[Nathan Carter]

Thought I'd start a thread... inspired by everybodys top flawless albums. My intention here would be to post those obscure artists you've been recently turned on to, and very taken with. Not as scutinizing as 100% enjoyment, but just those rare gems you come accros, that the radio would never be caught playing.
I spoted a few on the aforementioned list that I was oblivious to, this would be the thread to describe them in.

I liked little music in the nineties... but the few that made my list were truly incredible.

I picked up an album just by fluke on my lunch break one day last year... I was drawn to the cover for some reason. (I'm arbitrary like that)
It was Poe, the album was Haunted.
I found it to be a dark and moody mix of smooth rhythms and layered melodies. The whole album has a feel, it's... well it's haunting!
The album was inspired by two factors that I feel essentially work to describe its character. Poe found these old tapes of her deceased father, who was apparently a teacher. She actually samples them throughout the album. Sick or ingenious, it beautifully gels the whole thing together.

Secondly, it was written also to be a companion to her brothers novel, House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, a cutting edge tale of a haunted house.

[This message has been edited by Nathan Carter (edited February 27, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Nathan Carter (edited February 27, 2002).]

[Cygnus]

Amen to that Nathan! Poe's album is beautiful. I saw her when she opened for Depeche Mode last year, and that was the first time I'd heard anything off Haunted. My husband went and bought it soon after.. I then borrowed it from him and have never returned it!! Though there are a couple of songs that I skip, it's a good CD.

I'm listening to Into the Labyrinth by Dead Can Dance so all the music that is coming to my mind is sort of soft and meloncholy.

Robbie Robertson's Music for Native Americans is a wonderful listening experience. Great for late night drives with the windows down.

I also tend to like Type O Negative.. especially October Rust. Some of the stuff is a little over the top as far goth rock. Even with that, there are songs on that CD that are just amazing.

Just about anything by Tom Cochrane, especially Songs of a Circling Spirit and Ragged Ass Road. Known mostly for his hit single "Life is a Highway", he is really a talented acoustic guitarist and song writer with an amazing voice.

[Alucard]

Well, I could probably fill this thread to the next page, because I predominantly listen to independent music. Over the years I've stumbled across hundreds of groups that remain fairly unknown, and for what reason, I have no idea. But one that I really enjoyed from beginning to end, and listened to for almost a month non-stop (and I mean, absolutely no other albums), was "the areoplane over the sea" by "Neutral milk hotel". It's one of those albums that no matter how many times I've heard it it doesn't get old.

[Corwwyn]

Alucard, I suspect a lot of good groups remain unknown due to being drowned out of exposure contracts etc by the flood of clone music (eg formula rap or boy/girl band does good, so a myriad others get airplay, but anything interesting/outside the formula-box is too risky for corporate execs to give a shot unless "discovered" by someone with a lot of drive and interest in seeing the group/artist get a chance).

[Alucard]

Very true, corwynn. Right now, popular music is a business rather than an art form -- Which is exactly why I go to the more underground labels to find groups. Pop is currently very formulaic, and sadly, the formula's they are copying are not ones I'm particularly fond of. I enjoy almost all genres of music, though some more than others, but I really can't get into what's big right now. But I can't say i really mind all that much. There's so much music out there that I'm constantly finding new groups to listen to. And actually, it's kind of fun to dig new, good musicians up. It's kind of like a tresure hunt.

[Rob B]

Don't know if they are new anymore, but I don't recall hearing them on the radio at all...

A couple of years ago I was in the music store and I liked what was being played, so I asked and the band was Drain STH, a grungy/hard rock girl band. Picked up their album that day and still regularly listen to it.

[Pete-Gas]

Theres a lot of good metal that wont get played on the radio!

Nevermore
Iced Earth
Black Label Society
Onward
Conception
Dream Theater
Sentenced
Jag Panzer
Tad Morose
Testament
Nocturnal Rites
I guess this list could go forever, so Ill cut it off!

[Gamlemshagen]

Anybody heard of The Tiger Lillies?

[Brandon]

heather alexander

[Nathan Carter]

Thoughts and descriptions?

Why are these artists worth taking the time to check out? What influences are behind their music from what you can tell?

It would be nice to get turned on to my next sterio hogger... but I need to know what I'm going after