Sunny Day Sets Fire’s remix EP came out 3 days ago (Feb 26). The disc is packed full of great remixes from the likes of the Slips, C.S.S., XXXChange, The Cool Kids, Baron von Luxxury and Mad Decent. Baron von Luxxury’s take on Brainless is my personal favorite, however the EP is entertaining throughout. I am full of resources for this one: For a play-by-play review check absolutepunk.net, to stream the full cd spinner.aol.com has it, and for more mp3s including the original version of Brainless iamsoundrecords.com is your supplier.
sunnydaysetsfire.com – myspace – hypem

Why? is an eccentric band from Oakland, California with a sound that has eloquently been described as “jangle-rap, indie pop ‘n’ roll” (anticon) and “psychedelic, guitar-pop, folk-hop” (tomlab). Surprisingly the band carves out this niche genre better than Beatrix Kiddo with a Hattori Hanz?. The lyrics of this album are, in my opinion, superb. Metaphors and similes run rampant amongst the dense orchestration which is sporadic and simply eloquent at the same time. Just when you think you have heard it all, silence, and then a whole new sound hits you in the face. Be forewarned, however, this album is not an easy pill to swallow. Gigwise had the best explanation I could find: “If you are hip to the jive of The Shins, Broken Social Scene or like the sound of Beastie Boys on downers or Tricky on a happy trip, then you may be pleasantly enlightened.” Alopecia will be released on March 11, 2008 on anticon records.
anticon.com – myspace – hypem

Björk has a new remix EP out soon. I have listened to these tracks and Ratatat’s is, in my opinion, far superior the messy array of Volta remixes that have precluded it. Dare I say, this remix may be more entertaining than the original. Ratatat is really making a name for themselves these days.

Post Scriptum: I was discussing why I enjoyed this version more than the original with a friend and I think it really comes down to the overall balance of the song. The general feel (mastering) of the original has her voice so prominent in the foreground that the supporting brass and electronic beats are lost in a haze of excessive vocal reverb. Ratatat simplifies everything putting her voice on a level playing field with the beat and guitar noodling.
ratatatmusic.com – myspace – hypem

Dawn Landes, who is known for her collaborative cover of PB&J’s Young Folks with the WST Bluegrass Band from Austin (the old folks), will be releasing her sophomore album and first US debut, Fireproof, on March 4th (national band day!). The first released single and first track of the album, Bodyguard, is intended to illustrate the diversity of the forthcoming album. The album has been described as “an astonishing mixture of the urban and the rural. Fireproof is like a little kitchen garden planted between high-rise buildings; in it’s own way, a remarkable act of resistance.” So far Bodyguard lives up to this description and has me excited to hear the album.
dawnlandes.com – myspace – hypem

The Epochs‘ self titled album’s physical release is today (19 Feb). Go out and get it if you haven’t gotten it on iTunes yet (5 Feb). This album is packed with entertaining electronic influenced pop songs that combine and flow in a solid, structured, album. The hardest part for me about reviewing this album is picking only one song to post. They are all great! I eventually choose Picture of the Sun because you can find Thunder & Lightning and Opposite Sides pretty much anywhere in the mp3ogosphere. Aside from availability for preview, Picture of the Sun stuck out as a winner to me for a few reasons: AIR like intro, whimsical and fanciful lyrics, and driving beat. For further listening the band has released a free EP of remixes.
theepochs.com – myspace – hypem

Thom Yorke guest DJ’ed last night with Bob Boilen on NPR’s All Songs Considered. It is a great show, and was a real treat to hear from Thom in such an open and musically appreciative forum. The two sounded like they were having a great time and the tunes were amazing as well. I am defiantly going to be picking up a few new albums now. Overall I thought that the Liar’s track stood out the most. Thom’s sing-along in the beginning was good too.
thom yorke – all songs considered – liars

Back by popular demand… here are three remixes I have been diggin’ recently. Sadly I can’t say I am the first to post these. So for further reading: Feist, Cloud Cult, and Sigur Ros. I really enjoy these and I hope you do too.