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Super-Week



I know this is a music blog, but I wanted to talk about some Comics/Movies today. Hope you don't mind... If you just want the music scroll down to the bottom. Got some goodies stashed away for you.

I always loved comics growing up, especially Marvel Comics (X-Men, Spiderman, The Hulk, etc.). I always liked their drawings and stories better than DC's (Batman, Superman). Who would have thought all those Superhero comic book charecters would later become such big Hollywood Movies. Becoming some of the biggest Blockbusters ever! I guess the kids grew up and still remembered and loved them, plus computers have made it a whole lot easier to make nowadays.

There have been tons of Superhero movies made and many more are still in the works (Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman). Every year it seems their trying to pump out a new one or two. Sometimes they work (Original Superman 1 & 2, Spiderman 1 & 2, X-Men 1 & 2, Batman/Batman Begins) and sometimes they don't (Daredevil, Cat Woman) It's really hit or miss I think.

This year we got two scheduled for the Summer. The Incredible Hulk, a reworking like Batman Begins (w/Edward Norton) and Iron Man (w/Robert Downey Jr.)

I think Edward Norton will be perfect for the Hulk. He's a great actor and I hope they get it right this time. First one wasn't as big of a hit as they thought it would be and it left a little to be desired. Although I did like some aspects of the movie like the multiple screen shots which gave the comic book feel, but the movie was just a bit too dark, slow and long I thought. Wondering what type of Hulk we'll get this time? I always liked the television series Hulk played by Lou Ferrigno. Didn't like the CGI one in the movie too much. Looked too fake to me. Even though he could do more of the stuff The Hulk did in the Comics, like jumping so high it'd seem like he was flying, etc. We'll see, but I'm glad they got Edward Norton. I don't think he'll disappoint.

Don't know about Iron Man. The studios are excited about it, but I wasn't that much of a fan as a kid. Robert Downey's a good actor though, so if the story's good might work also. We shall see...

Marvels waiting to see how these 2 movies go this year to then move on to an 'Avengers' Movie. That's another popular Comic book series were a bunch of the Marvel Superheros would team up to save the Universe or fight each other (usually due to mis-understandings, of course) (Hulk Vs Thor, Avengers Vs Silver Surfer, etc) which were always fun and sold the most comics. I'm sure their hoping it will translate well to the big screen as well. If it's done right it could be huge! Kinda like X-Men but on an even bigger scale. Hope the story's good. Good story equals good movie first and foremost I think. Also which charecters will they focus on? Probably Captain America I imagine, but I hope they give screen time to the others as well.

X-Men Part 1 & 2 which in my opinion are some of the best Superhero movies ever made are probably the catalysts that proved teaming up superheroes could work and make tons of money. X-Men 3 without Bryan Singer who left to direct Superman Returns hurt the franchise I think. Part 3 wasn't as good as the first 2 Parts. In hindsight I didn't like Superman Returns too much either. Kinda bland and just seemed like a rehashing of the Original Superman. He should have stuck with X-Men 3 and completed the Trilogy.

Also in the works is DC Comics 'Justice League of America'. Which should be fun as well. I always loved the 80's Cartoons as a kid and the new ones are pretty good too. It'll be fun to see Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, etc working on the big screen trying to save the world.

We'll see which ones pan out.. but one thing's for sure. Comics helped stir the imagination of millions of kids from all over the world and that ain't too bad of a thing.

Now time for some MUSICA!!

Went through my CD's from last week and since I did mostly an Electro-Pop mixtape last week, I thought I'd leave you with some new Indie Rock this week. I like to keep a good balance of electronic and rock stuff. It's good for the soul.

The first band here is The Depreciation Guild a duo from Brooklyn N.Y. and if your a fan of fuzzy electric guitars like the masters My Bloody Valentine, Jesus & Mary Chain or Radio Dept. this should be right up your alley. Distorted guitars and lovely melodies = The Depreciation Guild. Check out Butterfly Kisses.

The next track is a new one from Glasgow's Sons and Daughters. I was a big fan of their first album The Repulsion Box and this new track Gilt Complex is pretty rocking as well. Complete with female vocals & trademark attitude and snarl. If you liked that first album you'll like this too. Their new album's called 'The Gift' and was just released Jan 28th in UK. Not sure when it will be out domestically.

British Sea Power has a new album out called Do You like Rock Music? Been digging the single We're All Waving Flags and that deep voice of his.

