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Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Mashups of the Year (MP3s), Radiohead New Year's Eve Webcast, Look trailer (video), more

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DJMonsterMo | 3:06 PM | View Comments »



Monday, December 24, 2007

2008 Buzz: Eagerly Anticipated LPs (MP3s, videos)

    black kids music mp3
  • Black Kids
    I already wrote about the Black Kids as a charming blend of shoegaze rock, new wave reminiscent of The Cure, and Arcade Fire-esque choral shout-singing. If you haven't heard them yet, you can download their free 4 song EP here!
    black kids i'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you mp3 Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (MP3)
    black kids i've underestimated my charm again mp3 Black Kids - I've Underestimated My Charm (Again) (MP3)
    black kids hurricane jane mp3 Black Kids - Hurricane Jane (MP3)
    black kids hurricane jane video Black Kids - Hurricane Jane (video)
    black kids the clash video Black Kids cover The Clash (video)


    Epochs
  • The Epochs
    Another Brooklyn band with buzz. So, what's new? Well, the Epochs are a neat blend of electro pop and rock, similar to Junior Boys or tour mates Mobius Band. Their self-titled LP is their second album and will be released in early 2008. "Opposite Sides" is their first single.
    The Epochs
    epochs opposite sides mp3 The Epochs - Opposite Sides (MP3)
    epochs love complete video The Epochs - Love Complete (live in Boston)(video)


    kid sister kanye
  • Kid Sister
    Kid Sister is actually the big sister of local Chicago mash-up DJ Flosstradsmus. "Pro Nails" beats out "Lip Gloss" for cosmetic product song of the year, thanks to the catchy beat, an altered jumping Super Mario sound, and a verse from Kanye. I'm not sure what to expect yet from a full LP, but an innovative Missy-ish South Side brand of hip-hop, hyphy, and ghettotech would be nice.
    Kid Sister
    kid sister damn girl mp3 Kid Sister - Damn Girl (flosstradamus remix) (MP3)
    kid sister pro nails mp3 Kid Sister - Pro Nails (MP3, version without Kanye verse)
    kid sister pro nails kanye video Kid Sister - Pro Nails feat. Kanye West (video)


    Los Campesinos
  • Los Campesinos
    Combine Art Brut with catchy Vaselines-like melodies and the enthusiasm of Architecture In Helsinki to get an idea about how this Welsh band sounds. Throw in a glockenspiel and you've won my heart. After their fun 'Sticking Fingers into Sockets' EP, fans are eager for more. Their full-length LP, 'Hold on There, Youngster', is produced by Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene) and will be released in April 2008.
    Los Campesinos
    Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing! mp3 Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing! (MP3)
    Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing! video Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing! (video)
    Los Campesinos - Death to Los Campesinos! video Los Campesinos! - Death to Los Campesinos!
    Los Campesinos! - International TweeXcore Underground video Los Campesinos! - International TweeXcore Underground (video)
    Los Campesinos - We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives video Los Campesinos! - We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives (video)


    MGMT
  • MGMT
    MGMT is a fun mix of electronic pop and space rock. The duo got their start while studying music at Wesleyan. Their debut 'Oracular Spectacular' is out on iTunes and the physical CD will be available soon. It's produced by Mercury Rev guitarist and Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann. "Time to Pretend" sounds like Pete Doherty's theme song; it's an anthemic ode to the rockstar lifestyle.
    MGMT
    mgmt time to pretend mp3 MGMT - Time to Pretend


    Santogold
  • Santogold
    On LES Artistes, a song about independence and authenticity, Santi White wonders, "I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up." From Philly unknown to opening for Bjork, touring with M.I.A. in London, and a feature on the cover of Fader in January 2008, she's certainly come a long way. There's been significant buzz even though we only have a taste of a few tracks that will be featured on her forthcoming LP. Listening to what she has released so far, she has a unique style that combines dub, dancehall, 80s pop, new wave, and R&B. Her collaborators reads like a who's who of what's hot: M.I.A., Switch, Diplo, Spank Rock, Radioclit, Freq Nasty, Sinden, and the late Disco D.
    Santogold
    Santogold - LES Artistes mp3 Santogold - LES Artistes (MP3)
     video Santogold - LES Artistes (live at artscape, Baltimore)(video)


    Vampire Weekend
  • Vampire Weekend
    I'm pissed I missed these guys at their recent sold-out show in Chicago. Their Blue CD-R reveals a fresh collection of indie pop tracks seemingly inspired by African soukous, pre 2 Tone ska, Britpop, and Paul Simon's 'Graceland'. Their self-titled debut will be officially released on January 29, 2008.
    Vampire Weekend
    Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof mp3 Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof (MP3)
    Vampire Weekend  - Mansard Roof video Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof (video)

