Friday, May 28, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/05/28

blog 2010/05/28 - Overwhelming?  It's just survival instinct.

Babe Rainbow - Like I Give A Care
Babe Rainbow - Shaved:  Dreamy bass folk swirls of delay!  Echo chamber psych blast!  Grouper on quality drugs!   Yes yes yes!

Bachelorette - Mindwarp:  It's like a falsetto La Roux, with some wacha-kitta-wacha-kitta surf guitar in the background!

Bobby Mcferrin - Say Ladeo:  Yes.  Yes this is the same Bobby "Don't Worry Be Happy" Mcferrin.  Forget all that and just try and focus here.
His new album Vocabularies is FUCKING AMAZING.  It's a little bit adult contepmorary jazz, but it's freaking good.  Complex acapella + drum compositions that span 8-11 minutes each, constantly weaving in and out of themself.  Very much reccommended.

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Matamatics Remix):  I was never really in to this band, but this mix captures the 80s pop sensibility of the vocals and wraps it in an instrumental that is just precious enough to match, and it becomes one lovely guilty pleasure.

Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls (Trentemoller Radio Edit):  I kind of love it when Trentemoller takes on rock bands.  The results are often eye-opening, or at the very least fascinating experiments that teach us more about the current state of music than we had originally suspected.

Lisa Hannigan - I Don't Know:  From 2008's "Sea Sew", this great little folk number really takes off with the horns.

Lorn - Wrong Place:  Lorn has been putting out slick underground beats for a few years now, and it's always excitign when new tracks find their way in to my inbox. 

Mike Patton - Deep Down
Mike Patton - L'Uomo Che Non Sapeva Amare:  This isn't no Adult Themes From Voice.  Nor is it Faith No More, Tomahawk, Weird Little Boy, Mr. Bungle or whatknot.  Mondo Cane has Patton crooning ala Tony Bennet, in Italian of all languages.  And he's fucking slick.
I'm a bit out on the overall album, but enjoy these sly numbers from this vocals virtuoso.  We all wish we could be as cool as Mike Patton, and he constantly looks down at us and whispers "No."

Mothboy - Motion Control
Mothboy - Won't:  Sexy modern bass!  I'm surprised this is out on Ad Noiseam, just because of the genre, but I love that label, and I am liking the new album "Bunny".  For fans of Bonobo, for sure.

Shad - Rose Garden
Shad - We, Myself And I:   New Shad!  TSOL is the new album, and yeah, it's not perfect, but like Aceyalone's album last year, the parts that work are so joyous that you just don't care.   Fuuuuun!  For fans of any type of bohemian/conscious hiphop.

The Acorn - No Ghost
The Acorn - Restoration:  UMMMM WHAT?   NEW ACORN????  HOLY SHIT!!!!   Freshly leaked tracks from one of the most hotly anticipated Canadian albums of the summer: No Ghost.    Between this and the new Rae Spoon, it's going to be a orgiastic musical slugfest for dominance.
Keep your ears peeled for the full length, and (we hope) tour dates.

The Mountains & The Trees - Up & Down:  Mmmm delicious monotone singing, and then the banjo twang coming in halfway!  It doesn't know if it wants to be forlorn or optimistic, but we don't care.  We love it just the way it is, confused as always.  From the Hop, Skip, & A Jump EP

The Streets - Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix):  I never understood what anyone saw in The Streets.  *yawn*  But as has always been shown, even the most boring vocals can be touched by the hands of a genius and worked in to a total killer track.  Thank you, Nero!

Think About Life - Set You On Fire:  Ummm what?  He's gonna set my girl on fire?  FUCK YOU GUY!  No people burning here.  So like, what?  A slightly more psychopathic and tragically hetero version of Junior Senior.  OK!




THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Babe Rainbow - Like I Give A Care
Babe Rainbow - Shaved
Bachelorette - Mindwarp
Bobby Mcferrin - Say Ladeo
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Matamatics Remix)
Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls (Trentemoller Radio Edit)
Lisa Hannigan - I Don't Know
Lorn - Wrong Place
Mike Patton - Deep Down
Mike Patton - L'Uomo Che Non Sapeva Amare
Mothboy - Motion Control
Mothboy - Won't
Shad - Rose Garden
Shad - We, Myself And I
The Acorn - No Ghost
The Acorn - Restoration
The Mountains & The Trees - Up & Down
The Streets - Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix)
Think About Life - Set You On Fire


Keep up, now.  I'm not even trying hard.  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100528.zip


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

More info:

Enjoy!
~CPI

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/05/26

blog 2010/05/26 - It's happening again.

Sometimes you just are about to wake up and with the sadness there you can barely make it out of bed.  Sometimes the things in our dreams just exhaust us so much that they stay with us all day long.
And sometimes we are just oh so slack in getting out updates that we are riddled with metaphorical panic attacks in the form of dreamscape premonitions of imminent doom.

I already have 2 more updates worth of stuff ready...  I've been listening to tonnes of great new music, but life has been deliriously busy.


Tremelo Audio - Rosita (Lucrecia Remake)
Tremor - Viajante (The Cumbia Cosmonauts Remix):   Like so many random blog downloaded that are just miscellany mixtapes, I was expecting to find total crap.  Or perhaps one good song and 15 pieces of crap.  Blog mixtapes are like that. 
But this one was different.  It wasn't all cliche samples and fidget and no-flow hiphop like the others.  Oh no.
These are from "Americas Volume One, A Mixtape by Moses Iten", and you should definitely check this one out.  Fresh Southern beats throughout, slipping between sensual and more bouncey.   And these two tracks especially caught my ear.  Well worth the google search.

Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson cover):  The first of 3 covers in this update!  Didn't we do something similar 3 updates back?  Sure, but covers can be awesome...
A great rocking take on one of MJ's most exciting tracks, circa 2001.

Anni Rossi - Machine (live on MOKB radio):  This kind of rootsy folk works oh-so-well in cloistered radio studios.  It's a shame that so many recording technicians don't do rawer recordings like this where you can hear all of the finger pickings.

Brasstronaut - Six Toes:  Yeah, I bet you weren't expecting the fucking oboe.  No one expects the oboe.  But an adorable little song, bridging that gap between Andrew Vincent and Beirut, and from the 2010 album Mt. Chimaera.

Caballo & TMFK - Breathe:  The classic Prodigy synths get a MAD rework here.

Crystal Fighters - I Love London
Crystal Fighters - Xtatic Truth (Xtra loud Mix):  2 great examples of goofy fun electro bounce pop.  Perfectly spastic and addictive.

Health - Before Tigers (Blindoldfreak Rmx):  We previously posted a great new song from the new album "DISCO2", but the rest of the album didn't move me in any real way.  Except for this one.  I like any band that can resist the urge to just toss their siganture backing beat on top of a track and do something a tad more delicate on the rework tip.

Josh Ritter - The Curse:  Old fashioned story-tellin' folk ala Cohen, from the new album "So Runs The World Away".

Lo-Fi-Fnk - Marchin' In:  Ridiculously satisfying pop music.  RIDICULOUS.

Me First And The Gimme Gimmes - Ben (MJ & Crispin Glover cover):  Another old cover.  And yes, sure, it's a Michael Jackson song, but they do the correct thing here:  IT WAS CRISPIN HELLION GLOVER THAT MADE THIS SONG THE TRUE CLASSIC FOR ALL AGES.
Fuck yes Ben, we love you.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTKNahASSDI

Ozomatli - Are You Ready
Ozomatli - Gay Vatos In Love
Ozomatli - It's Only Paper:  this album was a shock!  It's kind of all over the place, but firmly rooted in summer feel-good vibes.  In the beginning being a bit like a poppy take on The Very Best, the album is a mix of sunshiney tunes for fans of mid-90s Sublime and Mighty Mighty Bosstones.  Festival rock fiesta.

Poirier - Let Them Hate ft YT (Mungo's Hi-Fi Remix):  I feel somehow unCanadian for not gushing over it, given all of the surrounding hype and praise, but I don't like the new Poirier album. 
But I do love Mungo's Hi-Fi.  Love them to death!  And they slid in a fantastic remix on to the deluxe edition of the Poirier album that's almost worth the price of admission alone.

Rosie and Me - Bonfires:  Adorable camp-fire folk!  Nuff said.  From the new Bird and Whale EP.  OK, now nuff said.

STS - The People:  And this is the point where I'm just done with words.  Uhhh fun hiphop?  OK!  Biting Lil' Wayne, but ahh well. 

Switch vs Ms. Thing - Love Guide:  Back when I first heard Switch, before the days of fidget house and blog house, Switch were putting out some crazy innovative sounds.  This is like a return to that heyday when their productions were super exciting and testing exciting new dancefloor boundaries.  Hell yes.

The Concretes - Good Evening:  Ooooo!  New stuff from The Concretes!  I am not super amped by the constant kick drum, but oh how I missed her dreamy voice...

Vijay Iyer Trio - Galang (Trio Riot Version) (M.I.A. cover):  This is a pretty fucking momentous jazz album.  "Historicity" is here to kick your jazz hipster ass.
But it's not for beginners.  This is no Herbie Hancock, no In A Silent Way.  So here's the most easily approached song, a rework of M.I.A.'s Galang for the upright-bass riot squad. 
How awesome is this?  If you are a modern jazz fiend, this album will warm your socks.


THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson cover)
Anni Rossi - Machine (live on MOKB radio)
Brasstronaut - Six Toes
Caballo & TMFK - Breathe
Crystal Fighters - I Love London
Crystal Fighters - Xtatic Truth (Xtra loud Mix)
Health - Before Tigers (Blindoldfreak Rmx)
Josh Ritter - The Curse
Lo-Fi-Fnk - Marchin' In
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes - Ben (MJ & Crispin Glover cover)
Ozomatli - Are You Ready
Ozomatli - Gay Vatos In Love
Ozomatli - It's Only Paper
Poirier - Let Them Hate ft YT (Mungo's Hi-Fi Remix)
Rosie and Me - Bonfires
STS - The People
Switch vs Ms. Thing - Love Guide
The Concretes - Good Evening
Tremelo Audio - Rosita (Lucrecia Remake)
Tremor - Viajante (The Cumbia Cosmonauts Remix)
Vijay Iyer Trio - Galang (Trio Riot Version) (M.I.A. cover)


Sometimes you don't wake up:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100526.zip


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

More info:

Enjoy!
~CPI

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/05/19

blog 2010/05/19 - such decadence ahead!  I squeee in anticipation!


Another rushed post, another short gap.  But another excuse!  
I am spending this weekend pampering my sweet-heart, so I want to get this out of the way now.
Just don't open this until Friday.    It's THAT EASY.

Why the hell do you even read this?  This blog isn't a "woah look at me I'm a fancy-pants writer and I write a music blog".  No.  The writing is purposely rushed, vapid, with random missing words, and numerous spelling errors.  All to the effect of getting you to stop reading and focus on listening!
But not until Friday, k?


Ash Reiter - Paper Diamonds:  I haven't heard anything new from Metric or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs any time recently, but thanks to Ash Reiter, I don't care anymore!  woot.

Daniel Johnston - Mask
Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You In The End:  Classics are reworked, voices are strained, crowds are alienated.   All that and more on the new album "Beam Me Up!"
If you don't know Johnston's peculiar stylings, give it all a moment to sink in.  He's a very precious singer/songwriter.   This disc is a good jump-on point for newcomers as it does have some of his most-loved songs, but it's also essential for any fans.

Kenyan Boys Choir - Homeless
Kenyan Boys Choir - Kikererani Lelo (Kapchesan):    Funny story.  These guys came and sang at Barack Obama's inauguration, and were approached with a local record contract while in the airport waiting to depart back to Kenya.  Or so the story goes.
Of all of the fabulous music coming from Africa, this is far from the most boundary pushing.  Hell, it's even safer than Ladysmith Black Mambaozo in the 80s.  Disney friendly.  But they drop a great rendition of the famous track Homeless, and that kind of warmed me to it all.  :)

Lady Of The Sunshine - Lady Sunshine
Lady Of The Sunshine - Silver Revolver:  Wonderful folk pop, for fans of Fleet Foxes and Iron & Wine.  From the 2009 album "Smoking Gun".

Laleh - Simon Says:  Straight-up happy pop.

Lenka - The Show:  Super cutesy folk for sure, but that's never stopped us before.  Shades of Kate Nash and Natalia Lafourcade for sure.  Maybe even Sheryl Crow?  Forget I said that.  Sorry.

Lusrica - From the Chamber Blues:  Uplifting downtempo breaks, with a very strong AIM influence going on.  Frm the LP "Marvelous Notes".

Metavari - Kings Die Like Other Men
Metavari - Twilight Over Akaishi:  I kind of love this album.  "Be One Of Us And Hear No Noise" is a bit all over the place, but all the places it visits are delightfully familiar and exciting.  Shades of The Books, Lali Puna and even a tad of Sigur Ros.  Pretty fantastic stuff.

Mi Ami - Secrets:  With a shout belted out like that to kick the track off, you know it's gonna be hot.  I miss the golden days of Crass, and hereby salute the future of female ranty punk music!

Nina Nastasia - Cry, Cry, Baby
Nina Nastasia - You Can Take Your Time:  I had a hard time figuring out "Outlaster", Nastasia's new album.  The moods are often somber, but she brings in a huge backing section that is used so damn well, that it's hard not to get seduced from the get-go.  The arrangements vary from poppier twang folk to denser contemporary works that would impress Owen Pallet.  But what grounds it all is Nina's emotional honesty in her delivery.

Panacea - Immortal
Panacea - Revolution World Crazy:  The new Panacea is "12 Step Program", and while I can't get behind the whole thing, these tracks show that there is some serious flavour to be found.  In the realm of conscious hiphop, it's especially important to avoid the cliches, but the music has to be tight up there too.  So this is pretty good, but it's no Shad.  What's that?  Oh yes, new Shad out soon...

The Glitch Mob - Drive It Like You Stole It:  FUCK YES BREAKBEATS!  That's my new genre.  "fuck yes breakbeats".   unnnh.  It's like the sexiest parts of eDIT and Bassnectar massaged together by strong-yet-supple hands.



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Ash Reiter - Paper Diamonds
Daniel Johnston - Mask
Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You In The End
Kenyan Boys Choir - Homeless
Kenyan Boys Choir - Kikererani Lelo (Kapchesan)
Lady Of The Sunshine - Lady Sunshine
Lady Of The Sunshine - Silver Revolver
Laleh - Simon Says
Lenka - The Show
Lusrica - From the Chamber Blues
Metavari - Kings Die Like Other Men
Metavari - Twilight Over Akaishi
Mi Ami - Secrets
Nina Nastasia - Cry, Cry, Baby
Nina Nastasia - You Can Take Your Time
Panacea - Immortal
Panacea - Revolution World Crazy
The Glitch Mob - Drive It Like You Stole It


There is a balance in what you sacrifice and what you discover:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100519.zip



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

More info:

Enjoy!
~CPI

Monday, May 17, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/05/17

blog 2010/05/17 - I'm too tired for this to be egalitarian.

Al Green - Simply Beautiful (George Lenton Remix):  Smooooth and schmexy!  mmmmmmm unnnn mmmmm.

Alcoholic Faith Mission - My Eyes To See:  I finally got the full length "Let This Be The Last Night We Care" and while I wasn't all up in the whole thing, I did love this track as well.  Also check their track on the blog20100302 release for more goodness.  Definitely for fans of Broken Social Scene.

Black Hat Brigade - Vera:  I swear it sounds like the guy is on the verge of breaking out in to a yodel during the breakdown.  That or dance a shanty jig.

Caribou - Odessa:  OK OK, this song is pretty good.  But like so many other albums of BIG HYPE this year, file Swim under the "meh" section.  I've just never gotten excited about Caribou, sorry!  This one is at least shiny and groovey.

Chanel - If You Love Me (Control-S Remix):  Smooth pop garage!

Enduser - 2/3:  From the "1/3" album, super sexy voxx and total terror breaks+bass.  Total rave annihilation!

Everyone Everywhere - Tiny Boat:  Remember back when Emo was all about snappy shoes and Jade Tree Records?  Close your eyes and relive those glory days.

Holy Fuck - Lucky:  Bouncey chopped guitar + bass build to space-rock epicness, and makes this one of my favourite tracks of the new LP Latin.  I'm not down with the whole thing, but fans of past Holy Fuck albums, and especially fans of Ratatatat's latest 2 albums, will really dig it all.

Milieu - Cropduster
Milieu - Night Ride:  I guess I'm swimming in nostalgia these days, because suddenly I'm back to when Boards Of Canada's High Scores was on the shelves alongside Ulrich Schnauss's Far Away Trains Passing By.   The album Colortone is from 2008, but I just found it now, and really the year doesn't matter since it'll just warp you back to the late-90s IDM heyday of chugging progressive breaks and only the sexiest of organ squiggles.

Mitten - Green
Mitten - Similar Sense:  Another surprise find for me!  Fabulous female pop numbers, for fans of School of Seven Bells, The Notwist, and yes, there is even a dash of Stereolab in there.

Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page Session:  A totally engrossing traditional folk stormer.

Myagi & Johan Soh - Still (Stefan Goodchild Remix):  Remixes still come out on occassion that just rework all of the conventions before them, and I'd classify this as one of them.  Working some garage stylings into a proto-dubstep framework, I find this piece extremely satisfying without getting melodramtic and edgy without being obscure.

Omar Souleyman - Hafer Gabrak Bidi (I Will Dig Your Grave with My Hands)
Omar Souleyman - Li Raja Behawakom (I Beg You, Baby):  How can you fuck with a man who names a song like I Will Dig Your Grave With My Hands?  What is this, death metal?  Oh no, it's the Syrian jazz sensation Omar Souleyman, here to bust your fucking skull.
The new album is "Jazeera Nights: Folk and Pop Sounds of Syria", and it's a take-no-prisoners affair of total awesomeness that will part the seas in the same way that Naked City's Torture Garden did.  Any fans of Mr. Bungle and Muslimgauze should definitely get up on this and find out where there much-cherished pseudo-exotic sounds come from.  Very much recommended for fans of jazz, Middle Eastern music and death metal.

Pick A Piper - Rooms:  From the 2009 self-titled, this is hypnotic and ecstatic.  As opposed to hypnotic and terrifying.


THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Al Green - Simply Beautiful (George Lenton Remix)
Alcoholic Faith Mission - My Eyes To See
Black Hat Brigade - Vera
Caribou - Odessa
Chanel - If You Love Me (Control-S Remix)
Enduser - 2_3
Everyone Everywhere - Tiny Boat
Holy Fuck - Lucky
Milieu - Cropduster
Milieu - Night Ride
Mitten - Green
Mitten - Similar Sense
Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page Session
Myagi & Johan Soh - Still (Stefan Goodchild Remix)
Omar Souleyman - Hafer Gabrak Bidi (I Will Dig Your Grave with My Hands)
Omar Souleyman - Li Raja Behawakom (I Beg You, Baby)
Pick A Piper - Rooms


The caffeine-privileged create consensus:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100517.zip



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

More info:

Enjoy!
~CPI

Thursday, May 13, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/05/12

blog 2010/05/12 - don't do it!  stay away!

Don't read this post!  There's a monster at the end!
No wait, what I mean is that it's probably TOO EARLY for another update.  But the thing is, I'm off to Toronto this weekend and won't have the time nor wherewithall to get my planned update out.
So you get it early.

But no worries!  You can just turn your computer off right this moment, and not turn it back on until Sunday.
Then, you won't feel pressured to get this update and plough through it.

Yes, that's right.  Just close your email down and shut off the computer.
Pull the plug from the back.
Now toss that monitor straight out the fucking window.
OK, now the pants come off.  Tear your pants in to strips of fabric.  Bite in to your hand until you break the skin, streak some blood across your face, and tie one of the pieces of fabric across your forehead like a sweatband.

If that fails, just listen to the update.    It's all gravy to me.


We have FIVE, count 'em 5 cover songs in this update.  5!


Cicada - Metropolis (The Twelves Remix):  The Twelves are back with another rockin' pop remix.  love love love.

CocoRosie - Surfer Girl (Beach Boys cover):  From the Lemonade single, CocoRosie do an appropriate breathey take on this Beach Boys classic.

eLDOKO - Woodworm Blues:  Filtered and chopped horns?  On a funky house beat?  you don't say!

Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem cover):  Probably one of my favourite LCD Soundsystem tracks!  Covered by FF on their A Bunch of Stuff EP from 2007.

Gogol Bordello - Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher)
Gogol Bordello - My Companjera
Gogol Bordello - Sun Is On My Side:  NEW GOGOL BORDELLO!  Trans-Continental Hustle is fresh for 2010 and I fucking love it.   The song writing really glistens, and they can still rock party.  Highly recommended.

Kings of Convenience - The Weight of My Words (Four Tet Remix):  Not a new release, but how can I resist a lovely Four Tet remix?  The correct answer is:  she can't.

Mike Patton - Kickin' (Crank, High Voltage OST)
Mike Patton - Organ Donor (Crank, High Voltage OST)
Mike Patton - Supercharged (Crank, High Voltage OST)
Mike Patton - The Hammer Drops (Crank, High Voltage OST):  I've never seen the movie, but FUCK, the soundtrack is flipping amazing.  Mike Patton gives exactly the performance you'd want for an action film.  If you love Mike Patton, Naked City or Mr. Bungle, the Crank: High Voltage soundtrack comes very much recommended.

Mochipet - John Coltrane on Atari (Daniel Day Trio Remix):  Everyone and their mom is remixing Mochipet, and considering this is Master P On Atari Transformed Vol. 1, it implies at least one more volume in the works.  This was the standout for me, a guitar and drums rework of the original breakbeat mutant.

Phoenix - Sad Eyed Lady of The Lowlands (Bob Dylan cover):  from the Live & Unplugged album.

Ryuichi Sakamoto - Ropa:  This is off the 2008 Koko EP.   It's great to hear Sakamoto getting back in to depth of the piano.

She & Him - I Put A Spell On You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins Cover):  Taken from the comp "Sweetheart: Our Favourite Artists Sing Their Favourite Long Songs"

The Joy Formidable - The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade
The Joy Formidable - Whirring:  It was an accident I stumbled on these songs, but they are fabulous!  The tags say they are from the brand new "A Balloon Called Moaning", which I will happily hunt down.  And so should you.

The Pack A.D. - Crazy:  A fabulous rock pop number from the new album "We Kill Computers".

The Rest - The Close Western:  It's the end of the day, I'm out of words, and I'm just blissing out to this song...  from the album Cried Wolf.

Yelle - Qui Est Cette Fille (Who's That Girl) (Robyn cover):  Robyn, done en Francais!  Hell yeah.

YJKII - Ipypyna Horoa:  From the new album "Songs of Tradition Revival by Karitiana Tribe".  Expect to see this fabulous recording heavily sampled by epic trance artists, ala Orb.


THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Cicada - Metropolis (The Twelves Remix)
CocoRosie - Surfer Girl (Beach Boys cover)
eLDOKO - Woodworm Blues
Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem cover)
Gogol Bordello - Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher)
Gogol Bordello - My Companjera
Gogol Bordello - Sun Is On My Side
Kings of Convenience - The Weight of My Words (Four Tet Remix)
Mike Patton - Kickin' (Crank, High Voltage OST)
Mike Patton - Organ Donor (Crank, High Voltage OST)
Mike Patton - Supercharged (Crank, High Voltage OST)
Mike Patton - The Hammer Drops (Crank, High Voltage OST)
Mochipet - John Coltrane on Atari (Daniel Day Trio Remix)
Phoenix - Sad Eyed Lady of The Lowlands (Bob Dylan cover)
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Ropa
She & Him - I Put A Spell On You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins Cover)
The Joy Formidable - The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade
The Joy Formidable - Whirring
The Pack A.D. - Crazy
The Rest - The Close Western
Yelle - Qui Est Cette Fille (Who's That Girl) (Robyn cover)
YJKII - Ipypyna Horoa


OMG the monster at the end of the blog post is you!  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100512.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

Monday, May 10, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/05/10

blog 2010/05/10 - oh man, it's been a while!

So sorry for being so absent.  What's it been?  Months?  years?  Well there's no real way of telling.
All that's important is that I'm back.  Did you miss me?
Let's get down to business.
Funky business.

Ghostape - Many Stars (Ste Mix)
Nuuro - Avila:  As has been the habit for a bit, let's start with some gems from a compilation and sneak them in at the top of the playlist.
"You Will Know Us By the Trail Of Avant Pop" has to be the best comp title in a while!  The Ste remix here is a sweet pop chopup number.  And Nuuro rocks the autotune for it's appropriate robo purposes.

Awol One and Factor - Stand Up ft Myka 9 & Aesop Rock:  From the album "Owl Hours", a great chorus and even an Aesop Rock verse.  I haven't been feeling much Awol One in the past few years, but this track is hot.
   
Kosheen - Guilty (Plastician Remix):  I was a bit shocked to enjoy the latest Kosheen, but lo', the vox are damn sexy and reminiscent of 15-year-old Portishead.  The slick Plastician beat acts as a perfect mood-setter.

LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean
LCD Soundsystem - Home:  Big news in the rock dance scene!  The new LCD Soundsystem is called "This Is Happening" and many of you will be very excited.  OK, point of warning:  Average song length is somewhere between 7 and 8 minutes.   That means if there's a clunker that's getting fuddy-duddy on your mojo, you have a long way to go until it departs.
For me, there's only a few amazing tracks on here.  And I crazy excited for the inevitable remix goodness that will result from this, the deft dancefloor mavens editing down the sprawling prog-dance marathons in to more digestible pop nuggets.
But these two tracks here are pretty fabulous, and if you've ever like an entire LCD Soundsystem album in the past, this is definitely something you HAVE to check out.

Mexicans With Guns - Me Gustó:  HOTNESS!  After seeing the awesome trailer for MACHETE and watching the Vice Guide to Films episode on Narco Cinema, I hereby declare this the coolest new band name.

Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics - Masenqo:  Now this is sex.  A fabulous and enchanting jazz number from the album "Inspiration Information 3".  So sweet!

Richard Skelton - Remaindered
Richard Skelton - The Shape Leaves:  Landings is the new album for 2010, and it just fills me with shivers of delight.  The soundscapes are lush and have the depth of an enchanted forest.  Fans of Ben Frost should fall in love with this, but there's none of the menace that Frost's album portrays. 
Landings takes me in to a private world of mystery and trepidation, but you are curious and vulnerable, not filled with abject terror.  This album is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and will have a profound effect on your psychological space.

Samantha James - Waves Of Change:   Ms. James has dropped some sexy vocals over some of hottest vocal jazzy house tracks over the years.  Some might instantly doubt because of yes, she does have the sheen and glow of a happy hardcore vocalist, and could easily pump out some raver singles.  But despite the sheen, despite the autotune, there is a fabulously little sexy song here.

Sun Kil Moon - Si Paloma:  This one goes back to 2003 and the album "Ghosts of the Great Highway", this is an instrumental number that should appeal to fans of The Dirty Three and Jose Gonzalez equally.

The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
The National - Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks:  Back with more from The National's High Violet!  You'll be hearing much more about this album as the year chugs on...

The Tallest Man On Earth
- I Won't Be Found (Daytrotter Session):   And we'll end it on this fabulous cut!  One of TTMOE's best songs ever, reworked for piano.  SO. DAMN. GOOD.


THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Awol One and Factor - Stand Up ft Myka 9 & Aesop Rock
Ghostape - Many Stars (Ste Mix)
Kosheen - Guilty (Plastician Remix)
LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean
LCD Soundsystem - Home
Mexicans With Guns - Me Gustó
Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics - Masenqo
Nuuro - Avila
Richard Skelton - Remaindered
Richard Skelton - The Shape Leaves
Samantha James - Waves Of Change
Sun Kil Moon - Si Paloma
The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
The National - Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
The Tallest Man On Earth - I Won't Be Found (Daytrotter Session)


Accept my apologies for the tardiest of the tardies.  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100510.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, May 6, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/05/06

 blog 2010/05/06 - The flutter-bies are rumbley in the tummy.

I'm still playing a mad game of catch-up here!   Pip, pip!  Try and stay in time now.

BTW, I've written up a new section on the web site:  http://thetastates.com/newhere.php

I'm New Here.... A First Timer's Guide To CPI.

It's part FAQ, part beginners guide, part bio.  Check it out and let me know what you think!  It will probably eventually replace my old bio page.


Aaron Martin, Part Timer - Climbing Into Water (Drowned)
Aaron Martin, Part Timer - Gravel Scar (Dried Blood):  Grass Rewound came out in 2009 and it a lush and rewarding album of emotionally touching ambient pieces.  While an ambient experience at it's heart, it has borrows from the ecstasies of the likes of Murcof.  Recommended.

Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar (Kurc Remix):  An interesting remix that drops the verses entirely and focuses on the chorus, but it's an unlikely street banger hit.

Avi Buffalo - Whats In It For:  off the similarly titled 7" single, this band ressurects a simpler time of indie pop.  I haven't heard their full length yet...  More later.

Crystal Castles
- Year Of Silence:  Another track from Crystal Castles' self titled new album!  I really am getting in to this album, and it will really solidify their place on the hipster touring circuit.  The whole thing is a quality mix of pop sensibilities and the distortion and nonsense that almost seem trademarked.  Distortion without lo-fi cliches!  Electro with the desire to stab yourself in the ears!  Very much recommended.

Cults - Go Outside:  From a self titled 7", this track is gloriously innocent pop, that opens with the perfect sample to give a sinister dichotomy.  Indie rock goes bubblegum?  Or are they just smarter than us?

Health - USA Boys:  I wasn't crazy in to their album, but this is from their remix album and hmmmmm it cleans things up and leaves my favourite elements there!    Apparently recorded in the studio of none other than Trent Reznor!  I like it.

Kate Nash - Don't You Want To Share The Guilt
Kate Nash - Later On
Kate Nash - Paris:  Ready for 2010, Kate's new album is "My Best Friend Is You" and it is pretty fabulous.  There are tonnes of great songs on here.  But, it's kind of like Regina Spektor's Soviet Kitsch:  I can only really get in to half of the songs, and I get turned off by the rest.  Don't let that dissuade  you, because there is so much goodness in this bundle.  SO MUCH.  And hey, if you really like Regina Spektor, you will LOVE this album.  It has similar charms.  And Lily Allen.  If you're a fan of her, grab this without hesitation.
She is an emotional whirlwind, but it's one helluva ride on the bipolar merry-go-round.

LaBelle - It Took A Long Time:  This number comes from last year's Precious soundtrack.
No.  I will not write out "the full official" name.  Fuck, who does that?  It's Precious.  Just call it fucking Precious.  yeesh.

Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring
Los Campesinos! - Straight In At 101:  We dropped the first single in an earlier blog entry, but here are two more fabulous tracks from the new LP "Romance Is Boring".
On their last EP, Los Campesinos! were downright angsty, but they have seem to stepped out of self-pity and right back in to their entirely manic-cum-emo powers which made us fall in love with them in the first place.
I'm not down with the entire album, but if you have ever loved this band, you owe it to yourself to get this album.  For me, it's a bit too much like hanging out with emotionally incompetent drama kids doing lines of ecstasy:  Fun to hang around with for a bit, but you need to step outside for some air every 15 minutes or so.

Richard Devine & Telefon Tel Aviv - CWCIII:  Dayyam, it's been a long time since I've heard the Richard Devine I knew and loved!  Back in the mid 90s Mr. Devine dropped some smoking IDM beats on the world, but then went all Max/MSP/glitchfest and I tuned it all out.
This track comes from the new Ghostly By Night compilation and serves up the crunchtastic beats that I know and love.  And hell, a touch of

The Album Leaf - Resonations:  A quaint little acoustic guitar and strings number, off the new record "There Is A Wind".

The Count And Sinden - Strange Things:  Oh hell yes!  Time to step things up a notch and drop some dnb.  I'm so happy Count And Sinden are working more in this territory, I've loved the few jungley things they dropped previously.

The Young Punx
- Ready For The Fight:  For me, this is the shining single off the new "Mashpop & Punxstep" album.

Treasure Fingers - What Am I Supposed To Do:  After producing some remixes I've loved, great to see an original production from Treasure Fingers.  And a totally slamming jackin' house track!

Yolanda Be Cool + Dcup - We No Speak Americano:  Man, we're ending this end of the blog with a total dance party!  Fucking hotness.


THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Aaron Martin, Part Timer - Climbing Into Water (Drowned)
Aaron Martin, Part Timer - Gravel Scar (Dried Blood)
Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar (Kurc Remix)
Avi Buffalo - Whats In It For
Crystal Castles - Year Of Silence
Cults - Go Outside
Health - USA Boys
Kate Nash - Don't You Want To Share The Guilt
Kate Nash - Later On
Kate Nash - Paris
LaBelle - It Took A Long Time
Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring
Los Campesinos! - Straight In At 101
Richard Devine & Telefon Tel Aviv - CWCIII
The Album Leaf - Resonations
The Count And Sinden - Strange Things
The Young Punx - Ready For The Fight
Treasure Fingers - What Am I Supposed To Do
Yolanda Be Cool + Dcup - We No Speak Americano


There is a glorious sway to it all:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100506.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

Monday, May 3, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/05/03

blog 2010/05/03 - dedicated to the McDonald's on fire!

Yes Yes ya'll, this one's going out to the Mcdonald's foodcourt thingy that caught on fire this afternoon.
Thanks to you, I got to go walk by the water and talk to the ducks chilling out there.
big-ups to everyone who came to the Raw Sugar party on the weekend!  That was an excellent throwdown.


Bvdub - Lest You Forget
DJ Koze - Bodenweich:  It's nothing new, but the predictable Pop Ambient series is back for 2010!  Oh, and I bet you thought they would forget this year?  While certainly not essential, any of the entries in this series are a decent find if you can get them cheap, as there are always a handful of tracks that pass the sniff test.

Beach House - The Arrangement:  Standout track from the new EP "Zebra"!

Gil Scott-Heron - NewYork  Is Killing Me ft Nas (1200squad Remix Main):  Gil Scott-Heron's album was a fabulous melding of spoken word and funk, and Nas perfectly drops in for some verses here on this fabulous remix clap beat.

Gold Panda - Quitter's Raga:  This track is good.  I'm getting really sick of the nauseously pulsing psych/dub breakbeat stuff coming from the Flying Lotus/Gonjasufi camps.  Like seriously, give yr compressor chain a rest.  But I like this track.  And heavens it's not 6 minutes long.  From the 2009 album Quitter's Raga.

Hot - Policeman and Soldiers:  Brand new bouncey jungle flip on this classic ragga track.  Actually, I'm not sure if it's just a recent repress, but anyways, still a classic sound.

Jonsi - Sticks & Stones:  From the How To Train Your Dragon soundtrack!!!!  Huh, no shit! 

Maps & Atlases - Solid Ground:  A great little rock number from the new album Perch Patchwork.  I haven't heard the LP yet, but I will keep an eye out for it for sure.

Mochipet - Godzilla New Year:  From the mutant breakbeat terror of an album "Master P on Atari", Mochipet is back and delivers a slamming ensemble of wonky breakbeats, bass and a dash of cute savvy.   Bassnectar fans take note.

Mos Dub - Summertime Running:  Mos Dub is a new free online remix project if you 1) like Mos Def and 2) like dub.  The concept is pretty simple, but if you checked YES at both options, you have a great album to BBQ to all summer long.  Get it all at http://mosdub.com/

Noisettes - Sometimes:  From the 2009 album Wild Young Hearts, this is a super sexy pop number.

Radi Tabasco - Lila (Radio Edit):   I don't even know anymore.

The National - Runaway:  High Violet is the new LP for 2010 and mannnnnn...  I'm just not sad enough for it.  Like, if my life was gray and melancholy, I'd totaly just be blasting this all day long, eyes perpetually moist. 
Now, don't get me wrong:  The album is very good.  It just takes me a long time to get in to new material by The National.  It's hard for me to sink in to their world. 
If you are a National fan, get this ASAP.  YOU'LL FRICKING LOVE IT.    I need to listen to it 10 more times before I perdictably come back and gushingly apologize for ever doubting it.

Tosca - My First (Nicola Conte Version)
Tosca - Rosa (K&K Streichquartett Version):  Pony offers up remixes from last year's incredible No Hassle.  Like most remix albums, it's some killer with lots of filler, but dayyam, check out these sexy tracks here.  Can't go wrong with such stunning arrangements.