Switches is a UK rock band on tour with The Bravery and apparently doing pretty good on the other side of the Atlantic. The kids seem to be loving them. Their debut album comes out March the 18th in the US. Heres a track called Every Second Counts. Hmm, wonder if they got that title from the New Order track with the same name. Either way its pretty good stuff. Check out more tracks including Drama Queen on their MySpace page.

Finally here's a new track from Alex Gopher called Brain Leech. I think he's French. It's a pretty straightforward pop-rock song, but I like it.

Enjoy and have a great week-end!



MP3: The Depreciation Guild - Butterfly Kisses (YSI)
MP3: Sons and Daughters - Gilt Complex (YSI)
MP3: British Sea Power - Waving Flags (YSI)
MP3: Switches - Every Second Counts (YSI)
MP3: Alex Gopher - Brain Leech (YSI)


I leave you with the intro to the 70's Incredible Hulk TV Series. Can't remember how many times I saw this show as a kid. Still looks great!




Remember, remember the 31st of January!

Boston is being swarmed with DIY LED art today in remembrance to Boston's over reaction to last year's LED Moonite ad campaign for Comeday Central's/Adult Swim's Aqua Teen Hunger Force...

Full story @ Boing Boing and some more LED art.

Like LED Jesus here:

Lost is Great and All

Do NOT get me wrong. I'm a huge fan. But the opening theme song? Yeah the one note is all symbolic and creepy and crap but it could use a do over. 80's prime time drama style a lá Falcon Crest but not quite as good as Dynasty.

Side note, who psyched for tonight's season premiere? Honestly... Gooo WGA!! But the writers need to get back to finishing up the season. Seriously. 8 episodes filmed? Yeah, that'll get us through mid-March and THEN what?

Anyways, some friends and I refreshed our memory of season 3 this past weekend by watching a few episodes and I have heard of other friends doing similar. The biggest question I want answered is "What are those huge 4 toed feet statues? Or who?!?!" Was that even in season 3?

Did you guys know that (one of) the show's creators J.J. Abrams "composed" the main title theme? Music plays a key role in building up the suspense of the show and pop music also takes a roll of sometimes offering clues and sometimes adding to the mood of the charater. Nirvana's Scentless Apprentice, played right before Jack arrives to the Hoffs-Drawlar Funeral Parlor is a perfect example of both. I am impressed that this particular Nirvana song made it to prime time TV.

Guess what I'm starting my DJ set tonight with??!!!!

MP3: Lost - Main Title (YSI)
MP3: Nirvana - Scentless Apprentice (YSI)

And if you have ANY questions about the show, check out the most ridiculously complete Wiki site I have ever visited: Lostpedia

Everybody Likes Their Twenties

Being a huge fan of Metronomy (signed copy of Pip Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe) anyone?), I listen to any recommendations he makes. Particularly if the band is a side project of bassist Gabriel Patrick. No worries, he is still part of Metronomy. In fact they are embarking on a headline tour through the UK in February and March and their new album entitled Nights Out has been submit to their label. (Note, I find it strange that Metronomy is one person but has band members, so I apologize from switching between he and them) Aaaaannnyyywwaayyss... isn't this a funny keyboard?
As far as the new band, its name is Your Twenties and their music has melodies reminiscent of 60's pop. Plenty of humable melodies (is that a word?) and catchy hooks

Check out a few songs on their MySpace profile. I cannot stop playing Caught Wheel. I like how it is a play on cart wheel. I wish I had some music of theirs to post or a video but seems like they are still in the demo phase.

Your Twenties has a few shows coming up in London next month.
  • Feb 4 2008 //8:00P - DURRR @ The End, WC1 London, London and South East
  • Feb 5 2008 // 8:00P - Club Skulls @ The Old Blue Last London, London and South East
  • Feb 8 2008 // 8:00P - Put It On @ The Trinity, Harrow North West London, London and South East
  • Feb 11 2008 // 8:00P - Wolfboy @ The Amersham Arms Saaaf East Lahndahn
The Love Is All remix album appropriately titled Love Is All... Mixed Up is awesome. Then again you cannot go wrong with getting remixed by Hot Chip, Optimo, Chicken Lips and Studio (and Metronomy). They hail from Sweden and have had a few high profile appearances such as touring with Maximo Park and being featured on Peel Sessions in the UK. They are currently signed to What's Your Rupture with label mates The Long Blondes.

