I wrote an earlier blog entry where I listed a mess of Birmingham musicians that I was planning to check into. I’ve looked at the first grouping of them. Here are my recommendations of what you should go listen to, if you’re curious about on-the-rise music, but don’t have time to listen to anything and everything that’s out there.
I’ve got five basic classifications for music:
- 5 – Play it again, over and over.
- 4 – Worth following, and finding further music.
- 3 – Very listenable, wouldn’t hit the skip button.
- 2 – Might skip it.
- 1 – Unlistenable.
Taylor Hollingsworth
It’s just my own opinion, of course, but I’ve listed these bands in order. I’ve also listed the primary songs I recommend you check out, along with the number of total plays on their Myspace pages, just so you’ll have some gauge of relative newness or popularity, perhaps.
- 13ghosts – (60000+ plays) Rates somewhere over a 4. Heard very little I didn’t like. Listen to “Photographs” on Myspace. Other songs available on Tapestry.
- Taylor Hollingsworth – (117000+ plays) Hovers around a 4. Some tunes are particularly excellent. Listen to “Damn Boy What’s Wrong With You” and “Bonnie and Clyde” on Myspace. More on Tapestry.
- Duquette Johnston & the Rebel Kings – (49000+ plays) Probably slightly under a 4, overall, but varies widely down and up. When they nail it, they nail it. Listen to “Oh 19″ and “Babies and Diamonds” on Myspace.
- Through the Sparks – (39000+ plays) Generally 3 1/2 -ish. Listen to “The Final If and When” and “Ruby Tuesday” on Myspace. More on Tapestry.
- Chad Fisher Group – (42000+ plays) Also 3 1/2 -ish, though this might be influenced by my own musical preferences, because the Chad Fisher Group is instrumental with horns. Clearly excellent musicianship. Listen to “House of the Rising Sun” on Myspace. More on Tapestry.
More recommmendations on bands as I get time to listen to them. If you know of a Birmingham band I should hear, let me know.