Feed Change
I got it wrong. The feed has changed. Sorry for the inconvenience.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/forwardmusic
Ulysses – Franz Ferdinand
I don’t really know how this one passed my radar, but it did. I love the crazy synths, the slow but funky bass line and the whispers of Alex Kapranos. This track is just drenched in sex. Though it isn’t as simple and as glorious as the songs from their debut, I am incredibly exited for Franz’s new sound.
Best Remixes of 2008
My favourite remixes of 2008 (plus one live Justice track) combined into one playlist. Any feedback is appreciated, since this is my first electronic playlist, just leave a comment.
Thanks for the great picture Tim Walker.
Sleepyhead (Streetlab mix) /// Passion Pit
Kids (Soulwax Nite Version) /// MGMT
Mercury (CSS Remix) /// Bloc Party
We Are Your Friends (Disco Villains Remix) /// Justice vs. Simian
Jokin’ Jay z (Remixed by Don Rimini) /// Jay Z
Electric Feel (Justice Remix) /// MGMT
Dirty Harry (Disco Villains Remix) /// Gorillaz
D.A.N.C.E. (Live Version) /// Justice
Hype Machine Opens Zeitgeist
The Hype Machine has started to release it’s most popular artists, albums and songs of 2008, read it here.
The artists section is not so much about quality, but more about popularity within the blogosphere. Which isn’t really that interesting, is it? If I was a betting man, I would say that MGMT would come out on top, followed by Vampire Weekend and then TV on the Radio. Unfortunately, Justice won’t be there, even though their remixes keep re-emerging, because the tracks are under the name of the artist and not Justice. The popular songs are slightly more intriguing since they have done it month by month and included news snippets along with each month.
Albums of 2008 is by far the most interesting section. You can listen to each whole album for free, check it’s average placing in lists and who put it in their list. I presume TV on the Radio will get the number one place, otherwise I think 2008 was such a varied year, that the rest of the list is impossible to guess. Leave your thoughts and predictions in the comments.
Best Albums I Discovered in 2008
The following albums were discovered during 2008, but were from years before. I think they are pretty amazing and are worth a shout.
The Futureheads – The Futureheads
Outshining their later attempts, The Futureheads’ debut is a hard-hitting bit of post-punk. They blended a mixture of raw and chunky guitar sections with a interesting array of multi-vocal work. Highlights include the amazing First Day, a speedy interpretation of what working is, and the ferocious and energetic Man Ray. I think the idea in mind was “quantity over quality”, however the album is still well worth purchasing with over half of the 17 tracks being really great.
Era Vulagris – Queens of the Stone Age
Harsh, distorted, violent and almost psychedelic, Queens of the Stone Age produced something different, but arguably much better, than their previous work. They put together a hard rock album, something I normally despise, and fueled it with a power station, to create haunting electric echoes, drilling guitar riffs and a mixture of moaning and screaming from the singer. Even if you’re not really into this type of thing, I would encourage you to at least try some of their creative rock music.
† – Justice
Justice’s debut features a stunning amount of synth work work, plus some great sampling. You can definitely here some of the rock and pop influences here, which makes it a really great album to listen to.
Orchestra of Wolves – Gallows
Hardcore is not my favorite genre, to say the least, but Gallows showed me how amazing this genre could be. With violent and jagged chords, unmelodious solos and amazing “vocals” from the lead singer, Orchestra of Wolves, is something which really gets your blood boiling, not your ears bleeding.
Abandon Ship, Will Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake
Silent Alarm – Bloc Party
Though I can’t stand their slow and only electronic work, their tracks which are based on rock, are amazing. An excellent example is Positive Tension. It starts off with a simple bass line. It throws in a fast drum beat and then it adds interesting, but nothing special, lyrics. Mixed in are some slow guitar chords. But what is revealed half way, is Bloc Party’s genius. “Something glorious is about to happen! The Reckoning!” the leader singer yells, cueing the punchy solo guitar chords. Fast and jumpy the second guitar kicks in as both singers start to scream. It’s all released in a face-melting solo to a quiet end.
Thanks for the picture Ryan Chirnomas.
