Monday, November 30, 2009

[BEST OF 2009] My favourite mixes, collections, reissues and live albums

blog 2009/11/30 - [BEST OF 2009]  My favourite mixes, collections, reissues and live albums

This is a bit of a catch-all category, but there can be so many blurred lines involved here.
The definition of a DJ mixtape is far different than a hiphop posse mixtape.
A mix of adult contemporary chill is far different than a hyper-edited digital dance mix.
A massive box of British pop stars is only somewhat comparable to a massive box of Japaese noise stars.  Close, though.

Due to the nature of the categories, there are no rankings.
For the mixes, I will give you a taste of the first 10 minutes of each.  For the posse tapes and collections, I'll give choice selections.
Please note that again, the weird and more experimental stuff is loaded at the end of the playlist.  But quite frankly, every random party playlist needs a 20-minute Hijokaiden track on it.
If you disagree, I highly recommend deleting the last 6 tracks ASAP, lest they surprise you some day...



Let's start with a summary:

2009 BEST MIXTAPES

DJ Rupture & Matt Shadetek - Solar Life Raft
DJ Yoda - How To Cut & Paste: The Thirties Edition
Henrik Schwarz, Ame, Dixon - The Grandfather Paradox
J.Period & K'Naan - The Messengers (Trilogy)
Osymyso - Warp20 (Elemental)
Peter Kruder - Private Collection
Themselves - theFREEhoudini


2009 BEST LIVE ALBUMS

Nirvana - Live At Reading
Tom Waits - Glitter And Doom Live


2009 BEST REISSUES / COLLECTIONS

The Beatles - Mono Box (13 CD)
Bernard Parmegiani - L’Oeuvre Musicale (12 CD)
Eluvium - Life Through Bombardment (7 LP)
Hijokaidan - The Noise (30 CD)
Incapacitants - Box Is Stupid (10 CD)
Modest Mouse - No One's First And You're Next
The Jesus Lizard - Inch



I should also mention that Miles Davis received a 170 CD box set this year...  I mean... holy shit.  That's intense.



And now let's get in to the thick of it...


2009 BEST MIXTAPES

DJ Rupture & Matt Shadetek - Solar Life Raft:  Rupture has a refreshing "and the kitchen sink too" approach to mixes, sliding in a bunch of things that are more about attitude than they are about musical coherence.

DJ Yoda - How To Cut & Paste: The Thirties Edition:  I love 30s big band and had spent a good chunk of the year listening to compilations of 30s big band music.  I was so damn happ to find this mix for DJ Yoda, which includes many of my old timey favourites.  Such a fun time.

Henrik Schwarz, Ame, Dixon - The Grandfather Paradox:  Take a tour on the history of minimalism in many of its incarnations.  This is no Hawtin edit job, this mix stays true to the source material and sucks you in with it's organic chug and eclectic selections.

Osymyso - Warp20 (Elemental):  I hated Osymyso for his bullshit intros mix, but this jaunt through the Warp Records back catalouge redeems him in a big way. 

Peter Kruder - Private Collection:  Another interesting take on the mix, this is more a curated selection that a DJ mix, but it flows quite nice.  For all the DJs that are all growned up now and have babies.  Adult contemporary dinner party hipster music.

J.Period & K'Naan - The Messengers (Trilogy):  K'Naan shares rhymes and beats and thoughts on three influencial musicians in his life:  Fela Kuta, Bob Marley, and Bob Dylan.  He expertly fuses his storytelling with reworked tracks, covers, and tributes.  Works as well as radio art as it does a generally engrossing mixtape.

Themselves - theFREEhoudini:   Dose One and crew are back with the free ish, inviting a whole host of superstars to load up on quaaludes and drop their rhymes and beats.  You can't beat the price, and certainly is one of the most exciting hiphop records to come out in a while.



2009 BEST LIVE ALBUMS

Nirvana - Live At Reading:  What can really be said?  the biggest band of the 90s, rocking out at their peak.

Tom Waits - Glitter And Doom Live:  Not the ultimate jumping on point for those that don't know, but really, if you don't know Waits, why are you reading this blog???  It includes an entire disc of Tom's Tales, just stories he told on the stage.  Utterly essential for any Tom Waits fan.



2009 BEST REISSUES / COLLECTIONS

The Beatles - Mono Box (13 CD):  Like the Nirvana disc, what else can be said?  I hate it when record companies try and get people to buy the same releases multiple times, but damn, it's so awesome that it is worth it.

The Jesus Lizard - Inch:  Collecting the series of 7"s, this collection captures some of my favourite JL songs of all time.  Gruff, and flamboyant so. 

Modest Mouse - No One's First And You're Next:  This is a collection of B-sides and such, and is almost as awesome as a new album would be.  So many top-notch goodies, all collected in to one place.

Eluvium - Life Through Bombardment (7 LP):  Drone ambient, sludge, and contemporary piano.  The Eluvium box set is far more gorgeous of a journey that I was expecting, and a must for ambient fans.

Bernard Parmegiani - L’Oeuvre Musicale (12 CD):  OK, this is rfom 2008, but it took a year to listen to.  It's pretty much everything ever done by this musique concrete pioneer.  One of the most important innovators of modern experimental music and contemporary sound design methods.

