The Indie Rock Thread!

[Green]

Hey, does Jim O Rourke play with them?

[JM]

Yup, he played on every song! He mainly played guitar, but he did play some bass when Kim was singing & playing tambourine. Yes friends, they had a triple guitar attack for almost all of the songs.

JM

[sleeve]

Hm, an indie rock thread. Let's see if I have anything intelligent to say.

I saw the lead singer of Modest Mouse's side project, Ugly Casablanca, not long ago. I thought it was really good. Could somebody recommend some other Modest Mouse albums to listen to?

I also saw Mary Timony perform recently. She was okay, although I don't much go in for that flowery rock stuff. What is/was her band Helium like?

JM, I noticed you like My Bloody Valentine. Could you recommend some albums of theirs? I have one Lush album in my possession, and I like it quite a bit, but I understand that their style is largely a rip off of this band. I would very much like to hear some "dream rock" from some pioneers of the genre.

[Green]

Modest Mouse's best album is Lonesome Crowded West.
I know you asked JM, but Loveless is the best from MBV, I'm sure he'll agree.

[ruhztee]

I agree on the Loveless recommendation.
Great album, that.

[Green]

I was going to make a thread on this, but seeing how well the Belle and Sebastion thread went I'll just put it here. Sleater-Kinney is one of my favorite bands, and their new album just came out. They have (imo of course) put out 5 great albums in a row, something that I can't say for most bands. Any fans?

[sleeve]

I love Sleater Kinney to pieces.

They're coming to town in a month, and I can't wait to see them live. So much energy in their vocals! I think it's going to be a really fun show.

I haven't listened to their new album yet, but I plan to pick it up soon. Perhaps today.

[JM]

Sleevie, you have asked me about my very favorite band & my favorite genera, SHOEGAZE.

I am such a nerd for some of this stuff, it is almost embarassing.

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (good call you guys) is probably my favorite album of all time. It is so good I can't even begin to describe it. This album should be in your possession ASAP! If I were you I'd also pick up Isn't Anything, which is the album preceeding Loveless. It is also great, but not absolutely perfect. EPs to look out for are - Self Titled (or the "you made me realize" EP), Glider, Tremelo, & Feed Me With Your Kiss. Honestly I would get anything you can find that was made 1988 +. Stuff from before then is good, but not the wall of beauty that they are known for.

Which Lush album do you have? I would say Gala is my favorite, with Split right behind it.

Other notables are:
Slowdive - Slouvaki This album is like MBV on morphine or something. Very subdued, but drenched in effects.

Lilys - Eccsame The Photon Band Another band that took the shoegaze template & did something amazing with it. One of the best mellow albums I have ever heard & my # 3 favorite album ever.

Rollerskate Skinny - Horsedrawn Wishes An Irish band that broke up shortly after this album, Wishes is one of the most awe inspiring records I have ever owned. I got this in 1996 & I am STILL finding new sounds bouncing around these songs.

New School shoegaze - More stuff to be on the lookout for.
All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors, Helio Sequence, Auburn Lul, Mahogany, +/-, Sigur Ros, Swirlies, & Lotus Crown.

I have a ton more, but I have already listed more than anyone should try to take in in 3 months or so.

Enjoy, & post impressions of anything you happen to pick up.

Oh, about you not being into what is hip today, only one album on my top 10 list was made after 1995.

JM

[sleeve]

Thanks for the informative post, JM. I shall check out these shoegazing albums of which you speak.

The only Lush album I have is "Spooky." I really, really like "Monochrome."

[JM]

Spooky is great too. You should check out the Cocteau Twins.

The guy from the CT is the producer for Gala (a collection of singles) & Spooky. He injected a lot of his own vision into the sound of those early lush albums. I'll be damned if I can remember his name though.

As for Modest Mouse, Start at the beginning & check out "This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About". It is their first & arguably best album. Also look for the "Making Nothing out of Something" comp. It has early singles & the amazing Interstate 8 ep( which although it isn't very long, may be the strongest collection of material of theirs on disc). That will cover all the good old stuff & you can explore their later material at your leisure. Personally I like the early work with Phil Ek better than the stuff they did with Calvin Johnson producing. IE "Fruit that Ate itself" EP & "Lonesom Crowded West". They are OK, but are not as polished or strong lyricly. Their last album "Moon & Antartica" is back up to par & then some, with brilliant production by Brian Deck Formerly of Red Red Meat & currently of Califone. The songwriting & lyrics are more adventureous than the earlier album & it is highly reccommended on the whole.

Jeezus I can prattle on about this stuff...

JM

Mary Timony was pretty cool when I saw her last month, but I do like Helium much more. Helium was noisier with a lot of odd guitar tunings. The album the Dirt Of Luck is awesome & so is the EP Pirate Prude.

JM

[Green]

Personally I think Lonesome Crowded West is a stronger album than Long Drive. The songs and playing on Long Drive is rough while the lyrics and playing on LCW is the best they ever did. Nothing they've done has defined Modest Mouse more than Cowboy Dan, Teeth Like God's Shoeshine, Jesus Christ Was an Only Child, ect. You're right about Building Nothing Out of Something, though, get that and Lonesome Crowded West, and your set for your MM collection.

