Kara-Moon Forum

OK, lets have a round up of your favourite music cd's from 2008

Here's my list of 8 cd's

1       The seldom seen kid                       - Elbow
2       Fleet foxes                                    - Fleet Foxes
3       Rockferry                                       - Duffy
4       Seventh tree                                  - Goldfrapp
5       The age of the understatement        - Last shadow puppets
6       Viva la vida                                   - Coldplay
7       Exit strategy of the soul                  - Ron Sexsmith
8       A hundred million suns                    - Snow Patrol

Looking forward to some more lists  ;D

Well, you probably won't believe it, but i managed to buy ZERO CD's this year  :o
There is so many good free (and legal) music on the internet  8)

I did get the (double) DVD of the Pulse concert of Pink Floyd as a gift which I enjoy a lot

k

 8)
Since I been involved with making my own music, (this time around over the past two years) I don't buy or listen to any music other than Kara-moon and KVR.    :-X
This may seem like a sad situation, but believe me, I was so very tired of mainstream music that these places have totally refreshed my *music buds* and kick-started me back into making my own music after a lay-off of some 30 years!   ::)
From your list, Martin, I must confess that I never liked the stuff by Coldplay, Snow Patrol or Elbow. The others I don't really know of apart from a couple of Goldfrapp single a few (?) years past.  The exception is Ron Sexsmith. I had his first couple of early albums and he was, back then, right up my street. Beautiful voice, fabulously simplistic arrangements and innovative instrumentation. Is he still as good as that?
 ;)
James

All of my 2008 CD purchases were oldies.  I managed to get box sets of Grant Green, Ray Charles, Jimmy Smith and Jimmy Buffet.  I also received as gifts the Legends of Rock and Roll and The Very Best of Rock and Roll box sets. 

I did buy a few individual CDs but again not those of contemporary pop artists.

I must confess that the best instrumental music I have heard in a long time came from these forums.  So I thank Kara-Moon for those ear-candy treats!  Also I thank them for exposing me to different music genres.  This is the place to be 09!

Yeah, I knew this would be a controversial topic. I get the feeling some of you think contemporary music isn't any good and should be avoided at all costs. I'd just like you to take into account that most of the cd's apart from maybe Coldplay and Duffy that I've listed are very far from mainstream and hardly known by the general public. To only go by Kara-Moon and KVR seems abit limiting to me as well.

I’m assuming that the lists you wanted were the CDs that I actually purchased during 2008.  That’s what I posted.

What I liked but didn’t purchase in 2008 were John Mayer (Say), Metro Station (Oxygen), Madonna (4 minutes & Give it 2 me), Tracy Chapman and many more.  So as you can see I’m not really anti–contemporary, I just have limited funds right now, ie, retirement has it’s pitfalls as well as it’s advantages  :)

I do agree with you that narrowing your listening choices to any one or two sites and/or music genres is not the way to go.

Hi, Mario. Well I can understand that if you have limited funds that buying cd's isn't one of your priorities.

Martin, I didn't mean to imply that I avoid contemporary music. I just find that, over recent years, much of what is mainstream is really not to my liking. I have actually developed a bit of a hatred for modern radio shows (at least here in the UK) as they are mainly populated by arrogant, loud-mouthed and empty-headed presenters and play more adverts than music!
Having spent many years now on an extremely low income I can't justify buying CD's. A number of years ago my local library set up a record/CD collection where you could borrow a couple of titles for two weeks. This was absolutely wonderful at first and I used this facility to discover all sorts of artists who would have remained unknown to me otherwise. However, like most good things, they eventually started to charge fees for this service so I have had to give that up.
I am coming up to 60 this year and have been actively enjoying all types of music from a very early age, as far back as I can remember. I got my first guitar at age 13 and went through most styles in the learning process from pop, blues, folk, rock and a little jazz. I have always kept an open mind about music in general.
The only time I actually *buy* any music now is when I pick up (second-hand) old LP's for my daughters vinyl collection  ::)
Thanks for starting this interesting thread. I'm curious to see how it develops.
 ;)
James

Thanks for the reply, James. I understand your situation. I only wanted to point out that a band like for instance Elbow isn't what I would call mainstream apart from the fact if you like them or not.

I have to agree with you about the radio shows. I hardly ever listen to the radio. Most of the new music I pick up by watching the Jools Holland Show on the BBC. And also the coverage by the BBC of a festival like Glastonbury. In Holland we also have coverage of festivals like Pinkpop and Lowlands. Apart from that bands like Elbow and Fleet Foxes also have myspace websites where you can listen to a number of their songs.
Here's the one of The Fleet Foxes have a listen to them. I think you will like them.

http://www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

Finally there's a Dutch site which covers all the new releases and lets you have short clips of all the songs on an album. I don't know if there is a British or American equivalent. This is the site http://www.platomania.nl

Martin

I don't begin to have the time to listen to commercial music. It is almost inconceivable to me.

I am either listening to a mix that I am trying to figure out how to sweeten up, or writing a song, or trying to catch up on listening to my friends songs right here. These last three years I have spent tons more time trying to learn how to get my mixes right than I have even spent playing guitar, and I play guitar every day.

The last commercial CDs I bought were Neck and Neck..and a collectors edition of Les Paul and Chet Atkins, (that I sent to Oren).

..lol..How do you manage it?   ;D

Weirdest thought I have had so far this year:

I just realized this morning that I have been playing the guitar since 40 years ago..and I'm just beginning to get the hang of it.

