November 9, 2005
Gimme a Fix
Posted by Larry Karnowski at November 9, 2005 7:00 AMI'm going to whisper a little blasphemy here... listen close. "In the Fall, I sometimes don't really feel all that much like listening to Americana music."
There, I said it. I'm not saying I don't love Americana! I write for this freakin' site, give me a break! But I'm a Renaissance Man, I need a little variety, you know, a little fiber in the diet to keep everything runnin' right.
Where do I turn? Well, I look mostly to Indie Rock, but I also dig a lot of Celtic (which is pretty Americana-ish already), and some classical. I especially dig movie and (sigh...) video game soundtracks while I'm working. This is an old, old habit.
The past week or so I've been listening to a few Americana albums (Lori McKenna, Hayes Carll, the AMA sampler, and Tim O'Brien), but with lots of (sigh...) the World of Warcraft soundtrack, tons of the New Pornographers (go Neko Case! woohoo!), and various and sundry stuff left over from my party (everything from Eighties to Radiohead). I need a fix. An Indie Rock fix.
Right now I'm looking at spending my early birthday gift certificate to iTunes from my brother the author. (Thanks dude!) I'm thinking of buying a few albums and/or lots of singles from different bands I've heard a lot about. I'm definitely thinking of getting some of the following:
* Belle & Sebastian
* My Morning Jacket
* Death Cab For Cutie
* Sun Kil Moon
* Polphonic Spree
* Various Eighties folks for my massive "Larry's Eighties Mania" collection; it's only goal is world domination my friends, and I fear it more and more everyday
Here's some stuff I was chillin' out to last year about this time:
* Modest Mouse
* The Decemberists
* Rilo Kiley
* Hot Hot Heat
* Pretty Girls Make Graves
* Flaming Lips
* Flogging Molly
* The Shins
Anything else in this vein? Anything anyone recommends? Some of these bands really bend the line between Americana and Indie -- Sun Kil Moon and My Morning Jacket for example. (Or so I hear... I don't really have their sound down yet.) But most are straight up college rock.
I just want something alternately upbeat and mellow, quirky, and melodic. I don't dig music "without melody." Call me the little kid that points, stares, and shouts, "the Emperor has no clothes" when it comes to "art rock." In other words, some of the kooky college rock that's barely music at all... not my thing. I dig folks like the New Pornographers -- poppy, way out there, and quirky.
Let me know! I'm hoping to pick up some new music soon!
I highly recommend My Morning Jacket. Can't go wrong with any of their three last albums. But I wouldn't say they are upbeat - i find it makes me daydream more than tap my foot in rhythm (the one's a bit more rocking).
The new Shout Out Louds album is surprisingly good in the Hot Hot Heat vein.
Death Cab kind of bores me but if you never listened to the Postal Service album (which includes the Death Cab lead singer), I recommend...
Posted by: Scott at November 9, 2005 8:37 AMYou'd probably like The Beta Band if you don't already have their 'The Three Eps'. You might remember 'Dry the Rain' from 'High Fidelity.' Sadly they broke up in 2004 but released the two-disc "The Best of the Beta Band" in 2005.
Posted by: Margaret at November 9, 2005 9:55 AMIf you want "poppy, way out there, and quirky," you can't beat Fountains of Wayne. Well, I'd say they're "out there," not "way out there," but whatever. Don't get the new B-sides album if you aren't familiar with them yet -- start with "Welcome Interstate Managers" ("Bright Future in Sales" is the best song to get you going in the morning), then try an older album, "Utopia Parkway."
Also, have you checked out The Raveonettes? Go with "Chain Gang of Love" first.
Also, dammit, it is time you fall madly, desperately in love with The Black Keys. I decree it! Take blues, throw in a lot of garage rock, add a healthy dash of indie, and mix it all up. Then the boys from Akron will cook all on their own.
Posted by: Sharon at November 9, 2005 10:32 AMare you into Broken Social Scene?
it's different-
i'd start w/
You Forgot It In People
If you want to balance some mellowness with some rocking-outness, I recommend the Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Fever to Tell." It's punkish-rockish, but with melody and decipherable lyrics and very foxy Karen O. singing.
Also, just in case you thought no one was going to call you out on the Worlds of Warcraft soundtrack, I'm here to do that. Friggin' geek. :)
Posted by: Stacy at November 9, 2005 8:33 PMAh God bless you Stacy! I knew I could count on you! I was afraid no one was gonna call me out on it.
Posted by: larry at November 9, 2005 9:24 PMI've been enjoying three bands from here in Middle Tennessee for the last few years. You might want to check them out.
The Features (www.thefeatures.com)
Fluid Ounces (www.fluidounces.org)
De Novo Dahl (www.denovodahl.com)
The Features put out an album on Universal Records last autumn so I don't think they're "indie" any more, but the other two are. However, I think some Fluid Ounces tracks might be available on your beloved iTunes.
Anyway, check them out. Definitely not Americana, but it should help you get your rock fix.
~TF
P.S. If I'm not mistaken, I owe you a "Happy Birthday"
Posted by: Tom at November 14, 2005 5:21 PMI would recommend Death Cab for Cutie's Aussie tour buddies Youth Group if you're after some top flight indie rock that's a pleasure to listen to when you're all Americana'ed out (which I am myself right now). At the moment, M Ward (still sorta Americana but more indie than not IMO), Crystal Skulls (their debut Blocked Numbers is UNREAL) and yes, My Morning Jacket. Gawd, they are amazing.
Just my two cents worth...
