I suppose I should explain this bias I have towards this album. It’s an AA Bias if you will. I’m one of those people who will actually tell you an album changed their life. I’m not sure how it found it’s way to my iTunes library, probably from a music swap with friends, but one day Bondy’s softmore album When the Devils Loose started playing. I think I just hit accidentally hit play on my keyboard, and since A.A. is at the top of my iTunes, it started it. I listened all the way through the album.

It was a rainy day in October, I was pretty stressed out and well… the rest is history. From Mightiest of Guns to The Coal Hits The Fire, I really felt the album. I was transported from my dorm room in Edmond, OK to a Scott Bondy’s living room on a Mississippi night.

Music tastes different after you have yourself a nice big bowl of Bondy. He’s so peaceful, and the musicians he brings with him on his albums compliment him well.

So, needless to say, the idea of another album is pretty exciting. I haven’t forgotten about American Hearts, Bondy’s first album on his own, but it didn’t connect with my the way Devils Loose did. Besides, I wasn’t looking for a prequel; I was looking for a sequel.

Believers is the sequel I’ve been searching for.

The album starts strong. The Heart is Willing is one of the strongest tracks I’ve ever heard from Bondy, and it set a tone for the album that my heart understood a couple miles before my head did (I’m measuring that in miles because I since I do most of my “processing” in my car, it makes more sense to track it in terms of distance than minutes).

The ethereal ending to Heart is Willing goes quite before it leads off into Down in a Fire (Lost Sea). The opening riffs of this song are very Explosions in the Sky-ish, not only in sound but also mood. The song is very somber, very reminiscent of a Sunday evening in November after DST has ended. The track ends with about 45 seconds of delay and feedback effects. A bit different from what I’d expect, but it holds the mood and feels alright.

Skull and Bones is the first track I had to go back and listen to again. I normally like to do my first listen to an album all the way through, but I knew I had missed some stuff about the track and had to go back. The sound of the wind whispering, the harmonizing vocals, the light sounds of brushes on drum heads. The song is very cold. Cold like the first day in September when you should have brought a jacket, but you didn’t because technically it’s still Summer and well the low was only going to be 59, cold. It gave me goosebumps.

But here comes the turning point for the album. Bondy gives us a short break with 123 Dupoy Street and then he lays it on us with Surfer King, and boy does he lay it on thick. When the music swells in at about 3:05, you just ride the wave of sweet, sweet guitary goodness like a surfer king (see what I did there?). This is my favorite track on the album, by far. If you haven’t heard it, go listen to it right now over at NPR. It’s okay, I’ll wait.

After the strong swells and high tides, Bondy takes us on the road for Hiway/Fevers. When I close my eyes I imagine being a passanger in a car, hearing sirens, passing cars and just listening to the sounds of the road at night. Close your eyes, open your ears and free your mind. I have to be careful because it kind of feels like I’m going to be sucked into the song.

It’s not a surprise that the song Drmz has some of the most prominent percussion on the album. The song is a lot lower: in tempo, in tonality and in lyrics. Look at this line, “And if I said I believed in you / We still know what you would do/ Through the door into the blue, it burns.”  It’s a dark look at life, and it pulls me down a bit, so I’m just going to go to the next song.

The Twist has a very different sound. It sounds more like a hybrid of his older stuff and the softer stuff he did as a part of Verbena. I felt broadsided by this track the first time it came on. It was like a different album started playing. It’s a good track, but it doesn’t feel like a part of this album.

I always get nervous when I hit the title track of an album. What if it sucks? To me, I always assume that an album’s title track is the artist’s favorite song, otherwise why would they call it that? Rt. 28/Believers might be Bondy’s favorite song on the album. I don’t know, I didn’t send him or his representation an email to find. If it is however, it’s a great choice. All the qualities that made The Twist feel weird to me are resolved in Rt. 28/Believers, which is great since Bondy gives us seven glorious minutes of slide guitar and soft drums.

Silly name, serious music. Scenes From A Circus wraps up a brilliant third album. I think Rt. 28/Believers is a good ending in itself, but the gapless nature of these two tracks put together just makes it even better. So what I said a few lines ago about seven minutes of glorious wonder ends up being more like 11. The tempo slows, the end feels close. Bondy gives us a few last lyrics, and then its cue the 17 second fade.

This album is good, real good. I mean The Twist is a bit of a “twist” in terms of how the album feels start to finish, but it’s not a ruiner. It feels like it’s either in the wrong place in the lineup more than it feels out of place for the album itself. Either way, I guess I could say I’m a believer now. An AA Believer. #pleasedontbecomeatrendingtopic #whyamiwritinginhashtags

All that said, it is with strong personal bias that I recommend you should stop reading this article right now and go listen to Believers on NPR, or buy it on Amazon (MP3 / CD / Vinyl) or iTunes.

If you’re interested in hearing the album that “changed my life,” When the Devils Loose is on Amazon, iTunes and Spotify.

I hope your ears don’t mind the AA Bias. Ω

In the world of music, when an “invasion” occurs on American shores it’s usually bringing something good. Today, Sweedish start-up Spotify has opened it’s doors to the listening public.

Previously available in Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom Spotify brings 15 million songs to the fingertips of users. In the age of sites like Grooveshark, Pandora and YouTube what makes them different? Ease of use.

Click to Enlarge

Just download their desktop player and see for yourself. It integrates with your existing library to maximize what you already have and make it easier to stay up on what those artists are doing right now.

Click to Enlarge

And the best part is that it’s free, or rather it starts out that way. Available in three different flavors, Spotify is about to give Google Music, Amazon Cloud Player, and iTunes Cloud Match a serious run for it’s money.

• Spotify Free – the unsurpassed free music service. With an invite, enjoy on-demand, buffer-free access to over 15 million songs on your computer and great social features. Manage your own music files through Spotify, and sync with your cellphone or iPod. Features occasional advertising.
• Spotify Unlimited – all the special features of our free service, but with uninterrupted, ad-free access to Spotify on your computer. All for only $4.99 a month.
• Spotify Premium – the top-of-the-range Spotify experience. Premium gives you access to all the music, all the time. Listen online or offline, on your computer, your cellphone and a whole heap of other devices. Enjoy enhanced sound quality and access to exclusive content, competitions and special offers. Premium costs just $9.99 a month. (That’s the equivalent of a couple of fancy coffees.)

From Spotify’s Blog

I’ve only been using it for a few hours, and here’s what I like about it:

• iTunes Playlist importing and Playlist Folders
• Offline Caching for Desktop and Mobile (iOS)
• Last.FM Support Baked-In for Desktop and Mobile

But there are still things I want:

• A Web-based listening solution
• Android support(Update: Android is supported. I just wasn’t looking hard enough)
• Google+ Integration

I’m sure some of that is coming, but until then I’m pretty content with their offerings. Definitely enough to pony up the $10 entry fee on day.

As a bonus for IHYEB readers we have TWO Spotify Free invites to give away. Leave a comment below about what you think of Spotify and be sure to put your email in the email box when you hit submit. We’ll pick two winners tomorrow (July 15, 2011) at about 5 p.m. CST.

Petebox’s cover of MGMT’s “Kids” from the Y-Not Festival last August is also worth a listen. If you didn’t pick it up by now, this guy is very talented.

You can download the “PeTeBOXed” version of “Where is My Mind” over on THePETEBOX’s website:
http://www.thepetebox.com/pixiesdownload.htm

I hope your ears can handle this. Ω

I’ve been a big fan of Cut Copy’s signature sound since the release of Bright Like Neon Love back in 2004. One of my first posts here on IHYEB was a review of the Melbourne electronic rocker’s second album In Ghost Colours. I wish I could have linked that post, but it was lost with a crash back in 2008.  Regardless, I love both albums a lot, as well as the countless remixes I’ve shared with you in the last few years. Next time I go back home I’ll be framing my Vinyl LP of In Ghost Colours in an album frame. So again, to say that I was excited for this album is a bit of an understatement.

