No. You're missing the point. The design of the thing is functional. The plan is not to shoot you. The plan is to get the girl. If there's no girl, then the plan, well, is like the room.

Early ,'Objects In Space'


Buffista Music II: Wrath of Chaka Khan  

There's a lady plays her fav'rite records/On the jukebox ev'ry day/All day long she plays the same old songs/And she believes the things that they say/She sings along with all the saddest songs/And she believes the stories are real/She lets the music dictate the way that she feels.


DavidS - Dec 08, 2004 8:36:28 am PST #6329 of 10003
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

Teppy, I'd agree with Lyra's categories. Though I would note that if you went into a store that specialized in "Indie Pop" you'd find all of those bands.


Steph L. - Dec 08, 2004 8:46:01 am PST #6330 of 10003
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

Huh. To my ear, they all share a vocal quality that I can't quite articulate.


DavidS - Dec 08, 2004 8:49:14 am PST #6331 of 10003
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

Huh. To my ear, they all share a vocal quality that I can't quite articulate.

Well, as noted, the lead singer in two of the bands is the same guy. But yeah, there is kind of an indiepop/emo singing style. Also, the recording technique is generally not very slick, so it won't typically be run through Autotune or something like that.


Steph L. - Dec 08, 2004 8:56:46 am PST #6332 of 10003
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

Like I said, I can't really describe it very well. It's like -- Dave Matthews and John Mayer have that earnest, I-feel-your-pain-now-let-me-feel-you thing going on, vocally.

The best way I can describe the vocal thing I get from the above indie-boy bands is -- slightly removed? See, that's not quite right. I want to say "ethereal," but I don't mean like Enya or the Vienna Boys Choir.


Lyra Jane - Dec 08, 2004 8:59:30 am PST #6333 of 10003
Up with the sun

I can see what you're talking about vocally with the Shins and Ben Gibbard, but to me Colin from the Decemberists has a different feel; he's more of a storyteller, where the others are more about feelings and impressions. I also think his voice is rougher.


DavidS - Dec 08, 2004 9:00:05 am PST #6334 of 10003
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

Like I said, I can't really describe it very well. It's like -- Dave Matthews and John Mayer have that earnest, I-feel-your-pain-now-let-me-feel-you thing going on, vocally.

Strum Boys

The best way I can describe the vocal thing I get from the above indie-boy bands is -- slightly removed? See, that's not quite right. I want to say "ethereal," but I don't mean like Enya or the Vienna Boys Choir.

Wispy? Whiny? Twee? Ironic?


Steph L. - Dec 08, 2004 9:00:33 am PST #6335 of 10003
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

to me Colin from the Decemberists has a different feel; he's more of a storyteller, where the others are more about feelings and impressions. I also think his voice is rougher.

Actually, I see that. Maybe I just threw the Decemberists in there b/c they're so new to me. Because when I first heard "July July," I thought it was TMBG for a minute.


Steph L. - Dec 08, 2004 9:02:42 am PST #6336 of 10003
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

The best way I can describe the vocal thing I get from the above indie-boy bands is -- slightly removed? See, that's not quite right. I want to say "ethereal," but I don't mean like Enya or the Vienna Boys Choir.

Wispy? Whiny? Twee? Ironic?

Wispy!


DavidS - Dec 08, 2004 9:03:17 am PST #6337 of 10003
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

Actually, I see that. Maybe I just threw the Decemberists in there b/c they're so new to me. Because when I first heard "July July," I thought it was TMBG for a minute.

That song was one of their earlier ones, and I've seen them (sort of) distance themselves from it now. A bit too obviously pop for their preferred direction. Still the catchiest Decembrist's song. Anyway, that song is atypical for them.


Lyra Jane - Dec 08, 2004 9:05:13 am PST #6338 of 10003
Up with the sun

when I first heard "July July," I thought it was TMBG for a minute.

Yeah, I understand that comparison. And really, where I get the Smiths has more to do with the lyrics than the musicianship.

And David, I think twee is more like the Softies or Belle and Sebastian -- athe aren't-we-precious singing style. I'm not sure what term I would use for what Teppy is describing -- "distanced" or "offhand" might be as close as I can get. "