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Track Reviews

Dan The Man – Everybody, Nobody

Beloved sticksman Daniel Haggis of The Wombats is aka Dan The Man. His new and self-titled solo debut dishes out some proper pop that your ears are sure to fancy. All songs on the album were written and produced by Haggis, as he himself explains, “it’s a collection of songs I made over several years and was recorded in Liverpool during 2009/2010. Having toured for most of 2007/2008 I wanted to get off the drum kit and into the studio for a little change of scenery so I called a few friends and started recording what turned into this album.” While Dan The Man does harken the quirky brit-pop we know and love at the heart of The Wombats, Haggis’ collection of clever odes is particularly full of whimsy, and theatrics, all of which highlight the vast breadth of his own creative headspace. Third track on the album, “Everybody, Nobody” is a standout. The musically catchy anthem is somewhat a cheeky slap in the face with it’s darker tinged lyrics depicting the realities of fucked up society. The perfect tune for decades of jukebox diving at your next favourite watering hole.

Dan The Man – Everybody, Nobody

Dan The Man england (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
11-01-12

Moss – We Never Part

Hailing from the Netherlands, 4 piece Moss have released a new uplifting antheesque track called “We Never Part”. We recently caught them at Filter’s Culture Collide Festival, and were quite impressed. Carrying over the same indie-pop sound from their last album Ornaments, Moss seems to be on the right track for bigger things. By Brian Litwin

Moss (Official)

Rating 8

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reviewed by
11-01-12

The Duprees – Daddy’s Home (GG Sandy’s Home Edit)

Our dude Grave Goods offers up a little something special to the beloved memory of our dearest Sandy, smoothcouching the 60’s doo-wop (nu-wop) track “Daddy’s Home”. #puttinsandyonthatcouch.

The Duprees – Daddy’s Home (GG Sandy’s Home Edit)

Grave Goods (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-12

Nas – You Owe Me (Feat. Ginuwine) (Sango Edit)

Sango, the W. Michigan-based beatsman, goes all the way with the Nastradamus-era (big and tall leather leisure suits no shirt, circular neon lightbulbed-rooms) Nasir/Ginuwine 90’s cooler refashioning it into The Style of 2012.

Nas – You Owe Me (Feat. Ginuwine) (Sango Edit)

Sango (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-12

Rihanna – You Da One (J.u.D. Remix)

Canadian producer J.u.D. dials up a winner with a lights out re-do of Rihanna’s “You Da One” from last year. #heatercoolers

Rihanna – You Da One (J.u.D. Remix)

J.u.D. canada (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-12

Rave’s Fave: Breaking Laces – Mr. Curry Is A Cop

My latest fave is dedicated to those of you in the US who will be voting on marijuana initiatives in the this election. This track is in the vein of Weazer’s “Hash Pipe”. A fun tune about the cool new teacher Mr. Curry, who is actually a narc. Breaking Laces formed in Brooklyn and have released 5 albums and 5 EP’s since 2003. By Bruce Rave

Breaking Laces – Mr. Curry Is A Cop

Brick & Morter (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
10-31-12

Plan B – Playing With Fire (High Contrast Remix)

Welsh DnB man High Contrast does it big with his latest remix for Plan B. The engine for HC’s remix here is clearly drum & bass but the gas is some really killer syncopations in the rhythm and synth tracks. Hot like fire.

Plan B – Playing With Fire (High Contrast Remix)

High Contrast (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-12

Robert DeLong – Global Concepts

As his first release under the Glassnote label, singer/songwriter Robert DeLong offers us the Global Concepts bundle, which includes the single/title track, adjoining club and radio edits and another single called “One And The Same”. This release is another big step for Robert, who has been on the rise for over the past year, channeling different dance genres. “Global Concepts” features Robert’s vocals over a moombahton beat with different percussion, whereas “One And The Same” explores more of a D’n’B feel. To fully get the true DeLong experience, you have to see him in concert. Cuing drops with a Wii controller, old Nintendo controllers and joysticks, hopping on the drums, getting behind the computer; he is all over the stage. Looking forward to his future releases with Glassnote. By Brian Litwin

Robert DeLong (Facebook)

Rating 8.30238

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reviewed by
10-31-12

Solidisco – Turn Around

“Turn Around” by Buffalo NY duo Solidisco is Nu-disco done to its highest level. Sampling from the great George Benson’s 1981 track “Turn Your Love Around”, Solidisco does an excellent job modernizing (and we mean that in the best possible way) the jazz & B classic.

Solidisco – Turn Around

Solidisco (Soundcloud(/a>)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-12

Dream Koala – Gone

We are seriously crushing on Dream Koala’s new “Blur” EP. The 5-track set features some of the most beautifully sublime sounds of the year. Our pick is the vibes-by-candlelight-focused-through-a-hip-hop-lens of “Gone”. Check it.

Dream Koala – Gone

Breakbot (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-12

Freddie Joachim – Golden Temple (Feat. Mar)

The awesome Freddie Joachim grabs Dutch singer Mar for the sensual jazz & b of new track “Golden Temple”. Freddie’s latest Fiberglass Kisses, from which is “Golden Temple” is previewed here, is not to be missed and also features Carlitta Durand, Miles Bonny and J. Mitchell.

Freddie Joachim – Golden Temple (Feat. Mar)

Freddie Joachim (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-12

Ben Howard – Esmerelda

2012 Mercury Prize contender Ben Howard has released a new track from his forthcoming Burgh Island EP, expected via Island Records on December 10th. This beautifully darker penned song from Ben explores the electric side of the well versed six-string musician, and if “Esmerelda” is any indication, a sense of peril to his signature folk tinged vocal delivery. Preview “Esmerelda” below.

Ben Howard – Esmerelda

Ben Howard england (Facebook)
(Official)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-12