Without further ado, let me recount my first hearing of Zonoscope.

The album kicks off with the song “Need You Now.” I really like the way it feels at 0:37 in the player below, just after the intro dies off. The song isn’t perfect, and for the exact reason I’m not exactly sure. I guess I could say that it feels like it hits way too late in the song. Let me explain, at 3:30 the song builds up, and then drops back to the semi-boring verse. I like the lyrics, but in an audial way, it stays pretty static most of the time. The song finally does “drop” closer to the 5:30 mark, but it left me feeling unfulfilled. I’m listening to the song at max volume on my system in my room and I didn’t get the feeling of euphoria when it dropped like I’d hope for it to. “Need You Now” was the one single I’d not heard before the album came out, and I was kind of sad that I started the album wanting more from one of the banner tracks.

Need You Now by cutcopymusic

Track 2 is the second single, “Take Me Over.” I feel like I bought this single about two months ago, and on the whole I was unimpressed with it. I’m still unimpressed with it, but don’t worry, the album is not even close to its climax. If anything this song has great remix potential, and some are already starting to make appearances.

Take Me Over by cutcopymusic

Track 3, “Where I’m Going,” I previewed a few months ago. I wrote that I felt it had a vibe akin to that of The Avalanches, Melbourne, Australia electronic sampling kings, and now I don’t feel that way so much. The song is so all over the place in terms of style, so much so that I can’t say it mimics one artist or another. It’s not my favorite track of the album. At this point, I’m concerned. I’m three tracks in, all singles, and not one has grabbed me yet.

Cut Copy – Where I’m Going by cutcopymusic

Thankfully, the album gets progressively better. I feel like the album hits the reset button with “Pharaohs & Pyramids”. The first three tracks are almost like trailers for a movie, but here’s when I begin to like this album. Lots of retro synth and tight reverb. It made me feel like a wallflower because I wasn’t dancing, but this all a good way to feel. This album, especially the middle part of it doesn’t sound like it was meant to be experienced sitting down. “Blink and You’ll Miss a Revolution” has one of my favorite moments on the album. The hook has a brilliant composition of sound, so much so that when I hear, ”Baby baby can’t you see / oh take it from me, oh take it from me /we’re on a path to eternity/ oh take it from me, oh take it from me,” I just start to feel like I’m in a club having a good time. I’ve seen youtube videos of the song live, and it doesn’t have quite the magic. I understand part of that is the fact that I was watching a video shot on an iPhone, but “Blink and You’ll Miss a Revolution” has so much complex sound that performing it live does sound like it would be hard to replicate the album feel.

“Strange Nostalgia for the Future” isn’t really a “song”, but it’s part of Cut Copy’s signature style. These short transition tracks make the world of difference in calculating the overall feel of an album. It makes a group of singles feel like a whole composition. So when it brings in my favorite song of the album, “This is All We’ve Got”, I know that the album is about to hit it’s prime. The song winds down and gaplessly turns into “Alisa”. This song has as similar feel to Bright Like Neon Love with less electronic feel and more instrumentation.

While there’s other tracks on the album I haven’t discussed I’m just going to skip them and go right into the album’s 15 minute long outro called “Sun God”. This is undoubtably the track that deserves the most attention, and definitely the most words. Now, I say that it deserves the most attention and the most of my review, but while listening to it, all I can think to do is sit back in my chair and stare at the ceiling in awe. This is by-far the best track on the album, and it’s a shame. What makes “Sun God” so good is that it is one big release at the end of the album. It covers the album’s climax, resolution, and denouement all in one track. I tried listening to it by itself, and it felt wrong. It felt like I cheated. If you want to watch a movie, you don’t skip to the good part, you have to wade through all of the building up, and that’s what the rest of the album is. We have to remember that track numbers and divisions are a convenience, not necessarily the way an album was meant to be listened to. So my plea to you, the reader, is that if and when you get a chance, enjoy Zonoscope in its entirety. Then, and only then, do I think you’ll get a full grasp of “Sun God”. (Extra Note: The editors of IHYEB do not condone drug use, but I’m pretty sure if you listened to “Sun God” while high your head might just explode.)

Now, let me wrap it all up. I’ll admit, it took me some time to warm up to In Ghost Colours, but as of right now I’m not ready to award Zonoscope the title of “My Favorite Cut Copy Album”. It’s good, and it will be considered among the best of the year’s electronic albums, but I have a special place in my heart for their previous work and I’ll just have to keep listening to Zonoscope for a while longer. Still, it’s worth picking up if you’re a fan of their previous works, or a fan of modern electronica.

Zonoscope is available wherever fine electronic music is sold  (Amazon (CD $9.99+S&H)/ Amazon MP3 (MP3 $5.99) / iTunes (AAC $7.99) / Modular People Deluxe CD/Vinyl $30+S&H), and as a nice little bonus Cut Copy has put up an hour-long mixtape. The mixtape is also a part of a contest, and if you are one of the first 5 people to name the tracklist of the mixtape you could win sweet prizes.

From CutCopy.net
We also have physical CDs available for the first 5 people who can guess the correct tracklisting. Send all attempts to info@punkdafunk.com. The first correct entry will also win a pair of tickets to the Cut Copy headline show nearest their hometown (Sorry, festivals are not included in this offer).

So Cutters get cracking if you want to win! The mix was posted yesterday and plenty of people have a headstart on the mix.

I hope your ears bleed while zoning out to Zonoscope. Ω

Something happened the other day though. I was trying to empty my inbox, but instead opened an email from a New Haven based folk group named Plume Giant. I didn’t remember seeing it in my inbox, so I read through it and listened to their attached song Fool Hall.

I liked it. I liked it a lot. In fact, it was the first time in a long time I’ve immediately liked something that found it’s way to my submissions email. I email them back saying I was interested in hearing the whole thing, and a week later a CD mailer finds its way to my mailbox.

I was a very happy blogger when this CD EP came in.

I put it in my computer, rip it immediately and listen to it. It must have been on repeat for a solid 3 hours.

This EP is good. Real good. The group says they don’t have a frontman, 10 seconds into the first track and it becomes clear why. Vocal harmonies are what sold me on this group so quickly, and what make this so enjoyable to listen to again, and again, and again.

Have I talked about how many times I’ve listened to this EP? I have? Well I’m going to say it again, because this EP is very easy to listen to on repeat. Here’s a snapshot of my iTunes. I’ve had this EP for a week now, and in that time I’ve done pretty much nothing by study, write for my university paper, and drive (all perfect things to do while listening to music.) I did the math, and well… I listened to the six Plume Giant a total of 70 times, an average of 10 song plays a day.

So, for fans of folk, especially of Sea Wolf and Fleet Foxes, this EP is worth the listen and your money.

Plume Giant – I’m On Drugs

Plume Giant – Tuesday

Plume Giant is on iTunes, and a physical copy of the EP is only $5 (US domestic shipping included) through their website.

Editors note: This post was originally written in July 2009. It never got published, so we’re going to do it now.

This week I think I’ll do something different. I post a remix that I think is only… okay…..

Not one of my favorite remixes, but one of my favorite bands, and one of my favorite songs. Funny how that makes it balance out. These guys aren’t really the kind of band that you would expect to hear remixed.

