Listal's A to Z library of favourite bands

Animal Collective

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:32:01 GMT

Nominated by Grand Assault Almost definitely not to everyone's taste (even I can only stomach about half of their output), their sound ranges from experimental folk music to powerful noise rock. I'm definitely more a fan of their subdued songs, but their creativity across the board stands out a great deal to me. They're always interesting and it's often surprising to see which direction they take with every new release. Favourite Album: Feels Favourite Song: Banshee Beat

Autechre

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:44:35 GMT

Nominated by markjazz Always has been a favorite of mine for any electronic group, even though I haven't liked their last 2-3 albums. I still listen to them frequently and kinda keep wanting to hear what's next from them, even though I bitched about the last album. But Aphex Twin is a close 2nd as well. Favourite Album: EP7 (Amber is a close 2nd) Favourite Track: Gaekwad

Adam & The Ants

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:49:34 GMT

Nominated by escafeld I was bang into this band a pre-pubescent schoolboy, it was the tribal driving rhythms pumped out by their double drummers. Started as a punk band then were considered to be be part of the new romantic movement when they changed their image, donned fancy costumes & painted their faces. Still to this day nearly 30 years after I first heard them their music brings a smile to my face though I lose interest in the stuff they did once they entered their Prince Charming phase & beyond. Favourite Album: Kings of the Wild Frontier Favourite Song: Dog eat Dog

Audioslave

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:01:29 GMT

Nominated by Uber Being a fan of Rage Against The Machine I was saddened to hear of their break up in 2000. But when I heard that most of the band members and Chris Cornell were joining I got excited. And what came out of the project was a fusion of hard rock and soul that rocked my ears. Favourite Album: Out Of Exile Favourite Song: Be Yourself

And One

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:35:41 GMT

Nominated by 350125g0 Pure synthpop goodness. Also a mix of old-school EBM and even military pop. Earlier releases are their best, with the most recent being a big let-down. They're one band out of a handful that's on my absolute "must see live" list. Even though they're German, they have a huge following in Mexico... I'll never understand why. Favourite Album: Aggressor Favourite Song: Strafbomber

ABBA

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:50:30 GMT

Nominated by chibiyusa Ahh... Sweet Swedish pop music. Even though I wasn't even born when they came out I must admit that I've fallen in love with their music seeing as I grew up listening to it. Then again I've recently watched Mamma Mia! (the sing along version no less!) and have had their songs stuck in my head because they are just so darn catchy. Favourite Song: Waterloo

Aavikko

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:50:43 GMT

Nominated by nimimerkillinen Great quirky and original finnish electronic lo-fi music. This makes me always feel energetic and joyful. Their whole discography is great but my favorite might me Derek! Favourite Album: Derek!

Arcade Fire

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:27:22 GMT

Nominated by Gemlil A brilliant and fairly new band, whose albums have solidly impressed me throughout. They use such a varied array of instruments and borrow from an eclectic mix of genres, for this, I love them. The Arcade Fire have helped lay the way into reinventing the orchestra for modern music. Favourite Album: Funeral Favourite Song: Rebellion (Lies)

Ac/Dc

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:22:53 GMT

Nominated by Uber Weather a fan of Brian Johnson or Bon Scott's vocals, AC/DC has been a musical force that has influenced many other artists and listeners to their raw energy and power of music. Favourite Album: Back in Black Favourite Song: It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)

The Angelic Process

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:24:15 GMT

Nominated by nimimerkillinen Wonderful shoegaze drone doom metal from some other dimension. It makes my mind explode. Too bad the band splitted up due to suicide but the music lives. Favorite Album: Weighing Souls With Sand Favorite Song: Million Year Summer

Battles

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:28:27 GMT

Nominated by Grand Assault The technical wizardry of this band never ceases to amaze me. When I saw them live I think I counted them playing three instruments at a time on occasion. Really creative music that is difficult to categorise in any genre other than awesome. Favourite Song: Tonto Favourite Album: Mirrored

Anthony Braxton

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:19:19 GMT

Nominated by markjazz Anthony Braxton's output is insane and he's still creating music. He's recently released a 10 CD box set as well as two 4 CD one's so the proof is right there. His music is one that rarely takes form but is something that always has shape. A great artist in pure free jazz genius. Favourite Album: Five Pieces 1975

Black Flag

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:07:03 GMT

Nominated by Uber Black Flag is one of the most influential US punk band that helped shape an anti-authoritarian and non-conformist message for America's youth of the mid 80's. Favourite Song: Six Pack Favourite Album: Damaged

Bjork

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:12:14 GMT

Nominated by 350125g0 Overwhelmingly creative and controversial, Björk has continuously released some of the most breathtaking music I've ever heard. She's also an opinionated and intelligent woman that isn't the slightest bit shy about speaking her mind. Originally in the Sugarcubes, she went on to form a solo career with a vocal style that's a force to be reckoned with. Favourite Album: Vespertine Favourite Song: Pagan Poetry

