The word “Rogue” has a definite history of associations in my mind: from the X-Men in my early years to Rogue Wave and rogue missiles/soldiers/whatever in later years. I think UK’s Rogues are poised to overshadow all those. These guys have only dropped one mastered track on the world but their collection of demos on their MySpace show huge promise. “Not So Pretty” is a tight-to-death indie-dance-pop jam-0 that makes me pretty stoked for more! More rock! More dance! More hyphens!
Also! Get your dirty lil paws on the tasty Feed Me remix over at RCRD•LBL
https://www.theburningear.com/media/2009/04/rogues.gif431429Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2009-04-02 21:07:562009-04-02 21:19:27Rogues suck? It's just Not So, Pretty.
It’s pretty safe to say that hip-hop/rap is not really my vibe so why is it that I cant get enough of these super fresh cats from Philly? These dudes are college freshmen (what? I know!) and have 5 songs out so far. 5 songs so piping hot that when Luis over at PMA broke them a while ago he couldn’t choose his favorites so just posted all 5. The only reason I am narrowing down is cause I am throwing in the link to get all 5 (do it). So as you can see, they sampled Radiohead on “Because” and it’s a grinding synth masterpiece that you crank in the car at night with the windows down, the wind whipping, and everyone silently bobbing in sync. As if sampling Radiohead wasn’t ballsy enough, on Ice Cream Man these cats bring vocals from Tom Waits’ track of the same name. I still couldn’t talk to girls when I was a freshmen in College and these guys are tackling some major musical heavyweights and coming out fists-up! Damn, son.
Then there is “On Our Way,” the party track I can see putting an end to musical segregation. Guitars for the dudes, keyboards for the hipsters, rapping for the homies, and and even a headbanging breakdown for the scattered grungers. Unite! Seriously, why does a white dude from So-Cal who can’t even do the bankhead bounce feel like the new Em when I am cranking these jams? Someone? Beuller?
https://www.theburningear.com/media/2009/03/chiddybang.jpg300800Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2009-03-31 19:10:482009-03-31 19:11:54Chiddy Bang is changing everything I ever thought I knew about Hip Hop
Van She’s “Strangers” has been rocking my ass for quite a while now but only recently did I get my lazy ass over to eMusic and pick up V, the LP it comes from. The bass-line and xylophone combo on “Stangers” is enough to get anyone interested in what these Aussies have to offer. While the full album is maybe not as solid as the artwork (is that a full 90 degrees? Impressive.), this next track has sunk it little aussie teeth in.
“It Could Be The Same” starts slow and spazzy but quickly smoothes itself into a propulsive head-bobber with that familiar bass from “Strangers.” Add a dollop of rhythmic but laid-back vocals and I’m on board.
For those of you hankering for your Monday installment of CvrUpYrRmx I ‘aint forgots aboutcha. Due to the time-devouring monster that is layout renovations you will have to settle for just the “Rmx” part.
Van She Tech are the remixing arm of Van She and while it in unclear exactly how the two are connected I’m not gonna stress over it. They have remixed Ladyhawke and Empire Of The Sun as well and it’s all good. This one is harder to find these days so if you dig go searching for the others.
https://www.theburningear.com/media/2009/03/vanshe.jpg555600Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2009-03-30 23:57:202011-04-10 19:04:39Van She spreads the V
You may remember Passion Pit from my Head’s Up ’09 mix (or from every blog in the galaxy). Well now is that time, folks, that moment of truth when all the hype and anticipation come crashing down on the head of their first single from the upcoming debut LP Manners. First things first, if you aren’t familiar with “Sleepyhead,” the track that grabbed the blogosphere by the ankles and pulled, then cancel your bikini wax and get on it ASAP. Ok, ready? Good. So “The Reeling” has been getting some harshreactions and I am not feeling their negative vibes, man. In addition to a sweet children’s choir, the track has danceability, rockability, funkability, (drinkability?) and is generally groovy, MAN! I liken those harsh vibes to the dude that complains about his new girlfriend because she is not as hot as his last girlfriend. First, every lady (song) should be treated individually and not compared, that’s just rude, and second, you know if you had never met your Ex (Sleepyhead) you would totally bone this babe (The Reeling) if she came onto you in a bar. And you would love it. So don’t fron’t, you negative Nellys. Anyway, all convoluted sexual metaphors aside, I am feeling this track and am looking forward to more from my favorite vaguely vaginally named band.
If that was too much reading then how’s a ’bout you get dancing with my favorite “Sleepyhead” remix. This one is a “put your drink down, shout “I LOVE this song!” and squeel your way to the dance floor” kind of remix. You know. Oh, you know.
https://www.theburningear.com/media/2009/03/passion-pit.jpg520525Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2009-03-26 21:32:052011-04-10 19:04:40Passion Pit's new single has me Reeling
If the image above conjures thoughts of sex then the music within could possibly conjure the act itself. Despite hailing from Brooklyn and looking like the next kings of hipster-metal, Tigercity make mellowed-out, sexed-up, funk jams that make it hard not to gyrate your hips in obscene ways. They have an EP out now (click album art) which is dripping with hot lovemaking jams and at 29 minutes is just perfect for a trimmed down session. As if all that wasn’t enough to get your music juices flowing, Tigercity will be touching down in Poland for 3 dates in April. OK, so maybe YOU don’t care, but I do. I’m growing my chest hair, working on my disco moves, and packing my bags because on April 16th I’m moving, baby, moving to Tigercity! (Otherwise known as Jadlodajnia Filozoficzna on ul. Dobra in Warsaw) Want one more for the road? OK, just a quickie.
