Ridin' Dirty 04: Phat Beats

It's been far too long since I posted any filthy jams (or too long since I rode dirty, for that matter). To remedy that, here are three of my favorite phat basslines. Though the subject matter may not always be as raunchy as this category requires, the beats require nothing short of shameless dirrty dancing. Nobody but a total square could resist the bass of "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" or any Missy Elliot track. It will take a bit more to keep pace with Outkast's frenetic "Ghetto Musick," as it proves yet again why the duo will always defy genres.

Eve & Gwen Stefani, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" [zShare] (from the album Scorpion)
Missy Elliott, "Work It" [zShare] (from the album Under Construction)
Outkast, "Ghetto Musick" [zShare] (from the album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below)

***Note: Links removed***

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Hits 11: Janet Jackson, "Feedback"

Janet Jackson is back and better than she's been in years with her new single "Feedback." A scorching dance track, the song is taken to the next level by its awesome video, which just came out today. Produced by Rodney Jerkins and D'Mile, "Feedback" sees Janet return to the cutting-edge club sounds of her late-80s/early-90s output, erasing all memory of her wholly unsatisfying last two efforts, 2004's post-Super Bowl release Damita Jo and 2006's boring 20 Y.O. The video sees Janet reclaiming her title as one of the original innovators of the music video as art form. Starting out with lots of leather and space-defying antics, it heats up about halfway through with another classic Janet dance routine, culminating in an even saucier special effects-laden solo routine. A great comeback on all fronts, it precedes her forthcoming album Discipline, which is due to hit stores February 26th in America (the same day that yesterday's featured hit artist, Goldfrapp, is set to release their latest record). In anticipation of her new work, check out two of my favorite Janet Jackson tracks, one more recent and one a bit older.

Janet Jackson, "Feedback" (from the forthcoming album Discipline)


Janet Jackson, "Together Again" [zShare] (from the album The Velvet Rope)
Janet Jackson, "All Nite (Don't Stop)" [zShare] (from the album Damita Jo)

***Note: Links removed***

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Fresh 01: Spitzer

As hard as it may be to believe (for myself especially), this blog is actually getting a reasonable amount of visitors these days. As a result, I've started receiving sample tracks from new, unheard artists in my inbox (which I love, by the way, so feel free to send over your music anytime). Here is the first "Fresh" feature on one of those budding groups, Spitzer.

Spitzer are two French brothers from Lyon who got their start in the indie rock scene, without much attachment to the flourishing electronic music community around them. After seven years of this, they were, in their own words, "utterly seduced by the synthetic environment and the animal beats of techno," and decided to ditch their traditional instruments in favor of electronic sounds. Already building buzz within the Lyon electronic music scene and in the blogosphere, their dark, ambient sound is quickly gaining attention outside of their hometown. They are currently finalizing their first EP release, Roller Coaster, while branching out into production and remix work (including a top-secret commission for none other than pop princess Kylie Minogue). If you live Down Under, be sure to look for them starting in April as they begin a club tour of Australia. For more information, check out their myspace page and have a listen below to one of their forthcoming tracks, "Yacht Club" (my personal pick).

Spitzer, "Yacht Club" [zShare] (from the forthcoming EP Roller Coaster)

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Open Your Box 08: Long Drive Listening

Two weekends ago I visited Fresno for the first time in my life. Since I live in LA, this meant I had about a four hour drive in each direction. Though it may seem like an excessively long trip for one person to make, thanks to the right music it ended up being valuable alone time (especially the return trip for whatever reason). Here's what I listened to on the drives and throughout the weekend (basically a mini pop music primer) along with some sample tracks.

