Problems and Solutions; aka The Bands I Like Suck

Debaser · Post by **Debaser** » Fri Dec 27, 2002 1:08 am

I like music, really I do. Love it even. Not as much as some people, certainly, but I have a bit of an aural affinity. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, I here precious little of it. Or, rather, I hear quite a bit of it, but it's all the same. Right now, sitting on the back seat of my car are the following compact discs:

Title TK by the Breeders - Not a great album, by any stretch. A lot of catchy tunes, good fun and all; but, like everything else the Breeders have ever put out, you can tell it was assembled in all of two hours before Kim and company ran off to go smoke bowl or do whatever it is they've been doing for the last ten years while not writing or performing music in any form, except for those two discs Kelly put out that I can't find anywhere. But I like it a lot. But only because I find Kim Deal's voice to be the single most wonderful thing on the planet, and the way she fails to hit a single note on the disc's final track seems to me to be utterly adorable, even erotic. But you didn't want to know that.

Ben Fold's Live by Ben Folds - When all is said and done, Army remains the quintessential "I'd be worried about whether or not my friend is too drunk to drive but his car is incapable of going over thirty miles an hour anyway so I will just sing loudly and off-key along with this song" song out there. Still, cover of Tiny Dancer aside, this album is essentially just stripped down retreads of songs I've already heard a billion times, with the audience singing along occasionally.

Rotten Apples: The Smashing Pumpkin's Greatest Hits - Like the above, only worse. Some of my absolute favorite songs in the whole world on here, and some good tunes on the bonus "previously unreleased" disc, but, let's face it, I've been hearing Today for almost half my life, now. Time to move on, yes?

Geek the Girl by Lisa Germano - Christ on a whole wheat cracker, I'm embarrassed by this album. Don't get me wrong, Lisa is obviously a skilled songstress, but this disc reads and plays like the super-secret diary of every suicidal teenage girl ever. I wax and wane between absolutely loving the music and absolutely loathing the lyrics, which means that, unlike every other album on this list, I haven't really managed to burn myself out on it, yet.

Moon Pix by Cat Power - Chan Marshall's something of a love her or loathe her type of artist. I love her, everyone else I've ever met subtley hints that I should probably change out the CD when she's playing in my car. And I can understand that, as her songs range from "eccentric" to "incomprehensible", her vocals range from "singing well but slightly off-key" to "shrieking hysterically", which would be fine for a punk band, but is more than a little offputting for an acoustic outfit. So yeah, I like the music a lot, but it's not for everyday listening/singing along with in your car.

Which would all be a fine, if horribly pussified, collection of music, if it weren't for the fact that 99% of the CDs I own are either by the above-mentioned artists, by very similare sounding artists, and/or never-listened-to relics of music I used to like but now cannot stand or bought on recommendation and found out was piss-poor (see Radiohead, Everything They've Ever Put Out Except OK Computer). Oh, and any number of burned discs/cds full of MP3s/shit downloaded off filesharing programs which do me buggerall good, as they won't play on my car's CD player, which is where I do about 80% of my music listening. So it's either something I like enough to shell out the cash for, or it's something I listen to once, say "That's neat." and forget about entirely.

And discovering new music is kind of a bust. There's shit my friends recommend, which helps a little, but the people I hang out with most of the time do not really share my taste in music at all. There's broadcast radio, but really, wading through content that is even more repetitive then my CD collection, not at all tailored to my interests, and generally piss poor anyway in order to find one song that might hint at an artist who's discography I should look into is not the world's most efficient method of operation. There's Internet Radio, whatever's left of it at this point, but again, the whole car thing. Then, I noticed this whole satellite radio thing, which strikes me as equally likely to be the answer to my prayers or a complete waist of time and money.

I could, for instance, get one of these, which would, with the proper purchase of accessories and or widgets, give me access to non-Q101 content at home, in the car, and even at work, where I generally have to rely on my own singing or the disco blasting out of the office across the room if I want to listen to something. Of course, after getting the reciever, the relevant adaptors, and a set of speakers for my desk at work, I'm looking at probably 300-500 dollars or more plus subscription fees. Which isn't the end of the world, provided I actually like what I'm listening to, but more than I'm willing/able to waste on a toy I have no intention of using.

So, really, my questions are threefold:

1. Anyone have any experience with this? 100+ channels sounds like a lot of music, except that it's not really, considering 80% will probably be the same shit I could get on broadcast with better reception, and another 15% will probably be special interest crap I have no use for. Does this thing get decent music?

2. Any posters, lurkers, and/or gimmick characters know of any decent broadcast stations in the Chicagoland area?

3. Anyone here recognize enough of the previously mentioned bands to get some clue as to my musical tastes and, if so, does anything spring to mind as something I'd likely enjoy? Please provide links to some sample content if possible, or at least list likely MP3s to look for.

James · Post by **James** » Fri Dec 27, 2002 4:51 am

I think I'll reccomend as I always do my entire musical library.

