Justice Has Come.

In honor of this, all Justice Friday.

1. MGMT- Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
2. Justice- D.A.N.C.E. (Live)
3. Justice- Tthhee Ppaarrttyy
4. Justice- Phantom Part II (Boys Noize Remix)
5. Simian- Never Be Alone (Justice Remix)

1. Great way to open up the floor. The bassline is slow and warms you up for what's in store.
2. Justice's hit song gets redone on their live album A Cross The Universe. More intense and up in your grill.
3. I love Uffie. Such innocent vocals provide a song that will get you excited to go out for the first night of the weekend.
4. Here is probably the best remix of any Justice song. Boys Noize redoes the already mind blowing song Phantom Part Deux to make it even more intense. You'll never listen to the original the same way again!
5. And yes, I'm ending it with the one that started it all. It's been 5 years and it's still not old yet. Great way to close an already stellar tracklisting.

New Bloody Beetroots Single "Awesome (feat. The Cool Kids)"

When the Bloody Beetroots dropped "Warp 1.9" earlier this year I was ready for it. Downloaded it immediately the minute it was available and stuck that track on repeat for the 24 hours afterward. After listing listening, playing it at parties and seeing it live, it's safe to say that it gets better every time I hear it. The song has become the hottest song in the Beetroots' repertoire and is a staple in any DJs live set today. The day that single dropped was hands-down one of the most important days for house music in 2009.

Since then the Beetroots have been on the 'Til Death Tour and working on their new album Romborama which will release later this summer. Today they have released the first single from the album, entitled "Awesome" and it features alternative hip-hop group, The Cool Kids.

Though I got a preview of this track when the Beetroots released a mix of their newest stuff on their Twitter a couple weeks ago, I still feel some ambivalence about the song. First off, it's another venture into the hip-hop electro crossover that's been popular lately. It's reminiscent of the U-God remix I mentioned last post but it's one of the better tracks that crosses the two genres. Secondly, the track is really rich in sound. Lots of depth to the different synths and basses going on with the vocals. After awhile though, It's not nearly as intense as Warp and that is what I love about the Beetroots. That aside though, this is definitely a track worth checking out.


The Bloody Beetroots- Awesome (feat. The Cool Kids)

Disaster Averted!

Our blog was almost shut down by Google and Blogger this past weekend! They mistakenly thought that because we were linking all our songs and youtube videos, we were an evil spam site and were going to delete our site. Sigh, that would have sucked SO hard.

Well, to celebrate the fact that we won't be destroyed, I put together a playlist of a couple less-well known artists I found out about this weekend, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

1) Settler - Balmorhea
2) Threnody - Goldmund
3) Pauvre Simon - Sylvain Chauveau
4) Yuki - Vessels
5) Narita - Lymbyc Systym

Promised Concert Review by Conical Valves

As promised, I have a concert review for you all. This past Thursday I went to see Ted Leo and the Pharmacists play a free outdoor show. They do this annually and have had to deal with some kind of natural disaster for the majority of the shows. This show was no exception, as I waited three hours in pouring rain prior to the concert beginning. Due to the rain neither of the opening bands were able to play so Ted Leo played an extra-long set.

The crowd was rather small and the band was so impressed by the devotion of those who were there that they played any and all requests. This was also aided by the fact that they informed us that they hadn't actually created a setlist for the show. Their impromptu set consisted of many classics, such as "Me and Mia," "Counting Down the Hours," "The Ballad of the Sin Eater," and many more, mixed in with some new ones off of the upcoming album. Despite the small crowd, the show still managed to be a very high-energy show and neither the band nor audience let the rain dampen their spirits.

All in all, an excellent concert and a band I hope to see live again one day. (Though maybe inside next time.)

I got to speak briefly with guitarist James Canty after the show and he informed us that they began recording the new album this past Saturday (July 25th) and "It'll be released when it's done." 

Picture taken by Laurel Kalman.

Colin Munroe

Some of you guys might recognize this guy from his remake of Kanye's  song Flashing Lights. His unofficial remix to the song became very popular all over youtube and led to him collaborating with more hip-hop artists such as Wale ('Will I Stay'), Joell Ortiz ('Piano Lessons'), and the now widely known Drake ('Cannonball'). His songs are pretty dope, his mixtape Colin Munroe is the Unsung Hero is available for download and includes the three tracks previously listed. He also has an album in the works titled Don't Think Less of Me and has a new song out called 'Get Even', which was produced by The Kickdrums. Oh, and he's Canadian, just wanted to throw that in there. Maybe South Park was wrong, Canada isn't so bad after all.