So here's a little diddy that ties this whole post together and a b-side or something from Metronomy.

MP3: Love Is All - Spinning and Scratching (Metronomy Remix) (YSI)
MP3: Metronomy - Heart Rate Rapid (YSI)

Oh and here are a couple of Metronomy videos including their newest one for Radio Ladio (it's a featured video on YouTube's home page today!). First up is Trick or Treatz.


Trick or Treatz


Radio Ladio

By the way, the whole point of this post when I started was to highlight Your Twenties, so at least check out their tracks. I got carried away with all the side projects and remixes and videos etc...

Hope for Justice

"Quick get your post ready! You have the leak! Post it before anybody else does! Don't check your facts post it. Upload the track to a file share host. Find a random image through Google search. Go! Do it!"

That's pretty much what happened yesterday when a supposed Justice tack from Ed Banger Records Volume III "leaked" onto the internet. The track was called Hope. Was that a intentional name by whoever started the rumor?

Less than 24 hours later, it is corrected as a song from the soundtrack of a Japanese manga show Kaiji. The track is Espoire named after the lead character's space ship. If it were indeed a Justice track it would have been interesting change for them. The track is heavy on the guitars and seemingly would echo Daft Punk's Human After All change to a more rock orientated sound.

Anyways, if you do like the music, the soundtrack is available import only for something around 35-50 bucks. Track 14 is the track in this video that was confused for the Justice track.

Anyways, the point is I'M GOING TO JAPAN! Wooo! It seems like end of April is my target date.




Bits & Pieces


It's incredible how much great new music is out there at any given time... I stayed up just last night looking through the blogs and found like 40 great tracks. Enough to fill like 3 cds worth! That's just looking through my usual spots. If you search Hype you could probably find tons more. So there really is no excuse for not finding great new music. Lucky for you guys that we love to do it for you!

Anyways I still need a few days to sort out which ones make the final cut (only the best ones make it on our little blog here), but right away I know there are some amazing ones that I can share with you guys.

The first one is by a band from Stockholm called Rocca. What is it with Stockholm, they have so much great dance music over there. I'm gonna have to pay a visit one day. These guys ooze pop sensuality. My favorite track is Carrie-Anne. Been burning it out for a couple of weeks. It's an electro-pop gem in my opinion. See what you guys think. After all 'It's all for Carrie-Anne..'

The next one is by one of my favorite singers Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals. This guy is so prolific. He had a solo album and a full album with SFA last year and yet he still managed to do this project as well called Neon Neon with Boom Bip from Los Angeles. This track is more electronic and dancey that what I usually hear from him. Seems like he may be trying to do something like what Ben Gibbard from Death Cab did with Postal Service and have a more dancey side project. Even the artwork looks very Italo Disco. Can't wait to hear the album which comes out in March and also features Spank Rock and a few other collaborators. Check out their MySpace page for a few more treats.

Been awhile since we heard from The Helio Sequence and they didn't waste one minute. This track of theirs Can't Say No is spectacular! They got a couple more you can download on the Obscure Sound blog as well (all good) as well as interesting reading on how the singer almost lost his voice and how singers like Bob Dylan helped inspire him to get through it.

Run Dan Run are from Charleston South Carolina and they put out some great Indie-Pop. My favorite track so far is 'Your Name Escapes Me' and you need to check it out.

Finally here a slinky/groovy dance jam called New Romantic Sounds by a band called Superheroes. There's so many bands called Superheros on MySpace, I had no idea. Couldn't figure out which was their page. You figure it out.

Enjoy!


P.S. I took the picture on top in New York a few of years ago at the MoMA. Can't remember the name of the artist but it was pretty sweet. Pieces of this persons body displayed on all these different sized monitors.

MP3: Rocca - Carrie-Anne (YSI)
MP3: Neon Neon - I Told Her on Alderaan (YSI)
MP3: The Helio Sequence - Can't Say No (YSI)
MP3: Run Dan Run - Your Name Escapes Me (YSI)
MP3: Superheroes - New Romantic Sounds (YSI)


I leave you with a great video I saw on Headphonesex for Zongamin's track Azzazza...






Hot Chip Teaser Track and Contest

From Hot Chip:
As a little teaser for you all, we’re giving you the chance to get the title track from Hot Chip’s forthcoming album. Just fill in your details below!

