Tender Ballads 12: Somber Sunday

Now that I'm back at school, I'm back into a lot of my old routines (some good, some not so good). One of those traditions is, of course, excessive tender ballads on the weekend, especially on Sundays after a long few nights out. Goldfrapp's latest album Seventh Tree is full of heart-wrenching moments, perhaps most of all in the last track. In "Monster Love," Alison coos, "I never thought I would return to be consumed by you," which somehow exactly fits what 2008 has been for me. José González continues the juxtaposition of heartbreak and acoustic instruments with his cover of Joy Division's classic "Love Will Tear Us Apart." ABBA keep up the theme of defeat in love with the epic "The Winner Takes It All." The Cardigans are slower than usual on the yearning older album track "Higher." "The Anchor Song," a tale about roots and self-discovery, is one of Björk's best, and always instantly reminds me of why I love her so much.

Goldfrapp, "Monster Love" (Live Acoustic Version) [YSI] (original on Seventh Tree)
José González, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (Joy Division Cover) [YSI] (from the EP Stay In The Shade)
ABBA, "The Winner Takes It All" [YSI] (from Gold)
The Cardigans, "Higher" [YSI] (from Best Of)
Björk, "The Anchor Song" [YSI] (from Debut)

***Note: Links removed***

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Ridin' Dirty 10/Dear Ibiza 21: Dirty Grooves

Over the past few weeks, I've accumulated new music much faster than I've been able to listen to it (especially with my recent move). So, at the moment, I'm a bit low on new post ideas. Fortunately, I've got a large enough library to back me up in these brief times of stagnation. Today's post rounds up a few dirty grooves that aren't really all too related except for their fat bass and appropriateness for filthy dancing. Mason's "Exceeder" was mashed with Princess Superstar's "Perfect" to make the best thing she's ever done, becoming a huge, floor-filling hit in the process. Khia's absolute classic of song, "My Neck, My Back (Lick It)" gets a delicious electro makeover from Tom Neville worth revisiting the song for. Crookers bring their traditionally enormous bass lines to The Chemical Brothers, lifting their otherwise limp "The Salmon Dance" to a new plane of greatness. Full Intention have made some outstanding club remixes, and though their mix of "Dip It Low" isn't their best, it does turn the original into a more Euro-based party track. OutKast wrap things up with one of their stranger and more controversial moments, the bumping "B.O.B" (Bombs Over Baghdad). Enjoy these while pre-partying this weekend (or this morning if you're catching this early enough)!

Mason Vs. Princess Superstar, "Perfect (Exceeder)" (Radio Edit) [YSI]
Khia, "My Neck, My Back (Lick It)" (Tom Neville X-Rated Mix) [YSI]
The Chemical Brothers Feat. Fatlip, "The Salmon Dance" (Crookers Wow Remix) [YSI]
Christina Milian, "Dip It Low" (Full Intention Club Mix) [YSI]
OutKast, "B.O.B." [YSI] (from Stankonia)

***Note: Links removed***

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Review: The Chemical Brothers, "Brotherhood"

As previewed earlier, The Chemical Brothers release their new retrospective album Brotherhood on September 1st (2nd in the US, though some American stores are already stocking just the single-disc edition this week). Its first disc is contains 13 of their biggest hits, from the acid house precursors "Setting Sun" and "Block Rockin' Beats" to turn-of-the-millennium bangers like "Hey Boy Hey Girl" and "Let Forever Be" and recent smashes like "Galvanize" and "Do It Again," alongside new tracks "Keep My Composure" (featuring Spank Rock) and "Midnight Madness" (excerpted from "Electronic Battle Weapon 10"). A limited boxed version features a second disc with all ten of the limited-release "Electronic Battle Weapon" tracks spanning the duo's entire career.