In case you didn't see it, here's Colin's video for the Flashing Lights Remix: 

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40G8sbl6o9c&feature=player_embedded

U-God: The Remixes

Even as a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, rapper U-God hasn't been given a lot of mainstream attention. It's understandable though, being incarcerated for the majority of the time Enter the 36 Chambers was being produced led him to have minimal input onto that record. (I don't remember much from him other than a 4 line verse in their magnum opus "Protect Ya Neck.") The rapper's latest solo album Dopium however, has proven his lyrical talent and truly shown why he was so important as a founding member of the Clan.

Two of the songs off Dopium have been recently remixed by French house legend Yuksek and Italian Fidget DJs, The Bloody Beetroots. The remixes display his lyrical prowess proudly while giving the songs a spin that defines the artist who mixed them.

U-God- Dopium (Yuksek Remix)
U-God- Stomp Da Roach (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)


Link: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a1/Dopium.jpg

My apologies

Sorry for the lack in post last week and last night. I promise I have a concert review for you coming soon. (I was at this concert last night, hence the lack of post.)

Random Playlist for the Week of 7/21/09 - 7/28/09 (By Accident)

1. Reckoner - Radiohead
2. Rapture (Reprise) - Marbury
3. Les Yeux Ouverts (Dream a Little Dream of Mine) - Emilie Claire Bardow
4. Please Don't Go - Barcelona
5. Karma Police - Radiohead

Very somber mix, for what has been one of the tougher weeks of the summer.

Beastie Boys x Nas

Nas joins the Beastie Boys for a performance on stage. They're performing a song called 'Too Many Rappers' and it's off their new album Hot Sauce Commitee pt. 1 which is scheduled to hit stores September 12. Also Look out for Nas and Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley's album titled Distant Relatives which drops sometime in August. 

Video cited from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dva012Gwy1M&feature=player_embedded

Satudayplayalisticadillacmuzik

Here we have: some plain straight up random songs!

It's saturday night and I am tired and frustrated from work. Maybe you are too. Maybe you have parites to go to. Maybe you, like me, don't. If you are the latter; take a listen.

1. On A Saturday - Jacob Golden

2. Little Bit Of Feel Good (Mochipet Remix) - Jamie Lidell

3. Come on Closer - Jem

4. Dreamy Smiles - Dining Rooms

And finally, one of my favorite ridiculous songs, ever...

5. Get Yr Shit Together - Friendly Foes

Now, I am going biking. If you're in Boston, look for a Red, Green and Blue bicycle with white tires flying by. PEACE.

Ting Ting Kick

I've recently been on a Ting Ting kick. I really like this band, I first heard their single "Shut Up and Let Me Go" on the local radio station but I really loved it. I got their album "We Started Nothing" and listened to the whole thing on a train ride back from Manhattan. They're into the driving 4/4 beat that has kind of gotten lost (I think) in recent music trends. Percussive is their word. Everything, even the guitar strums, are short staccato emphasizers to the beat. Another trend on the CD is the tendency to build on simple rhythms. There may be two chords in an entire Ting Tings song, but it's what they put around the two chords that is so interesting. They really are geniuses at production.

The Ting Tings have a pretty interesting story. You can check out their bio at their website here: http://www.thetingtings.com/us/the-band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-E8UlrF_9o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r23cm7bL9E&feature=channel_page

DwyTownDown- "I Need Equipment" Mix Preview

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather today, it's finally humid enough to ruin my new, product-enhanced haircut. Today also marks the 10th year that Spongebob Squarepants is on the air. How can they keep making episodes? There is only so much you can do with a talking sponge! The plot of today's episode: SpongeBob decides to wear ROUND pants. Compelling.

I've been working on a mixtape over the past week and wanted to post it here today but it's not finished yet. I'm still working on it and will post it here when it is completely done. Here is a 12 minute preview I've released to show you what's to come.

DwyTownDown- The "I Need Equipment" Mix

Enjoy!

