Quick Update

Just a quick update before I head off to school and finish up the week. First up is an update I promised awhile back. Here's the higher quality version Cut Copy's single Lights and Music. It's entirely too good and I haven't stopped listening to it since I've had it.

Cut Copy - Lights and Music
Updated Higher Quality Version

Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya - Fuck Freind (CSS Remix)

Here's another great synth filled song I've been listening to for the past few months. The Kitsune comp leaked back in December but I haven't posted many songs from it. It's a great compilation for sure, featuring, until now, exclusive cuts from an wide array of artists. This comp and the previous one before it have been so compelling I've been driven to find all their previous comps. Although dated now, they still provide a decent mix of songs you may have never heard before.

The Kills - Hook and Line

I'm posting this because I saw them last Thursday on Valentine's Day. What better way to spend the day of love than to watch a band that reeks of sex appeal? It was a solid performance, both members sounded great doing their respective tasks. I liked being up close with The Kills my only lament is the mystique of the first show I witnessed of them is gone. I first saw them a few years ago with Bloc Party at the Warfield. The ominous stage overshadowed the lone two members and as steam began to engulf both members I felt a sense of awe. I was excited and entranced, their performance was, simply put, captivating. This one was good too.

That's all for now, I'll post some Cut Copy remixes next time. For now I'll leave you with this, a Nylon interview with The Kills where Alison almost refers to The Killers, lolz.

Some Stuff I'm Feeling

Ladyhawke - Professional Suicide

Ladyhawke apparently are from England, Australia and New Zealand. Whatever. She makes good music that totally sounds like it’s from the 80s. It has that 80s teen movie feel, that sense of entitlement and arrogance. This song utilizes the vocal technique of 'Na, Na, and Na’s’ to lead into a pounding chorus. I just wish the production was a little fuller. I suppose when she gets signed it'll improve until then I'll make do with this.

Hot Chip - Bendable Poseable

Hot Chip just put out another great album. To ALLLLLL the haters (MATT, DAN) I feel the urge to offer some advice. Lock yourselves in a padded white room and listen to the album on repeat for 3 days straight. By the end of this experiment you will begin to literally bounce off all of the walls. The album is crazy, it's powerful, and it’s hot. You won’t be able to keep from moving while listening to it. This is a great cut from the album. At first I found the synthy breakdown towards the end annoying but now that sequence refuses to leave my mind.

Ellen Allien and Apparat - Sleepless (XTC Mix)

Here's a chilling remix from Minimal Techno superstars Ellen Allien and Apparat. They defiantly do create some great music; I can see why they chose to work with each other so often. This song clocks in at 5 minutes and is exactly what you'd expect from a remix entitled XTC of a textbook minimal techno track. This song possesses the effect to calm one down after a rave or night at the club.

Velocifero

Today wasn't that great, I just got a new phone which totally sucks because I can't figure out how to use it, I waited at a BART station for over an hour and now I'm pretty tired but have a concert to go to. At least I have something to cheer me up on this dismal day. Ladytron have just announced that June will see the release of their fourth LP entitled, Velocifero!

Witching Hour wasn't as great as I had hoped it would be, don't get me wrong I enjoyed it but when compared to the first two Ladytron albums it feels quite rushed. However, after reading this list of people involved with LP number four my expectations are now high. Just take a look at this, "he new record was produced by Ladytron with additional production by Alessandro Cortini (Modwheelmood, NIN), and Vicarious Bliss of Ed Banger Records (Justice, etc), and mixing courtesy of Michael Patterson (Beck, P. Diddy)." If that doesn't get you excited, well then I don't know what can! This album cannot be a disappointment, the mere involvement of these people won't allow for it.

Ladytron will be hitting up the entire USA, check out the tour dates here!

In honor of this development I shall now share with you some Ladytron.