For the drives:
Dannii Minogue, Unleashed (2007)
Featured: Dannii Minogue, "Blame It On The Music" [zShare]
Natalie Imbruglia, Glorious: The Singles 97-07 (2007)
Featured: Natalie Imbruglia, "Big Mistake" [zShare]
Amy Winehouse, Back To Black (2007) [see tracks from other posts here]
Madonna, American Life (2003)
Featured: Madonna, "Intervention" [zShare]
The Cardigans, Gran Turismo (1998)
Moloko, Statues (2003)
Featured: Moloko, "Come On" [zShare]
Saint Etienne, Good Humor (1998) [see review here]
Kylie Minogue, Body Language (2004)
Featured: Kylie Minogue, "Obsession" [zShare]

Around town:
Róisín Murphy, Overpowered (2007) [see tracks from other posts here]
Garbage, Absolute Garbage [see tracks from other posts here]

For a random late-night dance party:
Nelly Furtado, Loose [see tracks from other posts here]

***Note: Links removed***

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Hits 10: Goldfrapp, "A & E"

Goldfrapp, best known for glam-disco stormers like "Ooh La La" and "Strict Machine," return in February with their latest single "A & E" (aka Accident & Emergency). The stunning music video, originally due to be released this weekend, found its way online just hours ago (this blog's one of the first places to post it!). Drawn from their forthcoming album Seventh Tree, it is a complete reversal from the dancefloor hedonism of their last two albums Supernature and Black Cherry. Rather, they return to the surreal downtempo soundscapes of their debut, the magnificent Felt Mountain. While at first jarring to hear such a change, "A & E" is undoubtedly a beautiful song that reveals itself further with each listen. Cheers to Goldfrapp for being bold enough to make such drastic changes in their sound rather than getting too comfortable in their now scuffed-up dancing shoes. Look for Seventh Tree to hit stores February 26th in America (and a day earlier overseas) in both regular and deluxe editions. I'm already unable to bear the wait!

Goldfrapp, "A & E" (from the forthcoming album Seventh Tree)



Update: For now the video has been removed from YouTube by Mute Records. I'll repost it as soon as we have an all-clear.

As EMI would have my head for posting "A & E" in its original form, here is a new remix that has been circulating on the web for the past few days. It was previously featured on batteria ricaricabile and 20jazzfunkgreats (to give all credit where it's due). Here also is my favorite downtempo Goldfrapp track, the ethereal "Lovely Head" from their first album.

Goldfrapp, "A & E" (Hercules And Love Affair Remix) [zShare] (from the forthcoming single A & E)
Goldfrapp, "Lovely Head" [zShare] (from the album Felt Mountain)

***Note: Links removed***

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Attention: PrettyMuchAmazing!

I thought I'd start a new segment to call attention to noteworthy posts on other blogs as I spot them. The first pick is from one of my favorite blogs, PrettyMuchAmazing!, featuring the "215(ish) favorite songs of 2007." A very eclectic list, with a mixture of genres and unique categories, it's definitely worth taking a look. Find the post here.

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Covered Up 05: Running Up Those Hills

Kate Bush's epic "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" remains one of her biggest hits, and has been covered many times over by a wide range of bands. Most notable is perhaps Placebo's version, which has gathered a reasonable amount of airplay in recent years. A more recent version is the haunting electronic take by Chromatics that just came out on their new album Night Drive. Check out the original and these two covers below. As a bonus, here's an Ashley Beedle remix of Kate's original, which elevates the drama and updates the electronics.

Kate Bush, "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" [zShare] (from the album Hounds Of Love)
Placebo, "Running Up That Hill" [zShare] (from the special edition of the album Meds)
Chromatics, "Running Up That Hill" [zShare] (from the album Night Drive)

Bonus:
Kate Bush, "Running Up That Hill" (Ashley Beedle Re-edit) [zShare]

***Note: Links removed***

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Preview: Adventures In Analog

Apologies all around for the lack of any actual music today (hey, it's a Sunday after all!). If all goes well, I should be getting my very first record (as in old-school vinyl) player today or tomorrow. I've already bought a handful of records in anticipation (including a very nice Belle & Sebastian heavy vinyl reissue!). The one I'm trying to get has a USB cable to convert vinyl to MP3 files, so that means lots of surprises are in store for both myself and all you loyal readers. Look for "analog" posts coming up over the next months (possibly as a new category - I'm not yet decided about that, though). Also, a bunch of posts are brewing in the Classics section, so stay tuned for some great stuff.

