Left Out

Boys Noize just did a show here in San Francisco, and from what I heard it was phenomenal. As with every great show, I was too young to attend. To make up for this great injustice I'll post my favorite releases from Boys Noize Records.

Boys Noize - Optic

Here's a track from a single Boys Noize released coupled with He-Man. A omnipresent metallic baseline gives the track a robotic feeling. A compressed synth outlines the track creating a not so danceable tune, regardless it is extremely good and worth having.

This track is not available on US iTunes, so consider yourselves lucky.

Boys Noize - AndDown (Siriusmo vs Boys Noize Remix)

The Oi Oi oi Remixed album is awesome. What I really enjoy about it is the fact that it is not longer than the original album! I hate when remix albums are double the size of the original LP, due to multiple remixes of single songs. Yes, this is good for the DJs, verity is better, but if this is the case a single featuring these remixes should be released, not an LP. This track packs more punch to andDown, slowing it down yet making it harder. This is by far one of my favorite tracks off the remix album.

Strip Steve - Tommy Boy

Strip Steve was signed to Boys Noize Records to release his Skip School EP. I have featured his work before. I find it much more poppy than other electro being produced right now, which fits perfectly with my taste. I really like the EP and can't wait for more from him. I wonder if he's still going to release his work through Boys Noize Records?

This song has a fantastic French Touch feel, yet manages to sound current and without the late 90's stamp that French Touch sounding music brings with it.

Buy Strip Steve's Skip School EP off iTunes.

Shadow Dancer - Are You Now?

Shadow Dancer is an established electro artist who, from what I can gather, released this single on Boys Noize Records. (Yes, I was totally serious about rubbing Boys Noize in my face with this post) Are You Now is a track featured on the Poke EP, which has a dynamic range of sounds and styles featured on the four song EP. Are You Now has to be the least poppy, I wanted to balance out the pop feel with this post. It has a pounding synth, bass heavy drums and exhilarating breakdowns and build ups.

Be sure and download Shadow Dancer's Poke EP off iTunes.

Crystal Castles - Vanished

And finally, the lone Boys Noize song of the post. I chose this because, 1. Crystal Castles are awesome, 2. Van She are awesome and 3. Alice Glass, the lead singer of Crystal Castles was involved in an accident and their USA tour in support of their LP has now turned into an Ethan Kath DJ set for the time being. Hopefully she recovers quickly and they can re tour, and hopefully play at a non 21 venue!

How Many Days Until Justice?

Justice have embarked on something epic, something corporate and something great, the MySpace Music Tour featuring Justice, Diplo, Fancy, Busy P, and Chromeo. It's coming to the bay area, I've got my ticket and I can't wait! I was unable to attend their last show here (I HATE YOU MEZZANINE!!!) and have been iterated ever since. I'm psyched, pumped, jazzed, whatever adjective you wish you use is fine, I just want Justice.

Justice - Phantom Part III (Boys Noize Vs. Fraulein Edit)

Here's one of the best Justice remixes ever! It sounds like something from Daft Punk's Alive 2008. It is a pounding edit that has the intensity of a live set. When I listen to this I get restless to hear something of this caliber live. Boys Noize has had a stellar 2007 and with remixes like we can all understand why. How great is this tune?

Chromeo - Fancy Footwork (Surkin Rogue Teens Remix)

I usually hate sirens in music, I find them loud and annoying. I mean, it's not like if I'm out dancing and I hear a siren I'm going to throw a fit but at home I tend to stray away from songs that rely on them. Surprisingly this song, that features a distorted siren for the entire song (even relies solely on it for melody for the first few minutes), is not annoying to me. I don't know what it is, I guess the distortion applied to it, or how subtle it is, it just lacks the annoying qualities other siren songs possess. The synth's don't even appear until the last third of the song. Amazingly it manages to remain interesting. Too bad Chromeo isn't scheduled for the San Francisco date, I've been wanting to see them for quite awhile now.

