Everybody has their favorite musicians for one reason or another....some because they like their looks, and some because they have some infatuation that they just can't get out of their system....or some because they truly believe in their music or their music moves them in ways that few musicians can. I've seen the "Top 40" and it's pretty much garbage (the ratings system, I mean). Come on...how hard is it really to make someone famous - or to break them for no good reason? There are those out there that pour their heart & soul into their work, only to get dissed out of hand....then there are those who are just "prepped and cookie-cutter stamped" because they fit some mold that just so happens to be "hot" at that time.
Have you ever heard such GARBAGE in your life?
Now...I've made my list of artists that speak to MY inner soul, and probably for no better reason than they move me, inspire me to create, and I always feel good listening to them! Will you agree? Will you disagree? Well....seeings how this is MY own personal list, does it really matter? Well....if you're curious, then read on! Let's begin, shall we? Pull up a chair, make a nice cup of tea/soda/cocoa, and relax.
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Nina Hagen I started listening to this diva back in '86 - back in the days when I actually believed all the hype that was "the charts" and had a very narrow vision of what was GOOD and what was not. I was blind to all that was out there, and didn't even think to explore! Well, after my friend Steve intro'd me to THIS person....my life just wasn't the same! The first song I heard was "Universal Radio" from her album "Nina Hagen in Ekstasy". There was something about the way she put her music together that just really inspired me! Ever since that first time, I've wanted to hear more and more of her works - thus going to many out-of-the-way record shops and hole-in-the-wall stores just to locate some rare tidbit of her goodness. She has a wonderful 4-octave voice due to being a classically trained opera singer back in the day, and then went punk - so it's not unusual to hear her soar to a high note and then drop down to "Listerine gargles" at the drop of a....chapeau! I did get a chance to see her perform in 2004 (AND meeet her in person), and she is STILL the punk GODDESS! Go Nina! |
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David Bowie What can you say about this guy that hasn't been said by just about any other person in the world? This guy is a bloomin' LEGEND! He knows how to constantly reinvent himself and keep things going! Yes, there are other artists who have lasted a long long time, but how many constantly evolve like some chameleon and keep plugging away, despite adversity getting in his way. David has also gotten into acting, doing a wonderful job in movies like "Labyrinth" (my favorite), "Absolute Beginners", and "Man Who Fell To Earth". He has his own site now, his own VR chat arena on Worlds.com and his own bank (last I checked)! I myself love his older stuff, as well as his hits from the 90's while he was doing his experiments in the band Tim Machine. |
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Mari Iijima Now, this is a person who has been one surprise after another. At one time, I used to think all anime-type singers were all alike - basically just doing anime songs and nothing else. Well.....I guess I got proved wrong here! After finding out about her in 1991 thanks to my friend Tim sending me a CD of her singing Macross songs, of course I got intrigued! Little did I know she had been performing ever SINCE 1983, popping out song after song after song....and never stopping to take a breath! Then she did something that few people these days dare try....breaking into a whole new market. What I find truly fascinating about Mari is that she does not know the meaning of the word defeat - she keeps going strong, even going to becoming an independent artist just to make sure that the people she knows love her music are still able to keep hearing her pour her being into every song she writes....now that's stick-to-it-iveness! |
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Lene Lovich She was truly a "new toy" in my music box back in the 80's! She had this seriously kitschy style that just caught on and never let go. If you didn't know about Lene, then you most likely passed over her time and time again, never quite realizing just WHO you passed up! I've heard all 4 of her albums, not to mention her work on movie soundtracks and her collaboration with Nina Hagen on "Don't Kill The Animals" for the Animal Liberation album benefitting PETA. Alas, she has pretty much "dropped off the face of the earth", and did not resurface until 2005! Man.....that's a long time holding your breath to surface! Needless to say, we're all waiting in anticipation for this event! |
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Toyah Raw energy...what else can you say? Oh my gosh, she really hit my chords when I heard her sing songs on her "Minx" album from 1985. She has this voice that just says "rebellion" and "be PROUD be LOUD and BE HEARD" (sorry....couldn't resist saying a song title). She has evolved quite a bit since those days, and her music has gotten a little bit more sophisticated, but she hasn't forgotten her long-standing fans! She bases most of her efforts in the UK these days, so chances of catching her live are somewhat less than winning a state lottery (guess I'd best buy a ticket). Her music is incredibly rare to come by these days, so if you catch one of her releases, check it out before you pass it up! |
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Siouxsie Sioux/Siouxsie & The Banshees The first time I heard Siouxsie was the song "Cities In Dust" back in the 80's, and I thought it was truly magical. She has this kind of dark ambience to her works, and then others have a jaunty, bubbling feel to them - on the same CD! She rose up from the "cult crowd" to "in the limelight" in the 80's and 90's. After the breakup of Siouxsie and the Banshees, she didn't give up and formed "The Creatures" in which she still performs to this day. I miss a lot of her songs, but as long as they're readily available, I'm sure she'll remain the popular, dark Siouxsie Sioux we've all come to know and love. |
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Robert Smith (The Cure) How many people can think of the longest song ever recorded? Stairway to Heaven? NOPE! **BUZZ!!** It's "Carnage Visors" by the Cure! 26+ minutes long! So long it was it's own album! I listened to it once.....fell asleep, but I listened to it. OK....granted it wasn't the greatest, BUT....it proves that Robert and the Cure are always willing to experiment around and come up with something new and different all the time! One really can't put Robert into any one mold, as he keeps cracking them! With albums like "Head on the Door" and "Disintegration" under his belt, I don't think he shows any signs of slowing - although some say "Bloodflowers" was his last work - but he's STILL performing!. I knew you wouldn't let us down, Robert! |
I may add more to this list, but I just thought I'd give you a sampling of what I really like these days....and have liked for a long time! Your list may vary quite a bit from this one, but hey....it's all about individual choice, right? Experiment with what you like to listen to and who knows...you may stumble onto someone truly wonderful too!