Help a girl out

[angela_o]

Lately I've been feeling that I'm in a serious musical rut and I'd love some recommendations from my brilliant friendslist. What are some new things that you're loving these days and/or what are the top 5 (or more!) cds that you just couldn't live without?

Comments

[mockingbird39.livejournal.com]

Let's see. . .I've been listening to Lily Allen and Regina Spektor recently. Also Rachael Yamagata, who had a song on the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack that I LOVED, so I went looking for more. I've been on a chick music kick lately, I guess. And then there's my Red Sox mix, which is full of the cheesy songs they play at games. Of course. ;-)

[angela-o.livejournal.com]

Thanks Mel!

I deleted my repeated question about the Dropkick Murphy's since you'd answered on your LJ. I guess comment notifications are being lost in the ether today.

Ridiculously long comment, with presents

[marcolette.livejournal.com]

I jump around so much in what I listen to that I'd have a hard time naming my top five albums. But I'll give you tastes of things I'm enjoying a lot right now.

From the, "Yes, my involvement in bandslash fandom has had an impact on my musical taste" folder:

Panic! At the Disco: A Fever You Can't Sweat Out
These guys are interesting and fun. Not easy to sing to, but different from a lot of stuff I listen to. Self-described as theatrical, vaudevillian, it's music I enjoy listening to.
I Constantly Thank God For Esteban
But It's Better If You Do

The Hush Sound: Like Vines
They're on the Decaydance label, which is how I noticed them. But they have a fun, cheery, more indie sound that I enjoy.
Sweet Tangerine
Don't Wake Me Up

And last, but far from least - My Chemical Romance with The Black Parade.
I've uploaded the entire album for two reasons:
1) I love a lot of the songs on this album, but it was listening to the entire thing that really got me hooked. It's a rock opera type album, cohesive and complete, and it really works to listen to it that way.
2) There are a lot of reasons you might be skeptical about their music, as I was, but it's really worth a listen or two before deciding.
This is my favorite album of the moment, and it will probably remain one of my top albums ever. The subject matter is somewhat dark, but it's also a hopeful and joyful album.

*

Switching out of bandom mode, here are some other albums I'm listening to, along with some songs.

Ghostland Observatory: Paparazzi Lightning
I don't know how to describe these guys, actually.
Sad Sad City

M. Ward: Post-War
Gorgeous. That is all.
Post-War
Chinese Translation

The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
Either you like these guys or you don't, and you likely already know which it is. But I've been listening to the album a lot, so here are some tracks.
Black Mirror
Black Wave/Bad Vibrations

Re: Ridiculously long comment, with presents

[angela-o.livejournal.com]

Ooh, so much to choose from! Thanks so much. I'll enjoy my aural journey through these. I actually have Neon Bible. I loved Funeral, but it's taking me longer to get into this one for some reason. I'm not sure why.

Did you hear that Sci-Fi is holding off on new BSG eps until May of '08? That's a long time to wait for more CKR. *sigh*

Any trips back to the Rainbow Isle planned? I pulled out a Hawaii icon just for you.

Thanks again for the musical bouquet. :)

[tasyfa.livejournal.com]

I'll agree with marcolette about The Black Parade; I love that album.

Other stuff I'm enjoying lately: Charlotte Martin, who's a bit Tori Amos-ish in the quirky but with a much less irritating voice imo; Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Apocalyptica, which is 4 guys on cellos playing hard rock with guest vocalists; Imogen Heap, who used to front Frou Frou; The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, who fall into the pop-punk category but actually have really good lyrics and can play - similarly, the Plain White T's; Blaqk Audio, the electronica/dark wave outing from half of AFI (if you like old Depeche Mode, you should like BA); and also in the electronica arena, a little bit of IAMX - I don't like all his stuff (it's Chris Corner, who used to front Sneaker Pimps) as it's definitely on the experimental side, but some of those experiments are glorious. Oh, and the new Matchbox Twenty 'half-album attached to the singles collection' of course. ;-)

Hee, and strangely enough, not a one of those except the MCR has anything to do with my top 5! If you'd like me to upload anything, just give me a holler, dear. ♥