Come Together

This just surfaced: A Kanye / Common / Kid Cudi collaboration. Each of the three rappers recently layed a verse over the reworked Cherrytree acoustic version of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face." Though the trio have nothing particularily insightful to offer about relationships or love, and are characteristically vulgar about sex, I'm positive Lady G would approve. After all, this is the same Bowie fan I saw live in concert sing "I wanna fuck fuck fuck you as hard as I can"; lyrics from her new song "Future Love." Even if it lacks the thought-provoking power of The College Dropout and Be, I think I can handle it on fun factor alone.

Kanye West, Common & Kid Cudi - I Poke Her Face [mp3]
Bonus: Annie - Come Together [mp3]

I'm, I'm, This Is, This Is... Dream On

... A stuttering Stanley line I love from Kid Cudi's latest leak, a freestyle that remains untitled. Kanye West continues to preach for his prodigy, claiming his upcoming debut album is a classic in the making. Rolling Stone has jumped on the buzzwagon as well. So no pressure KC, none whatsoever. Time and lots of listens will tell, but I think at the very least we have a promising MC on our hands. Lupe move over, you're no longer the newest Chi-town prodigy on the block. Sidenote: Kid Cudi is really from Cleveland, OH but it's just so much more fun to say Chi than Cle-town. Dirty.

Kid Cudi - Freestyle '09 [mp3]
Kid Cudi - Day N' Nite (Crookers Remix) [mp3]
F'in amazing dance party track.

Download his free mixtape for Deep10 Here @ His Website. Stay tuned for more track samples as leaks make them possible. We'll be tracking his album release countdown closely.

Around the World

North America South America / N.A.S.A. this way comes... Everyone has been talking about their "Gifted" single because, let's face it, getting Kanye West, Lykke Li, and Santogold on the same track is like audible gold. Talk about triple threat. Get ready for the madness that will be The Spirit of Apollo out this February 17, 2009.

Daft Punk - Around the World [mf]

N.A.S.A. (North America South America) is an international collective of musicians spanning a wide spectrum of musical genres, centered around Squeak E. Clean (Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon (Ze Gonzales). Sam and Ze met in April of 2003 at a friend's studio and began making music together the following day.

At first they sampled rare Brazilian records from the 60's and 70's to make tracks. However, what started as two crate diggers making music for the fun of it soon developed into something much bigger. Having forged a strong friendship through their passion for music, Sam and Ze decided to make a record with all of their heroes and favorite musicians.

The idea was to bring people from different worlds together through their shared inspiration and love of music. Thus, N.A.S.A. was born, with crazy collaborations like Ol' Dirty Bastard (Wu-Tang Clan), Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and Fatlip (Pharcyde) on one track, David Byrne (Talking Heads), Chali 2na (Jurassic 5), and Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) on another, and even a pairing of Tom Waits with Kool Keith.

Soon Sam and Ze realized they could expand the concept to encompass an entire record. The idea is to ignore all of the boundaries and borders that are in place to keep people divided, such as musical genre, race, politics, geography, language, etc. As a result, they gathered the craziest and most eclectic collection of musicians ever assembled on one album in the hope that they can show, through music, that all those superficial divisions are an illusion.

N.A.S.A. proves we are all one race of human beings interested in collaboration and unity, ignoring preconceptions, and transcending genre definitions.

LA LA LA Loves it.

Track Listing for Spirit of Apollo:

01 Intro
02 The People Tree [ft. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift of Gab & Z-Trip]
03 Money [ft. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip]
04 NASA Music [ft. Method Man, E-40 & DJ Swamp]
05 Way Down [ft. RZA, Barbie Hatch & John Frusciante]
06 Hip Hop [ft. KRS-One, Fatlip & Slim Kid Tre]
07 Four Rooms, Earth View
08 Strange Enough [ft. Karen O, Ol' Dirty Bastard & Fatlip]
09 Spacious Thoughts [ft. Tom Waits & Kool Keith]
10 Gifted [ft. Kanye West and others TBD]
11 A Volta [ft. Sizzla, Amanda Blank & Lovefoxxx]
12 There's a Party [ft. George Clinton & Chali 2na]
13 Whachadoin? [ft. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner]
14 O Pato [ft. Kool Kojak & DJ Bãboa]
15 Samba Soul [ft. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & DJ Qbert]
16 The Mayor [ft. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, DJ AM & Scarface]
17 N.A.S.A. Anthem

