I was gonna blog about something else today, but then I heard this song. New Cut Copy! It sounds so very Australian. As I was explaining to a friend, via email, who could not access the track due to their work taking all the fun out of work, and blocking quality music sites, I told him "Take Me Over" sounded like this....
"The beginning sounds like Men at Work. Then it starts sounding like Cut Copy with OOOOOOOh's and AHHHHHHHHHH's. Then it sounds like Men at Work and then it sounds like Cut Copy again."
So good. With Hearts on Fire, I reach out to a vegemite sandwich.
Shit Robot, aka Marcus Lambkin, has put out one of the finer dance records this year, his long-awaited debut, From the Cradle to the Rave(DFA Records). Although the title of the album leaves something to be desired, the music and beats on the album do not disappoint. This should come as no surprise, 'cause pretty much everything that comes out of the DFA factory turns to gold. And with guests like Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip and DFA master sensei and LCD Soundsystem frontman, Mr. James Murphy, Shit Robot has made sure his contribution in the DFA gold-making process is a success.
Upon listening to From the Cradle to the Rave, one would think that Taylor or Murphy might steal the show on the album. This does not hold true, however, as Nancy Whang (LCD Soundsystem and The Juan Maclean) completely steals the show with her vocals on the standout track, "Take 'Em Up." Full disclosure: After seeing LCD Soundsystem 7 times this year(nerd or awesome? Probably both), I have developed quite the crush on Ms. Nancy. She's one of those girls that's cool without even trying. On this track, her almost seductive vocals make staying at the party for way too long sound like a good idea. Note: When you think it's time to leave, LEAVE. If you're not convinced of Nancy's charm, wait till the 4:37 mark where she kinda crushes it with a Deborah Harry-like rap that's also very reminiscent of her vocals on LCD's "Get Innocuous."
Watch the awesome video for "Take 'Em Up" and Nancy in Rotoscope below! Btw, more girls need to start wearing puffy Zubaz-like pants. You just got own it like Nancy does!
Girl Talk released his new album today. For free. It's called All Day. You'll probably have an easier time downloading the album right here then through the Illegal Art website. So, yeah, download it.
Tracklist: 01. Oh No 02. Let It Out 03. That’s Right 04. Jump on Stage 05. This Is the Remix 06. On and On 07. Get It Get It 08. Down for the Count 09. Make Me Wanna 10. Steady Shock 11. Triple Double 12. Every Day
If you've visited us before, you'd know that we have been big fans of Diamond Rings(John O'Regan) since his infancy. We were instantly captivated by his first single "All Yr Songs" and mesmerized by the NBA jerseys that filled the accompanying video. Now, John O. is back with his debut album, Special Affections, which is filled with 10 tracks that I will now coin as Bedroom Polaroid House.
The album is filled with many gems, but Special Affections' standout track is clearly "Something Else." With a killer homemade beat and a super catchy guitar riff that reminds me of New Order's "Ceremony," Diamond Rings' admiration for a special someone comes off so sincerely with that mild lisp that accentuates many of his lyrics. There's a serious innocence that fills all of John O's vocals throughout the album that makes it extremely difficult not to like Diamond Rings and Special Affections, so it should come as no surprise that his music and eye make-up are currently garnering so much buzz. Bedroom Polaroid House, FTW!
Epic and Banger. These are two words that have been extremely misused in describing music as of late. Daft Punk at Coachella '06 equals epic. Band of Horses at the Metro, not so much. Queen at Wembley '86 equals epic. Weezer at the Aragon, probably not. Actually, definitely not.
Banger. The remix that your friend made the other day, not really (though i do give them credit for trying 'cause remixing is not an easy task). "The Tangible Presence of the Miraculous" by The Crystal Ark? Yes. Total banger.
Released on DFA, Gavin Russom has created a track that is both epic and a banger. If you've seen LCD Soundsystem before you may recognize Gavin as the multi-instrumentalist with the involuntary "business in the front, party in the back" look, and on this track he takes the lead, creating a 12 minute plus monster. With a pulsating Brazilian influenced beat and sensual Latin vocals, "The Tangible Presence of the Miraculous" is dance floor ecstasy in non-pill form. At around the 8:32 mark, your life as a music fan peaks in glee as you and the dance floor are, indeed, ON FIRE. BOOM!
I have a new favorite Chicago rock band. They're called Secret Colours and they rule. Call them psychedelic, call them shoegaze or just call them awesome, Secret Colours combine all these elements to make music that would get Anton Newcombe so excited, he might kick you in the face. Sure, they sound a bit like the Brian Jonestown Massacre, but the BJM sound like a bunch of other bands too, so quit making comparisons and let's enjoy the fact that both bands pay homage to sounds of the past and they both do it well.
On "Some Might Say," my favorite track off of Secret Colours' self titled debut, the dreamy instrumentation and the buried vocals exemplify Secret Colours' divulgence into the past. With the vocals at a whisper you're put in a relaxed state of mind throughout the song until you're hit with a bomb of distortion and a rocking guitar solo. That's how I like my rock 'n' roll. Dreamy and distorted. Pretty much, if you sound remotely like the Jesus and Mary Chain, I'm gonna like you. Secret Colours, I like you. You may sound like the past, but you're presently my new favorite Chicago band. Way to go, dudes!
Secret Colours play Subterranean on Friday at 9pm. $8.
If you are an owner of a sound file and would like it removed, please contact us. Also, if you like what you hear, there's a reason for that. It's really good, and we approve. Buy the records!
I was gonna blog about something else today, but then I heard this song. New Cut Copy! It sounds so very Australian. As I was explaining to a friend, via email, who could not access the track due to their work taking all the fun out of work, and blocking quality music sites, I told him "Take Me Over" sounded like this....
