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Track Reviews

Iron and Wine – Walking Far From Home

ironwine

Beard Sam Beam and his band of noisemaking folk dudes have a new LP coming your way called Kiss Each Other Clean. “Walking Far From Home” serves as a first introduction to the album and perhaps a preview to a sound slightly diverged. The track features a vaguely gospel-sounding electric organ-driven feel laced with a “Tempted By the Fruit of Another”-esque melodic line. We think the tune’s pretty ace and we’re pretty psyched to hear what more is in store on this project.

Iron & Wine – Walking Far From Home

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Rating: 8.3

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reviewed by
11-29-10

The Crookes – Chorus of Fools

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Sheffield has done it again, if you like the Libertines, and our new faves Summer Fiction, then you’ll LOVE The Crookes. Shouts to Can You Hear This for the heads up on these guys… Check it below!

The Crookes – Chorus of Fools

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rating: 8.5
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reviewed by
11-29-10

Gil Scott-Heron – NY Is Killing Me (Jamie XX Remix) / Gil Scott-Heron – I’ll Take Care of You (Jamie XX Remix) (Radio Rip)

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The first leaks off Jamie XX’s Gil Scott-Heron remix project. Can you say exciting as fuck? Jamie remixes all 13 tracks from the legendary singer/activist’s lauded 2010 “comeback” LP for the upcoming We’re New Here project. What a brilliant combination. We can not wait for this to come out.

Gil Scott-Heron – NY Is Killing Me (Jamie XX Remix) via mu-sique
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Gil Scott-Heron – I’ll Take Care of You (Jamie XX Remix) (Radio Rip)

reviewed by
11-28-10

Estelle & John Legend – Freedom (Feat. Talib Kweli)

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The gift turkey swooped in on Fri and let loose a free EP from Estelle and John Legend, Sing & Flow. The seven song EP contains retooled songs from both artists (including Freedom) and cool new collabs (Estelle and Legend go in on Jay Elec’s “Shiny Suit Theory”). “Freedom” has that early sort of Kanye sound, the sped-up soul samples, the laid back yet punchy drum tones and, yes, tones of of the Legend man. Despite no solo LP releases, 2010 has been kind to Ellen Degeneres’ favorite soul singer. (The Wake Up LP w/ The Roots, tracks with Magnetic Man, that pretty cool Arcade Fire cover, etc) Talib contributes a nice verse, and Estelle shines here too.

Estelle & John Legend – Freedom (Feat. Talib Kweli)
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Estelle – American Boy

Rating: 8.0

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reviewed by
11-27-10

Blu – BNG (Prod. Flying Lotus)

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Blu drops some wild and crazy visuals for the “BNG” track he did a while back with Flylo. “BNG” is rumored to be apart of Blu’s oft-delayed but still upcoming No York LP which will be out sometime.

Blu – BNG (Prod. Flying Lotus)
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Rating: 8.4

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reviewed by
11-27-10

The Streets – The Day After The Day Off On One

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Bloke Mike Skinner drops another in his series of twitter-released bombs. This vid comes in response to a piece by The Guardian’s Jim McMahon citing The Streets’ man’s use of the web. The commentary to Mr. McMahon is no doubt brilliant but how sick is that beat on the track. Props to Skinner for keeping us interested.

Love,
The Technological Void we’re all pissing into.

The Streets – The Day After The Day Off On One
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Rating: 8.7

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reviewed by
11-27-10

Radio Citizen – Summer Days (Feat. Bajka)

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Radio Citizen is the brainchild of Berlin-based artist Niko Schabel. He and his revolving collective of players released Hope and Despair, the follow up to 06’s acclaimed Berlin Serengeti LP last month on jazz imprint Ubiquity. “Summer Days”, our track from the record, features a laid back, acoustic guitar driven arrangement, and some subtle yet sultry female vocals.

Radio Citizen – Summer Days (Feat. Bajka)
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Rating: 8.4

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reviewed by
11-26-10

Penguin Prison – Golden Train (Acoustic)

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A blah electropop track is transformed here on this live acoustic version of “Golden Train” by Penguin Prison. Supported by a killer vocal (WOW!) and just a knockout tune (really shown off here in this sparer version), the song soars. One of the better melodies and vocal performances (Check that falsetto) of the year.

Penguin Prison – Golden Train (Acoustic)
Penguin Prison – Golden Train (Acoustic)

Rating: 8.2

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reviewed by
11-26-10

Deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon (Feat. Greta Svabo Bech)

dead

Here goes the CDQ of “Raise Your Weapon” which will be included as part of Deadmau5’s 4 x 4 = 12 LP. The Mau5 man seems bound by nothing, style and genre included. On the track he tackles dubstep and the result is flat out phenomenal. Greta Svabo Bech chips in with an equally dope vocal. Get into it below.

Deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon (Feat. Greta Svabo Bech)
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Rating: 8.2
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reviewed by
11-26-10

Adele – Hometown Glory (High Contrast Remix)

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Adele – Hometown Glory (High Contrast Remix)
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reviewed by
11-25-10

Foals – One (Swedish House Mafia Cover)

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Foals take it into party mode with this five alive cover of the Swedish guys for Radio 1’s Live Lounge.

Foals – One (Swedish House Mafia Cover)
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Rating: 8.6
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reviewed by
11-24-10

Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone (Prod. Jeff Tweedy)

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Everybody’s favorite corduroy jacket wearer Jeff Tweedy penned this tune for the gospel legend’s LP of the same name that came out in Sept. Mavis is one of the greatest singers ever period and she sounds fantastic on this track, Tweedy also produced. Mavis’ ability to emote, her ability to just connect each tone, and wring it out, and just pry that feeling out of herself and out of the listener is really unparalleled. “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself” are classic jams, but some of our favorite Staple Singers material is the group’s more spare early spirituals albums on Veejay Records. Check’em out, if you’re not familiar.

Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone (Prod. Jeff Tweedy)
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Rating: 8.4
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reviewed by
11-24-10