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Track Reviews

Explosions in the Sky – Last Known Surroundings

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Explosions in the Sky continue to make great music. And you’d think, that with an understanding of the dynamics this band is so well capable of, that their thrills may start to feel redundant. Not to us – “Last Known Surroundings” is the lead track from their latest LP, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, and it showcases all the ideas, patience and musical instincts that make this band and their sound so genuine. Not to mention they put on a live show you’ll never forget.


Explosions in the Sky – Last Known Surroundings

Explosions in the Sky: (Official) (Purchase)

Rating: 8.4
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reviewed by
04-29-11

Jamie Woon – Shoulda

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Jamie Woon keeps things smooth with “Shoulda”. Check that bass line at the break and just imagine the coolest elevator ride you may ever have.

Jamie Woon – Shoulda

Jamie Woon: (Purchase) (Info)

Rating: 8.1
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reviewed by
04-29-11

Moby – Lie Down In Darkness

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“Lie Down In Darkness” is previewed from Moby’s forthcoming and tenth studio LP, Destroyed, expected May 16 via Mute Records. With lush textures and its “Natural Blues” like aesthetic, the song evokes an emotive sound that could only from Moby.

Moby – Lie Down In Darkness

Moby: (Myspace) (Pre-order Destroyed)

Rating: 8.3
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reviewed by
04-29-11

Toni Braxton – He Wasn’t Man Enough (JOTY Michael Jackson World Remix)

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Normally, we’d save something like this for a Saturday but a mix like this just ends up burning a hole in your digital pocket. You just need to let that wallet free and spend that shit. Put down those dollars. So we’re waving our benjamins around, throwin ’em down, with this crazy good Toni Braxton/Michael Jackson mix. Done in 2002 by Belgian producer JOTY, the mash of Rodney Jerkins-produced tracks works on so many levels. It’s almost not fair. And like we’re not really the biggest mashup fans either. But damn, if this isn’t the coolest song Darkchild never produced, but probably should’ve.

Toni Braxton – He Wasn’t Man Enough (JOTY Michael Jackson World Remix)

JOTY: (YouTube)

Rating: 8.8

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reviewed by
04-28-11

Daft Punk – Harder Better Faster Stronger (Freemun Remix)

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I know that photo looks like the oft-behelmeted French dudes from Daft Punk, but this photo, actually, was shot just today outside b3sci HQ. We were caught on camera! Pretty sick helmets right? We think so. p.s. Yes we do have a scale model of the Eiffel Tower outside the offices. p.p.s. This mix totally rips.

Daft Punk – Harder Better Faster Stronger (Freemun Remix)

Freemun: (Myspace) (Facebook)

Rating: 8.0

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reviewed by
04-28-11

Jamie Woon – Night Air (Solomun Edit)

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Now what we gonna do right here is we gonna smooth it out.

Jamie Woon – Night Air (Solomun Edit)

Solomun: (Myspace) (Soundcloud)

Rating: 7.9

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reviewed by
04-28-11

Theo Martins – Up & Away (Prod. Vodka & Milk)

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Theo Martins, with an assist from blogverse favs Vodka & Milk, styles up another R&E (call it rhythm & electro, haha, see what we just did there?) keeper with “Up & Away”. Do like us and spin this uptempo synth-laden track (and it’s accompanying nice look vid) and let the feel good vibes free flow in. 3-2-1…….

Theo Martins – Up & Away

Theo Martins: (Official) (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating: 8.0

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reviewed by
04-27-11

Belle Brigade – Where Not to Look for Freedom

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“Where Not to Look for Freedom”, the title track on Belle Brigade’s recently dropped debut LP, is easily our fav song from the record. The tune, which features a killer lights-out-awesome chorus, sonically falls somewhere between Born to Run-era Boss and Thin Lizzy; if those geezers had come up from somewhere filled with a bit more sunshine. Get into it by pushing play below.

Belle Brigade – Where Not to Look for Freedom

Belle Brigade: (Official) (Myspace) (Facebook)

Rating: 8.0

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reviewed by
04-27-11

My Goodness – Blackout Baby

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Wow. That’s what I’m talking about! My Goodness, Seattle answer to our very own hometown (ok, really just home metro area, but still) Black Keys, are the heavy hitting duo of Joel Schneider (smoldering guitar) and Ethan Jacobsen (planet-mashing drums). We’re talking BIG king-sized riffs, and PUNISHING rhythms. “Blackout Baby” is our first introduction to the band and to put it bluntly, the song and the band both absolutely rip. We want more! We need more music, guys! Hit us up!

My Goodness – Blackout Baby

My Goodness: (Myspace)

Rating: 8.6

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reviewed by
04-27-11

Dom Kennedy – Bet You Want Me Now

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Original Dom Kennedy is the coolest shit to hit hip hop in 2011 and “Bet You Want Me Now” is about as fresh as it gets. Not just L.A., Dom’s got the whole west coast on his back right now. Heavy are the shoulders that bear the Golden State. Dom are with you us?

Dom Kennedy – Bet You Want Me Now

Dom Kennedy: (Official) (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating: 8.4

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reviewed by
04-26-11

Tribes – We Were Children

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Britain, the mid 90’s, the rise of Britpop, the height of trip-hop, and Take That, there was Take That, but that much we can forgive. Robbie Williams not talking > Robbie Williams talking > Robbie Williams singing. Had the Tribes kids not been mere children proper respectable rock roll aduls, “We Were Children” would have been a mid 90’s hit, no doubt. The big melodies, the anthemic choruses, the hugeness, the epicness of it all, all that sweet shit that made that music so great is here too on “We Were Children” and it’s done on to perfection. Nice work, lads! Here goes the CDQ…

Tribes – We Were Children

Tribes: (Myspace)

Rating: 8.4

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reviewed by
04-26-11

Napoleon in Rags – Empty Promises

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“Empty Promises” form Swindon UK group Napoleon in Rags rips, urgent wiry guitar leads frame up a stellar set of melodic lines. “Empty Promises”, the band’s maiden single, is set for self-release 16 May.

Napoleon in Rags – Empty Promises via SKOA

Napoleon in Rags: (Myspace) (Facebook) (Official)

Rating: 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
04-26-11