The Journey to Alternative Music

Posted over 2 years ago

Artist:
- PLAY
Fall Out Boy
Album:
- PLAY
- QUEUE
Infinity on High

So I'm finally going to make the trip to the guitar riff side of town... Yes that's right. I'm taking a moment to leave my soul/jazz/funk/hip-hop home and try the sweet taste of the music that is known as "alternative" or rock and roll. I know a few musically inclined folks at my school (see previous post), so I went and asked them what's good alternative music. One fellow suggested the new Fall Out Boy album, claiming that it was "pretty good." I've been listening to it I agree it's not bad. Not bad at all as an introductory album for someone who's never listened to this kind of music before. I like it, the vocals are straight, but I need something a little more gritty on the instrumental side. Apparently Fall Out Boy has had the fortune of being churned through the MTV machine, and garnered widespread success because of this. This album sounds like it was produced in some high tech studio, and frankly I'm gonna need something a little more down to earth. So who is the Mos Def of this alternative genre? Who are the Bootsie Collinses and the Miles Davises, and the Ohio Playerses? If anyone can give me suggestions here I'd greatly appreciate it. And remember, this is a request from someone who is used to having a good amount of _soul_ in their music.

Comments (15)

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kaleef says beck, built to spill, pavement (stephen malkmus), snowden, the ponys, radiohead, joggers, mute math, yeah yeah yeahs. i wouldn't recommend most of anything i hear on the radio (unless it's college radio), most of that shit _is_ alternative... yeah, alternative to good. good luck! and i hope this helps (:

Permalink posted 03/23/2007
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Rawkkiddoh says I willl give you 4 of my favorites right now Against Me! - This guy puts it all into his music, plus the bass line in this song sounds even better when played loud. The Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc. I mean De La is in the video, you cant go wrong with this one Mazzy Star - Halah The vocals on this one remind me so much of artists suchs as Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Samone G. Love and the Special Sauce Nothing but blues and funk with this group

Permalink posted 03/23/2007
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theyouthcard says Im always recommending Biffy Clyro but do check them out if you want incredible hook laden sing along chorus RAWK!!!! Or also try "Brand New". The Deja Entendu album

Permalink posted 03/23/2007
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sekout says Thanks for your suggestions folks, they really help, but there is so much music! It's a little overwhelming...

Permalink posted 03/27/2007
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gcincinnati says I'd agree with some of the above: Definitely check out Beck and the Gorillaz. Do you like Tricky? He's kind of in between depending on which album you listen to. Also: David Bowie, U2, Cake, and Placebo. Bands that AREN'T "rock", but rock anyways: Esthero, Massive Attack, Depeche Mode, Morcheeba, Faithless. Enjoy and good luck:)

Permalink posted 03/29/2007
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samuraijohnny says Radiohead. To me, they're the Miles Davis of alternative bands because they started out "straight" (Pablo Honey and The Bends), then evolved to include more electronic music (Paranoid Android, Kid A, Amnesiac), and now they can do whatever music they please (Hail to the Thief). Not only have they been influenced by Nirvana and The Pixies, but they've also been influenced by Miles, Kraftwerk, and who knows what else.

Permalink posted 03/29/2007
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mama1955 says Hi~ my alternative music is the Gorillaz. I have been hooked on this band since 2004. To me they have a broad venue of music that appeals to folks from 8 months to 88 years of age.Brain child of Damon Albarn of Blur and Jamie Hewlett, this animated band rocks my socks off. Lead singer 2D, asian guitar player Noodle, bad boy bass player Murdoc Niccals and drummer sometimes possessed by Del the Funky Homosapein Russel Hobbs make up this odd but great band. This video is the song 19-2000 SoulWax Remix. Enjoy (^^)

Permalink posted 03/29/2007
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Deathtrooper says Cool, let's see, You started with Fall Out Boy as your first rock band. Bad choice in my opinion, because in Fall Out Boy there isn't much of what Alternative is. Fall Out Boy is what classified as "Pop Rock" stuff that's on the mainstream. I don't like bashing music, although I did it once. Alternative music is more like Beck, Radiohead, R.E.M., Smashing Pumpkins, etc. I think the Red Hot Chili Peppers are Alternative Rock, But I classify them as Funkcore. Since you asked who is the bootsy Collins of Alternative, I would say Flea, who is like a clone of Bootsy Collins. As for Rock n Roll, Start with some Led Zeppelin, I'm pretty sure you've heard of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath, and others. Once you hear the one mentioned, you'll find a LOT of other Rock and Roll bands. The Miles Davis-es are everywhere. A solo of any kind is essential to a great Rock band. Jimi Hendrix, John Frusciante, Jimmy Page, Flea, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Angus Young, Keith Moon and John Bonham (both drummers). These are some songs I recommend:

