Before you get all angry at me, this girl pulled a hoax on her local news. She isn’t really like that, but damn it is funny in this context.
Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
Wobble Girl!!
May 8, 2010Legowelt – The Tower
February 3, 2010Time to get retro with this ten minute epic track. I actually saw this French band in Austin years ago. Unfortunately, one of the band members broke their hip during the show (from what I was told). I doubt they’ll be coming back, but we were grateful.
(Thanks Static Fix via Test Industries)
Grammys are Clueless in Electronic Category
January 15, 2010The nominees for 2010 Best electronic Album are:
The Crystal Method’s Divided By Night, David Guetta’s One Love, Lady Gaga’s The Fame, LMFAO’s Party Rock, Pet Shop Boys’ Yes
Wait, I think that’s dinner coming back into my mouth… For god’s sake I hope the Pet Shop Boys win it just for the sake of catching up. I don’t care if they’re older than great-uncle Maurie. This color is for them.
*Best Albums of 2009*
December 25, 2009It has been another great year for music and the artform of albums. Drum n’ bass artists continue to release fabulous longplayers. Industrial is back. Metal is staying very relevant. Dubstep grows stronger. And there is plenty of other genres to pick from here, so without further ado (in reverse order):
22. The Horrors – Primary Colours
When Aphex Twin director Chris Cunningham shows up to help you channel your inner Joy Division, magic can happen. And it often does on this album. “Scarlet Fields” (below) is titanic.
“Scarlet Fields”
21. Ed Rush & Optical – Traveling the Galaxy
Sci-fi drum n’ bass fans rejoice! Your sound has landed. The soundtrack to Hugo award winners that will send you into orbit!
“Snaggletooth”
20. Rufige Kru – Memoirs of an Afterlife
Rufige Kru (aka Goldie and Heist) are back to deliver a deep journey into soulful drum n’ bass. Goldie has his solo record out this year and is returning to his legendary roots. But Heist really brings the best out of both.
“Lost Rufige”
19. Architects – Hollow Crown
Sick heavy metal bashing with some radio-friendly vocals amidst alot of screaming. This kind of pain feels so good.
“Dethroned”
18. Blockhead – The Music Scene
Fans of DJ Shadow and DJ Food: your void is filled. Blockhead does production for various Def Jux artists, but here he crafts a downtempo sonic palette of mashed-up soul, funk, and hip-hop. The samples alone will crack you up. Kinda like a seance held in Motown.
“Pity Party”
17. Jon Hopkins – Insides
When he’s not contributing on a Coldplay album, Jon Hopkins makes his own intensely beautiful compositions with state-of-the-art beats and instrumentation. Ambient textures float on Ulrich Schnauss-esque uplifting melodies.
“Vessel”
16. Animal Collective –Merriweather Post Pavilion / Fall Be Kind ep
The addition of their e.p. makes this a simple choice. As long as I spent trying to get “My Girls”, “Guys Eyes”, and “What Would I Want Sky” out of my head they deserve a spot.
“Guys Eyes”
15. Converge – Axe to Fall
Super-speed metal that is like a Beethoven migraine. These guys must be robots to play good music this fast. Really angry ones at that.
“Dark Horse”
14. Little Dragon – Machine Dreams
You’ll hear Prince, Tricky, and electro-disco influences superbly melted together with very unique vocals by the lead chanteuse who adds some strange embellishing qualities to her weird lyrics.
“A New”
13. Micachu – Jewellery
There may not be a more charming debut this year. This kitchen appliance funk is so weirdly captivating you won’t be able to get the songs or rhythms out of your head.
“Vulture”
12. Alix Perez – 1984
Drum n’ bass doesn’t get more atmospheric than this. Slick, soulful grooves set in your future Blade Runner-esque bedroom.
“1984”
11. Clark – Totems Flare
Mr. Aphex Twin Jr. keeps firing away on all cylinders. The songs on this album run the gamut from catchy electro-punk to transforming IDM.
“Suns of Temper”
10. Fever Ray – Fever Ray and Remixes
The singer from Knife uses her special croon over some downtempo and dark 80’s jams. And it was good enough to spawn almost a hundred remixes of which ten are pretty damn good.
