A very emotional album... something with lots of legato... and energy... and... ummm and with great mind bending lyrics

I'm not sure what you typically listen to so I'll recommend some overall critically-acclaimed albums that fit your criteria.

The Clash - London Calling
Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited
Loretta Lynn and Jack White - Van Lear Rose (trust me on this one)
Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions...
J.S. Bach - Brandenburg Concertos
Art Blakey - Moanin'

All of these have passion to spare, even the last two which don't have lyrics per se.


As for myself, I'm looking for artists or bands that combine or generally play traditional American music such as country, folk, bluegrass, blues and gospel. Some examples might include Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones or the Grateful Dead and other jam bands. Basically anyone who plays all or most of this kind of stuff, but without lots of additions from other genres(although other forms of traditional music like reggae or South American genres would be ok as well).

^^^
Okervill River.
Alison Krauss.
Ben Harper.

I highly recommend Bonnie "Prince" Billy.

I have really been digging 'Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots' and 'The Soft Bulletin' recently. What other bands/albums recreate this noise well or use beautiful melodies/arrangements like the ones on those albums?

I'd peg you as someone who might like bright eyes.

What she said. :)

Try:

Archive-You All Look The Same To Me
Mercury Rev- All Is Dream

Ok recently I have been really enjoying these dark hypnotic songs like:

Archive - Again
Porcupine Tree - Dark Matter
Radiohead - Motion Picture Soundtrack
Radiohead - Exit Music (for a film)
Radiohead - How to Disapear Completely
Sonic Youth - Providence
and pritty much everything from Nick Drakes Pink Moon

I hope that will help pinoint an artist better than my previous requests.

Thanks! It's a pretty narrow scope but I was just shooting in the dark to see if anyone had any ideas.