The Recommendation Project Part 12: Instrumentals
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 11:30AM
I'm a big fan of instrumentals. Without lyrics to fall back on, the music has to bear all the weight of the composition. What, in your opinion, are the best alt-rock instrumentals of all time?
Better yet, do you know of an obscure alt-rock instrumental that everyone should really know about? (See my pick involving Isa and the Filthy Tongues.)
Here are the rules:
Here are the rules for The Recommendation Project.
1. Look me up on Rdio (www.rdio.com/people/AlanCross) and find the playlist marked The Recommendation Project Part 12: Instrumentals.
2. Think about all the tracks in your library that don't have proper lyrics. I'll allow some vocals (Madness' "One Step Beyond" is fair game) but try and keep it pure.
3. Again, the song can be brand new or just new to you.
4. No techno. No instrumental versions of songs with lyrics. No karaoke.
5. Let your friends know about the project. Get them to contribute.
6. And just so there's no confusion, I don't have any fiscal connection to Rdio other than I'm a regular $10/month subscriber.
Here's what happened with the last playlist. It was entitled A Tribute to Nirvana.
Reader Comments (11)
Argh! I can't find Area 51 from Tellin' Stories by The Charlatans on the Rdio listing. What a great Madchester track.
The second/instrumental half of "I Am The Resurrection" by The Stone Roses!
Windy & Carl, Flying Saucer Attack, head phone over tone...
I couldn't find it there, but:
Explosions in the Sky - Remember Me As A Time of Day
Oooh, nice subject. I've added a few. Also, a couple I couldn't find on rdio:
Postcard from 1952, by Explosions In The Sky
Com(?) or Moonlight by Mono.
I'd recommend Nerves Normal, Breathe Normal by Wintersleep. It's not a "pure" instrumental as some would define, but it is mostly vocal-less and no less astonishing. The studio version emphasises the songwriting skill of the band and live version showcase the virtuosity of the drummer. Both are worth checking out
Rococco - The Cocteau Twins (powerhouse brilliance)
Mr. Moto - Agent Orange (Bitchin' Summer e.p.)
Salaam - Brian Jonestown Massacre
Pol in G - The Durutti Column
Visions and ? - Government Issue
Cecilia Ann - The Pixies
You are welcome
Ramparts by John Frusciante and Meet Me in the Basement by Broken Social Scene
Whitewash by Buckethead
"Forgotten Whales" from 'Songs in the Key of Beotch' and "Raibow" from 'The Moon is Disgusting', both by That 1 Guy.
These tracks are great productions, and as a producer/engineer I find that there's no disconnect between production style and writing. I doubt he'll ever get on radio in it's present form but he has got at least one song synched to Television.
What about classical gas not alt-rock but my all time favorite rock instrumental. I was hoping it would of made it to the show on instrumentals oh well. the band Area Code 615 did a rock cover of it that's cool but its not on rdio. Alan or someone maybe you know of alt-rock cover of it