What's the best new music?

[cdn2wheeler]

I used to be in the music business back when dinosaurs still thudded their way over the earth but about 10 years ago I basically stopped listening. Rap and something called "new country" was taking over the airwaves and I found them dismal and forgettable. Since then I really haven't kept up.

But I imagine - well, I hope anyway - that music has actually progressed in the past decade.

The stuff I used to listen to was mostly progressive rock: Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Yes, Rush (still listen to them), Rick Wakeman, Soft Machine, Gentle Giant (oh, how I miss them!) and the like were staples. Jazz, too, was a favourite, from Al DiMeola, Stanley Jordan, Stanley Clarke and Jean-Luc Ponty to John Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins. A small bright spot during the time was A.J. Croce (Jim's son) but he vanished as quickly as he appeared. Bob Florence's stuff was pretty interesting too when I was in the mood for big-band style jazz. Pretty aggressive stuff!

But it's been so long since I really listened that it's time to get back into it. So what do you listen to now that you find challenging, interesting and worthy of your time?

[wolfgang]

Muse
Radio Head
Gomez

Chemical Brothers
Moby
Fatbot Slim

[Angela]

Originally Posted by cdn2wheeler

Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Yes, Rush (still listen to them), Rick Wakeman, Soft Machine, Gentle Giant (oh, how I miss them!) and the like were staples. Jazz, too, was a favourite, from Al DiMeola, Stanley Jordan, Stanley Clarke and Jean-Luc Ponty to John Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins.

Oh, how I adore you, cdn! Soft Machine, for goodness sake. King Crimson, too, I'll bet, and of course the Dixie Dregs. Remember UK (with Bill Bruford, John Wetton, Alan Holdsworth, and Eddie Jobson)? Oh, I'm getting all nostalgic and schmoopy.

Have you heard The Bad Plus? They do some of the most interesting and innovative stuff I've heard in years. Also Medeski, Martin & Wood -- love them. You've probably been listening to Dave Weckl's stuff over the years, right? Love that, too.

[JimOfferman]

Some of the newer stuff I listen to:
Jonathan Coulton (hilarious!)
Vienna Teng
Tom McRae
Sun Kil Moon
The Arcade Fire
SneakerFreak (from my hometown!)
First Act (couldn't resist)

Then there's old stables, Peter Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan and Bjork. Can't hear enough of any of them!

For some jazz, check out Christian Scott and e.s.t (Esbjorn Svenssen Trio). Saw both at North Sea Jazz this year and was duly impressed!

[NotesMaeve]

A few I can't get enough of:

Feist - "1234"

Amy Winehouse - "Valerie"

Hot Chip - "The Warning"

The Decemberists - "The Engine Driver"

[Old Soul]

I listen to so many genre's because i just love music I find it impossible to not appreciate different types of music .. Hey remember "State Of Independance" Jon&Van gelis? Friends of Mr Cairo ...love it Dr Hook, Freakers Ball hehehe love that too....... or this song San fransica Nights..

old jazz Ella Fitzgerald take the A Train,,/new jazz, old R&B Muddy waters, Joni Mitchel Bob Dylan Rush, Tragically Hip ,chiliwack, Hard christian rap to street rap , hard rock soft rock....love Raggae!! Bob Marley Maxi Priest cylipso ska , Josh Stone

Johnny Mayer/David Gray, I like the chemical brothers, little old country little new country, Red Hot Chili Peppers,

As of late I have been in a more mellow place, so (don't laugh) I am enjoying

James Taylor ... In my Mind I'm going to Carolina...


When I do a run , I like Goldfrap Strict machine , hard pounding techno

[Jugga J]

So these guys!!!!!!

I listen to loads of Indie/unsigned crap, but Danger: Radio have a nice twang i don't hear very often.

I like.

[mlc82]

Personally, I love Type O Negative, although they aren't all that new. Their latest CD was (IMO) absolutely terrible though.


Gangster Rap, "Emo", and Pop Country will hopefully all go the way of 80's hair metal soon.

[Dan.Linehan]

Panda Bear, Arcade Fire. The National. Cold War Kids. The Hives.

Mclusky for brilliant punk rock, though they are broken up now.

Modest Mouse for intelligent hard rock.

Pinback for softer style. Death Cab for Cutie.