RATATAT Remixes Vol II available for free

That's right, RATATAT's excellent second hip-hop remix album is now available from the boys' website for free. Self-released and previously only distributed at live shows (for $5), the album has recently been made available online in its entirety as a free download. The 14 tracks include mixes of vocals from artistis such as Notorious B.I.G., Kanye West, The Game, Ludacris, Memphis Bleek, T.I., Young Buck, Juvenile and Jay-Z with beats from a leaked instrumental album and other material. Grab the album here and read more about it here.

Check out some of the original instrumental tracks sans lyrics:

RATATAT - four
RATATAT - one
RATATAT - two

Oh yeah, and according to Wikipedia, "it has been rumored that they will be signed by Star Trak as the understudies of the Neptunes." WTF Wikipedia? How do you know this shiz?

- a.m.p.m.

Hip Hop Doctrine

The Boondocks, a late-night cartoon on Adult Swim, is probably one of the most politically charged and effortlessly hilarious television shows out right now. The plot follows two brothers who moved from the Chi to the suburbs and their struggle trying to find peace in the 'burb life. Huey, the shows main protagonist and narrator, is a young revolutionary fighting for the struggles of the African-American community. The very first scene of the series shows Huey at a high-brow upper-class function. He grabs the microphone from the hired band's singer and proclaims, "Excuse me. Everyone, I have a brief announcement to make. Jesus was black, Ronald Reagan was the devil, and the government is lying about 9-11. Thank you for your time and goodnight. " The all-white crowd then goes into a frenzy: throwing chairs, starting fires and fighting with themselves. Huey then wakes up. It really sets the tone for the rest of the show. Huey's younger brother Riley is an aspiring rap star and gangster who hangs out with two older white gangsters (played by Samuel L. Jackson and Charlie Murphy) who, in one episode, try (and fail) to kidnap Oprah. The reason? They think that by kidnapping Oprah they will be able to tell all the middle-class white women to do their bidding. The show gets absolutely ridiculous at times but stays fresh and hilarious with every plot twist.

Anyways, the soundtrack to the show is absolutely crazy and the underground mix tape master Dub Floyd threw together a great little mix that features Asheru (who also does the show's theme song) hosting through a phenomenal line up of slam poets and killer MC's. All the tracks feature some great wordmanship and every MC has almost impeccable flow on every track.

Off "Hip Hop Doctrine: The Official Boondocks Mixtape"
Panthers - Dead Prez, Common, Last Poets
Politricks - Akir
The Format - AZ feat. Rakim ***
The Hustle - Black Lincolns

Cheers,
MF Blaz

bonus, heres a little video of a great fight scene between Huey and Riley.

Vitalic Live Album

I recently grabbed a copy of last year's V Live, a live performance by French electronic master Vitalic recorded at Ancienne Belgique, Brussels on October 27th 2006. His 2005 album OK Cowboy was chock full of epic tracks including the classic 'La Rock 01' and my personal favourite 'Trahison'. Unfortunately, 'Trahison' was not included in the live session captured for V Live, but I did notice it soundtracking an advert for a Toshiba laptop to great effect on British TV the other day.

Vitalic - Trahison
Vitalic - Polkamatic (live)
Vitalic - My Friend Dario (live)

- a.m.p.m.

This Will ____ You, Reactions May Vary

Been on a bit of an instrumental kick in the last couple days, makes for a good soundtrack to Gonzo, the oral biography of Hunter S. Thompson that's been consuming a fair bit of my time this week (highly hilarious and highly recommended). San Marcos, Texas-based band This Will Destroy You drop their self-titled debut full length tomorrow and its Explosions in the Sky-style grandeur is effective as both a reading aid and soundtrack to a walk through a snowy downtown. I've yet to hear it accompany more heart-racing activities like drunken bumper cars, mongoose/cobra fighting, or Australian sky-diving*, but it would probably do the trick in any of the above.

This Will Destroy You - Threads

*more from BTA soon on what music would suit this form of amusement.

- B.A.

Remix Sunday: This Bird Has Flown

Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha was one of my favourite 2007 albums, so I was naturally pleased to discover that our fine feathered friend has recently made an EP of rarities (odds and ends, really) available on his European tour. The EP's 8 songs include early/alternate versions of tracks from last year's album, compilation contributions, a live cut, a new track and a Bob Dylan cover. Get your hands on a copy if you can.

Andrew Bird - Plasticities (Alternate Mix)
Andrew Bird - Oh Sister (Bob Dylan Cover)
bonus:
Andrew Bird - Imitosis (Four Tet Remix)
Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash (live)

- a.m.p.m.

New Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Album Leaks

In typical information age fashion, the new album from Stephen Malkmus (formerly of Pavement and the Silver Jews) and The Jicks slated for release on March 4th is now available online (illegally, of course) through all the usual suspects.

Although I've only given it a few listens, I like it already. Standout tracks include 'Hopscotch Willie' and 'Baltimore'.

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - Baltimore

- a.m.p.m.

The OaKs

Photo Credit: Steven Taylor

So I was going through the BTA email account, trying to make my way through:

MAKE YOUR PENIS LARGER! YES YOU, BRIDGINGTHEATLANTIC,
MAKE IT BIGGER!!

