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Standard band setups that push the boundaries

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:50 am
by saurus
Hi everyone, I have been very interested in this concept in music recently. I wanted to start a discussion about bands that begin in a traditional setup i.e 3 pieces or ones who employed "traditional" setups and methods at the start of their career but have since experimented. I'd like to find bands like this that perhaps you guys know about.

The first one that comes to mind is Radiohead, for quite obvious reasons regarding their experimentalism yet their tendency to stick it as a band with their individual roles despite the inclusion of electronics. Also Super Furry Animals for the same reason, and just the fact that the sheer scale of their experimentalism and vision is, at times, breathtaking.

Also I have a soft spot for bands operating like a traditional unit but who have created a unique sound such as Talking Heads, Pixies, Deerhoof and my recent favourites WE//ARE//ANIMAL. In a way, creating a sound that's unique using "traditional" instrumentation is experimental and forward-thinking in their own right.

So Twoism: which bands can you recommend to me that work like this?

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:57 am
by ShammenDelly
MOGWAI, King Crimson, Godspeed You Black Emperor!

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:29 am
by Elephant Face
Health- Traditional instruments, non-traditional sounds. When I saw them live I was shocked to see that all those sounds I was sure were coming from samplers and synths were coming from guitars.


Also, Liars, Deerhunter, Battles, Saroos, Future Islands, Why?, Belong, and Autolux's new album.

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:47 am
by ShammenDelly
Forgot about my bloody valentine and slowdive. all shoegazing pushes to the limits, until the stars. :wink:

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:32 pm
by none_more_epsilon
I agree about the furries, they are possibly the greatest combiners of experimental sounds with a pure melodic edge.

I think Pavement were a genuinely unique band; their melodies often seemed atonal and kind of out of place but the more you listened to the sounds, the more it worked and gave the sense that it was every other band that was wrong and not Malkmus et al.

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:34 pm
by none_more_epsilon
Elephant Face wrote:Health- Traditional instruments, non-traditional sounds. When I saw them live I was shocked to see that all those sounds I was sure were coming from samplers and synths coming from guitars.
I agree, Health are astonishingly good.