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Maven Music - recommendations by quitepeculiar

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quitepeculiar's Maven Music recommendations

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The Violet Hour - The Clientele

Updated May 18, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

Yes, another recommendation for The Clientele! Released in 2003, this album is a continuation of the moody, melancholy dream pop seen in their eps, culminating in this first full-length album. Truly beautiful, the soft delivery of Alasdair MacLean combined with the gentle melodies make 'The Violet Hour' a prime soundtrack for looking out a window and doing some people-watching with a glass of Scotch.

Or perhaps for a bit of reminiscing with that same glass of Scotch.

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Holiday - The Magnetic Fields

Updated May 18, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

I'm very fond of The Magnetic Fields, and this particular release has some of my favourite songs, and the album is fantastic as a whole. Stephin Merritt's talent truly shines in the arrangement and his deep voice resonating in many of the songs.

Originally released in 1994, this is a reissue from Merge Records, and a great way to acquaint yourself with The Magnetic Fields before splurging on '69 Love Songs.'

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Labor Days - Aesop Rock

Updated May 18, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

My introduction to Aesop Rock was his song "Labor Days," which is probably one of my favourite songs in 21st century hip-hop. Raw, yet well-delivered with a side of bitterness and an incredible production thanks to Blockhead, the track used to be played up to ridiculous levels in my old Corolla.

The rest of the album is great, too, showcasing Aesop Rock's talent that still continues today. I was fortunate enough to have seen him live last year, and he performed some of the songs off of 'Labor Days,' including "No Regrets." Good stuff all around.

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Pet Grief - The Radio Dept.

Updated May 16, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

The Radio Dept. is a band I found out about through the 'Marie Antoinette' soundtrack, and I was able to listen to more of their shoegaze (or is it "newgaze"?) sounds online thanks to Last.fm.

'Pet Grief' is a wonderful, moody little album that combines a little bit of new wave with shoegaze, indie rock and dream pop in a tidy package courtesy of Sweden's Labrador Records, and probably the most accessible release for those of us in the US market aside from ordering straight from Labrador. If you've heard the two songs off of the 'Marie Antoinette' soundtrack, this album shouldn't disappoint.

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Songs of Leonard Cohen - Leonard Cohen

Updated May 16, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

My introduction to Leonard Cohen is quite funny, really; a guy I knew rode me home from the town market in Ban Phe, Thailand, on his bicycle and sang "So Long, Marianne" as he pedaled through the darkened town streets back to the school I lived and worked at. It was only later I was able to listen to Cohen himself through an ex-boyfriend who had a dusty copy on vinyl.

Eventually, I was able to claim it as my own on CD format, and it's been a wonderful companion for the world-weary days. Cohen's unabashed lyrics, poetic and lovely, are perfect to listen to when feeling a little tired and, perhaps, lonesome. It's timeless music generations have listened to, and more shall experience as time moves forward, and hearts continue to yearn.

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Black Star - Mos Def & Talib Kweli

Updated May 16, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

I am dating myself with this recommendation, but this was one of the hip-hop albums that really stuck with me when I was in high school, back when my only source of hip-hop were my classmates who breakdanced and the internet newsgroup I was very involved in. Seriously, I was more involved in hip-hop music than boys, but maybe that wasn't so much by choice....

In any case, this album is a perfect example of constructive late '90s "backpacker" hip-hop, and although released a decade ago, it's still enjoyable and fun today.

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Oh You're So Silent, Jens - Jens Lekman

Updated May 16, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

Released in 2005, Jens Lekman's 'Oh You're So Silent, Jens,' collects songs from previous EPs and more sources, creating an album of great music and a wonderful introduction to this quirky, talented Swede. Reminiscent of a modern-day Jonathan Richman, Lekman's sweet earnestness is at times humorous, kind and sympathetically awkward.

Enjoyable indie at its finest.

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Seventh Tree - Goldfrapp

Updated May 16, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

This album emits a comfortable elegance and delicate assurance. Unlike the previous albums 'Supernature' and 'Black Cherry,' 'Seventh Tree' focuses less on glitz and more on natural, organic sounds. The audio effects they do employ with electronic influence are innocuous, and only add to the easy, laid-back, at times folksy feel of 'Seventh Tree.'

Perfect to listen to on Sunday mornings when you've slept in late from the night before, "after the glitter is gone."

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Antidotes - Foals

Updated May 12, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

'Antidotes,' the debut album on Sub Pop Records by Foals, is nothing short of brilliant. I absolutely love the energy emitted by the music, which mixes the sound of a rock band with tweaks of experimental touches.

Described as a "dance-rock band," Foals would get any sort of party going, and are a fantastic addition to Sub Pop's line-up. Every track is an absolute stunner, and mind the speedometer should you be driving while playing this on your system. Or, as was my case earlier, mind the road--I got a little excited while listening to "Two Steps, Twice." If I remember right, there was a bit of fist-pumping and general bouncing going on.

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Last.fm – The Social Music Revolution

Updated May 11, 2008

3 people recommended this item

Description

Ever since I joined Last.fm last year, my musical environment has exploded. I'm continually finding out about new music, oftentimes to the point where I'm harassing the local record shop about "a Czech band that sings in French" or some other golden find from this website.

