Tropical Island Music Artist Draft - FINIS
- Thread starter Bricklayer
- Start date
Yeah, true. That's the date of his first CD release, which I believe was mostly cobbled together from demo tapes, etc. so it's not like he had only then burst onto the scene. Though I am shocked to find that he was a "celebrity" anything - he DID have his fifteen minutes! (I keed, I keed, it's just that I think he's really underrecognized. Then again, maybe if he's playing to sold-out concert halls he loses that special something.) Nice to see that at least two other drafters do know of him!
Well time to add something a little unique to patch up some holes. I seriously thought this next artist had palsy or a spinal injury of some sort when I first saw him when I was about 12. Everybody was talking about what a great comeback story he was etc. etc., and I thought maybe he'd gotten sick, or in a car accident or something. But nope, it was just a man and his a passion for singing:
Joe Cocker
I went back and forth and forth and back on this artist because with Cocker its a wildly mixed bag. A throwback to an earlier era, he has always largely been a cover artist, and an utterly fearless one taking on some of the biggest songs by the biggest acts across half a dozen genres and making the songs his. And with his legendary delivery when it works it really really works, and many of his covers are as iconic as the songs that inspired them. Then again, when it doesn't...well, with 40 years of tracks to work off of, I'm still getting great value here, and ironically finally nabbing my first soulful bluesy artist by also finally nabing my first artist from across the pond.
Maybe my favorite:
And showing age is just a number on one of his most legendary covers:
Joe Cocker
I went back and forth and forth and back on this artist because with Cocker its a wildly mixed bag. A throwback to an earlier era, he has always largely been a cover artist, and an utterly fearless one taking on some of the biggest songs by the biggest acts across half a dozen genres and making the songs his. And with his legendary delivery when it works it really really works, and many of his covers are as iconic as the songs that inspired them. Then again, when it doesn't...well, with 40 years of tracks to work off of, I'm still getting great value here, and ironically finally nabbing my first soulful bluesy artist by also finally nabing my first artist from across the pond.
Maybe my favorite:
And showing age is just a number on one of his most legendary covers:
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Following in the foot steps of legendary blues guitarist before him, this next pick rose from obscurity to national acclaim as a 15 year old phenom in the mid 90s. He has since undergone several stylistic transformations, but retains an extensive catalog of material highlighting his charismatic talent and musical versatility between blues, gospel, and rock. With my 17th choice, I select:
Jonny Lang
More: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jonny-lang-p200260
Jonny Lang
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Alright... I took another look at this artist and I'm thinking he's made enough music for him to be worth taking at this spot in the draft. So many favorite artists who have one good album that I won't be taking, but this guy has one album I love and several more I can enjoy. He's the second member of a certain group that I don't plan on taking even though they made my favorite album ever. So while I won't get that album, at least I get 2/3 of the musical talents (and easily the most important 2/3) that created it.
Wyclef Jean
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wyclef-jean-p212899/songs
Carnival was a great album with lots of memorable songs (Bubblegoose, Guantanamera, Jaspora, Gone Til November, etc) and a decidedly different sound from many of the other rappers/hip hop artists on my lists. The more I think about it the more I'm happy with this pick. It really wasn't so hard. But I'm not looking forward to figuring out the next round.
Wyclef Jean
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wyclef-jean-p212899/songs
Carnival was a great album with lots of memorable songs (Bubblegoose, Guantanamera, Jaspora, Gone Til November, etc) and a decidedly different sound from many of the other rappers/hip hop artists on my lists. The more I think about it the more I'm happy with this pick. It really wasn't so hard. But I'm not looking forward to figuring out the next round.
I thought about making this artist my 20th pick all along, but after Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly I'm bumping him up. Little Richard.
