Tune Me In « Sizzle Says

Tune Me In

November 13, 2007 at 8:28 am | In reader participation | 44 Comments

I need new music suggestions. I am tired of the same old songs in my iTunes. Can you help a girl out?

In the past month or so I’ve been over-listening to the following artists:

Tegan and Sara
Sara Bareilles
Iron & Wine
Ingrid Michaelson
Smoking Popes
Against Me!
Miles Davis
Ella Fitzgerald

As you can see, my tastes run from punk to jazz to indie folk rock to emo. I’m pretty open when it comes to music so please, please, please send your suggestions my way. What are you grooving to? What do you recommend?

“Let’s hear it for promises/Something sealed with a kiss/Let’s hear it for big mistakes/That you just couldn’t resist/Let’s hear it for bucket seats/Let’s try it like this. . ./Let’s hear it for letting someone totally ruin your life/Let’s hear it for love/Let’s hope it’s everything you hoped it would be. . .” -Let’s Hear It For Love, Smoking Popes

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Hmmm… Give “Cause and Effect” a listen… their songs “Vicarage Road” and “Stay” are a good place to start (from their “Sunrise” EP). They’re kind of a male version of Tegan & Sara (but not really).

Comment by Dave2 — November 13, 2007 #
I really like the band, A Fine Frenzy…try them on for size! Other than that, I am not much help because I do the same thing that you do!

Comment by Hilly — November 13, 2007 #
Two words for you: Josh Ritter. He’s amazing.

Comment by sandra — November 13, 2007 #
I’m so not a music person, but … what about Postal Service? Death Cab for Cutie? My $0.02 (which is really like $0.015).

Comment by Nilsa S. — November 13, 2007 #
Ben Harper – Blues/Soul, He sings his own songs and also happens to be a great musician.

KMFDM – I didn’t think I’d like the whole Electronica/Industrial movement, but these guys rock and no two songs are remotely the same.

The Strokes – Rock n Roll baby!

The Vandals – Great band, been around forever. They’re mostly punk/rock with very amusing lyrics.

Comment by Tobiwan — November 13, 2007 #
Funny you should ask! Today iTunes is offering Blake Lewis’s new song, “Break Anotha”! It’s a hip, kind of bouncy song, and very addictive. ;-) It is already up at #67 on the Top100.

People are loving that song. Try it, you’ll like it!

Comment by BullysE — November 13, 2007 #
i know we’ve noticed that we have similar taste in music before. i like a lot that you mentioned… i hear a fine frenzy is good too. im very into feist, ben harper, joe purdy, jim bianco, kate havnevik, imogen heap, joshua radin, and damien rice. let me know if you want specific songs to download!

Comment by brookem — November 13, 2007 #
I second Tobiwan with Ben Harper. You also might want to try Imogen Heap or Kate Havnevik (One of my favs) if you don’t mind UK sound. Also, from Grey’s episodes I’ve really started to like Kendall Payne.

Comment by DCChick1 — November 13, 2007 #
I like Sandra and Brookem’s suggestions, respectively. Here’s a list of the top of my head that you might like (in no particular order):

Sondre Lerche
Tom Waits
Chet Baker
The Bad Pluses
The Weepies
Mason Jennings
Beautiful Girls
Belle & Sebastian
Brett Dennen
The Sleepy Jackson
Joshua James
The Feeling
Fruit Bats
The Magic Numbers
The Pipettes

Comment by whit — November 13, 2007 #
When I’m bored at work, I’ve been listening to Kanye West’s Stronger. It just has a beat that kind of perks me back up. I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to music, and probably not that surprising, much of what I listen to are movie soundtracks.

Comment by Becky — November 13, 2007 #
I don’t know if you already listen to any of these, but here’s my list:

Sarah Harmer
Cloud Cult
Decemberists
Tilly and the Wall (They tap dance in lieu of drums)
Sufjan Stevens (esp. Come on feel the Illinoise)
Aimee Mann
Amy Winehouse (she’s kind of crazy but the music is good)
Grandaddy
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
M. Ward
Mates of State
Mirah

If you’d like any specific song recommendations, send me an email and I’ll let you know.