Kylie Minogue - Wow (CSS Remix)

Wow, what can I say about this song? Kylie's X is a great pop album! Tons of fun and it feature's tracks produced by Irish electro-pop superstar Calvin Harris. I know there is a substantial amount of hate out there on the net for him, but if you take his work light heartily, it is a lot of fun. It's nothing new, and I don't think (no matter how ironic his lyrics may be) he intends it to be taken as such. Well, that's another debate for another post but I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I was able to tell which tracks he produced even before ever reading that he was in voled in production. This CSS remix adds more punch to the pop and makes it even dancier and a lot more fun.

Cut Copy - Lights and Music (Boys Noize Happy Birthday Remix)

As promised, here are some Cut Copy remixes, this should complete the entire Lights and Music single. Starting things off is an excellent Boys Noize remix of the song. This is how a textbook electronic remix should be conducted. Longer buildup, more epic and a lot jazzy. Almost as good as the original.

Cut Copy - Light and Music (Superdiscount Remix)

Blah, too much siren. DO NOT WANT!

Top Electronic Music of 2007

OK, so this year I've decided to split my lists into 2. I've listened to so much music this year that I would have trouble creating just one list. I'll be splitting it into 2, Electronic music and Popular Music (which includes indie rock, pop, hip-hop and r&b), lists upon which I will post the top 10 albums and top 25 songs. Today I will post my favorite Electronic music from the year and some mp3's to go along with it.

Top 10 Electronic Albums

10. Teenage Bad Girl - Cocotte

This release from one of the many French Filter House DJs who is not on Ed Banger is packed full with pulsing synths, exciting drumbeats and bad ass production. A very underrated album that should have received more press. It would have probably gained more attention had it not been for the explosion of Justice, but I'm sure in time this album will come to be regarded as a very solid release.
Teenage Bad Girl - Hands of a Stranger

9. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

I was surprised with the unanimous high placing of this album on year end lists across the net. Yes, it is a great album. James Murphy has outdone himself once again with this release, but for me the album grew boring quickly. While this phenomenon usually occurs with all music for me, my ebb for this CD has yet to recede. I have yet to come back to this CD for another round of listening. I guess, while more expansive and mature, it reminds me too much of 2005's debut CD.
LCD Soundsystem - Time To Get Away

8. Air - Pocket Symphony

Many say this album is not as great as Air's previous releases, however I find it to be quite a memorable CD. I was addicted to it throughout the summer and would often find myself listening to it on summer mornings as the sun rose and I prepared for my dreadful summer classes. The somber tone throughout the CD resonated with my discontent in having to partake in a summer session. This should have been on more Best Of lists.
Air - One Hell of a Party

7. Shinichi Osawa - The One

At the time of constructing this list I placed this album at number 7, it's been about a week since then and I'm thinking to myself how much higher this should have been. I've been listening to this album more and more and it's appeal grows on me each time. I find myself humming some of the lyrics from this album, a feat usually only achieved with pop albums. I could see this having an immensely longer listening life than the Justice CD. For now I feel 7 is a good spot for it.
Shinichi Osawa - Star Guitar

6. Daft Punk - Alive 2007

Oh my god, when I close my eyes and allow the music to immerse itself around me it feels as if I am back at the Greek show (or Vegoose, whichever) enjoying the greatest concert ever. As I listened to this album on my iPod for the first two weeks I had it a smile was always present on my face. I must have looked like a mad man, sitting on BART slightly smiling and bopping my head to big beat electronic. I didn't care! This album is great, and is a must have for anyone who attended their live shows in 2006-2007.
No Song Available

5. Boys Noize - Oi Oi Oi

A friend of mine who is not into much electronic music, with the exception of the Punks and Justice, described this as a boring album with Justice sounding synth that never stops. If only he knew how wrong he is! This album is far from boring, and while the sounds may be similar to Justice, it in some ways is a lot superior. The only failing aspect of this album is it's incredible length. I can never make it through in just one listen. Still a solid release, I definitely look forward to hearing more Boys Noize in the future. (His remixes are insane!!!!)
Boys Noize - The Battery

