Monday 12 November 2007

Our Band Could Be Your Life




A recap back to some tunes due an airing at Lofi, a bit of punk rock and some chic French bedtime music.



The Minutemen were one of the most influential underground indie-rock bands of the 80s, yet it took me reading the excellent book, Our Band Could Be Your Life, to discover them. The book itself charts the underground American indie scene through the 80s, following the bands that led up to the breakthrough of Nirvana. Some of the bands are more widely known - Fuagzi, Black Flag, Minor Threat - and much more punk-rock/hardcore, some were new to me - and the Minutemen now rank amongst my favourite bands. I also guarantee you'll recognise one of the tracks posted, even if you've never heard of the band before. I'll let the music speak for itself, anyway.

The Minutemen - The Glory of Man A record played at Lofi occasionally, usually earlier on, but deserving a place higher up the order!
The Minutemen - Corona

As mentioned, a band featured in the book, and the perfect example of the beauty of American hardcore (check out the Rage cover on Renegades too)

Minor Threat - In My Eyes


Next, a track I first heard dancing in the disco up north many years ago - no reason for posting it other than I think it should be played out more often!

Sultans of Ping FC - Where's Me Jumper


For "pop culture's unkempt poster child of doom and gloom" (NY Rock) would a fast and furious electro remix of one of his songs cause Robert Smith further gloom, or would it indeed cheer him up? Decide for yourself. An oldie but a goody:

The Cure - Fire in Cairo (Digitalism Remix)



Finally, stoke the fire, cuddle up to your loved one, turn the lights down low and let this lull you off to sleep (but not until you've got to the vocals 4 minutes in)- pure genius - sexy, chic, clever, French.

Sebastian Tellier - La Ritournelle

Monday 5 November 2007

Primary Plimsouls




2 new tracks for my first post in a month (!)

First up, wired down from Brizzle is Don't Panic by the youthful Plimsouls.

Plimsouls makes 8bitty, fun electro/bloghouse, full of catchy synth repetitions and propelling drum rhythms- and the feeling Don't Panic inspires is certainly pleasant and exciting, if a bit frenzied, like video games and too much sugar as a kid.

Plimsouls - Don't Panic

Next, expect big things from Primary 1. " Pop music for you and your fammiles to enjoy" as the Myspace says, they are signed to Phantasy Sound, the same labal that recently released the massive LA Priest song Engine, including the even bigger Erol remix. Outside is similarly well produced, fresh sounding and indeed a great pop song, a slick blend of disco/house/electro/pop/funk that catches you somewhere between head noddin' and hip gyrating'. You'll love it, I'm quite sure.

Primary 1 - Outside (Demo)