The band is a beautiful blend of agnst-driven-pop ballads, and pure musical talent. These guys make music more fun that it should be legal to be.

So I’ve returned for the first remix of the week in SIX MONTHS! It’s also kind of an excuse to talk about Guster, one of my favorite bands. The remix I’ve brought with me today is the Astronaut’s remix of Ganging Up On the Sun classic “Satellite”. I can vividly remember the first time I heard the original version of this song, and it kind of gives me chills just picturing it. Why the chills? It was a moment when I realized that what just happened to me is a permanent and life altering change.

Is this remix going to change your life? NO. It most certainly will not. But, if you’re willing to stick yourself out there a bit and be vulnerable, Ryan Miller and his sweet sweet voice will pick you up and give you a giant musical hug. Brian will play you the softest hand drum solos, Adam will write you a beautiful lullaby, and maybe, just maybe, Joe will let you crash on his couch.

Guster is love! Maybe I’m getting carried away. Just maybe. But I can’t contain my excitement! The group has finished the recording process of their album coming out this september, and this quickly spells another word.

T – O – U – R

My favorite live show I’ve ever been to was Guster! I’ll be attending the Conan O’Brien live show this saturday, but he can eat his irish heart out. Nathan and I both attended that show in all it’s ping-pong ball throwing glory, and I’d do it over and over again if I could.

I’m getting off point.

Well, this new album will be the newest thing since the Satellite EP which included this remix. This is also the last song from that EP if you don’t count two live cover songs of The Beatles and Bonnie Tyler.

What I’m trying to say is, if there were a “Previously on Guster…”, this is it.

We will be using this shorter domain for our posts on twitter, and for a few things here and there!

Cross your fingers?

EDIT: I fixed it! Hooray!

And that’s how I got here. So I got to work one more time. I worked real hard to fill the CD the first time; with a whopping 23 tracks and 78 minutes of music, that sucker was chock full of goodness. I decided that this time around, I was going to go for quality over quantity.

Track 1.  I’m Actual – The Format

While this song is the second track, of The Format‘s album Dog Problems, I found it a good opener to my mix for two reasons. First, was the opening line, “Can we take the next hour / And talk about me / Talk about me, and we’ll talk about me/ Talk about me, and we’ll only talk about me”. I liked this, because from the end of this song, the mix is approximately an hour long. The second reason is that I just love this song. It sets a tone of beautifully orchestrated music, preparing your palate for what is to come.  It’s like the hostess seating you at the table, and handing you the menu.

Track 2.  To the Dogs or Whoever – Josh Ritter

The transition between songs is perfect. The guitar comes in from out of nowhere, and before you know it you’re right in the middle of the song without even noticing that it really changed. This song doesn’t really follow a theme from the first song, it’s just here because I like it. It’s fun to sing in the shower, and in the car. It’s a good mix-cd song, so it’s on here.

Track 3. Float On – Goldspot

I don’t want to diss on Modest Mouse, but I really love this cover. Now this song is a spring-ish kind of song. The full name of this mix is Someday Soon Spring Shall Surface So Sing Some Songs, so this is the first song that starts to set the theme of the mix. This is the shortest “song” on the mix, and ends almost as abruptly as it starts. It’s an enjoyable listen, and is a great addition to the mix.

Track 4.  I Can See The Pines Are Dancing – A.A. Bondy

This one goes off theme, for almost a complete change of pace. Had I not already burned a few copies, and made fancy artwork/cases, I might reconsider the placement of this song. This song feels more… fall or winter to me than spring. But that’s almost the point of it all, that someday spring will come, but as for now we must enjoy the winter while it lasts. Or maybe not. Do pines dance in spring? I guess you just have to listen and decide for yourself.

Track 5. Remain – Tyrone Wells

Back on track with more spring-ness now. I first heard Tyrone on the internal Starbucks radio CD/mixer, and went home and bought his album on iTunes. His voice reminds me of a musician from Tulsa named Ben Kilgore, and the people familiar with both artists seem to agree with me. A solid track, and another great mix-CD song.

Track 6. Ramona – Guster

I think it should be a law that every mix-CD contain at least one Guster song. Nathan (our site founder and editor-in-chief) introduced me to them years ago, and I have since fallen in love. This song works well for this mix in both the sound/feel department as well as lyrically. I live in Oklahoma, as does the recipient of this mix, so when I found a great Guster song that mentions this great state I got a little giddy. “Ramona, you’re Miss Oklahoma /and you miss Oklahoma.” It’s a great line, and a great, great, GREAT song. Perhaps my favorite song on the mix, and the one I really wanted to leave an impact with.

Track 7. Life in Disguise – The Slip

This song pairs wonderfully with Ramona, and is great in it’s own right. A great spring-time night-driving song if I ever knew one. It finds great company between tracks six and seven, serving as the proper transition between the two. This song is amazingly soothing, and always makes me feel better.

Track 8. Cartwheels – The Reindeer Section

If you listen to this track, you’re probably going to say, “Hey that voice sounds familiar!” Well you’re right! You’re hearing the voice of Gary Lightbody, front-man of alt-rock band Snow Patrol along with some other Irish indie rockers as part of the super-group The Reindeer Section. It’s a great song. Just beautiful. This is the kind of night-driving song that WILL make you start day-dreaming. Consider yourself warned.

Track 9. Pills – The Perishers

I really loved the album Let There Be Morning by The Perishers. I mean, really love. I probably listen to at least one song off it every day. But enough about me, and more about this song. It’s kind of dark, talking about being dependent on substances to be able to sleep because a relationship is going so poorly, but not telling their significant other the truth about the root of it all. I just like how it sounds. Oh well. Next song

Track 10. Somerville – The Pernice Brothers

I was gifted this album by a friend, and I love it. This song is about being stuck in a dead end town and getting out of it with the person you care about. While I’ve never been there, Courtney is from a small town in Oklahoma called Harrah, so I figured why not have a song about small towns. It has a spring-y feel to it. It feels good. This is the kind of song you sing when you’re driving down the highway with the windows down. It’s cathartic and simple, but I love it.

Track 11.  Life is Beautiful – Vega4

This track is another key song of the mix. I was really aiming this one at her tastes, and I hope I got it right. The song is magnificent, and paints a beautiful picture in my mind. The pre-chorus just sucks you in, and then when the chorus hits that first time you just explode with wonder. When the song finally climaxes, your mind is doubly blown. This is the kind of song that needs to be at about the the halfway mark of a mix, and that’s just where you find it. The song keeps my listener hooked, and will surely keep listening after such a great song.

Track 12. You Do – Until June

Now we slow it back down. This song starts soft, light vocals and the sound of train cars. The piano and heavily-fx’d guitar wash over the audial canvas in a motion that will relax every thought in your mind. The song’s lyrics are christian based, but at it’s root appeals to the higher notion of just being able to understand the unexplainable. I like to imagine the night sky, stars and satellites overhead as I sing the hook over and over to myself.

Track 13. Julia – The Beatles

I love how delicate this song is. It sets up the mix for a much bigger song to follow, and The Beatles just really rock the subtly of this one. I suppose this song could have been better place if Courtney’s name was actually Julia, or if I was in love with her, but neither are true so we just take it at face value.

Track 14. I Ran Away – Coldplay

This next treasure is a rare Coldplay b-side to their hit single The Scientist. It’s a shame that it got lost amongst the hype of it all. For Coldplay haters, this song follows a predictable structure that can grow tiresome as it continues. If you like Coldplay, this is a great rare track; otherwise, skip it.

