19 posts tagged “remix”
Music: Superdrag - 4-Track Rock !!! 1992-1995 + Complete "Bender" Sessions, Putumayo Presents - Jazz Around the World
Toys: Red Hulk, Grey Hulk, Green Hulk (all are from Marvel Universe 3 ¾" Series)
Games: Dragon Age Collector Edition
Books: Ghost World: The Special Edition (Hardcover), Adrian Tomine's "Summer Blonde" ($5!)
Movies: Star Trek Target Exclusive DVD. Bluray version not available on the crappy target.com website. I would also like to formally lodge a complaint about target search: it sucks. Also: Shaw Brothers Metal Tin: Epic Heroes (4 DVDs and T-Shirt Offer) , this tin case is a great gift for the Martial Arts fan. I already own two of the movies on this collection, but bought this anyway.
So, as you know, I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to pop culture stuff, quite interested in collecting all of the Shaw Brother's movies on DVD. If you like that sort of thing, I'm maintaining a checklist of sorts at movies.weheartmusic.com. They're mostly only being released as DVDs, the only Shaw Brothers to get released as a bluray in the US market is Opium and the Kung Fu Master, and it's brilliant. Image quality is amazing for a 1984 film - much better than some of the dodgy bluray releases (I'm looking at you, Anchor Bay).
I have also been playing Dragon Age, quite slow-moving, but I love it. The best version to get is the PC version, surprisingly. First of all it's about $10 cheaper than the Xbox or PS3 version, and it looks fantastic compared to those console version. Plus you can zoom out for that top-view like those Baldur's Gate games. Love it.
The collector's version comes with some useless junk: in-game items (I hate these digital "extras") and cloth map. The best thing out of this collection is the soundtrack and "making of" DVD. I did watch the DVD features, they're professionally produced. Take the time to watch the strategy feature, there's some great insights on how to create your characters and what's the best weapons & armors in the game.
The soundtrack is composed by Inon Zur, who also previously did soundtrack work for Bioware's Baldur's Gate II and Icewind Dale II. Dragon Age soundtrack has the typical epic orchestral instrumentals, however there are a few songs on the album that features Gaelic-type singing by Aubrey Ashburn (particularly on "Lelianna's Song", "I Am The One", and the main theme song). From Ashburn's description on the DVD interview, it looks like the song writing process had quite a fast turn-around time.
There is one song on the soundtrack that I do not believe actually appears in the game, DJ Killa's remix of "I Am the One". Keep in mind that I haven't finish the game, so the song may be in the game... I was told that 30 Seconds to Mars also has a song on Dragon Age, but I've yet to encounter that either.
11/24/2009 00:52:54 ♥ vu (
) ♥weheartmusic.com♥twitter.com/weheartmusic♥news.weheartmusic.com
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09/30/09 Fox Theater, Oakland, CA
Discography
10/01/09 Fox Theater, Oakland, CA 10/03/09 Pearl Theatre, Las Vegas, NV 10/04/09 Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA 10/07/09 Congress Theatre, Chicago, IL 10/09/09 Air Canada Centre, Toronto 10/11/09 Hammerstein Ballroom, NY 10/12/09 Hammerstein Ballroom, NY 10/13/09 Hammerstein Ballroom, NY
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Having already sold 60 million records world-wide, with 50+ hit singles, and sold-out world tours... Australian actress-turn-pop diva, Kylie Minogue, or simply known as Kylie, have come a long way from her humble beginnings in the early 90s as an actress.*
Kylie's latest release, at least in the US, is called Boombox: The Remix Album 2000-2008, and as the name implies, this is not a studio album but a remix album. Note that this is her 11th remix album, earlier remix hits, check out Greatest Remix Hits 1 (1997) followed by Greatest Remix Hits 2 through 4.
The new remix album opens up with possibly the best song on the album. Technically not a remix, but more of a mashup between New Order's "Blue Monday" and Kylie's "Can Get You Out of My Head". The mashup version first appeared live at the 2002 BRIT Award from DJ Stuart Crichton, but later appeared on other releases (including an odd choice of movie soundtrack for Layer Cake, starring current Bond, Daniel Craig).
