Soooooooo... I didn't realize yesterday that MOST of these songs I have are on the extra disc for Temporary Pleasure, or the album itself. I sort of am behind on this album because I didn't have much music in Jamaica... or a computer for that matter.
BUT, anyway, these versions are not those aforementioned bonus tracks! These, like "Santiago" (the only original) yesterday, are the original rough mixes!
Well, after waiting 7 months, I've finally decided to go ahead and post this unreleased Simian Mobile Disco track. It seems that a few others have made their way onto the Hype Machine ("Flea In Your Ear", "Pinball") so I suppose at this point they must not mind. It's a rough mix anyway which is sort of like looking through the trash bin seeing as it's not the finished product... unless you really like SMD. I do, and this song is the shit.
UK residents Fenech-Soler did a remix for someone called Mimo?!? I no nothing about the gent but the song is pretty fucking cool. There is a Vega (from Austin, Texas) remix here as well and both are in 320 for you audiophiles! The Fenech-Soler remix is vaguely trancey, and sort of his this gospel-y chorus, and frankly I'm not even sure what genre it is, but in my mind that's a good thing? I really like the bit at 5:10... really good song for transitions in a DJ set...
And lastly our good friends Heads We Dance have decided on a winner for their remix competition! AND their new remix album Dance Technology is on it's way as well... here's some more info from the group themselves:
"The first remix competition entry we've chosen to go on our forthcoming remix album, Dance Technology, is on our MySpace player now (http://www.myspace.com/headswedance)! The remix of our album track 'You Are Never Alone With Model 21' is by the fantastic Justin Faust and features brand new vocals by Becky! Check the remix out now and let us know what you think.
The Dance Technology album is a "best of" our remixes and includes tracks by Don Diablo, Frankmusik, Russ Chimes, Tepr, Louis La Roche and Sidechains, as well as four exclusive new remixes. It will be available as a FREE download for a limited time from www.headswedance.co.uk from 28th September. Keep checking our website for more details!
In celebration of the art of the remix, we've started a weekly series of articles on our favourite remixes. You can read the latest here".
Ok, that's all I've got right now BUT I'll be back soon! Enjoy!
Apparently it's legendary musician day here at ISoA! First Ian Brown now this...
I was gutted when New Order broke up because they're one of my favourite bands and I've never gotten to see them play. I'm almost speechless when I think about it...
HOWEVER! Bad Lieutenant has shown up and now my fears are going away... perhaps I'll never see all four New Order members on stage again BUT, based on this new single, I'll still get to hear Bernard Sumner's familiar voice!
I can talk about New Order for some time but let's not live in the past, and let this press blurb lead us into the future!
"In some sense, the album is a little bit like a Manchester reunion – Alex James from Blur and Stephen Morris from New Order and Joy Division can be heard on a handful of recordings.
Bad Lieutenant is Bernard Sumner (New Order, Joy Division), Phil Cunningham (Marion, Run Run Run), and Jake Evans (Marion). Their debut album will be released in October 2009 on Triple Echo Records. The album’s debut single, “Sink or Swim,” will be released on September 21, 2009. “Sink or Swim” – along with the rest of the album – retains a crux of New Order’s three-decade-strong mantra, while at the same time setting sail to a completely novel breeze.
Apparently UK tour dates were announced Wed 8/26 and can be found on MySpace. They are releasing the debut, “Never Cry Another Tear”, in early October. Make sure you pre-order that one! Be back soon :)
When I was on my Honeymoon I spent a lot of time listening to, and reading about, The Stone Roses. My first memory of the band really is "Fools Gold", which is not surprising, seeing as I was really young and don't remember anything else coming out from them prior to that on U.S. radio!
Charles from The Spirit Of Albion and I are both big fans of the Roses, as well as The Seahorses, and good old Ian Brown himself. I'm pretty sure I can speak for him and say we are also big fans of Hostage.
Hostage has become the portrait of what a DJ should be like in this new musical economy. He's kind, accessable, very considerate, honest, gives away loads of free music, writes good tunes, and has fun doing it! I hope if I ever make it that I manage to be that way... and I think there are a good lot of you out there who could learn from his example. Doesn't seem like the type of guy who would forget the people who supported him over the years; in other words a nice bloke.
Talking to him earlier this morning he sent me a list of tracks and I was elated to see that he had done a remix for the previously mentioned Mr Brown. He said it was just a little rerub for club consumption... but that doesn't make it any less cool. In fact I like this more as a club song and he chooses the right elements to play up for sure. So, with his blessing, I present you with the Hostage remix of "Stellify"
I'm back from a PERFECT Honeymoon! Although it was a little over a year late it was just as amazing as if we had gone right after the wedding. Let me tell you, people always tell you Jamaica is really dangerous and that's a BUNCH of bullshit. I mean I suppose if you need to score crack at 3am in Kingston you might get robbed but otherwise it's a really a country full of really kind and caring people...
Anyway... I have SO much music in my inbox... I can't attempt to post them all and make any cohesive transition from the first one to the last one (not that I normally do)... soooooo, I guess just enjoy them all! I'm totally recharged from my trip so expect more posts. Not everything here is British but I wanted to give you guys a really big return post!
FIRST OFF... Metronomy have a new EP coming out from which we have the track of the same name! Metronomy have got their first London headline gig @ The Forum on the 18th September so make sure you march down there and check it out! Metronomy- "Not Made For Love"
2nd off... here's a little reminder of last night's Fabric night with my favourites In Flagranti that I wanted to share... which I could have been there... In Flagranti - Brash and Vulgar by fabric
3rd... I'm very excited to share that Buffetlibre have a bangin new mixtape for you (although you may already have it seeing as people download their mixes like crazy)... they never go wrong and I'm happy to consider them as good friends of the blog. I really like the story behind this new tape as well as the playlist...
