Introspective artists?

[ShakenForwardShakenFree]

I have always been pulled to the flaws within this human condition, and, as an artist myself, admire those who can intertwine self-reflective hope and despair.

I was wondering what artists people like, as I am curious to expand into other genres or acts.

A favorite of mine, and I'm sure I'm hardly alone in this, is Damien Rice. His lyrics reveal his utter openness, for better or worse, and the power and beauty behind his admissions/statements/beseechings often times send chills up my spine. His vulnerability is refreshing in an industry that's increasingly focused solely on cultivated image. One can argue that his vulnerability IS a cultivated image, as it plays up the arthouse-type of musician, but seeing him live, hearing his voice break, I don't think it's insincere.

 

[ShakenForwardShakenFree]

So, am I alone in liking artists who look within themselves for inspiration/conflict then uses the expressing of this inspiration/conflict in song as a cathartic release?

Jeff Buckley is another I love. Every once in a while I'll bump this thread with a video to keep it relevant. I find it hard to believe nobody else seeks to tragedy and triumph of these types!

 

[Fenny the Fox]

Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October is quite introspective within his lyrics. As does the former drummer and part-lyricist of Dream Theater - Mike Portnoy. Both of whom regularly write about past drug and alcohol abuse and family relationships and the like.

Conor Oberst [Bright Eyes] is generally always introspective within his lyrics.

Just a few introspective and open artists I enjoy.

 

[If Not For Grace]

The more famous (or perhaps infamous) bunch I like whom I think meet your specs are:

1) Stevie Nicks and her buddy
2)Tom Petty
3)Keith Richards (My Hero of course) & Mick Jagger
4)Kris Kristofferson (Songwriter of the year 5 years in a row)

There are many others but all of the above write & preform and HAVE endured which is a true sign of reflection, introspection and Victory-JMHO These are the best of the most prolific. Many tell us of pain, or Joy or love or of the blues- and move us to emotion--but the bunch above take us through the whole gambit and seem to come away with something new & better each time and have lived long enough to know what they were/are talking about in addition to making commercial success out of it all.

 

[firesoforion]

I'd add Pete Townshend to that list, he starts introspective early on and it just gets more complex and also vulnerable as The Who (and later his solo career) progress. In fact after a little reading and interview listening to to understand some of his you could almost play all of the albums start to finish and know exactly how he perceived and thought about it at the time. Quadrophenia absolutely fits this category in a number of ways, and then some of their even later, more overlooked and underrated stuff especially in Who By Numbers and Face Dances, wow, good stuff.

 

[markb77]

You might find these interesting:

Jackson Browne
Bruce Cockburn
Lyle Lovett
Nanci Griffith
Derek Webb
Nick Drake
Warren Zevon

 

[ShakenForwardShakenFree]

Zevon is a great one. Great addition. His last album was complete introspection and very poignant.

 

[MasterpieceMesias]

Travis Ryan of Cattle Decapitation and Ross Dolan of Immolation. Actually maybe not Ross, because some of his lyrics are definition-ally anti-Christian, but his lyrics on the last two albums rule. Travis Ryan speaks mainly about misanthropy and the self-destruction humanity inflicts on itself.
Also whoever the lyricist for Fleshgod Apocalypse is is also a good one. Dying Fetus also has excellent lyrics, and so does Death with Chuck Schuldiner.

 

[TheApostleJohn]

Radiohead and Weezer's Pinkerton album are two that immediately come to mind.

 

[ShakenForwardShakenFree]

I know this is in the secular music forum by my own design, but I'm absolutely entranced with Brooke Fraser, both her Christian and pop/folk careers.

She gets it. Sometimes she treads in the superficial, but I think it's pretty brief in the light of some of her other works.