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Hits 09

Two tracks of note coming out over the next few weeks, Robyn's "Be Mine" and Justice's "Phantom," are somewhat opposite in their structure, but have proved equally buzzworthy on the blogs. Robyn's follow-up to the mediocre "Handle Me" (with the exception of some of its great remixed versions) is a simple pop song with almost no resemblance to her breakthrough hit, last year's "With Every Heartbeat." Regardless, its solid lyrics and her unique voice make it memorable, especially in remixed form (see below). Justice's "Phantom," on the other hand, lacks vocals completely and relies on a chopped-up, bass-deprived rhythm reminiscent of many of their French counterparts' most aggressive tunes. The mixes from Soulwax and Boys Noize are also worth investigating.

For those looking for live concerts to check out over the next few months, Robyn has just announced three dates in the US in February, including one just across the bay at Popscene in San Francisco that I'll likely be attending. Here's the info from Pitchfork.

Regular visitors check out the side note (to the left) about downloads. Basically, YSI will now only work for the first few visitors to each new post, but zShare will still be awesome and let you keep downloading if you show up a bit later. Cheers!

Robyn, "Be Mine!" [zShare] (from the album Robyn)
Justice, "Phantom" [zShare] (from the album †)

Remixed:
Robyn, "Be Mine!" (Ocelot Mthrfckrs Remix) [zShare]
Justice, "Phantom Pt. II" (Boys Noize Remix) [zShare]

***Note: Links removed***

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Review: Saint Etienne, "Good Humor"

On another rewarding record hunt at Amoeba, I managed to find British pop trio Saint Etienne's 1998 album Good Humor. The best part was that it was the limited edition US release featuring a bonus disc of rare tracks and b-sides, a full album called Fairfax High released nowhere else. Although I've only had the record for a few weeks, Good Humor is already my favorite Saint Etienne album. Like a lot of their finest work, it recalls the best elements of classic British pop from the 60s and 70s, making the listener feel like a player in an old film about London. Unlike their earlier albums Foxbase Alpha and So Tough, it doesn't sound dated at all. Despite all the nostalgia-inducing retro instrumentation and at times frivolous subject matter, it never feels like an archival piece from a bygone era. It also achieves the difficult feat of transcending its musical context, something that their subsequent albums Sound Of Water and Finisterre couldn't manage, with electronic tendencies that, though radical for the group, ended up tying those albums down to numerous turn-of-the-century musical trends. From start to finish, its an uplifting listen that really transports the listener to another time and mindset, with a consistency that makes it difficult to pinpoint standouts. As a subjective reviewer, my favorite would have to be single "The Bad Photographer," which in my opinion is up there with their best works. Singles "Lose That Girl" and "Sylvie" have become classics among Saint Etienne fanatics, and it's easy to see why. Also of note is the wonderful "Erica America," which with its simple plea of "Erica, let's go out tonight!" sums up the album's overall feel of escaping to a less complicated world. Hunt this album down now!

Good Humor sampler:
Saint Etienne, "Lose That Girl" [zShare]
Saint Etienne, "The Bad Photographer" [zShare]
Saint Etienne, "Erica America" [zShare]

For excellent Saint Etienne compilations, check out the US best-of disc Travel Edition 1990-2005 or, if you're feeling more adventurous, try the expansive double-disc retrospective Smash The System: Singles and More.

***Note: Links removed***

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Mixed & Mashed 07: Hot Chip

The blogs seem to be constantly buzzing about indie electronic group Hot Chip (as they should be). To follow up on my previous post featuring some of Hot Chip's past and present classics, here are some of their best remixes for other artists. Their versions of recent Ladytron and Gorillaz singles are nice laid-back takes, while their version of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" is a quirky upbeat rework.

Amy Winehouse, "Rehab" (Hot Chip Vocal) [zShare]
Gorillaz, "Kids With Guns" (Hot Chip Remix) (from the compilation D-Sides) [zShare]
Ladytron, "Destroy Everything You Touch" (Hot Chip Remix) [zShare]

***Note: Links removed***

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Review: Best Of 2007, Odds & Ends

With 2007 behind us, and the endless countdowns of best albums, songs, etc. all done and dusted, here are some of the leftovers of the year for your consideration. First, some honorable mentions that didn't make the Best Albums Of 2007 list, followed by the year's biggest letdowns and favorite compilation and live albums.

