where to start...

Creamy Goodness

i thought this might be a good idea for a thread.

a user posts up bands that they've been recommended but haven't been pointed towards a specific album as i find it's sometimes hard to get into a band especially when they have a vast array of albums.

my ones:

M83
sigur ros
radiohead - i used be a casual listener around ok computer but it'd be nice to get back into them

anyone got any suggestions for the above?

Kold

Radiohead - It's all brilliant. Generally go chronologically (missing out Pablo Honey) The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail to the Thief then finally In Rainbows. They're all absolutely stunning and rewarding albums although I'd say Kid A and Amnesiac are the two hardest.... but most rewarding. In Rainbows in probably their prettiest album so is quite easy to get into.

Sigur Ros, I'd recommend starting with Hvarf-Heim as it's live renditions of some of their most loved songs. Takk.. is an easy enough studio album but () is stunningly beautiful .

Can't help with m83 I'm afraid.

Ok my 3 will be Low, Eric Clapton and PJ Harvey (I have Tales from the City but am not that gone on it.

GrahamThomas

Kold wrote: »

Ok my 3 will be Low, Eric Clapton and PJ Harvey (I have Tales from the City but am not that gone on it.

PJ Harvey: Get yourself a copy of "White Chalk". It got a hauntingly beautiful, ethereal sound that is completely removed from any of her earlier work. One of my favourite albums of last year.

I'm not a Clapton fan, and don't know much about Low, so can't help you there I'm afraid!

Can anyone recommend where to start with Elvis Costello, and Rory Gallagher? I already have Rory Gallagher "Live At Montreux", which is fantastic.

Gonzovision

Hey I'd go for Saturdays=youth,maybe because it was the first one I listened to but its a great album.

red_ice

Jeff Buckley, interpol, the national (just off the top of my head)

All 3 most definitly worth checking out. I've only started getting into buckley as of late - what in gods name have i been missing out on.

Placid_Casual

Jeff Buckley - Grace is THE album as it was the only one actually released in his lifetime

Interpol - Antics is my personal favourite but I think a lot of people will say Turn On The Bright Lights

The National - Boxer is the only one i've heard, its really good

Ok, i'll say Brighteyes and Death Cab for Cutie off the top of my head. Might think of more later

red_ice

Placid_Casual wrote: »

Jeff Buckley - Grace is THE album as it was the only one actually released in his lifetime

Its possibly one of the most perfect albums ever.

Placid_Casual wrote: »

Interpol - Antics is my personal favourite but I think a lot of people will say Turn On The Bright Lights

Ill say turn on the bright lights - obsticle1 is imo the best indy track ever recorded (musically).

Ian C

The 2 CD version of "Live at Sin é" by Jeff Buckley is definitely worth checking out.

AlanSparrowhawk

Kold wrote: »

Low

I don't really know what to say to people who ask "where you should start". But I'll just say either Things we lost in the Fire or The Great destroyer.

symbolic

Placid_Casual wrote: »

Jeff Buckley - Grace is THE album as it was the only one actually released in his lifetime

Interpol - Antics is my personal favourite but I think a lot of people will say Turn On The Bright Lights

The National - Boxer is the only one i've heard, its really good

Ok, i'll say Brighteyes and Death Cab for Cutie off the top of my head. Might think of more later

Brighteyes - letting off happiness

death cab for cutie - transatlanticism

lordgoat

symbolic wrote: »

Brighteyes - letting off happiness

death cab for cutie - transatlanticism

Good recommendations

Bright Eyes - Lifted, or the story is in the soil...

Although most people find I'm wide aawake it's morning very accessible, i'm not too gone on that particular record.

Death Cab - Transatlanticism - for the title track alone.

symbolic

lordgoat wrote: »

Death Cab - Transatlanticism - for the title track alone.

what a song, great end to a great gig the other night!

Scubadevils

One band for me that I have heard lots of good things about but have only bought one album are the Cocteau Twins. I have 'Treasure' which is absolutely amazing, but they have lots more and I have no idea which to go for next.

http://www.discogs.com/artist/Cocteau+Twins

An example of a track from Treasure...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAckMJd8zlA

JerryHandbag

Three oldies...

