radiohead archive at The World Forgot

Less

« Older

Home

Newer »

Archive for the 'radiohead' Category

BOTR vol 07

Published by

at June 30, 2008 in chark mu, telemitry, cryptonites, mashup, late of the pier, mmmathias, we plants are happy plants, dmx, danger tv, la riots, we are scientists, prince, louis armstrong, 3rdst4r, switch, diplo, weezer, daft punk, 50 cent, radiohead, music, remix, best of the remix, botr, plimsouls, mystery jets, mgmt, nirvana, sigur ros, coldplay and mp3. 7 Comments

Well it’s the end of another gorgeous month here in the heartland of the States. Gasp, I am an American blogger. I live in the armpit of America where nothing unusually awesome ever happens. Which is probably why I have so much free time to listen to music and play like my opinions matter {which we all know they really do}. Once again, though, the time has come for me to post my favorite remixed tracks I heard this past month. These aren’t the best songs in the world, they’re simply good enough to garner the attention of Best of the Remix {volume 07 I might add}. For those of you interested {cause I still pretend you care and you still pretend you’re reading this} you can check out all of the previous volumes of BOTR on one easy to read page by clicking here.

As one of my heroes would sing, “on with the show.” As a reminder, if you’re a blogger please refrain from linking directly to any songs hosted here on The World Forgot. Bandwidth ain’t free homies. Also, and you’d be surprised how oft I am asked about this, each and every song you see here on TWF is available to be downloaded directly from this blog. Simply right click and choose “save target/file as.” Some files {especially older ones} will be removed after awhile to make room on this site for the new tracks. Grab ‘em whil you can.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Coldplay - Violet Hill (Cyrptonites Remix)
There are times in this remix when I forget what song is allegedly being mixed around. And I like that. Cryptonites add just enough of their own flavor to make Violet Hill into something a little more danceable, a little more epic, a little more club worthy.

mp3 : Coldplay - Viva la Vida (Chark Mu Electric Remix)
This almost sounds like Viva la Vida would sound if you rapidly swing your head back and forth while listening to the original recording by Coldplay. Try it, it’s better than drugs, it’s free, and you get to listen to music at the same time. It also reminds me of elevator music mashed up against ruling the world.

mp3 : Coldplay - Viva la Vida (Telemitry Remix)
If the Chark Mu remix was easy listening for elevators this is easy listening for any car currently driving the streets of this desolate world. I think I should use more bigger words in my writings. Anyway, this remix combines the original track with just the right amount of technology to make a new piece of art.

mp3 : Coldplay - Viva la Vida (We Plants are Happy Plants Remix)
Best Coldplay remix I’v heard yet. Hands down. WPAHP brings the heat with this little slice of remix heaven. I know the album has only been out for a little slice of time, but this remix hits all the right buttons at all the right moments.

mp3 : Daft Punk - Superheroes (We Plants are Happy Plants Remix)
WPAHP scores a magic remix yet again with this little ditty. Absolutely delicious music.

mp3 : DMX, 50 Cent, MGMT - Pimp Feel The Electric Floor
I can’t find who made this little mashup. I seem to have lost the email or blog I scored this track from. If anyone knows who made it send me a note or leave a comment. In the meantime enjoy the brilliant mix of rap over MGMT’s music.

mp3 : Late of the Pier - Focker (Pete Carvell’s Fockin’ Gash Remix)
I’m fan of Late of the Pier, let’s be honest. I love their robot drummer in their music video {and most of all I love the dance break he brings to the song. This is essentially that dance break in extended format.

mp3 : Louis Armstrong vs Radiohead - What A Wonderful Surprise
Yet again another remix {mashup actually} for whom I have no author. This was sent to me in an email and the sender didn’t know who made this mix either. Enjoy it anonymously I suppose.

mp3 : Mystery Jets - 2 Doors Down (Plimsouls Remix)
This remix could be preformed live by !!! and you’d love it. You’d love every single second of it. And yes, being preformed by !!! would be a massive compliment because those kids can put on a show.

mp3 : Mystery Jets - Hideaway (Switch Remix edited by DIPLO)
I can honestly say I’ve yet to listen to an actual Mystery Jets album. So far I’ve been so inundated with excellently remixed tracks I’m almost scared to go back and listen to the original material. Regardless, this remix is hopping.

mp3 : Nirvana - Incesticide (Anuerysm Remix by 3rdSt4r)
I’m going to go ahead and say 3rdSt4r is pronounced ‘third star’ for those of my readers who aren’t fluent yet in 1337 sp34k. There are times when I listen to this remix and I wonder if I’ll ever play it again. Then there the days when I hate everyone and this is the perfect track.