N.A.S.A. ft. Kanye, Santogold, & Lykke Li - Gifted [mf]

Peace, Love, and Global Sound,
LTK

Chasing the American Dream, Up on the Big Screen

Whether you're a hater or an appreciator, America can't stop talking about Kanye these days. The man attracts more controversy than Zac Efron does 12-yr old girls (and sexuality disputes). With his latest album release standing as no exception. Out this Sunday, November 23, 808's & Heartbreaks seems to have broken the glass ceiling on critique. Love it? Hate it? Can't make up your mind about it? Maybe my track by track breakdown will help.

1. Say You Will

If robots could sing love songs, ballads more like it. In the over 6-minute record introduction, Kanye uses the most minimal of lyrics (maybe 20 different words) on the CD's most expansive track. "When I grab your neck / I touch your soul / Take off your cool / Then lose control / Hey, hey, hey / Don't say you will / You will, you will / Hey, hey, hey / Don't say you will / If you will / I pray you will..." The second, instrumental half of the track is actually preferable; akin to sitting in on some new-wave electronica choir practice.

Bottom Line: C

2. Welcome to Heartbreak (Featuring Kid Cudi)

Despite the ominous opening, this is the closest thing to actual melody I could find in eleven attempts at West singing. Maybe I should attribute the success (?) to the soundtrack-like chord repetition, or the fact that West allows an actual singer with vocal range into the mix. With all that the rapper has been through this year, I don't know why he chose to attribute "Welcome to Heartbreak" to a series of visions about the hardship of having too much wealth. It's a little less relatable than heartbreak should be. Whereas losing someone close to you, or the pain of a failed relationship - both of which Kanye has experienced very publicly - would have made more compelling subject matter than telling us how painful it is to leave your Godsister's wedding before they cut the cake. He probably had to catch a plane to Tokyo. Rough, right?

Bottom Line: C +

3. Heartless

If you haven't heard this one than you're probably not living in a cave, just ignoring everything after "Love Lockdown." It's been difficult for most of us fans to move past the Good Life into this unknown creative territory. Certainly not Top 40, "Heartless" still delivers in many ways. That crazy inescapable hook grabbed me from one second in. "In the night / I hear 'em talk / Coldest story ever told / Somewhere far along this road / He lost his soul / To a woman so heartless..." I guess this is the Heartbreak portion of the album, although a fair share of the 808 seems to be utilized. Crazy keyboard synth creates the effect of flute pipes, in partnership with thudding bass, it's enough visual for this listener to feel implemented into some tribal circle singing cautionary tales about the danger of the female species. Yeah, I loves it.

Bottom Line: B +

4. Amazing (Featuring Young Jeezy)

My favorite track off the album. The lyrics are simple, and nothing less than what you'd expect from K West. Despite some self-posturing, this is Kanye's response to 808 critique; as if he anticipated the outcry against the use of the auto tune and penned this in preemptive retaliation. "It's amazing / I'm the reason / Everybody fired up this evening / I'm exhausted / Barely breathing / Holding on to what I believe in / No matter what, you'll never take that from me / Me reign is as far as the eye can see." Though the song could do without the obnoxious cameo by Young Jeezy, I love the anthem-like quality of this track. I feel like war painting my face, throwing a paparazzi against the wall for looking at me funny, and getting gratuitously arrested. The last part being what Kanye does best.

