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Track Reviews

Rare Monk – Underground

Welcome to Rare Monk, the funkiest, rarest monks out of Portland, Oregon. The indie rock band just dropped an EP titled Death by Proxy – a personal love note to Chris Dodds’ inbox. It’s a three track preview to their full-length album coming out in February 2013. Enjoy the title track here, a pretty great blend of synthcoded vocals, experimental synths, and a lush indie sound. By Alex Mitchell

*Also, be sure to catch Alex’s interview with Rare Monk over at Cardboard Smile here.

Rare Monk – Underground

Rare Monk oregon (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.39450

reviewed by
11-12-12

Roosevelt – Soleil

Having opened for the likes of Hot Chip and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, and thus recently being signed to the Berlin-London dance collective/record label that houses Hot Chip, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, and Disclosure amongst others, one would think that Marius Lauber aka Roosevelt is the next best thing coming out of Germany and the Euro Electro-Pop scene. A release like “Soleil”, only helps back up such a claim. With a sunny disposition and indie dance beat, I can’t help but think about driving on the Pacific Coast Highway and just staring into the Ocean. Roosevelt has some spot dates to end the year in Germany, Belgium, Paris and Luxembourg, but we’ll expect him to be State side for different shows/fests very soon. By Brian Litwin

Roosevelt – Soleil

Roosevelt (Facebook) (Purchase)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
11-12-12

Premiere: Bogan Via – Manny (Glass Theory Remix)

Producer and songwriter Glass Theory drops in some four-on-the-floor, while interweaving the steadfast hooks of “Manny” on this new remix for indie folk-pop duo on the rise, Bogan Via. Glass Theory is the alias of L.A. based multi-instrumental and Swedish-pop enthusiast Jack Duff. Here Duff teleports “Manny” back to the future with his unique 80s nu disco spin on a record that is sure to fit nicely on your next playlist opening between the likes of Big Black Delta, Diamond Rings, Gold Fields and any other New Order friendly appreciation pop.

Glass Theory (Facebook)
Bogan Via arizona (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
11-12-12

Rave’s Fave: Drawn From Bees — Whistling Bone

These Brisbane, Australia talents do well in their home country but are still largely undiscovered in the US. They did play at SXSW, 2011 and their stunning harmonies had people outside, on 6th Street in Austin, literally stopping in their tracks. The band’s new album is The May King and His Paper Crown, and “Whistling Bone” has emerged as a lead track. It’s got a mid-tempo drive that sticks to your… bones. The animated video features a sweet little girl who is adopted into a house of hell, and is worth checking out as well. By Bruce Rave

Drawn From Bees — Whistling Bone

Drawn From Bees (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
11-11-12

Big Boi – Lines (feat. A$AP Rocky & Phantogram)

Big Boi strikes again with yet another mother of a collaboration with “Lines” on his forthcoming Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors LP 12/11/12. Preview the latest psych-funk blast into the future below.

Big Boi – Lines (feat. A$AP Rocky & Phantogram)

Big Boi (Official)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
11-09-12

Everything Everything – Kemosabe

Following up the success of their first single, “Cough Cough”, today Everything Everything has made available for stream the next single from their new 2013 LP Arc. “Kemosabe” comes prepared, bearing that pragmatic rock that you know and love from Everything x 2, and with some stellar vocal hooks to boot. Their forthcoming is already a top our list of album’s to watch for in the new year, and this only adds to the excitement! Preview “Kemosabe” below.

Everything Everything (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
11-09-12

L’Orange – Alone (Feat. Blu)

“Alone” is new from NC producer L’Orange and his new The Mad Writer album. The smoky torch song-sampling beat on “Alone” is absolutely nuts and renders the track a must listen (and Blu’s rhymes aren’t half bad either).

L’Orange – Alone (Feat. Blu)

L’Orange (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
11-08-12

Lana Del Rey – Ride (S O H N Remix)

Producer S O H N is on a bit of a run at the moment, racking up blogoverse hits & adoration on the reg, (“The Wheel” “Oscillate”, etc). Here the “mysterious producer” (music blog writing keywords) turns the keys on Lana Del Rey’s “Ride”. The result being a rushing wall of emotion and beauty, etc of the highest order. Take a listen over at Prefix.

S O H N (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
11-08-12

Prince Fatty & Hollie Cook – And the Beat Goes On (The Whispers)

UK singer Hollie Cook hooks up with producer Prince Fatty (not King Tubby) for this dub version of the classic track by The Whispers. Rocksteady.

Prince Fatty & Hollie Cook – And the Beat Goes On

Hollie Cook (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
11-08-12

The 1975 – Sex (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

What happens when one of the hottest bands in the world links up with one of the hottest producers in the world? Other than the obvious answer of something you need to listen to, there’s this remix that Ryan Hemsworth recently did for title track from The 1975’s forthcoming Sex EP. Hemsworth meticulously transforms the uptempo pop-rock anthem into a laid back, beat-swaggered strut. Earmilk had the premier for the track earlier today, be sure to check it out and grab a free download while you can. You can pick up the Sex EP on 11/19 via Dirty Hit/Vagrant.

The 1975 – Sex (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

Ryan Hemsworth (Facebook)
The 1975 (Facebook) (Pre-order Sex EP)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
11-08-12

Usher – Numb (Project 46 Remix) – Radio Edit

Electronic production duo Project 46 tap into some Raymond for their latest house friendly banger. The crew have just dropped this official flip to “Numb” from Usher’s recent Looking 4 Myself release. Were into it. Sample the new radio edit below.

Project 46 canada (Soundcloud)

Rating 8

brown8

reviewed by
11-08-12

Turrentine Jones – Show Me Mercy

Here’s a record for your collection. Manchester based trio Turrentine Jones are releasing their new single “Show Me Mercy” on 7″ this coming Friday (11/9). Hitch a magic carpet ride on this blues-ridden psychedelic blast through time. A time when rock and roll reigned supreme and peace, love, guitars and LSD all seemed so synonymous.

Turrentine Jones – Show Me Mercy

Turrentine Jones (Official)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
11-07-12