Album recommendations for songwriting influence.

I never listened to Pink Floyd but was thinking they might be a good influence on my songwriting. what do you guys think? And what other epic rock records out there should I listen to? thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Sovereign Andy on November 14, 2010 at 11:23pm

Hey Rivers, I was listening to some Roy Orbison and some Louis Armstrong this weekend on the way to the mountains for some camping.
It's amazing how simple and powerful music used to be but now it just seems too active and overproduced by comparison.
Here's ole' Satchmo doing Skokian' with his whole band. I love how it starts out smooth and gets bigger/fuller as it trundles along. (And hopefully Louis will help you remember that you're not too old to pen some good stuff and sing your ass off.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YTS9jFB084
I think you have an affinity for simple things and now is a good time for the market to bear the kind of stuff you enjoy writing and recording through the continuum of albums you have. Not acoustic sappy stuff, mind you. Just simple stuff. Ungilded lilies.

Singer/Songwriters like Alejandro Escovedo are gathering a big following for honest and well played stuff. In fact, AE just released a great rock album that he penned in Mexico and worked out the kinks playing it in clubs, recording it on vid and audio so as to not miss or forget bits of inspiration.
Give his stuff a listen too, if you get time.

Permalink Reply by placemats on November 15, 2010 at 12:13am

Classic bubblegum pop. Such a fun song though.

Timmy Lunt said:

I think you should remake the song Sugar Sugar by the Archies.

Permalink Reply by Kyle Hettinger on November 15, 2010 at 8:19am

I think that anything from earth wind and fire would be good to listen to.

Permalink Reply by M3xicansuperstar on November 15, 2010 at 11:43am

silent alarm-bloc party
the bends-radiohead
transatlanticism-death cab for cutie

Permalink Reply by Penguins and Polarbears on November 15, 2010 at 4:57pm

(What's the Story) Morning Glory by Oasis... the album the got me wanting to write my own songs

Permalink Reply by Mr. Sweeney on November 15, 2010 at 6:14pm

Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde, and Blood on the Tracks. Some of the best written music ever.

Permalink Reply by Running Monk on November 16, 2010 at 5:42am

hi rivers. i made a list of some great epic rock records from various points in time. i think you could like all for different reasons, and hopefully you'll give some of them a go.

Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited [1965]
Neil Young - After The Gold Rush [1970]
The Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness [1995]
Radiohead - OK Computer [1997]
MODEST MOUSE - THE LONESOME, CROWDED WEST [1997]
Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings And Food [1978]
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Happy Trails [1968]
Blur - 13 [1999]
David Bowie - Station To Station [1976]
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible [2007]

Permalink Reply by Okimi on November 16, 2010 at 9:38am

maybe Fear of a Blank Planet or Deadwing by Porcupine tree. Very progressive.

Permalink Reply by Dom on November 16, 2010 at 9:52am

also the toadies first two albums "rubberneck" and hell below/ stars above

Permalink Reply by Adrian on November 16, 2010 at 2:17pm

Dragon- The essential, Australian/New Zealand 70's 80's band who had a top US 40 hit with Rain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM7RcgZ1pLE but whole album is great April Sun In Cuba, Dreams of Ordinary Men, Magic, Young Years. all Australian rock classics.

Also Liam Finn is amazing live check him on letterman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2-EGFS4-ck and yes he is the son of Crowded House front man Neil Finn, whose album Woodface was probably the best Australian album of the last 25 years.

Permalink Reply by Buzz Killington [spaz] on November 16, 2010 at 2:37pm

I made the mistake of playing one of these songs on the jukebox last thursday, pretty epic, but not in a good way

Permalink Reply by Hayley [Weezer_Child] on November 16, 2010 at 5:50pm

Anything by dredg, specifically Lietmotif or El Cielo. they're solid albums, beautifully written lyrics and instrumentals. all of their cds are concept albums, in very deep and substantial ways.