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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 7 responses by three_easy_payments

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
Although 90% of the time I listen to jazz these days, my interests remain quite diverse.  I recently discovered the Japanese psychedelic rock band Kikagaku Moyo that I've been listening quite a bit lately.  They blend rock, psych, prog, and shoegaze together nicely with their eastern influence.  I think they only have 4 studio albums but it's pretty cool stuff.

By the way @mitchagain, I recall Crack the Sky well!  Growing up in Maryland in the 70s and 80s they were a local fav for sure.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@mitchagain  I had no idea Crack The Sky had been playing at all recently in the last decade but after googling now I see they've been active and even putting out new albums in 2018.  That's crazy.  I haven't lived in the Balto area for over 25 years but before leaving I recall going to see Carey Ziegler (occasional CTS bass player in the 80s) playing several times in tiny venues with Paul Reed Smith (of Annapolis guitar maker fame) in a fun side project (really just fun) called Band of a Thousand Names.  

Glad you found Kikagaku Moyo interesting!  I'm always on the hunt for an original sound.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 

@mitchagain  Thanks for recommendation.  About to check out I Am Kloot!  Always looking for new stuff.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
A band that has been around since the early 90s, has turned out many fine albums, tours generally small venues often, yet still somehow manages to fly under the radar is Low.  Really amazing indie rock with an emphasize on a brilliantly minimalist sound. Saw them live earlier in the year and I just immersed myself in their sound.  
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@boxer12  Thanks for the recommendation on Mono.  Will check them out this evening.  Glad you got to see Low in person!
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
Well I'm now offended that anyone could fail to recognize iconic Monty Python quotes but I'm not sure deleting any posts will repair  this offensive act.  I will have to listen to music and try to repress yet another tragic life incident.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
While not completely obscure, there’s no question that Robyn Hitchcock never "made it", certainly not to the extent his buddies Johnny Marr and Peter Buck did. It seems completely undeserved that he never attained equal levels of success despite having just as much talent and songwriting skills. Shows just how lucky you need to be in the music biz...being at the right place at the right time. Well into his 60s now I saw him tour solo acoustic about a year ago at a tiny venue with perhaps 60 people in attendance as he hustled for a buck and kept his overhead low. He still has much joy when he plays and tells his wonderful stories.  There is no good reason that he isn't a household name...sigh.
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