Track 15. Middle Distance Runner – Sea Wolf

This band is on my list of artists that belong on every mix I make. I wish more people were aware of their stupendous awesomeness. In retrospect I should have chosen a song off their newest album, but this one just kinda stood out to me. I’ve dangerously danced in the shower to this one a few too many times. This song sounds a bit like musical raining. I had the chance to listen to it in the rain a week ago, and it was awesome. Perfect rainy songs are perfect spring songs. Done and done.

Track 16. Morning Light – Graham Colton Band

Here’s the climax of the mix! You finally made it! This is such an appropriate song for the climax because of the first line, “Sometimes I think I pass you walking on the street, and I believe it.” What does this have to do with me or Courtney? Well, Courtney moved back home to Harrah and I had no idea. I had thought for the last three weeks that she was still living on-campus at my school. So I guess the song was true in that aspect that I thought I was seeing her on the street when I really wasn’t. This was merely coincidence, I found this out after I had made the mix. Trust me, its a better story than the real one.

Track 17. One Last “Whoo-hoo!” For The Pullman – Sufjan Stevens

Seven seconds of Sufjan. Are you ready?

Track 18. Within You – Ray LaMontagne

AAAAAaaaaaannnd that wraps it up. This great track from Ray is a brilliant close to his album, and now to my mix. This song is beautiful and just does a great job of tieing up all the musical loose ends, leaving the listener with a feeling of completeness as the song fades into empty sound.

And that’s it! I was so proud of it that I had to come share. I want to come back and share my greatest playlists more often, as well as get back into the remix saddle very soon. So be on the lookout for more great posts coming your way.

Until then, I hope your ears bleed someday soon. Ω

I HATE CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Why do I hate it? Well, in recent years it has just become a platform for crappy pop stars to keep re-covering the same christmas songs over and over. I don’t need to hear Carrie Underwood sing White Christmas, or Wynonna singing Silent Night, or any big shot artist covering a christmas classic to get me into the spirit.

I think I should stop being such a grinch, and just let the infographic do that talking. So here are some of my favorite original Christmas songs:

1. Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland by Grandaddy
2. Another Christmas Song by Stephen Colbert
3. Christmas Time Is Here by Vince Guaraldi Trio
4. Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day (Well, You Deserved It!) by Sufjan Stevens
5. Don’t Shoot Me Santa by The Killers
6. I Hate Christmas Parties – by Relient K
7. Love Came Down At Christmas by Jars of Clay
8. When I Get Home for Christmas by Snow Patrol
9. Xmas Party by Middle Distance Runner

I love Grandaddy‘s rendition of “Walking In a Winter Wonderland,” but that may also be because I’m a fan of The Alan Parson Project. The song features some subtle humor about Parsons, but knowing a thing about him is not required to enjoy the track. Stephen Colbert is getting exactly what he wants with the next song, he has become part of my holiday listening tradition, and it is hilarious. Fans of Arrested Development, Peanuts Cartoons, and The Royal Tennenbaums will recognize the next little gem by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.  Sufjan Stevens put out his giant box set of Christmas music a few years ago, and song #4 is probably my favorite from that whole collection. The Killers’s song about a guy potentially getting murdered by Santa is interesting to say the least, watching the music video is a must. If Christmas time just gets you down, then be sure to listen to the track by Relient K. I love the next song by Jars of Clay, who took an awesome beat and made an enjoyable new Christmas classic. Snow Patrol fans should not be without song #8. I’m a huge fan, and that song is just awesome. And finally, song #9 is by Middle Distance Runner. If you’ve never checked them out, I hope this song drives you to do so.

Okay. I was a bit of a Grinch earlier, but if you examine the chart you will see that there does exist a small sliver of well done covers. So here’s three Christmas covers I do enjoy, and are part of my holiday canon:

1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Death Cab for Cutie
2. Holly Jolly Christmas covered by The Format
3. O Come, O Come Emmanuel covered by Belle & Sebastian

These songs may not be original compositions, but I much prefer these to the originals. Death Cab’s version of “Baby Please Come Home” is just great. And a classic from Belle & Sebastian.

I hope you’ve found some new additions to your holiday listening list, and we here at IHYEB wish you a very Merry Christmas!

I’ve been keeping my eye on the remixing scene during my absence, and it’s been pretty slow. No major activity by Soulwax or any other big name, and no real key albums dropping to remix.

Simply: it’s the slow season for remixes.

So let’s just take a moment to relax to some Beach Boys shall we?

Wait a second! This isn’t your grandparent’s Brian Wilson! This cozy little remix is a vibrant seizure of sound that will rock your cortex.

If it doesn’t, I promise a full money back guarantee.

I hope your ears get their moneys worth. Ω

(p.s.) I hate when remixers plug themselves in their own mixes. It’s stupid, and so was the “Mac OS X Alex” voice they used.  So “The Girls Can Hear Us”, if you’re listening… stop it.

Lemme map out what was changed here.

(Miike Snows‘s “Cult Logic” – Vocals) + (Drake‘s “Forever” – Music ) – Eminem =  The Hood Internet‘s “Cult Logic Forever“

Incase mathematic symbols cause your head to spin, I just said that the mashup is the base track of Cult Logic with the vocal part of Forever, minus the Eminem section.

If anything, I’m just going to treat this song as something that helped bring Miike Snow to my attention. I’m huge on electronic-pop and this guy delivers.

So I hope that you find something of worth on this fine remix day. I hope your ears are satiated. Ω

Here’s the real kicker; from the entire album of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, I’m pretty sure that “Rome” wasn’t even in my top ten before hearing this remix. The original just has some odd quirks to it that I just can’t get past. But this version, while scrubbing practically all the lyrics, sets a scene perfect for relaxing.

It’s worth a listen, no matter what you think of the original. And if you’re not sure of the original, then check out the refresher course below.

This remix is a prime example of an okay song being made into a great song, and the kinda thing I live for in this industry.

I hope your ears go from okay to great. Ω

I’ve been a huge fan of Flight of the Conchords since before their debut in American television, so when the duo let word of 3 songs being published to Rock Band slip, I jumped for joy. Mainly because I love FotC, but also because I love Rock Band.

Now the actual tracks have not been disclosed, but I’ve got more than my fare share of favorites I’d like to see included.

My Top 3 Tracks I’d Like To See Included In Rock Band

1.  Mutha’uckas
2. Robots
3. Bowie

The news came from an Emmy Awards red carpet interview with New Zealand’s third most popular folk comedy band. The best part of the entire interview was when Bret realized that their interview is made smaller onscreen as someone more famous than them enters the red carpet.

The duo also has their new album releasing on October 20th, featuring many of the songs from their second season on HBO. With so many promising songs from the season, like Hurt Feelings, Sugalumps, Demon Woman, or my own favorite Fashion is Danger, this album will be stellar.

My favorite Bowie hook, is “I am a DJ, I am what I play.”

I love it. I live it.

Well as luck would have it, Benny Benassi in his infinite wisdom has remixed the song of my musical mantra’s origin.

It lacks nearly everything the original once had, but the hook is still there… and it still pulls me in.

I hope your ears am what they play. Ω

I’m starting to wonder if I will ever get tired of remixes, edits, and reworks of Passion Pit‘s song Sleepyhead.

It’s just one of those tracks, kinda like MGMT‘s song Kids, that just always has room for one more remix.

Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Bo Flex Yes Giantess Remix)

This remix is just so smooth.
The vocals are so crisp!
The drums are so tight.
The synth just dances around the whole time.
It’s just like one big party in your ears!

I’ve been a little more than lax when it comes to having regular posts lately. Still adjusting to the college life. Well one of my adjustments is usually in the form of a wonderful alarm. Fun little side note, a few months back I blogged about a rework of Sleepyhead by Emil&Friends… well that’s what I hear every beautiful morning over and over and over and over again until I turn it off.

