Better Living Through Orgone

May 8th, 2009

Not much to say tonight. Actually, I have a bit to say about various non-inportatant things, but I am very tired. Quick review notices:

Julien-K – Death To Analog: My original review for this was just going to be “Fuck these guys.” but my editor said that lacked impartial critisism.

The Future Sound Of London Presents The Pulse EPs: If you like Acid House and you do not own this CD collecting some of FSOL’s most essential (and woefully out of print) tracks then you are fucking up.

Now some tunes.

Kate Bush
Cloudbusting (The Organon Remix)
I was torn on putting this one up because the quality of the recording isn’t that great. There are quite a few pops and crackles and such, but I decided to post it because I’m sure the people who really want to hear it don’t give a shit. Besides, it’s a totally awesome song. How many other songs have you heard about machines that can disrupt the weather using the unseen forces that are created from orgasms? I thought not. This remix is from a 12” single.

Mental Note: I need to buy more Kate Bush 12” singles.

OMD
If You Leave (Extended Version)
La Femme Accident (Remixed Version)
Speaking of shitty recordings…I put this song up a very long time ago, back when I had a retarded turntable that spun too damn fast. I meant to repost this one in March, but I couldn’t find the damn thing in my horribly unorganized record collection. I finally did, so enjoy and spend the weekend waxing poetic about Molly Ringwald.

Todd Terry
Let It Ride (12” Edit)
Let It Ride (Tee’s Mix)
Blackout (Tee’s Out Mix)
And now for the drum ‘n’ bass portion of tonight’s program. Todd Terry is a house legend whose remixes you’ve probably heard before (on this blog most likely) having done remixes for artists as diverse as Garbage and Yes. I didn’t know he was into DnB as well, so these tracks were a pleasant surprise. They are all from the same 12” single.

Bedrock
Set In Stone
Forbidden Zone
Ah those wacky House DJs and their stupid-ass pseudonyms. Bedrock is John Digweed and Nick Muir, and while they aren’t as successful as Digweed’s other collaborative project (Sasha & Digweed) they do alright for themselves. “Set The Stone” is just alright, but “Forbidden Zone” is great, peaking wonderflully near the end. Pure house brilliance. These two trance/house tracks are from a 12” single. Immature sidenote: Having a name like “Digweed” must have sucked in junior high.

Posted in B-sides, Bedrock, Kate Bush, OMD, remixes, Todd Terry | 1 Comment »

Lost Soundtrack Of Lost Angels On Lost Turntable Is Lost

May 6th, 2009

I’m going out on a limb and posting some stuff from a rare out-of-print soundtrack. The last time I did that I faced the wrath of Steve Winwood, hopefully that won’t be the case today.

The soundtrack in question the soundtrack to Lost Angels, a completely forgotten 80s flick with Donald Sutherland and Adam Horowitz, AKA Ad-Rock from the Beastie Boys. It was directed by Hugh Hudson, who blew his creative wad with his debut feature, the epic Chariots of Fire in 1981. He followed that up with the mediocre Greystroke: Legend Of Tarzan in 1984 and the “holy shit that was fucking awful” Revolution in 1985, a film that damn near killed Al Pacino’s career. After this flick he went on to do a film called My Life So Far a decade later and then I Dreamed Of Africa, a movie that nearly killed Kim Basigner’s career. Dude needs to stop making movies. Hell, maybe he has, I Dreamed of Africa was the dude’s last movie and that was nearly 10 years ago.

Anyways, despite Ad-Rock starring in Lost Angels, the soundtrack was Beastie-less and instead featured a weird combination of established and up-and-coming alternative acts. Album cuts by The Cure, the Pogues, Soul Asylum, Soundgarden and Toni Childs were all included, but since all of those songs are on easy-to-find records I’m not including them here (check out a tracklsting at Allmusic. Instead I’m only focusing on the stuff that’s still pretty hard to find, such as…

The Happy Mondays – Do It Better
Ah The Happy Mondays, the band that bankrupt Factory Records and proved that while acid and ecstasy are a-okay when it comes to writing acid house inspired rock, angel dust and crack certainly are not. “Do It Better” is certainly not a rarity by any stretch of the means, it appeared on the band’s sophomore album Bummed, but this version did not. In fact, I don’t know the story behind this version of the song at all, which I think was exclusive to this soundtrack. If anyone has additional information on it I would be grateful.