mp3 : Prince vs Daft Punk - Kiss (Daft Punk Remix)
I think Daft Punk should be given more accolades, more power, and more love. Sure they’re huge at their own shows and they have a passionate following, but they are so much more than just that one band that Kanye thought he should use to make a song. They are masters of everything they touch. Everything.

mp3 : Sigur Ros - Saeglopur (MMMathias Remix)
I love Sigur Ros {their upcoming album is unbelievably brilliant} and I also have a penchant to like anything MMMathias works on. This is a bit of a minimalist take on a classic Sigur Ros song and I think it adds a great effect to the song {think Imogen Heap’s standard MO slammed down over the boys from Iceland}.

mp3 : We Are Scientists - Chick Lit (Danger TV Remix)
This song would be at home in an eighties movie {starring Don Johnson to be sure} or out over the dance floor of your favorite club {mine being any that involve a beach in Thailand}. Well done all around.

mp3 : Weezer - Automatic (LA Riots Remix)
This remix takes one of the weaker tracks from the latest Weezer album {by weaker I mean of course not being sung by Rivers} and turns it into something that’s halfway memorable. That in and of itself should be worth a listen.

Once again, please do not link directly to the songs posted here. Feel free to link to the zip file hosted on zshare or directly to this blog. If you’d like to see all the other volumes of Best of the Remix click here.

+ twf hype elbows amazonmp3 itunes
add this post to del.icio.us / digg / facebook

Radiohead

Published by

billy

at June 9, 2008 in live, portishead, cover, radiohead, music and mp3. 2 Comments

For those of you who are still unaware Radiohead played a show this past weekend at Malahide Castle in Ireland. From all accounts it was an epic show {but what Radiohead show isn’t?} and they also debuted a new song during their second encore. The song featured Thom solo on his piano and is being referred to as Super Collider. Well after find this gem I was a little more interested the recent workings of what could be my favorite band of all time {definitely still my favorite band I’ve ever seen in concert}. It was this curiosity that led me to stumble upon a video of Thom and Jonny playing a little acoustic cover of a Portishead tune. And of course, due to my extensive knowledge of ripping audio from almost anything online {my friend Google taught me how to do it}, I grabbed the audio, converted it to a delicious little mp3 and I’m putting it up here.

mp3 : Radiohead - Super Collider (Live)
mp3 : Radiohead - The Rip (Portishead Cover)

To be fair neither of these tunes features the entire band playing together. Due to the fact that the first track occurred at a Radiohead concert and the second was posted on the Radiohead official website I’m still attributing them both to the band as opposed to the individual artists.

+ twf hype elbows site amazonmp3 itunes
add this post to del.icio.us / digg / facebook

BOTM vol 07

Published by

billy

at May 6, 2008 in mgmt, aa bondy, john mayer, national, lily allen, bruce springsteen, stars, madonna, scarlett johannson, fall out boy, busta rhymes, amy milan, michael jackson, phantom planet, kanye west, arcade fire, radiohead, indie, music, cover, live, magnetic fields, death cab for cutie, weezer, best of the month, botm and mp3. 4 Comments

