AWmusic

With ‘Kids’ blowing up to an immense status, it’s about damn time for a video release. Harp wielding folk princess Joanna Newsom stars as the type of ultra trendy mother who treats her baby as a fashion accessory, a far cry from her normal cute-as-a-button presence with child-like vocals.

This is a video that seems as though it could cater more as a public service advertisement regarding child neglect, but with a catchy backdrop of sound. Blood soaked monsters and ghoulish demons line the streets as the child is dropped on the ground and left to run freely, while having to dodge these shady characters. Coming upon a park he finds MGMT in outfits that make them look like they fell out of the musical Starlight Express.

A car ride exposes the kid to a collection of demented lsd induced children’s programs, which are not a far stretch from some of the shows being produced nowadays. A blending into cartoon leads us out, finishing with the child descending into a gaping hole of a monster’s mouth that transformed from what was once the silver-clad singer.

An interesting video, that’s for sure.

Let’s go all out with some remixes too:
MGMT – Kids (Soulwax Remix)
MGMT – Kids (80kidz Edit)
MGMT – Kids (Dj Koolaid Mo Dance Remix)

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)

Here is my overrated of 2008 list. I tried to be objective and included artists I like as artists you like can be overrated too.
#5 Vampire Weekend
Why are they so successful?
Early on when they passed around their Blue CD-R (I’ve got a copy), the production values were not of a band that was self-releasing their stuff –as it was a great album from an unknown band. They became blogger darlings for almost a full year while releasing EPs and mercifully releasing their self titled disc with just two new tracks. Pitchfork gave them an 8.8, played on SNL and had their popularity EXPLODE.
What makes them overrated?
They are really just a pop rock band. Granted a pretty good one, they just aren’t going to wow everyone with their brand of pop.
What are their chances of proving their worth?
75%. I think they proved with “Ottoman”, the Fleetwood Mac and Radiohead cover that they can achieve greatness beyond what they showed on their self titled release. I’m really high on Vampire Weekend and they personally haven’t really given any reason to doubt it. However, they do need to bigger and better things to have those naysayers silenced.
Ottoman by Vampire Weekend
#4 Fleet Foxes
Why are they so successful?
The Fleet Foxes had the best year in terms of critics praising their band. They had Pitchfork’s #1 album of the year and that website is huge…
What makes them overrated?
The album is good don’t get me wrong, but best band and album of 2008? It’s arguable but I think there’s just a bit too much hype. They’re all great singers but they didn’t amaze me or change my life like “Midnight Organ Fight” or “Random Spirit Lover”. There are definitely better choices for album of the year.
What are their chance of proving their worth?
I’d say 70%. They have big shoes to fill on whatever they release. There are countless examples of the “one album wonder” and the pedestal that the Foxes have been placed on make it unlikely their next album will come close.
Meadowlark by Fleet Foxes

#3 Lindstrom
Why is he so successful?
Critics love his album Wherever You Go I go Too. I don’t (I tried an experimental review HAH, betcha it wasn’t that good ). It is different and experimental which has critics getting their pants wet. Containing just 3 tracks on an hour long record, one song clocks in at close to a half hour..
What makes him so overrated?
Think about, 3 songs, one song is 30 minutes long the other two are 15 minutes long. I’m all for long songs that are really good and make you feel like it’s just 4 minutes but this 30 minute track made me feel like it’s really 2 and a half hours. I was urged to press the skip button but I realized that it did me no good. The music itself isn’t great, lots of looped sections, duplicates and ultimately it doesn’t end anywhere. I understand it’s different but it still doesn’t make it any good.
What are his chances proving his worth?
Incomplete. He may satisfy critics again but it’ll take some actual innovative music (e.g. not just slapping on a 30 minute track and multiple repeats that has more pretentiousness then most albums (who honestly believes they can pull off a 30 minute track?)
-No mp3 (files are too big)
#2 MGMT
Why are they so successful?
They have had an ability to stay relevant even after lukewarm reviews from critics. Some great marketing, some pretty good remixes and some great singles propelled them to internet Superstardom.
What makes them overrated?
While the psychedelic label is thrown on them quite a bit, they are merely dressed up pop with some simple but effective keyboard arrangements. They are hardly a band to change the landscape of music. While some songs are enjoyable, they really had an half of an album. The first album contained those popular singles, the second half kind of sucked though did show some promise. They haven’t released that much material to stay relevant, they just had other artists remix their work.
What are their chances of proving their worth?
50%. I think it can go either way. The masses ditch the popular as fast as they get into them and MGMT could very well go the way of the Killers and suck from here on out.
Time To Pretend by MGMT
#1 Girl Talk
Why is he so successful?
Good reviews and Feed The Animals took a lot of songs that was brilliantly mixed. It’s also using popular music, creating the perfect party mix for both casual fans and hardcore fans of music (I really like the album).
Why makes him overrated?
Over glorified DJ. Other then mixing, which a DJ can do, he’s really just taking 30 second samples and songs and putting it together (no other DJ likely has actually put this on record since it’s potentially illegal). In the big scale of things, he’s not really doing much. He also likes really shitty music. He mixes the music well but I’d rather drop dead then listen to some of the music he uses.
What are his chances of proving his worth?
10%. Girl Talk can’t do the same exact thing that he’s done in his past two albums. He’s ultimately reached the peak of popularity and will have to create rather then mix. It’s likely that he will have a lot of trouble whatever he does which is why the odds are so stacked against him.
Hands In The Air by Girl Talk