It always gets a bit dicey when discussing the first true rock and roll song or the first true rock and roll artist. Maybe it doesn't even matter. But one thing is for certain, few contributed more to the sound than Little Richard, with his wailing vocals and his mixture of R&B, gospel and funk. Between 1955 and 1957 he charted 17 original hits (in an era when many hits were still covers, including many who would score hits with their takes on his material), then he abruptly quit music and became a born again Christian. For years he was unable to reconcile one lifestyle or the other and finally achieved some balance later in life. While I'm not a huge fan of "honors" it is worth noting that he was one of the original inductees into the R&R Hall of Fame.
Faves:
Keep a Knockin'
Also who can forget Tutti Fruiti or Good Golly Miss Molly (captured here in glorious 80s vision)?
It always gets a bit dicey when discussing the first true rock and roll song or the first true rock and roll artist. Maybe it doesn't even matter. But one thing is for certain, few contributed more to the sound than Little Richard, with his wailing vocals and his mixture of R&B, gospel and funk. Between 1955 and 1957 he charted 17 original hits (in an era when many hits were still covers, including many who would score hits with their takes on his material), then he abruptly quit music and became a born again Christian. For years he was unable to reconcile one lifestyle or the other and finally achieved some balance later in life. While I'm not a huge fan of "honors" it is worth noting that he was one of the original inductees into the R&R Hall of Fame.
Faves:
Keep a Knockin'
Also who can forget Tutti Fruiti or Good Golly Miss Molly (captured here in glorious 80s vision)?
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This could have easily been one of my first picks, in fact, it was the first writeup I did. I just put it off, because I felt very sure that no one else would pick these guys. Anywho, here goes: When I get up in the morning, my thought process mostly is usually somewhere between „Again with the sun? Didn't we have enough of that already?“, „Let's just get this over with.“ and „Getting up feels like the biggest mistake I'll make today.“. However, there are some days, when I feel like punching god in the face, eating the moon and then brushing my teeth with a chainsaw. For these days I need.
Monster Magnet
I'm never gonna work another day in my life
The gods told me to relax
They said I'm gonna be fixed up right
I'm never gonna work another day in my life
I'm way too busy powertripping
But I'm gonna shed you some light
1st Album: Spine Of God
Favourite Album: Monolithic Baby
Why: Picture the scene: Three guys are on a tram to a Monster Magnet concert. All of them are stricken with some kind of illness and they discuss whether to just hang out in the back and keep their coats on. As they arrive, a support band (that frankly sucks) is playing and the three don't quite fit. All three of them are under the age of forty for one and also, none of them has a ponytail or wears a patched up jean jacket. Our three protagonists shuffle to somewhere on the side, as the support act stops playing and announces that MM are next. Then, the roadies start tuning the instruments and that already sounds kinda good. Next thing you know the band is on the stage, the first few bars of a song start being played and the ground starts shaking. Enter Dave Wyndorf. Those who expected the slim figure from the photo above are about to be disappointed, because the years have taken quite a toll on him. He's fat, his hair is fading to and he's wearing a dirty Fruit of the Loom sweater. Yet, when you see how he's carrying himself, you would swear that he isn't in the least aware of all that. Once he starts singing, the three guys, as a man, check their coats in, get a beer, elbow their way into the middle of the crowd and arrive in time to see the second song being performed. Said second song is Powertrip and from there on out, things get a bit blurry. There's Wyndorf singing the chorus to Powertrip with both middle fingers proudly in the air. There's my friend open mouthed, yelling „What the hell is happening?“, when he notices me looking at him. There's shouting, there's Wyndorf asking „Who is your god now?“ and a few hundred voices screaming „YOU ARE!“ and meaning it, there's guitar solos. Then, 90 minutes later, it is over and our protagonists, necks sore from headbanging stumble into the night, unable to express themselves to a friend who's picking them up from the concert, or to find the words to describe how awesome that show was.
To this day, whenever I listen to Monster Magnet, I'm being reminded of that concert and the feeling I had there, I want to be able to do that on my island. Nevermind that the music in and on itself is tons and tons of fun.
