the radio still sucks

ByWil

And now, some music I’ve been listening to, which I think WWdN:iX readers may like as well. Ratings are out of five.

Consonant – Love and Affliction (aka Consonant, apparently)
(4) Good indie rock that you won’t hear on the radio. John Coltrane’s My Favorite Things is awesome.

Yo La Tengo – And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out
(5) I skipped this and wrote thoughts on every other band on the rest of this list, then came back here and stared at a blinking cursor for close to five minutes. I can’t tell you why I like this album so much, or why I like it more than many of YLT’s other releases, but I just do. I guess that pretty much explains Yo La Tengo, and that’s as good as it’s going to get.

Mike Doughty – Haughty Melodic
(4.5) Mike Doughty’s introduction to the mainstream as a solo artist is long overdue, and this album is a great way to do it. Mike clearly loves his music, and is an incredibly talented writer. I don’t like this as much as Skittish and Rockity Roll, but that’s sort of like saying the second Grey Goose martini wasn’t as good as the first.

Air – Moon Safari
(3.9) Kelly Watch the Stars. ‘Nuff said.

Nada Surf – The Weight is the Gift
(3.75, but growing) The first time I hear an album, I have one of three reactions:

  1. Yes!
  2. Meh.
  3. Hate it. Hate it. HATE IT!

Though you wouldn’t expect it, the albums that I end up liking the most, and listening to most often, are the ones that elicit a solid Meh. For example, I flipped over Kid A, but OK Computer got a solid Meh. Guess which one grew on me, challenged me, and is still in heavy rotation? Nada Surf’s Let Go is one of my favorite albums of all time (and will forever remind me of working on CSI) so I couldn’t wait to buy The Weight is the Gift when it was released. So far, it’s getting a solid Meh, but I like it a little bit more each time I listen to it. Look in the Mirror is my favorite song on the album, so far. I wouldn’t recommend this as an introduction to this band, but it’s worth listening to if you’re already a fan. I’m very interested to hear what others think about this album.

The Anniversary – Your Majesty
(5) Proof that good things can come out of Kansas, this is an amazing indie rock album, with surprising depth. Of course, I had to discover this band right after they broke up, so I guess I won’t be seeing them in concert any time soon. Sweet Marie, there’s a hole where your band should be.

The Rosebuds – Makeout
(3) Music that alternately makes me want to bop around and smash things. I can live with out the "woah-woah-woah-yo-yo-yo-yeah" on Drunkard’s Worst Nightmare, but the rest of the album is quite enjoyable. I especially like Back to Boston, Big Heartbreak, and Signature Drinks. It’s not a surprise that they’re on the same label as Arcade Fire and Teenage Fanclub. As a bonus, they’re playing tonight at the Troubadour in Hollywood, so I may just drag my lazy ass out of suburbia to see the show.

Johnny Cash – The Legend of Johnny Cash
(infinity) As I prepare to see Walk The Line, I’ve put The Man in Black back into heavy, heavy iPod, iTunes, and CD rotation. While it feels trendy and lame to have what is essentially a "best of" album, especialy now, this is pretty much the CD I’d make if I were making a Johnny Fuckin’ Cash mix tape.

If you have a rating of your own, or can put these bands together, figure out what I like, and have something to suggest based upon that information, or you just think I’m out of my fucking mind, let me know in the comments.

Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Similar Posts

51 Comments

  2. I’m been having a difficult time finding new music I like lately, so I will definately check some of these out. The only “new” albums I’ve liked lately have come from “old” bands, or old hands…
    The only popular music that I think is truly Amazing is “Gorillaz”, and I wonder if most people can see past its pop/hip-hop flare and truly see the wheels turning in the background… Whats funny, is that the “Genius” behind Blur was considered to be, well, everyone but Damon. I’d say he should that he was way more than a pretty boy front man…
    Anyway, I’ve gotten ahead of my main point, which is, I couldn’t agree with you more about the “meh” as a sign of possible good/great things to come.
    Pretty much every Afghan Whigs album after Gentlemen, and every other Dulli project besides, I’ve listened to the first time with the “meh” reaction. Don’t get me wrong, Gentlemen is in my mind, one of the greatest ALBUMS ever recorded in that it is thematic, and not a collection of songs. Having said that, Dulli always challenges his listeners.
    The same can be said or Mark Lanegan. Methamphetamine Blues is a track that challenges almost every notion of what a rock song should sound like, yet, it works beautifully.
    Aphex Twin: Ventolin anyone, that song is downright hostile to a listener, but hey, it grows on you to (if you like that sort of thing anyway)
    Ben Lee is another one (if you are into pop music). First reaction is lukewarm, but then you realize, especially in Ben Lee’s case, that he is growing as a song writer.
    And thats what I love about music. It can challenge you, it can make you FEEL, just by listening. Unfortunately, most people don’t listen to music to feel, they listen to music to NOT feel, which is very sad, and not very healthy IMHO.
    OMG, almost forgot Built to Spill. Another band that is challenging on almost every record.
    Please forgive the excessive ramblings of an ex-record store employee (a real record store, not a shitty mall one).
    Sorry I’m so dated, kids today and thier crazy derivative crap… 😉

  5. Wil, have you ever tried anything by Umphrey’s McGee? “Anchor Drops” is a pretty phenomenal album, and they put on a fantastic live show.
    Oddly, your reaction to OK Computer is almost exactly what I went through with that album — and it is still a favorite for me, too.

