Erik Seidel - Music Reviews
Music Category: Indie
Architecture in Helsinki
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
These guys remind me a bit of Arcade Fire. They are a large group that plays many unusual instruments and they are experimenters. I love both of their albums. "Fingers Crossed," "In Case We Die."
Arcade Fire, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
"Funeral." My favorite album of '04."
Arthur, Joseph
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Singer/Songwriter, New
Original singer/songwriter who has recorded one terrific album after another. My favorite is still "Come to Where I'm From," but all his work is excellent. "Big City Secrets," "Come To Where I'm From," "Live," "NY 4/20/05," "Our Shadows Will Remain," "Redemption's Son," "Seattle", "And the thieves are gone."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Apostle of Hustle
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
So much good music coming out of Canada these days. This is a terrific disc with an original sound. They experiment with different sounds and instruments. This album can hold its own with just about anything released over the last couple of years. "Folkloric Feel."
Adams, Ryan
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rhythm & Blues, New
"29," "Demolition," "Gold," "Love Is Hell Pt 1 and 2," "Rock N Roll", "Easy Tiger."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Afgan Whigs
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
A rocking band that has somehow escaped wide notice. "1965," "Congregation," "Gentlemen," "Historectomy."
Artic Monkeys
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, New
"Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.", "Favourite Worst Nightmare."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Antigone Rising
Music Genre:
Indie, Rock
Made their rep at South By Southwest in Austin a couple of years ago. This live disc captures some of that magic. "From The Ground Up," "Traveling Circus."
Built to Spill
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
Another one of my brother Steve's picks... an excellent band. "Live," "Keep It Like A Secret," "Perfect From Now On," "There's Nothing Wrong With Love."
Burke, Solomon
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Don't Give Up On Me."
Bright Eyes
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
The newest "new Dylan," and who am I to argue. He is the great young hope for the music scene and hopefully will continue experimenting and writing brilliantly for many years to come. "Fevers and Mirrors," "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning," "Letting off the Happiness," "Lifted or the Story Is I the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground," "Motion Sickness."
Broken Social Scene
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
How much good music is allowed to come out of Canada? Canada is becoming to music what the Swedes have become to online poker. BSS is another of the bands to watch from up North. "Broken Social Scene."
Breeders, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
An Indie Rock classic. "Last Splash."
Brian Jonestown Massacre, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
Anton Newcombe is such an exceptionally gifted guy, he could probably make great music with Milli Vanilli. If he ever got his head straight, he could be one of the most important figures in modern music. check out the music documentary "DIG!" on DVD. The DVD features BJM and the Dandy Warhols. "And This Is Our Music," "Give It Back!," "Strung Out In Heaven," "Take It From The Man!"
Belle and Sebastian
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
"Dear Catastrophe Waitress."
Ballet School Troublemakers, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
The lead singer plays on Full Tilt Poker and their site is
www.balletschooltroublemakers.com. Good stuff. "The Ballet School Troublemakers."
Badly Drawn Boy
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
Damon Gough is the man behind BDB and he's a very gifted cat.
Baby Bird
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
Alias of Steve Jones, "Ugly Beautiful" is my favorite of his records, but he has recorded a lot of excellent work. "Bad Shave," "Fatherhood," "I was Born a Man," "Ugly Beautiful."
Black, Frank
Music Genre:
Alternative, Alternative Pop, Indie, Rock
Former Pixies' singer/songwriter has still got the touch. "Honeycomb," "Teenager Of The Year."
Benson, Brendan
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
Currently collaborating with Jack White as a member of The Raconteurs, his solo work is first-rate. "Lapalco," "One Mississippi," "The Alternative To Love."
Big Star
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
Alex Chilton and Chris Bell have influenced many with the Big Star sound. Check out their first few albums. "#1 Record," "Radio City."
Blue Nile
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
A remarkable Scottish band. They've only recorded four albums in twenty years. Their debut, "A Walk Across the Rooftops," was followed up five years later with "Hats," They are two of my favorite albums of all time. I've enjoyed the third and forth albums, "Peace at Last" and "High," as well. "A Walk Across The Rooftops," "Hats," "High," "Peace At Last."