[Ichabod]

Has anyone hear heard Manual's "Ascend" yet? It's an amazingly good album, a mix of shoegaze and electronic music.

[JM]

No, but it's on my list now. You said the one descriptive word that almost guarantees a purchase!

Thanks Icky

JM

[JM]

RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE!

There seem to be more indie rockers around now than when this thread was active, so I thought I'd give it a bump.

On topic, I finally got Enon - High Society . I am really enjoying it. Does anyone have any of their older albmus, & if so, are they as good as HS?

I also picked up Spoon - Kill the Moonlight. It seems pretty good, but I'm still undecided about how much I like it. None of the tracks seem to be as good as the second track, "The way we get by".

JM

[stormy]

here's my input on the new shoegaze tip, Absinthe Blind. I cought them at a basement show (in a room about 20'x20' at best) and bought the album because they were damn good live. I can't get enough of the first two songs, and i say those alone are worth the price of the album, the rest to me is good but not up my alley. However, check this GLOWING review here which i think will really speak to you sheogaze fans. The band was really nice too, not to mention the fact that the girl is super cute.

[JM]

Ah, I have heard much about these guys from my friend Phil. His is sending me a copy of this & a couple of other Albums as we speak. I really can't wait to get it.

Have you guys heard the new Lenola? It seems pretty good, but where has all of their oomph gone?

JM

[soundwave]

Just noticed this thread. Sleeveboy posted about "Ugly Casablanca" -- isn't it Ugly Cassanova? Anyway some thinI just got that blew my mind:

Liam Lynch "Fake Songs" -- GET THIS ALBUM. It's by Liam Lynch, half of Sifl & Olly and he was taught guitar by Paul McCartney--he apes different bands like Bjork, Pixies, talking Heads and he's funny.

Elastica "The Radio One Sessions" -- they may have broken up but these Sessions truly shine. Justine Frishmannn's sexy swagger is all you could ever want--anyone know what she's up to next.

Elefant "Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid" -- british indie pop--melodic and fun check them out.

[Punky Skunk]

Originally posted by JM
On topic, I finally got Enon - High Society . I am really enjoying it. Does anyone have any of their older albmus, & if so, are they as good as HS?

Cool! I love High Society.

I've got Believo! as well and it's definitely worth checking out, but about 50-75% of it sounds more like a lesser Brainiac. The songs that sound more like High Society Enon are great, like Conjugate the Verbs and Get the Letter Out.

Some recent stuff I've bought:

Wrens - The Meadowlands -- Really great! Possibly the best new CD I've bought all year.
Deerhoof - Apple O'
Polvo - Today's Active Lifestyles -- With The Meadowlands, my most played CD of the moment. Exploded Drawing comes next.
Single Frame Ashtray - Wetheads Come Running / Burn Radio Airtest EP
Giddy Motors - Make it Pop
New Pornographers - Mass Romantic

Got 6 CDs I'm waiting on, too (Hot Snakes, Enon, Ted Leo, Pinback, more Wrens, more Polvo). Can't wait.

[famitsu1]

Hi,
christ theres a few names from the past.MBV are amoung my fav bands ever,Soon as got to be one of the most beautiful songs ever concieved,it just sounds like nothing else out there,other personal favs of theirs are Feed me with your kiss,You made me Realise,Drive and Emptyness Inside.
Swervedriver heh,dreadlocked singer,I saw them live several times,a couple before they signed to Creation,not my fav band although Raindown was cool.
Here are my Favs:
Spacemen 3-
Galaxy 500
Dinosaur Jnr
Telescopes
MBV
Bark Psychosis
ta famitsu1
current fav anything by NIN

[Green]

Rob, if you like Hot Snakes (I'm sure you got Suicide Invoice, their better album), then go to the source and get Drive Like Jehu's album Yank Crime. Find the Pitchfork review, it'll fill you in.

Oh, and welcome famitsu. What's your favorite DJr album?

[JM]

Yank Crime will destroy you! That is a seriously great album. Hot Snakes is good, but it just makes me miss Jehu. Rick Froberg = my favorite screamer of all time.

Rob - It is so nice to see another Wrens fan! What other albums of theirs are you getting? Secacus is so good, I can't reccommend it highly enough.

JM

[Ichabod]

Hey JM, how does Meadowlands compare to Secaucus?

[JM]

It is really different. You can tell that they have matured as songwriters, which is to be expected, seven years have past since seacacus. The album is much mellower, but the melodies & hooks heard on earlier albums are still there, just fleshed out better. Most Wrens albums tend to tell a story lyrically, & this album does it more than others. You will hear the same girls mentioned in different songs & it seems to be very autobiographical. There is a lot of talk about the passage of time & life beating you down. Brutally honest & quite sad really. I got this album a day before losing a close relative, & the tone of the album really worked into my mood. I may love it a bit more than most due to it basically becoming a theraputic soundtrack to my mourning process. Your mileage may vary, but it is still the best album I have purchased this year.