You’ll also be entered into a competition to win all formats of the album and the new single “Ready For The Floor” (released January 28th).
Read the Terms and Conditions.
"Details below" are found right here. (Oh and the teaser track and title of the album is Made In The Dark).

Look at the nice (clickable) banner Hot Chip made for us bloggers. At least some bands are noticing the impact blogs are making.


Coachella Is Trippin'

I kept on talking about this the whole weekend. Coachella is going EAST! Coachella's promoter Goldenvoice is moving the music festival east this summer! It will take place at Liberty State Park, across the Hudson from lower Manhattan. It will not be named Coachella per se but RADIOHEAD is rumored to be headlining! Road trip anyone? The regular Coachella line up should be coming out today. The eastern Coachella details are still being finalized but it seems it will be in direct competition with the Vineland Festival also in New Jersey around the same time.

URB Magazine:
Portishead is confirmed to headline this year's Coachella festival on Saturday night, according to a high-level source. The same source unequivocally denied rumors that Radiohead would appear at Coachella, but did confirm that the group would play the East Coast festival being planned by Coachella promoters Goldenvoice/AEG Live . The full Coachella line-up will be announced this Monday.
I think this is the first Portishead post I write that actually has NEW songs of theirs! Take a listen to a new instrumental studio track and a couple other tracks from their December ATP Nightmare Before Christmas show (first full performance in over a decade!). I cannot wait to hear the studio versions of these songs. Ten years is a long time to wait between albums and I wonder if they can still be relevant.

MP3: Key Bored 299 03
MP3: Wicca (Live @ All Tomorrow's Parties)
MP3: Hunter (Live @ All Tomorrow's Parties)
MP3: Peaches (Live @ All Tomorrow's Parties)

*Coachella UPDATE:

Here is the lineup for this year's Coachella Festival:

FRIDAY, APRIL 25: Jack Johnson, The Verve, Raconteurs, The Breeders, Fatboy Slim, Tegan and Sara, Madness, The Swell Season, The National, Animal Collective, Slightly Stoopid, Mum, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Stars, Battles, Aesop Rock, Midnight Juggernauts, Does it Offend you, Yeah?, Minus the Bear, Spank Rock, dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Diplo, Adam Freeland, Santo Gold, Jens Lekman, John Butler Trio, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Architecture in Helsinki, Sandra Collins, Busy P, Cut Copy, Black Lips, Datarock, Professor Murder, Reverend and the Makers, The Bees, Porter, Rogue Wave, Modeselektor, American Bang, Lucky I Am.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Portishead, Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, Cafe Tacuba, Sasha & Digweed, Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, M.I.A., Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars on Broadway, Islands, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boyz Noize, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, Jamie T, The Teenagers, VHS or Beta, Carbon/silicon, Erol Alkan, Yo Majesty!, Little Brother, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, Akron Family, MGMT, Institubes DJs (Surkin, Para One and Orgasmic), James Zabiela, Sebastian, Kavinsky, Dredg, The Bird and the Bee, Grand Ole Party, New Young Pony Club, 120 Days, Yoav, Electric Touch, Uffie

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: Roger Waters (“Dark Side of the Moon”), Love & Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, The Streets, Metric, Danny Tenaglia, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Murs, Dmitri from Paris, Autolux, The Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Les Savy Fav, The Cool Kids, Sons & Daughters, Sia, Holy Fuck, Black Kids, Black Mountain, The Annuals, Kid Sister w/A-Trak, Man Man, Duffy, I'm from Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmau5, The Horrors, Austin TV, Shout Out Louds, Plastiscines, Brett Dennen

It is impossible to see EVERYTHING at Coachella, so I was super-selectetive (that's a Miami phrase for you) highlighted what I think I would check out if I went. I chose acts that I have never seen (Okay, I have seen Kraftwerk but it's KRAFTWERK!). Acts that I think would present a good show (just because the music is good does not mean the show is entertaining). And those that I think will never make it to my neck of the woods (you would be surprised at the number of national tours that do not make it to Miami - and I don't want to start the "Miami doesn't have a music scene" argument right now... It apparently has something...). So this list is not necessarily complete, I am sure that if I was walking by a stage and Bonde Du Role was pumpin' out the booty jams I would stop and break a sweat or two (it's in our blood down here).

The real question is who is playing in Jersey?!?!?!

Oh and yes, Friday would be the day that I "leave early" from the show. Jack Johnson? WTF? Sorry.

