Rebootsy: a barrage of reviews to make up for my intense laziness

It's been awhile since I've updated this thing so I'm just gonna do a quick run down on some groovy releases I've dug since February:

Austra - Feel It Break


Much home town love for this nu-wave goth group. Feel It Break is dance floor worthy while being a beautiful release in its own right. Some hooks on here are some of the most hypnotic you'll ever have the pleasure of listening to.
Austra - Hate Crime by slowtumb
Rating: Disco Queen

The Avalanches - Since I Left YouI finally gave into the hype and picked up this record and boy was I ever thankful that I did. The music is emotive yet lucid, this enables the listener to create a unique narrative that they can apply to the overall album. While the music itself isn't necessarily sad, in fact most of it is upbeat and will make you shake your tail feather, for me the record took on a sad and regretful tone. This is mostly due to my head space while listening but there's something nostalgic to Since I Left You, as if hidden in the background of every track lay fractured memories of childhood and adolescence you almost forgot existed.
The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist by Dokme
Rating: Disco Queen
Bag Raiders (self-titled)

Before McDonalds got their greasy hands on it, Shooting Stars was for my money one of the best dance tracks I had ever laid my ears on. I was curious as to what these Australian DJ's could come up with on a full release. While not a complete dud, the album features many great little dance compositions but nothing feels too fresh or original. A fun release but lacking substance.
Bag Raiders "Shooting Stars" by moderntonic.com
Rating: Pump Action

Britney Spears - Femme Fatale
Who the fuck knew that Britney was gonna release the best god damn dance record of the last few years? Huh? This album blows my mind, honestly, it's a dance party waiting to be unleashed on your body. You can say you're better than this album and try to walk by it but guess what? You're not better than Femme Fatale. Femme Fatale IS BETTER THAN YOU. You'll be out one night dancing, sweating it out to some amazing jam, and then you'll decide to ask the dj who the artist is after you've unsuccessfully tried that shazzaam app on your Iphone. Yeah, that app still doesn't work even though you downloaded it years ago but you hope one day it may work and so you foolishly keep it. When the Dj tells you it was Britney, you will turn pale, I will laugh, and then you will know... FEMME FATALE IS BETTER THAN YOU.
Britney Spears - Trouble For Me by William Alberto Aguirre
Rating: Roman God
Cut Copy - Zonoscope

The big question was if these Australian nu-wavers could release an album as good as their previous effort: In Ghost Colours. The short answer is yes. Although it is debatable between fans if Zonoscope reaches the peaks that In Ghost Colours conquered, I have to say that I think Zonoscope surpasses In Ghost Colours in many ways. Their sound is maturing and Zonoscope is a perfect snapshot of a group finding their proper footing. While I still think Cut Copy have a forthcoming masterpiece they'll release on the world one day, this is damn fine music for the wait.
Cut Copy - Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution by modularpeople
Rating: Disco Queen

Diamond Rings - Special Affections

More hometown love. Special Affections is one of those albums that are instant classics. There isn't one bad song on Special Affections, you'll know the words for every song by the third time you give this baby a listen through. Unfortunately since it is so easily accessible the album loses its flavour over time. Still, if you have yet to listen to Special Affections, rectify this immediately.
Diamond Rings "You & Me" by GrillMarketing
Rating: Disco Queen

Digitalism - I Love You, Dude

I was really rooting for Digitalism. I loved the hell out of their 2007 release Idealism, but that was in 2007. Since it took so long for them to release I Love You, Dude, which is their second studio album, I hoped that these German boys grew up with me somewhat and released something fresh and proved they weren't one trick ponies. Unfortunately, this album feels like it should have been released in 2008. It's a generic affair in electro without anything too fresh or exciting to it. Not to say that every cut off this record is completely trite, here and there are the sounds of a better record... the one this could have been.
Miami Showdown by digitalism_official
Rating: Two Star Two Tone

SBTRKT (self-titled)

Killer record from this UK post-dubstep DJ. Shit, we're already in the post-dubstep days? Many choice cuts here and not just in the dance floor way, overall this is a really well composed album. Definitely a record that holds major mass appeal.
SBTRKT - Wildfire by keithkelly
Rating: Disco Queen