https://www.theburningear.com/media/2009/03/tigercitybig.jpg599600Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2009-03-25 15:10:192009-03-30 22:15:37Tigercity is in fact Sensation(al). *Poland Tour!*
By now I am sure we are all a bit sick of MGMT and their face-invading hype train that steamed through 2008. Let’s not even get into the fact that they only have 3 good songs. Instead, let’s get into the fact that TBE has uniquely mellow covers of those 3 songs that breathe fresh life into each.
Knatterjak is Dan McGrath of Buffalo, NY and he has taken Oracular Spectacular’s album opener and turned it into a piece of haunting piano-pop that is more urgent and honest than MGMT ever pulled off. Their isn’t much on this guy’s MySpace besides a Womanizer cover and a couple demos. Let’s hope he doesn’t stop there.
As well as having the most-difficult-to-say band name ever (just try to not say Clint Eastwood when you read it) Cleast Eatwood are a fair pair of Swedes who make hushed and minimal pop with a tasty funk side. Their cover of Electric Feel is beautifully simple, nearly a cappella and stopped me in my tracks (key-strokes?) the first time I heard it. I highly recommend their MySpace for two tracks with a little more groove and a great hand-clappiness.
Lady Danville – Kids (MGMT Cover)
Don’t let the bare-bones video or lack of an mp3 fool you, Lady Danville means business when they introduce a Cajon and three-part harmony to this MGMT favorite. This one just gets under your skin and sets up shop like there was no crisis. These guys are always playing in the L.A. are and have some great originals as well. Check out their MySpace and go see them live.
Those covers too mellow for your ADD sensibilities? Well I’ve got just the cure. If you haven’t already heard, the fab Frenchies of Phoenix have an album coming out in May and have already dropped a few singles. The first, “1901,” is available free at their website and is highly recommended. Here we have a remix of “1901” by one half of the Portland, Maine duo that goes by What Kind Of Breeze Do You Blow. I have heard of people passing wind that smelled like roses, but this dance breeze beats that hands down.
https://www.theburningear.com/media/2009/03/mgmt_time_to_pretend.jpg500500Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2009-03-24 19:27:432011-04-10 19:01:32[CvrUpYrRmx] MGMT chills and Phoenix blows (In a good way)
Yup, that’s right, this week’s CvrUpYrRmx is being fully handled by 5 dudes from Cologne, Germany who go by Timid Tiger. Don’t be fooled theby name, these cats (ha!) are about as timid as Siegfried and Roy’s feline friends. I first heard of them when they won PMA’s “Womanizer” cover challenge. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, then they achieved the impossible and made Lenny Kravitz actually listenable (danceable even!) with their remix of “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”
As you can see/hear, German music exports have come a long way since Rammstein. If you are feeling their style on these two tracks (which you are) then you will be stoked to hear that they just released an EP! For Free! It includes the above tracks as well as 4 originals that prove these guys have chops beyond reworking other people’s material. I highly recommend you head over to PMA and check out the track-list, read a short interview, and download the full EP. Also get Gadget Girls, my favorite Timid Tiger song and for some reason not included on The PMA.EP.
So Calvin Harris has dropped his new single and it has him taking a huge departure from the throwback dance pop of I Created Disco. I was taken aback at first but this song has really grown on me. I will definitely be dancing my ass off to this in the club but I don’t know if it will get the same at-home/in-car play that his debut got. “I’m Not Alone” is a great track but this dance-floor stuff is well-worn territory. I look forward to seeing where else Calvin takes us on his sophomore effort (due later this year) but I hope the rest of the album shakes things up a bit.
In honor of big Calvy-Calv we have a few different takes on his dude-anthem “The Girls.” First off Dragonette serves up a cover that does a little gender bending and even throws in a shout out to The Calvinator himself. Besides female vocals the cover is pretty straightforward save for a few new lyrics and a weirdly “Where’s Your Head At?“-esque chant at the end. (Anyone else but me hear that?)
You might rmember Mick Boogie from his Adele 1988 project I featured a few weeks ago. Well he recently teamed up with Terry Urban for 2009: The Grammy Remix Project. They explain it best:
Ever wonder how Kanye would sound rapping on Kenna’s song? Â What if The Jonas Brothers sang over some hiphop breakbeats? Â What if Thom Yorke sang on Lupe’s “Superstar?” Â What if Sara Bareilles bought a sampler and not a piano? Â The list goes on… but the answers can be found here.
Read more on the project and get the full tracklist here. I reccomend downloading the full mixtape (torrent). While not a remix-revelation it’s a fun experiment for any kind of music fan.
So if you didn’t already think you were sick of “The Girls” or “I Kissed I Girl” then I bet you are now, huh? The real question is which one gets old faster?
UPDATE: apparently the zshare link expired and I could find no alternate so I replaced it with a torrent link. If you don’t use torrents this is a good time to start :) I recommend Transmission.
