This came up with the last thread I did on music which was the PJ Harvey/Dream Pop thread. People were mentioning all these great groups and I recognized many as influential to post rock groups. Then there was mention of Can, one of the great unsung bands of all-time. Granted, Can isn't for everyone as they have some stuff that is out there. Then as I was reading more about them, I inevitably came across the Velvet Underground (which I have the 4 albums with Lou Reed in the group) and then that led to Frank Zappa. I also ran across Captain Beefheart due to my love to Tom Waits and especially his albums "Swordfishtrombones" and "Rain Dogs". Both Waits and Beefheart along with Zappa have been classified (amongst other genres) as "experimental" or even "avant garde". I have a couple of Beefheart albums in mind to get, mainly "Trout Mask Replica" and "Safe as Milk" (apparently "Lick My Decals Off, Baby" is out of print which is a damn shame). I was going to start with "Hot Rats" on Zappa and eventually get "Apostrophe" and probably "Freak Out" but I know that Zappa has released like over 70 (or some insane number like that) albums. There is no way I could get everything but would love to hear what are some of his best stuff. Does anyone have anything by Sun Ra or The Residents? I was looking at getting several Sun Ra albums and maybe an album or two of The Residents (although their stuff looks like it is either out of print or really expensive) but didn't know if there were people here who had suggestions. I do have 7 Waits albums but I have nothing past "Franks Wild Years" - would love to hear what people think about "Bone Machine" and "Mule Variations" and any of his other more recent stuff. Any other weirdo music can be mentioned here and discussion of said weirdo music is highly encouraged.
There is no bad Zappa album, but I am an unabashed fan who still misses FZ today. His most "commercial" stuff would be the 70's catalog, Apostrophe, Overnight Sensation, and One Size Fits All were all made with my favorite incarnation of his group. Hot Rats is great. Freak Out is incredible especially in light of the year it came out. Starting with Freak Out will alow you to experience his conceptual continuity. Shut Up n Play Yer Guitar is all instrumental solos. You Can't Do That On Stage series is great concert stuff.
Thanks Rash - what do you think about "We're Only in it for the Money"? Do you have anything by Captain Beefheart? Promise this will be the last time I bump this thread unless someone asks me a question in it. Doesn't look like this thread appeals to many people here...oh well.
The Residents. This band has releases that span from the late 60s to now. The fact that they started in Shreveport, LA and have kept their identities a secret for basically their entire career is incredible. Many consider Eskimo to be their best work. I think Mark of the Mole might be their most "accessible" work from that era. I have most of their albums (all on vinyl). They are one of the greatest experimental acts to come out of the US. Negativland. These guys basically pioneered the "sound collage" concept. I recommend starting with Escape from Noise. Throbbing Gristle. These guys are responsible for the term "industrial music." Good luck...
I'm a big Zappa fan. Can't go wrong with any of it. In addition to the albums already mentioned, Joe's garage, Sheik Yerbouti and Stricktly Genteel are some of my favorites, We're only in it for the money is good also. I've heard plenty of Residents over the years but don't own any.
Nice post from the futants there. I own the Residents' Buster, Duckstab, and Glen (or something like that.) It is amazing, catchy and funny. Never heard anything quite like it. Have any of you listened to the Books in the last several years? I love their stuff. Quirky. More mellow than the other bands mentinoed here though.
I love the Books. 'Lemon of Pink' is one of my favorite albums. Love listening to it at night while I'm driving. 'Lost and Safe' is really damn good as well. If you like the Books, you'll probably dig some Animal Collective, Deerhunter, or some Ponytail. Most of the ones I mentioned are an acquired taste.
Since you've just mentioned about all of my father in law's favorite bands, I assume that this thread is right down his alley. Maybe I should mention it to him and ask for suggestions. This kind of stuff isn't really my bag, but somewhere I have my father in law's entire CD collection, so I probably have a lot of stuff you'd love to listen to.
One of my favorite "avant garde" musicians is a guy named Bob Drake: http://www.bdrak.com/sounds/bdsmb.htm (samples on the site) That particular album is made up of about 30 songs, most less than a minute, all around the themes of hauntings, monsters, and ghosts. It's a fun listen. here's the only review I could find of the album: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/2440-the-skull-mailbox-and-other-horrors/ Mr. Bungle is also a great avant-garde band. They no longer exist. If you want densely-complex but still catchy music, check out their most recent album "California." This is as close as they get to pop - their previous album (and my favorite) "Disco Volante" is extremely experimental, made up of songs that are equal parts jazz/death metal/cartoon music/noise. Samples from "California" at the link below: http://www.amazon.com/California-Mr-Bungle/dp/B00000JG41 A Japanese band I like quite a bit is called "KOENJIHYAKKEI." If you're familiar with bands like Magma (huge arrangements with lots of unison parts), they're somewhat similar. Scroll down a bit to hear mp3s on this page: http://www.skingraftrecords.com/audio.html Here's one of my favorite songs by them: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nUcvrpZxnj0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nUcvrpZxnj0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> There are also some good live performance videos of them on youtube. (the girls in the band are cute and they give me a boner in my pants).
Seven Percent Solution and Experimental Aircraft are two great Austin bands. I don't think 7% is still together, but EA are still playing gigs and recording.
These suggestions are fun. I like Mr. Bungle, but the others are new to me. Would Tim Hecker count as experimental or avant garde? I love love love his stuff.
Wow, this thread sorta semi blew up! Yea, Mr. Bungle is out there - I have the "California" CD but need to get the other 2 (I used to own the first one but got rid of it as I could never get into it). Anybody into later period Coltrane (basically his albums past Ascension)? Free jazz has always been a hard thing for me to get into. I thought there was a dude named "allan" who loved Sun Ra. Maybe he will post in this thread and give his thoughts on the best Sun Ra CDs. futants, Do you have the CD, "Meet the Residents"? I really wished their stuff wasn't out of print or priced so high.
panda bear (velvety sound) <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KevxkY_OrMA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KevxkY_OrMA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> ponytail (sounds like surfmusic freak out) <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yGpuC5I3jB4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yGpuC5I3jB4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
What qualifies as experimental and avant garde? Does Bjork qualify? How about Steve Vai? What about bands like King Crimson and ELP?