Two Door Cinema Club - Cigarettes In The Theatre
Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work
Two Door Cinema Club - Undercover Martyn:  The new album is called Tourist History, and it is quite good.  My only complaint is that I just can't maintain the energy throughout.  If you are an energetic rock fan, you'll love love love this album.  It channels much of the best trends in 2009's indie gush.  Fans of Vampire Weekend and Phoenix (which is like, what, most of the planet?) will be quite pleased.

White Hinterland - No Logic:  This is from the 2010 LP "Kairos", which I haven't heard, but after finding this single I am drooling over the prospect of a full hour of gloriousness like this.  This rubs my brain in that happy happy place.



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Beach House - The Arrangement
Bvdub - Lest You Forget
DJ Koze - Bodenweich
Gil Scott-Heron - NewYork  Is Killing Me ft Nas (1200squad Remix Main)
Gold Panda - Quitter's Raga
Hot - Policeman and Soldiers
Jonsi - Sticks & Stones (How To Train Your Dragon soundtrack)
Maps & Atlases - Solid Ground
Mochipet - Godzilla New Year
Mos Dub - Summertime Running
Noisettes - Sometimes
Radi Tabasco - Lila (Radio Edit)
The National - Runaway
Tosca - My First (Nicola Conte Version)
Tosca - Rosa (K&K Streichquartett Version)
Two Door Cinema Club - Cigarettes In The Theatre
Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work
Two Door Cinema Club - Undercover Martyn
White Hinterland - No Logic


I was kind of hoping the whole building would smell like french fries:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100503.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, April 30, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/04/30

blog 2010/04/30 - I still believe this can all work out.

Oh damn, I need to catch up.  Are you committed?  Can you take it?  Because the spring floodgates have opened and tonnes of wonderful new sounds have started flowing towards me.
I already have 2 more updates worth of new stuff ready!  So let's get right to this one.


Cary Brothers - Honestly:  Gorgeous folk!  From 2007, but I only found about this just now.  For fans of Damien Rice and Jeff Buckley.

Crystal Castles - Celestica (Single Mix):  New Crystal Castles for 2010!  This is a slightly different mixdown of the track, from the single of the same name.  Much softer and more "Bats For Lashes" than their normal stuff, rest assured that the single also includes a lot of totally satisfying 8-bit crunch electro beats with buried frantic vocals.  A little something for everyone here.  I will check the full length out soon.

Dan Deacon - Woof Woof:  With his shambley electronics style, no one has ever done a quality remix of Dan Deacon.  It just doesn't fit.  You'd have to do a cover version to come anywhere close to being acceptable.  So on that note, his new Woof Woof EP doesn't really work because you end up not caring about anything more than the single.  But it's a great single that will hopefully influence the next generation to put more low-fi kids toy animal samples in to their tracks.   Did Renaldo & The Loaf ever imagine their spirit would manifest like this?

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Monsieur Adi Remix):  Even MORE Goulding!  I know I've posted a bunch, including the original of this song, but I just really like what this remix does.

Eluvium - Perfect Neglect In A Field Of Statues:  I put an example of his atmopsheric folk ambient last time, so here's a slice of his fabulous piano compositions.

Eraldo Bernocchi And Blackfilm - Bethnal Green
Eraldo Bernocchi And Blackfilm - Mistakes Pt. 2:  BASS ALERT!  Bernocchi is a name burned in to my brain and a rush of chemicals squirted in to my brain when I found he had a new release out.  AND IT'S SO DAMN GOOD.  I played the crap out of his album with Mick Harris back in the 90s, his beats are now upgraded to 21st century bass. 
Blackfirm is a perfect choice to team up with, their self-titled album from 2008 being a near perfect mixtue of post-rock grandeur and headnoddin' deepness that pays tribute to the heydays of the magic that was Possible Records.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

First Aid Kit - Hard Believer:  The EP from last year was a bit hit-and-miss, but I found a few nuggets of gold in it.  Well the LP "The Big Black And The Blue" has more steps that disappoint me, but I do love this song.  It's like they just need a new producer who can really make them pull it all together.

M.I.A. - Born Free:  New M.I.A. album out this year!  This is the first single off of it, riffing with a Suicide opening loop.  Be sure to check out the incredible music video that goes with it, up their with GaGa's Telephone as best music video of the year.

Marlon D - Trust The Drum:  A great little minimal house track.  There have been so many tracks out lately chomping on "African-sounding" samples (like sampling Lion King?  WTF???) that it is refreshing to have a track like this whose main sample is from a speech about Africa itself.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - I'll Still Be True
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Window Shopping:  How can you NOT love Sharon Jones?  Her new album "I Learned The Hard Way" is turning heads and kicking ass.  It's got modern funk and soul all across the spectrum, without pandering to "contemporary sounds" and bullshit reworks.  Recommended.

The Fire and Reason
- This Isn't Love (Per QX & Tombstone Remix):  Solid little electro-rock number.  Reminds me of The Gossip, and lots of fun.

To Rococo Rot - Forwardness:  I really wish I could listen to the new LP "Speculation" with a more open mind, since I have a soft spot 1990s To Rococo Rot.  But I listen and I just wish I was listening to Four Tet's latest album instead.  Sorry.  I'll console myself while grooving to these marimbas...

Wiley - Never Be Your Woman (Solo Loves Garage Remix):  Sexy garage remix of this hot single!

Wye Oak - I Hope You Die:  What could have just been a wonderfully melancholic folk song gets some luscious keyboard action that really puts it up a notch.  But uhhh...  Odd sentiment.  Although the saxophone really feels appropriate, somehow, after she tells us she hopes we die.

Zebra Baby - Jumbo (Boody B Remix):  I'm kind of in love with this semi-deconstructed banger. 



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Cary Brothers - Honestly
Crystal Castles - Celestica (Single Mix)
Dan Deacon - Woof Woof
Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Monsieur Adi Remix)
Eluvium - Perfect Neglect In A Field Of Statues
Eraldo Bernocchi And Blackfilm - Bethnal Green
Eraldo Bernocchi And Blackfilm - Mistakes Pt. 2
First Aid Kit - Hard Believer
M.I.A. - Born Free
Marlon D - Trust The Drum
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - I'll Still Be True
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Window Shopping
The Fire and Reason - This Isn't Love (Per QX & Tombstone Remix)
To Rococo Rot - Forwardness
Wiley - Never Be Your Woman (Solo Loves Garage Remix)
Wye Oak - I Hope You Die
Zebra Baby - Jumbo (Boody B Remix)


Always just out of your reach:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100430.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

Monday, April 26, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/04/26

blog 2010/04/26 - You brought this on yourself.

Just a little something something to kick the week off right.  Shout outs to everyone who showed up to party on Friday.

Being - Jupiter:  Now this is a happy development.  I found this Gas Giants EP, featuring planet-sized minimal dubstep with stellar production and fleshed out textures.

Brendan Benson - A Whole Lot Better:  This is one of those songs where the writer just thought he was being earnest, but really he shows us he is full of some MAJOR EMOTONAL ISSUES and really needs therapy.  Dude, stay out of relationships until you get yr shit together.  Writing a catchy little pop song doesn't forgive you for being creepy.

Chew Lips - Eight
Chew Lips - Slick:  From the new album Unicorn!  2010's answer to 2009's Little Boots and La Roux?  Only the remixes will decide!  But the originals are sexy sexy sexy.

Eluvium - Cease To Know:  The new album Similes brings together the many disparate strands of Eluvium in a very cohesive way.  I'm not in to the whole thing, but the fusion of buried folk vocals with the ambient instrumentation and confident piano congeals for some truly striking moments.  You should definitely check it out.

RD - Cricket (MartyParty Remix)
RD - Space Radio (Deru Remix):  We dropped R/D's remix of Fever Ray last time, but here are two more hot tracks touched by other producers.  Fabulous IDM breakbeaty action!

Röyksopp - De Ushuaia a La Quiaca (Version RYXP Remix):  Ooooo!  This one is a bit of a surprise.  Royksopp get reworked in to a touching atmospheric blissout track that would fit perfectly between Ulrich Schnauss and Hint.

Rusko - Da Cali Anthem (NONEWYORK Funky Refix):  The raucous dubstep original gets a bouncey dancefloor makeover.  Classic synth pads and talkbox vox.

Sadie Hell - The Wolf Can:  Woah.  What?  Huh?  This is from Ottawa?  No way, I'm from Ottawa.  That's so weird.  This guy sounds like Steven Page, formerly of the Barenaked Ladies.  It's not?  Who is it?  Ben Welland.  Ben Welland?  The photographer from Ottawa?  The guy that did the photo shoot for Dharma Arts?  http://dharmaarts.ca/2008_fall/cpi.html?l1   Man, this guy is either godly talented, or their are 2 Ben Wellands in the city that will one day have to fight to the death.  Melodramatic fun.

Saukrates - Hot Like Summer ft Andreena Mill:  I haven't heard much from Saukrates in a while, but I'm feeling this track.  It gets back to the old trick of densely layered chopped vocal loops, and I love that stuff.

Stairs To Korea - All Of Your Friends (Live Dreamtrak Session):  The new UK electropop sound?  I'm ok with that.

Steve Starks - Lydia (Nadastrom's Moombahton Remix):  Some remixes are getting really interesting.  The jaded side of you expects another shitty electrohouse rework, but the deep grooves and fantastic restraint shown here are one of the examples that have been delighting me as of late.  Pretty fabulous.

