Bands you would buy unheard...

Mogwai

Les Savy Fav

The Fall

Shellac

I would say a major part of my collection is based on tracks which I haven't heard. Up to a couple of years ago. I would buy new music based on things like thank yous in the credits of albums I liked or if the cover, band name and font appealed.

The last album I bought was Diamond Eyes by Deftones. I have no other albums by them and have never heard a track. I know it was Kerrangs! album of the year and in a 2 for £10 in HMV.

Joe Bonamassa
Eric Bibb
Seasick Steve
I also used to buy Santana but the last album was a bummer so I will no longer buy his without hearing.
Nick

U2

David Gray

Fife Dangerfield

King of Leon

The Orb

Aphex Twin

Daft Punk

Bjork

Chemical Brothers

Audio Active

For quite a few years I would've included U2 as well. 

Medeski, Martin and Wood, I buy most of their stuff unheard as there's no opportunity to hear it usually.

Nobody else though, even the next PWEI album (if it happens, Crabb's gone very quiet) will need sampling as I've got no confidence in Graham's ability to do something decent by himself...

For me that's a no brainer: Marillion, although I might have a bit of a wait for the next one.

Can't think of anyone else off the top of my head.

I would have an often changing list, based on how much 'goodwill' a band/artist has built up from the previous release or back catalogue. 1 (or sometimes more) disappointing albums and they'll drop off the list!

At the moment:

The Editors
Groove Armada
Chemical Brothers
Mercury Rev
Flaming Lips

All my faves really.

Opeth, Meshuggah, Porcupine Tree, Tool, Mastodon, Dream Theater. etc. etc.

I mean, how bad could they be?

Taylor swift

Pretty reckless

The Script

Courtyard Hounds

Lucinda Williams Feb 28th

Elbow March 7th 

REM March 7th

All pre-ordered  with Amazon

and Johnny Cash if something that wasn't already on a hundred other cds turned up! 

Thanks for reminding me about Lucinda

jaxwired:

Here's a new one.  Are there any bands that you would purchase their new recording without even sampling it first?

For me it's a short list: 

The Waifs

The National

Pinback

Newton Faulkner

 

for Radiohead

Gerrardasnails:

I will be buying Radiohead's new album when it releases next week without listening to a second of it.