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I have vague peculiarities about selecting the appropriate music to listen to while I'm doing stuff around the house. I thought it might be kind-of neat to divulge all those thoughts here in a blog. Plus, it's late and I am looking for distractions... oh, Brooke, you night owl.

So, here are some of my selections in correspondence with the activities which one could often find me doing in my tiny apartment...


Washing the dishes:
Washing up is kinda cathartic for me. I like to listen to something which is both soothing, clean-sounding, and upbeat all in one. A Flock of Seagulls could not be more perfect for this activity.

Taking a bath:
Contrary to popular belief, taking a bath does not necessarily have to entail smooth jazz or Italian Opera. When I was just a budding teenager I used to listen to The Ocean Blue on a tape whenever I took a bath. It made me feel underwater and I liked that. But, I also find that The Pixies will create the same effect with a little more ooomph to get me energized in the morning, rather than put me back to sleep.

Sewing:
Can anyone say popular kitschy girl-fronted indie rock that makes you want to needle felt and learn how to crochet like nobody's business? Camera Obscura sure can. The cuteness factor alone will inspire me to embroider animals with oversized eyes and select only from the finest of vintage and sepia-toned colors for my designs.

Fixing/Messing with my bike:
Sometimes the bike just needs a little working. It's time to get the wrenches and bike tools out. And it's also time to listen to a little American Culture Experiments. Maybe it's just that it reminds me of the days of yore when tinkering with bikes and noisy-crusty-upbeat post-punk went hand in hand. Or maybe it's the perfect backdrop to feeling uber-hip while working on your gas-saver.

Getting dressed/picking out an outfit:
This is a very important selection. The music must be selected perfectly in order to procure the perfect outfit. Everybody knows that. That's why, when I'm getting dressed, I like to pull out the big guns and go with Depeche Mode. Such an array of emotions, beats, and themes... you can't go wrong. Plus, Depeche Mode will make you feel sexy... even if you end up selecting a paper bag to wear.

Reading:
I don't generally do a ton of reading. Mostly magazines and such. But, even still, when I venture to actually crack some pages, I like to have a little background soundage. The Album Leaf is an excellent way to fill the headspace while not distracting yourself (if you're as easily audibly distracted like myself, you'd understand).

Cooking or preparing food:
When I'm deep in cooking la-la land, I like to pretend I'm a high class chef at a classy B&B cottage somewhere in the English countryside. This is why I am going to have to go with Rod Stewart on this one. Specifically, his MTV Unplugged album. Great stuff. And I'm not sure why, but if my life were a movie, then Julia Robert's character from Sleeping with the Enemy (complete with floor-length floral skirt and off the shoulder white blouse) would play me while I am cooking.

Heavy duty/frantic cleaning:
Oh noes! Someone just called and they are like on the way over to hang out. They're going to see how completely redunk your apartment looks with all the clutter and unswept floor and stuff. No problem. Just put on some Crystal Castles and your house will practically clean itself from all the awesomeness that emits from your speakers.

Smoking/daydreaming/painting:
These activities require something that is both thought provoking and thought affirming. Maybe you've got a lot on your mind or maybe you feel more numb than my foot after sitting indian-style in tight jeans for about a half an hour. Choose Slowdive. They will not disappoint. Slowdive is most excellent for any dreamy-like state of mind and is sure to have to thinking on the finer things in life.

Scrubbing the tub/toilet:
Let's face it. Sometimes, the porcelain just gots to get cleaned. And while you're on your hands and knees feeling a bit like Cinderella, you require some Irish folk-punk to help you fully embody the sad little scrubbing tile urchin that you are. The Pogues or Flogging Molly are there for you.

Winding down/sipping a hot drink in winter:
You require warmth, soft tones and bright, uncomplicated elements to help you feel whole and at peace in this world of chaos and violence. Iron And Wine will lull you to sleep and gently rub your back after a hard day of trying to stay motivated.

