AWmusic

I love remixes. I enjoy the process of taking one idea, cutting elements from that idea and forming your own interpretation. It’s exciting to find new remixes of songs I already enjoy, a blend of familiarity mixed with the giddiness of something new. I am however also completely aware that many people think the direct opposite of me, a belief that somehow the integrity of the original has been destroyed. To each his own I guess.

I’ve started receiving submissions from artists via this website and I have to admit, most don’t really peak my interest. Last weekend was a different story. I got an email from an dj/producer that goes by the name of la ZEBRA and I was about to pass him by when I noticed that beautiful word “remix”. Intrigued, I went on to download his remix of Matt & Kim – Daylight. I was instantly hooked. The catchy piano riff grabbed me and had me stuck on repeat for three to four listens in a row. This 19 year old California native is sure to make some waves soon, so keep an eye and ear open.

I’ve always been a fan of electronic music, since the days of early rave culture, but have recently been getting deep into electro house and bassline breaks. For the last couple months I have been an avid listener of Annie Nightingale on BBC Radio 1. If you haven’t heard her show on Friday nights, it’s a 2 hour collection of the newest tunes from these genres.

After my introduction to la ZEBRA I continued on my ever evolving hunt for good remixes, then earlier today I came across a new version of a Little Boots single called ‘New In Town’ on the NME website. This sparked an idea….. A little Saturday night dance (re)mix party for all of you. A collection of driving beats and bass that makes you shake what your momma gave you.

For those of you jaded by the idea of a remix, sorry. I’m sure you’ll find something else on this site that will peak your interest.

For the rest of us… Let’s get this party started.

Little Boots – New In Town (Drop The Lime Dub)
Lykke Li – Little Bit (Villains Remix)
Ladyhawke – Paris Is Burning (Alex Metric Mix)
Sebastien Tellier – Kilometer (A-trak Dub Mix)
Matt&Kim – Daylight (la ZEBRA Remix)
Lady Sovereign – So Human (JoolsMF Remix)
MGMT – Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
M.I.A – U.R.A.Q.T (Konrad Remix)
Notorious B.I.G – Party and Bullshit (Ratatat Remix)
Does It Offend You, Yeah? – Epic Last Song (Jack Beats Remix)

Numbers 1 through 25:
#1 Ready For The Floor by Hot Chip (myspace/video)
Best dance song of the year? Best song too.
#2 Crimewave – Crystal Castles vs Health (Crystal Castles’ myspace/Health’s Myspace/video)
This version is miles better then the original.
#3 Little Bit by Lykke Li (myspace/live)
I’m not only a little bit in love with this.
#4 L.E.S. Artists by Santogold (myspace/video)
Santogold’s least creative but most accessible track.
#5 Hearts On Fire by Cut Copy (myspace/video)
Cut Copy has a ton of great tracks.
#6 Head Rolls Off by Frightened Rabbit (myspace/video)
“Jesus is just a Spanish boy’s name”
#7 White Winter Hymnal by The Fleet Foxes (myspace/video)
#26 on my top songs of 2007 list.
#8 M79 by Vampire Weekend(myspace/live)
The better of the two new songs.
#9 Graveyard Girl by M83 (myspace/video)
Without the poem, this could very well be #1.
#10 Unforgettable Season by Cut Copy (live)
Not the most danceable but my favorite.
#11 You Me Dancing by Los Campesinos! (myspace/video -ep version)
It takes long to get started but worth the wait.
#12 Magic Spells by Crystal Castles
This song is their most artistic/creative venture.
#13 Kim & Jessie by M83 (video)
Another great track off Saturdays=Youth.
#14 Skeng by The Bug ft. Killa P and Flowdan(myspace/video)
Best track off the amazing London Zoo.
#15 Machine Gun by Portishead (homepage/video)
Even if the song is simple, Beth Gibbons does wonders.
#16 Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend (video)
Number 4 of my 2007 list.
#17 These Few Presidents by Why? (myspace/live)
“Even if I haven’t seen you in years, yours is a funeral I’d fly to from anywhere” – had to break my rule for that line.
#18 Time To Pretend by MGMT (myspace/video)
It’ll be ironic if they have a coke habit.
#19 Kids by MGMT (video)
They do know how to make a decent pop song.
#20 The Twist by Frightened Rabbit (live)
Emotions of a simple dance, captured perfectly.
#21 Everyone I Know Is Listening To Crunk by Lightspeed Champion (myspace/live)
Everybody I know IS listening to crunk.
#22 Teenagers by Department of Eagles (myspace)
My favorite song off In Ear Park.
#23 Furr by Blitzen Trapper (myspace/live)
One of the better folk songs of the year.
#24 Lost Coastlines by Okkervil River (myspace/video)
Jonathan Meiburg vocals puts on the perfect touch.
#25 Street Flash by Animal Collective (myspace)
Anyone excited for Merriweather Post Pavilion? (We’ve heard the leaks)