I hope your ears find time to get out of bed… come on you sleepy-bled.

Now I gotta say that I hate flashy remixes as much as the next guy, but you have nothing to fear when it comes to this classy styling of Bon Iver’s sweet sweet Blood Bank.

The new set of drum beats backing the song will make the original feel lacking, and incomplete. So please, Listen At Your Own Risk.

Bon Iver – Blood Bank (Skinny Friedman Remix)

I hope your ears bleed at the blood bank. Ω

Phoenix is getting some much deserved attention for their new album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, but it’s high time that their other albums get the same treatment. A personal favorite of mine off of It’s Never Been Like That is a song called “Long Distance Call.”

Now the original is a little slow, and…well…slow.

I’ve found a remix that fixes that!

Phoenix – Long Distance Call (25 Hours A Day Remix)

I hope your ears buy their books and pay their tuition on time. Ω

I gotta tell ya, I needed a much more relaxed remix this week. Next week, I will be moving across the state of Oklahoma to be attending school. This won’t be changing anything regarding the way IHYEB is run, or the regularity of my posts, but it is stressing me out.

This remix is beautiful. Just… Beautiful.

When Bloc Party remixes someone, it’s serious business, and this is no exception.

Every riff feels new. Every hiss of the electric drums slithers its way down your ears. The added reverb adds the trademark Bloc Party ambiance I’ve come to adore so much!

I’m currently sitting in my local Starbucks drinking a Half-Decaf Nonfat No-Whip White Mocha, and this song makes me feel a million miles away when I close my eyes.

Needy Girl (Bloc Party Remix)

I hope your ears find the same comfort in this remix as mine. Ω

What starts out as a very very subtle vocoderized “MAH MOON MAH MAN” over the sound of high heels running. The first section of the song where Feist is first heard is much more similar to the chorus that gets replayed several times.

When the first verse hits, the vocoded voices silence and it’s get beautiful.

Boys Noize have done some great remixes, and this is not exception. I’ve found that the best remixes require little introduction or explanation, so I think it’s time for me to shut up and let the remix speak for itself.

Feist – My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix)

I hope your ears oi!oi!oi!oi! Ω

I’m not gonna lie, this one didn’t do anything for me personally the first few times I heard it, but after listening a few more times I really liked it. The synth is spectacular, and creates a gigantic audible landscape for the sound to reverberate off of.

The song’s original structure feels very repetitive, and it becomes very clear that this is remix was intended as a club mix, and frankly I just want to get up and dance.

Katy Perry – Hot N Cold (Manhattan Clique Remix) [Long Edit]

I’m gonna be honest, if you’re not a Katy Perry fan this isn’t going to change your mind. But if you enjoy the poppy songstress, this might be the track for you!

Now excuse me while I return to my weekend, I hope your ears have a good weekend. Ω

(P.S. I will be returning to regularly scheduled remixes next week)

Someone around here has been hard at work on a new site theme.

Well I was recently re-introduced to French rock/pop band Phoenix through their new album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. I adore this album, and quite frankly I would love to spend an afternoon writing the textual equivalent of a big fat kiss to that album. The first track on the album, Lisztomania, always sweeps me off my feet. Browsing the old iTunes store led me to some remixes, and I just fell into remix heaven.

The number 1 selling remix on iTunes is the “Lisztomania (Classixx Version)”.

Phoenix – Lisztomania (Classixx Version)

I’m not sure I’d say I like it better than the original…

Phoenix – Lisztomania (Original Album Version)

… but the Classixx version has  some pretty good things going for it. I found another amusing version of the irresistible tune on the blogosphere, This one has some nice bass, but I’m not blow away by any measure.

Phoenix – Lisztomania (A Fight for Love / 25hrs A Day Remix)

Maybe I’m picky, but I’m going to stick with the original for now.

I hope your ears like french rock bands. Ω

This time Pogo uses the original (and better) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Again, I’m speechless. How else do you sum up such genius?

Pogo – Scrumdiddlyumptious

This will surely make your ears bleed all weekend long. Ω

Why should you switch to firefox instead of using internet explorer? Because the newest version of Internet Explorer is bundled with a nickleback song

NO JOKE.

http://www.ie8-nickelback.com

Oh brother.

Get Firefox!

This Public Service Announcement brought to you by firefox.

Snow Patrol – Set The Fire To The Third Bar

Nada Surf – The Fox

I thought the new Jonas Brothers album, Lines, Vines, and Trying Times might be a good start.

Track 1. World War III

For a track about “World War” it’s pretty upbeat. Lyrics are pure poop. I wonder what instruments they’re actually playing, and what’s actually being played by the backing band. The overall quality of the lyrics are seriously downgraded because the target audience is between the ages 9 and 12.

Spoiler Alert:
If World War III is a battle between The Jonas Brothers and their Girlfriend… then God help us all.

Track 2. Paranoid

Look out everybody, Joe is freaking out. I’d be paranoid if there was nine year olds who would chase me down to try and kiss me. “Can someone stop the noise?”, unfortunately not yet… I’ve got 10 more tracks of punishment.

Track 3. Fly with Me

Fly with Me? The disney references in the song are BEYOND OBVIOUS. Anything resembling talent in this song, ie piano & violin, were played by professional musicians. Starting to notice that every song has the same structure.

Track 4. Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy has to be the worst song I’ve heard yet. Super super super super repetitive. The phrase “Poison Ivy” is mentioned 20 times.

Not to mention the song is confusing as heck.

First they spend half the song singing
“Everyone’s allergic to poison ivy” over and over and over.
Then they switch it up at the end
“Everybody needs a little poison ivy”

But you just… said..

“Gimme some poison, baby!”

Track 5. Hey Baby (feat. Johnny Lang)

This song actually has someone with TALENT, Johnny Lang! Too bad the brothers sing over him so you can’t hardly hear him.

Track 6. Before the Storm (feat. Miley Cyrus)

<sarcasm>Wonderful. As if there wasn’t enough talent in the “greatest pop group of all time” that this song also has Miley Cyrus.</sarcasm> I think my head just might explode, but not before my ears bleed me to death (not the good bleed either).

This song sounds so tender, which makes it like a knockoff Rascal Flatts song. Is it just me or are Jonas Brothers songs using clichés in their lyrics and song titles?

Here’s something sad, in my head I just decided that Miley Cyrus is way too talented to be hanging around the Jonas Brothers. Eeehhhhk.

I wish this song would pick up the pace and end.

“Standin’ out in the rain,
Knowin’ that it’s really over.
Please don’t leave me alone. ”

Please leave me alone!

Track 7. What Did I Do to Your Heart

Over halfway now, I think I’m in the country half now… This song sounds like bluegrass fused with Rascal Flatts.

I’m not a fan of Rascal Flatts, but I feel bad that talentless disney do-nothings with infinite promotional money can just swoop in and steal their sound.

Track 8. Much Better

Much better? Not yet. The opening sounded like the start of a 1980′s adult contemporary pop song. The Jonas Brothers are regressing. And what’s up with all the crappy synth all of a sudden? There is barely any performed instruments on the track, which means that this would be lots of dancing onstage for a live show, oh boy.

Oh, and watch out for the random Saxophone & Guitar solo that does NOT belong anywhere in the song, nor match the flow and feel of any song.

Track 9. Black Keys

I can’t quite put my finger on who THIS SONG is emulating, but after 30 seconds you quickly see that The Jonas Brothers are literally TRYING TO SOUND LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

Track 10. Don’t Charge Me for the Crime (feat. Common)

Okay, so Common is in this song. I dig that. But you have to bring in a B-List rapper to rap in a song about crime? Racist much? The song has Joe Jonas singing about how he doesn’t want to be charged for the crime that he committed.