5 Covers Playlist

There is a certain, modern phenomenon in music, something that makes my blood boil, my eyes bulge, and my voice hoarse with long, coarse derogatory rants. It is shoddily made cover songs of my favorite songs. Sweet Child of Mine by Guns and Roses - EPIC SONG. Sheryl Crow, Big Daddy Soundtrack, OmgWtf. Not quite the same panache. But covers like that aren't so bad, Sheryl Crow has a fantastic voice, and for some, it is a really good song on its own. I am talking about motherfucking covers by motherfucking bands like the motherfucking Jonas Brothers, butchering the timeless Beatles, OMG WTF GTFO. Now that is ice-pick directly to the ears. Jonas Brothers... ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH HATE RANT.

This is five legit covers of already good songs.

1) Float On - Goldspot
2) 99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger
3) Time After Time - Quietdrive
4) I Try - Ben Taylor
5) Wonderwall - Ryan Adams

Listen to the originals as well.

1) Float On - Modest Mouse
2) 99 Luft Balloons - Nena
3) Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
4) I Try - Macy Gray
5) Wonderwall - Oasis

Enjoy!

Saints of Los Angeles album Review (InfektedIncubus)

Motley Crue - Saints of Los Angeles review

Track Listing -
1. Motherfucker of the Year
2. L.A.M.F
3. Face Down in the Dirt
4. What's it Gonna Take
5. Down at the Whiskey
6. Saints of Los Angeles
7. The Animal in Me
8. Welcome to the Machine
9. Just Another Psycho
10. Chicks = Trouble
11. This Ain't a Love Song
12. White Trash Circus
13. Goin' Out Swingin'

I once heard a commentator on the radio say that all AC/DC songs are about sex and all Motley Crue songs are about drugs. While humorous, this might hold true for AC/DC, but certainly not Motley Crue. They have definitely adapted to the times and proved it with their newest album, The Saints of Los Angeles. With this album, Motley Crue has managed to retain a lot of what originally made them famous and add even more to that stature simultaneously. I would even go as far as to classify this album as hard rock. I would consider a lot of their older material classic rock sounding, but this new album is definitely heavy, hard, loud, rough, and in your face. That's the kind of attitude that I expect from the likes of Motley Crue and Tommy Lee, and I love every second of it. For anyone who isn't too familiar with the band, the original lineup consisted of founders Nikki Sixx (bass) and Tommy Lee (drums). The two were later joined by Mick Mars (lead guitar) and Vince Neil (rhythm guitar, vocals).

From just looking at the names of some of the songs on this album, you might think that Motley Crue are just a bunch of derelicts out of Los Angeles who happened to make it big and get out of all the drugs, alcohol, and other pleasantries associated with hard rock music stars. This is absolutely not the case. The band even brings this to attention in the second track, LAMF. The lyrics towards the end of the song really highlight just how fake a lot of people/bands out of LA can be. "This city, full of plastic angels will seduce you." Motley Crue strove to set themselves apart from the Los Angeles standard, and they've certainly succeeded in doing so. This song has a really dark feel to it, which is accomplished most likey by Mick and vince using a drop D tuning on their guitars and various synthesized effects on Vince's voice and other elements of the song.

Another notable song that generally characterizes the album as a whole is "Down at the Whiskey." "Down at the Whiskey" is a nostalgic song about remembering the good times of your life that you've shared with your friends and how you should really live the life you have left to the fullest. It's put in the perspective of the band, mentioning how they "got drunk on sunset strip" and "were on the run, got loaded like a shotgun. Living out our dreams down at the whiskey." While maybe the partying scene isn't your favorite choice, (it can be a hell of a good time in moderation) the band had many good times doing this and it is portrayed throughout the song. Tommy Lee really pounds the hell out of the drums in this song with lots of energetic rolls and intense beats. Mick has an intricate and melodic guitar solo that lasts through the better part of the song, and Nikki Sixx's bass can be heard as loud and powerful as always. The song even ends in a fade out to reinforce the nostalgic element of it after the band tears it up. This would arguably be one of their best songs played live.

A similar song, "Saints of Los Angeles" you may have heard on the radio, as it is a single from the album and is probably the most mainstream song off of it. This track is also on rock band as downloadable content and features a hip-hop element to it as well, as the lyrics seem like more of a rap almost the way that vince sings them. Mick, Nikki, and Tommy throw their two cents in (of course, duh) to make one of the most popular singles of the last couple of years.

The final song on the album "Goin' Out Swingin'" is literally a song about fighting, but I prefer to think of it as a song about going out with a bang. If you're going to make your presence known, you might as well have everyone know it, and not just a few people. One of the faster paced songs on the album, Tommy and Nikki keep a very imperssive rhythm that's reinforced by Vince and Mick. However, it seems that Mick has the dominating presence in this track. It's just an awesome song that's one of my favorites on the record as well. It can really pump you up.