Apollo Smile – Let’s Rock
Speaking of wanting additional information. What the fuck happened to Apollo Smile? Does anyone out there remember this chick? She was the poster child for the self-promotion, basically willing herself into record contract and a TV host gig on Sci-Fi Channel by basically proclaiming herself to be a “live-action anime girl” (whatever that means). If you’re a video game nerd you probably recognize her voice as the voice of Ulala from the Space Channel 5 games. Was she a prefabricated creation with little-to-no depth? Possibly. Was she hot as hell and super-cool in a silly nineties kind of way? Definitely! So what the fuck happened to her? A quick search for her online finds that her official site has vanished and all that remains are some embarrassing late-90s fansites that haven’t been updated in a decade. I’m not the only person who has pondered this, check out this article (and this one) for a little more information/wondering. Hey Apollo are you out there? Want to do an interview? This tune, which samples some Led Zep, it totally awesome.

Raheem – Self Preservation
Speaking of Led Zeppelin samples, this rap track from Raheem of the Ghetto Boys samples “Whole Lotta Love.” But the no-doubt illegal sampling doesn’t stop there, as this track aslo lifts from Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.” Two classic rock riffs for the price of one, done well and in an original way. Hey Kid Rock, pay attention!

The Royal Court Of China – Love Long Gone
The Royal Court of China, what an awful name for a band from Nashville. Mediocre tune that I’m including just to be a completist.

John Williams and Wayne Shorter – Lost Angles Theme
John Williams is an Academy-Award Winning composer who gave us the themes to Jaws, ET, Star Wars and dozens of other classic films. Wayne Shorter is a legendary jazz saxophonist from the 1960s. Together they created this utterly forgettable piece of music for a movie starring a Beastie Boy. The late 80s were really weird man.

Posted in Apollo Smile, Happy Mondays, John Williams, Raheem, soundtrack, the Royal Court Of China | 7 Comments »

Tole-Doh! Rock

April 30th, 2009

I’m heading for the not-at-all greener pastures of Toledo Ohio for the next few days. So this will be the last update of the week. I’m twice as depressed as you are about that fact, I can assure you. The stuff from tonight are all Record Store Day exclusives, most of them being from the Record Store Day 2009 Edition exclusive LP. Half of it was stuff that was already released or from upcoming releases, but there were a few choice rare/exclusive cuts, here they are.

Glasvegas – Daddy’s Gone (Live from KCRW)
I know very little about this band. I just know what my friend Lisa tells me, and according to her they are Jesus wrapped in awesome. Although I’ve learned never to trust her opinion when it comes to UK stuff, since she’s biased. Not a bad track though.

Raphael Saadiq – 100 Yard Dash (101 Yard Remix)
What I said about Glasvegas goes double here. Another good track, but I’m too lazy to Wiki the guy and see who the hell he is right now.

Franz Ferdinand – No You Girls (Vince Clarke Remix)
I’m seeing these guys Sunday in Detroit and I haven’t been so stocked to go to the Motor City Hellhole in years. I’ll give a full report of the awesomeness (and sure-to-be-annoying-Hipsters) when I return. This remix is by Vince Clarke of Depeche Mode/Yazoo/Erasure. Vince Clarke remixing a Franz Ferdinand song is the most gay thing that isn’t actually gay in the history of faux-gay ever.

Black Kids – Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo) (Kid Gloves Remix)
This is probably the song I like the least on Partie Traumatic, good beat/groove on this remix though.

