Band of Horses' Cease to Begin

In early Spring of 2006, Band of Horses released their first full length album Everything All the Time to a chorus of critical acclaim. Their style hearkened a mix of My Morning Jacket and Songs:Ohia to the same ghostly effect. With long, strung-out, whining guitar rifts set over stomping drums, Ben Bridwell crooned out the blues of everyday life. Not to be as mundane as their subjects, Band of Horses created an epic sound out of nothing; much like the southern sounds of Explosions in the Sky.
A little more than a year later, Band of Horses are back at it again...minus one however. July 2006 saw the departure of Mat Brooke, who left to focus on his other band Grand Archives. This hasn't slowed the band down at all. Due out Sept. 9th, their heavily anticipated follow-up, Cease to Begin, promises to be one of the year's best. The first single, Is There a Ghost, secures this music fan's interest with a build-up that is goddamn beautiful. Check it out below; along with some other Indie Country-Alt goodies.

Band of Horses - Cease to Begin - Is there a Ghost
Band of Horses - Everything All the Time - Great Salt Lake
My Morning Jacket - Z - Off The Record
Songs:Ohia - The Magnolia Electric Co - Farewell Transmission
Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway - Glenn Tipton
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place - Six Days at the Bottom of the Ocean

Soulja Boy Remickses

so in my continuing struggle to listen to all things b-more, i have unwittingly stumbled upon more crank that remixes than you can shake a stick at. yes its true, this Soulja Boy joint will be the top 40 hip hop track that haunts your dreams all fall. but if i've learned anything from Cassie, Kelis, Rihanna, and Sean Paul, its to wait for everyone to hate this song first, then bring it back (like a bad dream) months later in remix form to slay the entire dancefloor;) enjoy these selections from Cousin Cole, DJ Soap, Them Jeans, DJ Ayres, Burntpiano, Dave Nada, Dr. Knuckstable, Myninecan Piss, ABX, and Pop Rawkus.

Soulja Boy - Crank Dat (Cousin Cole Remix)
Soulja Boy - Crank Dat (Pop Rawkus Remix)
Soulja Boy - Crank Dat (Dave Nada Remix)
Soulja Boy - Crank Dat (Burntpiano Edit) (radiohead sample!)
Soulja Boy - Crank Dat (DJ Soap Ghetto House Mix)
ABX - Crank that Pogo (Digitalism vs. Soulja Boy)
Myninecan Piss - Crank That Request Line (Skream! vs. Soulja Boy)
Them Jeans - Crank That/Make 'Em Say Ugh Blend
DJ Ayres - Juke Dat Soulja Boy

Dr. Knuckstable - Crank Dat (Squincy Jones Meow Mix)

*many thanks to dirty south joe over at hollerboard

Animal Collective - Peacebone

This past week, YouTube released the world premier of Animal Collective's video for their new song PeaceBone. Again, Strawberry Jam, the new album (which is cash, money, and hoe's) will be released on Sept. 10th. For now enjoy this wonderful video directed by Timothy Saccenti.

Basic Saturday #7

Daft Punk last week was too much. It took me a week to fully recover and post anything. I'm still in shock. I was sitting at my work bench the other day and couldn't help but think of massive pyramids of orgasmic light. How do you go back to work with that in your head? It's crazy. My boss should show a little compassion and let me take the post-Daft Punk week off. If you could see shows like Daft Punk and go to parties every weekend with Busy P, would you want to be a productive member of society? Of course not. You'd want to be a robot.

Anyway, Daft Punk isn't the only duo to watch in the new millenium. Toronto Canadians, MSTRKRFT, are another not to be missed. All gold mask and attitude, JFK and AL-P are not new to the scene (or kids...they have kids, but that's different). These guys represent the new generation on this side of the Atlantic -- kids with too much time on their hands, synthesizers, and dreams of 2AM dance parties with Voltron and house music. Remember Voltron?

