For whatever reason I was thinking about this snippet of conversation I overheard on wreck beach the other day:
"I was just having this same conversation last weekend when we were camping: never forget your pineapple!"
***
As an addendum to my last post, go here and download Todd Terje's re-edit of Paul Simon's "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" (scroll down to the very bottom). Talk about reclaiming resolutely middle-brow dad-rock!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
tempo change
Okay it's official: Studio's new album West Coast is my favorite album of the year. It brings together a whole slew things I've been digging recently: the slow-mo disco, the balearic rivival dance-rock, the groove-locked krautrock, the dubbed-out post-punk, the long-form dance mystery. This is it. I've been listening to it several times a day since I downloaded it on saturday. If I post it here, will you promise to buy it? At least if you really like it, as much as I do? Cuz there's no way these guys are making a living off of this record, the previous 12"s were in runs of 500, you can bet your ass they have a day job to pay their bills. and yet THIS IS AWESOME. It deserves all our support. I'm ordering it, you bet I am! That's why I'm putting it up on yousendit only for a week, so it's not just a giveaway to random googlers months from now.
studio - west coast (pt 1)
studio - west coast (pt 2)
K, so a couple weeks ago I made a mix of stuff sort of along these lines, balearic dance-rock slow mo disco italo krautrock goodness (balearic is the new buzzword, watch for it--it's a reference to 80's era ibiza, where a much more eclectic dance culture ruled, kinda). I really really like this mix actually, i think its one of the best ones i've made in a while. You might be able to tell this sound has definitely got its grips on the old brain-muscle. It's enticingly free-form too, you can throw in influences from almost wherever you like; just keep the rhythm going, keep the vibe fresh and the rest will follow. Thus I present the second treat of today.
das turtles - the beard mix
01 - Findlay Brown - Losing The Will To Survive (Beyond the Wizards Sleeve Reanimation)
02 - A Mountain Of One - Innocent Line
03 - Quiet Village Project - Can't Be Beat
04 - Rune Lindbaek - Afrika
05 - Harmonia - Notre Dame
06 - A Mountain Of One - Warping of the Clock
07 - Quiet Village Project - Too High To Move
08 - B-Movie - Nowhere Girl (12-inch version)
09 - Yellow Magic Orchestra - Behind the Mask
10 - Talking Drums - Courage
11 - A Mountain Of One - Our Eyes
A couple of comments: before I heard studio, a mountain of one would have been my top nu-balearic group, and I'm still really looking forward to their forthcoming compilation of tunes. The two groups are definitely on the same page though, apparently studio will be remixing AMO1's next single, which I'm pretty hyped for. Anyway, I'm quite excited by these couple of bands (I would also throw Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve in there). I mean they're technicially indie rock (cuz they play something rock-derived and they make independant music) but somehow manages to avoid the absolutely dead sound of the currently omnipresent complacent indie rock milieu. Two points save them, I think: the focus on staying (roughly) within a "dance" sound, and their co-opting of a resolutely uncool populist, "dad rock" sound to make actually quite innovative and interesting music. It creates a very strange tension between its seeming familiarity and unplaceable new-ness. Both Studio and AMO1 invoke some forgotten rock radio classic while never being actually mistakable AS such a thing. They've packed a few too many disparate influence into their sound to fit into any one place perfectly, yet recall many simultaneously. Sure this is problematic, indie has been accused quite justifiably of regressive retro-ism and ironic pastiche, substituting quotation of once great music for creation of their own. Certainly this balearic rivival thing could easily turn in such a direction, but this music seems to be quite without irony; it appears to be a genuine appreciation of a more populist, popist sound. To me, there is genuine mystery and intrigue here, something that doesn't quite fit in my head, tickling a spot that I can't quite reach. And I want more.
The rest of the mix fits more along the beardo-disco axis, which is certainly a related field (prins thomas and todd terje both remixed studio's "life's a beach" and they're pretty much the poster boys, along with lindstromm, for beardo/neo-cosmic disco). I've extolled my love of quiet village project before, and I could have put even more of their tracks on here, but I restrained myself. But the mix has nice slow-tempo feel, moving across what are ostensibly a lot of different genres, yet maintaining an overall cohesiveness. And that Harmonia track comes in like the voice of Zeus or something, I'm really proud of that one. Also, spot the Toto re-edit!
