Ok, just saw a friend posted a new review of the Kings of Leon album. It made me think I'm out of it when it comes to music (guess that's a being 32 thing perhaps?) and I do like finding new brilliant music.
This place instantly sprung to mind for recommendations, and whilst I read these boards often, I'm not sure I've seen a thread like this.
Basically - for those of you who are of a similar age group to me - I'd guess a fair chunk - do you still get that magic feeling from music, or is it something consigned to history once you turn 29? What interests you now? If you could frame it from a Pulpy perspective (without being too shallow and crappy and easy about it all, it's ultimately why we're all here so should make it more relevant) that'd be even better.
I used to listen to music 24/7, now it's perhaps 1 hour per day. How do I kick-start this habit again? For me, there are always certain things I should look out for in a track - such as what made me love pulp as opposed to like them was the venom in Cocker's voice in I Spy - what should I look out for? What stuff should I (or we - let's make this a self-help group!) give a go?
-- Edited by Ste on Monday 18th of October 2010 11:16:39 PM
-- Edited by Ste on Monday 18th of October 2010 11:18:46 PM
I'm a bit slow with the new trendy bands but I do tend to discover older artists all the time. Leonard Cohen has recently struck me as amazing - It could have been sooner if I had took any notice of Jarvis banging on about him.
I find Spotify great for discovering things I wouldn't normally be subject to.
I don't think it's generally getting older that's to blame for falling out of old habbits but more the changes in routine which come with it - like a new job, having a car rather than using public transport, living with a partner.
I can recommend The Flaming Lips' new album if you haven't heard it already - also The Drums are ok if you don't mind some american kids ripping off early 80s uk indie - I find them nostalgic! dEUS are also a great band from Belgium who seem to be a bit of a cult band over here - worth checking out their 'Pocket Symphony' album - and if you like them check out Zita Swoon and Moondog Jr
I discovered a London band, Let's Wrestle about a year ago too. I heard them on 6Music - I am led to believe they are still playing in pubs but they are pretty good!
Yeah, discovered Let's Wrestle through Marc Riley's programme and their album was my favourite of last year (though I probably only hear about 10 new albums a year these days).
Ste, I don't think its just you, and I don't think its just age. Music has become quite disposable, nothing seems to 'stick', and there just doesn't seem to be much to get genuinely excited about these days. There's good music out there for sure, but its been ages since a new song or a new band gave me goosebumps.
I get the feeling that pop music has taken a big step backward in terms of its cultural significance, and maybe that's a good thing. Perhaps we were all wasting too much time listening to and brooding over records. I've lately found myself feeling sad for the desperate folks you see at the gigs who are trying so hard to keep pop alive. They're starting to look like zombies.
I'd definately agree with Fuss Free there with everything becoming quite disposable. All the indie bands are very generic and samey.
I'm aware that I'm at risk of just sounding old when I say music isn't as good as it used to be and that the kids these days won't know any different but it's not that there's no good music being made - I'm just sometimes amazed at the kind of tripe that gets signed up by the record companies and people who are actually original or just plain good get left behind...
...I get a lot of my musical satisfaction from seeing little local bands live. The way technology has moved on their demos and albums are very easy to find on internet and their recordings are of good quality
Here's a couple of canny ones:
http://www.myspace.com/polarsets - Likely to be big nationally in the next year or so
http://www.myspace.com/captaintripsuk - Alternative indie guitar band - nice tunes!
http://www.myspace.com/sdfcollective - rather big Pulp/Jarvis fans!
Shamless plugging going on here as I actually manage one of these bands but I'll not say which one!
How about WILD BEASTS - TWO DANCERS, interesting quirky English pop.
The best album over the last couple of years has been CLARK - TOTEMS FLARE especially FUTURE DANIEL, it's heavy electronica and miles away from Pulp but i'd strongly recommend this to anybody looking for illuminating music.
GRINDERMAN 2 - Has just been released and it's a great record, check out PALACES OF MONTEZUMA or WORM TAMER.
