole King, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, etc.

I first saw James Taylor live in 1998. My mother and I were actually going to Reno to see Stevie Nicks during the amazing Enchanted tour. We got there a day early and saw that JT was playing and decided to see him as well. One of the only things I really remember though is a lot of the creepo drunks asking me, "aren't you too young to be at this show?" Wankers.

I saw him again a few years ago when he and Carole King were touring together. That's still one of my favorite shows I've seen. Carole <3

Oooo. Cat Stevens. Love him! Teaser And The Firecat is an incredibly album.

I get that responce all the time when I see shows, because people don't expect me to be interested in the artists. Even R.E.M. seem to have an age minimum, as I found at my last show. Though my youth did count in my favour because while the rest of the crowd were still wheezily walking casually to the front of the cricket park (the venue for that show) I'd ran from the far back to get a cushy place at the front with a sore ankle after nearly going bum over breasts down the hotel stairs earlier that day lol. Half of the field was covered in tarpaulin too, which helped because it had been raining and I skated over it to get there quicker haha.

daniellaaarisen

07-09-2011, 03:27 PM

I also love Florence + the Machine and Fleet Foxes but I got into them a few years ago.... glad to see so many of you are into them now!

I haven't really discovered any new artists this year... frankly, I've been so warped up in Stevie land that I haven't been paying much attention. :lol:

TrueFaith77

07-09-2011, 06:38 PM

Bryan J -- The latest artist under the wings of the great The-Dream/Tricky Stewart collab. Fresh R&B grooves and feeling and wit.
Let Me Take You Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbTWpiv43Os
One More Chance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr5C0leOYak

The Vaccines -- The kick-butt single "Post-Breakup Sex" highlights the album, which strikes me as a less deep/less sexy version of the great band The Wedding Present.
Post-Breakup Sex: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU9hrd35Dsg

The Light -- I know it's probably shameful but I'd kinda rather hear their versions of Joy Division more than Joy Division--or maybe it's just the thrill of the new. The band highlights Peter Hook (Joy Division) and Rowetta (Happy Mondays), who blows the frown off sourpuss.
Atmosphere: http://youtu.be/GiG1cUVVLGg

Innerpartysystem -- I'm always on the look out for whatever Richard X is remixing or producing. He produced some tracks on their 2011 EP. I'm pretty sure he did this track--I recognize his sound and I guarantee u will recognize these feelings.
Out of Touch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pql2xiI8QLw

snicksfan85

07-10-2011, 12:21 AM

Since I live in Nashville, a majority of my "discoveries" lean more in the country or Americana realm but not all of them:

Boy & Bear- They're an Australian group that played SXSW. Totally in love with their song Mexican Mavis.

Band Perry- They're amazing live. The kind of band that you see live and then want to go buy their album.

Sunny Sweeney- One of only a few female Texas/Red Dirt artists. I love the stuff she's doing with Republic Nashville now.

Buddy Miller (as a solo artist)- I've always appreciated his work on other people's albums. I just got into his solo stuff after I bought "Written in Chalk".

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit- I saw them perform at the Americana Honors two years ago but really didn't appreciate them until I got the new album "Here We Rest".

Warren Zevon- Bought the self titled album. Appreciating him on a totally different level than "Werewolves of London" or the guy who wrote Patty Loveless's "Poor Pitiful Me" now.

Dodfather

07-10-2011, 02:20 AM

My mother got me into all those singer/songwriters when I was a kid. Carole King, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, etc.

I first saw James Taylor live in 1998. My mother and I were actually going to Reno to see Stevie Nicks during the amazing Enchanted tour. We got there a day early and saw that JT was playing and decided to see him as well. One of the only things I really remember though is a lot of the creepo drunks asking me, "aren't you too young to be at this show?" Wankers.

I saw him again a few years ago when he and Carole King were touring together. That's still one of my favorite shows I've seen. Carole <3

Stevie Nicks and James Taylor in one weekend?? Wow. That happened to me with Matchbox 20 and Bonnie Raitt one! Yeah. I get the "too young" question all the time too.