N E WAY, i hope you like it. I do.
studio - west coast (pt 1)
studio - west coast (pt 2)
K, so a couple weeks ago I made a mix of stuff sort of along these lines, balearic dance-rock slow mo disco italo krautrock goodness (balearic is the new buzzword, watch for it--it's a reference to 80's era ibiza, where a much more eclectic dance culture ruled, kinda). I really really like this mix actually, i think its one of the best ones i've made in a while. You might be able to tell this sound has definitely got its grips on the old brain-muscle. It's enticingly free-form too, you can throw in influences from almost wherever you like; just keep the rhythm going, keep the vibe fresh and the rest will follow. Thus I present the second treat of today.
das turtles - the beard mix
01 - Findlay Brown - Losing The Will To Survive (Beyond the Wizards Sleeve Reanimation)
02 - A Mountain Of One - Innocent Line
03 - Quiet Village Project - Can't Be Beat
04 - Rune Lindbaek - Afrika
05 - Harmonia - Notre Dame
06 - A Mountain Of One - Warping of the Clock
07 - Quiet Village Project - Too High To Move
08 - B-Movie - Nowhere Girl (12-inch version)
09 - Yellow Magic Orchestra - Behind the Mask
10 - Talking Drums - Courage
11 - A Mountain Of One - Our Eyes
A couple of comments: before I heard studio, a mountain of one would have been my top nu-balearic group, and I'm still really looking forward to their forthcoming compilation of tunes. The two groups are definitely on the same page though, apparently studio will be remixing AMO1's next single, which I'm pretty hyped for. Anyway, I'm quite excited by these couple of bands (I would also throw Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve in there). I mean they're technicially indie rock (cuz they play something rock-derived and they make independant music) but somehow manages to avoid the absolutely dead sound of the currently omnipresent complacent indie rock milieu. Two points save them, I think: the focus on staying (roughly) within a "dance" sound, and their co-opting of a resolutely uncool populist, "dad rock" sound to make actually quite innovative and interesting music. It creates a very strange tension between its seeming familiarity and unplaceable new-ness. Both Studio and AMO1 invoke some forgotten rock radio classic while never being actually mistakable AS such a thing. They've packed a few too many disparate influence into their sound to fit into any one place perfectly, yet recall many simultaneously. Sure this is problematic, indie has been accused quite justifiably of regressive retro-ism and ironic pastiche, substituting quotation of once great music for creation of their own. Certainly this balearic rivival thing could easily turn in such a direction, but this music seems to be quite without irony; it appears to be a genuine appreciation of a more populist, popist sound. To me, there is genuine mystery and intrigue here, something that doesn't quite fit in my head, tickling a spot that I can't quite reach. And I want more.
The rest of the mix fits more along the beardo-disco axis, which is certainly a related field (prins thomas and todd terje both remixed studio's "life's a beach" and they're pretty much the poster boys, along with lindstromm, for beardo/neo-cosmic disco). I've extolled my love of quiet village project before, and I could have put even more of their tracks on here, but I restrained myself. But the mix has nice slow-tempo feel, moving across what are ostensibly a lot of different genres, yet maintaining an overall cohesiveness. And that Harmonia track comes in like the voice of Zeus or something, I'm really proud of that one. Also, spot the Toto re-edit!
N E WAY, i hope you like it. I do.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Post-83 Guitars!
Because I enjoy making ridiculous sweeping generalizations, I made a claim a couple weeks ago while out drinking with folks that there hasen't been any good guitar-based music since '83, except in isolated pockets. Well here is an example of some post-'83 guitar-based music that I like; in fact, I'm currently totally obsessed with this track.
Studio - West Side
It's modern, hip guitar-y music, but it isn't crappy indie-rock nor is it even crappier fifth-generation grunge retreads, mall-punk emo or (worst of all) jack johnson. No, it's a couple of swedes making music that sounds like it should have been an extended album track on some stoned 70's prog rock band. I love it. I've made a mix with some more tunes like this on it that i'll probably post soon, but this track is even better. maybe.
