The Best Films of 2008 December 31, 2008

To qualify these have to be released theatrically this year or on DVD for smaller market films. It’s not right to put up a film like Waltz for Bashir when hardly anyone had a chance to see it. I’ll list Martyrs and Ex-Drummer when their time comes and people have had a chance  to see them.  (And yes, the first half of Wall-e was my favorite animated film of the year.)

Documentaries

1. The Rape of Europa

The relationship of art and war just about blew me away. The ultimate battle.

2. Pete Seeger – The Power of Song

Yeah, this sounded as boring to me as it does to you. Turns out Seeger’s life is a phenomenal American story.

3. My Winnipeg

This is a documentary! Dramatized in Guy Maddin’s surreal style, but it’s still a doc. And bloody brilliant at that.

4. Heavy Metal in Baghdad

Playing Metallica in the pit of hell in the face of certain death. That’s raw.

5. Bigger, Stronger, Faster

Steroids are safer than cigarettes?

[Honorable mentions: Man on Wire, Gonzo: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson, and Young @ Heart]

Horror

1. A Xmas Tale / The Baby’s Room

From the 6 Films to Keep You Awake series, these were also the most surprising. Keep an eye out for Spain! 

2. Nightmare Detective

J-horror gets a breath of fresh air.

3. The Last Winter

An ode to The Shining that accomplishes what The Happening set out to do.

4. Rogue

Tasty human.

5. Frontier(s)

Tasty human.

And now…

1. The Lost

The one Jack Ketchum movie you don’t want to miss. Well, unless you have a weak stomach.

2. Funny Games

Yeah, you can hate me now. And no, it’s not because Naomi Watts is in her knickers most of the movie. Masterful.

3. Let the Right One In

Go ahead. Sink your fangs deep into my arteries. I succumb.

4. Pineapple Express

Perhaps the only film here I teared up at.

5. The Fall

Wait, I think one tear dropped at the end of this. In slow motion. A carnival of red-faced clowns gasp…

6. Timecrimes

Time-travel hasn’t been this fun since Michael J. Fox.

7. Reprise

Norway! You’re on the film map! I look forward to more.

8. In Bruges

Great acting, script, and… city. More pulp!

9. The Band’s Visit

Sweet and romantic in the middle of nowhere.

10. Shotgun Stories

White on white crime in the middle of nowhere.

Best Dubstep Albums of 2008 December 30, 2008

On New Years Eve I’ll post my best films of the year list.  But here are three albums you can’t miss if you like all things dub and step:

1. The Bug – London Zoo

Digital ragga might be a better category for this, but The Bug was creating dubstep before anyone. So you can bet your beats that he was going to create a killer album with ridiculous mc’s and vocalists. Where does he find these cats? Listen or buy.

2. Deadbeat – Roots & Wire

Canadian via-Berlin Scott Monteith has created a spirital arc from dancehall to dub-house cosmos. Listen or buy.

3. Disrupt – Foundation Bit

Straight-out, crunked-up dub to lay back and relax to while you quantify matter. Listen or buy.

Best Minimal Techno Albums of 2008 December 27, 2008

It’s a crime these didn’t make my Top 25 of the year, but if you like your techno minimal and wonky, you gotta check these out. Hell, if you like a 4/4 beat you need to check these out. Superb stuff. 

1. Stefan Goldmann – The Transitory State

This was even nominated for a German Grammy(yes, the same one Ricardo Villalobos won). More proof that Europe has surpassed US musically.  Listen or buy.

2. Anders Ilar – Sworn

More haunting and visceral than Goldmann’s work. Almost crosses the threshold into idm. Beautiful melodies. Listen or buy.

3. Mark Henning – Jupiter Jive

Earlier in the year, I called this album the Star Wars cantina on crack and I’m sticking to it. Listen or buy.

A Sufjan Stevens Christmas December 22, 2008

Sufjan Stevens just might actually be Santa. He has consistently each year released quality and modern Christmas songs that spread good cheer and make you feel all warm and fuzzy. His 8th EP of Christmas goodies, entitled Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage, is out there if you must have it now. But even better is this favorite of mine that retains everything good about the song and keeps it that way, but with a peppier beat.  Merry Christmas guys and gals!

Put the Lights on the Tree (Pocketknife’s Radioshack remix)

Best 25 Albums of 2008 (with downloads) December 18, 2008

 

A unique Best Album list with some major surprises. I’m not giving in to the popular consensus or critical pressure. And I’ve heard the stuff the critics don’t even know exists. But what triumphs in the end is musicality and originality.  And sorry; no compilations, TV on the Radio, Vampire Weekend, or Mgmt here, despite how good they may or may not be. Chime in with your thoughts and favorites…

We’ll start with the lower half and work up to number one. The download links are to my favorite available track from that album.

