I first heard of probably my two favorite artists on different forums. I first heard about Modest Mouse from LazarusLong's reviews on Smogon. I first heard Kota Hoshino on styleforum. Anyway I wanted to make a thread where people could recommend music. Any good music that people might not have heard about is appreciated. I really like reading people's thoughts on music so those are good. If you post a reasonable number of songs I'll definitely listen to them.
EDIT - Disregard, my link is acting wonky. Anywho, other music: Bastion soundtrack Jamestown soundtrack The wildly underrated Brave Fencer Musashi soundtrack Ditto but replace Brave Fencer Musashi with Secret of Evermore
Yes, absolutely. Listen to Ágætis Byrjun from beginning to end, or if you want just one song then Svefn-g-Englar. Every one of their records has a distinct flavor, sometimes wildly different like their first (Von, which isn't actually a very good album, experimental without being innovative) or their most recent studio album (which has a title as long as your arm, and is much more pop-driven than anything else they've done) I'm actually in the market for something that has a similar rumbling feel to Ágætis Byrjun, if anyone can recommend something like that. I also quite like the Boredoms, at least their more coherent psychedelic stuff -- that's another band that took some wild detours, and started out very much in the "experimental but not innovative" camp. They do extended jams mostly, so it's hard to recommend a single song, but Super Going is pretty good.
I strongly recommend the Final Fantastic Violin soundtrack... but then they strike me at my most vulnerable points, final fantasy and violins... Aside from that I think Garfunkle and Oates Sex with Ducks is quite good. . Also if you haven't sat down to listen to the Harry Potter soundtrack outside of just with the films, you really should. Also, still haven't finished with this list but HG101 collated a list from their viewers on the 1000 best VGM songs... http://hardcoregaming101.net/vgm/bestvgm2011.htm You might not agree with all of it but it's certainly interesting.
Not really music, but the spoken word genre (but still set to music,) but visited a music festival and was fascinated by Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long.
On the topic of music, I recently weighed in on how some classic Street Fighter 2 soundtracks should sound like. Here's one such improvement: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2187900/MIDI/bisonremix.mid
Build That Wall and The Ending Theme to Bastion are the only 2 gaming songs that have made it into my regular playlist (well and Exile/Vilify if you count that).
Machinae Supremacy has been my favorite band for as long as I've had a favorite band. Their music is basically a cross between heavy metal/alternative rock and chiptunes (they use an actual SID chip from the Commodore 64!) You can download a lot of their music for free from their website: http://machinaesupremacy.com/downloads/ (Deus ex Machinae was their first album which went out of print on CD, so they released it for free on their site. The Webographies are compilations of music they've released free on their website from 2000-2007. Jets'n'guns is an indie shmup they did the soundtrack for)
Anyone who's never listened to Radiohead should go do it right now. OK Computer - and Kid A - are generally considered their best albums.
Machine Supremacy was AWESOME> Thanks a ton for the recommendation! edit: I also really liked Earth. everything else in the thread has been good imo but chiptunes + rock is avery appealing combo to me.
Then I recommend Anamanaguchi if you haven't already heard of them. And even if you have, their soundtrack for Scott Pilgrim vs the World:The Game is pretty awesome.
This is what I use when it's time to win at Yomi. It has yet to fail, because it's the best song ever, except for any song better than it:
Blind Guardian - Imaginations from the Other Side The band that started it all for me. One of the best bands on the planet, period. From the Rules of Power Metal: "Hansi is God." "Singers aren't allowed balls unless they're Hansi, because he's God." Gamma Ray - Rebellion in Dreamland Ask me to define what power metal is, and there's a chance the link is Blind Guardian. If it isn't, this song is the only option. Rebellion in Dreamland basically distills what power metal is about, and puts it all into one, insanely awesome song. Avantasia - Sign of the Cross Do I have a reason to link this here? Yeah, I do. 'Cause it's awesome as hell. Simple and to the point. Just as rock is meant to be. The Cure - Hanging Garden No introductions should be necessary here. Just plain ol' good stuff. Veil Veil Vanish - Anthem for a Doomed Youth Some of the best post-punk/goth rock ever made. Driving drums and an ethereal feel that makes you imagine a dark autumn evening bathed in the glow of orange streetlights. Simply beautiful.
The Birthday Massacre - Kill the Lights Ethereal, dark beauty. Decadence. Haunting melodies with a slight fairytale feeling. What's not to like? CMX - Kaikkivaltias Now, rock should be simple. But when you crank the awesomeness meter this far up, simplicity stops mattering. Disturbed - Sons of Plunder Tell me you like it. Dream Theater - Another Day Dream Theater was a damn good band once upon a time. Faun - Unda Neofolk? With slight EBM influences? Sold.
Grendel - Void Malign Speaking of EBM, what happens when you blend it with industrial? Aggrotech happens. And it's good. Hammerfall - Any Means Necessary Cheesy? Yes. Catchy? Yes. Good? Oh hell yes. Herra Ylppö & Ihmiset - Sata Vuotta Herra Ylppö & Ihmiset - Horros (NSFW!) Proof that pop can be done so damn right. The post-punk influences may have something to do with it. I don't care, my ears are in heaven. Kamelot - Moonlight Dark, rich, atmospheric. WITH crunchy guitars? Yes please. The singer's voice is lovely. Album cover is completely wrong, by the way.