    Finally, a quick run-through of artists of some interest who have LPs with known release dates:

    Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward
    British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
    The Breeders - Mountain Battles
    Cat Power - Covers II
    DeVotchKa - Spirit
    Destroyer - Trouble in Dreams
    Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree
    Hey Willpower - PDA
    Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
    The Kills - Midnight Boom
    Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III
    Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
    The Magnetic Fields - Distortion
    The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
    Nada Surf - Lucky
    Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
    Super Furry Animals - Hey Venus
    Whigs - Mission Control
    Wu-Tang Clan - The 8 Diagrams
    Xiu Xiu - Women As Lovers

    Looks like an auspicious start to another great year for music!

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DJMonsterMo | 12:08 AM | View Comments »



Saturday, December 22, 2007

Broken Social Scene - Lover's Spit (jingle-ified MP3), M.I.A. - Paper Planes (video), David Byrne interviews Thom Yorke, more

  • Sick of the same old Christmas music? Jingle-ify (yes, that's a word) your music! That's right. Take any MP3, upload it, and turn it into a Christmasy version with sleigh bells and other festive accompaniment. Here's an example: Broken Social Scene's cheeky tune "Lover's Spit" is even more fun jingle-ified.
    broken social scene lover's spit mp3 Broken Social Scene - Lover's Spit (jingle-ified) (MP3)

    mia paper planes video
    mia paper planes video
  • mia paper planes video M.I.A. - Paper Planes (video)
    M.I.A. promised MTV a toned-down, violence-free video for "Paper Planes". The result is a rather mundane video, despite the Beastie Boys cameo. Unfortunately, a version of the video with the notorious gunshots censored-out has been airing without her approval, and she's pissed.

  • David Byrne and Thom Yorke on the Real Value of Music
    David Byrne interviews Thom Yorke for Wired:
    It's not about who's ripping off whom, and it's not about legal injunctions, and it's not about DRM and all that sort of stuff. It's about whether the music affects you or not. And why would you worry about an artist or a company going after people copying their music if the music itself is not valued?


  • David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists
    David Byrne also provides some astute observations about the music industry as it is today, how the old distribution model is falling apart, and how artists big and small alike can take advantage of new distribution strategies:
    What is called the music business today, however, is not the business of producing music. At some point it became the business of selling CDs in plastic cases, and that business will soon be over. But that's not bad news for music, and it's certainly not bad news for musicians. Indeed, with all the ways to reach an audience, there have never been more opportunities for artists.


  • =( No more make sexy time: Sacha Baron Cohen retires Borat

  • wall-e trailer video New Wall-E Trailer
    Unfortunately, this trailer doesn't reveal much more than the previous teaser that was released.

  • Coming soon: The Hobbit movie!
    MGM and New Line will support "The Hobbit" and a sequel as well. Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will be the executive producers.

  • Google Zeitgeist 2007
    Google summarizes search trends over the past year.

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DJMonsterMo | 2:55 PM | View Comments »



Friday, December 14, 2007

Favorite Songs of 2007

    No more than one song per artist. I trimmed this down from a list of over 200 songs, which was very painful.

    First, a brief (and by no means exhaustive) honorable mention list:

    50 Cent - Ayo Technology feat. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland
    Animal Collective - Peacebone
    Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm
    Armand Van Helden - I Want Your Soul
    Arthur & Yu - Afterglow
    Bag Raiders - Punch Reprise
    Bon Iver - Skinny Love
    Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Backed Out On The...
    Candie Payne - By Tomorrow
    Cass McCombs - Deseret
    Celebration - Evergreen
    The Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance
    Chromatics - In the City
    Chromeo - Tenderoni
    CocoRosie - Rainbowarriors
    Common - I Want You feat. Will.I.Am
    David Vandervelde - Jacket
    Deerhoof - Matchbook Seeks Maniac
    Dizzee Rascal - Flex
    DJ Khaled - We Takin' Over
    Dragonette - I Get Around (Van She Vocal Mix)
    Eisley - Invasion
    El-P - Flyentology feat. Trent Reznor
    Eluvium - Prelude for Time
    Escort - All Through the Night
    Federico Aubele - Lluvia
    Frost - Free Your Heart
    Girls Aloud - Call the Shots
    Great Northern - Low Is a Height
    Gui Boratto - Beautiful Life
    Ida Maria - Louie
    Jay-Z - Roc Boys
    J Dilla - Nothing Like This
    Kid Sister - Pro Nails feat. Kanye West
    Kylie Minogue - 2 Hearts
    Lil' Wayne - La La La
    Lucky Soul - Add Your Light to Mine, Baby
    Luke Vibert - Swet
    Lykke Li - Little Bit
    The Magnetic Fields - Three-Way
    Map Of Africa - Bone
    Martina Topley-Bird - Valentine
    Minipop - Precious
    The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
    Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse
    Parts & Labor - Fractures Skies
    Peter Bjorn & John - Let's Call It Off (Girl Talk remix)
    Phosphorescent - Cocaine Lights
    PJ Harvey - Silence
    Rihanna - Umbrella feat. Jay-Z
    Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
    Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Stick With Me Baby
    Roisin Murphy - Overpowered
    Rosie Thomas - Say Hello feat. Sufjan Stevens
    Sally Shapiro - He Keeps Me Alive
    Sea Wolf - You're a Wolf
    The Shins - Australia
    Shocking Pinks - Victims
    Simian Mobile Disco - It's the Beat (the teenagers remix)
    Sissy Wish - Beauties Never Die
    Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Catch You
    Talib Kweli - Listen!!!
    Teki Latex - Les Matins De Paris
    T.I. - Big Sh*t Poppin' (Do It)
    Timbaland - The Way I Are feat. Keri Hilson and D.O.E
    Wale - Nike Boots
    Ween - Your Party
    White Rabbits - Kid On Your Shoulders
    The White Stripes - You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)
    Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
    Yeasayer - Sunrise


