Various Production Versus

Trolling along the outskirts of dubstep and grime since 2003, Various Production is about as close to a modern-day Omni Trio as anyone else is gonna get. It’s not just the jazzy influences, big vocals, and careful distancing from the track-a-week producer grind, either–like Rob Haigh, the Various Production guys are older, wiser, and a little more talented than your average FruityLoops jock. As such, Various pulls some nice tricks on remixes like Foals’ “Red Sox,” which re-imagines the former math rockers into an odd hybrid of Bloc Party, Burial, and The Cure. And since this is also a versus album, young bloods like Zomby turn in fantastically drastic reworks, like giving Various’ own “Haters,” a dose of bizarre 8-bit bounce.

Grandmaster Flash Drops Comeback Album

It’s been 20 years since Joseph Saddler, otherwise known as Grandmaster Flash, has released a studio album. Known for developing the “cutting” turntable technique (which eventually lead to “scratching”), Saddler turned heads and ears combining hip-hop and electronic music alongside other old-school institutions, such as rappers Curtis Blow, Lovebug Starski, Melle Mel, and Kid(d) Creole. Last year, Flash was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with the Furious Five, his freestyle-battling gang of MCs.

The famous New York-based DJ is finally staging his return with a star-studded lineup of tracks on an album that has been two years in the making. The new album, The Bridge: Concept Of A Culture, represents, according to Saddler, “all the bridges I’ve crossed worldwide.” It will feature Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Q-Tip, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, and other contributing vocalists and MCs. Find it in stores March 3 on Flash’s own Adrenaline City Entertainment label, as well as on Strut Records.

The Bridge: Concept Of A Culture
01 Welcome
02 Shine All Day feat. Q-Tip, Jumz, and Kel Spencer
03 We Speak Hip Hop feat. KRS-One, Afasi, Kase-O, Maccho, Abass
04 Here Comes My DJ feat. DJ Kool and DJ Demo
05 Bounce Back feat. Busta Rhymes
06 Swagger feat. Red Café, Snoop Dogg and Lynn Carter
07 What If feat. KRS-One
08 Unanswered (Interlude)
09 Tribute To The Breakdancer feat. MC Supernatural
10 Grown & Sexy feat. Mr. Cheeks
11 When I Get There feat. Big Daddy Kane and Hedonis Da Amazon
12 Connection (Interlude)
13 I Got Sumthin’ To Say feat. Lordikim, J-Flo and Almighty Thor
14 Can I Take You Higher feat. Mr. Cheeks, Granmaster Caz and Tito
15 Unpredictable feat. Syndee and Big Daddy Kane
16 Those Chix feat. Byata, Princess Superstar and Hedonis Da Amazon
17 Bronx Bombers feat. Lordikim, Almighty Thor and Mann Child
18 Zuka The Sound (Interlude)
19 Oh Man feat. Syndee and Natacha Atlas

Deerhunter, Stereolab on Free 4AD Comp

In a nod to days gone by, when labels released sampler packages with the intention of encouraging consumers to purchase CDs, the folks at 4AD are giving music fans a little gift for the holidays. The label has gathered 12 tracks from the likes of Atlas Sound, Stereolab, Department of Eagles, and TV on the Radio, and turned them into a digital label sampler that’s now up for download. Songs are taken from previously released albums currently available from the label. They even give you the chance to preview each track before you hit download.

TV On The Radio “Golden Age” – Dear Science
Deerhunter – “Nothing Ever Happened” – Microcastle
Department Of Eagles – “No One Does It Like You” – In Ear Park
Anni Rossi – “Ecology” – Afton EP
Stereolab – “Neon Beanbag” – Chemical Chords
Atlas Sound – “River Card” – Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
It Hugs Back – “Work Day” – Inside Your Guitar (forthcoming)
Minotaur Shock – “My Burr” – Amateur Dramatics
Johann Johannsson – “Melodia (i)” – Fordlandia
Bon Iver – “Skinny Love” – For Emma, Forever Ago
The Breeders – “Bang On” – Mountain Battles
The Mountain Goats – “Sax Rohmer #1” – Heretic Pride

Photo by Bryan Melz.

The 12 Days of Christmas, Day 1

Each December, the XLR8R staff takes a few minutes every morning to spout off about what we’d like to see wrapped up and under the tree come December 25. Editor Ken Taylor kicks off the 2008 edition of our 12 Days of Christmas series with a few words on why he’s ditched our local coffee shop and fallen under the charms of the Keurig Platinum B70 single-cup coffeemaker.

Dear Coffee Shop Up the Street:?

We need to talk. You know when I was away in Montreal a few weeks back? Well, this isn’t gonna be easy to say, but I met someone else there–and I think it’s time I started seeing other coffeemakers.

I’m sorry, but the moment I locked eyes with Keurig Platinum, I couldn’t resist her charms. Her sleek black-and-silver style and come-hither look had me the moment I walked in my hotel room door–and from there on out, it was magical. Whatever I wanted–a quick shot of espresso, a tall morning pick-me-up, a short afternoon java–she delivered the perfect cup every time, whenever I wanted and in any size I wanted. I was in love, and before I could even tell you, I was already telling my friends all about her.

Speaking of me and you: Remember that time that I brought my friends by your place? And it took you nearly 10 minutes to make three coffees for us? Gawd, that was embarrassing! Keurig wouldn’t dream of leaving me hanging like that; in fact, with her super-quick, quiet brewing prowess, she knocks out three single coffees in as many minutes. Whatever roast or flavor we desire comes so naturally to Keurig, as not only is she packaged with an assortment of 18 different coffees and teas, but dozens of our favorite companies (Tully’s, Ghirardelli, Caribou, Timothy’s, Van Houtte) offer their own roasts in Keurig-compatible K-Cups (the cute little grounds-filled cups that you drop into the machine, which kick out a brew in less than a minute and are easily disposed of with absolutely zero mess) at less than 50 cents a cup. And while we’re on the topic of mess, I’ve also said good-bye to paper cups, too! Think of the trees we’ll save now that we’re kaput.

