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Track Reviews

Beast Patrol – Plaster

“Plaster” by Brooklyn band Beast Patrol is really good. Built on top a sprawl of distorted reverb-y guitars and a steady 80’s-esque rhythm section 1-2, “Plaster” features great melodic hooks and a simply fantastic chorus; that and some really cool subtle (tasteful) synth washes in the verses. The band has a great four-song EP streaming on their Soundcloud that features further gems you should check out. We’re definitely psyched to hear more.

Beast Patrol – Plaster

Beast Patrol (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
09-28-12

Pony Trash – Dry Your Eyes

It’s pretty incredible to think that the dreamy imagery conjured up while listening to Pony Trash is actually exported from these Midwestern United States. Then again, being Midwest natives ourselves, we relate to the value of only dreaming for the warmth and breeze of sunnier shores. The debut and sef-titled EP by Pony Trash sees release on November 27th in form of limited edition 12-inch. The group seems to have a knack for building Neil Young meets Mazzy Star-esque tracks from dawn-like atmospheres to weepy sun drenched swells of indie rock lushness. Preview the closing (and our favorite) track from the EP below and get familiar with Pony Trash.

Pony Trash minnesota (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
09-28-12

Dream Boat – Sea to Sky

Athens, GA duo Dream Boat dial up that b3sci dream rock sweet spot with “Sea to Sky”. P.S. That horn hook totally reminds us of Usher’s “You Remind Me” too.

Dream Boat – Sea to Sky

Dream Boat (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
09-28-12

Mayer Hawthorne – No Strings (RAC Mix)

The remix big dogs RAC get their 80’s-inspired mitts on Mayer Hawthorne’s “No Strings” proceed to “make it funky”. #FunkyFridays.

Mayer Hawthorne – No Strings (RAC Mix)

RAC (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
09-28-12

IGGY AZALEA – Bac 2 Tha Future (My Time)

Aussie rap impressario Iggy Azalea delivers perhaps her best track to date with “Bac 2 Tha Future (My Time)”. Excerpted here from her upcoming TRAPGOLD mixtape (due October), “Bac 2 Tha Future” wins on a breakneck all-go beat that ably picks up and transports Azalea’s flow to high level quality.

IGGY AZALEA – Bac 2 Tha Future (My Time)

Iggy Azalea (Twitter)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
09-28-12

Angel Haze x Jamie xx & Gil Scott-Heron – New York (The 83rd Mashup)

The 83rd spins a gem marrying Angel Haze’s “New York” track with Jamie & the late Gil’s “NY is Killing Me”.

Angel Haze x Jamie xx & Gil Scott-Heron – New York (The 83rd Mashup)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
09-27-12

Mary J. Blige – Everyday People (Prod. Pharrell, Jermaine Dupri & Bryan Cox)

MJB connects with three legendary R&B producers on newly unearthed track “Everyday People”. The illustrious production trio selects for Arrested Development’s ’92 “People Everyday” version of Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People”. A sample of a sample. (The Grammys, the more samples.) For her part, Ms. Blige spits feel good winner line after line. So so def.

Mary J. Blige – Everyday People (Prod. Pharrell, Jermaine Dupri & Bryan Cox)

Mary J. Blige (Facebook(/a>)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
09-27-12

Rave’s Fave: Muse – Panic Station

Muse’s new The 2nd Law album drops next week. The guys have been telling us that this is the beginning of a new era stylistically for the band. That’s somewhat true on this album but Muse will always be Muse. For me, that’s a good thing. Their “Madness” single is doing very well, and “Survival” was named the Olympics theme. Both of course are on the album. “Panic Station” is different for them. It feels like if Nile Rodgers met up with Queen in the 80’s. By Bruce Rave

Muse – Panic Station

Muse (Buy The 2nd Law) (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
09-27-12

Rhye – The Fall

Rhye returns with the brilliant orchestral pop of “The Fall”. Look out for an EP of the same name due on the great Innovative Leisure.

Rhye – The Fall

Rhye (Official)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
09-27-12

αtμ – September Nights

Here goes a hump day cooler c/o mysterious Ann Arbor, MI producer αtμ and incomparable Ms. Erykah Badu (& Martin Lawrence!). b3sci, Paul, and Tyrone.

αtμ – September Nights

αtμ (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
09-26-12

Lianne La Havas – Age (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

The mighty RH train kept rollin’ with his latest remix for Lianne La Havas. The Canadian producer opts for warm billowing synths and minimal beats that neatly fit about Lianne’s vocal. Maybe our favorite mix from Mr. Hemsworth yet.

Lianne La Havas – Age (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

Ryan Hemsworth (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
09-26-12

Kaya – LoveLight

The dreamy “LoveLight” is new from Toronto soulstress Kaya. “LoveLight” is the sort of track that has that seemingly endless capacity to receive the emotions/feelings/problems/biz of the listener. By Matt Easton

Kaya (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
09-26-12