I just received a review copy in the mail (of just the single-disc version) and have been listening to it nonstop for the past week. I've been a fan for a few years, so I already caught up on much of their excellent back catalog with the greatest hits disc Singles 93-03 from five years (and a further two albums) ago. A lot of the new collection overlaps, so at first I thought it would be hard to get excited about a disc that's essentially just an update of an existing collection. However, after a few listens, I already greatly prefer Brotherhood to their first career retrospective. Since that first album's release, they've released several singles essential to their discography, including "Galvanize," "Believe," and the amazing, glitchy "Do It Again" from last year. Newer tracks on the disc, including standout We Are The Night album track "Saturate" and the two exclusive cuts, are also worthwhile additions, especially new digital single "Midnight Madness," which sounds like a neat summary of everything there is to be loved about The Chemical Brothers. With these five new additions, a few of the lesser tracks and singles are left off (and not greatly missed, with the exception of the bumping "Get Yourself High"). Of course, with greatest hits sets, their success as albums relies just as much on track selection, ordering and packaging as it does on the music itself. Brotherhood succeeds on all of these fronts, with a major advantage of the new set being its non-chronological running order. While Singles 93-03 seemed to drag in parts, with tracks from the same album clumped together to create a segmented flow, Brotherhood has them arranged to make a cohesive unit. Mixed up and reduced to strictly their best tracks, the disc is an unrelenting reminder of their lasting greatness. Hearing the first seven tracks all in sequence is almost too much to handle, and proves why The Chemical Brothers are given so much credit for bringing dance to the mainstream, alongside fellow greats like Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, etc. The remaining eight tracks don't have the same unstoppable momentum, but they do further showcase the varying paths that their career has taken, from the trippy beats of "The Golden Path" with the Flaming Lips to the intoxicating club drive of "Out Of Control." For those new to discovering the band, don't hesitate to pick up a copy of Brotherhood, as it will undoubtedly get played on regular rotation for quite some time. Though I haven't heard the bonus material yet, it's sure to be a goldmine for fans, and a great complement to the awesome first disc. To whet your appetites, I've included the Soulwax '2 Many DJs' remix of the classic single "Hey Boy Hey Girl," which is currently being offered for free download from EMI, and a forgotten single, "Elektrobank," from their breakthrough record Dig Your Own Hole. Check out older posts for more of my favorite tracks from the boys.

The Chemical Brothers, "Hey Boy Hey Girl" (Soulwax '2 Many DJs' Remix) [YSI]
The Chemical Brothers, "Elektrobank" [YSI] (from Dig Your Own Hole)

***Note: Links removed***

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Review/Open Your Box 22: Carla Bruni & Other French Chanteuses

I frequently get swept up in the music of a foreign country. This year, it's often been Japan, given my discovery of Pizzicato Five, but lately my fixation has moved west, back to France thanks to artists like Yelle and Carla Bruni. The latter started her career as a French and Italian model, crossing over into the music world before the turn of the century. Her debut Quelqu'un m'a dit was a huge Francophone hit, though its guitar-and-poetry-based follow-up No Promises didn't do as well. Her new album Comme si de rien n'était ("As If Nothing Had Happened") gets her back on track, this time from a very different perspective. In the interim between records, she started up a romance with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, becoming the French First Lady in a matter of months. Her unique place in life gives the songs an altogether different tone (though I can't exactly interpret the French lyrics to back that up very well). Its an album full of delicate melodies and uplifting instrumentation. "Ma jeunesse" kicks things off in a bouncy, yearning style, with "La possibilité d'une île" taking it down a notch to become a lilting midtempo ballad. The sweeping orchestra-laden "L'amoureuse" and the choppy, bright "Ta tienne" are among the album's top tracks. A cover of old standard "You Belong To Me" stands out as the only English track, a heartbroken, minimal ballad with more raw emotion than you'd see from most First Ladies. The album may run a bit long, with some tracks blending into others towards the end sections, but its Italian closer "Il vecchio e il bambino" is a nice way to end the disc on a haunting note. Overall, Comme si de rien n'était is worth checking out for fans of French chanteuses (like those featured in the post).

From Comme si de rien n'était:
Carla Bruni, "Ma jeunesse" [YSI]
Carla Bruni, "L'amoureuse" [YSI]
Carla Bruni, "You Belong To Me" [YSI]

If you're not sure you're into the style, check out her sample tracks and some from her fellow French ladies of chanson. Mylène Farmer, the biggest-selling female singer in France, has taken a dramatic turn with her new material, like the widely-criticized, clubby new single "Dégénération." Further down, things get more traditional with Coralie Clement and film star Brigitte Bardot. Like Bardot, the next two ladies were always linked to icon Serge Gainsbourg. His daughter Charlotte is most recent, with her album 5:55 becoming one of my favorites of last year. Jane Birkin was a later lover of Gainsbourg's, following in Bardot's footsteps to record some great music with the legend. To wrap up, another older figure in French pop Françoise Hardy and the eccentric Camille (often a featured singer of trendy cover band Nouvelle Vague).