Hypothetically speaking, if BTA did have a penis, I'm sure that it would not need enhancement. I'm not trying to brag, but it's true. And now you might be asking, "Yo bridgingtheatlantic, what the fuck does spam and penis' have to do with The OaKs?". Well, not a thing...but the email after that was from Frantic, a promotion company based out of New York. Turns out they're pushing a band called the OaKs hailing from the Orlando, Florida. The story goes that the lead singer lived in Afghanistan post 9/11. Apparently he sold everything he had, a-la Into the Wild, and joined a humanitarian mission.

From the Press Release:

Costello [Ryan Costello, Vocals] lived there for two years, working in the Central Afghan Mountains with returned refugees, teaching them creative agricultural techniques and becoming fluent in their native language, Farsi. Late at night, while the dust storms blocked out the stars and rattled the windows, he would sit and work out impressions of what he had seen and heard that day on his acoustic guitar. Costello also documented his time in Afghanistan with a series of moving portraits which can be viewed at ryancostello.com.

When he was there he met a man named Masood. The two developed a close relationship and Ryan was there to bear witness to Masood's father's death.

From the Press Release:

Three years later, as Costello sat around in his living room in Florida one summer strumming on his classical guitar, he began working on a song that would weave in the story of Masood with another Masood who was killed in late 2001, Ahmad Shaw Masood. An Afghan mythic hero who rose up mighty armies to fight first the Russians and then later the Taliban, Masood from an early age carried himself as a warrior and a walking message to his people never to let themselves be ruled from without. Called “The Lion of Panshir”, Masood gave hope to his people in a hopeless time. As a composite of one personal friendship and one mythic story, Masood came to be one of the centerpieces of The OaKs’ new album Songs For Waiting.

Their sophomore release, Songs for Waiting, will be available on March 4th but you can stream the whole album from here.

[MP3]: Masood - The OaKs

Cheers,
MF Blaz

Working For a Nuclear Free City

My initial thoughts, void of research: a band that calls themselves Working For a Nuclear Free City is either a) young and idealistic to the point of naivety, b) the result of weening a child on nothing but Bono, or c) politically inclined folk who honestly but mistakenly believe their music can help forward and/or highlight this cause. After listening to some material, it's clear that thankfully none of my preconceptions apply.. yet any of them could be correct, I guess. How any post-rock instrumental act can broadcast a political stance without singing a lyric is anybody's guess, but for their sake it's great that the music doesn't suck. What an endorsement, but seriously they are worth checking out, particularly bonus track "Asleep at the Wheel" from 2007's Businessmen & Ghosts. The song has enough force out of the gates, but really gathers its steam as additional guitar and string layers are packed on. The Manchester outfit hits the Hoxton Square Bar in London on Feb. 13.

Working For a Nuclear Free City - Asleep At The Wheel
Working For a Nuclear Free City - The Tape
WFANFC Myspace

- B.A.

Frog Eyes release video, or video release Frog Eyes?

In the middle of 2007, a year that saw the release of many great albums, I stumbled upon a band called Frog Eyes. Now, I wasn't exactly throwing myself around to find out about them, their name didn't seem to do it for me. But I did get a chance to listen to a few of their tracks off of their SEVENTH release Tears of the Valedictorian and what they lacked in a band name they made up in musical talent. I'm not saying the album or the band is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I am saying that they are definitely worth checking out if your out of music on a boring afternoon.

The video for their first single, Idle Songs, presents to us a vision of the world from the eyes of frogs. Wait...no I doesn't. Actually I have no fucking clue what the video is supposed to be about. Drunken, bearded hobos walk around spliced with pictures of paintings and my favorite; a horse with a dart (cigarette) in it's mouth. What the fuck? I feel like I'm tripping on acid.

I'm freaking out man!

You are freaking out, man.

[Video]: Idle Songs - Frog Eyes


[MP3]:Idle Songs - Frog Eyes
[MP3]:Stockades - Frog Eyes


Cheers, MF Blaz

Tenebre

Any fan of Justice's "Phantom" has to listen to the track "Tenebre" by Italian prog-rock band Goblin. More than just an inspiration, "Phantom" is basically a remixed version of this cut from the sountrack of Dario Argento's violent 1982 film of the same name.

And by the way, 'tenebre' is Italian for darkness.

Goblin - Tenebre
Justice - Phantom

- a.m.p.m.

PB & J Talk to BTA about Canada, New Record Plans

Any day that involves last-minute, spontaneous chats with Swedish indie-popsters is a good day by all accounts. So the fact that my afternoon included a brief hang out with the boys affectionately known as Peter, Bjorn & John made waking up this morning a great decision.

PB&J are in Toronto tonight playing a soldout show at the Phoenix, their second in less than a calendar year. After this tour, it's back to the studio to begin recording on the follow-up to 2006's gigantic hit (critically and commercially) Writer's Block.

We talked a bit about the new album, the success of the Swedish music scene, and why the band seems to enjoy coming to Canada.

BTA: 2007 was a successful year for many Swedish artists internationally Jens Lekman, Jose Gonzalez, the Sounds, etc.) and 2006 was pretty solid, too. What exactly is happening over there that's causing the international eyes to turn toward Sweden?

