Heroes of the Dancefloor is a band composed of some members of the Scissor Sisters as well as some of their friends. Their music is exactly as that would suggest with a few jazzy touches. If you’re looking for some unabashed disco goodness, look no further.
February 5, 2009
Scissor Sisters Side Project: Heroes of the Dancefloor!
December 24, 2008
AZLTRON Top 30 Albums of 2008 (20-11)
Welcome to the second installment of the AZLTRON Blog’s top 30 Albums of the year! Here are some albums for your listening/reading pleasure! Here is the link to Part 1.
20. Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head – Glistening Pleasure
This creatively named band feels like a joke band started between a few friends that somehow along the way they shocked each other with how good they became and decided to take the show on the road. The concepts featured on the album are just as ridiculous as the band’s name and their album art. With love songs sung to the father of your girl citing the things you do when he’s not in the room, to odes to facial hair and atrocious 80′s styles, you’re bound to find yourself laughing just as much as you find yourself dancing.
Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head – Me + Yr Daughter
Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head Myspace
19. The Banshee – Your Nice Habits
Genova, Itlay band The Banshee’s album “Your Nice Habits” is full of jittery post-punk-pop ready to get you wherever you need to go in a hurry. It’s hard to not physically speed up whatever you are doing while listening to them. This feeling is certainty helped by producer Luke Smith (Former member of equally as Jittery defunct band Clor, and producer of yet another fidgety band Shit Disco) who also helps guide the band into quirky Gary Numan synth territory. While there’s not exactly a lot of new ground forged here, the record is unabashedly fun and you can tell the band is having fun too. This record is proof that Italians may indeed do that better.
Falcon emerged on the scene with an incredibly original concept. All of their songs have already been written, and they are a new band. “How is this possible?”, You might ask. Well, it’s because these songs were written by a songwriting prodigy named Jared Falcon that three of the band members went to school with. He recorded the songs on a simple four track recorder which the band then studies and fleshes out. If the intense guitar effect and drumming of the band seems familiar, it’s because the drummer and guitarist of Longwave are also in the band. Beyond the concept and all star line-up, it’s the songs that shine through for Falcon. Each song shines with an introspection and optimism that could only be written by an extremely talented youth.
Woven is a band out of L.A. that fuses electronic and rock so well, I was confused when I first listened to their music. It was so good, I felt like I had heard it before somewhere. I don’t know if I’d heard it during a movie, or a commercial or whatever, but their stuff is so cinematic that I think I should be hearing their stuff in commercials and movies. Waves of keys, guitars, and vocals wash in and out over otherworldly pristine pop. It’s like the band time traveled from the future to show us what rock will be like in 50 years.
The Presets have always been a gritty electro dance band. Once in a while they let some of their pop/dance stylings escape from their bag of tricks. Like on their excellent songs “The Girl and the Sea” or “Summer of Love”, but for the most part they prefer to be dirty and rowdy. On their new release Apocalypso, The Presets have cleaned up their act, and their music is all the better for it. The vocals soar, choruses richochet inside your head, where they’ll stay for days, and the beats and grooves have never been better. You’ll be hard pressed to find better party starters than “Yippiyo-Ay” and “My People”. There are even songs featured here that are actually pretty in spots (This Boy’s In Love). In a strange turn of fate, the beast has become the beauty.
15. The Ting Tings – We Started Nothing
If there is one band that is poised for mainstream crossover success and deserves it, it’s The Ting Tings. Jules and Katie have all of the fun and intelligence of the best indie-dance music and all of the accessibility of the best of Rihanna or Katie Perry, all without listeners having to hide it as a guilty pleasure. From the opening strums of “Great DJ”, you know there’s something special going on here. From guitar riffs, to microkorg melodies, to ample use of Cowbell, it’s all here. It’s hard to believe so much fun comes from just two people. They’re also phenomenal live.
14. The Age of Rockets – Hannah
The Age of Rockets is a NYC three piece composed of producer/frontman Andrew Futral, drummer Saul Simon Macwilliams, and guitarist/keyboardist Bess Rogers. Their album “Hannah” could easily soundtrack a movie about touring around the world on a cloud. The vocal harmonies ring out here as the richest assett featured througout. That’s not to say this is an accapella album in the least. There are all kinds of supplemental instrumentation, from guitars, to pounding drums, to glitchy beats, to gentle keys, to violins being gently plucked. The album is largely a mellow affair with poignant lyrics scattered througout. It’s remarkable that three people could make this big of a diverse sound and it’s that expansiveness and attention to detail that makes “Hannah” by The Age of Rockets one of the best albums of the year.
The Age of Rockets – Avada Kedavra
13. My Dear Disco – Dancethink LP
My Dear Disco is a band out of Michigan that fuses together dance-punk, jazz-funk, and many other styles into one cohesive digestible whole. The septet churns out dance hits that are on par with any club banger that you’ve heard this year while at the same time they contain musical and lyrical content that is equally enjoyable as well as intellectually stimulating. On every track you can feel the enthusiasm of the band bleed through to every note. Even though the band has significant instrumental might, their secret weapon is lead singer Michelle. Who has a duality equal to that of Clark Kent and Superman. Off stage, she’s personable and intelligent, but up on stage she lets loose with that glorious voice of hers with the might of a superhero. With the costumes they wear while on stage, being musical superheroes may not be far off.
The Walkmen have released a much more pensive album this time around with “You & Me”. They keep a tight leash on their wild, singular energy, careful to only let it out of the bag on a few occasions. This tension and release throughout album makes the both the quiet and loud songs better. Not to say that their other releases aren’t intimate at times, but this album feels the most personal out of all of their records. Like when Hamilton Leithhauser laments that he lives at the same address on “In the New Year”, the music conveys the urgency and optimism for him to redirect his life. The Walkmen have always had a formula that has fit a wintery retrospective pretty well. The most sublime example is the romantic reconciliation of “Canadian Girl”. The old school rhythm and ear warming guitar chimes will have you smiling in no time.
11. The Stills – Oceans Will Rise
In a year filled with comebacks, The Stills provided one of the most dramatic. I’m not saying that their previous release “Without Feathers” was a bad record by any means, it just didn’t feel like them. But, this album marks a return to their hypnotic guitar stylings and inspired drumming. Their previous album felt like they were reaching for a bunch of different sounds. “Oceans Will Rise” feels like they’ve remembered who they are. Also, they’ve not lost some of the stylings they picked up on their previous record, they’ve applied them for sensational effect. Pianos roar and resonate and Tim Fletcher’s vocal delivery will have you hanging on every word. There’s even some stadium appeal here with the fantastic single “Being Here”. It’s time to remember all the reasons why you liked The Stills in the first place.
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
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.
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
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
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
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!























