Buy: iTunes | Amazon

Dragonette -

Fixin To Thrill

[Out 9/29 in Canada, 10/3 in Australia, 10/27 in US]
Released by Mercury Records (Canada), Universal (Australia), I Surrender (US)

Dragonette, a Canadian electronic pop group, is back with their second album, Fixin to Thrill. “Fixin to Thrill,” “Gone Too Far” and “Pick up the Phone,” are all stand out singles from the album, which have grown in popularity over the course of this year. Fixin to Thrill is not a ground-breaking album or a beacon of undeniable greatness, but it is pleasure for the ears and an upbeat poppy record for the collection.

Lead singer and songwriter, Martina Sorbara, said “We were just king of making up shit as we went along and we still are doing that.”

No longer guitar heavy, the album stands out as much more polished than their first. Fixin to Thrill is perfectly produced and carries digitally pleasing blends throughout. It has catchy riffs in almost every track and pop hooks that make it up lifting.

It opens with a bang, well, the hit single “Fixin to Thrill,” then continues into another possible chart breaker, “Gone Too Far.” “Gone Too Far” carries the electronic pop energy from “Fixin’ to Thrill” but adds a little something extra that sets the tone for the rest of the album, think electronic-pop meets a country hoedown with great vocals. The album takes a few dips from its livelihood mid way through.

In these lethargic moments, you hear the lead singer’s frustration with her lying significant other and need to escape from it all (tracks #3, #5). The last third of the record (with the exception of track 11) gets a bit repetitive and the modernized 80’s vibe gets a little old. But it finishes with “Don’t be Funny,” a personal favorite track that brings you into a musically perfect moment as you get lost in Sorbara’s angelic and charming voice.

All in all, it’s a warm electronic record with driving, energetic choruses that carry the entirety of the album. You get lost in the good synths, which stimulate a care and reason free euphoria – perfect for a Sunday lounge.

Tracklisting:
1. Fixin To Thrill
2. Gone Too Far
3. Liar
4. Stupid Grin
5. Easy
6. Pick Up The Phone
7. We Rule The World
8. Big Sunglasses
9. Okay Dolore
10. Come On Be Good
11. Youre A Disaster
12. Dont Be Funny

It’s been awhile since Passion Pit blessed my speakers. So long that I could barely recognized the difference between the band’s original version of “Little Secrets” and Hey Champ’s epic remix. Hey Champ takes Passion Pit’s well-liked “Little Secrets” and awakens it in a new, fresh light for all to rekindle the love for the track.

They take their brilliant production techniques and play with bridge, as well as, remake the sound of the chorus. The remix switches up the baseline and makes it sparkle with a danceable beat. The energy of the original is kept, but the DJs add a new freshness to the overall sound. Adding a “happy go lucky” character to an already popular song, the remix results in undeniable greatness.

This track proves how luminous and talented these guys are. Its basically an 80s dance party on the 1 and 2s.

Passion Pit – “Little Secrets” (Hey Champ Remix)Stream

Buy: iTunes | CD Baby

Freelance

Whales -

Weathervanes

[Released 9/1, 2009]
Record Label: None/ Indepedent

Formed in late 2008, Freelance Whales, a band from Queens, is leaping onto the music scene with an undeniable presence. A few months ago they released their debut album, Weathervanes, and since then its been gaining rapid popularity because they are a group that just can’t be ignored.

Freelance Whales brings us back to “old school” indy, if there is such a thing. They definitely don’t fit into the 2009 breakout band trend of electronic pop, which we see so often. The group has a theme that could be categorized as similar to Postal Service or Sufjan Stevens. Its what emo-electronic would sound like on a nice day in an open prairie field.

Standout tracks include “Generator ^ First Floor,” “Starring,” and “The Great Estates”. “Generator ^ First Floor,” is the influential start to the album. A long instrumental introduction, filled with the guitar, banjo, harmonium, glockenspiel, and synthesizers, sets the tone for the orchestrated heavy album. There is something very powerful and moving about the first song that lures you into the rest of the album.