Studio - West Side
It's modern, hip guitar-y music, but it isn't crappy indie-rock nor is it even crappier fifth-generation grunge retreads, mall-punk emo or (worst of all) jack johnson. No, it's a couple of swedes making music that sounds like it should have been an extended album track on some stoned 70's prog rock band. I love it. I've made a mix with some more tunes like this on it that i'll probably post soon, but this track is even better. maybe.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Get out, stupid!
Lenin on the latest numbers from Iraq:
I've said this before, and I'll say it again: the number one problem in Iraq is the presence of American troops. In fact I totally called this way back in January. The most embarrassing thing for Bush and Co. is that when they finally pull out (they will won't they? am I allowed to hope that it might actually occur, that the horror in Iraq might actually end one day?), there won't be chaos and civil war, but a bunch of parties who are sick and tired of dying, and want to live peaceful lives. I'm not saying that'll it'll be heaven on earth or anything, but I'd give good odds on an America-less Iraq being far more peaceful than Iraq in its current state. Dreams of a better future...
The monthly figures for June showed the highest daily number of attacks on US troops for four years, confirming an upward trend that has been happening for the last four years. The figures also confirm an encouraging downward trend in attacks on civilians which, at any rate, still constitute a minority of such attacks: roughly 70% of attacks are directed at coalition forces, 16% at the Iraqi security forces, and 14% on civilians.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again: the number one problem in Iraq is the presence of American troops. In fact I totally called this way back in January. The most embarrassing thing for Bush and Co. is that when they finally pull out (they will won't they? am I allowed to hope that it might actually occur, that the horror in Iraq might actually end one day?), there won't be chaos and civil war, but a bunch of parties who are sick and tired of dying, and want to live peaceful lives. I'm not saying that'll it'll be heaven on earth or anything, but I'd give good odds on an America-less Iraq being far more peaceful than Iraq in its current state. Dreams of a better future...
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Highly Caffeinated Post
Go to this page, and CURSE EVERYONE OF THESE WRITERS except (surprisingly enough) the two from Q and the NME. Why? Because these IDIOTS have made me sleep on Daft Punk's Discovery for over SIX GODDAMN YEARS. What was I thinking? The comment section gets it's completely right, so bloody underrated, so wonderful! Just joyful dance music. And perfect for summer! Couldn't be happier listening to this right now.
Actually I've heard several critics who I highly respect describe Discovery as Daft Punk's "masterpiece" but it was just one of those albums I never got around to checking out, and I know at the time it was put out I definitely was swayed by the largely negative press it got. Actually, it's a bit odd, but it seems like some serious revisionism is going on here. Look at the pitchfork piece (written by no less a hack than pitchfork head Ryan Schrieber--someone should throw this terrible, rockist review into his smug indie-loving face). But anyway, if you look near the bottom of the page there's a link to their review of Daft Punk's last album, Human After All, which refers to the "exquisite, joyous Discovery." Kinda funny eh? But I mean, even the Onion got it wrong, and they're usually half-decent. It's interesting how group-think can affect critics sometimes, and then affect them in reverse again.
So yeah, I downloaded this last night (along with a bunch of Aaliyah and En Vogue...ummm a slightly odd stage in my musical tastes yes, but good fun nonetheless. I absolutely love Aaliyah. If this goes on much longer I'm going to have to post about her too), and I'll post the whole thing here, cuz what the hell why not. But yeah, what got me back on the daft punk front was actually this youtube clip of some girl dancing her ass off to "harder, better, faster, stronger" which made me realize how great that song was. That's another thing that I've been doing a lot of recently, oddly enough, is checking out various youtube clips of different sweet dances. There's tons of ones of kids dancing to baltimore club or detroit ghettotech, and the comments sections are filled with heated battles about d-town vs b'more and who has the dopest moves. Ah internet, you keep things fresh.
Daft Punk - Discovery
Fuck I was totally starting to do work this morning and then got sidetracked writing about daft punk! blast! Thesis oh so close to done. Mind clearly deteriorating into strange state of constant flux.
