Monthly Archives: March 2009

March 31, 2009 · 1:39 pm

Where’s the Thunder?

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I got really excited because Thunderheist’s self-titled debut album is out today. But…um…I don’t really like it. The 13-track album is available from Amie Street so I went to preview it…and I’m not impressed. The only song I like enough to download is #3 “Jerk It”. I like the electro beats, but there’s something about the lady rapper’s voice that just isn’t cool.

Very saddening. You can check it out if you want, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Lower those expectations unless you want to be put in a funk the rest of the day like me.

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March 25, 2009 · 3:00 pm

Magic Arm

I was reading UK magazine Clash the other day, and I wrote a list of some of the bands so I’d remember to check them out. One of these is Magic Arm.

What initially caught my eye about Magic Arm was that they did a cover of LCD Soundsystem’s “Daft Punk is Playing at my House”, which is a great song. So, I figured they’re definitely worth the look-up.

And guess what? I like them so much, I had to get on here and tell you about it! Their debut album Make Lists, Do Something doesn’t come out until May…BUT you can go to their MySpace page and have a listen for now.

The LCD Soundsystem cover is there, and another song I really enjoy called “Bootsy Bootsy” and NOT just because I think the word “Bootsy” is really funny. Let me know what ya think!

Also, if you’ve been searching for a different cool music magazine, and you haven’t picked up Clash…you should. I’m glad I did.

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March 20, 2009 · 3:53 pm

Bounce with MSTRKRFT

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MSTRKRFT can definitely kick out the remixes, but many wondered if they have the goods to produce their own sounds. Well folks, they do have the goods. This week MSTRKRFT released their album Fist of God. Yes, they do sound a lot like Daft Punk, but they love Daft Punk…so I think of it as a form of flattery. Besides, MSTRKRFT chooses to add in much more vocals than Daft Punk.

I got the album the day it came out. I’d heard their single “Bounce” featuring N.O.R.E. many months ago and loved it! The rest of the album isn’t disappointing, either. The first track “It Ain’t Love” features Lil’ Mo. This track is something I’d expect to hear a little more about, since it could attract some mainstreamers.

Second, is “1,000 Cigarettes”, it’s all beats, no vocals, so I could see where this one might remind most of Daft Punk. It’s fun though, and there’s what sounds like a cow bell involved. And who doesn’t love cow bells?!

Next, is popular track “Bounce”. It’s definitely a fun song, and it’s definitely a party song. ‘Nuff said.

Now, I’m just going to touch on my favorites from the album. Track 5 features John Legend. It starts out with the piano, and then the beats come in. They make a wonderful blend that’s finalized when John’s voice enters. It’s called “Heartbreaker” and it’s divine.

“You’re in my mind/You’re in my heart/I wish I knew/right from the start/All my friends say/you break my heart/a heartbreaker/right from the start”

My other favorite is track 10, “Breakaway”. Actually, it might be my No. 1 fave on Fist of God. It’s a great song to dance around to. The whole 11 tracks on the album make up only around 38 minutes, but it’s a pretty fun-filled 38 minutes. Go ahead and preview it on Amazon if you’re not sure.

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March 12, 2009 · 9:04 am

Your Soul Wants to Dance

After waiting a few years, Tortured Soul is set for their sophomore album release on the 24th. Their debut Introducing had lots of people talking, amazed with the new aspect of LIVE house music.  

Now, Did You Miss Me is a 13 track continuation of Introducing. It’s being released on their own new label, TSTC Records.

Here’s a couple things that have been said about Tortured Soul:

“The future of house music…you have to see them live.” – Gilles Peterson, Radio 1

“Tortured Soul create blissed-out tracks that curl around your head like cigarette smoke.” – XLR8R

 

Incorporating soul with pop and dance, Tortured Soul has dance-able tracks with jazz elements. They’re hitting up some awesome cities this spring, including Pittsburgh, so I’m definitely going to try to make this show.

Here’s their touring schedule:

03/07: Atlanta, GA @ Apache Cafe
03/27: New York, NY @ Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza
04/04: West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
05/19: New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
05/21: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
05/22: Chicago, IL @ Double Door
05/23: Detroit, MI @ Cliff Bells
05/24: Pittsburgh, PA @ Shadow Lounge
05/28: Allston, MA @ Harper’s Ferry
05/30: Baltimore, MD @ The 8 x 10
06/27: Los Angeles, CA @ Los Angeles Memorial
You can also check out their website and MySpace

Free download of title track, “Did You Miss Me”

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March 11, 2009 · 2:30 pm

There’s a New Rodeo in Town

Last week, Rusted Root released their new album Stereo Rodeo.

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You can download the full first track “Dance in the Middle” from the album for free over at Amie Street!

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March 10, 2009 · 10:33 am

Calvin’s Latest

The beginning of Calvin Harris’ song “I’m Not Alone” caught me off guard with it’s s l o w n e s s. I thought Calvin had decided to go another way in his music and was confused. But, then after some saddening scenes of a little boy and his teddy bear, out pops the Calvin we know and love. The beat comes in, finding it’s niche. And Calvin’s got on some goofy glasses again!

I’m not exactly sure what the video is telling a story of, but whatever. I just wanted to dance, anyways.

I was amused with Stereogum‘s post on the subject:

The first time we heard Calvin Harris’ “I’m Not Alone” was a couple months ago when, in an attempt to avoid piracy, he gave it a somewhat annoying “I’m Your Nan” remix. With his second album ostensibly closer to its release date — but no actually release date or album title yet — Harris deleted the extraneous insertions and created a proper video for the single. He notes at MySpace, “It’s a bit weird.” The clip features Harris as a knife-wielding mad scientist, a bunch of female dancers/test subjects, and a kid with his teddy bear.

P.S. I just watched a couple other video’s of Calvin’s on YouTube. I might’ve developed a small crush on him. Though, I’m not sure what his obsession with acting like a crazy scientist is…(see above video and “It Was Acceptable in the 80s” video).

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