Anyway while the contest wraps after a little bit after the holidays, an autographed CD of Oracular Spectacular would be welcomed even if it’s a little late.

Here are the contest rules:
1. Open to Canadians only
2. Contest ends on January 5th at 9PM
3. To enter you must leave a comment, to receive a second entry you can subscribe to our feed by email here. (People already subscribed will receive an extra entry)
4. Winner will be chosen randomly by draw
5. Odds are based on the number of entries
6. Must leave a valid e-mail address when commenting.
7. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and asked for a shipping address

Thanks to Groundswork Marketing.

Edit: added some links, was in a rush to finish this post…

Electric Feel (Justice Remix) by MGMT
Kids by MGMT

The Past and The Pending by The Shins (for Hiro)
I’m Your Villain by Franz Ferdinand (for Sylar/title of Season 3 is “Villains”)
TouchIt_Technologic by Daft Punk (for Micah Sanders)
Cries of The Dead by Chad VanGaalen (for the follow up of who’s dead)
Read My Mind by The Killers (for Matt Parkman)
Morning Bell/Amnesiac by Radiohead (for the wuss Peter Petrelli who can’t remember a goddamn thing)
Electric Feel by MGMT (for Elle Bishop… mmm Kristin Bell)
Muscle’n Flo by Menomena (for Monica Dawson and her muscle memory)
Play Your Part (Pt. 2) by Girl Talk (for Ando and Mohinder playing their part)
Secrets by Oh! Custer (for Claire who ’s secret plagues her, and I can’t find many other songs for her)

Ghost Town Review:

I had the chance to see Ghost Town on opening weekend. Box office success was mild playing 8th. I think for the most part it’s because the storyline isn’t that appealing or original. With a character who develops the 6th sense (same as the movie as the Sixth Sense) he begins seeing ghosts after a near-death experience.

There isn’t much to the storyline other then a seemingly typical/predictable storyline. But all in all it is light hearted and the characters (including ghosts) do progress and show off a real quality about them.

Otherwise it’s just a mildly good movie, that isn’t bad nor great though a 87% RT score probably suggests that more people liked it then not.

My rating is: 3.25 out of 5. Just kind of average but worth your money I guess.

Here are this week’s posts:
Jess wrote a tribute to Pink Floyd’s Rick Wright.

Nancy did one mother fucking long post. Covering some key concerts happening this fall in the T-dot.

Kojo spread the word on Amanda Davids a Canadian soul artist.

Christian reviewed the not-yet released on this part of the world, Glasvegas’ self-titled disc.

I also sucked up the courage to listen to MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular.

The National’s Virginia EP is solid. At least I thought the Pitchfork review was not cool.

Joe reviewed Ray Garrison’s EP.

Adam reviewed Toronto ska/reggar band Rebel Emergency’s EP.

I just found out about Siberian’s break up last week and wrote on my sadness.

I shared my input on the critically acclaimed You & Me by The Walkmen.

We Landed On The Moon are an upcoming band with a frontwoman who sounds a great deal like Jenny Lewis.

Ghalib covered rica-review/”>The Wiper’s Youth of America. Ghalib also proves that he likes to go out a ton with another concert review.

