Two Weeks Off
I'm just about to head off on holiday for a couple of weeks. And about bloody time too! I hope you behave in my absence...
I'll leave you with something I rather hope I'll be hearing when i'm away.
This is Diplo's first Rio Baile Funk mix from 2004, and I think it's absolutely fantastic. Tinny 808's, blatant sampling and frenetic shouting.
Superb.
DIPLO - FAVELA ON BLAST
As you can imagine i'm a bit short on time, so why don't you check out this review, where you can also download Diplo & M.I.A.'s Baile Funk influenced 'Piracy Funds Terrorism' mix.
I've taken down every other track except this and my not quite as good mix from last week.
You can download that here, and see the tracklisting here.
Thankfully I managed to get tickets for Hot Chip before going away.....
When I'm back i'll try & work out (finally!) why the page doesn't display properly in Internet Explorer. The links bar shoots to the bottom of the screen for some reason. My suggestion? Use firefox!
When It's Quite Bad
I'm afraid to say The Strokes didn't impress me at all on Saturday.
So much so that I left for the bar halfway through, and left entirely before the encores.
I wasn't the biggest Strokes fan in the world before I went, but I like a lot of their songs and I really really tried to get into it (I promise!). Trouble is I just didn't warm to the band at all, and all I could think watching them is that Julian Casablancas has to be the worst frontman of any band i've ever seen.
I'm sure he thought he was the epitome of cool standing there in his leather jacket - head down, hair over his face, mumbling into the microphone. But he, plus the rest of his 'uber cool' cohorts just bored me to tears. I now realise that The Strokes are to blame for every skinny-trousered moody sod that occupy every corner of London's clubs.
I'm sure a frontman with some charisma could have made it a cracking show, but Casablancas just looked like a sulky, spoilt teenager, and I think it rubbed off on the rest of them.
It may sound obvious, but in order to really like a band you have to find the members likeable. And I didn't.
So after that here's something a bit fun. I don't know too much about it, but some guy called DJ Riko has put it upon himself to splice together what must be every track ever made with whistling on it.
Surprisingly it seems to work quite well.... so get ready for the first (and hopefully last) appearance of The Scorpions on Headphone Sex!
DJ RIKO - WHISTER'S DELIGHT
EDIT: Link fixed. Sorry 'bout that...
And here's something similar from mash-up artist Osymyso, who's probably most famous for his work with Chris Morris.
You want 101 famous intros in 12 minutes? (err... do you?) Well now you can. The concept is supposedly to harness the power of a recognisable intro that causes a rush to the danceflooe.... and possibly multiply it 101 times so that an energy source as powerful as the sun can be synthesised.
Or something.
Anyway, i'm not sure it works all that well but it's well executed and definitely worth a listen.
OSYMYSO - INTRO-INSPECTION
The tracklisting is here. Unless you're using firefox, in which case you should check Wikipedia as that other link doesn't seem to work. Apparently this made the front of the New York Times!
Finally, well done to Jen Smacked Face for not dying last week..... check out that car. Cripes!
When It's All Good
It was a bit of a mini festival over the weekend. Friday night went to Brixton Academy for the NME awards show; while Saturday was The Strokes in Hammersmith (of which more later).
I arrived a bit late for the NME gig, so missed Mystery Jets and We Are Scientists (although i'd seen them recently anyway). Luckily though, I got there in time for Arctic Monkeys, so disaster was averted.
They really are reluctant heroes, and for the first couple of songs looked like they didn't much want to be there. In fact the pressures of fame seem to be weighing heavily on young Alex. He's beginning to look a bit of a tortured soul. I do feel for them, as the press juggernaut seems to be hurtling them to stardom without any involvement by the band... and you get the feeling they don't really want to be the biggest band in the country. At least not yet anyway.
Although I had tickets for downstairs, I decided to watch them from the balcony. Which I think was a good idea. I could jump around and sing along to my hearts content without getting caught up in the screaming melee downstairs. In fact despite being as far from the stage as it was possible to get I had one of the best times i've had at Brixton Academy - a venue I usually despise.