Actually I've heard several critics who I highly respect describe Discovery as Daft Punk's "masterpiece" but it was just one of those albums I never got around to checking out, and I know at the time it was put out I definitely was swayed by the largely negative press it got. Actually, it's a bit odd, but it seems like some serious revisionism is going on here. Look at the pitchfork piece (written by no less a hack than pitchfork head Ryan Schrieber--someone should throw this terrible, rockist review into his smug indie-loving face). But anyway, if you look near the bottom of the page there's a link to their review of Daft Punk's last album, Human After All, which refers to the "exquisite, joyous Discovery." Kinda funny eh? But I mean, even the Onion got it wrong, and they're usually half-decent. It's interesting how group-think can affect critics sometimes, and then affect them in reverse again.
So yeah, I downloaded this last night (along with a bunch of Aaliyah and En Vogue...ummm a slightly odd stage in my musical tastes yes, but good fun nonetheless. I absolutely love Aaliyah. If this goes on much longer I'm going to have to post about her too), and I'll post the whole thing here, cuz what the hell why not. But yeah, what got me back on the daft punk front was actually this youtube clip of some girl dancing her ass off to "harder, better, faster, stronger" which made me realize how great that song was. That's another thing that I've been doing a lot of recently, oddly enough, is checking out various youtube clips of different sweet dances. There's tons of ones of kids dancing to baltimore club or detroit ghettotech, and the comments sections are filled with heated battles about d-town vs b'more and who has the dopest moves. Ah internet, you keep things fresh.
Daft Punk - Discovery
Fuck I was totally starting to do work this morning and then got sidetracked writing about daft punk! blast! Thesis oh so close to done. Mind clearly deteriorating into strange state of constant flux.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Beware The Bobcat!
A while back the bobcat asked me to make him some techno mixes, so I burned him a couple of random dj mixes I had plus I made him a compilation of random tracks I thought he might like. I think it turned out really well, it's all very upbeat stuff, some a bit older, some brand new, all from within the last decade. It's actually a pretty good cross section of 4/4 dance-music stuff I've been into over the last few years, with the criteria of being listenable whilst driving, since that's where the bobcat is oft to be found.
But would you believe Bobcat found this mix "a bit weird"?? Pshaw! The man doesn't know what he's missing out on. I've laid mad music-hipster cred on this mix! Of course Bobby also really likes the new album by the rapper from Linkin Park, so there you go. Just ain't no accounting for the tastes of the wild bobcat.
Download The Bobcat Mix
Tracklisting:
1. Gregor Tresher - Neon
2. I-F - Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass
3. The Knife - Like A Pen (Stephan Bodzin Mix)
4. Octave One - Blackwater (Full Strings Instrumental Mix)
5. Tracy Thorn - It's All True (Martin Buttrich Remix)
6. Kaito - Awakenings
7. Texas - What About Us (Jacques Lu Cont Main Mix)
8. Talking Drums - Courage
9. Quiet Village Project - Can't Be Beat
Commentary:
1. Gregor Tresher - Neon Some balls-out, hard hitting electro-house to get the bobcat's attention, right from the get go.
2. I-F - Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass One of the greatest electro tunes to come out this decade. Simultaneously evil and hilarious and catchy as hell. What else would space invaders be doing?? (aside from invading)
3. The Knife - Like A Pen (Stephan Bodzin Mix) I'm getting a bit confused by this now, as there's a Thomas Schumacher dub of this track listed on Discogs with additional production from Stephan Bodzin, but it's about 2 minutes shorter than this track. But I haven't heard that version yet. So I'm not really sure what this track is, but I do know I like it, as I've said before elsewheres.
4. Octave One - Blackwater (Full Strings Instrumental Mix) Some classic, string-led, Detroit bizzness. The vocal mix of this is dire, though.
5. Tracy Thorn - It's All True (Martin Buttrich Remix) Found from that Dixon podcast I posted a while back. So deep. Real shivers-up-the spine stuff. (Also, hohohoh, buttrich).
6. Kaito - Awakenings One of my all time fave Kaito tracks, from way back in '02. The bassline on this track is just huge, and coupled with those synth arpeggios, it's just bloody cloud trance heaven.
7. Texas - What About Us (Jacques Lu Cont Main Mix) Continuing on the trancey vein, this is possible the tranciest Lu Cont mix I've yet heard, which really is saying something.