Chanteuse Selections:

Mylène Farmer, "Dégénération" [YSI] (from Point De Suture)
Coralie Clement, "Samba De Mon Cœur Qui Bat" [YSI] (from the Putumayo World Music compilation Paris)
Brigitte Bardot, "Un Jour Comme un Autre" [YSI] (from the Putumayo World Music compilation French Café)Charlotte Gainsbourg, "Tel Que Tu Es" [YSI] (from 5:55)
Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin, "La Décadanse" [YSI] (from the compilation Initials SG)Françoise Hardy, "Je N'Attends Plus Personne" [YSI] (from The Vogue Years)
Camille, "Ta Douleur" [YSI] (from Le Fil)

***Note: Links removed***

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Hits 36/Mixed & Mashed 26

As I get settled in back at Berkeley, I'm starting to take advantage of my (working!) wireless connection and downloading tons of mixes. Today's post features a huge 14 tracks sorted into different subsets. The current releases include a great new club mix of Santogold's second full single "Lights Out" and nice dance updates of M83 and Solange. More impressive are the remixes of upcoming singles, including a cool retro remix of Sugababes' brand new track "Girls" and an extended version of the awesome "Dusk Til' Dawn" by Ladyhawke. In the bootleg selection, there are roaring club takes on Goldfrapp's "Caravan Girl" and a hard-hitting Vandalism remix of Ce Ce Peniston's classic "Finally." Adding electronic beats and a sense of space benefit both MGMT and Vampire Weekend on unofficial remixes of "Electric Feel" and "Oxford Comma," respectively. Of course, I saved the mash-ups until the very end. There's a very cool mix of Katy Perry's ubiquitous "I Kissed A Girl" with Madonna's "Give It 2 Me" (utilizing both the album mix and Paul Oakenfold versions). Sophie Ellis-Bextor's "Get Over You" gets another great mash-up, this time with an old Mint Royale track (in remixed form).

Current Releases:
Sam Sparro, "21st Century Life" (Mac Project Mix Main) [YSI]
Yelle, "Je Veux Te Voir" (Club-Club Version) [YSI]
Annie, "I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me" (Feel The Moog Remix) [YSI]
Solange, "I Decided" (Moto Blanco Radio Mix) [YSI]
M83, "Kim & Jessie" (DatA Remix) [YSI]
Santogold, "Lights Out" (Tepr Club Remix) [YSI]

Upcoming Singles:
Sugababes, "Girls" (Fred Falke Radio Edit) [YSI]
Ladyhawke, "Dusk Til' Dawn" (Linus Loves Remix) [YSI]

Bootleg Mixes:
Goldfrapp, "Caravan Girl" (Dead Soul Brothers Dead Soul Disco Mix) [YSI]
Ce Ce Peniston, "Finally" (Vandalism Remix) [YSI]
MGMT, "Electric Feel" (Aeroplane Remix) [YSI]
Vampire Weekend, "Oxford Comma" (Burntpiano Edit) [YSI]

Mash-ups:
Katy Perry Vs. Madonna "I Kissed Madonna" (Prosac's Mash-up) [YSI]
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Vs. Mint Royale "Get Over Blue" (Prosac's Mash-up) [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Hits 35

Since it has been around two weeks without new music (until yesterday, anyway), there are a bunch of new singles that I haven't been able to post yet. Today's selection features a wide range of musical styles, kicking off with two more low-key numbers. As I noticed on my trip, Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" has become a surprise huge hit in Germany and nearby European countries. Duffy is undeniably huge across the Atlantic too, and her next single "Stepping Stone" is already getting some airplay while current hit "Warwick Avenue" rules the charts. Ladyhawke are a hot new electronic group coming out with an album soon, the first single of which is the catchy "Paris Is Burning." HK119 also releases a new disc soon, previewed by advance single "Mind." As noted by Popjustice, her ridiculously stylized image puts even Róisín Murphy to shame (she included an actual cigarette in the left panel of her album promo case, with a CD-sized vinyl hidden inside). For the R&B portion of today's singles frenzy, Solange starts us off with her next single, the rather smooth "Sandcastle Disco." Her album just came out (in the UK), so look forward to some tracks and comments on that a bit later. Next up, Michelle Williams ups the pace with the very dance-able "Hello Heartbreak." Brandy is set to make a comeback, though her new track "Right Here (Departed)" isn't among her best. P!nk, on the other hand, is clearly at a career high, following up the excellent I'm Not Dead album with roaring new single "So What." Keane leave their piano ballad comfort zone with new album taster "Spiralling," and Franz Ferdinand preview their upcoming material (set for 2009) with "Lucid Dreams."

Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours" [YSI] (from We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.)
Duffy, "Stepping Stone" [YSI] (from Rockferry)
Ladyhawke, "Paris Is Burning" [YSI] (from the forthcoming Ladyhawke)
HK119, "Mind" [YSI] (from the forthcoming Fast, Cheap and Out Of Control)
Solange, "Sandcastle Disco" [YSI] (from Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams)
Michelle Williams, "Hello Heartbreak" [YSI] (from the forthcoming Unexpected)
Brandy, "Right Here (Departed)" [YSI] (from the forthcoming Human)
P!nk, "So What" [YSI] (from the forthcoming Funhouse)
Keane, "Spiralling" [YSI] (from the forthcoming Perfect Symmetry)
Franz Ferdinand, "Lucid Dreams" [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Open Your Box 21: Grace Jones

Her name has been gone from the music scene for quite some time, but this year Grace Jones is back with as much attitude as ever. Her first album since 1989, Hurricane is due out internationally at the end of October. It's preceded by the avant-garde new single "Corporate Cannibal," a haunting track (without much melody) matched by an equally strange and frightening video. Her unique stance has always been her trademark, ever since way back in her Studio 54 heyday, and shows no signs of letting up. Catch up on some of her biggest hits, including the majestic "La Vie En Rose" and the pulsing "Sex Drive," along with a classic Danny Tenaglia mix of "Feel Up" for some background listening.

Grace Jones, "Corporate Cannibal" (from the forthcoming Hurricane)


Downloads:
Grace Jones, "La Vie En Rose" [YSI] (from Island Life)
Grace Jones, "Sex Drive" [YSI]
Grace Jones, "Feel Up" (Danny Tenaglia Mix) [YSI]
Grace Jones, "Corporate Cannibal" [YSI] (from the forthcoming Hurricane)

***Note: Links removed***

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Mixed & Mashed 25: Sophie & Ro Get Mashed

At long last, I'm back at home in Berkeley and done with summer. The year can finally start fresh, first with some hot mash-ups I've been listening to lately. This is the only Róisín Murphy mash-up I've heard so far (send more my way if you've got them), and it's pretty unique. Her classic third single "You Know Me Better" (my most-played song on iTunes) is laid over the frantic rock backing of Nine Inch Nails' "The Hand That Feeds" and it somehow works well. I've also included remixes of the original tracks for comparison purposes (including an unofficial but brilliant extended mix of Róisín's single). Next up is a totally different kind of mash-up, taking Sophie Ellis-Bextor's "Get Over You" and transforming it into a dance bomb by mashing it with The Buckethead's instantly recognizable "The Bomb." Sophie's chorus matches the tracks main sample perfectly, so big thumbs up to whoever discovered this great pairing.

Originals:
Nine Inch Nails, "The Hand That Feeds" (Disco Villains Remix) [YSI] (original on With Teeth)
Róisín Murphy, "You Know Me Better" (Extended Version) [YSI] (original on Overpowered)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, "Get Over You" [YSI] (from Read My Lips)
The Bucketheads, "The Bomb" (Radio Edit) [see here]

Mash-ups:
Nine Inch Nails Vs. Róisín Murphy, "You Know The Hand That Feeds" [YSI]
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Vs. The Bucketheads, "Get Over The Bomb" [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Attention: Kylie's Forgotten "One"