So that's just a glimpse of Saints of Los Angeles. This album really does kick some serious ass, and that's what I love about Motley Crue. They're always right up there in your face, they're loud, and they're pretty metal. They're definitely one of my favorite bands, and I'm looking forward to hearing new material from them in the future. I've also always wanted to see them live, and I suggest that you go if you have the chance. That's all for now, I hope you've enjoyed this review. If you're interested, I suggest buying the album. It is definitely worth it.



http://www.zrock965.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/ole1.bmp

And now for some beats from overseas....

So there's this hip-hop producer who goes by the name Nujabes. He's Japanese, which is probably the reason why I never heard of him before but this guy is DOPE. I kid you not though the first time I heard a song from him was when my sister was myspace surfing and his song 'Lady Brown' was on someones page. I loved the song and right away did my research on him. I found out that he also produced almost the whole soundtrack for the anime show 'Samurai Champloo' (I loved that show as well). Nujabes blends real instruments such as pianos, guitars, trumpets, and clarinets with heavy hip hop beats and the combo is pure bliss. It's not too hardcore rap, but it's not entirely smooth R&B, it's just right. Perfect vibe music. Take some hip-hop, sprinkle it with a little bit of soul and jazz and you have Nujabes' sound. I like many of his songs but I'll just list a few that I really like and you should check out:

1) Sky is Falling (ft. C.L. Smooth)

2) Moon Strut

3) Messing with my head (Nujabes Remix) by Phase Rock and L Universe

4) Luv(sic) Pt. 1

5)Luv(sic) Pt. 2

6)Ordinary Joe

7)Another Reflection

8) Song of Four Seasons (Shiki No Uta) by MINMI

Also you should check out his songs from the 'Samurai Champloo' soundtracks. The last song I listed plays during the ending credits of the show. This guy is definitely one of my favorite hip-hop producers. I suggest that you check this guy out, you won't be dissapointed.

Picture Citation: http://blog.roodo.com/ddrbb/01bc731a.jpg

New Bloc Party "One More Chance"

One of the best bands in the world right now, Bloc Party has become increasingly more dance-friendly with every new release. Last year's Intimacy drew most of its influence from club tracks, while still maintaining it's rock and roll roots. I had the pleasure of catching Bloc Party in concert last March, during the opening week of Boston's new House of Blues. While it was quite overcrowded, the only way to cool off was through a nearly-perfect set list to dance to.

This release shows the band moving even further towards a house sound, but just hanging on to a few elements of rock. The song wasn't even supposed to be released until August 10th but the music video is out so I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt. Here's Bloc Party's "One More Chance."


Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOm5z2KIDJg

5 Indie Love Songs (by conical valves)

For some reason a lot of the songs I've been listening to lately are love songs, so I thought I'd share.

1) Wasted - Angus & Julia Stone

2) Say Yes - Elliott Smith

3) Young Folks - Peter, Bjorn, and John

4) Parentheses - The Blow

5) The Fear You Won't Fall - Joshua Radin

1) She has a really unique voice and I really enjoy it in this song.

2) I love Elliott Smith. I especially love this song. All his songs have darker sides to them, and this is no exception, but it's nice and sweet nonetheless.

3) I think anyone who's ever been in love with anyone can appreciate the sentiment of "hours seem[ing] to disappear" while talking to the one you love.

4) The image of people making a pair of parentheses is just always adorable to me.

5) I love the use of strings in this song, especially combined with his voice.

Picture from http://spotifyplaylists.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/653/indieLove_logo_v1_comp.jpg

Album Review: Guns Don't Kill People..Lazers do

Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do
Major Lazer


I was actually smoking a lot of crack when I first heard about this album. Defiantly a booster to my mood. Diplo and Switch, the DeeJays of the album connect with their inner rasta, by heading down to Jamaica. They recoreded real street and local artists, did some careful editing, and put together this album: Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do. I feel like it is not enough for me to describe, in words, the sounds and rhythms experienced via this album, so I urge you to illegally download it and listen carefully. The club-style undertones and heavily-focused rasta omit a funky aurora. Trust me.



picture courtesy amazon.com

5 Indie Artists for the week (By Anonymously Rach)

1. The Skin of My Country Yellow Teeth- Clap Your Hands say Yea!

2. Nobody Move, Nobody gets Hurt- We Are Scientists

3. The Vowels, pt.2 - Why?

4. I'll Believe in Anything- Wolf Parade

5. Set Yourself on Fire - Stars

In a bit of a rush, but posted regardless!

