Do androids dream of electric sheep? Do robots sing electro? I think yes. Tape Deck Bros are a Canadian electro duo – the best thing out of Canada since Nickelback. These two tracks have been hanging around for a while but really caught my ear today. Nothing like stumbling on some fun tracks for the weekend.
Does this signal the return of the blog? We’ve been in a serious coma the last few months, so maybe this will wake us up. Blackbeard is about to show Acapulco what seersucker suits are all about – I’m sure he’ll bring back some club bangers with him.
Alright folks, this post is going to be a big jumble of styles, just a few songs I’ve been into lately. Hope you will be too.
So this first track pairs up two electronic giants – a Groove Armada track remixed by the Bloody Beetroots. The Beetroots manage to keep this track out of Bellevue – as far as their stuff goes, its pretty tame. That being said, its super catchy and b0uncy, so check it out.
Next is a track with some frog yapping – people seem to have pretty strong opinions on French. I don’t know where I was going with that, except to say that no one sounds as hilarious as some Germans. The song has a loungey feel, plus some strings.
Lastly, a song by I Am Finn, remixed by Van She. Don’t really know much about either of them, but this track really gets moving a few minutes in. I’m a sucker for a big build and break. They throw in some Imogen Heap style harmonic autotuning nonsense later on, the jury is still out on that part.
If you were thinking you want to be more like Mike, here’s your song. There are no single gloves, crotch grabs, or pedophilia, but it will surely melt your face like a blowdrier to the King of Pop’s mug. Have fun.
Into to a new week, and new things. The Album, the debut full-length release by the San Fransisco-grown Girls, is a great way to round out a week with 5% of your ear drum function remaining.
Centered around former Children of God cult member Christopher Owens, The Album combines an oldies California Beach Boys-era groove (not unlike The Drums), but with Owens’ powerful own vocals, much like a modern Elvis Costello.
All of this is done in what seems be an increasingly popular lo-fi style. The result is both fun and powerful, relaxing and inspiring, and altogether easy on damaged robot ears.
Not a ton of action around here lately – is the Midwest seasonal depression kicking in already? Could be time to pack the bags and fly south. Either that, or settle in for the long haul and pray that the winter isn’t as cold as summer was.
In music news, I’m signing up for piano lessons. Yes, get excited, I’m sure I’ll be composing masterpieces in a few weeks. I figured I’d post a song with some most excellent piano. Nina Simone’s Sinnerman – its been featured in everything, sampled all over the place – I’m sure you’ll recognize it. Superfresh, this is not (1965 release). That being said, the clip below cemented it into my memory. (Spoiler alert if you haven’t seen the Thomas Crown Affair)
Hope you have like a half hour to sift through all this shit I’m about to throw at you. But know thats “shit” in the best sense of the word, like the goddamn Budweiser Clydesdales’ dookies – after they were eating the sound cards from some Atari’s. The eve of All Hallows Eve (the 30th of October) there is going to be a freak show of absurd proportions. Chromeo, CrystalCastles, and Boys Noize are having a tea party called Freaky Deaky at the Congress in Chicago.
So here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to put up a few songs from each group, originals and/or remixes, to showcase what these guys have going on. If you’re already convinced, great. Check out some good songs. If you’re a soon-to-be convert… you weren’t a robot before, but I promise you will be after you attend this show.
Chromeo is to electronic music what Ken Griffey was to baseball in the 90′s – style. Funky beats meet silky smooth vocals for a distinctly “I wish I had my 20′s in the 80′s” vibe. Two dope studio albums, tons of remixes, and a DJ-Kicks compilation (see previous post) – they can do it all, and they have a new record on the way this winter.
Crystal Castles. I’m expecting this to be the highlight of the show for me, as my iTunes play count could probably predict. Anyway they’re “experimental” electronic/dance/8-bit glory/glitz. Your eardrums are going to cry for mercy when they come on stage, then ask for more. Studio productions go from raging squealing ripping electro to flowing melodies, and they’re known for totally chaotic live shows. I can’t fucking wait.
Boys Noize is the only group playing that I’ve seen before, and they do not disappoint. Expect massive builds into ridiculous crescendos, and the whole building is going to shake when all 4000 of us start jumping at the same time. The title of their most recent album – Power – is accurate. Get down.
I’m sure there’s going to be all kinds of people there – party folk, a ton of weirdos, and also of people who accidentally bought tickets for the freak show instead of Tiesto Saturday. I’m not sure that it even matters – its Halloween weekend and all brains will firmly in the “Off” position. And its a costume party. For these electric freaks. Shit is going to get weird. Buy your ticket now.
Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?
I’ll start with the operative words for music blogs: new and free. Pretty Lights released their new album Tuesday, Passing by Behind Your Eyes, and its just as free as the rest of their albums. That is not to say that “free” is its best quality – far from it. You’ll hear a hugely unique blend of styles, everywhere from electro rips to dubstep wobbles, traditional piano to old school samples. Hip hop beats, jazzy swizzles, slick scratches – the sheer breadth is astounding. The album sounds as if its one massive work of art, lifting you to highs and dropping you off cliffs to lows.
Pretty Lights is producer Derek Vincent Smith’s brainchild – when live, he is joined by drummer Cory Eberhard. His music is truly versatile – you can enjoy its variety infinitely, or just enjoy the every changing rhythms as your background soundtrack. Whether you’re going for a long drive, relaxing around your place, or staring at a computer screen like I am, Pretty Lights will do the trick.
A new DJ kicks compilation just dropped, and its from our funk tastic friends Chromeo, who make music like they were just riding around with Marty McFly and Doc Brown in the Delorean. DJ Kicks asks artists to compile a mix record with a bit of a different strategy than the norm – they aren’t made for dance floors, but rather casual listening. The artists select all kinds of tracks, and often bring obscure but amazing tracks to the forefront.
This record is exactly what you hope for in a DJ Kicks album (its not quite as life changing as Erlend Oye’s DJ kicks mix, but its excellent). Its made to listen to in its entirety – the track selection fits together tighter than hipster jeans. The two tracks included here are a soulful Chromeo cover of the Eagles song “I Can’t Tell You Why” and the lead off track, an electro cruiser by Kano.
Put on your disco shoes, this stuff will funk you up.
Vitalic is back, after a four year hiatus in the land of not releasing albums. The new album, Flashmob, is the second studio album from the French/Italian producer. His first effort, OK Cowboy, made huge waves in 2005 in robot world. It quickly gained status for its uniqueness and variety of styles, tempos, and grooves. Check out the video for the Testarossa-purchase inducing “My Friend Dario”.
After a few listens, the album is great from start to finish, but I’ll just cover a few of the tracks. “See the Sea (Red)” rips some deep bass to wake you up – Vitalic is back. Immediately after is “Poison Lips” – this song actually gives me a Goldfrapp – Strict Machine vibe. Second Lives and Your Disco Song (the previously released single) are the two songs I’ll be posting here, and are really departures from the rest of the album – in that they are more dance floor ready. Most of the other songs are a bit more out there, taking more risks.
To sum up, Vitalic makes some sick electro. Check out the album, its worth a listen.
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