Let's ACTUALLY listen to each other's music!

[jobriath]

Now how about an Assassin's Creed 2 OST?

Nice driving drumtrack. The melody's cool as well but since I've never played the game I imagine I'm not getting the full emotional impact. The woodwinds that speak up in the middle come out of nowhere but I bet they tie in with other themes in the game.

Tunng: glitchfolk from London. Comes in two flavours: More folky (their older stuff) or more alt-pop-y. Soft male vocals over eccentric, melodic tunes.

[archeleus]

Tunng: glitchfolk from London. Comes in two flavours: More folky (their older stuff) or more alt-pop-y. Soft male vocals over eccentric, melodic tunes.

I like the folky version (Jenny again). The voice is excellent and the video great, can't find a higher quality version though.

Now how about Soul Coughing? Alternate rock with bass filled tracks and a slight jazz (I think) touch.

Chicago is not Chicago (I can't find a studio version on youtube)
Sugar free Jazz

[jobriath]

Now how about Soul Coughing? Alternate rock with bass filled tracks and a slight jazz (I think) touch.

Chicago is not Chicago (I can't find a studio version on youtube)
Sugar free Jazz

Glad you liked the Tunng! I'm digging the Soul Coughing. It's more rhythm-driven than a lot of what I listen to but I've been bopping in my chair listening to it. Definitely looking into these guys more.

Squirrel Nut Zippers are a swing revival band who are batshit insane. The linked video is absolutely brilliant. Also by them, good for waking you up in a morning, is The Suits are Picking Up the Bill.

[sje46]

I don't really like Swing/Jazz. I liked the first song though. Something about his undertoned vocals. "Camptown ladies never sang Oh da doo da day oh no no"

Oh look, depressing 60s baroque pop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1N8GtDkYfQ

I think the guitar uhh..melody or whatever it's called is beautiful.

[jobriath]

I don't really like Swing/Jazz. I liked the first song though. Something about his undertoned vocals. "Camptown ladies never sang Oh da doo da day oh no no"

Oh look, depressing 60s baroque pop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1N8GtDkYfQ

I absolutely did not get Nico when I first heard her singing in VU, a few years ago. Now I think she's ace. That's a lovely song.

(My favourite bit is also the camptown ladies refrain. There's something perfectly cynical about it.)

Mumford & Sons? I tried not to like them---I find their goddiness irritating in a way I don't find Sufjan Stevens's---but they're just too catchy. Kind of indie with lots of nice crescendos.

[Lime]

Now how about Soul Coughing? Alternate rock with bass filled tracks and a slight jazz (I think) touch.

Chicago is not Chicago (I can't find a studio version on youtube)
Sugar free Jazz

Glad you liked the Tunng! I'm digging the Soul Coughing. It's more rhythm-driven than a lot of what I listen to but I've been bopping in my chair listening to it. Definitely looking into these guys more.

Squirrel Nut Zippers are a swing revival band who are batshit insane. The linked video is absolutely brilliant. Also by them, good for waking you up in a morning, is The Suits are Picking Up the Bill.

Holy shit! Those guys are amazing! Excellent vocal work and refreshingly well composed instrumentals.

I don't really like Swing/Jazz. I liked the first song though. Something about his undertoned vocals. "Camptown ladies never sang Oh da doo da day oh no no"

Oh look, depressing 60s baroque pop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1N8GtDkYfQ

I think the guitar uhh..melody or whatever it's called is beautiful.

Meh, I never like Nico. She ruined a few good Velvet Underground songs, and she's not the best musician herself.

I absolutely did not get Nico when I first heard her singing in VU, a few years ago. Now I think she's ace. That's a lovely song.

(My favourite bit is also the camptown ladies refrain. There's something perfectly cynical about it.)

Mumford & Sons? I tried not to like them---I find their goddiness irritating in a way I don't find Sufjan Stevens's---but they're just too catchy. Kind of indie with lots of nice crescendos.

Oh man, I know exactly what you mean. I tried not to like them too, but they're just so damn awesome.

As for my contributions, how bout a little folk punk? Against Me are fantastic. In particular the vocal hook of this song gets me every damn time. "Don't let that feeling ever go away."

Also Andrew Jackson Jihad are amazing. A little less accessible than Against Me but no less beautiful.

[Enigmocracy]

Also Andrew Jackson Jihad are amazing. A little less accessible than Against Me but no less beautiful.

I really liked this piece. The only complaint I can find is is the vocals take a bit of getting used to.

