Page 2787 – XLR8R

Best of 2008: Megan Whitmarsh

The L.A-based visual artist Megan Whitmarsh loved Ratatat and Tauba Auerbach. They Might Be Giants, not so much.

What was the best album of 2008?

Ratatat LP3 (XL). Their songs give me deja-vu. They feel nostalgic and resonant, and yet also modern. It sounds like Vietnamese restaurant music meets Trans Am.

Who was the worst artist of 2008?

I don’t know… I hate to be mean. They Might Be Giants came out with a new record–their sound has always annoyed me. The record is for kids, but I have kids and I still don’t want to hear them. There are lots of cool things for kids to listen to like Free Design’s Songs for Very Important People, the Vince Guaraldi Trio, Shirley Ellis, etc. without having to hear throwaway songs about monkeys and birdhouses.

What was the best style trend of 2008?

Clothes with real things printed on them, like pens sticking out of pockets and cameras or chains strung around necks, fake pockets and plackets and buttons on dresses. An update of the “tuxedo t-shirt” that makes clothes feel like costumes.

What was the worst style trend of 2008?

“Limited edition” anything. People waiting in lines overnight to buy a pair of sneakers or a toy that has been mass produced, except they only made a few thousand instead of a few hundred thousand. People should make stuff their own or make their own stuff rather than pay inflated prices for what is essentially hype.

Who was your favorite visual artist of 2008?

It’s a tie between Tauba Auerbach and Providence, Rhode Island artist C.F. Tauba’s work is weirdly handmade and yet kind of perfect. Conceptually, it contains both simplicity and depth. It’s math-centric, meditative, repetitive, and great-looking. C.F.’s idiosyncratic universe is both beautiful and ominous, containing bits of a medieval past and an apocalyptic future.

Best of 2008
Drop the Lime
Abe Vigoda
Bradford Cox
Andrew Jeffrey Wright
eLZhi
Cut Copy
Fucked Up
Evidence
Vivian Girls
Matt Furie
dj/ Rupture
Telepathe
The Death Set
Holy Ghost
Mochipet
CTRL
Plump DJs
Jose James
Worship Worthy
Peter Beste
Hercules and Love Affair
Magda
The Alchemist
DC Recordings
Megan Whitmarsh

Skeletons Money

Skeletons are one of the few contemporary bands that can legitimately be called “original.” Led by Matt Mehlan, the New York quartet has wrangled a distinctive mélange of leftfield influences into un-purist jolts of sonic dazzlement. A mere list of Skeletons’ stylistic tropes–No Wave, free jazz, Afrobeat, post-punk, high life, the artiest art rock–doesn’t do justice to the wallop of exciting newness that each track on Money delivers. Mehlan and Co. have synthesized some of the most sublime fringe-music tics into novel expressions of artistry. Their formal innovation combines with emotional heft–Mehlan’s voice is a supple, subtle instrument of deep feeling–to forge an unforgettable listen that seems destined to improve over time. Just don’t expect to tidily classify it.

Best of 2008: DC Recordings

James Dyer, label manager of the British prog/disco/electro imprint, DC Recordings, has his squirrelly alter ego pick the best and worst of the year.

Who was the best artist of 2008?

Zombie Zombie. Good record. Good live. Good synths. Good drums. Not so good shorts.

Who was the worst artist of 2008?

We’re lovers, not haters

What was your favorite record label of 2008?

Mississippi. Weird and wonderful selection of forgotten fruit tastefully wrapped in handmade covers.

What was your favorite 12″ single of 2008?

Steel An Skin “Afro Punk Reggae Dub”(Honest Jon’s). It’s what is says on the tin.

Who was your favorite visual artist of 2008?

Julian Hand, for his use and transportation of the OHP and exploding inks.

What was the worst music trend of 2008?

Giving away music for free. We got squirrels to feed!

Little Jinder “Polyhedron (Konrad Old Money Remix)”

Recent Trouble & Bass signee Little Jinder has proven her melody-driven pop productions are highly suitable for remixing, what with her EP, Polyhedron, getting a 10-track remix album earlier in 2008, with contributions from the likes of Black Holes, The Boys and Girls Club, and Aumenaire. The latest crew to take on the Swedish electro-pop chanteuse is the rapping, DJing, Earl Grey drinking trio Old Money. The dynamic NY-based group included this remix of Polyhedron‘s title track on their free, digital-only EP, Scareapeutic, currently making its way around the blogosphere.

Little Jinder – Polyhedron (Konrad Old Money Remix)

Best of 2008: The Alchemist

Hip-hop’s beloved producer, The Alchemist, gives his picks and pans of ’08.

What was the best album of 2008?

Blu and T’raach’s collaboration as C.R.A.C. I don’t like any individual song, I just play the whole album. It’s cohesive, has personality, and sounds like they had fun making it.