MSTRKRFT - Work On You

It would be hard to miss their vowel-less alias appearing next to so many notable tracks. Their D.A.N.C.E. remix is one of the best to drop to date. Signed to Last Gang Records, one of my new favorite labels, MSTRKRFT mixes it up with Chromeo, Crystal Castles, Tiga, Metric, and DFA 1979 (JFK was once a member). They have remixed an impressive number of tracks in two years as well as an original album, The Looks, in 2006. They work hard, showing off dark techno synths dripping from energy-filled tracks. Everything they touch in the techno/electro pop wave they happily inhabit is pure gold. Look for their second LP to drop in late October.

Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Goose - Bring It On (MSTRKFRT JFK Remix)
Metric - Monster Hospital (MSTRKFRT Remix)
MSTRKFRT - Street Juice

*BONUS - DJ Sta - Make Ya Sweat Mix

*For the shared love of all things MSTRKRFT

R.I.P Jesper

a week ago, discobelle made a post announcing that Jesper, half of the Swedish DJ duo Krazy Fiesta, died in a tragic accident. now i've never met Jesper, i've never been to Sweden, and i've only known about KF's music for a few months. despite the limited nature of my relationship with KF, Jesper, and their music, i felt the need to make a post because KF was really something special.

KF's music was more than just top 40 hiphop remixed on a macbook. their music was innovative and orginal and, most importantly, demonstrated their expansive knowledge of hiphop and house music. their fiesta dreamz mix for discobelle (which in my opinion was one of the top 5 mixes of the year) is a literal hour long history lesson in house music that starts off in 1980s Chicago and works its way down to the present with club bangers from Treasure Fingers, Speaker Junk, and KF themselves.

KF, we hope you continue in some capacity and keep bringing us good music. Jesper, you will be missed but not forgotten. i know i'll be playing hey love and that epic lip gloss mix at parties until i'm dead and buried.

Lil Mama - Lip Gloss (Krazy Fiesta Remix)
Fannypack - Nu Nu Yeah Yeah (Krazy Fiesta Remix)
Krazy Fiesta - Hey Love
Krazy Fiesta - Luv Me '97
Krazy Fiesta - Fiesta Dreamz Mix

Fiesta Dreamz Track List:
(original list from the May post on discobelle with KF's track by track commentary)
01. Bel Viv DeVoe – Poison
This musical journey begins with this great track with a magic drumline!
02. Rocker’s Revenge ft Donnie Calvin – Walking on SunshineThis is how we feel while we’re walking down the streets in GBG. Love the keys in this one!
03. Feist – Sea Lion (Chromeo remix)
Wonder what Nina Simone would have thought about the vocal sample used in this one. We love it though.
04. Inner City – Big Fun
This is a real house classic, but nothing’s too sacred for Krazyfiesta.
05. Krazyfiesta vs. Erlend Öye – Fiesta Trains
Erlend Öye and Morgan Geist’s mellow song interpretated by us. Never heard online before!
06. Mr. Lee – Get Busy
A favourite track from one of our favourite childhood albums, Mega Rap from 1994. Rap house!
07. The Yorshire Rapper – Put Our Heads Together
There’s more to music than electro, like this killer masterpiece of good vibes.
08. Treasure Fingers – Cross The Dancefloor
One of the best new songs we’ve come over lately!
09. Juvelen – Watch Your Step (KF RMX)
Our instant classic-remix of the Juvelen track! (Watch out for the 12”!)
10. Yelle – Ce Jeu (Them Jeans edit)
There’s nothing like a sweet french electro pop hit to tell you it’s spring time!
11. Cerrone – Love in ‘C’ minor
Now it’s time to speed things up a bit with this nasty pre-house track.
12. Larry Tee ft. Princess Superstar - Licky (Herve Goes Low Remix)
This track really has got a little bit of everything in it, at least everything that kills the dance floors. When the music stops and Princess Superstar sings “L. I. Licky. C. K. Licky. Y…”, you just know the floor will explode when the bass hits again.
13. Bassnectar - Yo (Speaker Junk’s Jackin Brazilian Rave Remix)
Another club banger, we’re not usualy too fond of the latin rhythm, but this one really is irresistable.
14. Roy Ayers - Sugar
Unexpected guest appearence in this musical context but still: a great track by a great man.
15. Yo Majesty - Club Action (Tetsuo’s All Out Yo!-mix)
The internet is overflowing with remixes of this joint, but it’s actually refreshing to hear this a bit more mature sound. But still: dance floor material.
16.The Faint - I Disappear (Matthew Savant Remix)
Electro remixes of indie rock song is a whole big genre, which is only good tap into when you feel like a getting that Caucasian vibe, which is not that often.
17. Krazyfiesta – Never Zkared
The mix is coming to it’s end with this fiesta medley! Our electronic hit version of Bone Chrusher’s track.
18. Krazyfiesta – Lip Gloss Remix
Our latest club banger, famous throughout the world!
19. Leila K – Open Sesame (Final Exit Remix)
This is from the golden year of ’92! We were 7 years old when it was released.
20. Krazyfiesta – Stilletto Pumps It Up
Finally, we end this musical adventure with our interpretation of this modern classic.

Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover

The third album under the side project, Sunset Rubdown, finds Spencer Krug (Wolfparade. Swan Lake & Frog Eyes) settled and confident within the chaotic creature that is Sunset Rubdown. His first two pieces, Snake's Got a Leg and Shut Up I'm Dreaming, were beautifully raw much like Wolfparade's Apologies to the Queen Marry. The difference between Wolfparade and Sunset Rubdown lays, if anything, in Spencer Krug's love for a piano and experimentation. Sunset Rubdown is Spencer Krug stripped down. We can see this in the simple but beautiful truth in his songs, such as the 59 second treasure The Dust You Kick Up Is Too Fine.

On the third album, Spencer Krug writes with a confidence not seen in his previous engagements. The first thing that pops out at you is the fact the album, Random Spirit Lover, is one full piece of artwork as each song bleeds into the next. The piece as a whole is breathtaking and should be listened to fully through. True there are certain songs that jump out, such as the carnival-esque Up on your Leopard, Upon the End of your Feral Days, the homeric Winged/Wicked Things, and head-bobbing For the Pier (and Dead Shimmering).

Like AC, Spencer Krug relies on building off skew sounds and using his voice as an instrument. The song Up on your Leopard opens up with a growing beat that sinks into grand, grotesque carnival theme. Spencer Krug blares out the lyrics as he becomes the ringmaster of the circus. In his other song Winged/Wicked Things we see his control of the chaos. Spencer Krug croons as he wrestles with understanding...

"And the pattern of flight is chaotic and blind. But it's right cause chaos is yours and it's mine. And chaos is luck and like love and love is blind. The pattern of flight is chaotic and blind. But it's right cause chaos is yours and chaos is mine mine mine mine. And chaos is love and they say love is blind"

Beautiful. Thank you Spencer Krug for delivering something that will be topping many of 2007's best album lists.

Sunset Rubdown - Up on your Leopard, Upon the End of your Feral Days
Sunset Rubdown - Winged/Wicked Things
Sunset Rubdown - For the Pier (and Dead Shimmering)

P.S. - Thank you to Thomas Francis Take his Chances for getting me both A C's new effort along with Sunset Rubdown's. The Kenney's are brilliant holy warriors hah.

I'll Jam your Strawberries!

Hah ok no more with these titles I promise, now onto the music. This fall we will see the return of two great bands, Animal Collective and Sunset Rubdown, whose respective albums really push the norms of musical composition. This post will deal only with the first band. Animal Collective is an odd beast. These boys, whose first two albums Sung Tongs and Feels, really fucked my mind up musically have done it again. However, unlike the first two acoustic adventures this third one explores an electrified version of their sound. Like Bob Dylan plugging in, AC is venturing forward from their beginnings. There are two songs that truly standout to me so far. The first is For Reverend Green. The opening itself is beautiful enough to sell your heart out. Then comes in those lyrics. Fucking Panda Bear and Avery. These two are caught between insanity and genius. It must be a thin line because they bounce back and forth so much the effect is dizzying.


