Left Behind...

rollhead · October-5th-2005, 11:24 AM

About 1970, after having grown up on rock & folk -- Beatles, Dylan, Elvis, etc., I essentially gave up on rock when the proto-metallica groups started moving in.

I started listening to Weather Report, Return to Forever, etc., and then switched to classical before moving into jazz, blues, R&B, funk, minimalism, roots music, etc.

But I have yet to find my way back into rock. There is just a drudge like sameness to it all to me.

Any ideas on how I might get back, get back... get back to where I once belonged?

Noj · October-5th-2005, 11:35 AM

BFrank · October-5th-2005, 11:36 AM

Spoon

Check these guys out. They're an "indie" group from Austin that has an interesting sound and good songwriting.

Tom Storer · October-5th-2005, 11:39 AM

If it all seems to be a drudge-like sameness, why go back?

jazzy mary · October-5th-2005, 11:40 AM

My younger daughter, who is a rock guitarist, songwriter, piano playing, straight A+++++ student (yes, I'm just a wee bit proud of her) brought me back!!

She started listening to Neil, Jimi, Black Sabbath (I had never really even listened to them (!) but now "Planet Caravan" (also the name of Liz's band) and "Paranoid" are two of my fave songs. Now she's deep into the Beach Boys. She started out with the Beatles about 6 years ago and had already absorbed their canon.

But here's the kicker--she hipped me to "The Red Hot Chili Peppers". This is basically the only band nowadays that is doing much musically. They are fantastic. Again, this is just, imho. Are you hip to them? Flea is a magnificent bassist and John Frusciante is a marvelous guitarist. And Anthony Kiedes--well, I totally dig him.

Flea studied trumpet and his stepfather was a jazz trumpet player. Flea is really into jazz. I wonder if he reads this board? If so, I need to tell him something: Flea, , my daughter and I think you are the best rock bassist ever! Now, go get Anthony right now and have him log on and register and tell him to send me a pm immediately because I am the perfect woman for him!! LOL!! Actually, it's true! I love Anthony's lyrics, voice and phrasing, he's near my age, I read his bio (great), I love his mind and I think he's tres attractive plus he seems like he's really into uh, romancing! And he is through with these messed up, effed woman he has dealt with in the past. I think he's ready for jm!

clinthopson · October-5th-2005, 11:47 AM

I was never that big a rock fan but I still listen to Creedence and the Doors from time to time.

Boris Badenov · October-5th-2005, 11:52 AM

Geez, I thought this thread was gonna be about Tim LaHaye.

jazzy mary · October-5th-2005, 11:53 AM

Lol, me too, Boris!

Noj · October-5th-2005, 12:00 PM

rollhead · October-5th-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Storer

If it all seems to be a drudge-like sameness, why go back?

Well, my daughters seem to think that jazz all sounds the same, so I thought I might give it another try.

Thanks BFrank. Interestingly, minutes before I saw your post, I ran across that same album cover here:
http://www.npr.org/programs/asc/archives/bestsofar05/

Noj: I appreciate your recommendations. I will give them a listen. Thanks.

rollhead · October-5th-2005, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

But here's the kicker--she hipped me to "The Red Hot Chili Peppers". This is basically the only band nowadays that is doing much musically. They are fantastic. Again, this is just, imho. Are you hip to them? Flea is a magnificent bassist and John Frusciante is a marvelous guitarist. And Anthony Kiedes--well, I totally dig him.

Flea studied trumpet and his stepfather was a jazz trumpet player. Flea is really into jazz.

Mary, I need to listen. I just watched a great documentary (for the second time) "In the Shadows of Motown," which is about the Funk Brothers -- most of whom were initially jazz players before they hooked up with Barry Gordy. So, if the "Red Hot Chili Peppers" have a grounding in jazz, maybe I would like them.

Noj · October-5th-2005, 12:21 PM

I suggest Freaky Styley or Mother's Milk where the Chili Peppers are concerned.

jazzy mary · October-5th-2005, 12:22 PM

rollhead, my daughter, the musician, (the reason I always specify is because I have two--one is a serious musician (she's 12) and the other one is 15, and, although she plays piano, she's much more into soccer & baseball! At any rate, my younger daughter thinks jazz sounds the same too! And , of course, she's been exposed to TONS of it. And it's not that she's not deep enough musically or needs to "get to that level" (she is and she has) she just doesn't dig it like I do.

At any rate, I can totally hip you to some great RHCP. We have ALL of their albums. The ones produced by the great, legendary prodcer Rick Rubin are among the best. THe RHCP's masterpieces, imho, are "Californication", "Mother's Milk" and "Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magix". I'll ask my daughter what she thinks--she'll have more ideas.

BFrank · October-5th-2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noj

When reading about Flea's bass playing, the first thing I thought about was Les Claypool, too.

Vince Kargatis · October-5th-2005, 12:54 PM

There are so many sources for info and listening out there now...

Plenty of listening at:
http://epitonic.com/
http://betterpropaganda.com/
http://insound.com/

Prominent online contemporary/indie rock+ zines:
http://pitchforkmedia.com/
http://stylusmagazine.com/
http://dustedmagazine.com/

These zines love to do lists, which can certainly be useful for overviews and browsing, e.g.
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/top/2000-04/

Lots of mp3 blogs out there, I don't have specific suggestions, but you can find them.

Also, browse the thread Recent pop

I have plenty of my own favorites, but without knowing your tastes, not worth listing atm.

