I was a bit skeptical when I was first introduced to Hearts Revolution - one of their big tracks features Cory Kennedy so I immediately assumed they were just another ‘hipster band’ and not worth wasting my precious blogging time on. And then I came to the realization that I could categorize pretty much every band I listen to as a ‘hipster band’…. and does that title even matter?! I get called a ‘hipster’ everyday - I work at Urban Outfitters and last year I was a slave to those god awful headbands. Well, I used to scorn everyone who labeled me as such but I’ve recently taken a new outlook on the whole situation: So what if I am a ‘hipster’ and so what if Hearts Revolution are a ‘hipster band’?! Being cool is not a crime, it’s a privilege. And on that note…if you enjoy a little electro thrash/metal/noisy hipster goodness then you will probably take a liking to these bad ass New Yorkers.
‘Switchblade’ is epic. It has one of those weirdly and unexpectedly catchy beats that you just can’t help busting a move to. However, it did take me a few listens to really get into it… but it is SO worth hitting that repeat button for!
And as can be expected of any hip new band, Hearts Revolution have been getting the remix treatment from pretty much, um, everyone. Well, at least everyone whose myspaces are worth frequenting. L.A. Riots‘ remix of ‘Switchblade’ seems to be a favourite in the blogisphere, but in my opinion, the kids who really put the acid-washed denim in this track are Montreal’s Nu Ravers on the Block. So how about heading on over to their myspace to check it out….!!!
More remix candy comes in the form of Brooklyn’s Lauren Flax and her re-working of ‘C.Y.O.A’. It feels as though Miss Flax went a tad Miss Kittin and the Hacker on this one - and I like it!!!
There’s good news to those of you who, like me, spent a good part of 2003-2004 with Postal Service’s Give Up on repeat (ah, remember those salad days, when you could still enjoy Garden State free from the knowledge of what a d-bag Zach Braff was, or how cliche Natalie Portman’s Manic Pixie Girl character would become). Though Postal Service has not graced the airwaves (…blog…net…waves?) with another record, I’ve found Faded Paper Figures’ debut album “Dynamo” to be an excellent supplement for those craving pretty lyrical music with an electronic backbone.
That’s not to say Faded Paper Figures is merely a Ben-Gibbard-side-project-knockoff; the California trio ground their electronic sound with acoustic and electric guitar, combining the two elements to make a kind of electronic-folk hybrid. The vocals provided by R. John Williams are well complemented by Heather Alden’s harmonies which, when backed by Williams’ and Kael Alden’s instrumentals, produces a sweet sound which reminds this listener as much of Stars as it does Postal Service. And that is a beautiful thing.
Here are my fave tracks:
So I’m super excited because tomorrow I shall be in Toronto. OOOoooo WEEE it’s gonna be awesome. I am so pumped. So pumped. So, I have a few songs to share to get you in the mood too. So let’s party B, come and dance with me! Woop woop!
I love the Presets. They toured with fellow Australians Cut Copy and they kicked major ass. YEYE! Just as danceable as Cut Copy but totally different sound. The vocals are incredible, so raw. This, plus darker and deeper beats induce some dancing. Just a little. Un poco.
Can’t really go wrong with Dizzee Rascal. Awesome remix from Shazam who is also from Australia. I’ve been listening to this non-stop for the past couple days.=)
Hello dear friends. I stumbled onto this video today by Justice called ‘Stress’. Yes, yes I know it would be considered an old video to the standards of keen hipsters, but today was the first time I saw it. I don’t necessarily like the song that much, too bland, and to me Justice is alright, but this video shook me up! I was speaking to a Parisian girl (shout outs to Elodie my CSer) and she described the gratuitous, wanton violence from the youth of Paris exactly as this video portrays it. It’s a sad reality that not too many people are talking about. It’s not a video about trying to offend in a pretty much offense-less world, but more of a video showing just how messed up, confused, and misdirected youth can be.
It took a performance on Conan to remind me, but Ben Folds is still pretty entertaining. While the sense of humor can rub people the wrong way, I’ve always appreciated his style. There are very few pianists who can get away with not one, but two songs called “Bitch Went Nuts,” he happens to be one of them.
Of course, the video of Ben and Regina Spektor performing “You Don’t Know Me” just happened to be yanked from Youtube, so I’ll have to make due with the official video, directed by and featuring Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! It’s at least equally amusing. It has a lack of Regina being cute though.
The following is a song from an EP that gathered the collective talents of Ben Kweller, Ben Lee and Ben Folds under the moniker of ‘The Bens’. It was a rather excellent collaboration.
There’s a lot of awesome bands in Seattle. A lot of them are my favorite bands. I’m not sure what it is about the west coast, i just relate to the music there more or something… But the one that is grabbing my attention the most right now is the band that is Telekinesis!
Exams are coming up and that means a lot of procrastination…I’m super good at it. In fact, I am pro. One of the things I like to do most while procrastinating is having dance parties. They are pretty sweet.
So, I’ve uploaded a playlist of songs I’ve been rockin’ out to lately. Old new retro nu disco minimal pop electro dance beatZ. It doesn’t matter the style ’cause it’s all awesommmme! Have a great weekend =)