Once again it’s time for the Best of the Month series. This is volume number seven. If you’d like to see all other volumes in this series click here. Every month I comb the web, the blogs, my email, my mailbox, for the best tracks. I have more free time than the average web savvy individual so I use that time to compile what I believe is a mix of the best tracks I found this past month. Enjoy the music, tell your friends, and go see one of these artists play a live set.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : AA Bondy - There’s A Reason
I love this track for the simple reason that I feel it could play over the soundtrack to any number of my favorite dramas. Maybe a romantic, comedic, drama. One with a lot of rainy days and melancholic moments.
for more : myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Amy Milan - I Will Follow You Into The Dark (Death Cab for Cutie Cover)
I like Amy Milan as a part of her group, Stars, and it turns out I like her just as much on this slightly countrified version of a Death Cab staple. It’s a great cover for Amy, and it’s true that it always helps when you start with a great original.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Arcade Fire - All The Umbrellas (Live Magnetic Fields Cover)
Although I’m not a huge fan of where Magnetic Fields have gone as of late I’ve been a fan of the older work for awhile. So when you combine a good song with one of the best bands currently performing you’re sure to get a golden cover song.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Busta Rhymes - Don’t Touch Me (Throw Da Water On ‘Em)
Busta has long been one of my favorite rappers. It began back in the day when rap was the king of the musical hill. You know, back when beats were solid, lyrics were important {or at least not so mind numbingly repetetive}, back when it was Dre, Snoop, Em, Busta, 2Pac, Fugees, Beasties, Ja Rule, Nas, etc. This track reminds me of what rap can be.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Death Cab for Cutie - Spring Break Broke
A fairly rare track here by Ben Gibbard and company. In fact I’m not sure I’d heard it before this month. It hails from back near the turn of the millennium but it still sounds fresh and consistent with the newest Death Cab {well, except for the decidedly lo fi production}.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Fall Out Boy (feat John Mayer) - Beat It (Michael Jackson Cover)
I love this track for showcasing all that I love about John Mayer and leaving out all that I find boring, vanilla, and lacking in talent. It’s a fact, John Mayer can flat out play guitar. He’s gifted, talented, ad nauseam. His lyrics are terrible and usually stupid. Here you get all the good with none of the bad.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Lily Allen - I Don’t Know
I like Lily for her brutal honesty. And for the fact that she’s better than Lady Sov and knows it {and proves it time and time again}. This track is a delightful combination of the current everything-is-a-dance-song trend with Lily’s trademark witty lyrics.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Madonna (feat Kanye West) - The Beat Goes On
She’s older than most of her competition and yet she still brings it all to the table. Sex appeal {kinda getting gross} check, cross promotion check, a slew of guest stars check, and a decent danceable album check. What’s not to like?
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : MGMT - Destrokk
To me this song is great because it’s not immediately recognizable as an MGMT track. For that matter, other than the overplayed Time to Pretend, I’m not sure if there is a standalone MGMT sound. And I like that.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Phantom Planet - I Don’t Mind
This is still my favorite track off of the newest Phantom Planet disc. I’m not sure if these boys will ever achieve massive success {they might have peaked in regards to popularity with California}, but I think they deserve it. Track after track, album after album, they’re still good.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Radiohead - True Love Waits
One of my favorite songs by Thom and company this track has never received an official studio recording. Although it was released on their live album, I Might Be Wrong, it usually only surfaces at the rare and random concert {regardless of how loudly I might yell my requests}.
for more : site amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Scarlett Johannson - Anywhere I Lay My Head
She is gorgeous, she is a serious actress, she’s this month’s cover artist on Paste, and she also has a cover/tribute album for Tom Waits. It’s the last one I’m still unsure about, but I liked this track enough to include it this month as a bonus. {usually there are only thirteen tracks in the BOTM series, so consider this your lucky day}
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : The National - Mansion On The Hill (Live Bruce Springsteen Cover)
They’re one of my favorite bands and in this instance they’re covering one of my favorite artists {c’mon rise up anyone?}. It seems like a match made in heaven right down to the crooning baritones and mellow yet socially aware mindsets of both The National and The Boss.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Weezer - Pork and Beans
I couldn’t let this little ditty slip through the cracks here at TWF. I’ve long loved the four boys who reimagined and reinvented guitar driven surf/nerd/diy rock. Here’s to hoping the rest of their new album will be as good {or better} than this first single.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

That’s all for this month’s roundup. Come back tomorrow for the next issue of BOTR {Best of the Remix}. Enjoy the music.

+ twf hype elbows amazonmp3 itunes
add this post to del.icio.us / digg / facebook

Sir Salvatore Remixes Radiohead

Published by

billy

at April 23, 2008 in radiohead, sir salvatore, remix, indie, music and mp3. 2 Comments

This is what is sounds like when a fairly straightforward indie band {whom I’ve talked about here} takes a run at remixing the remixed track of the year. That of course being Radiohead’s track, Nude. Now I’m not sure if you remix crazy meth addicts out there fully appreciate these remixes you’ve been bobbing your heads to over the last month or so. For the uneducated and uninformed, the vast majority of these remixes are an almost complete departure from the original track put down by Thom Yorke and company. And I do mean complete departure as in “what!?!? Pluto really isn’t a planet…” type of departure.

