LCD Soundsystem | I Can Not Figure You Out

LCD Soundsystem is a challenging enigma for me to crack. People have tried to put it into some sort of box. An ever ending quest to define what they are. What they play. I'm just not certain.

There are certain bands that have an extreme sense of consistency in their sound. They have stand out tracks, and lot's of other's that make up a steady collection that line up with their sound.

Sure LCD has the distinct voice of James Murphy. Some sort of analog synth, dance punk, electro sound that you could call their own.

There are certain songs that come from this project that I could listen to on repeat for hours. Then I hear other things, and I feel obliged to skip it. I think that's always been the appeal of LCD to me; they can make your jaw drop and just as quickly bring you let you down.

Anyway, here are two of my favourite tunes by LCD Soundsystem...



And this is off their latest album. Ironically, it's probably the catchiest tune, and if shortened, probably could be a hit:

Weekend Tunes | Punks Jump Up

Here's a bit of original stuff by Punks Jump Up. I guess you can classify it as dance punk, or something. But what's the sense of putting things into a box?


I'm pretty sure these guys might be better known for their remixes. Who knows. Give it a whirl and let us know what you think.

The first bit is some remix of some fucked up guy from some fucked up Nordic country. His name is Kent. The original version of this song is stupid, and really it's a waste of bandwidth to post it. Here's what PJU had to say about it:


Miike Snow puts out some pretty proper tunes. And then there's a lot of b-rate remixes that have come out. Here's one that doesn't suck:

Cut Copy | Zonoscope

A little late on "breaking" this one, but hey, better late than never, right?

The Aussie electropop group are back at it again with their newest release "Zonoscope". Great mix of melodic elements and some real catchy tunes (if you want a full description of their sound, go ask Pandora to do it for your).

Here's some of the tracks that I've been digging as of late:



How you like the Fleetwood Mac bass line?



That's it for now. I suggest you go check out this album. And if you haven't take a listen to their old stuff. Rare for these guys to put out a bad track.

Cheers.

Thieves Like Us | Never Known Love

I wrote something sweet and intimate but I'm just too shy to share it.
Fortunately for you, Thieves Like Us are more than happy to share their sweet and intimate melodies which effortlessly stack sticky synth, upon rich guitar loops, upon the densest of baselines. They then ice it with harmonious musings of love, loss, drugs and feelings to create one truly decadent layer cake which gives anyone with any taste a real sweet tooth.

Don't even get me started on the music videos: clips from obscure foreign films made in the 1970s and 80s perfectly spliced and scratched so they sync with the beat. The videos have men with dodgy haircuts flying down staircases on motorcycles, teenagers engaging in foreplay, and drug induced suicidal tendencies.

I'm not sure what movie this is taken from but who doesn't enjoy watching a fine young woman hold up rings of fire while lions jump through them? Then a skeleton soon joins the fun- he must signify death....but he's holding a rose which definitely signifies love.

I think the contradiction and irony is insanely deep and poetic and I would try to explain my interpretation further but until you listen to more Thieves Like Us I really don't think you'll understand.

(A prize for whoever can inform me what film this clip is taken from )

Fred Falke: The Remix

We've seen the rise and fall of the mash-up, but for years, the remix has been a tried and tested medium, especially in the world of dance music. One of my favorite artists is a french bloke by the name of Fred Falke (although he does sound rather German). Some of his stuff is a bit off, but overall the guy pretty much turns anything he touches into audio gold.

Here's his brilliant take on the Whitest Boy Alive and their indie track "Golden Cage" (they're actually worth a listen themselves).



And here he takes Blackpool's finest export, Little Boots (who seems to be quite a big slag in her own right) and turns it into something a bit more upbeat.



*EDIT* Had to add this track. At first it struck me as a bit of a fruity house track, but I think I've come around to this one. U2 is kind of lame, but I can't argue with this one:

Cheaper by the Dozen: The Twelves

There's something inherently cool about Brazil. The football. The women. The culture. Somehow even a film like City of God does little to damper the appeal and image of this country.

Diplo may have flashed his international hood pass, gone to Brazil, and brought back the phenomenon that was Baile Funk, but it's not the only Brazilian export that's making our heads nod.


I already spoke of my discovery of the Twelves, but it seems they just can't stop coming out with ridiculously danceable remixes and original material. In an era of music where it seems everyone is doing the same thing, it's refreshing to hear a group with a unique sound that's also chock full of quality. Here's the latest from this Rio based outfit:



As I eluded to earlier, these guys have a knack for turning out ridiculous remixes of things you should never find yourself dancing to. When's the last time you thought of playing Radiohead at a dance party?



If you want to hear these guys in action, check out their set for BBC's Essential Mix, or one of my favorites, 30 minutes of Twelves.

Don't call this woman. Listen to her music.

Our taste in music may not match yours, but don't stress this minor deet. In fact, be grateful, because we’re about to shovel heaps of obscure, zany artists and deejays down your modem so that when you’re lost and lonely at the party and the iPod is free, you can take over and raise hairs with new trax that none of the chaps or lassies know about. 

Birds might shriek and cry a bit because they wanted "Sex on Fire" or "California Girls", and bros will say your shit is ghey and Euro, but just stick with your guns and trust us Fine Young Casuals to take you up a notch.

Even if the entire party breaks out in uproar over your weird, indie tunes, we say that any attention is good attention so just bob your head a bit and get into your own wee groove. Chances are there is some fit emo chick creeping in the corner rolling cigs who has noticed your alternative persuasion and will invite you for a smoke outside so that you can talk about Camus, alt music (we can be your bluffer's guide), and eventually hook.

That’s what music is all about anyway really, getting some ____ .