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View Full Version : Magnatune Artist Recommendations?



aysiu
January 24th, 2007, 09:58 PM
I'm not really that much of an "independent music" person--I'll be honest. About as "independent" I get is Ani DiFranco or Dance Hall Crashers. I don't even know if the Dance Hall Crashers count as independent.

I'm really kind of a pop guy. I like Frankie Valli, Pet Shop Boys, Frente, The Beautiful South, Portishead, Keane, Indigo Girls... pretty mainstream, at least compared to Magnatune stuff.

I used to shop on the iTunes store, but I'm not a big fan of DRM, and I'm sometimes too lazy to go to an actual record store to buy CDs (though I do like that experience best). Recently, I found out that AmaroK was going to integrate (as of Feisty) with the Magnatune store.

The last couple of days, I've been poking around Magnatune, trying to find some good bands, since I like what they're trying to do (50% of sales to the artist, no DRM, various music formats, etc.). I noticed a lot of trance and background music. I'm more of a sing-along type.

Anyone have recommendations? If you buy from Magnatune or just listen to some of the artists there without buying, who do you like? What would you recommend for a pop-oriented, sing-along person like me?

Choad
January 24th, 2007, 10:01 PM
keane...

oh well, at least you use ubuntu. that counts for something, right?

aysiu
January 24th, 2007, 10:01 PM
Not a Keane-lover, huh?

MkfIbK7a
January 24th, 2007, 10:03 PM
wow
this is the first question not just meant to provoke discussion youve asked in a long time
though it has nothing to do with ubuntu...

anyway i dont know about the megatune store but i suggest checking out steely dan

wert

aysiu
January 24th, 2007, 10:04 PM
I doubt Magnatune has Steely Dan.

Here's a link:
http://www.magnatune.com/

MkfIbK7a
January 24th, 2007, 10:06 PM
i dont think this is your type but

http://magnatune.com/artists/thornside

Pelekophori
January 24th, 2007, 10:08 PM
I think you're probably going to struggle to find that kind of pop on Magnatune (or at least I've never found anything similar).

You might find something more to your taste on http://www.jamendo.com/en/tag/pop/ although I can't recommend any specific artist. On the other hand, everything on Jamendo is (legally) free as in beer.

lyceum
January 24th, 2007, 10:16 PM
Check out allofmp3.com. They are very cheap and have lots of great music. Also, you can go to someone you like and they will make sound (no pun intended) recomindations.

Portishead and Indigo Girls are the only name on your list I even know, but they are both great!

ma1kel
January 24th, 2007, 10:21 PM
Use AllofMp3.com. Very cheap.

mips
January 24th, 2007, 10:23 PM
I like Frankie Valli

I absolutely love Can't Take My Eyes Off You (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can%27t_Take_My_Eyes_Off_You)

Not really pop but if you like to sing along have you tried Jack Johnson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Johnson_%28musician%29) ? I really love his music, Brushfire Fairtails is my favourite.

http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/
http://www.brushfirerecords.com/splash

Brunellus
January 24th, 2007, 10:29 PM
keane...

oh well, at least you use ubuntu. that counts for something, right?
Keane's not all that bad. The song that got on the radio ("Somewhere Only We Know") was utterly ruined by heavy rotation.

"Bedshaped," however, is up there among my favorite songs.

banjobacon
January 24th, 2007, 10:40 PM
Magnatune has high quality streams, so I suggest just listening to those for a while. From what I've seen, their pop/rock selection isn't that great. I'd suggest listening to some genres you aren't familiar with. You might find something different that you like.

If you want a music store that sells better known artists' music without DRM, check out emusic.

bonzodog
January 24th, 2007, 10:45 PM
I would also advise you check out another russian site, not so widely known, called;
http://www.mp3sugar.com/

and, a legal site from the US perspective, but DRM free, and are trying to sign major labels,

http://www.emusic.com

raublekick
January 24th, 2007, 11:11 PM
I've only bought stuff from two bands on Magnatune, just to try it out: Drop Trio, and Thursday Group. Drop Trio is a jazz trio from Houston, TX, I believe. Nice and groovy, lots of piano, bass, and hammond organs. Thursday Group is some jazz group from the 80's. It's not too bad but nothing spectacular.