Feeling sorry for yourself:
When life hands you the short straw, I find it's best to embrace the emo, sprinkle it with a little dash of hardcore for anger support and mellow it out with plenty of soft breaks to help your bi-polarized brain to cope. Saetia has been known to eject the heartache or breakups, lost ambitions, downward spirals, and general melancholy with a rep that says "I understand you. Now let's get through this together."

Trying on new gear/having a private fashion show:
Ok. I'm a girl. And from time to time when I'm bored or just feeling particularly vain, I like to put on my very best and have a gander/pose/sort-of dance in the mirror. There's a lot I could select here: Ladytron for high fashion, Freezepop for uber-cute or mod, Death From Above 1979 for that urban-sexy-my-jeans-are-going-to-give-you-a-boner look, or maybe even The Velvet Underground for your thrift-store finds.

Having a guest over:
This one obviously depends on the guest. So, for my last suggestions, I am going to break it down for you.

Parents: Apart from going with something that they themselves listen to, let's go with something they probably at least heard while buying Metamucil at Kroger, and select The Shins.

Friend: I know, I know. It depends on the friend. But you're probably going to just talk over the music anyways, while also trying to have selected something somewhat hip and somewhat universally indie-common. Let's do that with Band of Horses.

Best Friend: It's a gab-fest on the horizon, and you need some sweet under-tones for those times when you're both doing the silent laughing thing when there's something that's unbelievably funny that's been said. The Postal Service will have you gossiping like highschoolers all night.

Significant Other: I really feel there's only one choice here. You really must experience the sheer bliss of Sigur Ros, the one for whom your heart flutters, and a sincerely sweet embracing make-out.


Disclaimer:

Obviously, these selections are not a requirements of mine. I have been known to both listen to death-metal while taking a bath and Sufjan Stevens while doing sit-ups. These selections are meant to be viewed as "optimal" for your listening pleasure, but certainly not the only choices available. Pishaw.


Now, go do something around the house... but first...

...think about what you select to listen to. It just may effect the activity itself.

Simple, the band's name starts with "The" or/and it's British.

The Clique
The Music Machine
The Skatalites
The White Stripes
The Beat
The Hotknives
The Futureheads
The Killers
The Police
The Artwoods
The Chocolate Watch Band
The Creation
The Kinks
The Yardbirds
The Verve
The Prisoners
The Bees
The Bees
The Action
The Twang
The La's
The Toasters
The Lambrettas
The Clash
The Kinks
The Yardbirds
The Contours
The Temptations
The Barbarians
The Direct Hits
The Loafers
The Animals
The Uniques
The Turtles
The Cure
The Riffs
The Maytals
The Leaves
The Seeds
The Litter
The Long Blondes
The VIPs
The Creeps
The Shaman
The Brogues
The Loafers
The Animals
The House of Love
The Delgados
The Seahorses
The Last Shadow Puppets
The Combine
THE SPINDLES
The Mods
The Supremes
The Mar-Keys
The Brand New Heavies
The Real People
The Farm
The Truth
The Subways
The Moment
The Pretty Things
The Eyes
The Staggers
The Standells
The Alljacks
The Syndicate of Sound
The Mock Turtles
The Housemartins
The Redskins
The Coral
The Bluetones
The Strokes
The Fall
The Shamen
The Rolling Stones
The Beach Boys
The Kick
The Doors
The High
The James Taylor Quartet
The Beatles
The Libertines
The Specials
The Smiths
The Who
The Verve
The Prisoners
The Chords
The Kooks
The Automatic
The La De Das
The Scene
The Marvelettes
The Miracles
The Primitives
The Bravery
The Soup Dragons
The Mojo Men
The Fratellis
The Boo Radleys
The Future Sound of London
The Electric Prunes
The Uniques
The Turtles
The Melodians
The Ocean Blue
The View
The Wedding Present
The Rainkings
The Beloved
The Selecter
The Hives
The Hollies
The Stairs
The Bar-Kays
The Spinto Band
The Jetset
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
The Four Tops
The Rakes
The Circles
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Paddingtons
The Blues Magoos
The Zombies
The Byrds
The Piranhas
The Pointer Sisters
The Harmonians
The Swingin' Medallion
The Five Americans
The Rumors
The Teardrop Explodes
The Remains
The Hot Rod All Stars
The Fantastics
The Jackson 5
The Upsetters
The Sunshine Underground
The Maccabees
The Elgins
The Count Five
The Reflection
The Bats
The Flirtations
The Monks
The Ethiopians
The Ethopians
The Dylans
The Marshals
The Dovers
The Apostles
The Pioneers
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Distillers
The Donnas
The Arcade Fire
The Shins
The Decemberists
The Go! Team
The Faint
The New Pornographers
The Viceroys
The Knickerbockers
The Mystery Trend
The Tears
The Chemical Brothers
The Spencer Davis Group
The Mamas & The Papas
The Monkees
The Holloways
The Ordinary Boys
The Jam
The Stone Roses
The Style Council
The Charlatans
The Small Faces
The Carnaby
The Ambassadors
The Birds
The Family Cat
The Bridewell Taxis