Not looking to disappoint, Sir Salvatore takes the once somber tune and smacks it solidly into indie left field. It’s quirky, it’s filled with a bouncing drum rhythm, and they’ve run Thom’s vocals through a weird, hyper-vibrato type of a effect which gives this remix its own special sound. Enjoy. And special thanks for the gents of Sir Salvatore for sending this track to me.

mp3 : Radiohead - Nude (Sir Salvatore Remix)

+ twf hype elbows site myspace amazonmp3 itunes
add this post to del.icio.us / digg / facebook

BOTM vol 06

Published by

billy

at April 1, 2008 in kara keith, john mayer, collections of colonies of bees, joy formidable, lismore, mgmt, pete townshend, sons and daughters, peter moren, over the rhine, death cab for cutie, bishop allen, smashing pumpkins, radiohead, indie, music, rilo kiley, modest mouse, best of the month, botm, live, cover and mp3. 4 Comments

I really could use a new graphic for Best of the Month. I’ll get on that right after I kick my addiction to video games on xbox live. Honestly, it’s been hitting me hard the last week or so. I apologize for the lack of new and brilliant posts, but you need to check out the live tracks I posted last week by Zach Williams. Honestly.

For those of you who are just stumbling by this little blog today let me explain what the BOTM series of posts is. Every month I use my considerable amount of free time {I’m pretty much a good for nothing grown up kid} to scour the web, the albums, the emails, and the blogs for the best thirteen tracks I can find in any one calendar month. Then I put them all together in one simple post and allow you to enjoy them at your leisure. And as a special added bonus I’ve now begun adding my own witty commentary with the tracks. Get excited. If you’d like to check out all the previous volumes you can do that just by clicking here. And now, in the words of Freddie, on with the show.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Bishop Allen - Middle Management
I love this track as it just never seems to quit. The lyrics are spit fire, the phrase “the end is coming soon” is chanted a few times, and the music drives along in a jangly bouncy mess of fun from start to finish. I seem to gravitate towards music that sounds as if they’re having a ton of fun making it, and this is just such a track.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Collections of Colonies of Bees - Flocks III
There are some songs, like the previous Bishop Allen track, that reach out and grab you on the first note. There are other songs that build and grow. They start slow and morph from one movement to the next in a way that is intense, lackadaisical, fluid, and abrupt. This sprawling eleven minute track is one of the latter. It careens from soundscape to colonial army drumbeats, from fluid guitar work to soaring melodies.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
To be fair my heart is still in the air on this track. I feel as if it’s a legitimate fifty fifty chance that I won’t like their new album {due May 13}. And that’s quite possibly what Gibbard, Walla, and crew were aiming for on this album. They’ve offered many a disclaimer stating that this album won’t be for everyone and quite possibly will alienate a large portion of their fan base. The truth is that this track just isn’t enough to decide yet how the rest of the album will fare.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : John Mayer - Kid A (Radiohead Cover)
I really don’t like John Mayer all that much. His guitar work is amazing, his jazz trio was inventive and original, and his talent as a musician is pretty much on par with any contemporary guitar player out there today. On the other hand his lyrics are abysmal. Always. That’s why I can boldly state my love for his cover of one of the best lyricists out there, that being Thom Yorke and his pals that some people refer to as Radiohead. Kudos to you Mr. Mayer for choosing a great song to cover.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Kara Keith - Kick This City
I got this track in an email {one that I actually read apparently} and I loved the smooth and smoky vocals that Kara features on this track. The music is comparable to a lot of indie rock/pop that’s been floating around festivals and EP’s lately and it’s executed very well. It serves as a perfect jaunting backdrop to her subdued vocals.

for more : myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Lismore - 1979 (Smashing Pumpkins Cover)
This was easily one of my favorite tracks ever layed down by Chicago based Smashing Pumpkins and I was a little leery upon hearing a cover of it. It’s not every day that a band can take a song and pay adequate homage to the song’s heritage {witness the total destruction of Landslide by the Dixie Chicks}. I must say that Lismore did a great job at both recreating 1979 while still honoring where the song originally came from. It’s just a great cover.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Mgmt - Time To Pretend
It seems as if my BOTM this time around is filled with slightly melancholic indie rock songs. I love this track for the verse that talks about missing, quite literally, everything in the world. Unfortunately there’s nothing Mgmt can figure to do about this situation. Fortunately for us, if all else fails, we can simply put this song on repeat and let them sing us to sleep.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Modest Mouse - Fly Trapped In a Jar
This song appeared as the second single to Modest Mouse’s latest album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank and I think it’s a good example of the dichotomy of the band. On one hand they can be wildly and infectiously melodic {see Float On} and on the other hand their music can be filled with harsh, even grating, dischord, guitar work, and flat out screamed lyrics. The great thing about Isaac Brock and company is that no matter which way they’re swinging it’s all excellent.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Over the Rhine - If a Song Could Be President
I’ve been a closet fan of Over the Rhine ever since a college roomie of mine turned me onto this husband wife duo out of Ohio. Although I’m not a huge fan of the overt country style tones available on this track it’s always fun to hear a new song by a band that you really enjoy. And seeing as how overly dramatic the coverage of the presidential primaries are in the States right now this track only seemed appropriate.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Peter Moren - Social Competence
I never was a huge fan of Peter’s other group {Peter Bjorn & John} for various and sundry reasons. I guess it just boiled down to the fact that I just wasn’t that into them. But here it’s just Mr. Moren on his own {with some almost whimsical hand claps} and it’s a whole new beast for my heart to love. I dig it.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Rilo Kiley - Let My Love Open The Door (Pete Townshend Cover)
Rilo Kiley was the first band featuring mainly female vocals that I genuinely liked listening to. I remember that moment clearly. To hear them cover a Pete Townshend classic is, well, classic. Although it’s a live track and it takes a bit to actually get started it’s worth every wonderful second. And who would’ve thought that ukelele would be perfect on a Pete Townshend song?

