Bloc Party are set to release their new remix album, aptly titled “Intimacy Remixed” tomorrow in the United States and today basically everywhere else. Their new video for the lead single “Ares (Villains Remix)” has been shot entirely on fans camera phones over their two day stay at the Olympia in London. Gotta love the lights, chaos, and low bitrate video.
May 11, 2009
March 16, 2009
Bloc Party unveil Signs (Arman Van Helden Remix) Video!
Bloc Party have unveiled the new video for “Signs (Arman Van Helden Remix),” which is the new single from their forthcoming album “Intamacy Remixed” to be released on May 11. The video has some major Silent Hill suppressed sexuality in it. Remember the MSTRKRFT remix for DFA1979′s “Sexy Results“? Now think: “Lower…lower…” You’ll get what I mean when you watch the video.
January 26, 2009
Franz Ferdinand Get Down on Their New Album "Tonight"!
Franz Ferdinand is back (as if they ever left) and they have a new album coming out on the 27th of January. The disc is entitled “Tonight”, and embodies the feelings that come from a night time of elation and debauchery according to Kapranos and company. The new disc shows off the bands progression; the guitars are less brash, the bass funkiness is cranked up and keyboards add to the slinky grooves of each song. This song unabashedly activates some of those latent disco tendencies that Franz have been flirting with since their smash hit self titled album in 2004. Don’t think for a second that this album has a neutered sound, there is more swagger on “Tonight” than perhaps anything else they’ve done.
There’s always been an air of class and timelessness in the world that they create musically. Even when they delve into darker themes, there’s a quirky nobility that oozes out of Kapranos’ croon, which was addictive on their first album and I think wore somewhat thin on their second album “You Could Have It So Much Better”. On “Tonight”, there’s a clash between the idealized world of that the Franz crew has created and reality. This comes out in songs like “Ulysses”, where singer Kapranos mumbles about whether or not he is Ulysses and where his next high is coming from. A little dirtier and muddled than their usual polished sound, but not too off the mark for the subject of one of their songs, it’s the tone that differs more. The tone is more like a combination of their previous sound and the dancier songs of The Kills from their recent “Midnight Boom” album. One song even abandons guitar totally for several minutes and focuses on a full out bass synth assault. Franz Ferdinand have added some danger to their sound and it’s just what the doctor ordered. The flurry of funk from song to song will have you reeling, like a night out free of responsibity, not totally aware of what’s happening, but focusing on any and all opportunities to keep the party going and chasing them until they end. If you have Franz Ferdinand’s “Tonight” as your guide you might find yourself still partying even as the sun comes up.
Franz Ferdinand – Ulysses
Franz Ferdinand – Outsiders (Isolee Remix)
Franz Ferdinand – Outsiders (Isolee Remix)
Franz Ferdinand – Ulysses (Mr. Vega Extended Mix)
Franz Ferdinand – Ulysses (Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve Remix)
There’s also an excellent remix of “No You Girls” over at We Like It Indie.
Listen to “Tonight” @ Franz Ferdinand’s Myspace
January 21, 2009
State Shirt Provides Some Fiery Indie Rock For a Cold Season!
Ethan Tufts of California (AKA State Shirt) has crafted some fiery indie rock in the sessions he’s spent in his room devoted to writing some epic tunes. These songs are expansive, longing, and sparklingly hopeful. It also sounds remarkably human for being just one guy. Imagine for a second The Stills, U2, and the Postal Service caught in a blender, that’s roughly the appeal that State Shirt has. Except it’s just one guy. Nuts, I know.
State Shirt – Fell Out of the Sky
December 24, 2008
AZLTRON Top 30 Albums of 2008 (21-30)
Well here it is, the wrap of the best albums of 2008. Here are the links to part one and part two.
30. Black Kids – Partie Traumatic
Black Kids were kind of the Gnarls Barkley of this year, except… without the high powered up and coming producer and and dependable veteran performer. They did however come out of nowhere with a killer single named I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You, despite the title being ridiculously long and well… ridiculous as well, it caught on like wildfire and the kids ate it up like hot cakes. The band uses a bag of tricks including funky guitar solos, warbly synths, cowbells and a Robert Smith-like warble. The rest of the album is full of rich pop tunes and a Robert Smith-esque warble detailing tales of adolescent woes and throes of passion. If you’re looking for a non-stop androgynous dance party look no further than Jacksonville Florida’s own Black Kids.
