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What unknown musical artist would you like to share with your fellow audiophiles?

When it comes to music, about half of my friends are "collectors" and the other half are true audiophiles. It seems the collectors are so obsessed with the size of their collections, that they leave no room in their budget for quality audio equipment. I think the audiophiles, with their focus on quality over quantity, are the ones with their priorities straight. So, unless you are on an unlimited budget, I'm guessing that audiophiles are more selective in their musical purchases. That being the case, I'm curious about what "buried treasures" have you been able to find? Thanks for responding and I look forward to discovering some good music, based on your suggestions.

I'll lead off with the band Crack The Sky, most notably their first two albums: "Crack The Sky" (1975) and "Animal Notes" (1976). I would describe them as a cross between Be Bop Deluxe and Frank Zappa. Their music is unique and totally unmistakable with anyone else. Choice cuts from the debut album are: "Ice;" She's a Dancer;" "Mind Baby" & "Sleep." Choice cuts from Animal Notes are: "Animal Skins;" "Wet Teenager;" Virgin....No" & "Maybe I Can Fool Everybody."
mitchagain

Showing 3 responses by maxnewid

maxnewid
449 posts
 
Lots of interesting suggestions here. Particularly pleased to see some fellow Hip fans. I will throw out a few:
James- U.K. band that has been releasing solid albums for 20 years.
The Horrors- U.K. band that sounds like early Simple Minds or even the Psychedelic Furs. Their last 4 albums are fantastic. The name of the band doesn't do justice to their sound.
Big Big Train- British prog band that sounds like early Genesis to me. Their last album "Grimspound" is terrific. Large band with a horn section and violin player that will make your system sing.

Since people have mentioned the DB's, Bongos, etc, three of my favorites from that era are Guadalcanal Diary, The Connells, and the Dream Syndicate. I got Steve Wynn's "Steve plays Bob" yesterday. It is a collection of Dylan tunes covered by the Dream Syndicate and Steve Wynn playing with people like Alejandro Escovedo. Guadalcanal Diary just rereleased a live album that captures their spirit from a show in 1999. And the Connells released a best of compilation last year that is a good start if you are not familiar with them.


Finally, for really new bands, The Eyelids out of Portland are a great jangle band reminiscent of REM. Their last album "Or" was produced by Peter Buck and they have a new one on the way. 

Cheers.


maxnewid
449 posts
 
Here is a really good one- Black Swan Lane. Formed in 2007 in Atlanta, Black Swan Lane included Mark Burgess from The Chameleons and The Sun and the Moon. They have seven albums out and rarely tour. I think they sound like a cross between the Chameleons and the Church. Their albums always feature a very layered "wall of sound" and are always recorded with the highest fidelity. Here is the link to their website: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&...
I will post a youtube video next. Highly recommended.
maxnewid
449 posts
 
https://youtu.be/my3N2vK-kh8

Here is a youtube video of one of Black Swan Lane's rare live performances. Several of their albums have received album of the year accolades from the NME.
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