Ladytron - That Was The Way That I Found You

This is by far my favorite Ladytron track. I remember buying 604 in 2004 at Amoeba records while on a field trip for my Sophomore English class in high school. My friend had no clue who they were and till this day does not. I guess he's just not into electro-pop. I remember picking this album because the band's name reminded me of the Roxy Music song. My thought process was something along the lines of, Ladytron is a Roxy Music song which is from the 80's and everything from the 80's was great, well with the exception of hair metal, but this can't be hair metal because they all have uniformly short haircuts and sleek black jumpsuits. I checked the date the album was published, 2001, and concluded that this must be some sort of band that draws from all that was good in the 80's, and sure enough I was correct.

Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch

One of the good songs from Witching Hour. Hopefully the new album isn't as lackluster.

Vicarious Bliss - Theme From Vicarious Bliss (Justice Remix)

And here's a song from Vicarious Bliss, who apparently did the mixing on Velocifero. The original is ace but the remix by Justice is even better. But doesn’t sound cast this music just yet; this isn't your typical Justice remix. They bring something new to the table with this remix. Defiantly check this song out!

Stop The Rain!!!

It's raining today which has totally ruined my plans. I was going to go for a long run and then come back and do some homework. I would follow through with the run if it wasn't raining so hard. Well I can't do that so instead I'll post some songs I've been listening to over the past week.

Still Going - Still Going Theme

First up is a 2007 release from DFA's sub label, Death From Abroad. This is a vocal-less piano guided track that keeps things relaxed, mellow and consist ant. DFA has been putting out some great electronic tracks in 2007 and I'm confident that they shall continue to do so in 2007!

Hercules & Love Affair - Athene

This is another DFA release with a slightly different vibe. Here's more of neo-disco electronic music from New York's finest, Hercules and Love Affair. If you're a fan of Blind you'll like this song for sure, but be advised it is a bit more laid back. I think the theme I'm going for with today's post is a laid back and chilled feeling. I guess it matches the dreariness of the outdoors with all the rain and clouds I see when I look out of my window.

Thieves Like Us - Drugs In My Body (Pornophonics Remix)

Here's another slow builder which once again matches the atmosphere in today's skies. I like the original more, but this remix does it justice. It starts of slow and quiet but builds to a pulsating finale that the original does not have. That is it's only strength over the original. Now onto my homework.

Best Pop of 2007

So, I wanted to get this post done before I started school and I failed. I finished my second day of school and am now forcing myself to do this post before the homework load gets to heavy. So
here it is, my list of the best Pop albums and songs of 2007. First, we'll start with the albums.

Top 10 Pop Albums

10. Amerie - Because I Love It

I don't listen to a whole lot of R&B, however I do find the genre to be quite compelling. I enjoy many of the hit singles I tend to hear throughout life and occasionally go as far as to download them. (You can stand under my umbrella, Ella, Ella, Eh, Eh) Amerie is one of the few R&B artists I make an effort to listen to. I fell in love with Why Don't We Fall In Love way back in 2002 when I heard it and again in 2005 with 1 Thing. She never fails to deliver good R&B and it really is a shame she is not as popular as other artists. She does deserve it.
Amerie - Take Control

9. Interpol - Our Love To Admire

While Interpol may not be my most favorite band, I do hold a soft spot for them. Turn on the Bright Lights was one of the first CD's I bought triggering my musical enlightment. I'm sure you all went through this as a young tween. The transition of listening to pop and whatever MTV/The Radio expose you to and started to discover new artist on your own. This along with Hot Hot Heat's Make Up The Breakdown were the first 2 rock CDs I bought. Hot Hot Heat completly sucks now, but Interpol have managed to put out the same CD 3 times and still remain a favorite. I guess I was a little disappointed with this disc, it sounds like Interpol. But then again I found myself enjoying it becuase it sounds like Interpol. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that it sounds like Interpol. Interpol has a good sound, but they need to create something new. Antics was higher up in my 2004 charts, I played that album to death. Our Love To Admire is good, but it's the same old Interpol.
Interpol - Who Do You Think