The Black Kids Myspace
29. Beck – Modern Guilt
Speaking of Gnarls Barkley, Beck teamed up with that prodigious producer DJ Danger Mouse for his latest release Modern Guilt. The atmosphere that Danger Mouse brings to the album fits perfectly with the multi-layered stylings of Beck. In fact, many are calling this album Beck’s first album that’s moved forward stylistically since his seminal release “Sea Change”. While “Guerro” and “The Information” did look back back for inspiration I felt that there was some innovative work there that marked progression. The fact that Modern Guilt doesn’t use too much superfluous instrumentation or loops and for the most is composed with ample reverb and less is more composition makes the album Beck’s most raw and intimate release since Sea Change.
28. Bloc Party – Intimacy
Bloc Party’s latest release Intimacy is something of a return to form for the band from their experimental conceptual sophomore album A Weekend in the City. Its like the catchy tunes off of Banquet fused with the jarring emotional content from A Weekend in the City with a pinch of electronic wizardry that can be traced back to the Chemical Brothers and even the Bravery in some spots. There are arpeggios fueling ultra fast ticking drum beats, and even keyboard horns fueling stuttering vocals. There are a few songs where the formula works out a delicate balance of ferocity and melody like the perfect song for the subway Your Visits are getting Shorter and the Cure influenced melody of Letter to My Son. This is the most aggressive collection of songs Bloc Party has ever released. I could see many of these songs playing over loudspeakers during heated UK Soccer games.
Bloc Party Myspace
27. Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords
Think “Tenacious D” for the indie rock crowd. Brett and Jermaine bring something special to the table here with their high low harmonies and clever songwriting. All the songs here have been played before on their hit HBO series, but they’re here with renewed vigor. Some songs even have new parts. Like on the homage-hit “Bowie” the end of the song explodes in a “Let’s Dance!” fashion. Likewise, “Robots” puts on it’s dancing shoes for a “Robo-Boogie” segment. They rifle through a lof different genres and crazy ideas and are talented enough to pull them off musicall and lyrically. If you’ve never heard of the before, prepare to listen to nothing but them for an entire month. For real.
Flight of the Conchords Myspace
26.
Ruby Isle – Ruby Isle
Ruby Isle is the flagship property of the Kindercore record label. The lineup is composed of the all-star cast of former beat maker for “We are the World Trade Center”, Dan Geller, rock wild man Mark Mallman, and drummer Aaron Lemay. If you’re looking for an album to get the party started regardless of the crowd Ruby Isle has something for everbody. It’s true it’s dance music, but the ever present guitar riffs and and crazy synth is enough to even get grandma to do the twist. There’s a couple uses of great guest vocals, like the uber low voiced youtube phenomenon Tay Zonday, and the powerful reworking of “Solsbury Hill” featuring Amy Dykes. If you’re looking for a band to play a kicking set during the apocalypse, look no further than Ruby Isle.
Ruby Isle – Hey Hey Hey (That Kid’s Okay) La Chanson Remix
25.
Desmond & The Tutus – Tuckshop
I recieved Desmond & The Tutus album “Tuckshop” in my inbox and was immediately intrigued. First off they are named after a famous African holy man that I was not aware of (Thanks Wikipedia!). Secondly, the band is from South Africa. Although all the members are white. This was kind of a let down until I listened to their music. There are few releases that I listen to all the way through beginning all at one time, but the uplifting nature of their guitar rock compositions and borderline satirical lyrics made me listen to this thing the whole way through. From criticizing electro loving geeks (hm) to the best song about swimming I have heard ever. There’s a lot to love here.
24. The Kindness Kind – The Kindness Kind
The Kindness Kind is a new band out of Seattle, Washington who employs careful guitar work over beautiful piano melodies topped off with the excellent vocals by Alessandra Rose and a pinch of electronica to make some of the most listenable indie pop this year. The Highlight of their self titled album “Houndstooth” starts off with gentle feedback before the jazzy keys and bendy synths are rocketed forward by the paced drums, that navigate the song through several soaring melodies. If you’re looking for a complex but extremely listenable new indie rock band to love, The Kindness Kind should be first on your plate.
The Kindness Kind – Houndstooth
23.