“I’m not Done”
9. Passion Pit – Manners
The high falsetto of the lead singer takes some getting used to, but “Moths Wings” and “Little Secrets” are essential songs of the year. Take it in chunks and you’ll be singing it for months.
“Moth’s Wings”
8. Riceboy Sleeps – Riceboy Sleeps
Simply stated, this is my favorite ambient album of the year. Gorgeousssss.
“boy 1904”
7. Falty DL – Love is a Liability / Bravery ep
Falty DL is another artist that really grew on me as the year progressed, and it certainly helps when you release an additional, blindingly good ep. This dub-step, trip-step, IDM-jungle is hypnotic. While all tracks keep his signature off-kilter beats, he can mix early Warp style trickery with the likes of Burial.
“The Shape Has Come”
6. Kylesa – Static Tensions
Two singers (male and female), two drummers, and two guitarists wield some epic art-metal. Emotional, raw, and surgically swift.
“Scapegoat”
5. Original Sin – Grow Your Wings
Get jacked-up to this jump-up and junglist barrage of of drum n’ bass stylings. Variety is important in an album, and here you have everything from deep soul to ghetto warfare drum n bass. I’m not sure there’s a boring second on this.
“Your Love”
4. Miike Snow – Miike Snow
Not only is this electro-pop done brilliantly, this is just a great vocal-pop album in a year where the King of Pop transmigrated. A greatest hits collection of life affirmation that will have you humming the songs while high-fiving people down the street.
“Black & Blue”
3. Consequence – Live for Never
The best and sexiest dub/dubstep album of the year. Minimalism that evolves in this fashion can by thrilling. Dn’B hot-producers ASC, dBridge, and Instra:mental all lend their atmospheric grace to the proceedings.
“Fog”
2. Laeather Strip – Aengelmaker
Goth-industrial-EBM fans your wait is finally over for a magnificent double disc of a concept album. Early industrial fans of Nitzer Ebb and Front 242 should love this. These aren’t the pretty-boy Trent Reznor vocals. You have to swallow the Marilyn Manson meets Saw grovel to enter this dark carnival. This also features some excellent covers that sound fine in EBM skin, especially Depeche Mode’s “Black Celebration”. If danse macabre is your thing (Halloween is everyday) then step inside…
“I Can’t Sit Still”
1. Dan Deacon – Bromst
Great albums are often like roller-coaster rides. They will captivate you for a few listens, but then their complexity starts to turn you off. Later the songs slowly start creeping back into your consciousness and you start hearing dimensions you hadn’t picked up on. Cacophony, folk singing, Steve Reich bliss-outs, and hyper-speed player pianos triggered by midi are some of the eccentrities you’ll find. This is a wholly original and demanding work that I will often return to.
“Woof Woof”
Honorable Mentions – Au Revoir Simone, Bat For Lashes, Baroness, Sub Focus, Bear in Heaven, Beirut, Vitalic, Grizzly Bear
20 Feral Little Beasties! Last Best of Blogs of ’09!
November 23, 2009O. Children singer Tobias Lite Brite
I’m sorry baby, I know it’s one in the morning and I’ve had a few drinks and I haven’t blogged you in a month or two, but I’m going to make it up to you–especially with my Best of 2009 lists at the end of the year. In the meantime enjoy this massive collection of essential-ness:
1. XX vs. Tupac vs. Biggie – Runnin with the xx
(It band of August xx is the backdrop for a Biggie and Tupac ballad that fuses East and West coast for eternity.)
2. O. Children – Dead Disco Dancer
(The influence of Ian Curtis and Nick Cave languor over this gothic-rock dancer.)
3. Cougar – Rhinelander
(Gregorian chants over new wave rock–I kid you not. Keep a third eye on this band.)
4. Das Glow – Lite Brite (Strip Steve mix)
(Lite Brite rocked! And so does this Daft Punk-esque melter.)
5. Doves – Brazil (Aeroplane mix)
(Aeroplane have been remixing the stuffing out of everybody lately to good effect, but combine them with Doves and you get liquid nitrogen!)
6. Wendy Carlos – Clockwork Orange Theme (Cougarettes remix)
(Really? It’s taken this long for a good remix of these seminal synths?)
7. Basia Bulat – Gold Rush
(If you like: rowsing folk and traditional music with resplendent vocals by a blonde lark)
8. Vitalic – Bluesday Tuesday
(This epic track is a B-side that might be better than most of the tracks on the new Vitalic album.)