News around the blogosphere:
Pitchfork dropped a 1.6 on The Airborne Toxic Event. The band apparently didn’t like that. One thing for sure though, it caused a lot of discussion between bloggers… because TATE’s open letter was sent through their PR firm (Big Hassle) in an effort to make the review a publicity stunt (it worked). I didn’t care before, I don’t care now.

I guess I’m done…

Even from February, MGMT was even more of a hotter band as the summer and they had a fraction of their popularity before their physical release of Oracular Spectacular in January.

So do I still refuse to like them? Yes.

They still annoy me with their look and their popularity dumbfounds me but whoever are the men (I’m not sexist) behind promoting MGMT have done a fabulous job. From well timed remixes just as you thought as the hype died down, now to potentially new MGMT tracks and news regarding their work with the Chemical Bros.

The goal with this review was ultimately to become a better reviewer, not to just hate a band for the sake of hating a band (there’s a lot to hate here btw) and just look at reviewing the music.

Oracular Spectacular begins with Time To Pretend a very catchy song with a cool little synth number that serves as their hook. I actually liked this song from the beginning, but other then from the hook there really isn’t too much to like. Unless you like one of those typical song themes which are generic in nature about people pretending to being more then something, doing drugs and living the dream etc. Not a bad song though.

One of the criticisms that I had of MGMT from the beginning was that they weren’t so creative/psychedelic or simply that good of a band to merit all this success. I think you can hear it on a song like Weekend Wars, which is different from their good tracks and it doesn’t really rely on any strength. I think it’s because it’s not fundamentally complex singing wise and the use of electronics doesn’t really fit well. It does have a decent moment for 30 seconds near the end when the singing becomes rangy and they use a much higher voice.

They do have some great hits though. I’m not afraid to say that, it’s justified with the hype as Kids and Electric Feel are great pop songs. Not great in comparison to many other rock songs but it’s fair to say that I can see why this has a lot of the crowds excited about MGMT.

This album does have its hits but it is severely flawed. The vocals tend to waver on and off, at some points they are very good and other times very disappointing. I find the second half on the album (the section devoid of the hits) to be that way. There is some experimentation on the album, which I’ll refer to as ambitious. The effort is there… but I found myself disliking their experimentation. My consensus is that they are not yet good enough to make extremely creative songs and they do need to use synths and other electronic elements to mask their lack of vocal prowess and other instrumentation.

It also serves mention that if you don’t like their pop songs, there isn’t much else to go on. They aren’t going to blow you away with anything else. If you do hate them you’ll probably agree with my post in February because their success has been out of their world and I don’t personally understand it either.

Tons of misses here but not as bad as I’m probably leading you on. If it wasn’t for their success, I probably wouldn’t have bothered but I still think it’s important to look at band you don’t like to just see if you can come up with a piece without the bias. How did I do?

Rating: 2.75 out of 5
MGMT has some great pop songs, I still hate them but they do at least try to be creative… As for their personalities, I still kind of feel that they are a little over the top and ingenuine (character wise) or they are just fucking weird. – No I don’t want to draw up a few quotes.

Kids by MGMT

Electric Feel by MGMT

Saturday was day one of the festival, and as all of you know the Foo Fighters were the headlining band. For those of you who love them, they were fantastic, and for those who don’t I won’t say anything more.

Saturday though, I spent a lot of time wandering around the festival, going from stage to stage checking out some of the bigger acts and a bunch of the lesser known ones. I have to say that the biggest surprise of the day for me, was a little band called The Airborne Toxic Event or TATE as they shall be henceforth referred to as. They hit the main stage as the second act of the day, following a short set by Mark Robertson. Mark Robertson was OK, but the music of TATE was both easy to listen to and easy to rock out to at the same time. They seemed really grateful to be preforming there and deserved the applause they got from the small crowd, which was to be expected for the second band of the day. Definitely give them a listen if you haven’t already.

Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event

Also on the main stage was MGMT and Against me! Who were more popular than the earlier bands, but did nothing terribly new, exciting or entertaining. For me, they were just what was to be expected. The last non-Foo Fighting act on the main stage was Bloc Party, and I found their show to be entertaining and filled with good music.

