wondash

Hi,
My son (13yo) has a rather diverse taste in music, but he's not into mainstream stuff on the radio. He's listened to every CD my wife and I own, and now he's looking for something new. His taste tends to lean toward rock ballads, songs that tell a story, or instrumentals. For example, here's some of his favorite artists: Pink Floyd, Kansas, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, classical. Anyone want to suggest an artist or album that might be similar.

Thanks!

Draconis

Joseph Arthur
Any of his albums are great
I have everything except for the 2 rarest of his CD's (only 500 printed)
Joseph Arthur actually has a new album coming out the 28th of September

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FoolThemAll

There's some nice story-like songs set to the sound of acoustic rock in Brian Vander Ark's solo album Resurrection. He is the lead singer of that band The Verve Pipe, which had one big hit with "The Freshman" (actually, that's a bit of a story song there as well). It's solid, catchy music with clever and cliche-free lyrics. Same goes for Verve Pipe material, but I recommend Resurrection first because it is my favorite of the VP/BVA albums.

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wondash

I really like the live version of "The Freshmen". I'll have to check out the Resurrection album and we'll see what my son thinks. Thanks!

Booray

A few possible ideas:

Rush (a personal favorite; if he's a Floyd fan and likes songs that tell a story, they might become a favorite; then again, it's not really as symphonic as the other bands you mentioned and he might not become a fan of Geddy Lee's voice)
Styx
Genesis (early stuff when Peter Gabriel was with them; Lamb Lies Down on Broadway or Foxtrot are two albums he could check out to see if he likes them)
Wilco (this is just a shot in the dark)
Radiohead
Flaming Lips

One thing that you might wanna have your son try is going to http://www.allmusic.com, kinda the IMDB.com (movie database site) for music. You can look up an artist and, along with the Bio, album listings, etc., it also lists similar artists, bands that influenced the artist, and bands that have been influenced by the artist. He could, for instance, look up Kansas and see that Yes (bet he'd like them) was one of the artists considered to have influenced them. He can then listen to 30 second or so soundbites for every song from every album (provided that you go through the quick free sign-up steps to get a login; it's much better than listening to soundclips on Amazon since Amazon only plays clips from the first 4 or so songs on an album and doesn't even have sound clips for many). That way, he might be able to figure out on his own who he likes and will be able to discover a lot of great music on his own.

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Tophat665

OK, first, have him check out musicplasma.com - it shows how bands are related to each other graphically (really neat to play with). For rock stories and instrumentals, try Blue Oyster Cult, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, and Yes. I second the early Genesis, and the Rush (with the caveats). When I was 13, I though Styx was excellent; now they're ultra-cheesy. Last thing, again with the stories and instrumentals: Iron Maiden is not to be despised. Yeah, they're metal, but a lot of their tunes are like cliff notes to good literature: Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, The Charge of the Light Brigade (the song is "The Trooper"), Dune, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, the Murders in the Rue Morgue, the myth of Icarus, and tons more, all rearranged by a fellow with the English equivalent of a masters in English Lit and one of the more talented bassists out there. Worth an listen.

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Irishsean

Try out Joe Satriani, he does some great instrumental rock ballad type stuff, listening to him right now.

K-Wise

Try getting him some really good modern stuff to listen to. This is one of the best albums I've ever heard. If he likes more musical stuff this album has really great sounds. It's not like any of their old material. Though some of the songs are a bit pop like (Across The Night, Luv Your Life)

Click on the picture for audio on their site (it's a flash site)
<a href=http://www.chairpage.com/media/audio/diorama.htm></a>

I recomend checkin out My Favourite Thing (beautiful song), Tuna In The Brine (don't know how to describe it..epic I guess), After All These Years (piano song). Customer reviews of this album are probably 95 to 98% positive even for some who have been fans of the band since their VERY different sounding Frogstomp days.

For instrumental musicianship. Godspeed You Black Emperor will more than likely blow him away. They usually release 2 or 3 songs an album, each song being about 30 min. long and just really intense to listen to. Guitars, horns, celo's, strings, etc.


Pearl Jam rock my world if he doesn't have Ten yet he needs to get it. If he doesn't want to listen to anything modern and lean more towards classic rock than Yes (I recomend Close To The Edge or Fragile) and Rush (2112 or Moving Pictures) are pretty fuckin perfect to me. Queen (ANYTHING!) also. For all instrumental Tangerine Dream got a lot of praise. Traffic made some great music. Alan Parsons Project, Electric Light Orchestra, etc. etc. Theres lots of stuff out there that fit that criteria I'm sure you'll find something.

Asta!!

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jaypc2

The Shins
Phish...kinda
Rush
Rufus Wainwright

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Booray

I definitely second that. Also, Tortoise and Mogwai might be good choices sort of along those lines.

ditto

Might want to check out Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, or Weather Report also

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Persuaded, paraded, inebriated, and down
Still aware of everything life carries on without

Paradise Lost

Teach your son the great art form of Mississippi Delta Blues, and subsequently, Chicago-based
blues. Muddy Waters, for instance, as a Mississippi Icon, guys like Buddy Guy for the
Chicago-based influence. Then move onto Jazz. Skip Rock and Roll, it'll mess with his
head, and hop he never discovers rap. Oldies are fine if used sparingly.