Bottom Line: A -

5. Love Lockdown

I don't watch the VMAs unless there's promise of a crazy episode and/or Ms. Spears. And since last year had both (I was hoping Kanye would verbally assault Brit Brit for stealing his thunder yet again) I tuned into see the premiere of "Love Lockdown" in the finale. I have to admit I was impressed by the performance, thinking to myself what a risk this was for Kanye artistically. I also believed naively that it would be one genre-breaking track nestled in the middle of several familiar College-Dropoutish hits. How silly of me... Still, based on his live performance, a visually compelling music video, and the T-minus 321 remix (and 501 others) this song pushed T-Pain out of the way for the special auto tune section of my heart.

Bottom Line: B

6. Paranoid (Featuring Mr. Hudson)

Upon first listen, I thought I might have taken a Forget-Me-Now and ended up in some 1980s dancehall. Leaked onto the internet as "Anyway," this is one of the most danceable tracks on the record, which isn't saying much. With a schizophrenic beat, unapologetic synthesizers, and haphazard harmonizing I would need to be on something to really get down to this one. Still, "Paranoid" manages some sort of let's just dance appeal.

Bottom Line: C

7. RoboCop

As a woman, I felt some obligation to hate this out of the gate based solely on lyrical content. After a couple of listens though, the thumping bass and ridiculous sentiment grew on me. I won't pretend to fully understand wtf he's saying; like what exactly is a robocop? How does one move it like a robocop? Is it just some crazy obnoxious girlfriend who asks too many questions, is all up in your business, and thinks robotic 2-stepping is dancing? I'd invent my own crazy concise term for that mouthful too. Despite heavy use of the auto tune, and one methodical beat (a formulaic approach to the entire album), this one is slowly growing on me. As long as I turn the speakers way up and put my female conscience on mute.

Bottom Line: B -

8. Street Lights

I would find this track more redeeming, if once again, it was instrumental. Kanye's monotonous recitation is more than enough to make me want to rip my hair out. I know this song is supposed to be some great metaphor for knowing your destination in life and blah blah blah but I just can't tolerate enough of the boring delivery to stay awake for the message.

Bottom Line: C 

9. Bad News

A definite bright spot after it's predecessor. And here's why: A talented someone could make the most badass dance remix of this track. Although relatively quiet, and subtly masochistic, this song has one of the most promising beats. Maybe it's my inner DJ calling, but a girl can still dream of finding good news in an RAC or A-Trak reworking.

Bottom Line: C +

10. See You in My Nightmares (Featuring Lil Wayne)

I know everyone kisses the ground he walks on, but Lil Weeze doesn't add anything to this already anemic track. Leaked as "Tell Everybody (That You Know)," boring synth, no percussion, and overly-repetitive (and ridiculous) lyrics make this a complete fail. "Tell everybody that you / that I don't love you no more / and that's one thing that you know..." Childish and unoriginal. Auto tune or not, this is not the insight I expect from West.

Bottom Line: D

11. Coldest Winter

This is West's most admiral attempt at a ballad, perhaps saved for the finale on purpose. "On lonely nights I start to fade / Her love's a thousand miles away / Memories made in the coldest winter / Goodbye my friend / Will I ever love again?" Instead of alienating his female audience, West embraces the sorrow of a lost love (his mother), putting himself in a much more vulnerable position than the angry, female-hating stance heard on earlier tracks. Though still lacking that special ingredient to make the song completely memorable, the listener is left with a resolute, even serene acceptance as the album comes to a close.

Bottom Line: B

12. Bonus Track: Pinocchio Story (Live from Singapore)

Since this is a live track, I'm itching for the accompanying video. Never having personally caught a Kanye show (budget-breaking), I have heard that he doesn't disappoint. From the rhymes alone, I'm intrigued. The album as a whole lacks substance on this front, so it's nice to hear West freestyle from the heart. Delving into the philosophical realm with questions about the ever-fading line between reality and celebrity, West talks about his Pinocchio-like desire for flesh and blood. "Do you think I sacrifice real life / For all the fame? / And flashing lights? / There is no Gucci I can buy / There is no Louis Vuitton to put on / There is no [ ] that they could sell / To get my heart out of this hell / And my mind out of this jail / There is no clothes that I could buy / That could turn back in time / There is no vacation spot I could fly / That could bring back a piece of real life / What does it feel like ... / To live a real life ?" Now why did it take a bonus track to get my Kanye back?

