Topic: Bass Lines! (Read 63824 times)

StaedlerMars · « **on:** 25 Apr 2009, 00:37 »

I was listening to Money by Pink Floyd, and remembered that it has an ace bass line.

Then I started listening to some DFA 1979 and man, bass is where it's at.

Anyone else got any good recommendations that are all about the bass? This can be subtle or explicit. I'm on a bass binge.

scarred · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 00:42 »

"Hysteria" by Muse off of Absolution is my default "killer bassline" track. I could listen to that opening 10 seconds for ages.

P-Frank · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 00:52 »

Les Savy Fav are a band that totally understands RAD bass and its place in a band.

Mclusky also has some super nasty Steve Albini bass (as does its sequel band, Future of the Left).

Caspian · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 00:56 »

Orion would be my major nominee.

Oh, oh! Methadrone's "A View into the Empty". Hard to find, but full of crushing and beautiful bass. (the band is a 2 basses + drum machine crew, fyi)

Harun · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 01:05 »

He Is Legend - Dinner With a Gypsy

MadassAlex · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 01:27 »

Iron Maiden? I think so.

Alex C · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 07:29 »

Man, it kills me to bring this up because I am by no means a fan but... uh, did you guys ever notice that STP's tripping on a hole in a paper heart actually has pretty neat bass?

I really dislike STP so this kinda haunts me.

Alex C · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 07:42 »

It's not a great bassline or anything, but the fact that by it's by STP makes me feel like I'm being magnanimous by acknowleding that it's not completely terrible.

Guys, I think I need to quit drinking.

Ballard · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 08:58 »

Quote from: scarred on 25 Apr 2009, 00:42

"Hysteria" by Muse off of Absolution is my default "killer bassline" track. I could listen to that opening 10 seconds for ages.

The bass line continues practically uninterrupted throughout the whole song (for this I respect Muse's bassist 'cause his lines are not the most technically challenging but fuck me if they don't wear my fingers out like crazy trying to consistently play them for longer than 30 seconds)

scarred · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 13:35 »

Yeah, I know, but the opening 10 seconds are the only when it's alone in the instrumentation. Bass solo!

Thrillho · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 13:36 »

Anything by Joy Division or New Order will typically have an awesome bassline. 'Crystal' comes to mind for some reason.

Roger Waters is a highly underrated bass player, I love the bassline on 'The Happiest Day Of Our Lives,' and also the subtlety of the low D note on 'Another Brick In The Wall (Part II).' Also, David Gilmour, because he played the fretless bass solos on 'Hey You.'

Whoever plays bass in Glassjaw does pretty well. I appreciate anyone who incorporates bass chords - so the guy from Cave In gets a nod as well.

Matt Sharpe, the founding bassist for Weezer has some awesome basslines as well as fantastic tone. And speaking of fantastic tones, the bass tone on 'Eternal Life' by Jeff Buckley blows my fucking MIND.

Be My Head · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 15:36 »

How Could I

Koremora · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 15:36 »

In Fiction by ISIS has a great bass line.

Hell, anything by ISIS has great bass. Jeff Caxide has this watery bass tone that just makes me need to change my pants.

spoon_of_grimbo · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 17:45 »

Hot Water Music's "I Was On a Mountain" has some cool bass runs. In fact, on pretty much every album they've done, Jason Black has thrown down some awesome lines, without ever quite being showy about it.

also, i can't remember many track names as i haven't listened in AGES, but Opeth's "Morningrise" album is chock-full of awesome basslines. apparently they kicked out that bassist because he wouldn't relegate his playing to simple background stuff. huge mistake i reckon.

and "Alex Chilton" by The Replacements has a nice bassline.

Nappuccino · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 17:52 »

The bassist from Dream theater is really good... when you can hear him. I swear, there are only 3-4 songs per album when the rest of the band is like "I guess we can let him out of the cellar..."

I know I'll probably get some grief for this, but I really like the bassist from King's of leon. A lot of their songs are saved by his melodic bass lines.

Anything Iron Maiden has awesome bass.