Gram Parsons
Funkadelic/Pariliament
Echo & The Bunnymen (had one of their CDs which I thought was sh1te)

any ideas?

JaneyMc

The Desert Sessions.

Like a FOOL I got all of them at the same time over a year ago and have listened to them, but then I never remember what I have listened to. Halp?

lordgoat

symbolic wrote: »

what a song,

I cried and i haven't stopped since...

loyatemu

Gram Parsons - The first Flying Burrito Bros album "Gilded palace of sin" is good mix of country rock and hippy pop

I'll add The Who and The Clash - been listening to compilations by them recently. The Who in particular are the only major 60s band I'm not really familiar with.

GrahamThomas

loyatemu wrote: »

I'll add The Who and The Clash - been listening to compilations by them recently. The Who in particular are the only major 60s band I'm not really familiar with.

If you want to get into The Clash start with "London Calling". It's the album that best defines who they were as a band. I'd also suggest getting their self-titled debut if you're in the mood for some good old-fashioned, straight up punk rock!

red_ice

Ian C wrote: »

The 2 CD version of "Live at Sin é" by Jeff Buckley is definitely worth checking out.

got em, havnt paid them any attention as of yet!

JaneyMc wrote: »

The Desert Sessions.

Like a FOOL I got all of them at the same time over a year ago and have listened to them, but then I never remember what I have listened to. Halp?

Yea, i wrote that down myself as a good place to start, only its not really indy/alternative is it? so i took it out of my list.

Any of them are amazing, 7/8/9/10 being my favs. I didnt really get into garcia's stuff, so the earlier albums didnt really do much for me, but they are still quality

Xavi6

symbolic wrote: »

Brighteyes - letting off happiness

death cab for cutie - transatlanticism

lordgoat wrote: »

Good recommendations

Bright Eyes - Lifted, or the story is in the soil...

Although most people find I'm wide aawake it's morning very accessible, i'm not too gone on that particular record.

Death Cab - Transatlanticism - for the title track alone.

Different opinion here!

Bright Eyes - Fevers & Mirrors

Death Cab - Plans

lordgoat

Xavi6 wrote: »

Different opinion here!

Bright Eyes - Fevers & Mirrors

Death Cab - Plans

Aye Both great albums.

For the person looking for Gram Parsons - It's hard to look beyond - GP / return of the grievous angel.

Ian C

red_ice wrote: »

got em, havnt paid them any attention as of yet!

See that you do! They're worth it for the rendition of "Strange Fruit" alone.

KnifeWRENCH

Great idea for a thread! Unfortunately I don't really listen to any of the bands mentioned so far so I can't really help (apart from Radiohead, but Kold pretty much covered that)

My three I want to investigate are: Neil Young, Eels and Tori Amos. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Kold

square_igloo wrote: »

My three I want to investigate are: Neil Young, Eels and Tori Amos. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

With The Eels it just has to be Beautiful Freak.

loyatemu

square_igloo wrote: »

Great idea for a thread! Unfortunately I don't really listen to any of the bands mentioned so far so I can't really help (apart from Radiohead, but Kold pretty much covered that)

My three I want to investigate are: Neil Young, Eels and Tori Amos. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Neil Young - the "Decade" compilation of his 60/70s work is undoutedly the place to start. Its a double-CD, its cheap, and its absolutely fantastic.

S.M.B.