Who was the best artist of 2008?

Lil’ Wayne. Not because of the obvious overwhelming sales, but because, despite the fact that you couldn’t escape him, he still stayed fresh and entertaining on every record, and had no fear when it came to collaboration choices or pushing the creative boundaries of rap.

Who was the worst artist of 2008?

Young Berg. And that was just ’cause I had to pick a worst. (I don’t like to spend my energy on the negative.) Nothing personal–just uneventful, non-risk-taking commercial music and it’s not my thing.

What was the best music-making equipment of 2008?

My trusty Ensoniq ASR-10 for hardware; Renaissance Waves EQs for software.

What was the best style trend of 2008?

Bringing back black and white instead of wild colors. Bringing back gold instead of ice and platinum, or no jewels at all. Less is always more.

What was the worst music trend of 2008?

The vocoder “T-Pain” effect. Sounds real nice and all, but just not on hip-hop. It’s too polished and perfect. Roger Troutman is probably rolling over in his grave right now.

Devin the Dude Landing Gear

Houston hemp-hopper Devin the Dude has one of rap’s best personalities–right up there with Biz Markie and Flavor Flav. Somehow, Devin’s laid-back, somewhat humorous, regular-guy-just-tryna-get-high shtick never gets tired, and Landing Gear’s mostly midtempo, subtly soulful grooves take him to his destination. Sparse beats place the emphasis squarely on Devin’s sublimely stoned delivery, and on tracks like “I Can’t Make It Home,” “Let Me Know It’s Real,” and “I Don’t Chase ’Em (feat. Snoop Dogg),” the perennial underdog makes a strong case for much wider appreciation without going over-the-top commercial. If you’re looking for something chill to listen to while you get your smoke on, it’s hard to go wrong here.

Sonar 2009 Announces General Ticket Sale

Some glad tidings for those who’ve been pondering how much hard-earned cash they’ll have to fork over to attend this year’s Sonar Festival in Barcelona, Spain. The three-day music and multimedia festival—set to take place June 18, 19, and 20—is now offering a special price of 125 euros a pop on all general admission passes, through January 31.

Once February 1 rolls around, the price will rise to 140 euros, which doesn’t sound like a huge increase, but in this era of credit crunch, every dollar—foreign currency or no—counts. Tickets can be purchased online right now.

Still no word as to the lineup, but with a past roster that includes Ricardo Villalobos, Boys Noize, The Field, Flying Lotus, Neon Neon, and even unlikely candidates The Beastie Boys, the 2009 edition should be worth coughing up the cash for.

Pictured: Ricardo Villalobos. Photo By Marielle Van Doseburg.

Best of 2008: Magda

Minus’ minimal queen, Magda, on new school perms and soulless techno.

Who was your favorite DJ in 2008?

Patrick Russell. He has great track selection and a unique style. I especially love his slow tracky techno sets.

What was the best 12″ single of 2008?

Stimming “The Anger.” I love this slow-building Moodymann-like groove.

What was the best style trend of 2008?

The new eco-perm and sustainable jheri curl. It’s modern-day Sheila E glam without the ’80s damage. You get all the hype with no hassle.

What was the worst style trend of 2008?

Crocs, especially Crocs with charms. They’re kind of disturbing, like clowns in a children’s hospital.

What was the best music trend of 2008?

The Eastern bloc vogueing underground. What do you think jump-started the house revival?

What was the worst music trend of 2008?

Tika tika tika tika techno. Too much swing and too little funk.

Poker Flat Announces 10-Year Album

With label boss Steve Bug locked in his studio and rumored to be at work on a new album, Trentemøller, Argy, and Martin Landsky planning January and February tour dates, and a 100th release, “House of God (Poker Flat Remixes),” already on record store shelves, 2009 is shaping up to be a busy year for Germany’s Poker Flat imprint.

The label will also celebrate a decade of making music next year, and has announced a corresponding album, to be released in March. Though details are still few and far between, 10 Years of Poker Flat will include a series of special releases and a limited-edition box set. No word as to the tracklisting, but a quick peek at the label’s current roster is, perhaps, an indication.

In the meantime, the aforementioned projects and show dates should keep you tided over until March.

Pictured: Label boss Steve Bug.

Black Lips “Starting Over”

Black Lips announced a new album, the grandly titled 200 Million Thousand, earlier in December, and the Atlanta, GA-based garage rocking four-piece, after promising the new release would be a more melodic affair, released this track to prove the point. Following the album’s release, on February 24, the band will embark on what’s shaping up to be another lengthy tour, an no doubt has plenty of onstage antics planned.

Black Lips – Starting Over

Page 2787 of 3781

« Previous 1 … 2,785 2,786 2,787 2,788 2,789 … 3,781 Next »

Support Independent Media