Continuing the buildup as you progress deeper into the album is “Starring.” This track has a sentimental melody with a poppy chorus that sets you free. The best part of this song and an aspect that makes the album stand out as great is the use of the banjo. Rounding out the epic album is the song “The Great Estates.” It carries a memorable melody that touches your emotions after a few listens, much like the entire album.

These guys are the real deal. Not a band to watch, a band to get into right now!  They are about to blow up, they’re just thatttt good.

Tracklisting:
1. Generator ^ First Floor
2. Hannah
3. Locations
4. Channels
5. Starring
6. Kilojoules
7. Broken Horse
8. Danse Flat
8. Ghosting
9. We Could Be Friends
10. Vessels
11. Generator ^ Second Floor
12. The Great Estates

- Melina Bast

It was a sold out show at LA’s intimate El Rey Theater Monday night for the rapidly rising UK electronic pop group, La Roux. We here at Vinyl and Vodka got a chance to catch them live before Elly was incubated and shows were starting to get cancelled.

The set was only about 3 short songs and an extended version of “Bulletproof.”  The group’s stage presence was exactly what you’d expect it to be… great crowd, simple stage set up, efficient transitions and a danceable playlist. The only thing that wasn’t spot on was the lead singer being sick. Poor Elly could barely speak to the sold out venue, but her voice still flawless. Don’t know where she got the energy but Elly livened up for “I’m Not Your Toy.” Dancing around stage with a pristine Mohawk and skinny legs, she definitely rocked it to the point you forgot she was actually sick.

Fans showed their true support for the group with continuous roars of encouragement for Elly as she tried to catch her breath during song breaks. For the first time ever, the group experienced fans jumping onto stage to show off some moves for the sold out venue. Elly also brought up a little girl who sang and danced along side her for the final song which we got to catch up with after the show, as well as a VERY fashionably dressed fan that I couldn’t resist taking a photo of:

It would have been great to see a full set, but the taste we got Monday night makes us sure to be standing front row the next time the group rolls through LA. Elly’s efforts sick only make me long to see/hear what she can do in immaculate health. Definitely a live show you wouldn’t want to pass up.

La Roux – “I’m Not Your Toy” (Data Remix)Stream

Grizzly Bear’s vocalist/guitarist, Chris Taylor released the first single of his current side project, CANT. Taylor handled every aspect on the track “Ghosts,” from recording to the release. It’s a real stride in the solo direction for the singer.

The solo “Ghosts” intriguing, but not great enough to stand up and applaud vigorously. The track puts emphasis on the acoustic vibe and sound. The bass and tambourine stood out the most as notable aspects of the tracks. The vocals are airy and overall give a vibe of being pulled away from vanishing shore by the undertone on the verge of drowning (pun intended).

The album will be released on his record label with Ethan Silverman, Terrible Records. On a side note, I don’t get what’s with the names he chooses. CANT? Terrible Records? Both sound like someone is unsure of branching out on his own.

CANT – “Ghosts”Stream

Playing in a small club Friday night, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke debuted his new band in a “low key” but very public dress rehearsal. Backed by some of music’s greatest, Yorke played his entire 2006 solo album, The Eraser, along with some alternative takes on Radiohead songs and premiered four new songs, which he performed completely unaccompanied. (“Open The Floodgates”, “Lotus Flower”, “Skirting On The Surface”, and “Judge, Jury, & Executioner”)

The band consists of Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, Beck/R.E.M. drummer Joey Waronker, and percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Mauro Refosco of Forro in the Dark. The band’s official shows are October 4th and 5th at LA’s Orpheum Theatre.

Check out the videos from the Friday night gig, which quickly ended up all over Youtube (I suggest Yorke’s solo, “Open the Floodgates”).

