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nicktr nicktr
 
M$2 December 17, 2008 06:41 AM

What music can I buy for my (late fifties) father who wants something 'modern & trendy'?

It's coming up to Christmas and my father has asked me to introduce some new music to him. Something modern and trendy that he wouldn't have found otherwise.
He's got a pretty broad taste in music, but i'm struggling to find anything in my own collection that I think he would particularly enjoy. I need ideas people!

The music should preferably be:
1. Recent (2008 release)
2. Available on CD from an online retailer (UK based) e.g. Amazon.co.uk
3. Nothing crazy - think upbeat but chilled (if that makes sense?)

For a point of reference, I thought Bon Iver's latest solo release would do the trick,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Emma-Forever-Ago-Bon-Iver/dp/B00166QJN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1229495951&sr=8-1

but I need more ideas please!
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girldrumme... girldrumme...
 
 December 18, 2008 04:40 AM
I think you should seriously think about Jason Mraz's "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things." It's got a lot of Rock, R&B, accoustic guitar, great vocals, with just the right amount of chill and beat. The words are great and the variety is sweet with a lot of seventies mixed in. It came out in 2008 and is readily available. Trust me 50 somethings would enjoy this guy. "I'm Your's" is a classic and the rest of the album is just as good. Unless you need something a lot more rock and roll this should be something he would love. You could go with Coldplay, but Mraz is a more unique choice. I'm a musician just entering my fifties and I love this one.
You can check it out at http://www.amazon.com/We-Sing-Dance-Steal-Things/dp/B0013FNC38
Source(s):
a lifetime of playing in bands

Asker's Rating:
• Thanks for the great suggestion and good explanation! Just what I was looking for.
And well done for beating off a very tough field of answers - so many fantastic suggestions. I think several others also deserve the tip!


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nicktr nicktr
 
December 18, 2008 04:21 PM
Really like this suggestion!!!

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Other Answers (28)

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neilbakker neilbakker
 
December 17, 2008 06:40 AM
Michael Buble is a great artist that not only sings classic songs from artists like Frank Sinatra, but he also writes new stuff.

I highly recommend him to your father - my parents love it.

http://www.michaelbuble.com/splash/

Watch the video on Amazon to get a taste of his style - very hip.
http://www.amazon.com/Call-Me-Irresponsible-Michael-Bubl%C3%A9/dp/B000NVIXDW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1229496329&sr=8-1

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nicktr nicktr
 
December 17, 2008 06:49 AM
Good suggestion, I am aware of Buble's stuff and i'm certain my father would like it., but i'm looking for something with more original material, less covers.
Thanks for your answer!

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bernardop bernardop
 
December 17, 2008 06:43 AM
How about Coldplay's Viva La Vida?

I personally don't like it one bit, but its pretty popular right now. My dad (53 y/o) loves it.

Source(s):
http://www.amazon.com/Viva-Vida-Coldplay/dp/B000RPTQ1C/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=U...


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jeffhoard jeffhoard
 
December 17, 2008 06:47 AM
bwah you beat me by 2 minutes.. I was too busy searching for Videos!

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bernardop bernardop
 
December 17, 2008 06:49 AM
:D

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nicktr nicktr
 
December 17, 2008 09:38 AM
This is looking to be a safe choice. Is it too obvious though??

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jeffhoard jeffhoard
 
December 17, 2008 06:44 AM
I've been out of tune with music since industrial and grunge died in the 90's but for your question the new Coldplay album was the first thing that popped into my head.
-Modern
-Trendy
-Not Crazy
-Upbeat
-Available in UK
-2008

Source(s):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-k...


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pescina pescina
 
December 17, 2008 06:45 AM
Don't buy music! Take a look at www.jamendo.com. They have almost 14000 albums, all of them free, great quality and with Creative Commons licenses. You can give him an mp3 player instead, with music you find at Jamendo. That'd be a lot better and original as a Christmas gift than just a CD.
Besides, at Jamendo there's great "modern & trendy" music he wouldn't find otherwise.

My favorite album: http://www.jamendo.com/es/album/33588?refuid=314104
Source(s):
You can listen to it directly here: http://www.jamendo.com/es/player?url=album%2F33588


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jasoncalac... jasoncalac...
 
December 17, 2008 06:46 AM
I'd suggest finding out who his five favorite artists are and putting them in your question details.... and put them in www.pandora.com.

If we know what he likes (i.e. Elvis, Bob Dyaln) we can think of modern day versions (Bright Eyes, David Gray). You still have time to edit your question.

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nicktr nicktr
 
December 17, 2008 06:58 AM
Great suggestion!
I'll see if I can figure out his top 5.

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eatthatpop... eatthatpop...
 