for more : site myspace amazaonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Sons and Daughters - Johnny Cash
I’m a huge fan of the Man in Black and consequently this track title caught my eye. Fortunately the song kept my attention from start to end as a title is only clever enough to keep me stationary for about seventeen seconds. What you’ll find here is a healthy dose of southern rock with a salting of driving rockabilly. And to be honest, it just wouldn’t be a song called Johnny Cash without a nice baritone voice singing over the brooding music.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : The Joy Formidable - Cradle
I posted about this new band just a few days ago {you can read that post here} and I must say that their music has the infectious staying power that all musicians strive for. Well at least all musicians who wish to be loved by their fans. Although this track by The Joy Formidable is easily the one most likely to be overplayed on popular radio it’s also the one that you will be begging to hear again and again. Yes, it is that good.

for more : myspace

That wraps up the sixth volume of Best of the Month. I really can’t believe it’s been going on this long. Quite a lot of fun this little adventure has been. As always, enjoy the music.

+ twf hype elbows amazonmp3 itunes
add this post to del.icio.us / digg / facebook

BOTM vol 04

Published by

billy

at January 28, 2008 in fest, evangelicals, sleepless nights, battle royale, m ward, zooey deschanel, wale, white stripes, robbers on high street, death cab for cutie, justice, radiohead, remix, music, regina spektor, cover, magnetic fields, best of the month, botm and mp3. 5 Comments

Well it’s not quite the end of the month, but in my life it feels close enough. Here are a collection of the best tracks I found this month on the interwebs. Thanks again to all the anonymous donors, blogs, and aggregators for providing us all with some awesome music. If you’re just stumbling upon this blog for the first time take a second and check out all the other Best of the Month posts here, check in on the Best of the Remix project here, or take a peek at what I considered the best albums of 2007 here. For you regular readers and subscribers I will be doing BOTM a little differently from now on. In the past I was told that my blog stood out, to some, because I seemed to actually care about the music instead of just dumping random files to drive traffic to my site. As this truly is the case, although site traffic doesn’t hurt, I will actually be writing a bit about each of these tracks as opposed to previous iterations of BOTM where I just dumped the tracks.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Death Cab for Cutie - World Shut Your Mouth (Julian Cope Cover)
To be honest this isn’t my favorite Death Cab track of all time. In fact I wouldn’t even put it in my favorite twenty songs by Gibbard and company, but I had never heard it before and it’s always nice to hear Ben Gibbard’s perfect voice over a driving song. Not to mention the repeated phrase “world shut your mouth” is sometimes what I’m thinking.

mp3 : Evangelicals - Skelton Man
The first ten times or so I heard this track I didn’t know what to think. What I think it proves though is that I’m a sucker for the indie sound {by indie I mean Belle and Sebastien meets Flaming Lips} when it’s used in a song that builds and builds and builds until it is a fuzzy sonic shower of joy. Even with the confusion apparent in the first ninety seconds of the song {specifically from 57 seconds to 1:27 in the track} I still really enjoy this band.

mp3 : Feist - The Limit To Your Love
There should never be a limit to your love, but it’s not often the case as we mere humans are flawed, selfish creatures who battle jealousy and greed, neediness and trust issues. In a perfect world there would be no limit to your love, but then we wouldn’t have this melancholic song by Feist to comfort bruised egos, tattered hearts, and romantic dramedies for years to come.

mp3 : M Ward (feat Zooey Deschanel) - When I Get To The Border
This is what happens when you cross one of my favorite new musical acts with undeniably my favorite new actress. And I like it. I probably would have given a kidney to sit in on this recording session, but instead I’ll just give them a little slice of this blog. Congratulations to both of you, this is a fine song.

