A Conversation

We’ve been having this conversation over at SWOON about indie music being a lot like AM Gold back in the day.

The edges are softening and musicianship is becoming important again. Irony is out, sincerity is in. Melody is important once again. Artists are remembering the beauty in timelessness.

There are some pretty great comparisons going on - not to dismiss the now great artists of days gone, but to sort of have fun in pointing out how their sound is re-emerging in a very different music landscape.

Some of the comparisons we’ve made are:

Jose Gonzalez = Cat Stevens
Sufjan Stevens = James Taylor
Feist = Joni Mitchell
Jens Lekman = Harry Nilsson (i’m reaching on this one)
Adem = Paul Simon (i dunno)
Antony & The Johnsons = Elton John
Cat Power = Laura Nyro
Midlake = Crosby, Stills & Nash
My Morning Jacket = Neil Young
Phoenix = Hall & Oates
The Bees (US) = The Turtles

We’ve got some good ones in the comments section, too. What do you think?

Not exactly what you’re looking for, but a previous comparison of freedom rock and crappy 90s rock here.

And please remove Ms. Mitchell to about 3000 miles away from Hall and Oates, as per the restraining order.

I like where this is going, where would you put Dr. Dog?