Your Favourite Bands/Artists

[KagayakiWashi]

Dmitri Shostakovich - Atonal, depressing, and at times immensely creepy, it's a wonder that anyone can like Shostakovich. But somehow...it just sounds so cool.
Favorite song: Quartet No. 8 "Allegro molto"

Hahaha, I'm listening to his fifth symphony as I type this. That string quartet is amazing, and if all his music sounded like that, he would have been messed up, but some of his ballets and suites (especially the Jazz suites) are really nice pieces. He's one of my favorite composers when I sit down and listen to him.

Anyways, here's my list:

Frank Zappa:
Though I'm not too fond of alot of his lyrics, his music is some of the best I've ever heard, and it takes REAL talent to play the guitar like he did, write a ton of experimental rock albums, several jazz albums, classical music, and whatever else was in between that.
Albums to check out: Hot Rats, Imaginary Diseases, Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar, Apostrophe (')

Genesis:
I love music that's constantly changing tempo/styles...whatever. Prog rock is just that way. I love Genesis in their prog rock days, but once they started getting poppy....mmmmm I just don't care too much for what they did in their pop years.
Albums to check out: Selling England by the Pound, Wind and Wuthering, A Trick of the Tail

Five Iron Frenzy:
Great ska Christian music that doesn't take itself too seriously ALL the time. Wonderful music....and Reese Roper has such amazing vocals.
Albums to check out: All the Hype That Money Can Buy, Five Iron Frenzy 2, and The End is Here

They Might be Giants:
They Might be Giants is so much fun to listen to. Love the accordion work by John Linnell.
Albums to check out: Flood, Apollo 18, John Henry

Mannheim Steamroller:
Their music isn't just for Christmas folks. Early on, Chip had a wonderful idea that could only be described as "17th century rock n' roll" and it was awesome sounding stuff. Unfortunately, he's left that style, never to return.
Albums to check out: Fresh Aire I, II, III, IV, V, VI

The Raymond Scott Quintette:
Raymond Scott is one of the most important men in American music history. LISTEN TO HIM. ENOUGH SAID. Alright, maybe that's an overstatement, but look at his career and you'll see why.
Albums to check out: Microphone Music, check out the track POWERHOUSE

==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Classical music

Igor Stravinsky:
Supposed "most important composer of the 20th century".....he might be who's to blame for all modern music. Maybe.
Works to check out: The Firebird, Petrushka, The Rite of Spring

Dmitri Shostakovich:
I've said before, I like his music. It kind of goes all over the place ranging from insanely freaky (8th string quartet), to really silly (Jazz Suite #1).
Works to check out: Symphony no. 4, 7, Jazz suite #1 and #2, The Song of the Forests, String Quartet no. 8

Richard Wagner:
Simply amazing and powerful music, though, maybe not as accessible to the casual listener since it is opera. "Der Ring Des Niebelungen" just might be the greatest piece of art ever constructed by a human being....at least musically.
Works to check out: Der Ring Des Niebelungen, Overtures to Rienzi, Der Fleigende Hollander, Tannhauser, and Lorin Maazel's "The Ring Without Words" CD

Ludwig van Beethoven:
Great music.....especially the symphonies. Such power.
Works to check out: Symphony nos. 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9, Moonlight Sonata, and Piano Sonata no. 32

And with that, I'll shut up. Cookies for those who read through this.

[rocklobster]

Here are some links to some videos from youtube of my fave artists:
Def Leppard: "Cmon Cmon" (from their latest CD, Songs From the Sparkle Lounge)
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX2xbqWtyJU] AC/DC: "Rock N Roll Train"
Huey Lewis and the News: "Heart of Rock and Roll"
Duran Duran: "View to a Kill" (my fave Bond song!)
The B-52s: "Funplex" (their latest CD!)
INXS: "Suicide Blonde" (the video had too much fan service, so I did a live performance instead
MC HAmmer: "Pray" (The only rapper I still like)
Soundgarden: "My Wave"
Nirvana: "Come As You Are"
The rock gods, Led Zeppelin!:rock:
Red Hot Chili Peppers: "Can't Stop"
Genesis: Land of Confusion
Aerosmith: Walk This Way
url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TakTWIjbnZ8]Journey: Wheel in the Sky[/url]
ZZ Top: Sharp Dressed Man
and one more, why not?
Eagles: Desperado