9. Fever Ray – Seven (Martyn remix)
(If you like: Burial, downtempo at highspeed, intelligent dubstep w/ The Knife singer)
10. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Down on the Corner (Emynd Edit)
(Yes, that just happened. You just mixed this song at a party and people had the time of their life.)
11. Mirrors – Organ Song
(If you like: The Cure)
12. Gold Panda – Quitters Raga
(Middle-eastern hip-hop psychedelica for fans of Animal Collective.)
13. Foreign Beggars w/Noisia – Contact
(Noisia is messing with the future again, this time with the urban sound. Don’t miss the ultra dn’b jump-up remix of Eurthymics’ “Sweet Dreams’ at the same link.)
14. Blue Foundation – Eyes on Fire (Zeds Dead remix)
(Beautiful song devolves into some heavy doomsday bass. This will make some swoon.)
15. Fan Death – Cannibal
(Disco is alive and well in the hands of these ladies.)
16. Savoy – Rhubarb
(Technicolour electro for fans of Justice.)
17. Radiohead – Reckoner (The Twelves mix/cover)
(The Twelves can seemingly do no wrong.)
18. Bear in Heaven – Lovesick Teenagers
(This track grows on you like slow moss. On the first listen you too will probably dismiss it.)
19. Parov Stelar – Catgroove
(A famous jazz sample is used to hypnotic effect.)
20. Miami Horror – Sometimes
(Everybody has blogged about this electro pop song, so ‘if you don’t know, know ya ___’.)
Fan Death's Cannibal. Don't miss the creepy ending!!
Gatekeeper – Optimus Maximus
October 9, 2009Just in time for Halloween is this electro-goth power ballad set to an AMAZING set of images from god knows what movie. Let the power course through your veins–.
Salem – Legend
September 23, 2009Something hypnotic, yet unsettling about this music video. I’m wondering how ancient civilizations would react if they saw these flying chariots. I’m also digging the lo-fi electro-goth Salem is conjuring.
Best Song of the Year pt. 5: Grizzly Bear-While you Wait for the Others
September 13, 2009Health – Die Slow
September 4, 2009I think alot of people will not get or like this, but if you’re open-minded or artsy give it a shot.
Ouroborous Summer – Best of the Blogs – yum!
August 18, 2009
Dudes and dudettes, if you know any rain men please send them to Austin. I’m sick and tired of watering my yard to no effect. And I’m not talking special needs math wizards.
1. Howling Bells – Nightingale (Limited Time only)
This song is about to be played by radio stations around the world as it is tremendous. Off their sophomore album that boasts a couple other great songs.
2. Major Lazer – Keep it Goin’ Louder
This is also about to invade urban radio stations everywhere.
3. Clark – Talis
Perhaps the most exciting electronic musician working today returns with another album, Totems Flare. This isn’t the best song, but the album as a whole is groundbreaking artistry.
4. Julian Plenti – Only If You Run / Skyscraper
Interpol’s frontman goes solo and the results are astonishing.
5. Boy 8-Bit – Baltic Pine (Radio Edit)
Boy 8-Bit is maturing out of strictly party music as this sounds exactly as the title suggests.
6. VillA – Agneta
If you like Studio or Balearic this is for you.
7. One for the Team – Garden
Indie-rock gem that will worm its way into your head with its beautifully catchy two choruses. See below.
8. Friendly Fires – Paris (Computer Club’s Aeroplane vs. Au Revoir Simone)
Perfect summer dance jam that gets the girls dancing.
9. Flying Lotus – LTWRMX
Flying Lotus’s newest album is trying to capture those displaced DJ Shadow fans.
10. Vega – No Reasons
Austinite captures some disco magic with good vocals.
11. Wehbba – Cava
A cockroach shuffles under a radiation beam. And you dance to it.
12. IV – Alaska
80’s synths and 10’s beats.
13. Florence and the Machine – Rabbit Heart (Lionheart remix)
A remix for me has to be equal or better than the original. Florence is following in Bat For Lashes’ footsteps.
14. Renaissance Man – Aloha
More masterful minimal techno.
15. Karton – Phoenix
Electro-breaks confection.
