Zebra & Snake

Zebra & Snake are a duo from Finland. They put out dark electro-pop with great bass lines that remind me of bands like Joy Division or Talking Heads, but with a poppier edge. Real good stuff!

Love their spastic, horror movie like new video for 'The Colours'.

Here is that plus a couple tracks to get you aquainted. Zebra Power!

MP3: Kohut - Zebra & Snake (YSI)
MP3: The Colours (Hannulelauri Remix) - Zebra & Snake (YSI)

Jason Lytle

Jason Lytle is the former frontman for the amazing indie band Grandaddy who called it quits a few years ago.

Recently he's moved on to Montana hunkered down and returned with his debut solo album 'Yours Truly, the Commuter' out now and I'm here to tell you it's just as good as anything Grandaddy ever put out! Amazingly haunting album, perfect for late night listens!

Fans of Grandaddy will not find much difference in this and his critically acclaimed albums 'The Sophtware Slump' and 'Sumday' both of which are amazing records. Particularly Sophtware which was the buzz album of 2000 for all the kids in the know. 'Crystal Lake' anyone?

I remember going to see Grandaddy perform in Orlando when they released Sophtware Slump with a bunch of friends in a rented van all those years ago. Ahhh the memories!

Get re-aquainted with Jason Lytle, you may find you were missing him and his amazing voice as much as I was.

Here's a couple stellar tracks from his new release plus the video for 'I Am Lost'. Beautiful! If you like these I highly recommend you pick up the album, you won't be disappointed!

P.S. You can also find Jason Lytle contributing vocals on the Dangermouse/Sparklehorse collaboration for 'Dark Night of the Soul'. You can find a post I did on that here. Here's a track from that collaboration as well.

MP3: Ghost of My Old Dog - Jason Lytle (YSI)
MP3: Birds Encouraged Him - Jason Lytle (YSI)

MP3: Jaykub (feat Jason Lytle) - Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse (YSI)

Holy Ghost!

Although New York City’s Holy Ghost! have been very busy remixing everyone from Phoenix to Michael Jackson to MGMT, most people I talk to, want to know “when are they going to release a follow up to the club hit Hold On?”

Wait no more Disco Children, I Will Come Back may sound like a promise, but it’s also the title of Holy Ghost’s much anticipated new song. It doesn’t disappoint as it has Holy Ghost! written all over it. It took a while but it was worth the wait.

Now, when are we going to see an album from these guys?

MP3: Holy Ghost!-I Will Come Back (YSI)

May 68

May68 is an unsigned Manchester quintet who has been on heavy rotation in my iPod. Great electro beats, smothered with sleek synth lines, thick guitars, exploding bass lines and a solid know-how of constructing catchy melodies.

I think this quote sums up their music best: "The perfect synthesis of giddy pop euphoria and dancefloor disco sensibility." David Sue – Citylife

The band is currently in the studio working on some new songs to be released hopefully in the next few months. In the meantime, I leave you with mp3s for Last Mile and White Lies. Check out their myspace page to listen to the rest of the EP, which I’m sure you’ll love.

MP3: May68-Last Mile (YSI)
MP3: May68-White Lies (YSI)

Crocodiles

I’m a huge fan of bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Suicide, The Stooges and Spacemen 3, but it’s rare that a new band comes along who can fit that bill, not to mention have the attitude and talent. Crocodiles are one of those rarities!

From the first listen of their 7” single Neon Jesus, I was hooked. I love the organs and soundscapes underneath that thumping bass line worthy of Joy Division comparisons. Not to mention the high pitched surf rock licks and a great rock n’ roll groove.

This San Diego duo recently released their debut album entitled Summer of Hate. It’s a fairly clean sounding album with some great jerky rockers and a few stabs at electronic noise; although Crocodiles really shine on slower tracks like Sleeping with the Lord where they put together a beautiful build up of synths and vocals.

I highly recommend this album to fans of any of the bands mentioned above!

Here are mp3’s for Neon Jesus and the track I Wanna Kill... Have a great week.
Cheers!

MP3: Crocodiles-Neon Jesus (YSI)
MP3: Crocodiles-I Wanna Kill (YSI)

VIDEO/REMIX SUNDAY

It's a rainy/lazy Sunday so I thought I'd post some videos/remixes for you guys while I'm couped up. Hope you like'em!

First off here is the new video from Who Made Who for 'Keep Me in My Plane'. Such a great video! Probably my favorite of the bunch. Gotta love artists with a sense of humor, people in general really.

MP3: Keep Me In My Plane (Reverso 68 Remix) - Who Made Who (YSI)

Next is Marina & the Diamonds. Was a little worried she might just be a one hit wonder, but it look's like she may be in it for the long haul. Her new video for 'I Am Not a Robot' is great! Gorgeous artsy, glammy video of her. Vivid color seems to be making a comeback in videos these days. I'm all for it.

MP3: I Am Not A Robot (Starsmith's 24 Carat Remix) - Marina & the Diamonds (YSI)



Diva extraordinairre Beth Ditto from The Gossip is not one of my favorite artists, but she's definitely a force to be reckoned with. An indie diva if you will.

Here is the 'Official' video for 'Heavy Cross' followed by an 'Unofficial' video that I found while I searched for this that was too good not to post.