8. Editors - An End Has A Start

I frown upon the many blogs and reviews that compare Editors with Interpol, but I hear the similiarities and will precede to do the same. Editors' first album was Interpol with dance-punk aspirations. Their second disc is a bit more tame, and pop friendly, than their first. It seems as if this was the disc Interpol were hoping to make with Our Love To Admire. I enjoyed An End Has A Start and listened to it non stop for about all of June. Here is my favorite song from that album.
Editors - Escape The Nest

7. Chromatics - Night Drive

The great thing about Chromatics is the fact that I could have put them in my Electronic list and no one would have raised any objection. They are one of the numerous electro rock bands that are present on the music scene today. They have been putting out some great releases and I was not let down by their debut LP, Night Drive. It has some great tracks and is definatly one of 2007's best, as well as most underratted/underhyped.
Chromatics - I Want Your Love

6.Beirut - The Flying Cup Club

This is probably the closest I got to acoustic this year. The Flying Cup Club is a realxing yet mesmorising and unique album from Zach Condon. It's filled with plenty of two to three minute pop gems. I know you all already have it and probably have read a million reviews and best of lists singing the album's prasies so I won't go on any longer. The album speaks for itself, definatly one of the years best!
Beirut - Cliquot

5. Midnight Juggernauts - Dystopia

Austrialia has a great scene forming at the moment. From the lush synth pop sounds of Cut Copy to the 80's new wave agnst of Van She. The danceable riffs from Soft Tigers and Lost Valentinos help Austrialia prove that it is one of the hippest places to be. Listening to Dystopia is only icing on the Kangaroo-Kake. The Juggs put out a great electro rock album and then embarked on a tour with Justice. I can't wait to hear some new material from these guys, but in the meantime I'll be dancing to this.
Midnight Juggernauts - 45 & Rising

4. New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom

Imagine CSS from England, oh and not as rude (according to Lovefoxxx) and you've got NYPC. This album isn't New Rave! What is New Rave anyway? I don't know. i Just can't imagine ravers dancing to this, it's far to slow. It's still a great listen, unless it's being played at a rave, so please get the album and listen to it on your iPod.
New Young Pony Club - Fan

3, M.I.A. - Kala

This album should be in the Electronic list but it's not becuase it trancends ALL genres. This is like muisc on crack and it's quite awesome. I had the pleasure of seeing her live at Vegoose in Vegas last October and it was the 2nd best show of the night (NO ONE tops Daft Punk) If you get the chance to see her, please do you won't regret it. Heres a cut from the new Kitsune Comp. It's a killer remix of the already great XR2.
MIA - XR2 (Silverlink V Kicks Like A Mule Remix)

2. Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future

2007 was the year of the Klaxons. After stirring interest with the blogs back in late 2006 they managed to blow up and have a few hit singles in 2007. They have been touring all year and now are writing a follow up to their debut LP. I think they're fun and interesting characters. Watch their older music videos they are great. Here's them covering The Night by Frank Valli.
Klaxons - The Night

1. Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City

I know, you probably disagree with this. I don't care! It's my list and if I want to be a fanboy, I will! Seriously though, I do think this album is underrated and people were expecting something more along the lines of Silent Alarm and therefore rejected this. It really is a good album, and too prove that I'll give you a b-side that wasn't on the album.
Bloc Party - Cavaliers And Roundheads

Top 25 Pop Songs of 2007


1. Klaxons - Two Receivers
2. Bloc Party - I Still Remember
3. Interpol - The Heinrich Maneuver
4. Editors - Escape The Nest
5. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
6. Beirut - Cliquot
7. The Teenagers - Starlet Johansson
8. Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
9, Midnight Juggernauts - Ending of an Era
10. New Young Pony Club - The Bomb
11. Kanye West - Flashing Lights
12. M.I.A. - XR2
13. Bloc Party - Flux
14. The Teenagers - Homecoming
15. !!! - Heart of Hearts
16. Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow
17. Blonde Redhead - 23
18. Lightspeed Champion - Galaxy of the Lost
19. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
20. The Good, The Bad, & The Queen - 80's Life
21. Cut Copy - So Haunted
22. Frankmusik - Made Her Smile
23. Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning
24. Lily Allen - Mr. Blue Sky
25. Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm

So there you have it! Proudly In Rainbows free! Here's to 2008!!!!

