Toronto - What’s with Australia and laid back poppy electro music lately? You got The Avalanches, Cut Copy, The Presets and now Van She. The latest in the line Of successful Modular releases, Van She is a Sydney foursome that specializes in the 80-esque electro pop music that you have come to expect from this label. You might have heard of them a few years ago, when they release the song “Kelly” that was popular with hipsters of all sorts (and blisspop.com). It was a light hearted summer tune ideal for those days when everything is carefree, everyone is wearing neon colored wayfarers and lazing about on the beach is the only acceptable activity.

Well, 2008 brings their debut LP - aptly called V. It was released August 9 and I got a chance to pick up a copy at my local record store. After some strong singles and tons of remixes, I had some high anticipation for this album. What did I get? To me, this album is a bit of a mixed bags, there are a some strong singles. I think the problem is that most of the strong songs on the album were already released as a single. (Kelly, Strangers) I found some of the synthy tunes repetitive and it wasn’t as catchy as I had hoped. Definitely no Cut Copy, who would be their closest comparision. Overall a pleasant debut with strong singles, but also, with a host of average tracks. Take your time man, take your time.

3/5

 

 Van She - So High: Play Now

Kidda, a London based DJ/computer animator, who also seems do be that kidda in your class who suffered from ADD and although you taunted him, you always felt bad about it. His recent full length album Going Up with it’s Northern Soul, Funk and hip hop influences feels like it’s just a collection of random samples and loops created in his bedroom, overtop beats taken from label mates Fatboy Slim and Lo Fidelity Allstars, but you still have to give him an encouraging pat on the back for actually completing the thing.

There are a few tracks like the psychedelic-romp-through-floral-pastures ‘Under The Sun’ and the cute and simple ‘Smile’ that are sure to be popular up until say September, but I can’t see myself giving this album a second spin.

2.5/5

 

 Kidda - Under The Sun: Play Now

(Toronto) A couple months ago I heard a Spy Machine 16 song. I liked it. I emailed the band. They sent me a CD. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle propaganda was glued to the envelope. Please, keep reading.

These kids from down the road in Guelph can bust it out. I like Guelph. Whenever I think of it, I am reminded of the cool, hippy, lesbian girls at the Cornerstone who never wanted to flirt with me on my weekly delivery trips. I must have eaten my weight in spinach and sprout wraps two years ago trying to catch their eye. I hate spinach and sprout wraps.

Compared to other young, yelly bands out there (Los Campesinos!, Tilly And The Wall) SM16 are pretty chaotic at times. There is lots of yelling, a choir, dancing, more yelling and pianos.
Their songs are pretty choppy with parts of the album sounding like spoken word art pieces at times. It’s definitely different.

After listening to the entire album I felt confused because I didn’t’ know what these songs were about. I know from the song titles that they are politically motivated, but I wasn’t exactly sure what the motivations were. It is as if SM16 took the local, lefty, university paper and stripped it bare for lyrics and inspiration. Maybe these songs aren’t about anything. Although I did hear the line I was in all states with your good hands and thought it was pretty crafty. For example, the song Autobiography: Some Notes On What’s Been Called “Internalized” Racism is about something I should probably care about.

SM16 have a solid, loud, orchestrated, I just drank five friggin cups of coffee sound. If I was going on a road trip, this is the album I would have on pulling out of my driveway. Although I have not seen this octet live, I have heard that this album does not come close to the politically-charged dance-punk parties that happen at their live shows. No dates right now. Oh yah, I told Dave I would mention the artwork. Check it out after the jump. Mmmmm, visual stimuli.

4/5 - Minus one because Dave lined the CD jewel case with spinach and sprouts.

» Read the rest of the entry..

 

 Spy Machine 16 - On Struggles For Change And Hope (2007): Play Now

The phrase ‘this joint is the shiznit’ (much like the word unblowapple) is thrown around alot these days. Now I’ve never been one to listen to what is considered ‘hip hop’ in recent years, but if a DJ dropped a track like KRS-One’s ‘Step Into A World’ in da club, you bet your gold plated grill I would be air-punch dancing like the two dudes in Maestro’s ‘Let Your Backbone Slide’ video (1:35 mark).

About a month ago I came across advert promoting a show where DJ Jazzy Jeff was headlining. This piqued my curiosity as I assumed he disappeared into obscurity after the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After some investigation I found out not only was he performing live, he has a few albums under his belt. I decided to check out his most recent ‘The Return of The Magnificent’ and man, what a great album.

Back in the early 90’s when I was gang bangin’ on the harsh streets of Elkford, I was big into hip hop from the likes of Lords Of The Underground, Das EFX and Keith Murray. Their east coast stylings with tight lyrics and jazzy like beats was music for my soul, Return of The Magnificent in it’s entirety is reminiscent of that era.

Jazzy Jeff has pulled out all the stops in this LP. Not only has he enlisted the help of some of hip hops biggest legends like Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, CL Smooth and even Canada’s own Kardinal Offishal, there is a very humorous sketch-style story you can follow along in excerpts throughout the album. Will Smith even makes an appearance, but not in song form (thankfully?). Combine this with the backing beats on each track is expertly spun and scratched by Jazzy Jeff and this is an album that I can safely (and proudly) call true hip hop.

5/5

P.S. - If you down with some old school hip hop, be sure to check out my YouTube playlist. Dig?

 

 DJ Jazzy Jeff feat. Biz Markie - Can't Buy Me Love: Play Now

 

 DJ Jazzy Jeff feat. Kardinal Offishal - She Was So Flyy: Play Now

Toronto – I’m horny for Sebastien Tellier, no wait, I’m horny because of Sebastien Tellier. This dude is good buddies with French outfit Air, and his 2001 track, Fantino, was used by Sofia Coppola in Lost in Translation. This, his third studio album, Sexuality, is an 11-track meditation on love-making (seriously, that is what his Wiki page says) and was produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk.

With song titles like Sexual Sportswear, L’Amour Et La Violence and Une Heure and an album title of Sexuality, Sebastien has delivered what he set out to, a super sexy album. Putting some breasts, pubic hair and a metaphorical miniature man on a donkey on your album cover doesn’t hurt either. I would file Sexuality under Air meets April March meets Barry White. Some slow, electronic foreplay tracks along with some dancy - lets get down to business tracks. Mixed in are some moaning, giggling sounds of women you can only assume that Sebastien is fucking during the recording of this album in his basement brothel/recording studio.

This song, Divine, is pretty catchy. The entire album oozes love making, depending on your stimulant of choice. For example, I find Death From Above accompanies a good alcoholic sex making session, as does some NIN. If acid is your game, I might recommend some Ween or even Anne Murray, There’s a Hippo In My Tub. But if your flavour of the week is some good old BC bud, totally reach for the Sebastien Tellier, take your time, and show ‘em what you’re made of. Just don’t forget to bring your minature donkey.

 

 Sebastien Tellier - Divine: Play Now

I think someone forgot to tell Craig Nicholls no one gives a shit about The Vines anymore.

0/5

P.S. - Grunge is dead. Get over it.

 

 The Vines - He's a Rocker: Play Now