Hijokaidan - The Noise (30 CD):  Like the Beatles, like Nirvana, there's no much more that can be said.  Except this:  30 CDS OF JOJO!!!!!  WOOOOOT.

Incapacitants - Box Is Stupid (10 CD):  Oh right.  Stupid is Stupid.  Box Is Stupid.  Noise Is Stupid.  Awesome.  The only thing I love better than drunk Japanese bankers making noise is...  wait, no.  There is nothing I love more than drunk Japanese bankers making noise.  That is the epitome of love.

OK sue me, I love me my noise.



That's it!  My hands are hurtin' from prepping like 2 hours and 43 minutes of music for you, so no fancy pants descriptions, just the goods.
Stay tuned for the next update:  best of experimental music 2009!


TRACKS INCLUDED

DJ Rupture & Matt Shadetek - Solar Life Raft (excerpt)
DJ Yoda - How To Cut & Paste, The Thirties Edition (excerpt)
Henrik Schwarz, Ame, Dixon - The Grandfather Paradox (excerpt)
Osymyso - Warp20 (Elemental) (excerpt)
Peter Kruder - Private Collection (excerpt)
J.Period & K'Naan - Africa (Fela Kuti Tribute)
J.Period & K'Naan - Don't Think Twice (Dylan Tribute)
Themselves - Back2burn (Feat. Pedestrian)
Themselves - Keys to Ignition (Feat. Serengeti)
Themselves - Long Time Coming (Feat. Lionesque)
Nirvana - Stay Away (live)
Nirvana - Spank Thru (live)
Nirvana - The Money Will Roll Right in (live)
Nirvana - D-7 (live)
Tom Waits - Dirt In The Ground (live)
Tom Waits - Falling Down (live)
Tom Waits - Live Circus (live)
Jesus Lizard - Mouth breather
Jesus Lizard - Puss
Modest Mouse - Autumn beds
Modest Mouse - King rat
Eluvium - All The Sails
Eluvium - Under The Water It Glowed
Bernard Parmegiani - Métamorphose du vide, Lumière
Hijokaidan - Live 2005.10.15 at ???????·??????05 (excerpt)
Hijokaidan - Live 2009.4.25 at ??·??????? ???1 (excerpt)
Hijokaidan - ??????? _ ??? (Kuruwa)
Incapacitants - I, Residuum Part 2 (excerpt)
Incapacitants - Stupid Is Stupid (excerpt)



Oh fun!  OMG the fun!  Why does fun bleed so much?  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20091130.zip

Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
DJ mixes
Blog archives
CPI fan page
Buy me books
Friend me on Last.FM to see what I am listening to

Enjoy!
~CPI

Friday, November 27, 2009

[BEST OF 2009] Apologies to 2008...

blog 2009/11/27 - [BEST OF 2009]  Apologies to 2008...

My most gracious apologies to 2008!
*curtsies*

After all, you didn't kill me as a year, I should be grateful!  But no, I was a slob and didn't bother listening to every release that you, a fine fine example of a year, yielded.

Well here I am to try and correct my errors. 
As is inevitable as the sun exploding in the West, the year following any year (which is most of them) I am bound to discover gems long after that year's best of list has been blogged over.  This fills me with shame and time-traveler envy.

I offer this post up to right the wrongs of the past, and to avenge the tardiness of (Caitlyn -1year).  She was a bitch.


So without further ado...

15 GREAT ALBUMS FROM 2008 THAT I DIDN'T HEAR UNTIL 2009.


I am going to sort the list here, as well as the playlist, in order of playability.
Bouncier fun stuff at the front.
Folk and pop in the middle.
Experimental weirdness at the end.
130 minutes of fierce 2008 nostalgia! 


Buraka Som Sistema - Black Diamond:  Dance albums that work as a whole are SO RARE.  Here we get slamming beats, and an appropriate mix of guests like Virus Syndicate and M.I.A. to stir the pot.  One of the best party albums of 2008, and so many hot singles to boot.

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours:  This is one of those albums I avoided just because it got so much press, so what's the point?  As it turns out the retro 80s song delivery really gels together to create a contemporary synthpop gem.

Mr. Scruff - Ninja Tuna:  Another surprising producer album, again featuring the right combo of instrumental singles and grooving guest spots.  Mr. Scruff raises that funky downtempo bar one notch higher.

School Of Seven Bells - Alpinisms:  A near-perfect melding of girl pop harmonies and organically grown IDM fullness.  A wonderful album.

Vancougar - Canadian Tuxedo:  Some times a girl needs some tweepunk radness.  Like Team Dresch meets Dressy Bessy, in all the right ways.

The Mae Shi - Hlllyh:  Total high-energy quirky rock.  Cacophonous and delirious and oh so good.

Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight:  Holy shit this album is awesome.  Like a sweet sweet lovechild of Damien Rice and Twilight Sad.  *drool*

Liz Durrett - Outside Our Gates:  This album is full of so many spine-shivering folk numbers of sheer beauty.   I can't recommend a folk album as much as this one.