Not all of these bands are British, but they're all just a bunch of overrated talentless gits, i think even the Iron Maiden fan kiddies should agree on this one.

Just to be like the people out there making their year-end lists, I have my list based off of my actual listening habits (iPod excluded). Anyway, here are the most listened to artists from my profile...

Top 20 Artists for the 2007 listening year:
1. R.E.M.: 7,726 plays (Overall Position: 1)
2. U2: 1,921 plays (Overall Position: 2)
3. Lloyd Cole: 1,892 plays (Overall Position: 5)
4. The Ocean Blue: 1,729 plays (Overall Position: 6)
5. Toad the Wet Sprocket: 1,373 plays (Overall Position: 4)
6. The Railway Children: 1,259 plays (Overall Position: 11)
7. Glen Phillips: 1,081 plays (Overall Position: 12)
8. The National: 986 plays (Overall Position: 44)
9. Sting: 956 plays (Overall Position: 7)
10. Camera Obscura: 830 plays (Overall Position: 46)
11. Counting Crows: 783 plays (Overall Position: 3)
12. The Mighty Lemon Drops: 734 plays (Overall Position: 18)
13. Bill Mallonee: 666 plays (Overall Position: 60)
14. Coldplay: 568 plays (Overall Position: 17)
15. The Stone Roses: 552 plays (Overall Position: 32)
16. Snow Patrol: 546 plays (Overall Position: 32)
17. Vigilantes of Love: 542 plays (Overall Position: 14)
18. The Smithereens: 508 plays (Overall Position: 16)
19. The Trash Can Sinatras: 493 plays (Overall Position: 27)
20. Relient K: 480 plays (Overall Position: 41)
21. Ivy: 479 plays (Overall Position: 24)

Note: due to the reality that 1 play separates Relient K and Ivy I have included both in the Top 20 list.
Happy New Year!!!!!

A short list of super singles. What are yours?

1. If I Had A Rocket Launcher - Bruce Cockburn
2.Circles - Soul Coughing
3. Perfect Skin - Llyod Cole
4. Slackjawed - The Connells
5. Save It For A Rainy Day - The Jayhawks
6. I Can Hear The Bells - Mike Doughty
7. Your Ghost - Kristin Hersh
8. Just Let Me Know - The Ocean Blue
9. A Wall I Must Climb - Michael McDermott
10. I Gotta Move - Ben Kweller

Lately I've been trying to find all the musical covers I could find, of the songs I love the most. It doesn't really matter if I like the covering artist or not, I just wish to hear their tribute.

Here's an incomplete list of some of the covers I got so far, some of them I already had, but most were a royal pain in the ass to find. A lot more are coming and there are still plenty awaiting for a "validation check". I'll try to keep this updated!