I’m thinking of submitting a amicus curiae brief to the court, because music this bad needs to be the crime.

Gosh. What I said earlier about the worst song on the album…. it’s this song.

The lyrics are word-vomit. The music is terrible. Just bad.

Track 11. Turn Right

The whine of Joe Jonas’s voice is probably my least favorite sound now. The lyrics aren’t too bad, but I’m having a hard time understanding them because of how whiney the voices are.

Track 12. Don’t Speak

Last track, and again it has professional musicians playing better than the brothers ever could. This is another song about another failed relationship between the brothers and a girlfriend. Not the worst track of the album, but still torture enough that four minutes was way too long for.

Overall…

Trash. This is what critics have been saying for years, that one day a band would be created for the sole purpose of making money. The Jonas Brothers do not contribute anything positive to the future of music or creativity. I understand that there is a need for popular music geared at a younger crowd that is not only safe for them to listen to, but also relevant to them… but this just feels to me like patronizing. When I have kids and they want to listen to some “rockin’ good stuff”, they’ll be air-guitaring it up to some Boston and Electric Light Orchestra with me like I did with my Dad.

To slap a number on it…

I give Lines, Vines, and Trying Times a 0.5 out of 5 in terms of quality
And a 10 out of 10 in terms of crap. Ω

We’re Sorry!

I’m sure you were very scared for us, thinking that maybe the man finally took us down, or that maybe one of the staff died, but I assure you that things are very much okay with at least 75% of the staff (I haven’t really been in contact with Brady lately… sure hope he’s doing okay). So what gives then? Well, IHYEB is a fun project rather than a pay project for 1000% of all the staff here (infact we’ve only lost money on this site because hosting costs some serious green).

But I wanted to make a formal apology, as most of us are adapting to our new summer schedules.

In other very-related news….

My pride and joy, the Remix Wednesday column is now officially ONE YEAR OLD! To celebrate this momentous minor achievement, I’m going to start calling it the Remix of the Week, but will still be shortening it RW.

And just because it wouldn’t be IHYEB if I didn’t have some music in this, and it’s techiniquely still thursday, I give you:

My Three Favorite Remix Wednesday Remixes

1. Santigold – I’m a Lady (Diplo mix ft. Amanda Blank)

I could elaborate for ages on how much this song just always gets me. I always feel weird declaring this song (the original included) to be my favorite Santigold song, because…. I’m not a lady.

2. David Bowie – Rebel Rebel (Soulwax Re-Edit)

“I am a dj, I am what I play.” What a brilliant tag to put at the beginning of a remix. Soulwax proves their worth in gold with this solid track. BTW, that tag is snatched from a ’79 Bowie album…. and it’s in much better company inside that song than in D.J.’s music video.

3. The Presets – This Boy’s in Love (Lifelike Remix)

Perfection audialized? I love this remix so much, and it’s play count in my iTunes library proves it. Just listen to it and see if you don’t fall in love, much like the protagonist in the song.

————————–

OKAY! I think we’re square now. I’ll be back next week for another remix, and I hope I’ve given you enough homework to make your ears bleed. Ω

I’m not saying this is a bad remix… but it’s… not the best remix.

There’s a lot of distortion layed onto the vocals, and the whole thing feels super repetitive. The only way I would have known it was Fischerspooner was the title. It doesn’t feel like Fischerspooner at all.

The Killers – Smile Like You Mean It (Fischerspooner Remix)

Hope you ears find something good about it. Ω

The remix retains a lot of the feel of the original, basically retaining the same overall structure and order. About thirty seconds in, a bass line that just screams Calvin Harris reminds me why I wanted to listen to this. The song runs at a much softer, more low-key, tone that the original.

All in all, this is a different view on the original, that if you like Passion Pit, or Calvin Harris is sure to brighten you wednesday a little more.

Passion Pit – The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix)

I hope your ears enjoy wedsnesdays. Ω

And I emerge triumphant with an amazing mashup by Aggro1.

First up, I must admit, I’m not a huge fan of either Kelly Clarkson or The Eagles. But for some reason I’m tempted to go buy entire back catalogs of both artists after this mashup. Clarkson’s vocals are crisp, clear, and unmistakably great. The Eagles smooth guitar work finds a great match with Clarkson’s vocals, and even when the tempo picks up the song holds. I love this song, and would definitely listen in on more.

Aggro1 – Since You’ve Been Gone One of These Nights (Kelly Clarkson v. The Eagles)

I hope your ears know what they’ve been missing out on.

So first lets start with what I got first.

This mix is super dope, super chill, and super ambient.

But i said it gets better…. The next part you’re gonna have to go off-site to see, but is well worth it.

I also found this site called YooouuuTuuube, and it offers another way to visualize it.

If you enjoy the track, be sure to go over to the artists Last.fm page and pick up the MP3.

I hope your ears bleed in wonderland!

Digitalism never gives up on a track, and has proved that they will forever keep pumping out new and improved versions of their stuff. The result of their hard work is a tweaked mix of one of my favorite songs of their album, Zdarlight. Originally an instrumental, this mix adds some seirous spin on the original flow and feel of the track.

They added some lyrics, and at first I was dissapointed. What made it so good to me originally was it’s instrumental-ness, but I’ve clearly come around to love it. The lyrics help paint a scene of a night to unwind and rewind (literally). This mix is  superb, and deserves more playtime than I’m devoting to it.

Digitalism – ZDRLT (Rewind)

To sweeten the deal today, I’m posting a bonus track from the same EP. Digitalism messes with themselves to give what can seem like a never-ending remix of Pogo. I love when a song fakes you out, and you think it’s over….. then BAM! Nope, not done yet!

Digitalism – Pogo (Digitalism’s Pogo Robotic Remix)

I hope your ears be the fire for this night. Oh yeah, and plant trees for earth day.

I was perusing the Newgrounds.com Audio Portal, looking for new and interesting things, when I found this. I’m a big fan of Imogen Heap, and this techno remix is fantastic.

Imogen Heap – Hide and Seek (Fishfood Techno Mix)

I hope your ears can handle the intensity of the bleeding that is about to happen!

I’m talking about the highly anticipated Justice remix of U2‘s Get on Your Boots.

The mix is very full of Justice’s signature style, yet retains much of the original U2 feel. This is the sign of a well done remix, changing your interpretation but not your impression of the song.

One thing I’m very impressed with this mix with is how it stitches Bono’s quick lyrics in a way that makes them make perfect sense. A feat not easily done.

Alright no more talky, just listen.

U2 – Get On Your Boots (Justice Remix)

Be sure to come back tomorrow, we’ve got a great surprise lined up that you won’t want to miss. Until then, I hope your ears bleed.

Well I’m not here to review the film, today at least.

The DVD comes with a CD soundtrack of songs featured in the film and podcasts. One of the songs on the soundtrack is a song by a small psychedelic rock band from California called The Brian Jonestown Massacre. The song, “(David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six”, was a part of their 1996 album Take It From The Man. The song has a very strong, very thought orchestral quality that is absolutely stunning, and exactly the kind of song that belongs in the soundtrack of a movie. It makes me think of 70’s psychedelic acts that used lots of orchestral strings in their music. I got to say; this is the kind of thing that makes my ears bleed all over the place.

When I started to write up this article, I did some google searching, as any good writer should. The first thing that gets my attention is a result called “the BJM covers project”. Apparently, dedicated fans have been recording cover versions of their favorite BMJ songs, how sweet!