Bottom Line: A -

LTK Says:
As much as I want to give Kanye's artistic risk a double thumbs up, the content supporting the adventure was an utter disappointment, save for a few standout tracks. Although we at GDM support creative endeavors, we believe just doing something different for difference sake is not enough. Change should be made in the name of evolution, forward momentum, or growth. Someone as big as West has reached a career pinnacle where artistic freedom knows no bounds. He has free reign to do whatever he wants, but it doesn't mean that he should. Although I commend his effort, the prowess of West's earlier work has set such high expectations, I'm left wanting more.
Bottom Bottom Line: B / B -

Peace, Love, and Moving like a RoboCop,
LTK

Breaking it Up

Stay tuned for my track by track break down/breaking it up of K West's controversial 808's and Heartbreaks this Saturday (I'm currently listening to only this on repeat) - the album ia out next Tuesday. Times are hard; you deserve to know if this one's worth your hard-earned Abrahams...

In the meantime, snag this shwanky Lykke Li remix, as well as a bonus Friendly Fires cover of Lykke's "I'm Good, I'm Gone." Darn, no voice box here...

Lykke Li - Breaking it Up (Punks Jump Up remix) [mf]

Friendly Fires - I'm Good, I'm Gone (Lykke Li Cover) [mf]

If you didn't catch Lykke as itunes' free video of the week, please watch this artistic ah-mazingness on YouTube. I feel like I just swallowed a whole bottle of crazy pills... and am loving it!

And this sweet live perform! Yeah that's Robyn! And Adam and Bebban of The Shout Out Louds! Friends in high places...

Peace, Love, and Air-boxing in Institutions,
LTK

I Love the Dancefloor: AKA Just Wanna Dance

So I've had just about enough of the Seattle doom and gloom mentality. Rain might be inevitable but bad moods are definitely not!

Kovak - I Love the Dancefloor (Grayedout Remix) [mediafire]
Dane Cook - Just Wanna Dance [mf]

Six Britney tracks leaked and I couldn't be more excited about "If U Seek Amy" which I'm predicting will be the third or fourth single and a HUGE smash hit. The controversial chorus is enough to assure me that B Spears is back on top (pun intended)...

Love Me / Hate Me /
Can't you see what I see? /
All of the boys and all of the girls /
Are begging to If You Seek Amy [Sounds like: F-U-C-K Me]

In other mainstream news, three more Kanye tracks have popped up, including my favorite, "So Amazing," which is, well... amazing. Whatever "Streetlights," "Coldest Winter," "Anyway," and "Tell Everybody That You Know" lack, "Heartless" and "So Amazing" seem to compensate for in spades. I'm still making up my mind about "Robocop." I hated it at first; the lyrics are utterly ridiculous and way too immature for the West I'm used to, but the beat is growing on me. The saving grace for "Love Lockdown" have been the zillion and one remixes that I've learned to love, especially T-Minus and LMFAO's reworkings of the track. 808's here we come - don't leave me in heartbreak...

Kanye West - Love Lockdown (LMFAO Remix) [mf]

Turing the radio dial more towards KEXP and farther away from KISS, how awesome has Ladytron been for my endorphin levels?! Witching Hour has me smitten and I highly recommend this one for purchase. I find myself simultaneously creeped out and comforted by such tracks as "CMYK," "International Deadline," and "Soft Power." And then of course there's the utter danceability of "Weekend" and "Destroy Everything You Touch." As for my personal seal of favortism, that's reserved for "The Last One Standing."