Any artist released under Chess Records is a good route to go
Alot of things can be said about Blues artists, one of them is that they
are definately NOT mainstream. :hb:

Oh, and for Classical music, turn on NPR, I know out local one plays
Classical music maybe 15 hours a day, news for 2, then Jazz for whatever
hours are left.

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wondash

Thanks to everyone who replied! I'll definitely have him check out the allmusic.com and musicplasma.com websites. Some of your suggestions are already on his list of favorites such as Alan Parsons Project and Queen. Others such has Genesis, Rush, Yes, ELO, and Styx he's listened to from our collection, but did not connect with them. I think he should give all of them a second listen, but I'm also trying to get him into some newer music. He and I will have to check out all your suggestions. THANKS!

roachboy

additions:
the only way i can answer the question is to think about records that mattered to me when i was a kid.
my mother hated all of them. that helped, somehow.

you can never introduce someone to robert johnson too soon.

early weather report was a big deal in my high school world--mysterious traveller in particular.
as was inner mounting flame and the live in central park releases of the mahavishnu orchestra.
on the corner and live/evil by miles davis.
coltrane's live at the village vanguard..later a love supreme, sun ship and interstellar space
king crimson's larks' tongues, starless and bible black and red.

but then i was in high school in the early-to-mid 1970s.
friends of mine felt similarly about sonic youth, skinny puppy, coil, current 93.

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tspikes51

For something up to date that follows the experimental tone of Pink Floyd, try some Tool if you don't mind some foul language. Any blues, like Robert Johnson or Wilson Pickett, is great for storytelling. Also, Clapton's album "Pilgrim" is pretty good along those lines. I must agree with Rush also.

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saut

I also recommend Tool... but harsh language won't be a problem with the Lateralus album -- I can only think of one song that has any swearing in it at all.

stonegrody

Most definitely. Their music is mesmerizing and their lyrics are hallucinogenic. Just be careful. They might just blow his mind

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PulpMind

for happy, beautiful story telling (without any words), I would suggest Ratatat
they rock. or sway. sometimes it's more of a 2-step.
Ratatat

Tophat665

APP and Queen, but not Rush, Yes, Genesis, or Styx? Newer is better...

OK, let me reiterate King Crimson and especially Jethro Tull from the old school. I disagree with the folks who are recommending Robert Johnson. I have always found the original recordings hard to listen too. For original blues, try Howlin' Wolf, but I would say that Zeppelin, Clapton, old Rolling Stones, or AC/DC are more accessible introductions. And I would be remiss if I didn't repeat Blue &Ouml;yster Cult, mostly because they're the best band in the world, but also because there really is a chance that he might like them. Secret Treaties, Fire of Unknown Origin, and Club Ninja are solid albums all the way through.

For the new stuff, I agree that Tool might be quite good. Also, Phish, particularly the Lawn Boy, Picture of Nectar, and Rift (or if you can find a bootleg of the Gamehenge Saga - shouldn't be too hard). CKY is pretty interesting too, but scattered with feelthy language in places (steer clear of Promiscuous Daughter and Fat Fuck if that's an issue). One that may or may not fly (depending on whether Geddy's voice or Neal's pedantic lyrics are what turned him off to Rush) is Coheed and Cambria.

Just a couple more things: Johnny Cash - the perfect intro to county. Frank Zappa - best guitarist ever. The problem with Zappa is that he's uneven. I'd say Apostrophe/Overnite Sensation, You Are What You Is, and One Size Fits All are the right introduction.

//me smacks forehead! They Might Be Giants! If he does quirky, this might be a good prescription.

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Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns.
Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life.

Booray

some good choices. Junta might be another good Phish album suggestion

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Persuaded, paraded, inebriated, and down
Still aware of everything life carries on without

gazzarc

go with Rush...2112 the whole album is a story

K-Wise

^ The man speaks the truth!

Asta!!

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"I love music and it's my parents fault (closing statement)." - Me..quoting myself...from when I said that...On TFP..thats here...Tilted Forum Project

It ain't goodbye, it's see ya later! I'll miss you guys! - Asta!!

maleficent

Stevie Ray Vaughn -- especially Little Wing ... (It's a great entrance into the Blues)
Little Feat - (Kinda a bluesy Rock)
Bruce Springsteen (the early stuff - Thunder Road, Greetings from Asbury Park, Darkness... -- all tell stories)
Eric Clapton - Early stuff from Cream and the Yardbirds to more present day stuff with the bluesy edge to it..

(BTW -- congrats on having a kid with great taste in music...)

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K-Wise

^ Oh word to that. I hope I have kids with good taste too.

Asta!!

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"I love music and it's my parents fault (closing statement)." - Me..quoting myself...from when I said that...On TFP..thats here...Tilted Forum Project

It ain't goodbye, it's see ya later! I'll miss you guys! - Asta!!