So today I have compiled four versions of this great song.

The original album cut by The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six

Cover version, recorded by Paper Jones, also included on the Four Eyed Monsters soundtrack.

Paper Jones – (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six

A fan recorded cover version by The Parking Lot Experiments

The Parking Lot Experiments – (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six

A fan recorded cover version by The Koolaid Electric Company

The Koolaid Electric Company – (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six

I know i’m always talking about how I’ve got some new kind of remix, but this week. I’ve outdone myself.

I’ve brought along a visual aid to help me, and it’s something special in it’s own right. ( I recommend going to the Vimeo website and watching it in HD)

Eclectic 3.0: The Roads Less Traveled from Ross Ching on Vimeo.

I’ve chosen a remix from the original score of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Ennio Morricone – L´Estasi Dell´Oro (The Ecstasy of Gold) (Remix)

This remix is captivating. I love it. It’s been on repeat in my office for two weeks. It’s classical nature, yet vibrant breakbeats make me feel like I’m in an italian spaghetti western of my own.

It’s great stuff.

I hope your ears worse spurs. Ω

In the title of this weeks post I said I’d get technical.

Well the song this week is an album track by electronista’s Crystal Castles, but by definition… the song is pretty much a remix of  a song of the same name by Health. The lyrics are the same. So… yeah. Here’s the original.

It’s kind of a different song. But now let’s listen to the remix.

Crystal Castles vs. Health – Crimewave

Certainly a big change.

One more video before I go, it was a promo used to promote their album. It uses one of my favorite songs off the album, called Magic Spells.

I hope your ears sneeze. or bleed. or whatever. ≈

One of my favorite songs of 2008 is Sleepyhead by Passion Pit. Well, my eyes have opened a little wider to find this wonderful reworking of the original by Emil&Friends.

Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Emil&Friends Rework)

I love the change in lyrics:

It’s time to get to get out of bed, c’mon you sleepyhead, sleepyhead

I’m a sucker for things like that. Small little signature changes, kind of like the changes in the lyrics I talked about a few weeks ago in the diplo remix of I’m a Lady. This rework is a little easier on the ears than the falsetto of the original.

When Passion Pit’s version was the free single of the week, I saw a pretty funny review in iTunes.

I kind of agree, and this new rework does not sound like the hamster dance.

Anyways…..

I hope your ears hamsterdance. Ω

Cut Copy – Hearts On Fire (Goose Flesh Remix)

I hope your ears bleed. Ω

The best part of this remix, is it’s not really a remix.

Huh?

Thats right. It’s probably closer in the truest definition to a mash-up than to a remix. The verse from I’m a Lady was removed and in it’s place we get Amanda Blank laying down the first verse of  I Need Love by LL Cool J albeit with some modified lyrics, probably because the original sings the song from the male perspective, and I’m not sure that a girl singing a guy part would sound quite right.

I Need Love – LL Cool J

(first verse)

When I’m alone in my room sometimes I stare at the wall
And in the back of my mind I hear my conscience call
Telling me I need a girl boy whos as sweet as a dove
For the first time in my life, I see I need love
There I was giggling about the games
That I had played with many hearts, and Im not saying no names
Then the thought occured, tear drops made my eyes burn
As I said to myself look what you’ve done to her when am I gonna learn
I can feel it inside, I cant explain how it feels
All I know is that Ill never dish another raw deal
Playing make believe pretending that Im true
Holding in my laugh as I say that I love you
Saying amor kissing you on the ear
Whispering I love you and Ill always be here
Although I often reminsce I cant believe that I found
A desire for true love floating around
Inside my soul because my soul is cold
One half of me deserves to be this way till I’m old
But the other half needs affection and joy
And the warmth that is created by a girl and a boy
I need love, I need love

Santigold – I’m a Lady (Diplo mix ft. Amanda Blank)

This mix is beautiful, no doubt about it. But calling it a remix is just weird to me… because this song is not I’m a Lady, it just uses part of it.

I really wanted to do an audio version of this week post, but I really didn’t have the time to. Perhaps I still will one day, but I’ve been so busy building a fancy new part of the site to house Podcast versions of our weekly features.

Fun fact: While working on this post, I listen to the song 18 times in the course of an hour.

I hope your ears bleed… on repeat. Ω

P.S.  anyone able to decipher the german/russian/whatever is at the beginning of the track? and then maybe translate it?

Well last week I had a greater example of that, this week I go for a much more subtle remix, by a much more subtle artist, Feist.

Feist seems to be fairly “in” with the indie blogging scene [i guess that includes us ] and it’s more than just a fascination. Feist has a voice that other singers don’t. Britney Spears would ruin a Feist song. P!nk would ruin a Feist song. T-Pain and his endless supply of crappy auto-tuning will never achieve the same musical nirvana that Feist hits.

As Death Cab for Cutie pointed out at the Grammy’s wearing their blue ribbons, there’s something sincerely human about an imperfect voice. And that’s what makes Feist soo irresistable, her voice is… real… and… friendly.

Well today’s remix is of Feel it All, one of my fav songs. I hope that this re-imaginging of the song helps your understand the point that I’m trying to convey. Maybe it’s the green-tea talking, but I think her voice deserves some kind of award.

Feist – I Feel It All (Diplo Remix)

This remix is DEFINITELY worth your time, so please take that time to actually listen to it.

I hope your ears bleed all over again. Ω

Saturday is V-Day.

I’m going to be frank here, I don’t like the day. And if you feel like joining me, well here are some songs to help with the misery of things.

She Wants Revenge – I Don’t Want To Fall In Love

This song couldn’t be more clear with it’s message.I adore the way it says “better run cause…”, is there really any wiser advice for avoiding love?

Art Brut – People In Love

Spoken word euro-rockers Art Brut just start trashing people in love. The way they explain love, who would want to be in it?

Fiction Family – Please Don’t Call it Love

This song sounds like a case of “I thought maybe we were more than just friends” if I ever heard one. Classic overstepping of boundaries, and now the singer just doesn’t know how to classify things with this person, but he is adamant in that he does not want it to be called love. I love how the sound of Fiction Family is so far gone from both Switchfoot and Nickel Creek, as well as even the solo works of Jon Foreman.

When Saturday approaches and the clock won’t fly by, these songs should keep you occupied for a good, ten minutes. May I recommend burning old depressing pictures, and snapping old mix cd’s in half. If it doesn’t make the emotional pain go away, at least you have something physical to show for you frustrations.

But as for me, I’ll be enjoying Valentine’s Day with my girlfriend.

anyways…

I hope you ears don’t get their feelings hurt, and spend the rest of the valentines dance crying in a corner where nobody can see you, except for the 7th grade history teacher who awkwardly approaches you to calm you down and help, but instead calls attention to your sad pathetic self.

Oh wait, that only happens to me . Ω

Download a copy for your iPod

Take that Justin! I can do more than just write! I’m going to try and start pumping out a weekly audio version of the Remix Wednesday, or perhaps a weekly extra available only in audio form. I haven’t really decided yet.

This remix sounds almost nothing like the original, but is a fun listen. Tune in next week for another Diplo remix that is just way to fun to pass up.

The Pixies – Hey (Diplo’s Devil Remix)

I hope your ears feel the red rain. Ω

This song reminds me of Digitalism‘s Zdarlight much in the way that the initial synth beat kicks in. I love the lyrics to this song, and I encourage you to investigate the original of this song. I truly believe that this song is better in it’s remixed form.

As much as I’d like to elaborate on the intriquisies of The Presets, I feel as if I’m bound to start repeating myself from few weeks ago.