Anyway after a couple of songs I think they started to get into things, probably helped by the fanatical reaction of the audience, and it ended up being a really great show. They seemed to have sorted out their set list so that it doesn't lag in the middle as it has done in the past, and the hairs on your neck just stand up even more when there are 4,000 people singing the beginning of 'Scummy' rather than 200.
I didn't get any decent photos, but here's a couple from the first time I saw them in Oxford that i'm still quite proud of!
How could any band follow the adulation that Arctic Monkeys received? Well fortunately Maximo Park were up next, and far from following the Monkeys as far as I was concerned they absolutely blew them away. If they keep getting this much better every time I see them, i'm quite terrified about what might happen on my next encounter. I just can't think of a better live band right now (maybe Arcade Fire?), and they tore through their set in volcanic fashion.
I found the audience reaction quite strange though. I mean despite the band being incredibly good, from upstairs after each song all i heard was polite applause, and when I went downstairs I was able to get pretty close to the front without much trouble at all. You can see from the pictures I wasn't far away from the stage, yet had enough room to throw my coat on the floor without fear of losing it, do a bit of dancing with a sexy girl, and probably could have entered a cat swinging contest if i'd wanted to.
I'm at a bit of a loss to explain it, however I have noticed more and more over the last year that people at gigs seem unable to make their own minds up about music, and have to rely on what the newspapers and magazines tell them are good. It's not to say the band didn't get a good reaction, it's just there was no comparison with the fervour for Arctic Monkeys, yet they were indisputably far far better.
Oh well. If it wasn't for people i'd have nothing to get annoyed about. And wouldn't life be boring then....?
I've put a few Maximo Park tracks up recently, so here's some Arctic Monkeys. It's quite an entertaining remix of 'When The Sun Goes Down (Scummy)' by Fake ID. It starts off identical to the original, but then the song gets overtaken with breakbeats, filtered guitar loops and general acidic breakbeat nonsense. Great fun!
ARCTIC MONKEYS - WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN (FAKE ID's SCUMMY MIX)
And just before I go.... if anyone has the Sugababes version of 'I bet you look good on the dancefloor' i'd really appreciate an mp3!
Look at me! I've done a mix.
Saturday Night
I was hoping to give this a proper plug but i'm a bit short of time.
Dilated Choonz is finally having the party that's the culmination of all their hard work on Saturday night.
It's on at Mass in Brixton, and judging by their selections these last few months there should be some great tunes being spun. It's also all in aid of the 'Stop The Hiding' domestic violence charity, so you can get mashed up for a good cause.
Maybe i'll see you there....
The Mackems vs The Geordies
The best thing i've had in the post so far is a copy of the new Maximo Park b-sides & demos album 'Missing Songs'. I can't really recommend it if you're not a fan, however I am. And I loved it. I've not posted any tracks up since i've put the best one (I Want You To Leave) up already. However I did also get sent one of the remixes from the new single - 'I Want You To Stay'.
I've been looking forward to hearing these mixes by Field Music and most of all Christian Vogel for ages. Not managed to lay my ears on the latter yet, however the Field Music mix is rather nice.
MAXIMO PARK - I WANT YOU TO STAY (FIELD MUSIC REMIX)
You know what Maximo Park look like... so here are Field Music.
The band are, like Maximo Park & The Futureheads from the North East. And sound rather like a twee version of the latter.
I bought their album from Boomkat last week, since it was a bargain £4.99. And it's good. It's not brilliant but there are enough excellent songs to make it worthwhile. And it is growing on me with each listen. I'm particularly taken by this track, 'You Can Decide', which almost seems to distill 30 years of British Guitar pop into 2 minutes. With a bit of the Beach Boys thrown in to the mix.
FIELD MUSIC - YOU CAN DECIDE
Check out also their new single, 'If Only The Moon Were Up'. There's a video on their website.
Weren't the Brit awards boring. Boring performances (except Kanye West & Gorillaz); boring presenters; boring results. Boring.
Hope that's not blown my chance of an invite next year ,-)
I think I was watching it with a certain amount of disdain anyway, which can't have helped. I mean surely downloading must have killed the music industry by now? How on earth can they afford to stage such a lavish event? Oh hang on, they sold a record 159 million albums last year.
I don't understand.
"Ever Get The Feeling You've Been Cheated?"
Lastly, i've recorded a new mix which I may lay on you tomorrow. Woo!