Arch Enemy - Revolution Begins CRUNCHY. GUITARS. EARGASM. Whatever. Arch Enemy in general is crap, but this song is made in heaven. Kent - Den Döda Vinkeln Svensk pop är bra. Faktiskt. Kiuas - Across the Snows Nothing much to say on this one. Just plain ol' good metal. Magenta Skycode - People http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/3854895 There's a reason we had to wait two hours in the cold to get to these guys' gig. Musta Paraati - Romanssi Musta Paraati - Kädet Classic Finnish post-punk. Weird but good.
Nightwish - Slaying the Dreamer Like Dream Theater, these guys used to be good, too. Sadly not anymore : / The Offspring - Come Out And Play (Keep 'Em Separated) Some real punk amidst this post-punk onslaught. My god the guitars and "Hey" shouts are earwormy. Samael - Slavocracy These guys used to make oldschool black metal. Then they realized it was bad and turned to industrial metal. Savage Circus - Between the Devil and the Seas Oldschool Blind Guardian by the band's former drummer. Has since left the band, and the second album is boring. Sigur Rós - Hoppipolla Cute and soothing. In a non-moemoe way.
Skyclad - Lightening the Load One of the best bands on the planet again. This time in a more folk-metally style, sometimes veering towards punk. Despite being relatively unknown, Skyclad is the originator of the genre. Sohodolls - Stripper (NSFW!) Dirty and mean. And catchy as hell. It's some kind of electro-sleaze or something. Good stuff anyway. Sonata Arctica - The Boy Who Wanted To Be A Real Puppet Beautiful song, nuff said. Spock's Beard - Long Time Suffering Prog rock. Really freakin' good prog rock. Turisas - To Holmgard and Beyond This song radiates adventuring spirit. Epic.
Turisas - Rasputin What happens when you put a folk metal band to play a disco hit? RASPUTIN!!! Viola - Outsider Code http://www.violamusicclub.com/music/hifi/Viola - Wonderabilia/Viola - 09 - Outsider Code.mp3 dreamy electropop song that talks about... save stations? If you like that, check out http://www.violamusicclub.com. The band is giving away all their music White Rose Movement - Girls In The Back Post-punk. Electroclash. Eargasm. They split, unfortunately : / Viikate - Kerran eng. Scythe - Once I can't help loving this band. They mix metal with Finnish schlagers with a generally melancholy aesthetic. The result is some stupidly good music. The best part? Nobody else does this stuff, so these guys will never get old.
More music! This time relatively solo-free metal! Demons & Wizards - Winter of Souls A semi-contemplative piece, apparently about Mordred. Demons & Wizards - Crimson King The first time I read the opening verses I knew the song was going to be good. An epic piece based on an epic book, in this case Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Might not make much sense if you haven't read at least some of those. MMmore! Sailing the dreary seas of bland-ass metal with their heads held up high, Skyclad shows you how it's done. Many of the band's tunes have a bit of a jig-like feel to them, but these are mostly big on the crunch. Skyclad - A Song of No-Involvement "To those who look for answers Or seek to rule the roost Go sign your 'ignoramus' 'Cos we're the living proof. Live and let live and learn to forgive Come Heaven or Hell we'll join in with: A song of no-involvement, It's a testament to sloth A song of no-involvement Sounds good upon mine oath." Too happy and devil-may-care for you? "Like..." is "a ballad to the disenchanted", and it's filled to the brim with pathos. And probably a bit more just for good measure. Skyclad - Like... A Ballad For The Disenchanted Skyclad - Hybrid Blues
Týr - Hail to the Hammer Folk/Viking metal from eight years ago. Notable for using only traditional rock band instruments while maintaining a nice, folky feel. Has prog elements, too. And it rocks. The guitars and vocals are insanely earwormy to me, at least. And not-quite-so-old-but-still-old-'cause-we're-all-geezers-now: Sear Bliss - Two Worlds Collide KVLT! Trumpet and metal sounds like a really weird combination at first, but it works brilliantly. The video and music are ridiculously KVLT!
On to other topics, no one said I couldn't post anime music, so here goes <3<3<3 Flow - World End (Code Geass R2) The synths. Just. The synths. And the vocals too, actually. This song is EPIC. <3<3<3 Flow - Colors (Code Geass) Wind instruments. Plus just something in the songwriting you don't often hear in the west. Nightmare - The World (Death Note) Youtube hates English subs, apparently. Don't watch if you're allergic to visual kei. Mell - Red Fraction (Black Lagoon) Horribly butchered English is horribly butchered. Song is good, tho. And damn I want those effects they use on the vocals for myself. Shouko Nakagawa - Sorairo Days (Gurren Lagann) Gurren Lagann. Nuff said. Youtube censorship forces reliance on AMVs : /
Aya Hirano - God Knows (Haruhi) Just insanely nice rock. I don't know what in it is so addictive. But something is. Round Table feat. Nino - Groovin' Magic (Diebuster) Diabetes never sounded so good. (And yes, the same people did the Chobits op, too) Origa - Inner Universe (Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex) Maaya Sakamoto - Hemisphere (RahXephon) Gotta love those light, fast drums <3. If they sound similar that's because both are Yoko Kanno compositions.