Kira Kira - Our Map to the Monster Olympics:  They channel the delicate nursery-quality of Mum, but unafraid to let their instrumentals soar.  A great wind-down album.

Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull:  Stoner sludge gone adult contemporary?  It doesn’t really matter, because these long guitar-fronted compositions are so soothing.  For when you want Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore, but your mom is over.

Supersilent & Arve Henriksen - Cartography:  Smooth jazz mixed with minimal electro-acoustic productions create one of my favourite textures, and this album delivers in spades.

Hauschka - Ferndorf:  Contemporary classical music that is seemingly composed by a late 90s IDM musician?  Sounds good?  Sounds great!

Jacaszek - Treny:  OK, how about some IDM like it was programmed by a contemporary composedr?  Sound good?  Sounds great!

Paola Prestini - Body Maps:  Simply one of the most engrossing contemporary classical albums I've heard in years.  You have to hear it in its entirety for the full glorious effect.  It's albums like this that remind me how amazing of a label Tzadik is.

Peter Rehberg - Work For GV 2004-2008:  You can almost immediately feel the cinematic quality of these accompaniment pieces.  Removed from their visuals, they reveal themselves to be terrifying and exacting pieces of sound art horror.



TRACKS INCLUDED

Buraka Som Sistema - Black Diamond ft Virus Syndicate
Buraka Som Sistema - Kurum
Cut Copy - Hearts On Fire
Cut Copy - So Haunted
Mr. Scruff - Music Takes Me Up ft Alice Russell
Mr. Scruff - Stockport Carnival
School Of Seven Bells - Iamundernodisguise
School Of Seven Bells - Wired For Light
Vancougar - (I Hope Your) Money (Keeps You Warm)
Vancougar - Let It Go
The Mae Shi - Pwnd
The Mae Shi - Run To Your Grave
Frightened Rabbit - Good Arms Vs. Bad Arms
Frightened Rabbit - The Modern Leper
Liz Durrett - All Of Them All
Liz Durrett - Wild As Them
Kira Kira - Langt I Furtu Fua Vinir
Kira Kira - Melur Sjarmur
Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull
Hauschka - Blue Bicycle
Hauschka - Schönes Mädchen
Jacaszek - Lament
Paola Prestini - As Sleep Befell
Supersilent & Arve Henriksen - Migration
Peter Rehberg - Murder Version
Peter Rehberg - Pia


Oh the fun is just starting!  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20091127.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
DJ mixes
Blog archives
CPI fan page
Buy me books
Friend me on Last.FM to see what I am listening to

Enjoy!
~CPI

[BEST OF 2009] INTRODUCTION

2009 is coming to a close!  Oh noes!  and Busta speaketh:  "There's only -9 years left!"

You know what that means...  time to get my ducks in a line, dust of the ole headphones, and figure out what the best albums of the year are!

Sure sure sure, December isn't over, or started, but fuck December.  I have to get my best of list out before all of those poseur sites like Pitchfork and Resident Advisor steal my thunder.
CPI'S MP3 BLOG 4 EVAH!!!!


Well, at least this list is the most relevant to me.  Because it's my favourites.  Me me me me.  Anyone who says "best albums of the year" should be slapped.  It all comes down to personal favourites and personal aesthetics. 

For example, some duds of the year:
Garage rock mavens, you bore me!  Sorry Wavves, sorry Pure of Hearts, sorry Girls.  Next time, learn some fun.
Aging rappers with hot beats but zero perspective!   I have no tolerance for people that have been on this earth for over 30 years but still rap bullshit like they are grade 9 thugs.  Raekwon, MF Doom, UGK, I'm looking your way.


And of course just remember:  your favourite albums suck.
But my favourite albums?  They are MY FAVOURITESTS!!
(note the distinction)

Things to remember:
 - if in my rambles I ever say "best of", please please please understand that I really mean "my favourite".  And if I ever say "download this", I really mean "I want pudding".
 - If I don't like it I don't like it, that doesn't mean that I hate it.  I'll let you know when I hate something.  But I won't tell you when I bite rhymes.
 - Information technology is spanning rapidly.  Music distribution is becoming easier and easier.  Musicians are connecting more and more, and great talent is being discovered at a rapid rate.  Low-cost tools are allowing more and more people to record opuses in their bedroom.  Each year, more and more fantastic music released.  Each year, I have somewhat less time than the year before to listen to it all.  I have a folder of 337 albums from 2009 I have yet to listen to, despite, having listened to about 3 a day for the past year, every day.

I should also say that beyond larger groupings of BESTEST, Amazing and good, I do not think I am going to bother rating albums against each other.




So here is how it is going to go down, chronologically speaking:

1) Great albums of 2008 that I didn't hear until 2009

Before we get to 2009, I want to send some love to a few beautiful 2008 albums that didn't make it my way until after the New Year's hangover.


2) My favourite DJ mixes, reissues and collections

Covering the year in collections, whether meshed by a DJ, packaged in a box set, or reissued for the nostalgia market.


