three track thursdays - little boots remixes

As many of you know, I heart me some Little Boots. I am pretty stoked that she's currently in the process of recording a follow-up to the fantastic LP, Hands. I had the privilege of seeing her perform an impromptu 5-song set last year around this time, and I am salivating to hear what her talented little face comes up with next.

Here are three of my favorite remixes, from my favorite little anti-Gaga.

Tune Into My Heart (GRVRBBRS remix) - Little Boots

Stuck On Repeat (Fake Blood remix) - Little Boots

Remedy (Buffetlibre vs. Sidechains remix) - Little Boots

fresh: new Rihanna

Will she suck up big balls like her last album, Rated R, or will she return to what makes her good, if not lovingly tolerable? That's the question we are asking ourselves, those of us that sort of like (often dislike) Rihanna... now here's what's new! Check Only Girl (In the World) before you hear it on loop so much at bars that you want to shove a locust in your ear. Additionally, a big shout-out to Bryce (who sent me this track)! You rock my world!

Only Girl (In The World) - Rihanna

And, now for what I really think.

OK, so Rihanna has a limited scope of talent. Some of her pluses are that she knows how to lend her talent to producers who understand the lowest common denominator of pop and how to sell it to the masses like CostCo sampler ladies, and that she understand that the only key she can sing in is often very pop-friendly. Those are fine. This track, judged on its own merits, is not terrible. It's not astounding or even novel in the least, but it's fine for now. Neither here nor there. Enjoy its fleeting popularity and move on to something of equal substance-lacking. Par for the course. So, enjoy!

remix monday : Florrie gets Falke'd

Fred Falke, as always, does a fantastic job with his remixes. You can edit them down into club bangers, or you can keep them as an ambient, borderline-orchestral piece of electronica. Florrie, with her eerily-Annie sound, is perfect for Falke's prowess. These two tracks, though I do not absolutely love the originals, are great for remixes. Also, I have gotta give a shout-out to my boy Wesley over at Coffee&Bars, who is in LOVE with Florrie. He didn't point me to these remixes (I'm a Falke-follower with serious addiction issues), but his love of Florrie has been joyously crowding my inbox for a while. I will say that I think she is a rising star to watch, and that her affiliation with the Pet Shop Boys has paid some serious talent and connection dividends. I'm excited to hear what else pops out of her musical womb. Work. It. Out.

You Wanna Start Something (Fred Falke Club edit) - Florrie

Give Me Your Love (Fred Falke Club Edit) - Florrie

review: Marina & The Diamonds (live)

Marina & The Diamonds put on quite the show this evening. From the outset, the show was a surprise.

When I expected her to fall back on back-tracking, she raised her voice and overwhelmed the crowd.

When I felt she may become more tentative with an oft-reserved D.C. crowd, she gave them an excess of sass and rock-starlet swagger.

Finally, when I thought she'd open up with a big hit and mosey through a set of filler before pounding out a couple of strong more mass-familiar tracks, she completely caught me off-guard with her arrangement and organic momentum.

For me, it is easy to say that the highlights were I Am Not A Robot and Shampain (my favorite two tracks), but the songs that really stood out otherwise were Numb and Are You Satisfied.Numb, in particular, was nothing short of enchanting. I Am Not A Robot was a unique balance of intimate and anthemic that brought quickly to mind seeing Regina Spektor perform On The Radio last fall in Los Angeles (at the amazing Greek Theatre).

I believe she will be a massive star, eventually.

Numb - Marina & The Diamonds

NEW Marina Video - 'Shampain'

I love Shampain. I love its irony, raw honesty, and simple (yet borderline-ingenious) lyrics. I also like the way Marina tried to adhere to the theme of the song, as well as pay homage to one of her idols, Michael Jackson. It's quite good.

I think we all have moments like this. We have dreams caught somewhere between our own sad realities and the glamour of our serotonin-indulgent fantasies. Tragic never glistened so well.

Here's to seeing her TONIGHT at 930 Club!

Download the Song

rewind: old world underground, where are you now?

Once in a while an album comes around that is so perfect, it's hard to appreciate it until a few (seven) years later. Metric achieved this with Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? back in September 2003, and to this day I am still a huge fan the LP. The album represents everything I love about indie pop, and its influence is heard in a great deal of today's artists of the same genre. With 10 tracks, 9 of which I consider to be outstanding (the only exception for my liking is On A Slow Night), it is an album worth having in your collection. Here are my four favorite tracks (my absolute favorite is probably Hustle Rose because of the entrancing synth) and a link to download the LP. Enjoy being all caffeine-free and faux-punk fatigued.

Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (.mp3)

IOU - Metric

Dead Disco - Metric

Hustle Rose - Metric

Combat Baby - Metric

marina & the diamonds preview!

I am pretty pumped to see Marina & The Diamonds on Monday at 9:30 club, and you should be there too! It's going to be great. (AND ONLY $15!!). She's a star in the making. The entire debut LP The Family Jewels is pretty phenomenal, and definitely for lovers of Florence + The Machine, La Roux, and Regina Spektor. Here are my four favorite tracks (and, as always, download with the down arrow on the right):

Oh No! - Marina & The Diamonds

Shampain - Marina & The Diamonds

Are You Satisfied - Marina & the Diamonds

I Am Not a Robot - Marina & The Diamonds

new Matt & Kim

Do you love it or hate it? I can't make a decision yet, so I'm casting it into the webosphere to get a gauge on such. Soak it up:

Cameras - Matt & Kim

3 track flashback: Hot Hot Heat (at R&R Friday!)

Sometimes a band makes a perfect debut album and spends the rest of its career trying to live up to such a high bar. Hot Hot Heat did that with Make Up The Breakdown in October 2002. I still love this album, as there is very little like it in synthpop, or dance-rock, for that matter. It's perfect throughout, and the band should be proud of that. Here are my 3 favorite tracks from Make Up The Breakdown. Also, don't miss them at Rock & Roll Hotel on Friday! Only $15!

Bandages - Hot Hot Heat

No, Not Now - Hot Hot Heat

Oh, Goddamnit - Hot Hot Heat

fresh: does it offend you yeah, florence + the machine

So, the Florence + The Machine track is 3 months old, but STILL no one has it!?! Ok, well here you go... Enjoy Heavy In Your Arms from the (much better than the actual film) Twilight: Eclipse soundtrack! It's great, brooding, angry Florence at her best. It makes me want to light some candles and lay down crucifixion-style on my fuzzy blanket as if it were a field of burmuda grass.

Heavy In Your Arms - Florence + The Machine

Then we have the original and a fresh remix of the new Does It Offend You, Yeah?! track, We Are The Dead... which is basically a continuation of their debut record's dance-punk insanity sound. I dig it, but it could be an acquired taste. The remix is a nice downtempo take on the track, and much more party-friendly. Do. It.

We Are The Dead - Does It Offend You, Yeah?!

We Are The Dead (Error Operator remix) - Does It Offend You, Yeah?!