I've been a subscriber for about a year now, and never looked back. This website has been an excellent way on keeping tabs of what artists are coming to my area, what sort of music my friends are into, recommending music to friends and the groups I belong to, finding out about new artists by listening to what's similar to artists I already like... seriously, Last.fm is ingenious.

And well-designed, I might add.

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Songs III: Bird On the Water - Marissa Nadler

Updated May 11, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

Marissa Nadler's haunting and melancholy voice reaches at your heartstrings with this one. A magnificent talent, Nadler has crafted a stunning album based predominantly on her lovely music and guitar-playing, with the help of a little reverb and other touches here and there.

Songs III: Bird On the Water is an album you'll want to listen to when you're alone and thoughtful, perhaps on a long drive in the dark, or maybe on a Sunday morning with a cup of tea. No matter how you listen to it, Nadler's magic will grasp hold of you and it will linger long after the last track has played.

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Red Yellow & Blue - Born Ruffians

Updated May 9, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

An amazing debut album from a trio of talented young men from Toronto, this album is filled with energy and fun. Lots of references have been made to Paul Simon's "Graceland" album, and I would agree with a caveat that Born Ruffians are hardly mere imitations, but new interpretations of the same earnestness Simon had on his iconic album.

Born Ruffians are amazing live, but if you don't get a chance to see them, pick up the album or borrow it from someone. As I told a friend of mine, it's as if the Lost Boys from Peter Pan's Neverland picked up some instruments and started a band. You won't be disappointed, unless you're some moody-ass bastard who doesn't know how to have any sort of fun.

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Silver Apples/Contact - Silver Apples

Updated May 7, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

This album is one I have turned on to a lot of people, and it's easy to see why. Their musical style, sampling use, electronic blips and sounds make the music seem extremely contemporary, despite being produced in the latter years of the 1960s. With quirky poetic lyrics, live drums and sound tweaks from a beast of machinery, Silver Apples were ahead of their era, laying the groundwork for experimental and avant-garde bands who came after.

And what's great about it is how "listenable" the music is. It's not just for a handful of sound engineers and music snobs to appreciate, but there's something on this album for everyone to enjoy who has an interest in music that's a bit quirky and unusual.

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Boxer

Updated May 7, 2008

6 people recommended this item

Description

An insanely amazing album, Boxer by The National shows a depth many indie bands eschew. From the wonderfully melodic social commentary of "Fake Empire" to the debonair "Squalor Victoria" to the muted, soothing "Gospel," this was my #2 album of the year for 2007, featuring my own personal song of the year, "Mistaken for Strangers."

Searingly eloquent, marvelously magnificent, I cannot conjure the words to impress upon one and all how essential this album is. If you get the chance, see them live, because they are so raw and intense when performing these versions.

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Tender Buttons : Broadcast

Updated May 9, 2008

2 people recommended this item

Description

An incredible album, Broadcast shows their talent with Tender Buttons. Perfect for those interested in a blend of vintage 60s sounds enmeshed with modern synths and female vocals. "Black Cat" and "Michael" are wonderful tap your leather mod shoes to, and "America's Boy" is incredible in its use of sound in a bit of an unconventional way.

Please tell this band they must come to Orlando! Or I shall be forced to see them in London next year or so.

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The Flying Club Cup - Beirut

Updated Apr 19, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

From BaDaBing! Records:

The highly anticipated follow up to Gulag Orkestar does not disappoint. Recorded by Zach Condon with a full band, guest stars like Final Fantasy's Owen Pallet (who added lush string arrangements), and at a variety of locations, The Flying Club Cup is an expanse, glorious and enrapturing album which takes a nod towards the finest of France's musical culture.

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One of my most favourite albums of 2007, if not the top pick, The Flying Club Cup gives off a feel of sepia-toned Western European holidays and haunts, mimicking subconscious collective memories of an earlier time and an earlier sincerity. Zach Condon's voice is soaring over the melodies he performs with the proper Beirut band, who were minted with the EP Lon Gisland. It's gorgeous, enthralling and amazing beyond words and comprehension.

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Surburban Light - The Clientele

Updated Apr 18, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

A collection of earlier singles, Suburban Light, released in 2001, showcases the lonesome dream-pop works from British band The Clientele. In comparison to their later releases, this collection is a bit more lo-fi and the melodies are sweet, melancholy and ever-so-lovely. The soft voice of Alasdair Maclean is best played loud.

Perfect for those who like to walk in the rain, linger next to a window darkened by the night, reminisce about a lost love, and enamoured with an aching sense of longing.

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The Good, the Bad & the Queen

Updated Apr 16, 2008

4 people recommended this item

Description

Genius!

If you have a love affair with the city of London, even if it's a love from afar like mine, this album is a culmination of the bleakness, the despair, the hope and the fires that have fueled the city since it was a small pre-Roman settlement.

The talent involved in this is amazing, and you're no doubt familiar with at least the work of one artist. Give it a listen, and see what sort of London it conjures up in your mind's eye.

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For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver (CD)

Updated Apr 16, 2008

1st to recommend

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Justin Vernon is an aching genius. The lo-fi longing brings to mind snowdrifts, frozen hearts, barren trees and air electric with the chill and expectation of the night.

If you are into music that's light on the instruments and technology, but heavy on emotion, Bon Iver's indie-folk album is perfect for those days and nights when the road is long and the thoughts are deep.

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