A Perfect Circle – Diary Of A Madman (The Cure)

Andrew Bird – Oh Sister (Bob Dylan)

At the Drive-In – This Night Has Opened My Eyes (The Smiths)

Apocalyptica – Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

Babyshambles – Janie Jones (The Clash)

Bauhaus - Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie)

Belle and Sebastian - The Boy With The Thorn In His Side (The Smiths)

Ben Kweller – Today (Smashing Pumpkins)

Bob Dylan – It ain't Me Babe (Johnny Cash)

Bodies of Water – Everybody Hurts (REM)

Bonnie Prince Billy – Thunder Road (Bruce Springsteen)

Calexico - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)

Cat Power – I Found a Reason (Velvet Underground)

Cat Power – Wonderwall (Oasis)

Class of 99 – Another Brick in The Wall (Pink Floyd)

Crowbar – No Quarter (Led Zeppelin)

Damien Rice – When Doves Cry (Prince)

Danzig – Hand of Doom (Black Sabbath)

Death Cab for Cutie - This Charming Man (The Smiths)

Death Cab for Cutie - World Shut Your Mouth (Julian Cope)

Decemberists - Human Behavior (Bjork)

Deluxe - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

Dinosaur Jr - Just Like Heaven (The Cure)

Division Day - Enjoy the Silence The Smiths)

Elliott Smith - Thirteen (Big Star)

Elliott Smith - Trouble (Cat Stevens)

Eyehategod - Sabbath Jam (Black Sabbath)

Ferraby Lionheart - Man On the Moon(REM)

Final Fantasy - No Cars Go (The Arcade Fire)

Girls Against Boys - She's Lost Control (Joy Division)

Grizzly Bear - Owner Of a Lonely Heart (Yes)

Hayden - Gauge Away (Pixies)

Hole - Old Age (Nirvana)

Hole - You've Got No Right (Nirvana)

Foo Fighters – Have A Cigar (Pink Floyd)

In the Nursery - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)

Ian Ball - Breakfast in America (Supertramp)

Iron & Wine - Waiting For a Superman (Flaming Lips)

Jack Off Jill – Lovesong (The Cure)

Jeff Buckley - The Boy With The Thorn In His Side (The Smiths)

Johnny Cash - Mercy Seat (Nick Cave)

Johnny Cash - Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode)

Johnny Cash – I See A Darkness (Bonnie Prince Billy)

Jose Gonzalez - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Big Star)

Junip - The Ghost of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen)

Los Planetas - Disorder (Joy Division)

Low - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (The Smiths)

Loquat - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

M Ward - Let's Dance (David Bowie)

M Ward - Girl From The North Country (Bob Dylan)

Matt Pond PA – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel)

Melvins - Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

Metallica - Loverman (Nick Cave)

Moonspell - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)

Motorhead - Louie Louie (Kinks)

Muse - Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want (The Smiths)

Nada Surf - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

Nancy Sinatra - Jackson (Johnny Cash)

Neil Finn & Friends - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

Neurotic Fish - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

New Order - New Dawn Fades (Joy Division)

Nirvana - Ain't it a Shame (Huddie Ledbetter)

Nirvana - All You Need Is Love (The Beatles)

Nirvana - D7 (Wipers)

Nirvana - Do You Love Me (KISS)

Nirvana - Grey Goose (Huddie Ledbetter)

Nirvana - Heartbreaker (heartbreaker)

Nirvana - Here She Comes Now (Velvet Underground)

Nirvana - Love Buzz (Shocking Blue)

Nirvana - Molly's Lips (The Vaselines)

Nirvana - Moby Dick (Led Zeppelin)

Nirvana - Return Of the Rat (Wipers)

Nirvana - They Hung Him On a Cross (Huddie Ledbetter)

Nirvana - White Lace and Strange (Thunder & Roses)

Patti Smith - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

Pearl Jam - Cant Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)

Pearl Jam – I Believe In Miracles (Ramones)

Pearl Jam – Light My Fire (The Doors)

Pearl Jam - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

Pink Floyd - House Of The Rising Sun (The Animals)

Pink Floyd - Stairway To Heaven (Led Zeppelin)

Psychedelic Furs - How Soon Is Now (The Smiths)

Primal Scream - New Dawn Fades (Joy Division)

Ocean Blue - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

Supergrass - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (The Smiths)

Ramones – Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Ramones – Surf City (Jan and Dean)

Ramones – Out Of Time (Rolling Stones)

Ramones – Somebody To Love (Jefferson Airplane)

Ramones – When I Was Young (Supertramp or The Animals?)

