#25 Gus Gus - Over

For 25% through this long and drawn-out 100-track review experiment, I bring you the electronic sound of Gus Gus.

Gus Gus's "Over" is a really nice song about repetition, and it's a song that you'll listen to over and over... or at least if you listen to it, you'll hear the words "over and over" over and over.  I'll shut up now.

Link it!  (Warning: freaky video images ahead) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K703vlIgens

#24 - Avicii feat Florence & the Machine - You Got The Penguin (Lee Morrison Full Vocal Edit)

What should be all over the radio?  This song.  Lee Morrison nailed it.
You've got the love is a sweet song, and this edit is just plain dope... plus it's got a free download, so when it's time to bring on the love, your playlist is now prepared.

Sometimes you feel like giving up.  This song will help with that.

Link it!  You Got The Penguin (Lee Morrison Full Vocal Edit)

#23 Bastian - Impress You

You'll be impressed by Bastian.  At least that's the hope.
"Impress You" is a catchy discopop tune appropriate for parties, dates, and talent shows.  It's worth checking out, just to see what Bastian can do... which actually is impressive.

Link it! http://soundcloud.com/wearebastian/impress-you

#22 - M83 - We Own the Sky

It has been long enough since I let this blog sit idle, and after my break I am back with a newfangled idea to entice readers to give me feedback. First, I'm asking you: Please tell me what you think of my reviews, technique, structure, you-call-it. This will enable me to produce better-planned work in the future. Second, I will tickle your fancy and save you the effort of scanning youtube yourself. Video links will be added to past entries as soon as I am able to find these masterpiece songs.

TODAY's review is something that I have heard in the past and recently re-stumbled-upon.

M83 is a band that I have barely ever seen referenced, but creates ambience-filling, haunting-yet-delicious tunes.

See for yourself!

We Own The Sky is like a blimp. A zeppelin? It floats powerfully along and sounds great the whole time. Not only does the song sound like some gigantic cruise-missile-made-of-awesome-sound-waves, its music video also features lots of flying objects, some the size of whales.

Why are you reading this last part?

tl;dr - Cool song, click link.

#21 - Neon Indian - Sleep Paralysist

This song is bad ass. Not ass-bad. It is the opposite of ass-bad. It is about going to sleep, I think. At least he [neon indian] says "go to sleep" a lot. It is a little dificile to make out all the words, but then again, 'in the morning this will all seem fake, so go to sleep.'

Very synthetic. Very awesome. Very recommended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2JZse1zjFY

It's crazy but...

The entire time since this Christmas when I was gifted the first self-titled Crystal Castles CD, I have done nothing except appreciate Crystal Castles more and more and more. I now have both albums (both are self-titled) and both kick ass. Then there are the remixes. Most are easy enough to download, and or youtube. This band is seriously incredible. Why are you not listening to them right now?? (Kudos if you are)

Here you go:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX6aTOE32DM

#20 - Crystal Castles - Untrust Us

The cocaine is not good for you

However Crystal Castles (CC), and the first song on the Crystal Castles CD, Untrust Us, are good for you. I recommend the self-titled CC debut to anyone who likes intense rock and/or hardcore dance and/or lightweight techno. While the drums-and-synth are both skillful and at times minimalistic, the singing of female vocalist Alice Glass can be either pleasing or shrieking, and the song lyrics are at times long and short, the CD earns 5 of 5 stars for a fluid, dynamic, and extremely addictive performance.

Ethan Kath (supposedly the last name is fake, and designed to bring catheters to mind) is the man behind the dj stand, making all the beats. This duo is stellar.

some friendly info: 8 gr8 bands

Since I'm so lax at providing any info here, I'll quickly jot some awesome artists' names, and where you can find them.  These bands are new, young, and to my knowledge, not mainstream yet.  But they are all very good.

4TRAKZ has a myspace and is a DJ.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGEqDps1gCc

CHRIS KRAWALL has a myspace and is a DJ.  http://soundcloud.com/chriskrawall/curry-und-krawall-live-and

THEATRE OF DISCO has a myspace and is a DJ.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsqgUYjAkgU

TREE WAVE has a myspace and is a BIT band.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byKx8bZ5eq8

KAVINSKY has a myspace and is a DJ.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3uszxvNTHk

LOUIS LA ROCHE has a myspace and is a DJ.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdHDU6Olmh0

CRYSTAL CASTLES has a myspace and is a DJ/VOCAL duo.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaRfBNrkIyA

GLASS CANDY has a myspace and is a DJ/VOCAL duo.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDNSLAvD-qI

19 - Royksopp

I have a fetish for Nordic Electronica, it seems. Royksopp, The Knife, Bjork, etc, are foreign enough and clean enough that their musical value is much higher in my mind than much of the recycled American pop. Not that Scandinavians are my only fetish. I'm realizing that I also love some Australian music (Theatre of Disco, MGMT), in addition to the obbbbbvious French music scene (Justice, Daft Punk, 4Trakz, etc).

