Friday, May 25, 2007

Funky Friday Has Bangin' Beats

Matthew Dear - Good To Be Alive
Asa Breed
Leftfield microhouser Matthew Dear's new album drops June 5th on Ghostly International. It's house-y and glitchy like all of the good Ghostly stuff is, but then he throws real instruments into the mix and tops it all of with his baritone croon. It adds up to a unique take on minimal electronica, influenced by the polyrhythms of Byrne and Eno. I've only had this for a couple of days but I like what I hear.
Digitalism - Zdarlight
Idealism
The Hamburg duo who have come to be known for their remixes finally get their debut out, and it's another mish mash of styles and sounds. Their sound is always hard, a mix of rock and electronics, filled with riffage and memorable tunes. They include a bit of the Cure's Fire In Cairo in Digitalism In Cairo to great effect. This is robot rock that cribs from all of the usual sources ('ello Daft Punk) but doesn't bore like so much of it ('ello Daft Punk). A bumpin' LP.
Chemical Brothers - A Modern Midnight Conversation
We Are The Night
Tom and Ed are back, and they've brought a pretty entertaining record with them. It's a solid mix of bangin' instrumentals and songs with featured vocalists. The Klaxons, Midlake and Fatlip (Pharcyde) are all present. I keep thinking I'm over these guys but somehow they keep bringing me back into the fold.
New Young Pony Club - Fan
Fantastic Playroom
This London 5 piece drop their debut next month. It's a heady brew of indie rock, disco, no wave funk, electro and synth pop. For influences think LCD Soundsystem, Gang of Four, Talking Heads, ESG and even Grace Jones. There is a touch of electroclash in this with the monotone singing and '80s synths. I really am enjoying this album's hard and sexy dance party vibes.

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