Hurdling Over The Sophmore Slump

It's been quite a while since my last post. I would love to say it's because I've just been too busy, but more accurately I've been rather uninspired. Looks like my musical dry spell is over. Just recently I've been listening to a grip of new stuff, a good deal of which hasn't even been released yet. I am feeling a great need to share the wealth. Enjoy.

1. Home Video - Melon
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This song was featured in the episode of CSI titled "4X4." It's dark and driving, and it beats with a pulse as cold as a steel slab.


2. Röyksopp - Go With The Flow
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Originally recorded by Queens of the Stone Age, Röyksopp performed this track for their live album, Röyksopp's Night Out. I'm always a bit leary about hearing electronic music performed live but they manage not only to pull it off, but charge it with a new energy.

3. Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch
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So I recently went to a Goth club in SF, not knowing what in the world I was getting myself into. (The lengths we go to to support those we care about.) There I was, standing on the sidelines in my jeans and t-shirt, enjoying the beat of whatever dark song the DJ was currently spinning, when to my great delight, Ladytron, Destroy Eveything You Touch comes echoing into my thankful ears. Before I knew it I was on the floor dancing my ass off in a sea of vinyl and black eyeliner. Who knew. Ladytron, bridging the gap between light and dark.

4. Goldfrapp - Ooh La La
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The 1st track on Goldfrapp's album, Supernature, Ooh la la makes me feel a little bit naughty. Ok, a lotta bit. It's slides out my speakers and makes me squirm in my seat in a manner I'm almost positive is reserved for strippers. Not those rent-a-pole, hand me down g-string, dive bar types, but the Natalie Portman in Closer, by the hour , top dollar for a moment alone with you types. Bloody hot...


5. Dot Allison - Substance (Felix Da Housecat Remix)
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So apparently I am really into electro-synth-pop stuff right now. I'm looking into a 12 step program don't worry. Dot Allison's music is generally lucid and dreamy, but in the very capable hands of Felix Da Houscat it becomes less etherial and more electro funky. That's right, I said it, electro funky! It reminds me a bit of Yaz or even Bronski Beat. If you don't know who that is you should check them out. So endeth my electro-synth-pop craze.

6. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
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By now I'm almost possitve there is no one left on this planet who doesn't know who Gnarls Barkley is. If not, you need to drag yourself out of the cave you've been living in and give it a serious listen. This song has been floating around on various blogs now for months and even inspiring several covers. (Of which I will be posting soon.) Then MTV aired them on the movie awards spoiling the fun for all of us indie-yuppie insider types. Then again, anyone who performs with an all Star Wars ensable deserves all the attention they can get.

7. Nelly Furtado - Say it Right
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Speaking of attention, all eyes need to be focused onNelly Furtado. Her new album 'Loose' hasn't even dropped yet and she's everywhere! She released three different singles, Promiscuous Feat. Timbaland (who produced a great deal of the album), Maneater and No Hay Igual in three different regions simultaneously making sure there's no fickle ear she isn't pleasing. Several other tracks including my personal favorite, 'Say it Right', have already been leaked over the internet further building the hype. After a rather lack-luster sophmore album, Nelly Furtado's 'Loose' is shaping up to be one of the most solid, standout pop records of 2006.

8. Common - Testify
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I had the distinct pleasure of catching Common at this years Coachella Music Festival. His sound was crisp and fresh. The hook on this track was stuck in my head the entire rest of the trip and I couln't wait to hear what else he had to offer. Give a listen and see what you think, and by all means if you have the chance to see him live take it, his DJ alone was worth it!!

9. Pigeonhead - Battleflag (Lo Fidelity Allstars Mix Edit)
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I first heard this song when watching The Mod Squad movie (1999) with Claire Daines, Omar Epps and Giovonni Ribisi. It's playing in the nightclub they're investigating and i couldn't get "come on baby tell me, yes we aim to please." out of my head for weeks. Not knowing what the songs was or who it was by i bought the soundtrack assuming it would be on there. Nope. Luckily there were several other stand out tracks so I didn't end up with a cd full of crap. Time passed and I forgot all about my little rap/dance obsession until I stumbled upon the track again one day a couple of years ago. See it is true, stop looking for something and it will find you.

10. lcd Soundsystem - Daft Punk is Playing at My House
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I wish Daft Punk were playing at my house! They do a kick ass live show. I think. Truthfully the were behind an electronic consol wearing creepy spacemen helmets.

