Fillin' in the Nilsson Schmilsson
October 4, 2012 6:49 PM Subscribe
Who do you think sounds like Harry Nilsson today?
I've been on a Harry Nilsson binge lately and I'm curious if the hivemind can recommend anyone currently who you think is emblematic or reminiscent of his sound?
I've been on a Harry Nilsson binge lately and I'm curious if the hivemind can recommend anyone currently who you think is emblematic or reminiscent of his sound?
Nilsson to me has two main qualities: stylistic variety and big vocals. The following have more of the former than the latter:
Come to the Sunshine: Ignore the title, it's got some weird stuff too.
Belle & Sebastian, much differently voiced
Sondra Lerche
Spoon, obliquely as well, but I think of a similar school (not cocaine)
Try Jellyfish and their members, Roger Manning and Jason Falkner
If you like Emitt Rhodes, try Crabby Appleton, though you're getting into Badfinger territory there.
You might also like Badfinger.
Flower Pot Men
Love
Another oldie, The Nazz
posted by rhizome at 1:17 AM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
Come to the Sunshine: Ignore the title, it's got some weird stuff too.
Belle & Sebastian, much differently voiced
Sondra Lerche
Spoon, obliquely as well, but I think of a similar school (not cocaine)
Try Jellyfish and their members, Roger Manning and Jason Falkner
If you like Emitt Rhodes, try Crabby Appleton, though you're getting into Badfinger territory there.
You might also like Badfinger.
Flower Pot Men
Love
Another oldie, The Nazz
posted by rhizome at 1:17 AM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Great thread results so far - mainly for the Emitt Rhodes and the most amazing discovery of Crabby Appleton. Keep 'em coming, folks!
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:05 AM on October 5, 2012
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:05 AM on October 5, 2012
Response by poster: Another side - dude from Crabby Appleton can sing his brains out. Love this band!
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:15 AM on October 5, 2012
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:15 AM on October 5, 2012
A little more folky, but Farosese singer/songwriter Teitur presses a lot of my Nilsson buttons for some reason.
posted by neroli at 6:25 AM on October 5, 2012
posted by neroli at 6:25 AM on October 5, 2012
More directly, Rufus Wainwright's 2001 Poses album is about as Nilsson-y as you can get.
posted by neroli at 6:32 AM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by neroli at 6:32 AM on October 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
This may be a long shot, but this makes me think of Jim O'Rourke. I really liked "Memory Lame" and "Good Times."
On preview, agree with the Rufus Wainwright suggestion!
posted by indognito at 6:33 AM on October 5, 2012
On preview, agree with the Rufus Wainwright suggestion!
posted by indognito at 6:33 AM on October 5, 2012
This is a tough one (and some of the suggestions above I don't see at all, but to each his/her own...). In addition to Wainwright, what about Andrew Bird? Bird has a song on this album of covers from Nilsson's The Point, so maybe some of the other artists on there would be worth looking into.
While not all of O'Rourke's music is reminiscent of Nilsson in any way, the "Good Times" link above definitely has Nilsson's sound. Instead of artists, maybe try finding songs that fit Nilsson? He's just so unique and it's difficult to find one person who sounds like him.
posted by RabbleRabble at 7:20 AM on October 5, 2012
While not all of O'Rourke's music is reminiscent of Nilsson in any way, the "Good Times" link above definitely has Nilsson's sound. Instead of artists, maybe try finding songs that fit Nilsson? He's just so unique and it's difficult to find one person who sounds like him.
posted by RabbleRabble at 7:20 AM on October 5, 2012
Andrew Bird is a pretty solid recommendation.
Hawksley Workman is probably a bit closer still.
Jens Lekman? Bingo!
Rufus no no no no. Gack.
posted by blue t-shirt at 12:06 PM on October 5, 2012
Hawksley Workman is probably a bit closer still.
Jens Lekman? Bingo!
Rufus no no no no. Gack.
posted by blue t-shirt at 12:06 PM on October 5, 2012
Also, Lawrence Arabia LOOKS like Nilsson, and probably wouldn't be insulted by the comparison, given his knack for melody and flair.
posted by blue t-shirt at 12:12 PM on October 5, 2012
posted by blue t-shirt at 12:12 PM on October 5, 2012
Sorry I'm so late to this party. Huge Nilsson fan here. I'll add Badly Drawn Boy to the list.
posted by quarterframer at 7:30 PM on October 25, 2012
posted by quarterframer at 7:30 PM on October 25, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by gudrun at 8:10 PM on October 4, 2012