Helicopter by Bloc Party

I also got a chance to walk by the Oh Henry Stage, but there was nothing special there on Saturday. The second stage however, had too huge artists from the U.K. take the stage. The Fratellis and the Kooks played one of the most active sets of the day, really engaging the audience and making it fun. Especially for the drunk fans moshing in the front. That was Day one.

Before I move on to day two, I’d like to say that the festival was very well organized and they did their best to keep it clean and fun for everyone. My only complaint in that regard is the ferries, but that is to be expected when attending a concert on an island.

Moving on to day two. Oasis hadn’t been to town in four years, so the place was JAM PACKED to see them play. Much more people than day 1. This was a good day to stay mostly at the main stage because almost all of the acts there were great. Danko Jones definitely wins the award for craziest performer, from having us giving the middle finger to the sun to his rant about how his band wasn’t family friendly. Very entertaining guy. The Weakerthans, a Winnipeg band definitely stole the afternoon part of the show. They had almost a cult following and the music was fantastic.

One Great City by The Weakerthans

Also great on the main stage were the Silversun Pickups. The Stereophonics had pretty standard music, and nothing really set them apart from anyone.

Then came my personal favourite part of the day, and that was getting to see Shad. Shad is a rapper from London, not far from Toronto and it showed. There were more people there to see him on the small stage than there were at the second stage at the time. Shad looked nothing like your typical rapper and his lyrics were completely refreshing. His overall performance was the highlight of my day and getting to hang out with him after his show was really great, down to earth guy.

Now A Daze by Shad

Paul Weller put on a good show as the last band before Oasis. Oasis was definitely interesting, when the fan jumped onto the stage it was the stupidest thing ever. He did however get his ass kicked by Liam Gallagher, and I did see a video of it. It was pretty fun. He deserved everything he got, idiot nearly ruined the concert for everyone there.

All in all a fantastic weekend. The usual overpriced crappy food, accompanied by some great music, and some less than great music.

To finish off, I leave you with a final thought,
Do Bananas Float? (Editor’s note: I think Zack is a strange one. Agreed?)

More photos after the jump!
(more…)

The festival is also known as that very expensive festival. Based on the acts, the festival is well worth cost as it’s includes the ferry price and if you wanted to see these bands on their own it would cost a boat load more. Festivals are extremely fun though and are awesome experiences.

I’m personally not seeing, but whipping boy friend Zack is going to be seeing some shows and reviewing them.

Personally this event is a bit too mainstream for our blog…but there are some artists I want to see. Other then the headliners of the Foo Fighters and Oasis there are a lot of great lesser known acts (which we know well of course). Here are the bands we are looking forward to:

The Constantines – one of Toronto’s finest (fine fine they’re originally from Guelph). I wasn’t a fan of their latest album but I heard their show is extremely energetic and they as persons put in a lot of effort into the quality of their performances (working stage hand I was told they were serious perfectionists).

Islands in The Stream by The Constantines and Feist

MGMT – I heard some reports they sucked, others liked them. From their music, I hate them (it’s very structured and the “MTV” crowd will be out on full force because of their drug friendly vibe). I still would like to know another person’s opinion (I would never go nor provide an unbiased review just so you know).

Time To Pretend by MGMT

Bloc Party – I personally didn’t like their music. It was always “okay” to me but a few friends were fans. The funniest thing about them is that story how a concert turned into an orgy. I’d like to go to a concert if I was guaranteed an orgy .

Mercury by Bloc Party

Side note: Thumbs down to some of the organizers of this show. If you want to see the Kooks, Wintersleep, The Fratellis or Spirtualized, you may be in tough if you want to be at the main stage (and at a good view too). Your B) performers could steal the show and setting a more appropriate time for them would’ve been better for the fans. Conflicts conflicts conflicts.

I told Zack to stay at the main stage and moving around is tiring anyway.

On Day 2:
I’ll make him see and give him some freedom nonetheless.

Shad – one of my new favorite rappers. One of Canada’s best? Cadence Weapon and Shad should start a beef heh.

What We All Want by Shad

The Weakerthans – a good Canadian band originating from the Peg.

Night Windows by The Weakerthans

Maybe Moby if he’s up for it. I remember when I used to be a Moby fan.. o when I was young (I need some kind of excuse).

Southside by Moby featuring Gwen Stefani

Sorry for the crap post. I’m just losing my sanity today as my computer goes nuts.