mp3 : Radiohead - 4 Minute Warning
Here’s a band whom I will always love. They’ll be top shelf music for me until my ears cease to function {and even then, just the energy of their live shows would get me to see them in concert}. This song hails from the extended series of In Rainbows {not the pay what you want edition} and to be honest I wish I would’ve shelled out the eighty plus dollars for the rest of the collection.

mp3 : Radiohead - Up on the Ladder (93 Fee East Acoustic Version)
Another rare recording by the Brit’s here. I think Thom Yorke could sing over the worst noise core music you’ve ever heard and I would still like it.

mp3 : Regina Spektor - My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)
Has it really already been four full weeks since new year’s eve? It feels like just yesterday we were sipping champagne and reminiscing about how wicked awesome 07 was {I went to Everest}. This track starts out a bit odd with crowd noise and the sound of a chopper flying by. Then there appears to be gunfire about midway through the song. If that background noise was beefed up a bit I would say this a modern day take on Simon and Garfunkel’s 7 O’Clock News (Silent Night).

mp3 : Robbers on High Street - Seasons Greetings
It’s a feel good song that is quite dated {now that it’s a month past the holidays}, but it’s still a solid holiday song. Who says you can’t enjoy the holiday cheer all year long? I know I miss it already.

mp3 : Sleepless Nights - Arabian Nights
Sleepless Nights easily qualifies as one of my favorite new bands. I’d put them up there alongside Lightspeed Champion, Wakey!Wakey!, and Siberian in terms of bands I’m most excited about right now. This song is gorgeous. From the slow methodical beginning to the clean guitar riff that drives the song along there is a not a moment of this song that I don’t love. Just wait for the falsetto “ooh ooh oh!”

mp3 : The Battle Royale - Let’s Leave
Taking a break from their danceabilly style {I just made that genre up} The Battle Royale take a turn at a pure folk track on this song hailing from their debut Wake Up, Thunderbabe. The entire album is quite awesome and I love how diverse they sound from track to track. Half of the album is really solid dance pop with a mix of acoustic folk thrown in while some of the tracks are absolute pure new folk {nu folk, alt folk, post folk, whatever-you-want-to-call-it folk}.

mp3 : The Magnetic Fields - Zombie Boy
I really don’t know what Stephen Merritt was thinking when he decided to release an entire album filled with every type of distortion known to man. I really don’t like the new sound, to be honest, I miss the old purity and playfullness of ukulele, mandolin, and cello. I guess using the title of your album, Distortion, as a concept for the entire album is an undertaking worth hearing, even if just once or twice.

mp3 : The White Stripes - Jimmy The Exploder
This is an old track from Jack and Meg and I think it shows off the beauty found only in simplicity. Lately they’ve been experimenting a bit with new instruments and arrangements, which I like, but I hope the joy of two instruments isn’t lost. For all aspiring musicians this track stands as a testament to the joy that can be found in the simplest of tunes.

mp3 : Wale and Justice - W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.
Although the start of this track is Wale expounding on how he invented the trend of tight jeans and graphic sneaks {think Kanye West’s style of arrongance} this track is really brilliant. Easily the best remix, use, mix, whateve, of the Justice track D.A.N.C.E. ever. By the way, Wale reminds me a lot of Kanye in almost every way {musically, flow, style, clothing, attitude, self assuredness, etc.} and I think that’s a good thing {as Kanye indisputably epitomizes the creativity of present day hip hop}. And honestly, who’s ever used that much Saved by the Bell material to slam people before? He really is a word surgeon.

+ twf hype elbows amazonmp3 itunes
add to del.icio.us / digg it / facebook share

LOST, Radiohead, and Gossip Girl

Published by

billy

at January 10, 2008 in tv, lost, gossip girl and radiohead. 0 Comments

Hey, no awesome music, but I thought I should post these here seeing as how not everyone I know checks iTunes or other media sites on a daily basis.

First up, LOST. This is easily one of the best television shows I have ever seen and I’ve been looking forward to season 4 since the very last second of the end of season 3 {flash forward anyone?} Anyway, right now iTunes has a free download that includes a sneak peak and the upcoming season as well as a recap of what’s happened so far.

Second on the list, Radiohead. Most, if not all, of you already have their new album, but there is a bonus Podcast available on iTunes as well. Just thought I’d pass that on. Oh, you can also buy the album from Amazon, here.

