I love the acoustics in here

April 3, 2009 9:54 PM

[Music Filter] I'm totally into acoustical guitar and also incredibly picky. Help me find music I like and I'll be eternally grateful.

I really like acoustical guitar music, especially when a song starts out without it and the transitions into it. Examples of what I mean start here at 2:01 and here at 0:16. I'm also very fond of acoustic versions of songs like this, this, and this.

I'm not looking for exclusively acoustic music or artiists, but rather individual songs that blend it with other instruments. I'm not a fan of jazz or blues but would prefer stuff that's contemporary, even pop-ish. Oh, and this guy drives me batshit insane.

Thanks MeFites!

posted by _Mona_ to media & arts (17 comments total)

Aztec Two-Step I only really know their first two albums. I love songs Humpty Dumpty, Going on Saturday, Baking, etc. Try David Bromberg too
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:13 PM on April 3

John Butler Trio- Ocean

Some distorted guitar sounds come in around 3:30. This guy is a living acoustic legend.
posted by bradly at 10:32 PM on April 3 [2 favorites]

Pavement - We Dance

Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue

David Bowie - After All

The Who - Sunrise

The Fall - Open the Box(octosis) #2

Talking Heads - Psycho Killer (live 'Stop Making Sense' version)

That's a good mix. You don't really say what you mean by "I'm... incredibly picky," but every song up there is tremendous and awesome, so I guess you can't go wrong. Sorry; I don't have many that don't start with acoustic guitar.
posted by koeselitz at 10:44 PM on April 3

Ah - I'm sure you know this one, but it's a classic that fits your bill:

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
posted by koeselitz at 10:47 PM on April 3

And you could check out the Happy Mondays' wonderful little album, Pills, Thrills, and Bellyaches...

Kinky Afro

posted by koeselitz at 10:54 PM on April 3

Ma Solituda - Catherine Wheel
Matthew Good - While We Were Hunting Rabbits
Gomez - 78 Stone Wobble and Machismo

There are a ton of bands that incorporate acoustic music with electric/bass/drums/piano etc. Some of my favourites are Crowded House, Wilco, Matt Good, Radiohead, Neil Young, the Shins, Neko Case, Ryan Adams, The Lemonheads, Blind Melon (Shannon Hoon), Catherine Wheel, Gomez...the list goes on. For pure acoustic music check out
posted by jimmythefish at 12:54 AM on April 4

...(sorry late!) Fleet Foxes, Gillian Welch, City & Colour, Nick Drake, etc.

Another one (perusing my iTunes library)...

Pretty much anything from Midnight Oil.
posted by jimmythefish at 1:06 AM on April 4

Maybe some of Brad Sucks? Mind you, he does some synth stuff that may or may not be to your tastes, but there's a good bit of acoustic there, too. Try out his song "Dirtbag." Most of his stuff is pop-ish.

I think South San Gabriel might be a good fit for you. Try their new song, "Trust to Lose." Lots of acoustic goodness there.

Seconding Fleet Foxes. "Your Protector" has this great acoustic beat throughout it.

Jose Gonzalez. Try "Killing for Love" or "Down the Line."

Of course, Fleetwood Mac always had some good acoustic moments as well.
posted by metalheart at 1:22 AM on April 4

Swans cover of Love Will Tear Us Apart (sound quality sucks, DL the track elsewhere)

The Sundays - Here's Where the Story Ends

Andy McKee's version of Africa by Toto is pure gold.
posted by K.P. at 2:49 AM on April 4

try Pinback (I think this is a good example of what you are looking for done in reverse, eventually fading to just an acoustic melody that's been hiding under the song all along)
posted by mannequito at 3:42 AM on April 4

oh and since Jose Gonzalez was mentioned already, I'll add Junip to the list of suggestions
posted by mannequito at 3:47 AM on April 4

Rodrigo y Gabriela are accoustic guitar players and this cd effing rocks. The clips don't really do it justice because it's the sustained cadence of the songs that just blows me away. They met in a Mexico City metal band and now do this great acoustic stuff.
posted by barnone at 6:45 AM on April 4 [2 favorites]

How could I forget Tegan and Sara. They fit what you're looking for exactly.

Oh, and for an acoustic (mostly) treat check out Black Cab Sessions and Behind Closed Doors. Personal favourite from the Black Cab sessions is Calexico.

Looks like another Saturday of Youtubing awesome stuff.
posted by jimmythefish at 7:53 AM on April 4

Two Siberians. Just acoustic guitar and electric violin. Start with Out of the Woods (the last song is my favorite).
posted by valadil at 2:04 PM on April 4

I would suggest something from Willy Porter - the album Dog Eared Dream is fantastic.
posted by Glum at 3:06 PM on April 4

Stacks - Bon Iver.
Say Goodbye - Linsey Buckingham playing
Three Hours - Nick Drake
..this is the song responsible for my love of acoustic guitar - Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez.
posted by Weaslegirl at 3:17 PM on April 4

oops... clicked the wrong video...that last one is the not the Nick Drake version of Three Hours..sorry...here you go - Three Hours
posted by Weaslegirl at 3:20 PM on April 4