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Music thread

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 3:55 pm
by 87th
There's a couple of fairly unloved threads on this section of the forum about specific bands, so I thought I'd make a more universal one.

Quite simply, this is a thread (when did I start calling them "threads" instead of "topics"?) where we can all talk about our favourite bands, see if others share interests in them and talk about music in general.

I have a lot of favourite bands (I might go into more detail if asked), but I thought I'd concentrate on only a couple for the purposes of this post.

First of all, I am a very big fan of "The Who". My love for some of their albums can rival that for some of my favourite games. Between 1966 and 1974, I think that they were an incredibly brilliant band. Each member is a master of what they set out to become. Roger Daltrey shows wonderful ability as a rock singer and a front-man, and soon became the standard that many 70's singers based themselves on (including Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant!). Pete Townshend has written some of the most thoughtful, yet completely entertaining songs I've heard, and his use of barre chords could be claimed to be the source of hard rock and punk. No-one has ever been able to play the drums as wildly as Keith Moon did, and still keep time (which, despite popular opinion, Moon actually did). John Entwistle is, quite simply, the greatest bass guitarist I've ever heard, and the amount of influence he held on future bassists is nearly immeasurable. Their original work is as strong as the line-up as well, and listening to albums like "Tommy", "Sell Out", "Live At Leeds", "Who's Next" and "Quadrophenia" has really made a mark on me. Even without half the band (and sadly, they were my favourite two members), seeing them play live is still a great experience, and I'd recommend it to any rock fan. When I last saw them, in Liverpool, I was lucky enough to meet Roger Daltrey after the show, so it's been an experience that will stay with me.

A band that I've recently grown to love is "The Doors". I was always a little interested in them, and "Break On Through" was always one of my favourite songs, but it wasn't until last year that I heard their albums. I first heard their debut in the background of a party. I really loved what I'd heard and bought a copy the very next day. It seemed even better when I could give it my full attention. I then found their (apparently rare) Perception Boxset, which includes all of their Jim Morrison-era albums, on sale and immediately took the opportunity to buy it. Since buying it, I don't think a week has gone by where I haven't listened to at least one of the albums in their entirety. A great singles band, and a great albums band. I really can't get enough of them.


Anyone feel similarly? Hate the bands I listed? Want to talk about your own tastes? Want to talk about some completely different side of music? That's what this thread (there we go again) is for. :)

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 10:08 pm
by Arkley
I love The Doors as well. I started listening to them hardcore a couple months back, my favourite album has to be Morrison Hotel and my favourite song has to be Peace Frog, it makes me want to dance every time I listen to it. I also love their classics, Roadhouse Blues, The End, People are Strange, Light my Fire. Just a damn good band. Morrison's poetry is awesome.

One band which I have been listening to greatly as of now but has always had a high play rate on my playlist is 'A Perfect Circle'. A band which started off as a side project to one of the members of Tool and then became a full time band. They have such good songs, Mer de Noms is my favourite album by them, but I've been listening to eMOTIVe which is their last album and they did a lot of covers. Some great tracks by them are The Outsider, Judith, Weak and Powerless and Fiddle and the Drum (Joni Mitchell cover).

Final band I am going to mention is 'The Mars Volta'. Started listening to them only a couple months ago, and I love their stuff, especially the album De-loused in a Comatorium. Very experimental band, but I urge you to check them out and give them a try, you never know. Very unique sound, IMO.

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:23 am
by 87th
Arkley wrote:I love The Doors as well. I started listening to them hardcore a couple months back, my favourite album has to be Morrison Hotel and my favourite song has to be Peace Frog, it makes me want to dance every time I listen to it. I also love their classics, Roadhouse Blues, The End, People are Strange, Light my Fire. Just a damn good band. Morrison's poetry is awesome.
The inclusion of Peace Frog on Tony Hawk's American Wasteland's soundtrack is the only reason I ever play the game! :lol: Morrison Hotel is a great blues-influenced rock album, but I prefer the variety that their debut offers. Saying that, I'd probably call all their albums, from "The Doors" to "LA Woman", classics. I can't say that I've heard another band who put out such a consistently brilliant line of records.

I first heard The Mars Volta a few years ago. They were a good band, but I didn't see much in it that directly appealed to me. They seem to be a fairly unknown band, considering their wide and highly dedicated fan base, and their glowing reviews from the music press. Maybe I should give them another try sometime?

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 10:53 am
by Henry Spencer
Yeah, I like The Doors as well. I'm a U2 fan, myself also. I'm also a Muse nut as well, and am a big fan of other bands including; Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay and Queen. I'm a big fan of 80s music, personally, as well.