Previously:
#76-100

Next in the series:
Part 3: #26-50
Part 4: #1-25

Numbers #51-75:
#51 Creator by Santogold w/ Switch and Freq Nasty (myspace/video -unofficial was canceled?)
The intro is risky, brave and wildly effective.
#52 Crystal Stilts by Crystal Stilts (myspace)
A song should be good if it’s your band name.
#53 I Wish I Could Keep You by Little Pictures (myspace/live)
This song makes me wish I was a kid again.
#54 In The Kitchen by The Pomegranates (myspace/live -poor visual quality)
A song I want to play on the guitar.
#55 Never Miss A Beat by Kaiser Chiefs (homepage/video)
The kids on the street, are scary! Shiiet.
#56 Death To The Los Campesinos! By Los Campesinos! (myspace/video)
“I’ll be control-alt-deleting your face with no reservation”.
#57 Marry Me Annie by Matthew and The Arrogant Sea (myspace)
Hey Annie, I’m serious, MATAS is a great band.
#58 Whiite Fantaseee by Slim Twig (myspace)
How about an Asian fantaseee?
#59 Dance Dance Dance by Lykke Li (myspace/live with Bon Iver)
Lykke Li’s hips lie and she’s shy. I’m in love.
#60 Galaxy Of The Lost by Lightspeed Champion (myspace/video)
Emmy The Great makes this song gold. Weird video.
#61 Skinny Love by Bon Iver
Bon Iver should try BBW. Morbidly Obese Love anyone?
#62 Good Time by Brazilian Girls (myspace/video)
I just want to have a good time too.
#63 Can’t Shake It by Kate Miller-Heidke (myspace/video)
I can’t dance either though this song is danceable…
#64 New Soul by Yael Naim(homepage)
I’m a new ipod product with a new catchy song.
#65 Boneless by The Notwist (homepage)
Great song off a slightly disappointing album.
#66 Shadow Falls by Hello, Blue Roses (myspace/live)
Awesome duet, too bad they were bashed by Pitchfork.
#67 Get Better by Mates of State (myspace/video)
“Forget your politics for awhile”. 2008 was a tough year.
#68 Xavia by The Submarines (myspace)
The Submarines don’t let me down in this song.
#69 Home Sweet Home by Those Dancing Days (myspace/video)
A perfect holiday song.
#70 Not Your Savior by Peasant (myspace)
Peasant keeps it honest, leave him alone.
#71 Call It A Ritual by Wolf Parade (myspace)
I enjoy Spencer Krug’s metaphorical writing.
#72 Black Rice by Women (myspace/live)
Best Song that ends in a whimper.
#73 The Rip by Portishead (homepage/video)
Just beautiful.
#74 That’s Not My Name by The Tings Tings (myspace/video)
Wait..what is her name again?
#75 Gila by Beach House (myspace/live)
Giiiiiiiiillllllllllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Summer Heights High debuts on HBO (US) and The Movie Channel in Canada around November 9th, though it’s 7 episodes were recommended by a fellow Spikedhumor user showing me a few episodes and making me laugh hysterically.

Chris Tilley plays 3 characters, Mr. G – an overeccentric and somewhat stereotypical drama teacher, Ja’ime a schoolgirl who’s a total bitch (for the lack of a better term) and Jonah a 13-year old illiterate problematic child. Jonah in my opinion is by far the funniest character with excessive foul language.