Best Song of the Year pt. 4; The Dirty Projectors – Stillness is the Move
July 29, 2009I haven’t been able to get into their album, but this song has grown on me exponentially, so I’ll keep trying.
Fast Eddie – Yo Yo Get Funky (Deekline and Tim Healey Remix)
July 15, 2009A hot tune, some sweet moves, and Kid n’ Play viddies: What more could you want?
July’s 15 Poppers (Best of the Blogs Lazy Summer Edition)
July 6, 2009
“Summer lovin’ happened so fast.” I really hope you are having a CRAZY summer. Feel free to leave stories below. But in the meantime, I’ve managed to focus long enough to bring the best of the best music downloads. Really, I trashed hundreds and hundreds of files to get to this batch. I feel like I’m broadcasting into space, but you are there.
1a. Memory Tapes – Bicycle
Memory Cassette + Weird Tapes = Memory Tapes. Weird Tapes have cracked #1 here before and Memory Cassette lands both top spaces this time. Downtempo pop brilliance.
1b. Memory Cassette – Last One Awake (Friend version)
Two words: steel drums. Lovely beach music.
2. Free Energy – Dream City
An indestructible and charming rock tune.
3. The Bloody Beetroots feat. Steve Aoki – Warp (Virgin Cavalier mix)
Here beggineth the bangers. If you don’t want to lose your mind on the dancefloor then skip to #7.
4. Zombie Nation – Shottieville (Proxy Remix)
Banger #2.
5. Armand Van Helden and Dizze Rascal – Bonkers (Doorly remix)
Banger #3
6. Felix Cartal – Skeleton (John Roman mix)
Banger #4.
7. Ace Hood – Loco Wit’ the Cake
The funnest rap song of the summer.
8. Chalie Boy – I Look Good
ATX Represent! Austin rapper will have you singing this in public while people think how arrogant you are.
9. Beastie Boys vs. Primal Scream – Check it Out vs. Loaded
Great mash-up that would turn heads as an opener.
10. Zoot Woman – Saturation
The album is apparently so close and this is just hot and sexy.
11. DJ Loveboat feat. Fab Marq – Oh the Bass!
Hot and sexy #2.
12. Simian Mobile Disco – Off the Map feat. Jamie Lidell
Jamie helps SMD craft their best tune yet.
13. Telepathe – Chrome’s On It (Gold Panda version)
Gold Panda have made this song new again and it’s irresistable.
14. Fever Ray – Triangle Walks (Rex the Dog Radio Edit)
Radio and club friendly version that screams 80’s out of every orifice.
15. Milke – Maybe I’m Crazy (Joe and Will Ask Remix)
Infectious and melodic progressive house.
NASA – A Volta
June 17, 2009I’m not crazy over the NASA album with its slew of guest vocalists, but this is one of the better tracks served with an outrageously inventive video. Skip to the end if it gets repetitive.
White Lies – Death (Crystal Castles Remix)
June 11, 2009New video energizes this Crystal Castles remix introduced earlier in the year. I’m putting it back in the playlist.
It’s Official: Mgmt – Kids
June 10, 2009I sang this in a karaoke bar the other night. Goes to show everyday the earth revolves anew you have a chance. The official great 2009 video to a great song of 2008:
Birdy Nam Nam: The Parachute Ending: Perfection
June 7, 2009This might be a perfect video for this super track. Wow. Eee.
Twenty To Kickstart Your Summer — May’s Best of the Blogs
May 26, 2009(Video to the #1 song on the chart. The last 30 seconds are kinda frightening for such an elegiac song.) Indie-rock rules this time around. There should be a little for everybody’s taste so check out the descriptions and enjoy that suntan.
Bliss. The indie song that captures your future gorgeous day. Can’t wait to hear this sophomore album.
This sounds like a great, lost easy-rock song from the 70’s with a singer alot like Thom Yorke. The band is actually from Denton, TX.
Passion Pit’s best song yet. It proves this band has too much depth to be a one-hit wonder.
Sorta like a cross between Sonic Youth and Mazzy Star. The xx have exploded upon the blog scene.
5. Alex Metric – Head Straight (Radio edit)
A scintillating electro-pop song that would have gotten US radio play in the 80s.
Ditto for this electro-pop gem. The lyrics aren’t as good as Metric’s, but I like the music better.
