REVIEW: Ratatat - Mirando

6.5 out of 10
Find it here.

I don't consider myself a huge Ratatat fan. I dig their music, but sometimes it can be "too simple" for me, I think. I'm not really sure what it is about them that just doesn't "wow" me. Either way, I bought this album for the Animal Collective remix. Which takes a 4 minute indie-pop electronic song and transforms it into a "10-minute-long trance-induced electro-dance drone delight".

If you're a fan of either Ratatat or Animal Collective I would see no reason why you wouldn't want to own this. If you're curious about some decent indie electronic up beat music check out Ratatat.

Standout Tracks: Both. But mainly the Animal Collective remix:)

REVIEW: Ben Benjamin - The Many Moods Of Ben Benjamin Vol. 1.5

7 out of 10

Find it here.

To those of you who don't know me I've long considered myself an "obsessive" Ghostly Records fan. I love nearly everything the label puts out. When I first started getting into the label I started at the beginning of their catalogue. One of those earlier releases was "Specifics" by Midwest Product. If you haven't heard Midwest Product you must. I believe almost anyone could get into them. An "almost" Weezer meets Kraftwerk kind of dealy...

Ben Benjamin is one of the founding members of Midwest Product. He is somewhat of a genius when it comes to writing incredibly simple, but catchy songs with his mix of indie pop, surf rock, electronic, and kraut-rock like sensibility.

This is the second solo release from Ben Benjamin, first one being "The Many Moods Of .. Vol. 1", and I think it's tighter, and more "put together". It may only be an ep, but ep's are what people release because they had about 4-7 "extra(terrific)" tracks that were left over from previous albums.

This may be one of the best Ghostly releases in the past few years. Mix upbeat "happy" electronics, "surf-rock guitar anthems", great poppy vocals, hip-hop/pop drum beats, and "bouncy" bass lines. Good stuff..can't wait for Vol. 2..?

Standout Tracks: All 5 tracks bring their own unique flare to this ep, so ALL OF THEM.

Cool Video Fun Time #8 - Dusty

The next three Kranky releases..

From Kranky.net:

We have our first three releases of 2009 all lined up and ready to go:

First up is krank128 Pan·American - White Bird Release LP/CD which is scheduled for a february 23rd release. this is Mark Nelson's sixth PA album and follows his For Waiting For Chasing album on the Mosz label. gorgeous.

Next on the agenda is krank130 Tim Hecker - An Imaginary Country 2LP/CD and that will see the light of day officially on march 9th. anyone familiar with the triumph that was his Harmony In Ultraviolet album will not be disappointed. the double vinyl album is cut at 45rpm for maximum sonic impact. heavy man.

March 23rd will have krank129 Lotus Plaza - The Floodlight Collective LP/CD on the menu. this is Lockett Pundt's debut solo release, and you may recognize the name from his work toiling as guitarist in

Deerhunter. this is a densely layered pop treatise with an obvious appreciation for the atmospheric vocal harmonies of the 50's, the Brill Building writers of the 60's and the early 80's postpunk uk scene. delicious.

All of these titles/formats should be ready for mail order from Kranky a week or so before release date. check back for updates.

Whoo's excited?

Andrew Broder (Fog) releases YET ANOTHER solo album..

From Andrew Broder:

Hello Everyone,

Once again, it's on. Here is the third installment of my self-released music series, this one entitled

"Raw Bulb"

It contains four pieces for turntables.

The track listing:

1) Gas Leak

2) One Hundred Dollars

3) Stop Making Plans

4) Vacuum

I've been pleased by the positive feedback so far on the first two, so let's keep this shit going. Spread the word, send the links around to whomever you want. Please let me know if you have any problems downloading.

Now, just because I am putting out free albums, that does not mean I can necessarily afford to do so. I can't. But in this ever-changing musical landscape, it seems like everyone is trying to re-configure how they do what they do, me included. So these are not tossed-off ideas, or freebies to advertise something else. This is what I do, and if you want to support it, you can feel free to send a voluntary donation via paypal to: thefog@visi.com

If you can't do that, just telling a friend, or your thousands of friends online to check it out is also very helpful.

Here are the links to the previous two offerings, which are still available for download:

"I MUST FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS":

https://rcpt.%20yousendit.%20com/645312094/d6e68c9259aa0935f260765a907a9c7c

"EXPERTS, SPECIALISTS":

https://rcpt.%20yousendit.%20com/647629460/b0d83b5d97b795cec787adbcfc037c37

Thanks Again,

Andrew

yay..

REVIEW: His Name Is Alive - Mouth By Mouth

8.5 out of 10

Find it here.

When I have a headache, I take an aspirin. When I'm tired I drink coffee. When I'm having a bad day I listen to "Mouth By Mouth" by His Name Is Alive. This band knows where I live. His Name Is Alive have been around for twenty years now, and have a huge body of work; most of which is on the phenomenal label 4AD. This is my favorite, and it's one those albums I bought on a whim and knocked me out on the first listen. Every time I listen to it, I just think "this came so close to never happening"..

"Mouth By Mouth" is a great dream pop album. HNIA have always had this cut and copy approach to production that is always a little surprising. I guess Warner Bros. handled the distribution for this record, and for the US release refused to allow most of the samples on the record. They failed to notice, however, "Can't Go Wrong Without You" is made up entirely of said samples.

Their sound can be likened to label mates, and major influence, This Mortal Coil (Their first two albums were produced and mixed by Ivo Watts-Russel). His Name Is Alive is often noisy/poppy and make full use of their studio. At it's heart its a great guitar album, driven by Karin Oliver's ethereal vocals. The Tracks bleed and mix flawlessly from one another, and you hardly notice the change from song to song. They make great use of muted strings and buzzed orchestration. I swear I hear a new instrument everytime I listen to it.

I can't tell you that you'll love it, cause I know a lot of people who don't. But I will say if you come across it grab it. If it doesn't suit your fancy, I'll buy it from you.

Standout Tracks: The Torso, Can't Go Wrong Without You, Lemon Ocean, The Dirt Eaters

Cool Video Fun Time #7 - Crystal Cat