Oh look, depressing 60s baroque pop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1N8GtDkYfQ

Eh, the vocals sound kind of awkward. Like they don't really flow that well with the instrumentals.

Mumford & Sons? I tried not to like them---I find their goddiness irritating in a way I don't find Sufjan Stevens's---but they're just too catchy. Kind of indie with lots of nice crescendos.

I really don't know if it is possible for someone to dislike Mumford & Sons.

These songs are for anyone who never listens to pop or the radio:

Raise Your Glass - P!nk
Animal - Neon Trees
Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

[Microscopic cog]

Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

I hated this song so much, it was everywhere all the time. Not even starting on the lyrics. However, then he came with a different song, which I find suprisingly enjoyable. The video is neat as well.

Bruno Mars - Grenade

[Aethernox]

I recently mentioned it in another thread, but I'll link it here regardless. Agalloch's To Drown. It's fairly long and is very much post-rock-esque, so I wouldn't recommend it for those with relatively short attention spans/a disinterest in atmospheric & otherwise-not-immediately-catchy music.

I hated this song so much, it was everywhere all the time. Not even starting on the lyrics. However, then he came with a different song, which I find suprisingly enjoyable. The video is neat as well.

Bruno Mars - Grenade

I gave this a listen. I find his voice a bit grating, but I'm not sure what I look for in vocalists anyways. I can't listen to the chorus without being reminded of the soundtrack to the Lion King, though, and the drums sound kind of compressed, but that's not surprising with YouTube videos.

These songs are for anyone who never listens to pop or the radio:

Raise Your Glass - P!nk
Animal - Neon Trees
Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

I'm familiar with all of these through pop radio. I loathe the first, I find that it's just poorly made and overly-anthemic for my tastes. However, I absolutely adore Animal. That song is fantastic. Finally, I don't really have much of an opinion on Just the Way You Are. It's not as inherently dis-likable as Raise Your Glass, but it just doesn't appeal to me at all.

I noticed a fair bit of Opeth discussion. I'm really excited that Steven Wilson will be collaborating again, since he also happened to assist with their best album.

[jobriath]

As for my contributions, how bout a little folk punk? Against Me are fantastic. In particular the vocal hook of this song gets me every damn time. "Don't let that feeling ever go away."

Also Andrew Jackson Jihad are amazing. A little less accessible than Against Me but no less beautiful.

These are nice pieces and I bet they light up a party. I'll definitely check out some more of their stuff. It puts me a little in mind of a less cleaned-up version of Frank Turner (this song best played in front of a loud crowd, but still a good version).

I recently mentioned it in another thread, but I'll link it here regardless. Agalloch's To Drown. It's fairly long and is very much post-rock-esque, so I wouldn't recommend it for those with relatively short attention spans/a disinterest in atmospheric & otherwise-not-immediately-catchy music.

Oh, yes. I don't know if I'm just in an overly-dramatic mood today but as soon as the violins came in my eyes unfocused and I gasped like an amateur dramaticist acting a hit of morphine. Will take a while to get used to the vocals but every other element immediately hits home. Atmospheric and gorgeous. Thanks!

[broken_escalator]

Now how about an Assassin's Creed 2 OST?

I didn't realize how much I liked the OST for Assassin's creed 2. Now I'll be sure to get it on my driving playlist.

[bigglesworth]

I haven't really listened to much of the music discussed on this page, and so I think it would be against the spirit but not the rules of the thread to comment. In the spirit of the thread (but not the rules) I'm going to leave it at that. This post is in order that when I have a chance/when a piece of music I've listened to and formed an opinion on is mentioned, I can see it in my Egosearch and reply to it. Apologies if this is obnoxious.

[bigglesworth]

Mumford & Sons? I tried not to like them---I find their goddiness irritating in a way I don't find Sufjan Stevens's---but they're just too catchy. Kind of indie with lots of nice crescendos.

Lots of crescendos is just it. Mumford & Sons song = something vaguely depressing, then build crescendo. Not a huge amount of variation.

For something with a similar sound, but that sounds better to my ears, would be Laura Marling's Rambling Man. The rest of this album is excellent modern folk, and nicely rich and varied.

[Brother Maynard]

I'll point you towards Closure

Nice performance. Shitty crowd.

I like Opeth, but I haven't heard this track before and I like it.

Now how about an Assassin's Creed 2 OST?

Well, now I've got another OST to start listening through.

Based off that, you might like the 3 OSTs for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Similar samples:
To Be King
Knives and Shadows

[MisterCheif]

I'll point you towards Closure

Nice performance. Shitty crowd.