1. DÕS by Altered State: Damn good album in my opinion. A cornucopia of types of music ranging from ones that are not fast to one that are fast. I don't play music so don't expect any great explanations.
2.That one Beavis and Butthead CD: It is just like a mix disc with Beavis and Butthead talking.
3.That Beavis and Butthead the movie CD: Doesn't have as much B&B.
4. Euphoria by Def Leppard: The few times I listened to it I enjoyed it.
5. Moontan by Golden Earring: Has Radar Love on it.
6.But Seriously Folks by Joe Walsh: Has life's been good to me on it.
7. Ten Years of Magic by Frankie in the morning: Some local disc with "spoofs" of current ... well they were once current ... songs concerning current events ... see above.
8. Antichrist Superstar by Marylin Manson: My buddy had this just sitting in his locker and school and gave it to me ... I listened to it ... not regularly.
9. Mr. Bungle self titled album: Really quite enjoyable! Has a good sound a nice loud sound.
10. California by Mr Bungle: Just has a nice sound not quite as loud.
11. Blow in the wind by Me First and the Gimme Gimme's: I like show tunes, rock, and being able to use compact CDs ... so sue me.
12. Garage Inc. by Metallica: It's Metallica ... you know.
13. Reload by Metallica: See above.
14. S&M by Metallica: I like orchesta music and rock.
15. 25...Tab by Monster Magnet: One of Monster Magnet's trippy stoner music CDs. Isn't the kind of stuff you sing along to but it is nice to switch up once in a bit.
16. Dopes to Infinity by Monster Magnet: Great blend between everything Monster Magnet offers. Grade SS like in japanese dance games!
17. God Says No by Monster Magnet: I'd have to say the hippest and most generally appealing album they did ... you know to the general public at least.
18. Powertrip by Monster Magnet: Second most generally appealing album to the general public. Even had a video!
19. Spine of God by Monster Magnet: Nice and hard just the way I like it.
20. Superjudge by Monster Magnet: Just super duper great.
21. That left right jazz by NIN: Really good at least I thought in my generally public state of my mind.
22. Silverside up by Nickleback: My pa bought it for me I gave it a few listens simply because of that ...
23. Blackmarket Music by Placebo: I bought it for one song and now I listen to the CD for maybe two or three.
24. Ixnay on the hombre by The Offspring: You know before they started talking about skateboards?
25. Freak Show by Silverchair: I liked it once it has this neat little story on it because it was before they realized no one cared about interactive CDs.
26. El Oso by Soul Coughing: One of my few CDs I listen to regularly.
27. Toxicity by System of a down: Eh, I like it.
28. Let's Face It, Pay Attention, and Question the Answers all by Mighty Mighty Bosstones I like them.
29. end is forever by Ataris: Punk rock ... not too bad. See Blink 182 without annoying voices or lyrics ... I think.
30. Cowboy Bebop by The Seatbelts: Japanese jazz made for this anime where everyone likes jazz ... I like it.
31. Apollo 18 by They Might Be Giants: I dig it.
32. Flood by TMBG: I dig it ... has songs that where on Tiny Toons on that MTV spin off episode with the music videos.
33. John Henry by TMBG: I just really like them.
34. They might be giants by TMBG: I dig them.
35. It's Alright by URT ... I played through ACS three times to hear their music.
36. Quiet normal life by Warren Zevon: A best of CD .. I like it.
37.Wheatus by Wheatus ... heard that "Teenage Dirtbag" song and bought the CD ... it isn't bad.

bruce · Post by **bruce** » Fri Dec 27, 2002 4:35 pm

James wrote: Nice and hard just the way I like it.

MONKEY MONKEY, is that you?

Bruce

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Fri Dec 27, 2002 11:52 pm

Xm radio is the stereo AM of the new century. gonna die off in 10 years. Not that many people will pay extra for stuff they already have. A person could listen to cds' all the way across the country and not pay extra. When they come out with sattelite internet connections (with a cute dish on top of the mini tower) THATS when you buy into it. I know this does not help one with Chicago-style music but this is the future. first everyone get into Fiber Optic modems. A bazillion times faster than cable and bandwidth almost unlimited. Just need to run the cables all over the country first and get the signal boosters worked out. (could cause bottlenecks) Then get satelite internet using more powerful microwave transmitters ( close directional, for security) No cell phone connection technology, I'm talking direct; your machine to orbiting relays to warez server. after that I guess the programmers just come over to your place and code the games right into your skull.

now to go predict the future of digital camera technology...

THE
CRYSTAL BALL
AARDVARK

be nice to see this in 'the best of' base in 20 years to see how I did

Debaser · Post by **Debaser** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 3:57 am

AArdvark wrote:Xm radio is the stereo AM of the new century. gonna die off in 10 years. Not that many people will pay extra for stuff they already have. A person could listen to cds' all the way across the country and not pay extra. When they come out with sattelite internet connections (with a cute dish on top of the mini tower) THATS when you buy into it. I know this does not help one with Chicago-style music but this is the future. first everyone get into Fiber Optic modems.

These are all things I had not considered. Now I must go think more. Dammitall, I thought I was done with that for the week.