It would really be impossible to choose my favorite Royksopp song, because on Melody AM, The Understanding, and Junior, I have not come across a single track that I dislike. These guys (Royksopp is the duo of Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge, according to Wikipedia) are straight up living legends.

For this time, consider my Royksopp pick to be the band and all its albums, because it would feel wrong to choose one song without carefully considering the wonderful rest of them.

The following songs on JUNIOR are particularly awesome: Happy Up Here, The Girl and the Robot, Vision One, This Must Be It, Royksopp Forever, Miss It So Much, Tricky Tricky, You Don't Have a Clue, Silver Cruiser, True To Life, It's What I Want.

For the unfamiliar, a quick note: that list is every song on the album. It is very close to perfection. You need to look Royksopp up. Now!

Also worth mentioning: the 4th Royksopp album, Senior, should hit stores in 2010, so start saving those pennies up in a jar!


Here's a song to get you started:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Bpx63wkbA

18 - Bittersweet Symphony

This is one of those classic songs...

By The Verve

Basically this song is awesome, and everybody likes it. For reals, it's always ok to play it and if someone gets upset by it it's probably because they're too angry of a person...

Legend has it that the band who made this song never saw a dime from it because they didn't seek permission to use the violin loop.

Regardless, it is freaking awesome.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lyu1KKwC74

16 - 85

85 by Youngbloodz

This song has a catchy chorus, smooth smooth bass, and is all-around awesome.

I know you're waiting for daddy. It won't be long shorty. Be patient cause I'm coming to you. Riding dirty on 85's, slow- taking it easy. I don't want nothing to keep me from you.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E0oGIWpiGs

17 - Hello My Treacherous Friends

By OK GO, from album OK GO.

This is a song about heartache, from a wonderful album about heartbreak. I bought OK GO right before their newer album OH NO hit the airwaves. I had no idea who OK GO was, but after sampling a song or two, and enticed by the album cover (i know, you're not supposed to care about that...), I bought OK GO and was immediately delighted.

If you've somehow missed the hubbub about their self-choreographed music videos, which OK GO are noted for, look'em up on youtube; they're cool. More significantly, they rock. They can write slow but energetic songs about sad topics without being lame. That's so cool! And if you care, Ok Go (the band) is from Chicago.

Ok, so specifically this song. Why HELLO MY TREACHEROUS FRIENDS? 1) The lyrics. 2) The music. 3) The whole album.

The lyrics. Are. Wicked. They are very poetic, easy to hear and understand, and THE CHORUS DISSES HIS FRIENDS WHILE BEING THE MOST CATCHY PART OF THE SONG. There is a story being told about this guy, his evil ex, and what he should do with the kids he has. And his friends told him it was a good idea. Thanks, guys.

The music is awesome. Just listen to it. It's got treble, it's got bass, it's got a beat, and it's got vocals.

The whole album is wicked sick. If I had a friend, I would buy this album for them. ...

the song's good.  See for yourself!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqOqx-540aM

16 - Drama*

12 of 10
Chris Krawall - Drama
Hamburg, Germany
From the musician's myspace page.

This little song belongs in an extended James Bond chase scene. It starts out harsh with a siren as the main noise, is swallowed by a church organ, starts flying with a harpsichord solo, then brings back the siren with bass and strings. You can't help but get energized. I haven't known of Krawall for long, and I've never met the guy, but if I did I'd have to tell him that he's got some impressive talent built into the design of this song. Chris Krawall is interesting... I really like most of the single songs the guy's posted on his myspace, but when I downloaded his mixtapes a while ago they just struck me as mediocre. So basically check out this guy's stuff and maybe he'll come out with an EP or LP sometime soon. I'll be waiting!

*The song this review is for is 4:14 long; on Krawall's myspace the song Drama is now 6:35 long. The cut of it that I reviewed starts about 1:03 and is a bit different at points but overall the long version is the same with a different intro.

15 - Kool Aid River

15/10

I have no idea whatsoever how I originally came across this wonderful song, but I know that the first time I listened to it I was hooked. Kool Aid River is from Secret Mommy's Plays album, which was released in 2007.

This is break-beat like I have seen nowhere else. The lyrics are incomprehensible at times, but they are tangential to the rest of the song, which is bleeps, buzzes, and other special effects. Kool Aid River is robustly electronic, varyingly repetitive, and creates an abstract minimalistic tune or rhythm, all while keeping energetic and creative.