  6. I was one of the many one-hit wonder naive people persons back in the day…who bought Nada Surfs first album… yes, that one…
    I’ve heard rave reviews on their newest album… so I then pop in their first one to see if I really can get into them and go buy their newest album… then I go Meh….
    I figure they still owe me 11 bucks so I ain’t falling for it twice… 🙂

  7. If you’re looking for new music you might want to give http://www.pandora.com a try. Not sure if it is all that great yet as I’ve only cottoned on to it myself but the idea is that you type in a song or artist name and it starts playing music with similar characteristics. I was somewhat impressed when, after I typed in ‘Dead Can Dance’, it started to play Dave Matthews, whom I also like. Hope that doesn’t sound like a plug, just thought it might be useful.

  8. ooh…Johnny Cash. gotta love The Man In Black…haven’t heard of the other ones, but i’m sure one of my friends will end up sending a song or two to me. gotta get a road trip CD together anyways…going to Jersey on Sunday to Kevin Smith’s comic book store. yes, i am aware how geeky that is…:D

  9. I would be very disappointed if I typed in Dead Can Dance, and ended up with Dave Matthews… Listen to a track like Sanvean, and tell me where you get anything remotely like Dave Matthews?
    I personally can’t stand the pajama wearing freak (Matthews), but understand that many people do, so don’t want to bag on you for that, but I would say it was coincidence that you liked Matthews, and not some acute awareness of music that Pandora has.
    The closest you could get I think we be American Dreaming, but even then…

  10. mike doughty mike doughty mike doughty. i’m going to keep saying mike doughty so the google ad promotes him more and small rock grows even more!
    i thought i was a huge soul coughing fan, till i started listening to his solo stuff. then i realized i was a huge doughty fan.
    i like haughty the best, strangely. probably because i emailed mike after seeing him on tour to promote haughty, and HE REPLIED TO MY EMAIL. i felt so validated.
    i feel like my iPod is useless though cuz with 20GB of tunes, all i play is doughty over and over.
    there. i think i said doughty enough times. doughty!

  11. Mudboy, the thing is that if I hadn’t heard the tracks together like I had I would have thought much the same thing as you. As it was, however, the Dave Matthews track had a similar feel to Dead Can Dance. Of course, many DM tracks are nothing like DCD but it wasn’t those tracks that got played. Having said that, I’m still making up my mind about the site myself. An example of the site not working as one would think it should was when upon typing in Clannad I got hit with Cindy Lauper. Now, I know that Clannad has had some really drippy pop tunes recently but CINDY LAUPER?! Seriously!

  13. I’ve been listening to alot of Johnny Cash lately too.
    I really want to see the movie and have heard good things about it.
    But, I’m betting that in 2+ hours of film that they movie isn’t half as compelling as Johnny Cash’s video Hurt. God, I love that.

  15. i like haughty the best, strangely. probably because i emailed mike after seeing him on tour to promote haughty, and HE REPLIED TO MY EMAIL.
    You win. He didn’t reply to mine. Guess I could wait a while and send another.

  17. If it makes you feel any better, The Anniversary was the most disappointing live show I have ever seen. They all had long hair and beards (uh, except Adrienne) and were in their Amish-Beatles phase. I interviewed them for my zine and they were pretty much assholes the whole night.
    But Sweet Marie is a great fucking song.

  19. Gotta chime in with rasa and say how cool it is that you like Doughty. He’s also a really fuckin’ nice guy, to boot – meets n greets and signs things for fans after shows, replies to emails, and has an interesting photo blog.
    I *heart* my “I have snost and lost” tshirt – snost and lost. (And I gotta admit, I like Haughty Melodic better than the other, smaller releases…)
    His version of The Gambler, smooshes with Paradise City, is only rivaled by Firetruck/It’s Raining Men.
    Okay. I’ll stop being a geek now. I’ll also suggest that you check out BT, Wil. 🙂

  20. I love Moon Safari… I have yet to hear any thing by Yo La Tango, and I’m quite ashamed.
    If you like Air, you might like Bonobo and Ulrich Schnauss’ – A Strangely Isolated Place
    Maybe Fly Pan Am, too…., but definately check out Ulrich!