SebastiAn - Total

Back in 2007 I went to the Woodstock of my generation, that was Daft Punk's 2007 Alive tour. It was a life altering experience. DJing in between acts at that show was the cream dream team up of Kavinsky and SebastiAn. Two french dj cats who specialize in creating the most bad ass dance music possible. I had to wait nearly five years but finally SebastiAn has released his first studio album... and holy shit, it was worth the wait. SebastiAn's a rare artist in electronic music nowadays; a unique one. His music is wholly his own. It can't be duplicated or even imitated. Total is a sweaty sexy mess that won't hold everyone's attention but that's how I like it. A unique dance record that makes you feel amazing. It's aural Prozac... and by Prozac I don't mean Prozzäk.
Prime - SebastiAn by underama
Rating - Roman God

Starfucker - Reptillians

Oh yes, what a pretty ditty of an album. Reptillians is an indie-electronic album with many existential undertones. The lyrics to most of the songs have to deal with life, death, and the difficulty of comprehending either concept. Through and through a terrific a record, it gets you toe tapping as you ponder the infinite black void of death... and who doesn't wanna face that inevitability dancing?
Hungry Ghost by Polyvinyl Records
Rating: Disco Queen

Various Artists - Drive Original Soundtrack

The best soundtrack of 2011 belongs to the best film of 2011. Nicolas Winding Refn created an 80's inspired electro backdrop for his amazing film Drive. The soundtrack's highlight is the opening tittle sequence music composed by Kavinsky entitled Nightcall. A dark and broody track that perfectly sets up the mood and tone of the film. Most of the soundtrack is comprised of instrumentals by Cliff Martinez that, which is the case for most film soundtracks, are more enjoyable after seeing the film. Still, a damn solid soundtrack.
Kavinsky - Nightcall by Kavinsky
Rating: Roman God
The Weeknd - House of Balloons

Enough with the home town love already! I really really love this record from Toronto's own The Weeknd. This is what all R & B albums should sound like; good tracks with honest lyrics. None of this singing love songs with an unbottened shirt on some white sand dunes. Instead the lyrics on this album deal with substance abuse, relationship issues, and sex sex sex. It's a fantastic bonus that the music accompanying the lyrics feels fresh and is very dark. Let your ears get fucked good by this record. You won't regret it.
The Weeknd -- Wicked Games by dwitcoff
Rating: Roman God

Track of the Week: Death Cab for Cutie - The New Year (Germany Germany remix)

Ok, I'm gonna fill in some of my Canadian content quota this week with this rocking jam by Germany Germany (or GRMNY GRMNY depending on who you ask) who hails from Victoria, BC.
Released this past new years on his website here (check it out, as there's many free great tracks to get down to) is a remix to a Death Cab For Cutie track... what.. really? Death Cab??? Strange idea I know, but Germany Germany makes it work.

Death Cab for Cutie - The New Year (Germany Germany remix) by Germany Germany

Track of the Week: Glasser - Apply (Tanlines Remix)

Ok, so this one's been around awhile but this past week I just can't get enough of this beautiful remix.
Tanlines take the ethereal jungle beat away from Glasser's original track and inject it with a tropical island in space theme. Just gorgeous stuff.

No bangers this week, just beautiful music that you can sway your hips to.
Apply (Tanlines Remix).mp3 by milesfisher

Track of the Week: The Hood Internet - Ignition (Keep It Remixing Louder)

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, I plan to post the Track of the Week every weekend but I've been hella busy lately.
So to make up for it I've posted this huge remix of R.Kelly's remix to "Ignition" which is a mash-up of sorts with one of my favourite Major Lazer tracks "Keep It Goin' Louder".

Been blasting this one at parties lately and it gets everyones blood pumping. It's the first time in the many many years since R.Kelly's masterpiece was unleashed upon the Earth that someone has managed to remix the track to a positive effect.
Listen and enjoy, just clear some space first or you'll smash your computer with all the fist pumping.

The Hood Internet - Ignition (Keep It Remixing Louder) (R. Kelly x Major Lazer) by hoodinternet

Track of the week: Drop the Lime - Hot as Hell

Good friend of mine directed me to this whopper of a diddy.

I've heard of Drop the Lime for awhile but had no idea he was mixing rockabilly and dance as intense as he does here on "Hot as Hell", his first single from a forthcoming 2011 release.
Just wow, bust out the moonshine and get out yo stomping boots, we got a real barn-burner right here ya'll!

Drop The Lime - Hot As Hell (Radio Edit) by Ministry of Sound


Rating: Roman God!!!

