[PLAYLIST] The Best REMIXES of 2011 – Part 1 (Jan-June)

Strap on your shufflin’ shoes and make sure to stretch ’cause this list is an unmerciful messenger delivering jams of the highest quality. Some of these remixes have been banned by certain unenlightened governments for igniting dance parties and group high-fives so share with care.

This edition is chock full of TBE Remix alums and a few newbies shaking things up. Everyone’s favorite, Passion Pit, nab two spots while newbie Star Slinger clinches two more. In a massive non-surprise, RAC takes a heavy slice of this pie with a full 5 slots. Hey, it’s not my fault the guy is a genius. Stay tuned to the number 1 spot to see which brand-newcomers got the number 1 spot and then make sure to leave your thoughts and additions in the comments.

25 – ♫ Britney Spears – Till The World Ends (DOCTOR ROSEN ROSEN Remix) / This isn’t so much “Till The World Ends” but more “After The World Ended.” The Britney comeback party starter gets a post-apocalyptic haunted castle treatment with the “oooh oooh”s providing a completely different effect..

24 – ♫ Miami Horror – Holidays (Butcher Blades Recreational Disaster Remix) / Best name for a remix.

23 – ♫ Jump Jump Dance Dance – Modern Eyes (Vindata Remix) / Why doesn’t this remix have it’s own video of escapades on a moonlit rural highway with a hood-mounted strobe light and inappropriate driving attire?

22 – ♫ Beastie Boys – Make Some Noise (Passion Pit Remix) / Leave it up to Passion Pit to polish the Beasties’ signature rough edges to a glistening shine.

21 – ♫ Thomas Tantrum – Sleep (RAC Remix) / The double edged sword of hiring RAC to remix your track is that I will often never hunt down the original cause I’m doing just fine with his version thank you very much.

20 – ♫ James Blake – Wilhelm Scream (Master Rogers remix) / Not the James Blake you fell in love with, the James Blake you can now dim the lights and get freaky to. Should be sacrilege, ends up just getting me in the sack. And keeping it short just makes me want more.

19 – ♫ Amadou And Mariam – Sabali (Miike Snow Remix) / In a dry year for Miike Snow material I’ll take what I can get. One tree ripened peach is sure better than none.

18 – ♫ Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers (Dave Sitek Remix) / Sitekput Lykke’s whole album to shame with some horns and 4 minutes. Sorry Lykke, I still got mad love.

17 – ♫ Gypsy & The Cat – Jona Vark (Starsmith remix) / Try not singing this one in the shower. Hit that falsetto! You can do it!

16 – ♫ Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work (RAC Remix) / It’s been a long time since I took any math but it seems that awesome + awesome still = mega awesome.

15 – ♫ Adele – Rolling in the Deep (The Lost Boys Remix) / I wonder if Adele ever breaks it down on the dance floor? I’d grab her up for a rump shaking to this number.

14 – ♫ Grouplove – Colours (Captain Cuts Remix) / Wooooo! Canttypetoobusyrunningroundroundthistowntown!

13 – ♫ Toro y Moi – New Beat (Fare Soldi “CantaTu” rmx) / Ugghhh. Feel that bass. This is the remix swagger built.

12 – ♫ Outasight – Figure 8 (Discotech Remix) / Bottled sunshine with just a hint of fizz and that tangy aftertaste that kicks. Sugur rush!

11 – ♫ Rizzle Kicks – Down With The Trumpets (Star Slinger Remix) / I assume they mean “down” as in “cool with” and not the other way cause I am damn down with these trumpets.

10 – ♫ Ladytron – Ace Of Hz (Punks Jump Up Remix Radio Edit) / If listening to this doen’t start your dance party then it’s not loud enough.

9 – ♫  Toro Y Moi – Still Sound (Amtrac Remix) / No idea what is going on with this beat but I know it hits me real good.

8 – ♫ Foster The People – Houdini (RAC Remix) /I don’t know how RAC transformed this from it’s upbeat indie-pop original to something out of an 80s cop movie but somehow the strange tension just works.

7 – ♫ The Go! Team – Apollo Throwdown (Star Slinger RMX) / Attention aspiring emcees, rap over this and your flow will sounds fresh as hell.

6 – ♫ Peter Bjorn & John – Second Chance (RAC Mix) / #RACkillingitagain

5 – ♫ Architechture in Helsinki – Contact High (Clock Opera Remix) / Now this track was gold to start with but who is arguing with more gold? Nobody! It’s like a gold watch and tooth emporium up in this piece!

4 – ♫ Outkast – Wheelz of Steel (Voodoo Farm Remix ft. Lady Gaga) / Not really a remix since Voodoo Farm only keep vocals and rebuild everything else on their own but if you care about that then you clearly aren’t listening. This jam is the mayor of Bangertropolis!

3 – ♫ Cold War Kids – Mine Is Yours (Passion Pit Remix) / Epicness, now in concentrate. Use with caution. Could cause uncontrollable falling to knees and wailing at the heavens. Or tender dancing. Neither recommend in public.

2 – ♫ Psychic Powers – Dreamboat (RAC Mix) / Something about the summery vibe in this one just makes me happy every time I hear it. A bit contemplative, but still happy.

1 – ♫ Local Natives – Who Knows, Who Cares (The Botaniks Remix) / The first seconds of this jam still send shivers up my spine. Craziness. The Botaniks kill this one with the kindness of a zen master, honing in on it’s heart and delicately gluing bits of disco ball mirror to it.

/// ZIP Files ///

HONORABLE MASHUPS

Not a lot of mashups that made me stop and stare this year but these 2 got tons of play. Nothing crazy or radical going on, just two perfectly chosen songs mashed up in the sexiest, funkiest way possible.

♫ David Guetta & Akon vs Wonderland Band – Paradise Bitch (GonZo 70’s Reboot) / GonZo is working on a whole album of these 70s Reboots and I couldn’t be happier.

♫ D.Veloped – Bring Em Home (Edward Sharpe vs. T.I.) / Can we all now agree that pretty much everything to do with “Home” is awesome? (or incredibly beautiful and moving)

Be sure to catch all the 2011 “BEST OF” lists!

• Best Albums
• Best EPs
• Best Songs – Pt. 1 (Jan-June)
• Best Songs – Pt.2 (July-Dec)
• Best Remixes - Pt. 1 (Jan-June) — YOU ARE HERE!
• Best Remixes – Pt.2 (July-Dec)
• Best Music Videos
• Best Cover Songs
• Best Party Songs