  21. There is a band that I have been getting into lately that you might like (or may have already listened to). It’s The Decemberists, and they are kind of indy/literary/pirate rock. You would probably love them.

  24. You probably already know about this, but in case others don’t…check out http://www.3hive.com for free legit music downloads. These guys link up the newest mp3s posted by record labels so you don’t have to search individual indie label websites.
    While I love me some Wilco (am I the only one who keeps going back to Summerteeth?), I’ve been grooving to the pop from the new Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stars, New Pornographers and Wolf Parade discs.

  25. I’m pulling out of an extended Nick Drake phase myself, especially Five Leaves Left and Pink Moon. I’ve also been revisiting some of my “favorites past” like Paul Westerberg’s 14 Songs, Keb’ Mo’s self-titled album, Al Green’s Take Me To the River, and Queen Greatest Hits I and II.
    But if you’re enjoying Cash, you might be interested in a few other country-flavored offerings. Alternative or insurgent country is great to listen to – a lot of it pairs traditional country sounds with incisive or hilarious lyrics, although some of it fuses pop, rock, blues, or other genres with folk/country music. I’d recommend almost anything put out by Bloodshot Records (especially Down to the Promised Land and Hell Bent: Insurgent Country). I and am very fond of Robbie Fulks’ Country Love Songs. Hayden’s Ferry Records also has a great series of artist sampler CDs called “Edges from the Postcard” (there are several volumes) and their Jukebox Cantina “Combo Platter” CD.
    BR5-49’s Live From Roberts CD is great, as are the Meat Purveyors, Waco Brothers, Supersuckers, Sovines, and Trailer Bride, too. You may find a lot of this music on eBay and online music stores if you can’t find it at your favorite local shop, or you can always visit the record companies’ websites.
    Now, if you’re looking for something REALLY different that is a great backdrop for doing household chores, try “Music for TV Dinners.” It features 16 production songs commissioned by the BBC in the ’50s and ’60s (most you’ll recognize; some feature prominently in cartoons like Ren & Stimpy). I laugh the whole time I have this on.

  27. My current musical selection is all Cash, all the time. I’ve loved him since I was a little girl (my parents are fans) and I’m really excited to see Walk the Line on Sunday! I don’t actually have The Legend of Johnny Cash, but looking at the tracks, I’d have to agree with your assessment of it being a great mix. I have the Essential Johnny Cash, which is also very good. One of my faves, though, is Johnny Cash at Madison Square Garden from 1969. It is absolutely unbelievable! The Carter Family (minus June because she was pregnant), The Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, and his brother Tommy Cash all performed with him. He introced his father and Shel Silverstein (who wrote A Boy Named Sue), who were in the audience. It’s an incredible experience listening to it and I can only imagine what it must have been like to have been there. (I’ve already yelled at my parents for not driving down from Syracuse, where they were living at the time.) Also, the Love, God, Murder set is really cool! I don’t know if you’re into the gospel thing, but no one can sing ’em like Johnny Cash!
    Thanks for the other recs! I’m not familiar with most of them, though I saw Yo La Tengo at the Austin City Limits Musical Festival two years ago and really enjoyed their show!

  28. I agree with the previous comment about the Bloodshot Records artists. Every Bloodshot show I have been to has been wonderful…Down to the Promise Land is a good sampler. They have a new 11 year anniversary comp out, too. I haven’t bought it yet, but I have high hopes. Devil in a Woodpile is a hoot – and that’s a good thing. I would also recommend Twilight by the Handsome Family (not on Bloodshot Records, but they have lots of connections there.) The first track isn’t my favorite, but the rest of the album is excellent.
    Also, Twin Cinemas by the New Pornographers has been getting played alot at my house. Neko Case is also affiliated with Bloodshot Records, further proving their greatness.

  30. Nice little list of music there Wil! It’s nice to have a perfect stranger introduce you to new music, or to find out they actually like the same weird music you do!
    Now, just listen to some ‘Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’ and tell me what you think. That’s far out there!

  31. N*E*R*D was a meh album for me but still stays in the rotation. Their website (http://www.n-e-r-d.com) is really cool.
    Total agreement with Nyarl on Afghan Whigs, although “Black Love” may be my personal fav. Personally, I enjoy Radiohead’s “The Bends” more that the later stuff. Seems like they were just trying too hard to be “artists” instead of just making music. Legend of Johnny Cash is in *heavy* rotation as well.
    Another band that is highly underrated IMHO is Midnight Oil. Check out “Earth, Sun and Moon” or “Redneck Wonderland”.
    Actually, I probably need to make a mix cd of their stuff for the Turkey-day trek to OH from GA. Glad we talked about this!