"On 25 July 2005 a bit of us had to be kept in our memories forever. The closing of Cibeles Theater carried the end of Mond Club and so, the end of the coolest nights in Barcelona. Despite the huge clubbing offer in the city, the synergy of the theater and the club marked a golden age that we still love to recall, with wistful smile and wet eyes, with whom shared those moments with us.
Almost ten years after its opening, Buffetlibre DJ's has joined Buenavista, resident of Mond Club and one of the best dj’s from Barcelona, to pay homage to some of the most memorable nights in our life."
BUFFETLIBRE - POUR LES ENFANTS DU MOND Recorded by Buffetlibre Dj's Tracklist selected by Buenavista & Buffetlibre Dj's BUFFETLIBRE - POUR LES ENFANTS DU MOND
TRACKLIST: 1. Sintonia Buffetlibre 2. Andreas Dorau - Girls In Love 3. Ladytron - Playgirl 4. Mirwais - Naive Song 5. Jay Jay Johanson - On The Radio 6. Ginger Ale - Happy House 7. Fangoria - Electricistas 8. Monosurroud - I Warmed You Baby 9. Phoenix - If I Ever Feel Better (Buffalo Bunch Remix) 10. Barcelona - Studio Hair Gel 11. Annie - The Greatest Hit (Röyksopp Remix) 12. Radio 4 - Dance To The Undergroud 13. The Rapture - House Of Jealous Lovers 14. Console - 14 Zero Zero 15. Chucho - Magic 16. La Casa Azul - Cerca De Shibuya 17. Urban Cookie Collective - Feels Like Heaven 18. The Juan Maclean - Give Me Every Little Thing (Cajmere Remix) 19. Whitey - Leave Them All Behind 20. Saint Etienne - Shower Scene 21. John Paul Young - Love Is In The Air (Extended Mix) 22. Cassius – Feelings for you (Les Rythmes Digitales Remix) 23. Basement Jaxx - Bingo Bango 24. Etienne De Crécy - Prix Choc 25. Zoot Woman - It's Automatic 26. Le Hammond Inferno - Move Your Mp3 27. Betty Boo - Doin' The Do 28. MacNamara - Mi Correo Electronico Oh! 29. Justice vs. Simian - We Are Your Friends 30. ABBA - S.O.S.
Robert from Jahcoozi has always hooked us up with the best prerelease tracks... so I'm proud post this "Namedropper" video, and point you in the direction of a wicked Hannah Holland remix... which are right here :)
And make sure you check this out!
In case you missed it The Very Best have done a wicked track with M.I.A... I wish I could have posted it RIGHT when it came out but c'est la vie! The Very Best- "Rain Dance (feat M.I.A.)"
More free music comes from our buddy Don Diablo who may well be crowned "King Of The Blogosphere" this year due to his sheer output, and great working relationship with bloggers. I'm happy to present an extra track that didn't make his forthcoming debut album. He said "Some great songs just didn't fit with the rest of the sound, but that doesn't mean it has to end up in my private collection!" so he's giving this track to you instead of letting it disappear into the ether. These are the same cats he recorded his track "Blow" with... DON DIABLO - GET ON THE FLOOR (FT. J-ROCK & BIG ED) Mediafire DON DIABLO - GET ON THE FLOOR (FT. J-ROCK & BIG ED) zShare
I've spent a lot of time listening to "Audacity Of Huge" this weekend so a Simian Mobile Disco remix is a welcome addition to my playlist! It's done by The Lowbrows who have also provided an original production. Their SMD remix is more of an old school Hacienda style dance track which is prefect for end of Summer parties... listen for yourself!
THE LOWBROWS are a creative unit that was formed in 2005, by CHAKI and EMI. CHAKI masters a variety of instruments, including the guitar, wooden bass and turntables. He has been performing as a DJ for many years as well. EMI shows off her talent, with her trained classical music background. Their edgy sound is always looking toward the future, and gives you a sense of innovation with every listen! Being an electro/dance duo "made in Tokyo", gives THE LOWBROWS a unique presence in the world today.
THE LOWBROWS have been gaining worldwide acclaim with achievements like: being interviewed by Dazed & Confused from the UK, being featured on famous blogs, having their music showcased on playlists by many DJs, and more! With an amazing reputation for their remix work, they are receiving a rush of offers from both Japanese and international artists. As a DJ, CHAKI has performed with Digitalism, The Bang Gang Deejays, Hot Chip, Friendly Fires, N.A.S.A., Danger Steve Aoki, and many more.
Their first EP "THE LOWBROWS EP", was released in March 2007 (and is no longer available). In February 2008, an unreleased track "Melody And Shudder" was remixed by DEXPISTOLS and included on their mix CD "Lesson 4". THE LOWBROWS gained public attention as they were the only Japanese artists featured on it. A limited release of the vinyl THE LOWBROWS VS 80KIDZ" went on sale in August of 2008. They followed this up with their long-awaited 1st album "For Whom The Bell Tolls" in December 2008 which featured the hits "Linda Is Tonight" and "Stay Faceless", as well as previously unreleased tracks and remixes.
They are currently hard at work on their highly anticipated 2nd EP, "Danse Macabre" which is scheduled to release on October 7th, 2009. "Danse Macabre" will be yet another album from THE LOWBROWS, which will innovate and show everyone another glimpse at the future of electronic music, no matter where it is coming from...
Finally, our friends Acidkids have got a new track out which you can check out in the video below and purchase, if you like, over at Beatport!
As an extra Always Fridays provided a mix from Joe & Will Ask: Joe and Will Ask Mixtape by alwaysfridays Check out the next Always Fridays on Fri 11th Sep with The Subs. Here's a little more info... "Not only that but appearances from Punks Jump Up and The Lovely Jonjo will be complimented by Lisbon Techno duo, Heartbreakerz on the terrace. Monthly resident Peter Pixzel also features alongside weekly residents Jacob Husley and John & On."
