Wow, great response to yesterday's entry. Let me explain...no, there is too much. Let me sum up:
I asked you, the readers, to help me find some current music that I might like. The responses (and feel free to contribute more, if you like) all sound appealing, and one way or another I'm going to try them all.
Let's go through one at a time. (I'll either post a bit of or summarize each suggestion, and then respond.)
- Cornerstone, When I Was Born For the Seventh Time -- suggested by pointy stick.
"Indian pop, along with a cover of the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood". In Hindi. It's odd, for sure, but it may also be the happiest cd you ever own. "Bob's Response: Sold. Looking forward to hearing this one.
- OK Go, OK Go -- suggested by Cindy.
OK Go is power pop with witty lyrics and great melodies. It sounds a bit like an electrically-charged fusion of the best early Elvis Costello and "Head On the Door"-era Cure. But it's sexier than that.Bob's Response: Oh, you'd better believe I'm getting this one. Loved the song and video on their home page. They remind me of a less-sloppy and probably more sober Too Much Joy -- and I frikkin' LOVED Too Much Joy.
- Joan Osborne, How Sweet It Is -- suggested by Sarah.
I normally dislike covers, but this album is full of well done well chosen songs. Mellow, but still upbeat enough to be a good car album.Bob's Response: Gotta be honest, I was a little iffy on this one. Went to Amazon and listened to some clips, and STILL a little iffy. Great song selection, though. Sarah also recommended Peter Gabriel's Us. I own and love every Gabriel-era Genesis record, and three of his solo outings (III, Security, and So), but kind of ignored Us when it came out. We played Steam and Kiss That Frog on the teeny tiny a.m. alternative station in Monroeville where I worked, and I always liked both of those, so I'll give Us a shot.
- Deadlytoque had a number of suggestions. I know and like Colin Hay's stuff, and own a Nick Drake disc. I've always thought that I should try Ben Folds, although all I know is that one single, which I didn't care for. But I know that Folds is a big Elton fanatic, as am I, so we'll go with the Ben man. (Hey, don't laugh -- there was a time that Elton John was great. Try Honky Chateau or Tumbleweed Connection if you don't believe me. Tumbleweed Connection would likely appeal to fans of Workingman's Dead-era Grateful Dead., and not just because they have similar sepia-toned covers.)
- Paul Hannan, Pedal Hard -- suggested by Try it you'll like it.
Listen to it a couple of times and you'll like it. It is one of the 2 CD's I own.Bob's response: Had to do a google search to find this one -- it's available through cdbaby. Just downloaded one song and I dig it. Local guy. Check him out. There's some crossover here with members of Gathering Field and Rusted Root. Rather than buying right off the bat, I'm going to make an effort to see him live -- provided there are still places in town that have local music. There must be somewhere, right?
- Fountains of Wayne, Welcome Interstate Managers -- suggested by Katie.
Power pop at its best.Bob's Response: Sweet! I'd heard "Hey Julie" a couple of times on WYEP, and wanted to find out who did it, but was far too lazy to research it and then it completely slipped my mind. Buying this one.
- Anthony, of the excellent Tunesmith and Anthony's Blog, checked in with a whole pile of stuff. Jayhawks, The Jam and Smithereens I already have ("Town Called Malice" is one of Mrs. SubD's favorite songs, I think, and for some reason our two year old LOVES Smithereens.) Funny that Anthony should mention Social Distortion -- I had one of their cd's in my hands during the trip to the store that inspired yesterday's entry. I ended up putting Social D back and buying the new Son Volt instead. Planning on trying one of A's other suggestions -- the Jeffrey Gaines sounds interesting.
Damn, that's a lot of cd's to buy. I'll have to take a phased approach to these purchases. I'll let you know how this all turns out.
Happy weekend, kids!