May I also go out and just say that Panda Bear is our Brian Wilson. Don't question, just think about the layering, the harmonizing, the use of vocal instrumentation. Listen to Smile...fuck listen to Heroes and Villains. Its all there. The footprints are everywhere. If you are still in doubt listen to Peace Bone. I don't know if anyone has ever heard of Mektone, but he is a random Dj who uses NES music format to compose. It is this 80's video game ringing that Peace Bone opens up with. Just like Heroes and Villains, there is a carnival atmosphere to this skewed song and to the album as a whole. One thing I've enjoyed by AC (and Beach Boys too) are the melody and rhythm breaks. Starting with one composition they interchange back and forth with sudden departures. This is overt on both of the songs and one other. The song Chores is another tripped out Beach Boys style piece...I wasn't going to post but hell enjoy...I know you will.

AC - For Reverend Green
AC - Peace Bone
AC -Chores

I'll Rock your Bell?

Contrary to what my sarcastic title might imply this festival was amazing. This will be a brief run down as my mind is flooded with images of Robots, but I'll give it my best. The first two acts Jedi Mind Tricks and Immortal Technique really drove home the political and social mission statement of the festival. These two premier MC's truly represent the socially minded MC. The acts continued with a short breaks in between. The highlights for me were Pharoahe Monch (who is truly one soulful motherfucker) and Black Star who ripped the fucking stage apart. Rhazel and Supernatural were two of the best hosts as they tried furiously to keep the crowd's mind off the heat. Let see who else... EPMD gave a great history lesson, Public Enemy was good minus a drugged out Flavor Flav (or was he? Who knows anymore). Cypress Hill maintained the outlaw flavor by holding a smoking cypher while performing on stage. Wu Tang filled my heart with memories of 36 Chambers, while reaffirming my loyalty to the clan. Rage was Rage and well they raged..against the machine?
Daft Punk is to hipsters as Rock the Bells is to the book bag wearing, underground b-boys and girls. As Immortal Technique said, "Nowhere will you find Christians, Jews , Buddhists, and Muslims...Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and everything in between gathered for one reason...our love for a type of music... the music of the people...this is Hip Hop."
P.s. - Listen to this Pharoahe Monch Poetry Slam Performance (mp3)...its why I love Hip Hop.

Daft Punk Changed My Life

That night in Brooklyn was surreal. Everything that was...no, is an inspiration for starting this blog and a catalyst for my love for all things "Indie" culminated in that night. I danced my ass off in a sea of anti-anti children, walked behind the DJ booth at Studio B to watch Kavinsky and Sebastian, enjoyed the breaking dusk on a Brooklyn rooftop with Chazology and made our way through the early morning showers to Alphabet City where Teenager and I made the final trip back to Powder Horn Terrace. Back at home (with my eyes finally shutting, but my ears still ringing) I poked my head briefly in the Teenagers room and asked "Was that even real?" He looked up, laughed to himself and simply replied, "Yes, now get some sleep." I've never had sugar plum ferries pillage my dreams before, but that morning back in New Jeru, Two French Robots serenaded a sonic dream scape and I couldn't have been happier. I want to say thank you to the Teenager and the Daft Punk Family for making Thursday one of the best nights I've ever had.
-Dexter

P.s. -The epitome of that night and what it meant can be found in a simple sign. When Kavinsky started to mix in D.A.N.C.E., I looked over towards Busy P. With his forearms he made the sign of a cross, I returned the favor and then looked out to the mass of dancing kids. Littered through out the crowd were a dozen crosses blaring into the Brooklyn night.

..........

there really is nothing left for me to say about daft punk. it was the greatest night of my life.