A great tragedy has befallen Kylie Minogue's fourth single from her recent album X. In the midst of her biggest tour yet, and reportedly on the rocks with Parlophone, her record label since 2000, "The One" has seen its release reduced to a total mess. A number of things have gone wrong with the promotion for the X album from day one, but this screw-up has upset fans more than anything else. Starting with the release of the risky "2 Hearts," the album didn't herald her grand comeback as it should have. Its next singles (both more "classic Kylie" than "2 Hearts"), were released in a risky flip-flop manner with different tracks for different countries. They proved that the album's music was, in fact, likeable, and both "Wow" and "In My Arms" became sizable hits in their respective territories (bigger than the tepid reception of the first single by far). By the time the releases were flipped for the third singles, Kylie was off on tour and the record label didn't step in to compensate with added promotion, seemingly having spent all their budget on the glitzy performances and television specials at the start of the album's cycle. The songs came and went when released, and the album's sales didn't reignite thanks to the lack of public interest. Meanwhile, her tour stops sold out and her reputation as a live performer was soaring even further, with a setlist including much of her new album. It became expected amongst fans that "The One" would be released as the fourth single, after months of speculation that it was being prepared for future release with a new Freemasons remix to back it up. While fan reaction to the whole X project has been mixed overall, it isn't a stretch to say that "The One" was the most universally-loved track of the album. As its summer release grew closer, it was rumored that there would be no physical release to accompany the single, becoming her first full single not to get the full treatment. On top of it, the single would be getting no promotion, and possibly no video. To top it all off, none of this was even confirmed at any point, with fans only getting little snippets of contradicting information even up through the week of release. The download-only release, with no video to accompany it and with radio stations having already dropped it after seeing the lukewarm label support, bombed at a career-low number 36 on the UK charts, falling out of the top 75 altogether the next week. Somehow the one track on X that everyone (myself included) thought would become the album's surefire smash hit single ended up becoming its most neglected (especially ironic given its chorus of "love me love me love me" and its much-hyped, excellent radio remix). This past week, a low-budget video was released, with little more than some nice black-and-white effects to its credit, but at this point there's not much reason to bother. For a label that's been so good to Kylie and her fans, this whole mess is a huge let down. Leave Parlophone, Kylie, before troubled EMI sinks altogether, so this never happens again!

Kylie Minogue, "The One" (Freemasons Remix) (from X)


In other news, Kylie is set to duet with sister Dannii for the theme song to an upcoming British soap opera (fittingly, Beautiful People). The track they'll record is none other than "The Winner Takes It All," a cover of the classic ABBA single. They are said to be running with the great reaction they got to Dannii's surprise cameo to perform the hit "Kids" onstage with Kylie during her Showgirl Homecoming tour. Ironic, though, coming right after her less-than-stellar X success and Dannii's recent run of flops (woops!).

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Attention: Yelle's US Push

So, while I'm away and unable to post any hot new tracks, I wanted to at least post up some new videos and music news. In the past I've used the Attention section to highlight other blogs and big music news and the like, so now I feel it's appropriate to start using it for short news snippets also. This arrived in my inbox a while ago, but I didn't get around to posting about it until now. Yelle, the French electro-pop singer that burst onto the scene just a few years ago with the highly addictive "Je Veux Te Voir," is set to get a new US promotional push this fall. Released on these shores back in January, her debut album Pop-Up is a sensational collection of pop stormers that could very possibly end up my favorite of the whole year. She just recorded a new video for album opener and catchy standout "Ce Jeu," which got its premiere two weeks ago on Perez Hilton. Like the woman herself, the clip for the third international single is simple, colorful and quirky, fitting the magnificent song well. With interest stirred, she will be coming over to the States for a full US tour in October. Frustratingly, the only date in the San Francisco area is at a 21+ venue, and while yours truly is just a few months shy, I may need some help making it to the show (if anyone has any ideas/press passes...). If you're on her tour route, be sure to check her out, as she's bound to put on a fun show. Watch the video and find the tour dates below.

