[Dave C]

In the spirit of Nightfly; here are four ‘Indie’ band recommendations aimed at beginners to this type of music. I have chosen four bands which are very different from one another, but still excellent (although if you were to ask my wife she would say they are all crap and boring).
First off, the excellent ‘Belle & Sebastian’. Although referred to as ‘twee indie pop’ by a lot of people, of their eight proper album releases, five are absolute classics (Tigermilk, If You're Feeling Sinister, The Boy with the Arab Strap, Dear Catastrophe Waitress & Push Barman to Open Old Wounds). Although my favorite album is ‘Tigermilk’; you are probably best to begin with ‘If You're Feeling Sinister’. Starts with the absolutely stunning 'Stars of Track and Field'; if only all records could build and build like this one.
Next on the list is the unique, and quite bizarre ‘Antony & the Johnsons’. I can’t choose between the two albums (Antony & the Johnsons or I am a Bird Now); both are beautiful, emotive, glorious and a bit sinister. I am not going to try to describe them anymore; just listen with you eyes closed and get immersed in his voice.
Of my four choices, ‘The Bees’ definitely have a ‘more fun poppy’ slant. Their three albums (Sunshine Hit Me, Free the Bees & Octopus) are a strange combination of reggae mixed with pop mixed with ska mixed with folk, and some how it just works. Of the three albums, I would plum for Free the Bees; or maybe Sunshine Hit Me (you can get this from GoMusic.ru).
Finally Nick Cave (and the bad seeds). I am going to keep this short by just saying get a copy of ‘The Boatmans Call’. This is one of the finest albums ever made and everyone, regardless of their musical tastes, should own a copy. I am pretty tight about adding songs to the ‘top rated category’ on my i-pod, but seven out of the twelve tracks on this album make it.
Cheers,
Dave C

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by Dave C

In the spirit of Nightfly; here are four ‘Indie’ band recommendations aimed at beginners to this type of music. I have chosen four bands which are very different from one another, but still excellent (although if you were to ask my wife she would say they are all crap and boring).
First off, the excellent ‘Belle & Sebastian’. Although referred to as ‘twee indie pop’ by a lot of people, of their eight proper album releases, five are absolute classics (Tigermilk, If You're Feeling Sinister, The Boy with the Arab Strap, Dear Catastrophe Waitress & Push Barman to Open Old Wounds). Although my favorite album is ‘Tigermilk’; you are probably best to begin with ‘If You're Feeling Sinister’. Starts with the absolutely stunning 'Stars of Track and Field'; if only all records could build and build like this one.
Next on the list is the unique, and quite bizarre ‘Antony & the Johnsons’. I can’t choose between the two albums (Antony & the Johnsons or I am a Bird Now); both are beautiful, emotive, glorious and a bit sinister. I am not going to try to describe them anymore; just listen with you eyes closed and get immersed in his voice.
Of my four choices, ‘The Bees’ definitely have a ‘more fun poppy’ slant. Their three albums (Sunshine Hit Me, Free the Bees & Octopus) are a strange combination of reggae mixed with pop mixed with ska mixed with folk, and some how it just works. Of the three albums, I would plum for Free the Bees; or maybe Sunshine Hit Me (you can get this from GoMusic.ru).
Finally Nick Cave (and the bad seeds). I am going to keep this short by just saying get a copy of ‘The Boatmans Call’. This is one of the finest albums ever made and everyone, regardless of their musical tastes, should own a copy. I am pretty tight about adding songs to the ‘top rated category’ on my i-pod, but seven out of the twelve tracks on this album make it.
Cheers,
Dave C

Even though I never heard of these bands...It's wonderful I have something to check out and explore..I have heard though of Nick Cave ..good song writer and acoustic guitar player ....I will be spending some time online with these recommends...Thanks for this spirited review and the nice lead in mention...lol...
Thanks for the great contribution to our forum,

Nightfly

[shadman]

Originally Posted by Dave C

In the spirit of Nightfly; here are four ‘Indie’ band recommendations aimed at beginners to this type of music. I have chosen four bands which are very different from one another, but still excellent (although if you were to ask my wife she would say they are all crap and boring).
First off, the excellent ‘Belle & Sebastian’. Although referred to as ‘twee indie pop’ by a lot of people, of their eight proper album releases, five are absolute classics (Tigermilk, If You're Feeling Sinister, The Boy with the Arab Strap, Dear Catastrophe Waitress & Push Barman to Open Old Wounds). Although my favorite album is ‘Tigermilk’; you are probably best to begin with ‘If You're Feeling Sinister’. Starts with the absolutely stunning 'Stars of Track and Field'; if only all records could build and build like this one.
Next on the list is the unique, and quite bizarre ‘Antony & the Johnsons’. I can’t choose between the two albums (Antony & the Johnsons or I am a Bird Now); both are beautiful, emotive, glorious and a bit sinister. I am not going to try to describe them anymore; just listen with you eyes closed and get immersed in his voice.
Of my four choices, ‘The Bees’ definitely have a ‘more fun poppy’ slant. Their three albums (Sunshine Hit Me, Free the Bees & Octopus) are a strange combination of reggae mixed with pop mixed with ska mixed with folk, and some how it just works. Of the three albums, I would plum for Free the Bees; or maybe Sunshine Hit Me (you can get this from GoMusic.ru).
Finally Nick Cave (and the bad seeds). I am going to keep this short by just saying get a copy of ‘The Boatmans Call’. This is one of the finest albums ever made and everyone, regardless of their musical tastes, should own a copy. I am pretty tight about adding songs to the ‘top rated category’ on my i-pod, but seven out of the twelve tracks on this album make it.
Cheers,
Dave C

great post i really dont know much about the indie band movement but it seems huge. i will check out some of these bands. have you herd of six foot sloth, rollerball or miss massive snow flake. they are indie bands from the portland area and they rock. again excellent post and thanks for the info.
chad

[film_girl]

I love both Belle & Sebastian and Nick Cave, but I've never heard the other two - but they are now on my list! Thanks!