8. Talking Drums - Courage Then I tagged on some stuff from the beardo/cosmic disco front, cuz I've been digging that too. This is some early 80's disco/new-wave gem: plenty of synthesizers plus lyrics encouraging you to fight the revolution? I'm there! I think I should make this my theme song.
9. Quiet Village Project - Can't Be Beat And a slow closer. I love love love Quiet Village Project, I think they're doing something really interesting with this whole slowed-down, stoner disco thing. A very trippy, head nodding track (cuz we all know the bobcat loves the catnip). I was really suprised to find out Matt Edwards, who also records as Radio Slave, is half of QVP. That guy is on fire on a whole bunch of different fronts.
So the mix goes from electro-house to minimal to detroit to neo deep house to neo trance to space disco. Quite the journey! Hope you like it.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
"Because flesh is weak, the forms break down, and cannot last forever"
Because I love you all, here are two amazing tracks. Shackleton's "Blood On My Hands," pretty much the most gut-wrenchingly mournful dubstep track ever made. And Ricardo Villalobos' epic 18 minute remix, stretching it out into a near infinite plateau of whispering echoes and haunted warmth. And for once the lyrics in a dubstep/techno/whatever song don't disappoint. For god's sake it's actually about 9/11 (at least, one would think) and approaches it with more sophistication and subtlety than the vast majority of facile media commentary that we are supposed to interpret as "compassionate"...
Shackleton - Blood On My Hands
Shackleton - Blood On My Hands (Ricardo Villalobos' Apocalypso Now Mix)
Shackleton - Blood On My Hands
Shackleton - Blood On My Hands (Ricardo Villalobos' Apocalypso Now Mix)
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
I was upping this carl craig remix for dano, and then I started upping a couple other tracks just for fun, and then I decided I might as well post 'em here. So:
Theo Parish - Falling Up (Carl Craig remix)
Pom Pom - Pom Pom 29 A
Misstress Barbara - Barcelona (Original Mix)
Pantha Du Prince - Florac
That CC remix is a total anthem, definitely his biggest remix from last year. The other tunes all generally fall under the "minimal" tag, though they all actually tend towards a bit more upbeat, light and melodic sound. I actually really like them all. Download!
Theo Parish - Falling Up (Carl Craig remix)
Pom Pom - Pom Pom 29 A
Misstress Barbara - Barcelona (Original Mix)
Pantha Du Prince - Florac
That CC remix is a total anthem, definitely his biggest remix from last year. The other tunes all generally fall under the "minimal" tag, though they all actually tend towards a bit more upbeat, light and melodic sound. I actually really like them all. Download!
Friday, June 01, 2007
Music lovers friday
It's been a while since I posted a bunch of tunes. So here what I've been feeling for a minute:
Krautrock!!!
Massive influx of krautrock: here's a couple gems
Faust - It's A Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl [bluesy piano and drum lock-groove + plus interlacing guitars, organs, vocals = genius!]
Harmonia - Notre Dame [the opening minute and of this is just jaw-dropping]
Favorite tune off the new Avril Lavigne. Starts a bit generic pop-punk, but man, that is a high-powered chorus!
Avril Lavigne - Runaway
"Bombastic" electro tune ripped from last years CBS (Cybernetic Broadcasting System, natch) top 100
Fockewulf 190 - Gitano
Go here and download Gregor Tresher - A Thousand Nights for some serious slow-build euphoric techno.
Go here and download the Sebo K resident advisor podcast for what one commentator described as "pretty much the bible for neo deep house/minimal"
Oh ya! And what's turning out to be my favorite album of '07 so far, Stars Of The Lid and their refinement of the decline, just a stunningly beautiful album, so warm and enveloping. The sound of warm slow summer evenings, still and peaceful (or at least, that's when I've been listening to it). This has been my "recharge" music for the last couple of weeks, when things were getting just a bit too crazy and stressful. I could pick almost any tune from it, but I'll choose this one:
Stars Of The Lid - A Meaningful Moment Through A Meaning(less) Process
It's summer, it's warm, and June 2007 is looking like a motherfucking COLOSUSS. I wish you all the best.
Krautrock!!!