Yelle, "Ce Jeu"(from Pop-Up)

Tour Dates:

Tue 10/07 : Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
Thu 10/09 : Austin, TX @ The Venue
Fri 10/10 : Miami, FL @ Polish American Club
Sat 10/11 : Orlando, FL @ The Social
Mon 10/13 : Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Tue 10/14 : New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Wed 10/15 : Boston, MA @ The Roxy
Mon 10/20 : Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
Tue 10/21 : Chicago, IL @ Congress Theatre
Wed 10/22 : Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
Fri 10/24 : Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
Sat 10/25 : Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
Mon 10/27 : Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Wed 10/29: Portland, OR @ Berbati's
Fri 10/31 : San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine
Sat 11/01 : Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre
Sun 11/02: San Diego, CA @ Beauty Bar

On Ticketmaster here and here

Links:

Official French site

Myspace

Old posts featuring Yelle

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Attention: Slave To Róisín

Róisín Murphy's latest single, the dancefloor stormer "Movie Star," was originally set to be released in late July, as previewed on these pages with its fabulous video. However, July came and went, with nothing more than a video as proof of its slated release. Things had started to get a bit worrying when no sign of any radio promos, club mixes, tracklistings or cover sleeves showed up, but a few weeks ago the situation was resolved (forgive my lateness on the matter). The single has been pushed back to an October release, but that's not all! It will now be an international single with a heavy push from EMI, with a potential deluxe edition re-release of the beyond-perfect Overpowered album. In addition, it will be a double A-side release featuring a newly-recorded (and doubtless amazing) cover version of Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" on the flip. That track will be featured in an upcoming Gucci worldwide ad campaign for a new men's fragrance, with a backstage look at the commercial freshly released and included below. The new track is an addictive, building dance number (which perhaps would have been a bit subdued and out-of-place on Overpowered), soundtracking the James Franco-led spot. Róisín will be filming a video for "Slave To Love" and has, perhaps jokingly, expressed her wishes to film a full-on sex scene for the clip. In addition, a second video will be filmed for "Movie Star," as its magnificent first video was deemed a bit risqué for the telly. Remixes have been done for the track by Junior Sanchez (woo!), Sam & Kris Di Angelis and Kid Gloves. As if this wasn't enough to please everyone, she will also be releasing a live DVD in the same month! And, EMI is rumored to be releasing the album in the US, accompanied by LIVE APPEARANCES IN AMERICA!!! Two festival dates have already been confirmed, and rest assured, this blogger will be traveling wherever necessary to see this woman live.

Video: Behind-the-scenes of the Gucci by Gucci ad featuring Róisín Murphy's "Slave To Love"

Links:

For all Róisín addicts, be sure to visit the Róisín Murphy blog for up-to-the-minute news, article clippings, photos and much more. It's an amazing resource! Also catch her interview with Arjan Writes where she reveals much of the aforementioned juicy news (part 1 and part 2).

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Preview: The Chemical Brotherhood

The Chemical Brothers, one of my favorite dance artists, are set to release a new 2CD retrospective collection on September 2nd. Dubbed Brotherhood, the first half of the collection features 14 of their biggest singles (also available as a single disc). Spanning the whole of their 13-year career, it includes classics like "Block Rockin' Beats" and "Hey Boy Hey Girl," bringing them up to date with recent dancefloor smashes like "Galvanize" and "Do It Again," released since their first greatest hits album (Singles 93-03). The set also includes new track "Keep My Composure" (featuring Spank Rock). Available on the limited second disc are all ten of their "Electronic Battle Weapon" tracks, nine of which are now available for the very first time in wide release. Released throughout their career on low-key 12" singles, they've often featured rough, early experimental versions of tracks and mixes that wound up on their albums, and are a treasure trove for fans. The album is preceded by the digital release (available now) of "Midnight Madness," extracted from the recent "Electronic Battle Weapon 10." Typical of the Chemical Brothers, the video is quirky and effortlessly cool (featured below). Also cool is a new contest the boys are running in collaboration with Google Earth. Fans are being asked to submit short video snippets relating to the track, the best of which will be compiled for a new video due out in early September. Check out their website for details as the deadline is August 25.

The Chemical Brothers, "Midnight Madness" (from the forthcoming Brotherhood)

Links:

Official site

Myspace
Old posts featuring the Brothers

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Attention: Madonna Turns 50!

