Friday, February 13, 2009

That's Random: What Are You Listening To?


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I've been on a music jag lately, dusting off old favorites and giving a few new things a spin. Back in our record store days, Nick and I probably brought home ten new discs a week, listening to them rather obsessively and debating the merits of one album or act over another for hours with our equally music-obsessed friends.

But then, well, life sort of intervened -- as it has a way of doing -- and our voracious appetite for new music trailed off a bit. It didn't die, not by a long shot. It was just side-channeled into things like raising kids, renovating houses, and earning livings.

But I'm feeling the love again, and am hungry for some fresh new music and to soak in. So I wanted to ask: What are you listening to these days? What's been your favorite disc this past year? What band or songwriter is rocking your world right now? Above is what's on constant rotation at our house at the moment, just to give you all a sense of our taste. What else should we check out?

Please let me know about your current faves, or share your own playlist in the comments. Thanks!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Check out Spoon, the Decemberists, and The Bird and the Bee. Love them, and I am a huge fan of most of the things on your playlist (except Jeff Buckley, I can't take him for very long).

Anonymous said...

I love The Frames!

Anonymous said...

My current new favorites are-
Deertick
She & Him
Those Darlins
The Electric City
The Virgins
Whispertown 2000
You can check them out from my myspace page-

myspace.com/christyr800

Anonymous said...

I recently added Blue Foundation, Fleet Foxes, Elsiane, Bon Iver, The Black Ghosts and Muse to my playlist.

I've also been listening to Coeur de pirate (french band out of Montreal) even though I don't speak enouch french to understand the songs I find the music great to just tune out too.

Most of this stuff has been picked for me to play when relaxing and when I'm working - something to chill out too that you can enjoy without having to really pay attention to what's playing.

ita darling. said...

i too am trying to get back into music again (even though i live with a DJ and music writer, it's kind of like the cobbler's kids- holes in the soles of their shoes sort of thing!)

here's what i have discovered on my own:
the dodos
thao
vampire weekend
fleet foxes

Kathryn Smart said...

I'm listening to Bon Iver as well. Anthony & the Johnsons and Andrew Bird's new album (he's playing or has played in San Fran in February).

maris.bueller said...

yay music! I'm currently in that can't-get-enough phase and try to post something music related at least once a week over at the bloggy blog.

Definitely second the Dodos, Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird,and Bon Iver suggestions. Also:

(folky/orchestral)
Okkervil River
The Walkmen
The National
The Mountain Goats
Beirut
M. Ward

(girl power)
Bat For Lashes
Emiliani Torrini
Lykke Li

(dance pants)
TV On the Radio
Tilly and The Wall
Junior Boys
Royksopp

(artsy/experimental)
Deerhunter
Animal Collective
Four Tet

yaaaaay music! hope you find some stuff you like :)

Leah said...

Wow -- thanks everyone for all the suggestions!

A few of these I already have and love, a few have been on my radar but I haven't had a chance to give them a proper listen, and several are brand new to me. I'm heading over to Last.fm right now to check them out.

Anyway, please keep 'em coming!

(BTW: Anon. 11:10 -- I'm of two minds about Jeff Buckley myself. Some of his stuff is like nails on a chalkboard to me, and other things I could happily draw my last breaths on earth listening to ... )

Anonymous said...

Cool playlist! I was just talking to a friend the other day about missing the days when music was in the top 5 of my important things. Alas, those days are gone and my cool friends no longer call me because I must hear this cool new band. But that being said, I am really in to Ray LaMontagne right now. He reminds of the days when I would sit and listen to music for musics sake, even if now it is a means to pass the time while driving, or dusting my house! Keep us posted on cool bands every once in a while! I need a new music connection!!

Anonymous said...

now this IS random....because I just put a fresh batch of cd's in my car's changer and it included Beth Orton and Bowie....two I haven't listened to in AGES.

In any case....I second...or third (or fourth!) the suggestions of Bon Iver and Vampire Weekend. If your taste is ecclectic like mine, you might also check out: Belleruche, Feist, The Mooney Suzuki, Portishead, Spoon, Rufus Wainwright.

It's not all NEW new, but I like to mix it up!!!

Tami said...

i cant stop listening to the black keys. modern blues - totally rockin - check them out!

Anonymous said...

Joshua Radin is fantastic. Just discovered him.

Unknown said...

I would add Sia, Eleni Mandel and Bass Hunter to the many great listens already suggested.

georgie said...

The first time I stumbled onto your blog, I told my husband about it.... The reason? --your playlist was like something directly out of my iPod (albeit without Tom Waits popping up every five songs or so). I bookmarked immediately.

I'm just missing Jim White. His 'Drill a Hole in that Substrate and Tell Me What You See' album has been in my changer for years.. Fantastic.

Lately I've also been playing..
Sondra Lerche (first album)
Fleet Foxes
Ambulance Ltd
The Shins
Marissa Nadler,
Brian Eno,
JJ Cale,
and good old Billy Bragg.

This will all change next week, of course!

Happy listening.

 

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