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 1:16 pm

Wanna spend all your Xmas money? buy one o them 150 cd changers that fit in the trunk and burn, baby, burn music until you cant stand listening to music at all. Then you'd have it forever and ever, amen. speaking of cd changers, anyone see that external cd rom that holds like 100 cd's ?it looks like a jukebox setup, where the disks are held vertically It rotates around, selects the proper CD and loads it like a Happy Days opening shot. Way cool. If I find a werbsite I'll post a link

THE
FUTURAMA
AARDVARK

Roody_Yogurt · Post by **Roody_Yogurt** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 6:16 pm

Or, you could do what I did. I bought a discman with mp3 capability and the car tape deck thing for my car. Of course, after listening to enough mp3s that at least half of them I downloaded because I didn't quite like them enough to buy the album, I went on and made mp3s of favorite songs from my 500+ cd collection (I think my standards were a bit too high the first time through, so there's probably several dozen that I'll add on some future date). One cd, in my experience, holds about 200 songs, and it's all good fun whether listening to straight through or on shuffle. So I've basically made a bunch of cds out of my ~1000 mp3s. Maybe you don't have enough CDs for this to sound appealing or you're an audiophile (if I stick an mp3 track in the middle of .wav rips, I can tell the difference, but listening to just mp3s on my car stereo suits me fine), I dunno.

Also, Chicago bands that I dig:
Box-o-Car and the Cells (both playing tonight, Dec. 28th, at the Bottom Lounge... should be a good show)
Marvelkind
the Mystechs
the Handsome Family (actually ex-Chicago-ites now, but they still come around a couple times a year)
Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire
Neko Case (actually, she might live in Canada... can't remember)
and of course, URT (no longer around, unfortunately)

Nothing on your list says to me that you'd definitely like any of these bands, but since you live there and have the chance to see them more than I, I thought I'd mention them. Most of them have mp3s up at mp3.com and/or their various web pages.

Roody_Yogurt · Post by **Roody_Yogurt** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 6:19 pm

Also, it's good to see another person in the midwest (I failed to notice it before). Maybe one day we can lure people out here for some sort of bash thing.

Worm · Post by **Worm** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 9:54 pm

bruce wrote:
James wrote: Nice and hard just the way I like it.
MONKEY MONKEY, is that you?

Bruce

When I wrote that a purple line was on my monitor because it sucks so that most definately was my post and I am no MONKEY MONKEY.

The public broadcast channels put on some half decent jazz round here on the weekends.

Debaser · Post by **Debaser** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 1:03 am

The only band in your list I'd heard of was URT, so I guess that just reinforces my initial dilemma. I suppose an MP3 player or better CD player for my car is probably the least bothersome choice, and so that is what I will likely go with.

Addendum, the First:

Also, it's good to see another person in the midwest (I failed to notice it before).

Midwest represent! Or something.

Maybe one day we can lure people out here for some sort of bash thing.

This would be both cool and the gang.

Addendum, the Second:

The public broadcast channels put on some half decent jazz round here on the weekends.

I have never cottoned to jazz, and I don't know why. This is actually a big part of what I meant when I said my friends and I don't share musical tastes. Nearly everyone I know is at least a little bit of a jazz (and I mean Dizze Gillesby[sp?] jazz and not Kenny G. jazz) fan, except for myself. Inconcievable!

Worm · Post by **Worm** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 10:43 am

Well, go on kazaa and shop out some of my music.

Debaser · Post by **Debaser** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 1:58 pm

Worm wrote:Well, go on kazaa and shop out some of my music.

Oops. Actually, I was referring to RY's list, there. I mean, I know who Metallica is, for chrissakes, I'm not that clueless.

They Might Be Giants is another one of those bands everyone loves but me. I mean, I guess that Particle Man song is fairly catchy, but they've always seemed more clever than good to me.

Toxicity and Ixnay I own and listen to on only rather rare occasions for different reasons.

Actually, I have vague memories of the same guy who got me into the Pixies playing a little bit of Mr. Bungle's California, and I do remember it being rather enjoyable. I'll have to scope that out, I guess.

Worm · Post by **Worm** » Tue Dec 31, 2002 4:23 am

Definately EDIT: =(Definitely) Mr. Bungle is great.

I listen to Toxicity and Ixnay damn rarely too. The only bands I regular out of that list are Monster Magnet, Altered State, URT, and Soul Coughing.

You said you have Tragic Kingdom awhile EDIT: +(ago) that's a damn good listen.

EDIT: Proof you type ... badly ... late at night ... or early in the morning.

EDIT2: Oh, I just saw the topic name. Solutions? Get a CD player with PC speakers and tape them to your Dashboard. You can get this grey two sided ashesive strip that will keep them on the dashboard and actually make them look pretty nice. Oh yea, buy more CDs or tape a MP3 player there. Radio shack has those things for like fifty bucks.

Lex · Post by **Lex** » Thu Jan 02, 2003 9:02 pm

The Breeders rule in a "MTV2 When it first Appeared" kinda way. Y'know?

bruce · Post by **bruce** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 1:09 am

Roody_Yogurt wrote:Also, it's good to see another person in the midwest (I failed to notice it before). Maybe one day we can lure people out here for some sort of bash thing.

Shit fucking hell yeah! Yee-HAW!

U City! Whoo BABY! ARRRR!

Bruce