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.