Tron: Legacy Reconfigured (or R3configur3d)
Pros: Top Name Remixers.
Cons: Some songs are just okay.
Overview: So I've read some reviews for this remix album especially LA times, and how they say this album sucks... and that the only good songs are from Moby and Paul Oakenfold. I honestly thought those were the were a couple of the weaker ones on this album (They're not bad, but not my favorite). Even though Moby's version is enjoyable, it sounds way too much like the original Tron Legacy soundtrack... I actually think the LA Times reviewer is out of touch with music today, because Moby and Oakenfold were tops maybe ten years ago (but that's his point of view... so this is mine).
I don't know what all the hate is (even ex Daft Punk manager Busy P is bitching about Disney's choice in releasing this album(I guess without Daft Punk's permission)), nonetheless, there's some good remixes on this album, including ones by, the Glitch Mob, M83, Boys Noize, Photek, Avicii (Trancey, but good because it doesn't sound anything like Derezzed) Com Truise has a nice 80s cheesy fun thing to it and Pretty Lights is pretty good too... The Sander Kleinenberg remix has a nice groove to it. I guess I'll also drop Kaskade's and The Crystal Method name into this, even though they aren't my favorite remixes from them. Anyways, so I did like Tron Legacy: Reconfigured as you can see... It's not the greatest thing ever, but still good.
Top Songs: Glitch Mob - Derezzed; M83 vs Big Black Delta - Fall; Boys Noize - End of Line
3.5 out of 5 vinyls
Tron Soundtrack website
Purchase: Tron: Legacy Reconfigured
Listen to rejected Goose remix for Tron Legacy remix album
Tron: Legacy score review
4.11.2011
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Album Review: Tron: Legacy Reconfigured |
3.21.2011
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Album Review: The Strokes - Angles |
The Strokes - Angles
Style: Rock, Indie Rock
Pros: Sounds like The Strokes when they first came on to the scene.
Cons: Short album.
Overview: If you are a Strokes fan from the beginning you will like Angles... as it feels like their older sound. My only comment about this album is that it is only 10 songs long and runs just over 34 minutes. I don't know I guess that is a standard album length... but I am not sure it would be worth full price.. especially for a CD (if people still by them)... (hint, you can listen to it on their website)... Overall I did enjoy the album.
Top Songs: Machu Picchu; Under Cover of Darkness; Games
3.5 out of 5 vinyls
The Strokes Website
Purchase: Angles
3.18.2011
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Music Video: London Elektricity - Elektricity Will Keep Me Warm |
Here's a pretty cool 3D 8bit influenced music video from Drum and Bass band, London Elektricity featuring Elsa Esmeralda, for the song Elektricity Will Keep Me Warm.
3.10.2011
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DJ Mix Review: Hospitality Drum & Bass 2011 |
Hospitality Drum & Bass 2011
Style: Drum and Bass Funk.
Pros: Fun... Hospital Records Style
Cons: Not much.
Overview: Okay, so I've been listening to a lot of Drum and Bass lately... Anyways, this is kind of an unfair mix to rate because it's basically Hospital Records top hits of the past year. And most of the songs are pretty awesome... It's got work from Danny Byrd, London Elektricity, Sigma, Netsky just to name a few... so yeah. Some songs I don't care for, but that may be due to a difference of taste. It's currently $8.99 on Amazon
Top Songs: Too many to list.
4 out of 5 vinyls
Hospital Records website.
Purchase: Hospitality Drum & Bass 2011
3.03.2011
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Album Review: Nu:Tone - Words and Pictures |
Nu:Tone - Words and Pictures
Style: Liquid Drum and Bass
Pros: Nice fun listen.
Cons: not much.
Overview: This is a very consistent album, in that, most of the songs are solid and complement each other. So... no random, odd tracks showing up in this album. Words and Pictures can be listened to pump yourself up for a night out or if you just want to chill around the house... I guess that's what Liquid Drum and Bass does to you. Anyways, if you are a Hospital records fan, then this album is for you.
Top Songs: Shine In; Win the Fight; Set Me Free
4 out of 5 vinyls
Nu:Tone Website check it out, it's pretty cool how he set up the Youtube videos with his background webpage art.
Purchase: Words And Pictures
2.21.2011
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Album Review: Chase and Status - No More Idols |
Chase and Status - No More Idols
Style: Drum and Bass, Dubstep
Pros: Some really good songs.
