[Music] It's Like Sifting Through the Dollar Bins...

[jon_chaisson]

Hey all!

I need suggestions for stuff to download from eMusic.

Yes, maps_or_guitars, I'm looking in your direction, but anyone can join in.

Thing is, I'm looking for old stuff. Not suggestions for new bands, as I usually get my fix on that from other sources. What I'm looking for is old-school college radio stuff that I grew up with, stuff you'd hear on WAMH or WMUA or whatever college station you listened to back in the 80s (and maybe into the very early 90s, but I'm focusing on the 80s mostly), stuff that's obscure but classic, stuff that's necessary to someone's collection.

Bands from any genre, but I'm leaning towards "college rock" of the day. I was obsessed with The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, New Order, Wire, and anything from 4AD from that period, so I think that kinda gives you a bit of a clue as to what I like...but I also like Swans, The Fall, Severed Heads, the early German industrial of the day, and a lot of the less-poppy bands as well, so I'm open to anything.

Give me suggestions! I've got a connoisseur rank on eMusic (that is, I can--and easily do most times--download 100 songs per month), so albums as well as tracks are worth it. I'm sure I'll already have some suggestions that come my way

Of course, if it's not on eMusic, suggest it anyway--I want to see if I can find some of this stuff online or in the bins at Amoeba!

Comments

[enjoydivision.livejournal.com]

I'll just give you an array but you probably know many of them :p

Amadou & Mariam, Burial, Liam Finn, Rumskib, The Notwist, Youth Group, Kent

Hope you enjoy 'em! :)

[maps-or-guitars.livejournal.com]

Well, goodness. A lot of what you heard back then won't be on eMusic, because it would have had to stay on indie labels. Start with SST stuff,though; there's a lot of their back catalogue that's up there and will do a body good: Saccharine Trust, Minutemen, stuff like that. No Huskers, because they went major you see. You can find plenty of The Fall up there, but then you'll have found it. The Embarassment has some stuff up there too.

If you're digging on the fall you should hear Old Time Relijun.

This isn't old but it's in the realm of what you might like: Try Cardinal; try The Clientele.

If you liked Swans, but haven't heard Angels Of Light, well, fix that. Angels of Light are Gira's new thing and it's fantastic. I also like Akron/Family, and they do a split with Angels of Light that's good.

MORE!

[maps-or-guitars.livejournal.com]

Some backinnaday stuff, if you can find it:

Grant Hart's band Nova Mob had a great record called "The Last Days of Pompeii."

I think you could probably do with some early Laurie Anderson, if you don't have it.

When I think back to my local college radio, I'm also remembering Big Black and Butthole Surfers - so add in some Scratch Acid and Jesus Lizard to the mix. And the Flaming Lips.

Squirrel Bait! Skag Heaven's a great record.

Violent Femmes. The first record's essential.

And ED HALL! Love s(POKE)n Here is a triumph.

Dischord and DeSoto bands: Juno, Jawbox, Shudder to Think, Fugazi, Edsel.

Pond. If you can find it, send me some.

Crain's album Speed is perfect.

Portastatic: "I hope your heart is not brittle"

For early eighties - hmmm. David Sylvian. You might remember his song "Red Guitar." It's worthwhile.

Adrian Belew: Solo, King Crimson, AND his stuff with The Bears.
David Van Tieghem had a good record, iirc.

Robert Quine and Fred Maher had a record called Basics which is of the period.

Oh: Lounge Lizards! Skeleton Key!