Parlophone was the first record company that started giving me promos back in the day... and at least a couple times they were nice enough to give me the "jump" on everyone else which helped establish this blog a little quicker. I didn't start posting their stuff to climb the ladder though... I posted it because a large portion of my favourite bands are on it! See for yourself below and remember some of the high points in Parlophone's esteemed career :) Check out more here.
While you wouldn't know it, as he tends to behind the scenes (as opposed to on the front of the tabloid), without Adam Ficek Babyshambles probably wouldn't exist today. After replacing Gemma Clarke on drums (after a shambolic but destructive Babyshambles Christmas tour) Adam Ficek took his place behind the drum kit... but also helped keep the band from falling apart.
Were it not for him stepping in, along with Drew McConnell, there are many times that shows would not have happened, tensions would not have been soothed, and over all the band may not have made it. If you want to get a better feel for just how important Adam (and Drew) has been pick up Beg, Steal, or Borrow: The Official Babyshambles Story... After reading it I personally went from thinking "he seems like a cool guy" to "thank the Lord for Adam Ficek because otherwise my favourite band would be long gone"...
As I recently mentioned in a post, Babyshambles, The Libertines, and all their side projects are the reasons I started this blog. So, to get to interview Adam Ficek about his Roses Kings & Castles album is a serious delight.
Not only is the Roses Kings & Castles album a refreshing slice of fried gold but it's also an honest and personal journey through melody; it's not pretentious in the slightest, it's never over produced or trying too hard, it's an album that's so well crafted you feel like you know the songwriter on an almost personal level (something Adam's bandmate Mr. Doherty is also well known for). After trying to go through the normal media channels, and waiting 6 months, I was just about ready to give up on this interview when Adam actually contacted me about something unrelated?!?! Thanks to random chatter about "Gang Of Gin", Twitter, and Mr. Ficek's gentlemanly demeanor I now have this interview for you guys... enjoy! Please check out the info below for a couple free downloads and info about how to get RKC's debut album!
INTERVIEW WITH ADAM FICEK OF Roses Kings & Castles and Babyshambles
ISoA: How's it feel to perform/record material that's all yours? I imagine it's a different feeling than a group project as your wrote it all yourself...
it's quite an honest and sincere performance, there's nowhere to hide. It's all laid very bare, no one to look at if it's all going wrong..
ISoA: You have to have creativity pouring out of your ears to do the output you've been doing! Obviously Babyshambles had some downtime, was Roses Kings Castles something that came from that, or had you been writing songs for quite some time before?
Yeah, we have lots of time in babyshambles, and more so recently as peter has been doing his solo thing. I really enjoy writing so it's a pleasure to be able to have the chance to release my musical ideas. I've always written so releasing music was just an extension of that, I have co written with Babyshambles but people forget that.
ISoA: No doubt with your range of musical capabilities this album could have been a million different things. Was there anything that lead you in this direction for Roses Kings Castles (i.e. influences, albums, artists, life experience)?
Adam Ficek: I'm a hug fan of melody so I wanted to make an album with unashamed melodic content, it's odd how once I recorded and released I quickly moved on stylistically, it's as if that's one thing acomplished now I want this! the new stuff is darker and heavier. Althought the ep (released today) is a bridge between the two. The new album out in Oct has progressed even more. I'm no in the head space of RKCIII and it's getting more heavy still. The influences are drawn form people I know and meet and personal views. Musically I suppose like every starting artisst I initially looked to try and remake my favourite albums, but I'm not giving the game away.
ISoA: Unlike Babyshambles (with the exception of the Mains Ignition "Blinding" remix) your projects have been subject to remixing and electronics we wouldn't expect in your other band. What was the initial spark that made your love for electronic sounds blossom?
Adam Ficek: I enjoy music of every genre and ilk. There was actually a synth on the blinding but it got lost somewhere between the studio and the mixing desk! I used to do lots of djing of dance music and still listen to the more electronic side of things. I see music as being good or bad nothing else.
ISoA: Your DJing career has flourished... For those of us who are an ocean away what does a DJ set from you sound like? Any particular releases you've been into recently?
Adam Ficek: It depends entirely on the crowd, I'm paid to entertain the majority so it depends on the majority. I do occasionally do special sets of my personal loves, so loads of 60's soul and other obscurities.
ISoA: You've probably been asked a variation of this question a million times but... do you feel that people will be able one day to judge Babyshambles based on the music and not Pete's actions? Because as a member of a band I'd think that would be something that would be hard to come to terms with...
Adam Ficek: Probably not, most people are not able to see through the media haze. The media needs to create and invent that's why it's there, it's not bad or good just...is
ISoA: This is a pretty standard question but what bands are you listening to/keeping your eye on?
Adam Ficek: fake blood. Deadmaus. Golden Silvers perhaps. to be honest there's not that many bands who are exciting me at the moment. please send me some, I really want to know some exciting bands.
ISoA: Lastly... the music industry has changed a lot in the last two years. Both you and Babyshambles have kept access to your music very close to the fans (SASE for singles, free downloads, announcing shows via forums and Myspace) as opposed to the typical monolithic industry disconnect that's standard for most big bands... do you think music will become more DIY with the recording industry tanking?
Adam Ficek: I think the majors will always have a grasp on the industry as they are very powerful, it would be very naive to think the whole DIY thing will change that but now we can create our own niches for the right reasons. the majors have already taped into the DIY thing by swallowing small 'Indie' labels and essentially using them as extended A & R depts. I don't blame the small indies as it's hard making money from a small niche market but it gets me when they pretend to be indie. At least have the balls to say your floated by a major. Why not stand up and be counted.
Here are some remixes that from when the album first came out. They are both so good I frankly would like to hear the whole album remixed! But that's just the DJ geek in me... the first remix would fit in along with that IMISSMYJUNO remix of Franz I like so much, while the second remix is more in the vein of Hot Chip.
You can buy RKC songs and merch right here. And you can keep tabs on what is happening here!
Check out the man in action...