Other interesting remixes includes Fischerspooner's "Come into My World" remix, which remains intact as sounding similar to the original mix, but adding his own flair to it.
I have never heard of Death Metal Disco Scene (myspace), but I was definitely impressed with their "Wow" remix, where they mostly concentrated on the extremely catchy "bow-wow-wow! just the way that you dance! bow-wow-wow!" section.
I simply hated the original mix of "2 Hearts" that appeared on Kylie's 10th studio album, X, but Mark Brown made it more bearable by making the song a little faster.
I haven't heard the original "Your Disco Needs You", but the Casino Mix on Boombox is really good. It made the song to sound more like a Pet Shop Boys sound to it, and I'll definitely will try and pick up her 2000 album Light Years to check it out.
The best remixes are the ones that either transform the song, making it their own distinct and unique version. Case in point is The Chemical Brother's version of "Slow". They manage to pull off their usual beats and rave sound, extending the middle part and only keeping mostly the chorus. If you hear this "Slow" version on the radio, you'd swear that it was a Chemical Brothers song.
Boombox is available now at any box store that carries music. Starting in October, Kylie will be over in the US to do a few selected dates for her first US appearance. I'm sure by then tickets will be sold out - so buy your tickets now if you want a guaranteed seat. From watching her concert footage, it's a huge show with lots of costume changes and loads of dancers.
* Although primarily known as a pop singer, let us not forget her appearance in the horrible video game movie, Street Fighter, as Cammy. She made such a wonderful impression, that the Washington Post called her "the worst actress in the English-speaking world". Aw, well she now knows how Madonna feels.
05/21/2009 05:32:56 ♥ vu ()
♥ kylie.com ♥ myspace.com/kylieminogue
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04/24/09
Apocalypso @ The Old Queens Head London
04/25/09 Mixed in Sheffield party Sheffield 05/04/09 Fuzz Club BBQ @ Sheffield University Sheffield 05/08/09 Club Pony @ DQ Sheffield 05/22/09 Fabric London 05/29/09 Club Pony Special @ The Harley Sheffield 06/12/09 Club Pony @ DQ Sheffield 06/24/09 Kill the Rhythm @ Nation of Shopkeepers Leeds |
You may or may not know that Sheffield has strong roots in electronic music, with acts such as The Human League, Heaven 17, and Cabaret Voltaire. Apparently Run Hide Survive has a fairly cheeky, sardonic take on this electronic past:
(I'm assuming Run Hide Survive is poking fun at the irony in such a loss of creative control The Human League suffered under Jam and Lewis, despite saving the band's career. I have no idea what they are referring to by "Brothers In Arms"--They make music in [a] former factory next to Sheffield United where they spend hours listening to Cabaret Voltaire and the first 2 Human League albums. This is all in an effort to invoke Sheffield's rich electronic heritage before realising they prefer Brothers in Arms and think the Human League were better when they were produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
it may be the name of the Dire Straits album, or something else.)
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But apparently there is a revival of sorts in Sheffield; The New
Musical Express (NME), which covered the original Sheffield electronic
scene, calls it "Sheffield Electric". Run Hide Survive has been an
active participant, running a very successful homegrown electro/disco
party called Club Pony
once a month, playing with acts such as Brodinski, The Proxy, Boy 8
Bit, Riton and Riotous Rockers. The band has also played venues such as
the Fabric nightclub, the Field Day Festival and the Glastonbury
Festival of Performing Arts, sharing billings with Erol Alkan, Simian
Mobile Disco and Herve, amongst others.
I admit, as a clueless American, I was not familiar with Cabaret Voltaire nor any of the aforementioned venues. (Sorry!) I guess it remains to be seen if Sheffield's new electronica will be as popular in the States as its electronic pop music was in the past. Either way, "Dyson/Pigeon" was well received among the members of my home-- I mentioned before that some music I've reviewed has gotten my wife and daughter to dance-- so I have high hopes for Run Hide Survive and "Sheffield Electric". More, please! |
04/22/2009 02:48:02 ♥ jaklumen (
/ jaklumen.vox.com)
♥ http://www.myspace.com/runhidesurvivedjs
Despite releasing three electronic albums (pre-In Rainbows), Yorke continues to write songs that doesn't quite fit into the Radiohead universe. So a few years ago, he released a solo album called The Eraser. I did download the album prior to its release, but eventually did pick up the physical CD because I felt the prices were really decent (under $10).
