Jayou "to be mixed"

After that Drankenstien mix by Bird Peterson that showed up on Mad Decent I have been closely watching what those guys have been up to. I just downloaded this mix from Jayou last night. The XX "Crystalised (Dark Sky Remix)" got me interested enough to check it out and it doesn't disappoint. What I found is one of the most interesting Dub Step albums I have heard. Granted I am a novice in the genera; due to a lot of it hasn't agreed with me thus far. This one is different. There are a ton of surprises that come out of nowhere. I especially like the Dead Prez Hip Hop (Ntrld Remix) half way though. You can download this mix here or give the guys at Mad Decent some love and check out the blog piece
on Jayou.

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

With each album they release, I can come to expect two things from Broken Social Scene. Terrific song writing and a live studio feel. One of the reasons I love the new album, "Forgiveness Rock Record" is because of this live studio feel. As a listener it sounds like you are hanging out in the studio listening to greatness being recorded in front of you. They always find a way to include external noise and even some times talking, to draw the listener into the music. Its that intimate connection that distinguishes these guys from the many other artists in the electronic/rock/pop genera. Your going to love the album when it is available on May 4th or to download it digitally on May 3rd. For now, enjoy some of my favorites...

My Man Crush - The National

I am not sure if I should be coming out to the world today but I can't hold it back anymore. I have a huge man-crush on the National. I can't help it. Matt Berninger's voice is so damn hypnotic. The man could sing "Mary had a little lamb" and I would probably buy it. When I finally got my hands on their newest LP "High Violet" I was in love all over again.

I really enjoyed what they did with this album. There is a great mix between the clean and the distorted. That theme seems to permeate through each track. I am only on the first couple listens but each track holds up the high standards I have set for this Brooklyn group since release Alligator in 2005. Here are some of my favorites so far... enjoy.

M.I.A. "Born Free"

M.I.A. new single is out with a bang. This 10 minute short is brash, brave, and controversial. In her new video Maya proposes a world where red heads are rounded up by the government for genocide. Its shocking to see the whitest 13 year old you can find getting executed right before your eyes. What is even more shocking is that these types of injustices happen every day in 3rd world countries around the world without any coverage from mainstream media. It is refreshing to see M.I.A. push the limits of conservative American culture in a video that will never be aired on T.V. Even though this video will never be seen by the masses, one thing is for sure, it will be a hot topic of discussion for some time.

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Bird Peterson - Drankenstien

It's not every day you hear a mix in a genera that you have never heard before. Bird Peterson created a new genera of music last week with his Drankenstien Mixtape. Whether you like the newest sound or not, you got to give him major props for combining dirty south with trance. I know it sounds crazy, but you GOT to hear this. Living in Atlanta, I am very familiar with the dirty south sound. I also lived a mile from Simon's & Soulhouse in the late 90's/early 2000's in Gainesville Florida, so I am very familiar with the Trance movement. It's shocking at first to hear these two worlds colliding together but it creates one hell of a summer mixtape. Please go check out this mix at mad decent, you won't be dissapointed.

Crystal Castles - Sometimes a girl has got to scream

I am very excited to get a sneak peak at the Crystal Castles new album "Crystal Castles (2010)". The duos second album gets released tomorrow, Friday April 23rd. The album starts with Fainting Spells and is completely off-putting. Its basically almost a three minute loop of static and distortion. Then something amazing happens. Celestica starts. It's well produced, clean, well sung, and has a brilliant beat. Then the third track Doe Deer literally rattles my speakers to the point that I am worried. More screaming... They follow that with one of my favorite tracks that they have ever done in Baptism.



At first this can be very frustrating but I get it. I am no longer a musician but I do remember the days when I was. My bands would write songs for the sole purpose of releasing angst. Why should I fault them for doing the same. These quote end quote bad tracks give them a chance to freak out one stage. Hell, sometimes a girl has got to scream. Who am I to hate on their god given right to rock the fuck out.

For now, to protect my old-ass-sensitive ears, I will be quick to press "next" on the screaming and enjoy the other brilliant 11 songs on their new EP. Hopefully I will be able to experience what those other songs were intended for live someday...

Tanlines "Settings"

At first listen I wasn’t digging this album. To tell you the truth, the first time I heard Discovery I didn’t like it either. Something is off-putting about synthesized pop music. But the things that attract the great unwashed to pop music is that hook. Its that jingle that won’t get out of your head. Tanlines is doing it to me. The Caribbean/tropical/electronic inspired pop music hard to resist… I did a quick youtube search to give y’all a sample of what they sound like and now I must play the album again…

GURU Rest In Peace

A very melancholy throwback Tuesday today. I was absolutely shocked to hear that Guru passed away today at 43 years old. Details of his death revealed that Keith Elam has been battling cancer privately for the last two years. I know he had been admitted to the hospital a few months back but things have been quiet on the Guru front until today. I am saddened because a part of my youth just died with Guru.



Back in the early 90's I got my first taste of Gang Starr when I was 14. After I bought my first Gang Starr tape, Daily Operation, my view of the entire hip hop scene was rocked. The beats of Dj Premier spoke to me like nothing I had heard from this genera before. The smooth, witty, and unpretentious lyrics of Guru would drift my mind away. Together they were an amazing team. My heart goes out for Dj Premier who has to be feeling an enormous void today. When I hear these songs I will always remember Guru, a man who changed me musically.

Mos Dub

Its starting to feel like summer here in Atlanta. If found the perfect soundtrack for your poolside bbq. If you got hip hop heads, reggae/dub heads, or even top 40 radio listeners, this lp will please everyone. Here is another free brilliant product from Max Tannone , the dude that dropped Jaydiohead and Double Check your Head. This new project is Reggae remixes of some of the best music ever created by Mos Def & Black Star.

Here is the direct link if you want to download the mediafire:

Mos Dub by maxtannone

LCD Soundsystem - Dance yrself Clean

Today I totally danced myself clean. I was terribly down at 8:30. By the time I got 4 minutes into the first track of the new LCD Soundsystem album "This is happening" I was bouncing around in my work chair like a little school girl. For the first time since my accident I was able to get my head clear and just smile at the greatness of James Murphy. Dance Yrself Clean is just the beginning of one of the most satisfying albums of 2010. Each song seems to top the next. I can't believe that none of tracks disappointed. If these guys come anywhere near you, they are totally worth the price of admission.

Major Lazer _ Live March 28, 2010

Reset! Found!

For two weeks now I have been searching the internet on some mixtapes from this Milano producer, Reset! after hearing his track If We Try (Love Anthem) off the MightyFools WMC Warmup Mixtape. I stumbled upon a jackpot. Not only did I find two fresh mixes, but I also discovered some great tracks and mixtapes on his soundcloud page. If you have an hour to kill and want to hear a great mix or two, enjoy the beat below :)

Reset! Autumn Mix by RESET!

Reset! Party Anthems Vol.3 by RESET!

Rude Kid "Jack Daniels"

I like the video almost as much as I like the track. People are going to loose it when they hear this on the dance floor. Some Ill beats coming out of the United Kingdom. Enjoy...

Sleigh Bells, Rusko, Major Lazer Live in Atlanta

The last week has been a little bit crazy for me. Last Sunday, March 28th, 2010 I was lucky enough to see Sleigh Bells, Rusko, and Major Lazer @ The Masquerade in Atlanta. The following morning I had to fly to Chicago for a day. When I got back I immediately left for Florida. My internet connection in FLA was spotty at best so i apologize for the late uploading... Tonight you will be able to see most of the videos from that night here. Here is a little preview of what you find...


Sleigh Bells


Rusko


Major Lazer