David Byrne & Fatboy Slim – Here Lies Love

With the help of Fatboy Slim, Byrne created a fascinating cd/dvd combination album written about the Imelda Marcos.  He enlists some of the greatest female voices out there, including Santigold, Martha Wainwright, Camille, and Shara Worden to sing the 22 different tracks.  “The story I am interested in is about asking what drives a powerful person—what makes them tick?” says Byrne about the project.

Dr. Dog – Shame, Shame

The band’s Anti-Records debut doesn’t stray too far from their stylistic roots.  It may be a little less cheery than their most recent efforts (lyrically that is), it is still very upbeat and melodious.  Much to enjoy from this veteran indie-pop group.

Jakob Dylan – Women and Country

Jakob Dylan is going back to the folk roots of his childhood.  Hopefully the influence of his father and the experience as the Wallflowers frontman will help Dylan to avoid the inevitable sophomore slump.  He made a couple smart moves with enlisting the help of T Bone Burnett and Neko Case.

Jonsi – Go

Sigur Rós frontman, Jon Thor Birgisson, is holding nothing back with his first solo record.  Not only is he venturing out on his own, but this is also his first record to sing in English.  That seems like an awfully big risk to take, but from what I’ve heard so far, I’d say he pulled it off.

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.

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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

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?