What's interesting is the album was released under a cardboard digipack (no plastics), under the strict direction of Yorke, who's become somewhat of an environmentalist (remember when the band refused to tour, citing that touring causes "ridiculous consumption of energy"*?) Er, Thom, have you noticed the actual CD is made of plastic?
Again, not to put a fine a point on it, but I'm not really a remix fan, but I figure if you like Radiohead or love Thom's solo efforts, you're going to enjoy this regardless. Enjoy the original mix and remix of "Black Swan" (there are two remixes of "Black Swan" on Eraser Rmxs.)
You can pick up the remix album directly at XL Recordings or via amazon.
* quote courtesy of guardian.co.uk
01/23/2009 22:11:08 ♥ vu ()
♥ theeraser.net ♥ myspace.com/thomyorkemusic
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Feb 2 Brussels … Feb 4 Belfast … Feb 25 Glasgow … Feb 26 Manchester … Mar 1 leeds … Mar 2 Wolverhampton … Mar 3 Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2 Mar 5 Swindon, Wiltshire … Mar 6 Brighton … … Read More |
Speaking of "From Dusk Till Dawn", and her YouTube videos, she created a quirky alternative video to the song, which featured DJ/electroshock musician Peaches, which I referenced in a Monday Monster Mashup post ("Wild Lies", which featured Peaches' remix of the Tone Loc rap "Wild Thing"). Peaches remixed her track "Paris Is Burning" and has appeared with her onstage for DJ duties.
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Another video that most definitely fits with the 1980's New Wave flavor is the one for 'Delirium':
Ahhh... Ray-Ban Wayfarer shades. |
The channel to subscribe to is ladyhawkeforyou, which has more music videos, video diaries, holiday greetings, etc. Although I'm a great fan of well-done music videos and documentaries, I would recommend just watching the diaries and homemade stuff, just to get a feel for her delightfully goofy, whimsical personality. As a self-proclaimed geek, it's quite refreshing to see an artist that is unabashedly so-- a far cry from the New Wave fashion that seemed just a slight more pretentious and fussy at times.
She explains in interviews that she comes from a very musically-oriented family, and that she fell into making music quite naturally, and it wasn't anything that was forced or imposed. That's hopeful, because many fans (like myself) are hoping that there is more good things to come.
There have been a number of remixes of songs from the album-- not a surprise, either, since most of them have very catchy hooks and were quite designed to be radio-friendly. One of the ones we got was from a DJ by the name of KiD Cola.
01/21/2009 09:56:30 ♥ jaklumen ( / jaklumen.vox.com)
♥
ladyhawkemusic.com
♥
myspace.com
Birds, what is up with that? It seems lately that we're getting album artwork that features birds on the cover artwork (especially owls). Can someone explain this to me? Seriously.
Below are a ton of bird-album artwork.
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AVIARY GHOST
aviaryghost.com ♥ myspace.com
Fom Illinois is Aviary Ghost, a band that seems to be headed by Charlie Crimando and Stephen Kemsley. Reading their biography, it would seem that they spent a lot of time recording music in a one-room apartment in Michigan. One of my favorite song on their album, Memory Is A Hallway (featuring cut-out birds over a scenic location), is the most fast-moving song is "Windowlight", which seems to be about the light through the window - sung in an old-fashion cabaret-style song, which I will say works very well for the song. I thought "Somewhere Else" was also pretty good. The song is described as "catchy Swedish pop", which I'll have to agree with. The lyrics are pretty detailed too, I especially liked the chorus: "we're laughing, 'cause laughing is much better than a scream". You can get their album, Memory Is A Hallway (recently released July 15th), on iTunes or CD Baby.