Here’s a clip (Jonah getting his dick touched):

Here’s a playlist dedicated to Jonah Takalua (it’ll make sense if you watch the season):
Boy From School by Maritime (Hot Chip cover)
Gun Mouth by Laurel Collective
Hate Me Now by Nas ft. Puff Daddy (Jonah loves rap and he is hated)
Angry by The Bug
Suspended in Gaffa by Ra Ra Riot
Dance Dance Dance by Lykke Li
Pictures in an Exhibition by Death Cab For Cutie
Stay Away by Nirvana
Here Should Be My Home by No Age
We Are All Accelerated Readers by Los Campesinos

Anyway here is the playlist before I rant anymore:
Minority by Green Day
Over Soon by Broadcast 2000 (only 37 days to campaign, and I missed a lot of the debates)
The Switch and The Spur by The Raconteurs (switching ballots is legal but how do they do it? seems odd when asking for ID’s etc).
Breaking It Up by Lykke Li (dissolutions are fun, but apparently costly)
Pioneers by Bloc Party (Look for the Bloc Part aka Bloc Quebecois to continue their stronghold)
Mr. Orange by Dengue Fever (for Jack Layton, hopefully the orange tide is as strong as ever)
Harper Road by Sun Kil Moon (for the Prime Minister)
Morning Heat Leader by Broadfield Marchers (yeah that’s all I got for Dion)
Hard Times by Run DMC (hard times are spreadin’ like the flu!)

Lost Coastlines features the use of TV’s for heads (another use of TV’s like in their video for Our Life Is Not A Movie or Maybe) which turns out to be some workers. Probably because Meiburg couldn’t actually be there? Not the great music video but a great song nonetheless.

Lost Coastlines by Okkervil River

He Doesn’t Know Why is an alright music video featuring the use of fade outs and goats… why are they not called the Fleet Goats? I enjoyed this song a lot though off their album.


He Doesn’t Know Why by Fleet Foxes

Eagles of Death Metal, I’ve only heard about since it was one of Josh Homme’s side projects. Nancy sent me a few tracks and they were pretty likable but surprisingly not death metal. Anyway the Wannabe in LA is a great video, it reminds of the Queens of The Stone Age style videos that are fun to watch whether or not you like the music (which is catchy).
Wannabe In LA by Eagles of Death Metal:
Some very cool

P.S. here’s an awesome performance of Dance, Dance, Dance with Lykke Li and Bon Iver:

With that said, I decided to check out her album Youth Novels which I believed to be released awhile ago but the June, North American release made her a top topic on this side of the Atlantic.

When checking an album for the first time, I usually do a technique I refer to as scanning, skipping tracks in quick succession and ultimately going through each track a few times looking for things I like. I was definitely placed in a vice grip when I heard the track “Little Bit”. This track is incredible with some very catchy elements that fit perfect with well with accent. This song displays some innocence but some eerie-sinning meaning she’s not that type of girl that she’s trying to display at the start. Lines like “and for you i keep my legs apart”.

The rest of the album does manage to match up displaying Bjorn’s versatility as a producer. I definitely wouldn’t have guessed that he produced this album. At first I must say that her voice feels like an acquired taste. She doesn’t have that typical voice and her accent is an integral part of her songs. She can definitely pull off more then most singer-songwriters. A good song to check is Dance Dance Dance. I’m not a big fan of the track but I just like listening to Lykke sing away.

My next favorite track is “Let It Fall”, she almost sounds American in this song, dropping quite a bit of her accent. Another favorite, which is later on the album, is “Time Flies”. This song totally convinces me of how great Lykke Li truly is. It’s a simple song but it’s just wonderful that has me in a dreamy state.

The only song I hate on this album is the first track, Melodies and Desires. It just doesn’t fit the rest of the album. It also sets up the album poorly and doesn’t prepare you for greatness. It’s a bland song that Lykke Li doesn’t appear on until the latter half and by then I’ve already skipped over to all the other tracks.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Recommended album if you enjoy pop/singer-songwriters as I do. Lyrics and music won’t blow you away but the execution makes this album stand out.

My recommended MP3s off this album:
Little Bit by Lykke Li

I’m Good, I’m Gone by Lykke Li

Time Flies by Lykke Li

Buy this album at CD Universe ++ Insound ++ Amazon