Here's a little press from Adam's website about his most recent release... "As you're all aware the ep 'Apples and Engines' is finished and ready to go. I'll be releasing it on August 10th on 7" vinyl and CD, initially to my mailing list so get signed up to the monthly RKC newsletter. The past few months have been manic as usual, loads of gigs, loads of writing free songs for you lot, and my second album is underway. The follow up to 'Roses Kings Castles' is going to be slightly bigger sounding and a little less twee in places, I've also persuaded a few of my mates to come and have a tinkle so watch this space. As always a big thanks to all you followers and supporters. "
Here's some upcoming dates: Wed 16th Sep 2009 - Portsmouth - UK @ The Cellers - Portsmouth Thu 17th Sep 2009 - Brighton - UK @ Prince Albert. Sun 20th Sep 2009 - Birmingham - UK @ The Victoria Thu 8th Oct 2009 - Dublin @ Whelans accoustic
Well that's that for now. I again would like to thank Adam for being such a great musician... sharing such a great album with us... helping steer the good ship Albion... and for doing this interview. Check this space for future info about Adam and Roses Kings & Castles, because, as of today I'm going to add him to Arcadian Family. I'm down for life! Be back soon, hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!
P.s. You gotta get one of these! That is when they're in stock again here lol...
Well, as you know, this is a pretty strictly British only blog... but I am a sucker for Ghostly International. In fact I've been carefully putting together an article for Cream Team for a couple months now on their 10 year anniversary... that's how much of a fan I am.
Now, despite having never actually spoken to Deastro, I'm a big fan on his music and want to help spread the word as if he were a friend of mine. Especially Keeper's which is fucking brilliant. He reminds me of a more experimental, American, version of Frankmusik... if that makes any sense.
Here's the first two songs from the free EP BUT FOLLOW THE EP LINK TO DOWNLOAD, only use the other links to have a quick listen (they're basically just there so this will show up on the Hype Machine lol)...
Here's a little bit of press... Taking the US press by storm, Randolph Chabot aka Deastro is a brand new epic space-shoegaze sensation. Causing a stir on Pitchfork (Paste, Spin), the stunning debut album was released back in July via Ghostly International (School of Seven Bells). Check out the brand new ‘Orange Swimmer Red Summer’ EP exclusively here via Deastro’s blog. It features 9 brand new, unreleased tracks.
Well I'm glad he's taking the press by storm... perhaps that's why I couldn't get an interview with him? *cough*hit me up*cough* :)
Anyway Deastro writes dreamy electronic pop music that makes you feel things the way that very few artists can, especially on a first listen! So check it out, go to a show, and make sure you pick up his previous efforts!
That last Maps track I posted, "Let Go Of The Fear", really had me so I'm excited to be posting this new one. If you liked the last one I imagine this will get you too... however this is a little less dubby and a little more like an Audion track (without super weird noises) with a vocal (that isn't warped).
Maps - ‘I Dream Of Crystal’ (Solo Mix) - Released: 14th September 2009'This is the Solo remix of ‘I Dream of Crystal’, the first single proper from Maps’ second album ‘Turning The Mind’ Debut album ‘We Can Create’ was previous nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize in the UK. This remix package also contains the Solo Dub mix as well as the Steve Lawler Vocal & Dub mixes Maps mastermind James Chapman says that “if [debut album] ‘We Can Create’ was the birth of Maps, ‘Turning The Mind’ is the fully formed manifesto” Maps will play Bestival on the Isle of Wight in September followed by album release on 28th September 2009 Check out www.myspace.com/mapsmusic for more! Be back asap!
After hearing this I think Plastician should do a WHOLE album like this. It's one of the big things dubstep is missing: female vocals. I mean it doesn't need them ALL the time, because I like that hard shit too, but sometimes dubstep is TOO hard. This remix of Crew Lips new track comes off like this decades Breakbeat Era... that is soulful, dark, and compulsively listenable.
Here's some press: "Their new track was out the other week on Kitsune but didn't have this Plastician remix available on it. They were on the recent Kitsune 7 with their track 'Solo'."
It's a good thing Chima Anya got this out before the end of Summer because this is a MUST have for sittin' out on the stoop, cruisin' in your car, or even in the club. I say it EVERY time but British hip-hop has taken a long time to come into it's own but it's people like Chima Anya that are pushing things forward... check it out...
"New Day" is the first single from the album of the same name... make sure you cop that! Be back soon!
It is a damn shame that I hear these wicked mixes for Fabric but can't ever go to the damn events because of, well you know, that OCEAN that keeps me away from the club. This event is going to be a REAL good one... not just because of the Vision anniversary but also because Ghostly International's Seth Troxler will be playing (which is not something you want to miss, trust me)...
Here's a little press blurb... "In celebration of 15 Years of 2020 Vision and their takeover of room three at fabric this Saturday the 8th of August, head honcho Ralph Lawson has put together this special mix to mark the occasion."
Blaze – Lovelee Dae (2020Vision Accapella) / Playhouse Ernesto Ferreya – Ground / lomidhigh Jacoozi Boys – Boccadillos (Ekkohaus RMX) / Suara Moritz Piske – Dirt Cabana / Salon Loko – Scarlet House / Soulman Bruno Gauthier – It’s Love (Simon Baker remix) / Classic Mark Broom – Life / 2020Vision Lil Louis – I Called You / FFRR Ekkohaus – Brian Said / 2020Vision Saro & Black – We Were There / Shadowprint Ricardo Villalobos – Easy Lee (Random Factor unreleased mix) / Playhouse Gruber & Nurnberg – Traffic / Bloop Salvatore Freda – Bombolone / Liebe Detail TBD – What Is This ? / TBD Basement Jaxx – Flylife (Atlantic Jaxx) Julien Chaptal – Collider (2020Vision)
You can tell by the track list alone that the mix is sick... so skipping the gig this weekend would be... well really stupid if you can get there! Because I know I'm pissed that I can't :(
I'm pretty confident when I say this because I wrote the original review for this in February lol... and I like the album even better now than when I first wrote the review! In the many months since I first got to hear it I've just become more and more sure of it's ability to stand up against other classic albums of this decade.
