I finally took the time to check out Daft Punk’s latest film, Electroma, tonight and I must say it was pretty impressive. The cinematography and visuals are breathtaking and the sound design and music (which was, sort of ironically, not made by Daft Punk) is incredible. The plot is pretty much an afterthought though; your standard issue vague, arthouse storyline that didn’t really move me in any way. But I didn’t want that out of it, nor was I expecting it, so I can’t knock the film for it. The substance is in the imagery and it’s simply beautiful. When paired with the excellent sound design it achieves a 2001-esque vibe, a sort of retro-future as imagined in the 80’s. You can watch a Vimeo clip from the film below featuring the superb laboratory scene (from which the stills above were taken). It’s out now on DVD and I would have included the cover and title graphics, but they’re pretty bad, which is a shame because a film with imagery like this just begs to be wrapped in quality design.
Our favorite Scandinavian pop star Erlend Oye is back with his band The Whitest Boy Alive, by the sound of it after skipping thru some of the songs on the LP I feel like we got a intimate recording of the band in the studio, each instrument is upfront in big bold letters. I’m really loving the key work on the whole LP, gonna take a walk and check out the whole thing now.
Mux Mool’s new EP dropped today exclusively on iTunes, you may know him from the Ghostly Swim compilation or the intro song for the engadget podcast called gdgt run by Peter Rojas and Ryan Block. The synth bass in this song is as warm as butter and the melody sounds like its straight from a soundtrack for an ending of a 80’s tropical action film, too good to miss.
Digged up an old Casino Versus Japan 10″ that was released on Wobblyhead years back, made me really miss Erik’s work. If your reading this Erik email me i’ll put out your album! damn you’re good at melody my friend.
MF Doom hrrrmm I mean Doom just never fails me, the instrumental here just guns down any imitators, the intro horns remind me of a fuzzy memory of watching an A-Team & Airwolf marathon on the USA Network in 1989.
Sten aka Lawrence held my #1 spot on my Top 10 list of 2008 and his 12″ vinyl single Jill on Mule Electronics in 2009 will probably be in my Top 10 list of singles in 2009. I’m a sucker for these lush melodies over the well crafted rhythm sections Peter Kersten puts together. He uses delay so well and mutes notes perfectly like some gentle tribal lullaby if there was such a thing.
I’m not sure what synth it is but it almost sounds like a faint chime in the melody, I think I heard it in 80’s-early 90’s sitcoms, now that sound is just a killing me its so good. Here’s a big fake Pitchfork review rating of 10/10.
Daedelus and his friends started their new label FoF Music which features split EP’s by different aritsts as one release, clever idea if the artists don’t mind, only problem is if you’re not feeling the other music by the other musician on the same release but that’s not the case here since Jogger really delivers some good tracks too. One thing is that vocal sample Billy Corgan? or does Alfred just have a great voice and we didn’t know all this time.
10:32 is Tim Koch who you may know from the free Ghostly Swim compilation on Adult Swim or from the Merck label if you have followed the Tycho catalog follows up with a digital EP on Ghostly with integrating acoustic guitars, female vocals, and raw found sound in a pretty distant and perfect way.
I feel like I talk about Marumari a lot on the blog, he is definitely a favorite producer, this track called A Girl I Met At the Rest Stop was the first song I ever heard by him, its off the infamous IDM compilation series Bip-Hop Generation. The track sounds like a more up front live Selected Ambient Work track like Pulsewidth but way more calm and slower going.
With all the fuss over the Pepsi and Tropicana re-brands it’s nice to see something that I think most people can agree on. Under Consideration’s Brand New recently ran a piece about the new Jack in the Box branding. I don’t think they have these in San Francisco, but in Sacramento they were everywhere and as much as I can’t stand their television campaigns (the exploits of their terminally unfunny and somehow vaguely 80’s-esque — in a bad way — globe-headed CEO) I have to say that they really did a good job with this new identity. The re-brand was headed up by Minneapolis-based Duffy & Partners and I think they really nailed it from a purely aesthetic point of view. The only question now is whether people will still recognize it as a fast food joint. I don’t know if everyone is familiar with Pluto’s or Jack’s Urban Eats, but that’s the sort of restaurant this branding conjures up for me. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, but you have to wonder what sort of effect it might have on what I’d have to imagine is Jack in the Box’s core demographic: people looking for quick, cheap food. So what do you think, design success or design fail?
We all know Polish design is amazing, but every now and then you need a good reminder. Karl forwarded me a Wanken post on the Tonpress sleeves you see above. Tonpress was a government-controlled Polish record label in the 80’s and from the looks of it, they had some quality design staff hanging around. If you want to sift through all the links, lots more cover art is here.
Peter Kersten and his label Dial is my go to music when I just need to not fiddle with a playlist for an hour, nod my head with a smile, or just lay back and enjoy simple beautiful 4/4 deep techno. “The Essence ” is packed to the brim of exactly what I want to hear if every else was gone or if I made music.
