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Friday, July 11, 2008

Flashback Friday: James Freud - Modern Girl



"There she stood, this fancy fashion creature"

I love it when I discover older songs that sound to me like direct precursors to some of my favorite music of today. Take James Freud (a glam-pop artist popular in Australia in the 80's). I can completely see Melody Club singing this song, Modern Girl. It's got that great, glossy, synthy sound and it's ridiculously catchy. Unfortunately, I haven't found another song by him that's this good. It's a shame, because if all of his stuff was this perfect, he might almost be as good as Melody Club! As it stands, for me he's a one hit wonder. The video is quite entertaining as well. Campy as hell, of course, but that makes it all the better... a perfect representation of videos in 1980.

James Freud - Modern Girl (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Download the long out of print album here.)

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Danger Radio - Broken Man

"I had a feeling it would end up like this"

I appreciate what Seattle's Danger Radio is trying to do, namely a harder edged Under The Influence Of The Giants disco/rock/funk sound. The album itself (which came out yesterday) is a little too heavy on the trend-following "emo" aesthetics and too light on the great songwriting, but it is a first effort so there's a lot of potential here. Especially on songs like Broken Man, which ups the synth quotient. Frontman Andrew DeTorres potentially has a very unique voice, but I feel like he's dressing it up too much to sound like bands-of-the-moment Metro Station and Panic At The Disco. Still, I do like their single Party Foul and I appreciate their ambitions. I'd much rather embrace the popularity of something like this instead of something like Lil' Wayne.

Danger Radio - Broken Man (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here.)

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

X-Queen Of The Astronauts - Space Gymnastics

"If you want to be elastic you must do your space gymnastics"

X-Queen Of The Astronauts is a very strange Norwegian band. They've taken their 60's and 70's influences and created ultra-catchy, ultra-silly tracks. I'm a sucker for a good novelty track, though, and Space Gymnastics fits the bill. The song is utterly ridiculous, but the chorus is so perfectly singalong that I can't resist. Some of you are probably gonna hate this, but I can also think of a few readers who will totally dig it. One thing's for sure... It's definitely not the type of music floating around the top of the charts right now!

X-Queen Of The Astronauts - Space Gymnastics (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here.)

Monday, July 07, 2008

Black Kids - Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)

"I say baby, you say bump it"

It's what I've been waiting for: my favorite album of the summer so far. And it came from a very unlikely source. I've admired Black Kids' music this year, but I've always felt the hype outweighed the actual tunes. I was wrong, because their new album, Partie Traumatic (released today in the UK), is amazing. A lot of critics have remarked that the new songs (aka: the songs not already on their EP) are somehow deficient and not as inventive. I actually like them more. Partie Traumatic is that rare record where every song is great and the momentum keeps up from beginning to end. I can't stop listening. Right now I'm especially digging closer track Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo). Forgetting its silly title, the song displays everything I am in love with about these guys. Van Halen Jump-era synths, shouty Go-Team style chants, and catchy as hell melodies. It is perfection.

Black Kids - Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here.)