Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Favorite Musical Groups Currently Producing Albums

Only musical-like picture I
could find that I owned!
Here's another list of favorites – Musical Groups Currently Producing Albums. The prerequisite for getting on this list? If these artists come out with a new album/CD, I will buy it. Sight unseen (or would that be sound unheard??). This list is in alphabetical order.







Arcade Fire (www.arcadefire.com). I only have one of their albums, but their previous albums are now on my wish list and I believe a new one is coming out soon. I like the way they sound.

The Black Keys (www.theblackkeys.com). First heard them on the "Eclipse" soundtrack and they peaked my interest. The more songs they released, the more I liked them and finally bought their albums. I'm hooked.

Coldplay (www.coldplay.com). I never realized how much I liked this group. It wasn't until one day at B-dubs, when one of my favorite songs was playing, that I asked a friend if they knew who was singing it. I pretty much owned all their albums after that!

Death Cab for Cutie (www.deathcabforcutie.com). I remember hearing their name and thinking it was unique, but had no idea what songs they sang. Thanks to listening to the radio via the Internet (where the song and artist are listed), I was able to link up the two and discovered I enjoyed everything they released.

Ivy (www.thebandivy.com). I have "Kingdom Hospital" to thank for finding this band. Ivy sang the theme song to that mini-series, which put me on a search for their albums (which, at the time, was met with much difficulty). I love their sound (they have some music videos on their website if you want to check them out) and they aren't played on the radio all that often, but my daughter and I hear them on a TV series every now and then.

The Killers (www.thekillersmusic.com). Here's another band where I enjoyed their music, but had no idea who they were. Again, I have radio via the Internet to thank for that.

Metric (http://ilovemetric.com). I kind of knew who they were when they opened for the Muse concert I attended. Their mics were horrible, though, and it was very difficult to enjoy them then. But as more of their songs were released on the radio, I realized they sounded better on the radio than in person. I don't know if I'll ever go out and see them in concert again, but I'll continue to buy their albums.

Mumford and Sons (www.mumfordandsons.com). Heard them on AltNation first and fell in love with their first single. I try not to buy albums based on that (I've been burned too many times), but I hit pay dirt this time. I'm hooked.

Muse (http://muse.mu). If I had put this list in order of my favorites, Muse would be first. I must thank Stephenie Meyer for introducing me to this band since she gushed about them on each of the Twilight books. Unfortunately, finding them on the radio in Dayton, Ohio was impossible. No one played them. That took me to the Internet (thus also discovering other artists – some listed here) and a Los Angeles radio station that played them a lot. Once I got an earful, I ended up buying all their albums. I LOVE Muse! Oh, and their concert in Columbus was AWESOME!

Neon Trees (www.fameisdead.com). This is a new group that is growing on me. Enough to own all their albums, anyway.

Train (www.savemesanfrancisco.com). Here's a group that's been around awhile, but I recently discovered. "Drive By" helped in that regard. I really like that song. I just wish Alt Nation (on Sirius Radio) played their music. I can find them locally, though. That helps. And they're on my iPod – even better.

Weezer (http://weezer.com). Another group I have that California radio station to thank for. I knew their music, just not who played it.

Did I hit any of your favorites? I love listening to Alt Nation because I find all sorts of new music. Well, whether they are new or not, they are new to me, anyways. My radio will list the artist and song and I love that the best!

6 comments:

Anne Gallagher said...

The only of these bands that I've ever heard of is Coldplay. But I couldn't tell you what they sing.

I haven't bought new music in a decade at least. I keep telling myself I want to buy the "new" Nickelback CD, but they've produced 4 albums already.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Anne - I'm betting you've probably heard the music from these groups, but you just don't realize it. That's how it was for me, anyway.

I'm starting to recognize Nickleback on the local radio station (they aren't played on AltNation). I like their music, but not enough to buy it yet.

Maria Zannini said...

I feel so out of touch. I only know one group--and that was probably by accident. :)

Stacy McKitrick said...

Maria - I was that way for a long time. But I love music, and I really missed not knowing who sang what. Now when I watch the Grammys, I actually know most of the groups. I like that!

James Garcia Jr said...

Found it! People drive me crazy when they say music died with Buddy Holly; when turning 27 killed Hendrix, Morrison and Joplin; when Bonham died and Zeppelin ended, or when death claimed Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie Mercury or any number of other artists.
My kids have helped me stay current w/ Death Cab & Muse. Friends have kept me in the loop w/ some of these others. I will check out the ones I don't know. I can tell you that I love Train, and have seen them 3 times in concert.
Very cool, Stacy! Thanks for the cool topics.

-Jimmy

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jimmy - My kids are useless when it comes to new music. I think I know more than they do. They don't listen to the radio at all. I love the radio. How else can you find new groups? Sure, the commercials are a pain (satellite is great in that regard), but sometimes you just can't get around that!