Cons: I skipped over other songs.
Overview: No More Idols is on par with Chase and Status' debut album, More Than Alot. In that, both are a good listen with really good songs, but there are a few songs you'll probably skip over. No More Idols features mainly guest vocals such as Tinnie Tempa, Dizzie Rascal, Cee-Lo Green, White Lies, Liam Bailey, Claire Maguire, and of course Plan B (too name a few). Like I said above, a lot of the songs are hit and miss, but the ones that hit are surefire hits. And also, maybe it's because it's an album, some of the songs feel a bit short, like they're all radio edits (because you want to listen to them a bit longer). Anyways, if you like Dubstep and Drum and Bass and are a big Chase and Status fan, then this is the album for you.
Top Songs: Let You Go, Blind Faith, End Credits
closer to 3.35 out of 5 vinyls (or something like that)
Chase and Status Website
Purchase: Let You Go, End Credits
2.14.2011
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Album Review: Cut Copy - Zonoscope |
Cut Copy - Zonoscope
Style: Indie Rock, Electronic Dance Disco
Pros: Fun, a bit of progression from their earlier works.
Cons: It's hard to follow their two great albums Bright Like Neon Love and In Ghost Colours.
Overview: Upon first listen, I thought Zonoscope was good, but didn't blow me away like In Ghost Colours...
Cut Copy is definitely trying to progress with their style (into a bit more indie rock band sounding), however still keeping the fun dance elements that have made them popular. With that said, it is very hard to follow their previous effort, In Ghost Colours. Although, the more I've listened to Zonoscope, the more I appreciated it and Cut Copy's progression. Plus, it's like $5.99 on Amazon
Top Songs: I like all the songs.
4 out of 5 Vinyls
Purchase: Zonoscope
Cut Copy Website
Cut Copy Mixtape - A Tale of Two Journeys
2.02.2011
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Album Review: Fenech-Soler |
Fenech-Soler - Self Titled Debut Album
Style: Indie Electro Pop-ish
Pros: A Fun listen.
Cons: I am not sure of how to exactly pronounce their name.
Overview: Fenech-Soler's self titled debut album is a fun Electro pop album, that was released under the radar (I didn't even know they released this album last year despite the few singles they released) It's also not currently available in the States, so er... buying an import CD maybe... or through their website...
Anyways Fenech-Soler first caught my attention on the Groove Armada song Paper Romance... and if you do like that song you will probably like this album. Although, the Groove Armada song may seem a bit more smooth and melodic than anything you'll find on this album. Fenech-Soler does have some good songs and is worthy of listen.
Top Songs: Lies, Stop and Stare, Demons
3.25 out of 5 vinyls
Fenech-Soler Website
Purchase Single: Stop and Stare
1.04.2011
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Album Review: Magnetic Man - Magnetic Man |
Magnetic Man - Magnetic Man
Style: Dubstep
Pros: Better than most Dubstep albums
Cons: not much
Overview: If you're not really into Dubstep, but you want to develop an ear for it, Magnetic Man (created from the likes of Benga, Skream and Artwork) is the perfect crossover album to do so. I, personally have reservations about all the Dubstep music going on out there, but this Magnetic Man album shows Dubstep can be a strong contender in the world of electronic music. I'm still not sure how people dance to this type of music (just bobbing their heads I presume).
Top Songs: I Need Air, Perfect Stranger; Getting Nowhere
4 out of 5 vinyls
Magnetic Man website
Purchase: Magnetic Man
12.28.2010
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Album Review: Grum - Heartbeats |
Grum - Heartbeats
Style: 80's Synth Dance Disco
Pros: Fun, cheesy in a good way.
Cons: Grum has release a lot of songs in the past year and some of those awesome songs aren't on this album.
Overview: Despite not having those songs mentioned above, Heartbeats is a good album. I did take a while to review to this album as I already had a few of the songs on it. Grum, definitely has his own style going here, even though it is pretty much derived from the 80's dance pop era and disco. So to reiterate what I said earlier Heartbeats, is a just that, a fun album to listen to.
Top Songs: Through the Night; Runaway; Heartbeats
3.5 out of 5
Grum Website
12.20.2010
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DJ Mix Review: Above & Beyond - Anjunabeats 8 |
Above & Beyond - Anjunabeats Volume 8
Style: Progressive Trance, house
Pros: Nice, Spacey music like the cover insists.