    Now, with the Top 40:

    40) Grinderman - No Pussy Blues video Grinderman - No P*ssy Blues (video)
    This video is great. Nothing epitomizes sexual frustration in a graphic visual sense quite like a montage of animals fornicating while you're not.

    39) Shout Out Louds - Impossible (possible remake by studio) mp3 Shout Out Louds - Impossible (possible remake by studio) (MP3)
    Fantastic nu-balearic remix of the original.

    38) R. Kelly - I'm a Flirt remix feat. T-Pain & T.I. video R. Kelly - I'm a Flirt remix feat. T-Pain & T.I. (video)
    Believe me man, this is how them playas do it in the Chi.

    37) CSS - Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex mp3 CSS - Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex (MP3)
    CSS - Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex video CSS - Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex (video)
    What is the highest charting single by a Brazilian band on the US charts, ever? This song, thanks of course to the fan-made turned official iPod touch ad.

    36) Nas - Surviving the Times video Nas - Surviving the Times (video)
    Best song Nas has put out in a while.


    35) Les Savy Fav - What Would Wolves Do? mp3 Les Savy Fav - What Would Wolves Do? (MP3)

    34) Bodies of Water - Doves Circle the Sky mp3 Bodies of Water - Doves Circle the Sky (MP3)
    Like Arcade Fire meets Tilly and the Wall.

    33) Iron & Wine - Boy with a Coin mp3 Iron & Wine - Boy with a Coin (MP3)
    Iron & Wine - Boy with a Coin video Iron & Wine - Boy with a Coin (video)

    32) Arcade Fire - Intervention mp3 Arcade Fire - Intervention (MP3)

    31) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Down Boy video Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Down Boy (video)


    30) Santogold - Shove It mp3 Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes (MP3)
    Santogold - Shove It video Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes (live at Artscape, Baltimore) (video)
    Watch Santogold in 2008. Can't wait for her LP release.

    29) Lavender Diamond - Oh No mp3 Lavender Diamond - Oh No (MP3)

    28) The National - Fake Empire mp3 The National - Fake Empire (MP3)
    The National - Fake Empire video The National - Fake Empire (live on Letterman) (video)

    27) Black Kids - I've Underestimated My Charm (Again) mp3 Black Kids - I've Underestimated My Charm (Again) (MP3)
    A charming blend of shoegaze rock, new wave reminiscent of The Cure, and Arcade Fire-esque choral shout-singing.

    26) Groove Armada - Song 4 Mutya feat. Mutya Buena video Groove Armada - Song 4 Mutya feat. Mutya Buena (video)
    The Sugababes sure aren't the same without Mutya.


    25) Miranda Lambert - Guilty in Here
    Ladies, ever feel like this? "The good ones all got wedding rings and the young ones are just too dumb. And I don't think I have any more room underneath my thumb."

    24) Kanye West - Flashing Lights feat. Dwele mp3 Kanye West - Flashing Lights feat. Dwele (via hype)
    Another production triumph for Kanye.

