International Music

[Roxie Faye]

[color=#9933ff]Ever since shortly before my excursion to a foreign country, I've started to become an international music fiend, picking up music from around the world.

Of course, I realized that I was [u]always[/u] interested in international music. You know, I realized I didn't own an American band (that wasn't a boy band), so I told me my mom to buy me Apocalyptica for my birthday. I KNEW they weren't American, I just forgot. When I was listening to it on my birthday, I said to myself, "You know, Roxie, they're Finnish. What the hell, how did you forget!"

And then I acquired both State-side released L'arc albums. And then I went away to a foreign country where the plane ride had the most awesome, interesting collection of Asian sings and bands ever.

You see, the little screen on the back of the head rest in front of you had interactive software in it. You could watch movies, TV, play games, and listen to music. They had tons of Asian (And Thai) music, so I soaked it all up.

I bought Tata Young while I was there, too. (I wouldn't recommend her to anyone who actually likes music. She's disgustingly pop.)

So anyway, the point of this thread is to ask if anyone listens to bands and singers from other countries, and to talk a little bit about them if they do.

My personal purpose for this thread is to try out some new bands and singers if I haven't heard them before.

So while I'm mainly talking about artists who haven't really been imported to America (say, 'Rain' from Korea, or even Jpns artists), if you want to talk about Coldplay or t.A.T.u, go ahead. =)


Lumi actually has my list from the plane. Yes, I went through all the artists on the plane and wrote them all down. Specified their nationality and approximate style type using my own words (since I have no brains or expertise to classify music into genres).

I really want the list right now so I gave give you all the name of the most orgasmic Thai band ever with such a funky sound (it's reminiscent of L'arc but a LOT funkier), but I can't because I can't remember their name (it's a quirky English word, dammit) and I don't have the list, obviously.

I *do* remember a really good pop singer. He's actually not bad if you're used to listening to Chinese. The Chinese language IS weird for those who haven't experienced it. And it's weird for me because I've never really been around a lot of Mandarin. I have been exposed to Cantonese, and that's probably why I'm in love with Cantopop.

His name is 'Ronald Cheng' and he's Cantonese. Meaning he [i]sings[/i] in Cantonese. Cantopop. Yes, I said pop, but it's not that bad. Some of it's easy listening, some of it's got easy guitar in it. But I like him.


I'm currently searching for a German band (that *isn't* Rammstein), since I'm high on a Weiss AMV with the song "Alles Schwarz" (Oh, come ON! SCHWAAARRRZZ) by uhm... *checks* ... Die Prinzen! If you've got one, let me know; Die Prinzen is... okay to me. *shrugs*


Endnote: It would be difficult to walk into a CD store and sample this stuff, in order to listen to it. So, you can either d/l it (P2P, bittorent, other), or listen to it streaming on youtube. But if you like them, be kind and buy the album if you can.


[size=1]P.S.: Twenty bucks says I get less than two responses to this thread, providing people understand [u]anything[/u] that I've just said.[/size][/color]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson]In lieu of any pop I'd like to offer you something more [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc_xID0TbaQ]sobering[/url] since I find that kind of music to be infinitely more tolerable than pop. The Delgados were an indie outfit out of Scotland that broke up in 2005. There sound is pretty similar to some of The Flaming Lip's albums which is, you know, positive, lol. I'd recommend you buy The Great Eastern and Hate both of which I got from Amazon.com for pretty cheap about half a year ago.

That video sucks but the only full versions of the song on YT are AMVs, lol.[/color]

[Claire]

[FONT=Arial]I know of a German band called Helium Vola, but they're more electronic/goth than an actual band. I'll be surprised if anyone here has even heard of them. I know a lot of German goth bands, actually. KMFDM or MDFMK are more industrial than HV, but their lyrics are English. (Actually, I think only a few members of those bands are German, but the band itself isn't).

The other two foreign bands I like are Nightwish and Apocalyptica, which are both Finnish. Nightwish is symphonic metal, and they recently fired their singer. Personally, I'd recommend their Century Child album if you're into that sort of thing, because it's my favorite. Their most recent album, Once is quite different and has an actual orchestra. And of course Apocalyptica uses CELLOS. <3[/FONT]

[Jakehammaren]

[QUOTE]I'm currently searching for a German band (that *isn't* Rammstein)...[/QUOTE]

Yeah, Rammstein is [I]extremely[/I] overrated. Check out the band [B]Equilibrium[/B]. They are definatly my favorite band from Germany. Here's a link to their myspace page so you can listen to some of their songs.[URL]equilibriumfansite[/URL] Just listen to like a minute and a half or so of the song "Wingthors Hammer". I think it's the first song on their playlist. They're a very fresh, epic band that has a very unique sound.

[Roxie Faye]

[color=#9933ff]Now that I FINALLY have my music list back (*squeals* ^_^), I can give you the name of that AWESOME Thai band. It's called [b]Zeal[/b], and I LOO~OOVE their latest album, "[url=http://www.ethaicd.com/show.php?pid=21140]Space[/url]." They have a couple of soungs on youtube, my favorite of which is "yàa yòo kon dieow." They sound like a pop-ified version of L'arc, but they're still pretty good! ^^;

I appreciate all the music recommendations that you gave me. I ended up checking them all out. I did like some more than others, but all were good. I really really appreciate the recommendations. I think I have some new favorites.

Here are other Asian bands that I thought were good enough to recommend: [list]
[*]20th Century - Japanese. Good sound, funky!
[*]Masaharu Fukuyama - Old Japanese guy. Look for (his not full album) "Tokyo," which is a love ballad.
[*]5566 - Mandarin. Album: "Long Time No See."pop-rock, oriental, tap dance elements. Not as bad as it sounds?[/list]

I want to warn you, they're not like anything you sent me. They're more pop, but even so, give 20th Century a chance, 'cause they're really funky. @.@[/color]

[Fyxe]

[size=1][color=slategray]Yeah, I tend to like alot of European music. For example, I love [B]Muse[/B]. Apparently there are a ton of horrible reviews for their albums and I don't understand why that is. They have catchy songs and an awesome sound. People say they are [B]Radiohead[/B] mimics and so on. Which I think is funny, because I hate [B]Radiohead[/B].
And [B]Muse[/B] does a lot of songs on World issues, which has been called cheesey. People are so stupid. XD
But, anyway. I'm a bit peeved that their album "Origin of Symmetry" isn't available in America. Eh.


And, yeah, I admit... I love [B]t.A.T.u.[/B] Haha.[/color][/size]

[Box Hoy]

[size=1]Germany is huge for their electronic/industrial type bands. One I one have to reccomend is the Deathstars. Alot of people would compare them to Rammstein but they're alot deeper both in vocals and melody. You can really identify the mood they're trying to convey. I guess the biggest difference is that they sing in english.

The 69 Eyes are also good. They're from Helsinki, Finland have a more horror themed look. Listen to the song "Lost Boys" or "Devils" and you'll be addicted.[/size]