PBJ: The music scene in Sweden isn’t any stronger than it was, but I guess when one band starts to get attention, it helps out all the other bands around them. And also the internet obviously has a lot to do with that.

BTA: What about the Swedish artists who aren't getting enough recognition outside of their homeland? Any bands you think deserve more attention?

PBJ: There’s a band called the Bear Quartet that have been around forever that we've always liked. They've released fourteen albums now, over like fifteen years. Also, there’s a bunch of side projects from them as well.

BTA: So you're doing a few shows here and then down to Mexico and LA for a couple more. What's next for PB&J? Any details on album plans?

PBJ: We're going to head back home and start working on a new album. We're going to take our time on it, though. We definitely won't be working every day. But we hope to have it finished by the end of summer.

BTA: Writer's Block was officially released in 2006 to a lot of critical success, and then still managed to find its way on a bunch of "best of" lists for 2007. Has the longevity of the album surprised you?

PBJ: It’s great that it just keeps growing. But it wasn’t released in proper physical form in a lot of countries, like Canada and the US until February. And there are still some countries, like Brazil, who still haven’t released it but want to. So who knows how long it will go.

What’s funny is that we won a Swedish Grammy for it in 2006, and then were nominated for more in 2007 with the same album. We asked the girl at the record label in Sweden how that’s even possible, and she said it has something to do with it being re-released with a second disc.

BTA: Your website mentions Canada as one of your favourite countries to play. What is it about Canada that has left such a favourable impression?

PBJ: We haven’t been here a lot, but when we have played, the crowds have always been big and really great. We’ve only been to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal and this (tonight at Phoenix in Toronto) will be maybe our tenth show. But we’ve always really enjoyed ourselves. I think our countries share a lot in common in terms of taste. So we feel pretty at home here.

Peter Bjorn & John - Lets Call it Off (Single Mix)


- bbbykmbrly.

Mash-tacular

I love it when mashups work out as well as these li'l ditties:

Mammoth Boys (M.I.A. vs. Interpol)
Bloc Party vs. Gwen Stefani - Witches (What You Hunting For?)
Bjorn Slippy (Peter, Bjorn & John vs. Underworld)

- a.m.p.m.

Coachella Lineup Announced

Attention Dominion Shoppers - Chocolate Milk is $0.99 today and until supplies last.

In other news, probably the premiere music festival in North America, Indio, CA's annual Coachella Music & Arts Festival tossed forth its lineup today for all to admire and begin to dream of summer.

This year the now three-day festival falling on the last weekend of April has made some interesting choices that have resulted in some bad buzz already.

I must admit it is quite unnerving to read that every aunt's favourite surfer boy Jack Johnson is the headliner on the first night of the festival. And, certainly some of the other headlining names seem a bit disappointing, not necessarily because of what names are present but rather for those which are noticeably absent. Despite the speculation that they may kick off their much-anticipated summer touring at the festival, Radiohead is probably the biggest name absent. Also missing are others who I personally had my fingers crossed for such as Tokyo Police Club, Of Montreal, or the Decemberists, who had to cancel their fall tour due to band illness. Instead, reunions from bands like Portishead, Love and Rockets, the Verve and Kraftwerk have been substituted yet fail to fill the void.

But it is in the finer print of the lineup where Coachella 2008 shapes up to be promising. The festival brings together a diverse blend of 2007's most mentioned in MIA, Justice, the National, Diplo, and others while managing quite impressively to anticipate what's next. Santogold, MGMT, Vampire Weekend, the Teenagers, and New Young Pony Club bring the next generation along with a slew of other artists whose buzz is already in the boiling process. (For readers in the Toronto area, enter to win a pair of tickets to the February MGMT show here.)

From a home base perspective, my fellow Canadians have to be happy with a solid showing including A&C-ites Stars (but no Feist), as well as Tegan & Sara, Chromeo, Holy Fuck, Metric and certainly others.

Ultimately, the lineup is diverse and promising but seems to be lacking in too many clinchers with many people. But with that much young talent on the verge this festival is likely to be a grower rather than a shower.

Here's a summer-inspired 2008 Coachella preview grab bag to help you fend off the rest of the winter months. Download here.

Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
The Teenagers - Homecoming
M.I.A. - Jimmy
MGMT - Kids
Battles - Ddiamondd
Black Lips - O Katrina!
Tegan & Sara - Nineteen

- bbbykmbrly.

Maccabees

In my zeal to share new musical discoveries, I often forget that my friends across the pond aren't exposed to the (sometimes excellent) bands that we in the UK seem to be all too aware of. The Maccabees are one such example. The Brighton-based group's debut album Colour It In has been out for ages (April? May?) and when I saw these guys at Reading in August the crowd was insane.

Check 'em out, North Americans.

The Maccabees - Toothpaste Kisses
The Maccabees - About Your Dress

- a.m.p.m.

Remix Sunday: Hollaback, Foals

You say ba-nah-na, I say ba-na-na. Whatever. This great cover is from a Foals XFM session back in August.

Foals - Hollaback Girl

- a.m.p.m.

50hertz

50hertz sounds like what would happen if Think About Life teamed up with some dudes on ADATAT records. in other words, an 8-bit dance party. sewingmachine is highly, highly recommended.