The Presets – Talk Like That (Jence Remix)

Enjoy, and I hope you find pleasure in making your ears cry red tears.

The guys at Asthmatic Kitty records did us a solid, and sent us some quality tracks this week, and I was in one of my open-ness moods.

For those who aren’t familiar with My Brightest Diamond, (and I’m about to compare them to another band, something I hate when people do, but I’m going to do it anyways) she sounds like Imogen Heap meets We vs. Death. But depending on your familiarity with those two artists, the metaphor may be lost on you.

I always get nervous when the remix of a song is longer by a considerable margin than the original. I usually chalk that up to being some ridiculous intro that I can’t stand; or some instrumental section that is either perfect, or complete rubbish. Well this one is going to be the latter, the instrumental section.  And as for the other part of that, it’s a perfect instrumental section.

This remix builds on the intensity of the original with some great added break-beats, but the strings are what made it for me.

My Brightest Diamond – Inside a Boy (Remixed by Son Lux)

My Brightest Diamond – Inside a Boy [Original Version]

Enjoy this amazing remix, and be sure to support the artist if you enjoy it, pick up the EP on iTunes, (which has 4 remixes) for only $1.99. (iTunes Store)

Well thats it for me this wednesday, I hope your ears take the time to enjoy something different. Ω

Well that also gets to serve as our opening lyrics to this beautiful remix of Rebel Rebel. I know that lyric is out of place, as it was released 25 years after Rebel Rebel first hit the turntables, but dang is it fun to hear looped in there.

As most of you know I’m a sucker for some Soulwax, and I couldn’t NOT (double negative) post this contagiuous explosion of Bowie magic.

Ps. for those not aware of Bowie magic, you need to watch a lot more Flight of the Conchords.

David Bowie – Rebel Rebel (Soulwax Re-Edit)

Anyways, this remix is lively, and very very entertaining. Sure to make your mixtapes howl, and your ears to spurt the  red wine of life. Ω

But today’s remix is much more fun, and much more playful than those in The Moon.

The Bravery – Honest Mistake (Superdiscount Remix)

A brash mix of dance sounds, vocals, organs, bells, whistles, and enough synth to make the 80′s cry; this remix is Superdiscount (a.k.a. French DJ Etienne de Crécy) at his finest.

I also found this remix to be one of those remixes that just gets better the longer you listen to it.  At almost eight minutes long it is vital that you listen to the entire mix before you decide you don’t like it. 

In the spirit of keeping the reader happy, if you do not like this remix, I have enclosed a coupon for one free internet of your choosing. I apologize for this instance… but I find that this precaution will be completely unnecessary if you listen to the entire song.

I hope you have a blast and your ears bleed all over the place.

Their songs just have a certain….. je ne se qoui. A sound that is uniquely rock, and uniquely electronic. The lyrics always seem to evoke a strong emotion. No half-hearted emotions here, it’s 100% driven on love.

Today’s song is no exception! This Boy’s in Love is perhaps my favorite of the album. And when I found this remix this week, you can only image my excitement.

The song is energetic, full of electronic beats sure to make your heart melt. And the mastering of it is beautiful as you can hear sounds dancing back and forth between your ears when using headphones.

This song is also a perfect fit for any workout mixes you might need to spruce up for any new years resolution. Coming in a 125 bpm, it’s a great track to hit the pavement (or treadmill).

Well I hope that you get some real play out of this one, as I’m sure to.

The Presets – This Boy’s in Love (Lifelike Remix)

I hope your ears bleed over this remix. Ω

rick astley will never give you up, let you down, make you sick, or ruin your remix.

I can already hear the moans. “Another top ten?” Yeah. But take this with a grain of salt,  and I think you will find this to be a very enjoyable experience.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Soulwax Remix) -  the Rolling Stones

This remix puts a brand-new spin on a timeless classic. I first heard the song in the soundtrack of a movie,  and have loved it ever since. But it’s not just because it’s a classic song. I like it because of the job done by the remixer.  Soulwax is one of the best remixing outlets out there, and almost everything I hear by them I want to go out and purchase immediately.  But, this is just the first on my list and I’ve got nine more so let’s keep going.

Video Tapez (ft. Del the Funky Homosapien) – Radiohead

Radiohead has always been known for their abstract sound, as well as the interesting people that they attract. This remix is no exception. Featuring the styling of Del the Funky Homosapien (aka. Deltron 3030)  the song transforms from that of rock to rap.  There’s always a fresh sound when you try to remix Radiohead,  and it’s always super fun to listen to.

I’m A Cuckoo (Avalanches Remix)  – Belle & Sebastian

This remix is completely different. Instead of trading the original sounds for electronic beats, the original points of the song are replaced by tribal drums and a choir. This remix also happens to be done by one of my favorite remixing outlets, The Avalanches.  The subtle change of the backing makes a huge difference and in turn makes it one of my favorite remixes of the year, even if it was released a few years ago.

Umbrella (The Lindbergh Palace Dub) – Rihanna Feat. Jay-Z

Earlier this year I was able to obtain notoriety to our blog when I first wrote about The Lindbergh Palace, and some of the work they’ve done in remixing, more specifically their dubs. This dub mix is no exception and is one of the most profound pieces they’ve ever done.

Never Miss A Beat (Cut Copy Remix) – Kaiser Chiefs

This next remix is one that I kind of found out of the blue. It combines my favorite European rock influence with my favorite Australian electronic influence. Personally, I preferred the original version of the song to the remix, but what keeps bringing me back to this remix is not the song itself but the way in which it was remixed. Cut Copy is my favorite electronic group out there, and while I like their remixes, I like their original content better.

Electric Feel (Justice Remix) – MGMT

A sure winner for any top 10 list this year is can he beat anything by MGMT.  These relative newcomers generated lots of buzz this year with a seemingly endless number of great singles.  But it is this remix, however, that kept my ears bleeding all summer long.  Remixed by the heirs to the electronic music kingdom, Justice, this remix is full of classy transition and poise that you would only find in a Justice song.

Talk (Thin White Duke Remix) – Coldplay

Three words. Speak N’ Spell. Any song that uses a speak n’ spell is almost sure to be a good song in my book. Combine that with my favorite Coldplay song from the album X & Y,  and I’m sure to love it. This remix is not only enjoyable, but danceable.

If I Never See Your Face Again (feat. Rihanna) – Maroon 5

I’d always let myself be turned off to the idea that I would listen to Maroon Five, but the song is really catchy and I ended up liking it a whole lot.  Before I knew it I had listened to this song more than 10 times and enjoyed it more with each play. The song comes from the Maroon Five remix album released this year. Generally such albums tend to generate only a few good remixes, but I was very impressed with this one. Remix fans alike will will rejoice to the earlier sounds of Maroon Five set to hip-hop beats,  and given a whole new life.

Lights & Music (Boys Noize Remix) – Cut Copy

Before the release of their sophomore album earlier this year, thanks to the wonderful website HypeMachine, I found this incredible remix of the single “Lights and Music.”  Whenever I think of the original version of the song my mind always clicks back to this remix, since it was first to hit my ears.  It’s a fun playful mix, and even if it’s not the original, it’s still a great addition to any Cut Copy fan’s collection.

Never Gonna Give You Up (Solly Remix) – Rick Astley

When they write a book about Pop Culture 50 years from now, they will say that the year 2008 was the year of the RickRoll. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP! NEVER GONNA LET YOU DOWN! NEVER GOING TO TURN AROUND, DESERT YOU! NEVER GONNA MAKE YOU CRY! NEVER GONNA SAY GOODBYE! NEVER GONNA TELL A LIE, AND HURT YOU!

I hope your ears bleed in 2009.