3) CPI's favourite experimental albums for 2009

Since a number of you are scared of my wierder sides, I'm collecting my reviews and picks of experimental madness in to a single post.  This will have the effect of making sure harsh noise doesn't randomly intersperse itself amongst the folk-rock on your playlist.


4)  25 good albums of 2009, as selected by CPI

The 2nd runners-ups (up???)
Not sure yet how many numbers will actually be in this cateogry...  But generall this will be ranks 45 through 26.


5)  15 Amazing albums of 2009, as chosen by CPI

The runner-up category of simply stellar albums that weren't QUITE the best.
They won't be listed in a specific order, but these would be numbers 25 through 11.


6)  CPI's top 10 albums of 2009

Only the best of the best.  Utterly essential picks.
And OK, I might just be pretentious enough to crown a top for BEST ALBUM OF 2009.



(ARE YOU SO EXCITED?)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

MP3 blog 2009/11/24

blog 2009/11/24 - The dizzying spectacle is still a spell, even if you can't see it.

Another super quick update.  My life hasn't slowed down at all, and I'm getting prepped for some end-of-year goodness.

Beirut - Brazil (Live at the Music Hall of Williamsburg):  I was getting ready to dismiss the Live at the Music Hall of Williamsburg album as just a decent document only for essentialists, but lo' and behold THIS THIS THIS!  If you go back to my 2008/11/18 posting, you'll find I had posted the original of this from the Brazil OST, and Beirut does a stellar version of it here.  Good show old sport.
http://www.beirutband.com/

Belleruche - Backyard:  2009's album is The Express and if you were a fan before, it totally hits all of the right notes. 
Belleruche - Goose Blues:  If Belleruche is a new name for you, the soulful grooves are plentiful and delightful.
http://www.belleruche.com/

Bruce Peninsula - Drinking All Day:  On their 2009 album A Mountain Is A Mouth, a cultish and haggard call-and-response just sucks you in to their apocryphal world.
Bruce Peninsula - Steamroller:  Very much recommended.  Buy it 'lest Zombie Joplin feasts on your brains.
http://www.myspace.com/brucepeninsula

El Michels Affair - C.R.E.A.M.:  OK, a bit of a novelty, but can you really resist instrumental band takes on Wu-Tang's classic joints?
http://www.truthandsoulrecords.com/el-michels/

Florence And The Machine - Between Two Lungs:  The album "Lungs" was a bit of a surprise, the first of two in this post.  The sound falls somewhere between Amanda Palmer and Lily Allen.
Florence And The Machine - My Boy Builds Coffins:  A great little album.
http://florenceandthemachine.net/

Imogen Heap - Earth:  OK, surprise number two:  I actually really like the new Imogen Heap album Ellipse.  The production work evokes the bouncey-yet-creative works of Bjork tracks, and the emotiveness appeals to my high school love affair with Tori Amos' Under The Pink.  (this is far too over-produced to come close to Little Earthquakes)
Imogen Heap - Wait It Out:  Luckily for me I don't watch television and don't see most popular movies, so if this album becomes an inevitable pop-culture cliche, I'll miss most of it all.  *phew*
http://www.imogenheap.com/

Little Boots - Remedy (Style of Eye Remix):  Style of Eye again rescues an OK performer with a solid tech-house remix!
http://www.littlebootsmusic.co.uk/splashpage.html
http://www.styleofeye.se/

Nas - Made You Look (Apache Remix):  Every once in a while a girl's gotta toss in some random classic hiphop remix.  Check it.
http://www.myspace.com/nas

Nickodemus - 2 Sips & Magic ft The New York Gypsy Allstars:  Sun People is the 2009 album, and it isn't all golden, but their are certainly some precious gems in the bunch.
Nickodemus - N'Dini ft Ismael Kouyate:  If you're a convert to the Nickodemus grooves, then by all means keep on keepin' on.
http://www.nickodemus.com/

Nosaj Thing - Distro:  After a whole bunch of hot tracks floating around, I was markedly dissapointed by the Views/Octopus EP, but alas there is this one little nugget that bops my head.  Nosaj, get back to your roots!  Bibio and Flying Lotus are not a sound to strive for, your original stuff was better than theirs.
http://www.nosajthing.com/

Poirier - Enemies ft Face-T:  I am guessing he is dropping the Ghislain since no one knew how to pronounce it properly outside of Montreal.   From Run The Riddim, this track isn't his best ever, but makes me happy to know he's still putting out the goodness.
http://poiriersound.com/

Pomegranates - Corriander:  I had never heard this band before, but this track from the 2009 album delightfully titled "Everybody, Come Outside!" is a cute little indie romp.
http://www.myspace.com/pomegranatesart

Shark City Click - Head Bust ft Pharrell:  HA!  We pull shit out from all little nooks and crannies.  This Neptunes-produced banger is from the Fast & Furious 4 soundtrack, of all sundry places.

