The Jellyfish Bandits are Melinda Tracy and Aaron Leck from Portland Oregon. Their lo-fi electronic indie pop is akin to other bands in that vein like Chairs in Arno and Figurine. Although thier music can be distinctly more alternative at times, even including some simple guitar riffs. Their lyrics are mostly whimsical, but when they feel like using harder language they pull no punches. The band is at it’s best when they give into sugary choruses and twinkling melodies like on thier track “Famous Art Thieves”.
January 15, 2009
The Jellyfish Bandits, Lo-Fi Indie Electro Pop!
January 14, 2009
Neon Man’s "Knights of Error" is Full of Chimey Charming Guitar
Berlin’s Neonman is composed of Ben John Osborn from London, UK and Bastian Asdonk from Berlin, Germany. Together they make post-punk rock that at times swooshes and sashays with a punk ferocity and other times confidentlstrides plods forward with a signifigant dub and reggae influence. At their best they call to mind the post punk explosion of the late 70′s and early 80′s. Imagine XTC merging with Public Image Ltd, their music is something like that.
January 13, 2009
New Murder Mystery Song
NYC band Murder Mystery are back with a new single entitled “The World” that is a nice mellow tune that draws on the best of the Psychedelic Furs, The Cure and the Strokes. Above all the chiming guitars and pulsing synth is vocalist Jeremy Coleman’s charming vocals and lyrics. If you’re starving for some new Strokes material, this will definitely hold you over.
January 12, 2009
Review: Division Kent’s Gravity is a Heavy Trip
Division Kent is a two piece from Zurich, Switzerland that plays swirling, dark new wave rock composed of two members; vocalist Andrea B. and instrumentalist Sky Antinori. Their music is at times dark and heavy, calling to mind the work of psychedelic indie band Midnight Movies due to the ominous melodies and sultry voice of Andrea B. While this is the primary musical mode the band is set in there are some fun surprises along the way.
Right off the bat the band set a mood with the atmospheric “No Kryptonite” that calls to mind Blonde Redhead. “Pat the PanAm Pilot”, starts off with some quirky keyboards and a skeptical narrative of the life of a successful pilot. From there the energetic “She’s Going Places” takes flight with guitar work and a beat that sounds like a fusing of Lali Puna and the Cure. “The Big Hush” is another experiment in combining a heavy atmosphere with haunting vocals. The track “In The Headlights” separates itself from the rest of the album using ultra bendy bass and a Casio beat that gives way to the most memorable chorus on the album. I could see this track being used in a dramatic scene of a movie. For all I know it might be already.
Once the album gets through most of it’s down tempo song, the arrangements, clicks, beats and synths really shine. “L’huere Blue” erupts with a dark 80′s pop sensibility and cascades of melodies and bells. Perfect for your retro goth prom. If “L’huere Blue” is an entrance song to said retro goth prom, then “Rooftop Rallye” is the party starter. Waves of aggressive bass pulse as Andrea B. purrs her way through the song. The next track is the most fun off of the album, entitled “Offshore”, featuring the most upbeat vocals and guitars that call to mind VHS or Beta in their heyday. The album winds down with the slinky duet “Salty” and comes to a close with the hauntingly programmed number “The Year of Magical Thinking”.
All the attention to detail makes Division Kent worth listening to. There are a couple spots on here where their formula, no matter how well done, feels worn out, dark electronica rock with deep sensual female vocals, we get it. It’s when Division Kent change up their style a little bit that they really shine, on tracks like “L’Heure Blue” and “Offshore” where their sound moves past brooding girl territory and into kicking electro rock pathos. Whether you’re looking for music to sulk dramatically to or music to get the party started, Division Kent has what you need.
January 11, 2009
New Jersey’s Thing One is Movin’ on Up!
Thing One is a dance-rock quartet from from Glen Ridge, New Jersey that create bouncy, catchy songs with just a touch of electronic flourishes. At times their music takes on an old school punk/dub sound and other times it takes on an LCD Soundsystem-like sound with percolating beats and spare synths. One thing that makes them stand out is that they create a nice cushion of sound and melody in each of their songs so it’s not just death by dance beats, but beat therapy. If that’s not enough, the band has familial ties to Ra Ra Riot with Wesley Miles’ brother Spencer playing in the band. Is Thing One one to watch? For sure.
January 10, 2009
Elizabeth Willis is a Soulful Singer/Songwriter from New York City
Elizabeth Willis is a singer/songwriter from New York City who has been classically trained in violin and piano since the age of four. She’s got some soulful pipes on her, and her compositions lean heavily towards classical composition. She’s been getting some national attention from the likes of NPR and Newsweek.
January 9, 2009
A Flurry of Dirty Disco Youth Remixes!
Dirty Disco Youth is the project of Phil Speiser who resides in Hambug, Germany where he spins his prodigiously hard mixes.
January 8, 2009
Heads We Dance Covers Kraftwerk’s "Computer Love"!
Leeds England’s own Heads We Dance have flawlessly stepped into the skin of an old Kraftwerk Classic and put their own signature stamp on it. It comes complete with boy girl vocals, vocoder, and plenty of twinkling melodies. A minimal dance extravaganza perfect for a snow day dance party.
Music For Swedish Lumberjacks! The Sweet Serenades!
The Sweet Serenades are the next in a long line Swedish pop-smiths who craft bouncy catchy tunes that are sure to make you forget your wintertime woes. Check out their video for their single “Mona Lee”.
January 7, 2009
The First AZLTRON Mix of 2009!
I’ve been collecting a bunch of cool songs to put in a mix, and I figured now is as good a time as any to put them out there.
Emil & Friends – Downed Economy
Pic Vicious – LA Dreamer
Pretty Good Dance Moves – Demons Dancing
Division Kent – Offshore
Red Light Company – Scheme Eugene (James Yuill Omega 3 Mix)
Holiday For Strings – Two of You
Peter Bjorn & John – Young Folks (Klumpfisk Remix)