Freezepop Touring Florida + APT 407 DJ Set Thursday





Hey guys our good friends Freezepop are gonna be in Florida this week-end to do some shows in support of their latest album 'Future, Future, Future, Perfect' and to escape the North East Cold! Gotta Love Miami, 75 Degrees in mid January! Friday they'll be performing @ Respectable Street in West Palm. They put on great high energy live shows, I highly recommend you check them out... Click on their name above to check out their MySpace page for full tour dates, pics, music etc.. They will also be in Miami Thursday to check out the Beach and for a DJ Set at our very own APT 407 Party @ Abraxas! Come hang out with the band and see what new bands/tracks they've been digging. Liz was the first person to introduce me to electro-pop band Tribeca a couple years ago, so I'm anxious to hear what other great stuff she might have in store for us.

Below are a couple tracks to wet your appetite...
See you Thursday and Friday for the Show!!


APT 407 is held Thursdays @ Abraxas
407 Meridian Ave
(Corner of 4th and Meridian Ave)
Miami Beach
No Cover!!
11PM till 5 AM!
Music by our very own Chris Mora (Off the Radar Blog) + Friends!
Free Champagne Toast for All in Attendance @ 1 AM!
Over 110 Intl Beers, Wines and Champagnes to choose from!
$4 Rotating Intl Beer Specials as well as Reduced Beer & Wine Specials from 11-12!




One week down, 51 more to go...

Here are a few tracks for your weeeeekend. Unbelievably it's here. The first full week of 2008 is officially over. Anybody still keeping their resolutions?

crickets chirping...

Here are some tracks I lined up for you for each day of the weekend:


Friday, it's not quite Saturday but shit it's been a long week so you gotta do something tonight. This sat in our mailbox for a while before I realized that we (or at least I) was not getting any Off the Radar emails. It is a remix of We Saw Ghosts by Spiral Beach by Toronto's Cory Martin.
MP3: We Saw Ghosts (Cory Martin 12" Record) (YSI)

(I just don't think there is actually a 12" of this though... so where did the name come from?)

Saturday, it's celebration time. Celebrate whatever you want (you still have Sunday to sleep it off). And Nina Simone gets treated properly by Groovefinder with their remix of Ain't Got No / I Got Life.
There is something i've got,
nobody can take it away...

Got my hair on my head

Got my brains, Got my ears
Got my eyes, Got my nose
Got my mouth, I got my smile
I got my tongue, Got my chin
Got my neck, Got my boobies
Got my heart, Got my soul
Got my back, I got my sex
MP3: Nina Simone - Ain't Got No / I Got Life (Groovefinder Remix) (YSI)


Sunday, you should make yourself a nice big ol' breakfast (the perfect breakfast would of course include an unlimited serving of bacon of course...), and then pop this track from Honeycut. Don't worry it won't aggrevate the headache from last night. Honeycut are a trio out of San Fran's Quannum Projects, you know them.... DJ Shadow, Blackalicious... but their sound is not exactly the typical sound coming out of the Bay area hip hop collective.

MP3: Honeycut - Exodus Honey (YSI)

Take Me To Your Leader...


Crazy hectic week for me filled with stress, bad news and a cold... Lovely!! They say bad news comes in 3's, I hope that does it for me for a long while! I'm due some good news!

Anyways enough about my sorry state, I had a chance the other night to look for some new music and found a couple stellar tracks that I wanted to share with you.

The first one is a track from the forthcoming Crystal Castles album which I dont know the name of yet called 'Untrust Us'. Haven't really been a big Crystal Castles fan despite them being all over the blogs. I never dug all those arcade type sounds and effects going off in all different directions, but this track is fan-freakin-tastic! Love what they do with the female vocals. It still has their trademark style but more refined and beautiful. I hope the rest of the album goes more in this direction. If they do we're in for a real treat and a new fan! Me!

The second track is a Remix by Johan Agebjorn of 'Take Me Home' by Don Juan Dracula (great silly name, love bands with a sense of humor) This remix has added female vocals by Sally Shapiro and it really helps beef up the original track giving it that extra punch it needed. It's got that classic dark pop sound that I love.

Finally 'The Teenagers' will be releasing their debut album 'Reality Check' next Tuesday 1/15/08! Until then you can stream the entire album on their MySpace page for Free! Go check it out here! They're also the featured artist on Myspace Music Today! Not too shabby for these young kids...

Enjoy!


