Album Review: Kaskade - Fire & Ice

Kaskade - Fire & Ice

Style: House, Melodic
Pros: Better than I expected it to be.
Cons: Not much.
Overview: I thought his last album Dynasty was an "okay" listen. So I expected much of the same. In many ways, Fire & Ice is the same, as Kaskade sticks to the a familiar sound we all know from him, but I think Fire & Ice just works better. And of course, with a name like Fire & Ice you have to have some sort of duplicity, in this case... two albums: one uptempo and the other a bit more mellow. I actually like both of them because both are well produced. If you're a Kaskade fan and don't have this album yet, then you're not really a Kaskade fan... so go get it.
Top Songs: They're all pretty good.
3.5 out of 5


Kaskade Website

Purchase: Fire & Ice

Album Review: Justice - Audio, Video, Disco.

Justice - Audio, Video, Disco.

Style: Electro, Disco, French Techno
Pros: The sound we expect from Justice.
Cons: Having to follow their ground-breaking first album, Cross.
Overview: Audio, Video, Disco. is a good sophomore effort for the French duo. Since their first album had many ground-breaking epic Electro slammers, one would expect a lot for their next album... and I, like everyone else, did. However, a lot has happened in music since 2007 and it would have been hard to keep that momentum going, even for a band as big as Justice. They would have to release an album with wall to wall anthems to make that happen. With that said, Audio, Video, Disco. is a good album, but if you were expecting something as mind-blowing as Cross, you might be disappointed.
Top Songs: Civilization; New Lands; Audio, Video, Disco.
3.25 out of 5 vinyls


Justice Myspace (I can't find a Website for them)

Purchase: Audio, Video, Disco.

Music Video: Kaskade - Turn It Down

Here's a new music video for Kaskade's song Turn It Down featuring Rebecca and Fiona from his album Fire & Ice, out now. There's some ice skating and dancing in this video... check it out.

Behind the Scenes @ a Deadmau5 Show

Deadmau5 just released a cool behind the scenes video on the production of his tour visuals. Some pretty cool stuff, using 3D (i think Cinema 4D) and combined with other graphic art. If you ever wanted to know how Deadmau5's show comes together, check it out.

Coachella 2012 May Not Happen?

Coachella 2012 May Get Cancelled?

No, I would go as far to say that because there is a long way to go yet. However, LAWeekly is reporting that Goldenvoice, the team behind Coachella, has not yet gotten the city of Indio to sign a contract. Infact, it has been postponed.

Why?

Because the neighboring city of La Quinta is pressuring for an environmental review of Coachella. And why are they complaining? Because La Quinta is an affluent neighborhood and don't care for those Coachella kids trashing their place.

La Quinta wants Indio and Goldenvoice to conduct an assessment under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to evaluate the environmental impact of traffic, noise and pollution generated by the festival, owing to the fact that its length will be doubled this year, to two weekends in April.

And if this does happen, Coachella 2012's start date of April 13 could be push back. So you might be saying pushed back doesn't mean cancelled. However, when you book a band for a certain date because they are touring through the Southland at a certain time, then switch dates or push it back, it would make it financially undesirable for the band. Costing them more to come back to Coachella. The band may just not play Coachella if that were the case.

Let's hope Indio does the right thing and Coachella lives on.

Anyways, to read more about the article on LAWeekly click here.

Update: according to La Quinta City Council, they voted 5-0 to support the concert agreement... So Coachella is happening in 2012.

Video: Deadmau5 @ the Hollywood Palladium

Here is a cool video Ultra posted for Deadmau5 live at The Hollywood Palladium. It features the song HR 8938 Cephei and some cool graphics. Check it out Deadmau5 fans.

Music Video: Rihanna Feat Calvin Harris - We Found Love

Here's Rihanna and Calvin Harris' official music video for We Found Love. Check it out. I don't know what's going on in this video. I guess she found love in a hopeless place.

Why Was Monster Massive 2011 Cancelled?