1. So the first song has been in my head for about 3 weeks now and it is very catchy. I highly recommend it. The singing is high and sounds like cracking almost, but it grows on you, which is strange enough.

2. Great indie rock band from Britain, this is from the

ir debut album, and will have you jumping around in no time.

3. The Vowels, pt. 2 is an amazing song from an amazing al

bum, Alopecia. Why? is a indie urban hip hop kind of deal in California. It's really good to listen to on a summer day (like today) and just relax with some good beats.

4. I'll Believe in Anything is quite a well written song, with the strange synth at the beginning to the high singing throughout. Go buy it now! The album as a whole is amazing.

5. Set Yourself on Fire, as morbid as that sounds, is a very catchy song done none other by Stars. The song, also the title of the album, has great rhythmic contrasts, and a very enticing bass line. The singing is amazing, but expect that from this Indie pop duo!

Image source: http://www.graffiti.org/indie/indie_bronx3.jpg

Hello...

My name is Fawkes, and like many of the other authors, critics and music lovers involved with this blog, I too was cordially invited by my friend "By Accident" to share my interests and tastes as well.

As far as my musical roots are concerned, it's nothing spectacular or even that impressive. I'm not a classical trained musician (or even an amateur at the guitar for that matter), I've never been one to listen to the radio, and not a zealot for one particular band or one particular sound or another; in fact, I didn't even really become that interested in the music scene until the latter days of my grammar school life, up until when I mainly focused on writing, reading, and television as my primary sources of entertainment.

It wasn't until I began to watch my friends and others around me who were beginning to immerse themselves in music, making their instruments and favorite bands a critical theme to their lives, that I realized something about music I had never understood before. It was the emotion, the feeling and the passion that music was able to infuse into a person; the way a rhythm, melody or harmony could toss about your emotions,linger about in your brain for days and days, and find explanations for a feeling in a language as equally confusing but at times infinitely more real in their work and in every other place that song permeates and blends with the senses that was truly inspiring and finally made music both important and beautiful to me.

For that matter, I've never considered myself fettered to one specific sound or genre, as my tastes vary from country to hip-hop, classical to electro, and alternative to blues, and so I don't claim to be an expert on anything I share and or review (so forgive me if all this pomp seems to exaggerate anything I post). All I do claim is that the music I like is the music that can make me move, and more importantly, has moved me in one way or another, and it is my hope that the vibes, beats, ballads and ditties I share here can do the same for you (or at least introduce you to a new artist I suppose).

And without further rambling, here are a few songs that I dig:

1. Impossible Germany - Wilco (peaceful melody/tone with a brilliant guitar solo that embodies the song)

2. Nice to Meet You - The Reign of Kindo (beautiful cohesion between the piano, vocals, and brass for an overall great piece)

3. Easy Plateau - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals (in general just an excellent country sound that makes awesome work of the guitar, string and vocal styles attributable to the genre and in my opinion the perfect thing to listen to when your driving out to the wilderness)

4. Saddle Road - Kevin Teves (relaxing and smoothing slack key guitar)

5. Refraction - John Paul Walton (invigorating beat and great rhythm that make for an impressive electronic piece)

Enjoy, and a pleasure to be here.

*Picture citation: http://qa9ed2000.deviantart.com/art/real-emotion-45979992

Maxwell's new album release is tomorrow

Soulhopper here....sorry for the late post, but the July 4th weekend was pretty busy. Have no fear I'm back now. So tomorrow is Tuesday and we all know what that means...new releases! One new release I'm looking forward to hearing is Maxwell's Black Summers' Night. Although he hasn't released an album since 2001, this one is sure to please. Even after such a long hiatus, Maxwell has proved that he's still sticking to what he does best, which is creating smooth soulful love ballads that are easy on the ears. His first single Pretty Wings was already released and its slow soothing melody has proved that Maxwell's still got it. So even if you're not familiar with Maxwell or R&B in general you should listen to this album when it comes out whenever you're relaxing and need some music to mellow out to....not to mention that his lyrics about love are sure to intrigue the romantics, and the ladies (wink wink). So be sure to check out Black Summers' Night, I'll most definitely be doing so.