Massive influx of krautrock: here's a couple gems
Faust - It's A Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl [bluesy piano and drum lock-groove + plus interlacing guitars, organs, vocals = genius!]
Harmonia - Notre Dame [the opening minute and of this is just jaw-dropping]
Favorite tune off the new Avril Lavigne. Starts a bit generic pop-punk, but man, that is a high-powered chorus!
Avril Lavigne - Runaway
"Bombastic" electro tune ripped from last years CBS (Cybernetic Broadcasting System, natch) top 100
Fockewulf 190 - Gitano
Go here and download Gregor Tresher - A Thousand Nights for some serious slow-build euphoric techno.
Go here and download the Sebo K resident advisor podcast for what one commentator described as "pretty much the bible for neo deep house/minimal"
Oh ya! And what's turning out to be my favorite album of '07 so far, Stars Of The Lid and their refinement of the decline, just a stunningly beautiful album, so warm and enveloping. The sound of warm slow summer evenings, still and peaceful (or at least, that's when I've been listening to it). This has been my "recharge" music for the last couple of weeks, when things were getting just a bit too crazy and stressful. I could pick almost any tune from it, but I'll choose this one:
Stars Of The Lid - A Meaningful Moment Through A Meaning(less) Process
It's summer, it's warm, and June 2007 is looking like a motherfucking COLOSUSS. I wish you all the best.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Short first impressions...
...on 3 recently downloaded (and only partially listened to) albums:
Battles - Mirrored: Finally some indie-ish rock I might like! Sigh...too complex rhythmically to be hypnotic, not riff-y enough to be catchy. I support it in theory though.
Hilary Duff - Dignity: Terrible title, disapointing production. A couple good'uns though.
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing: Well named! Summertime joy :)
Avril wins hands down.
Battles - Mirrored: Finally some indie-ish rock I might like! Sigh...too complex rhythmically to be hypnotic, not riff-y enough to be catchy. I support it in theory though.
Hilary Duff - Dignity: Terrible title, disapointing production. A couple good'uns though.
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing: Well named! Summertime joy :)
Avril wins hands down.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
MUST GO.
Why the hell didn't I see this before??? Booka Shade are maybe top 3 on my all-time list of people I want to see in concert but haven't. Here's a link to their essential mix from last year, the first hour of which is them playing live. Also, here's a mashup of "mandarine girl" with a brandy's "what about us" that's pretty much one of the greatest pieces of music ever. I AM SO FUCKING HYPED FOR THIS.
Monday, May 14, 2007
This song is also making me very happy right now. Might I make a request? Do you know anything about funk, soul and/or r&b? Particularly stuff from the 60's & 70's. If you do, please recommend me some, I want to listen to way more of this stuff. I've seriously listened to this song 5 times in a row now. I got it off some random collection of chicago soul. WANT MORE!
peace.
(ps. boo data analysis. yay internet!)
peace.
(ps. boo data analysis. yay internet!)
I am happy because the preliminary data analysis from my experiment last week looks like it's going to be significant. Yippee!
I'm also happy because this Lindstrom & Prins Thomas essential mix is pretty damn great so far. S P A C E D I S C O .
(check out the rest of that site too: essential mix goldmine!)
I'm also happy because this Lindstrom & Prins Thomas essential mix is pretty damn great so far. S P A C E D I S C O .
(check out the rest of that site too: essential mix goldmine!)
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
3 Things
I went to Berlin and didn't go to Berghain/Panoramabar and I've been kicking myself for it ever since
This really makes me want to watch Half Nelson again, because it was a pretty good movie the first time around.
I don't know if this really is going to be an anthem, but it's excellent anyway and you should download it.
Having just moved, and now shifting into heavy get-the-mutherfucking-thesis-done mode I may not be posting too much 'round here for the next couple of months. but i'll be alive somewhere, doing something.
This really makes me want to watch Half Nelson again, because it was a pretty good movie the first time around.
I don't know if this really is going to be an anthem, but it's excellent anyway and you should download it.
Having just moved, and now shifting into heavy get-the-mutherfucking-thesis-done mode I may not be posting too much 'round here for the next couple of months. but i'll be alive somewhere, doing something.
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