Current pop(ular) music

[mperfct]

I understand that compression is cool these days in regards to most major labels. If you're playing it on stock iBuds, then whatever, the weakest link probably isn't the amount of compression.

My predicament is that I like a lot of the newer music and stuff going back *gasp* into the 90s (I'm only 32). Is there any popular groups that didn't completely have their sound butchered in the vain attempt to make it loud? I like everything from Pearl Jam to Tool to Muse, Evanescence, Snow Patrol, I could go on and on.

I'm just not a fan of some of the more obscure stuff some of you listen to on here. Kudos to you for enjoying it, but it's not my cup of tea. I have been listening to some of the stuff people recommend on here as having great SQ, and I can totally dig the SQ, but if it's not my style, it's not going to amuse me for more than five minutes.

Surely I'm not alone here and these aren't uncharted waters I'm treading here, so any suggestions of bands/studios I might have missed?

 

[Adam]

[Don't mind me...just paying homage to your avatar.]

 

[mperfct]

if I were drinking soda, it would have shot out my nose.

 

[skizzerflake]

Check out the Drive By Truckers. They do loud, jangly, profane southern rock with a lot of intelligence, irony and variety. As frequent visitors to the Baltimore area, I can attest that their live shows are great too. The sound quality on their CDs is usually pretty good for music that's intended to be loud. Especially recommended is Southern Rock Opera their "magnum opus" about aspiring teen musicians who wish they were Lynnerd Skinnerd. Their more recent CDs, such as The Dirty South and Brighter Than Creation's Dark feature some softer tunes and acoustic pieces, much of which is very good.

 

[jamie2112]

Dishwalla
Porcupine Tree
My Morning Jacket
Shootyz Groove
311
Stained
all have great sounding records...........

 

[jostenmeat]

[Don't mind me...just paying homage to your avatar.]

lol. yeah, I've been following him in his recent posting history. the avatar is a carrot on a stick to me.

if I were drinking soda, it would have shot out my nose.

 

[jamie2112]

[Don't mind me...just paying homage to your avatar.]

Adam needs a girlfriend.............badly
You should also check out Incubus-Science, Jimmies CHicken Shack-Pushing the Somanilla Envelope, and Quicksand-Slip

 

[dronezero]

If you like Tool I assume you've heard A Perfect Circle. Mer de Noms is at least decently recorded.

Every Ben Harper album I've heard has been well recorded.

Counting Crows album August and Everything After is good.

Fiona Apple had a hit with Criminal back in '97 and the album it is from 'Tidal' is a great recording.

Modest Mouse's albums are well recorded and they had a small hit a few years back off their Good News For People Who Love Bad News album.

Practically any MTV Unplugged album is pretty good. The standouts in my eyes are: Nirvana, Eric Clapton, 10,000 Maniacs, and Alice in Chains.

Rage Against the Machine's albums are well recorded (at least the first three or so).

 

[sgtpepper9]

try the Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin
the Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Animal Collective - Merriwether Post Pavillion

 

[mperfct]

well I dl'ed a bunch of albums here from Rhapsody just to see what the music is like. I've noticed, that even with Rhapsody, a well recorded album comes through. I've set my download format to 192k, as well.

I just had to buy a 8gb SDHC card for my Sansa since I ran out of space. How nice it is to have an expansion slot!

 

[MinusTheBear]

+1 on the Counting Crows album. Third Eye Blind (self-titled) is another stellar recording.

 

[dronezero]

Thought of another one. Damien Rice's albums are well recorded pop. I'm not sure he has ever had a song that got much airplay, but he is similar to John Mayer (except better).

 

[mperfct]

I'm listening through a lot of these...so far Dishwalla is my favorite. I love the live material

Animal Collective was really good too. I need to get this on my system at home and see how it sounds...very dynamic and different, but not so different it seems alien and un-enjoyable.

 

[cvcgolf]

You need The Secret Machines. Bowie is a fan of this band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfy5iAydBWI&feature=related

You also need some Arcade Fire. Obviously Bowie digs this band as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-wEBmLht5g

And what would life be like without some Japanese pop from PuffyAmiYumi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSbORmx8Pk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxolURcPCDo

Get anything from Brian Setzer and his Orchestra.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncrILTdBywo

There you go. The soundtrack to your life..lol

 

[mperfct]

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion.

MP3 192k - wow, this is pretty cool

FLAC - HOLY CRAP. IS THIS EVEN THE SAME MUSIC? SOUND THE TRUMPETS, THIS WAS AN EPIPHANY!!