AWmusic

Sometimes words just can’t fully express the feelings that music brings with it. To be lost in a song to the point that all thoughts, issues, problems and pretty much the entire world around vanish and for those couple of minutes, you are able to experience something magical. If you’re like me, so encapsulated in the love of sound, you can’t listen to just anything that’s thrown at you. There needs to be that search involved with the discovery of something new… The excitement of listening to something and having it hit a spot deep within your heart. There also needs to be that emotion behind the song, (whether or not it’s the same emotion that was felt when the artist produced it) having it spark something inside that makes you feel truly alive.

Although put on a bit of a hiatus, the remix party is back! This time around we’re not focusing on any specific theme or artist, just a collection of 10 remixes of tracks that have found their way into that special place – the blend of emotionally charged feelings I find within myself. Maybe they’ll do the same for you.

Let the music do the talking.

Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Neon Coyote Remix)
Santigold – Lights Out (Tepr Emo Remix)
Feist – 1234 (My!Gay!Husband! Get Up Kid Edit)
Adele – Hometown Glory (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix)
Das Racist – Combination Pizza Hut And Taco Bell (Wallpaper Remix)
Vampire Weekend – The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance (Chromeo Remix)
Peaches – Mommy Complex (Barletta and Ernold Sane Remix)
Estelle feat. Kanye West – American Boy (LAZRtag Remix)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (John Roman Remix)
M.I.A – Paper Planes (Atomic Hooligan 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)

Here’s my playlist for the movie. The soundtrack was pretty good and suited some of the cinematography. I did like the use of “Paper Planes” which was more about hustlin’ like the song says instead of just “getting high” like Pineapple Express used it for. Before I get carried away:
Born Out of The Hustle by Kites in Space
Paper Planes MIA
Blind by Hercules and Love Affair (for the blind singers)
Brother Watching by Shad
How I Made My Millions by Radiohead
Pressed In A Book by The Shins (for the Three Musketeers)
Let Love Be My Only Guide by The Bell

Now onto my review:
Slumdog Millionaire is a film that has its premise given away from the start. It asks a question whether or not Jamal Malik’s run at 20 million rupees on “Who wants to be a millionaire?’ is whether he is smart, if he cheated or if it was destiny. The movie’s plot is simple, Jamal Malik is accused of cheating and he is being questioned about how a “slumdog” could do better then lawyers, doctors and intellects in general.

A thinking man could likely extrapolate that Malik does quite well on the gameshow which serves as the backbone of the movie’s plot. The storyline isn’t the strongest as it can be painfully obvious that it could be one of those movie’s that end ups with the two love interests living “happily ever after and making a lot of babies” (the latter is implied). I’m not the type of person who looks for a movie that has an “aw” storyline (kind of ironic with the name of this site lol).

With that Slumdog Millionaire has been universally praised, why? Everything in between is done incredibly well. Sometimes a movie doesn’t need the greatest storyline to win you over. The movie gave off tense moments despite the outcome almost completely drawn out. Everything from the cinematography and to the direction was top notch. This movie is more proof that it’s not the quality of the story that counts but the quality of the storyteller that makes the world of difference.

Slumdog Millionaire I can see being universally liked by all types since it’s one of those feel good romantic dramas but it extends past that horrid drama with a stylish touch and fearless direction. It was at times light-hearted and funny and save for the last minute stopped being overly-cheesy. I think some of the gripes people have are the weaker storyline and the romance stinking up something great but it really just gives the movie some direction rather then being lost and all over the place.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
It will likely be the top or top 2 movie of the year (waiting on The Wrestler).

The Pineapple Express soundtrack which can be found here, I found sort of disappointing. For one the trailer which featured MIA’s Paper Planes is seemingly left off from the soundtrack and is no where to be found in the movie. Generally the use of the songs from the movie are background fodder. It also doesn’t help that I know very few of the tracks myself and a lot of them seem to be for the older crowd as well.

Here’s my own playlist for the movie instead:

Paper Planes by MIA
How I Became Paranoid by CSS
Stress by Justice
Freak Out by Liars
Midnight Runner by Cut Copy
D is for Dangerous by The Arctic Monkeys
Start A War by The National
The Green King Sings by Blitzen Trapper
My Girl Is Calling Me (A Liar) by Chromeo
Highway of Endless Dreams by M83

As for the movie, it was funny but it definitely wasn’t on the same level of funniness as the other films we’ve been accustomed to. I would say not to have your expectations too high because you are probably bound to be disappointed. It’s a solid film that doesn’t get too ridiculous with the marijuana jokes. It plays a factor in the movie but the action is actually pretty solid and most of the time it’s funny. Some things are a little bit over the top and recounting of events is a bit unnecessary and seems like filler script at best.

An alright summer movie to enjoy with some friends. Potentially better to go under of influence of some “help”. 3.5 out of 5.

M.I.A. is a rapper out of the UK with deep roots to Sri Lanka. Kala is produced very well with some very cool beats, and very easy to get addicted to. I personally am not a rap fan BUT I do admit that this album is very good, very catchy and starts off with addictive parts.

I did get bored of a few songs but it’s not because this is bad this is more of me not stylistically liking the genre and I can’t fault M.I.A. for that. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this album and you make like it even more then me. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 though it probably won’t be on my computer for long.

Bamboo Banga.mp3

Come Around.mp3 (Featuring Timbaland)

Here’s my favorite Rilo Kiley song (I really like Blake Sennett’s vocals):

I am not really big fans of either the New Pornographers or M.I.A. but I have liked of a lot of the singles that I have managed to download. Since I am familiar with them it feels as if it couldn’t hurt to check them out. M.I.A.’s Kala is tearin’ up the reviews at the moment and I usually check out unknown bands that have good reviews. Look for their albums to be reviewed in the upcoming months (this was an excuse to get some Rilo Kiley on here).