Critical Listeners/Melody Obsessives: What artists or albums have the strongest melodies?
I haven't bought a new album or discovered a new artist in forever. I have always associated music with melodies first and foremost. When I write music, I am obsessive compulsive about melodies and I always strive to write them in a way that is as welcoming as it is complex, always trying to straddle the fine line between predictability and chaos. As a listener, I don't even know half the lyrics to many of my all time favorite songs because I'm always so fixated on the melodies.
To my ears, The Beatles are the pinnacle of melodic genius. "Strawberry Fields Forever" is a prime example of this. I also consider Radiohead to be a modern equivalent. "The Daily Mail" is a great example of how good they are with melodies: interesting piano chords, amazing progressions.
My favorite albums (at the moment), in terms of melody:
All Beatles albums
Pink Moon - Nick Drake
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Dusty In Memphis - Dusty Springfield
In Rainbows, OK Computer - Radiohead
The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
Currents - Tame Impala
Comedown Machine, Angles, Room on Fire - The Strokes
Any ideas for other artists or albums that have really strong melodies or interesting chords and progressions?
Posted Feb 17, 2017, 3:24 AM UTC