[video=dailymotion;xmhfn]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmhfn_monster-magnet-powertrip_music[/video]
Monster Magnet
I'm never gonna work another day in my life
The gods told me to relax
They said I'm gonna be fixed up right
I'm never gonna work another day in my life
I'm way too busy powertripping
But I'm gonna shed you some light
1st Album: Spine Of God
Favourite Album: Monolithic Baby
Why: Picture the scene: Three guys are on a tram to a Monster Magnet concert. All of them are stricken with some kind of illness and they discuss whether to just hang out in the back and keep their coats on. As they arrive, a support band (that frankly sucks) is playing and the three don't quite fit. All three of them are under the age of forty for one and also, none of them has a ponytail or wears a patched up jean jacket. Our three protagonists shuffle to somewhere on the side, as the support act stops playing and announces that MM are next. Then, the roadies start tuning the instruments and that already sounds kinda good. Next thing you know the band is on the stage, the first few bars of a song start being played and the ground starts shaking. Enter Dave Wyndorf. Those who expected the slim figure from the photo above are about to be disappointed, because the years have taken quite a toll on him. He's fat, his hair is fading to and he's wearing a dirty Fruit of the Loom sweater. Yet, when you see how he's carrying himself, you would swear that he isn't in the least aware of all that. Once he starts singing, the three guys, as a man, check their coats in, get a beer, elbow their way into the middle of the crowd and arrive in time to see the second song being performed. Said second song is Powertrip and from there on out, things get a bit blurry. There's Wyndorf singing the chorus to Powertrip with both middle fingers proudly in the air. There's my friend open mouthed, yelling „What the hell is happening?“, when he notices me looking at him. There's shouting, there's Wyndorf asking „Who is your god now?“ and a few hundred voices screaming „YOU ARE!“ and meaning it, there's guitar solos. Then, 90 minutes later, it is over and our protagonists, necks sore from headbanging stumble into the night, unable to express themselves to a friend who's picking them up from the concert, or to find the words to describe how awesome that show was.
To this day, whenever I listen to Monster Magnet, I'm being reminded of that concert and the feeling I had there, I want to be able to do that on my island. Nevermind that the music in and on itself is tons and tons of fun.
[video=dailymotion;xmhfn]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmhfn_monster-magnet-powertrip_music[/video]
This could have easily been one of my first picks, in fact, it was the first writeup I did. I just put it off, because I felt very sure that no one else would pick these guys. Anywho, here goes: When I get up in the morning, my thought process mostly is usually somewhere between „Again with the sun? Didn't we have enough of that already?“, „Let's just get this over with.“ and „Getting up feels like the biggest mistake I'll make today.“. However, there are some days, when I feel like punching god in the face, eating the moon and then brushing my teeth with a chainsaw. For these days I need.
Monster Magnet
I'm never gonna work another day in my life
The gods told me to relax
They said I'm gonna be fixed up right
I'm never gonna work another day in my life
I'm way too busy powertripping
But I'm gonna shed you some light
1st Album: Spine Of God
Favourite Album: Monolithic Baby
Why: Picture the scene: Three guys are on a tram to a Monster Magnet concert. All of them are stricken with some kind of illness and they discuss whether to just hang out in the back and keep their coats on. As they arrive, a support band (that frankly sucks) is playing and the three don't quite fit. All three of them are under the age of forty for one and also, none of them has a ponytail or wears a patched up jean jacket. Our three protagonists shuffle to somewhere on the side, as the support act stops playing and announces that MM are next. Then, the roadies start tuning the instruments and that already sounds kinda good. Next thing you know the band is on the stage, the first few bars of a song start being played and the ground starts shaking. Enter Dave Wyndorf. Those who expected the slim figure from the photo above are about to be disappointed, because the years have taken quite a toll on him. He's fat, his hair is fading to and he's wearing a dirty Fruit of the Loom sweater. Yet, when you see how he's carrying himself, you would swear that he isn't in the least aware of all that. Once he starts singing, the three guys, as a man, check their coats in, get a beer, elbow their way into the middle of the crowd and arrive in time to see the second song being performed. Said second song is Powertrip and from there on out, things get a bit blurry. There's Wyndorf singing the chorus to Powertrip with both middle fingers proudly in the air. There's my friend open mouthed, yelling „What the hell is happening?“, when he notices me looking at him. There's shouting, there's Wyndorf asking „Who is your god now?“ and a few hundred voices screaming „YOU ARE!“ and meaning it, there's guitar solos. Then, 90 minutes later, it is over and our protagonists, necks sore from headbanging stumble into the night, unable to express themselves to a friend who's picking them up from the concert, or to find the words to describe how awesome that show was.