There's been speculation that Go Ventures, the people behind the famed event, now in it's 14th year, were unable to secure a venue. Monster Massive usually takes place at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, but USC has a football game at the Coliseum (and well nobody's gonna kick USC out of their own home. So Go Ventures opted for a Oak Canyon Ranch in east Orange County, where a number of other music festivals have taken place. However, according to James Events, the Oak Canyon Ranch events planner:

MONSTER MASSIVE IS NOT TAKING PLACE AT THE OAK CANYON FACILITY IN ORANGE and all guests will be turned away at the gate.

James Event Productions Inc. has not entered nor will be entering into an agreement with Go Ventures, Inc. for this event.

So according to the folks at Oak Canyon ranch, Go Ventures never secured an agreement with them, while all the time leading festival-goers to believe that it was indeed taking place there. Anyways, the OC Weekly has an indepth article about this clusterf*ck including an interview with a former Go Venture's employee (who may be disgruntled and lashing out, according to some of the comments). Nonetheless, it exposes much more, even saying that Monster Massive was also supposed to take place at other places including the Port of Los Angeles. Read it. It's interesting and it gets worse, but it's up to you what to believe. I'm pretty sure there is a big investigation into Go Ventures right now. All I know, is that this is my first time hearing Monster Massive being canceled when it has been going strong over 14 years.

Album Review: M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Style: Psychedelic dream pop
Pros: Nice escapist music.
Cons: If you don't like dreamy escape-like music.
Overview: M83 definitely fits into their own genre. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is a nice continuation from Saturdays = Youth. It just makes me want to lie in a giant park with hills while this album blasts in my headphones... as I watch the butterflies and earth creatures fly about. Okay maybe not so over-dramatic, but you get the point. With that said, here's the negative: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming still doesn't quite grab me as well as Saturdays = Youth (which I enjoyed very much), but maybe time will tell. Also, there's a lot of M83 this time around, now covering over two discs, so some of you may think it a bit much of M83 to listen to. Anyhow, I do like this album. And if you are an M83 fan, then you probably will like it too.
Top Songs: Too many to name
3.5 out of 5


M83 website

Purchase: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Video: Kaskade Fire & Ice Album Behind the Scenes

Here is a video of Kaskade in the studio talking about his upcoming album Fire & Ice, which drops October 25th.

Monster Massive 2011 Cancelled?

What? Apparently so. When you go to purchase tickets on the Flavorus website it says cancelled. Now, this isn't official, official yet, because there is no graphic yet on the Monster Massive website, but seems like there will be soon. This sucks, as Armin van Buuren's only US show for Mirage is now cancelled. Armin took to his twitter:

"I am very upset about this since it was almost sold out and I have to disappoint many fans in LA. I will come back to LA soon, I promise!"

There's no explanation yet as to why Monster Massive is cancelled, but I do know that this is going to be a big clusterf*ck for those in charge of the event.

Music Video: David Guetta - Without You (feat. Usher)

Here's David Guetta's newest music video featuring Usher, Without You. Wait David Guetta's the cause of the 2012 end of the world continental shift? Bringing all continents together for one big dance party? What? Just watch...

Song of the Day: Avicii - Levels

I can't believe this Avicii song has been out for a while and I'm just catching on now.

DJ Mix Review: Tiësto - Club Life Volume 1 Las Vegas

Tiësto - Club Life Volume 1 Las Vegas

Style: Progressive House, Trance
Pros: Actually pretty fun to listen to.
Cons: I'm not the biggest Trance fan anymore.
Overview: So, I've been out of the Tiesto loop for quite some time now and I was expecting the same '0le Trance set up I've previously heard from him. However, I guess he's changing things up a little and moving toward a more Progressive sound... which is probably why I enjoyed most of this mix. There are still heavy Trance oriented songs here (for those of you still wanting Trance). I enjoyed this mix and will definitely put it in my workout routine.
Top Songs: Lune - Girls With Bangs (Tiesto Remix); Rebecca & Fiona - Bullets; Kaskade - Fire In Your New Shoes (Sultan & Shepard Remix)
3.5 out of 5 vinyls


Tiesto Website

Electric Daisy Carnival 2012 Trailer

Insomniac Events just released an awesome trailer for Electric Daisy Carnival 2012 in Las Vegas happening June 8,9, & 10. It features the song Bromance from Tim Berg (aka Avicii). Tickets go on sale November 1. So start saving up.