Vince Kargatis · October-5th-2005, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

But here's the kicker--she hipped me to "The Red Hot Chili Peppers". This is basically the only band nowadays that is doing much musically. They are fantastic. Again, this is just, imho.

I warrant this statement ("only band") would strike most listeners of contemporary (particularly indie) pop and rock as very very bizarre.

Sergio Zamora · October-5th-2005, 12:58 PM

It would help if we had an idea of your tastes

Sergio Zamora · October-5th-2005, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

I warrant this statement ("only band") would strike most listeners of contemporary (particularly indie) pop and rock as very very bizarre.

Are the Chilli Peppers even doing anything interesting lately? I haven't heard their full albums since way back, but their radio singles in the last 5 years or so seem all rather blah.

groover · October-5th-2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

I warrant this statement ("only band") would strike most listeners of contemporary (particularly indie) pop and rock as very very bizarre.

No more than saying all jazz sounds the same, though. Although it does, in the same way that all rock sounds similar, all blues sounds similar, etc...

Saying all jazz sounds the same is basically saying you don't care enough to listen long enough to detect any variety.

rollhead · October-5th-2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio Zamora

It would help if we had an idea of your tastes

In terms of rock, I still like what Van Morrison does a lot, but that may be because he often performs with blues and jazz musicians. Danny Gatton is a 'rock guitarist" I like.

I like most jazz -- ranging from Hamiet Bluiet to Lester Young.

I listen to a lot of blues -- and like Eric Clapton and Johnny Winter, etc., when they play blues.

R&B -- Anything with the Funk Brothers.

Gospel -- Blind Boys of Alabama, Brother Joe May, many others

Funk -- Maceo Parker, Charlie Hunter, Garage a Tois

Uncategorical -- Tin Hat Trio

Vince -- Thanks for the links.

jazzy mary · October-5th-2005, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

I warrant this statement ("only band") would strike most listeners of contemporary (particularly indie) pop and rock as very very bizarre.

I knew that. That's why I said "imho".

I just love the RHCP If you know of a band that has reallly strong vocals, guitar, bass, drums and arrangments, pls. let me know and I'll point Liz in their direction. She's been disappointed w/ most indie bands she's heard.

Surfer · October-5th-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

I knew that. That's why I said "imho". I just love the RHCP If you know of a band that has reallly strong vocals, guitar, bass and arrangments, pls. let me know and I'll point Liz in their direction. She's ben disappointed w/ most indie bands she's heard.

Best pure "pop" band (power pop) of the last 10 years maybe actually be the now defunct

THE DISMEMBERMENT PLAN

start with Emergency and I, then go to Change, and then earlier works.

If you like the RHCP, I'd say you might like these guys as well.

Vince Kargatis · October-5th-2005, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfer

Best pure "pop" band (power pop) of the last 10 years maybe actually be the now defunct

THE DISMEMBERMENT PLAN

start with Emergency and I, then go to Change, and then earlier works.

Won't argue. My affection for Modest Mouse probably rivals that for DP, but I really do love The Dismemberment Plan. See mentions of them in the "Recent Pop" thread too.

Surfer · October-5th-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

Won't argue. My affection for Modest Mouse probably rivals that for DP, but I really do love The Dismemberment Plan. See mentions of them in the "Recent Pop" thread too.

Modest Mouse is pretty good too, but Travis could write the hooks / lyrics and DP's drummer is much better. I think Jazzy Mary's interest in RHCP would make her more interested in DP than MM.

Not to take anything away from MM.

Sergio Zamora · October-5th-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollhead

In terms of rock, I still like what Van Morrison does a lot, but that may be because he often performs with blues and jazz musicians. Danny Gatton is a 'rock guitarist" I like.

I like most jazz -- ranging from Hamiet Bluiet to Lester Young.

I listen to a lot of blues -- and like Eric Clapton and Johnny Winter, etc., when they play blues.

R&B -- Anything with the Funk Brothers.

Gospel -- Blind Boys of Alabama, Brother Joe May, many others

Funk -- Maceo Parker, Charlie Hunter, Garage a Tois

Uncategorical -- Tin Hat Trio

Vince -- Thanks for the links.

Well, in that case it's "Free Bird"

Enforcer · October-5th-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noj

Noj! My man! Good rec. Hometown representin', motherf**kers. They just played here last weekend. Good times according to all reports.

rollhead · October-5th-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio Zamora

Well, in that case it's "Free Bird"

As in Yardbird?

Gentle Giant · October-5th-2005, 03:08 PM

For an update on the reflective Irish crooner a la Van Morrison, check out the Waterboys. Mike Scott has something to say.

I'm really into Ben Folds these days; take the corny BS out of Elton John and punch it up piano trio style with an alt-pop sensibility, and that's what you get.

What's new is old is good:

rollhead · October-5th-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

For an update on the reflective Irish crooner a la Van Morrison, check out the Waterboys.

I like the name. That's the position I used to play on the football team.

letchhausen · October-5th-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

Noj! My man! Good rec. Hometown representin', motherf**kers. They just played here last weekend. Good times according to all reports.

Speaking of the hometown mofo's the Dirtbombs are miles better than these guys. And Mick Collin's previous band The Gories is better too (in fact they read like a blueprint for a lot of the minimal garage stylings so popular the last five years). True Detroit mania. The Dirtbombs "Electra-Glide in Black" was all soul covers and truly awesome record!