Build a Better Music Collection
 

I got a Zune a couple of weeks ago and burned all my CD's and downloaded just about everything I can think of to my Zune....I still have 5.45 GB free and I want to fill it with even more music.

But, as it is, I'm out of ideas. So, here's your chance to help Cosmic build a better music collection.

I embrace the following genres: Alternative/College, Bluegrass, Classic Rock, Funk, Jam/Improvisational, Jazz, Psychedelic, and Singer/Songwriter.

Absolutely NO interest in Rap, Country, or Metal.

I do have an eclectic taste for music including interests in: The Clash, Pixies, Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, Tom Waits, The Grateful Dead, Cracker, Sufjan Stevens, Mazzy Star, Neil Young, etc.

So, I need some ideas for some great albums you suggest I download to my Zune. You will need to provide the following:

1. The name of the artist and the album.
2. Why you like it.
3. And why you think I would enjoy it.

Should I choose to download your suggestion, I will give you a rep and call your mom to let her know she raised a decent person in this world. OK, so maybe I won't give you rep.

Anyways....let the suggestions begin.

I recommend this to everyone...sometimes I feel like a salesman for them...

Porcupine Tree- Fear Of A Blank Planet, LightBulb Sun, In Absentia, Deadwing.

Fear Of A Blank Planet comes out Tuesday..but I may have a link for your PM's.

Pink Floyd is my favorite group. I see you like them..you will like Porcupine Tree. Especially Lightbulb Sun.

Other suggestions are:

Yes- Close To The Edge, Relayer

Ozark Mountain Daredevils-Greatest Hits

Blind Melon- No Rain

here is a link for some free grateful dead mp3's.
http://www.dead.net/view/tapers

The No Direction Home soundtrack has some great alternate and early takes on a number of classic Dylan songs, and some unreleased stuff too. I like the alternate version stuff the best. You might like it, it's two volumes.

The soundtrack to The Conversation is really good. It's very interesting, simple stuff. There is some elements of jazz, but it's mostly piano. There are two tracks that are annoying though, so skip those (they're loud and booming dark, for some horror scenes). Otherwise, great music.

Also, music from Ennio Morricone, including Once Upon a Time in the West/America and Good, Bad, Ugly.

And the music to A Beautiful Mind. Very mystical/operatic. I love it.

Weezer - "Weezer"

One of the classic rock albums from the 90s. A few classic songs, like "Buddy Holly," "The Sweater Song," and "Say It Ain't So."

The last track, "Only In Dreams," is one of the greatest songs ever.

____________

Angie Aparo - "The American"

I love it because it's eclectic without being boring. Faith Hill actually did a cover of his song, "Cry," and had a ton of success with it, even though Angie's version is way better. And before you stop reading, no, this is NOT a country album by any stretch of the imagination.

I think you'll like it because it's musically interesting, lyrically captivating and just a good, relaxing, up-tempo listen.

__________

BT - "Emotional Technology"

I love it because it's a brilliant album, probably the best of BT's career. BT was a pioneer in the electronic music genre (but don't worry, it's not a techno album -- just electronic). "Somnambulist," "Dark Heart Dawning," and "The Great Escape" are great tracks from the same guy that did the soundtrack for the newest "Gone in 60 Seconds" movie with Angelina Jolie and Nicholas Cage.

I think you'll like it because it's a kind of rock/electronic hybrid. Very cool stuff.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - I see a darkness
Elliott Smith - XO and Either/Or
Matthew Good (Band) - Beautiful Midnight and The Audio of Being
Dinosaur Jr. - You're Living All over Me

Tough to make recommendations without knowing what you already have, so I'll throw out some more obscure, lesser known, but still top-notch faves

Pulp
Joni Mitchell
Jazz at the Pawnshop
The Band
Weezer
Wilco
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Cake
Mudhoney
Tom Waits

just off the top of my head

Some Good old blues/rock. With better recording remastering techniques. This is what brought music where it is today.

I'm very happy with Kenny Wayne Shepherd new LP goes back to his roots.

10 days out.

any doubt ask Nzoner

What do you have already?

You want Bluegrass,
but you hate Country.
mmmmm...kay.

Marshall Crenshaw
"Field Day"
Just good R & R

1) The Jesus & Mary Chain's "Stoned and Dethroned"

2) I like it because I've been a huge fan of the JAMC since they started off as a band that layered a heavy dose of fuzz and feedback on top of beautiful melodies in the mid-80's. The fuzz and feedback are gone here, but the melodies remain and this is one of their strongest albums from start to finish, IMO. Here is an Amazon.com review that I endorse whole-heartedly:

BTW, Darklands, mentioned in the review, is another great, melodic album from these guys that I would describe as happy melodies (reminicent of a band like the Beach Boys) coupled with seriously dark and depressing lyrics.

3. You mentioned that you like Mazzy Star. Hope Sandoval sings a duet with her then-boyfriend William Reid on one of the songs on this album (the song is Sometimes Always, which was also mentioned in the Amazon review above). Beyond that, you'll like it for the same reasons I do, because it is a set of 17 cohesive songs that all earn their way onto the album and can be listened to again and again.

Edit: I realized that it's really Jim Reid, William's brother, who sings with Sandoval on this song.

Tom Waits - Closing Time (1973)

One of my favorites of his. A good assortment of his style.

Tom Waits has an amazing range of vocal abilities. His music is hard to clasify... sometimes blues... sometimes folk... sometimes drunken jazz....



Tom Waits - Nighthawks at the dinner (1975)

Very cool live album. Tom plays piano while storytelling and bullshitting.

I am the same way.

There is a HUGE difference. Mainly the vocals...there isnt that annoying "twang" in the Bluegrass singers.

1. The Jayhawks - Tomorrow the Green Grass or Hollywood Town Hall
2. Listen to it on Amazon if you can...just good stuff
3. 'Cause you seem kinda smart and all :)

1. Pete Yorn - Musicforthemorningafter or Day I Forgot
2. See Above
3. Same

BTW, I'm a n00b when it comes to Ipods or Zumes...can I download music or transfer music and then listen to it in my car? Or connect it to my receiver someway? Does it sound alright?

Thanks! :)