Today is the birthday of pop's undisputed queen, the one and only Madonna. It's hard to believe she's been at the top of the pop game for 25 years now, and even harder to believe (especially for those who have seen her perform live) that she's reached the milestone age of 50. To celebrate the occasion, I've picked out my top five favorite Madonna videos of all time. As I'm still on vacation, I wasn't able to do a music post to celebrate, but didn't feel I should leave the day unmarked (after all, she's been featured many times on this blog). Since such a huge part of her groundbreaking status lies in her visual persona, it would only be appropriate to make up for this with a few of her classic short clips. Of course, there are many, many more great ones, including some earlier ones that I may not have even seen (and some not so great or downright terrible ones), but these are just some personal selections. "Material Girl" remains a quintessential 80s video, and one of the first signs of the clever, calculating mind underlying her public persona. Her provocative "Like A Prayer" remains her best song, and perhaps best video, with some of her strongest imagery and artistic leaps ever. "Frozen," directed by the peerless Chris Cunningham, is a work of art that changed the public's perception of her yet again. "Music" is pure fun and kept her at the top of the charts and on everybody's minds as the millennium turned. "What It Feels Like For A Girl" is a violent clip directed by her husband and banned from television, like a handful of her raunchy 1990s videos.

1985: "Material Girl" (from the album Like A Virgin)

1989: "Like A Prayer" (from the album Like A Prayer)

1998: "Frozen" (from the album Ray Of Light)

2000: "Music" (from the album Music)

2001: "What It Feels Like For A Girl" (from the album Music)


Also great:
1990: "Vogue" (from the album I'm Breathless)
1991: "Justify My Love" (from the compilation The Immaculate Collection)
1992: "Erotica" (from the album Erotica)
1995: "Bedtime Story" (from the album Bedtime Stories)
1998: "Ray Of Light" (from the album Ray Of Light)
2000: "Don't Tell Me" (from the album Music)
2002: "Die Another Day" (from the album American Life)
2003: "American Life" (Uncensored Version) (from the album American Life)

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Hits 33/Tender Ballads 11: Love Maybe

I just can't resist these hybrid posts! Lately I've just been going for overall song themes, regardless of how they fit the established categories, and then just trying to fit them into the current framework. This time the theme is just as vague as it sounds: songs dealing with the possibility of love, and with the dangers of getting too close to it. Five tracks populate each portion of this post, featuring both hit singles and subdued ballads. Suede start things off with a midtempo rock track about deluded expecations, the late career single "Obsessions." New Order's catalog is full of beyond amazing 12" singles, like the dreamy "Thieves Like Us" about possession and desire. Madonna is featured in remixed form again, this time with her bleak downtempo European single "Drowned World/Substitute For Love." Saint Etienne jumped onto the scene with the sobering yet upbeat "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," included here in its longform Andrew Weatherall dub. Also early in their career, the ever-changing Texas declared their independence from dependency with "I Don't Want A Lover."

The ballads portion of today's feature kicks off with a song that probably isn't actually a ballad, but more of a humorous rant. The White Stripes, a band that I only sometimes tune into, steal the show with the hilarious "It's True That We Love One Another," playing on the storied married-or-sibling relationship of Jack and Meg White. The Pet Shop Boys are firmly tongue-in-cheek as well with "The night I fell in love," a fantasy about a fan who gets a bit closer to their favorite rap star than ever imagined (rumored to be about Eminem as response to his hit "Stan"!). Björk goes too deep with her yearning could-be-love ballad "Possibly Maybe," included here in its excellent Dallas Austin version. Sade can either captivate or lull you with many of her ballads, and "No Ordinary Love" is no exception. To finish, Beyoncé is always a sure bet, as with her showboating ballad of hearbreak "Dangerously In Love 2."

Hits 33:
Suede, "Obsessions" [YSI] (from Singles)
New Order, "Thieves Like Us" (12" Version) [YSI] (from International)
Madonna, "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" (BT & Sasha's Bucklodge Ashram Remix Edit) [YSI] (original on Ray Of Light)
Saint Etienne, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (Andrew Weatherall's Dub Symphony In Two Parts) [YSI] (from Casino Classics)
Texas, "I Don't Want A Lover" [YSI] (from The Greatest Hits)

Tender Ballads 11:
The White Stripes, "It's True That We Love One Another" [YSI] (from Elephant)
Pet Shop Boys, "The night I fell in love" [YSI] (from Release)
Björk, "Possibly Maybe" (Dallas Austin Mix) [YSI] (original on Post)
Sade, "No Ordinary Love" [YSI] (from The Best Of Sade)
Beyoncé, "Dangerously In Love 2" [YSI] (from Dangerously In Love)

***Note: Links removed***

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