Tanya Stephens - Its A Pity (Lulu Rouge Bootleg):  Check it, Oompah pah is the new dubstep.  I called it here first.
http://www.myspace.com/tanyastephensmusic
http://www.myspace.com/lulurougesoundsystem

The XX - Basic Space (Lunice Remix):  AWww yeah, a super smooth way to bow out for another evening.  Love it.
http://thexx.info/


THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Beirut - Brazil (Live at the Music Hall of Williamsburg)
Belleruche - Backyard
Belleruche - Goose Blues
Bruce Peninsula - Drinking All Day
Bruce Peninsula - Steamroller
El Michels Affair - C.R.E.A.M.
Florence And The Machine - Between Two Lungs
Florence And The Machine - My Boy Builds Coffins
Imogen Heap - Earth
Imogen Heap - Wait It Out
Little Boots - Remedy (Style of Eye Remix)
Nas - Made You Look (Apache Remix)
Nickodemus - 2 Sips & Magic ft The New York Gypsy Allstars
Nickodemus - N'Dini ft Ismael Kouyate
Nosaj Thing - Distro
Poirier - Enemies ft Face-T
Pomegranates - Corriander
Shark City Click - Head Bust ft Pharrell
Tanya Stephens - Its A Pity (Lulu Rouge Bootleg)
The XX - Basic Space (Lunice Remix)


MP3 bloggin proves that P=NP.  Almost.  I'm so close:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20091124.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
DJ mixes
Blog archives
CPI fan page
Buy me books
Friend me on Last.FM to see what I am listening to

Enjoy!
~CPI

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

MP3 blog 2009/11/18

blog 2009/11/18 - quick n dirty styles, music needs love and love needs music.

Another super quick dump on you all.


DJ Cam Quartet - Inside My Love (For Minnie):  Colour me shocked, but after all of the recent blasé albums from downtempo superstars of past...  this album does it.  It's refined, smooth, and exactly the sexiness you were hoping for.
DJ Cam Quartet - Quincy:  "Diggin'" is the 2009 LP and is a must for sexy evenings, and musty mornings after.  A bit more on the adult contemporary front, but so distilled and chilled.  Recommended.
http://www.myspace.com/djcamrecall

DJ Madd - Better With You (Akira Kiteshi Remix):  This is notable for dubstep since you can hear the break-core influenced snares programming seeping in from the background.  That is a good thing.  I am excited.  Bring on the Drill n Step!  Bring in the Break Step!  PLEASE!
http://www.myspace.com/djmaddbeats
http://www.myspace.com/technoirbeats

Don Diablo & Example - Hooligans (A1 Bassline Remix):  The wobbly A1 Bassline sound is amazing in small doses.  I couldn't imagine a full set of that sea-sick wonkiness, but used appropriately, it's devastatingly awesome.
http://www.dondiablo.com/
http://a1bassline.blogspot.com/

Jamie Vexd - Saturn's Reply:  From the In System Travel EP, Vexd has been on some next level pulsing shit for a while.
http://www.myspace.com/jamievexd

Karen O and the Kids - Animal (Where the Wild Things Are OST):  I haven't even seen the movie, but the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack is just such a squeal-inducing delight.
Karen O and the Kids - Capsize (Where the Wild Things Are OST):  I suppose I should go see the movie...  I will eventually, I promise!  If you're a fan of the film, get this soundtrack.  If you haven't seen the film, but love chaotic and exuberant folk bombs like Tune-yards or Wildbirds and Peacedrum, get this as well.
http://www.myspace.com/wherethewildthingsare

Los Campensinos! - There Are Listed Buildings:  The new single is out, and it has me excited for the album.  The noisey cantankerous shambles are minimized, and the melancholy of the last EP are subdued.  They've added some party groove that reminds me of Architecture In Helsinki, and these are all good things.
http://loscampesinos.com/

Modest Mouse - I've Got It All (Most):  No One's First And You're Next isn't new ish, but unless you've been following all of the EPs and side releases fervently, this is just as good as a new Modest Mouse for any casual fan.  There are tonnes of goodies in here.
Modest Mouse - Satellite Skin:  It could even act as a great jump-in point for someone new to the band, as it showcases many of their most accessible traits.  Recommended for fans and newbies alike.
http://www.modestmousemusic.com/

Pantyraid - Crunkalicious:  Like eDIT's Pirate Air Raid Material from 2007, Pantyraid's "The Sauce" does the unthinkable:  A full length electronic album that is wholly engaging and consistently awesome.  None of this Flying Lotus or Bibio over-hyped stuff that really doesn't stand the test of the LP format, let alone a year of perspective.
Pantyraid - Worship The Sun:  Fusing the latest sounds of IDM breaks, Bassnectar groove, Bar 9 sub bass, and keeping tight controls on production, this album just has so many "golly jee gosh" moments of bliss.  Highly recommended.
http://www.myspace.com/pantyraidmusic

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Cool Yourself:  At times total party-pop, and at times blasting alone like a female equivalent of Pavement, Thao and company are rocking off many a socks.  And cute socks, too.
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - The Give:  The album is Know Better Learn Faster and it comes highly recommended.  Top-drawer fun for any indie pop fan that misses the hey-day of that 1994 "alternative" sound.
http://www.thaomusic.com/

The National - Ashamed Of The Story I Told:  New single from The National!  OMG!  And it's so damn good.  Yes yes yes yes yes.
http://www.myspace.com/thenational