My opinions have changed some since the first "write up"... so you're going to be getting a very in depth review here as I feel this album deserves close examination to justify my designation of "brilliant". We're going to start at the beginning and go through every track until the end.
However, now I have to change the order this was written in due to changes in track listing... I might as well give you guys the goods at the front of the post. One of Arcadia's favourite blogs Discodust just posted this a couple of days ago so all the credit goes to Aleks and friends!
FIRST OFF... I'm pleased, but surprised that "In Step" made it onto the album! This song has been around for eons so I don't really feel the need to review it at all. The Island/Universal made a smart move releasing this quite a while ago as the "warm up single" to introduce people to Frankmusik although I would NOT be surprised if they released it again...
"Better Off As Two" is another brilliant single. You'd assume at this point he's front-loading the album because the b-side (for those of us who prefer to listen to black spinning discs) is shit. But you'd be very wrong. I don't need to stress how good this song is... you've no doubt heard it and if you haven't I'll put the video (also brilliant) below. It's worth noting that this is a different version than the 3 Little Words EP in case you didn't know that.
"Boyfriend" is a rockier number than the one you've heard so far. It's as great as you remember but better. There had been two versions of this (that were obviously different mixes to be picked from for the album) that sounded pretty similar, and this final version sounds like both of those put together. It's kind of hard to review these songs because they were already on Frankisum... and you really need to hear that EP in order to understand the progression to the new version... otherwise I'm rehashing something a lot of people have heard.
"Confusion Girl" very different from what I had expected. The original Frankisum version is frenetic because of it's 4/4 beat. This version goes half time on the drums and substitutes the synths for more of a breakbeat vs acoustic guitar feel. Maybe that's a shit way to describe it but that's essentially what it is. There was a version that played both those elements up more but it makes more sense in the final where the layers don't draw too much attention away from Vince's vocals. I was wondering which version would make it to the album as a "new mix" with a 4/4 beat was lying around... once again, refer to Frankisum to get a better feel for this one. This is a hard one to weigh in on... the funny thing is that despite the half timed drums, it's actually faster than the other versions. On that note, it's probably worth noting that there are only 3 songs that go over the 3:00 mark, and only one of those is over 4 mins. This means the album clocks in at about 40 minutes.
"Your Boy" is the first ballad of the album and is nothing short of fucking amazing. Pianos, synths, soaring chrous. When he starts singing "I'm sorry, I'm trying to change my past/Can you give me just one more minute?" his pleading is so emphatic that you feel strongly this is a man writing about his own experiences. And it's these songs that, again, show his versatility and growth. He could go toe to toe with Coldplay with these songs... while the songs you heard on Frankisum all feel like potential singles, these new ballad songs could too. Which is sort of dizzying because... how many potential singles can you have on an album? So far every song on this album is single worthy. Even the original demo "To Delta" showed that this song was a powerhouse in waiting, and the final product doesn't disappoint. Probably my 2nd favourite song on the album...
"When You're Around" is, of course, an interpolation of The Stranglers "Golden Brown" (a song about heroin, which this song is most definitely NOT about). You've probably seen this on the various interwebs as the Boys Noize remix... well here's the deal with that (and correct me if I'm wrong)... at one point Alex (Boys Noize) was helping MIX the song, as opposed to remix, and somehow all the credit landed on his shoulders. In all actuality this song has been kicking around since Frankmusik's inital offering of demos... the album version gets a major overhaul because I think Frankmusik knew that releasing the same version that's been around forever wasn't going to work. Frankly? I got sick of this song... to the point where I couldn't listen to it at all... but this new version has really put wind the wind in the sails again. Check out the Frankmusik directed video for the previous version!
SPEAKING OF DIFFERENT VERSIONS... "3 Little Words" was an instant classic when it came out over a year ago. And while the the Atari-like speedy synths (I think that song has about a 174 bpm) of the original were awesome, the Stuart Price assisted (see Zoot Woman, Les Rhythmes Digitales, Thin White Duke, Jaques Lu Cont) version is a good example of how two bright minds can turn something perfect into something perfect that everyone will enjoy (the original may not have been able to gain a crossover audience, but the new one doesn't make any sacrifices in quality). It is strange to hear a song go through key changes, tempo changes, multiple versions and still sound as good as the first time you heard it. Think about it... most artists would muck up their own material if they messed around with it that much... Here's the old video version in case you hadn't heard it before...
"Wonder Woman", brings up an interesting topic on the album, women who never give themselves are break and can't let themselves get the relaxation/pleasure out of life they deserve! Too many of those these days :) It's a song for strong women but also a reminder even the most hardcore people need to take a break. It's a nice bouncy song that doesn't seem like a single, to me, but that's actually the nice part :) Not every song should be a single, or potentially a single, that takes the enjoyment out of the album because then it doesn't create fans... it creates people who but lots of ringtones. No doubt people will suggest this as a single but I think, instead, it's a welcome change of pace.
Finally we land on "Complete Me", the albums namesake. The first time I heard this song I lost track of everything I was doing. It starts out with gentle piano, that suddenly changes with him quietly singing "Is this really what we want?/Is this really what we need?/Six million staring at their feet..." and moments later suddenly it starts taking off with choir like synths. It's so fucking epic but so simple. Then it takes it down a notching with a bubbling scaling rhythmic synth under the piano, then getting into this very Vangelis like chorus with this major rush. Take it down a notch again, build more, get louder, and give another massive chorus. This song is not just proof for the haters that Vincent Frank is more than someone who "has potential" (random Vice writer I'm leering at you), it's shows he's maturing with his song writing. Not only can he write these killer singles, but he can write songs whose greatness is hard to deny if you have ears. This song could end up being very important to a generation of people who have grown up watching their ideal, of how the world worked, collapse right in front of them. Again, it seems the more ballad-ish songs are my favs on this album because this song, with it's Vangelis "Chariots Of Fire" drums, is probably my third favourite.