25. Evil Nine – They Live  They Live

24. Paul Woolford presents Bobby Peru – The Truth  Erotic Discourse (Greg Wilson edit)

23. Meshuggah – obZen  Bleed

22. The Mars Volta – The Bedlam in Goliath  Wax Simulcra

21. Kiko – Slave of My Mind 

20. Beirut – The Flying Club Cup  Nantes

19. Red Snapper – Pale Blue Dot  Wanga Doll

18. Pendulum – In Silico  The Tempest

17. Lulu Rouge – Bless You  Sweeter than Sweet

16. Kings of Leon – Only by the Night  Sex on Fire

 

15. David Holmes – The Holy Pictures  Holy Pictures

(File under: shoegaze, film-score rock) A personal and gorgeous album from the man responsible for all the Ocean’s 11-13 scores. He writes sweet electronic rock songs with a composer’s eye.

14. Marnie Stern – This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That  Transformer 

(File under: art-rock) If only every good-looking blonde could also be called ‘The Best Female Guitarist of All-time”, Marnie writes trip-tych lyrics (see the album name?) and has time-shifting rhythms to die for.

 

13. Foals – Antidotes  Balloon

(File under: emotive dance-rock) With emotion and energy to burn, you can expect big things from this Oxford five-piece.

 

12. Rolo Tomassi – Hysterics  Macabre Charade

(File under: hardcore-rave) Perfect balance of metal guitars and synthesizers. I’m amazed at the roar that comes out of that cute and petite singer’s frame. The above track shows their immense potential.

 

11. Deerhunter - Microcastle / Weird Era Cont.  Never Stops

(File under: ambient-punk) Ten amazing tracks on both of these discs. Influences change in each song and seem to embody their cross-dressing frontman.

 

10. Juana Molina – Un Dia  Un Dia

(File under: Spanish folk-electronica) Minimalist folk vocals criss-cross and cast their spell on you. You can hardly detect an electronic presence.

 

9. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours

(File under: disco-pop-rock) I’m not going to even post a link for this, because this is the most blogged about band ever, and I’ve been a part of that monster. I can’t deny this is indestructible stuff; cheery and predictable in the best way possible.

8. Murcof – The Versailles Sessions  Louis XIV’s Demons 

(File under: ambient-classical) Murcof is part of the new generation of composers using technology as integral to the spectrum. Ambient crosses into classical crosses into opera crosses into electro-acoustic music. Every second is fascinating.

7. Datassette – Datassette LP 

(File under: intelligent-electro-tech) The blogosphere radar has yet to really discover this debut album that covers many of the electronic genre bases. Every song is a different planet, and you’re inner robot couldn’t be happier. ‘Remains’ is epic, like a welcoming party for the star race.

 

6. Chase & Status – More Than Alot  Eastern Jam

(File under: drum n’ bass for the masses) Chase & Status have released one of the best dn’b albums of all time. Every song is different than the last. Rock, dub, soul, eastern, hip-hop, and more soul. Aimed to crack America.

5. Buraka Som Sistema – Black Diamond  Sound of Kuduro 

(File under: kuduro-electro-ghettotech) Angola and Portugal in the house!! Ok, so I just wanted to say that, but these guys tear it up with the kuduro mixed with techno, dubstep, and electro. M.I.A. collaborates, and every track is All-Star.

 

4. Bohren & der Club of Gore – Dolores  Unkerich

(File under ambient-jazz) This is David Lynch jazz music, like drowning in alcohol in a detective film-noir. The rhythm is in limbo, floating in space. On a side note, ‘bohren’ means drilling, and club of gore means just that.

 

3. Crystal Castles – Self-titled  Vanished

(File under: Atari-punk) But it’s so much more than that. They show international finesse, poetic lyrics, and emotional range. Art school will never be the same.

2. Clark – Turning Dragon  (album sampler)

(File under: ?-blitzkrieg-art-dance?) Clark has finally ascended the throne left by Aphex Twin. This album is in turns violent, grooving, artistic, and suddenly haunting and beautiful. Mad genius. Prepare to be throttled.

 

1. Guy J – Esperanza   (myspace only)

(File under: melodic techno) An epic 20 track album that doesn’t have one weak link, this is a spellbinding journey from Tel Aviv producer Guy J. Stunning melodies unfold out of state-of-the-art rhythms. Good enough for relaxing at home or banging in the car. In the same vein as Nathan Fake’s Drowning in a Sea of Love. And as you see above, completely off the blog radar.

Best Fan Video of 2008: Wiley – Wearing my Rolex December 16, 2008

And one of the cheekiest. Brilliant. Best albums of 2008 are next.

