Joy to the world!...

"Christmas is the disneyfication of Christianity..."  -- Don Cupitt

And, in respect of this 'glass half empty' take on Christmas I give to you the 'Best Christmas Song'... EVER!

Blink 182 - Happy Holidays, You Bastard

But seriously, Merry Christmas to you all! Have an amazing party season... party hard, have fun, be safe, and don't get too caught up in this consumerism bullshit... even though we all inevitably will / already have. 

I'll be back in the new year with more treats than a lolly scramble at the Santa Parade! 

Vampire Weekend - White Sky

Arrrrrrgggghhhhhh! Yet another new song from Vampire Weekend off their forthcoming album 'Contra'. It is my favourite yet... so dainty and fun. This is exactly what every summer day needs.

Vampire Weekend - White Sky

'Contra' is out January 12.

Soulwax - Most Of The Other Remixes

This is way way way behind the times... I knew Soulwax had surplus 'unreleased' remixes from their first remixes album in 2007 that had made their way onto the net. But, never realised they had in fact officially released a second collection of remixes aptly titled 'Most Of The Other Remixes...'

Pretty much everything Soulwax does excites me, and this is no exception. They are one of the most innovative forces in electronic music in the world today and consistently release nothing but quality. Check out this inside scoop from the BBC to get a deeper appreciation for the art of Soulwax... especially if you're an analog gear noob - their studio in Ghent will get you off!

Soulwax Interview On BBC's The Culture Show

'Most Of The Other Remixes...' is a brave feat with remixes of some musics true classics including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Prince. They also dismantle The Chemical Brothers 90's hit 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl' and reconstruct it as an angry robot intent on destroying humanity and dance floors alike.

The Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy, Hey Girl (Soulwax Remix) (Download)

The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want (Soulwax Remix) (Download)

Get this on iTunes or Beatport, or wherever else you get music these days... I can't wait to see these guys at Rhythm & Vines '09!

Remix Your Summer...

I've got so much new music that if remixes = water, and my itunes = a single molecular cell, that cell would be considered biologically 'turgid' by a process called 'osmosis' (?). Anyway, I've decided to share some of the best remixes I've discovered over the last little while that (I think) would be particularly suited for the up-coming summer party season. 

Miami Horror - Make You Mine (Cassian Remix) (Download)

Friendly Fires - On Board (Joakim Remix) (Download)

Chromeo - Night By Night (Siriusmo Remix) (Download)

...this would be the sexiest end to a DJ set. 

The Virgins - Rich Girls (Le Castle Vania's Spring Break No Parents Remix) (Download)

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp (Memory Tapes Remix) (Download)

MSTRKRFT - Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke Remix) (Download)

For those of us sick of hearing the Wolfgang Gartner version... 

Phoenix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix) (Download)

The best, most chilled out, summer remix of '09. 

Party hard! Enjoy the summer... Hopefully a little more so with these tasty tunes :) 

Delphic

I am genuinely miffed that Delphic succeeded in slipping under my radar for the best part of this year. These guys are something special, and although I don't want to jump to any brash conclusions, they may just rank as one of my favourite bands of 2009...

Delphic on all accounts appear to be a 3-piece that perform live as a 4-piece. They produce a dreamscape of electro/indie with delicately layered guitar parts (my favourite!), airy synthesizers, and disco beats. Their first single, 'Counterpoint', was released in April this year, followed by 'This Momentary' in August (which was released by scene trend-setter Kitsune) in August, and is probably my favourite song by them.. so far. 

Delphic - This Momentary

Their debut album 'Acolyte' is being released on the 11th of January (sooooo many good albums are coming out in January!). I personally cannot wait to hear what else these guys have up their sleeves. They've got to be one of the most underrated bands of 2009... However, I have an inkling this all may change come 2010. 

Delphic - Doubt (Live On Later Live... With Jools Holland

They're currently giving away four free tracks on their myspace - they're free, go get 'em! Grab the album in January, tell all your friends... actually don't tell all your friends that way you can be cooler than your friends by being a 'Delphic fan since aaaggeees ago' by the time everyone else catches on. Whatever you do, don't let these guys slip under your radar any longer... 

Delphic - This Momentary (Algeronics Remix) - DOWNLOAD

Yeasayer - Odd Blood Leak

It's unfortunate, but Yeasayer's 'Odd Blood', which was scheduled for a February 9 release, has been leaked. On their facebook the band posted a passive-aggressive "Presents are always spoiled for those who open them before they are supposed to". But really, presents are good any time and all the time. It's disappointing for the band to have something they've worked so hard for over the last year to be handed this kind of fate, but can they really expect fans to resist indulging for two months until the official release... I think not. 

I am in no way encouraging piracy, and if you can wait... then wait. 

Here's a little something that may just appease your Yeasayer appetite for the time being... 'Odd Blood' is getting more magical by the day. How psychedelic is that album artwork! 

Yeasayer - Madder Red

2009... The Best Of - Part II

I have no idea how many 'parts' will be required for this 'Best Of' collection... 2009 has been such a fruitful year, let's just see how we go. 

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition 

The Temper Trap seemed to appear from nowhere. The theme song for '500 Days Of Summer', and one of the biggest tracks from down under this year.

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks

Great band, great album, great song... very weird video.

Boys Noize - Jeffer

Boys Noize dominated electro in 2009 and this is one of the hottest tracks from his sophomore album 'Power!'

Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling

No one can deny the pop-takeover by Black Eyed Peas this year... As much as this song has been thrashed to death it was 'the' hottest track of 2009... bit of a shame really.

Peter, Bjorn & John - Lay It Down

I love the overly happy sound of this song despite it's underlying badass attitude, such a fun video too. Many memories of my old workplace associated with this track.

Djedjotronic - Gum Attack

Djedjotronic, One of the Boys Noize Records proteges, dropped this monster of a track early in the year and is still one of my favourite electro releases of 2009.

Weezer - Can't Stop Partying 

The ultimate f-u to everything pop has ironically become Weezer's greatest 'pop' hit... go figure. This live video features Chamillionaire taking the reigns on the second verse. 

Phoenix - 1901

Potentially my favourite song of 2009. This live performance on Letterman sounds so good and is a lot more exciting than the music video they released for this track.

Matt & Kim - Daylight 

Best morning wake up song of 2009 by the happiest indie-pop duo in history?... I think so. 

Michael Jackson - This Is It

The King of Pop's final offering... R.I.P. 

There will definitely be a 'Part III'... Check out 'Part I' here.