Merging away,
like we did yesterday
wrong direction
The traffic we'll know,
the traffic is slow and thoughtless
The wheel that is still,
on the concrete and green,
away home
And it is alone,
a division unknown,
a split decision

Climbing the floors,
and I'm not running
Through revolving doors,
and you're not driving
The barrier stands,
between your hands and me,
Sorry

You said I made,
you said you said I made,
a bad decision
Said I made a mistake
Fatal without the recognition
But how would we know,
know of that consequence,
had I forseen
Our California hates,
had I not been

Closing the doors,
and I am running
Past video stores,
and you are driving
A barrier stands,
between your hands and me,
Sorry

You have got to be the last one standing
You have got to be the last one standing
You have got to be the last one standing

Ladytron - The Last One Standing [mf]
Ladytron - Weekend [mf]

Seattle, you and your 360 days of darkness can't touch me today...

The "It Might Be Pouring But I'll Do a Rain Dance Anyway" Mixtape

The Kills - Getting Down [mf]
After seeing them play a set on Sundance Channel's Live from Abbey Road, I fell even harder for their very primal approach to rock and roll. One guy, one girl; basic beats & bass meet tortured lyrics.
LCD Soundsystem - On Repeat [mf]
Lady GaGa - Vanity (Bonus Track) [mf]
Kurupt ft. Nate Dogg - Gangsta Boogie [mf]
Digitalism - I Want I Want [mf]
David Bowie - Magic Dance [mf]
Yeah I went there, Labyrinth fans. If you're old enough to remember how awesomely eighties this movie is, you know this song is blockbuster gold.
Bloc Party - Flux (JFK Remix) [mf]
The Kinks - Everybody's Gonna Be Happy
MIA vs. Battles - Atlas Boyz (Diplo Remix) [mf]
Please Please snag! It's too crazygood to miss out on.
The Knux - Cappuccino [mf]
Kylie Mingoue - Heart Beat Rock (Benny Blanco Remix) [mf]
The Ramones - Let's Dance

Peace, Love, and Rain Dancing all over the Northwest,
LTK

Bitch, I'm Special!

So I know Ri Ri's newest hit is already all over the blogosphere thanks to PMA, but I just HAD to not-so-subtlety incorporate that into a post title. I mean come on. Come on!

Rihanna - Bitch, I'm Special [ysi]

I don't know about y'all but I'm spending a considerable amount of my time anticipating the last two months of music releases left in 2008. Although the more I hear of Beyonce ("Single Ladies," "If I Were a Boy," "Sweet Dreams," and "Broken-Hearted Girl") the less I want anything to do with I Am... Sasha Fierce,

I am HYPED for the following:

1. Britney Spears - Circus
Say what you want America, you know you can't get enough! I've made no attempt to hide my love for Brit-Brit, and I think you shouldn't try and deny yours either. The second single off the album has leaked and boy is it making me want to Kill the Lights. Release Date: December 2, 2008


2. Kanye West - 808's and Heartbreaks
Most of my anticipation for this release is absolute curiosity. Whether he's rapping, pop making, or (god forbid) country-music twanging, I will always always go out for K West. I've got my complaints about the voice box vocals too, but critics need to take a step back and relax. If we don't allow artists to experiment with their creativity they'd never evolve. As many spins as The College Dropout has logged on my player, I wouldn't want Kanye making ten more albums just like it. Release Date: November 25, 2008

Rumored Tracklist:
1. “Welcome to Heartbreak”
2. “Heartless”
3. “Love Lockdown”
4. “Robocop”
5. “The Wrong Thing”
6. “In the Streets”
7. "Anyway"
8. “Real Bad News”
9. “So Amazing” featuring Young Jeezy
10. “That You Know” or “Tell Everybody” featuring Lil Wayne
11. “Coldest Winter”

3. Jay-Z/Sean Carter/Self-Proclaimed Best Rapper Alive - The Blueprint 3
Retired, Working, or on Social Security, I couldn't care less. Just keep producing the hits Jay - and don't disappoint us with more Kingdom Come crap. Make your umpteenth return to the game memorable. Release Date: Unknown

