25. The Jayhawks – Settled Down Like Rain

These guys may have actually pulled off the impossible and made a great reunion record (one that might be their best yet).

24. Bobby Long – Who Have You Been Loving?

One of the catchiest choruses of the year from a British newcomer.

23. Lykke Li – Love Out of Lust
Lykke Li – Love Out Of Lust by LykkeLi

I’ve had the melody of this chorus stuck in my head for days.

22. Cut Copy – Take Me Over

This track is straight out the 80′s, and I mean that in the best of ways.

21. Generationals – Greenleaf

This song did a better job than the weather did at letting me know that Spring had finally arrived.

20. Over the Rhine – The King Knows How

After 20 years these indie rockers just keep getting better and better. This song just transforms me to another time and place.

19. The Belle Brigade – Losers

Reminds me of Fleetwood Mac in a good way.  Losers, you no longer need Good Charlotte to represent you.

18. Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks

This year’s hipster anthem.  It’ll get you whistling in no time. This year’s “Young Folks.”

17. Bright Eyes – Shell Games

I can’t get enough of this 80′s influenced rock anthem.  I love the way Oberst continues to evolve.

16. Beady Eye – The Roller

I’m still not convinced they didn’t steal this song from The Beatles’ archive.  John and Paul would be proud.

Listen to #’s 35-26

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

Cut Copy – Hearts On Fire (Goose Flesh Remix)

I hope your ears bleed. 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.

Well today is the day I break the mold. One of my favorite songs of all time, Still In Love Song by The Stills was included in a special 45 minute mix by notorious electropop-ers Cut Copy in it’s extended 12″ remix form. I fell in love instantly, and I bought it off iTunes immediately (something we encourage whole heartedly). And you know what, the remix is true to the song, it enhances the original by elevating it to a new level it couldn’t before.

I can’t believe it took me this long to remember to dig out my favorite remix! Mainly because it’s one of those songs I bury all year, and dust off when the first signs of fall start showing. Which is a friendly reminder that this is the last remix wednesday of September. Next month I’ll be devoting several posts to the ultimate remix group, The Avalanches. To get a preview of what to expect, just check out last week’s post.

But until then, you need to add some serious rock remixing to your life, and I’m sure you’ll agree this song will do the trick.

The Stills – Still In Love Song (12″ Extended Remix) (removed 2/13/09)

I hope your ears rock. Ω

Cut Copy sits at the top spot as my number one band, and they are on the shortlist of bands that will be covered here again. Their music is a subtle kind of electronica. It combines elements of pop and rock to almost create a new genre. Poptronick? I’ll stay away from defining them and instead give you a chance to make your own conclusions.

Cut Copy – Hearts on Fire (Calvin Harris Remix) (removed 2/13/09)

Without a doubt, you ears will tingle, and I sure hope they bleed.