The Black Keys

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:12:23 GMT

Nominated by Vix If you want to be soaked in the blues then The Black Keys is the band for you. Dan Auerbach channels Howling Wolf and the stomping beats and heavy riffs makes you forget that this is a duo. Favourite Album: Rubber Factory Favourite Song: Girl Is On My Mind

The Beatles

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:12:29 GMT

Nominated by Elfflame I honestly don't know what to say that hasn't already been said by people better spoken than me about this band. So many artists have been inspired by them, and music today would have been very different if they had never become the Fab Four. Favorite Album: Abby Road Favorite Song: All You Need Is Love

Black Sabbath

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:18:47 GMT

Nominated by Bael One of the "inventors" of Heavy Metal. Often copied, they had massive influence on the whole genre and accidentally created a whole subgenre (Doom Metal). Unlike many other bands from the 70ies, their music stands the test of time and still captivates the listener with it's thunderous riffs and haunting vocals. Favorite Album: Black Sabbath Favorite Song: Black Sabbath

The Beach Boys

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:40:19 GMT

Nominated by GemLil The embodiment of summer time, I cannot let a summer go by without a healthy dose of the Boys to capture it. They're feel good without being too cheesy, they're timeless and every song is more catching than typhus. Favourite Album: Endless Summer Favourite Song: Don't Worry Baby

Beirut

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:17:59 GMT

Nominated by Grand Assault Probably my favourite music artist. Well, at least over the last three years or so. An incredibly talented young musician whose music brings all the fun of a Balkan carnival. He gets my respect for making brass instruments cool again. Beirut's songs are feel-good masterpieces packed with sprinklings of European romance. Favourite Album: The Flying Club Cup Favourite Song: Elephant Gun

British Sea Power

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:13:05 GMT

Nominated by Kryptic Centurion Ever since I saw them at Reading Festival, I was hooked. They're not like your average Indie Rock band as they continue to evolve with changing times. It was a tragic shame when Eamon left but the boys managed to adapt because that's what they do! Never confined to muddy waters, BSP have an epic range which can see them afloat for years to come. Favourite Album: Open Season Favourite Song: Fear of Drowning

Coheed & Cambria

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:45:38 GMT

Nominated by RB6K Originally I missed out on seeing these guys at the Reading Festival. I was told they were an incredible band with 2 wonderful albums to their name. Instead of taking heed of that persons advice I watched something else. This was a mistake I soon came to regret when not 1 week later I discovered what I had missed out on. Their music is best described as progressive rock,(or new prog) and each song forms a part of an overarching story that all of their work is focused upon. Their songs evolve throughout each of their 4 albums, becoming heavier as the story turns darker and climaxing with an excellent 5 part finale called "The End Complete" Favourite Album: No World for Tomorrow Favourite Song: The Road and the Damned

John Coltrane

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:49:59 GMT

Nominated by markjazz Nothing pleases me more than putting any John Coltrane album on. I'm a hugh lover of jazz but this man does more for me than any other jazz artist and me owning 30 of his releases proves that. His work was vast in the short time he lived and he rarely, if ever, released anything that I'd give a rating of 2.5/5 or lower. A master with the saxophone John Coltrane will be remembered forever and is one of my favorite artists as well. Favorite Album: A Love Supreme Favorite Song: India

Jonathan Coulton

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:50:17 GMT

Nominated by Uber Former computer programmer turned singer-songwriter, Jonathan Coulton writes about geek culture from sci-fi, tech and other quirky and witty themes making for very fun to listen to songs. Favorite Album: JoCo Looks Back Favorite Song: Code Monkey

Coil

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:50:29 GMT

Nominated by 350125g0 My absolute favourite band ever. The first song I heard was "Heartworms" off of Foxtrot, and after that I delved as far as I possibly could into as much COIL/COIL-related material as was available to me at the time. Not one single release has been a disappointment, each is extraordinary and the brilliance of the music immeasurable. Even after Jhonn Balance's untimely death in 2004, COIL has still continued to influence a vast number of other experimental and esoteric bands today. Favourite Album: Love's Secret Domain Favourite Song: Dark River

The Cramps

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:50:35 GMT

Nominated by 350125g0 I remember The Cramps as one of the first bands I really got into. I have nearly all of their releases, and even as the years have worn on and I've gotten into a lot more music, I still come back to them as one of my favourites. Each release is a psychotic, trash rock frolic through camp and kitsch, and I frickin' love it. Lux Interior just died this past week, but he will always be remembered as one of the best frontmen of one of the most bizarre and unique bands in history. Favourite Album: Songs the Lord Taught Us Favourite Song: Garbageman

