Contemporary music

[markolas]

Originally Posted by Für Elise

do you mean contemporary as in literally contemporary, modern music? If so what years define contemporary?

Yeah, I meant contemporary/modern. As in the last five years or so.

[markolas]

Originally Posted by The Tower

Hey Marky- music has sucked the big asshole for the last 10-15 years now.

If you want a revelation, buy all of The Innocence Mission's albums. Glow, Umbrella and Befriended are all five star, unbelievable masterpieces. You will plotz.

I listened to some clips on Amazon, and liked what I heard. Those are some really moving vocals.

Edie Brickell's last solo album, Volcano, is a revelation as well.

I've always liked her. Didn't know she was still active, but I'll check it out.

Ooh, Morrissey's You Are the Quarry was orgasmic.

Never really listened to Morrissey or the Smiths. I'll make a point to check them out, though.

Sorry that music sucks. Everyone forgot what made it great....

I'm not sure what the hell happened. It all got very copy-cattish at some point, and nobody's ever really tried very hard to come up with something new. The best they can do is imitate. And music critics don't help matters...all they can do with new artists is compare them to other people, and then tear them down when they end up not being the same.

[markolas]

Originally Posted by amber

He'll find something. He just has to web around and look for stuff.

Yeah, I've been looking the last couple of days. Found a jazzy singer named Madeleine Peyroux whom I had not heard of; she sounded good. There are some good instrumentalists, too. I'd always written off Chris Botti, but he's actually very good. Regina Carter is a jazz violinist who is amazing.

There is some good contemporary R&B/hip-hop/soul, but you have to wade through a *lot* of dreck, and sometimes it's just too disheartening.

I swear, this one Charlie guy is so good (instrumental) wish I could remember. The CD got a little messed up, hope I didn't toss it. That reminds me of something I would do while cleaning, as I hate cleaning so much that I'll just throw things away.

You mentioned Getz & Gilberto, so maybe it's Charlie Byrd? He did a bossa nova album w/ Getz called "Jazz Samba" that was very popular.

[Serrart]

Originally Posted by markolas

Nah, it doesn't have to be jazz. I just don't like anything too "menacing," like hard rock/metal, or hard-core rap.

Some I particularly like these days:
Arctic Monkeys - solid garage band, great lyrics
Kino - Progressive rock, with a touch of late sixties and a quite ductile style
Tan Dun - He's one of the best living composers for me. He did a couple of soundtracks (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero), but his masterpiece IMO is Eight Memories In Watercolor
Gotan Project - they reinvent tango with a truly modern vibe
Damien Rice - He's a brilliant Irish songwriter, definitely influenced by Nick Drake but his songs are worlds built with pure poetry and deep emotions. Plus the singer who usually duets with him, Lisa Hannigan brings even more magic to his music. His new album is going to be released in November.

Oh, and that lady who was touring with Tom Petty... she sounds cool.

Romy

[DavidMn]

Well, I'm not the most sophisticated guy around but as far as modern music goes, I'm a huge fan of The Stereophonics.