New Music, Part Three

This week’s installment of “New Music” is coming early, because I have a very special surprise in store for Valentine’s Day, Gentle Reader. At any rate, if you don’t know by now, I am on a quest to discover 25 bands or musicians that I’ve never heard of in 2014. Because of the damned list. Here’s your third installment, Gentle Reader – five groups and my thoughts on them. Thank you to those who commented with new groups the last few weeks! If you have any musical suggestions for me, I’m wide open! Leave a link in the comments. Part One can be found here, and Part Two is over here.

The Task: Discover 25 bands etc., like I said above.

The Execution:

11. Broken Bells

At this point, I’ve been straight-up just asking people for music. This comes from Young Nate, the little brother of a dear friend who, against all odds, grew up pretty well. I happened to ask him for music on the same day that Broken Bells released a new album, and he was in love. So. The music is pretty decent, if a little melancholy – but there’s a song about ghosts and this video – oh, my stars. Go watch it.

12. Valley Lodge

Miss K contributed this band in the comments of the first New Music post! Generally, I like her taste – although not always; I don’t care for Sneaker Pimps, for example. This wasn’t a bad song, and I enjoyed it – and the video – but I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to it.

13. Cocorosie

Auntie Trin provided a whole stack of artists to investigate, and quite a few of them are favorites of mine – like Max Raabe, Madeline Peyroux, and Gogol Bordello – so I knew I was in good hands. The first one I listened to was Lemonade by CocoRosie, and I enjoyed both modern and traditional elements in it. Also, a lot of the vocals reminded me of Miss Li a bit – plus the video itself drew me in right away. Dual Havishams? Yes, please.

14. The Associates

I was going to hold off on the rest of the groups from Auntie Trin until the next installment of this series, but there is something so amazing and sparkly and ever so eighties about this song that I just couldn’t wait. I’m not sure if the spelling of the lyrics is quite accurate, but whatever. Close your eyes and listen. This is pretty ace.

15. Darude

Then, having fallen in love with the song above, I shared it on Facebook – well, once people heard that I was looking for new music, suggestions came pouring in. I really dug this one. Definitely not my usual style of music, definitely pushing boundaries, but I really enjoyed it.

The Verdict:

Well, obviously this item isn’t done yet – not by a long shot – but it’s going really well. I am loving the hell out of this. It wins SO many points. Expanding tastes and interests always does, though, doesn’t it?

Do you have music that I should be listening to? Bands that I should be aware of? A favorite song by one of these artists? Let me know!

Tagged: Artists, Bands, Exploring Musical Tastes, New Music, The List