Cons: I keep miss-pronouncing "Anjunabeats"
Overview: So I thought "gone were my days of Progressive Trance era." However, after listening to Above & Beyond's DJ mix, I can say it is still in me somewhere. Anjunabeats Volume 8, out on Ultra Records, makes for a nice listen. It's good for spacing out, doing household work, or writing a post like this one. I have been so removed from this genre, that I forgot that it makes for a nice listen.
3.5 out of 5 vinyls
Anjunabeats website
12.16.2010
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Album Review: Deadmau5 - 4x4 = 12 |
Deadmau5 - 4x4 = 12
Style: Electo Tech, Dubstep, Progressive, Minimal
Pros: Various genre dance music.
Cons: I already had half the songs before I bought this album.
Overview: This is a tough album to review because there are songs that I like, and then there are songs that I do not like (Yes, it's as simple as that). Deadmau5, has managed to put a song out for almost every genre in electronic music, which is a great feat for an album. And yes he is dipping into the hot, of-the-moment, dubstep. So overall, I did enjoy this album even though I will be skipping over some songs the next time I play it.
Top Songs: Animal Rights; Right this Second; Everything Before
3.35 out of 5 (around there anyway)
Deadmau5 website
12.13.2010
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Album Review: Daft Punk - Tron Legacy Soundtrack |
Daft Punk - Tron Legacy Soundtrack
Style: Dark Electronic music meets Hans Zimmer
Pros: Sounds like a movie score
Cons: If you're expecting classic Daft Punk, you'll be disappointed.
Overview: This is a score to a movie so it's hard to review it... but honestly, if you are expecting Daft Punk disco house, or any of there signature style you'll be disappointed. I like the Tron Legacy score, but it sounds like a cross between Inception and The Dark Knight thrown in with some electronic music (I wrote an article about Hans Zimmer possibly being a part of this Tron Legacy Score here). I probably would have never known it was Daft Punk if it wasn't advertised that way. I still like it, though. Oh yeah, it's also $8 (was $4) on Amazon... get it while it lasts.
3 out of 5 vinyls
Tron Legacy Website
Hans Zimmer Touching up Daft Punk's Tron Legacy Score?
Tron Legacy Movie Review
11.29.2010
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Album Review: Brandon Flowers - Flamingo |
Brandon Flowers - Flamingo
Style: The Killers without the synth
Pros: Nice to listen to
Cons: Not a Hot Fuss.
Overview: Brandon Flowers solo project outside of The Killers is a nice sounding album. I'm guessing it's a more introspective look into the man with the Flowers, rather than what he's released with his band. Flamingo doesn't have the staple of The Killers' Hot Fuss debut, but it makes for a nice listen... and a good road trip album.
Top Songs: Only the Young; Magdalena; Crossfire.
3 out of 5 vinyls
Brandon Flowers Website.
Only the Young
Crossfire
11.22.2010
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Album Review: Rihanna - Loud |
Rihanna - Loud
Style: Pop, dance
Pros: Fun
Cons: Pop, heavy radio rotation
Overview: You know what? I like it. Maybe it's some sort of guilty pleasure trip. Rihanna has always been a good and fun singer. Hey don't judge... Also, it's only $5 on Amazon for the regular edition.
Top Songs: S&M; Only Girl; Man Down
3.25 out of 5 vinyls
Rihanna's Website.
Purchase: Loud [Explicit]
Only Girl (in the World)
What's My Name? (Feat. Drake)
11.15.2010
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Album Review: Danny Byrd - Rave Digger |
Danny Byrd - Rave Digger
Style: Melodic Funky Drum and Bass.
Pros: Fun.
Cons: Hard to follow his awesome album, Supersized.
Overview: Rave Digger features collaborations from I-Kay, Netsky, London Elektricity, and the rest of the Hospital Records crew, just to name a few. So if you're a Hospital fan, then you probably already own this album... For the rest of us that may be on the fence, Rave Digger is quite enjoyable. Even though it doesn't have the big impact of his debut album Supersized, Rave Digger does come with some good songs (ie: Tonight... sick!!!), and it is worth a listen. On a side note, I think this guy likes Space, as there are many references to the Space Shuttles and what have you (well I guess that's electronic music in general)--- anyways that's just blah, blah, blah, talk, buy the album if you like.
