Hits 28: Freemasons & More

The Freemasons have quickly become the hottest duo in dance over the past two years. Building a base with club hits like "Love On My Mind," they reached mainstream saturation with remixes for Beyoncé's latest album and a handful of their own hits. Their winning formula has recently translated into production work for Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Kylie Minogue, with ridiculously good results. Sophie's "Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer" is supposedly a contender for her next album's first single, and would be a huge hit if released. Kylie's "The One" is a standout on her latest record, and is finally getting released as a single with an updated mix by the Freemasons, included here in its epic 10-minute extended version. Also up for release is the duo's own "When You Touch Me."

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, "Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer" (Produced By Freemasons) [YSI]
Kylie Minogue, "The One" (Freemasons Vocal Club Mix) [YSI]
Freemasons feat. Katherine Ellis, "When You Touch Me" [YSI] (from Unmixed)

***Note: Fan-made single cover by Vampy. Check out his awesome Kylie blog!

Next on the hits menu are three hot tracks from new and upcoming releases. First is Akon's new discovery Lady GaGa with her debut single "Just Dance." It's a suprisingly catchy dance track that deserves to be a hit. Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri may also have a hit on her hands with debut solo single. Äll The Times I Cried" strips back the electronic sheen of Texas's recent work in favor of a more retro sound, and is already climbing high on the UK airplay charts. Katy Perry goes for the obvious with her cheeky (if forced) "I Kissed A Girl," currently trailing behind only Coldplay on the US charts.

Lady GaGa feat. Colby O'Donis, "Just Dance" [YSI] (from the forthcoming debut album The Fame)
Sharleen Spiteri, "All The Times I Cried" [YSI] (from the forthcoming solo album Melody)
Katy Perry, "I Kissed A Girl" [YSI] (from One Of The Boys)

As a bonus, check out a pair of cool mash-ups that have recently been sent my way, including a cool version of "Just Dance"with Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." and a hybrid of M.I.A. and Santogold, playing on the frequent press comparisons of the singers.

Bonus Mash-Ups:
Lady GaGa Vs. Justice Vs. David Bowie, "Just D.A.N.C.E." (Mash-up by DJ Paul V) [YSI]
Santogold Vs. M.I.A., "Santo Mia (Creator Vs. XR2)" (Mash-up by Immuzikation) [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Tender Ballads 10: Broken Dreams

Boredom does a lot of things to a person's state of mind. After a certain point, reflection on the past is inevitable, and after a year like mine, that's never too much fun. Here are some tracks I picked out about broken hopes and unfulfilled desires, something everyone can relate to. Moby's yearning "Dream About Me" is a call to be loved, and resonates with anyone who has at some time in their life wanted a certain somebody to want them. The Cardigans' somber "And Then You Kissed Me" is a sad story of a broken love affair, with the victim blinded from reality by love. Keane's "A Bad Dream" is a typically MOR ballad from the piano-based group, while Kylie Minogue's "Dreams" sees her exploring more organic territory. Closing off the set is Nelly Furtado's little-heard Folklore album finale "Childhood Dreams," a pensive ode to long-lost childhood ambitions. Without school or work, it's clearly all too easy to fall into the trap of looking back.

Moby, "Dream About Me" [YSI] (from Hotel)
The Cardigans, "And Then You Kissed Me" [YSI] (from Long Gone Before Daylight)
Keane, "A Bad Dream" [YSI] (from Under The Iron Sea)
Kylie Minogue, "Dreams" [YSI] (from Impossible Princess)
Nelly Furtado, "Childhood Dreams" [YSI] (from Folklore)

***Note: Links removed***

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Ridin' Dirty 09: Sexual Eruptions

Since I first posted it months ago, the Robyn remix of Snoop Dogg's "Sexual Eruption" (see here) has just not left my head. Every time the right opportunity for innuendo comes up, I think (and sometimes quietly sing) the song's catchphrase to myself. In its continued memory (and for those who have only recently picked up on its amazing-ness), I've reposted the track and complemented it with five more songs about "ridin' dirty." There's the classic "Smack My Bitch Up" by The Prodigy, with its controversial video included for necessary viewing. There are fun, catchy pop songs like No Doubt's "Making Out" and Destiny's Child's "Sexy Daddy," and also some R&B from George Michael and Janet Jackson.