Memorial show for Peter Moskalyk (Belladonnakillz)

Fuck, Belladonnakillz were the shit. Last year Toronto lost a great artist when Peter Moskalyk passed away. There's going to be a memorial show for Pete and you should all try to attend. Here's the press release:

MEMORIAL SHOW FOR FALLEN TORONTO UNDERGROUND MUSICIAN January 24th, 2011 (Toronto, Ontario) – Under the moniker Belladonnakillz Peter Moskalyk seamlessly married jungle, punk and ballads with thoughtful melodies and mature songwriting. Shortly after returning from his first European tour Peter passed away at the premature age of 31 last October. A kind and charismatic person, as well as gifted and classically trained pianist, his presence in Toronto's own unique music scene is already sorely missed. Belladonnakillz has released 3 albums, “Perverted & Proud” (2005 - Toronto's Dross:tik Records), “As If” (2006 - Sublight Records) and “Sorry, Try Again” (2009 - Dross:tik). Belladonnakillz was also a frequent collaborator with Knifehandchop of Tigerbeat6 Records and had his foreboding track ‘Kill Bella Donna’ remixed by German hardcore rave DJ the Panacea. "Remembering Peter" is being held on Saturday, February 19th at Neutral. Admission is $5 at the door. This will be a 19 plus event, doors open at 8pm. The lineup consists solely of Peter's dear friends, musical collaborators, and those who shared the stage with him. The full performance lineup is as follows: Ken Margoe - Illusionist, Goldie Luxx, Pussy, Famine, Cousin Dog, Ghost Television, B7, Loopsy Dazy, C64, Goodfellaz DJs and Alan Belerique. Night hosted by long time Toronto party MC Gobz the Zombie. All proceeds go to the Moskalyk family, no guest list is available except for immediate family. Key acts: Ken Margoe, C64, Goldie Luxx

It looks like it's going to be a great show and even though it's not under the best circumstances we're gonna dance our asses off.

Here's an oldie but a goodie:

Personal top 5 dance records of 2010

Every blog and critic has been unleashing their top picks from last year and it all sounds the same. Top pick across the board goes to either Kanye or Arcade Fire and I get it. Both artists released stellar albums but what about the party records?

Sure, dance albums don't hold much longevity for most as they're usually not great for solo listening, however, I find good dance music invigorating and motivating no matter what I'm doing.

These 5 choices will be quite debatable to many especially with the omissions of some great releases from the likes of Caribou, Crystal Castles, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip etc. etc. etc.
These aren't the most accomplished albums of 2010, no these are the ones that made me sweatiest.

Without any further ado, here's my top 5 Dance records of 2010:

5. Daft Punk - Tron Legacy


Ok, so on a whole this isn't really a dance record, actually it isn't at all, but it's fucking Daft Punk so it has to be up here. The three or so actual bangers on here are worth the price of admission, much like how the games sequence in the film is worth the price of your ticket alone. I wasn't a huge fan of this soundtrack until after I watched the film and witnessed how the music accentuated all the scenes perfectly. Great stuff by these DJ legends.

4. Crookers - Tons of Friends


Italian dance masters, Crookers, finally released their first album in 2010 to very little fanfare. After dominating the club scene for so many years it seemed many people were already over Crookers by the time Tons of Friends hit the streets which is too bad. Many missed out on this eclectic mix of heavy dance numbers that spans many genres, from dubstep to electro-grime to euro house and more. All around a great party album and the first effort that real Crookers fans had been waiting for.

3. Twin Shadow - Forget


Not much to add after the review I posted up here the other week. An emotional record with some unforgettable dance hooks.

2. Tanlines - Settings E.P.


These Brooklyn boys took me by complete surprise. The first time I heard Tanlines I knew I was going to be addicted to their dance/pop/world music. Tanlines have an easily acceesible sound due to their various influences, it seems whenever I play any of their stuff in public people always ask "who is this?". Settings is a 6 track e.p. so the biggest issue I have with it is that it leaves me wanting much more. Turn up these guys on any cold winter night and get whisked away to a slamming island party.

1. Robyn - Body Talk


Body Talk is pop perfection, not one song disappoints. I've been a fan of Robyn for a long time and this new record just blew me away. In almost every way Robyn has improved upon her 2008 self-titled album. This is one tight record that is immensely fun yet not brain dead. Get down on it ASAP!