I like Opeth, but I haven't heard this track before and I like it.

Now how about an Assassin's Creed 2 OST?

Well, now I've got another OST to start listening through.

Based off that, you might like the 3 OSTs for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Similar samples:
To Be King
Knives and Shadows

I'm really liking the percussion at the beginning of To Be King. Even though I am not I percussionist, I am the Drum Major of my school's marching band I can really appreciate some good percussion parts since I work with the pit and drum line the most.

Here's some stuff from that we played in the PMEA Region VI Band:

Solas Ane: This is one of the two favorite pieces we played. It has a really celtic/viking feeling to it.

The other is Night. This one was our main piece, with a lot of really cool effects. You may have to turn it up to be able to hear the crystal glasses though.
Movement I - The Evening Air
Movement II - Faith of a Child and Movement III - The Never Ending Night

I'm also pretty sure this is the only recording of Night on the internet, seeing as my searches prior to the festival to find out what it sounded like didn't meet with success.

I still wish somebody in the auditorium had video taped it, because the visual effects really added something. We had the windows of the auditorium blacked out, and the lights were off, and we had stand lights. Near the end of the third movement, after the fast section had ended, we began to turn off our stand lights slowly throughout the band, until every light was out and the song was over. Then we went right into our last piece, Ave Maria (the conductor didns't want the concert to end on a depressing note) before the lights came on.

[JamesP]

I coulda sworn Solas Ane was going to become the Shire Theme for a moment there.I assume by school you mean University/ College? I know American's take 'band' much more seriously than the UK but that was very impressive for 'just' a school band. Usually I need to be in the right mood for classical music but I always have time for well played Hazo!

I really couldn't decide between these two so I'll take two shotties and hope no one notices.

Andreas Waldetoft. He composes the soundtracks for Paradox Interactive games and has pretty much mastered the *epic orchestral score* market - or he would have if Paradox made their games more accessible. My favourites are Letters from Home (HOI3) and Mare Atlanticum (EU3). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOiohuMk ... re=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXkCfjCW ... re=related

My other choice, and I have no idea why, is Sonata Arctica- Last Drop Falls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5u95_2z3FY).
Over the top lyrics? Yep.
Epic Music? Yep
Singer who can sustain notes men shouldn't hit after 12? Yep.

Must be from Finland.

[Maraki]

The Andreas Waldetoft was good, but I thought it was a little canned and bland in the first piece - I preferred the second much more, although it still held many attributes of the former. Sonata Arctica's lead singer's overall style, and his tone in his lower register annoy me, although I've found that most proficient or better *singers grow on me with time, and he certainly qualifies. The arpeggiated progression was nice, but it didn't hold its own (it sounded a mite bit synthy when that was all you could hear). And mix-wise both of your choices (technically three) were passable, but sounded over-produced at times (especially in the first Waldetofts). Also, I'm not from Finland and I can hit those notes!

Now for my piece, I present a masterpiece: Dream Theater's Octavarium *(who happens to be one of those singers who grew on me).

[Arnvidr]

It took me many years to be able to listen to Dream Theater, and only earlier this year did I manage to start appreciating the vocalist enough to listen to them. Songs like this one is the reason I kept trying to like them over the years, the knowledge that if I could stand to listen to him sing, a whole lot of excellent music would be available to me. I'm glad I took the time to listen to this epic again now, it's really beautiful.

So, to continue with something equally epic, but completely different, I give you the title track from Weakling's Dead As Dreams album. The vocals could be a hard sell for some, but there are many nice instrumental parts with this band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ0oeqrZuQI

[Maraki]

@Arnvidr Yep, good ol' James LaBrie. I first heard his voice and I was heavily displeased, to say the least. But now I actually like his voice - and he also is a good lyricist and composer, from what I've heard and seen. I'm not going to fully evaluate your song because I don't want to hog all the adjudication, but I will ask this in reference to your song: Why would you prefer screaming to singing? I just don't understand how people can listen that, even though I've tried.