Picture citation: http://www.maxwellfanforum.com/Images/BSNedit.jpg

Random Playlist for the Week of 7/6/09 - 7/13/09

1) Brother - Murder By Death
2) Half Asleep - School of Seven Bells
3) I Try (Feat Mary J. Blige) - Talib Kweli
4) Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti and Spearhead
5) Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - Spamalot

Overlooked mainstream: why you should buy the album, not the single.

There are a lot of really great albums out there, even mainstream music albums, made popular in the public by one or two really great singles. But all too often, I find other really great songs that are easily overlooked.

1. Neighbors - Gnarls Barkley (from The Odd Couple)

2. Pink & Blue - OutKast (from The Love Below)

3. November Has Come - Gorillaz (from Demon Days)

4. She Looks to Me - Red Hot Chili Peppers (from Stadium Arcadium)

5. Holla Holla - Akon ft. T-Pain (from Freedom)

First up: Gnarls. Their second album had two singles: "Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)" and "Going On". These are pretty good songs in and of themselves, but if you only heard these two songs, you would probably have a very different idea of Gnarls' style than if you heard the whole album. There's the side that these singles exemplify - a sort of heavier, neo-Beatles sound, thick with extra instruments and backing vocals. The lyrics are interesting, catchy, so who cares what they say. Right? No. Listen to "Neighbors," and you find a melancholy, hurting side of Gnarls, that feels exposed and vulnerable, not the monster in "Run" or the runner in "Going On."

Next, Pink & Blue, from one of the biggest albums of recent times: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Roses, Hey Ya, The Way You Move, Prototype, and Ghetto Musick were the singles; but there are many, many, MANY more songs on this double album. It's hard to narrow down just ONE easily overlooked song, but this one may do it. It's fun, funky, dark, and pretty cool. Crazy falsetto vocals, an interesting beat, and pretty, minimalist instrumentation, and not-too-racy lyrics make it a pretty applicable hip-hop song for any situation.

November, November. November has come, and gone away. November is a popular month to write songs about. Not popular enough, evidently, to find its way to a singles chart. No, Demon Day's glory came and went in the form of "Feel Good Inc." and "Dare," two songs which I initially loved but quickly grew to hate after they were blared out of every car and radio within a mile. However, this song goes alongside "Pink & Blue" in the idea of bleak, washed-out, but with more rap and even less instruments.

She Looks to Me. Fairly much every RHCP fan will tell you this song is AWSEOME. It's a step back, sort of, towards RHCP's older style, circa Californication and Blood Sugar Sex Majik. Light guitar riffs, gorgeous vocals, a love-song theme, but still somehow never made a single.

And finally, Holla Holla. accident is going to kill me for this, but I really like Akon, and T-Pain for that matter. Holla Holla is no different. T-Pain does a great job with harmonies and melodies, emulating, if you will, the barbershop quartet of oldern days with a vocoder and synthesizer. Growly harmonies and screeching, grinding vocoder sounds fill this R&B masterpiece. The lyrics are straight up modern, but if you can get past that, unless you hate Vocoders, this track is sure to please.

Picture courtesy of http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/4/MUSIC/index-02.html

Open up your folding chair (by conical valves)

Sorry for the delay in posting. I hope you weren't all frantically refreshing the page waiting for my post.

Anyway I've got an album review for you today. Regina Spektor's new album, Far, was released last week. Aside from catching half of it when she streamed it early, I pre-ordered it and have been listening to it for the past week and a half.

Personally, I find the album to be a bit of a disappointment coming from her. The album is loaded with superstar producers and studio musicians and as a result, no longer has Spektor's typical quirky air to it. Every track just sounds overproduced and the only thing remaining of Regina is the voice. None of the songs are bad individually, but what I like to refer to as the "curse of The Fray" seems to have befallen her. The songs are all good individually, but they all sound the same. There is a clear formula to all of them: one verse sans studio musicians, then second verse the drums and musicians kick in. In past albums, even though I may not have liked all the songs, they all very much had their own sound.

If you are looking to buy some individual songs off of the album and not the whole album I recommend: 

1) Folding Chair

2) Blue Lips

3) Laughing With

4) Dance Anthem of the 80s

5) One More Time with Feeling. 

Folding Chair is possibly the only track on the album that benefitted from the many producers. I've heard a live version of this track that doesn't feature the studio musicians or production and I much prefer the album version.

Blue Lips is the second track on the album and is slower and more serious than the two that surround it. I find it to be a delightfully dark track, with incredibly ambiguous lyrics. It seems to discuss greed, religion, and death all in one 3 1/2 minute song. However, it could definitely do without the formulaic creation.