4. Common - Universal Mind Control
Wow I just realized how much of a hip-hop whore this list is making me sound. I'm well rounded I swear. The first single off UMC is less than outstanding, but the days of One Day It'll All Make Sense and even as recent as 2005's Be, make me excited for any new Chi-town material. Release Date: December 9, 2008


5. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
OMG how Ah-mazing was Strawberry Jam. I have never listened to songs more obsessively than "Fireworks" and "Peacebone" and I can't wait to see what's in store for AC's latest release. Suddenly I want a PB&J sandwhich. Release Date: December 23, 2008 / January 20, 2008 (Different Source Reports)

I would rather be on the LOST island with a crazed Ben than listen to these:

1. Beyonce - I Am... Sasha Fierce
I think her new songs speak for themselves. If you can suffer through them. Boring, boring, and oh-so-not-FIERCE. In my heart I know B is the biggest Yoko around; keep any and all successful bands away from her. Release Date: November 18, 2008

2. Fall Out Boy - Folie a Deux
Sorry FOB, even after hearing Patrick S do a cover of "Love Lockdown" on his computer, I don't want to go near this record with a ten foot pole. Whatever indie-punk charm this band used to possess was dead and buried with Infinity on High. I don't really feel like going gravedigging 6 feet under to revive a band who compensates for subpar tracks by stuffing more words into confusing song titles. Seriously, it was funny once... maybe. Release Date: December 16, 2008

3. David Archuleta - ST
David Cook - ST
Aren't these the same person basically? I haven't paid much attention to an American Idol since Kelly, and I actively block out Carrie Underwood. Ever since she made those stellar comments about how celebs shouldn't voice their political opinions, it's just getting easier... I think we all know what sorority sister from Alaska she was rooting for. Release Date: November 11 / 18, 2008 respectively

4. Guns n Roses - Chinese Democracy
Take another ten years to refine this album G&R, and I still wouldn't torture my ears for it. You weren't that great in the eighties, and I'm going to stay away from the wine/cheese analogy here: you're not getting better with age. Release Date: November 23, 2008

5. 50 Cent - Before I Self-Destruct
Pulling a Ben Affleck as I like to call it, Curtis Jackson seems to have saved his best for first. It's all been downhill, and way too much self-posturing from there. Release Date: December 9, 2008

Still Making Up My Mind About:

1. The Killers - Day & Age
I will say without prejudice, the jury is still out on this one. I didn't care for The Killer's last two releases, but Hot Fuss was so good I'm still holding out for a hero. "Human" makes me think they can turn it around, while "Spaceman" has me less than enthusiastic. In this game of cards, that's what I call an artistic draw. I'm still hoping for a Royal Flush on the river... Release Date: November 25, 2008

Love It / Leave It / Don't Know What to Think About It Mixtape

Britney Spears - Kill the Lights [ysi]
Kanye West - Anyway
Jay-Z - History [ysi]
Common - Universal Mind Control
Animal Collective - Peacebone [ysi]
Beyonce - Broken-Hearted Girl [ysi]
Fall Out Boy (Patrick Stump) - Love Lockdown [ysi]
Guns n Roses - Sweet Child of Mine
50 Cent - Ayo Technology
The Killers - Human (Christian Vorbau Remix) [ysi]

Love It, Leave It. Time and a few spins are the ultimate deciders...

Peace, Love, and (for some) Artistic Evolution,
LTK

Carbon Coby (I Can't Stop)

Being a little behind with the fall drama, it's time to play my favorite little game of catch up! Not the gross stuff that Heinz insists you slather all over your veggie burger and fries. Nope, this kind of recap is fun fun fun. I take the best of the blogs, Elbows, and the Hype Machine and deliver it right to your well manicured fingertips.