[armeck]

I like:
relient k,
stellar kart
hawk nelson
dragonforce
news boys
audio adrenaline
toby mac
and lots of others
i listen to mostly christian music because it has a better influence on your life

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Very in to:
Foo Fighters,
Dream Theater,
Ben Folds,
Porcupine Tree,
John Mayer

[Kkun]

Very in to:
Foo Fighters,

The Colour and the Shape is such a tasty, tasty record.

[FnlFntsyYuna]

DBSK ROCKS!!! lolz~ xD there also know as TVXQ, Tohoshinki and Dong Bang Shin Ki (DBSK)^^ (their a Korean band)

I love DBSK songs like Mirotic, Wrong Number, Love In The Ice, Choosey Lover, Rising Sun & Purple Line. just to name a few^^

[Etoh*the*Greato]

The Colour and the Shape is such a tasty, tasty record.

I don't know... It was quite flavorful, but not quite so tasty as their other albums which were not only tasty, but crunchy.

[Shiningmonk_e]

I just found a great new Christian rock band... They are called We As Human and they are really good. I highly recommend you check them out if you like band like Red, Staple, or Thousand Foot Krutch.

www.myspace.com/weashuman

[Raiden no Kishi]

Add to my list Lenny Kravitz. Heck yes. An excellent mix of funk and classic rock sounds. Check out "Always on the Run (featuring Slash)," "Rock 'n' Roll is Dead," "Love Love Love," "Battlefield of Love," "Fly Away," and his cover of "American Woman". Concentrated awesome.

.rai//

[Shiningmonk_e]

Another one I like is Sever Your Ties. They have a lot of the same sound as Oh, Sleeper and they also redid "Don't Fear the Reaper" lol.

[ich1990]

I used to have a top five, but that kind of went out the window after a while. Bands are roughly in order (1st is favorite).

1) Audio Adrenaline
The requisite nostalgia band. I listened to this band more than any other during my childhood. "Bloom" will always be one of my favorite records.

2) Emery
The dual vocals and intelligent/morose lyrics set this band apart. Even their first, "emo" cd is of superb quality. They have a sense of mood and pacing that I have seen matched only by classical music. I spent many, many hours listening to their records. Similar musically to Hawthorne Heights.

3) As Cities Burn
I have never heard a band that sounds like them. The dual guitars seem to wander aimlessly through the notes, but the music never sound chaotic. It is like they are playing a pattern that you can not quite discern. Amazing. Also, the lyrics are incredible in that they are overtly religious but not insipid.

4) Skillet
I started listening to this band way back when "Hey, You, I Love your Soul" came out. They have steadily gotten better since then, and they weren't bad when they started. "Comatose" was a little hit and miss, though.

5) Becoming the Archetype
I only have their first cd, but it is awesome. They play practically ever style under the sun while they are playing metal, and they do it well.

6) Virgin Black
Opera/Metal at its finest. I only have one of their albums at the moment, but I have listened through it many dozens of times. Excellent.

7) Underoath
I only really listen to "The Changing of the Times", "Define the Great Line", and "The Sound of Separation", but enjoy all three albums immensely. The others are so-so.

These seven bands represent the majority of all my music listening. Honorable mentions go to Relient K, Mae (The Everglow at least), Anberlin (pieces of all albums), Switchfoot (esp older stuff), John Reuben (esp. Boy Vs. Cynic), Steve Taylor, Project 86 (Rival Factions), Blindside (Silence), Showbread (esp. No sir,), Evanescence (Origin), Haste the Day (Pressure the Hinges), and Staple (self titled).

[Shiningmonk_e]

5) Becoming the Archetype
I only have their first cd, but it is awesome. They play practically ever style under the sun while they are playing metal, and they do it well.

I highly recommend their new CD "Dichotomy". It has a really unique almost Tim Burton feel to some of their songs. It's cool ^_^

[the_wolfs_howl]

Skillet
I started listening to this band way back when "Hey, You, I Love your Soul" came out. They have steadily gotten better since then, and they weren't bad when they started. "Comatose" was a little hit and miss, though.