Album/studio version
Live version
Band Website

14 - You Once Told Me

13 of 10

By Andain, from Chillout 05: The Ultimate Chillout.

I can't put my finger on why... but I like this song!

That is what I would say about why I like some other song, but not this one. In the case of You Once Told Me, I like the song, because it is just chill as the ice age! Ahmed knows what I am talking about.

What I like is that there's relaxation oozing from the vocals, and the instruments match oh so well! She's so sincere and smooth sounding.

sometimes; tell me what happen to me

13 - End Title Reprise

15/10 - it's really that good.


From the Blade Runner Soundtrack, by Vangelis.

First off, if anyone reads this who has not seen Blade Runner, I need to inform you that it is an awesome movie, and it will totally blow your mind with what it means to be human.


Regardless, this song is truly awesome on its own. It sounds like a mad scientist's lair. There's an electric buzz pendulating the whole time, and there's all kinds of guitars, guitar noises out of some 70's porn, there's distant church bells, and there's a very energetic string section.


It sounds like an engine, or maybe a helicopter, but in a good way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAwo7DPUFUM

12-You Are Smart

by Akitaka Tohyama. from "Katamari Damacy Soundtrack "Katamari Fortissimo Damacy"".

I believe this is the first super-Japanese thing on the list, so hooray!

Why is this on the list? Because if a robot is telling you that you are smart, it must be true. ROBOTS CANNOT LIE.

Second, because it has a catchy melody in the form of breakbeating robot parts, electronic crickets, and a fuzzy repetitive bassline.

Third, because more people need to realize that they are in fact smart.

Fourth, because it has video game style sound effects thrown in, and it has modest beatbreaking. Which is to say it is cool, happy, and foreign to Americans.

Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7TODsQyx_k

11-Not An Addict

12/10


By K's Choice. From Paradise In Me.

I don't think it's possible to truly dislike this song, unless you have a medical condition that makes you unable to separate lyrics from music.


You can relax to this song. It does not need you. It will continue even if you drift away, and it will be beautiful. The song is not an addict, and you certainly don't have to be one to enjoy it.


If you haven't heard it, it is simple. Most of the song is the female singer either moaning, gasping, or describing what it's like to (not?) be an addict. The rest is a bit of bass drum, a bass guitar and electric, and a little tiny bit of acoustic.


it is not a habit
it is cool i feel
alive
and this song is really cool  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cklb7L0OA1c

10-Nag Nag Nag Nag

10/10


By Art Brut. From It's a Bit Complicated.

I've listened to a lot of songs, but this song has a story I can relate to, and that is the main reason it's here.


That, and Nag Nag Nag Nag is a VERY energetic rock song with a catchy theme.


The story of disappearing into music and losing touch with your past is easy enough to follow, and certainly one that most people who've been teenagers recently can relate to to some degree.


It's about adolescence, adulthood, and failure to launch. Listen to music, drift, try to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. That's what you live through until you grow up, I guess.


Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FONWKeX6o5U

9-Mr. Jones

15/10

Mr. Jones.

Who? Mike Jones, that's who.

And you'll know it. This is the first rap song on the list, but if anything that is just a compliment.

To those who want to say, "15/10? T.O., you must have lost it! That is just too many stars out of ten!", I respond: a certain part (most) of the rap mystique is exaggeration, and this song is the best example of blowing one's self out of proportion that I have ever encountered.

Why do I like this song? Here's why.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kZDEc7FOv4

This song features an orchestra, so it is automatically epic. It has those bells that ring forever. It has a fog-horn. It has a bit of screaming guitar. It has piano keys being pounded the whole time. It has choirs singing Mr. Jones's name, and informing listeners that he is too much of a badass to ever be caught. The entire song is about how freaking cool, unstoppable, and wealthy Mike Jones is, and how nobody else compares.

If you ever need to get really, REALLY pumped up about yourself then you only need to put Mr. Jones on repeat and crank it.

Mike Jones, you win the trophy for this one.

american dream; album and movie on the way baby. haha

8-All Mixed Up

10/10


From 311 in the album of the same name.

If you don't know what 311 sounds like then I am sorry for you; this was one of the first two CDs I ever owned, and they are both awesome.


In All Mixed Up, the bass, drums, and twangs of guitar carry you along while the singer tells you to relax and trust in yourself. The rapper type guy is a little tough to understand at times, but the song always feels good.


This song just wants you to feel really good and relaxed. Smile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjTjtJDZomw

7-I Can Cook

I Can Cook by Grafton Primary, from the album Relativity.

