Remix Wedneday: Since I Left You (Cornelius Remix)

When I make a playlist for anything, the first band I’ll look at using something from is The Avalanches. Everything about them is pure magic. And I’ll be happy to announce that I’ll be rolling out more of their stuff next month.

So who are The Avalanches?

Well what started as 90′s rock/rap group eventually merged into a electronica phenomena. Now I’m using the word electronica, but this band is one of the bands that is truly beyond a genre. Their sole album Since I Left You (2000) was compiled from 3,500 different samples from vinyl records. I’d say they have smashed the definition of genre.

What I have here today is not that amazing album, but rather one of the songs remixed. This remix is an essential download. It is a perfect meditation-ish vibe that leaves you soothed yet energized. What starts out slow, ends up being upbeat, then slowly progresses back to slow again. I picture this as being danced to by an elegent trio of dancers.

If anything can be inferred from what I’ve said so far, is that words do not explain The Avalanches.

The Avalanches – Since I Left You (Cornelius Remix) (removed 2/13/09)

And remixes, only make them better.

I hope your ears bleed. Ω

ACL Preview: Colour Revolt

I wish I could put into words what Colour Revolt means to me.  But I can’t.  Unfortunately, when you come to this blog you expect to read a little, therefore I am expected to write a little.  If I don’t then my editor fires me, and then I am out of a job.  But since I am not getting paid for this I guess its not that big a deal.

Anyhow…

Rather than pour out accolades (which you will undoubtedly read with a grain of salt since you already know how I feel about them) I will merely let the music speak for itself.  Here are three songs from Colour Revolt that I think are most telling of their musical styling.

The first song is off of their self-titled EP, which I consider one of the best EP’s ever put out.  I honestly listened to these 6 songs over the course of 2 years more than any other album or artist.  The sheer aggression in their sound is incomparible.  Even the most hardcore of hardcore metal bands fail to capture the aggression that Colour Revolt acheives on this EP.

Colour Revolt-Change Your Face or Change Your Name (removed 2/13/09)

The second song is from their newest release (March 2008) “Plunder, Beg, and Curse”.  After 2 years of waiting and anticipating their first full length album under the name Colour Revolt (they released an album under the name “Fletcher” in 2003), I will admit I was a little nervous.  I was afraid that I had hyped up this release too much and that it could never match the expectations that its predecessor demanded. Fortunately, this was not the case.

Colour Revolt-Swamp (removed 2/13/09)

This last song is another off “Plunder, Beg, Curse”, but just to show you their brilliance and range I am going to include a version they did for Daytrotter.

Colour Revolt- Naked & Red (removed 2/13/09)

Colour Revolt- Naked & Red (Daytrotter Session) (removed 2/13/09)

And since this is a preview for a live music event, I thought I should also include a live performance.

I hope your ears bleed the colours of the rainbow.

Vote for the Lips!

So I just found out via Stereogum that my current state of residence is taking a poll to decide the Official State of Oklahoma Rock Song.  And of course there is a Flaming Lips song on the ballot.  “Do You Realize,” one of my favorite tracks by the Norman natives is up against 9 other famous songs penned by Oklahomans.  And believe it or not the voting is open to the public, regardless of where you live.  So please go vote! You could even vote for Elvis if you want. Just please help save our state from the All-American Rejects.

The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize? (removed 2/13/09)

Why? Because I love covers and can’t resist an opportunity to post one.

Beck – Do You Realize? (removed 2/13/09)

ACL Preview – Beck

Beck, everyone’s favorite beat-dropping Scientologist, is all set for his headlining gig on the second night of ACL Fest this year. Hot off the heels of the critically acclaimed Modern Guilt, which showcased a more somber, decidedly sparse soundscape, the musical chameleon will visit Austin before meandering his way through a string of shows in the chilly Northeast. It seems likely that Beck’s live act will very much resemble his new aesthetic; in a recent Pitchfork interview, when asked if the stage puppets from last tour would make a reappearance, Beck answered gravely that the new tour wouldn’t feature “anything [he] felt was a gimmick”. Bummer! But puppets or no, Beck’s performance promises plenty of great tunes, new and old.

Since his smash hit “Loser” in 1994, Beck has explored nearly every persona known to popular music, and this artistic schizophrenia makes him one of the most exciting musicians of our time. A conscious effort to invent, to avoid creative complacency, drives Beck’s career, and I urge anyone attending the festival this year to grab the closest piece of lawn around. It will be arguably the best show of the weekend. Have fun!

Here is one of our favorites off of the new album.

Beck – Walls

And here is a fun cover of the late great Daniel Johnston that I just recently stumbled upon.  Hope your ears bleed.

Beck – True Love Will Find You in the End