IIT we talk about me going legit (musically speaking)

BEAR on 25/11/2008 at 03:29

I know the metal argument here has gotten pretty tired, but it occurs to me how ridiculous it was in the beginning to even suggest any kind death/black/whateverthekidscallitthesedays metal to a non metal fan. Its like recommending flcl to someone who doesn't watch anime, it is a "I like this therefore you will like this", not taking into account that other people aren't just like you.

Metal is the kind of thing you build up tolerance to, nobody starts out on it. I think my initial reaction to Pantera probably signals there is something slightly wrong with me, but I also had had the metallica/megadeth/AIC/etc introduction.

If you are interested in any "heavy metal", you might enjoy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_(band)) down. All 3 of their albums are pretty good. They are new orleans natives, except I think one (hence the name of the first album, nola), and the music has an interesting southern rock charm to it beyond just music that makes your throat hurt to listen to.

(http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=down+nola&search_type=&aq=f) Nola , their debut is an all around hard rocking album without being particularly dark or gross, and I'd be interested to know how accessible non metal-fans found it. Its a great album to rock out to in the car, but it has a darker, heavier sound and reflectively darker material with it that softens with their later albums.

Some particular favorites:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXEWhtK45c8) Stone The Crows
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RqbtzDDUkw) Eyes of the South

(http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=down+bustle+in+your+hedgerow&search_type=) Down II Bustle in your hedgerow (their naming conventions have taken on an obvious zeppelin reference) is not quite as downright rocking, but contains probably cleaner and more accessible music.

Particular songs:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuX6TbScRAM) Stained Glass Cross (ignore the video if it bothers you, only version I could find on youtube and the music is there if terrible quality).
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZCK02lBwn0) Where I'm going Alright video, fitting visuals but not the focus. Got some funky banjo and guitar work, an all around unique sounding song and not particularly metal. My dad loved this song (he plays old time music and doesn't listen to metal).
Lies, I don't know what they say but... (Cant find video, annoyingly. You might be able to if you look around, I'll look in the meantime and update if I find).
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnW-rB-ogfY) Something on my side Round it out with something a little heavier just to show the range the album has. Song is probably the kind of thing you would get used to after a little while, but might find a little abrasive at first.

(http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=down+III+over+the+under&search_type=&aq=f) Down III: Over the under is their latest (I saw them live right after it came out, which |m| rocked), and is more like the last album than the first. Plenty of rock, but nothing over the top. Vocals are more clear and easier to say and interpret. The album covers issues like the deaths, life, and Katrina (because they are from no:la). The whole album has a forward looking, cautiously optimistic feel to it. Its still frustrated as they say, but it also reflects (to me) a maturity of sorts beyond their earlier metal days. I guess what I mean is they are showing their age in good way.

Particular songs:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnHRb1wDvuo) Beneath the Tides Obvious what this song refers to, and the tone fits.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAvFTGVJuAo) On March the Saints Song speaks for itself. Was fantastic live. Very much captures the cautious optimism of "keep on keeping on", which is what I gather is the meaning.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M10boN_CICg) Never Try
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpobPlO6HHY) Nothing in return

I'd be interested to know how people take this sort of thing. Its hard to know what will turn people off not knowing their likes, so I tried to pick varied songs. I think if heavy music doesn't do anything for you, you wont like most of this. If you feel nothing during the riff near the end of On March the Saints I think metal or hard rock is not your thing. I don't want this to be a "hey I like this so should you" as much as a "I think a lot of people could like this in doses". Also, who can't love a band with a (http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4134/nolaar8.jpg) shirt like this

My apologies for the length and if any of the links don't work (didn't check em all, I should be doing my homework now too), and sorry to continue fagging up your thread with metal :) (queue people too-into-metal coming and huffing saying "this isn't metal let me suggest 30 albums that are only heard in snuff porn dungeons").

june gloom on 25/11/2008 at 04:20

Oh I agree with you. The list I compiled was from a pre-existing list, as I've mentioned before, but my first real introduction into metal was Iron Maiden. It took me years to get into death metal (Opeth was my gateway) and it took me longer still to get into black metal. Though now I listen mostly to post-metal and doom metal. Post-metal can be either very accessible, like Red Sparowes (if you like Explosions in the Sky they're well worth checking out), Pelican (which were my introduction to the genre) or later Isis, or very inaccessible like Cult of Luna, Neurosis, and Rosetta.

I should make a post-metal thread; most people think of beefy meatheads with long hair when someone mentions metal, I think they should be thinking of guys with those thin glasses and a GSY!BE shirt on. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Turner) Aaron Turner is my lord and master.

My introduction to doom metal was primarily because I'd gotten my hands on the Black Sabbath discog and was looking for similar bands; I discovered the earth-shattering Electric Wizard and went on from there.

Matthew on 25/11/2008 at 12:26

Quote Posted by dethtoll

I should make a post-metal thread; most people think of beefy meatheads with long hair when someone mentions metal, I think they should be thinking of guys with those thin glasses and a GSY!BE shirt on. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Turner) Aaron Turner is my lord and master.

I would like to read this. My taste in music is notoriously bad, particularly as I don't really have any source of recommendations, and I'd like to see what TTLG is listening to in that genre.

D'Juhn Keep on 25/11/2008 at 18:49

The most popular post rock bands tend, I think, to be Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt Zion and Explosions in the Sky. The latest release by A Silver Mt Zion, 13 Blues For 13 Moons, is really really good and you should give it a go!

Matthew on 25/11/2008 at 19:03

Then I just might! Cheers.

ercles on 26/11/2008 at 06:19

Although I'm a big fan of Godspeed, I really haven't gotten much into post-rock, something I've been meaning to do for a while. Would something like Sigur Ros fit in this genre, and if not, why?

Aja on 26/11/2008 at 07:35

Post-rock is a ridiculous category that covers everything from Tortoise to Stars of the Lid. As a genre, it's hopeless. But as an ideology... :thumb:

fett on 26/11/2008 at 16:27

I thought I was the only person in the universe who knew about Isis and Rosetta. Cool. :cool:

june gloom on 26/11/2008 at 21:33

And Callisto and Cult of Luna and Neurosis and Jesu and Red Sparowes and Pelican and and and and

you get the idea :D

The Alchemist on 26/11/2008 at 22:23

Oye pato, get all of The Mars Volta's albums, they only get better with each one.