Oh yeah, if you get the limited edition from Absolutely Kosher, you get a cardboard case that was hand silkscreened by the band themselves, along with a little note thanking you for purchasing the album. The CD also contains 4 unreleased tracks that won't be on the normal retail version that will be released later this year. The Ltd Edition is only $12.00 & it only costs $2.00 for priority shipping. a great price for such a great package. Mine is #475 out of 1000

To anyone reading this who may be interested in the album, DON'T DOWNLOAD THIS! These guys deserve every penny they can get for this. Don't rob the little guys.

JM

[Punky Skunk]

Originally posted by Green
Rob, if you like Hot Snakes (I'm sure you got Suicide Invoice, their better album), then go to the source and get Drive Like Jehu's album Yank Crime. Find the Pitchfork review, it'll fill you in.

Suicide Invoice is what I've got coming, and I quite like what I've heard from the MP3s I checked out. It definitely fills in the "loud rock" void in my music selection. I have actually heard a few Drive Like Jehu songs as well, but I'll be sure to give them another more thorough listen and check out that review.

Originally posted by JM
Rob - It is so nice to see another Wrens fan! What other albums of theirs are you getting? Secacus is so good, I can't reccommend it highly enough.

Yeah, I have you to thank for pointing out The Meadowlands advance version. I had already heard and loved Secaucus, and I had no idea they had a new one available, less where to get it... Now I'm ordering Secaucus, since I already wanted to get Pinback's Offcell from the Absolutely Kosher site. Really good prices and great service there.

Oh yeah, and might as well ask how you like the Abbott 1135 EP? I see Absolutely Kosher has that one in stock, and I might as well order it if it's as good as Secaucus or Meadowlands. Actually downloading a few of the tracks from the Wrens' site, so I guess I'll find out soon enough, but an opinion on the whole thing couldn't hurt.

[JM]

1135 is really good too. It has 6 songs, I think. It is just really good. It is the only stepping stone between secaucus & meadowlands, & it sounds like you would think. Not as fast & crazy as the former, but not quite as chilled out as the latter. Great songs, easily worth owning. Their first album "Silver" is good too, a lot like secaucus but a little more Lo-Fi & strange.

JM

[icepop]

Usually I steer clear of music discussion at TNL but this one actually seemed pretty cool. Nice to see some people with some interesting tastes.

I used to really like a lot of the elephant 6 / elephant 6 related bands including a bunch of bands on kindercore. I don't really consider myself an indie rock fan per se though. I love the shoegazing stuff (and used to also be really into britpop) ... favourite all time band = The Stone Roses.

Someone needs to start an indie pop thread!!! And we can all discuss Sarah records? And Scandinavian indie? No? Ok then ...


Bands I really like include ...
Stone Roses
Field Mice
Magnetic Fields
Belle & Sebastian
Björk
Eggstone
Stars
Club 8
Lasse Lindh
Edson
Baxendale
Cienrama

I could go on!

[Green]

I like Belle and Sebastion and the Magnetic Feilds too. Well, I like 69 Love Songs by Magnetic Feilds. I have pretty much everything Belle and Sebastion has put out (besides the Storytelling soundtrack), they were a really big favorite of mine for a long time. I still like them, but I don't listen to the records as obsessively as I used to. SR's first album is great, everybody likes it. Have you heard Primal Scream's Screamadelica? It's in a similiar vein as Stone Roses, but more Stones (Rolling, that is) influenced.

[Wilykat]

Originally posted by Green
I have pretty much everything Belle and Sebastion has put out (besides the Storytelling soundtrack), they were a really big favorite of mine for a long time. I still like them, but I don't listen to the records as obsessively as I used to.

Same exact situation here. When I first discovered B&S by the time Boy With The Arab Strap was released, I collected everything they released and listened to them a ridiculous amount for a few years. I still really like them, but I simply can't listen to them much anymore since I played their records to death.

And Storytelling pretty much sucked. Last good thing they had was the Jonathan David EP.

[icepop]

Well, the last B&S album I bought was actually Boy with the Arab Strap. Like both of you (Green and Wilykat) mentioned, I was very much obsessed with them up until that point. I guess they're an easy band to become obsessed with. I didn't really get into the peasant album or storytelling. Although I really like that Marx and Engels song. I've had Fox in the Snow in my head for several days now which is why I brought them up. I don't listen to them as much as I used to but I still consider them in very high regards. I love the lyrics so much.

I have heard Primal Scream but a long time ago. I never really got into them. I should give them a second go maybe?

I also really liked 69 Love Songs by the Magnetic Fields. Stephin Merritt has a lot of interesting side projects as well like the 6ths.

[sggg]

Icepop told me to look here.

Anyway, for me there is a simple equation for Belle & Sebatian. I like each album exactly half as much as the one that preceeded it.

"Family tree" on Fold your hands child, you walk like a peasant is a great song though. Some of their more recent non-album track were a real return to form as well. "Marx & Engels" and "I'm waking up to us" are notable in that respect.