Friday (I’m A Remix)

An end to another stunning summer week!  Well stunning for me at least.  I’d hate to make an overwhelming generalization that the entire world had a stunning week.  It would be nice if they did…but probably not…any way I’m rambling because that’s what Fridays are for – a time to uncork your mind and let it spill out onto the office floor.  Let these tunes be the soundtrack for that event:

mp3: The Gossip – Listen Up (The Black Ghosts Remix)

mp3: Kanye West, Nas, & KRS-One – Better Than I’ve Ever Been (Logarhythmik Remix)

mp3: Ratatat – Falcon Jab (Them Jeans Remix)

mp3: Sunny Day Sets Fire – I Dream Along (Triobelisk Remix)

image by Filthy Lucre

The Notwist – The Devil, You & Me…and a CONTEST!

***Updated***Congratulations Dusty***You’re The Winner***

It’s been 6 years since Germany’s The Notwist have put an album out (though they’ve been working with many side projects).  Their previous album, Neon Golden, received rave reviews in 2002 and in fact was one of my favorite releases at that time.  Neon Golden was elegant, heartfelt, and unlike anything I’d heard before.  The Notwist were dabbling in soft rock and electronics yet they avoided the label of Radiohead imitators.  That’s because they had their own innovation to keep track of.  Markus and Michael Achor, Andi Haberl, and Martin Gretschmann formed The Notwist in 1989 playing grunge metal.  It wasn’t until the late 90s that they started sifting in electronics to their substantially quieter new indie sound.  As they traveled into the new millennium, their sound has progressed into what we now hear on their new album, The Devil, You & Me, out on Domino Records.  I thought it was going to be hard to follow up Neon Golden, but clearly taking an extended amount of time let the group put together an album that is definitely on par with the previous.  The Devil, You & Me feels like an audio documentary of a struggling no so distant future incorporating a multitude of samples and glitches with strummed hush acoustics.  Markus Achor brings it all together with sentimental vocals that stray a bit from standard indie pop to give each song a fluid feeling vibe (less standard verse chorus verse).  Oh and did I mention we have a free copy of The Devil, You & Me bundled with a super large sticker and a 7″ single of Where In This World featuring a remix of Sleep by Odd Nosdam to give away?  I didn’t?  Well we do!  I know two giveaways in the same week is a bit much, but this is how we say thanks to our readers.  You know the deal.  Leave your email in the comments or email us at [email protected] (put NOTWIST CONTEST in the subject) and we’ll pick a winner at random in 7 days.  Good luck and enjoy!

mp3: The Notwist – Where In This World

mp3: The Notwist – Gloomy Planets

The Run Down – Thursday July 10, 2008

Tonight down in Virginia, Iota has Deleted Scenes, Gary B and the Notions, and Solar Powered Destroyer.  In Philly, the First Unitarian Church has No Age, High Places, and Abe Vigoda, while the M Room has Baltimore’s Squaaks and The Clamor.  Finally in Philly World Cafe Live has Joseph Arthur.  Photo by C. Arkwright

mp3: Deleted Scenes – He Just Doesn’t Get It

mp3: No Age – Sleeper Hold

mp3: Squaaks – Hot Tub

mp3: Joseph Arthur – Second Sight

Give A Hand To Woodhands

Toronto’s Woodhands released their debut full length, Heart Attack, on Paper Bag Records this spring and it’s a dance floor electronic trip that I’ve enjoyed quite a bit.  Dan Werb and Paul Banwatt create sweaty, honest, law breaking beats and melodies on the same frequency as LCD Soundsystem, but with a Cut Copy head visor giving their eyes a break.  So it’s a bit more melodic is what I’m saying.  I’m also saying I’m a sucker for analog synth.

mp3: Woodhands – I Can’t See Straight

mp3: Woodhands – Be Back Soon

What’s The Ting With The Ting Tings?

It’s taken me a while to come to grips with The Ting Tings’ We Started Nothing.  I’ve been listening to it for a good chunk of time now and only at this moment have I figured out what to say about it.  Heavy radio/media rotation and a featured song on Apple’s Ipod commercial, England’s Jules De Martino and Katie White have gained the attention of…well…everyone.  The Ipod feature has made them an overnight success, but the problem is that this is a well traveled path (Feist, Daft Punk, Gorillaz, U2) that many accomplished artists who have held much acclaim have done before.  What do The Ting Tings have besides a sound that sounds a little bit like other pop contemporaries?  Well, for me, they have good energy and good spirit and a Blondie/Toni Basil quality that is bringing me much joy on this hot and humid drive with the windows down.  Will the Ting Tings fade or brighten?  Only time will tell.

mp3: The Ting Tings – We Started Nothing

mp3: The Ting Tings – We Walk

The Run Down – Tuesday July 8, 2008

Tonight in DC the Rock and Roll Hotel has No Age, High Places, and Abe Vigoda, while DC9 has The Impossible Shapes and the Six O’Clock Saints and the 9:30 has the RZA as Bobby Digital with Stone Mecca.  Finally if your up in Philly don’t miss Fleet Foxes and The Duchess & The Duke at the First Unitarian Church.

mp3: No Age – Teen Creeps

mp3: Fleet Foxes – English House