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MORE TEETH
more-teeth.com ♥ myspace.com
I think someone in the W♥M group have this album, One Bird a Day, for review, so I won't go into too much details about it. Surfice to say that it's a compilation of three or four bands in the electro-genre. Based on what I've heard, I really dig Sparkydog (sounds like new wave) and More Teeth (which sounds like very experimental noise art). I've decided to go with More Teeth because of their snazzy drums and electroclashesque vocals of Mindy Abovitz. JESSICA LEA MAYFIELDjessicaleamayfield.com ♥ myspace.com
We're not really promoting Jessica Lea Mayfield (I don't think her PR company knows my address, which I will confess is fine as I have too much music to handle), but I couldn't resist the owl-art on her soon-to-be release album With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt out on September 16th on Polymer Sounds on her press release. What's there to say based on this one song, "Kiss Me Again"? She has a very nice voice, and sounds like Thao Nguyen. |
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PUTOIS
citizensofcontraryknowledge.com ♥ myspace.com
Yet another Chicago, Illinois band - man, they really love their animals! I believe "putois" is actually a ferret or something. Anyway, on their second album, Problem Is Not a Problem Anymore, we see a crane with some ducks (while their debut album, The Thinking Fireplace features a cartoon bird dressed as a gentleman). It would seem that these introspective songs are written and sung by its creator, one Bob Mason since 1995. Most of this album is acoustic, mostly folky and the song "No More Dancing" would best represent what currently Putois sounds like. There are a few highlights on the record. For instance, I liked what he was trying to do with "Cta". This had a weird bass and quirky noises and beeps. Even his singing style is different here (although I think this might be a guest-vocalist? It just sounds very different). The other song that isn't so acoustic is "The Lonely Traveler" with its arrangement of piano and harmonica. If you like bands like Minnesota's Low, Putois might be right up your alley. Problem Is Not a Problem Anymore is out now, you can get it from CD Baby. |
PLUSHGUN
plushgun.com ♥ myspace.com
I love Tommy Boy Records. One of my first CD was a Tommy Boy and I just remember how big they were in the early 90s, especially with the b-boys and girls. Well, I guess the record label is still around and I have one of their latest release by one-man-band, Plushgun. Daniel Ingala's vocals sounds like he has a British accent, reminiscent of early 80s new wave pop bands. His latest self-titled EP has a cute drawing of a bird with an old SNES controller in a cassette-tape-style mess in the sky. All the songs were available for download on August 19th (iTunes). The four songs on the EP is a very easy listen. I love all the songs actually, with the exception of the semi-sappy "14 Candles". Although it was nice to hear a woman singing backup on this song, but I didn't think this song belong on the EP. Maybe I just don't like love songs. His other songs are more upbeat and sounds more like obsessive/stalker feel to them. There are some great lyrics on "Just Impolite" ("I walk the line, like Johnny Cash" and "I'm not upset, just impolite"). A physical copy of Plushgun will be available on September 9th via Amazon and other retailers for $9.99, but if you can't wait the download is sold now for 60% cheaper ($3.98) |
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BRICE WOODALL AND THE POSITRONS
bricewoodall.com ♥ myspace.com
Check out Brice Woodall and the Positrons with their album, Sine Wave Sea. The artwork on the cover is a flying bird block with a hole in its stomach. I know it's a bird because if you visit the artist's website (trevorbittinger.com), his all-flash website features these same block birds flying around. Brice Woodall is currently based out of Chicago, Illinois, according to his myspace. Woodall's vocals has a woman quality to them, but not in a falsetto way (and not as a put down). His voice is very interesting, it definitely pulls you in. I think my favorite songs off this album is easily "This, There, Where", a pop song with some interesting mix. I also dug the experiment on "Winter/Break/Down/Away". Well, it looks like they are currently on tour, be sure to check them out.