15 Holiday Hollas (Best of the Blog Downloads:) December 15, 2008

It’s that most wonderful time of the year! Hopefully these will transport you to somewhere where the traffic isn’t. Yes, as the beat seizes your core, you realize you can, yes you can–. 

All after the jump:

1. Weird Tapes – Night Stalking  (Via Voules Random)

Like a cross between Twin Peaks (Angelo Badalamenti) and the synthesizer in The Terminator. Transfixing. 

2. Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Wallpaper. Dio Remix)

This is the remix contest winner of a track that was unconventional to begin with, made even more unconventional, and setting forth the magical machinations in the musicbox.

3. Tommy Sparks – I’m a Rope (Yuksek mix)

Superb, catchy song lyrics and flawless production seize the moment.

4. Sis – Nesrib

Soulful, hypnotic house/tech that sounds like Steve Reich was on controls.

5. Matt & Kim – Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare

This song just makes me happy, and he’s singing about a nightmare! Matt & Kim are sorta love it/hate it.

6. Digitalism – Taken Away (Lalory’s Modern Romance Mix)  (Via Ohh!! Crapp..)

There have been at least 20 remixes of this song that blogs have been praising. Well let me tell you this is the definitive remix that sits at the top. I wouldn’t lie.

7. Mgmt – Time to Pretend (Blogula mix)   (Via Get Weird Turn Pro)

This popular (and deserving it!) song finally gets a worthy remix that will fit in your DJ set.

8. My!Gay!Husband! – Muppets Theme, Sigur Ros remix

Hilarious name. Fun DJ edits for any party. Both are after the jump.

9. DJ Mehdi – Pocket Piano (Brodinski remix)

Truly dazzling hypnosis on this house/tech groover with some awesome piano, which is so ‘in’ right now.

10. Drop The Lime – I Love NY (Baobinga Remix)  (Via Voules Random)

Hyper-kinetic hard-dance slows down for some slammin’ rap. It’s like woah!!

11. Lykke Li vs. Kings of Leon – Knocked up mashup 

Moody mash-up that fuses two great talents and makes a good intro/atmosphere piece.

12. Sebastian Tellier – Kilometer (Donovan remix)

Throw your hands up to this sexy electro-soul jam. And sway.

13. Rustie – Zig Zag

Dubstep is going in every direction now, and this has a very electro vibe.

14. Curses! – The Deep End

The Italo-disco track of the winter.

15. Fortune – Mission (M83 mix)

Forget it, I’ve finally run out of adjectives. Rock vocals + M83 electronics = Quality. Bon soir.

Matt & Kim

Best Comeback Albums of 2008 (w/ Downloads!) December 11, 2008

It was without a doubt a notable year for artists  returning from the beyond to make great albums. And some downloads after the jump to go with them:

1. Metallica – Death Magnetic

Metallica has done the unthinkable. This juggernaut revenant of an album finds them acting as though the last 20 years didn’t happen, and they had set to fulfill the prophecy of And Justice for All..  Destiny works in weird ways. 

Here’s Justice’s mix of ‘Master of Puppets’ on the A Cross the Universe live album:

Justice – Finale (Metallica)

2. Grace Jones – Hurricane

A well-produced album that is just as freaky and unconventional as the diva herself. Tricky and other guests come off inspired. Black magicke has its day.

Grace Jones – Williams Blood (Aeroplane mix)

3. AC/DC – Black Ice

AC/DC, like Metallica, sound like they haven’t gone anywhere or gotten old. They just keep rock n’ rollin with Brian Johnson’s crunchy tenor. If you liked them before, there’s no reason you shouldn’t like them now. And vice versa. (And by the way the following remix was my idea 5 years ago, but I just checked and this version IS better for the most part:)

AC/DC – Thunderstruck (Tittsworth remix)

4. Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy

This album really roars on the songs that are heavier and the ones that show some new technology-electronic leaning. The ballads don’t work for me as they chase another “November Rain’ moment. Worth checking out.

Welcome to the Jungle (Todd Terje edit)

5. Tricky – Knowle West Boy

Our favorite trip-hop sci-fi villain (5th Element anyone?) returns with the focus (or is it unfocus) of his pioneering days. Maxinquaye is still one of my favorite records of all time. While he can’t duplicate that success, this is still a very good record. Drums of Death gives us one of the better remixes of the year here:

Tricky – Council Estate (Drums of Death mix)

Noisia & Spor: Sickest Tracks of the Year December 10, 2008

These two groups are gunning for greatness side-by-side similar to the Metallica/Megadeth heyday of the 80’s. First up is Noisia’s ‘Stigma’, which basically is a substitution for pretending your Terminator, riding your motorcycle over 100 mph, and then crashing. Followed by Spor’s “Clarets March’, which upon the 1:14 mark unleashes the most insane groove that I can only say resembles being swallowed by a bear. Someone on a forum remarked about this song, “how can a human being make a sound like this song”?  I don’t know dude, but I have my suspicions of their planet origin too. (And, yes, you can imagine these sound even better not compressed on Youtube. Turn it up on Spor.)