I'm still a baby when it comes to my James Taylor knowledge, so I'll add these to my list of "must listen to" songs. Though, It's going to be difficult to dissuade myself away from Fire And Rain.

Fire and Rain is incredible. It's on Sweet Baby James (all the ones I mentioned are albums, not individual songs). I think my favourite era of music ever is from 1968-73 in Laurel Canyon. You should read thre book Hotel California by Barney Hoskyns and see the accompanying documentary. Great stuff.

CreepingDeath

07-10-2011, 11:49 AM

I'm still a baby when it comes to my James Taylor knowledge, so I'll add these to my list of "must listen to" songs. Though, It's going to be difficult to dissuade myself away from Fire And Rain.

Try You Can Close Your Eyes. 'Tis my favorite after Fire and Rain.

CreepingDeath

07-10-2011, 12:07 PM

Stevie Nicks and James Taylor in one weekend?? Wow. That happened to me with Matchbox 20 and Bonnie Raitt one! Yeah. I get the "too young" question all the time too.

Nice one. I love Bonnie Raitt. I saw her many moons ago during her Fundamental tour.

In September I have a strange combo of shows I'm going to in a short period of time. Amon Amarth on the 1st, and then Def Leppard/Heart on the 4th.

Dodfather

07-10-2011, 12:12 PM

Def Leppard/Heart on the 4th.

Nice gig!!!

Peestie

07-11-2011, 07:35 AM

Since I live in Nashville, a majority of my "discoveries" lean more in the country or Americana realm but not all of them:

Boy & Bear- They're an Australian group that played SXSW. Totally in love with their song Mexican Mavis.

I saw them doing support for Laura Marling (someone everyone should check out!) a year and a half ago and I thought they were just a more dull Fleet Foxes. I'll have to check out some of their studio stuff though, it might be more my taste!

TrueFaith77

07-11-2011, 08:37 AM

olive

07-11-2011, 08:38 AM

ELIJAH BLACK!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPGz8vlq0rg

Silver Springs

07-11-2011, 09:25 AM

Fire and Rain is incredible. It's on Sweet Baby James (all the ones I mentioned are albums, not individual songs). I think my favourite era of music ever is from 1968-73 in Laurel Canyon. You should read thre book Hotel California by Barney Hoskyns and see the accompanying documentary. Great stuff.

I watched a documentary on BBC Four last night about his work with Carol King, and I must say that I loved everything that I heard. I really need to spend the night having a listening session to them both because I'm so in the mood now.

Try You Can Close Your Eyes. 'Tis my favorite after Fire and Rain.

Thank you for the tip ;)

CreepingDeath

07-11-2011, 12:01 PM

I watched a documentary on BBC Four last night about his work with Carol King, and I must say that I loved everything that I heard. I really need to spend the night having a listening session to them both because I'm so in the mood now.

Thank you for the tip ;)

Go listen to Carole King's Tapestry. Actually, everyone should own this album. No questions asked. The end. Also, you should watch James Taylor and Carole King Live At The Troubadour. ;)

chiliD

07-11-2011, 06:44 PM

Go listen to Carole King's Tapestry. Actually, everyone should own this album.

For as long as it was on the Billboard Album charts, I figured by now, everybody DOES. :shrug: (that and Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon)

chiliD

07-11-2011, 06:45 PM

Buddy Miller (as a solo artist)- I've always appreciated his work on other people's albums. I just got into his solo stuff after I bought "Written in Chalk".

My favorite song of his is "Worry Too Much". One of my all-time favorite songs.

snicksfan85

07-11-2011, 09:12 PM

I saw them doing support for Laura Marling (someone everyone should check out!) a year and a half ago and I thought they were just a more dull Fleet Foxes. I'll have to check out some of their studio stuff though, it might be more my taste!

Yea, it's not something that I usually would be into but I am all about them right now.

My favorite song of his is "Worry Too Much". One of my all-time favorite songs.

He's so great and underrated, in my opinion. I got super excited when I saw him on the street when we were headed to lunch a couple of months ago. I was like "Hey, it's Buddy Miller!" and I got a lot of "Who?" from those in the car. Which is really sad since he'd been doing so much work with Patty Griffin (an office favorite).