The Very Best
- Angonde:  Warm Heart Of Africa is the 2009 proper LP from The Very Best, after last year's bomb-dropping mixtape that jacked beats.
The Very Best - Warm Heart Of Africa ft Ezra Koenig:  After jacking Vampire Weekend on the last LP (which is funny because Vampire Weekend jack African music with their Afrobeat sound), Koenig of Vampire Weekend shows up on the full length.  Goodness.  And recommended.
http://www.myspace.com/theverybestmyspace

They Might Be Giants - Electric Car:  I grew up with They Might Be Giants, and I'm happy that now I am at child rearing age, the boys are now producing kids albums (that come with video DVDs!) I can now buy for all the young ones popping up.  It has to be said:  Here Comes Science is kind of awesome.  Not just in a "good kids album that parents won't stab their ears over" way, but in an "awesomely teach children about the way things work" way.
They Might Be Giants - What Is a Shooting Star:  They cover awesome science concepts that span all of elementary school teachings, but also make efforts to reinforce such important concepts like evolution, the scientific method, environmentalism, and other things that creationists abhor.  They even demonstrate how science is an awesome system, by including their rocked-out version of 1959's How Does The Sun Shine, and immediately correcting themselves with The Sun Is A Miasma Of Incandescent Plasma.  Fucking awesome.  SCIENCE MOVES FORWARD.  Try hard to find a kid to give this to so you have a shame-free excuse to buy it.  :)
http://www.theymightbegiants.com/

Tinchy Stryder - Never Leave You ft Amelle (Radio Edit):   And here is where we depart, we some uber-pop cheeseball radness. 
http://www.myspace.com/tinchystryder



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS:

DJ Cam Quartet - Inside My Love (For Minnie)
DJ Cam Quartet - Quincy
DJ Madd - Better With You (Akira Kiteshi Remix)
Don Diablo & Example - Hooligans (A1 Bassline Remix)
Jamie Vexd - Saturn's Reply
Karen O and the Kids - Animal (Where the Wild Things Are OST)
Karen O and the Kids - Capsize (Where the Wild Things Are OST)
Los Campesinos! - There Are Listed Buildings
Modest Mouse - I've Got It All (Most)
Modest Mouse - Satellite Skin
Pantyraid - Crunkalicious
Pantyraid - Worship The Sun
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Cool Yourself
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - The Give
The National - Ashamed Of The Story I Told
The Very Best - Angonde
The Very Best - Warm Heart Of Africa ft Ezra Koenig
They Might Be Giants - Electric Car
They Might Be Giants - What Is a Shooting Star
Tinchy Stryder - Never Leave You ft Amelle (Radio Edit)


OM NOM NOM NOM:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20091118.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
DJ mixes
Blog archives
CPI fan page
Buy me books
Friend me on Last.FM to see what I am listening to

Enjoy!
~CPI

Annual blog survey

Hey all!  We did a casual survey here last year, and you can check those results over here.

Well it's that time of year again and we're feeling super needy and want to know if this is actually a worthwhile endeavour, or if the internet is just too expansive for this lil blog to matter.

So please take some moments and drop a reply.  Answer the questions, or just go freeform.
Post replies here or at http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=11033&uid=7886674923

1) Do you read this blog?  How long have you been coming around these here parts?

2) Do you download and listen to each entry?

3) What genres are you here for?

4) What have been your favourite discoveries through the blog?

5) Do you have any exciting music you'd like to recommend to me and other readers?


Coming soon:  CPI's favourite albums of 2009 lists!
ooh yeah.

much love,
~ Caitlyn / CPI

Saturday, November 7, 2009

MP3 blog 2009/11/07

blog 2009/11/07 - hitting you with that one-two punch of love.


So... you digested the last edition OK, right?
RIGHT?
Oh I'm sure you did.

Look, the goodness just doesn't stop, so you best go finish that up and come and get this ish ASAP, because there is oh so much amazingness to share.

The world doesn't stop if you stop and slack off, the brilliance keeps shining, and there's so much new music to explore.

Welcome back, buckle in, and pour yourself a cup of awesome.  neat.



Antipop Consortium - New Jack Exterminator:  In my mind, the APC are that enigma of totally awesome tracks that I play all of the time, yet don't like any albums by.   Fluorescent Black is new for 2009 and has some slamming goodness.  But, like every other album, I can't groove to the whole thing.
Antipop Consortium - Volcano:  If you loved APC, get this.  It's essential, and they are in top form.  If you enjoy APC, go buy the singles or a few of the tracks or the whole album.  If you never jived with APC before, you just kind of suck and we both should acknowledge that this certainly isn't the album that will finally seduce you.  But holy shit, if Volcano doesn't shake your rump, you need yr head checked.
http://www.myspace.com/antipopny

BLK JKS - Lakeside:  Hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, BLK JKS will appeal to the contemporary prog rocker.  There's something here for fans of TV On The Radio, Tool, Battles, Manu Chao, all with an occassional flavour of some of the great South African band leaders.
BLK JKS - Molalatladi:  To be honest, I can't dig the whole album, but I just know this will melt the minds of a large number of you out there.  I love these singles, too.  Of course I do!  I would never pots anything less than the best here.  So if these wet your pallette, get the full length indeed.
http://www.myspace.com/blkjks