[Arnvidr]

I love these vocals. It's definitely an acquired taste, but any kind of extreme vocals are more of an instrument than a melody..."thing". In many of the harder metal genres you already have a lot of un-melodic passages, so the stretch between that and also enjoying these kinds of vocals are not really that big. A stepping stone might be something where the vocalist does both normal and extreme vocals, and where the extreme vocals might also be actually be something halfway between singing and growling/shrieking, that is, the extreme vocals also have a melody, like in this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JD1QKJmW4c

[Pandafaust]

I love these vocals. It's definitely an acquired taste, but any kind of extreme vocals are more of an instrument than a melody..."thing". In many of the harder metal genres you already have a lot of un-melodic passages, so the stretch between that and also enjoying these kinds of vocals are not really that big. A stepping stone might be something where the vocalist does both normal and extreme vocals, and where the extreme vocals might also be actually be something halfway between singing and growling/shrieking, that is, the extreme vocals also have a melody, like in this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JD1QKJmW4c

Listened to the linked Gojira song, and I enjoyed parts of it but I struggled to actually listen to it properly when the rage descends - found it fairly repetitive at that stage. I can appreciate the percussion and guitarwork throughout; the first couple of minutes worth of singing were enticing too, but when it did that little 'jump-cut' thing at about 2:20 I had to reset the song a couple of times as I thought it was a buffering error

In the interest of a fair trial I wandered off for a bit then came back and played it through again, and to give it its due I found it much more interesting, maybe I just have some sort of ingrained distaste towards the style from years of listening to other genres. Suspect it's the fault of the youtube clip rather than the song, but I didn't like the way it just cut out at the ending whilst it was still winding down.

For my choice I'm going to go with 'Catch & Release' by the Silversun Pickups, one of the very few songs I can actually at least some of the lyrics for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7KaLTT7BEc

[Arnvidr]

Listened to the linked Gojira song, and I enjoyed parts of it but I struggled to actually listen to it properly when the rage descends - found it fairly repetitive at that stage. I can appreciate the percussion and guitarwork throughout; the first couple of minutes worth of singing were enticing too, but when it did that little 'jump-cut' thing at about 2:20 I had to reset the song a couple of times as I thought it was a buffering error

In the interest of a fair trial I wandered off for a bit then came back and played it through again, and to give it its due I found it much more interesting, maybe I just have some sort of ingrained distaste towards the style from years of listening to other genres. Suspect it's the fault of the youtube clip rather than the song, but I didn't like the way it just cut out at the ending whilst it was still winding down.

That's actually a big failure on the uploader's part. The video is called From Mars To Sirius, and that little jump is where the song From Mars becomes To Sirius on the cd. The same with the ending in a way, as both the song before and the song after flows together with these two. Kinda epic in my opinion, but the result is that on first listens it might seem overly repetitive. The point was to give an example of some "softer" extreme vocals though, which I think I managed

For my choice I'm going to go with 'Catch & Release' by the Silversun Pickups, one of the very few songs I can actually at least some of the lyrics for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7KaLTT7BEc

That's an awesome bass sound! Really nice vocals too. I might have to check out more of this.

For some of my favourite vocals in a genre I rarely listen to, I present a ballad by Deadsy. Also the "pop" band I know of with the heaviest guitars ever (nu-metal 7-string style though). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjtsmcs4pO4

[MisterCheif]

I assume by school you mean University/ College? I know American's take 'band' much more seriously than the UK but that was very impressive for 'just' a school band.

Nope. It's all high school level.

Nice performance. Shitty crowd.

I like Opeth, but I haven't heard this track before and I like it.

Now how about an Assassin's Creed 2 OST?

Wow. I like.
When it started, I just got this feeling that this is rock that sounds orchestral, and would work perfectly with an orchestra playing the parts. And then some violin came in, and it was awesome.
I also like how it transitions from a more traditional rock style to an almost oriental theme closer to the end.
Man, I really need to get an Assassin's Creed game...

Anyway.
Blue Devils 2003
Sorry you have to suffer through the annoying PBS interviews at the beginning of the video. It was the best version I could find.

EDIT: Oh, and the music is finished when their show ends at a bit before 10 minutes. The second half of the video is just some more interviews and the awards ceremony.

[Triss Hawkeye]

Anyway.
Blue Devils 2003
Sorry you have to suffer through the annoying PBS interviews at the beginning of the video. It was the best version I could find.

That really is incredible. Xylophones sound brilliant, I wish they were used more often in music. I really like the drumming as well - with percussionist relatives and knowing lots of people in pipe bands, you get an appreciation for snare drums and whatnot. And as if the music wasn't already exciting and dramatic, look at that choreography!

The FMA: Brotherhood soundtrack is wonderful, I have all three - it makes good working music.

Now for a suggestion of my own: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uci4rBB2WcQ

Gravity, by Susanne Sundfor. She's one of my favourite artists, with a really great voice.