MP3: Heavy Cross (Burns Remix) - The Gossip (YSI)






Finally here is the new video for Peter Bjorn & John's 'It Don't Move Me' another recent video with Michael Jackson themes (along with Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Heads Will Roll'). Pre of course, I'm sure we're gonna be seeing tons more of it now.

This is my favorite PBJ song from 'Living Things', glad it's their next single. I always play this track out when I spin, original too not a remix. Unfortunately this video doesn't quite live up to the song for me, just kinda boring, but posting it anyways since it's one of my favorite tracks so far in '09'.

MP3: It Don't Move Me (Miike Snow Remix) - Peter Bjorn & John (YSI)



Since we had the Michael Jackson reference on that last PBJ video figured I'd end this post with a video from MJ himself.

Although 'Leave Me Alone' is not my favorite track from MJ (probably Billie Jean or PYT), it's one of my favorite videos he ever did. Real creative and pasty like. He tackles tabloids/paparazzi head on with this one, way back in 87' before the Paris Hilton's of the world. Wonder if the tabloid's will leave him alone now that he's gone? Doubtful...

Seb

Seb is a 20-something musician from the city of London and a fan of Off the Radar (he's read us before). He was previously involved in the industry working for Warners, compiling James Blunt masters and fixing Michael Buble's laptop.

He has since quit that job and is ready to unleash his talent with the release of his single News for You, which he wrote and produced himself. He describes the track as a more soulful Daft Punk meets George Michael. The song definitely has an 80's feel to it with a bit of a disco-esque drive. A propulsive, dancy beat and catchy chorus keep the song moving.

We will be keeping tabs on this guy for sure as he is planning to release a full length album later this year.

Here is his single at a full 320 kpbs, as well as the video for it.

MP3: News For You - Seb (YSI)

Pony Pony Run Run

Pony Pony Run Run are an electro-rock/pop band from France.

They sound like a mixture of fellow country mates Phoenix, Van She and The Cars. Which equals joy to my ears!

Been jamming their new album 'You Need Pony Pony Run Run' the last few days and I'd say that's a pretty accurate statement.

The first single's called 'Hey You' and is a grooving poppy number accompanied by a great summer video for it.

Seems they released stems to the single as there's lots of remixes out there for it. My favorites so far are their own PPRR dance remix (a bonus track on the album), the completely leftfield slower take by Mondkopf and the tweeked up version by Miami's own Mister James!, who's been putting out some great remix work.

All excellent remixes with their own unique take on it. Here are those for your listening pleasure. You can buy the album on Itunes now, like right this second!

MP3: Hey You (PPRR Dance Remix) - Pony Pony Run Run (YSI)
MP3: Hey You (Mondkopf Remix) - Pony Pony Run Run (YSI)
MP3: Hey You (MISTER JAMES! 'Hopeless Love' Remix) - Pony Pony Run Run (YSI)

Black Moth Super Rainbow

Black Moth Super Rainbow from Pennsylvania first caught my attention when I read that Dave Fridmann produced their new album 'Eating Us'. Dave's a genious! I pretty much like everything he touches, so I always look into any new bands he's working with. This one is no exception, another great band!

BMSR sound reminds me of Air and should appeal to fans of Air, albeit with more psychedelia, distortion and fuzz. That doesn't sound too bad right. Naw.. great stuff. A great late night record!

Try these two tracks on for size, plus a more uptempo remix of 'Twin of Myself' by Go! Team.

If you like these, chances are you'll like the album and should pick that up pronto.

MP3: Twin of Myself - Black Moth Super Rainbow (YSI)
MP3: Fields Are Breathing - Black Moth Super Rainbow (YSI)
MP3: Twin of Myself (Go! Team Remix) - Black Moth Super Rainbow (YSI)

Simian Mobile Disco (RETURN)

Simian Mobile Disco are getting ready to release new album 'Temporary Pleasure' August the 17th. Their first new album since 2007's critically acclaimed 'Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release'. Can't wait! As on previous albums they collaborated with different vocalists for this one as well. Some of the artists include Beth Ditto, Jamie Lidell and Gruff Rhys (my fave!)

They recently released the video for 'Audacity of Huge' ft Chris Keating of Yeasayer. The name's appropriate. I can see this track getting pretty huge, not that any of their other singles didn't. 'Hustler' and 'I Believe' were played out to death at clubs, particularly 'Hustler' (myself included).

The new video for 'Audacity' is a gorgeous work of art! The colors are super rich and vivid. One of my favorite videos so far this year, along with Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Head's Will Roll' and We Have Band's 'You Came Out'.

Here's that plus the mp3 and a remix by Naum Gabo.

MP3: Audacity of Huge - Simian Mobile Disco (YSI)
MP3: Audacity of Huge (Naum Gabo Remix) - Simian Mobile Disco (YSI)

'Temporary Pleasure' Tracklisting :::

01 Cream Dream (Featuring Gruff Rhys)
02 Audacity of Huge (Featuring Chris Keating)
03 10000 Horses Can’t Be Wrong
04 Cruel Intentions (Featuring Beth Ditto)
05 Off the Map (Featuring Jamie Lidell)
06 Synthesise
07 Bad Blood (Featuring Alexis Taylor)
08 Turn Up the Dial (Featuring Young Fathers)
09 Ambulance
10 Pinball (Featuring Telepathe)