Telepopmusik - Breathe (Peo De Pitte Remix):  Like the track above, this one has a few surprises that just delight.  Sure, more typically structure and it has the tried-and-true grind bass, but the track itself is more concerned with atmospheric effect than it is rocking the crowd, and for that it gets my thumbs-up.

The Dirty Diamonds - The Right Direction:   Time traveller goes back to 1959 and gives drum machine to Motown pop group. 

Yellow Ostrich - Whale:  My favourite side of the brand new Whalemary 7" release, which I'd highly reccomend snapping up.



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Being - Jupiter
Brendan Benson - A Whole Lot Better
Chew Lips - Eight
Chew Lips - Slick
Eluvium - Cease To Know
RD - Cricket (MartyParty Remix)
RD - Space Radio (Deru Remix)
Röyksopp - De Ushuaia a La Quiaca (Version RYXP Remix)
Rusko - Da Cali Anthem (NONEWYORK Funky Refix)
Sadie Hell - The Wolf Can
Saukrates - Hot Like Summer ft Andreena Mill
Stairs To Korea - All Of Your Friends (Live Dreamtrak Session)
Steve Starks - Lydia (Nadastrom's Moombahton Remix)
Telepopmusik - Breathe (Peo De Pitte Remix)
The Dirty Diamonds - The Right Direction
Yellow Ostrich - Whale


You can make it all stop:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100426.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, April 22, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/04/22

blog 2010/04/22 - Let's get this people's party up and pumping!

Gogol Bordello - Start Wearing Purple
Paul Cantelon - Prologue, Babushka:  I haven't read the book, even though it's been sitting on my bookshelf for a while.  Then Elijah Woods starred in the movie adaptation of it, but like Lovely Bones and Timetraveller's Wife, it became another much-loved book that barfed up a much-maligned movie. 
So even though I haven't seen it, I did randomly pick up the Everything Is Illuminated soundtrack and it's actually quite enjoyable.  Lots of Eastern European influences all over it.  Paul Cantelon's compositions are lush and romantic, and OMG Gogol Bordello!  How can you go wrong?   And if you just don't 'get' it, go check out the Start Wearing Purple music video to understand what it's all about...

B. Dolan - Earthmovers
B. Dolan - Fifty Ways To Bleed Your Customers:  I've been following Alias since the first Anticon 12" he put out.  He did the graceful thing and stopped whiney rhyming and went on to hone his skills as one of the hottest beatsmiths this side of the Pacific.  I have been following him for over a decade now, and that is what brought me to B. Dolan's new LP Fallen House Sunken City, and oh yes, the beats are hot.
The vibrations of Doctor Octagon upon white rappers is still being felt in the bones of the work here, with some of the vocoding and rhyme structure on Earth Movers almost paying homage to that era.  Next track, he switches it up and you can almost hear some El-P coming through.  But Dolan never sinks in to imitation, and makes each voice affirmatively his own.   The album slumps a bit in the center, but the beginning and ending peaks are truly outstanding.
One of the most exciting things in hiphop in 2010 so far, highly recommended for fans of Def Jux, Anticon and Strange Famous camps.  This guy pays respect to all three.

Bruce Peninsula & Muskox - Shanty Song (Reprise):  New Bruce Peninsula!  This is from a fabulous little limited edition 7" record that I highly recommend tracking down.

Delorean - Stay Close:  The full length LP Subiza isn't quite out yet, but here is some deliriously slick pop sweetness for you.

Esperanzah - 5 Minutes:  I love her smokey style, and really, who can't get behind songs about staying in bed a little bit longer?  A definite must for fans of real-life hiphop ala Jean Grae and Speech Debelle.

Fever Ray - I'm Not Done (RD Remix):  Fever Ray couldn't hurt to have some straight forward head-nodding beats on top, and this plunker-with-strings sits perfectly on top with just enough brooding synths to make it both glowing badass and funkily evil.

Hey Marseilles - Rio:  OMG! OMG!  It's.... 4-3 time!  This jaunty little number from To Travels & Trunks makes me wish I was drinking at a bar.  And waltzing.  Waltzing drunk.

Hockey - Too Fake (RAC Mix):  The RAC beats and screechy/shout vox implies an ample amount of LCD Soundsystem love, and gosh, what the world needs now is love sweet love.  LCD love.

Japandroids - Darkness on the Edge of Gastown:  Japandroids love their fans!  After last years smashing album, they are releasing a 7" a month, and they released a collection of earlier tracks entitled "No Singles", where this track is from. 
At first it was a bit too lo-fi and jarring even for me, but let the riffing and release just cast a hypnotic spell over you and then everyone is shouting on top of each other and you are just spinning and circles and you're reminded just how frustrating things were as a teenager for some reason.

Jazz Liberatorz - I Am Hip-Hop ft Asheru:  This is from a sexy new 12", A side featuring Asheru, and J-Live rocking some smooth love on the flipside.  If you like jazzy breaks but lament that weak MCs often just phone-in their parts on them, this single is for you.  Both tracks are super tight and the MCs bring a solid performance.  Shades of Mos Def dropping rhymes with DJ Honda, circa 1998.

Pillowdiver - Black Metal Dream:  How can you not love a song titled Black Metal Dream?  You KNOW that it's going to be great!  From the fabulously brief Tony On A Bike, Pillowdriver have a sweet spot sitting between sludge metal, post-rock and Frippian ambient.  Highly recommended if that last sentence made your eyes dilate.

Titus Andronicus - A More Perfect Union
Titus Andronicus - A Pot In Which To Piss:  Holy shit.  Now this is a rock album.  Not since first experiencing Propagandhi's How To Clean Everything or the time I finally started listening to the lyrics of The Hold Steady albums and taking them in as a whole has there been such a siesmic rock moment in my headphones.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

Twin Sister - All Around And Away We Go:  I don't normally go for lo-fi aesthetics, and I full-on rebel from the last 2-3 years of low-wave garage rock.  I almost dismissed this album outright based on allusions to those genres alone!  And in the end Color Your Life wasn't for me, but the breathey pixie vox evoking a summer breeze on this track were a bit too seductive to pass up.


THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

B. Dolan - Earthmovers
B. Dolan - Fifty Ways To Bleed Your Customers
Bruce Peninsula & Muskox - Shanty Song (Reprise)
Delorean - Stay Close
Esperanzah - 5 Minutes
Fever Ray - I'm Not Done (RD Remix)
Gogol Bordello - Start Wearing Purple (Everything Is Illuminated OST)
Hey Marseilles - Rio
Hockey - Too Fake (RAC Mix)
Japandroids - Darkness on the Edge of Gastown
Jazz Liberatorz - I Am Hip-Hop ft Asheru
Paul Cantelon - Prologue, Babushka (Everything Is Illuminated OST)
Pillowdiver - Black Metal Dream
Titus Andronicus - A More Perfect Union
Titus Andronicus - A Pot In Which To Piss
Twin Sister - All Around And Away We Go


Let me hold your hands and they can tell me everything:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100422.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, April 16, 2010

Vinyl for sale

SPOKEN WORD:
$10 David Wilkerson - The Coming Persection (learn about how homosexuals will rise up and oppress the already horribly oppressed Christians!)
$50 Christine Jorgensen - Reveals (1958)

SOUNDTRACKS:
$10 OST - Caligula 2xLP
$10 OST - Et Mourir De Plaisir 7" (60s Vampire film with lesbian subtext)
$10 Walter Carlos - A Clockwork Orange soundtrack

ALT POP:
$13 Antony & The Johnsons: I Am A Bird Now LP (shrinkwrapped)
$15 Beck - Stereopathetic Soul Manure (1994) (shrinkwrapped)
$15 The Residents - Meet The Residents (1974)  (squid-face cover version)

EXPERIMENTAL, ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC, SYNTH, ETC:
$10 Walter Carlos - Sonic Seasonings 2xLP (1972)
$15 Computer Music: J.K. Randall / Barry Vercoe / Charles Dodge
$20 Boucourechliev / Georges Pludermacher / Les Percussions De Strasbourg - Archipel 3 In 3 Versions / Piano / Klavier   (Prospective 21 Siecle, gray cover)
$20 Iannis Xenaksi / Luciano Berio / Maderna / Kagel - Orient Occident / Moments - Homage to Joyce / Continuo / Transition 1    (Prospective 21 Siecle, gray cover)

email me at thetastates at gmail with offers. I take paypal and money order. Or you can buy me a book and I send you vinyl.


Dibs already called on: (but still let me know, in case they fall through...)

$20 John Cage & Lejaren Hiller, Ben Johnston - HPSCHD, String Quartet No. 2 (1969)
$20 Karlheinz Stockhausen - Mikrophonie I / Mikrophonie II
$20 Les Percussions De Strasbourg - Americana (Varese/Chavez/Cage)    (Prospective 21 Siecle, gray cover)
$20 Luciano Berio & EE Cummings / Sylvano Bussotti / John Cage - Cirles / Frammento / Aria with Fontana Mix   (rare release on Time RecordS)
$20 Naked City - Torture Garden (1989) (rare cover version)

MP3 blog 2010/04/16

blog 2010/04/16 - I never meant to get this hectic.