Crookers hijacks some Russian-polka? festivities into 2009 dancefloor/carseat entertainment.
8. Don Diablo & Example – Hooligans (Spor remix)
Spor absolutely chews you up and spits you out in this drum n’ bass banger. Mosh-dancing ensues.
9. Airys – Vedo in Te (TiTAN un figo Remix)
TiTAN gives an incredible disco with sax rubdown to Italian electro-poppers the Airys. John Travolta would be proud.
10. Kolombo – LOL (Kolombo Remix)
I’d bet alot of $$$ that this is already blowing up Ibiza as I write this. It ingeneously uses laughter as a type of melody and the breakdowns are truly a hoot.
Siriusmo continues to stay in the laserlight with this unconventional and spacy electro with a kid doing vocals.
12. Wolf Gang – Lions in Cages
Great arty indie-pop for fans of Passion Pit or My Arcade Fire. Love the bells.
13. Classixx – I’ll Get You feat. Jeppe (Royal Rumble Edit)
Glossy electro for Vegas pool parties, but it works everywhere else too.
14. Heartbreak – We’re Back (Vitalic mix)
Vitalic brings his Eastern Europe techno stylings to these male swooners. File under electro-kraut wave.
15. Neon Indian – Deadbeat Summer
A perfect title for this detuned electro-pop song for that goofy ride to the beach.
16. Peaches – Mommy Complex (Barletta and Ernold Sane Remix)
Super-hot electro-beats that you can practice your breakdancing too.
17. The Kickdrums – When I Come Down
Sounds like a great lost song by Beck. Actually this band is from Ohio and have produced for the likes of 50 Cent and Chamillionaire.
This may not sound like much on your computer speakers, but on some big speakers this will make some dub-steppers go crazy.
19. Miike Snow – Animal (Punks Jump Up Mix)
Everything Punks Jump Up remix turns to gold, and this certainly is the best mix of this indie-electro song.
A good b-more beat that will make you want to go to Bounce Camp. Fans of ‘Day N’ Nite’ take heed.
Daft Punk’s free and New Remix Album!
May 21, 2009
Well, boyz and girlz–I’m back in business after replacing a motherboard and case (next time I’m buying Vaio!!). I’ve got Best of the Blogs and Best DVDs of the month coming, and might even take a stab at Terminator after tonight. In the meantime enjoy this free remix album of none other than Daft Punk. Danger Danger has the scoop–and a fine job they’ve done: GO HERE
Calvin Harris + Coke
May 8, 2009Didn’t think they were showing this in the States so your welcome Coke. Send me a check, please. Just wished Matmos would have also scored this commercial. Anbody see the film Critters?
Major Lazer – Hold the Line (LehtMoJoe remix)
April 29, 2009
Hot magma to get a party going. Santigold and Mr. Lexx are on vocals. LehtMoJoe’s remix splices Toto’s classic song to awesome effect. Major Lazer is like a real Jamaican commando or something. Look it up. But DL this first: here
Fab Feb 15 (Best of the Blogs)
April 21, 2009
1. Bat For Lashes – Daniel
If you don’t know know ya know: Bat For Lashes are this year’s Feist and Lykke Li. Singer Natasha Khan’s voice is more Sarah McLachlan with shades of Bjork though, and that’s part of the reason for all the fuss. The album Two Suns has universal appeal.
2. Desire – Under Your Spell / Mirror Mirror
These are demos apparently, and you can tell with some big production sheen these could be classic.
3. Little Boots – New in Town (The Golden Filter mix)
Best Little Boots remix ever? Conjures up emotions of that 80’s electronic sky, yeah…
4. Franz Ferdinand – No You Girls (a.Rogue Element rmx) + (b. Dances with White Girls rmx)
Combine these two for the ultimate ‘No You Girls’ remix experience!
5. Snoop Dogg – Pump Pump (Aniki edit)
Gangsta rap makes me wanna shoop and I like this Snoop track more than ever.
6. Dre Skull – Gone Too Far (Baraka Som Sistema Remix)
Philip Glass style chords give way too som dizzy electro beats with ragga vocal stylings by Sizzla.
7. TI – Whatever You Like (Discotech rmx)
Download everything by Discotech if you DJ and your crowds will thank you.