Laughing With is another song with a religious theme. In this case it describes the hypocrisies of religion. She lists a variety of situations in which "No one is laughing at God" but then reminds us that when we're not worried we turn around and make God something trivial again. Again I think this could benefit from not being overproduced, but it's still a beautiful song.

Dance Anthem of the 80s is possibly the song that retains the most of Spektor's normal style. It's also delightfully dark, but very subtly so. At first listen it seems quite sweet, but repeated listening brings out the darker side of the lyrics.

One More Time with Feeling is another slower, more serious song, although this time subtly uplifting instead of subtly dark. I absolutely love her voice in this song and think it's worth a listen for that alone. I very much wish it hadn't ever been touched by the producers though; it could be so much more powerful without their influence.

Picture from http://www.amazon.com/Far-Regina-Spektor/dp/B00204AA0O

Hey Happy 4th!

Hey everyone, lalalalovemachine here. I too am a friend of by accident's. I'm going to be posting on here every so often because I think he's a cool guy and I like what he's doing.

I am a musician and a romantic. The majority of the songs I write are about relationships and love because I think without love we're through. My writing style is a lot of things (anti folk folk pop with a theatrical twist?).

I like good, original beats. I'm also into lyrics. I like creativity better than a song that fits a particular genre like a glove. I am also obsessed with glockenspiels.

That being said, here are some songs that I love:

Trapeze Swinger- Iron and Wine (Lyrics)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnGXduu293c

Sillhouettes- Elijah Wyman (I played a show with him in NH and fell in love)
http://www.elijahwyman.com

The Most Trustworthy Tin Cans-Maps and Atlases (awesome guitar riffs and beats..and glockenspiels)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf3uPQQXh6c&feature=related <--I was at this show! It was Me Without You and Maps and Atlases and it rocked.

Thirteen- Ben Kweller (Love and Lyrics)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OFWa67ric4

Girl in the War-Josh Ritter (Glockenspiels!! And lyrics)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqLssKusGzM

Okay guys, nice to meet ya'll.
Enjoy the 4th!! and please don't blow yourselves up..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzx2cpVbNs0

DwyTown Dance Mix Weekly (7/3/09)

So while this Independence Day I will be working a 9 and a half hour shift (Yeah Capitalism!), I can only imagine the antics you readers might be up to. I'm gonna keep this quick, here are 5 for your parties this weekend:

1. Busy P- To Protect and Entertain (Crookers Remix)
2. Major Lazer- Keep It Goin' Louder (feat. Nina Sky and Ricky Blaze)
3. Services- Element of Danger (MSTRKRFT Remix)
4. Machines Don't Care- Afro Jacker
5. Shitdisco- 72 Virgins (The Bloody Beetroots Remix) into Bloody Beetroots- Warp 1.9 (feat Steve Aoki)

1. This track follows the new trend in electro introducing hip hop vocals over traditional house music. While I'd agree with many that this is not the direction I'd like to see the genre take, this remix by the Crookers pretty much outlines how Dim Mak Tuesdays usually ends up. Basically, this is MSTRKRFT's "Bounce" before that track came out.

2. Before I decided to mix it up a bit, this playlist was almost entirely Major Lazer. The whole album is, by far, THE summer 2009 party album. This track is catchy, danceable and one of the few tracks in the industry these days that makes good use of auto-tune. Also check out "Baby" also by the Diplo and Switch duo of mastery to see all the fun things they can do experimenting with auto-tune.

3. Pretty standard MSTRKRFT fare: power-chords droning over a fairly intense bass beat. The lyrics here are fairly simple making this an easy crowd-pleaser. Everything you need in the Fist of God era.

4. This track takes the party down with a smooth jungle beat and then brings it back up with intense fanfare. Never gets old.