The Prodigy, "Smack My Bitch Up"


The Prodigy, "Smack My Bitch Up" [YSI] (from Their Law: The Singles 1990-2005)
No Doubt, "Making Out" [YSI] (from Rock Steady)
Destiny's Child, "Sexy Daddy" [YSI] (from Survivor)
George Michael, "I Want Your Sex (Part II)" [YSI] (from Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of)
Janet Jackson, "Sexhibition" [YSI] (from Damita Jo)

Re-post: Snoop Dogg featuring Robyn, "Sexual Eruption" (Fyre Department Remix) [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Review/Open Your Box 17: Yelle, "Pop-Up"

Yelle, Pop-Up (2007; US: 2008)

Every once in a while, an impulse purchase turns out to be worth every penny. I randomly picked up French electro-pop singer Yelle's debut album Pop-Up a few weeks ago, and have loved it ever since! The album's twelve tracks are all well-crafted pop delights full of hooks and catchy melodies, making them universally enjoyable despite the obvious language barrier. Opener "Ce Jeu" is a bouncy uptempo delight, followed up by the addictive dance anthem (and hit single) "A Cause Des Garçons." "Tristesse/Joie" is among the best on the album for its simple chorus and amazing synth build-ups. Even in the middle, the album never drags, with the throwback sounds of "Tu Es Beau" keeping things unique. "Je Veux Te Voir," Yelle's debut single, is an instant favorite that was clearly a worldwide club hit for good reason. The four tracks that complete the album are just as fun, concluding with the stilted, sing-along production of "Jogging" and a techno-fied remix of "A Cause Des Garçons." Her distinctive voice and enthusiastically quirky delivery, coupled with the pristine beats supplied by collaborator GrandMarnier, make for an unforgettable pop record. For fans of French electronic music, or just pop and dance music in general, Yelle's Pop-Up is a necessary investment, and one that will stay in heavy rotation for a while.

Yelle, "A Cause Des Garçons" [YSI]
Yelle, "Tristesse/Joie" [YSI]***
Yelle, "Je Veux Te Voir" [YSI]

***As featured in the recent birthday mixtape.

***Note: Links removed***

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Review/Open Your Box 16: 90s Finds

The Smashing Pumpkins, Adore (1998):
The first (of four) recent finds I made on my latest Amoeba trip was the Smashing Pumpkin's much-maligned 1998 album Adore. Coming after the stadium rock grandeur of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, the album's harder, electronic-tinged sound had a mixed reception, and was even characterized by Billy Corgan as "the sound of a band falling apart." While generally well-received by critics, it failed to ignite commercially and over the years has become their least appreciated album. I'm glad I finally got around to buying it, because Adore is in fact far from disappointing. The tone is set from the start with minimal, delicate ballad "To Sheila" and the album's singles (and perhaps only truly radio-friendly tracks), the driving "Ava Adore" and midtempo masterpiece "Perfect." The album then kicks into high gear with the dark, heavy "Daphne Descends," an anthemic industrial rock song that won't leave your head any time soon. The album, though running a bit long at 16 tracks, rarely loses the focus of its first few tracks. With the exception of less memorable slower songs like "Once Upon A Time" and "The Tale Of Dusty & Pistol Pete," Adore is a cohesive, fully-realized record with some of the Pumpkins' finest songs on it. The excellent rockers "Ava Adore" and "Daphne Descends" are supplemented by the equally stirring "Tear" and "Appels+Oranjes." Adore also contains some of the band's best downtempo melodies, from the pensive "Shame" and sweeping "Behold! The Night Mare" to the album's single best track, the beautiful, heartbreaking 8-minute epic "For Martha." The Smashing Pumpkins' albums are defined their broad scope and ambitious reach, and Adore manages to fully realize its sound and themes without losing focus. It's true that the album projects a cold, hard-edged sound distinctly different from their previous work, but that works to the advantage of the songs and helps make Adore an unfairly underappreciated gem in their catalog.