KWSN

Perhaps the Mars Volta. They have both a classic-rock and a modern feel at the same time. They remind me at times of Yes and Led Zeppelin, but while never giving the impression that their music is borrowed.

I'd also suggest Radiohead (the album OK Computer is an absolute masterpiece) and Opeth (but only the album Damnation... the rest of their music is a bit too out-there (orchestral death metal) for some. Damnation, however, is melodic and mainly acoustic). Perhaps some of Porcupine Tree as well, though they tend to lean towards metal at times. It's all worth a shot.

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wondash

I just listened to the song samples from the Lateralus album. As a huge Floyd fan myself (which is why my son got into them), I think he'll definitely like Tool. Too bad so many of their other albums have explicit language.

SAM821

Radiohead... it really turned me on to rock

saut

In my opinion, Lateralus is by far Tool's best album, if not the best album of all time. If your son likes Tool, I'd also recommend their "live" album Salival (although it is very hard to find). It's got some of their more psychadelic songs from previous albums and a really good cover of Led Zeppelin's No Quarter.


Oh, and as I see a previous poster mentioned, Opeth's Damnation album is also something he might like. It's really mellow and acoustic guitar based with some awesome melodies. The rest of their stuff, though, he probably wouldn't like (I know I don't) -- it's basically death metal (great musicianship, intolerable singing).

Edit -- Definitly try Porcupine Tree as well, especially if he's into Pink Floyd. They are highly derivative of PF.

Another edit -- How could I forget Dream Theater!? If he's a fan of epic story type songs, check out the album "Scenes from a Memory." Without giving away too many "spoilers," it's basically about a man who recalls a tragic past life under hypnosis. Dream Theater is probably one of the most complex bands of all time and each member is a master of his instrument. A couple songs I would recommend from Dream Theater are Metropolis, A Change of Seasons (especially this one for epic story songs, as it clocks in at 23 minutes and has four parts -- one for each season), Home (from Scenes from a Memory), and The Dance of Eternity (an instrumental with some of the craziest time signatures I've ever heard).


Be sure to let us know what you son thinks of whatever you end up sharing with him!

balderdash111

My $1.50

I second (or third or fourth) Radiohead.

Also try Sigur Ros, Bjork, Nine Inch Nails (warning on language there), Peter Gabriel (I like his later stuff more than his earlier stuff). Maybe try old Smashing Pumpkins, too.

If you want to take a risk, check out Peter Gabriel's Passion. It's all instrumental and was the soundtrack to The Last Temptation of Christ. Middle eastern/north african music meets prog rock. Great album, but may be a bit hard to take when you're 13.

You might also try the various Windham Hill people (George Winston, Michael Hedges -RIP- Alex De Grassi, Will Ackerman, etc.) They are often mislabeled as "New Age" but it's more of an American classical/folk. I went huge on them when I was just a little older than 13.

Some standbys - REM (80s era more than current era, IMO), Police, Beatles (duh), old Bowie.

Sort of a scattershot there, but do with it what you will.

Redjake

Rush, Al Stewart, Radiohead, Metallica

all good stuff

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quadro2000

...and congrats on being a kick-ass parent and nurturing your kid's taste in music.

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omega2K4

Tool, A Perfect Circle, Dream Theater, The Smashing Pumpkins, Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails (explicit lyrics)

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BoomTruck

The Reverend Horton Heat. Brilliant guitar work, good songwriting.

Here's a live version of The Party In Your Head to get you started.

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shipofshame

I second/third/fourth/etc. Tool, Dream Theatre and Radiohead. Ok Computer (Radiohead) is just too good of an album not to own. Whoever mentioned it, Bjork's new album is pretty damn interesting. Love listening to it.

And just for the sake of mentioning him, Amon Tobin is a genius.

nukeu666

i would say 'green carnation'
esp their 'light of day, day of darkness' album

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wondash

Thanks!

By the way, thanks to all who suggested Dream Theater!

Dark Assailant

You definetly need to get a copy of the 1978 musical : Jeff Wayne's
War of the Worlds

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monkeydriven

Neil Young

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costello

check out My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves. one of the better albums i own. southern rock with a wonderful echo-laden sound. for more poppy sounds The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow is a great choice. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is one of the best albums that i own and is completely amazing every listen. for classical Eric Satie has some wonderful piano music. truly beautiful. Led Zeppelin is my favorite classic rock band, and i know it sounds silly but the whole album of The Darkness - Permission to Land is actually really good. I would also suggest Cursive - The Ugly organ. it will blow your mind. hope that helps and of course way to help your kid grow.

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ryan9746

Cake, Modest Mouse, Jamie Cullum, Supertramp might all be a good start

eltardo

It's not for everyone but I'd suggest some Dylan. Highway 61 and Freewheelin in particular. I saw someone say that they hope he never discovers rap, I personally hope he does. There are some fantastic storytellers in the rap world (past and present), you just don't hear them on the radio. There's a song by a guy named Aseop Rock called No Regrets that'll give you a taste of some of the quality work that's out there. Anyway, I'd give Tom Waits a try along with Nick Cave and the Badseeds.