A CD in the stocking is a no-brainer gift idea for the average guy. It’s easy and it’s always appreciated unless you misjudge your recipient’s musical taste.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to find a way of figuring out if they’ve already got the CD in their collection before you go out and buy it.
Here are a few CD and musical DVD ideas for a variety of tastes.
Beck – Modern Guilt
Beck appeals to a wide demographic but mostly the keen music lover with a love for indie rock. He’s the mainstream artist who should be indie, basically. And his new release Modern Guilt is spot on Beck, filled with infectious hooks that slowly grow on the listener and a moody, gloriously soothing sound. Produced by Danger Mouse standout tracks include Gamma Ray and Volcano.
The Streets – Everything Is Borrowed
The Streets is English pop rapper Mike Skinner, who has hit his stride big time with this instantly addictive album of new material. The sound combines R & B, funk, rap and pop and rock into a laid back and highly groovable release. Best suited to the rap fan or the guy who simply likes to have something out of the ordinary and hip on his iPod.
Metallica – Death Magnetic
Metallica goes back to its roots with Death Magnetic, a release that sounds a lot like Metallica’s output from the 80s: albums like Master of Puppets and …And Justice for All. It’s classic Metallica, complete with enough guitar-god licks and masculine drum riffing to blow the roof off. For the metal fan in the family, this is essential to the collection.
B.B. King – One Kind Favor
This is considered one of B.B. King’s best releases in his 60-year career, filled with sizzling licks and the rugged old splendor of King’s own voice. King, who is 82, got his groove back with the help of T-Bone Burnett, and his backing band is comprised of classic players like drummer Jim Keltner (John Lennon), bass player Nathan East (Eric Clapton) and piano player Dr. John. For the blues fan, it doesn’t get much more real than this.
Tenacious D – The Complete Masterworks 2 DVD
Tenacious D is the musical alter ego of comedian Jack Black, who pairs with classically trained guitarist Kyle Gass to make for a seriously charged acoustic duo, while delivering lots of profanity and pop cultural bombs along the way. This two-DVD set (concert footage; documentary) serves as a great introduction for the music fan who is also a fan of Black’s often caustic, goofball adults-only humour (the 20-somethings consider him a bit of a god). But don’t be fooled: this isn’t a comedy set. This is music, and the always funny Black can sing and play with the best of the dudes. And they enter the stage probably better than any performer has (asleep on couches). Partway through the concert footage, a backing band accompanies the chubby duo and the mood shifts more fully into pop-rock mode. It’s the perfect gift for the guy who likes music and cool wackiness, too.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to find a way of figuring out if they’ve already got the CD in their collection before you go out and buy it.
Here are a few CD and musical DVD ideas for a variety of tastes.
Beck – Modern Guilt
Beck appeals to a wide demographic but mostly the keen music lover with a love for indie rock. He’s the mainstream artist who should be indie, basically. And his new release Modern Guilt is spot on Beck, filled with infectious hooks that slowly grow on the listener and a moody, gloriously soothing sound. Produced by Danger Mouse standout tracks include Gamma Ray and Volcano.
The Streets – Everything Is Borrowed
The Streets is English pop rapper Mike Skinner, who has hit his stride big time with this instantly addictive album of new material. The sound combines R & B, funk, rap and pop and rock into a laid back and highly groovable release. Best suited to the rap fan or the guy who simply likes to have something out of the ordinary and hip on his iPod.
Metallica – Death Magnetic
Metallica goes back to its roots with Death Magnetic, a release that sounds a lot like Metallica’s output from the 80s: albums like Master of Puppets and …And Justice for All. It’s classic Metallica, complete with enough guitar-god licks and masculine drum riffing to blow the roof off. For the metal fan in the family, this is essential to the collection.
B.B. King – One Kind Favor
This is considered one of B.B. King’s best releases in his 60-year career, filled with sizzling licks and the rugged old splendor of King’s own voice. King, who is 82, got his groove back with the help of T-Bone Burnett, and his backing band is comprised of classic players like drummer Jim Keltner (John Lennon), bass player Nathan East (Eric Clapton) and piano player Dr. John. For the blues fan, it doesn’t get much more real than this.
Tenacious D – The Complete Masterworks 2 DVD
Tenacious D is the musical alter ego of comedian Jack Black, who pairs with classically trained guitarist Kyle Gass to make for a seriously charged acoustic duo, while delivering lots of profanity and pop cultural bombs along the way. This two-DVD set (concert footage; documentary) serves as a great introduction for the music fan who is also a fan of Black’s often caustic, goofball adults-only humour (the 20-somethings consider him a bit of a god). But don’t be fooled: this isn’t a comedy set. This is music, and the always funny Black can sing and play with the best of the dudes. And they enter the stage probably better than any performer has (asleep on couches). Partway through the concert footage, a backing band accompanies the chubby duo and the mood shifts more fully into pop-rock mode. It’s the perfect gift for the guy who likes music and cool wackiness, too.