The Smashing Pumpkins, "Daphne Descends" [YSI]
The Smashing Pumpkins, "Tear" [YSI]
The Smashing Pumpkins, "For Martha" [YSI]

Primal Scream, Vanishing Point (1997):
Primal Scream are a band that have had many incarnations, some more memorable than others. Finding little early success, it wasn't until they traded in their punk roots for the groundbreaking acid house of 1991's Screamadelica that they became noticed. After a detour to Stones-based rock, they explored dub, ambient and Krautrock on 1997's Vanishing Point. The album, like the aggressive electronica of XTRMNTR, relies as heavily on its sound as on the song structures themselves, and as a result works much better as a unit than as individual parts. Its deep basslines and expansive soundscapes set up a unique mood for the record that is, for the most part, entirely engrossing. In some spots, where either the overall sound or the song as an individual unit are emphasized over the other, the record loses its edge (like on the forgettable "Star" or the latter part of the album). Other times, like on first single "Kowalski," they achieve their goals perfectly. For fans of the Scream (especially those who prefer XTRMNTR or Evil Heat to their most recent work), Vanishing Point is an integral part of the story, rather than just an oddity in their catalog.

Primal Scream, "Burning Wheel" [YSI]
Primal Scream, "Kowalski" [YSI]
Primal Scream, "If They Move, Kill 'Em" [YSI]

Pizzicato Five, Made In USA (1994):
My initial obsession with Pizzicato Five has not worn off. In a few short months, I've picked up four of their main albums, dating back to their US debut on Matador, the compilation Made In USA. The 11-track set collects songs from their huge array of Japanese album releases, and surprisingly works well as a standalone album. The set is heavily influenced by bossa nova, lounge pop and 60s rhythms, with a strong foundation in pop and an ear for the quirky. The "Shibuya-kei" style is developed to its extreme here on songs like the bombastic Bond send-up "Twiggy Twiggy" and the bouncy "Go Go Dancer." P5 let their hair down on relaxed numbers like the spoken word "This Year's Girl #2" and the cheeky "Baby Love Child." The album could have definitely had more on it, like some of the more traditional pop songs featured on its follow-up compilation (1995's The Sound of Music by Pizzicato Five). However, its brevity and quick changes in tone make Made In USA a fun, concise record, documenting the alternate dimension in pop music that Pizzicato Five seem destined to exist in.

Pizzicato Five, "Baby Love Child" [YSI]***
Pizzicato Five, "Twiggy Twiggy/Twiggy Vs. James Bond" [YSI]
Pizzicato Five, "This Year's Girl #2" [YSI]

***As featured on yesterday's birthday mixtape.

***Note: Links removed***

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Classics 23: Alternative Anthems

Summer is a time for big, anthemic dance music and memorable, easily sung pop songs. These three picks don't really fit those criteria, but they are themes I've picked out for my summer. The b-side "Sexy Northerner" by Pet Shop Boys is an addictive club track in the vein of their Nightlife album. Its chant line, "It's not all football and fags" is a fitting, if odd, message about categorizing people. Kylie Minogue's "Love Affair" provides a hopeful outlook for summer, with its simple dance hooks. Radiohead's haunting "House Of Cards" is arresting from the start, especially in the first four lines ("I don't want to be your friend / I just want to be your lover / No matter how it ends / No matter how it starts"). Don't worry, there will be some more

traditional summer jams in the very near future!