It's not that I don't like you.  Really, it's not.  Look, I know you're mostly here for the poppy schnazzy stuff, but that's not how it works.  I just post what I like of what I listen to, there's no other rhyme or reason.
And sometimes the cards fall the way they do here:  A huge chunk of awesomeness that might just alienate casual listeners front-loads this update.  If you are a bit sheepish, sure, skip the first half.  Really, that's why there are genres in the first place. 

I think it's awesome, so nyah.  Haters can hate.


Kangding Ray - Soundtrack For A Peter De Jong Attractor
Senking - Skidozer 301:  When I started in to the label sampler "A3 Raster-Noton Archive 3" I wasn't expecting much.  I was barely even paying attention.  Years of succumbing to hype-then-disappointment from the likes of Mego and Kompakt had left me a tad bitter, perhaps.  But about 15 minutes in to it all, I was startled.  I realized three things:   Not only was I not bored, not only was I not annoyed, but I was ENGROSSED.  Raster-Noton has done have top notch job assembling the tracks for this comp and they trot out their priziest ponies of brain-dance microsound glitch ambient fun!  Highly recommended.

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Storytime (The Road OST)
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - The Bath (The Road OST)
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - The Road (The Road OST):  I haven't even seen the movie, but after getting so much in to this soundtrack, I might just have to.  Fabulous and moody instrumentals.

NOMO - Invisible Cities
NOMO - Nocturne:  This is the "just right jazz", featuring accessible structures, far-reaching sounds, and an engrossing funk pace that never lets you down.   "Invisible Cities" is an incredible LP for modern jazz lovers out there.

September Collective - Waldflöte:  A quick little dive in to the world of ambient texture with this track from 2009's Always Breathing Monster album.

Slow Club - Dance 'Till The Morning Light
Slow Club - It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful
Slow Club - There Is No Good Way To Say I'm Leaving You
Slow Club - Trophy Room:  I haven't done 4 tracks from a single band since I was hooked on Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers.  But oh I am in to Slow Club, and their adorable little album "Yeah So". 
It comes off as unabashedly earnest and quaint and cute.  Like in high school when people are working on a musical and they are so fucking cracked out from singing "In to the woods to grandmother's house" but get together in the hallway to make indie music.  It's precious and unshamed, but super catchy and lots of fun.  Highly recommended.

The White Panda - Fireflies Goin Down:  Something about this track just kind of screams "Fruit Loops", but while it's simple pop fun, it's still just that:  fun.

The XX - Islands (Nosaj Thing Remix):  Woah.  Nosaj Thing has been awesome for a while now, with a slight dip in quality in 2009.   Now he reaffirms his wickedaness with this hot remix.  Too bad it's so short.

Theatre Of Disco - YOA (The Twelves Remix):  The Twelves are masters at rocking the pop ish on the dance floor.  So very satisfying and funky.

Timberlee - Push Back:  Unh!  I love the reggaeton slamming beat here, and a wicked female MC to boot.

Vampire Weekend - Cousinz (Toy Selectah Mex-More Remix):  This is from the Contra bonus CD sent to people who preordered.  The manicness of the track is maintained with this hyper-bounce remix.  You just try and keep up as you dance around yr bedroom.

Ward 21 - Give It Up (Neoteric Remix)
Ward 21 - Never Sell Out:  Another pleasant surprise!  A great take, and Never Sell Out rocks the same riddim Timberlee uses above, also to great effect. 

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp (The Very Best Remix):  The Very Best get back to their mixtape roots and jack the catchiest Yeasayever song ever!  FUCK YES.  AREN'T YOU SO GLAD YOU GOT HERE?



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Kangding Ray - Soundtrack For A Peter De Jong Attractor
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Storytime (The Road OST)
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - The Bath (The Road OST)
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - The Road (The Road OST)
NOMO - Invisible Cities
NOMO - Nocturne
Senking - Skidozer 301
September Collective - Waldflöte
Slow Club - Dance 'Till The Morning Light
Slow Club - It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful
Slow Club - There Is No Good Way To Say I'm Leaving You
Slow Club - Trophy Room
The White Panda - Fireflies Goin Down
The XX - Islands (Nosaj Thing Remix)
Theatre Of Disco - YOA (The Twelves Remix)
Timberlee - Push Back
Vampire Weekend - Cousinz (Toy Selectah Mex-More Remix)
Ward 21 - Give It Up (Neoteric Remix)
Ward 21 - Never Sell Out
Yeasayer - Ambling Alp (The Very Best Remix)

Don't you deny it now:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100416.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

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/04/13

blog 2010/04/13 - come on panda taffy, mama's feelin' lucky!

Hitting you with another 80 minutes of underground joys!

Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate - Doudou
Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate - Kala Djula:  As I've gushed about before, anything by either of these artists is essential.  Put them together?  And you're easily nearing the best of the year, by far.  Toure died in 2006, and this was one of their final encounters.  Some compositions from each of them, and each arrange traditional pieces as well.  2 master musicians who dediated their lives to their instruments, and let us in for a peak at their genius.  Simply bliss, and highly recommended.

Chihei Hatakeyama - Cave
Chihei Hatakeyama - Confession:  The only fault I really have of Katakeyama is the occassional succumbing to the Windham Hill keyboard cliches.  Much of the material, while dwelling that realm of synth ambience, is still quite engrossing.  The first track here is from the LP "Ghostly Garden", and the 2nd from "A Long Journey", both 2010!  Hatakeyama, like Roach and Lustmord and others, know that the marketing cycle of drone ambienters isn't quite the same as say Vampire Weekend.

Dead Confederate - Heavy Petting:   I was super psyched last time I posted some Dead Confederate.  Holy shit, wasn't Start Me Laughing an insanely good track?  Well I got the album Wrecking Ball and it wasn't all genius throughout, but here's another standout track from that outing.

Foals - Spanish Sahara (Mount Kimbie Remix):  Mount Kimbie were always IDM in my mind, but then they kept creeping up on the charts of dubstep fans.  I couldn't be happier!  Well, I could be, if more dubstep had that clicky dubstep influence and textural subtlety going on.  This track is gorgeous.

Man & Vänner - Sandstorm (Man & Vänner Dubstep Remix):  Put your hands up if you played Dance Dance Revolution!  If you are a veteran of the dance pad, or a veteran of the cheeseball ravetrance scene, chances are Sandstorm is drilled thoroughly in to your brain.  This is a much needed retwist.

Red - On My Knees:  Downtempo will always have a place in my heart, and there are so many great vocal licks in the archives of soul music to continue to produce tracks like this.  This is a good thing.

Rox - My Baby Left Me (Terror Danjah Original Mix):  Solid vocals worked in around a lovely crunchy beat.

She & Him - Thieves:  Volume 2 is the cleverly titled follow-up to their Volume 1.  I have to say, I haven't been able to get in to it yet, but the new single here is quite lovely.  But still, get all over this one if you are an M. Ward fan, or a fan of the Volume 1.

Schlachthofbronx - Vem Que Tem ft Marina (Daniel Haaksman Remix): 

Sightings - Tar and Pine:  From the new album City of Straw, this track reminds me of some of my favourite 7"s from the 80s, with the crunchy distortion and disaffected off-key spoken vox rambling just to the side, in the background somewhere.  Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but this isn't about you.  We've discussed that.

Sophie Madeleine - The Knitting Song:  Yep, this pretty much exactly how I was hoping a song entitled "The Knitting Song" would sound like.  OK, maybe there were more handclaps in my mind, but the harmonica, ukulele and chimes were all there.

Team Me - Weathervanes And Chemicals:  From the 2010 "Music Alliance Pact", I love this whole "group of best friends singing in a shower" kind of vibe.

The Ambience Affair - Lost At The Start:  Off the 2010 Patterns EP and man I just want the day to be over at this point.

The Radio Dept. - David:  This kind of reminds me of 80s new wave pop.  Feel good times.

XXXchange - Better Than You:  In the vein of disco anthem "Music Sounds Better With You", here we get another diva workover to great effect. 




THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate - Doudou
Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate - Kala Djula
Chihei Hatakeyama - Cave
Chihei Hatakeyama - Confession
Dead Confederate - Heavy Petting
Foals - Spanish Sahara (Mount Kimbie Remix)
Man & Vänner - Sandstorm (Man & Vänner Dubstep Remix)
Red - On My Knees
Rox - My Baby Left Me (Terror Danjah Original Mix)
She & Him - Thieves
Schlachthofbronx - Vem Que Tem ft Marina (Daniel Haaksman Remix)
Sightings - Tar and Pine
Sophie Madeleine - The Knitting Song
Team Me - Weathervanes And Chemicals
The Ambience Affair - Lost At The Start
The Radio Dept. - David
XXXchange - Better Than You


It's all wasted, but we salvaged the moment:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100413.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

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Rae Spoon & CPI - thereisafire (2010)

Rae Spoon & CPI - thereisafire (2010)

A freely downloadable EP, released April 2010.


1 - Rae Spoon - Come On Forest Fire Burn The Disco Down (CPI Remix)
2 - Rae Spoon - There is a light, but it's not for everyone






Rae Spoon and DJ CPI team up to release a fun electronic remix of Indie favorite "Come On Forest Fire Burn The Disco Down" as well as the long awaited elektro version of Rae Spoon's much performed song "There Is A Light, But It's Not For Everyone".

Free Download at http://thetastates.com/mp3s/RaeSpoon_CPI_-_thereisafire.zip


Rae Spoon: http://raespoon.com/
CPI: http://thetastates.com/

Artwork by Noam Lapid
Masterng by http://schematicsound.com



Alternate download link: http://www.killbeatmusic.com/raespoon/

Upcoming tour dates:
April 15 - Guelph - House Concert @ 161 Neeve with Sarah Mangle
April 16 - Toronto @ The Holly Oak with Sarah Mangle
April 17 - Maynooth @ The Arlington with Sarah Mangle
April 18 - Peterborough @ The Spill with Sarah Mangle
April 19 - Ottawa - House Concert @ 160 Primrose with Sarah Mangle
April 22 - Montreal @ Center Ambroise with Glenn Nuotio
April 25 - Guelph @ Kazoo Festival

Thursday, April 8, 2010

MP3 blog 2010/04/08

blog 2010/04/08:  My week has been a biathalon of errands.  Except, no guns.

Claude VonStroke - Bay Area
Claude VonStroke - The Greasy Beat ft Bootsy Collins (Funk Bomb DJ Version):  2009's Bird Brain LP was fricking fantastic.  There just almost never exists electronic albums that work as a whole.  But holy shit, Claude does it up right.  This is a super pleasure from start to finish.  And the funk!   The funk is so right.  And thank heavens for Bootsy Collins, still funky after all these years, and never compromising his flaboyant style.  Highly reccomended for DJs and electronic music fans alike.

Colin Meloy - Jack The Ripper (Morrissey cover):  Meloy loves singing songs.  For a guy with a songbook a mile long, he still takes a good amount of time to dip in to the classics, and this is from his Sings Morrissey endeavour.

Enda Mac Nally - Derp ('Light The Way, Enda,' Mix):  Just another little indie pop remix done right.

Gil Scott-Heron - Me And The Devil
Gil Scott-Heron - On Coming From A Broken Home (Part 2)
Gil Scott-Heron - Where Did The Night Go:  This man is a wise master, but he's back with something simply stunning for 2010.  His new album "I'm New Here" mixes modern day production and forward thinking grooves with wonderfully soulful singing mixed equally with pitch-perfect spoken word.  Ultimately original, and highly recommended.

Kid Sister - Daydreaming (Jakwob Remix):  Oh how Jakwob has some real shiners out there!  And instead of a slammer, this one is rather subdued and thoughtful.  Well played, sir.

Major Lazer & Harold Faltermeyer
- Pon De Foley (Ludachrist Remix):  Yeah, this is so damn appropriate it hurts.  Axel Foley on the beat box!  (and if you are too young to appreciate this...  what the hell?  Go rent Beverly Hills Cop and get stupid drunk.

Mala Rodríguez
- Tambalea (A Tidus Mix):  What is she saying?  I don't know, but I love the laidback sort of "get of my porch" kind of tone in her voice.

Matias Aguayo - Koro Koro:  I still haven't heard the 2009 full length "Ay Ay Ay" yet, but oh man this pulsing little chanter is a delight.

Mulatu Astatke - Green Africa:  Some times jazz is a dangerous weapon that is sent out to just melt your mind.  This track is just nuclear.  Insanely complex and at the same time disarmingly familiar, how can you not get sucked in?  From the new LP Mulatu Steps Ahead.

Spektre & Matt Cooper - Kicking K:   This is probably the best way to break the tech-house drought on here.  Incredibley atmospheric and punchy, with enough crunch & dubby Radioslave hacks going on to keep me satisfied.  What a good trip.

The Icon And The Axe - Dust Bowl
The Icon And The Axe - Munich To Berlin
The Icon And The Axe - Portrayal In A False Light:  These are from the 2009 album "Propaganda", which is pretty great, and flew underneath everyone's radar.  I dunno.  Maybe it's because it sounds like the 90s?  Like something that could have been a collaboration betwee Poe and James?  If you can get down with that striaght-up pop-rock with soulful folk-like lyrics, really give this album a try.  The whole thing is pleasant, and there are a number of infectious melodies.

The Knife - Annie's Box (alt. vocal):  We posted a track from "Tomorrow, In A Year" earlier in the blog, but now that the album is properly released and I've been able to go through the whole thing, I just had to post up more and mention it again.   The scope of the project is wonderfully large without being unapproachable.  It is certainly far more adventurous in the soundscaping area than more traditionally idm-poppy Knife stuff, but if you've followed them this long, you really owe it to them (and yourself!) and follow them down this dark alley as well.  Highly recommended for everyone interested in abstract electronic music, dark idm, and opera.

Toe - ??????:  I don't know if this track had Kanji characters or what, or even what album it's from, but it's a wonderful slab of instrumental rock that reminds me of the best of The Dylan Group, with a touch of Tortoise.  And that makes Caitlyn very happy.  I wish it were 20 minutes long.

Warrior Queen and Heatwave - Things Change:  Closing things up is the CPI's MP3 Blog favourite Warrior Queen, and this single comes to us from a Soul Jazz Records comp, who pop up every year to remind us just how awesome of a label they truly are.


THIS WEEK'S TRACKS:

Claude VonStroke - Bay Area
Claude VonStroke - The Greasy Beat ft Bootsy Collins (Funk Bomb DJ Version)
Colin Meloy - Jack The Ripper (Morrissey cover)
Enda Mac Nally - Derp ('Light The Way, Enda,' Mix)
Gil Scott-Heron - Me And The Devil
Gil Scott-Heron - On Coming From A Broken Home (Part 2)
Gil Scott-Heron - Where Did The Night Go
Kid Sister - Daydreaming (Jakwob Remix)
Major Lazer & Harold Faltermeyer - Pon De Foley (Ludachrist Remix)
Mala Rodríguez - Tambalea (A Tidus Mix)
Matias Aguayo - Koro Koro
Mulatu Astatke - Green Africa
Spektre & Matt Cooper - Kicking K
The Icon And The Axe - Dust Bowl
The Icon And The Axe - Munich To Berlin
The Icon And The Axe - Portrayal In A False Light
The Knife - Annie's Box (alt. vocal)
Toe - ??????
Warrior Queen and Heatwave - Things Change


Booty reporting for duty, indeed.  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20100408.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

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

followup

Someone sent me a message:
"You mentioned being able to sort through music very quickly. Do you just listen to the first few seconds and skip it if you don't like on first listen? I find that method to not really be reliable since I might end up loving something after letting it grow but hate it on first listen."

The stuff I can sift the fastest is dance music. Very few tracks evolve beyond a basic set of sounds and structures. You have a house track. You check the intro, you check the drop, you check the main bassline. This was especially easy back in the days of vinyl, as you saw the difference in groove width and could easily spot a breakdown visually. I would fly through stacks 18 inches high at the record shops.
With most electronic music, and with most music in general, I am looking for something a bit new and exciting, or at least the same old ideas, but so well executed that they are fresh again.
I will immediately skip something if it contains tropes of the genre that truly bug me, and I actively listen for these things. One should be extremely fickle with electronic music for this.

With my mind in that critical framework of "searching for any excuse to stop listening to this and move onward", I have to temper my fear that "wait, this might be something fabulous, if I just let it grow on me." You have to get over this fear if you really want to explore a breadth of music. This is the fear that you may be overlooking something awesome.
The reality is that every day there is a huge amount of new music being recorded. For the sake of example, let's say 100 GB of music comes out each day. (Whatever number we chose, assume it is growing at least at a rate of 1% daily...)
Of that 100 GB, 80 GB is probably of genres you didn't even know existed. Of the remaining 20 GB, 19.5 GB is probably anywhere from crappy, to mediocore, to decent. 400 MB of that is spectacular, and 100 MB of that will be that which stands "the test of time". (note: any amount that "stands the test of time" diminishes as you extend the timeline, with each generational culture viciously editing and codifying the culture before it down to the smallest of representations. QUICK! Name your five favourite songs from the 1940s.)

The numbers are all made up. But there is always more incredible music to listen to. And we really shouldn't worry too much if we didn't give something enough time to grow on us, especially if we are well versed in the genres and tropes that a song employs and exists amongst. (If you new to a genre or artists, best listen to the recommendations and learn and absorb, even if it doesn't do much for you at first.)
Some people get anxious when they are behind on editions of the blog, and promise me they will catch up. I tell them that really, it doesn't matter. Just pick up at the latest and continue because there will always be more.

There are always other people in the hivemind that will eventually point you in the direction of something awesome you perhaps missed 1, 5 or 20 years ago. If it has "stood a test of time", it will still make you happy to discover it then, than if you had discovered it now. I remember back in 1996 when I really wanted to hear every new hiphop album at the store. It was a waste of time.
An example of this for me would be Bill Callahan. I didn't like his 2009 album when I first heard it. But then I saw it on a Best Of 2009 list. And I tried again and didn't like it. Eventually on the 4th time a Best Of 2009 list sent me back to it, it clicked and I "got it". And it's awesome.
Our web 2.0 culture is filled with redundancy, so no worries!

And as all this relates to the MP3 Blog here, this was never intended to be an overview of music. This was always an overview of music as taken through the lens of CPI's tastes. I just listen to far more music than a "typical" music fan, so for many, the overview offered suffices. For many other, this is just one of the many ways to explore music.

~CPI