Bicycle Thief
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
This CD just always finds it's way back onto my player. It is a near perfect collection of songs from the gifted Bob Forrest. Sometimes dark, sometimes funny, this is one of the best albums I heard over the past 5 years. "You Come and Go Like a Pop Song."
Blades, Ruben
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Buscando America", "Ruben Blades y Son del Solar...Live!"
Cat Power
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi, Singer/Songwriter
Slow powerful songs, allowed to speak for themselves without being overwhelmed by production. Chan Marshall sings in a style all her own. "The Covers Record," "The Greatest," "You Are Free."
Califone
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, New
Experimental, Indy Rock. This is the only album of theirs that I have, but I need to listen to them some more. Quiet, well written songs that play with many different sounds. "Quicksand/Cradlesnakes","Roots and Crowns."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Calexico
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
These guys make music influenced by an interesting mixture of Southwest and Spanish culture. "Hot Rail."
Capitol Years, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Let Them Drink."
Cowboy Junkies
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
Lead by Margo Timmons' magnificent, hypnotic voice, the Cowboy Junkies have made some really enjoyable CD's throughout the years. "Black-Eyed Man."
Chilton, Alex
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
A very influential singer-songwriter whose fans include REM and Paul Westerberg of the Replacements. "High Priest."
Comets on Fire
Music Genre:
Indie
Fast Indie Rock with a psychedelic twist. Sonic Youth meets Roky Erickson. "Blue Catedral."
Clem Snide
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi
This 3 man alternative band writes graceful, lo-fi songs. "You Were A Diamond," "Your Favorite Music."
Deerhoof
Music Genre:
Indie, Rock, New
"Friend Opportunity."
Added on January 15th, 2008
DiFranco, Ani
Music Genre:
Alternative, Folk, Indie, Singer/Songwriter
Righteous Babe, indeed. She owns her own label and his been thumbing her nose at the music industry for years. Her live album "Living in Clip" is my favorite."
Dandy Warhols
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
Accomplished Indie band. See the DVD "Dig!", for a more detailed look at them. It's a terrific flick."
Davis, Devin
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Singer/Songwriter
Lonely People of the World, Unite! I expect we will hear a great deal more from this guy. One of the best independent releases of '05."
Death Cab For Cutie
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
"Transatlanticism." "One of the very best of the Indie pop bands. This is a terrific album."
Eels
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Singer/Songwriter
Indie band led by the always inventive E. "Blinking Lights And Other Revelations," "Daisies Of The Galaxy," "Electro-Shock Blues," "Rotten World Blues EP," "Souljacker," "Live at Town Hall."
East River Pipe
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi, Singer/Songwriter
Music written and recorded by one F.M. Cornog. I like all his CD's but the ones that garnered him the most praise were "Mel" and "Poor Fricky." "Mel," "Poor Fricky," "Shining Hours In A Can."
Earle, Steve
Music Genre:
Alternative, Folk, Indie, Singer/Songwriter
"El Corazon", "Guitar Town," "Live From Austin, TX."
Elastica
Music Genre:
Alternative, British Pop, Indie
Another pick from my brother Steve, my most trusted music advisor. This brit/punk/pop band has drawn comparisons to Blondie. "Elastica."
Erickson, Roky
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock
"Don't Slander Me", "I Have Always Been Here Before."
Fountains of Wayne
Music Genre:
Alternative Pop, Indie, Rock, New
Stacey's Mom was their irresistible breakout hit, but this whole album is bursting with great pop energy. "Welcome Interstate Managers", "Traffic and Weather."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Fiery Furnaces
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
A brother and sister duo, making some of the most original, quirky and interesting music around. "EP," "Gallowsbird's Bark."
Fugazi
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock
"13 songs is an Alt rock/punk classic."
Grayling
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
The Time is Now. This album is very hard to find, but if you like indie bands (compare to the Replacements), I put this record up there with some of the best I've heard."
Grandaddy
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, New
They've been compared to the Flaming Lips, Radiohead, and Sparklehorse and hold their own with all of them. That's very high praise… "Under the Western Freeway", "The Software Slump."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Golightly, Holly
Music Genre:
Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter
My First Holly Golightly Album.
