Favourite artists of a musical bent
I’m bored so I think I’ll do a listypoo’s of my 10 favourite bands in the whole wide world
They change so frequently that it’s always interesting to re-evaluate them.
- Sigur Rós
Post Rock band from Iceland
Was a bit late to the party, but upon discovering them 2 odd years ago it was as though I had discovered a thing called music for the very first time. It doesn’t matter that I don’t understand Jónsi’s language because, even when he sings gibberish as on the LP () I seem to understand every utterance.
Favorite LP: ()
Favorite Song: Untitled 6 from () - Radiohead
Art Rock band from England
It’s the haunting sound the perfectionism of the approach that gets me hooked. I first heard them with Street Spirit, probably watching the Chart Show or something and although I loved what I heard I was all about dance music in my school days. It wasn’t until Paranoid Android that I went all “Right that’s it, I have to go buy their stuff”. OK Computer came out a few weeks later and my jaw dropped. Plus, it’s thanks to Radiohead that I started getting into all genres of popular music.
Favorite LP: OK Computer
Favorite Song: Fake Plastic Trees from The Bends - The Smiths
Indie band from England
My brother, who is old enough to have been into music whilst LP’s still came on vinyl was into the Smiths, though he never saw them perform so that’s no great boast. Morrissey was already into his 3rd or 4th solo LP by the time I started appreciating the music of the Smiths.
Favorite LP: The Queen is Dead
Favorite Song: There is a light that never goes out from The Queen is Dead - Interpol
Post Punk band from New York
There’s something I can’t define about their sound, the music sounds optimistic, sometimes happy, and yet the vocals are delivered straight faced with lyrics that are verging on the surreal.
Favorite LP: Turn on the Bright Lights
Favorite Song: Obstacle 1 from Turn on the Bright Lights - Arctic Monkeys
Indie band from England
Living in Sheffield the Arctic Monkeys are unavoidable, but despite the over-exposure here in blighty they really do live up to the expectations. They really seem to be unable to pen a second rate song, they’re everything you can ask from such a line up. And they’re sweet individuals too.
Favorite LP: Whatever People Say I Am, That is what I’m Not
Favorite Song: Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured from Whatever People Say I Am, That is what I’m Not - Plaid
Electronic duo from England
They have a playful sound all of their own, ultra-clear, tuneful and pretty damn clever. Probably the main influence on my own crappy creations.
Favorite LP: Rest Proof Clockwork
Favorite Song: Undoneson - The Libertines
Indie band from England
They only survived 2 LP’s before Pete became some kind of weird anti-hero beloved as a play-thing for the tabloids, causing him to be singularly unable to achieve anything of worth. Still, before the implosion their music was majestically riotous, in the the order of some kind of amazing never-ending party. Just put on one of their LP’s and you cannot help grin whatever mood you’re in.
Favorite LP: Up the bracket
Favorite Song: Up the Bracket - New Order
New Wave band from England
On and off again like a yoyo. They grabbed me earlier than most of those in the list because they crossed over into both dance and rock somehow. The overriding thought about them is that they are interesting, which would probably make you run a mile but it shouldn’t in this case.
Favorite LP: Technique
Favorite Song: Bizarre Love Triangle from Brotherhood - The Pixies
Alternative band from USA
So so so much better than Nirvana. They’re catchy whilst brutal, they say that’s because of the quiet-loud style. Who knows.
Favorite LP: Doolittle
Favorite Song: Monkey gone to heaven - Boards of Canada
Downtempo Band from Scotland
Amazingly distinctive sound in a world of samey dance music. They have all these squiggles drifting a few cents out causing you to drift off into some place pleasant but ever so slightly sinister.
Favorite LP: Geogaddi
Favorite Song: 1969 from Geogaddi
