What I've Been Spinning Lately (recs?)
Random mix of music, but if you have something that you think will fit into my album rcollection lemme know, I'm down to listen to almost anything. By the way, there's no order to these, it's just ra list. |
| 1 | | Sufjan Stevens
Come on! Feel the Illinoise!
Sufjan has a way of taking very simple melodies and interlaying them to create beautiful
soundscapes. The emotion is tangible, and the lyrics are among the best. This is the album
where his ability to tell a story began to flourish. Indie Folk at its finest. |
| 2 |  | Elliott Smith
Either/Or
Elliott Smith is probably a household name by now. If not, it's at the very least sacred in the
right circles. This is my favorite album of his, the perfect balance between personal
connotation and musical prowess. Another Indie Folk album with a less orchestral approach
than Sufjan. |
| 3 | | Tiger's Jaw
Two Worlds
One of my favorite bands in the genre. Tiger's Jaw seems to have difficulty writing a single
bad song. I've been listening to Two Worlds a lot more often lately because their self titled (My
favorite effort by them) so many times that I feel like their others need more playtime. This
and Charmer have been getting spun almost daily lately, which has helped me gather a better
appreciation of their sound I think. Great indie/emo/pop punk not in the vein of the pop punk
bands you hate. |
| 4 |  | Radiator Hospital
Torch Song
I can honestly say I wasn't a huge fan of "Something Wild", but this album has been getting
played more and more as time goes on, already at least doubling the listens I gave to their
previous. 60's influenced folk rock with the vocals of Good Luck. |
| 5 |  | Bruce Springsteen
Born to Run
Debatably the odd man out on this list as the only album over 25 years old, Bruce Springsteen
doesn't need too much explanation. This is probably my favorite album of his, it was before his
image became more important than his music. |
| 6 |  | Great Northern
Trading Twilight For Daylight
I don't tend to like female vocals in music that I listen to. Which is weird because girls have
really versatile voices. I assume maybe I just connect to the way male voices are presented in
music more. I don't know, I'm not a doctor. But when I find great acts with female singers it
makes me happy. Great Northern is one of those bands. Plus they sound a lot like Nada Surf
at times which is not a bad thing at all. |
| 7 |  | Ladyhawk
No Can Do
This album is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, which is kind of
uncommon. I find that a lot of songs on here I don't enjoy as individuals but in the context of
an album I enjoy them. Ladyhawk kind of goes all over the place sonically while staying in a
very static "LadyhawK" sound. Influences ranging from Powderfinger to The Shins to Cage the
Elephant shine through at moments while never seeming dominant. A solid listen and probably
their best effort. |
| 8 |  | Quiet Company
We Are All Where We Belong
One of the poppier titles on this list probably, but I don't think I've heard of Quiet Company
any more for it. Actually a pretty solid lyrical excursion with a surprisingly wide sound as the
album progresses. Rooted mostly in alternative rock despite the poppier approach to it. Worth
a listen for sure. |
| 9 |  | Brand New
The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
Do I even need to introduce the album or the band? Debatably the best work by one of the
most influential bands to touch the emo genre, TDAGARIM always finds its way back onto
repeat. If you haven't heard this album, check it out. My biggest regret was waiting so long to
check it out. |
| 10 |  | Attack In Black
The Curve Of The Earth
Out of all the bands on here, Attack in Black may deserve the most recognition. They released
a pop punk album in 2007 only to release this indie folk gem less than four months later. That
shit's impressive. They can definitely write songs, too, because the quality did not suffer
because of the time range or the genre hopping. |
| 11 |  | Biffy Clyro
Only Revolutions
I think Biffy Clyro is really popular in some circles actually. But for some reason I didn't hear
about them until this past summer through a friend who had heard of them in the UK. At
moments Biffy Clyro is reminiscent of Manchester Orchestra, another great band, but 100% of
the time it's Biffy Clyro. From what I gather, their older stuff is more well liked and older fand
may not be big fans of the newer stuff. I, on the other hand, dig it. Check this album out. |
| 12 |  | Broken Bells
Broken Bells
It's hard to explain how I feel about this album. I went through an electronic phase for about a
year awhile back and was all over that spectrum for awhile but for quite awhile I've preferred
actual instruments to synthesizers and computers. Even though I still prefer physical
instruments, something is admirable about the charm and nostalgia Danger Mouse and the
Shins' frontman manage to achieve here. Check it out, some tracks are really strong. |
| 13 |  | Faded Paper Figures
Dynamo
I really like Electric President. If you don't know them, check them out. It's an indie pop duo
fronted by Ben Cooper who you should also check out, by the way.I bring them up because I
found Faded Paper Figures while looking for bands in a similar vein to Electric President. While
obviously being a different entity, I'd say I succeeded. A lot of the qualities I like in Electric
President's debut - the restraint, the subtle electronica, the poetic lyricism, and the emotional
connotation - are abundant in this release. Check it out. Fuc k, check them both out. |
| 14 |  | The Maine
Forever Halloween
I knew the Maine's first two albums a lifetime ago before I more or less grew out of that part
of the genre. Then, about a year ago, I heard their two newest albums and was basically
floored. Pioneer (the album released before this) was reminiscent of golden-era Third Eye
Blind and 90s alternative in general whereas Forever Halloween took a slightly more modern
direction. For a long time, Pioneer was my favorite album of theirs but Forever Halloween has
proven itself to be a massive grower and the songs have more originality and sustainability
than those on Pioneer. |
| 15 |  | Titus Andronicus
The Monitor
God, I don't even know where to begin. This album is a statement, a memoir, an anthem, and
a hell of a jam session. With moments of brilliance and moments that drag on, this album's
lyrical relatability and powerful jams will be remembered for awhile. Most likely going to be
remembered as their magnum opus. |
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