The Unconventional Music Thread

[Spidey Revivey]

unconventional (comparative more unconventional, superlative most unconventional)

1.Not adhering to convention or accepted standards
2.Out of the ordinary
3.Atypical

I, like many in the world, own an MP3/Ipod. I use Itunes because I don't like taking part in illegal transactions on purpose. I pay because I can, and I love music just as much as I love beautiful women. So when I have the chance to get more music, I do. But sometimes we as human beings grow bored of the regular standards set to us by industries like music . I am talking about the Primary Colors that are Rock, Rap, and Country. These 3 genres have been the pull for the American public for decades now; not saying this is a bad thing, but I myself do get tired of these three. I like expansion- variety is by all means the spice of life.

So when I use the term "unconventional" I am talking about the music that isn't part of regular programming, radio stations, etc (At least not where you are from). Or at least not part of the big picture today.

My question to you all is simple, Who do you like listening to that doesn't fit in the major 3? A group or musician that others may find you unusual for listening to because it's not exactly "popular" where you are from or such.

As for me, I am a casual fan of French Cafe Music. This to me is unconventional because, as clearly depicted, I am from Arkansas. I love hitting up a Coffee House that has the likes of Alan Dunn playing (an accordian player). It's smooth, relaxing, and catchy.

I would upload a video found on Youtube, but it isn't sharing. For anyone curious, search "Voce 'e Notte" by Alan Dunn.

 

[SorgFamily]

I work at a food retailer and they have the bland rock ballads from the 60's up until now constantly playing. Sad thing is I like a lot of them. Usually my apples fall into a classic rock type bucket but every couple days I'll write down a few lines from the song go home and search for it and then dl it. Songs like: Climax Blues Band - "Couldn't Get it Right" and Juice Newton - "The Sweetest Thing". Once in a while it also turns me onto 60's rock bands I may have overlooked like Herman's Hermits, America and The Hollies. One last thing, whatever station we're playing also helped me get into ELO (Electric Light Orchestra). I already had an album (have no idea were I got it from) from them but I started hearing a lot of singles from them on the radio at work so I bought a couple more albums from them.

 

[LSN80]

I listen to and really like Regina Spektor, whose considered to be anti-folk.

A few of of her songs are quite conventional, but most of them are quirky, and really upbeat. She definitely doesn't fit into a conventional genre, or the type of music I generally listen to.

However, a former mental health client of mine listened to her alot, and when I saw i could get her new album, Far, for 9.99 on Itunes, I jumped on it. I liked what little my client had played for me, and so i figured 10 bucks wouldn't kill me to see what she was all about.

In retrospect, Im really glad I did. I doubt I would listen to anyone else within this genre, but she has the sound and vocal range to pull it off, as well as infectious energy. Some of her songs are so simplistic as well. One involves her finding a man's wallet, and deciding whether or not to keep it. In the end, she finds a Blockbuster card in the wallet, so she returns the wallet to her local Blockbuster. Some of the songs are more serious, but are mostly upbeat and quite infectious.

Here's the viral video of one of my favorite songs off the album, Eet. It's slower paced, which is what i feel she pulls off best.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMEpaVL_WsU

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I like the solo album released by Tom Morello, the RATM and Audioslave guitarist. I am sure almost everyone here is familiar with how Morello usually sounds while playing in either of those bands, but what you may not be aware of is that he also released a solo album under the name The Nightwatchman, where he played acoustic, politically charged folk music. I think it sounds great, check it out.

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[Dagger Dias]

My favorite music that isn't either rock, rap, or country? Well.... I still listen to 80's New Wave music. Many of my friends make fun of that, even my wife gives me a hard time about it....but I happen to still really like that type of music. There were a lot of great beats and memorable songs. Here is one of my all time favorites:

[YOUTUBE]BJ7NVjZ-Eyg[/YOUTUBE]

People often ask me why I listen to songs like that.... because I like them, that's why! A more specific reason being due to the fact that most of today's music just isn't that great. I'm more into older stuff. The same can be said for video games and movies. That's just me though. The thread asks for music we like that isn't rock/rap/country, though. So I have now said my piece.

 

[Darryl The Hitman]

If Weird Al Yankovic counts, he's definitely my vote. If not, well I do enjoy listening to MIDIs of my favorite songs online and comparing them to see which ones adapt just the basics of the song and which ones sound even more complete than the original source material.