The Indie Thread

[philN]

Songs: Ohia is good. Jason Molina gets a lot of influence from Neil Young. I'd say Didn't It Rain or Magnolia Electric Co. would be their best albums.

 

[philN]

I think Picaresque is just as good as anything else they've done. Other people may disagree, but I have really enjoyed it alot. I have trouble ranking which one I like the best; I think they are all good in different ways and for different reasons (I'm referring to the 5 Song EP, Castaways, Her Majesty, and Picaresque; I haven't heard their other EPs or the early Colin Meloy stuff to say whether or not it is any good).

 

[philN]

"Keep It Like A Secret" -- Built To Spill
"Perfect From Now On" -- Built To Spill
"Surfer Rosa" -- The Pixies
"Seven Swans" -- Sufjan Stevens
"Greetings From Michigan" -- Sufjan Stevens

That's quite a list. Built To Spill is great. Surfer Rosa is one of my favorite albums of all-time. And Sufjan has monopolized much of my listening-time over the past few months.

As far as other recommendations: Have you heard Woven Hand or 16 Horsepower? David Eugene Edwards (along with Sufjan Stevens, Half-Handed Cloud, Danielson, Pedro The Lion, et cetera) is another one of those Christian musicians that is worth listening to and is often insightful. His stuff is dark, but it is also inspiring. If you don't mind stuff with some country influence, he is worth checking out.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

I have several songs off of Picaresque. Is that on the same level as "Castaways and Cutouts"?

I don't think so. "Castaways" was a lot more solid, IMO. "Her Majesty" seemed more like an album, and was more dynamic than the previous. I can't bring myself to like "Picaresque" that much... a lot of it just seems boring to me.

Jordan, I think you mentioned Songs: Ohia in another thread. What do they sound like? What album by them would you recommend?

Very Neil Youngish. "Didn't It Rain" is completely stark and the subject matter is pretty depressing. Still, I think Molina is a wonderful writer and his schtick of writing about blues, the moon, fire, darkness, and industry just doesn't get old. "Magnolia Electric Co." is the name of Songs: Ohia's last album under that name. They changed their name to Magnolia Electric Company after that, and they just released "What Comes After the Blues," which, upon preliminary listens, is pretty good. "Magnolia Electric Co." (the album) is pretty good too, minus the guest spots. It's a lot more jam bandish and southern rock than "Didn't It Rain," which is primarily Molina himself. I prefer "Didn't It Rain" greatly over all the rest of their albums, but it's most likely because I've had the most bonding time with it.

 

[blackwasp]

Songs: Ohia is good. Jason Molina gets a lot of influence from Neil Young. I'd say Didn't It Rain or Magnolia Electric Co. would be their best albums.

Very Neil Youngish. "Didn't It Rain" is completely stark and the subject matter is pretty depressing. Still, I think Molina is a wonderful writer and his schtick of writing about blues, the moon, fire, darkness, and industry just doesn't get old. "Magnolia Electric Co." is the name of Songs: Ohia's last album under that name. They changed their name to Magnolia Electric Company after that, and they just released "What Comes After the Blues," which, upon preliminary listens, is pretty good. "Magnolia Electric Co." (the album) is pretty good too, minus the guest spots. It's a lot more jam bandish and southern rock than "Didn't It Rain," which is primarily Molina himself. I prefer "Didn't It Rain" greatly over all the rest of their albums, but it's most likely because I've had the most bonding time with it

Thanks guys...much appreciated.

Built To Spill is great

I bought "There's Nothing Wrong With Love" on a whim and found out that there are apparently two that are better. I really dig what I've heard from them, so I have to expand my collection of their music.

As far as other recommendations: Have you heard Woven Hand or 16 Horsepower? David Eugene Edwards (along with Sufjan Stevens, Half-Handed Cloud, Danielson, Pedro The Lion, et cetera) is another one of those Christian musicians that is worth listening to and is often insightful. His stuff is dark, but it is also inspiring. If you don't mind stuff with some country influence, he is worth checking out.

Thanks Phil, I'll check them out.