As you probably guessed, Keurig’s here with me in San Francisco now, and yes, I’ve even secured her a position at the XLR8R office, where everyone’s taking to her quite nicely. The guys love the way her blue LCD and water reservoir light up when they walk in the room; and the girls can’t complain because she gets her work done quickly and efficiently, offering not just the usual high-end coffeemaker programmability, but also finer touches like brew size and brew temp–something your bitter pots could learn a thing or two about!

My friends all agree, too, that it’s best this way. Heck, they’ve already started hanging out with her younger sisters, Elite, Special Edition, and Mini, so it’s looking like we’re gonna have quite an interesting group for the holidays. Sorry you’re not invited, but it’d just be, well, you know… awkward.

MSRP: $199.95

Day 1: Keurig Platinum B70 single-cup coffeemaker
Day 2: Score! Merge Records: The First 20 Years
Day 3: Low Self-Esteem by Katie West
Day 4: New Balance 420 and PF Flyers’ Number 5
Day 5: Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films
Day 6: Kenwood TT756SL 2-Slice Radio Toaster
Day 7: The Ghostly Box
Day 8: Pentax SMC DA* Series 16-50mm F2.8 and 50-135mm F2.8 DSLR lenses

Faunts “Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.”

Two albums, a debut U.S. tour, and one remix release later, Faunts are ready to unleash yet-more gorgeous indie rock upon us. The Canadian five-piece outfit will release its latest full-length, Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. on February 17 on its longtime home at Friendly Fire Recordings. As with previous releases, the new album finds the boys mixing gauzy guitars with electronic loops and singing about love. Here’s the title track off the album.

Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.
01 Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.
02 Input
03 It Hurts Me all the Time
04 Out on a Limb
05 Lights are Always On
06 Das Malefitz
07 I Think I’ll Start a Fire
08 Alarmed/Lights
09 So Far Away
10 Explain

01 Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.

Karin of The Knife Readies Solo Album

While her brother Olof pens an opera in honor of Charles Darwin, The Knife‘s Karin Dreijer Andersson is keeping herself busy with a solo project under her new name Fever Ray.

She’ll release her debut album on March 24 via Mute. Andersson, in a recent press release, cited the fact that she “can’t stop working” and a newly discovered love for singing as a couple reasons for her new project.

The album’s first single, “If I Had a Heart,” will be released digitally on December 16. Live Fever Ray shows are rumored to begin next year.

Best of 2008: Evidence

Dilated Peoples’ main MC, Evidence, big ups Lil’ Wayne, Atmosphere, and Reason 4.

What was the best album of 2008?

Lil’ Wayne, Tha Carter III. Hate it, love it, hate it, love it again. When that happens, you really got something special. From the underground on up, you loved this record.

Who was the best artist of 2008?

Atmosphere. You can’t knock his hustle. Go jump in their world. Impressive. We [Dilated Peoples] did Soundset 08 [in Minneapolis]. I watched 15,000 people singing all the words singing the words to their songs. On the net, Crooked I did his thing in ’08 for sure. Doing a freestyle every week like clockwork isn’t easy.

Who was the worst artist of 2008?

Dr. Dre. I need new inspiration! Please drop the next classic! He inspires 99.9% of the rap game, period.

What was the best music-making technology in 2008?

Reason 3 or 4. The sounds that are coming outta that program are really powerful. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my ASR-10 and MPC 2000xl… However, the future is the future.

What was the best style trend of 2008?

Not having to rap about guns and cars to be accepted; lyricism really getting shine. A lot new talent springing up also sprung up on the West Coast which, of course you know, I rep to the fullest.

What was the worst music trend of 2008?

The “celeb” DJ trend. It’s nice to see a dope actor at a party, but not behind the decks! It’s like, “Holy shit, is that Leo Dicaprio playing ‘I Get Money?’”

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

Miwon A to B

Driven by quivering, crisp beats, Miwon’s A to B is a bright record that finds the German producer matching his affinity for techno with ornamental, casually evolving melodic pop. The interplay of programmed taps and birdsong at the forefront of A to B speaks well to his angle: This is chipper fare, with artful crescendos bursting reliably after a surplus of layered build-ups. Both “Matchbox” and “Round and Round” play host to a great deal of rustling background clatter at the onset, before overtly glassy tones à la Kaito or Ulrich Schnauss filter in overtop. Miwon exhibits a too-rare acumen with atmospheric nuances, but he tempers it mindfully, steering clear of the trance pop that lingers around the bend.

Wavves “So Bored”

Nathan Daniel Williams sings about being bored so emphatically here that we’re inclined to believe the 22-year-old musician behind Wavves is experiencing one hell of a trip through inertia. And there are plenty more of his static-drenched, DIY beach-punk songs to be had. “So Bored” arrives fresh off Williams’ second album, a self-titled one, save for the extra “v” in the title (which is apparently intentional), which will be released on February 3 of next year. Bloggers and sites are watching Williams closely, so next year should keep him well away from the boredom he laments over here.

Wavvves
01 Rainbow Everywhere
02 Sun Opens My Eyes
03 Get in the Sun
04 Jetplane (Staying on A )
05 No Hope Kids
06 More Fur
07 So Bored
08 Summer Goth
09 Surf Goth
10 Goth Girls
11 Ghost Ramp
12 Killr Punx
13 Scary Demons

Wavves – Sobored

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