Top Songs: Tonight; Failsafe; Sweet Harmony.
3.5 out of 5 vinyls
Hospital Records' Danny Byrd Website
Hospital 7 mixed by Danny Byrd Review
Supersized Album Review
9.13.2010
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Album Review: Underworld - Barking |
Underworld - Barking
Style: Electronic, House, Drum & Bass
Pros: Great Collaborations
Cons: Not really big on the songs in which they created themselves.
Overview: I liked this album. A new direction. A new style. The first two releases off the album are great way to kick it off. My only caveat is that I didn't really care for a couple of the songs that they created themselves. (Yes, I am still an Underworld fan). Also it's a bit short, running at 9 songs. There is an extra song on the Japanese version, but it's not really anything special; just a nice closing to the album. I think the deluxe version comes with a DVD of all the songs... sounds cool!
Underworld's collaborative efforts is what makes this album one to listen to:
Dubfire (half of Deep Dish), on Bird 1 and Grace,
Mark Knight and D. Ramirez (worked with Karl Hyde on that dance hit, Downpipe) on Always Loved a Film and Between Stars
High Contrast (Drum and Bass icon you should know) on Scribble and Moon in Water
Paul van Dyk (trance legend) on Diamond Jigsaw.
Barking is a good album, and is much dance friendly as compared to their previous efforts. I expect many remixes to come.
Top Songs: Scribble; Always Loved a Film; Diamond Jigsaw; all those I mentioned in the paragraph above.
4 out of 5 (closer to 3.75 out of 5) vinyls
Underworld Live website.
Song of the month September: Underworld - Always Loved a Film
Song of the month June: Underworld - Scribble
9.07.2010
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DJ Mix Review: Celebrate Life Mixed By Sebastian Ingrosso & Mr. White |
Sensation Celebrate Life Amersterdam 2010 - Mixed by Sebastian Ingrosso and Mr. White
Style: Swedish House
Pros: Two disc or two part if you download it
Cons: It's good but doesn't exude anything I've heard before.
Overview: Sebastian Ingrosso provides the first mix with his usual bumping, hard Swedish House. I forgot how hard and blaring some of his songs are. A good mix, but a bit hard to listen to if you're not primed for going out to a club.
The second mix is provided by Mr. White (who I think has a residency at Sensation?-- hey I'm half a world away... i don't know) I like this mix, it's a bit darker and contains more drum elements for a more minimal approach.
Both mixes are a good listen, even though I feel a bit old when listening to Ingrosso's blaring techno songs. It also comes unmixed on iTunes... making it a pretty good purchase.
Top Songs: Miike Snow - Silvia (Sebastian Ingrosso & Dirty South Remix); Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime (Axwell Remix); AN21 & Max Vangeli - Swedish Beauty
3.5 out of 5 vinyls
Although, I think this is the Axwell and Henrik B Remode... ehh, they sound similar.
8.30.2010
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DJ Mix Review: SW4 Preview Mixed by Boys Noize |
DJ Mag Presents Boys Noize - SW4 Preview Mix
Style: Techno, Electro
Pros: Boys Noize
Cons: Not mastered perfectly. A bit repetitive to listen to when you're just driving in your car around town.
Overview: This is a very Techno and Electro-tech mix, much as we'd expect from Boys Noize. Since much of the songs in this mix are probably better suited for a club or festival sound system, I found it hard to listen to on my own. Also, the mastering on the mix was weird; some of the songs were a bit soft while others were much louder (I kept turning the volume up and down).
Top Songs: Jan Driver - Tellyfoam
2.5 out of 5 vinyls
DJ Mag Website.
Boys Noize Website.
8.23.2010
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DJ Mix Review: Calvin Harris - L.E.D. Festival Mixmag |
Style: House, Techno, Electro House
Pros: It's fun, for the most part.
Cons: Doesn't really make me think of a Calvin Harris mix.
Overview: There are some good songs and some okay songs. What bugged me about this mix is that it doesn't really have any of the Calvin Harris synths and style that we've all enjoyed from his albums.
Top Songs: Burns - Show Me the Night; Jan Driver - Tellyfoam; Prok & Fitch Pres. Nanchang Nancy - Walk With Me (Axwell Vs. Daddy's Groove Remix)
3.5 out of 5 vinyls
Calvin Harris website.
