Music Wish List
 

I'm sure there was a thread before, but I can't find it.

So, finding KRCW and NPR's treasure trove of free podcasts is threatening to be a very expensive discovery for me. They are doing an excellent job of keeping me abreast of new music that I must have. I'm holding off on purchases for now because it's almost time to renew our KCRW membership and there's a better than good chance that several of the selections I'm interested in will be acquired as membership rewards.

BTW, for a really good rundown of what was new and worth it this year, check out this episode of All Songs Considered. I can't agree with everything on that top 10 list, or the top 10 lists of the critics on the show, but it provided me with a great variety of stuff to check out.

So here's what I'm eying right now:

Tom Waits: Hard to get enough Waits, and this 3 disc collection sounds fabulous. Any hesitation I might have had evaporated when I heard that it ends with 6 consecutive spoken word tracks. *drool*

Black Angels: The band name comes from a Velvet Underground song, and the live up to their namesake. Someone on that All Songs Considered show described their new album (Passover) affectionately as, "loud and droney". It's just good old psych-rock, I ain't complaining.

Jim Noir: Trying to single handedly bring back harmonies. Directly influenced by the Beach Boys and the Beatles and not ashamed to admit it. In this world of emo, fake-punk, and prog-rock, it's refreshing.

Lilly Allen: I don't think her album's out in America yet, but her voice is incredible and dynamic. I tend to be overly picky and judgmental about female vocalists. She quickly met my standards with a great variety of sound.

TV On The Radio: This is a maybe at the moment, I need more time with it. I've heard the name floating around, and I think I've heard some of their stuff, but I just really listened to some samples yesterday and I think I like their sound.


And that's just after my first pass. I suspect my list will only grow.

Meanwhile, I know what I don't want. The Decemberists. I'm apparently missing something. I've heard several different tracks, studio versions and live versions, and I think they suck. Everyone else in the indie world is drooling all over themselves for them. They seem to be enamored with the IDEA of them and missing the fact that they sound like crap. I mean, they've got a clever angle in that all of the lyrics are based on world mythology and folk lore, and they pretend to be musically interesting by using a lot of different instruments. But in the end, they are loud and droney (and I say that with none of the affection used for Black Angels) and sound like an even more boring Green Day (I know, who knew that was even possible).

Ah KCRW is evil in that way. I haven't been listening much since I've been taking the train, but maybe now that I have DSL again I can subscribe to some podcasts.

I'm with you on the Decemberists, I hear a lot of hype, but what I've heard so far from them haven't inspired me.

I liked Lilly Allen at first, but I got really tired of her brand of pop pretty fast.

I, too am droolong about the 3 CD Tom Waits anthology - I started a thread about it with an NPR interview a while back. I't actually in my car at Amazon, but the total is now almost $500 and I just can't afford it and can't figure out what not to buy.

I still haven't gotten the latest Scissor Sisters or a REAL copy of the latest - and magnificent - Koop CD.

Interestingly, my CD list isn't all that long - but we have made some very recent and expensive trips to both Tower and Fngerprintz.

Oops, I spoke too soon. My list has shrunk already thanks to night one of Channukahahaha. Thanks Jen!

Tom Waits: Hard to get enough Waits, and this 3 disc collection sounds fabulous. Any hesitation I might have had evaporated when I heard that it ends with 6 consecutive spoken word tracks. *drool*

I anticipate all my husband's needs

THREAD RESURECTION! (is it Easter yet?)

I've got a few "must haves" added to my list recently. Sadly, some haven't been released yet.

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Fantastic old-school jazzy and soulful music from a very young Brit performer. She also has another first album out that I may need to pic up. The tune "I'm No Good" is incredibly fun. She reminds me of Shirley Bassy.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

I haven't heard much from their forthcoming release but I am looking forward to this none the less.

Forro in the Dark - Bonfires of São João (already released)

Fun, experimental Brazlian inspired trio who somehow has gotten David Byrne, Bebel Gilberto and Miho Hatori to guest on songs for their first album. The Byrne song alone is enough for me to buy it.


Fugiya & Miyagi - Transparentthings

Not Japanese but more Brits. The song Photocopier got my attention (I think they use the riff from Life During Wartime) but the other things I've heard intrigue me.

re: Arcade Fire. I've heard a handful of cuts from the new album and I was kinda meh about it...until I saw them on SNL. Just as I was kinda meh about Funeral until I saw them live at Coachella, their stage presence just sells me on them. Too bad their only SoCal appearances this year seem to be Coachella and a Thursday in San Diego.

Meanwhile, I'm eying The Good, The Bad, and The Queen. I'm just a sucker for anything David Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz). And this project has Paul Simonon (bassist from the Clash) and Simon Tong (guitar from Verve). It distinctly sounds like yet another Albarn project...which is exactly what I want.

Pacha Massive is another one on my radar.

History Song is getting some airplay and I like the song, but I get sort of dulled-out by the rest of the tracks I've heard. It's sure nice to see Paul has a job though. ;)

Oh! I forgot. There's a new AIR album on it's way called Pocket Symphony.

And, I heard there's a new Koop release coming up, but maybe it's just a domestic release of an import. I'll let Zap address this question.

I'm so glad I own pocketsymphony.com

Any suggestions for content?