Pet Shop Boys, "Sexy Northerner" [YSI] (from Release [Limited Edition])
Kylie Minogue, "Love Affair" [YSI] (from Fever)
Radiohead, "House Of Cards" [YSI] (from In Rainbows)

***Note: Links removed***

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Mixtape 07: A Birthday Tribute, Part II

As promised, here is the (delayed) second half of the Sequins Mix for my lovely best friend's 20th birthday, which was Thursday. This hour of the mix features ballads and downtempo tracks to complement the upbeat first half. Starting it off is one of our mutually-adored favorite songs ever, Goldfrapp's sublime recent single "A&E," followed up by Texas' uplifting anthem "Getaway" and another of our essential tender ballads, No Doubt's classic, yearning "Simple Kind Of Life." Most of the other featured tracks actually aren't songs we've bonded over, but I picked them either for their eerily true messages (like Katie Melua's "The Closest Thing To Crazy" and Pet Shop Boys' hilarious yet sad "You only tell me you love me when you're drunk"). There are some newer discoveries wedged in there as well, like Yelle's excellent "Tristesse/Joie" (note to DG: this song is amazing in the same way "Wow" was amazing for us in certain specific "states of mind"). Others were just too good to leave out, like Pizzicato Five's "Baby Love Child" and Minnie Riperton's ridiculously over-the-top ballad "Lovin' You." The closing track in the mix is absolutely the tenderest ballad EVER, and a personal favorite of both my friend and myself. Of course, I'm talking about Róisín Murphy's heartbreaking "The Closing Of The Doors," a track I just had to re-post for the occasion. This half of the Sequins Mix, unlike the first, isn't exactly a soundtrack to celebratory times, but regardless is exactly the kind of tribute my best friend deserves. I may not have much, but I do have music, and in my book that's the best gift of all. Cheers!

The Sequins Mix, Part II:
1. Goldfrapp, "A&E" [YSI] (from Seventh Tree)
2. Texas, "Getaway" [YSI] (from Red Book) [original post]
3. Pizzicato Five, "Baby Love Child" [YSI] (from Made In USA)***
4. No Doubt, "Simple Kind Of Life" [YSI] (from Return Of Saturn)
5. Freeform Five, "Slow" [YSI] (from Secret Love 2: Another View)
6. Yelle, "Tristesse/Joie" [YSI] (from Pop-Up)***
7. Tori Amos, "Wednesday" [YSI] (from Scarlet's Walk)
8. Róisín Murphy, "Primitive" [YSI] (from Overpowered)
9. The Velvet Underground & Nico, "Femme Fatale" [YSI] (from The Velvet Underground & Nico)
10. Pet Shop Boys, "You only tell me you love me when you're drunk" [YSI] (from PopArt)
11. Depeche Mode, "Halo" (Goldfrapp Remix) [YSI] (from Remixes 81-04)
12. Goldfrapp, "Horse Tears" [YSI] (from Felt Mountain)
13. Minnie Riperton, "Lovin' You" [YSI]
14. Katie Melua, "The Closest Thing To Crazy" [YSI] (from Call Off The Search) [original post]
15. Oasis, "Champagne Supernova" [YSI] (from (What's The Story) Morning Glory?)
16. Róisín Murphy, "The Closing Of The Doors" [YSI] (from Ruby Blue) [original post]

***Check back this weekend for reviews featuring Pizzicato Five, Yelle and more!

***Note: Links removed***

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Mixtape 06: A Birthday Tribute, Part I

