I havnt read through ALL of the thread but from what ive seen this band didnt come up
Artist: The Fall
Genre: Punk-Rock, Post Punk, Indie Rock, Flirtations with techno but not enough to really be classified, Rock in some cases
Essential: This Nations Saving Grace (1985), Hex Enduction Hour (1982)
Wild Card Choise: The Infotainment Scan (1993)
Marmite (love/hate): Live At The Witch Trails (1977)
Basicly...: Essentially The Fall are one of those cult post-punk bands that subtly helped change the face of indie rock and alternative music. Sonic Youth, Pavement, Franz Ferdinand, even Wu Tang Clan's GZA quotes The Fall as an influence. Mark E Smiths mancunian mumblings are, in-a-nut-shell, crazy. From subject matter from spaceships to bingo halls Mark E Smith spits his prose in a lyrical attack unlike any other. They were famously John Peel's favourite band, if you dont know who John Peel is he is the radio DJ responsible for bringing such acts as Jimi Hendrix, The Smiths, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The White Stripes, Blur, The Undertones, PJ Harvey, Belle And Sebastian, T-Rex, Pink Floyd, John Mayall and the Blus Breakers amongst many others to widespread radio play and sucess is Britain. Its a band you really need to sample. I advise you take me up on my recomendations if your a fan of american lo-fi and indie rock bands such as Sonic Youth, Pavement, Guided By Voices or Built To Spill or British post-punk acts such as Joy Division, Gang of Four or Half Man Half Biscuit and the newer dance-punk bands such as Franz Ferdinand, LCD Soundsystem, Radio 4 and TV On The Radio.
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Genre: Hard Rock, Country, Southern Rock, Classic Rock
Essential: Cosmos Factory(1970), Green River (1969), Willy and the Poor Boys (also 1969)
Wild Card: Bayou County (1969 again - these guys were prolific to say the least during that time)
Basicly...: Probably the greatest hard rock (although thats debateable) band post-Black Sabbath/Led Zeppelin. One of the best bands to sum the 60's and that time of history. Never afraid to speak their mind they were really critical of the vietnam war ('Run Through the Jungle' 'Fourtante Son'). Probably the greatest band to come from Americas south (which is really saying something) and one id recomend to Grateful Dead fans as well as fans of that era's music ie - Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and for fans of good rock n roll. Like the segment in Die Hard 4 about them. If John McLayne says they rule you best belive they rule.
Some albums id like to recomend everyone despite music preference:
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Intervention - Freak Out! (1966)- Weird as sh*t but da*mn clever. Cheap sarcasim is forever as one review said somewhere.
Download: Trouble Every Day, Hungry Freaks Daddy
Eels - Electro Shock Blues (1998) - Written after Mark Evertte's mother died of cancer and his sister commited suicide its suprising this album is at times so bright. Although an album about death and grief (take note My Chemical Romance on how its done) the album is full of hope and tales of redemption (i know that sounds so pretentious but you really should listen)
Download: 3 Speed, Last Stop: This Town
Madness - Absolutly (1980) - Unknown everywhere outside of Britain where they are national treasures as beloved as tea, Steven Fry or football violence. Their most underated album since 'One Step Beyond...' and 'Rise and Fall' get most the credit but this is the one id recomend. Pop magnifigance.
Download: Baggy Trousers, On The Beat Pete
Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975) - Why I wish I were born black.
Download: Handcuffs, P-Funk (Wants to get Funked Up)