Foals Forum

...right, I dunno if people will be interested or if this will work. but basically because of my resolve above^^, I've decided to listen to two classic (as in not of this era) bands a week, I've never listened to and that are very different to what I normally listen to. I have no real rules for this, its pretty organic, some bands I'm just been reminded of by tracks I've heard (as is the case with depeche mode, bizarrely reminded by dananana of all people) and what I already associate with them or just bands I have meaning to listen cos of intrigue to but havn't had the chance to.

if people are interested then you could just listen to classic albums, not necessarily as in bands like I'm doing (it is quite time consuming trying to listen to whole artists body of work, I think with some I might have to cut down/be more selective). then post your thoughts here. you might hate albums at first, but I'd give things a good listen, as some take time to get especially with the disconnect of time/context.

anyway last week I listend to grace jones and einstürzende neubauten. grace jones was pretty easy, although nevertheless great, not sure it really revolutionised the sonic landscape in my head, but I liked it. en is a bit harder to get, the 80's stuff is pretty intense/wierd/german while stuff 90's onward is rather more pedestrian more amenable, but also lacking some character and uniqueness of the early stuff. the wierd resolve I got by the end of the week was actually grace jones and en, would probbs meld togeather quite well to somehow to create some great wierd hybrid industrial electronic soul pop.

anyway this week triggered by dananana (yes really - last track on hey everyone remeinded me of dm's 2005 single precious - I'm still not sure why but I've never listened to anything past this or the obvious but lyrically awful "people are people"), but I'm listening to depeche mode (currently on violator- working backwards), and I dunno what else yet. anyway like I say not sure if peeps are interested or not, even if people do it once/for one week and choose a band thats really not of this time and what they normally listen to it be interesting to hear peoples reaction.

I might make this regular section on my blog, after I reorganise it into a more friendly magazine format.. anyway thats a massive post, and most likely this thread is gonna tank? well worth a try...

I like this idea however I'm just not sure what to do

(I get what the thread is about but I'm not sure where to start with my listening)

I hope that made sense my brain isn't functioning today

Sidenote - Grace Jones is great

Man, I've been thinking exactly the same over the last couple of weeks. In fact it's got me quite down about modern music - I don't understand how today (when technology has supposedly advanced and tastes are supposed to be better represented by digital formats, etc.) manufactured-pop-trash can still enter the charts. The new Cheryl Cole "material" is my main concern - WTF is up with that?

Musically, my favourite decade is probably 1974 - 1984. Within that you have:-

The development of Glam into other areas:-
-David Bowie
-Roxy Music
-Brian Eno?

Krautrock:-
-Kraftwerk
-Neu!
-Can

Punk

The beginnings of British Synth-Pop/Punk:-
-The Human League
-John Foxx
-Ultravox
-Fad Gadget
-Cabaret Voltaire
-Depeche Mode (before they went all U2)
-Associates
-Joy Division -> New Order
-Japan
-OMD
-Simple Minds (again before they went U2)


Within all of the above you have both innovation and accessibility. AND (a lot of) IT CHARTED. Why can't the same happen today?

Obviously I love a lot of modern music too... but almost all of it is obscure stuff which most people haven't a clue about. A lot of people I talk to still don't know who Foals are.

....yeah its hard to find something to listen to thats out the comfort zone, I could suggest if you like? do you have lastfm, I could have a look at that and workout a suggestion perhaps?

...yeah gonna start on some neu! after I finish on depeche mode, although kraftwerk are more electronica really than krautrock...

...kinda get what you mean, but I'd say dm never produce a bad record, just mediocre ones - and they've produced they can still produce good record, as was the case with 2005's playing the angel. its not as groundbreaking, but still deffo a good dm record....

...meaning to get on to them and you've just reminded me...

...the way music is listend to has chagned I guess, charts aren't really as important anymore, and albums what people listen to more than singles...

...well I'm not so worried about straight up pop, its more the "indie" dross we have in our charts. - the likes of the view, pigeon detectives, kooks of this world and countless others I've just stopped paying attention. yes cheryl cole is poo, but some of the decades finest singles have been by acts like girls aloud and full out pop acts, and which thee merits of which far excell of those of the dull lifeless pastiches the so called nme indies churn out.

I guess I'm hoping if people listen to classic music, they'll have more rounde view/influence and understanding. none of us here are really musicians, I'm trying to learn, but its just a hobby really - but hoping if we can start something, as ambitious as it is, then maybe our friends would do the same, people who are in bands/musiciasn and maybe we'll have a better crop of music in the future...

@Ash suggestions are welcome
futureimages post reminded me I know pretty much sod all Krautrock so that may be the best starting point

Apologies for my original piss poor reply, I felt bad you thought this was tanking when it's actually a good idea

i just don't understand the premise of this thread.

same.

...its ok, really great you took an interest, appreciate it. I mean would have done it anyway, but thought it be nice if to get few others to do, too... start a quiet revolution perhaps. do you have a last fm page, I could look at? I could find a more tailored band for you to look at...

krautrock is good one, its a bit misunderstood, cos kraftwerk isn't really krautrock. but good pointers are neu! and can like future mentiones - faust too, and they're still goiing so are current too... I mean give it a go, you it might not work for you - but with a little patience it should deliver. I'm lucky so far havn't had single band I've really hated, I've even discovered a new fave record, violater by depeche mode lol!

...basically to listen to two classic albums a week, to expand your musical horizons. prefereably something you wouldn't normally listen to in your everyday listening. I guess it does sound like work/homework, but its not not to me anyway, I've had a blast so far... and I really feel I'm getting a better idea of musical history while discovering some corker music in the process...

I like this idea, i'll get on it tomorrow

^^yay krunkeh! *smooch* let me know how you get on! its hard to explain but its more rewarding, if you feel around - and go for stuff not to far off at the start, cos only you really know what you like and stuff, although do challenge yourself as that is the point...

I'm so starting on Simon & Garfunkel, just popped in my head.

^^cools, I might try that next week, as I've never understood why people love them so much on passing listen. I think my second band this week will be neu! probs or ochestral manouveres in the dark...

My last fm is here Ash
but I'll give anything a listen once, except Simon & Garfunkel my dad used to play them in the car
I'm scarred for life now

so whats a classic album? 90% of my record collection predates the 21st century. and i listen to the freakzone every week... so?

You're awesome