  32. hey will,
    shout out from KU
    try checking out The Books “The Lemon of Pink,” Blur’s “Think Tank” (the album that lead singer of both blur and gorillaz made right before “gorillaz.” Double U aren’t bad, they have that Air feel to their music. Ed Harcourt’s “Strangers” is a good one. Ratatat are fun, The Golden Republic are a great band from the KC area. Julian Berntzen, Sufjan Stevens, Tahiti 80…I have a ton of newer, unknown artists worth checking out. Try pitchforkmedia.com as well.
    if you’re curious about any other indie or good unknown bands, feel free to ask.
    take care man.

  33. Reel Big Fish. They’re a fun little ska band straight out of the OC. Reason why I think you’d like them: Ferris, your dog. If I recall correctly, when naming her Anne said “We literally Saved Ferris”, so my mind decided that you liked the band Save Ferris. So if you like fun/crazy lyrics with peppy music you should like them. Start with the album Turn the Radio Off, the song She Has a Girlfriend Now features Monique. Oh and they did a cover of Pixies Gigantic that you might want to take a listen to.
    Littlest Man Band. I’ve only heard a few of their songs, but I think they’re worth a listen to for any indie rock fan.
    I was going to name more, but my mind just drew a total blank. Anyway, I think you have enough music to sample for the rest of the year at least. So good luck, hope you find something you like.

  34. Personally, I like Air’s instrumental stuff from Moon Safari better (“Ce Matin La” is on my personal permanent rotation). But if you liked “Kelly,” then I’d give their recent album Talkie Walkie a try.

  35. regarding yo la tengo:
    i maintain that “and then nothing…” is their best album… it’s just so fully formed… i can’t wait to see what they do next though…
    other things i’m listening to:
    wilco – you know all about them already… do you have the yhf demos? i just downloaded them and they are fantastic…
    the constantines – good canadian art-punk-rock band… with flecks of country for good measure.
    the streets – i don’t listen to much hip hop… but the stories on ‘a grand don’t come for free’ are fantastic…
    super furry animals – so fun and crazy…
    sufjan stevens – incredible. just listen to michigan or illinois and you’ll understand…
    sorry… i’m not very eloquent right now…

  37. If you like Consonant, you’d probably dig Mission of Burma — the bass player for MOB, Clint Connelly, is the frontman of Consonant, so there’s some real resonance there.
    Mission of Burma was totally seminal indie punk — they’re one of those bands all the musicians listen to but most people don’t know who they are. They disbanded after recording two short albums, in ’82, and reunited 20 years later…and what’s amazing is, their recent work is every bit as good as the old stuff. I’ve seen them live twice now, in recent years, and I think they’re great.
    Jawbox, which later became Burning Airlines, is also pretty fantastic.

  38. My Poker music lately has included M83, along with Thievery Corp. and Transit Kings (feat Cauty From KLF/Space)… yes, I’m a KLF nerd. If you are not aware, in the music world, this is a very nerdy thing to be as they have a whole mythology built up around them, much the same way the Gorillaz do… Also, they burned a big pile a cash, thats kinda cool too…

  40. Another album you might like…
    The American Tragedy – The Soundtrack
    My favorite song on the album, which is ironic because it’s their rock ballad… 30,000 ft. and priceless.
    Hits home on so many levels with my wife. You might feel the same way about it.

  43. Regarding your Nada Surf paragraph: Charles Ives once said that any music that can be understood on first hearing isn’t really worth listening to, and it’s more of a tranquilizer than a work of art. I think music that requires a bit of time for its comprehension is the most interesting by far. Here’s to first-time “Meh”s. =) Thanks for the cool list.

  46. I was just commenting on this very same thing last week over on my site (shameless plug: http://x.micahpearson.com/blog). I could mention that I have my own music there, but two shameless plugs in one comment is just too much.
    I’ve noticed that the radio has rocked deep in the realm of suckitude. Personally, I thought it was because I was getting old.
    The best thing I’ve heard in recent memory is Mike Doughty’s newest, which I got the heads-up from here. So, thanks!

  47. Nice “hidden” plug there… [rolls eyes]
    Lately, the only radio I’ve been listening to is talk radio… at least that’s always fresh. Other than that, I listen to CDs.

  48. I raise a drink to you, Wil, in your tribute of Johnny. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but the Man in Black always deserves tribute.

  49. Perhaps give The Arcade Fire’s ‘Funeral’ a try? I bought the album when it had been first released. Anything by Bright Eyes. I’ve been leaning more towards industrial and goth again lately though. VNV Nation is good stuff if you enjoy electronica. And Juno Reactor!

  50. You’re absolutely right were Johnny Cash is concerned. You also mentioned a few days earlier you were very fond of Wilco. So, did you ever give Lambchop a try? I went to a concert, and these guys and Wilco are probably my two all-time favourite bands.

Comments are closed.