Ramones – My Back Pages (Bob Dylan)

royksopp - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

The Cure - Creep (Radiohead)

The Cure – Love (John Lennon)

The Cure – Hello, I Love You (The Doors)

The Divine Comedy - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

The Divine Comedy - Radioactivity (Kraftwerk)

The Divine Comedy - Les Jours Tristes (Yann Tiersen)

The Divine Comedy - Life On Mars (David Bowie)

The Divine Comedy - Vapour Trail (Ride)

The Divine Comedy - John Mathis' Feet (American Music Club)

The Lucksmiths - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

The Killers - Shadowplay (Joy Division)

The Smashing Pumpkins - A Night Like This (The Cure)

The Smashing Pumpkins - Never Let Me Down Again (Depeche Mode)

The Smashing Pumpkins – Boys Don’t Cry (The Cure)

The Smashing Pumpkins – Transmission (Joy Division)

The Smashing Pumpkins - Isolation (Joy Division)

The Smiths - Across The Universe (The Beatles)

The String Quartet - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

The Twilight Singers – Live With Me (Massive Attack)

X-Wife - She's Lost Control (Joy Division)

Walleye - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

William Shatner - Common People (Pulp)

Schneider TM has the best one I've heard ever, and I was reading today that there are dozens more.
And here is what I think about them:

The cover by "The Magic Numbers" really annoys me. I hate it, but, I like it. Too fast. Too happy.

Neil Finn and Friends gives us a nice comfortable version, pretty well devoid of inspiration or anything new. Not bad, but if I just wanted to hear the song, I'll listen to The Smiths.

The Schneider TM version is really really depressing. I mean, the original makes you want to kill yourself, but this one has you looking around the house for razor blades...

Joseph Arthur gives us a nice slow one, with a bit of soul in his voice. He sounds a bit like he really believes the words. We'll miss him when he's gone. Then, a minute and a half in, the song lights up with musical support that really makes it, then the music fades out, we all cry, and then it comes back. I like this one!

The cover by Erlend Øye is a nice dance version, if you like the dance. Very upbeat, but not the least bit annoying. The main beat sounds exactly like firing a shot in space invaders, then cutting it off right after, which drags this neatly towards electro. I could get excessively drunk in a room with too many flashing lights to this. AKA - win.

The Lucksmiths' (or just Lucksmiths) take begins with Tali White tricking us into thinking this is another bland, although quite smooth, cover. Suddenly a female joins in, and she reminds me of Kate Pierson (The B52s), but I don't know who it is. They sing together, bringing to mind one of those old SNL parodies with Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer, doing lounge versions of pop songs. I will add this to my iTunes, mainly because of how buttery smooth it comes off. Wow.

Morrisey performed it live at Earl's Court in London (December 18th, 2004 if you care), and it's good. Because it's Morrisey. Damn. If you listen carefully you can hear the audience going crazy. Of course, he does over dramatize it slightly, so, well, it's not going down as my favorite version, but what the hell.

The Italian band Yo Yo Mundi probably shouldn't have been allowed to cover this song, but their passion is obvious, so I'm going to let them have it. I don't know, it just, doesn't feel right. Again, nothing original, just love of the song (or The Smiths).

Holy Shit! Walleye pounds it out! That's great! I can imagine this live at an outdoor concert, raining like made and thousands of kids jumping up and down, just kind of bouncing off of each other, very nearly getting it. The guitar underneath everything is very classy, bum bum bum bum bum (et cetera)! Keeper, but again, not top of the list.

Ocean Blue does it live. "This is the first time we've ever played this next song... and it's for a very personal friend of ours, too", they say, then they go into it and the audience is dead quiet throughout. I'm not sure whether it's love for the band, the song, The Smiths, or if they are just struck dumb that Ocean Blue is playing it. Nothing special, they just play it faithfully.