 

[The Theory]

16 Horsepower is among my favorites. One of the greatest live shows ever.

 

[JaelWasWickedCool]

just to provide a little difference of opinion, i think my favorite songs: ohia release is axxess & ace. magnolia electric co. is good but has a couple songs that i don't really like at all (the ones with guest vocalists). i haven't really heard enough of didn't it rain to have a firm opinion on it.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

For all you Newsom fans:

Here's a link to a the live show in London. It has "Yarn and Glue," and "What We Have Known," which aren't on Milkeyed Mender, and "Cosmia," "Sawdust and Diamonds," and "Only Skin," which are new songs she's been working on.

http://www.livejournal.com/community/milkeyed_mender/47975.html

 

[antiarte]

As far as other recommendations: Have you heard Woven Hand or 16 Horsepower? David Eugene Edwards (along with Sufjan Stevens, Half-Handed Cloud, Danielson, Pedro The Lion, et cetera) is another one of those Christian musicians that is worth listening to and is often insightful. His stuff is dark, but it is also inspiring. If you don't mind stuff with some country influence, he is worth checking out.

Woven Hand is pretty good. Half-Handed Cloud is another great band, too. Sufjan Stevens, I haven't really heard much of his work, but I heard I liked. And Danielson, I gotta give them another try.
Another Christian band I'd recommend is Castanets. Great stuff, country-ish and dark. Check out their album "Cathedral", which I believe is their only album so far. I'm not sure.

 

[antiarte]

For all you Newsom fans:

Here's a link to a the live show in London. It has "Yarn and Glue," and "What We Have Known," which aren't on Milkeyed Mender, and "Cosmia," "Sawdust and Diamonds," and "Only Skin," which are new songs she's been working on.

http://www.livejournal.com/community/milkeyed_mender/47975.html

Thanks, man. Good looking out.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

Woven Hand is pretty good. Half-Handed Cloud is another great band, too. Sufjan Stevens, I haven't really heard much of his work, but I heard I liked. And Danielson, I gotta give them another try.
Another Christian band I'd recommend is Castanets. Great stuff, country-ish and dark. Check out their album "Cathedral", which I believe is their only album so far. I'm not sure.

I didn't know the Castanets were Christian? I couldn't tell from their words... and if I had to make any distinction, I would imagine they weren't with titles like "No Light to be Found (fare thee faith, the path is yours)." But then again, their lyrics seem pretty dense, and I haven't tried to decipher many of the songs.

It was on my top ten list last year.. and I saw them a couple months ago. I really like The Castanets.

And Half-Handed Cloud's new one is pretty good. Like Br. Danielson except less evil clown sounding.

 

[antiarte]

I didn't know the Castanets were Christian? I couldn't tell from their words... and if I had to make any distinction, I would imagine they weren't with titles like "No Light to be Found (fare thee faith, the path is yours)." But then again, their lyrics seem pretty dense, and I haven't tried to decipher many of the songs.

Someone told me they were Christian. I'm not excatly sure myself. Either way, it's pretty amazing music.

 

[Ceccia]

I'm listening to "The Legionnaire's Lament" right now. Actually, I'm listening to all of "Castaways and Cutouts".

ooh, coincidence...so am I

now the question of the day is: if you were going to recommend a few good indie bands to someone who adores the Decemberists but hasn't heard too much else beyond Deathcab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, and Neutral MIlk Hotel...what would you recommend?

 

[blackwasp]

ooh, coincidence...so am I

now the question of the day is: if you were going to recommend a few good indie bands to someone who adores the Decemberists but hasn't heard too much else beyond Deathcab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, and Neutral MIlk Hotel...what would you recommend?

I'm not familiar with as many bands as a lot of people in this thread, but I think that any indie fan needs "The Moon and Antarctica" and "Lonesome Crowded West" by Modest Mouse, "Agaetis Byrjun" by Sigur Ros, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" by Wilco, and "The Milk-Eyed Mender" by Joanna Newsom.

 

[blackwasp]

For all you Newsom fans:

Here's a link to a the live show in London. It has "Yarn and Glue," and "What We Have Known," which aren't on Milkeyed Mender, and "Cosmia," "Sawdust and Diamonds," and "Only Skin," which are new songs she's been working on.

http://www.livejournal.com/community/milkeyed_mender/47975.html

Thanks!