To this day, whenever I listen to Monster Magnet, I'm being reminded of that concert and the feeling I had there, I want to be able to do that on my island. Nevermind that the music in and on itself is tons and tons of fun.
[video=dailymotion;xmhfn]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmhfn_monster-magnet-powertrip_music[/video]
Monster Magnet
I'm never gonna work another day in my life
The gods told me to relax
They said I'm gonna be fixed up right
I'm never gonna work another day in my life
I'm way too busy powertripping
But I'm gonna shed you some light
1st Album: Spine Of God
Favourite Album: Monolithic Baby
Why: Picture the scene: Three guys are on a tram to a Monster Magnet concert. All of them are stricken with some kind of illness and they discuss whether to just hang out in the back and keep their coats on. As they arrive, a support band (that frankly sucks) is playing and the three don't quite fit. All three of them are under the age of forty for one and also, none of them has a ponytail or wears a patched up jean jacket. Our three protagonists shuffle to somewhere on the side, as the support act stops playing and announces that MM are next. Then, the roadies start tuning the instruments and that already sounds kinda good. Next thing you know the band is on the stage, the first few bars of a song start being played and the ground starts shaking. Enter Dave Wyndorf. Those who expected the slim figure from the photo above are about to be disappointed, because the years have taken quite a toll on him. He's fat, his hair is fading to and he's wearing a dirty Fruit of the Loom sweater. Yet, when you see how he's carrying himself, you would swear that he isn't in the least aware of all that. Once he starts singing, the three guys, as a man, check their coats in, get a beer, elbow their way into the middle of the crowd and arrive in time to see the second song being performed. Said second song is Powertrip and from there on out, things get a bit blurry. There's Wyndorf singing the chorus to Powertrip with both middle fingers proudly in the air. There's my friend open mouthed, yelling „What the hell is happening?“, when he notices me looking at him. There's shouting, there's Wyndorf asking „Who is your god now?“ and a few hundred voices screaming „YOU ARE!“ and meaning it, there's guitar solos. Then, 90 minutes later, it is over and our protagonists, necks sore from headbanging stumble into the night, unable to express themselves to a friend who's picking them up from the concert, or to find the words to describe how awesome that show was.
To this day, whenever I listen to Monster Magnet, I'm being reminded of that concert and the feeling I had there, I want to be able to do that on my island. Nevermind that the music in and on itself is tons and tons of fun.
[video=dailymotion;xmhfn]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmhfn_monster-magnet-powertrip_music[/video]
Wyclef is a great pick and I've considered him more than once. I probably would've picked him had I not gotten The Roots. Props to you for getting Lauryn and Wyclef! Little Richard was a pick that I was waiting to go, but never wanted him myself - but a pick I can definitely appreciate! As for Monster Magnet, I'm with Rookie - the only song I ever knew was Space Lord. So I always thought they were a one hit wonder as well.
Not many of you may know this but in the last decade begun (yet another) pretty lively 60s garage rock revival scene. There are literally dozens of artists/band of that mold that I love and would like to have on my island so it's been a difficult choice, but I'll go with the ones that had the most consistent releases under the same moniker:
Black Lips (2000-active)
Favourite Album: Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo (live) (2007)
Sample Songs: Not A Problem (from Let It Bloom, 2005) // Spidey's Curse(from Arabia Mountain, 2011)
This is some filthy, lazy, scuzzy,drunken, ignorant music; but it's catchy as hell and it'll get you hooked if you're not too much into high level production or musical skills. I also needed some fun after having a pretty long streak of "serious" artists.
