Fezmid Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Dream Theater. Scenes from a Memory is a masterpiece. So is A Change of Seasons. They're melodic and keyboard heavy in Images and Words, then change things up (with the same band members) to go heavy with Awake. Most people agree that they have one of the best guitarists (John Petrucci), drummers (Mike Portnoy), and bassists (John Myung) in the business. http://www.roadrunne...Time-20590.aspx http://www.ultimate-...st_bassist.html Yet despite their technical abilities, mainstream doesn't know who these guys are. (Kevin Moore, their keyboardist for the first three albums, went to SUNY Fredonia too. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's House Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Cake. Easily one of the most talented bands to reach the airwaives over the last two decades, but are primarily known for randomly selected radio songs that seldom do justice to the bands greatness. Quirky lyrics and and undefinable style may keep them out of the limelight but are part of what makes them great. Dream Theater. Scenes from a Memory is a masterpiece. So is A Change of Seasons. They're melodic and keyboard heavy in Images and Words, then change things up (with the same band members) to go heavy with Awake. Most people agree that they have one of the best guitarists (John Petrucci), drummers (Mike Portnoy), and bassists (John Myung) in the business. http://www.roadrunne...Time-20590.aspx http://www.ultimate-...st_bassist.html Yet despite their technical abilities, mainstream doesn't know who these guys are. (Kevin Moore, their keyboardist for the first three albums, went to SUNY Fredonia too. ) I had a roommate back in the mid 90s that had a Dream Theater video, and those guys are masters of their instruments. Not sure about their song writing abilities, but they definitely rock out. Strangely, I haven't heard their name mentioned in about 15 yrs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Man Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Dream Theater. Scenes from a Memory is a masterpiece. So is A Change of Seasons. They're melodic and keyboard heavy in Images and Words, then change things up (with the same band members) to go heavy with Awake. Most people agree that they have one of the best guitarists (John Petrucci), drummers (Mike Portnoy), and bassists (John Myung) in the business. http://www.roadrunne...Time-20590.aspx http://www.ultimate-...st_bassist.html Yet despite their technical abilities, mainstream doesn't know who these guys are. (Kevin Moore, their keyboardist for the first three albums, went to SUNY Fredonia too. ) Definitely a second on Dream Theater. Just started getting into their stuff over the last few years and am liking them more and more. Especially after finally seeing them live in Toronto this past summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Porcupine Tree. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yall Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Definitely a second on Dream Theater. Just started getting into their stuff over the last few years and am liking them more and more. Especially after finally seeing them live in Toronto this past summer. You guys know Portnoy left? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Man Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 You guys know Portnoy left? I didn't until now. Guess we lucked out getting to see Dream Theater on what could be his last tour with the band this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanNC Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Porcupine Tree. PTR +1. Amazing band. I also agree with My Morning Jacket and I'll throw Drive By Truckers in there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 You guys know Portnoy left? I didn't... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cugalabanza Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I love the Silver Jews. Me and about 11 other people worldwide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrojanitor Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 + whatever for Clutch. Killer band and an amazing live show. I'll add a few: Dr. John. his first two albums (Gris Gris and Babylon) sound like swamp Tom Waits. The quality plummeted after like 1970--but I will always go to bat for those first two records Electric Light Orchestra. Huge dense pop---awesome. Dinosaur Jr. J Mascis is one of the greatest guitar players to ever walk. Dude needs to be in the guitar god conversation The Byrds. Byrds always get left out of the "great bands of the 60s" conversation. Amazing songs and cool guitar work. Husker Du. The most ambitious punk band. Zen Arcade will burn the paint off your car. Perfect. Hawkwind. Weird proto metal with Lemmy on bass Oneida. One of the more ambitious bands I can think of. Pushing repetition and noise onto off kilter pop. At times difficult, but always rewarding. Love. Have you heard Forever Changes? Amazing. I could go on and on. I love the Silver Jews. Me and about 11 other people worldwide. One of my favorite bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UN-Hazed and Amuzed Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Gogol Bordello Robert Cray Black Keys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDH Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Dream Theater. Scenes from a Memory is a masterpiece. So is A Change of Seasons. They're melodic and keyboard heavy in Images and Words, then change things up (with the same band members) to go heavy with Awake. Most people agree that they have one of the best guitarists (John Petrucci), drummers (Mike Portnoy), and bassists (John Myung) in the business. http://www.roadrunne...Time-20590.aspx http://www.ultimate-...st_bassist.html Yet despite their technical abilities, mainstream doesn't know who these guys are. (Kevin Moore, their keyboardist for the first three albums, went to SUNY Fredonia too. ) When I read the thread title my first thought was Dream Theater as well. It might have something to do with me listening to Metropolis pt. 2 right now but nonetheless, they're