Unicycle Loves You – Unicycle Loves You
If you’re looking for an album released this year that was as filled with youthful elation as much as it was filled with talented instrumentalists and vocalists, look no further, Unicycle Loves You is for you. Each one of their songs explodes in catchy accessible pop with layers of guitars and keyboards atop bangin’ beats. If I had to use other bands to describe their sound I would say they’re like all the fun songs by the Arcade Fire, channeled through The Cars and the Stokes all peppered with a pinch of Lou Reed. That said, there are so many rocking pop songs here that it would be a crime if these guys didn’t get more popular. Long live Unicycle Loves You!
Unicycle Loves You – Highway Robbery
22. Microfilm – The Slingshot Orchestra
The Slingshot Orchestra has made a distinct progression from their previous release. This time opting for a more lush sound rather than the minimalist german techno sound that people might know them better for. But fear not, there are beats and synths galore here. In addition to those glorious tones, there are also strings, piano, and plethora of other instruments that might sound completely natural but are actually synthesized and played by the band, but you’d be hard pressed to know that just by listening to them. In short, if you’re looking for a tasty slice of electro/synth pop pie, you better order up The Slingshot Orchestra.
Microfilm – Teenage Symphonies
21. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Cut Copy’s 2004 release “Bright Like Neon Love”, became one of the sleeper hits for me in the year following. Which led me to be really anticipating their new release “In Ghost Colours”. On “Neon Love”, they showed that they were capable of combining garage rock and electro in a powerful way, but on “In Ghost Colours” they’ve somewhat abandoned that idea in favor of some really poppy electro songs. It marks their progression as a band that they use guitar more for melody than for a slamming riff. All this talk about style changes and guitar might confuse you as to whether or not you can dance to the album. The overwhelming answer is “Yes!”.
Cut Copy – Far Away (Ruby Isle Mix) <-- A Convenient Tie In!
November 6, 2008
Marc Ustari Remixes Data’s "Rapture"
This mix was a pleasant surprise to find in my inbox the other day. I enjoyed the original Rapture mix and the Edwin Van Cleef versions very much and I even mentioned this mix in that post and now I have it to share with all of you. Marc Ustari is an up and coming DJ out of the UK. Fans of Justice, Daft Punk, and electronic music in general will find something to like here. Floor Filling Dance secret weapon? I think so.
September 16, 2008
Sex, Drugs and Electro from The Sonixx
The Sonixx are a new one man electro group out of Montreal, Canada, whose debut EP “Sex, Drugs and Electro” is full of string washes and split second classic house shout outs and grinding synth bass. If you’re intrigued, the EP is now available for purchase on his Myspace via paypal.
September 5, 2008
Mr. Vega Remixes Death From Above 1979
Mr. Vega returns yet again with another remix of a blog beloved band, this time Death From Above 1979 is on the table. The track? “Little Girl”, fueled by the original bass riff and a bit of an answering machine, this is the kind of song I’d want to see drunk guys swinging on vines, headed to a dance party in the Jungle. Think about it, I feel the closed caption subtitles would be something like, “Waaaoooohhh!” *Thunk* (Drunk man crashes in the PA system). A lot of fun for sure.
death from above 1979 – little girl – mr vega remix
In addition to this fine remix, here is some more work by the elusive Mr. Vega.
August 25, 2008
Klumpfish Remixes Lykke Li
Klumpfisk returns with an sublime dream pop take on up and coming Swedish pop songstress Lykke Li. The original versions gentle clank is replaced with a wide open ambience and some raw guitar work.
This snippet came with the remix:
“To those of you who appreciate genuine handcraft in these times of mass-produced nonsense, Klumpfisk presents yet another trip to the shores of the Baltic Sea. Made from small amounts of matter, but from larger amounts of time, before you lies a beautiful example of what a pop song of 2008 could or could not be. If this doesn’t make you shiver, either your brain or your nerves may be damaged.”
Lykke Li – Little Bit (Klumpfisk Remix)
August 12, 2008
Miracles of Modern Science
Miracles of Modern Science is a Brooklyn based futuristic chamber pop/rock band, complete with shiny silver suits, double bass, mandolin, violin, cello and of course drums. This isn’t a quintet of scholars digging out their old instruments, this band has some rocking tunes. Fans of the Arcade Fire and Final Fantasy will like this, I’m pretty sure.
Miracles of Modern Science – Eating Me Alive