Menomena has some really great bass (though live they some times use keyboard instead of an actual bass depending on the song...and it usually isn't too technical, but it always feels right)

There's a live version of John Butler Trio's "Better Man" that has a pretty grooving double bass solo- definately worth checking out

Mars Volta- Their bass really holds their jam sections together. Again, nothing too technical, but it does so much for the song.

There's a series of jazz albums from miles davis in the med!a fire thread (cookin' steamin' workin' etc) that has some pretty killer bass stuff at times. its hard to pick a song out really... its all pretty damn neat.

fish across face · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 20:57 »

That band Rothko were only bass players? Something like that. Ambient stuff, should appeal to peeps who like more contemporary stuff like on Kranky or whatever.

The Meters' Just Kissed My Baby has my favourite bassline. George Porter Jr is the player in question.

Whoever played bass on the Real Rock riddim needs a knighthood. Most versioned riddim ever. Armagiddeon Time, as covered by The Clash, is probably where most non-reggae fans hear it.

The Beatles' Tax Man and Come Together. First song on Ride's 'Nowhere' basically lifts Tax Man wholesale, and is awesome.

Something absolutely slays me about Sly & The Family Stone's If You Want Me To Stay as well... it's after their more famous bassplayer (the guy who invented slap) had quit. I mean, mainly I just love the song, but there's a really weird feel to it.

Pino Palladino all over D'Angelo's 'Voodoo' - the way Questlove plays the beats really, really straight and Pino pushes the timing is great. One Mo 'Gin is one I really love, likewise Chicken Grease, even the cover of Feel Like Making Love. Palladino's so versatile... plays with The Who now, had his first round of massive influence doing that wandering stuff on hits by Paul Young, etc. back in the 80s.

sean · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 21:01 »

Guys.

LITE

wait no they just have good everything.

Daft pun · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 04:12 »

The Cooper Temple Clause's Panzer Attack probably has my favourite bassline ever.

And although it's pretty basic, I still love the bass on BRMC's Spread your love

Thrillho · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 05:13 »

That's because the tone on it is awesome.

Patrick · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 08:06 »

Anything by Sigur Ros ever.

See also: "Beggin'" by Madcon.

valley_parade · « **Reply #20 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 08:11 »

Specfically, "Ny Batteri", "Fonklagi∂" (there's a live version on their site, otherwise it's unreleased), "Popplagi∂", and um.."Vi∂ Spilium Endalaust"

onewheelwizzard · « **Reply #21 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 08:34 »

Kyuss's "Gardenia," "Space Cadet," and "Phototropic" all come to mind. All their bass work is fantastic but those songs in particular really shine.

Also, "I Wish I Was A Girl" by the Pink Fairies has an awesome bassline.

KickThatBathProf · « **Reply #22 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 12:21 »

Quote from: Objects inside Clouds on 25 Apr 2009, 21:01

LITE

This.

Also, Te'

Zingoleb · « **Reply #23 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 14:43 »

The Moody Blues.

Question

and

I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)

I don't really care much for the second, but fuck me, the bassline.

Melanie's "Rock in the Road (I Will Get Over)" from "Old Bitch Warrior" is insanely simple (C#, B, A A A) but fits in so well. Also the Geezer Butler-ish sounds on "Gone with the Wind".

Dazed · « **Reply #24 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 17:48 »

Everything by Yes, Rush, Tower of Power, James Brown, Cake, Soulive, Lettuce, The Who, Weather Report, Jeff Beck, ETC ETC ETC ETC. Also, I think the bass part to Nutshell by Alice in Chains is really amazing.

And Alex, yes, TOAHIAPH does have a good bass line, particularly the chorus.

Avec · « **Reply #25 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 18:00 »

I'll agree with Cake.