One of my favorite people (no, not Beyoncé) turns a lucky 20 today, and to celebrate I've put together a big mixtape. I tried to keep it to 20 tracks, but it just wasn't meant to be, so instead I've compiled two hour-long mixes. The first is a more upbeat set, while the second (to be posted tomorrow) features mostly ballads and downtempo selections. All the songs in some way relate back to my fabulous, glamorous best friend. Some songs featured in this mix are tracks we loved and enjoyed together (like Miss Kittin's tale of excess, "Frank Sinatra") and others we danced to in ridiculous settings (like Beyoncé's extended dance-routine version of "Get Me Bodied"). Some are included because they fit in with the other essentials (Felix Da Housecat's "Silver Screen Shower Scene"), while the best of the bunch are fitting soundtracks to our lives (Fergie's amped-up "Glamorous" bootleg mix) and friendship (such as the Saint Etienne, David Bowie and Prince classics). Of course, I'm not sure if my technologically-challenged friend will see this today or in the near future, but regardless we can all celebrate her 20th birthday in true style. As I'm sure she will be doing, let's all make a toast and go crazy tonight in tribute to an entirely unique personality (with some great music playing, as always!).

The Sequins Mix, Part I:
1. Kylie Minogue, "Boombox"/"Can't Get You Out Of My Head" (Ellectrika's Mix) [YSI]***
2. Felix Da Housecat, "Silver Screen Shower Scene" [YSI] (from Kittenz And Thee Glitz)
3. Basement Jaxx, "Get Me Off" (Peaches Remix) [YSI]
4. Miss Kittin & The Hacker, "Frank Sinatra" [YSI] (from First Album)
5. M.I.A., "Bucky Done Gun" [YSI] (from Arular)
6. Santogold, "L.E.S. Artistes" [YSI] (from Santogold)
7. David Bowie, "Changes" [YSI] (from Best of Bowie)
8. Saint Etienne, "Nothing Can Stop Us" [YSI] (from Travel Edition 1990-2005) [original post]
9. Madonna, "Human Nature" [YSI] (from Bedtime Stories)
10. Fergie Feat. Ludacris, "Glamorous" (Treasure Fingers Remix) [YSI]
11. Beyoncé, "Get Me Bodied" (Extended Mix) [YSI] (from B'Day [Deluxe Edition])
12. The Cardigans, "Lovefool" [YSI] (from First Band on the Moon) [original post]
13. Prince, "I Would Die 4 U" [YSI] (from The Very Best Of Prince)
14. MGMT, "Time to Pretend" [YSI] (from Oracular Spectacular)

***Check out Kylie fan and talented remixer Ellectrika's myspace page!

***Note: Links removed***

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Dear Ibiza 16: Vitalic

This is a post I've had hanging around in draft form for over a month now. In case you're unfamiliar, Vitalic is one of the new wave of hot French electronic musicians. Along with David Guetta, Sebastian Tellier, Bob Sinclar and countless others, Vitalic works hard to supply the rest of the world with ace synth-driven music. His productions have a more electro flavor and often a darker edge to them than most of his contemporaries, as amazing selections like "Poney, Pt. 2" and "La Rock 01" display. Also taken from his first album OK Cowboy, the singles "No Fun" and "My Friend Dario" are right up there with the leaders of contemporary electronica. Vitalic has also started gaining momentum over the past few years for his out-there remixes. Röyksopp's seminal "What Else Is There?" gets turned into a weird, eerie extended cut, while Björk's "Who Is It?" is transformed into a hard-driving electro track on Vitalic's rare white label rework. Also notable are mixes for Daft Punk and Moby (also included here). I can't wait to see where he goes with his next record!

From OK Cowboy:
Vitalic, "My Friend Dario" [YSI]
Vitalic, "No Fun" [YSI]
Vitalic, "Poney, Pt. 2" [YSI]
Vitalic, "La Rock 01" [YSI]

Vitalic Remixes:
Röyksopp, "What Else Is There?" (Vitalic Mix) [YSI]
Björk, "Who Is It?" (Vitalic Mix) [YSI]
Daft Punk, "Technologic" (Vitalic Remix) [YSI]
Moby, "Go" (Vitalic Remix) [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Tender Ballads 09: Unnecessary Histrionics

My recent return definitely calls for some tender ballads with ridiculously overdone vocals. Who better to turn to than Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera and of course Mariah Carey to fit that bill? A classic of cheesy sentiment, Celine's "My Heart Will Go On" was one of the biggest hits of the '90s, and is undoubtedly an essential tender ballad. Christina Aguilera's first single, "Reflection," was never much of a hit, but even back in the day her vocals were clearly destined for big things. Mariah has always brought big, over-the-top vocals to her signature tracks, including the little-known single "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)." Whether you need some high-powered emotional listening or not, these ballads are appropriate for any occasion.