Comment by Meagan — November 13, 2007 #
Check out the cd Neverending White Lights.

I actually think you need to listen to some good Canadian rock… check out Theory of a Deadman …

dont let the name scare you off!

Comment by Nerdgirl — November 13, 2007 #
Mike Doughty, Prefab Sprout, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush and Lyle Lovett just released a new cd with his Very Large Band. I still love his Joshua, Judges, Ruth cd. And I like Eminem.
Email me if you want any specific titles, dude.

Comment by Tracy Lynn — November 13, 2007 #
hmm off the top of my head, some you I’m sure you know already:

-Matt Pond PA (myspace.com/mattpondpa)
-Gemma Hayes (myspace.com/gemmahayes)
-Coconut Records (yeah it’s Jason Schwartzman’s band but it’s hella good – myspace.com/coconutrecords)
-Dragonette (cool electro pop – myspace.com/dragonetteband)
-Let’s Go Sailing (myspace.com/letsgosailing)
-Great Northern (myspace.com/GreatNorthern)
-Earlimart (myspace.com/Earlimart)
-LoveLikeFire (myspace.com/lovelikefire)
-The Happy Hallows (myspace.com/thehappyhollows)
-Gliss (myspace.com/gliss)

Comment by robert dean — November 13, 2007 #
yay to tracy lynn above! I was tempted to say Prefab Sprout as they are my all time favorite, but people usually make fun of me. gawd I love the sprouts.

Comment by robert dean — November 13, 2007 #
oh! I’ve recently gotten into Robin Thicke, and am quite in love with him, actually.

Comment by Michelle — November 13, 2007 #
Feist has been on a loop for the last couple weeks at my house…also a Jenny Lewis and Neko Case fan. The Knife is good but they’re totally off the wall (in my mild-midwestern opinion).

This was a brilliant post, now I’ve got more ideas for music…

Comment by em — November 13, 2007 #
Here’s a list of what I’ve been listening to recently, with “clues” on the random stuff:

Andrew Bird
The National
The Decemberists
Feist
Pete Yorn
Hugh Masekela (jazz)
The Idan Raichel Project (Israel/Ethiopia)
Neko Case
Rokia Traore (Africa)
Seu Jorge (Brazil)
Alan Toussaint (New Orleans jazz)
Eddie From Ohio (an indie band from Virginia)
Bettye Lavette (motown)

Comment by abbersnail — November 13, 2007 #
When I’m feeling that way, I make a smart playlist in iTunes that filters by last play date to bring up stuff I haven’t listened to in a long time.

Other no cost options to try:
Pandora: you can type in an artist or song you like, and it will play songs that have similar features that it thinks you will like.

Hype Machine: an online music aggregator with a broad range of searchable music.

Comment by claire — November 13, 2007 #
We listen to Radio Paradise from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed (or watch a TV show). Here’s a link to the playlist for the past few hours. That might give you some ideas!

Comment by Alison — November 13, 2007 #
I’m a big fan of The Jayhawks and Guster. These two bands seem to harmonize well, if you like that stuff.

Comment by egan — November 13, 2007 #
When I want something new without having to put any thought in it, I stream 89.3 the current from Minnesota Public Radio. Love the variety, and not what you think of when you think of public radio.

Comment by Caron — November 13, 2007 #
I read this post and instantly thought, “I don’t know what that is! I hate it! *click*”

Now, why would I think that? ;)

Comment by Hunter — November 13, 2007 #
My God I feel old! I don’t know almost any of the above bands. I’d be embarrassed to recommend anything!

Comment by scarlet hip — November 13, 2007 #
Today I listened to Lyle Lovett’s ‘It’s Not Big It’s Large’ and Springsteen’s new record, ‘Magic’. I love them both, for many reasons.
Now there’s a couple randoms for ya!

Comment by justrun — November 13, 2007 #
Sounds like it’s time for another mix to be made. ;) Will see what I can do!!