Rahzel ft. Vinia Mojica - Carbon Coby (I Can't Stop) [ysi]

Not too much originality for you today, hence the copycat reference, but with the most popular/well-circulated/hyped blogged tracks, that's not unusual. One powerhouse gets theirs hands on a hot ticket item before anyone else and from there the song trickles down a ladder of recycled postings until it's old news (which all the following songs now are), or until the latest remix hits the net. Here's my favorite oldies...

The Killers - Human [ysi]

The Killers - Human (Christian Vorbau Remix) [ysi]

Source: Pretty Much Amazing!
Date Added to my Library: September 24 & October 2, respectively

So I admit to an on again/off again affair with The Killers and save a few exceptions I thought Sam's Town was pretty forgettable. But I'm a huge fan of this cut despite what critics have said about Brandon's vocals, as well as the lack of strong instrumentation (mainly guitars). It's the kind of ode to eighties romantic trance music that, when remixed (awesomely) like this, I can see the coked out young H-Wood elite getting their groove on to. The kind of song Madonna could be making if her gorgeous, but nearly 50-yr old self wasn't trying to make 20-yr old songs with Timba and JT. Go back to your roots Madge...

Katy Perry - Electric Feel (MGMT Live Cover) [ysi]
Source: EVERYWHERE... Seriously
Date Added: September 24

People went B-A-N-A-N-A-S for this track. It's absolutely shitty quality at only 64 kbps, but it does showcase Katy's vocals a bit live, and reminds people just how amazing MGMT's composition is. Before Perry got America all excited with her bisexual insinuations she was actually a blog/myspace sensation, and its nice to be reminded why. A little less top 40, a little more indie electronica love. PS. If you don't subscribe to KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic podcast and/or missed MGMT's Sept 17 in-studio performance, please visit their website HERE and watch the in-studio set. The guys are amazing and their interview is so awkwardly quirky, as they note Aphex Twin, Sonic Youth, and synthesizers as musical inspiration - it seriously only makes me love them more.

Britney Spears - Womanizer [ysi]
Britney - Womanizer (Teenagers Remix) [ysi]
Sources: Sheena Beaston & Pretty Much Amazing!
Date Added: September 27 & October 1, respectively

If you say you haven't heard Brit Brit's new track then you're a.) living in a cave b.) lying c.) afraid of how much you LOVE LOVE LOVE it. d.) probably both b and c. But I'm here to ease all your worries. Don't be scared of this new wave of synthesizer magic; AKA Britney's newest number one album Circus, dropping December 2. If you want to fight me about her inevitable #1 Billboard status go ahead. But she's looking h-o-t again, actually making a kick ass video for this single, radio promoting, and kicking off her first worldwide tour in years in 2009. Watch out world, It's Britney bitch.

Pretty Much Amazing! is starting a mega post for all the insane remixes of Womanizer. DJs are working overtime for Brit Brit, because the list is already getting long. Check out/download here. Other than The Teenagers, none have held my interest for too long yet. I'm hoping RAC works his magic... I caught this "fake" Justice remix on YouTube that I love. Check it out. I don't care if it is posers, still loves it!

For the rest, I won't say much more than crazyawesome. Less talking, more headphones; or less typing more amplification... I'm planning on a major Kanye post for later because there's just too many Love Lockdown updates for this one.

Goldielocks - Kids [ysi]

Goldielocks - Provider (N.E.R.D. Refix) [ysi]
Source: Sheena... I'm addicted
Date Added: September 30

Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Across the Universe Version) [ysi]
Source: Baked Not Fried
Date Added: October 3

Kanye West vs. MGMT - Electric Touch [ysi]
Source: EVERYWHERE
Date Added: September 29

Lupe Fiasco ft. Pharrell, Q-Tip, and Sarah Green [ysi]
Source: Again... EVERYWHERE
Date Added: September 27

Peace, Love, and way too much cleavage on this post,
LTK

A Monday Music Wrap-Up

Instead of the usual mixtape, I wanted to wrap up a little of my overflowing music plate. It's been a big month for music, movies, and the arts in general. Heres a few of the major happenings this week and the not so distant future.