Now we arrive at "Vacant Heart", a total fan favourite. If you haven't heard it, it's a poppy but pained love song, highlighting more of his so-called 80's influence (which is lazy journalism me even TYPING that). I like this song? But my feelings about it change a lot. The lyrics on the chorus may be the weakest on the album, WHICH ISN'T TO SAY this song is bad... it's just... if you line up 13 diamonds and one has a slight smudge? Well you get the picture. Personally I would have put "That Much Is True" or something like that on instead but? This one made the cut, and I will say that the minor changes in lyrics and instrumentation relieve some of the repetitious qualities that were bogging this song down.
"Done Done" originally appeared on the Heaths Of Thornton website as part of a free EP (p.s. that site doesn't exist anymore). There isn't much difference? Other than maybe quality and mastering. One of the best lines here is "Did you get a new me? Or something not quite the same?"... and "The million times I told, that my story's getting old/Tell me are you better, now that your new life starts to unfold?"... these great lines are reflective of the rest of the album. There is a LOT of questioning going on. After a bad breakup isn't that always the case? You keep asking where things went wrong. Were you in the wrong? Were they in the wrong? Now that time has passed do things seem better than they did before? Are you hurt or hurting? A great deal of the album deals with this. This song is too much on the 'electronica' side to be a single (I mean the chorus is nothing but repetition), but it just radiates heartfelt emotion (a quality that sets Vincent Frank apart from his peers... I don't need to say who because you know who).
And then there's "Time Will Tell". I posted it a couple months because I was sure it wasn't going to make it to the album... ooops! I will admit I used to HATE this song (which is pretty strong but I mean, this guy has difficulty writing bad songs) but the original made me very very confused because there was something lacking. Frankmusik again has taken a close look at this songs and has recognized that something needed to change... in doing this he rescued a song that I easily wouldn't have given a second chance on a personal listening level (I mean I'd listen to it to review this album but not on my own time). It's the super singles, and the ballads, and the slightly tweaked "non-singles" that add up to a five star album.
Now we come to my favourite by far. "Run Away From Trouble" is lyrically the most sparse but perhaps the most emotionally moving song on the album. The first round version of this song had little hints of dubstep because of it's lurching tempo (so slow it's almost fast like dubstep) and a couple sounds he used that reminded me of Various Productions. If the version I'm listening to is the final (and come on people, you know these things go through like a million little revisions before making it onto a physical copy) it drops some of the original sounds and expands the ending with strings, and a new synth part at the end. The phasing on the drums and the whirling whirring noises makes me want to remix the fuck outta this lol...
It's important to mention to people who are freaking out about the tracklisting change that the nothing short of brilliant "Olivia" is a hidden track on the album. If the other songs were emotive, and a great deal of them will appeal to young people reflecting on their past/present relationships, this is a song for the completely broken hearted. It's a piano track, that's quite sparse... that's what makes this song. I'm gonna have someone kick me in the balls for this but... it's as good as Fiona Apple at her best. It's a song about familiarity and (seemingly) conflicting emotions. One of the highlights of the song is "I know I lost you in my head/There's no more waking next to you in my bed/As the pillow turns to stone instead". I mean, if this song doesn't make your eyes mist a little, then you've probably never been in love with anyone. And if it doesn't make your heart hurt a little, well, then you probably hated the whole album lol. Because in order to understand the album as a whole, you have to understand this song (IMHO).
EDIT: It was brought to my attention that "My Mind" made it onto the iTunes version of the album so it's worth reviewing that as well...
"My Mind" was one of the best previously unreleased songs that Frankmusik had done. This final version sounds like a "complete" version of the earlier rougher (SP Mix) which, in it's own right, was nearly perfect. The song details his possessive feelings but inability to bring them to fruition shown in lines like "Does it come to this/ You I'll never kiss/ Or romanticize it/ How I've missed/ All of these things/ We'll never do/ When I've gone and broken us all in two". Of course if you weren't paying attention to the lyrics, and just listening to the chorus, you'd think it was a nice peppy love song with some "Blue Monday" style drums hiding underneath the surface. "My Mind" hints at the HUGE cache of songs that Vincent Frank is still sitting on... if his record company would let him he could release another 5 star album before the end of the year.
My final review? Vincent Frank has crafted an album that in uncompromising, jubilant, heartbreaking, and almost peerless in it's electro-pop perfection... and the reason it will succeed in a major way is that this young man has literally put his heart and his fears on a platter, wrapped it up in danceable melodies that will never leave your head, and created one of the first true original pop records of a decade coming to a close... which leads me to believe the next decade may have us seeing a lot more
A lot of people have paved the way but there's his truly unique style will set him apart from any real dead on comparisons. When I interviewed him last March, after mentioning that Peter Robinson mentioned him in an NME column and I proposed he may be leading a new pop movement he said, "If I am starting a new movement or the media grasp onto something then great but I really could not give a dandelion due to the fact that it means that I am only going to have to change my style again to rebel against another journalistic label." His own description of his music, "Blade Runner pop", is probably the most accurate... expansive, futuristic, self aware, a sleek hodgepodge, and like the movie itself a definitive piece of work that doesn't fit into a genre. This innate inability to conform, and the drive to do only what his heart tells him to, will ensure that both Complete Me (and his future efforts) will make a significant impact on the world.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR AND ACTUALLY BUY THE ALBUM! The guy has put loads of free songs on the internet and if you appreciate what he's doing you've gotta help him keep going by purchasing this. I'm not gonna rant this time. Just do it. They have some cool bundle specials over at the official store at Frankmusik.com.