50hertz - sewingmachine
50hertz - nigga please

- a.m.p.m.

Vampire Weekend invade London

Ignore the poster above. Vampire Weekend is actually busy in London town; at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen tomorrow night and Push on Saturday. The first show is sold out but I think tickets are still available for the second gig. With the new album to be released worldwide January 28/29, I bet they'll have even more songs up their striped sleeves than when I saw them at the Borderline a few months ago.

According to Hoxton Bar and Kitchen's website:

Fresh off their UK tour with the Shins, their debut album going out in January released on XL Recordings, the best thing out of New York since ... (insert favourite NY band here), hype being raised EVERYwhere! How could you miss this?

Vampire Weekend bring you their unique slice of folk-indie-punk chopped up with some African influenced guitar rhythm and spiky vocals. The songs run round your head for hours until you're learnt every instrumental and vocal part. Frankly, you should buy a ticket right now.

Yes indeedy.

Torontonians can catch 'em at the Horseshoe Tavern on February 11th.

Vampire Weekend - Exit Music (For a Film)
(various other excellent Radiohead covers available here)

Vampire Weekend - A-Punk



- a.m.p.m.

If this is a role call...

Lightning struck about 100 yards away from me the other day here in OZ...After my eardrums stopped ringing, I took it as a sign to post more from my side of the world. So I thought I'd mention The Wombats. The Liverpool band's 'Moving to New York' was re-released on January 14th, but it's been the track "Kill the Director" thats been getting a lot of play on Aussie radio. I really enjoy the original, but have currently been digging the CSS remix. The band is about to embark on what looks like a fairly rigorous touring schedule in the next few days, and will be arriving in Sydney in March so I will make my best attempt to be in attendance and see how these guys roll live. For now enjoy the track and see if you can make it to the one of many European dates.

- Matty B.

The Wombats - Kill the Director (CSS Remix)

Crystal Castles release video; I get brain freeze.

We've been following the Toronto duo, Crystal Castles, for quite some time now and we are so close to their first full length it was time for them to release a video. Now, I'm not to sure if I agree with two of the fundamental things that a video needs to succeed.

First, the song:
I don't think Air Wars was the wisest choice for their first video. If the point of a video is to capture a new audience into listening to your music then I thought that Crimewaves would have been the best choice. But I'm not Crystal Castles nor do I know them.

Second, the concept:
I just don't understand this one. They walk around with ice cream cones substituted for heads? What is that? Are they trying to copy Daft Punk's Da Funk? Probably not, but the dog head concept is way cooler than the ice cream head.

All n' all it doesn't really matter as everyone from BTA is totally stoked for their debut.

[Video]Air Wars - Crystal Castles


Don't want to give you my real fake name because my head is about to explode and this post probably makes very little sense;
Mystery Man

Remix Sunday: Steve Aoki

There's shit show in the air today around the streets of downtown Toronto. A certain brand of shit show which is reserved strictly for the parties brought by Hollywood, CA's most hipsterest DJ/party monster Steve Aoki.

Tonight, Aoki brings his asian-sweat dance party to the recently-opened Tattoo Rock Parlour, along with Ed Banger supercutie Uffie. The pair, who have built incredible buzz despite having yet to release any records, are a prime example of the "attitude-over-talent" approach which has hit a chord with today's party-goers worldwide. Neither are producing any content indicative of overt musical prowess, in my opinion, but none of this really seems to matter to the legions of walking/talking American Apparel ads who have been shitting themselves over this party, put on by the Queen of the Toronto party scene, Anna Von Frances of Pink Mafia.

With about three-zillion kids RSVPed on effbook, It's likely I'll be the only human being not at Tattoo tonight. Not that I deny it will be a fantastic party, because it certainly will be. I guess I just don't care that much. That, and my one-piece bright purple unitard is in the wash.

Aoki's debut album, Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles, which at times treads the line between remixing and straight-up thiefing the music of others (check out the 1:53 of untouched Refused sample which kicks off album snippet #1 on his myspace page), is out January 22nd on Thrive/Dim Mak. Apart from the questionable Refused usage, however, the album does boast some pretty interesting remixes (most of which aren't his own) and features a whole whack of guest vocalists, including Peaches, Hot Hot Heat's Steve Bay, and Todd Fink of the Faint on his remix of Goose's Bring it On.

Uffie's album is due out sometime later in 2008.

Bloc Party - Helicopters (Weird Science Remix ft. Peaches)

Goose - Bring it On (ft. Todd Fink of the Faint)

- bbbykmbrly.

Taken Too Young

The Tough Alliance were responsible for one of my favourite releases of 2007, A New Chance. Not included on that album was the excellent single 'Taken Too Young', released back in August. The track is actually a remix; the original is by Taken By Trees, the project of fellow Swede Victoria Bergsman (formerly of the Concretes). The original is great, and TTA's remix is possibly even better.

The Tough Alliance - Taken Too Young
The Tough Alliance - Taken Too Young (zipped)

- a.m.p.m.

I Swore to Kill Every Last One

The Mars Volta are one of the first bands that I absolutely fell in love with upon first listen. I remember I was sitting on a plane on my way back from Italy and my friend handed me their then-recently-released De-Loused In The Comatorium. By the end of Intertiatic E.S.P, all I wanted to do was run up and down the aisles screaming, "NOW I'M LOST. NOW I'M LOST."