December 17, 2008 06:46 AM
Honestly I think you should try Jack Johnson.

I have a feeling he would really like that

Good luck and merry christmas :)

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nicktr nicktr
 
December 17, 2008 09:46 AM
Good suggestion! But i've already bought him Jack Johnson, and yes, he liked it!

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ianislegen... ianislegen...
 
December 17, 2008 06:47 AM
Tom Vek is a very up beat artist whom has music that isn't insane but easy to understand thsat is both good to chill to and good just to be active too

http://www.tomvek.tv/

One of his best songs would have to be One Horse Race

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv4HemhMHbA

Source(s):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv4HemhMHbA

http://www.tomvek.tv/


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xds xds
 
December 17, 2008 06:47 AM
Sorry I have to add my 2 cents in here I hope it's insightful atleast.

You know it is funny you mentioned that the other day I was listening to NASA's 50 year Feature site.

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/50th/main.html

Click on "Skip Animation"

Then again why not merge the 2 eras and throw some kravitz in there.

Source(s):
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/50th/main.html


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xds xds
 
December 17, 2008 06:57 AM - New Source
Actually ya know what that isn't a half bad idea!

Come to think of it my dad is in his 50's too and amazingly he loves tom jones *AND* kravitz (scary stuff)

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redbeard redbeard
 
December 17, 2008 06:50 AM
Might I recommend some Hawaiian music...

Don Ho
Teresa Bright
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Ka'au Crater Boys
Ho'aikane
Keali'i Reichel
Gary Haleamau
Peter Moon
The Cazimero Brothers

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joshwillis joshwillis
 
December 17, 2008 06:52 AM
Without a doubt Alejandro Escovedo's Real Animal. If anything, it'll put him ahead of the curve.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018FZIS0?ie=UTF8&tag=none0e59-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0018FZIS0
Source(s):
me


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nicktr nicktr
 
December 17, 2008 09:33 AM
Really liking this suggestion. Just can't decide if it's exactly what i'm looking for. Maybe I don't know exactly what i'm looking for! :) Thanks.

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factotum factotum
 
December 17, 2008 07:02 AM
If Dad likes good American roots rock, pick up something by Magnolia Electric Company. Better yet, buy him a ticket the next time they pass through your town.

Check out this performance from Spain last summer:


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hartwell hartwell
 
December 17, 2008 07:10 AM
I hate to blow your budget (what? $15.00 for a CD?) but if you want to introduce him to new music, the answer is not a single disc but instead, a device.

Get him a satellite radio for his car and/or a home unit. Or, if he already has broadband in the house, get him a net radio. (here's a $200.00 example: http://www.ccrane.com/radios/wifi-radios/cc-wifi-radio.aspx )

If that's too steep, install a player on his computer and populate a playlist with some new music stations. VLC or even Windows Media Player.
Source(s):
We got my dad a satellite radio last Christmas, he loved it. This year, I'm tempted to get him a wi-fi radio, but i think i'll wait until next year so 1) the prices go down a bit and 2) we don't get him basically the same thing two years in a row


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nicktr nicktr
 
December 17, 2008 09:29 AM
Interesting suggestion! Satellite radio is beyond my budget but i'll definitely look into installing some good music software on his computer. I think i'm gonna get him going on Last.fm for starters.

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budgallant budgallant
 
December 17, 2008 07:22 AM
The Kills just released a new album a couple months ago, Midnight Boom.
Really big in the UK. If you are at all familiar with the Pixies, I think it's a similar sound. I'm not sure if it's exactly what you had in mind, but I think it's pretty progressive in ways. I really wanted to recommend Portishead, but the new album is not as good as past ones, in my opinion, anyway.

You can check out The Kills here:

Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kills


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akashs04 akashs04
 
December 17, 2008 07:42 AM
I think your father should like some light rock music.. You can ask him about his favourite singer or band then decide. :-)

Akash...

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mdoeff mdoeff
 
December 17, 2008 07:51 AM
I think She & Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward) would do the trick. It was released this year, it's edgy but it also has a timeless quality. My other suggestion is Fleet Foxes.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/She_%26_Him
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleet_Foxes


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shareme shareme
 
December 17, 2008 09:13 AM
Th recent Jonny Cash album where Cash covered new modern hits like Hurt

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billyd billyd
 
December 17, 2008 09:49 AM
Try Sondre Lerche.

I've been to a few of his shows and it might just be the venue, but they've always been an interesting mix of people in their 20s and people in their 40s/50s.