Away from animu, time for some calm flute music! And back to... something. O.Children - Dead Disco Dancer (NSFW!) Weird stuff, but good. I recently stumbled onto Voltaire on a thread over at the MtG forums. The guy must be somehow out of his mind, because his stuff is weird as hell. Weird, but good. Voltaire - When You're Evil Delightfully mischievous Voltaire - Brains! BRAINS, BRAINS, I won't lie, I'll eat their brains 'til they're zombified. Sure they might think it's deranged But they won't give it a thought After I've eaten their brain. Voltaire - Out of Reach Just plain ol' good stuff
More! Don't stop the music! The Chameleons - Don't Fall The Chameleons - Here Today so goooooddddd <3<3<3<3 The guitars are pure eargasm. Project Pitchfork - Drone State Some odd machine music. For some reason, this reminds me of Dead or Alive's "Round like a record". The Cult - Nirvana The Cult - Rain
Stumbled again onto a gospel power metal band I found some years ago. And DAMN, this stuff is GOOD. Especially for having been made by one man alone. It's funny how otherwise completely untolerable "Oh God Godgodgodgod" preachystyle gospel starts to work when it's fantasy-ized up a bit and combined with some kickass metal. Here you go: Theocracy - Theocracy The chorus is, shall we say, "godly". Theocracy - Ichthus Theocracy - Serpent's Kiss First verse is so powermetal it hurts. Theocracy - Mountain Theocracy - New Jerusalem
Liquid Tension Experiment - Universal Mind Dream Theater - metal + jazz Finally, pretty much the only song from Blue Öyster Cult that has ever managed to grab my attention:
nervous_testpilot - A Functioning God (Frozen Synapse OST) Kenji Yamamoto, Kouichi Kyuma - Menu Select (Metroid Prime) Kenji Yamamoto, Kouichi Kyuma - Tallon Overworld (Metroid Prime)
New (unofficial) rules: Don't post more than 2 vids per post Also: Because it's manliness personified and the tune is awesome.
That's what I'm trying to do. But due to sheer number of flash objects the page is constantly stopping mid song and crashing.
The youtube button in the video windows should help. I rarely have a ton of trouble with not-buffering youtube embeds but buffering many does indeed kill performance.
Some electronica: Uplifting - strong female vocals. Solid track from a great album (Maker and Flow are also very good (also, Child of Eden soundtrack - Passion, for an extended version of Maker). Liquid dnb - pretty much just cute vocal trance with a very solid hook.
Cool compilation of stuff here. Red Fraction is amazing. God only knows... is amazing And yeah, those Machinae Supremacy guys were a good link as was said before. And not to add negativity... but am I the only person in the world that doesn't like Radiohead? Maybe it's because I grew up in Seattle where alternative rock is the name of the game, but I've been surrounded by people insisting they were god's gift to mankind basically since I was born, and they just... don't seem that special? Like, I don't even really dislike them, I just hate the constant mentions, they're just not remarkable to me. And dang, Coffee... how long did it take you to compile all that? The Protomen - yes, this is a band that writes rock operas based on the story of Megaman. These are my two favorite songs by them: (Both occur during a section of the plot focusing on a side character going to find an exiled Dr.Light while living in a Wily-controlled city, before Dr.Light actually creates Megaman, since the lyrics won't seem videogame inspired)
And here's two lesser known songs for the anime category that I always enjoyed: Tatta Hitotsu no no Omoi Tabi no Tochu
A like to anyone who manages to listen through all that I posted! Speaking of which, let's add to the time requirements a bit because we all love grinding. In other words... MORE music is needed! Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize Also, I noticed that the thread lacks GAR. Rectification commences NOW
Claytus, Radiohead is legendary because they are unique. Post-The Bends, there has not been a single band that sounded like them. There have been imitators such as Muse and Coldplay that focused on some aspects of Radiohead's sound, but did not even come close to replicating it, and have since moved on to define themselves in other ways. I don't listen to a lot of rock anymore because frankly compared to "Paranoid Android" or "Bodysnatchers" or numerous other Radiohead tunes, most of it sounds pretty trite. I hate to quote Pitchfork, but "Idioteque" does still give me chills. You're free not to like it; it's not really meant for everyone, but to say their stuff isn't special or remarkable is nonsensical. Here's what I've been listening to lately:
I've been pretty addicted to that Neon Indian song since hearing it from you Wobber. To add a recommendation of my own I'm a big fan of Girl in a Coma:
It had faux latin choir. You can't beat faux latin choir. Besides I like the music, not the title. Also it's not Fate/Stay Night it's Fate/Zero (former is eroge game turned anime, latter is a proper more darker anime).