Zingoleb · « **Reply #26 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 23:04 »

That one song by the White Stripes

I'll think of it later

Ballard · « **Reply #27 on:** 26 Apr 2009, 23:21 »

Seven Nation Army though it was a guitar run through a DigiTech whammy pedal, not a bass.

ruyi · « **Reply #28 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 01:55 »

Chic, Heatwave, Michael Jackson's Off The Wall (because it featured work by Rod Temperton from Heatwave.)

ruyi · « **Reply #29 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 02:03 »

ruyi · « **Reply #30 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 02:03 »

Patrick · « **Reply #31 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 02:04 »

Anything by the Doors. Now for the mindfuck: they never once had a bassist. It was all Ray Manzarek on an organ. You couldn't tell the difference between this guy on an organ and John Paul Jones on a bass.

Which reminds me, the vast majority of Zeppelin's catalogue is covered in genius bass lines. See also: Cream. Jack Bruce was a fucking menace.

Caspian · « **Reply #32 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 02:50 »

Quote from: Patrick on 27 Apr 2009, 02:04

Anything by the Doors. Now for the mindfuck: they never once had a bassist. It was all Ray Manzarek on an organ. You couldn't tell the difference between this guy on an organ and John Paul Jones on a bass.

I thought everyone knew this. Even if they didn't, finding out a keyboard player did the bass parts is hardly a mindfuck. YOU ARE CHEAPENING THE WORD

fish across face · « **Reply #33 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 03:46 »

Quote from: ruyi on 27 Apr 2009, 01:55

Chic, Heatwave, Michael Jackson's Off The Wall (because it featured work by Rod Temperton from Heatwave.)

These

are

the

good

times

!!!

I often get lost in the guitar lines on Chic / Niles Rogers stuff - e.g. big obvious ones like Le Freak and He's The Greatest Dancer - but Good Times certainly has a fantastic bassline.

I had no idea Rod Temperton played bass, but he's written some of my favourite songs, and they all have great basslines - Rock With You, Boogie Nights for Heatwave, and Give Me The Night for George Benson.

fish across face · « **Reply #34 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 03:54 »

Oh yeah, 7 8 post-Stockhausen funk? Yep.

I know Can probably jumped some kind of indie cred wank shark (whoa, no pics of that thanks) ages back, but Holger's restrained grooves just make me wanna wiggle.

It's a different effect, but a similar restraint to what I dig in that D'Angelo record I mentioned upthread.

ruyi · « **Reply #35 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 04:37 »

Quote from: fish across face on 27 Apr 2009, 03:46

I had no idea Rod Temperton played bass, but he's written some of my favourite songs, and they all have great basslines - Rock With You, Boogie Nights for Heatwave, and Give Me The Night for George Benson.

Oop, you're right I don't know anything at all. He does not play bass, but he was credited as writing some of my favorite songs on that record so I just kinda assumed he was responsible for the bass lines. As it turns out the bassist was Bobby Watson (from Rufus, not the jazz musician) and Louis Johnson from The Brothers Johnson.

Patrick · « **Reply #36 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 04:52 »

Quote from: Ptommydski on 27 Apr 2009, 02:13

Quote from: Patrick on 27 Apr 2009, 02:04
You couldn't tell the difference between this guy on an organ and John Paul Jones on a bass.

Oh come on, yes you can.

I like RM but you can tell the difference every time.

If you don't know what to listen for, you wouldn't expect to.

I am still waiting to hear a bassist be that awesome.

Dazed · « **Reply #37 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 05:14 »

Guys, I don't want to burst everyone's bubble here, but the Doors did have bass players record tracks for them occasionally, even if they were never technically part of the band. Like, look up the guest artists for each album (particularly the late ones), there are usually at least a couple songs with a guest bassist.

Inlander · « **Reply #38 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 07:05 »

Quote from: Nappuccino on 25 Apr 2009, 17:52

There's a series of jazz albums from miles davis in the med!a fire thread (cookin' steamin' workin' etc) that has some pretty killer bass stuff at times. its hard to pick a song out really... its all pretty damn neat.

The bass on all those albums was played by Paul Chambers. That first Miles Davis quintet consistently played at a medium tempo that made the bass really bounce - helped of course by the fact that Chambers was such a good bassist!