Combat Wounded Veteran

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:45:21 GMT

Nominated by nimimerkillinen Excellent power violence, this has a very special kick. The music creates absolutely compelling chaos. Favorite Album: This Is Not An Erect All-Red Neon Body

Current 93

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:05:33 GMT

Nominated by nimimerkillinen Yes, I do adore this band. They've got couple of dozen of CDs so I haven't heard all of the yet. Best Neofolk out there IMO. Favorite Album: Of Ruine or Some Blazing Starre Favorite Song: The Great, Bloody and Bruised Veil of the World

Johnny Cash

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:05:47 GMT

Nominated by Uber "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" is the concert intro to one of the most legendary man in music and I have yet to find a person that hasn't heard of him or one of his songs. Favorite Album: Unchained Favorite Song: I've Been Everywhere/Hurt

The Cult

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:06:21 GMT

Nominated by Nonfictionguy The Cult are an English rock band which gained a dedicated following in their native Britain with mid-1980s singles like "She Sells Sanctuary" before breaking into the American metal market in the late '80s with "Love Removal Machine". The band fuses a "heavy metal revivalist" sound with the "pseudo-mysticism...of The Doors, the guitar-orchestrations of Led Zeppelin, and the three-chord crunch of AC/DC, while adding touches of post-punk goth rock Favourite Album: Electric Favourite Song: Lil Devil

The Cranberries

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:06:37 GMT

Nominated by Nonfictionguy The Cranberries are an Irish rock band associated with alternative rock, but the band's sound also incorporates indie, indie pop, rock, post-punk and pop rock elements. The Cranberries rose to international fame in the 1990s with their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, which became a high commercial success and sold over five million copies in the United States. The group was one of the most successful rock acts of the '90s and sold over 14.5 million albums in the United States alone. The band has achieved four top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 chart (Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?; No Need To Argue; To the Faithful Departed and Bury the Hatchet) and eight top 20 singles on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart ("Linger", "Dreams", "Zombie", "Ode to My Family", "Ridiculous Thoughts, "Salvation", "Free To Decide" and "Promises"). Favourite Album: Everybody else is doing it, so why can't we? Favourite Song: Linger

Domotic

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:06:59 GMT

Nominated by nimimerkillinen Wonderful and original glitch. They have released only two records but they differ from each other nicely. Sadly overlooked band imo. Favourite Album: Ask for Tiger

Depeche Mode

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:07:06 GMT

Nominated by Nonfictionguy Depeche Mode are one of the longest-lived, most successful and influential bands to have emerged from the New Wave era. They have had forty-five songs in the UK Singles Chart, as well as one U.S. and two UK number one albums. According to EMI, Depeche Mode have sold over 75 million albums worldwide, as part of total worldwide record sales in excess of 100 million. But more then all that, French kids travel all the way to Basildon in Essex, UK, just to be in the groups old stomping grounds. And Basildon isn't great - so the band must be! :-) Favourite Album: Violator Favourite Song: Enjoy the silence

Demon Hunter

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:18:23 GMT

Nominated by Uber Christianity and metal are said to not mix well but Demon Hunter is one exception that combines the raw sound of metal and still sends a positive message. Favourite Album: The Triptych Favourite Song: Storm the Gates of Hell or Undying

Death in June

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:18:39 GMT

Nominated by 350125g0 Death In June is one of the first bands I think of when given the genre neofolk. Also one of the first neofolk bands I got into. Earlier releases are their best in my opinion, with Nada!, having a more electronic sound, being absolutely essential. With an endless list of DIJ releases under his belt, Douglas Pierce has also worked with numerous other neofolk and experimental artists over the decades as well. Favourite Album: Nada! Favourite Song: C'est un Reve

Deltron 3030

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:18:53 GMT

Nominated by nimimerkillinen Intergalactic rap. Deltron 3030 is one of my favorite rap groups. Intelligent lyrics and epic beats. Just superb stuff... Favorite Album: Deltron 3030 Favorite Song: 3030

Do Make Say Think

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:19:16 GMT

Nominated by Grand Assault According to last.fm, these guys are my most listened to band of the last five or so years. Without doubt then, one of my all time favourites. Majestic instrumental post-rock that I simply cannot get bored of listening to. Seeing them live a year or two ago ranks up there amongst my list of life-affirming experiences! Favourite Album: You, You're a history in rust Favourite Song: The Universe!