Comatose was when they finally started getting really good!

But anyway, I think I just might have to add Plumb to my favorites now. I've only heard a few of their songs and listened to some snippets, but I love what I've heard.

[That Dude]

Heh, I think I'm like Ich...I honestly think that Comatose was one of their weakest albums that they put out.

[Puguni]

The person most similar to my tastes would be Blitzkrieg1701. weeeeird. I listen to a crazy variety of songs, but my hands-down favorite bands are:

of Montreal: Brilliant. I mean...brilliant. Lyrics range from nonsensical to nostalgic to touching. They make should make movies based on their songs, no more Beatles.
Recommended: TOO MANY. Their old stuff is good, and their new stuff is good too.

Weezer: Rivers Cuomo comes up with the most romantic songs I've ever heard. It's ridiculously good. I'm not too hot on their new album, but I really dig Greatest Man That Ever Lived. And every other great song in between.
Recommended: If you don't know any Weezer songs by now, then you lose. :C Just pick anything at random.

The Hush Sound: It amazes me how they consistently GOOD they are in their music. Greta's voice is the clearest, most magical ever; it was really her voice that drew me in. Their melodies are so darn catchy too and I heart them for their incorporation of piano.
Recommended: They have so many good songs. I pick bands based on the fact that I love a ton of their songs, ha ha.

OK GO: Not just the treadmill guys. I love how they can go from loud and harsh to mellow so easily. They follow the same vein as Weezer, "nerd rock?" I loved seeing Damian Kulash sing live; he's so into it and just screaming his head off. It's great. Lyrics are clever too.
Recommended: "No Signs of Life" "Let it Rain" "Television, Television"

Beck: I overlook him a lot, but I can't help but admit he really knows his music. His sounds are so mellow and has nice beats. It's always nice listening to him.
Recommended: "E-Pro" "Tropicalia" "Think I'm in Love" "Time Bomb"

Honorable Mentions [Like them almost just as much as the above]:
Belle & Sebastian
Billy Joel
Queen
Apples in Stereo (the vocalist really weirds me out. He looks like he shouldn't have that voice.)
Hellogoodbye
The Pillows
Loveholic
The Unicorns
Miniature Tigers
FujiFabric

[Scarecrow]

Heh, I think I'm like Ich...I honestly think that Comatose was one of their weakest albums that they put out.

I agree... My favorite of theirs was "Hey You I Love Your Soul" and then I guess Collide. Comatose put me in a coma.

[Raiden no Kishi]

Any of you who appreciate excellent guitar work should have already bought Paul Gilbert's CDs Get Out of My Yard and Silence Followed by a Deafening Roar. Gilbert is probably one of the best shredders around (heck, Buckethead took lessons from him), yet his music isn't self-indulgent ludicrous-speed shred like too many others.

And if you haven't had your mind blown recently, pick up Billy Sheehan's CD Cosmic Troubadour. Sheehan formerly played bass alongside Paul Gilbert in a band named Mr. Big (back when shred was "in"). Imagine shred . . . on an electric bass. No, come back. It's amazing. I suggest listening through speakers with good bass response (subwoofer a BIG plus) for the full effect. As you listen, remember that the scale length (length of the neck) of a standard bass guitar is 9-10 inches longer than most guitars (making each note considerably farther away than its analogue on the guitar), and the strings are much, much bigger.

Here's an example of the two of them tearing it up at a Mr. Big concert back in the day. Don't let the hair turn you away (it was the 80s) - you're in for a treat.

And yes, they can play like a "normal" bassist and "normal" guitarist. See their albums for proof. Both musicians have a firm grasp of composition and none of their music seems like it's written to show off.

.rai//

[animaniac]

zao.....its just simple ZAO RULES ALL MUWAWAHAHAHA!!!!>:)

[Whitefang]

[quote="the_wolfs_howl (post: 1285025)"]You know, almost everybody sucks live anyway. >_>

Celtic Woman - A wonderful group of singers]

If you are going to say almost everyone sucks live, do not then list Celtic Woman anywhere near that sentence unless in direct contradiction to it.

