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[Man-Eating Eggplant]

I know you people like to tell other people what music to listen to, so here's your chance.

As I stated in my "Hi, I'm new." thread, I do not listen to music. I don't have any pathological hatred for it, or anything, it just doesn't interest me. I don't own any CDs. I don't have an Ipod or any music on my computer, or anything like that. If there's music on a radio, or in a car I'm in, I just tune it out.

However, my therapist has suggested that perhaps listening to some nice, upbeat music might be good for my chronic depression. So I need... suggestions.

[IronOxide]

Upbeat music is Heavenly.

You should probably listen to some Heavenly.

[imagist42]

Actually, I was going to tell him (as I tell just about everyone) to listen to LCD Soundsystem.

Because dance-punk is love.

But seriously (not that the above is not serious), you might try some twee-esque pop, such as Architecture in Helsinki, Belle & Sebastian, I'm from Barcelona; or try some "poppier" indie rocks, like The Format, Nada Surf, The New Pornoraphers, The Paperbacks or The Shins. As Jeph himself suggests, you also can't go extremely wrong with The Flaming Lips' The Soft Bulletin (or, for that matter, most of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots), and on one final note The Postal Service has always made me smile.

[Thrillho]

There is another thread called something like 'Music...?' which asks almost the exact same thing of us minus the depression. I'd say everything recommended in there will do the trick.

[pwhodges]

I'd suggest of Montreal, but that gets you get (some) depressing lyrics with the up-beat music...

Bach Cantatas - as undepressing as music can get, while remaining relaxing.

[Thrillho]

No, that was sort of the point I was making with my first post.

If you were depressed and you listened to all of those frightening death metal bands named in that thread, you'd probably leap into the nearest chasm or something. The only hint that he gives us is that he's looking for something upbeat.

Later in the thread, that OP said that he wanted upbeat stuff and people started to name it. That's what I was referring to, and basically forgot to mention.

Are you someone doing a parody of tommydski or have you changed accounts? If the latter, why have you done so?

[Man-Eating Eggplant]

Wow, so many replies and so quick. I knew giving you weird music-lovers your chance would work. Let me look at some difficulties.

Give us at least some pointers of music you have in the past heard which you thought was okay or ...

I can't recall any music I thought was okay. There are some half-forgotten tunes I find myself humming from time to time, but I couldn't name them for the lives of my sister's children.

Anyways... Anyways gets 10 starfish points for most enthusiastic reply. I shall certain schedule those for perusal.

[Scandanavian War Machine]

okay, i'm going to agree on a few and add some more:

Of Montreal
The 1900's
All Girl Summer Fun Band (even the name is sweet enough to induce a diabetic coma)
Cloud Control
Los Campesinos!
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
Black Moth Super Rainbow

[imapiratearg]

God damnit, War Machine.  I was going to suggest Los Campesinos!.

Now,

The Apples in Stereo - Check out New Magnetic Wonder and Fun Trick Noisemaker because they are like happiness set to record.
The Polyphonic Spree
Caribou
Montag
Shout Out Louds
Tilly & the Wall

[Dimmukane]

Black Moth Super Rainbow

This is happy music.

[imagist42]

The thing about Shout Out Louds is nearly all their lyrics are at least semi-depressing.

[ifoundmystar]

I like to listen to Does It Offend You, Yeah? They're upbeat without being too upbeat. They make me happy.

I also like Vampire Weekend, which seems to be a band that you either love or hate. I love them. They're pretty upbeat, too.

Here are some others that are good for happiness.
Daft Punk
LCD Soundsystem
Desmond Dekker
Gogol Bordello
The Specials

Again, just a matter of opinion, but I love all of these bands and maybe you will too!

[Be My Head]

As far as uplifting music goes...

The Flaming Lips
Super Furry Animals
Deerhoof (as someone mentioned already)

Great poppy and sugary kind of music. But for the Lips, stick to Transmissions From The Satellite Heart and on if you want the happy and uplifting stuff all the time.

Don't bother with Zaireeka though...

Really, I think The Flaming Lips are incredible for pulling you out of a depressive state. They have done so for me many times. Something about their music, I don't know, the lyrics look terrible on paper but when Wayne Coyne sings them they cut right to your soul.

It might also be the fact that the whole band are great people, and there isn't a band that exists who sacrifices as much for their fans. Reading their Biography (Staring At Sound) just made me appreciate them 100 times more.

Do You Realize?? - The Flaming Lips

[ifoundmystar]

Ooohh I forgot about The Flaming Lips. Good stuff!

I forgot to mention Flight of the Conchords. They're a comedy-folk duo, so their songs are meant to be funny. They also have a show, which is amazing,  but I honestly think you should just check out their music.

[suitupletsgo]

I definitely recommend The Promise Ring. every album except Wood/Water for upbeat-ness.

[Nodaisho]

I tend to listen to somewhat depressing music, so I can't recommend as much as some people can (though, from my experience, depressing music can make me feel better, this coming from someone with clinical depression for half his life). The Beatles are an auditory anti-depressant, it is like all the drugs they were on somehow managed to make it on to the tape.

[20 jazz funk greats]

I forgot to mention Flight of the Conchords. They're a comedy-folk duo, so their songs are meant to be funny. They also have a show, which is amazing,  but I honestly think you should just check out their music.

even people i know who aren't seriously into music enjoy flight of the conchords, so i'd would recommend them also. 
i'd say watch the show first though!

[imagist42]

I forgot to mention Flight of the Conchords. They're a comedy-folk duo, so their songs are meant to be funny. They also have a show, which is amazing,  but I honestly think you should just check out their music.

even people i know who aren't seriously into music enjoy flight of the conchords, so i'd would recommend them also. 
i'd say watch the show first though!

