Monday, March 31, 2008

Ringo Deathstarr - "Down On You"

Ringo Deathstarr - "Down On You": "I missed these guys at SXSW because I got the memo about them too late - but missing them is what made me check out their EP, which features this highlight track. Fabulous noise-pop, it takes the lurching melodic buzz of the first Lilys record to an even sweeter conclusion."

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Killers - "Shadowplay"

The Killers - "Shadowplay": "I know I shouldn't like The Killers doing Joy Division, but I have to admit that I do. While it clearly doesn't have the raw electricity of the original, this crisper-sounding take on the song is no less dark, while having a 'cooler' sound and is maybe even a bit sexy (although I hesitate to use that word)."

Monday, March 24, 2008

Be Your Own Pet - "The Kelly Affair"

Be Your Own Pet - "The Kelly Affair": "I'm not sure that I like this tribute to Beyond The Valley of The Dolls, probably because I love the original just too darn much, but I do love that they recreate Ashley St. Ives' screams of "Bentley! Rolls!" during the guitar solo."

Thursday, March 20, 2008

A Place to Bury Strangers - "Don't Think Lover"

A Place to Bury Strangers - "Don't Think Lover": "I stumbled onto these guys at the Hot Freaks party at the Mohawk. It starts off like harsh JAMC, before shifting into `60s guitar rock in an echo chamber, before shifting back to JAMC distortion, then back again to 60s rock with a wistful, garage-y guitar lead. It's not nearly as jarring as it sounds."

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Cut Copy - "Lights and Music"

Cut Copy - "Lights and Music": "These guys helped people to get their dance on at our party (Rhapsody Rocks Austin), despite it being 2:30 in the afternoon! Not radically different from their first album, although not in a bad way, this track manages an excellent blend of 80s synths with catchy guitar riffs to make a futuristic jam."

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Robyn - "With Every Heartbeat"

Robyn - "With Every Heartbeat": "I first got turned onto this song when on vacation in London last fall, but it wasn't until the tidal wave of attention started for her in the US that I really got into it. Robyn's candy-coated but emotional vocals paired pulsing synths are a simple but great combo - made even better by the fact that she can bring it live, as I witnessed first hand at SXSW last week."

Monday, March 17, 2008

Santogold - "Creator"

Santogold - "Creator": "So, yes, I can see the similarities to M.I.A., but having been familiar with Santi White's (a.k.a. Santogold) past work (which spans rock to R&B), I know she's just a chameleon and this is just one element of what she does. Plus, I'm in love with her female dancers - dressed in clothes that mix military and flight attendant looks, they do funky robotic dances/poses while they sing, all behind dark shades. I know it sounds like a gimick, but it lets Santi party while her girls hold down the Kraftwerk lock and step around her. It's tight."

Friday, March 14, 2008

The Ting Tings - "Great DJ"

The Ting Tings - "Great DJ": "I feel like this was one of the breakout songs of South by Southwest this year - lots of people went to see them live and I heard this song played at other parties too. It takes a second to get exciting, but every time they get to the chorus, there's some serious electro-rock pogoing going on. I'm sure it'll be in a commercial soon enough!"

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Chikita Violenta - "Laydown"

Chikita Violenta - "Laydown": "This sounds like great Brit-styled alt-rock, even with a touch of shoegaze-tinged hushed vocals, except that this band is from Mexico! Thanks to IODA's SXSW day party for helping me to stumble onto them quite accidentally!"

Monday, March 10, 2008

Wire - "1 2 X U"

Wire - "1 2 X U": "So simple and with so few words, but with so much energy that it's brilliant - not to mention economical, at under two minutes long."

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

The Carpenters - "Superstar"

The Carpenters - "Superstar": "I re-discovered this at the karaoke bar the other night. It's so amazingly cheesy, especially the "baby baby baby baby oh baby" part - but that's the part that got everyone in the bar singing along. Total guilty pleasure. (And, no, unlike "Let's Dance", I did not sing this one.)"

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

David Bowie - "Let's Dance"

David Bowie - "Let's Dance": "I did this song for karaoke last night at my friend Courtney's birthday party. She thought I did a good job with it, but I wanted to go back and listen to the original to hear how it's really done!"