Celtic Woman is my favorite group. Lisa's voice...just amazing.

[Benn]

In no particular order:

Anathallo (especially live)
Lost and Found
Burlap to Cashmere (old but good)
Perfume
Yoshida Brothers
Red
Usk

i have a soft spot for groups that can combine strings with guitars

[animaniac]

1:zao
2:at the gates
3:becoming the archetype
4:underoath
5:dragonforce

[Benn]

1:zao
2:at the gates
3:becoming the archetype
4:underoath
5:dragonforce

i second dragonforce! i can't believe i forgot about them.

[ich1990]

:wow!: Comatose was when they finally started getting really good!

But anyway, I think I just might have to add Plumb to my favorites now. I've only heard a few of their songs and listened to some snippets, but I love what I've heard.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the edgier songs such as "Comatose" and "Rebirthing". Also, "Whispers in the Dark" was excellent (I saw that song played live, unplugged. It made my fingers hurt just watching him play that solo).

What I do not like about the cd is its fairly commercial habit of replaying the choruses over and over again. Additionally, some of those songs such as "The Older I Get" forsake the hard rock sound entirely and play something akin to pop/punk. I am not a fan of pop/punk, to put it mildly.

Plumb is actually pretty cool. I don't have any of her records, but from what I have read, she plays an even split of brain melting pop love songs and Evanescence style rock. Actually, not many people know it but Plumb was actually the artist who inspired Amy Lee's sound.

i have a soft spot for groups that can combine strings with guitars

Then you should check out Skillet's albums "Comatose" and "Collide" and Virgin Black's "Requiem -- Mezzo Forte". Both bands are Christian and both play a ton of strings and guitar.

[animaniac]

i never realy tried virgin black. some people tell me there a gothic metal while some say there an unblack metal band.i dont get into unblack metal(axept for antestor)so i didnt try them are they any good?

[ich1990]

i never realy tried virgin black. some people tell me there a gothic metal while some say there an unblack metal band.i dont get into unblack metal(axept for antestor)so i didnt try them are they any good?

They are very good. Just the same, though, they may not be your style. They aren't really unblack/black metal except for a few traces on their first two cds. From what I have heard, they don't sound anything like Antestor.

Gothic metal is a fairly good description but I think that goth/metal/opera would be better. The vocals are fairly dramatic, like opera (only not annoying), but they are not deep and gravelly like most goth bands. They tend to have a very slow tempo that gets on the nerves of less patient listeners (especially in their Requiem trilogy). Also, the metal influences aren't extremely pronounced (not thrash or metalcore by any means).

I can't speak authoritatively about the other discs, but on their cd "Requiem -- Mezzo forte" they sound awesome. Roughly equivalent to a Catholic monastery playing funeral music on electric guitars with the vocals provided by opera trained monks who occasionally let out death-metal growls. Check out the song I linked in my above post for an example.

[animaniac]

this is actualy very good!somthing haunting about the songs i heard up til now made me drowzy but i like this.i might as well sugest somthing to you!

fearful symmetry:sorta like deliverance with a synth
the famine:label themselves as death metal but are above demon hunter and below living sacrifice
if theres any band you want to know about ask me and im sure i can dig somthing up.

[ich1990]

fearful symmetry:sorta like deliverance with a synth

the famine:label themselves as death metal but are above demon hunter and below living sacrifice

Sweet. I had never heard Fearful Symmetry before. They are pretty cool although the vocals are a bit monotone. They remind me of Celldweller.

The Famine is definitely solid as well. I checked them out a while ago but had forgotten what they sounded like. Definitely above par metal. Only thing they have against them is that their sound doesn't have a lot of distinguishing characteristics. I have a soft spot for the more esoteric/weird/experimental bands like Showbread, Becoming the Archetype, and The Devil Wears Prada.

EDIT: Also, I have another band for the strings+guitar=awesome category, HB. They have the music down solid, now they just need to get their lyrics up to snuff. Lots of potential.

[Shiningmonk_e]

I've really gotten into Haste the Day lately. Their new CD "Dreamer" and new video for "Mad Man" are just awesome!