09/12/08 Double Door- Kittypalooza Chicago, IL 09/24/08 Rapture Charlottesville, Virginia 09/25/08 Lucky Buddha Richmond, Virginia 09/26/08 Trash Bar Brooklyn, New York 09/27/08 Murky (upstairs) Arlington/DC area, VA 11/08/08 Art*Bar Riverwest Milwaukee, Wisconsin 11/19/08 Madison, Wisconsin 11/20/08 Chicago, Illinois 11/21/08 Detroit, Michigan 11/22/08 Indianapolis, Indiana You can pick up Sine Wave Sea from InSound. |
CITIZENS OF CONTRARY KNOWLEDGE
citizensofcontraryknowledge.com ♥ myspace.com
Featuring a drawing of a chicken on the cover of Citizens of Contrary Knowledge's You're What You Wish You Are. Upon closer inspection, is that a cock? They do sound a bit southern cock rock... Reading their biography, it would seem most of the band members are residing in Harlem, New York. Their singer/frontsman, Chris Barczynski, sounds like he doesn't take his biography too seriously (he writes that he was in the Witness Protection Program, etc). This is also a problem when he lists that he's appeared on stage with Green Day, Sugar Ray and Hootie - should you believe him? I'm leaning to 'no'. I was drawn to the faster/rock song and my favorite is "Complicated" and "Lonely Hearts Society", which is driven by a muscular guitar playing (with some neat tricks). Despite as I have said about their music being rock, they do lean to the sensitive/slow side with "House of Cards", "Unless You Do", "Real Love", and "Wrong Side of the World". I think listening to them that they might fare better as a live act, perhaps jamming their songs at a longer length at a dive bar. You're What You Wish You Are is out now, available on CD Baby. They just finished playing Arlene's Grocery, which is apparently a bar? |
Here is the bonus segment, some bird-bands we've previously covered: Tinkture, Birdflu, Story of the Year, The Alarmists, The Notwist, Loquat, El Perro Del Mar, Ben Sollee, Peter Bradley Adams (Owl), Death Valley Sleepers, Death Cab For Cutie, Patrick Wolf, Deadbird, Jeff Hanson (Owl), They Might be Giants (Owl), Eels, Biography Of Ferns, Computer Vs. Banjo (Owl), Ash, Susan Krebs
Bands we haven't covered, but I'm sure we'll get around to them. These features birds on the cover: The Great Northwest (Experimental Folk), Nebraska (Folk), Foals (British Rock), The Black Keys (Southern Rock), KYTE (Ambient Pop), and the talented Graeme K (Experimental/Old-time/Dance). Honorable worth mention is Abigail Washburn with her tiny birds on the cover.
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Tour Dates
08/20/08 Birch Aquarium with Shawn Mullins San Diego, California
08/21/08 Border’s Books In-Store San Diego, California 08/30/08 KUSI morning show San Diego, California 09/21/08 Main Stage - Oceanside Harbor Days - Alex Woodard and the Naysayers Oceanside, California 10/04/08 House Concert Series - Seattle Seattle, Washington 10/11/08 House of Blues with Chris Cagle San Diego, California 10/17/08 House Concert Series - Alex Woodard and the Naysayers New York City, New York 10/25/08 Casbah - Alex Woodard and the Naysayers San Diego, CA 12/06/08 Casbah - Alex Woodard and the Naysayers San Diego, CA, California 12/10/08 House Concert Series - Lafayette, LA Lafayette, Louisiana 12/11/08 Ogden Museum - Alex Woodard and the Naysayers New Orleans, Louisiana 12/12/08 Julep - Alex Woodard and the Naysayers Jackson, Mississippi 12/13/08 House Concert Series - Memphis, TN Memphis, Tennessee 12/15/08 Tin Roof I Nashville, Tennessee |
Alex Woodard's self-titled debut album is out today, and if you've kept up with site.w♥m, you'd know that you can get him to write a song about you if you pre-order his album.
The link is still available, probably until the end of today, so if you want to brag to your friends that you have a song about you...
It looks like you need to use PayPal to buy his album, and your email will then be used so they can contact you directly about your personal song. You'll also be grant exclusively to "The Woodshack" for more cool stuff with Woodard.
I wasn't offered his album for review, but based on this one song, "Reno", I thought this news was worth mentioning. It has a country/western feel to it, and I did like the duet with Sara Watkins. Her sweet southern comfort voice is a nice counterweight to Woodard's country pop vocals.
Anyway, if you got a chance to check out W♥M Podcast #19, I did mention at the end that I would like to do more coverage on international artists. Fortunately, we received enough artists for this article.