Does anyone know anything about Newsom...whether she plans on putting out another album anytime soon?

 

[philN]

Another Christian band I'd recommend is Castanets. Great stuff, country-ish and dark. Check out their album "Cathedral", which I believe is their only album so far. I'm not sure.

Gah, I forgot about Castanets. Cathedral is so good. Although, people I've played it for haven't been too impressed, so maybe it's an aquired taste.

I didn't know the Castanets were Christian? I couldn't tell from their words... and if I had to make any distinction, I would imagine they weren't with titles like "No Light to be Found (fare thee faith, the path is yours)." But then again, their lyrics seem pretty dense, and I haven't tried to decipher many of the songs.

I'm not entirely sure. They are on Asthmatic Kitty, which has put out a number of records by Christians (Half-Handed Cloud, Sufjan come to mind). That's why I tend to lump them in with other christian artists. I think that some of their lyrics seem to be talking about faith and some of the songs directly address God; I haven't taken the time to really sort everything out yet.

And Half-Handed Cloud's new one is pretty good. Like Br. Danielson except less evil clown sounding

I am in love with the new Half-Handed Cloud album. And the old Half-Handed Cloud albums, for that matter. Great stuff. I like Danielson alot too. "Brother: Son" was one of favorite albums of 2004. This year "Thy Is A Word..." is shaping up to be one of my favorites.

A note for Half-Handed Cloud fans. John Ringhofer did a "song fast" earlier this year, and as a result he has already written his next album and recorded demo versions. There is an mp3 of one of the songs up on the internet and it sounds pretty good, especially for being a demo recording. I don't remember where I found it, but if you search around his blog on SecretlyCanadian.com there should be link to a site that he was a guest writer for and you can download it from there. Just in case you want a sneak peek at what's to come from Half-Handed Cloud.

 

[blackwasp]

Hey guys, I just bought seven albums today:

"Pickin' on Modest Mouse" -- A Bluegrass Tribute featuring Iron Horse
"Whenever You See Fit" -- Modest Mouse/764-Hero
"Keep It Like A Secret" -- Built to Spill
"Perfect From Now On" -- Built to Spill
"Didn't It Rain" -- Songs: Ohia
"Michigan" -- Sufjan Stevens
"Seven Swans" -- Sufjan Stevens

I didn't bring my list with me b/c I didn't plan on spending so much, but they didn't have anything by 16 Horsepower, and I forgot about the other bands that were mentioned.

 

[philN]

but they didn't have anything by 16 Horsepower

Probably your best bet for finding 16 Horsepower stuff would be to look online. I think alot of those albums are out of print. If it's an indie store with decent distro they should have some Woven Hand stuff.

I'm excited for you. I wish I could experience some of those for the first time again. I remember listening to Michigan on a nice pair of headphones straight through from beginning to end and being completely blown away. Enjoy.

 

[MoreInSorrow]

Caustic Resin is a great band. They look like Skynard, but sound NOTHING like them. Good stuff.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

ooh, coincidence...so am I

now the question of the day is: if you were going to recommend a few good indie bands to someone who adores the Decemberists but hasn't heard too much else beyond Deathcab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, and Neutral MIlk Hotel...what would you recommend?

Belle and Sebastian (If You're Feeling Sinister and Tigermilk)
Badly Drawn Boy (Hour of the Bewilderbeast)
Cat Power (Moon Pix)
Broken Social Scene (You Forgot It In People)
The Delgados (The Great Eastern)
The Dismemberment Plan (Emergency and I)
Iron and Wine (The Creek Drank the Cradle)
Kings of Convenience (Quiet is the New Loud)
The New Pornographers (Mass Romantic)
Rilo Kiley (The Execution of All Things)
Pavement (Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain)
The Shins (Oh, Inverted World)
Spoon (Kill the Moonlight)
Yo La Tengo (...and then everything turned itself inside out)

...those should get you caught up, or in the very least give you the basics
I feel like I'm teaching Indie 101