Celine Dion, "My Heart Will Go On" [YSI] (from All the Way: A Decade of Song)
Christina Aguilera, "Reflection" [YSI] (from Christina Aguilera)
Mariah Carey, "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)" [YSI] (from Greatest Hits)

***Note: Links removed***

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Hits 27: Back and Better Than Ever!

At last, my blog can return from its unplanned sabbatical. For those who wished my laptop well during its recent trauma, thanks for the good vibes; it's now up and running faster (and with more free space for music) than ever. Whether due to moving homes or my hard drive's viral infection, it's been a good few weeks since this blog has had regular updates. That of course means I've got a huge backlog of posts waiting to be completed and published. Here's one with some new singles to get things started off. MGMT's "Electric Feel" has been making gains on my personal playlists, and if you don't have it in regular rotation yet, it's about time to grab it. Cut Copy are following up "Lights And Music" with the excellent slow burner "Hearts On Fire." Fergie sings the most recognizable track from the fun new Sex And The City movie, the funky (if a bit throwaway) "Labels Or Love." The Coldplay hype has reached a deafening roar by this point, but in case you haven't heard any of their new stuff, here's the title track from their upcoming new album (due out next Tuesday in the US). Enjoy (and stay tuned!).

MGMT, "Electric Feel" [YSI] (from Oracular Spectacular)
Cut Copy, "Hearts On Fire" [YSI] (from In Ghost Colours)
Fergie, "Labels Or Love" [YSI] (from the Sex And The City soundtrack)
Coldplay, "Viva La Vida" [YSI] (from Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends)

***Note: Links removed***

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Some Not So Great News...

Well, irony has yet again proven its deep, committed affection for me. Yesterday, just as I was starting to upload songs for new posts (the Happy Birthday Kylie! one was the only one that got completed), my computer somehow downloaded a virus. Thus, for the immediate future, consider the blog's hiatus to be extended. I'm currently in a total panic trying to figure out how I can preserve my music while eradicating everything else on my hard drive. This will probably take at least a few days if not more, so hold tight and keep my still-young Dell (and the vast library it holds) in your thoughts! In the long term, something will have to be changed with the music uploads, since I strongly suspect zShare was somehow involved in the security breach. Please (other bloggers especially) email me tips (at probablyrustin@berkeley.edu) for music blogging and uploads so I can find safer alternatives! Until then, I'll be regretfully absent and stressed.

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Happy Birthday Kylie!

My favorite pop artist, the lovely Kylie Minogue, turned the big 40 this past Wednesday. It's hard to believe (especially for in-the-dark Americans) that she's been turning out hits for the last twenty years. Looking back on her now-large catalog, there's a lot to love. Here's a range of little-heard favorites and album tracks from throughout the years in celebration of her (belated) birthday. Cheers!

Old favorites (from Ultimate Kylie):
Kylie Minogue, "Hand On Your Heart" [YSI]
Kylie Minogue, "Got To Be Certain" [YSI]
Kylie Minogue, "Never Too Late" [YSI]

Album classics:
Kylie Minogue, "Falling" [YSI] (from Kylie Minogue)
Kylie Minogue, "Limbo" [YSI] (from Impossible Princess)
Kylie Minogue, "So Now Goodbye" [YSI] (from Light Years)
Kylie Minogue, "Burning Up" [YSI] (from Fever)
Kylie Minogue, "Promises" [YSI] (from Body Language)
Kylie Minogue, "Speakerphone" [YSI] (from X)

***Note: Links removed***

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