Everywhere should have more Steely Dan.

hanzomon4
January 25th, 2007, 12:22 AM
Might not be your cup of tea but checkout Trip Warmsley, (http://www.magnatune.com/artists/wamsley) he's local to my area and his bass playing is downright bizarre. He has the monster bass I call the HULK it's an 8 string beast that he has to play sitting down. The shows that I go to are the ones where he plays solo, just him and his bass, and its just amazing to see this guy play these incredible rich songs all by himself

aysiu
January 25th, 2007, 02:38 AM
Thanks for the recommendations. I'll check those out.

maniacmusician
January 25th, 2007, 05:49 AM
Magnatune is alright...

But there's a new online store that I like better (for music choice at least) . They're new to the Internet, but they've existed in physical form for a long time, and are often referred to as one of the best record stores anywhere; Other Music (http://www.othermusic.com/). They sell DRM free music at pretty high quality, but only in MP3. they're still working on being able to sell more of their music online, but they have a decent selection available.

In terms of musician-friendliness, Magnatunes is better, though. Other Music deals with the labels instead of the artists directly, so they'll probably never see the money. In concern to musican friendliness, I'd never buy from allofmp3, but I'm sure you already know all about that, I'm pretty sure this forum's seen some arguments on that topic. [not looking to start another one, so trolls and flamers, back off]

I didn't know magnatunes was going to be integrated into Amarok...that's great. Looking forward to that...

aysiu
January 25th, 2007, 05:55 AM
You can read more about AmaroK and Magnatune here:
http://amarok.kde.org/content/view/84/66/

And I definitely am not going to buy from allofmp3.com. I like not only the lack of DRM at Magnatunes but also their fairness to the artists. I'll do some exploring, paying special attention to people's recommendations. Keep 'em coming if you've got more.

banjobacon
January 25th, 2007, 06:59 AM
But there's a new online store that I like better (for music choice at least) . They're new to the Internet, but they've existed in physical form for a long time, and are often referred to as one of the best record stores anywhere; Other Music (http://www.othermusic.com/). They sell DRM free music at pretty high quality, but only in MP3. they're still working on being able to sell more of their music online, but they have a decent selection available.

The Other Music digital store isn't open yet. All you can buy from them are regular CDs at them moment.

Other Music is pretty cool, though. They're weekly newsletter is great, and can open you up so much good music. Here's there latest newsletter: http://www.othermusic.com/2007january17update.html

slimdog360
January 25th, 2007, 07:34 AM
I'm really kind of a pop guy. I like Frankie Valli, Pet Shop Boys, Frente, The Beautiful South, Portishead, Keane, Indigo Girls... pretty mainstream, at least compared to Magnatune stuff.
I think Ive heard of the pet shop boys once before but the rest Ive never heard of.

edit: after listening to keane just now I can recall hearing them before. Though they are not in Magnatune, judging from your list you'd probably like sarah blasko (http://www.sarahblasko.com/). Dont tell any of my friends because they will beat me up for saying this but I like some of her music. Songs of hers like 'explain' and 'planet new year' are the bomb, I think I like it more for the relaxing feeling I get when listening to her music. Something for Kate (http://www.somethingforkate.com/musicbox/home.do) and powderfinger (http://www.powderfinger.com/vs/default.asp) also go hard.

kebes
February 2nd, 2007, 09:05 PM
Keep 'em coming if you've got more.

It's hard to make suggestions since music is such a personal thing... but I would recommend "Ammonite (http://magnatune.com/artists/ammonite)", which is in the category of electro pop (http://my.magnatune.com/search?w=electro+pop&x=0&y=0).

I certainly like the stance that magnatune takes.

shining
February 2nd, 2007, 09:41 PM
It's hard to make suggestions since music is such a personal thing... but I would recommend "Ammonite (http://magnatune.com/artists/ammonite)", which is in the category of electro pop (http://my.magnatune.com/search?w=electro+pop&x=0&y=0).

I certainly like the stance that magnatune takes.

It's the only album I listened to on magnatune that I like atm, it's pretty cool ;)

And indeed, it's nicely integrated in amarok. I was already using amarok, but didn't pay attention to this Magnatune tab. :)
It's available since version 1.4.4, which is available in Debian etch and sid, and in feisty.