Sweet Dreams my LHR
Mi amigo Barnesy manages a band called Nately, who have just scored a bit of a coup by blagging a quality remix by Matt (MJ) Cole for their new single.
Although you might associate MJ Cole with the speed garage scene, he's obviously (like the rest of us) been listening to a lot of electro house lately. This is firmly four to the floor, with plenty of electro squiggles for fun. He manages to build the tension up till past half way, when a burst of 'Sweet Dreams' style-synth action should get the hands in the air.
It's a bit of a stonking remix I reckon... give it a a listen & see what you think.
NATELY - MR POPE (MATT 'MJ' COLE REMIX)
If you like what you hear, the record will be available on 12" promo only from Rough Trade, Pure Groove or The London Beach Store (?!). I believe there will only be 250 copies pressed. A non-remixed CD EP ('Somebody Like You') is available from the same places.
I have a copy of the 12" to give away to one lucky winner! In the spirit of the regular contests on the Nately website, it's a 'name that film' competition.
So name that film:
First correct answer in the comments gets it.
The band have some upcoming gigs in The London, so get along if you can (or alternatively try & win some tickets on their website).
Thu 16th Feb - Dublin Castle
Sat 18th Feb - Borderline
Fri 24th Feb - Bush Hall
Shamone
I expect you know it's valentine's day. So i've roasted myself some Mackerel (an underrated fish if ever there was one); rolled a fat joint and listened to Akon's 'Lonely' on a loop.
Nah, i'm joking.
It was Sea Bass. And besides, things have just got a whole lot better... Wycombe won this evening at Notts County, to go back to the top of the league and stop a run of 4 games without a win. Come On!
I went to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! on Friday night. Or 'Nod A Bit Then Go To The Bar!' as they should be called. I'm not quite sure yet what 'meh'' means. But it seems appropriate.
I can't really muster up much to say about them really. 'My Yellow Country Teeth' was superb though.
After that I shot across town to 333 in Shoreditch, which had Simian Mobile Disco, Freeform Five and some bands. And a lot of queuing up. You'd think after 5 years they could organise a cloakroom.
But the queue downstairs was worthwhile since I met a guy who dragged me off to see a band called 'Mama Shamone'. And they were fucking awesome. Their singer in particular was impossible to take your eyes off, the music was pumping, and they had more hooks than Barry McGuigan.
Hopefully i'll manage to get in touch with them so you can hear what they sound like as well as see what they look like. Meanwhile check out their myspace... the recordings don't really do them justice, but i'd recommend 'You Got Me' of the songs they have there. Apparently this was only their second gig, so things can only get better.
Headline act 'The Modern' were the most '80s band i've ever seen.
And i've seen Yazoo.
They had some good moves and some catchy tunes, but if only they'd become 90s revivalists they could have been at the forefront of a brave 'new' world, rather than feasting on the scraps from the dining tables of Fischerspooner, Ladyton et al.
I spent most of the rest of the evening upstairs leaping about in the Mother bar, where there were headphonesex tunes in abundance. I did make a brief sojourn to the main room though, where after fighting my way through the moody hipsters wankers to my mate Paul by the dj booth, some guy who wasn't Simian Mobile Disco or Freeform Five stuck this on. And I loved it. So I asked what it was.
Then I stopped off at Record & Tape Exchange on my way home on Saturday, and guess what was staring at me from the racks - the very same record.
CRISPIN J GLOVER - THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG
I only discovered the glory of Public Image's original about a year ago, and this isn't radically different. John Lydon's been replaced on vocals by someone called 'Princess Julia'. And the beats have been pumped up a bit. And it goes on a bit longer. It's just tweaked to perfection though I reckon, and sounds great on a loud system.
So after a bit of a musical drought in January, the famine has turned to a feast. I had a big shop at the weekend, i've a big order from Boomkat arriving tomorrow, and I've been sent loads of great stuff as well. Hopefully I can get some of it out to y'all the next few days.
He's a Part-Time Punk
A bit late to look back on last weekend I know, but had a great trip down to Brighton to see Belle & Sebastian and also the sea (the big blue cold thing that is - not some new up & coming band).