Guthrie, Woody
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Dust Bowl Ballads."
Guided By Voices
Music Genre:
Alternative, Alternative Pop, Indie, Low-Fi, New
Bee Thousand. One of the most prolific indie bands. This is their breakthrough album", "Live From Austin Texas."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Goldrush
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
Check out the song "Wait for the Wheels," available for download at
www.goldrush.mu. "Ozona."
Galaxie 500
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
If you like Velvet Underground or Luna, check out Galaxie. "Today."
Go! Team, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
It's hard to categorize the Go! Team, they just sample from all over and mix it all together in a way that makes it hard to sit still. "Thunder, Lightning, Strike."
Harvey, PJ
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Is This Desire, "Stories From The City," "Stories From The Sea," "Uh Huh Her."
Heartless Bastards
Music Genre:
Indie, Rock
"Stairs and Elevators."
Hal
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Hal."
Hüsker Dü
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
Still some of the most exciting underground rock I've ever heard. Check these guys out. "Candy Apple Grey."
Hold Steady, The
Music Genre:
Indie, Rock
"Almost Killed Me", "Separation Sunday."
Iron and Wine
Music Genre:
Indie, Low-Fi, Singer/Songwriter, New
"Our Endless Numbered Days", "The Shepherds Dog."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Johnson, Daniel
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi, Singer/Songwriter
The Devil & Daniel Johnston is a wonderful documentary about him. His story is really remarkable. Indie artist from Austin, TX who built up a rep with his self released tapes. Very enjoyable record. "Fun."
Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Rabbit Fur Coat."
Kings Of Convenience
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
Riot On An Empty Street.
Kinney, Sleater
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock
"The Woods."
Luna
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, New
"Live", "Penthouse", "Bewitched".
Added on January 15th, 2008
Love As Laughter
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Sea To Shining Sea."
Lanois, Daniel
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Exalted producer of U2, Dylan, Robbie Robertson has also produced some outstanding solo work. Acadie," "For The Beauty Of Wynona," "Shine."
Mars Volta, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Frances The Mute."
Mazzy Star
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Vocal
"So Tonight That I Might See."
Matt Sweeny and Bonnie Prince Billy
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi
"Superwolf."
Mould, Bob
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Singer/Songwriter
One of the founders of Hüsker Dü shows he's still got first rate music in him. "Body of Song."
M83
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Before the Dawn."
Malkmus, Stephen
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi, Singer/Songwriter
"Face The Truth."
Mclusky
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
"Mclusky Do Dallas."
Modest Mouse
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi, New
"Good News For People Who Love Bad News", "We were dead before the ship even sank."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Middleton, Malcom
Music Genre:
Indie, Folk, New
"Into The Woods."
Added on January 15th, 2008
O'Conner, Sinead
Music Genre:
Alternative, Folk, Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, New
Collaboratons, "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," "The Lion And The Cobra," "Throw Down Your Arms", "Theology."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Ollabelle
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, Gospel
"Ollabelle", "Riverside Battle Songs."
Postal Service, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Electronica, Indie, Rock
"Give Up."
Pixies
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock
"Doolittle."
Palace Music
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi, Singer/Songwriter
"Lost Blues And Other Songs."
Pearl Jam
Music Genre:
Alternative, Grunge, Indie, Punk, Rock
"Ten."
Phair, Liz
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Her debut album "Exile in Guyville" is one of my favorite discs of all time. I still believe shes one of the strongest songwriters in music and would love to see her record with a more spare production. On her last couple of albums the production tends to overwhelm and compromise many of the songs. "Whitechocolatespaceegg" is my favorite of her more recent material. "Exile in Guyville," "Girlysounds Demo Tape," "Somebody's Miracle," "Whip-Smart," "Whitechocolatespaceegg."
R.E.M
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Pop, Rock
Automatic For The People, "Document," "Fables Of The Reconstuction," "Green," "Monster," "Murmur," "New Adventures In Hi-Fi, Out Of Time, Reckoning."