Setlist:
01 “The Eraser”
02 “Analyze”
03 “The Clock
04 “Black Swan”
05 “Skip Divided”
06 “Atoms For Peace”
07 “And It Rained All Night”
08 “Harrowdown Hill”
09 “Cymbal Rush”
-Break-
(Thom solo)
10 “Open The Floodgates” [NEW]
11 “Lotus Flower” [NEW]
12 “Skirting On The Surface” [NEW]
-Break-
13 “Paperbag Writer”
14 “Judge, Jury, & Executioner” [NEW]
15 “The Hollow Earth”
16 “Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses”

Heavy on the synth? Yes please! Great female vocal hook?

It’s a must! Simian Mobile Disco, an English production and remix team, is often known for their minimal instrumentals and captivating hooks. The team took a turn away from their crazy disco beats in their newest album, Temporary Pleasure. However, “Cruel Intentions” featuring Gossip’s Beth Ditto, still resembles the group’s signature “dance, have a good time” ways and gets remix attention that can do no wrong.

Bristol’s Joker remixed “Cruel Intentions” to perfection. Still heavy on the synths and bass, the song gains more of a house/electro appeal, which gives Ditto’s basically untouched vocals in the chorus a little R&B feel in contrast.

Keep your eyes and ears on the Joker; his remixes are shaping up to be some of the best of the year!

Simian Mobile Disco – “Cruel Intentions ft. Beth Ditto (Joker Remix)” Stream

The Canadian electropop group, Dragonette, is back with their second album, Fixin to Thrill.

The latest song off their new album, “Pick Up the Phone,” already gets a little remix treatment. The Richard X version gives the great original a luring dance beat. I’m a fan of both the original and this remix. By adding some steller syths and keeping Sorbara’s original vocals, the song accomplishes a great 80s feel that makes you believe like you are under the disco ball.

I’d say definitely download! It’s a jam that will leave you feeling happy and carefree! The album will release in the US digitally on October 6th, physically October 20th, and in Canada on September 29th (which means the album should leak in the next couple days!)

Dragonette – “Pick Up The Phone” (Richard X Remix)Stream

It’s a little over a week until Volcano Choir’s album, Unmap, debuts, but another song from the band’s already leaked album grabs attention from many. “Youlogy” in my mind didn’t go over very well, it was almost too experimental and out there for me to understand. But I have different feelings about the band and upcoming album (I have yet to hear the whole thing) after hearing the track titled “Seeplymouth.”

Volcano Choir, made up of Milwaukee’s Collection of Colonies of Bees and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, can be described as very experimental. I found “Seeplymouth” to be one of their better and more enjoyable “experiments.” In this almost 7-minute song you don’t hear much of Vernon’s vocals (one of my favorite aspects of Volcano Choir) but when you do its passionate and powerful.

Most of the song is composed of folky guitar and drums, which can be pleasant for any music lover. Overall, if you give it a chance, the song can really sit deep inside of you. Northern Wisconsin, I’m alone in a cabin and its time to get lost and reflect feel? Yes!

Volcano Choir – “Seeplymouth”Download

It seems like songs/albums leaking early is the theme of September! …. And the theme continues…Yet, another Muse song leaked from their upcoming album, The Resistance. “Undisclosed Desires” has an eccentric pop meets rock sound (even a little electric appeal, but I guess that’s kind of Bellamy’s style). My favorite parts of the song are the vocals and strings – I think they are great! It’s a danceable and enjoyable track that I wouldn’t change if it started playing from my iPod.

The album is scheduled for release next week. And catch them perform “Uprising” on September 13 at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Muse – “Undisclosed Desires”Stream

Singer and songwriter, Michael McDonald lends his baritone vocals to Brooklyn-based indie rock band, Grizzly Bear. The B-track of “While You Wait for the Others,” mirrors the original but uses McDonald as the alterative lead vocal. I’d say he’s pretty much right on point and owns it in this cover. Rustic and soulful never sounded so good.

Grizzy Bear’s folk rock sound mixed with McDonald’s vocals results in a blissful harmonization. You can literally feel McDonald’s deep “blue-eyed soul” singer voice in this cover – really brings me back to the old school Detroit Motown/American R&B days. It’s a classic track that must be downloaded!

Grizzly Bear – While You Wait for the Other (feat. Michael McDonald)