If you are looking for unreleased Frankmusik here are some suggestions. Here's some suggestions: "Happy Endings" "Pinch Myself" "Shoot The Breeze" "So Keep Telling Yo Self" "Unreachable"
And here's my favourite unreleased ones: "Touch Myself" "My Mind" "Waste Of Time" "That Much Is True"
And then the free EP's Brushing Off and Chasing Shadows... Brushing Off consists of: "Just Fine" "Missing You (Everything But The Girl Cover)" "Your Face" And Chasing Shadows is: "Bad Ass Each Other" "Ice Box (Omarion Cover)" "Run Away From Trouble" "Done Done"
I frequently feel like throwing in the towel nowadays. As Veronica from Cream Team said, it's not that I need to stop blogging, it's that I need to leave Blogger. And I hate to admit it but she's probably right.
Beyond that I've got some amazing interviews? And I can't be arsed to transcribe them because I'm so fucking sick of the "work really hard, get nothing" aspects of blogging. I mean I appreciate you all reading but my passion for a lot of this music has slowly been drained outta me. There are still producers, like Toddla T, that make this exciting but... sometimes I can't even remember why I started this.
And then I remember it was Babyshambles. Before this somehow morphed into a predominantly dance music oriented blog... it was that spirit, that dedication to romance and melody, that made me want to write about music... and do a radio show... and all the other things that have suddenly felt less important since I lost my job.
I recently read an official book about the 'Shambles, and showed some friends a Libertines DVD, and was reminded by the extremely personal nature of these bands and how you could really feel like you were close to them (even if you were an ocean away).
I'll admit I didn't really pay attention during the first album... I was sort of busy trying to even spell my name... but by the 2nd album I was a total convert and followed the trials and tribulations on a daily basis because it was all something I could intimately understand. During that time my (now deceased) ex-girlfriend and I spend whole days looking around the internet for studio tracks (or even little acoustic scraps) that hadn't made it onto records yet.
Of those songs the one that probably sticks out the most as being a brilliant track (that is too libelous to see the light of day) is "Gang Of Gin". I thought I'd go ahead and post it just to remind myself why I started this... and hopefully get of some you excited in the process!
Our dearest Robot Koch of Jahcoozi and his girl friend Mimi De La Boheme
They're gonna perform this @ WMFclub (Saturday) and Bar 25 (Sunday) (in interesting surprise costume) along with some dubstep versions of soul classics like "At Last" by Etta James! Don't wanna miss that! Robert I hope you record all this jazz :)
It seems to be that everyone like hates these guys... but the remixes have been fly! And the beat is ill... truthfully I think it's just nutty joke shit... like if Hadouken! didn't take themselves seriously and were a joke band! I think these guys are just like "Autotune The News". Am I wrong? Whatever, obvs it's still got life in it because these guys are still going strong...
I'd love to point you in the direction of the Hostage and Acid Girls remixes I posted before but... that link got taken down... so... thank the IFPI and the DMCA for that. Be back soon...
I've obviously been having problems with writing recently. Just... I dunno. Once again it's like 1) ennui, 2) lack of cool music, 3) DMCA take downs and... just, something feels off. I've been PRAYING for something cool to hit my inbox (no offense to people whose stuff I have yet to post)...
And finally something came my way...
You may be familiar with the name Hostage. In fact I recently posted a Hostage, along with my friends Acid Girls, remix of 3OH!3's"Don't Trust Me"! Even if you've been barely paying attention to the blogosphere, at this point, if you're not familiar with the name (doubtful) then you're familiar with the music.
Hostage hails from Edinburgh, Scotland, (which put him neck and neck with Swayzak to be our favourite Scottish artist; sorry Hudson Mohawke, you're dope though) and has really taken the internet by storm. This new mix, like all my favourites, is very diverse and isn't afraid to veer away from the obvious and genre hop without sounding unorganized. If you've only heard Hostage's remix or production work this mix will prove to you this guy is also a DJ's DJ as well... expect to see a lot more from him in future posts. I love this shit so much he's automatically Arcadian Family!
Seriously, that picture above is what Ima look like when I come back from Jamaica. Off topic, but does anyone have suggestions for places to go while I'm down there? I want to get into some soundsystem action...
Back to Hostage: his next release will be a remix of Foamo's'Wardance' on Skint Records, also with remixes from Reso and Hijack.
Also it's worth noting, for those of you residing in the Uk, Hostage will be playing at Glade Festival in England this weekend on Sunday. So, download the mix, get yourself pumped, sort out your mates, and get buck this weekend with Hostage... and tell him ISoA sent ya...
As you very well may know I've been out of circulation because of sickness, and general irritation with the blogging world. I want to stay on Blogger... but... I'm looking into switching... the take downs are a little too much and I don't want to loose good interviews and exclusive material to DMCA garbage.
Anyway... I think it's important to post this about my fam and their remix project! I thank them from waking me from my blogging coma lol...
In September 2009 HEADS WE DANCE will release a remix album to accompany their debut album Love Technology and are looking for the best up and coming remixers to contribute tracks. The remix album will feature the best of the past remixes including those by Don Diablo, Frankmusik, Tepr, Russ Chimes, Sidechains and Louis La Roche, as well as brand new remixes of album tracks. HEADS WE DANCE have uploaded a cappellas of the tracks available for remix to www.headswedance.co.uk/remixes and ask for submissions to be emailed to the band at headswedance@googlemail.com by Monday 10th August. The best remixes will be chosen by the band and included on the remix album!
And if you haven't checked it out yet... DEBUT ALBUM 'LOVE TECHNOLOGY' OUT NOW!!! INCLUDES THE SINGLES: 'WHEN THE SIRENS SOUND', 'THE HUMAN TOUCH', 'LOVE IN THE DIGITAL AGE' & 'MY HEART IS SET ON YOU' PLUS THE KRAFTWERK COVER 'COMPUTER LOVE'
Well, you know I've been reluctant to post recently... but when you get an email from your boy, it makes you wanna jump out of bed and get a post up!
