I have always loved to hear new music but lately I’ve not being enjoying all the new stuff I’ve been buying. Why? I don’t really know.
I have listened to lots of new music the past month or so for this blog, and I have heard some good new stuff like Scott Matthews and Joe Henry. But I have also heard a lot of tosh.
So now I’m thinking of not buying any more new albums – but re listening to my existing CDs or buying old classics to rediscover the joy of music – what do you think?
Do you buy new music and feel a little let down, feel that you have better music already in your collection? Let me know.
I know what you mean there, but if you look hard enough there is still some decent new bands emerging. I’m not quite sure what you think of what is termed as Prog Rock, but I have been listening to Beardfish and Diagonal. I have also just ordered the new Porcupine Tree one, due for release next week and I have high hopes for that.
On a different planet altogether, try Howlin’ Rain, they grew out of Comets on Fire, and boy they don’t half rock.
I’ve been trying to find something new and interesting on the Folk Rock front, but it does seem to be the same old stuff getting recycled at the moment. Bit of a shame really, I’m sure there is some really great artists out there, I’m just struggling to find them. We need a new Roy Harper, Fairport Convention (they’ve got a bit boring of late) or John Martyn.
Still, there is still plenty of old stuff I haven’t heard yet so that should keep me going.
I shouldn’t really grumble as I’m actually a very lucky person as I had quite a gap in my musical knowledge – I missed out on many of the classics of the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s. Growing up I mostly listened to rock (Deep Purple/ACDC) with the odd album from artists like Stevie Forbert, The Members “This is the Sound of the Suburbs” and even a guy called Jeffrey Osbourne a soul singer who for some reason I liked. When I became a young man of around 15/16 then I stated to listen to Led Zep, Hawkwind, Wishbone Ash, Pink Floyd and one of my favs Rush – the only band I haven’t seen live. So I missed out on or didn’t listen to stuff like Neil Young, (early) Elton John, John Martyn, Roy Harper and many many others. So now in the past 10 years I been buying classic stuff by the above mentioned artists and more and listening to them with new ears albeit old ears who maybe savours the experience more now. Its actually been great and this is probably what I will do from now on, revisit the classic albums.
Prog rock – of course I’m a fan. Actually I do like this genre but not I think to the extent that you do. Growing up in 70′s you have to have to have some good memories of prog rock even if its simply Genesis or Yes although I was such a Rush fan – all their output but especially pre Moving Pictures – that it grieves me to say that I have missed them live. I had tickets for me and pup to see them at Wembley Arena in 2004 but we moved to Doha 4 weeks before (sob sob). I still play and enjoy this genre especially like Porcupine Tree and Manning – funnily enough I read your post in work today, met my wife at a mall, when she went shopping for stuff for new house I browsed in Virgin and lo and behold I saw and bought The Incident by Porcupine Tree. Playing it for the first time as I write this but it sounds good, usual fare but all good. I reckon we had it early here as we are sometimes classed as Asia and maybe the release date there is earlier than UK.
Recommendation for you – try Fink ‘Distance and Time’ and/or ‘Biscuits For Breakfast’ – both great albums and it has been remarked that there is a resemblance to John Martyn.
Mr LD
My taste in music is a whole lot different to yours and I always try and buy ther latest CDs by fav group or artist and I can say that most of the CDs I have bought this year have been alright
my tips for you (and other readers)
Artic Monkeys (Humbug) – better than their first one
Oasis – (Dig out your Soul) – I know what you will say but I do like ‘em
The Last Shadow Puppets (The age of understatement) now this surprised me really different but really good
The Cure (4:13 Dream) – my two brothers are huge fans and they have influenced me but I think only Cure fans will rate this
So dont give up on mew music there is lots of good good stuff still being made
SA
LD, I friggin’ LOVE The Members (well. their early stuff, at any rate) ! First time I’ve found someone else who’s even heard of them. I had “At the Chelsea Nightclub” on vinyl, “1980 The Choice is Yours” recorded from a vinyl onto a C-90, and “Uprhythm Downbeat” on original cassette. How’s that for a representative sample of “How we Used to Listen to Music in the 80′s” ?
The first album was truly awesome, every song worth multiple listens. A lot of humour in it too (“All alone, by yourself, all alone, by yourself – Buy yourself this record!”). Sound of the Suburbs remains one of my favourite new wave anthems (along with Turning Japanese, but that’s a whole new discussion).
The second album was very if-ish, though the opening track, The Ayatollah Harmony, was super. I always felt it would’ve fitted better on Chelsea Nightclub. One of the few songs I’d really like to get a copy of today (having long since disposed of my cassettes); haven’t been able to find a download anywhere.
“Uprhythm Downbeat” basically was shite. I remember listening to it almost out of a sense of duty, not really wanting to believe it was so bland. Do remember there was a cover version of The Model on it somewhere; it might be of some small academic interest to the Kraftwerk junkies who visit here.
Actually, my mention of Turning Japanese has just reminded me of another song I’d kill to get a download of – it was on the B-side of The Vapor’s hit single, a live recording called Here Comes the Judge (or something very much like that). At least I can listen to it on the ‘Tube still http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmf9RMWNrDo
Hi UncleRD – well fancy you liking The Members!!
I only ever had 1 pin badge on my school uniform a yellow and green one with “The Members” on it – it’s amazing that you should mention them here. You are so right about them being quite a witty band but I think I liked them more as they used a lot of other influences such as reggae and were different from the rest of the punk and new wave bands. I’m listening to their MySpace page now only 2 songs on there but great songs – my head is spinning with the memories that are flooding back