A to Z
A guide to alternative music
Paul Dufrene
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: Entertainment
This week, I am taking a giant step. I am attempting do guide you, dear reader, on a very subjective (I tried to be objective, I really did) journey through alternative music. I realized that over the last two semesters I've bombarded you with recommendations that I can only hope were followed up on.
For this list, I am sort of putting my priorities to the side and working to construct a list based on not just bands that I love but bands that really matter. For each letter of the alphabet, I've listed the artist/band that I think holds (or held) the most important place in alternative music. Also pay attention to the "runners-up." In the case that you hate my choice, there are three others that might suit you. Well here goes. Part one of four:
Aimee Mann
Since her departure from '80s band Til Tuesday, this amazingly talented lady has been rockin' our ears solo-style. Her subtle-but-lasting lyrics and vocals guide many of her songs to an unforgettable level of sincerity. She is most notable for the song 'Wise Up' from her soundtrack for the film "Magnolia" (yeah yeah, the one where the whole cast sings) and has cut four fantastic records since. Runners Up: Animal Collective, Arcade Fire, Apples in Stereo.
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Let's face it: you don't know alternative music until you have at least heard an album by Palace, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, Bonny Billy, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Superwolf or any other pseudonymn that Will Oldham has used to showcase an album. This bearded 'alt-country' guru finds his way to the stereos of many alternative music fans, either through his early acoustic recordings as Palace or his more polished recent recordings as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Runners Up: Band of Horses, Built to Spill, Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Cat Power
A wise man once said: "All women want to be Chan Marshall, and all men want to be with Chan Marshall." I think he was right. Chan has overcome the stagefright and alcohol abuse that plagued her early years and has turned herself around to become some kind of "indie-diva." I don't know exactly what happened, but I know the product is three nearly flawless albums, so I'm not complaining. Runners Up: Calexico, CocoRosie, Califone.
For this list, I am sort of putting my priorities to the side and working to construct a list based on not just bands that I love but bands that really matter. For each letter of the alphabet, I've listed the artist/band that I think holds (or held) the most important place in alternative music. Also pay attention to the "runners-up." In the case that you hate my choice, there are three others that might suit you. Well here goes. Part one of four:
Aimee Mann
Since her departure from '80s band Til Tuesday, this amazingly talented lady has been rockin' our ears solo-style. Her subtle-but-lasting lyrics and vocals guide many of her songs to an unforgettable level of sincerity. She is most notable for the song 'Wise Up' from her soundtrack for the film "Magnolia" (yeah yeah, the one where the whole cast sings) and has cut four fantastic records since. Runners Up: Animal Collective, Arcade Fire, Apples in Stereo.
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Let's face it: you don't know alternative music until you have at least heard an album by Palace, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, Bonny Billy, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Superwolf or any other pseudonymn that Will Oldham has used to showcase an album. This bearded 'alt-country' guru finds his way to the stereos of many alternative music fans, either through his early acoustic recordings as Palace or his more polished recent recordings as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Runners Up: Band of Horses, Built to Spill, Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Cat Power
A wise man once said: "All women want to be Chan Marshall, and all men want to be with Chan Marshall." I think he was right. Chan has overcome the stagefright and alcohol abuse that plagued her early years and has turned herself around to become some kind of "indie-diva." I don't know exactly what happened, but I know the product is three nearly flawless albums, so I'm not complaining. Runners Up: Calexico, CocoRosie, Califone.
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