Classic moment. De-Loused is definitely one of my favorite concept albums of all-time and even though their second full-length, Frances the Mute, does not reach such a standard, it is a brilliant prog-rock album that will rock throughout the ages.

Amputechture? I don't want to talk about Amputechture.

Now the former members of At the Drive-In are set to release their forth full-length album entitled The Bedlam in Goliath and it definitely has been set up as their return to a more instrument based spacey sound, and not just "we did lots of acid and thought the ambient noise on the moons of Jupiter were fucking rad" sound. The first track released, Wax Simulacra, cuts out all the fluff that surrounded much of the Volta's previous albums and hits right to the point with great effect. The music is as hard-hitting as it was on De-loused and Cedric's lyrics and vocals keep the same ethereal sound scape that they are known for.

The album is set to be released on Jan 29th and they have put up a website with a puzzle that supposedly gives away details about the background concept for the album.

Welcome back to Earth boys.

[MP3] Wax Simularcra - Mars Volta

[MP3] Goliath - Mars Volta


[Video] Aberinkula - Mars Volta


Cheers,
MF Blaz

The Constant Constantines

Ok, the title is totally lame; but really "constant" or "consistent" are the words that best describe The Constantines, the boys from Guelph, ON. Releasing three great albums and three great EPs in the span of four great years it was safe to assume that after the demise of Three Gut Records they would press on and press on they did. They even landed a spot on one of Canada's premiere indie labels, Arts & Crafts, who will be releasing their latest sometime in April. The untimely demise of Three Gut happened right smack dab in the middle of the recording sessions for their forth album and from the sounds of things it has helped the band grow and progress.

They will be releasing their first 7' EVER, Hard Feelings, next week on Tuesday but it will also be available as a digital download at those popular digital download websites.

[MP3] Hard Feelings - Constantines


Cheers,
MF Blaz

MGMT/Yeasayer Ticket Giveaway

Today is an exciting day in BTA land. It marks the first-ever contest that we've hosted, and I personally can't think of a pair of bands that I'd rather be sharing this monumental occasion with than MGMT and Yeasayer.

Thanks to our friends at Red Ink, we've got a pair of tickets for their February 9th show at the El Mocambo in Toronto, as well as a copy of MGMT's debut album, Oracular Spectacular, due out January 22nd in Canada.

This news comes on the same day that MGMT is making their major television debut, performing on David Letterman tonight, January 8th. Tune in and check it out.

So, to enter this inaugural BTA contest, email us with "MGMT/Yeasayer tickets!" in the subject line, and answer the following question: which song did MGMT perform on Letterman? Also include your full name and contact info. We'll be drawing a winner from successful entries on Friday, February 1st.

MGMT - Weekend Wars

Yeasayer - Sunrise


- bbbykmbrly.

Juno Soundtrack to be Released Digitally January 11th

Acting on a tip from a friend, I checked out Juno a few nights ago and was suitably impressed. Not only is it a clever and engaging film, but I was especially taken with the excellent folksy/twee soundtrack. Belle & Sebastian, The Kinks, Sonic Youth, The Velvet Underground, Cat Power, and Buddy Holly are among the artists featured, and Kimya Dawson contributes a handful of sweet gems to provide consistency. A few cuts are available below, but I highly recommend picking up the entire album.

01) "All I Want Is You" – Barry Louis Polisar
02) "Rollercoaster" – Juno Film Version - Kimya Dawson
03) "A Well Respected Man" – The Kinks
04) "Dearest" – Buddy Holly
05) "Up The Spout" – Mateo Messina
06) "Tire Swing" – Kimya Dawson
07) "Piazza, New York Catcher" – Belle & Sebastian
08) "Loose Lips" – Kimya Dawson
09) "Superstar" – Sonic Youth
10) "Sleep" – Instrumental - Kimya Dawson
11) "Expectations" – Belle & Sebastian
12) "All The Young Dudes" – Mott The Hoople
13) "So Nice So Smart" – Kimya Dawson
14) "Sea of Love" – Cat Power
15) "Tree Hugger" – Kimya Dawson and Antsy Pants
16) "I'm Sticking With You" – Velvet Underground
17) "Anyone Else but You" – The Moldy Peaches
18) "Vampire" – Antsy Pants
19) "Anyone Else But You" – Ellen Page and Michael Cera

"Tire Swing" - Kimya Dawson

- a.m.p.m.

Lust, Cubed

Vice will be distributing The Raveonettes long-awaited album Lust Lust Lust on Feb. 19th in North America. Early press has suggested a bit of deviation from the aesthetic found on Pretty in Black, saying that the instrumentation strays farther from 50's and 60's rock and roll into more fuzzed out 80's territory. This progression has been greatly exaggerated, however, and though songs like "You Want the Candy" are certainly louder than what the band's put out, tracks like "Dead Sound" or more common and sound similar to what we're used to from the band. Check the tour in a town near you or take the family on a road trip to Hoboken, New Jersey, what the heck!