Grammys botch Best Electronic/Dance Album category December 9, 2008

Daft Punk & Kanye at the Grammys last year

While  it looks like the Grammys did a decent job keeping the other categories relevant, they have completely NO understanding of dance/electronic music. Let’s look at them:

New York City,  Brazilian Girls —— Are you kidding me? French lounge music with tribal rhythms? Wrong category!!

Alive 2007, Daft Punk  —— OK, a live recording of their hits all mashed and mixed up in an exciting fashion. This is live, repeat, and not engineered all that well. (Can we get a Best DJ mix category?) But if The Grammys are always playing catch-up, then Daft Punk deserves it more than anybody, because they’ve never won.

Bring ya to the Brink, Cyndi Lauper  ——  What?!? This isn’t 1986!! I love her old stuff too, but come on…  Ok, I wasn’t really being fair just passing this off.  With the exception of  ’Lay me Down’ produced by Kleerup (which Lauper sounds like herself and is superbly Grammy award-worthy), the album isn’t that ground-breaking. There are some soulful-house numbers if you like those, but most of the album falls under the  predictable ‘dance-factory’ progressions. (If you like soul-house, there is plenty more current and exciting stuff out there.) The Robyn album is slightly better in my opinion.

X, Kylie Minogue ———- Again, I also have respect for Kylie and her battle with cancer, but this album is dance cheese aimed at teen-girls.

Last Night, Moby  ———— Well, this is an average Moby record, that actually has gotten better remixes than the songs on the album. Shouldn’t be here, but Moby has never won a Grammy either, so catch-up is a possibility.

Robyn, Robyn ——— OK, the sorta ‘Cyndi Lauper of our day’ gets recognized, and ‘With Every Heartbeat’ is a masterpiece produced by Kleerup. But most of the record is pop, not dance. As a whole the record isn’t great. But it is better than Britney Spears being here instead.

**This category needs to be judged like the jazz and classical categories, more on overall artistic merit, not by name recognition or album sales. This category is so broad, you have pop acts competing with serious instrumental music competing with stuff like Thievery Corporation or M83.  I’ll be sharing the real, five best electronic/dance albums of the year very soon, so stay tuned.**

Two Weekend Bangers: The Bloody Beetroots & The Proxy December 6, 2008

People getting stoopid to the Venom-luchadors known as The Bloody Beetroots ( ‘Cornelius’) + Robocop samples used to dizzying effect (The Proxy – ‘40 Seconds’), which is inappropriately mixed with this frighteningly realistic and sobering depiction of events. But, alas, if all ‘art’ were appropriate, people would always feel safe in their own skin.

Kermit sings ‘New York, I Love You’ (LCD Soundsystem) December 5, 2008

(**Video was removed due to copyright infraction. Looks like Henson wasn’t happy with LCD using Kermit. I’ve put up ‘Someone Great’ instead, which is actually my favorite song on the album.)

I miss New York and all its trash and traffic noise and blank stares and naturally unnatural smells. But I’ll let Kermit tell it how it is:

Best Comedies of 2008 December 4, 2008

It was a great year for big studio comedies and I’m sure there are some others I missed like Bill Maher’s Religulous and Hamlet 2. Man I want to see all of these again except for the ONE that shall go unnamed. So what ch’all think? Am I right?

1. Pineapple Express - James Franco saves his career with his unlikely hilarious performance. But he can’t top Danny McBride’s ’thug-life’ show-stopper that is the best supporting funnyman of the year. Action. Gore. Is there anything else other than Tom Cruise they could have added to this movie?

2. Role Models – It’s still going strong at theaters due to word-of-mouth. Paul Rudd gets his big role. And Jane Lynch gives the funniest performance by a woman of the year.

3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Russell Brand and Bill Hader steal the show here. Oh, and Dracula and the puppet opera.

4. Step Brothers - What’s more brilliant than the idea of this movie and then casting it with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly? Most of this works like magic.

5. Tropic Thunder – Jack Black steals the show and is worth watching for his performance alone. Anybody else think Cruise was kinda scary?

6. The Happening – LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLLLLLLLLLL

Michael Jackson meet Justice December 2, 2008

 

Well if you’ve heard Justice’s ‘Genesis’ there is definitely a ‘Thriller’ influence in the beginning, so Goldsmith has bridged that gap with a mash-up that is somewhat creative. Good luck getting the BPM’s back down. What else? Enjoy! Dance! Best blog downloads of the month is coming. Download or listen:

 Genesis vs. Thriller (Goldsmith mash-up)