an amazing band and one of my favs. I'll give a +1 to Clutch as well. Saw them in concert with The Sword (another under-appreciated band) and both were fantastic - great show. I have to give a vote for Jane's Addiction as well - not the new crap they released a few years ago but their stuff before they broke up and reformed. Not many albums better than Nothing's Shocking and Ritual del lo Habitual in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuntheDamnBall Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I love the Silver Jews. Me and about 11 other people worldwide. Two of 'em right here. I'm going to throw in, just from the "C" section of my library: Bill Callahan/Smog, Centro-matic, and Califone. + whatever for Clutch. Killer band and an amazing live show. I'll add a few: Dr. John. his first two albums (Gris Gris and Babylon) sound like swamp Tom Waits. The quality plummeted after like 1970--but I will always go to bat for those first two records Electric Light Orchestra. Huge dense pop---awesome. Dinosaur Jr. J Mascis is one of the greatest guitar players to ever walk. Dude needs to be in the guitar god conversation The Byrds. Byrds always get left out of the "great bands of the 60s" conversation. Amazing songs and cool guitar work. Husker Du. The most ambitious punk band. Zen Arcade will burn the paint off your car. Perfect. Hawkwind. Weird proto metal with Lemmy on bass Oneida. One of the more ambitious bands I can think of. Pushing repetition and noise onto off kilter pop. At times difficult, but always rewarding. Love. Have you heard Forever Changes? Amazing. I could go on and on. One of my favorite bands. Nice list! I don't listen to much of the first three though I do appreciate Dr. John; the rest are awesome. And if you like Oneida you should check out People of the North - side project that's total heavy stoner psych. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviF Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) Gogol Bordello Robert Cray Black Keys Nice choices, Un-Hazed. You mentioned My Morning Jacket before, too, which is also a great choice. Astrojanitor said Dinosaur Jr. and The Byrds. Another couple of great bands (Also, a +1 on his opinion of Mascis ) I'll throw (in the spirit of my avatar) Warren Zevon in the talk as well. He had a couple of albums that weren't so great, but I'm of the opinion that he was a great songwriter. Let's be honest, who the hell else could have wrote "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner (yes, it was a collaboration, but still)?" Edited October 20, 2010 by LeviF91 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 When I read the thread title my first thought was Dream Theater as well. It might have something to do with me listening to Metropolis pt. 2 right now but nonetheless, they're an amazing band and one of my favs. You should check out Shadow Gallery, especially "Tyranny" and "Room V" (in that order). Very Dream Theater-like, and both are intricate stories like Metropolis Pt 2 is. Both albums tie together too which is cool. James Labrie (Dream Theater) also has a part on Tyranny. The song "New World Order" (from Tyranny) won all sorts of awards. The band is great, but don't get a lot of recognition because they don't tour - they're purely a studio band (and all have real jobs ). Scratch that, it looks like they're doing a little bit of touring now... Unfortunately their lead singer recently passed away (heart attack), and I'm not a big fan of the latest album (Digital Ghosts) mainly due to the vocals. http://en.wikipedia..../Shadow_Gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Michael Franti and Spearhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Bonnie "Prince" Billy (aka Will Oldham) is probably the best songwriter of the past 20 years. And has been going at it since 1993. But sad, folky music never gets mainstream recognition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Oldham I dont even know what song to link here as "his best", so I'll just link my favorite... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDH Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 You should check out Shadow Gallery, especially "Tyranny" and "Room V" (in that order). Very Dream Theater-like, and both are intricate stories like Metropolis Pt 2 is. Both albums tie together too which is cool. James Labrie (Dream Theater) also has a part on Tyranny. The song "New World Order" (from Tyranny) won all sorts of awards. The band is great, but don't get a lot of recognition because they don't tour - they're purely a studio band (and all have real jobs ). Scratch that, it looks like they're doing a little bit of touring now... Unfortunately their lead singer recently passed away (heart attack), and I'm not a big fan of the latest album (Digital Ghosts) mainly due to the vocals. http://en.wikipedia..../Shadow_Gallery I'll check 'em out, thanks for the recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrojanitor Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Two of 'em right here. I'm going to throw in, just from the "C" section of my library: Bill Callahan/Smog, Centro-matic, and Califone. Nice list! I don't listen to much of the first three though I do appreciate Dr. John; the rest are awesome. And if you like Oneida you should check out People of the North - side project that's total heavy stoner psych. Callahan is amazing. Califone I'm a big fan of--have you heard Red Red Meat? Everyone from Califone was also in RRM. For my money their Bunny Got Paid album is one of the best LPs from the 90s. I'm going to second Palace/Bonnie "Prince" Billy/Will Oldham/Superwolf/whatever else he's calling himself. Here's a few more: Railroad Jerk, Royal Trux, kitty Galore, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and De La soul. Always on heavy rotation. All of it. And in honor of their expanded reissues coming out this week--any Soft Boys fans? Really amazing psych-pop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Michael Franti and Spearhead LIke his music. It's his politics I can live without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts