Posts filed under 'Repeated Listening'
Perfect for the lazy days of summer sun is BEBEL GILBERTO’s stunner “Bring Back the Love (Stuhr Remix)” which is so delicate yet practically perfect in it’s delicacy. There are many good remixes like the Prins Thomas mix… and the original isn’t bad either.
LISA SHAW makes two appearances on this list, just as she did on my year end list back in January. “Side 2 Side” has the clean deep house sound that only the excellent Miguel Migs can provide – and that I love so much. And going by her moniker Li’sha, she scores another hit with Miguel on this gorgeous house-y number from a few years ago, “Do It For You”.
VIKTER DUPLAIX brings more menthol cool stylings to the party with “I See The Sun”, a fabbo track which was featured on “MERCEDES-BENZ MIXED TAPE 13″.
American Idol runner-up KATHARINE McPHEE has got the funnest song of the summer in “Open Toes”, a paean to footwear that is so campy, it must have been written by a gay man. (Truth be told, Katharine’s entire self-titled disc is very good; I rarely listen to Top 40-type music but her album crosses a bit of dance, pop, ballads and R&B into one fine piece of listening. It’s so good, In fact, it’s the only Idol alum album I own.)
The Junkie XL Small Room mix of JT’s “What Goes Around…Comes Around” is also an unusual piece of Top 40 meets electronica that I happen to dig.
“Les Djinns (Trentemøller Mix)” by DJUMA SOUNDSYSTEM : An instrumental in the can-do-no-wrong hands of Trentemøller becomes an anthem rather than just a piece of lyric-less music.
“Makes Me Wonder”, the latest by MAROON 5, seems more to me like a boy band offering on par with *NSync or Backstreet Boys than something I’d equate to these alt-rockers, but hey, it’s catchy!
HELLOGOODBYE’s “Here (In Your Arms)” is another cheesy, vocoder laden track that, apparently, I’m a sucker for.
CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG’s “The Songs That We Sing” is sparkly and ever-so reminiscent of an old favorite of mine, Ivy.
The voice of EBTG, TRACEY THORN, continues to surprise and delight with her latest, “It’s All True.”
Two songs by my new favorite band o’ the moment: I MONSTER. I’m hearing “Heaven” everywhere – movie premiere DJs, at the mall and on a Macy’s commercial. It’s gorgeous and twinkly and strikes all the right notes. This song is going to be HUGE. “Daydream In Blue” has such a great retro 1960s Mamas and Papas feel to it, replete with record static, then shifts into a darker place and back again.
THE BIRD AND THE BEE – “Because” : Here’s one for you that almost defies classification. If you asked me when I first heard this ditty that I’d be a fan it of, I’d say, “Hell no.” Somehow it made it onto one of my iTunes playslists and thus kept playing. And after more than a few listens, I was hooked. Everything that makes it odd (the off-kilter, almost out-of-tune chords) is exactly what endeared itself to me.
JOHN LEGEND – “Save Room” : I love this song. It’s essentially a late 60s pop-rock number disguised as modern day R&B. I can’t help thinking this is what The Doors/Jim Morrison might have gotten up to in later years had things worked out differently.
I can’t recommend ERASURE’s new disc but I can suggest a replacement, the far superior and more enjoyable “NIGHTBIRD” from 2005 that has several very good tracks, namely the catchy “Don’t Say You Love Me”. Also of note, is the amazing acoustic re-work of “Rock Me Gently” from “UNION STREET”.
Sadly not available on iTunes yet is ROGUE TRADERS’ “World Go ‘Round“, which is currently featured in Old Navy’s “Summerland” spot, this hard rockin’ dance act is Australia’s answer to Garbage. I can’t wait for the remix used in the commercial to be released!
And lastly, because ‘Poverty’ is part of my name and this blog’s raison d’être, I bring you Kaskade’s “Words And Melody” for FREE. It’s a sultry, beautiful number that’s ready to boil to the surface with energy but cools itself off just before it can explode into frenzied chaos. Download it here.
June 3rd, 2007
It’s not the gift I intended at year’s end, but I thought I’d share the tracks that got me through last year. Due to no one’s fault but my own, there are simply not enough free tunes still available for download to make up my Year Two CD. (Many of the MP3s I featured were either from Mercedes-Benz Mixed Tape compilations or Beatport freebies that are no longer free.) As expected, my tastes are all over the map. So listen, discover and enjoy them as much as I have!
“To Be Loved (Toby Tobias Remix)” by Bent : A unique beat from a truly iconoclastic band. Great to hear new stuff from the duo.
“Born to Fly (Dave Warrin Fly Mix)” by Lisa Shaw : The first of two entries in this year’s iMix featuring incomparable voice of Lisa Shaw. 2006 saw the release of Lisa’s long awaited solo album, CHERRY . I don’t think it burnt up the charts but for me, she can do (almost) no wrong. She also went back in the studio with Blue Six to lend her considerable talents to their new single (out now), “Tropicalia”. Check it out.
“Desire (Christoph Kardek’s Deep Vocal mix)” by Hanna Hais : Perfect deep house au français.
“Philly” by DJ T. : One evening while down in Los Angeles for the holidays, I heard this on KCRW’s Nocturna show. I didn’t want it to end. Always a good sign.
“Magic Love (Ashley Beedle Black Magic Vocal Remix)” by Bent : The second entry by Bent. To say I was obsessed with this song throughout the year would be a gross understatement. Who else but Bent could transform Captain & Tennille’s 1979 track “Love On A Shoestring” into this? Phenomenal!
“Sean (Eric’s 2WFU Dub)” by Aya : Another track I wrote about in a previous post. This kept me going through most of the summer.
“Be Still (Jay-J’s Shifted Up Mix)” by Kaskade : Ryan Raddon (also know as Kaskade) manages to do it again. This lyrical and pulse-pounding remix by Jay-J elevates a mediocre dance number into something that just makes you move.
“Look On the Floor (Angel City Extended Remix)” by Bananarama : From the “I can’t believe it” category comes this fluffy, I-must-be-a-gay-boy ditty replete with requisite cheesy vocoder effects. Once the chorus sinks in though, it’ll stay in your head for a long, long time. So very cheesy but in a good way. It’s kinda nice to hear the Bananas again.
“Don’t You Want Me (King Britt Scuba Mix)” by Jody Watley : Ah, Miss Watley… If you weren’t featured on the first season of Bravo’s “Work Out” I wouldn’t have even known you were still alive. This smooth remix reminds me of why/how you became popular in the first place. An out-of-date track updated for today’s more sophisticated tastes.
“Jump (Extended mix)” by Madonna : Quite possibly one of her best tracks ever. Certainly in my top five of all time by Her Madgesty. And put to the best possible use in The Devil Wears Prada. (Even though this was part of CONFESSIONS… from 2005, and it made my Best of Oh-Five list as a runner-up, the single and its remixes weren’t released until mid 2006.)
“Damage (featuring Tracey Thorn)” by Tiefschwarz : Looks like there’ll be no more Everything But The Girl, sadly. This is as close to their sound as we can get until Tracey’s solo disc comes out, hopefully some time in ‘07.
“Ain’t No Other Man” by Christina Aguilera : I know, I know. You’re not used to Top 40 on my Guide but this song has “it” in spades; A great retro groove and kick ass lyrics. Its this year’s “Crazy In Love”. And that’s not a bad thing.
“Is It Any Wonder” by Keane : These guys had a great year (almost too great if you know what I mean). This song, especially the Tall Paul remix, reminded me how much I missed any new offering by Coldplay.
“He Knows The Sun” by The Legends : One of my favorite songs of late 2005/early 2006 finally arrived at the iTMS. Better late than never.
“Changes” by Tahiti 80 : Another terrific Franco offering. If you can find it, the Borderline remix is tons better.
“Different Sound” by Teddybears : Used to great effect in the Intel Core 2 Duo commercials. Appeals to me in that Goldfrapp-kinda way.
“Koop Island Blues” by Koop : Already said what I had to say about it here.
“No One Else (The Amalgamation Of Soundz Remix)” by Natalie Walker : Killer remixers grab hold of a track and milk it for all it’s worth.
“Warrior” by Andy Caldwell : Lisa Shaw strikes again as guest vocalist making a mellow, must-have track.
“More Shine” by Si*Se : From the very beginning of ‘06, this track stayed on my playlists throughout the entirety of the year, which is almost unheard of. Congrats to the ear at iTunes that brought this to our collective attention. “More” I say!
“Travel In Time” by Kate Havnevik : Sounds a lot like last year’s featured Mint Royale.
“Lazy Lover” by Brazilian Girls : An older song, but new to me, used effectively in an Axe shower gel commercial. Just proves great music can be found anywhere.
“Loosen Your Hold” by South : Nice iTunes Live session from a group of guys just waiting to break it big-time. I’ve featured them before and I’ll continue to do so until the rest of your ears catch up.
“What Now” by Aloe Blacc : Don’t let the warning label deter you. There’s nothing explicit about this song except its perfect leisurely beat. I heard this at the Virgin Megastore and just had to have it.
“Shiva (TC Remix)” by Thievery Corporation : Just lovely, as is almost everything the Thievery boys touch.
“Venice Beach Dub” by Stuph : Let the tide take you…
“Can’t Take It In” by Imogen Heap : 2006 was her breakout year. She managed to put Frou Frou behind her and crafted a unique album (SPEAK FOR YOURSELF) and image for herself. She also honed a fervent fan base. So, despite all her terrific singles this past year, why has this one stuck in my head so? If I could answer that, I’d be a millionaire.
January 11th, 2007
“Hi, my name is Molly and I am obsessed with this song.”
This doesn’t usually happen with new material but I’m literally bonkers over its sun-drenched, happy, 1960s folk/pop goodness. I know I’ve made reference to songs that sound New Order-esque in previous posts (and that’s only because they were such a seminal act that their influence is bound to be felt for decades) but The Legends seem to have globbed on to all that is light and airy about NO’s sound but left the morose and heft behind.
A few months back Labrador Records was kind enough to make a minute-long preview MP3 available to download, but what really hooked me is the full-length video (available for viewing on the Labrador homepage, in the Video Of The Week section). Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be a download store available where one can purchase The Legends’ single or their new album, PUBLIC RADIO, immediately. The Labrador Records shop allows you to buy a CD with PayPal… but then you have to wait for it to be shipped from overseas. And like most -aholics, I want instant gratification! I’ve checked the usual suspects (iTMS, Bleep.com, etc.) and haven’t yet found it for sale. If anyone has more information, please drop me a line.
Back to business, I haven’t forgotten why you visit MO’PGTMFM: You want good, free stuff! Well, it just so happens the very same label has dozens over thirty excellent MP3s on their sounds page. With so many choices, I’ll make it easy for you. Check out the 3 FREE MP3s by the band with the misleading name: Acid House Kings.
September 16th, 2005
I’m pleased to spotlight a very accomplished and refined piece of electronica. I can’t recall how I managed to find this album earlier this year, but I do know that on first listen I didn’t “get” it. I hastily removed it from my playlist and never gave it a second thought. (This happened to me before with Weekend Players’ PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS; didn’t get it on first listen, now one of my all-time faves.) Flash-forward to a week ago and I started listening to POTPOURRI in order to write about it and now, I can’t stop listening! Like other music I’ve featured here, this thirteen track album is available for FREE but I’d happily paid full price for music of this quality. Here’s my theory about buying CDs from an unknown artist: If there’s at least one song that grabs me, it’s worth it. In this case, with four tracks that I truly like… it’s miraculous. And when the cost is free, you can’t go wrong.
The album opens with a lovely, light drum-n-bass number, “Antwerp” and mid-way through progresses to a guitar-happy, sample-heavy religious ditty, “Genesis“. But nearer the end is when this album truly shines, with numbers like “Bliss” and my personal favorite, the dreamy/swirly “It’s OK” - for me, an paean to sleep at the end of the day. (Don’t let my description of “Genesis” throw you off; This isn’t a God-squad record. There’s lots of whimsy and even a hint of dirrty with tracks like “Safe Sex” and “Safe SeXXX“.)
Download the entire album (including cover artwork) at QED Records or at the Internet Archive.
September 14th, 2005
Very rarely, one stumbles upon greatness. Sure, I listen to all kinds of music, free or otherwise. But this, dear readers, is a true find. A fantastic release that hits all the right notes… Neo-funk meets House. It’s immediately accessible, polished and refined, with sound I just absolutely dig. Before you click anywhere else, go download it! Cuebism at Netlabel iDEOLOGY
In short,
Pros: Amazing. Gorgeous album artwork. And FREE!
Cons: With only 5 tracks, it’s way too short. Left me wanting more.
Two stellar Cuebism tracks are featured in the sidebar player, “Run Quick” and “Get ‘Em“. I highly suggest you heed these directives!
Linkage found via the excellent Free Albums Galore blog. My ego almost prevented me from mentioning that he managed to find the WAKKA CHIKKA… album at the Internet Archive weeks before I found it at Comfort Music. Imagine what the two of us could do if we joined forces!
August 17th, 2005
I can’t get enough of this trancey dance track. It moves and it soothes.
Continue Reading June 28th, 2005