Braid, like Walleye pulls no punches, and slams right into it, then slows down slightly to catch its breath. Then BAM! it goes into overdrive and people are probably punching each other in the face because they are suddenly angry for no apparent reason. Yeah! Punching! No Reason! And then suddenly it's over, and you're wiping blood off of your lip and laughing at your friend's new David Letterman look.

Paul Kelly must have done this in his garage with like 30 drunk college kids in attendance. It sounds horrible. But that could just be the acoustics of his garage, and not really his fault. On the other hand, it could be that I am negatively biased because of a person I know who has the same name. Not a fan of that Paul Kelly, and not so much more of a fan of this one. I think the audience jumps in and tries to save it, but then realizes it can't be done and just gives up.

Arif has a nice original opening on guitar, and the voice is plenty melancholy. I don't know, it seems like nobody can figure out how to slow this one down. That's what this song needs, a lot of time to hit you properly. Well, Arif manages to do a pretty good job of giving the words space to come at you one at a time. I'm giving this three stars in iTunes (which means it gets a selector for a bunch of smart playlists - it has a chance of coming up in a rotation). In fact, one guy with a guitar can do a really good job on this song.

Did I say that Arif managed to play it nice and slow? I was wrong! Neil Hannon of the The Divine Comedy manages to drag it out another minute and it's just fantastic! He really puts everything into it, slowly, slowly, and then just ranges all over with it.

Loquat grants us a welcome reprieve in a playlist crowded together with dicks. A girl? Hooray! And it's very spacey sound brings a little needed variety on top of the something new in hearing female vocals. The keyboard dances along and you can't help but kind of move along with it. I imagine it being played on little brass or silver bells. Oddly, it feels like it has a genetic relationship with Depeche Mode. That's strange. Got to be the keyboard (synth, synth!)!

The Nada Surf version broke my eardrums with a radio call for "Six Music, online, on demand" - ah BBC 6Music, it is - Anyway. This version goes right next to Neil Finn and Friends. It's not even alive, and at three-and-a-half minutes, it's just entirely too fast. Next!

Well, that's it for what I found. The Eurythmics covered it. If anyone knows where I can hear the Eurythmics version, please let me know.

Incidentally, Mark Ronson's version of Stop Me (if you think that you've heard this one before) is ON FUCKING FIRE over here. You CAN NOT turn on the radio without hearing it. Seriously, I pulled up to the store today just as it ended, and got a six-pack of something German. I didn't dawdle or mess around in the store, and sure enough, it was one again when I got back to the car. Same station. I like it though:

The cleaner/sharper list, with no duplicate artists.