January
19 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 (with Blonde Redhead)
February
29 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
March
1 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
2 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar
4 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theater
5 San Francisco, CA @ The Independant
7 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
8 Vancouver, BC @ The Plaza Niteclub
9 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
12 Austin, TX @ SXSW
13 Austin, TX @ SXSW
14 Austin, TX @ SXSW
15 Austin, TX @ SXSW
16 Austin, TX @ SXSW
17 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
18 Chicago, IL @ Double Door
19 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
21 Toronto, ON @ Opera House
22 Montreal, QC @ Les Saint
23 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwells
24 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
27 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
28 Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar
29 Washington, DC @ Black Cat

The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
The Raveonettes - You Want the Candy

- B.A.

Radiohead Loves The Internet

So not only did they release a full and unreal album on the net for however much you wanted to pay for it but now radiohead has also released a 60 minute DVD quality video of them preforming all the songs off In Rainbows. The video, Scotch Mist, shows the band in the studio rawking the instruments. Let me tell you, it's great to see Johnny helming a guitar again and not some random 1950's synth or Thom belting out the lyrics to Bodysnatchers while hammering away at his 6 string. Anyways, it goes without saying that the video is worth every second of watching or even just let it play in the background as it sounds great as a live set.

Lets All Drink Scotch and play in the mist.

[Video] Radiohead - Scotch Mist


Cheers, MF Blaz

Not Much To Say Today....

I just want ya'll to know that my music collection reached its second milestone:

It may not be absolutely ridiculous but it's fairly ridiculous and that's all from me today.

Cheers, MF Blaz

oh, and ps: I do not have any individual tracks in this collection. It's all LPs, EPs, and demos.

before it's too late: best of 2007 vol III.

When it comes to year-end, it seems like everyone has to weigh in on what their favourite music of the past twelve months. In bloggerland, this is especially true. At BTA, we're no different except that there are multiple opinions that get expressed.

This is the third full mix posted by us, both MFBlaz and a.m.p.m. have beaten me to the punch (which isnt hard to do considering we're nearly a full week into 2008). But not to be outdone, here is a mix of what I consider to be the finest music of this past year.

Since I'm notoriously poor in the technical department, the mix isn't mixed per say, but that doesn't mean that thought wasn't put into the order of the songs.

Download the entire mix right here, or click below for individual tracks.

Gruff Rhys - This is Just the Beginning
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Rockers to Swallow
Les Savy Fav - The Year Before the Year 2000
LCD Soundsystem - Watch the Tapes
Bombay Bicycle Club - How are You
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
Kanye West - Barry Bonds (ft. Lil Wayne)
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Cloud Cult - Chemicals Collide
Broken Social Scene ft Kevin Drew - TBTF
Tegan & Sara - Like Oh, Like H
The Wooden Sky - When Lost at Sea
Of Montreal - The Past is a Grotesque Animal
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - Satan Said Dance
Vampire Weekend - Bryn
Spoon - You Got Yr Cherrybomb
Kings of Leon - Camaro
Black Lips - Veni Vidi Vici
The National - Fake Empire
Bright Eyes - Clairaudients (Kill or Be Killed)

A lot of the above have wound up on many people's best of's (at least the artist/album, if not the song). But if i could personally recommend one of the lesser-knowns, I'd like to point you, the BTA faithful, toward Toronto indie folk/country wonders the Wooden Sky. Their 07 release When Lost at Sea is definitely a contender for my favourite Canadian album of the year. I've been meaning to post fully on these guys, which I still intend to do - so keep your eyes (and ears) out.

For nostalgia purposes, my 2003 mix is available here.

- bbbykmbrly.

Crystal Castles samples DFA on first track.

I don't really have time to get into the details for this post but I recently (as of 10 minutes ago) got my hands on the first track off of Crystal Castles highly anticipated self titled debut set to be released for mass consumption in March. The Toronto natives first track off their new album album is a great indication of what we have to look forward to.

[MP3] Untrust Us - Crystal Castles (off their upcoming debut)

[MP3] Alice Practice - Crystal Castles


Cheers,
MF Blaz

Hot Chip, Hot Single

There is much that can be said about this five-piece from London. Headed by 8-bit star Alexis Taylor and certified beat muncher Joe Goddard, Hot Chip has eased their way onto dance floors around the globe. And when I say "eased their way" I really mean it; Hot Chip does not have the super fast dance sound that seems to be popular these days, but they take it easy. The first few lyrics of their 2006 smash hit Over and Over start with Alexis muttering "Laid Back / Laid Back / I'll give you laid back". Early in 2008 they are releasing a new disc entitled Made in the Dark to follow their well received The Warning (coming in fourth on NME's best of 06) and it seems like they're taking it even easier. The first single entitled Ready for the Floor is very laid back and plays into the dualities that Hot Chip have expressed over their 2 disc career.

My chips are melting already.

[MP3] Ready for the Floor - Hot Chip

[MP3] Shake A Fist - Hot Chip

[MP3] Kids with Guns (Hot Chip Remix) - Gorillaz


[VIDEO] Ready for the Floor - Hot Chip


Cheers,
MF Blaz

The (Real-Life, Emotional) Teenagers - New Album Countdown

As a socio-demographic, teenagers are acknowledged to be hormonal, dramatic, and generally irresponsible, but a shit ton of fun. In fact, most any washed-up, fattened middle-ager has no qualms about admitting that being a teenager is certainly as good as it gets.

