What Artists Were Ahead of Their Time?

[@JoshuaKaluba]

I'd argue 808 and Heartbreaks was quite ahead of its time, while it is flawed it did set the stage for how hip hop would sound in the coming decade

[@velocitiesinmusic]

Yeah that's a great point--not well-liked when it came out but did push the production approach for hip-hop in a different direction, which certainly says something about impact.

[@jimacht8]

This is the first album I thought of when I saw the title of this video. Fits all the criteria.

[@Lyrici17]

I will sometimes jokingly claim that "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" by The Beatles is the first doom metal song ever -- but even though I'm joking, I still like 50% believe it.... interesting topic... Excited for the top lists! Thanks!

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

The first three artists which came to mind for me were The Velvet Underground, Animal Collective and Death Grips - however they are all pretty popular now, at least within certain circles

[@benw9667]

5 minutes in and i’m already so impressed by this discussion. The argument about “being ahead of their time” vs just being innovative and successful is so interesting, and i’ve thought about this on a few occasions before, but never heard anyone put it into words like this. Excellent video and keep up the great content. Really moving music discussion forward as usual guys!!!

[@velocitiesinmusic]

Thank you!

[@get_a_life_troll]

Brian Eno, Giorgio Modorer, Kraftwerk, R.E.M, Gary Numan, etc...

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

I haven't checked this one out yet, but great topic! here's a few names that come to mind: King Crimson Faith No More Dave Brubeck Frank Zappa Prince David Bowie Death

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

now listening to this. Jellyfish definitely fits into this category for sure. They were not all that popular when they were around, but ever since their breakup, I've discovered so many artists who seem to try to, but don't even measure up to those 2 incredible records they made. Also Jeff Buckley. He's become a huge Martyr since his death, and I'll admit to never having heard of him when he was alive, but both his music and influence is everywhere over the last 20 years.

[@treeguy8812]

Even the Beatles too

[@BuildingHP]

The second the subject of artists ahead of their time in today’s time came up I thought about M.I.A. Because although she’s been a bit lacking over the last few years, at least as genre-bending and lyrical subject go she was sort of on her own up until MAYA (her big noisy album) she talked about refugees and immigration before a lot of mainstream artists, Paper Planes wasn’t a hit in the US until about a year after the album it came out in was released and in MAYA she was talking about surveillance and using abrasive samples - things that have become much more popular in the years since.

[@berlinesquelove1360]

I strongly agree with Have A Nice Life being ahead of their time. Their melding of drone, post punk, goth, noise, shoegaze, etc, is something I can see becoming very influential in the future. Their first album has already slowly built a strong cult following as well. An obvious band I would add to this discussion is The Ramones. Oh and Nine Inch Nails deep dive pleeeeeease.

[@nib4626]

To fit your description of an artist being ahead of their time because they were not a huge success while active but influenced future artists with their legacy, I would suggest Syd Barrett. His vocal style in particular was enormously influential - David Bowie and Damon Albarn both borrowed from it, for example. Pink Floyd were quite a way off being global superstars during his reign as the band's leader.

[@velocitiesinmusic]

Very true--Syd was an underappreciated visionary. It's nice to see more people acknowledging that today.

[@jimacht8]

Really interesting episode. Glad to have you guys back to posting podcasts, genuinely my favorite music discussion online.

[@velocitiesinmusic]

Thank you!

[@CynicalScorpio]

Glad to see you guys still making videos! I know it's not often, but it's worth it every time you do.

[@murlough23]

I want say that Bjork is/was ahead of her time, but according to the strict definition you guys laid out in this podcast, she might not be, simply because she seems to have had a pretty devoted fanbase throughout her solo career. Perhaps I just perceive her that way because a lot of her music takes time for me to appreciate, and I didn't get into her until 2007 when Volta came out, and then I promptly felt like an idiot for missing out on her 90s work and Vespertine back when those albums were new, but honestly, I don't think I would have appreciated very much of it at the time.

[@zensei999]

Everything Toby Driver related is underrated. No one mixes chamber music, modern classical, prog, goth, rock, metal (and currently electronic/space rock) like Maudlin of the Well / Kayo Dot. You may think I'm exaggerating with all these genre descriptors and that's the problem. No one has done what Driver has before so you won't believe it until you hear it.

[@djed7235]

the chameleons - without them, no slowdive, no interpol etc. hum too, they influenced deftones heavily

[@smoshbooz]

Hum and Failure are incredible

[@jamesgreenldn]

Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bowie ☺

[@JamoboBorg]

A couple of modern bands might be Wild Beasts who have 5 brilliant albums, especially looking at the middle 3, but have recently broken up and have yet to really gain much commercial success. The other is Algiers who have 2 brilliant albums, that if they gain popularity could start a new trend of hard-hitting goth-gospel-rock.

[@velocitiesinmusic]

Those are fantastic examples! Algiers is very unique and their last couple albums have been terrific--really looking forward to what they do next and hope it's even bigger in scope and ambition.

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

Spot on with your definition there Tom

[@shibainu7525]

I definitely would say a band like refused were super ahead of their time. The Shape of Punk to Come wasn't hugely successful but basically predicted exactly what post-hardcore and punk would become in the 2000s, as well as a big influence on later nu metal.

