In the twentieth century, the music industry was fairly straightforward. Music companies promoted the big ticket acts they had discovered, and there was plenty to choose from. Garage bands dreamed of being discovered.
Nowadays, garage bands have websites and international distribution, if they have the ingenuity to pursue such goals. "Plenty to choose from" has evolved into a state where the music lover is truly spoiled for choice, and may find himself paralyzed in the face of the vast selection available. How to sift through the hundreds, even thousands of artists on the market, to find the truly great music that speaks to his taste?
The Internet and iTunes As Used to Discover New Music
The Internet has made it possible for the music consumer to be completely overwhelmed with options. The Age of iTunes has opened the door to all manner of artists, from established names like Coldplay to new artists whose names are known only to their families and friends, to upload their music for mass consumption.
In some cases, this has gone very well for the artist. In a recent YouTube video filmed at a Japanese aquarium, Barcelona’s song “Please Don’t Go” has enjoyed a huge upsweep in popularity, with thanks to Jon Rawlinson for choosing that song to accompany his film. The success of that video appears more happenstance than design, and a new band cannot rely on YouTube to spread its popularity.
It can now be said that a band has little chance of success if they don't have a Facebook page, a Myspace Music page, or at the very least a band website. There is no arguing the effectiveness of such methods to publicize a band. Again, however, the ease and proliferation of band pages makes it hard to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Five New Album RecommendationsSome will trust to the radio for their musical advice. A large community of music aficionados, however, will say that the radio cannot be trusted to recommend the best music to be found. The optimal way to hone one’s musical tastes remains, and will likely always remain, word of mouth.
In that spirit, then, from this writer’s mouth right through his fingertips to your computer, are albums from five highly recommended musical artists that have largely escaped public notice. Some are newcomers marketing their first album, while others have been flying under the radar for years. Populate your playlists with these gems.
1. The Low Anthem Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
When you hear that The Low Anthem is made up of three twenty-two year olds, it’s tempting to dismiss them. But their barnstorming style is wiser than their years would suggest, and the lead singer’s gravelly wail sounds like Tom Waits in a really great mood. “The Horizon is a Beltway,” one of the foot-stompingest tracks on the album, has the listener wanting to swing his partner and order a round for the bar.
2. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
In a stop-what-you’re-doing-and-listen blend of choral, folk, and rock styles, Fleet Foxes have blended melody and harmony to reinvent roots music in a way that almost establishes a genre of its own. Lead singer Robin Pecknold has a pastoral singing voice that meshes seamlessly with the gentle acoustic guitars in a way that evokes last generation’s music, distilled and mellowed for today’s smiling listener.
3. Elbow The Seldom Seen Kid
Though they’ve been around since 1991 and consider themselves ‘elder statesmen’ of the UK music scene, Elbow is only beginning to grow a following in the States. “The Seldom Seen Kid” is their fourth album, and it shows in their mastery to capture multiple styles of music that both stand well alone, and blend together to create a solid album.
“Grounds for Divorce” is a gallows-humor rock anthem, while “Mirrorball” is a sweeping, enthralling ballad with brilliant, touching lyrics. Listen to this album from beginning to end, then listen to each song for itself. It’s a work of art.
4. Tilly and the Wall o
Five friends from Omaha combined to form this band, whose unique talents come together in a way that just doesn’t exist anywhere else. Everything about the “o” album is percussion – from the emphatic drums, to the pounding vocals, to the percussionist’s tap dancing. Yes, tap dancing.
Though the clarity of the vocal track is deliberately fuzzed to make room for the head-bobbing rhythms, the lyrics are crystal clear and easy to understand. The music is fun, jumping, and alive. A must-have for a backyard dance party.
5. Owl City Ocean Eyes
Owl City is one man, Adam Young, who occasionally asks a friend or two to assist on a track. As might be expected of a one-man album, there is some heavy digital mixing involved in weaving each song's elements together. Everything is synthesized. Even the vocal tracks are augmented digitally, making an electric sound that is at first disconcerting, then strangely irresistible.
The songs on the album are an eclectic blend, from lighthearted jabs at the dentist’s office, to touching love ballads with lyrics like “If my heart was a compass you’d be north.” Beyond being simply interesting, Owl City is a unique and listenable contrast to standard alternative fare.
Of course, these five are only a sampling of the hidden treasures available to music lovers, and filtered through the tastes of one writer/connoisseur. His hope is that these offerings, rather than muddying the water further, have presented a clear view of some genuine musical enjoyment out there. Happy listening.
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