Finally television shows. I assume a lot of the people that now come and bang on my little site during the week are Gossip Girl fans. Well you can buy all those episodes on iTunes or you can stream them over at the CW website, here. Also, for those of you looking to do a little more than just recap the last three seasons of LOST in a little slice you can purchase the seasons, in full, on both Amazon and iTunes {with Amazon being the cheaper of the two choices}. LOST season 1 (iTunes), LOST season 2 (iTunes), LOST season 3 (iTunes). Cheers.

+ add to del.icio.us / digg it / facebook share

The Best Albums of 2007

Published by

billy

at December 29, 2007 in best of the year, sigur ros, bishop allen, best albums of 2007, boty, 2007, sea wolf, weakerthans, beirut, band of horses, radiohead, indie, music, rock, foo fighters, cloud cult, arcade fire and mp3. 5 Comments

At long last here are my top ten albums released during the past twelve months. Download all the tracks and play them loud, support the artist by buying their albums, merchandise, or concert tickets, and most of all continue to enjoy great music. This list was ridiculously hard to create due to the amount of talent in the musical realm, but, these are the albums that I was most excited about in 2007. {note : in the list below the artist name links to their website, the album title links to the album on amazon, and the iTunes link will open iTunes to the appropriate information}

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

01 : Cloud Cult - The Meaning of 8 (iTunes)

Easily the most cathartic album I’ve ever heard the general storyline of this album chronicles the path frontman Craig Minowa took while coming to terms with the death of his son. Most of the tracks on this album have to do with what little Kaidin’s life would have been like {he would’ve turned eight this year} or how he inspired his father and those he met with the joy of life. It was a very close call between Cloud Cult and The Weakerthans for album of the year, but this band from Minneapolis pulled it out in the end. From beginning to end there is not a single note that I would change about The Meaning of 8.

mp3 : Cloud Cult - Take Your Medicine
mp3 : Cloud Cult - Your 8th Birthday
mp3 : Cloud Cult - Purpose

02 : The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour (iTunes)

Second place, and by a very slim margin, goes to one of my favorite bands of all time, The Weakerthans. Coming a full four years after their previous effort, this studio album had a lot of fans wondering if rust and age would tamper with the signature lyrical and melodic brilliance of The Weakerthans. All fears were laid to rest after one listen, though, with the only complaint being it clocks in under forty minutes. John Samson tells these wonderful vignettes about empty rooms, curling tournaments, and runaway cats that are filled with a sense of forlorn truth. Something in this album rings true on every listen. If you’ve never heard The Weakerthans their newest disc is easily a wonderful starting point.

mp3 : The Weakerthans - Tournament of Hearts
mp3 : The Weakerthans - Virtue the Cat Explains Her Departure
mp3 : The Weakerthans - Sun in an Empty Room

03 : Radiohead - In Rainbows

Not much else could be written or said about this album other than what has already been said. Radiohead tops many of the best of lists across various publications and blogs. They released their album completely on their own, with their own website, and charged nothing for the music if that’s what you chose to pay. They bucked convention with this release, just as they’ve continually created new and innovative sounds on each of their albums. This, their seventh studio album and first in four years, is an amazing musical achievement even without the marketing {or lack thereof} hype.

mp3 : Radiohead - Reckoner
mp3 : Radiohead - Videotape

04 : Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (iTunes)

Although many a rabid fan and critic balked at the slightly new direction Arcade Fire went on their sophomore effort I challenge you to find another band that made this interesting, layered, and talented a second studio album. Moving away from stories involving apocalypse and funerals this album instead finds its voice in a social commentary of sorts {which is perfect when you’re influenced by Bruce Springsteen}. I thought this album was a perfect follow up to Funeral. Yes, it is different, but so are we.

mp3 : Arcade Fire - (Antichrist Television Blues)
mp3 : Arcade Fire - Intervention

05 : Bishop Allen - The Broken String (iTunes)

Throughout 2006 Bishop Allen, which is a collaborative effort between Justin Rice, Christian Rudder, and various backing musicians, released twelve EP’s; one for each month. It was with much anticipation, then, that I awaited their first proper studio full length this past July. And Bishop Allen did not disappoint with The Broken String. From start to end the storytelling, the music, the melodies, and the undeniable fun of the album had me playing it for anyone who would listen. Over five months later it still amazes me that this amount of quality music was put on one album.

mp3 : Bishop Allen - The Monitor
mp3 : Bishop Allen - The Chinatown Bus

06 : Foo Figthers - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (iTunes)

Foo Fighters released their most mature and grounded album to date while finding a way to showcase Dave Grohl’s massive talent without the use of a sprawling double album. From start to finish this album shows the diversity of the entire Foo Fighter’s cannon while always keeping you on the edge of your seat, anticipating what song is coming next. From a pure rock anthem like Come Alive, to the bombast of The Pretender, down to the the ecstasy found on The Ballad of Beaconsfield Miners, there is no stone left unturned on this, the best rock album of the year.