[Dave C]

Originally Posted by shadman

great post i really dont know much about the indie band movement but it seems huge. i will check out some of these bands. have you herd of six foot sloth, rollerball or miss massive snow flake. they are indie bands from the portland area and they rock. again excellent post and thanks for the info.
chad

Hi Chad,
Thanks for the nice words. I've not heard of any of the bands you mentioned, but I have just downloaded one of rollerball's albums (Real air) from emusic. Good opening track, and that is about as far as I have got so far. You've got to love a band with a track call 'Eight Inch Nun' though.
NB. You get alot of Portland bands touring Petrozavodsk then do you?

[Dave C]

Originally Posted by film_girl

I love both Belle & Sebastian and Nick Cave, but I've never heard the other two - but they are now on my list! Thanks!

Hi,
From the sounds of some of your other posts, you must have a pretty extensive record collection. What are your main music interests and have you got any favorites you can recommend?
Cheers,
Dave C

[Nightfly]

Dave... Liked Belle & Sebastian ..Liked Nick Cave..in a prior post I had him confused with Nick Drake the folk artist ..sorry about that..Heard Nick Cave before love his edge.. And The Bee's ..well fun retro 60's..
Thanks for the new music,
Nightfly

[moonmagick]

I love it when people suggest new things to listen to. I am always looking to add to my repertoire.

[tzafir]

Originally Posted by Dave C

In the spirit of Nightfly; here are four ‘Indie’ band recommendations aimed at beginners to this type of music. I have chosen four bands which are very different from one another, but still excellent (although if you were to ask my wife she would say they are all crap and boring).
‘Belle & Sebastian’.
‘Antony & the Johnsons’.
‘The Bees’
Nick Cave (and the bad seeds)
Cheers,
Dave C

Hi Dave C,

like your recommendations but indie music is a vast area. B&S great, A&tJs and the Bees quite new to be praised (i have to confess, I am much opiniated when it comes to indie music; hence, two genres in my collection: Indie and Indie Rock (where all the new groups are going into)), Nick Cave, one of the greatest but Boatman's Call (although great) cannot compare with some of his earlier stuff.

Indie !!! let's start from the beginning (following the death of punk):
New Order (the successors of Joy Division),
The Smiths (everything)
Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy (a bit dark) and Darklands (if you liked Boatman's Call, try this)
Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Primal Scream (more on the indie/rock/ dance areas - the beginning of rave ?!?)
James, Carter USM (my favourites), Ride, Curve, My Bloody Valentine, the LA's, the Verve...the list is endless...

Cheers,
tzafir

[Dave C]

Originally Posted by tzafir

Hi Dave C,

like your recommendations but indie music is a vast area. B&S great, A&tJs and the Bees quite new to be praised (i have to confess, I am much opiniated when it comes to indie music; hence, two genres in my collection: Indie and Indie Rock (where all the new groups are going into)), Nick Cave, one of the greatest but Boatman's Call (although great) cannot compare with some of his earlier stuff.

Indie !!! let's start from the beginning (following the death of punk):
New Order (the successors of Joy Division),
The Smiths (everything)
Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy (a bit dark) and Darklands (if you liked Boatman's Call, try this)
Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Primal Scream (more on the indie/rock/ dance areas - the beginning of rave ?!?)
James, Carter USM (my favourites), Ride, Curve, My Bloody Valentine, the LA's, the Verve...the list is endless...

Cheers,
tzafir

Hi tzafir,
I completely agree with what you are saying, and I was expecting someone to point this out as soon as I started this thread. Not to include the likes of the ones you mentioned, plus Nirvana, REM, the pixies, etc is a shocking lapse, but there are two main reasons why I did it this way:-
(1, and the main one) Most people will have heard of The Smith, New Order, Nirvana, ...etc. and so I did not really think that I would be adding all that much by just recommending them (although picking their best albums might well be a useful thing for other people). I was trying to pick a few newer ones (not counting NC) who people might have missed.
(2) This might be a sacrilegious thing to say, but I prefer that bands which I mentioned. Of the ones you and I above have listed above, the only ones which I think are as good as three of the four (leaving the Bees out of it) I originally posted are James, The Stone Roses and possibly Nirvana. The Smiths should be on that list too, but my eldest brother was the world’s biggest Morrissey fan and for this reason I was turned off them (but I think I will learn to appreciate them again as I get even older).
Agree that Nick Cave has done some excellent other albums (particularly Tender Prey & The Good Son), but I think that if someone is going to be trying him for the first time, The Boatman`s Call is the best starting place (plus it is his best album). By the way, what do you think of ‘Grinderman’ (if you have tried it)? I found it pretty difficult to get into, and it took me quite a few listens before I started to like it. Think I prefer it when he has got a piano in the line up, but that is just my personal tastes,
Thanks for you comments,
Cheers,
Dave C