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SOUND AND FURY
soundandfury.com ♥ myspace.com
Most of the more metal/heavier rock I have given over to Soup, but on occassion, I would grab something if it looks interesting. Anyway, I thought I'd take a stab at listening to Canada's Sound and Fury's debut album - mostly because of the William Shakespeare's reference ("A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing") and their stunning cover art (who says album artwork doesn't sell a record?) The cover is a die-cut of "SF" covering most of the men in skull masks, which upon closer inspection looks like it might have been real skulls, photoshopped on their bodies. Getting past the cover artwork, this album is actually pretty rockin'. I can already hear AC/DC and early punk influences in their song (especially with the vocals and some of the frantic guitar riffs), this band sounds like they are from the 70s/80s. They seem like a relatively young band, being that this is their debut album (just released June 26th on Rebel Youth Records). Plus a lot of their subject in their songs involves early age/high school, such as "18", "Teenage Rampage", "School's Out", and "High School Hotbox"... hey as they say: write what you know! They are sure getting their names out, being recently on the Warped Tour and now supporting Airbourne and Bang Camaro, so be sure to check them out all over the US and UK:
August 20 Imperial de Quebec Quebec City
August 21 Le National Montreal August 22 Elements Kitchener August 24 Cowboy's Ranch London August 27 Garrick Centre Winnipeg August 28 Odeon Events Centre Saskatoon August 29 Event Centre Edmonton August 31 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver Sept 1 Sugar Victoria Sept 12 Pearl Street Northampton, Massachusetts Sep 13 Asylum Portland, Maine Sep 25 Double Door Chicago, Illinois Sep 26 The High Noon Saloon Madison, Wisconsin Sep 27 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota Oct 3 King Cobra Seattle, Washington Oct 4 Dante’s Portland, Oregon Oct 5 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, California Oct 8 The Roxy Theatre Los Angeles, California Oct 9 Beauty Bar Las Vegas, Nevada Oct 10 The Casbah San Diego, California Oct 11 Plush Tucson, Arizona Oct 24 Exit/In Nashville, Tennessee Oct 25 EARL Atlanta, Georgia Nov 1 Cardiff University Cardiff, UK Nov 2 Bristol Academy Bristol, UK Nov 5 Birmingham Academy Birmingham, UK Nov 6 Sheffield Octogon Sheffield, UK Nov 7 Liverpool Academy Liverpool, UK Nov 8 Manchester Academy Manchester, UK Nov 10 Dublin Ambassador Dublin, IRE Nov 11 Belfast Mandela Hall Belfast, IRE Nov 13 Inverness Ironworks Nov 14 Dundee Fat Sams Nov 15 Glasgow Barrowlands Glasgow Nov 17 Newcastle Academy Newcastle, UK Nov 18 Leeds Met University Leeds, UK Nov 19 Stoke Victoria Hall UK Nov 20 Nottingham Rock City Nottingham, UK Nov 22 Oxford Academy Oxford, UK Nov 23 Norwich UEA Nov 24 Cambridge Junction Cambridge, UK Nov 26 Folkestone Lees Cliff Hall UK Nov 27 Astoria London, UK Nov 28 Astoria (TBA) London, UK Dec 1 Laiterie Strasbourg, France Dec 2 Boule Noir Paris, France Dec 4 Apolo 2 Barcelona, Spain Dec 5 Theatre Barbey Bordeaux, France Dec 6 Rolling Stone Milan, Italy Dec 7 Rohstofflager Zurich, Switzerland Dec 8 Flex Vienna, Austria Dec 15 Small Vega Copenhagen, Denmark Dec 18 Grunspan Hamburg, Germany Dec 21 Backstage/Werk Munich, Germany Dec 28 Colas-Saal Ascahffenburg, Germany
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SOUTH
south.uk.net ♥ myspace.com
If their description of "Coldplay" and "Travis" doesn't turn you off, then you'll love this London-based trio, South. Although (based on their fifth album, You Are Here), they do sound more contemporary British pop/rock, they did originally started out as more of an electronic act. This is especially evident with their work with Stone Roses' Ian Brown (the Madchester scene is still some of the most influential music today) and UNKLE's James Lavelle (who was so impressed with these lads that he signed them on his own personal label, Mo' Wax).