Carrying those same stereotypes to their keypads and distortion pedals are Paris, France's the Teenagers. Unless you're a rarely-to-never music blog frequenter, there's a solid chance you've caught wind of these characters at some point in 2007, likely as providers of some of the sweetest remixes of some pretty stellar bands. BTA first reported on some of these mixes in April of this past year, and they're in absolute abundance on hype machine and others. But January 15th sees the digital release of their debut album, Reality Check and subsequent North American touring, followed by the worldwide physical release March 18th. Their 12-stop jaunt across North America begins on the 18th of January in Vancouver, their first of three Canadian dates.

January 18 - Vancouver - Richards on Richards
January 27 - Toronto - Social (tickets)
January 29 - Montreal - Just For Laughs

The album seems to be made up tracks previously available on the interweb, but may serve as a mainstream introduction to the crude, ironic electro-pop that has already caught the attention of many o' youth and young adult.

01) Homecoming
02) Love No
03) Feeling Better
04) Starlett Johansson
05) Streets of Paris
06) Make It Happen
07) Wheel of Fortune
08) Fuck Nicole
09) Sunset Beach
11) III
12) End of the Road

Plus, a brand new track, which isn't included in the upcoming release.

Teenagers - Tiger

- bbbykmbrly.

Best Hip Hop of 07

My more committed BTA brethren have promptly contributed great selections of 2007's best, with one category left largely untouched: Hip Hop in '07. If we are talking the best, all aspects considered, then the self-proclaimed best rapper alive is king. Neither Kanye, nor Common, T.I., or anybody else could even touch Weezy F. Baby this past year, which he so eloquently articulates by saying "I'm so motherfucking high I can eat a star." Better yet, "Understand I am Michael Jordan ballin'." Bold, yes...from anybody else these bars would sound plain horrible, ignorant even. But he's not bullshitting you, because when your 2007 mixtape record reads like the following:

Bad Ass Grasshopper, The Beast and The Hustla, The Best Rapper Alive, The Best Rapper Alive Vol. 2, The Best Rapper Alive Vol. 3, The Best Rapper Alive Vol. 4, The Best Rapper Alive Vol. 5, Carter Files, Carter vs. Carter, The Carter Meets The Cartel, Da Drought 3, The Drought Is Over Pt. 2, The Drought Is Over Pt. 3, The Drought Is Over Pt. 4, From 9/11 to Katrina Vol. 1, Jackin for Beats, Lil' Wayne vs. Weezy F. Baby, Lyrical Homicide Pt. 1, Lyrical Homicide Pt. 2, New Orleans Nightmare Pt. 1-7, R & Weezy, The Rapper Eater, SQ7, Wayne's World Part 3, Wayne's World Vol. 2, Where's My Crown At? Vol. 3, Young Money (The Best of Lil' Wayne), Young Money Millionaire, Young Money Millionaire Pt. 2, Young Money Millionaire Pt. 3, Young Money Millionaire Pt. 4

...and you are, like Wallace and Carter before you, known for writing nothing...and your freestyles are limitless...and Pitchfork digs you as much as those in any hood...and you came out with "Upgrade," which contains:

It's a new game and I'm the coach like Avery
Leave it to the flow we getting dough like a bakery
I don't really want to but these niggas makin' me
Put a motherfucker on ice like the Maple Leafs
That's a hockey team and I ain't on no hockey team
But I'm a champion, where's the fuckin Rocky Theme
Damn...rest in peace Apollo Creed
I'm a monster. Everyday is Halloween

...then you win. The most notable Toronto sports reference in hip hop history comes courtesy of the New Orleans quote machine, go figure. The Carter III reportedly drops February 15, 2008.

Lil' Wayne - Upgrade

Enough praise for one talent, check out also some other standout tracks of 2007, a short list the BTA writers will pad as needed (minus Soulja Boy, which yes, was fun, bet let's move on). Paper Planes is on everybody's radar, rightly so...how about the remix with Bun B and Rich Boy?

M.I.A. - Paper Planes feat. Bun B & Rich Boy
El-P - Dear Sirs
Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
UGK feat. Outkast - International Players

- B.A.

Smashing Pumpkins release American Gothic EP; no one really cares.

Alright, so I might get some flak for the title of this one (especially from bbby's better half) but it's true. No one really cares about the Smashing Pumpkins anymore. Sure they released a full length back in the heat of '07 that surpassed all expectations for the newly reformed Pumpkins, but did that really catch the attention of the music world? Not really. The LP was only slightly better than expected but it still wasn't that great an album. Not only that but the "new" Smashing Pumpkins are just a different reconfiguration of Zwan...so in fact you can say that the "new" Smashing Pumpkins are actually just a "new" Zwan playing Smashing Pumpkins covers...does that make sense?

Anyways, yesterday they released a short 20-minute 4-track EP entitled American Gothic and it's...uh...well...it's actually alright. The lyrics still lack the torment of old Billy; the first lines of track Again, Again, Again go "I love you / I don't even care." - masterful Bill, masterful. The lyrics, although shitty, do work well with the sound but is it just me or do they sound like they're trying to be the Foo Fighters? Anyways, the EP is worth the 20 minute listen but don't expect too much.