Black Lips (2000-active)
Favourite Album: Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo (live) (2007)
Sample Songs: Not A Problem (from Let It Bloom, 2005) // Spidey's Curse(from Arabia Mountain, 2011)
This is some filthy, lazy, scuzzy,drunken, ignorant music; but it's catchy as hell and it'll get you hooked if you're not too much into high level production or musical skills. I also needed some fun after having a pretty long streak of "serious" artists.
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With this pick I draft, Primus.
One of my favorite bands. I really dig their quirky combination of alternative rock edginess, virtuoso musical chops, and Zappa-esque weirdness. I’ve been a big fan since I first heard “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” nearly 20 years ago.
They had a great run in the 90s that produced six high quality studio albums, the first two of which are among my favorite albums of all time..
One of my favorite bands. I really dig their quirky combination of alternative rock edginess, virtuoso musical chops, and Zappa-esque weirdness. I’ve been a big fan since I first heard “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” nearly 20 years ago.
They had a great run in the 90s that produced six high quality studio albums, the first two of which are among my favorite albums of all time..
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With this pick I draft, UFO.
Possibly the most underrated rock band ever in my book. These guys had a ton of great songs, amazing chemistry, a great singer/frontman in Phil Mogg, and one of the all time great guitarists in Michael Schenker. No one can make a guitar sing quite like Michael Schenker.
There are at least a few dozen other bands still available that I like just as much as UFO, but none that I’d say I like better. So rather than sit here and drive myself nuts trying to decide who to pick, I’m just going to go with them because it feels like the right pick at the moment.
Possibly the most underrated rock band ever in my book. These guys had a ton of great songs, amazing chemistry, a great singer/frontman in Phil Mogg, and one of the all time great guitarists in Michael Schenker. No one can make a guitar sing quite like Michael Schenker.
There are at least a few dozen other bands still available that I like just as much as UFO, but none that I’d say I like better. So rather than sit here and drive myself nuts trying to decide who to pick, I’m just going to go with them because it feels like the right pick at the moment.
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In a sudden change of plans, what was supposed to be another garage rock pick is now an experimental one. I pick:
My Bloody Valentine (1984-sort of active)
I'm actually having a hard time picking a favourite record (there are three contenders) and two songs and I have to get up in five hours, so writeup coming tomorrow.
My Bloody Valentine (1984-sort of active)
I'm actually having a hard time picking a favourite record (there are three contenders) and two songs and I have to get up in five hours, so writeup coming tomorrow.
In a sudden change of plans, what was supposed to be another garage rock pick is now an experimental one. I pick:
My Bloody Valentine (1984-sort of active)
I'm actually having a hard time picking a favourite record (there are three contenders) and two songs and I have to get up in five hours, so writeup coming tomorrow.
My Bloody Valentine (1984-sort of active)
I'm actually having a hard time picking a favourite record (there are three contenders) and two songs and I have to get up in five hours, so writeup coming tomorrow.
Another band I thought would be long gone, but are apparently too mainstream for this draft (I've never even heard of a decent amount of the bands taken):
The Killers
Very recently I was reminded just how good The Killers are, and how much of their music I enjoy. They probably don't get the recognition they deserve due to their mainstream status. They've produced many songs, including one which may just be the soundtrack to the '00s.
And the obligatory:
The Killers
Very recently I was reminded just how good The Killers are, and how much of their music I enjoy. They probably don't get the recognition they deserve due to their mainstream status. They've produced many songs, including one which may just be the soundtrack to the '00s.
And the obligatory:
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Another band I thought would be long gone, but are apparently too mainstream for this draft (I've never even heard of a decent amount of the bands taken):
The Killers
Very recently I was reminded just how good The Killers are, and how much of their music I enjoy. They probably don't get the recognition they deserve due to their mainstream status. They've produced many songs, including one which may just be the soundtrack to the '00s.
