Here's yet another installment of "having local musicians pick six music recommendations because ... seven is too many. Or something." Feel perfectly free to check out the first and second installments, featuring Jim Pullman, Sue Orfield, Peter Phippen, Michael Perry, Tyler Franz (Breakneck the Mage), and Brent K.

Eric "Pedals" Thompson
Dead Dogs, Snifter,
The Jim Pullman Band

 

 

 

Eric.

Stanton Moore, Kooks on Parade (They just sound like they're having fun.)

 

Bill Janovitz, Fireworks on TV (My favorite album from former buffalo tom frontman.)  

Dinosaur Jr., Been There all the Time (Just play this song live once extremely loud and you'll be forever in love.)

Soul Coughing, Blame (One of the coolest bass lines ever!) 

Sunday Evening Whiskey Club (Got a collection of cd's from a friend in seattle with what he's doing and fell in love with this one.)

Beck (He just keeps showing up every couple songs on shuffle.)

Joel Pace
Egg Plant Heros, Irie Sol

 

 

 

Joel.

Corinne Bailey Rae (A British star with a beautiful Billie Holiday-esque voice and great songs, ranging from R&B to folk.)

 

GAYNGS  (A group of some 27 members (?): Ryan Olson + The Cook Brothers + Maggie Morrison + Justin Vernon + members of Doomtree, Solid Gold = genius!)

No Bird Sing (Named from a line in a Keats poem, this powerful hip hop trio's forthcoming album, recorded in a Minnesota barn, promises a fusion of hip hop/spoken word/poetry and bluesy guitar.)

Billy Krause, A Cool, Dry Place (Be sure to catch a solo performance and one with Michael Perry and the Long Beds.)

Roster McCabe, "Swords" from Through Space & Time (An original northwoods funk and reggae album that puts the "jam" back in Jamiroquai and makes the "Mar" in Maroon 5 stand for Marley.)

John Legend and The Roots, Wake Up! (Great performance by Legend, stretching beyond sweet ballads to showcase his "true grit" and range, amazing rap/spoken word by Black Thought, Common, and Chicago poet Malik Yousef.)

Dave Power
Meridene, Duncan Ninja, The Walk/Klenz Jazz Sextet

 

 

 

Dave.

Twin Shadow, Forget (George Lewis Jr. is Twin Shadow - Music that completely brings to mind 1980s new wave: nostalgic, sad, beautiful, longing melodies all over the top of electro-pop dance music. Listen to "Slow.")

 

Violens, Amoral (Another band that calls to mind 80s music in a different way, vocals especially. This is electronically-tinged, "indie-rock" party music for Arizona desert nights. Listen to "Until It's Unlit.")

Jaga-Jazzist, One-Armed Bandit (One of the most unique albums I've heard in a long time: Think if Philip Glass, Marco Benevento, The Mars Volta (who happen to be big fans), and Stereolab were thrown into a spaceship and flung into the outer reaches of our galaxy. Listen to "220 V/Spektral.")

Meshuggah, Catch 33 (I am not much of a metal fan, but am becoming more of one due to Meshuggah: This is some of the most face-crushing, body-slamming, ferocious, technical, blood-thirsty music I have ever heard. Listen to "In Death - Is Life.")

Boards of Canada, The Campfire Headphase (I used to listen to this album all the time during my senior year of high school; it was my first BoC experience. Think driving back home in your parents' van from a bonfire during a warm, breezy July night with BoC washing over you from the CD player the entire way home. Listen to "Dayvan Cowboy.")

My Bloody Valentine, Loveless (Most people should have heard of this band by now... They are the pioneers of "shoegaze," and this, their second album, is hailed as one of the best albums of all time. Also think breezy, washy, summer night driving. Listen to "Soon.")