This is the track with the video below that goes from about 65 bpm to 195 bpm in the span of 5 minutes. Tim Exile’s new album is stunningly creative.
9. the Amplid – Geography (Xenobi remix)
Hi-nrg disco roller. Wooo!
10. Cellophane – Music Colors (pt. 3)
Real italo-disco from 1984. You could throw this in a mix and people would think you’re a DJ pirate with a wealth of booty.
11. Dusty Kid – Lynchesque
Ok, so I’m partial to all things Lynch, but I had this blaring at a drive-thru the other day, and the lady looked at me like I crawled out of a meteor.
12. Don Diablo – Too Cool for School (Trevor Loveys vs. In Flagranti Rmx)
B-more beats that brings fun back to the dancefloor.
13. Foreigner – Urgent (Myrone Aiden rmx)
If you’re looking for a slightly more danceable version of this essential tune then here ya go.
14. U2 – Sexy Boots (Justice remix)
Justice meets U2 and the results are predictably simmering.
15. The Glimmers – Galactic Prism
This is a glue track in the mix does exactly what its awesome title suggests.
Moby + David Lynch: Shot in the Back of the Head
April 17, 2009How am I not going to post this collaboration? Sounds like Moby may be back the right track with his forthcoming album.. Best of the Blogs music chart and a review of the Christian horror film House will appear Sunday.
Tiga – Shoes
April 10, 2009Tiga’s new single-. The acting in this cracks me up. Not sure where I’d play this track though, hmmm…
New Wolfmother for All
March 31, 2009
Typical day at the office for Wolfmother:
“The triumphant return of Wolfmother has arrived – in the shape of a rollicking behemoth of timeless rock n roll, Back Round.Available for all and sundry for download now from wolfmother.com, Back Round is the first tangible snapshot into the cosmos of Wolfmother’s second album.
A liberating avalanche of skull-crushing drums and primal riffing, Back Round represents a joyous evolution for the Australian band following on from their 2006 self-titled debut.
In lieu of cash payment for the new track, Wolfmother are encouraging fans to put their money in a righteous place and donate to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal at redcross.org.au.”
Rogues – Not So Pretty (Wire & Example Remix)
March 31, 2009
M83 — We Own the Sky
March 27, 2009NIN/JA: Brand New Nine Inch Nails/Jane’s Addiction
March 23, 2009
NIN, Janes Addiction, and Street Sweeper have cooked up a free EP of brand new songs available on the NINJA tour website (here). Just in case you weren’t aware Street Sweeper is the new project of Tom Morello and Boots Riley, so things might get a little funky and political. The new songs by NIN + JA sound great on first listen and actually make me want to get tickets. And Street Sweeper’s two songs on the EP might take the cake from the old-timers, I mean arena melters.
SXSW: Pendulum, Sat. 12:45 at La Zona Rosa
March 20, 2009Pendulum needs some American love. They’e big in the UK and Australia, with a Gold album and massively sold-out shows/tours. But on these shores… Check out this video of ‘Showdown’, which would sound great in the new Crank movie. Don’t miss the section @ the 2:00 minute mark.
March Madness: Best of the Blogs Music Chart
March 14, 2009
1. Phoenix – 1901
The new Phoenix album looks to be a cracker, and this debut single is the Ritz.
2. Angil + The Hidden Tracks – Trying to Fit
Post modern rock from France that is very unique, but the singer sorta sounds like Spoon.
3. Wildbirds & Peacedrums – There is no Light
Sounds like your lost in the African jungle with a bluesy chanteuse to light the way. DJs take notice.
4. Moderat- A New Error
Modeselektor + Apparat = Moderat . More please.
5. Night Drugs! feat Shining Symbol – Volante
The best pure, shimmering disco track I’ve heard in some time.
6. Steed Lord – You (Owl Vision’s Dark Gothic Remix)
A soul diva lights it up over some some sick techno beats.
7. Radiohead – Everything in Its Right Place (Gigamesh Remix)
Finally someone has made a tasteful way for a DJ to rock this influential track at a party. Check out Gigamesh’s remix of Animal Collective’s My Girls.
8. Thunderheist – Suenos Dulces
Spanish tinged rapping over a some heavily sampled ‘Sweet Dreams’ by the Eurthymics.