4. Digitialism - Idealism

Who knew Germans could be so catchy? When I listen to other German electronic music, which is quite good, I find it slow, relaxed and atmospheric. This is in your face poppy electronic music, in the vein of Daft Punk and Junior Jack. This album is best when listened to in full and unlike Oi Oi Oi, I was able to do so on a number of occasions. Pogo is pure pop bliss, Idealism is pop indifference and one of my favorite tracks Home Zone pays homage to the art of throwing and promoting a house party.
Digitialism - Zdarlight

3. Justice - †

Justice first gained widespread attention with their remix of Simian's never be alone. A superb remix by any definition, but to ever imagine the developments that have occurred throughout their careers since then would have been unfathomable. Justice have done what every other electronic act since Daft Punk have failed to do. They have become mainstream, they were able to break America, they were able to put Paris back on the map. While † may not be the greatest album in terms of innovation and musical genius, the hype and acclaim that surrounds it warrants it a top spot on this list. Just look at many of the reviews prior to this, Justice is used as a reference point musically more than once, for proof. They have become icons in the Electronic music scene, there is not one act who wouldn't want to follow in their footsteps. 2007 was the year Justice was brought upon the world!
Justice - DVNO

2. Burial - Untrue

This is an album that I discovered late in the year and fell in love with. I had not heard Burial's self titled debut prior to this ( I since have and it is great too) and found this to be a gem. I listen to this while falling asleep, it mystifies the silence of the night and allows for a peaceful sleeping experience. There's not much more I can say about this that hasn't already been said. The voices are beautiful, the crackling is enchanting the mystic surrounding the music is truly wonderful.
Burial - In McDonalds

1. Simian Mobile Disco - Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release

Fuck Mezzanine, I wanted to see these guys when they came here but I am not 21, yet. Their live show looks interesting, and it would surely add to the greatest of their music. I began listening to this album around the same time as † and I do truly feel that this album is a lot better. I've listened to † more, but can honestly say I would rather be stranded on an island with this instead. This album did not place as high as I would have imagined on other Year End lists, which is understandable. Justice was the token Electronic act this year, however I expect these guy's sophomore release to become as mainstream as justice. Listen to Hustler and tell me that couldn't take the place of Smack My Bitch Up in American popular culture!
Simian Mobile Disco - Love

So how much do you disagree with my top 10? Whatever, at least mine is different from the other lists I've read. It's truly how I feel too. I wasn't feeling LCD as much as everyone else and I really liked SMD! Okay, now onto the top 25 Electronic singles. Sorry NO descriptions for these.

1.Simian Mobile Disco - Tits & Acid
2.Feist - My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix)
3. Modeselektor - Silikon (Siriusmo Remix)
4. Justice - DVNO
5. TEPR - Minuit Jacuzzi (datA Remix)
6. Boys Noize - &Down
7. Daft Punk - Face to Face/Short Circuit
8. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
9. Boys Noize - The Battery
10. Klaxons - It's Not Over Yet (BONDOWSKI Remix)
11. Digitalism - Pogo
12. Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire
13. Efdemin - Knocking At The Grand
14. LCD Soundsystem - Get Innocuous
15. Hercules & Love Affair - Blind
16. Sebastian - Walkman Re-edit
17. Does It Offend You, Yeah? - We Are Rockstars
18. Bag Raiders - Fun Punch
19. Danger - 11h30
20. New Young Pony Club - Get Lucky (MSTRKRFT Remix)
21. Bot'Ox - Babylon By Car
22. Dead Disco - You're Out (Frank Musik Remix)
23. TEPR - Coke & Crème
24. Metromony - Radio Ladio
25. Chromatics - I Want Your Love