Peter strips down songs to their essentials, he doesn’t rely on popular band instruments or lyrics. He just goes straight to what is deep and comfy like a rich man’s large living room couch. The Essence lets you have the option of focusing and listening to his songs and never needing your attention.
Sten – Daylight
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#2 Studio – Yearbook 2 (Information)
Studio has become that band in my life that i’ll always check out no matter what, you can say it’s become my essential NPR listen for the Subaru Outback driving lady that’s heading to work at the recycle center. Listen to Rubies: Room Without A Key (Studio version).
#3 Flying Lotus – Los Angeles (Warp)
Not once this year have I skipped over a Flying Lotus song off Los Angeles when my iTunes is on shuffle, thats kinda huge if you think about it. Listen to Flying Lotus – Roberta Flack (feat Dolly).
#4 Atlas Sound – Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (4AD)
Bradford Cox of Atlas Sound brings me to my knees, If I listen to the track “Recent Bedroom” anymore right now i’ll end up putting it #1 for the year but I have made up my mind. Listen to Atlas Sound – Recent Bedroom.
#5 Benoit Pioulard – Temper (Kranky)
Whatever Benoit Pioulard does is magic in my eyes. If it’s printing limited colored 7 inch vinyl randomly thru the year to selling his polaroids. When I heard “Temper” this year it became that record that I wanted to give to everyone I knew, I wanted to scream about Temper from the top of a mountain but all I had was Scott’s ISO50 blog which will always do. Listen to Benoit Pioulard – Brown Bess.
#6 Hatchback – Colors Of The Sun (Lo)
Do you know anything about analog synth heaven? well, pack your bags tonight, empty your bank account and steal a convertible preferably maroon or that 80’s silver because you my friend need night driving music. You will be driving on the coasts and living the secret life now as Hatchback. Listen to Hatchback – Everything is Neu.
#7 Hercules & Love Affair – Hercules & Love Affair (DFA)
The disco group that went all out and did it right. Full band, dancers, horns, and not in your face just the perfect party starting music from start to finish. Listen to Hercules And Love Affair – Blind.
#8 VA – Cosmic Balearic Beats Vol. 1 (Eskimo)
The Balearic sound really showed its true colors this year, we had the very talented Eskimo label put out a nonstop slue of treasure and this continuous mix became a vinyl collectors best friend packed with a various amount of new Balearic tracks. Listen to Maelstrom – Petrichor.
#9 Omar S. – Collected (FXHE)
Even though the Carl Craig’s, the Kevin Saunderson’s and the Derrick May’s are flying around the world and enjoying the fruits of their labor by playing shows, there are still heads left that rock out proper Detroit Techno day after day and I have to support it because I adore it.
Snow Patrol are talented musicians but have always been in between the cracks of being not indie enough for the Scandinavian’s and too poppy for the indie sound in the States. I’m hoping with this new record they have nailed down the sound that can take them where they want to be. This track off their new album is really enjoyable, reminds me of an upbeat Jose Gonzalez song with catchy stomps and handclaps. That cover is pretty spot on if you don’t count the overused font, I saw it on the street and had to share it with you guys because what i love about is the craft, I’d like to see more designers create something and photograph it once in a while when it comes down to simpler ideas like this.
I saw Low Motion Disco earlier this year DJ in some basement in Manhattan with a few DFA DJ’s, he was really good and dropped some deep cuts but he was djing with a Pacemaker which is this gross iPhone/PSP looking DJ gadget that makes the DJ look even more of a dope which I hate saying but it’s true and us dj’s don’t need anymore things like these especially when you see them thumbin’ thru mp3’s and dancing with it in hand.
The Dead Texan is half of Stars of the Lid on the adored Kranky label, i’ve been saving this song to put on a mix but had to leak and share a favorite of mine with all you since I think it’s a great Monday song.
The Outrunners are pretty much 80’s synth driving music and if you listen to a lot of the posts I put up here you’ll notice i’m a fan of that sound. It’s pretty repetitive which isn’t a bad thing and makes you want to get ready for the big game against the undefeated champions while your the underdog from a small town but has the heart of a true champion.
Snow Patrol – The Golden Floor
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Low Motion Disco – Things Are Gonna Get Easier
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The Dead Texan – When I See Scissors, I Cannot Help But Think Of You
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The Outrunners – Blazing Speed & Neon Lights With You
If you haven’t picked up this Kevin Drew record, it’s a must have in my book, great to put on if you have friends over and you ran out of Junior Boys or Kings Of Convenience to play and you played out your old Broken Social Scene CD. Its got alil more rock but its the perfect amount.
This Gang Gang Dance track is pretty gnarly, its one of more beautiful art rock tracks out there that doesn’t neglect the audience and it’s really inviting if you can take on the intense parts.
This track doesn’t make any sense among the others but it’s a nice follow up to Scott’s post the other day. I saw Soviet on tour maybe 5 years ago with about 8 people total at the show and i thought they we’re super entertaining and had this unique look that wasn’t all too 80’s or neon hipster sh*t show like half the crap thats flying around right now.
I don’t know much about M. Ward, one thing i noticed was it reminded me of a cleaned up version of Bibio.