This is a dance song. It has a thumping beat. It has synthetic melody-makers, cryptic vocals that might have a message if you listen hard enough, capped with "This life is so amazing" followed by a scream of (ecstasy?). Apparently you are worth a million pictures. But that's not the point; you are just supposed to get up and boogie your heard off.


I Can Cook has the mandatory soft noises to make you feel safe with a couple harsher ones slipping through once in a while to keep you from falling asleep if you managed to dance yourself onto the floor.


It has all echoes, although they don't last long. I Can Cook sounds like it was recorded in a basement room right next door to an immense cave.


Free Love This Time...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6HffZ43Z6Y

6-Grand Canyon

10/10


Kavinsky blew my balls off when I first found his myspace. From what I can tell, Kavinsky is 80's videogames incarnate.

Grand Canyon is from the album 1986 by Kavinsky, which is heavily synthetic and racing. The idea is that this is the ideal music to listen to when you to crash into a power pole at high speeds in a Ferarri. You can hear the rain, you can hear the wind, you can feel each mile pass with a bass blast. You are going 200 miles an hour. If you're not moving, then you're missing out. This song is like a high-chair for people trying to dance. Each beat has a note, or 2, or 4, on it, and it all is at the same tempo.


Even if it's not your thing (and I have perhaps overheard it), this song is still definitely well-crafted. It is a synthetic pacemaker for someone on too many stimulants, and it is made of beautiful noises of various sizes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxVegI56UZM

5-Light Powered

10/10


Deastro made this synthetic instrumental piece and put it on Adult Swim's "Ghostly Swim" album. It would be a great song to play in a factory to help all the workers step in time, if you're into that.

Light Powered has a very driven beat with cymbals, maraccas, bass drum, electric bass, guitar, and maybe some other stuff. Most of the noise is the engine in the low part of the spectrum, but the trebel has a synthetic tune bouncing and floating between some kind of marimba or xylophone, and a high pitched reed or something. It is difficult to tell what the instruments are since I'm pretty sure not one of them ever physically existed.


But I could be wrong.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzkr-z7o2cI

4-Weekend Wars

12/10


MGMT, a name you should remember. Weekend Wars,which people ought to avoid in general, happen to make for great music.
Instant Battleplans Written on the Sidewalk is a good example of "Imagery".


This song from Oracular Spectacular, an album by MGMT, a rapidly rising band. Features include shifts in tempo and intensity, a dance beat, synth, bass, drum, guitar, arpeggio, riffs, and a ton of badass chords. I really like it and therefore you should too. It's only one of several great songs on Oracular Spectacular, but it is also by far my favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_-Gld700LE

3-Think Twice

11/10
"Think Twice" 6:17

I came across this song on accident, under the belief that it was by Daft Punk. A bit of digging turned up Think Twice by Ralph Myerz as the true artist. The track can be found on "Lounge Classics Digital Box Set - The Platinum Collection Of Timeless Chilled Bar Grooves".


Anyways, this song is pretty damn cool. I'd definitely not heard anything like it when I came across it. Among what you can expect to hear is a repeating chorus, echoes, a string section, echoes, breakbeating bongos, echoes, a catchy synth bass, and echoes. It is hypnotizing to say the least.


maybe we oughtta think twice
before we start something nice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fehwcUDsqGY

2-Pilot Can at the Queer of God

12 STARS out of 10


The Flaming Lips Rock
Oh God
Has She Always Looked Like That?
I Think She Has


The song PCatQoG is from the album Transmissions from the Sattelite Heart. It starts loudly, ends quietly, and features a rockin' set of questions for God in between. It's apparent that She is a badass, and The Flaming Lips reveal more about Her throughout the song.


It is clear that we CAN, but the ethical problem remains, SHOULD we be piloting cans at the queer of god? Personally, I'm in favor of it because this song is so fun, energetic, otherworldly, and singable.


And Now
She's Got Helicopters
...
Yes She Has.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guCdR2jnkls

1-Aerodynamic

12 STARS out of 10


This used to be among my very favorite songs. I bought Discovery in 2000 or so, and Aerodynamic was one of the few songs that would really shine even in my Plymouth Horizon's crappy speakers. Daft Punk are badasses from France putting techno in my pants.

Aerodynamic is one of those excellent, excellent little songs that you'll never hear on the radio, at least not by itself. But by itself, or even better, as part of the Discovery LP, it's an envigorating, upbeat song that immediat3ly starts the party. The subtler overtones and undertones are all but missing in mp3 form, but I recall the CD, and when I'm rich enough to buy the same CD twice, Discovery will definitely be my first.

Come to think of it, I already bought it as a vinyl. I guess that means I'll wind up buying Discovery thrice.

There are worse ways  to spend money.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L93-7vRfxNs