Califone - Funeral Singers:  AWESOMENESS ALERT!!! "All My Friends Are Funeral Singers" is the new Califone record and it is brilliant.  It took me a few listens to really get my head in there, but oh my god.  It is good.
Califone - Giving Away the Bride:  Somewhat obtuse like Mountain Goats, somewhat reserved like Adem, somewhat off-kilter like Modest Mouse.  The strong songwriting is there, and the album works as a cohesive whole.  Highly recommended for the indie rock alt-folk set.
http://www.califonemusic.com/

Dinosaur Jr. - Over It:  How the hell did this happen?  How does a band that starts in 1985 and define such a poignant sound that resonates with the youth, come back 24 years in to their carreer and release something that rocks os good as Farm???  This isn't a nostalgia tour marketed at those that are now 40, this album will appeal to everyone.  WTF?  How is this happening?
Dinosaur Jr. - Said The People:  This would be like if Operation Ivy reformed, erased that whole Rancid period, and released a dance-inducing followup to Energy.  The logistics and blessings of the event would just stop hearts right there.   Well here we are.  Farm is a must for any rock and roll fan.
http://www.dinosaurjr.com/

Glee OST - Defying Gravity (Kurt & Rachel):  The first volume of the Glee TV series soundtrack is out, and only 8 episodes have aired!!!  Damn, what a production schedule.  This song ISN'T EVEN IN ANY OF THOSE 8 EPISODES!  I'm guessing it's from episode 9.  Well it's PERFECT.  Kristen Chenoweth had guested in an earlier episode, and here they are singing Defying Gravity, the show-stopping number from Wicked that Chenoweth sings on Broadway in real life.  YAY!  AND KURT SINGS IN THERE TOO!  *fans self*
Glee OST - Maybe This Time (Rachel & April):  Speaking of Kristen Chenoweth, here is the best song ever to air on TV.  From the musical Cabaret, Chenoweth knocks this classic out of the ball park.  It cleverly becomes a duet and is all the more powerful for it.
Glee OST - Somebody To Love (Rachel, Finn, Mercedes & Artie):  I have never made my love of musicals a secret.  And yes, Glee is all about an awkward cast of minorities that find strength thanks to the leadership of a straight white fully-abled heterosexual dude.  Yeah, it sucks to analyzer for us politically minded stuff.  But oh when they start their singing and dancing, my capacity for dissection and snarking deconstruction go out the window and I just wish I could sing.  Here is the group number where they cover Queen's classic song that terrorizes karaoke bars to this day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_%28TV_series%29

Mountains - Map Table:  TOP ALBUM ALERT!  "Choral" is the new Mountains album, and it is one of the most compelling instrumental albums of the year.  Whether you're from the post-rock camp, the sludge metal, the brooding ambient world, or the high-cultured class of contemporary instrumentalism, this album works on all of those levels and puts recent sonic endeavours by lesser artists to shame.  A gorgeous sonic world to explore, and fully gripping.  Highly recommended.
http://www.frontporchproductions.org/artist/mountains

Pree - In the Parlor:  A delightful twang with a Newsom-esque intruige-filled vioce.  This is the kind of meaty folk music that I so desire.  The new album is A Chopping Block.  I haven't heard it, but I will for sure buy it when I find it.
http://www.myspace.com/musicforpree

Soulsavers - Can't Catch The Train:  The new album "Broken" is a bit all over the place soncically and emotionally, but there are a few intruiging numbers in there.  This track evokes the remorse and whisky stained memories of a Tom Waits eulogy.
Soulsavers - Unbalanced Pieces:  Like a bit more enthusiastic version of The National, this indie-cum-pop infusion works in a decent way.
http://www.myspace.com/soulsavers

The Sounds - 4 Songs & A Fight:  Power-pop is a genre full of false starts and faceplants.  On "Crossing The Rubicon", The Sounds learn lessons from Tegan & Sara, Metric, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs:  Power pop is a wild and crazy force that should be harnessed for the powers of good.  And while this won't revolutionize the world, the goodness is here and makes itself known.
The Sounds - Home Is Where The Heart Is:  so yeah, if you don't dig this, burn every Metric CD in your collection, you filthy liar.
http://the-sounds.com/

Volcano Choir - Still:  If you ever wanted Bon Iver to get more epic and sullen, Volcano Choir is for you.  Unmap is the new full length, and it delivers that dizzying emotion of Bon Iver with more grandiose arrangements and torn emotional strangs.  Recommended.
http://www.myspace.com/volcanochoir



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Antipop Consortium - New Jack Exterminator
Antipop Consortium - Volcano
BLK JKS - Lakeside
BLK JKS - Molalatladi
Califone - Funeral Singers
Califone - Giving Away the Bride
Dinosaur Jr. - Over It
Dinosaur Jr. - Said The People
Glee OST - Defying Gravity (Kurt & Rachel)
Glee OST - Maybe This Time (Rachel & April)
Glee OST - Somebody To Love (Rachel, Finn, Mercedes & Artie)
Mountains - Map Table
Pree - In the Parlor
Soulsavers - Can't Catch The Train
Soulsavers - Unbalanced Pieces
The Sounds - 4 Songs & A Fight
The Sounds - Home Is Where The Heart Is
Volcano Choir - Still


I don't do this for you:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20091107.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
DJ mixes
Blog archives
CPI fan page
Buy me books
Friend me on Last.FM to see what I am listening to

Enjoy!
~CPI

Thursday, November 5, 2009

MP3 blog 2009/11/05

blog 2009/11/05 - oh if you only knew!