Since I'm not familiar with their earlier releases, they must've shifted gears in 2003, after leaving Mo' Wax's label. However, there is a rumor, based on singer/songwriter Joel Cadbury's blog that suggests they might return to the more dancey origins because they want to release a brand new remix album. I'm sure you'll see that soon, if not next year. Listening to their latest album, I absolutely the crazy horns on "Lonely Highs", it sounds like some Spanish flamenco song... completely out of the blue. But listening to enough music, I can tell you that the single that everyone will love should be "The Pain". This song starts off with a nice bass, followed by a very Kink-esque melody. Other songs worth checking out are "Wasted", "Better Things", and "She's Half Crazy" ("don't you know that she's half crazy?"). The good news is that if you live in the US, the album is available domestically via Bluhammock. Be sure to check out some of our coverage of their other bands: Virginia Coalition and KaiserCartel. PS, there is a hidden song at the very end of "Zither Song". It sounds like a warped record, but it's a nice bonus. |
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DONNA LEWIS
donnalewis.com ♥ myspace.com
Welsh singer/songwriter, Donna Lewis, rocketted into fame with her 1996 VH1 hit single, "I Love You Always Forever" from her platinum-selling debut album Now in a Minute. If you have never listened to pop music, just head over to her myspace and you'll be in for a treat. The song has a very catchy rhythm, and the lyrics seems to go on and on. For fans of Lewis, you'll be happy to know that she's been steadily releasing music - her latest from last year is In the Pink. I can see from her album that "You to Me" is probably the hit single, it tries to capture that "I Love You" feeling, but more acoustic and sweeping backing vocals. An excerpt of the song appears again in a reprise version, just to remind you that this is the song. Apparently I am wrong, because her single from this album is "Shout", a jangley acoustic song with a focus on her sweet voice. The title of this album, not a reference to Tori Amos, comes from her song, "Pink Dress". This track, along with "Obsession" (I love the whispery "wishing well" that sounds like she's singing "whissing well") and "Shut the Sun Out" suggests more of an electronica/dancey future for Lewis. Although I like seeing this kind of experimenting and change, I don't think her hardcore pop fans would appreciate this... but I did enjoy her dance songs a lot more than her love/sugar pop songs. In the Pink have been out since April through the US via Peruzzi Music and Redeye Records. |
SALME DAHLSTROM
salmedahlstrom.com ♥ myspace.com
Although currently based in New York, this DJ/singer/mixer/music producer, Salme Dahlstrom, was born in Sweden. Once again, the Swedes does not disappoint with this latest release called, The Acid Cowgirl Audio Trade - out today, August 19th via Kontainer Records. After a short introduction to the album ("this is your brain on music..."), you're hit with an explosive dance number, "Bombastic". This is a hard-hitting song, it uses a lot of drumming and beats and it's just very catchy. I will have to point out that her "playful" imagery of a salute on the cover artwork as well as the lyrics "line up like a Nazi/watching every move that I make" might offend some overly sensitive people. Although I don't have a problem with it, I know this subject is still relatively taboo. It's also hard to listen to this album without thinking about another Swedish woman called Robyn. Especially in the easy-to-sing-along "C'Mon Y'All" (the main lyrics are "ooh la la, sing ooh la la, c'mon y'all"). She's clearly a talented woman, having written and put together all her songs. It looks like The Acid Cowgirl Audio Trade might be her debut album, consisting of two previously released EPs, with three brand new tracks ("C'mon Y'All, "Bombastic" and "Wearing The Peace"). She's supposed to be on tour for support of this album, so I'll be sure to mention her tour dates if those are made available. |
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Negativland's first song-based album in over 28 years is released today, July 15th on their record label, Seeland Records. The album goes by the silly name of Thigmotactic and after first pass at listening to the album, I did enjoy its mix of original music and lyrics, mixed with samples.
In celebration of Thigmotactic, they are making two rare public appearance:
- 07/17/08 Wham City’s Whartscape in Baltimore, MD
07/20/08 H.O.P.E. (Hackers of Planet Earth) conference in NYC
If more dates should appear, I'll update it here. More information can be found on our press announcement page.
Formed in 1979 by their two founding members, Mark Hosler and Richard Lyons, it would seem that Lyons' have taken a seat back with this latest release (however, he does contribute on one song, "Influencial You" on Thigmotactic).
