I thought I would drop in and post an early morning update, but I think it's rather late for most of you Americans now.
Anyhow, will post the next 3 on my list, I think these 3 are maybe a bit more unknown around here, but maybe it can create some interest and result in someone finding a new artist they like, because that's one of the good side effects from lists like this one.
I also have some really nice ones in store for the second update today, so make sure you look into this thread later.
44. Kaki King -
Dreaming of Revenge (2008)Next up on my list we have a solo-artist, the guitarist/singer-songwriter Kaki King.
Like many of my other favorite artists and bands, I discovered her through DTF and the thread she has here. I'm not quite sure if it was thanks to Sigz, Reaper or Sonata that I checked her out, but probably a combination of all three. Before going into detail about this album, I just found out a very interesting thing recently that I honestly had no idea of. For those who are fans of Foo Fighters, Kaki King actually plays guitar on the song "
Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners", which I had no idea about until very recently, and that is from my favorite Foo Fighters´ album.
Moving on, Kaki King has become one of my favorite guitarists, she has a very distinctive style, and most of the guitars you'll find on this album are acoustic ones, but she really blew me away right from the start just with her playing-style and skill. She has a very distinctive fingerstyle-playing, and apart from that she also plays bass, piano and drums on this album.
Most of the songs on this album are instrumental, acoustic songs revolving around simple melodies, but there are a few songs with singing in them, and those have become my favorites, especially "
Life Being What It Is", which I think is her best song.
I still have it on my list to check her stuff out further, apart from this album (which I know very well) I have listened to some of the others, but they need more time, and I just haven't had much of that. Oh well, gotta listen to her more.
Favorite songs: Life Being What it is, Pull Me Out Alive & Can Anyone Who Has Heard This Music Really Be a Bad Person?43. Neil Young -
After the Gold Rush (1970)Next up, we have an album which is the oldest on my list. Released in 1970,
After the Gold Rush is Neil Young's third studio album, an album many people consider his first big breakthrough. Before going into detail about it, I would just like to point out that it was a very tight race between this album and his next album, "
Harvest" and that either or both could have made it, but in the end only this one did. Most people get surprised when I express my love and appreciation for Neil Young, because for most people, I'm that guy who listens to "new" music, and to some extent that is true. I don't have anything against old music, but being a bit of an audiophile, I sometimes have demands regarding the sound-quality on an album, that only newer albums can live up to. Anyhow, Neil Young. My dad got me into him way back, probably in the late 90's already, but it wasn't until modern time (3 years ago) that I decided to check him out more. His two live-albums; "
Live at Massey Hall" and "
Live Rust" have become pinnacles of it's genre for me, two of my all time favorite live albums, and for the longest time those were the only albums I listened to. Neil Young is an artist who has several sides, but he is mostly known for two different versions, the first is the guy with the guitar who plays solo, singer-songwriter songs, and the second is the guy in the band (when he plays with Crazy Horse, his band) and there we get a more rock-sound.
After the Gold Rush is my favorite album by him right now, but I must admit that I have slacked with checking his studio-albums out. (there's 33 studio albums in total)
It has some of his classic songs, but it's also very solid and has no lowpoints. Neil has a very special voice that isn't for everyone, but if you have an open mind about vocals and enjoy a mix of singer-songwriter, country-rock and a small touch of folk music, I would recommend his music to anyone.
Favorite songs: Only Love Can Break Your Heart, After the Gold Rush & Don't Let It Bring You Down.42. The River Empires -
Epilogue (2010)Jumping forward 40 years to 2010, we have this album which I fell in love with instantly when I heard it.
For those of you not familiar with The River Empires, they're almost like the lost twin sister of The Dear Hunter, Casey is even featured on the album, and he also did loads of work behind the stage, aka production and other stuff. (his touch is on the album) Imagine that cinematic-sound that The Dear Hunter has, but instead of being Progressive and Rock-ish, The River Empires are more Folk, Indie, Bluegrass with a hint of experimental stuff in it. While this list will prove me wrong, I sometimes consider this album to be better then all of The Dear Hunter's albums (not that they are bad, but proving how amazing this is), right now I would say that it's very much up there with Casey's work.
So how does this twin-sister of The Dear Hunter sound? As I mentioned it is very cinematic, there's a story so it's very much conceptual, and like The Dear Hunter it has a main story that will be spread out on several albums, like with the Act-albums. There aren't many electric guitars on the album, instead many songs are based on piano, there's also heavy use of many odd instruments (don't make me name 'em all!), some brass instruments and some acoustic and banjo-stuff.
Despite taking away the electric guitar, there's still ton of variety on this album. "
Our Neighbor, the Earth" is a piano-based song that almost becomes Post-Rock in the second half, "
A Toast to the Snake King" sounds like the theme-song to the Wild West and "
Witches Blossom" sounds like a blues infusion, with one of the most powerful guitar-solos on the album.
The album has 27 songs and is about 1 ½ hour long, if you haven't checked it out but you enjoy The Dear Hunter, this is definitely something worth your time. If you have no idea about The Dear Hunter or The River Empires, I suggest you check this album out asap.
Favorite songs: Witches Blossom, A Toast to the Snake King, The Coventry & Our Neighbor, The Earth.Stay tuned for another interesting update later today.