Miss Kittin Coms

Miss Kittin is set to release the follow-up to her 2007 debut I Com this March entitled Bat Box. I'm still kinda pissed at her for missing her Miami show because of measly tropical storm (that I don't even think hit us). Hopefully she'll consider revisiting us for her upcoming tour and it up to us.

The album is surprisingly good. It is what you expect from but she has really refined her sound. She has moved from the electroclash sound to an industrial goth sound and pulls it off with ease. And is it me but has her English gotten better since the last album?

I think in the next few years, this surge in electronic dance music will dwindle as acts that do not innovate and push new sounds are weeded out. Miss Kittin will not have to worry.

MP3: Playmate of the Century (YSI)

Moby's Last Night

Here is a track off of the new Moby album Last Night. He has been making a stir lately, coming out to DJ a bit more and getting his name back into people's mind. Doing so, his album reflects that nightlife culture a bit more than his last few albums.
Moby:
"and it has some interesting guest vocalists. my favorite guest is the rapper on
'i love to move in here'. his name is grandmaster caz, and he was one of the writers of 'rappers delight'. he's been rapping since 1975, and i'm really happy to have him on the record."
Check it out right here. (Windows users: right-click -- > save as)


Below is the video for the new track Alice. It was directed by Andreas Nillson (who's directed videos for The Knife and Jose Gonzalez). The rap at the end of the song is pretty slick. I admit it though, the intro kinda annoys me. I'm expecting some relevant indie remixers to tackle this song promptly.

Have you guys ever been to Moby's website? He obviously has had it up for a long time, but he updates it often to keep it fresh and even takes an active in involvement by updating a journal regularly.

Moby recently DJ'ed here in Miami and was later caught hanging at the local indie haunts until the weeeeee hours in the morning. Gaining street cred? Nah, I don't think he needs it.

Top Singles of 2007!!

This year more than previous years I have been listening to individual songs more than whole albums. Don't get me wrong there have been some great albums released this year that I like and listen to (Interpol, Midnight Juggernauts, Arctic Monkeys, Blonde Redhead, The National, The Shins, etc...) Check out some of Chris' great choices too, but due to my process of finding new music nowadays (other music Blogs like Off the Radar), once or twice a month I compile all the best new tracks I find and put them into mix CD's which I then use to play out at clubs/parties. Survival of the fittest then ensues. As time goes by there always seem to be some tracks that you notice people dance more, request more and generally outlast the others. Those usually tend to be my favorites. If you can hear a track over and over and not get bored of it the artists are doing something right. Believe me I get bored pretty fast of the crappy stuff, so you better have a catchy chorus and some melodies! I am after all a pop music fan...

Here are some of my favorite tracks of 2007! Like Chris said I'm sure I missed some good ones but these are a pretty solid bunch.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did...

Midnight Juggernauts - Road to Recovery (YSI)

Probably one of my favorite tracks and favorite new bands of 2007! 'Road to Recovery' was the first track I ever heard from this Australian Electronic Pop/Rock trio and it's still my favorite, although 'Into the Galaxy' is a strong second. When that chorus kicks in it's heavenly... Great video for this too. Don't think their album 'Dystopia' is available as a domestic release in the U.S. yet. Why not?!? The Import is worth getting.

Digitalism - Pogo (YSI)

Everytime I hear 'Pogo' it makes me wanna dance! Such a smart dance song that doesn't suffer from repeated listenings. Mike Deuce did a great b-more remix of this too that I play out alot as well.Riot in Belgium - La Musique (YSI)

One of the biggest dance hits of the year! Started in the Summer and still going strong. This song always gets people jumping on the dancefloor. Just don't fade it out until that vocal kicks in after the break and people go nuts! Can't wait to see what they can do with a full length album in 08' They put out some solid dance remixes in 07' that are also worth getting.

Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor (YSI)

Wow! What an amazing preview single for their upcoming album. It's pretty irrisistable and reminds me a lot of their big hit 'Over and Over' which definitely stood the test of time. I think this one will too. A dancefloor jem. People always come up to me to ask who this is whenever I play it out. Can't wait for the full length.

Simian Mobile Disco - I Believe (YSI)

Love this Track! It melds electronics but with warmth that is hard to find in electronic music. I don't play it out so much cause the BPMs are lower, but I definitely played this one out alot at home around the middle of the year, around the same time I found out about Midnight Juggernauts. Still sounds amazing! Hustler was another track of theirs that was pretty huge in 07' and much easier to mix with.

