The dubman of the year (FLUX PAVILION!) features his pipes on this latest release from Freestylers! “Frozen” grabs you at times, and it loses you.. well does it lose you? Either way, it’s another new collaboration from the two who seem willing and able to deliver more provoking material to come.
Freestylers – Frozen (feat. Joshua Steele)Freestylers: (Official) (Buy It)
Rating: 7.7
“Huggin & Kissin” is a flattering song to its predecessors. At first when you hear that New Order style intro you think to yourself “oh no… not again”, but soon the hooks supersede and forgiveness kicks in. Big Black Delta is the young project of Mellowdrone frontman Jonathan Bates. We’re into it.
Big Black Delta – Huggin & KissinBig Black Delta: (Facebook) (Official) (Free Downloads)
Rating: 8.2
We have a complete rhyme this week because it’s “Rave’s Faves”. I heard this My Morning Jacket cover of Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways”, and it simply can’t wait—this version is that pretty. The MMJ dudes’ new album will probably do real well. This song just might become a hit for them if radio gives it a shot. It’s not on their Circuital, but it is on the upcoming Rave On album of Holly covers. Have a good weekend, and keep ravin’ on. Contributed by Bruce Rave
My Morning Jacket – True Love Ways (Buddy Holly Cover)My Morning Jacket: (Official) (Rave On)
Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST
When the Kaiser Chiefs released their first album with I Predict A Riot, it was one of the freshest, most spontaneous discs of its time. They become more formula, and it worked temporarily with huge UK hits like “Ruby”. Enter producer Mark Ronson, who recently rejuvenated Duran Duran. Call their new single a little shock. It features a cool groove that even contains a slight hint of hip-hop. The freshness and spontaneousness just might be back. Contributed by Bruce Rave
Kaiser Chiefs – Little ShocksKaiser Chiefs: (Official) (Kaiser Chiefs)
Catch Bruce on Moheak Radio Fridays 1-3pm PST
OK, so watch what we do here. 1) We’re just gonna ignore that this is an Odd Future track, 2) We’re gonna feel the love 3) We’re gonna vibe out. Cause the a) track is nice. And b) that Michael Ozowuru-produced beat? Next level.
Hodgy Beats – April 27thHodgy Beats: (Twitter) (Tumblr) (Myspace)
Rating: 8.4
When we got the press for Cameron McGill’s latest project. The header on the email read something like “Like Jeff Buckley! Mazzy Star! Prince!”. Surprise! they were kinda right. The vocal fidelity of Buckley in some of the more falsetto-y bits, the dusty warmth of Mazzy, and the punch of the Purple One. Also Wilco. Sounds a bit like Wilco, guys! “Let’s Make Dinosaurs Extinct” is a shitty concept but a killer song. (Let’s bring dinos back, amirite?) Hit me! Look out for Cam’s great Is a Beast LP at a digital retailer near you.
Cameron McGill & What Army – Let’s Make Dinosaurs ExtinctCameron McGill & What Army: (Official) (Myspace) (Facebook)
Rating: 8.2
New shit from The Horrors. Are you psyched? “Still Life” sounds a lot like Simple Minds, a little like Oasis (listen to the phrasing and rhythms in the choruses), and a little like Keane. Like Meat Loaf, at b3sci two out of three still ain’t bad, and we’re feeling the tune. Give this one a couple listens and you’ll likely be hooked too.
The Horrors – Still LifeThe Horrors: (Official) (Myspace)
Rating: 8.0
After work jam status. Mara Hruby, still the ish. Our girl just dropped a vid for her recently dropped “Panties” (bada bing) cover. Check it below.
Mara Hruby – The Panties (Mos Def Cover)Mara Hruby: (Official) (Bandcamp) (Twitter)
Rating: 8.4
Terror’s got our with this smooth as silk grime tune. Song is via Mistajam from Sat. nite but we’ve heard this one in tons of other places too. Big.
Terror Danjah – Full Attention (Feat. Ruby Lee Rider)Terror Danjah: (Myspace) (Twitter)
Rating: 8.5
Swedish House Mafia, Save the World, Third Party. Don’t be shy, you know you want to listen! Push play! Do it! Third Party’s mix is a definite floor filler. It’s a crowd pleaser. Big rooms, huge festivals, thousands of people.
Swedish House Mafia – Save the World (Third Party Remix)Third Party: (Soundcloud) (Official) (Facebook)
Rating: 8.2
Alejandro Chal hooks up the Watch the Throne jam from earlier this year and doing right via all the right dub tinges and electro flourishes. Track follows.
Kanye West & Jay-Z – H.A.M. (Alejandro Chal Remix)Alejandro Chal: (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.2
Left quite impressed with Seapony’s performance at the Echo Tuesday Night. Each song was pitch perfect, pop beauties in their economy and brevity. Their set opener, “With You”, is actually the 12th and final track on Go With Me, the debut album which was released on Tuesday as well. I love how the cover art matches the emotional hue of the music — a girl (presumably the singer) stares wistfully at the calm sea. It’s a bright and cheery picture but with nostalgia and longing as well, as in “we may be hurt inside, but we put on a happy face because things are all right after all.” This is how Seattle does happy, with just enough angst to prove authenticity.
Seapony has hit the scene running. Their album was recorded as a three piece with a drum track. It’s nice to hear the compliment of a live drummer. A little bit of Jefferson Airplane, a little bit of Jesus And Mary Chain, played by the Pixies at 65% tempo? I don’t know what they sound like. Heck, I don’t know if Seapony knows what they sound like, or what they’ll sound like in a year. It’s always nice to get a sense of mutability; because that’s all that pop music is, really, little gems of impermanence.
“Dreaming”, their blog hit and 7”, was played third, slightly uptempo and with a little bit of fuzz. It may’ve been nice to hear it later in the set, since attendees were streaming in as the set progressed. I think they were a little nervous, even though they had no reason to be. “Blue Star” sounded excellent, as the band hit their groove for the last few songs. Seapony is way more than a one trick Seapony. I’m excited to hear what they record next. – Chris Gedos
Seapony – Nobody KnowsSeapony: (Myspace) (Bandcamp) (Facebook)
Rating: 8.2