Hey folks, another quick update.  My life has been crazy busy, but I had to just drop some goodness on your inbox.


Andrea Belfi - Knots IV:  Knots is a 2008 mini album of 4 brooding jazz soundworks that is chewy, textured, and goes down smooth.  For your less-than-adventurous sensibilities I pulled out the one track that has an candy-coated beat in the back for your ease-of-comprehension, but oh the album is quite sweet.  Recommended for fans of Luigi Archetti & Bo Wiget, and the fabulous Supersilent & Arve Henriksen album.
http://www.myspace.com/andreabelfi

Beck - All Tomorrow's Parties:  Beck is full of good ideas.  Covering a great song?  Good.  Covering a great album?  Best. 
Beck - Femme Fatale:  Beck's Record Club is him with other people, recording an entire album.  These are from his great stab at Velvet Underground.
Beck - Venus In Furs:  The whole thing doesn't work as a whole, but there are tracks that just work divinely.  Given the tight recording framework of this project, it's a stellar effort and a fascinating endeavour you should all keep an ear to the ground for.,
http://www.beck.com/record_club

Bosque Brown - Went Walking:  Cat Power eat yr heart out.
http://bosquebrown.com/

Doomtree - Flex:  Ahh this reminds me of the early days of Mush Records.  A little bit amateur, a whole lot of good.
http://www.doomtree.net/

Horse Feathers - Burden:  I kind of grew up with Kill Rock Stars, so just instinctively check out bands that come out on this imprint.
Horse Feathers - Working Poor:  I hadn't heard this band before, but their 2008 album House With No Home has a few sweet tracks of on-the-prairie style folk architecture.  Recommended.
http://www.horsefeathershome.com/

J.Period & K'Naan - Don't Think Twice (Messengers Remix):  K'Naan kind of outdid himself here.  His mixtape new "The Messengers" gives tribute to Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Bob Dylan in suave style.
J.Period & K'Naan - Stir It Up (Messengers Remix):  Dropping his verses over the originals, or covering them in his own way, he also weaves a spoken narrative of the importance of the trio's music on his own life.  Very satisfying, and highly recommended.
http://www.jperiod.com/
http://knaanmusic.ning.com/

Laura Gibson - Spirited:  A bit of simple folk goodness from the 2009 album Beasts Of Seasons.
http://www.lauragibson.ca/

Marina & The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Unplugged):  How can you not go wrong with this band?  You've probably heard the single, but hear it again stripped down to the gears and wires.
Marina & The Diamonds - The Outsider:  so good.
http://www.myspace.com/marinaandthediamonds

The Blueflowers - Watercolor Ghost Town:  A fun twang-pop chanter.  Reminds me of those first crossovers in to twee territory from the 90s.
http://www.myspace.com/theblueflowersdetroit

The Twilight Sad - I Became a Prostitute:  Twilight Sad are back and in proper form indeed.  Forget the Night Ahead is new for 2009 and a delight to listen to.
The Twilight Sad - That Birthday Present:  The old standards of structure
http://thetwilightsad.co.uk/

Thom Yorke - All For The Best:  Radiohead has been enjoying their singles-releasing habits as of late, but Yorke had been doing that for quite some time.  This comes from a split 7" he recently released with Mark Mulcahy, which is worth buying just for the great cover art.
Thom Yorke - Atoms For Peace (Four Tet Remix):  And to give some context, this comes from the 2007 release of Eraser remixes.  You can definitely hear how this venture has influenced the 2009 progress.
http://www.myspace.com/thomyorkemusic



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Andrea Belfi - Knots IV
Beck - All Tomorrow's Parties
Beck - Femme Fatale
Beck - Venus In Furs
Bosque Brown - Went Walking
Doomtree - Flex
Horse Feathers - Burden
Horse Feathers - Working Poor
J.Period & K'Naan - Don't Think Twice (Messengers Remix)
J.Period & K'Naan - Stir It Up (Messengers Remix)
Laura Gibson - Spirited
Marina & The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Unplugged)
Marina & The Diamonds - The Outsider
The Blueflowers - Watercolor Ghost Town
The Twilight Sad - I Became a Prostitute
The Twilight Sad - That Birthday Present
Thom Yorke - All For The Best
Thom Yorke - Atoms For Peace (Four Tet Remix)



We get by instance at a time and still find time for the drawn out pleasures:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20091105.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
DJ mixes
Blog archives
CPI fan page
Buy me books
Friend me on Last.FM to see what I am listening to

Enjoy!
~CPI