If we're talking jazz bass players, then (steering clear of the obvious - Mingus, Haden, et al) two that everyone should absolutely be aware of are Scott LaFaro and Jimmy Blanton. Both died tragically young, but left some amazing work behind - check out the Bill Evans Trio's Waltz for Debby album, it features amazing playing from LaFaro, and Evans on piano and Paul Motian on drums (here's a truncated version of the title track). As for Blanton, he recorded with Duke Ellington - everything he did was terrific, but their duets in particular are worth seeking out.

ALoveSupreme · « **Reply #39 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 10:33 »

Eben D'Amico from the Saves the Day album Stay What You Are produced some of my all time favorite pop-rock/emo basslines.
Completely smooth and tons of cool accidentals

rynne · « **Reply #40 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 11:46 »

The Slits - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQxvo_9DEqY

Absolutely massive dub bass on this.

WriterofAllWrongs · « **Reply #41 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 11:50 »

Hell, most things done by Paul McCartney in his Beatles days. Dude could be quite the dickbag, but he is just good at everything.

EDIT: All of Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer as well.

SilentJ · « **Reply #42 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 11:54 »

Stanley Clarke, everyone. Go listen to some Return to Forever, dude is legit. I saw 'em live and dude held his own in a guitar vs. bass battle with Al DiMeola.

Quote from: Dazed on 26 Apr 2009, 17:48

Everything by Yes

I'ma have to disagree. The early albums with Chris Squire are the only Yes albums with bass lines that really jump out; Fragile and Close to the Edge, especially.

oh god that roundabout bass line sooooo goooooooooood

RedLion · « **Reply #43 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 13:07 »

Quote from: Dazed on 27 Apr 2009, 05:14

Guys, I don't want to burst everyone's bubble here, but the Doors did have bass players record tracks for them occasionally, even if they were never technically part of the band. Like, look up the guest artists for each album (particularly the late ones), there are usually at least a couple songs with a guest bassist.

Yeah, but it was only for two albums, Morrison Hotel and L.A. Woman. Oh, and on "Five to One."

spoon_of_grimbo · « **Reply #44 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 13:12 »

Quote from: WriterofAllWrongs on 27 Apr 2009, 11:50

Hell, most things done by Paul McCartney in his Beatles days. Dude could be quite the dickbag, but he is just good at everything.

if by "everything" you mean writing shit songs. i'm not gonna get into the whole beatles thing (yeah i respect their influence on just about EVERYTHING since, but i don't enjoy their music in the slightest), but listen to everything he did after they broke up. it mostly amounts to a giant bag of left-handed cat wank.

WriterofAllWrongs · « **Reply #45 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 14:07 »

By good at everything, I meant incredibly proficient at most instruments and has a excellent sense of pop structure. I don't like anything of his besides Chaos and Creation in The Backyard post-beatles, but he is an incredible bassist.

Thrillho · « **Reply #46 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 14:45 »

The guy was a hell of a bassist, it must be said. Especially on things like 'Rain,' he was very melodic.

Zingoleb · « **Reply #47 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 15:41 »

PINK FLOYD

ONE OF THESE DAYS

Why did I not think of this sooner?

Dazed · « **Reply #48 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 20:43 »

Quote from: SilentJ on 27 Apr 2009, 11:54

Stanley Clarke, everyone. Go listen to some Return to Forever, dude is legit. I saw 'em live and dude held his own in a guitar vs. bass battle with Al DiMeola.

Quote from: Dazed on 26 Apr 2009, 17:48
Everything by Yes

I'ma have to disagree. The early albums with Chris Squire are the only Yes albums with bass lines that really jump out; Fragile and Close to the Edge, especially.

oh god that roundabout bass line sooooo goooooooooood

Well, honestly, when I say everything by Yes, I mean everything by something approximating Yes' original lineup. Like, The Yes Album through Relayer. Seriously, the bass line from the early spacey part on Heart of the Sunrise is just so boner inspiring.

And yeah, man, that dude from Return to Forever is serious. So very serious.

Zingoleb · « **Reply #49 on:** 27 Apr 2009, 21:24 »

These forums scare me, it's all boner this and boner that. I'm scared to go anywhere without getting cock slapped around in the face.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Bass Lines! (Read 63824 times)

Zingoleb

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