Felixdhc wrote: »

One band for me that I have heard lots of good things about but have only bought one album are the Cocteau Twins. I have 'Treasure' which is absolutely amazing, but they have lots more and I have no idea which to go for next.

http://www.discogs.com/artist/Cocteau+Twins

An example of a track from Treasure...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAckMJd8zlA

Heaven or Las Vegas is an another amazing album. Well worth checking out next.

manfist

loyatemu wrote: »

Neil Young - the "Decade" compilation of his 60/70s work is undoutedly the place to start. Its a double-CD, its cheap, and its absolutely fantastic.

id say go for dejá vu , its crosby stills nash and young and possibly there best album , also buffalo springfield have an amazing sefl titled as well which launched neil youngs carrer,

loyatemu wrote: »

Gram Parsons
I'll add The Who and The Clash - been listening to compilations by them recently. The Who in particular are the only major 60s band I'm not really familiar with.

the who are tricky where to start, they went through the 60's nd 70's with difernt styles ,
but to get into them id recomend 'live at leeds' one of the best life albums of all time , and mabey 'who are you' for there more 70's sound, 'my generation' for there more rock and roll sound , and of course 'tommy' the rock opera which is awesome.

Rockshamrover

Dallas Green anybody?

Monkey61

red_ice wrote: »

Jeff Buckley, interpol, the national (just off the top of my head)

The National will change your life!! Definitely start with Boxer and the very slowly work backwards through Alligator, Sad Songs and The National. Go slowly though and make sure you really let each album grow on you before moving on.

Mine are Queen and Belle and Sebastian.

Oh and for square_igloo - the Tori Amos has to be Little Earthquakes!

KnifeWRENCH

Kold wrote: »

With The Eels it just has to be Beautiful Freak.

loyatemu wrote: »

Neil Young - the "Decade" compilation of his 60/70s work is undoutedly the place to start. Its a double-CD, its cheap, and its absolutely fantastic.

manfist wrote: »

id say go for dejá vu , its crosby stills nash and young and possibly there best album , also buffalo springfield have an amazing sefl titled as well which launched neil youngs carrer,

Monkey61 wrote: »

Oh and for square_igloo - the Tori Amos has to be Little Earthquakes!

Great, thanks for all your help guys!

Kold

Actually, I've another request. Where do I start with Einsturzende Neubauten?

lordgoat

For the person looking for Belle and Seb -

I'd start with The Boy with the Arab Strap to hear what they sounded like way back when and also This Life Pursuit for what they sound like now, depending on which you like most work forwards or backwards.

The song Dress up in You is magical. And i think everyone should at least listen to it once.

Ho-Hum

JerryHandbag wrote: »

Three oldies...

Gram Parsons
Funkadelic/Pariliament
Echo & The Bunnymen (had one of their CDs which I thought was sh1te)

any ideas?

Can't help with the other 2 but for Echo and the Bunnymen you gotta go with Ocean Rain - great album.


Where would be best to start with; Tom Waits, Frank Zappa(have apostrophe & love it) and Mogwai

Kold

Ho-Hum wrote: »

Can't help with the other 2 but for Echo and the Bunnymen you gotta go with Ocean Rain - great album.


Where would be best to start with; Tom Waits, Frank Zappa(have apostrophe & love it) and Mogwai

With Tom Waits I'd suggest Raindogs but a lot would send you to a compilation. I reckon Raindogs is his most accessible and one of his best.


Mogwai either Mr Beast, Happy Songs for Happy People, Come on Die Young or The Hawk is Howling. All top notch.

HouseHippo

Angel Pier, prob the best Irish band going at the moment, give them a listen
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=72933309

Timans

Ho-Hum wrote: »

Can't help with the other 2 but for Echo and the Bunnymen you gotta go with Ocean Rain - great album.


Where would be best to start with; Tom Waits, Frank Zappa(have apostrophe & love it) and Mogwai

For Mogwai, I'd say definitely start with their first album before moving on to others. Their first album being Young Team.

For Zappa, due to his huge back catalogue, I'd go with Strictly Commercial, it's a good best of which I got as my starting point based on more seasoned Zappa fan's opinions.
Or, alternatively, you could just watch this youtube video which first turned me on to Zappa, it completely blew me away and made me pick up a guitar instantly.

Ian C

For Tom Waits I'd recommend Raindogs too, and Small Change from his earlier years.

Ho-Hum

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

JerryHandbag

For Mogwai I would recommend their last 2 CDS, Mr.Beast and Hawk Is Howling, just incredible incredible music!

anti-venom

Timans wrote: »

For Mogwai, I'd say definitely start with their first album before moving on to others. Their first album being Young Team.