5. Watch this below and be astonished as you see THE best transition ever made. Dropped at Webster Hall earlier this year, this is Warp:

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0y9oX3FShw

5 Heavy Metal Artists of the Week

1. Day of Justice - All Shall Perish
2. Nothing - Misery Signals
3. Shitstorm - Strapping Young Lad
4. Chrion - All That Remains
5. Pain - Soulfly

No one reads the descriptions as to why each person picked a song. So I'll just write a brief comment on the songs as a whole. These are more modern metal artists I believe. My favorite is Strapping Young Lad. Check them out if you are hardcore enough.

http://www.youtube.com/v/BW9WUCJSK1E

5 Metal Artists of the Week (7/2/09-7/9/09) Posted by: InfektedIncubus

The Poison – Bullet for My Valentine

This is Absolution – Killswitch Engage

Hit the Lights – Metallica

The Downfall of us All – A Day to Remember

Reinventing Your Exit – Underoath

1 – This is one of my favorites by this band and they manage to blend everything together really well. Their vocals and guitar are probably my favorite aspects of the band and the solo and song in its entirety is really almost nostalgic.

2 – Killswitch can be a bit heavy at times, but I really enjoy this track. Their drummer is especially talented and keeps some pretty fast beats.

3 – Metallica has always been a personal favorite band of mine. Hit the Lights has a really fast and heavy main riff and about 3 or 4 intense guitar solos throughout the song. It is basically their first song from their first album and really highlights the band’s talents.

4 – The main riff and sing-songy style of this song is typically not characteristic of most metal, however the way that A Day to Remember does this track makes it very catchy and appealing. It’s almost like a mix of pop and metal, although the heavy guitar riff and vocals makes it a lot more metal.

5 – A song about finding yourself and realizing your full potential, Reinventing your Exit is both inspirational and uplifting at the same time. However, finding an exit from life’s struggles would complete the speaker.

5 Blues Artists

I've been absent for the past few days, been formatting, working on advertisers, and generally busy with life.

So I created a schedule for the writers, which I posted on the bottom of the site, so the readers can look for the writers they like. In spirit of this newly created schedule, as founder and dictator, I decided to make a random post, on a different day then what it says on the the schedule in a complete flair of hypocrisy. This is just once in a while, I miss you guys :)

1. Pride and Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughn
2. Thrill is Gone - B.B. King
3. Soul Man - Blues Brothers
4. Ten Million Slaves
5. Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker

I'll keep it short. This may be an overgeneralization, but most young people aren't exposed to enough blues. This playlist hits all of the classics. My favorite song is Soul Man - Blues Brothers, easily the best SNL Movie skit adaptation with John Belushi (R.I.P.) and Dan Aykroyd. Expand your horizons, if you don't like it, that's fine, at least be exposed and be familiar with all the genres we put up on this blog.

And first and foremost, enjoy it all!

... And the Ever Expanding Universe (Review by Anonymously Rach)

So I was contemplating what to write about today, and I decided I would do a review of the soon to be released album "...And the Ever Expanding Universe" by The Most Serene Republic. This album is due for July 14th, but I managed to get a hold of it and have a listen. To say the least I had been anticipating this album for months now and I was ecstatic to listen to it. When I listened to it the musical quality that they created in their "Population" album, and how new and intriguing their sound was, all my expectations were met, and more.

The opening song, "Bubble Reputation", in the album is an amazing start where they have a healthy sound of brass in the background before the song began. Think of it as a prelude to the material to come. When you heard the brass intro, you could feel that something unique and exciting was building. I was not disappointed continued to I listen to each track. Each and every piece was amazing to listen to, and extremely well written. Even the slower songs in the album had amazing dynamics contrasts and some wonderful singing and chord progressions to boot. Each song was well crafted and written. "Patternicity" was very interesting to me, because it sounded like a classical composition with a David Brubeck - "Take Five" feel to it. Also "Heavens to Purgatory" will have you dancing on your feet. The album is very diverse. You will always be able to find something to fit your mood.

The band itself consists of music majors from Toronto, so I assumed (Dangerous word), they would know what they were doing when it came to writing music. Fortunately, my assumptions were correct and these guys were just absolutely amazing. To be honest it's my favorite band as of late, and they continue to push the limits. I guess the only criticism I could think of was that I was hoping to hear some songs that were a little more intense in the track list like they had in "Population", I.E. "Compliance" (Amazing song). Also the drumming is complicated in the new album, but if you ever listen to their E.P. "Phages" or "Population", you will hear some of the most intense drum rhythms any indie rock band could pull out. So I was hoping for more of that as well, but what can you do? It's still amazing! Be prepared for exciting feats in tempo meter as well, because one can expect that the "Most Serene Republic" will pull out some uncommon time signatures in their music. such as 5/4, 7/8, or even 17/4. I whole heartedly recommend a listen to this band, and their newest album, "...And the Ever Expanding Universe" It is a sound very well defined, full of rich textures and colors. 5/5!

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