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 11:46 am
by JunkerMike
80's music kicks ass! Pretty much my favorite music genre ever. Also like hard rock, any kind of metal except black metal, hip hop, R&B, soul, SOME jazz, and some others.

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 11:44 am
by Henry Spencer
Jazz can be pretty damn amazing, I must say. Not a fan really, I just like to listen to it now and again. And 80's is my favourite era for anything, I must say. Practically everything, I think (aside from games, hehe).

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:49 pm
by JunkerMike
Henry Spencer wrote:Jazz can be pretty damn amazing, I must say. Not a fan really, I just like to listen to it now and again. And 80's is my favourite era for anything, I must say. Practically everything, I think (aside from games, hehe).
Wow, same here, man!!!!

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:45 pm
by ratperson665
It seems like I’m the only REM fan on this board. They’ve been my favorite band for about 3 years. I can't see how anyone couldn't appreciate them for their smart; often times beautiful lyrics (I cried for the first time after hearing Nightswimming), Michael Stipe's stunning voice, the two great guitarists (Peter Buck and Mike Mills) and just flat out great music. Check them out.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:47 pm
by seraphssavior
DragonForce....That's all I have to say.

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:05 am
by Snake700
I'm probably the guy here, who's music style is drifferent, i like rock and hip-hop, but i also love electronia artists like Hybrid & BT. And some new-age like Enigma. My brother hates Enigma & Hybrid though

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:00 am
by 87th
Since this topic has been bumped, I'm happy to give this piece of advice- If you go to Japan, check out the second-hand record shops. They are some of the world's best kept secrets. They're so fucking brilliant! :D

Even if you're not into old music, it's worth going in for the ¥2,000 Beatles LPs. Those will make an incredible profit on eBay.

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:33 am
by shidoni
I've got a terrible thing for Foreigner and 80's synth...
But I think.... my most Favouritest band as of late would have to be Deadboy And The Elephantmen.
I'll listen to anything in order to decide whether or not I like it. Everyone's got different tastes... But listening to music for a preditermined reason is just dirty buisness lol.

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:15 pm
by Henry Spencer
I'd have to say that Muse, U2, Queen and Red Hot Chili Peppers are my favourite bands of all time. I also like Coldplay, Keane, Paul Oakenfold, Daft Punk and a few others. But I'm mainly a sort of classic rock person. I love electronic/techno/dance music, jazz, movie OSTs, some classical and a variety of odd songs from other genres.

Depends what kind of mood I am in, really. (No emo music though, don't concern yourself with me liking any of that haha).

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:21 pm
by Artemio
How do you guys like listening to music? I mean, there are two main tendencies.. as background music, or simply listening to music and doing nothing else. How do you guys prefer doing it and what kind of setup do you use? (headphones, speakers, brands)

I am more of an instrumental guy (acoustic guitar, soundtracks, etc), but also listen to Bjork, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Vangelis and some occasional Alternative, classical or piano albums. Not very specific tastes, it is more according to my mood.

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:29 pm
by Henry Spencer
Wait man, Vangelis is awesome (and is instrumental, hehe)

And I agree, it depends on what mood I am in as well. I tend to listen to music with vocals and do nothing else. When it's instrumentals, I simply have it as background music to other things I do on the computer or when I am working around the house for whatever reason. I always use headphones/earphones as well. I love that music puming straight into your ears, plus you get to noticed something new each time you listen, like a new instrument being used that you didn't notice before for example (it's supposed to be background instruments that you do not notice, but I like noticing them).

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:57 pm
by Artemio
Indeed, I got distracted while writing the post and put Vangelis in there =P

Yes listening for detail and just closing your eyes while listening to good speakers or good headphones is great, just catching small pieces that you've never heard. I particularly love listening to the sound stage, although that is better accomplished on speakers since imaging is a bit lost on even great headphones.

I am not a headphone guy in general, but I just took out my Grado 225 set a few weeks ago and have been enjoying them at the office (the speakers at the office are not that good).

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:00 am
by 87th
I really enjoy listening to music on my MP3 player while walking, but I'm happy listening to it in pretty much any situation (apart from when my cheap hotel only gives me a mono TV so The Beatles sound like shit).

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:11 am
by Snake700
Snatcher wrote:How do you guys like listening to music? I mean, there are two main tendencies.. as background music, or simply listening to music and doing nothing else.
I'll do both. Heck, i can spend hours listening to music without doing anything, as long as i think of something