Honorable Mentions:
The Chemical Brothers, We Are The Night
Although not their best album, the latest from The Chemical Brothers is another solid dance record full of nuanced highs and lows.
Featured: The Chemical Brothers, "Saturate" [zShare]
Stéphane Pompougnac, Hello Mademoiselle
The popular French DJ's second album is a great collection of chilled grooves that rivals many of his Hôtel Costes compilations.
Featured: Stephane Pompougnac feat. Varano & Tiger Lily, "Better Days" [zShare]
Girls Aloud, Tangled Up
Possibly the best Girls Aloud album yet, Tangled Up is full of quirky, upbeat pop tracks injected with a newfound tongue-in-cheek outlook.
Featured: Girls Aloud, "Close To Love" [zShare]

Biggest Disappointments:
The Smashing Pumpkins, Zeitgeist
I had high hopes for the long-rumored Smashing Pumpkins "reunion," but of course Billy Corgan's huge ego got in the way again and Zeitgeist ended up merely rehashing the harder-edged rock songs they explored back in the mid-1990s.
Featured: The Smashing Pumpkins, "Doomsday Clock" [zShare]
Calvin Harris, I Created Disco
Based on his first two singles ("Acceptable In The 80s" and "The Girls"), Calvin Harris's debut album should have been a storming electronic masterpiece, but didn't deliver and falls flat halfway through the record.
Featured: Calvin Harris, "Vegas" [zShare]
Air, Pocket Symphony
Air's last album Talkie Walkie was an excellent downtempo record, and their debut Moon Safari is an unrivaled classic in the electronica genre. Their new album, though, somehow couldn't keep my interest and has less blood than their mildly-amusing soundtrack to The Virgin Suicides.
Featured: Air, "Once Upon A Time" [zShare]

Best Compilations & Mix Albums:
Hôtel Costes X, compiled & mixed by Stéphane Pompougnac
Another excellent volume in the internationally-acclaimed Hôtel Costes compilation series. It's not quite as exciting as the last two albums in the series, but is still the gold standard for chill-out music.
Featured: Louie Austen, "Glamour Girl" [zShare]
Garbage, Absolute Garbage
Celebrating ten years in music business (and a possible parting of the ways), Garbage finally released a greatest hits. Heard back-to-back, their singles reveal what true masters of the pop craft Garbage really are. It release was augmented by a limited edition with a bonus remix disc and a DVD with (most of) their groundbreaking videos, both of which are also worth checking out.
Featured: Garbage, "Special" [zShare]
DJ-KiCKS, compiled & mixed by Hot Chip
A fun, unpredictable mixtape in the popular DJ-KiCKS series perfect for spicing up any situation.
Featured: Hot Chip, "My Piano" [zShare]

Best Live Albums:
Madonna, The Confessions Tour
In her most lucrative tour yet, Madonna turned the concert hall into a club, reinventing a handful of her past hits for the modern dance floor alongside her newer material. The main draw is the concert film, a spectacle that proves why she is still relevant after more than twenty years.
Featured: Madonna, "Like A Virgin" [zShare] (Confessions Tour live version)
Kylie Minogue, Showgirl Homecoming Live
A two-disc recording of her post-cancer comeback concert, Kylie's Showgirl Homecoming set is a fun, energetic and triumphant return. It's a shame her new Scissor Sisters collaboration "White Diamond" didn't show up on X, but here it is from the concert.
Featured: Kylie Minogue, "White Diamond" [zShare] (Showgirl Homecoming live version)

***Note: Links removed***

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Classics 11: Happy New Year!

Hopefully everyone had a great (and safe) new year last night. A new year means a fresh start, and of course new resolutions. I've decided that 2008 will be the year of no regrets. Whatever it may include, I'm going to be doing my best to follow my instincts and never look back on my actions in the coming year. Here are a few tracks that fit that bill perfectly. Robbie Williams' "No Regrets" is a straightforward anthem decrying the futility of regrets, while New Order pine for simpler times in "Regret." Madonna's "Human Nature," one of her lesser-known singles, is a bitter fuck-off to her critics following her Sex book scandal, containing the classic line, "I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me." What are your resolutions for 2008?

Robbie Williams, "No Regrets" [zShare] (from the album I've Been Expecting You and the compilation Greatest Hits)
New Order, "Regret" [zShare] (from the album Republic and the compilation Singles)
Madonna, "Human Nature" [zShare] (from the album Bedtime Stories)

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