Disturbed

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:00:33 GMT

Nominated by Devious Phenomenon Very mainstream, most if not all people have at least heard of them, really, you either like all of their songs or hate them with a passion... They have a very angsty and aggressive feel to their music, basically(In my opinion) A form of light metal(Perhaps Nu Metal?) Favorite Album: I'd have to say Indestructible Favorite Song: Land of Confusion

Dream Theater

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:00:46 GMT

Nominated by Uber One of the successful bands in the progressive metal scene, Dream Theater are technical, melodic and shredding instrumentalists masters that bring a sense of awe in most songs they release. Plus I feel like they are musical geniuses that are just screwing around and make it look easy. Favourite Album: Octavarium Favourite Song: Panic Attack

Dropkick Murphys

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:00:56 GMT

Nominated by Uber Hailing from Massachusetts, Dropkick Murphys are one the of the most popular and well know Celtic punk bands today bringing the normal fast punk sound but adding bagpipes, tin whistles, and lyrical theme that could fit in any Irish pub. Favourite Album: The Meanest of Times Favourite Song: (F)lannigan's Ball

Bob Dylan

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:01:10 GMT

Nominated by Kryptic Centurion I don't think there will ever be another artist like Bob Dylan. Imagine a one-man folk band reaching such heights of critical acclaim in today's day and age, it just wouldn't happen. His topical lyrics would probably be more effective than several modern history lessons. An extremely important and prolific artist. Favourite Song: All Along the Watchtower

Brian Eno

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:02:11 GMT

Nominated by nimimerkillinen First rate and front line (avant-garde literally) electronic and rock-music. Thumbs up and hat off. Great musicians but I've listened to only few albums so far from his large discography. Favorite Album: Ambient 1: Music for Airports

The Eagles

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:02:22 GMT

Nominated by nonfictionguy At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums, Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975 and Hotel California, ranked among the 10 best-selling albums according to the Recording Industry Association of America. The best-selling studio album Hotel California is rated as the 37th album in the Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, and the band was ranked No.75 on the magazine's 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. They also have the best selling album in the U.S. to date with Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975. Favourite Album: Hotel California Favourite Song: Hotel California

Eisbrecher

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:02:38 GMT

Nominated by Uber After leaving Megaherz, Alexx Wesselsky formed Eisbrecher and took some of the industrial sound but added more electronics and created a great electronic grooving sound Favourite Album: Antikörper Favourite Song: This is Deutsch

Einsturzende Neubauten

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:03:07 GMT

Nominated by 350125g0 Another one of my all-time favourites (I have a tattoo to prove my devotion). This is where noise was born! Early metal-on-metal Neubauten is the best, with a raw and animalistic sound that was completely new at the time of the band's conception. Undeniably influential to other noise, industrial and experimental artists. One act I've been dying to see forever, it's just too bad they mostly play Europe. Favourite Album: Strategies Against Architecture Vol. 1 Favourite Song: Feurio! (from Haus der Lüge)

Explosions In The Sky

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:03:14 GMT

Nominated by Grand Assault This band got me into post-rock with their soaring instrumentals and creative soundscapes. I don't listen to them as much any more, and now infinitely prefer Do Make Say Think, but I still can't forget the contribution they made in opening my eyes to a new genre and broadening my musical horizons! Favourite Album: The Earth is not a cold dead place Favourite Song: The only moment we were alone

Electric Wizard

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:03:32 GMT

Nominated by nimimerkillinen A Stoner Doom Metal pioneer in a bunch of many. A very nostalgic pick for me because this band invited me to this specific kind of Metal. I'm glad that they are coming to Finland this Fall :) Favorite Album: Dopethrone

Engenheiros do Hawaii

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:36:27 GMT

Nominated by Natália It's one of my favorite bands, but I think it's kinda hard to talk about them here, 'cause the most important thing about their music, for me, are the lyrics. They use a lot of schemes and other figure of speech, like alliteration, assonance and antithesis. The earlier albums are more... experimental, I don't know, more noisy, but the recent ones are "cleaner". Favorite Album: Acustico MTV (ok, it's something by MTV, but it can give you an idea of the band's history.) Favorite Songs: Piano Bar and Refrão De Bolero.

Edward Elgar

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:36:31 GMT

Nominated by Dionysian Child Strong, Beautiful, uplifting and moving. Elgar crafts songs that compliment and mould every mood to his notes. He always made me regret playing the Violin instead of the grand Cello. Favourite Song: Cello Concerto

Editors

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:42:13 GMT

Nominated by Vítor Bezerra Editors are a British indie rock band based in Birmingham, who formed in 2002. After their continued success in the charts, sold out tours and numerous headlining festival slots, Editors were lauded as the second biggest British band of the decade after Arctic Monkeys by The Mail on Sunday newspaper. Their brand of dark indie rock is habitually compared to the sound of bands such as Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division, Interpol and U2. Wikipedia Favourite Song: Escape the Nest

Evanescence

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:42:24 GMT

Nominated by Uber Some people love them, some hate them but one fact is they made a name for themselves and started something thanks to Amy Lee's vocal capability. Favourite Album: Fallen Favourite Song: Everybody's Fool