9. Digitalism – Taken Away (Fredrick Carlsson remix)
I was through with the 100 or so remixes of this song, until Mr. Carlsson arrived.
10. Huoratron – Dollar Troopers (Distraktt Remix)
Banger #1.
11. Malente – Manrox (St. Pauli RMX)
Banger #2.
12. J-88 – The Look of Love (Treasure Fingers Remix)
The hip-hop portion of this program.
13. Mr. Miyagi – We Gonna Give You the Lesson
Yes, you have. Delirious dancing ensues.
14. Franz Ferdinand – No You Girls (Noze Remix)
Jazzy bubbling mix from Frenchies.
15. Fever Ray – When I Grow Up (Version by Lissvik)
And I’m out of time…
Tim Exile – Family Galaxy (Best Song of the Year pt. 3)
March 11, 2009This is one wild track that starts off downtempo, goes into 4/4 house, slides into breaks, and finally unwraps into full-blown drum n’ bass. It’s an apt title, as this is the song I imagine the family chanting as they navigate the cosmos.
Depeche Mode – Wrong (Thin White Duke remix)
March 9, 2009I don’t think I can listen to the original version again after this, even if the video was especially clever. Thin White Duke is otherwise known as Jacques Le Cont, Paper Faces, producer of Zoot Woman, and Madonna re-inventor. Enjjjoy, and I’ll update as soon as a clean version is available.
Best Albums of the Season
March 5, 2009
1. The Juan MacLean – The Future Will Come
This is a fine disco-punk/dance-origins record, certainly rivaling LCD Soundsystem’s self-titled debut. Nancy Whang really establishes herself as a unique vocalist, and his male vocals are very reminiscent of early Human League. Expect this on many end-of-the-year lists. DL some tracks here. And buy.
2. Sei A – Editing Shadows
Best techno record of the year so far. Outrageous sound design and unique architecture. In what you’ll recognize is a pattern with the albums here, Glasgow producer Andrew Graham layers superb vocals as the icing on the cake. Listen over at Beatport.
3. Christian Fischer – Bryzant Games
This was actually a very close call to the above album, and it is somewhat connected by existing in roughly the same genre of techno/house. Another example of some great vocals taking the music over the top. You keep expecting a dropoff, but 16 songs into the album and your still dancing in place. Listen over at Beatport here.
4. Mistabishi – Drop
After a few years of stunning singles, the Bishi of drum n’ bass drops a worthy longplayer. Whether its printer machine mayhem (“Printer Jam”—DL), rockers with twisted lyrics (“Damage”), or uplifting anthems (“From Memory”), there’s enough here to entertain you for some time. Beatport listen.
5. Miss Kittin & The Hacker – Two
Miss Kittin just hasn’t been the same without her main music man The Hacker. Their first album was an electroclash classic, and this is certainly the best work they’ve done since. Neonized has standout “Party in My Head” for listen and DL.
6. Beirut – March of the Zapotec/ Realpeople Holland EPs
March of the Zapotec was recorded with The Jimenez band, a 17 piece outfit from a small town in Mexico, and is organic bliss. Couple this with the synth-bedroom-pop of Realpeople Holland and you realize Zach Condon not only can croon with the best of them, but is just damn brilliant. Amazon listen.
The Big Pink – Velvet (Best Song of ’09 pt. 2)
February 27, 2009Don’t know much about this group other then they’re signed to 4AD and an album is looming. Their first single was pretty good too. This fresh brand of rock electronique could propel them to the big-time.
Free Scion/Kitsune Party with RSVP
February 25, 2009
Guns N’ Bombs are primed to create some noize coming out of LA, and you can download and bang their first single under Kitsune from here. Their DJ sets are crazee rambunctiousness. Heartsrevolution sound alot like Crystal Castles to me, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Get your electro-punk on and DL ‘Switchblade’ here. Beni and Classixx are sure to play some hot tunes as well, perhaps even their collaboration that made February’s chart at #9 below. Maybe I should crank my go-go-gadget gears and come out after all. RSVP here.
February Foxxy Fifteen (Best of the Blogs!!!)