Here's a few songs I managed to find online:
http://www.boyhowdy.org/noise/phantom/01%20Airport%20Taxi%20Reception.mp3

http://crispytomato.net/JPE/outrageousfortune/sondre%20lerche%20-%20two%20way%20monologue.mp3

http://poptart.haoneg.com/tarts/sondre%20lerche%20-%20to%20be%20surprised.mp3



And here's a link to his stuff on Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_m_h_?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=sondre+lerche&x=0&y=0


Good Luck, and tell your dad the interwebz says Merry Christmas.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sondre_Lerche


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nicktr nicktr
 
December 18, 2008 02:03 AM
Really liking this music! It's a contender for sure!

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stepwisecl... stepwisecl...
 
December 17, 2008 11:19 AM
Try throwing a few newer bands you know he likes into pandora.com or slacker.com . You're likely to find several new bands based on that.

If you're looking for something completely new, try some standard internet radio stations.

Or check out NPR's All Songs Considered podcast. That pretty much epitomizes modern and hip without getting too trendy or too obscure.

I hate to post without an actual recommendation, but as someone that loves music, it's hard to make recommendations with a limited baseline. It's something you could decide best since none of us knows your dad like you do. So hopefully you can get some use out of some of these tools!
Source(s):
http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=37

http://www.pandora.com/

http://www.slacker.com/


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weirdling weirdling
 
December 17, 2008 11:31 AM
Aly and AJ, 'Acoustic Hearts of Winter', their Christmas album. I'm younger than your father, but was raised 'in the past' by missionary parents, on forties and fifties music. Aly and AJ are very good, razor sharp and edgy, but the album 'Acoustic Hearts of Winter' has a bunch of older songs that are very well done.

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garance garance
 
December 17, 2008 12:25 PM
Great suggestions! Try also the Kronos quartet. Maybe "Africa" to start with. It is absolutely modern but very classy. It is the kind of music you don't get tired of, and your father would be proud to show it to his friends.

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brendo brendo
 
December 17, 2008 02:17 PM
Would Sigur Rós be too far left field? Their latest album "Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust" is pretty upbeat but also kinda chilled. It's all in Icelandic though, and a made up language called Vonlenska. This is the band that Coldplay wish they were - they're Chris Martin's favourite band, IIRC.

Keeping with the scandinavian theme, if he wants something a bit more conventional, in english, the what about Marit Larsen's "The Chase"? It's got its dramatic moments, as well as straight out pop songs, and is one of my albums of the year along with the aforementioned Sigur Rós.

Sample tracks at the myspaces in my links.
Source(s):
http://www.myspace.com/sigurros
http://www.myspace.com/maritlarsen


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nicktr nicktr
 
December 18, 2008 04:31 PM
nice music! But my dad really likes to sing along to the music he listens to, so perhaps the Icelandic choice isn't the best for him. Thanks though.
Will check out your other suggestions also.

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nunzimania... nunzimania...
 
December 17, 2008 03:32 PM
I'd suggest introducing him to the Dave Matthews Band, or OAR, they both are amazing to listen to.

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offthedome offthedome
 
December 17, 2008 06:54 PM
Jason Mraz is a good, safe choice. I'd recommend looking at the billboard top 100 as well.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=Pop+100&g=Singles
Source(s):
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=Pop+100&g=Sin...


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corwin corwin
 
December 17, 2008 10:42 PM
Mono in VCF is a good, contemporary modern band, without the craziness of many other modern bands (thus it is great for a man of age 50). Furthermore, Mono in VCF was featured on thecoolhunter.net, a company that searches the world for the coolest and most unique items. On top of that, they do indeed sell it on Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mono-VCF/dp/B0014ZBDMY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1229553547&sr=8-1)
Source(s):
The Cool Hunter mention: http://www.thecoolhunter.net/music/Mono-In-VCF/


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browncp browncp
 
December 18, 2008 07:34 AM
Coldplay

Outstanding band, talented, upbeat and chill

They play great music, with positive lyrics and a chill sound that anyone can enjoy, (no matter what mood they are in or what age or background they come from)
It is easy listening and nice for someone who does not want to be burdened listening to a bunch a noise

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teduncan teduncan
 
December 18, 2008 03:29 PM
Check out anything by Grant Lee Phillilps, he is someone that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age and is a great acoustic rocker!
If you have to chose one go with the album "Virginia Creeper"

www.grantleephillips.com



http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_m_h_?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=grant+lee+phillips&x=0&y=0
Source(s):
http://grantleephillips.com/


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nicktr nicktr
 
December 18, 2008 04:12 PM
Great music! Thanks.

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joeknows joeknows
 
December 18, 2008 04:22 PM
I hat to blast others answers, but you said "modern & trendy" and most of these answers are plain vanilla, boring!

Try the Flaming Lips "At War With The Mystics" I know people from my friends 4 year old to our choir director at church who is pushing 70, that love it.

peace,
joe

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