The Hype Machine's list of popular mp3s is being dominated this week by the lovable, sweater-vest wearing Vampire Weekend. "I Stand Corrected," "A-Punk," and "M79" are currently their most popular tracks - that is to say the most commonly posted and/or talked about. This puts a smile on my face; for once a new band honors the hype. And they're coming to the El Rey in LA this March!

Vampire Weekend - I Stand Corrected [mp3]

Del the Funkee Homosapian has a new track spinning called "Workin' It." His new album, Eleventh Hour drops March 11, and is already getting some much deserved promotion. Del has been producing hits since 1991, loved by fans and critics alike. His distinct vocals and imaginative lyrics made him a hip hop legend. Currently Del is more well-recognized as part of the alt hip-hop group, Gorillaz. Their smash 2005 album Demon Days was a huge success, and recently the group released D-Sides, a compilation of new, rare, and remixed tracks.

Del the Funkee - Workin' It [mp3]

Gorillaz - DARE (DFA Remix) [mp3]

Heres a special treat: Live from the 50th Grammys, its Kanye West and Daft Punk's collaboration. The awards aired on CBS this past Sunday. If you haven't seen the list of winners, heres a quick breakdown. Amy Wineho = blah, blah, blah, too many awards. Kanye wins Best Rap Album (finally), Herbie Hancock pulls in Best Album of the Year, Foo Fighters take home Best Rock Album, White Stripes get Best Alt Album, Flight of the Conchords win Best Comedy Album (sweet!), and Mark Ronson gets Producer of the Year. PS. How fucking badass does Kanye look onstage? Its the stunner shades for sure. I think I found my next Halloween costume...
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Kanye ft. Daft Punk - Stronger (Live from the 5oth Grammys) [mp3]

Other popular tracks include hits from Hot Chip, Radiohead, and Amy Winehouse (To borrow from Michael Bluth: her?) Okay so she swept a few Grammy's up, but jinkies, haven't we beat this coke horse into the ground yet?

The News

First off Tim Fite, rapper extraoridnare, is gearing up to release a new LP entitled Fair Ain't Fair. Last year I was amazed by Over the Counterculture, a release that Tim offered for free off his website. I even named "Camoflage" one of 2007's best songs here. The new LP will be released May 6; independently or under a label I do not know. But I'm psyched. Check out the track list here.

Tim Fite - I've Been Shot [mp3]

My exit wounds make record execs goons swoon
I've been shot so many times the bullets had to make room
Raised up out the dust like bloodlust phoenix
It seems the more bullets that I catch I gets the greenest...
If I hadn't been shot I would have never got paid,
Never got signed, never got laid
I would have never known how lonely it gets at the top,
Would never've been shit if I hadn't got shot...
22 caliber salary

A hilarious commentary on hip-hop culture today, including the glorification of gang violence.

Also, in a more locally significant announcement, Tegan and Sara are coming to the Glass House in Pomona! Tickets just went on sale Saturday, Feb 9 for $25. Part of the proceeds from tix sales will go to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, an amazing organization that "provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are facing illness, disability, or age-related problems." Check out their website. Buy tickets for the great music and to support the cause! Show starts at 7 pm.

Tegan & Sara - Nineteen [mp3]

The Media

NEW MOVIES! Sorry I got a little excited there. Check out some new trailers from films that I will have a front row seat for.

Smart People (Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church & Ellen Page!)


Son of Rambow (A bunch of English ppl you don't know)

There's also a teaser for Star Trek now up, but it's so short and too true to the JJ Abrams' give-absolutely-nothing-away trailer style (i.e. Cloverfield) that I thought it pretty useless. The movie stars Chris Pine (so pretty) as Kirk, Simon Pegg as Scotty (YES!), Zachary Quinto as Spock (Double YES! for the Heroes fans), Winona Ryder as Amanda Grayson, and Eric Bana as Nero. I'll post a decent trailer as soon as I see one...

USS Enterprise Out.