100 GREAT DREAMPOP ALBUMS!
Compiled at MAC.



A.R. Kane - "i" (1989)
Adorable - Against Perfection (1993)
Aerial Love Feed - Aerial Love Feed (2004)
Air Formation - Daylight Storms (2007)
Airiel - Winks & Kisses (2003-2004)
Alison's Halo - Eyedazzler 1992-1996 (1997)
All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors - Turning Into Small (2003)
American Analog Set - Know By Heart (2001)
Asobi Seksu - Asobi Seksu (2004)
Autumn's Grey Solace - Within The Depths Of A Darkened Forest (2002)
The Autumns - Angel Pool (1997)
Bardo Pond - Dilate (2001)
Beadhead - What Fun Life Was (1994)
Bel Canto - Birds of Passage (1990)
Belly - Star (1993)
Bethany Curve - Skies A Crossed Sky (1996)
Blind Mr. Jones - Stereo Musicale (1992)
boo radleys - Everything's Alright Forever (1992)
Bowery Electric - Bowery Electric (1995)
Catherine Wheel - Chrome (1993)
Chapterhouse - Whirlpool (1991)
The Chills - Submarine Bells (1990)
The Choir - Circle Slide (1990)
The Clientele - Suburban Light (2000)
Cocteau Twins - Victorialand (1986)
Codeine - Firigid Stars (1990)
Colourfactory - Second Infinity (2002)
Cranes - Loved (1992)
The Cure - Disintegration (1989)
Curve - Pubic Fruit (1991)
The Czars - The Ugly People Vs. the Beautiful People (2001)
Damon & Naomi - Damon & Naomi With Ghost (2000)
Devics - if You Forget Me... (1998)
Drop Nineteens - Delaware (1992)
The Durutti Column - Circuses and Bread (1985)
The Dylans - The Dylans (1991)
The Emerald Down - Scream the Sound (2003)
Ether Aura - Crash (2005)
Flying Saucer Attack - Further (1994)
Galaxie 500 - On Fire (1989)
Guitar - Sunkissed (2002)
Harold Budd, Simon Raymonde, Robin Guthrie & Elizabeth Fraser - The Moon And The Melodies (1986)
The High Violets - 44 Down (2002)
His Name Is Alive - Home Is In Your Head (1991)
Ides of Space - There Are No New Clouds (2002)
The Jean Paul Sartre Experience - Bleeding Star (1993)
The Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy (1985)
Kitchens of Distinction - Love Is Hell (1989)
Lilys - Eccsame The Photon Band (1995)
Longwave - The Strangest Things
Loop - Heaven's End (1987)
Loveliescrushing - Xuvetyn (1996)
Low - Trust (2002)
Lush - Spooky (1992)
Love Spirals Downwards - Idylls (1992)
M83 - M83 (2001)
Mahogany - The Dream of a Modern Day (2001)
Malory - Outerbeats (2003)
Manta Ray & Schwarz - Heptagono (2001)
Mazzy Star - She Hangs Brightly (1990)
Medicine - Shot Forth Self Living (1992)
The Meeting Places - Numbered Days (2006)
Mogwai - Young Team (1997)
Monster Movie - Last Night Something Happened (2004)
Moose - Live A Little Love A Lot (1995)
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (1991)
My Vitriol - Finelines (2001)
The Nightblooms - The Nightblooms (1992)
The Ocean Blue - Cerulean (1991)
Oceanographer - On Leaping From Airplanes (2006)
Opal - Happy Nightmare Baby (1987)
Pale Saints - The Comforts Of Madness (1993)
The Radio Dept. - Pulling Our Weight (2003)
Readymade - All the Plans Resting (2005)
Revolver - Cold Water Flat (1993)
Ride - Nowhere (1990)
Secret Shine - Untouched (1993)
Serena-Maneesh - Serena-Maneesh (2005)
Sigur Ros - Takk (2005)
Slowdive - Souvlaki (1993)
Skywave - Synthstatic (2003)
Soundpool - On High (2006)
Spacemen 3 - The Perfect Prescription (1987)
Spiritualized - Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space (1997)
Starflyer 59 - Leave Here A Stanger(2001)
The Sundays - Reading, Writing & Arithmetic (1990)
Swervedriver - Mezcal Head (1993)
The Swirlies - They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days In The Glittering World Of The Salons (1996)
Telescopes - Taste (1990)
This Empty Flow - Magenta Skycode (1996)
This Mortal Coil - Blood (1991)
Trembling Blue Stars - Alive To Every Smile (2001)
Ultra Vivid Scene - Ultra Vivid Scene (1988)
Velocette - Fourfold Remedy (1998)
Velocity Girl - Copacetic (1993)
Verve - A Storm in Heaven (1993)
The Warlocks - The Phoenix Album (2002)
Whirlaway - Pompano (2004)
Yo La Tengo - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out (2000)

Thanks to everyone at the Dreampop Desk (and the Shoegaze Group).



The fun continues here...

"100 More Great Dreampop Albums"



Get stuck in!