They could have been playing a pre-recorded cd for all I know. But the set list and mixing were still Fran-tastic! Wow am I off point. I heard this song a couple of months ago and immediatly wanted to have the most kick ass, nothing in the room but speakers and a DJ house house party. Then I remembered how few friends I actually have and was saddened at the though of standing alone in an empty room. *sigh* Oh, well. Still a kick-ass track. If anyone needs me I'll be dancing in front of my mirror.

11. Gorillaz - Dirty Harry (Chopper Remix)
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The original track to this song makes me dance around like a fool, as does most of Demon Days. So when I came across this remix I was more than a bit apprehensive. The other remixes I've heard from the album have left much to be desired. The 'Chopper Remix' gives me faith that artists can successfully remix tracks without losing what makes that track stand out in the first place. Or just plainly F*cking it up! When the guitar starts in and the beat drops I pop right the hell outta my seat!! Hope you do too!

12. The Chemical Brothers - Galvanize (Radio Edit)
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Ok. So although this is only the second posting I've done for mixes I've put together I have steadily been making mix cd's for friends of mine. And always there's at least one song on the mix that has been used in a national advertisement. I'm beginning to think I have missed my calling! Or that possibly someone is spying on me and using my taste in music to sell their products, in which case I believe I am due some sort of compensation. That said, this is another get the f*ck up and pop yo damn shoulders type of songs. The strings (artificial though they may be) bring something unique to the track and the beat makes me my neck bounce without any thought on how it makes me look to strangers outside of my car.

13. The Strokes - Heart in a Cage
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Although after a while some of The Strokes' songs all start to sound the same, there's something about 'Heart in a Cage" that keeps me hitting replay again and again. The intro guitar and thumping drum line proves that not all music you can dance to has to be bullsh*t house. There. I Said it.

14. Queens of The Stone Age - Little Sister
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After Their hit "No One Knows" finally stopped being my favorite song of the moment like 3 yrs ago, I wasn't really all that impressed with anything else they had to offer. Maybe I wasn't listening well enough!! This record is fantastic!!! A great melody, rippin' guitars, and is that... why yes... i think that's a cowbell I hear. Who can say no to the cowbell!?!

15. Muse - Supermassive Black Hole
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Another band I seem to owe a great deal more attention to. This track is bloody incredible. Unbelievably danceable, with grungy guitars atop a beat I dare you not to hand clap to. Then singer Matthew James' falsetto voice just hovers over it all! Brilliant! It does bare a striking resemblance to another song which I almost feel guilty about knowing. The first time I heard this I couldn't help but hear Britney Spears' "Do Somethin'." Apparently I was not the only one as someone has already put together a mash up of the two called Do Somethin' SuperMassive . It's done well, but I really wish they would have only used the chorus from Brit's song. As soon as I hear her say "somebody pass my guitar" I immediately wanna hit her in the face with it. You can't play guitar Britney! I'd be surprised if you could spell it!

16. Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
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Brit-pop-rock at its finest! A steady buildup to a great bassline. This song was designed for singing along, in a shoddy british accent no less. Great lyrics carry through to one of the catchiest choruses I've heard all year. Definitly an early favorite for 2006.

17. P!nk - Heartbreaker
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Pink has really come into her own in the past year or two. She's grown from a clearly manipulated puppet on her 1st album into this no bullsh!t rocker. Her songs have much more of an edge to them now without losing their pop approachability. Serious guitar licks and her raspy voice make this track a true standout from the new album. Only it's not actually on the album. I actually heard this song on her myspace pace and instantly made it the song that plays on my page. Then I diligently went to itunes to download it right out. No, no. Not there. No, it's a B-side to the 'Stupid Girls' import single. That simpy wouldn't do. I ordered the cd from Amazon and settled for keeping my myspace open for listening pleasure until it came. Now I'm passing the savings along to you. Who loves you?

18. Brendan Benson - Gold into Straw
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Brendan Benson has easily become one of my favorite artists. The album 'The Alternative to Love' is a bloody gem! I would go so far to say as there isn't a song on the album I don't like. This one took a minute for me to get into, like a hot minute, and now I can't stop listening. Wonderfully crafted song with great lyrics and a sweet harmony at the chorus. His side project, The Raconteurs, is proving to be quite good as well. I just hope it doesn't keep him away from writing brilliant records like this one.

19. Razorlight - In The Morning
Artist's Website

I have only really enjoyed one other track from Razorlight, Golden Touch. Then I was checking out their web site the other day and this little beauty popped up on an embedded player. It took me a minute to get into the verses and then as soon as the chorus hit I was hooked! Apperently this is going to be on their, as yet, untitled sophmore album. If the rest of the album is anything like this track I'll be the 1st in line to buy it!!

Peace out!