SebastiAn on the decks.

what up nora and jon;)

kavinsky, scary guy, jason, and myself...

chaz and rai rai

the coolest person in the entire world

dunkle got famous...

for more visual pleasure, check out nyc pics at the cobra snake.

p.s. dexter really is an evil genius
p.p.s. many thanks to chaz for the rainy/epic night

*and word up to dunkle for his photography skillz and the new banner
*rich, your pics are great too, thanks a bunch;)

Daft Punk: Brooklyn 8/9/07

toronto? really? they're not even kind of French.

so i'm not quite sure what the hell is going on in Toronto these days, but whatever it is its fairly epic. i feel like every time i turn around, someone's posted about some new, hot Toronto dj and his new, hot song/remix/mashup/etc. well it happened again yesterday, and this time his name is Gingy.

yeah, i thought the name was suspect was too, but when i saw that Davyde of Chazology liked him* so much that he was willing to root for the Jays (who watches Canadian baseball?), i was convinced. and low and behold, after one listen, i was a believer. there are hundreds of DJs and tracks out there right now that are really good. in the past few months though, only 2 have made me drop things i was working on and pay attention to what i was listening to. the first was Sta. the second, Gingy. Both are 20 year-olds from Toronto. wtf.

Gingy - Rios for MVP
Beyonce vs. MSTRKRFT - Love My Easy Love (Gingy Edit)
Gingy - Swagger

*head over to chazology and discodust for more tracks/info on Gingy.

*thanks for the grammar correction

Basic Saturday #6

Australia is a country I've never been too and can not afford to go to anytime soon. I'm really broken up about it. Then, Peter and Dave start talking about home and it hits me. It hasn't rained in Melbourne for four years. What does that even mean? Dave takes one minute showers, goes without copious amounts of laundry, and collects rainwater in buckets for those little conveniences like survival? Armageddon? Maybe. Intoxication due to excessive alcohol consumption? Probably. What's with Australia? I have no clue.

But don't worry. The Midnight Juggernauts, from Melbourne themselves, are touring the Aussie continent now and not trapped in their apparently forsaken home. Thank God. The new album, Dystopia, should be as good or better than their last from what I've heard so far. Synth-pop jedi believers a la Justice dance with a deep love of robots and the near future.

A few tracks for night starters. Peace.

The Midnight Juggernauts - Into The Galaxy
The Midnight Juggernauts - Shadows
The Midnight Juggernauts - Tombstone

Dragonette - I Get Around (Midnight Juggernauts Mix)

Danny Boyle's (28 Days Later) new movie is a metaphysical and visual scorcher. Literally. Beautifully conceived, with an interesting assorted cast, the film centers on the crew of the Icarus II. They are the last hope for humanity, the sun's rays no longer strong enough to warm the Earth as the crew move ever closer to it. And a darkness lurks in the light...

One thing: the spacesuits of the future are made of gold.

The White Stripes @ Snowden Grove Amphitheatre 7/31/07

While Mississippi is not always the best state to party in, it rose up a few notches for at least one night while hosting the White Stripes at Snowden Grove Amphitheater Tuesday. Walking in to the concert area was like passing a Saturday football tailgate into a state fair, but sitting on the lawn elevated above the stage was all style. When the White Stripes pushed on stage, dressed in red jumpsuits and backed by a two-tier red background, complete with three staircases and a giant disco ball glittering overhead, it kept getting better.

The giant spotlights in the crowd beamed white light to the canvas behind, lifting giant shadows of Meg at drums and Jack running around the stage. The mounted lights and red and white strobes pulsating around the stage to the heavy beat and blues-infused guitar riffs was incredible. The visual spectacle of the pair shadowed overhead. Although claiming sibling status, Jack and Meg White apparently married at one point, divorced, and kept the band together. But whatever you hear or believe, the Whites Stripes are a prolific duo, with so many songs to choose from its hard to keep track. They played a lot of songs from their new album, Icky Thump, sounding much better live than on the new album.

The encore of the show completely blew me away. As Jack White finished a slow solo guitar piece, three sets of lights, of course red and white, smashed the disco ball hanging over the keys, and the entire stage turned into a 70s red-white disco aquarium. My one mark against them was they forgot to play "Fell in Love With A Girl." But I liked most of what I heard. Highlights included "Hotel Yorba," "I'm Slowly Turning Into You," and an offstage guitar performance by Jack with Meg on vocals.

The White Stripes - I'm Slowly Turning Into You
The White Stripes - You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do What You're Told)
The White Stripes - Hotel Yorba