As i've mentioned before i'm a bit of a late developer when it comes to B&S. But I really love their new album. And I really loved them live. I won't go into details, but there were more highlights than there should rightly be in any one gig. And a lot of amusing banter from Stuart. He's a funny chap.
Like I say, save two or three forgettable songs their new album's great. And looks to be their biggest hit so far - rumoured to be crashing the charts at #2. (err... can't remember where I read that but i'm sure I did).
It's difficult to choose a track to put up here, so i'll cheat and pick out two.
First up.. well does this sound like a classic T-Rex single or what? A real glam rock stomper. I love the chorus...
'you can place a little bet
That when I see my washing
The black will be grey and the white will be grey
But the blues are still blue'
BELLE & SEBASTIAN - THE BLUES ARE STILL BLUE
And from the 70's to the 60's. This next track is sung (and I expect written) by guitarist Stevie Jackson, and is pretty indicative of the pop genius of the rest of the album. Think polka dots, A-line dresses and sunny sunday afternoons.
BELLE & SEBASTIAN - TO BE MYSELF COMPLETELY
Whilst in Brighton I also dropped in on the xxjfg massive.... who were as expected rocking the house at The Do with that scuzz rock jazz funk magic. Shame I missed Shit Disco (pronounced Shit Disco) but it was good to meet you fellas and to shake my head for a brief time.
Shiny Disco Balls
I don't know where my time is going, but i've been finding it hard to keep this updated these last couple of weeks.
It's partly as i've been semi-hibernating through January so haven't had too many musical epiphanies to share with you. I guess also now i'm one i'm approaching middle-age and starting to let myself go. All the signs are there... short, lazy posts with no pictures. Finger slipping off the throbbing pulse of youth, and instead indolently relying on new releases by big names. A strange smell of rotting vegetables.
So yes, here are some new young bucks ready to take 2006 by the horns. It's some man calling himself 'Tiga' remixed by a couple of fellas going by the name of 'DFA'. Worth keeping an eye on I reckon... ,-)
The DFA have done two mixes of this - vocal and instrumental. I prefer the latter. The vocal doesn't seem to quite fit the track on the other mix, and gets on my nerves before long (about 20 seconds in fact). This mix is much more like it though. It starts off pulsating like Whitey's 'Can't Go Out and Can't Stay In' before getting all disco on yr ass. I see Glitterballs.
TIGA - FAR FROM HOME (DFA INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)
Liquid Liquid
I've bemoaned on a few occasions the lack of electronic music giving me a thrill lately. I'm a bit of a massive nerd for the old skool B12, Black Dog, Aphex, A.R.T. and Skam sounds... and very little lately gives me the same buzz.
Well one label that seems to be doing things the right way is A.I.
The label really came to prominance in '03 with the simply MASSIVE 'Piece of Mind' by Claro Intelecto.
It takes a good while to kick off properly, but by the time it does you'll have been sucked in by the lush organ sounds, morse code clicks and fizzing hi-hats.
CLARO INTELECTO - PIECE OF MIND (ELECTROSOUL)
It was a tune I knew I loved, but it wasn't till I heard it blasting out in an empty smoke filled room in a Barcelona club I realised quite how fucking good it was. Alas I don't think my speakers (or an MP3) can play the bass out to its full glory.
Claro is no one-hit wonder. Some of his other productions are equally mind-blowing. Check the banging 'Delete' from the New Town LP, or the mindbending Detroit-esque '2000' from the Produce LP. Or indeed most of Claro's solo album 'Neurofibre'. It's top stuff and highly recommended.
This next track, also on the AI label, contains more of that really liquid sounding electro. Christ, I need to think of some new names for things. I call everything electro nowadays. Anyways, it's the opening track from the fifth label compilation - 'New Town' - released in 2004. And like all good electronic tunes it'll make your hips move and your head spin.
ANDY FREER - SUPER GALAXO
As far as I can tell it's the only track he's ever released! Well I don't know about you but i'd love to hear some more of that shit. Those are some pretty mashed up noises he's dug up. Get back in the studio son!
If you like these, why not try out the recently released low-priced label sampler. Available from Amazon and from here. Cheeky bonus tracks...
CLARO INTELECTO - 2000
CLARO INTELECTO - DELETE