8)

Wyatt

Crap....if it takes that long, I'm never gonna make it :D

About CD's.  I've only bought friend's CD's in the last couple of years.  I do try to stay current, however.  Especially since I added a new TV channel to the lineup called Palladia. Do any of you get that??  Nothing but videos and concert footage....highly recommended.

Back on topic. I've been buying singles mostly....music I want to learn, and some I just don't have in my collection. For example, last night I bought Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), You Keep Me Hanging On (Vanilla Fudge), Green Eyed Lady (Sugarloaf).  And some how, over the years, I had never heard Those Shoes by the Eagles. It slipped by me some how.

Let me add a little to the controversy.  I actually prefer contemporary C&W to most other contemporary genres. Some of the music is pretty darn good....especially guitar playing singers like Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. Rascal Flats has some well done tunes. And I actually quite like Taylor Swift. 

Thanks for the input Fred and Wyatt.

 Didn't know you were a country hick, Fred ;D

The only cd I had bought this past year,was "The Moog Cookbook"...and that's only because it's a collector's item.
I can't afford all the cd's I would want,so here & there,I've been purchasing internet music downloads-that's it.
I'm vastly far away from mainstream music for the most part & I despise the radio,but I do like Coldplay though. 8)

The K-M forum is a wonderful alternative to the radio & I've never looked back since! :D
I pretty much stick to the music of the past,as far as mainstream goes and apart from this,I sometimes check out MySpace artists, & music that is local to my area & surrounding areas.

-Thom

In general, I find I end up sounding like the people I'm listening to, so being selective is important.

2008 was mostly a Chris Rea year - http://chrisrea.mobi/?bio

A "new to me" pop-music band is Oasis - http://www.oasisinet.com/
                                                    
However, the Kara-Moon forum and Artist pages are my principal sources of enjoyment and inspiration at this time.

Hah!  "I'm a little bit country"...."I'm a little bit rock n roll" (Donnie & Marie)  :D

I've never been a big fan of Country. But, outside of Rap, I like most anything done well. I just can't tell when Rap is done well and when its not ::). 

My interest in Country is relatively weak and recent. However, there are a few things contemporary country has going for it.... a story (always), great mixes, and what seems like an endless supply of outstanding musicians. Most of these guys can really play!!!

 

Well, in 2008 I bought some nice Albums. I'm more into Rock/Hard Rock/Punk etc Stuff.. 8)

Here's my list..

The Offspring - Rise and fall, rage and grace
The Offspring - Ixnay on the Hombre
The Offspring - Splinter
http://www.offspring.com
http://www.theoffspringdotcom.com/

Oasis - Don't believe the truth
www.oasisinet.com

Scorpions - Virgin Killer
www.the-scorpions.com

Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park - Meteora
www.linkinpark.com

Fred,
In my experience, country music has the sharpest players, and most competent engineers/producers, of any style of contemporary North American music. Partly because a very large portion of their audience are amateur musicians, and partly because the competition is so intense. Although not a fan of country music specifically, I love their productions, and their musicians.
And Kris Kristofferson... ;D   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YleF5tJuQ64

"Spoken word" vocals have long been an interest of mine, and like it or not, rap is a form of spoken word performance. "Walk This Way" is an example of spoken word - one version by Aerosmith before rap came along, and now a version by Run DMC - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AKaV911uJA -  rap style.
In my opinion, two excellent versions of a spoken word composition. So yes, I think there is some :-[ good rap music.


NeoN,
Radical selection, dude ;D. Thanks for the links!

Thanks for the links Oren and Neon. That's what this thread was intended for anyway. To get to know everyone's taste in music.

@Oren I think I saw The Happy Mondays playing at Glastonbury as well. Pretty obnoxious band.

@Fred. Yes those country guitarplayers are usually pretty good. Or should I say guitarpickers. I used to like that guy that played with Elvis. Can't remember his name right now  Burton or something.

Thanks Oren :)

Excellent points Oren!  I am familiar with "Walk This Way". The video was very cool. Although I do think the "remake" may have been actually more popular than the original!!

The "rap" I can't get behind is the "packaged" rap; the palm down side to side hand motions, the crotch grabbing, and the pants-below-the-rump fashion statement ::)  I do appreciate (as most of us here can appreciate I think!) the rebelious nature of rap, although, at times, it crosses over my personal taste line. What worries me is the  packaged rap money machines and the relative teenage popularity of some one like Lil' Wayne...the current Rap Artist (and newest millionaire) of the Year. Not really my vote for music appreciation role modeling. But hey, its all a personal taste thing anyway, right?  ;)

Yep..and what sucks, sucks!

8)

Wyatt

Gee Fred, have you seen me on my way to the bathroom...?

To my way of thinking, any art form that promotes violence, intolerance, and thoughtlessness is best avoided. Rap has more than its share of these ingredients, as well as a strong focus on drugs, gender exploitation, and big money. Just stupid.

So, I like to go with "spoken word" to keep that stink off some very legitimate artists. O0

Way to go, dude  ;D ;D

Got it. Couldn't agree more. And, I'd like to give a shout out to my man Wyatt, who indeed has a way with the "written word".  ;D

Hmmm. Interesting topic.

Like a lot of guys, I've only bought one CD in 2008. That was a Dr Hook Compilation on Amazon. Although I knew and liked most of the tracks I only really got it for 'Storms Never Last' a really sweet song I'd been after for ages.

I used to collect quite a few 45s, from S/H shops etc. and discovered quite a lot of interesting stuff that way (along with a lot of rubbish too), but now I trawl the legal websites, as well as here and KVR.

I've just done a quick count of my 'others' folder. There are 172 good original songs and instrumentals in there.