Can You Feel It - The UMF Experience Movie Trailer

Here is a movie trailer for movie Can You Feel It, The Ultra Music Festival Experience check it out and get excited for Ultra Music Festival 2012.

Monster Massive vs HARD Haunted Mansion vs Escape From Wonderland

Oh, what to do for Halloween weekend this year... so many choices. I remember the day when Monster Massive was the only party in town, now there are a slew of them, each taking a bite out of the same pie. Which one shall you choose?


Monster Massive CANCELLED
Line Up: Armin Van Buuren's Mirage show (only US appearance and 8 Hour set), Erick Morillo, Moby, Nero, Caspa.
Location: 5305 Santiago Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA Map it
Tickets:
Starting at: $75
VIP: $150
Cabana: $2500 includes 8 VIP tickets and a private cabana.
Pros: Even though I'm not a huge Armin fan, catching a glimpse of his Mirage show might be interesting. Moby is a great DJ if you haven't seen him... Checking out Nero would be cool too. The only event of the three to have a private cabana.
Cons: Cabana costs $2500. Monster Massive has since moved from The LA Sports Arena to all the way out in east Orange County.

Monster Massive Website


HARD Haunted Mansion
Line Up:
Friday: Fatboy Slim, 2 Many DJs, Rusko, Laidback Luke, Tiga.
Saturday: Soulwax, Skrillex, Major Lazor, Skream + Benga (almost all of Magnetic Man!), Fake Blood.
Location: Shrine Expo Hall, Downtown LA Map it
Tickets:
Starting at: $65
VIP: $125
2 Day Pass: $120
Pros: The only event in Los Angeles. Legendary DJ Fatboy Slim, who mattered back in the day, is one of those must check off the bucket list type of DJs. Soulwax is amazing, and they're also doing their alter ego as 2 Many DJs.
Cons: VIP isn't really worth it here... or from what I saw last year. Must love a lot of dirty Electro and Dubstep.

HARD Haunted Mansion Website.


Escape From Wonderland
Line Up: Afrojack, Benny Benassi, Pendulum, Steve Angello, AN21, Subfocus
Location: 689 South E Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408 Map it
Tickets:
Starting at: $65
VIP: $150
Pros: Pendulum
Cons: Seems the least marketed of the three. A good test for Afrojack as headliner material (assuming he's the headliner).

Escape From Wonderland Website

It looks like a full party weekend for Halloween in Southern California. Whatever you decide stay safe.

Album Review: VHS or Beta - Diamonds And Death

VHS or Beta - Diamonds And Death

Style: Dance Rock, indie Rock
Pros: A fun album
Cons: Not Much.
Overview: It feels like it's been a while since we last heard of VHS or Beta. And a lot has happened in the music world, especially in the Dance-Rock-Synth oriented style of music... with the rise of MGMT, Empire of the Sun, Foster the People and Friendly Fires just to name a few. So I was a bit worried that VHS or Beta's sound wouldn't be as enjoyable as it was back in the day. However, upon listening to Diamonds and Death, I did find it enjoyable. VHS or Beta manages to keep their unique style, but still push it forward a notch and make it worth listening to. And although this is not the most ground breaking album out there, every song on Diamonds and Death is worth a listen and you can listen to the album forward and back.
Top Songs: All
3.5 out of 5


VHS or Beta Website

Song of the Month: October 2011

High Contrast (feat. Tiesto and Underworld) - The First Note is Silent

A song with Underworld, Tiesto, and High Contrast, how can this not be the song of the month?