Replacements, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter
"All Shook Down", "Let It Be", "Pleased To Meet Me", "Tim".
Ros, Sigur
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
( ), "Svefn-G-Englar," "Takk…"
Razorlight
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock
"Up All Night."
Radiohead
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Amnesiac", "Hail To The Thief," "I Might Be Wrong," "Kid A," "OK Computer," "The Bends."
Smog
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi, Singer/Songwriter
Red Apple Falls, "Wild Love." Lo-Fi talent Bill Callahan records some of the most interesting, sad, captivating songs of any musician around. "Red Apple Falls" is one of those discs that just demands to be heard over and over."
South San Gabriel
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"The Carlton Chronicles: Not Until the Operations Through."
Smashing Pumpkins
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, New
1979, "Bullet With Butterfly Wings," "Earphoria," "Gish," "MACHINA/The Machines of God," "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness-Twilight to Starlight," "Pisces Iscariot," "Siamese Dream," "The Aeroplane Flies High," "Tonight, Tonight," "Zero", "ZeitGeist."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Sweet, Matthew
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Pop, New
"Girlfriend", "Goodfriend," "The Platinum and Gold Collection", "Living things."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Strokes, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
The Strokes "Came onto the scene as the"it" band from NY in 2001. In spite of their hyped-up rep and cover boy looks and pedigree these guys have the goods. All three of their albums are thrilling end to end. "Is This It?," "Room On Fire" "First Impressions Of Earth"
Spoon
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Girls Can Tell."
Shins, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Chutes Too Narrow", "Oh, Inverted World."
Silver Jews
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Low-Fi, Rock
"Tanglewood Numbers."
Screaming Trees
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Ocean Of Confusion: Songs Of Screaming Trees."
Sexsmith, Ron
Music Genre:
Alternative, Folk, Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Other Songs, "Whereabouts."
Strap, Arab
Music Genre:
Indie, Folk, New
"Elephant Shoe."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Unwound
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk
"Leaves Turn Inside you."
Various Artists
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie
"Nick Hornby's Songbook."
Various Artists
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"KCRW's Sounds Eclectic. 1, 2 and 3."
Various Artists
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"InRadio 3.2: Papillion."
Waits, Tom
Music Genre:
Alternative, Blues, Folk, Indie, Low-Fi, Singer/Songwriter
"Alice", "Asylum Years," "Beautiful Maladies: The Asylum Years," "Blood Money," "Heartattack And Vine," "Small Change."
Walkmen, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock
"Bows and Arrows."
Waterboys, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
Dream Harder.
Waifs, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Sink Or Swim."
Williams, Lucinda
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, New
One of America's greatest songwriters. She is a notorious perfectionist, everyone of her albums is worth owning. Every time one of her songs comes up on my Ipod it lifts my spirits. "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road," "Essence," "Happy Woman Blues," "Live At The Fillmore," "Lucinda Williams," "Sweet Old World", "West."
Added on January 15th, 2008
Williams, Dar
Music Genre:
Alternative, Folk, Indie, Singer/Songwriter
Literate, funny, entertaining folk singer from New England. "End of Summer," "Mortal City."
Weezer
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock
"Make Believe", "Pinkerton," "Weezer (Green Album)."
Westerberg, Paul
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rap, Rock, Singer/Songwriter
"14 Songs."
Wilco
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, New
Hands down, the best band in America. "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" is one of the best CD's of the last couple of years. Their other work is great as well. "AM," "A Ghost Is Born," "Being There," "Kicking Television," "Summer Teeth," "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot". I highly recommend the DVD, "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" as well. It follows the band, during and after the recording of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", "Sky Blue Sky."
Added on January 15th, 2008
White Sripes, The
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Elephant", "Get Behind Me Satan," "White Blood Cells."
X
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock, Rockabilly
"Ain't Love Grand", "Los Angeles," "Wild Gift."
XTC
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Oranges and Lemons."
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Punk, Rock
"Fever To Tell", "Show Your Bones."
Youth Group
Music Genre:
Alternative, Indie, Rock
"Skeleton Jar."