[wqdiia]

Listened to the Assassin's Creed 2 OST song linked, was great! Even before I read the name of the piece (Venice Rooftops) I had the feeling of running fast, high above ground. I'm listening to other songs from the game, so far I've liked them. They all sound great for running, actually. Haven't played the games, but judging from the couple videos I've now seen I think I'd enjoy them.

Here's another videogame OST - I really liked the music in Bastion, and you can listen to it on their website.

[darknut]

Here's another videogame OST - I really liked the music in Bastion, and you can listen to it on their website.

listen to a few a while ago, and came back a few times to find it again, great bunch of songs. love the style,
particukarilly liked the first 4, liked the blues type feel some of em had like #11
also like the narrators voice
some of them became repetitive but that tends to happen with most video game music

while rumaging through old CDs found Tea Party - Transmission which ive been listening to quite a bit
being the one that got played on the radio when it was new temptation wil probably be the most recongnizable
i particularly enjoy the title track but psychopomp is my favorite, though i like this version better

[Black Dynamite]

I recently mentioned it in another thread, but I'll link it here regardless. Agalloch's To Drown. It's fairly long and is very much post-rock-esque, so I wouldn't recommend it for those with relatively short attention spans/a disinterest in atmospheric & otherwise-not-immediately-catchy music.

I adore Agalloch. I adore you for posting them. I loved Marrow of the Spirit.
I feel like this is required.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT0v385qyDk

while rumaging through old CDs found Tea Party - Transmission which ive been listening to quite a bit
being the one that got played on the radio when it was new temptation wil probably be the most recongnizable
i particularly enjoy the title track but psychopomp is my favorite, though i like this version better

I enjoyed the intro to temptation very much. But then the rest of the song was radically different and I couldn't get into it. I think the lyrics are great and interesting, but I'm not fond of the vocals. I'm too picky with singing.

I'll contribute one of my favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pguSt3P5PkI

[bigglesworth]

I really love the Bastion soundtrack. Great piece of work. I especially like the building up of parts into Setting Sail, Coming Home.

[melloyello]

ACTUALLY listened to other people's music it's an odd concept, really

here's my bit:
(couldn't find just the mp3, but here's a song from my favorite movie)
Beth Rowley - You've Got Me Wrapped Around Your Little Finger

and my favorite cover of Seven Nation Army:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDNG4ewIkXk
Ben L'oncle Soul

[ExplodingHat]

...favorite cover...

So many awesome things about this I'm going to have to make a list:
1)The funky rhythm.
2)That little organ riff at the beginning. (Reminds me of the music in Napoleon Dynamite.)
3)The keyboard fills.
4)When the horns come in at 0:45.
5)In general, the bluesier the vocals, the better.
6)The mixing and mastering complements the arrangement, such as the use of a high-pass filter at 1:10.
7(ation Army))HOLY SHIT, HAMMOND SOLO!!! <33333333333333333333
This was literally the most exciting thing in music I have found in months.

Can't really follow that up with anything comparable, but have some nice jazz anyway:
But Not For Me

[MisterCheif]

Can't really follow that up with anything comparable, but have some nice jazz anyway:
But Not For Me

That's awesome. I love the trumpet solos in that, especially the smooth tone. A lot of what I've been hearing recently is a lot of the super high trumpet screams, so it's a nice departure from that.

Here's some stuff from this year's PMEA Region VI Band.

Raise of the Son - Not much to say about this, except that is a really cool piece. And 32nd note runs on bass clarinet? Yes. Hell yes. Hell fucking yes.
Once More Unto the Breach - Just a really cool piece, with each movement having an entirely different tone, with the first being very dark and fast, the second being slower and lighter, but still having elements of the dissonance of the first in the soprano sax solo, and the third adding a new theme, as well as bringing back the themes from the first two movements.
Sails of Time - Awesome. 'Nuff said. I had two measure duet with the piccolo in this one, and there is a pretty awesome bass clarinet soli. Also, tubas can sound like digeridoos.

I'll probably have some more music to post after region orchestra and state band happen.

[Chewbaccawacca]

Listened to Raise of the Son, not really to my typical taste, but still pretty good. One of the few songs I've listened to where the title was really apt to the feel of it. Oh and clarinet bits, yeah that was pretty great.

And now for something completely different! Pour Decisions by The Real McKenzies. Honestly not the best stuff, but ever now and again I find myself in a mood. And this is one of those times.

[Felstaff]

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_13151953

Not mine, but a friend's.

Don't know what ST usually does in a situation like this, but I've changed one digit in the URL, so it plays a different song

...'cause you didn't comment on anyone else's music, which is rule 1 of this thread (and the other one where you post your music)