Zoot Woman - We Won't Break

A late addition to 07' just barely made it in Dec, but it's classic Zoot Woman. 3 mins long and no filler! Catchy, dancey, pop that Zoot Woman do so well. They released this as a stand alone single. Can't wait for a full length from them in 08', they never let me down.

Chromeo - Fancy Footwork (YSI)

Chromeo came on strong in 07'! They must have had at least 3 solid singles including this one, Bonafied Lovin' and Tenderoni which was the first single and my least favorite. Fancy Footwork is also the title song to their album and probably my favorite of the bunch. It's so irrisistably catchy and danceable with those female vocals chanting ' Two Step, Two Step..' It just makes you bust out those moves on the dancefloor as the lyrics implore you to, so you can get the girl, of course! Woo!

Feist - My Moon, My Man (YSI)

One of the mellower and more commercial artists to make it into my top singles, but it's just a great song! Love the video for this too. Very memorable with her going backwards on that people mover thingie like they have at Disney.

Zeigeist - Black Milk (YSI)

One of the darker/gothier bands to make it. I just love these guys. Burned out this song around the middle of the year. They do stuff reminiscent to early Fischerspooner or The Knife were they mix performance art and dark electronic pop music. Some amazing pics on their MySpace page. Hopefully I'll get to see a live show one day. Gotta be a fun show!


Union of Knives - Evil Has Never (YSI)

I think this was released in late 06', but I found out about it played it out like crazy in 07'. Such a great pop song with those amazing lyrics and great back and forth male/female vocals like Postal Service did in 'Nothing Better' or Human League's Classic 'Don't You Want Me'. It's like a couple going back and forth trying to prove their point. Great track and totally danceable... Love those lyrics 'What do you mean'

The Glamour - Get In to It (YSI)

Great party song that I still play out even after months. Easy to mix this into bands like Daft Punk due to the danceability factor. The lyrics just implore you to get into it and dance your ass off. Noble cause no? I think their unsigned too. Wonder when a label will snatch these guys up. Not too long I'm sure...

The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson (YSI)

One of my favorite tracks of the last part of the year! Probably due to the fact that they obsess over Scarlett Johansson as much as I do. It's a classic pop track, filled with hooks and melodies. I never get tired of that. They also did some great remixes for other artists in 07' I'm sure these kids have a bright future ahead of them.

Calvin Harris - Acceptable in the 80's (YSI)

This quirky electro-pop artist made a pretty good splash in 07' At first I didn't know if I could play this out cause of it's quirky factor, but then I started hearing other DJ's playing it out and people digging it so that was the end of that thought. 'The Girls' was another great single of his this year proclaiming his love for women of all shapes, sizes and colors. It already spawned a reverse cover called 'The Boys' by Dragonette with all the lyrics reversed to the oppsosite sex. Brilliant!

The Virgins - Rich Girls (YSI)

More of a traditional rock track than the rest of the stuff here, but irrisistable and dancey as well! I played this one out more in my own time. The lyrics are amazing. It's like he's telling you a story and you wanna hear what he has to say. I love when he says in a nonchalant way 'You don't have to be such an asshole all the time' We can all relate to people like that.

LO-FI-FNK - Wake Up (YSI)

Saw these guys perform here in Miami last year and they had me dancing the whole time. They got the knack for catchy, dancey electro pop tracks reminiscent of bands like Cut Copy. Their super young too, I'm sure they have a great career ahead of them with tracks like this.

Holy Ghost! - Hold On

Solid dance track with great lyrics, melody and hooks. They're on DFA Records too. It's more subdued and classic sounding than some of the stuff here and will probably sound like a classic years from now. It also reminds me a bit of Freestyle music as well, don't know why. Love that lyric 'It's like Scream inside a Scream'

Chemical Brothers - Do It Again (YSI)

This track is Classic Chemical Brothers! Complete with Big Beat, and quirky sounds. If you don't like this track your probably not a Chemical Brothers fan.

Roisin Murphy - Overpowered (YSI)

This song was recommended to me one night by someone at Circa Saturdays. They kept raving about how amazing it was and for me to play it at the club. So I remembered it and got it the next day. Don't know if it's the right track for a club at least not prime time, but for the home and car it's amazing! I can hear her beautiful voice over and over and never get bored. Great late night track!