Hogwash. I tried watching the show once like a year ago and it was kind of terrible, but then someone showed me Youtube videos of their live performances and I was absolutely hooked. "Issues/Think About It" and "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous" are my favorites.

[20 jazz funk greats]

i  actually got into them from seeing youtube clips too....youtube clips from the show.
what did you not like about it?

[RobbieOC]

Their style is just perfect for live performances. It doesn't translate, at least to me, that well to a TV program. They are like the perfect youtube band.

As for music, I'd go with acoustic guitar type stuff. It's upbeat, and extremely accessable to someone who isn't big into music. I'm not a huge fan of guys like Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, but they fit what you're asking for, plus they are super easy to find. And, lots of girls seem to dig the music, so bonus, right?

If that's not your thing, or you just want more substance, I'd second whoever said Sufjan Stevens and the Flaming Lips. And I might add in someone like The Unicorns or Islands, maybe? They always put me in a good mood anyway.

[Johnny C]

Give us at least some pointers of music you have in the past heard which you thought was okay or people are going to tell you to listen to death metal.

Jesus Christ did we ever do poorly in that thread.

Listening to upbeat music alone won't help with your depression, and by that I mean honestly your brain will rebel against being force-fed sunny pop music. Focus more on just enjoying a variety of music and finding music that you enjoy. Occasionally that means slapping on some Portishead or Burial or whatever, and that's okay.

If you are using music as a means to help yourself cope with depression, then I can tell you that the best thing to do is to discover music that you like on your own. Use this thread as a starting point to find other bands. Attend concerts where you aren't familiar with the band that is playing. Immerse yourself in a constantly-emerging underground. Even turn on the radio once in a while. It makes you feel like you're a part of something unique and special and that helps a good deal.

Also, listen to Basia Bulat, The Long Winters and The Joel Plaskett Emergency.

[jimbunny]

The Weepies - Say I Am You; despite their name, they have some tunes that almost never miss when I want to feel better. Samples: 1 2 3 4

This is a pretty inspiring song, if one can say that nowadays without risking scorn.

Maybe I can think of some more later.

[kifsteve]

Try Neutral Milk Hotel, even Paris Hilton endorses this product

[Spluff]

As somebody else recommended in the other thread, Blow By Blow by Jeff Beck never fails to perk me up. It just makes me feel like dancing and having fun.

[imapiratearg]

Try Neutral Milk Hotel, even Paris Hilton endorses this product

[Pic.]

wut?

[StaedlerMars]

Beck. Lots and lots of Beck.

Beck's good music and spans across several styles. The lyrics are also pretty integral to the music. I recommend Guero specifically.

[imapiratearg]

I recommend Odelay! specifically.

Fixed.

[look out! Ninjas!]

Give us at least some pointers of music you have in the past heard which you thought was okay or people are going to tell you to listen to death metal.

Jesus Christ did we ever do poorly in that thread.

I consider it a triumph of human will. If anyone can go from not liking music much at all to listening to music to trying metal, then it's awesome. Otherwise they'll just listen to My Chemical Romance or whatever shit they play on mainstream radio nowadays.

[Cernunnos]

I recommend Midnite Vultures specifically.

Fixed.

Fixed.

Also, four hundred posts woo.

[RedLion]

Well, what exactly is your definition of "happy" here? Do you want something just bright and sunny and full of bubble-gum cheesiness? Because I mean, that kind of thing has its place, but I don't know if a person could stand listening to that and only that. Or do you also mean things that are energetic and lively?

[Chorbalan]

 As someone who listens to a lot of metal upbeat music is not really my forte however, I can recommend you some upbeat songs.

Get by - Talib Kwelli

A lot of stuff by the Arctic Monkeys.

Original Prankster - The Offspring

Antisocial - Anthrax

Dota - Basshunter

I've tried to cover a wide variety of genres so there should be something you find appealing.

[Johnny C]

I consider it a triumph of human will. If anyone can go from not liking music much at all to listening to music to trying metal, then it's awesome. Otherwise they'll just listen to My Chemical Romance or whatever shit they play on mainstream radio nowadays.

You could replace metal with virtually any genre and

[imagist42]

I would like to go on record as saying I hate Johnny. I hate him so much and

[RedLion]

I consider it a triumph of human will. If anyone can go from not liking music much at all to listening to music to trying metal, then it's awesome. Otherwise they'll just listen to My Chemical Romance or whatever shit they play on mainstream radio nowadays.

You could replace metal with virtually any genre and

That's not really true. I don't think Metal is a highly nuanced form of music or requires any type of deeper appreciation for lyrical and musical subtleties, but it's definitely harder to get into than something like folk or pop rock.

[hipster jesus]

I generally don't listen to them regularly, but for some reason I can't understand Van Halen cheers me up whenever I'm in a particularly shitty mood. They're not anything special, but it works for me and therefore may be worth a shot. However, if you just want insanely cheery sounding pop, there's always twee.

Also, in terms of individual songs, "Train in Vain" by The Clash is addictive and has a rather upbeat sound. Lyrics are another matter though, but I still can't help but smile whenever I hear it.

[StaedlerMars]

The guy has a point, Original Prankster is a very upbeat song.

Last night an Offspring song popped up (Pretty Fly For A White Guy?) on my iTunes, and it was a total flash back to happy middle school times.

Aren't they still around?

[sean]

If you think you would enjoy the whole post-rock thing, Do Make Say Think, My Dad Vs. Yours, and The Belle Orchestre are goddamn happy motherfuckers.

If you want the opposite, listen to the rest of the genre.

lolz