    23) Mark Ronson - Valerie feat. Amy Winehouse video Mark Ronson - Valerie feat. Amy Winehouse (video)

    22) Marissa Nadler - Diamond Heart mp3 Marissa Nadler - Diamond Heart (MP3)

    21) Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly video Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly (video)


    20) Battles - Atlas video Battles - Atlas (video)

    19) Jesca Hoop - Dreams in the Hollow mp3 Jesca Hoop - Dreams in the Hollow (via hype)

    18) Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof mp3 Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof (MP3)
    Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof video Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof (video)

    17) Basia Bulat - Before I Knew mp3 Basia Bulat - Before I Knew (via hype)

    16) The Besnard Lakes - For Agent 13 mp3 The Besnard Lakes - For Agent 13 (MP3)
    The Besnard Lakes - For Agent 13 video The Besnard Lakes - For Agent 13(video)


    15) Burial - Archangel mp3 Burial - Archangel (MP3)

    14) Spoon - The Underdog video Spoon - The Underdog (video)

    13) Blonde Redhead - Silently video Blonde Redhead - Silently (video)

    12) Feist - 1,2,3,4 video Feist - 1,2,3,4 (video)

    11) Bat for Lashes - Moon and Moon (live on BBC) mp3 Bat for Lashes - Moon and Moon (live on BBC) (MP3)
    Bat for Lashes - Moon and Moon (live on BBC) video Bat for Lashes - Moon and Moon (live on BBC) (video)


    Lloyd - You feat. Lil' Wayne
    10) Lloyd - You feat. Lil' Wayne video Lloyd - You feat. Lil' Wayne (video)
    This should be on more best of 2007 lists. It's the finest collaboration of New Orleans/ATL rap and R&B and my favorite of the >77 songs this year featuring Lil' Wayne. The song adapts a sample from Spandau Ballet's "True" and turns the player mentality on its head, all for the sake of love, or punani. "I'm a playa, yeah it's true, but I'll change the game for you." Of course, the song features great lines from Lil' Wayne such as: "You know you give good brain like you graduated from a good school".

    Caribou - Melody Day
    9) Caribou - Melody Day mp3 Caribou - Melody Day (MP3)
    Caribou - Melody Day video Caribou - Melody Day (video)
    "Melody Day" features a lovely falsetto melody buried in a dense noisy swirl of sleigh bells, synths, guitar, and flute.

    Radiohead - Reckoner
    8) Radiohead - Reckoner mp3 Radiohead - Reckoner (via hype)
    This is my favorite song on 'In Rainbows'. I prefer this mellowed-out version of the song compared to previous versions.

    The Field - Everday
    7) The Field - Everday mp3 The Field - Everday (MP3)
    A prime example of how 'From Here We Go Sublime' transcends the microhouse genre with a synergy of pulsating rhythmic elements and minimalist electronic bits that swells gradually toward a sublime state of musical transcendence.

    Panda Bear - Bros
    6) Panda Bear - Bros mp3 Panda Bear - Bros (MP3)
    Animal Collective drummer Noah Lennox really stumbled upon something magical with this song. It challenges and delights with repeated listens whether you listen attentively or just let it play in the background.


    Klaxons - Golden Skans
    5) Klaxons - Golden Skans video Klaxons - Golden Skans (video)
    This song really got me into the Klaxons. There aren't many artists referencing the postmodernist works of JG Ballard (cf. Joy Division's 'Atrocity Exhibition') or Lakotan spirituality, let alone sounding so damn catchy while doing it.

    Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
    4) Justice - D.A.N.C.E. mp3 Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (MP3)
    "Stick to the b-e-a-t, get ready to ignite." A lot of eurodance has invaded us stateside over the past two years, but few songs have the catchiness and earworminess of this one. Not to mention it features one of the coolest videos of the year. The 12" features excellent remixes by MSTRKRFT and Alan Braxe, but I still like the original the best.

    UGK feat. Outkast - International Players Anthem
    3) UGK feat. Outkast - International Players Anthem video UGK feat. Outkast - International Players Anthem (video)
    This is not a sympathy vote. They put together my favorite rap album of the year. Single-wise, this is easily the rap song of the year and among the best Southern rap collaborations ever. RIP Pimp C.

    LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
    2) LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends video LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends (video)
    Don't let the monotony of the keyboard in the opening lull you. It sets the stage for an epic commentary on life as a young hipster. And there are no easy answers. On the one hand, the process of maturing as an adult is unfulfilling. On the other hand, revisiting the life of partying, drugs, and one-night stands gives way to ennui. The song ends in desperation..."Where are your friends tonight?"

    M.I.A. - Paper Planes
    1) M.I.A. - Paper Planes mp3 M.I.A. - Paper Planes (via hype)
    M.I.A. is clearly runnin' sh*t in '07. Visa issues and Homeland Security blacklists are no obstacle for her. This song cleverly cribs a riff from The Clash's "Straight to Hell" to evoke a familiar badass tone; however, it's otherwise quite unlike anything I've heard before.

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DJMonsterMo | 7:18 PM | View Comments »