For Zappa, due to his huge back catalogue, I'd go with Strictly Commercial, it's a good best of which I got as my starting point based on more seasoned Zappa fan's opinions.
Or, alternatively, you could just watch this youtube video which first turned me on to Zappa, it completely blew me away and made me pick up a guitar instantly.

I'd add to that two other Zappa albums which are essential - 'Hot Rats' and 'We're Only in It for the Money'. Can't go wrong with these:)

S.M.B.

Philip Glass?

Not really alternative or indie but sure I'll throw it up here and hopefully someone can help me.

violetdream

re: philip glass..the 2 i have are amazing....one is called ' the secret agent symphony"...it has a kinda james bond vibe to it but really amazing

he does his version of bowies "heroes" which is also class

Kold

Einsturzende Neubauten and Brian Eno if anyone would be so kind.

Ekels

I won't lie, you could start anywhere with Mogwai. It's all good.

Ekels

For Death Cab for Cutie, I'd most definitely give Plans the nod as first album. Not that it's my favourite, We Have The Facts and We Are Voting Yes is a class apart.

Scubadevils

Kold wrote: »

Einsturzende Neubauten and Brian Eno if anyone would be so kind.

For Brian Eno, I would highly recommend starting with Apollo -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apollo-Atmospheres-Soundtracks-Brian-Eno/dp/B0007GFFUW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1227547654&sr=8-1

Another favourite of mine is the Plateaux of Mirror which was done with Harold Budd - in fact I reckon this is my favourite...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plateaux-Mirror-Ambient-2/dp/B0002PZVHA/ref=pd_sim_m_h__3

milnerr3

i agree with everything you've said here...however, i would also recommend listening to Chunga's Revenege as another starting point through Zappa's fantastic work...
i would stress also for people that are unfamiliar with Zappa's work not to dive straight into the middle of because it would probably turn you off it forever and deny yourself something that is, in my opinion cathartic!

DerekD Goldfish

Felixdhc wrote: »

One band for me that I have heard lots of good things about but have only bought one album are the Cocteau Twins. I have 'Treasure' which is absolutely amazing, but they have lots more and I have no idea which to go for next.

http://www.discogs.com/artist/Cocteau+Twins

An example of a track from Treasure...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAckMJd8zlA

Lullabies to violine compiled all their singles(with associated b-sides) and eps into a 4cd collection. CD1 and 2 of thier are about as close to perfection as things get

I know recommending compilation albums is cheating but is is thiere best work
of thier studio albums head over heals is my favorite

DerekD Goldfish

Kold wrote: »

Einsturzende Neubauten and Brian Eno if anyone would be so kind.

It depends what kind of Eno you want
of his early 70's just post Roxy Music stuff "Taking tiger mountain by strategy" is the best and perhaps the best thing he has ever done

Of his late 70's early 80's Talking Heads/David Byrne collaborations "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" is very damn good

Of his ambint stuff Ambient 4: on land is the best however I do prefer his Early 70's phase and his Byrne collaborations

DerekD Goldfish

GrahamThomas wrote: »

Can anyone recommend where to start with Elvis Costello, and Rory Gallagher? I already have Rory Gallagher "Live At Montreux", which is fantastic.

All of his earlish stuff is fantastic the later stuff is hit and miss
"Armed forces" is a really good pop album and a great place to start.

KnifeWRENCH wrote: »

Neil Young, Eels and Tori Amos. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

His best album is "On the Beach" however the best place to start is probably with After the goldrush for the folky stuff or rust never sleeps for the rocker stuff


apologies for not putting all these in the one post

smurgen

3 great bands:

Beiruit- listen to the Gulag Orkestar

Foals- Antidote

Queens of the Stone Age- songs for the deaf.

I really dont get Sigor Ros at all,i listened to their music again and again and i really can't stand them!or tom waits or nick cave-3 i really despise that everyone keeps banging on about!