Foster the People - "Pumped Up Kicks (Butch Clancy Dubstep Remix)"

Yeah, I try to dance like this when no one is watching.

Superheavy - "Miracle Worker"

This sounds great on paper. Super-super group featuring Damain "Jr. Gong" Marley, sexy soul songstress Joss Stone, guitarist from the Eurythmics Dave Stewart, Indian super-producer A.R. Rahman, and the legendary Mick Jagger. Wow! Plus the group's cool tiger logo was created by Sheppard Fairey the iconic guy that did 'OBEY', and Obama's 'HOPE' poster. There is a lot of style here.

Given the caliber of music talent, I think the lead single "Miracle Worker" is a bit weak. However the video is stylish, and seeing Mick Jagger overdo it in every way is entertaining is kind of a so bad it's hilarious kind of way.



I'd love to hear some of the rest of the album with more of the Indian or Reggae influence out in front. What do you think?

Led Zeppelin - "Ramble On"

Happy belated birthday Regan! I think you've built enough suspense for the "Leaves" comp...time to release it! It's autumn!

To me this is the quintessential autumn song. And takes me back to good times together.

The Weeknd - "What You Need"

Most R&B tunes are about love, lust, and/or parties. The Weeknd makes tunes about obsession, drugs and after the afterparty, when everybody is sketched out and coming down. 21-year-old Abel Tesfaye is the man behind The Weeknd, and he hails from Toronto. His debut full length "House of Balloons" was shortlisted for the Polaris Prize, and was a Pitchfork "Best New Music" album. This lead off single "What you Need" captures the dark essence of his sound, and the dirty sexiness of his music.

Arcade Fire - "Modern Man"

Congratulations to the Arcade Fire for winning the Polaris Music Prize! I think this is more prestigious than a Juno and even a Grammy IMHO. The Polaris short-list is a great what's what of the year's best Canadian releases, and I'll try to check some of them out and post here with the gems. For now though kudos to the Arcade Fire and this anthem of modern malaise:

Oh Mercy ~ "Stay, Please Stay"

Another cut-list casualty from the upcoming "Leaves" compilation ... and SUCH a great track too. This is where the songs in the mix-making process become sort of like real-live kids (in my mind) competing to make the community sports team. At any rate, I cut this track because it was a good bridge from being a great song, and the others are just that much better.

Treefight for Sunlight ~ "Up on the North Shore"

Getting closer to releasing my autumn mix of cozy pop songs, and this one was just a little too ______ to make the cut. A good enough song that reminded me of rustling through piles of leaves, but just not cut-worthy.

 

Feist ~ "How Come You Never Go There"

I love Feist for so many reasons. Same age. Grew up in the same province. Artist. Writes her own music. It's chill and she usually nails it. And she's smokin' hot.  Here's her debut track off her forthcoming album. And well timed, like her last one, for the cozying-in of autumn.

 

Jamaica - "Short and Entertaining"

I'm trying to pull together the last few tracks for Mixtape 10. Some tracks come pretty close, but not quite. This is one of those tracks. This band sounds so much like Phoenix. Good sound, just not bringing anything really new to the table. Fun video nonetheless. Sweet headbanging!

Tinariwen - "Tenere Taqqim Tossam (Four Tet Remix)"

This Mali based sextet gets the remix treatment from Four Tet. Starts on a mellow vibe, and gets pretty frenetic by the end.

Tinariwen - Tenere taqqim tossam (Four Tet remix) by Four Tet

Capital Cities - "Safe and Sound"

This makes me miss the old DJing days. What a fun track! There is a bit of a French vibe here, Phoenix, Cut Copy, and other new 'new wave' bands.

The National - "Think You Can Wait"

Okay, mover over Lana Del Ray song (you wore the crown for two days), this is my new favourite. And its inspiration (see comment on YouTube) makes me want to watch Win Win, although I don't think it could ever live up to the legendness that this song has made it to be in my mind:

 

SebastiAn - "Embody"

Channel a bit of this kid in for your weekend festivities. Have a great long weekend!

2011 "Leaves" Compilation Will Be Awesome!

By the middle of September I'm going to release my autumn mix of tunes ... which is, quite honestly, a mix I personally enjoy as much (or more) than the Summer Guide compilations. While not good-time party-pleasers, they've always been better solitary music, enhanced by a glass of red wine or two ... and a crisp autumn breeze. Here's a song that didn't make the cut ... but one that's still soooo good when the boreal world starts slowing down, the leaves change and fall, and the chill settles in.

 

The Morning Benders - "Last Night"

Alright, going for back-to-back covers here ... while nothing close to the original, a decent play on The Strokes' original song ... coming from an entire album, titled "Stroked," of artists covering the band.

 

Lana del Rey - "Video Games"

Lots of buzz for Lana Del Rey's first single which drops on Oct 9 on Stranger Records. She describes her sultry 60's sound as "gangster Nancy Sinatra". I think she's got some serious "je ne sais quoi". I'm such a sucker for the 60s.