mp3 : Foo Figthers - The Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners
mp3 : Foo Fighters - Come Alive

07 : Sigur Ros - Hvarf/Heim (iTunes)

Sigur Ros is easily my favorite band that I cannot seem to describe to others. Or for that matter get other people to listen to. They’re a band out of the great land of Iceland and lead singer Jonsi sings in one of the most beautiful falsetto voices I’ve ever heard. If the angels from on high sang in Icelandic then this is what the music backing them would sound like. This release was a double album with the disc labelled Hvarf containing studio versions of previously unreleased tracks and the disc called Heim containing acoustic versions of previous favorites.

mp3 : Sigur Ros - Heysatan
mp3 : Sigur Ros - Staralfur

08 : Beirut - The Flying Club Cup (iTunes)

Originally scoring much higher in my list Beirut fell to number eight after repeated listenings. Although this album didn’t have the staying power I thought it would have it still is a solid effort from Zach Condon throughout the mix as he brings his particular ecclectic/gypsy/folk/balkan style of music and makes it a true edition to the great new American Folk wave. There’s something in his music that cannot be found anywhere else. Due most likely to his extensive traveling throughout eastern Europe during his developmental years and the fact that a wrist injury keeps him from playing the guitar properly.

mp3 : Beirut - Guyamas Sonora

09 : Band of Horses - Cease to Begin (iTunes)

The critics who hated and/or panned this album when it was released have almost nothing in common with me. I, for one, cannot fathom what they were looking for in the second studio album from Band of Horses. Cease to Begin showcases a sound and style that are uniquely theirs; from the driving guitar rhythms to the unique crooning style of frontman Ben Bridwell. I thought this album was solid from start to finish with the inclusion of a few incredible tracks like Island on the Coast and Is There A Ghost. Band of Horses is one of the best bands in the past couple of years and I’ve been excited about their music since their first release.

mp3 : Band of Horses - Island on the Coast

10 : Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River (iTunes)

Rounding out the top ten albums of 2007 is this little gem by Sea Wolf. This band is the brainchild of Alex Brown Church, who formerly played with the band Irving, and he incorporates a variety of devices and sounds to tell his stories. Although at times the record can sound like a smooth amalgamation of various sources, in the end it is a blissful thirty five minute mosey through Alex’s life, music, and stories.

mp3 : Sea Wolf - Leaves In The River

Download all the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

And there you have it. In my humble opinion those were the best albums of 2007. Other noteworthy albums that didn’t quite make the top ten include In Our Bedroom After The War by Stars, Wednesdays by Wakey!Wakey!, From Here We Go Sublime by The Field, Sawdust by The Killers, Magic by Bruce Springsteen, B Sides Live by Zach Williams, Graduation by Kanye West, and We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse. As talented and wonderful as this past year has been I’m looking forward to 2008 when there will be new albums by my favorites Sufjan Stevens, Cloud Cult, the Magnetic Fields, the Postal Service, and Weezer.

For those of you who just found my blog take a minute a peruse other posts here at The World Forgot. I hope you enjoyed yourself this year, 2008 is sure to bring something amazing to everyone.

+ twf hype elbows amazon itunes

BOTR vol 01

Published by

billy

at December 27, 2007 in justice, gwen stefani, go team, kings of convenience, sigur ros, tv on the radio, thom yorke, bee gees, botr, best of the remix, radiohead, remix, music, britney spears, bloc party, andy williams, daft punk and mp3. 8 Comments

Welcome welcome welcome to a new series I hope to be posting at the end of each month. Some of you are already aware that I have a Best of the Month (BOTM) series that I maintain here on The World Forgot, but this is something new. I present to you Best of the Remix, or BOTR for short. I’ve noticed a wonderful trend lately that has made the remix of a popular song almost as ubiquitous as the original recording. It seems as if anyone with a laptop and a few spare hours manages to remix, reblip, or rework a song into something new. Now, granted, not all of these remixes are any good, but how are you to know the good from the bad? That’s where I come in. Presented here for your listening pleasure are the best remixes I heard during the previous month. Enjoy these tracks and come back next month for vol 02.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Andy Williams - It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year (A Shrift Remix)
mp3 : Bloc Party - Flux (GoodBooks Magnetism Mix)
mp3 : Britney Spears - Piece of Me (Bimbo Jones Club Mix)
mp3 :