February 16, 2009
Dudes and dudettes I hope you enjoy, because this was the hardest fifteen I’ve ever had to refine. There was SO MANY good tunes this month that it was just dirty. Ambient and downtempo music scored big this month. As did electro-pop and the return of some old ‘Boys’. But here you are, all after the jump:
1. Friendly Fires – Skeleton Boy (Paul Epworth version)
This electro-pop sing-a-long just might have delivered the Fires to America. Epworth has done a lights-out job.
Ambient instrumental that couldn’t possibly be more lush or haunting. Also check out Chimeras for added melancholy.
3. The Whitest Boy Alive – Golden Cage (Fred Falke mix)
This isn’t brand-new, but I’ll be bamboozled if it doesn’t make a perfect little electro-pop dance number.
The Boys are back! Really, this might be their best tune since the 80’s.
5. Little Boots – Meddle (AC Slater & DJ Skeet remix w/ Goldie Locks)
My lady loved this and could not stop dancing. Except on the Little Boots vocal part she would always strangely stop.
6. MIA – ___ (Death to the Throne mix)
I think this is a combination of MIA accapellas mixed into one song, but DTTT throws the gauntlet down.
7. Mexican Institute of Sound – Jaja Pipi / Diego Bernal – Bring it on Home
Two Mexican downtempo jams we can thank blog Winnie Cooper for.
My personal favorite–of combining hardcore metal and electro–is truly a love or hate it affair.
9. Beni – My Love Sees You (Classixx Remix)
More 80’s inspired electro-pop dance jams.
10. The Long Blondes – Nostalgia (Glass Candy Remix)
Glass Candy finally gives this fantastic song the room it needs to breathe and develop. And in a mix this could kill-.
Psy-electro or goa-electro anyone? Surround sound lasers in a symphonic trance.
12. Peter Rehberg – Boxes and Angels
#97 on MLD’s Best of 2008. Ambient greatness that is better late than never.
13. Elke – Blue Dream Lover (Broke One remix)
Another electro-pop dance track that is so pristine, you wonder if a factory is spitting out this stuff.
14. Buraka Som Sistema – Kalemba (Wegue Wegue)– Hot Chip remix
Hot Chip can get wiggy Afrikan style. This is a slow-burner so let it build.
Atari, 8-bit melodies converge to create a backwards troll dance.
Honorable Mentions:)
Jesse Rose – Touch my Horn (Mad Kids Remix)
Chairlift – Evident Utensil
February 12, 2009I just finally got ‘Bruises‘ out of my head, and here comes another hummer. Is glitch-art a term yet?
Quick Grammy Winner Thoughts
February 10, 2009
Surprisingly I will not be doing any ranting as I am pleased with most of the winners of the categories that I cared about. View the whole list of winners here.
-OK, so Daft Punk got the their two Grammys finally, and while they haven’t released a true album in four years, they deserve some dance Grammy love more than anyone. (You can read my initial critical thoughts about the Best Dance Album category here.)
-Justice got a timely Grammy for best remix of Mgmt’s ‘Electric Feel’. I’ve heard better this year, but it’s a relevant and worthy choice.
-I’m happy James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer won for Best Score for The Dark Knight, which I sorta called here.
– Those in my Best of 2008 took home some Grammys. Mars Volta beat out Motley Crue, Judas Priest, and Rob Zombie for Best Hard Rock Performance, and yes I’m talking about 2009. Kings of Leon was a winner. Metallica won Best Metal Performance. And Rick Rubin won Best Producer for Metallica’s comeback amongst other things.
-John Corigliano won Best Classical Contemporary Composition for Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan, and I’m dying to hear it. I recommend anyone into instrumental music to dive deep into this man’s oeuvre. Movie composer Eliot Goldenthal was a student of Corigliano.
-Best Polka album went to Jimmy Sturr??? Oh man, I can’t buhleeve it.
Wow! Panic Bomber’s devastating and free debut EP!!
February 7, 2009
Really, this might be the most exciting and assured debut EP to come out in a year and it’s free on Panic Bomber’s website! The music is kinda like a cross between NIN, Daft Punk, and Solvent with some really interesting vocals and lyrics, but even that doesn’t really describe it fully. You’ll just have to listen to it yourself: here.
Best Song of ’09? (Animal Collective – ‘My Girls’)
January 24, 2009I submit. It is my duty as a blogger to post this video for any soul that may have missed it. Compute.
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