Permalink posted 03/29/2007
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Oatmeal says I always felt like Sleater-Kinney had a lot of soul. In addition they are a three piece all female punk group that would blow most other bands out of the water. Start with One Beat or All Hands On The Bad One. It ain't D'Angelo type soul, but they have a ton of heart. I am sure you are already into The Roots, they straddle genre like not many others. If you want kick ass guitar, I would go more classic rock like the last guy said, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix are more or less electric blues, and are above reproach.

Permalink posted 03/29/2007
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redh0tt says I love rock music and there are some great bands out there. I love Jimi hendrix, red hot chili peppers, john lennon, the police, the doors, led zeppelin, black sabbath, nirvana, the clash, the sex pistols, david bowie, pink floyd, the cure, U2,the rolling stones, alice cooper, elvis presley and there are others more. If you want to try some new bands try listening to aiden or armor for sleep...but they are kind of emo so i dont know if you'll like them. Also if you want something with soul try Janis Joplin...she's great =)

Permalink posted 03/29/2007
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Cody B says Other than what I heard on the radio in the 70's and 80's, my musical roots are in hip hop and I worked my way back from DJ samples to build up my knowledge of Rock. Old Stuff- There is a comp on the fabulous BBE label called Funk Rock, that features many 70's rock acts (Can,Santana,Babe Ruth,Zoo) with songs that have been sampled into hip hop tracks. It also has Sly,Cymande,Buddy Miles, and Betty Davis. Also on the comp is Brian Auger who you might want to look at picking up some more stuff from. There's a 2CD best of.. 70's Fusion groups like Catalyst had a lot of guitar and funk in their stuff. David Axelrod you prolly already know about, but if you don't, you will love his solo material and his productions for the Electric Prunes. New Stuff- I like Stereolab-Dots and Loops..zero guitars, but you'll still find em in the rock section. Cat Power-The Greatest-Recorded with some of the same folks who waxed with Al Green in the '70's, but most definitely "alternative". Yo La Tengo-I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One

Permalink posted 03/29/2007
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Soulfunksticat says a couple people already said Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton, but the reason WHY is because they are British... when they were growing up across the pond, they weren't surrounded by the racism in America, so they were listening to all the great blues, soul, and R&B musicians from the US and didn't care if they were black or white. So I think if you go that route and figure out which rock and rollers were influenced by the music you dig now, and then follow the trail to some bands today, you'll be very satisfied.

Permalink posted 03/30/2007
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mraxlfoley says You might like Michael Franti and his band Spearhead or G. Love and Special Sauce. Both bands have much soul.

Permalink posted 03/30/2007
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I am says Start with something you may be sort of have a predisposition towards. Try G Love and Special Sauce. The Clash has a strong ska, reggae background. Most Alt music today is more or less mainstream. What was once Alt ....... Point being, What you are asking is short of impossible. Listen and go with it, if you like it, it's good for you. Music and Art is first person subjective. Honestly, I have no idea how critics and reviewers make any money. Listen to what you want. Take suggestions. Discard most of it. Keep listening to what you like! The Clash "The Cool Out" is at My MOG. G Love will be there soon.

Permalink posted 03/31/2007
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p-wagz says So I'm probably going to get flayed for this (and I hope it's not too late in coming), but you probably want some more accessible bands in the genre. I pretty much know many of the more popular radio-style bands out there, but hear me out. Yes radio is quite evil, but I didn't have mog growing up and it was my only choice. First off, alternative is all in how you define it, just like any other genre, so I may be way off from what anyone else says. Try 311, they're quite a funky little group and they have tons of different styles, reggae, hip-hop, edgey stuff, mellow stuff. They are like a whole bunch of little snackers for you to swallow in one gulp. I would say that the Foo Fighters are a good choice and are quite alterative, but their music may sound the same after a while to someone who's not versed in the genre. I think I saw someone say the Smashing Pumpkins above. They encompass quite a few genres of rock in their works. Cake is a good one as well - lots of bluesy country-ish stuff. Pretty chill. I would say if you check out any of them, check out Harvey Danger. This band is exellent lyrically and musically. You can also download their lastest album for free on their website, so this should be the easiest for you to sample. Alright, good luck. This has already become too long! Enjoy!

Permalink posted 05/11/2007