Comment by Lisa — November 13, 2007 #
Robbie Seay Band…SO good.

Comment by Dawn — November 13, 2007 #
I kinda like Howard Jones :)

Comment by Bone — November 13, 2007 #
You should check out Sam Roberts. I think you’d like his style. If you’d like I can email you some tunes. Email me if you want some!

Comment by Airam — November 14, 2007 #
try colbie cailat. bubly. its really nice – or try this philippine artist Martin Nievera…

Comment by ice — November 14, 2007 #
Here are two
Eilen Jewell – listening to her over and over
Erin McKeown

Comment by PocketCT — November 14, 2007 #
If you don’t already… which I am sure you do… listen to John in the morning at KEXP 90.3.
Panda and Angel
Carissa’s Weird
S
Band of Horses
All local bands, related to one another. Though, obviously Band of Horses is no longer just local. (And may not even be claiming Seattle as home anymore)
If you only try one, start with Panda and Angel.

Comment by kim — November 14, 2007 #
The Bravery is one of my new favorites.

Comment by tori — November 14, 2007 #
I think you would dig Aimee Mann, if you don’t listen to her already. Lost in Space and the Magnolia soundtrack are my favs.
I was going to suggest Belle & Sebastian but somebody beat me to it.
Classic Bowie never fails to make me smile, and a little ridiculous 80’s alterna-pop (i.e., Men Without Hats, Psychadelic Furs, Elvis Costello) is always fun too!

Comment by diane — November 14, 2007 #
How can one over-listen Miles Davis? I say, more Mileage!

Comment by toddorado — November 14, 2007 #
Etta James. Rascal Flatts. John Mayer. Duke Ellington.

Comment by Ruby — November 14, 2007 #
oh! i meant to mention maria mena. she’s another one i’m really into lately!

Comment by brookem — November 15, 2007 #
yep, i’m a decemberists fan myself.

Comment by gorillabuns — November 15, 2007 #
An old favorite for me is Alana Davis. No one has heard of her but every song on both of the CD’s I have is awesome. If you like a folk-bluesy voice, you’ll love her.

Comment by Black Belt Mama — November 15, 2007 #
Did you see Sara on Jimmy Kimmel the other night?

Comment by kapgar — November 15, 2007 #
Sizz-
It seems like we have very similar music taste! A lot fo the artists I was going to suggest are up above already. (For example, I totaly second Mates of State!) I think you might like the Ditty Bops as well.

I was trying to find a way to email you directly so as not to appear less like a total narcissistic jerkoff, but I think you might like some of the stuff my band does. Casual Carpool you might like at the myspace link (and you can get that song for free).
If you do like the music at all, I would send you a free CD – we are on itunes, but I don’t know how to gift digital downloads.

Anyhoo, happy listening (to everything) – I get a lot of good recommendations off blogs like stereogum and music for robots and the owl mag.
xoxo
R

Comment by Rachel — November 16, 2007 #
OMG. YOU didn’t come to ME first?!
I am shocked!
just kidding.

ok here is my current list of faves:
lovedrug
young galaxy
the age of rockets
SEAN HAYES = we just saw him at Doug Fir. Fab!
rilo kiley
COYOTE GRACE!
grace potter and the nocturnals
girlyman
hem
kate earl
laura veirs
over the rhine
rogue wave
teddybears
the wailin’ jennys
xavier rudd
JOSE GONZALEZ

xoxo
me

Comment by jenny — November 18, 2007 #
oh iron and wine…so in love! That was one of our wedding songs..well I mean artists. Totally agree with above recommendation for Jose Gonzalez, you will not be dissapointed. Huge Jacob Zachary fan, I think you have to listen to him through MySpace or VIRB….personal friend too, he is incredible.

Comment by Filtering Life — November 19, 2007 #
Hey i think you should definatly check out Martina Sorbara. She’s the singer from Dragonette but her solo album is a lot different than the band. As far as I know it’s her only solo album.
Also if you check out Tilly and the Wall listen to Sing Songs Along. For some reason it reminds me of Against Me.

Comment by Meagan — November 20, 2007 #