And even if I were totally depressed and didn't wanna move I know that something new from Jahcoozi is bound to put me in a better mood :) Check this slice of fried gold out...
To really keep this within the Arcadian Family lol... Jahcoozi is playing @ Fabric in London next weekend July 3rd (just 3 days before you can cop the "Namedropper" SINGLE).
This next weekend is my 1 year anniversary... wish I could be at Fabric with Robert, and James, and London folk for it :( Maybe next year yeah? Once Michigan stops having a 12% unemployment rate we might be able to make that happen...
Speaking of Arcadian Family... I know I'd put up a lot of coverage... and I didn't want to drown you guys in favouritism but... Heads We Dance have released their brilliantLove Technology. And it's perfect that they released it right at the official beginning of summer, because that's what it is, it's the perfect summer album for morning, noon, or night. Along with Little Boots, Frankmusik and Simian Mobile Disco (who won't be bringing you their sound until the "end of summer")... Heads We Dance will help keep your summer awesome, and memorable, without question. I realize that HWD and Little Boots are the only ones with albums out but I PROMISE that the other two albums are must haves for your summer... (p.s. I love the cover, with the binary code and the heart, and the cool type face... fucking sweet)... But the album right now through iTunes!
Since I mentioned it... I'm going to post a review of Frankmusik's Complete Me album soon. I wanted to get Vince's seal of approval first, but he's so busy, I'm going to take his silence as a seal of approval. He has a copy of the review (it was written in February)... we all know the album is awesome, but I'll tell you why in my opinion... OH YEAH... I also wanted to repost that GoldieLocks song so it would show up on Hype Machine. Make sure you read about the podcast in the previous post. You know, as well as I do, without Hype you don't get any traffic... GoldieLocks- "Fuckabout" NOTE:This was a YSI file so that it would hit Hype Machine, but since it did show up, I'd rather you download it from where it came from. I think some of these take down notices come from "reposting" the track on a 3rd party file sharing service (i.e. Mediafire, YSI, MegaUpload) to get the track to show up on the aggregators. I don't need any trouble so, please, read the previous post about the Red Bull podcast and get it from the right place :)
Ok, enjoy all this jazz... and I'll be back as soon as I can. I still have loads of interviews from before I got sick to post... but I also will be m.i.a. from about Saturday of this week til next Friday dealing with a personal health issue. Anyway, keep checking back! Thanks for stopping by!
It's probably worth noting that it's been nearly a month since I've posted.
Why?
First off I've got this pneumonia that I'm trying to shake. Apparently three different antibiotics haven't worked too well :) There are days where I've literally just sat in one position for nearly 16 hours I've felt so awful.
Second... I've been depressed. I haven't been able to put my fingers to the keyboard. I've been working on some stuff, but nothing I can actually put out for anyone to read, it just seems everything comes out crap. I thought getting fired would give me more time to write... in stead I'm staring at the ceiling.
And third, and perhaps most importantly to you the reader, my last post got taken down. It was a LONG post (because I'd been at DEMF/Movement and hadn't had time to write, right before I got really sick) which can still be found over at MOG. I told myself I wasn't going to post anything until I found out what happened to that post! I mean if it's a DMCA take down? This blog could get shut down...
Well, lo and behold, I finally got the notice about two days ago. IT TOOK THEM A MONTH TO SEND THE DAMN THING! And what pisses me off the most is there wasn't ONE thing on there that wasn't legit. It was all sent from the labels. Grrrrrrrr... GET YOUR SHIT STRAIGHT IFPI! Stop messing with legit blogs!
OK! On to the music... there's a podcast here I think you should check out. In turn I've got a GoldieLocks track for ya... pretty solid trade off yeah? I can't remember if we've really done a profile on her yet. I remember looking into her early work as a producer but I never expected her to be a solo artist. Might good stuff... read below to see how the podcast and the track go together :)
Red Bull Music Academy presents Wandering Feet podcast
Episode 4 / 2009
This month, Baaba Maal, Dave Longstreth (Dirty Projectors) and Subeena are interviewed, and GoldieLocks, Photonz and Debruit are on the playlist!
Download the Wandering Feet Podcast and join music journalist, and Red Bull Music Academy team member, Emma Warren, for her take on new music, collaboration and emerging talent with a special UK focus. In this brand new episode, we hear from ex-RBMA participant, producer Subeena who joins Emma in the Wandering Feet studio to share the inside story on some of her hottest tracks. As ever in Wandering Feet we've got words of wisdom from some of the most exciting and pioneering musicians around including Baaba Maal, who joins us to talk about the many collaborations that he's worked on, and Dave Longstreth from Brooklyn based band The Dirty Projectors with the inside story on their unusual method of songwriting. And of course there'll be music, this episode is packed to the hilt with some of the best new music around including some underground Portugese Techno from Photonz, Parisian post funk from Debruit featuring Om'Mas Keith from Sa Ra Creative Partners and Jamie Woon, plus a cut from Croydon dubstep princess GoldieLocks.
Now THIS isn't British but my man Don Diablo has really picked the right tracks to fuck with!
Don Diablo (www.twitter.com/dondiablo) revisits The Roots classic ''The Seed 2.0'' with added beats, synths, violins and percussion to get yo bodymovin' on till the break of dawn! Download track through following Mediafire link and feel free to share on your blog!
Don Diablo (www.twitter.com/dondiablo) revisits The Roots classic ''The Seed 2.0'' with added beats, synths, violins and percussion to get yo bodymovin' on till the break of dawn! This Sunday, June 28, he's playing Glastonbury Festival in the Dance Village (West Dance) and the night before, on Saturday June 27, he is playing Pete Tong's Wonderland night at Ministry of Sound in London. So, make sure you drop by one of those gigs if you're ready for some fresh tunes!
Ok, I'm hanging out with my wife. I'll be back soon!
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