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

Again With the French Touch

We Are Terrorists - Ground Zero

Keeping up with my unwritten theme of flooding every post with a slueth of French Touch electronic acts, I present you with We Are Terrorists! A live electronic act from France that insists on dressing as terrorist who rock out with keyboards and guitars. I suspect this really brings out the 'lolz' as the pictures truly are funny. Moving on, they appear to be the French eqivulent of Does It Offend You, Yeah?, only better. They've released a three song EP that consists entirely of short 2-3 minute jams that sound really promising. They have a few more songs on their MySpace, so be sure to give them a listen. (I like their artwork.)

ST - Make It To The End

Here's a song I've been listening to alot over the past few weeks. ST's entire album People I Barely Know is addicting which made it very hard to pick out a track to share. This mellow vocal electro-pop tune is probably my favorite from the Sweedish musician. The entire album sounds similar to this song, but in a good way. It is far from repetitive which makes for high replay value.

Bloc Party - Where Is Home? (Burial Remix)

And Finally, a track from my favorite band, Bloc Party. I doubt I need to write an introduction for this band as they have become quite popular and very polarizing over the past year. NME has given them the title 'The Band That Broke America' althought I'm sure Muse deserves that more as they seem more popular here. They released an album in the beginning of the year and a single at the end, many remixes were released in between the two, this is one of them. This remix is exactly what you'd expect if you were to mix Burial with the Bloc. The already chilling Where Is Home becomes even more spine tingling, as Burial works his or her magic stripping the song down to the bare essentials yet creating a vast atmospheric soundscape. I really enjoy the vocal distortions done on this remix. It is rare that I prefer a remix to the original song, but this remix is too grand to be overlooked. Burial seems to be an unstoppable force in the electronic world!

Third and Final Daft Punk Reference (For Now)

Tonight I'm planning on starting my second attempt at creating a mix. I don't have any decks yet so I am unable to mix in real time but I use software to mix and beat match. I use Adobe Audition to cut, change the tempo and layer tracks, later putting them together to create a mix. In order to do so I must revisit my extensive library and pick songs that would work well together, and for the past hour that's what I've been doing. I came across a few songs I forgot I had and I shall share them, but first here's some Shinichi.

Shinichi Osawa - Electro411

Shinichi Osawa - Detonator

Shinichi Osawa is many things, the head of his own label, former bassist of a rock band (much like the electronic hero's of Daft Punk), producer for a few Japanese pop band's singles, and ultra successful electronic artist. Here are two of my favorite tracks from Shinichi Osawa's latest album, The One. This album is sure to garner him mainstream success in the blogging world as it is on par with every other recent release in the electro world. It's a solid album filled with raw distortion, catchy melodies and pure electronic excellence. Electro411 is a solid banger that is properly named as it flawlessly channels elements from every major electro release of the year. Detonator is a fun vocal electro tune that relentlessly brings the dance. Both tracks will sound great on the dance floor, expect to hear more Shinichi Osawa in the New Year.

Para One - Dudun Dun (MSTRKRFT Remix)

One track I forgot I had was the MSTRKRFT remix of Dudun Dun by Para One. This track, which includes a strangely addictive use of whistles, slowly builds up to a very intense climax, I've used this song in my previous attempt to create a mix and plan on using it again. Attempting to beat match the first half of the song is insanely fun!

Pantha du Prince - Steiner im Flug

Finally, closing with a track from Hendrik Weber's current project Pantha du Prince. This is a track off of The Bliss, his latest album which led to a 2007 tour that was just completed. There are no future plans to tour, but you can still enjoy this great minimal techno artist at home. This track, complete with calming effects, would play best as a backdrop while awaking during the early morning hours. It's a nice listen and the rest of the album sounds just as great! More from this musician later!