[@ouroboros78]

Melvins, Neutral Milk Hotel, & Refused

[@major_organ]

i've been on a bob dylan kick, and although by no means was he under the radar, i feel that with the mid sixties trilogy of bringing it all back..., highway, and blonde on blonde, that he was ahead of his time. Theres something about the whole history and culture surrounding dylan at the time and his willingness to subvert it and not care that I think makes him, in a way, ahead of his time! hope this made a lick of sense

[@adderon]

Captain Beefheart, This Heat, Brainiac, Kate Bush, CAN, Public Enemy, Kool Keith, Minutemen, R. Stevie Moore, Res, Julia Holter, Peter Gabriel

[@BOBOUDA]

And justice for all needs some justice. RTL / MOP / AJFA is the true trio :)

[@djed7235]

also tool deep dive would be great

[@Ravenscannotfly]

I feel like being ahead of their tims is less of a popularity thing, and more a case of asking yourself. Would this sound right if it were released today. Like I'd say a Downward Spiral, Aeroplane over the Sea, Revolver and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Those albums feel like they could be released today and be huge

[@velocitiesinmusic]

This is a great point, thanks for the comment! It's amazing when albums that are 20 or more years old still don't sound like they've aged a day.

[@danman92]

Velvets, Pavement, Can, My Bloody Valentine, Big Star, Nick Drake, Stooges, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Wire, Spacemen 3, Suicide, Chrome to name a few..

[@shammycat3538]

Yes Pixies. Shocked over 39 minutes of discussing this topic they failed to mention the most influential band of the nineties. They matched all the criteria they personally set for a band ahead of their time.

[@toastycabbagewaffles2115]

the one on the left looks like Ad-Rock and the one on the right looks like Nick Drake.

[@wadereed11]

Depeche mode, Jane's addiction, Frank zappa, electric light Orchestra, Peter Gabriel( before us and so), King crimson. Honestly the doors were massive but I always thought they were ahead of the curve for the time period that they were around. The dark subject matter wasn't as big of a thimg before them in my opinion. I also think Jim was the first real rock frontman and his erratic behavior was in a time when frontman were a little more well behaved. Just my opinion though. I think ministry were pretty ahead of their time in the mid the late 80s. Same with pretty hate machine by nine inch nails. If you listen to that album, it sounds alot more like 92 than 89. Oh and prodigy.

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

Swans? I think so

[@andym28]

Allan Holdsworth is a few hundred years ahead of his time.

[@guswebb1781]

Please do 1994 the podcast that’ll be amazing and very long!

[@guswebb1781]

Rybread 28 no the Downward spiral for me (and I know it’s Tom’s favourite album)

[@JoshuaKaluba]

Don't forget Jeff Buckley! And Hole!

[@JoshuaKaluba]

Okay fair enough on Hole aha that's a bit more divisive. But definitely try out Jeff Buckley! Hm, perhaps the songs So Real and Lover, You Should've Come Over? Tell me what you think! :)

[@flyswatter45]

By blue album do you mean 311? Was that 1995?

[@Jose-oq6kj]

I missed this when it was uploaded somehow oO hope everything is well :D

[@duke86fan]

sonic youth? cap'n jazz?

[@lukegregg5944]

Do a best of 2017 album list please!

[@velocitiesinmusic]

Recording it right now!

[@danman92]

Artists from today that might be seen as ahead of their time: Animal Collective, Car Seat Headrest, Grizzly Bear, of Montreal.. I'm sure there are more lol

[@hebrew26commandmentspower55]

Parliament Funkadelics ...... Way ahead

[@smoshbooz]

I think of Neutral milk hotel and Hum

[@cattycooper1137]

It was 15.21 minutes into a 39 minute podcast until they actually nominated a band that was ahead of its time.

[@ericpiazzi]

gentle giant was ahead of their time

[@velocitiesinmusic]

Great band for sure!

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

agreed. Their influence is clearly found in dozens of progressive rock artists of the last 30 years.

[@hteeth]

sun ra aphex

[@cattycooper1137]

Mr Bungle were ahead of their time

[@gabe2869]

I agree that Nick Drake was ahead of his time, although I don't agree with your reasoning. It's true that Nick's three albums were released during a high point in rock and roll history and the dawn of what would eventually become heavy metal, however it's also true that during his time you saw the height of the singer songwriter movement as well as AM gold standards. The top 10 billboard hits of 1971 (the year Bryter Layer was released) featured songs by The Osmonds, John Denver, Carole King, Donny Osmond, The Temptations, Three Dog Night and Tony Orlando & Dawn. I'm not really sure exactly why Nick Drake wasn't more popular. Admittedly, while this era was the zenith of the singer/songwriter movement, Nick Drakes music was especially somber in tone. To me though, the best examples of what you qualify as being overrated, would be The Velvet Underground and Big Star. I'd like to add in The Zombies too. The Zombies had a couple of minor hits early, but Odessey and Oracle was a commercial failure at the time of it's release, which caused the band to break up. it wasn't until almost a year and a half later that Time Of The Season became a hit and by then Rod Argent had moved on with Argent.

[@fasciculationscsilporcadli7529]

Swans

[@oenophile82]

Kate bush, gentile giant

[@joshtimko2205]

Steve Reich

[@joshtimko2205]

Also, the microphones. I could be wrong tho

[@jamesgreenldn]

Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bowie ☺

[@MortonGoldthwait]

Swans