The Killers
Very recently I was reminded just how good The Killers are, and how much of their music I enjoy. They probably don't get the recognition they deserve due to their mainstream status. They've produced many songs, including one which may just be the soundtrack to the '00s.
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Okay, so in this spot I kept looking at another female artist, but I can't quite bring myself to leave these guys undrafted, ergo:
The National
I wake up without warning and go flying around the house
In my sauvignon fierce, freaking out
Take a forty-five minute shower and kiss the mirror
And say, look at me
Baby, we'll be fine
All we gotta do is be brave and be kind
I put on an argyle sweater and put on a smile
I don't know how to do this
I'm so sorry for everything
First Album: The National
Favourite: Boxer
Why: Got to know them through people talking about how Alligator was the sleeper album of the last few years. Then Boxer dropped and it took me all of one song, Fake Empire, to convince me to buy the record. The atmosphere created by these guys, the sadness...something about it I find fascinating and I don't think I could go on my island without Ada, Fake Empire, Karen, Baby We'll Be Fine, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Slipping Husband, Lucky You, and so on.
The National
I wake up without warning and go flying around the house
In my sauvignon fierce, freaking out
Take a forty-five minute shower and kiss the mirror
And say, look at me
Baby, we'll be fine
All we gotta do is be brave and be kind
I put on an argyle sweater and put on a smile
I don't know how to do this
I'm so sorry for everything
First Album: The National
Favourite: Boxer
Why: Got to know them through people talking about how Alligator was the sleeper album of the last few years. Then Boxer dropped and it took me all of one song, Fake Empire, to convince me to buy the record. The atmosphere created by these guys, the sadness...something about it I find fascinating and I don't think I could go on my island without Ada, Fake Empire, Karen, Baby We'll Be Fine, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Slipping Husband, Lucky You, and so on.
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Only 3 picks and so many directions I want to go. Very tough. I'm gonna go ahead and grab Hüsker Dü with my next pick though, which sadly means Rebecca Black is going to have to come off my list. I *might* be able to squeeze in Shatner tho. Really Brick, he did not belong with the others.
Hüsker Dü started out as a hardcore punk band but by the mid-80s were one of the handful of bands that would pretty much shape the sound that would define alternative music for the next decade (I believe the kids called it college rock back then). They put out 6 studio albums during this time which ran the gamut from under 20 minute thrasher to two double albums (Zen Arcade and Warehouse: Songs and Stories) and despite their radical change in sound there are great tracks on every album which makes it hard to narrow down what to highlight.
Hüsker Dü started out as a hardcore punk band but by the mid-80s were one of the handful of bands that would pretty much shape the sound that would define alternative music for the next decade (I believe the kids called it college rock back then). They put out 6 studio albums during this time which ran the gamut from under 20 minute thrasher to two double albums (Zen Arcade and Warehouse: Songs and Stories) and despite their radical change in sound there are great tracks on every album which makes it hard to narrow down what to highlight.
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In a sudden change of plans, what was supposed to be another garage rock pick is now an experimental one. I pick:
My Bloody Valentine (1984-sort of active)
I'm actually having a hard time picking a favourite record (there are three contenders) and two songs and I have to get up in five hours, so writeup coming tomorrow.
My Bloody Valentine (1984-sort of active)
I'm actually having a hard time picking a favourite record (there are three contenders) and two songs and I have to get up in five hours, so writeup coming tomorrow.
Ok, so I'm still finding the dozen or so artists sitting at the bottom of my list just not quite ready to be taken. But then I see this band and remember how they just happened to get big at the peak of my music listening. So I know a ton of their songs and several of them are tied to personal memories and such stuff. Plus they have the added benefit of bringing a different sound to my island. So in round 18 I pick...
Hootie and the Blowfish
Hootie and the Blowfish