Now Listening To
My musical tastes are wide, eclectic, and diverse- or, in other words, very, very strange
These are some of my favourite bands. (Got Flash? Click on the little (>) play sign to hear some sample music.)
Ladytron
Self described as "electronica with a fist" (And labeled 'electroclash', even though they refuse to believe it), Ladytron rock a darker side of electronic music. This isn't bubblegum pop by any means- in fact, they have a multilayered, detailed, slower approach to their music that ends up sounding haunting and artificial. \ It's that detail that makes Ladytron one of my favourite bands- with a good set of headphones and sufficient volume, it's easy enough to lose yourself in their pulsating, complex rhythms.A few remixes (James Iha and Soulwax) toss a solid guitar-powered backbone into the electronic groove, which works beautifully.
Ladytron – Destroy Everything You Touch Ladytron – Weekend (James Iha Mix)
Freezepop
On the complete opposite end of the electronica spectrum exist Freezepop. The three person band's entire musical repertoire is put together with a Yamaha qy70, a vocoder, and the voice of either Liz Enthusiasm or The Other Sean T. Drinkwater (ostensibly a robotic clone of the Original Sean T. Drinkwater).
The band's third member, the Duke of Pannekoeken, has the best name in all of history, narrowly beating out Electric Six's 'Dick Valentine' and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Freezepop's sound is (especially compared, to, say, Ladytron) very sparse, and simple, and fun. They describe their sound as 'sweet and cold and fruity and plastic-y', like a Freezepop, which sounds appropriate enough. \ Subject matter includes an entire song about a Wang computer (double entendres abound!) and a girl producing clones to fill out the rest of her band.
Freezepop has worked with companies like Harmonix to get their tunes into popular video games, which is how they've found the public eye. (I first discovered them thanks to a mix of "Science Genius Girl" in DDR )
Freezepop – Less Talk More Rokk (Guitar Hero 2 Mix)
Freezepop – Science Genius Girl
Cake
Cake is a strange band. Alt-rock with a trumpet. They've covered Gloria Gaynor, Doris Day, and The Muppets.
Cake songs will stick in your head, and you will never get them out. As long as you're okay with that, you're fine.
Electric Six
Old-school extra-cheesy rock. Some might like the band because of the silly, ironic undertones of excessive amounts of rock. Some might like the band because they're just plain fun. Currently, the band is composed of Dick Valentine, Rock & Roll Indian, Surge Joebot, Disco, and Percussion World, but the lineup changes pretty frequently.
Electric Six – Danger! High Voltage
Electric Six – Dance Commander
Kaizers Orchestra
Norwegian Polka Rock. What more needs be said?
Kaizers Orchestra – Bak et halleluja
Kaizers Orchestra – Ompa til du dør
Jonathan Coulton
Jonathan Coulton sings folk songs about such obscure topics as DNA, Furry Old Lobsters, and Supervillains. Stop by Jonathan Coulton's site and you can hear any/all of his songs. (Give "That Spells DNA" a try. It's super catchy. )
Kylie Minogue
Wait, did I say Kylie Minogue? \ No, no, I meant something *far manlier*. Yes.. the manliest band in the world! \ I know Gwar has a shot at that title..
A Handful Of More Mainstream Bands
Well, there's the Barenaked Ladies, Tool, Hawksley Workman, Our Lady Peace, Matthew Good Band, blah blah blah. Assorted Canadian alt-rock. (Except for Tool, I guess..)