Yeah...all 50 of them...actually 49 of them since New York well

Here, I list the top 3 by each states

Alabama - Alabama, Drive-By-Truckers, Remy Zero/Lionel Richie
Alaska - Jewel, Fangoria, 36 Crazyfists
Arizona - Jimmy Eat World, Calexico/The Refreshments
Arkansas - Evanescence, Johnny Cash, Soophie Nun Squad
California - Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beach Boys, Green Day
Colorado - 16 Horsepower, The Fray/DeVotchKa/Dressy Bessy, Ghost Buffalo
Connecticut - John Mayer/Moby, Shroud of Turin/Fates Warning/Tom Frampton/The Zambonis
Delaware - boysetsfire/The Spinto Band/George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Florida - Iron & Wine, Kamelot, Less Than Jake
Georgia - R.E.M., of Montreal, OutKast

Hawaii - Jack Johnson, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Kalai
Idaho - Built to Spill, remaining 26 all have just 1 tag. Lol, Idaho sucks in music...
Illinois - The Smashing Pumpkins, Wilco, OK Go
Indiana - Michael Jackson/John Mellencamp, Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos (technically the most tagged under different mispellings)
Iowa - Slipknot, The Envy Corps, Stone Sour
Kansas - Kansas, Mates of State, The Get Up Kids/The Appleseed Cast/Ghosty
Kentucky - My Morning Jacket, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy/Nappy Roots
Louisiana - The Meters, Better Than Ezra, Acid Bath
Maine - Paranoid Social Club/In The Arms of Providence/Animal Suit Driveby
Maryland - Good Charlotte, SR-71, Pulling Teeth/Billie Holliday

Massachusetts - Pixies, Godsmack, Aerosmith
Michigan - Sufjan Stevens, The White Stripes, Madonna/The Stooges/Brendan Benson
Minnesota - Atmosphere, Motion City Soundtrack, Bob Dylan
Mississippi - Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Robert Johnson
Missouri - The Get Up Kids, The Bottle Rockets/Story of the Year
Montana - Montana/Tarkio, Nicolette Larson
Nebraska - Bright Eyes, Eliott Smith, The Faint
Nevada - The Killers, Panic! At the Disco, The Higher
New Hampshire - The Queers, Air Hockey Champions, a ton of other bands with just 1 tag (they suck in music too?)
New Jersey - My Chemical Romance, Bruce Springsteen, Thursday

New Mexico - The Shins, Beirut, Gingerbread Patriots/The Handsome Family
*New York (may be referring to NYC) - Nas, The Strokes, Interpol
North Carolina - Little Brother/Ben Folds Five, Ben Folds
North Dakota - Peggy Lee/Hammerhead/Jonny Lang/Lynn Andersong (actually, these are the only 4 listed...lol)
Ohio - Nine Inch Nails, The Black Keys, Devo/Guided by Voices
Oklahoma - The Flaming Lips, The All-American Rejects, Starlight Mints
Oregon - The Decemberists, The Dandy Warhols, Everclear
Pennsylvania - The Ocean Blue, Ween/The Roots
Rhode Island - Monty Are I, Talking Heads/Lightning Bolt
South Carolina - Iron & Wine, Stretch Arm Strong/James Brown

South Dakota - Haley Bonar/The Reddmen (these are the only 2 tagged South Dakota...lol)
Tennessee - Kings of Leon, Three 6 Mafia, Big Star/be your own PET
Texas - Spoon, Explosions in the Sky, Blue October/Willie Nelson
Utah - The Used, Jewel, Return to Sender/The Roder Boys/Wonlado/The Brobecks
Vermont - Gregory Douglass, Phish, Grace Potter
Virginia - Clipse, Dave Matthews Band, Carbon Leaf
*Washington (may also be referring to the city of Washington DC) - Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, Nirvana
West Virginia - Bill Withers, The Argument, Bland/Brad Paisley
Wisconsin - Garbage, Violent Femmes, Rainer Maria
Wyoming - Lillington/Teenage Bottlerocket (lol, only 2 tagged)

Well...probably not accurate (especially for NY and Washingtong), but it's probably worth a few looks.



And just for fun...American:

TOP 10
#1 - Metallica
#2 - Nirvana
#3 - The White Stripes
#4 - Green Day
#5 - The Killers
#6 - Red Hot Chili Peppers
#7 - Death Cab for Cutie
#8 - R.E.M.
#9 - Foo Fighters
#9 - The Strokes



Luckily, if one does not like the rankings, there is a simple way to fix it :)