I'm going to throw on Mellon Collie and cry over spilt milk.

Smashing Pumpkins - Again, Again, Again

Smashing Pumpkins - Pox

Cheers,
MF Blaz

Best of 2007 Volume 2

a.m.p.m.'s 2007 mix:

01 Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends
02 Okkervil River - Unless It's Kicks
03 M.I.A. - Paper Planes
04 Justice - Valentine
05 Yeasayer - 2080
06 The Tough Alliance - Looking For Gold
07 Handsome Furs - Dead + Rural
08 Band of Horses - The General Specific
09 Black Kids - Listen To Your Body Tonight
10 Feist - My Moon My Man
11 Spoon - Rhthm & Soul
12 Of Montreal - She's A Rejector
13 The National - Slow Show
14 Radiohead - Faust Arp
15 Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
16 Tokyo Police Club - Box
17 Crystal Castles vs HEALTH - Crimewave
18 Rigas - The Hardest Pocket To Pick
19 Tullycraft - The Punks Are Writing Love Songs
20 Architecture in Helsinki - Heart It Races
21 The Weakerthans - Night Windows
22 Seabear - I Sing I Swim
23 Calexico - Ocean Of Noise

DOWNLOAD THE ENTIRE MIX HERE

My 2006 mix is also still available here.

- a.m.p.m.

(thanks again to tapedeck.org for the image)

MSTRKRFT: Doing big things in 2008

The other night I had the chance to help a friend out by covering a MSTRKRFT show and interview. Now, I feel I shouldn't say too much about it as it hasn't been aired yet, but we did get the chance to talk about the ever changing electronic music scene, the art of remixing, and what the guys have in store for the new year. The guys explained that they were going to try to stay away from the remixing for a while to focus on other things. We then asked them if they ever wanted to dabble with any hip-hop remixes, as their tracks to date are almost exclusively indie rock or dance groups. They revealed that they had in fact been recently approached by a hip-hop artist, not really indicating though if this would be a remix or collaborative effort. When we tried to get the name of the artist out of them they kept quiet, but did say that to do something like this, it would have to be someone fairly significant in the game and a means to move them forward as artists. I like to think it's going to be with Kanye with the whole A-trak connection. As for the set itself, I had heard mixed things about their performance, but I was pretty into the show. In between filming I was able to dance to a great remix of 'Genesis' by Justice along with some other unheard goodies. Too bad the girl beside me kept calling me a Unicorn..and other various mythological beasts.



- Matty B.

MSTRKRFT - Paris

Looking Forward: 2008

Above Photo by No Pattern
So I hope that everyone got belligerently drunk last night and had an excellent new years eve. Bbbykmbrly, a.m.p.m, and myself headed over to the party at Sneaky Dee's and had a most excellent time; even running across the street to Bistro at two in the morning to catch some eight dollar pitchers. But now let's put the past behind us and look towards the future. The future of rawk and roll. There are some releases coming out in the next few months that are worth noting and I'll provide you with a little list of the sound that is to come.

Looking Forward 2008
Please note that all release dates/album titles are subject to change.

January
[Artist/Album/Label]
08th Syclops / Where's Jason's K? / DFA
15th Constantines / Hard Feelings, Easy Money 7" / Arts & Crafts
22nd Cat Power / Jukebox / Matador
22nd MGMT / Oracular Spectacular / Columbia
22nd Steve Aoki / Pillowface and his Airplane Chronicles / Thrive
22nd Times New Viking / Rip It Off / Matador
29th Helio Sequence / Keep Your Eyes Ahead / Sub Pop
29th Louis XIV / Slick Dogs and Ponies / Atlantic
29th The Mars Volta / The Bedlam in Goliath / Universal
29th Sons & Daughters / The Gift / Domino
29th These New Puritans / Navigate, Navigate 12" / Domino
29th Vampire Weekend / Vampire Weekend / XL
29th Xiu Xiu / Women As Lovers / Kill Rock Stars

February
[Artist/Album/Label]
05th Hot Chip / Made in the Dark / DFA, Astralwerks
05th Jason Collett / Here's to Being Here / Arts & Crafts
12th British Sea Power / Do You Like Rock Music? / Rough Trade
19th 65 Days of Static / The Fall of Math / Monotreme, Cargo UK
19th Crystal Castles / Crystal Castles / Last Gang Records
19th Joy Division / Let The Movie Begin LP / Ozit, Cargo UK
19th Ravonettes / Lust Lust Lust / Vice
26th B-52's / Funples / Astralwerks
26th Born Ruffians / Red, Yellow & Blue / Warp
26th Del the Funky Homosapien / Eleventh Hour / Def Jux

March
[Artist/Album/Label]
18th Be Your Own Pet / Get Awkward / Ecstatic Peace, Universal
18th Destroyer / Trouble in Dreams / Merge
18th These New Puritans w. Silver Mt. Zion / Beat Pyramid / Domino

April
[Artist/Album/Label]
08th Animal Collective / Water Curses / Domino
08th Breeders / Mountain Battles / 4AD
08th Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds / Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! / Anti-

Cheers,
MF Blaz