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They first rose to fame with that infamous U2 EP incident. Released in 1991, the song featured Casey Kasem blowing his top off, mixed with samples from U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". Not surprisingly, they went through a long lawsuit battle with U2's record label Island Records, resulting in having the EP deleted. Although that didn't stop people from getting a hold of "bootlegs".
What's interesting to note, in today's context of the remixed generation, is that it's become somewhat normal for people to take things in the media and producing mashups... In some ways, Negativland predate the "viral" media of today with "U2".
So, back to Thigmotactic, this is possible the most accessible album to date. There's something for everyone, but I think the silly sex songs would get people's attention, like "Your Skin is Gelatin" is about vaginas or "Lying on the Grass" is about an unspoken homosexual desire that would cause you to rewatch Brokeback Mountain.
One thing I will say is that it's really hard to use one or two songs to really describe Negativland, as they are always evolving. I ended up using "Richard Nixon Died Today", the song is available for download on their myspace. The song uses excerpts from Dick Nixon's last address speech at the White House, which I believe is public domain.
Their copy/paste music style ranges all over the board, in fact, there's even a 50s inspired song, "Steak on a Whim" that sounds very similar to The Chordettes' "Mister Sandman" (but it's not this song). Most of the music and lyrics on this album is original, which stands apart from their previous releases.
Another thing I wanted to mention is that their liner notes to this CD includes an original art by Hosler for every song. Each artwork reflects each song, for instance, here is the artwork for "By Truck" a fun song about where milk comes from.
Thigmotactic can be bought directly from Negativland, I would recommend the CD version as it comes with a very nice sleek 36 lyric book (with artwork that I previously mentioned in the paragraph above).
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I don't normally do an all-out video posts, but after watching the hilarious Bill O'Reilly blowing his top off and having it "remixed" in a techno dance song, I was inspired to write about it.
So, if you didn't know, O'Reilly lost his temper after having some issues with the teleprompter and somehow the video got leaked on youtube. Like all things online, it's the subject of various parodies and the best one is this dance remix.
This video reminds me of some internet guy taking apart a George Bush speech and making it sound like Bush is singing U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday".
The source of this video is originally taken from the 2003 State of the Union Address, however the crowd shots were not from the same union address. There's no additional information, but you can try and contact the original creator: thepartyparty.com.
And speaking of politics, remember that Barack Obama music video from will.i.am, from The Black Eye Peas? All the lyrics from this song was based on excerpts from Obama's speech from January 2008 at the New Hampshire presidential primary election. You can find all the details at yeswecansong.com.
What I love is that G4TV parodied this video for Cobra Commander (from G.I.Joe). The song made reference to outrageous Cobra plans for world domination and is written by Jonathan Mann, aka GameJew. He's also the person responsible for writing the music to the the hilarious X-Men: The Musical.
COBRALALALA!
Links:
weheartmusic.com
This may just be an excuse to post as much of my record collection as possible in one post, but at least there's a common theme between them. You may not know him but you're bound to have heard one of the many countless bands he's been involved with; our Rollo has his finger in many musical pies, so to speak. Oh and, you deffinately know his sister. What's with everyone having famous sisters nowadays?
Trip hop festival faves Faithless are probably Rollo's most well known connection as one of three main members of the group, though as the band's permanent producer he's rarely seen onstage with them. Included is Mass Destruction, and no clues needed as to the lyrical content there. Whether it's the anti-Bush message or much more indie-ska-rock feel to the tune I don't know, but it's one of the only Faithless tracks I've been tempted to purchase.
Start of the wildcard stuff is On A Beautiful Day by Skinny. Although having no musical input, Skinny's album Taller from which the track is taken was released on Rollo's record lable Cheeky. The track samples the Wallace Collection's 1968 "Daydream", but you're much more likely to have heard that via an advert featuring I Monster's Dayd ream In Blue, also sampling the same tune and included as it's frankly just better than Skinny's efforts.
And if you don't like any of that lot, there's plenty more Rollo remixes and productions available, ranging from Sarah McLachlan and Simply Red to Robbie Williams and the Spice Girls. But I can't keep posting his stuff forever, so I'll be gone for the day.
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