Slayer
Pyschopathy Red
I Am A Mistake Of Nature
I Am A Mistake Of Nature (Reversed and Sped Up)
Slayer motherfucker!!! SLAYER!! These tracks weren’t from the Record Store Day exclusive vinyl, but from a special single that was also available on Record Store Day. It’s blood red, big surprise. The song Psychopathy Red is about Andrei Chikatilo, the Russian serial killer. Typical happy happy Slayer stuff. The b-side is a slowed down backwards message, which I presume is a translated statement made by Chikatilo. I’ve gone ahead and sped it up/reveresed it for you, while also provided the original version. Enjoy the murder and I’ll see you Monday.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

SLOW BONGO FLOYD FTW!!!

April 29th, 2009

Today was the first time since I broke my rib/joint/tendon that I was able to work out. I just got done lifting weights while listening to Fear. I could punch God in the face right now I’m so pumped.

On a completely unrelated note, I finally got around to updating my blog roll, check it out, there’s some good stuff there, especially Friendsound, who get deluxe bonus points for putting up a rare CD by Scanner, one of my favorite electronic acts.

Tonight’s post is full of weird, awesome and weird awesome.

Slow Bongo Floyd
More Than Jesus (SBF Mix)
More Than Jesus (Irresistible Force Mix)
Open Your Heart (11 O’Clock Mix)
Open Your Heart (Piano Mix)
Talk about a surprise. I bought this record on a complete whim, mostly because of the ridiculous band name, and was complete gobsmacked by the unbelievable awesomeness hidden in its grooves. This is some crazy-ass Madchester shit to the 10th degree, house beats layered behind wah wah guitars and trippy-ass vocals. I can find next to nothing on these guys. There seems to be a semi-official site dedicated to them, but it’s bloody awful only giving out the most basic of information. That site mentions two albums, Acid House Inspirational and Brenda Salmons. I can’t find the first one anywhere but it seems that Brenda Salmons was just re-released digitally and you can pick it up on Amazon for a cheap six bucks! I bought it and am listening to it right now. I’ll let you all know how it is in the coming days. However, if you liked The Stone Roses or The Happy Mondays you need to download this shit and check it out, it’ll blow your mind that you haven’t heard it before. If anyone out there has any other rare Slow Bongo Floyd tracks for the love of God hook a brother up.

Heaven 17
Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry Parts One & Two (Uninterrupted Single Version)
Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry (Extended Dance Version)
I’m new to Heaven 17, having recently discovered how awesome early Human League was, I’ve branched out and picked up a few Heaven 17 singles and I have to be honest; I’m a little disapointed. I was hoping that the guys from Heaven 17 took the weird from Human League with them when they left, but it sounds like they didn’t. Based on the insanely dark name of this track I was expecting “Being Boiled” round 2, but instead I got an upbeat dance number about the opression of the working class. It’s not a bad song, but damn talk about not having something meet your expectations.

Lene Lovich
Blue Hotel (Dance Mix)
Lene Lovich was an American singer, but she found much more success in England, having signed to Stiff Records when all the cool kids (Elivs Costello, Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric) were doing it. This remix to one of her best tunes is from a 12” single. If you like it I suggest checking out her other stuff, it’s all pretty good.

Sparks
Rosebud (Extended Dance Mix)
Theme For Rosebud (Cinematic Mix)
Rosebud (FM Mix)
These guys are fucking weird. That’s all I got to say.

Posted in Heaven17, Lene Lovich, remixes, Slow Bongo Floyd, Sparks | 9 Comments »

Tubular Bananas in Tail Pipes

April 27th, 2009

I’m crazy busy reviewing awful music so just a quick post tonight, but before that some links to reviews of CDs that don’t suck.

Depeche Mode – Sound Of The Universe: I liked it, surprise I know.
Radiohead – OK Computer (Special Edition): Just fucking buy it.

J&B Orchestra
Tubular Bells (Club Mix)
Tubular Bells (Dub Mix)
On a list of tracks I thought would get remixed by a Disco Italo artist “Tubular Bells”…is actually pretty high up there. Disco Italo is weird, so it’s not that surprising. Imagine the corniest aspects of New Wave, Disco and House music…tha’ts Disco Italo. This remix/remake of “Tubular Bells” (AKA the song in The Exorcist) appropriately exorcises all creepiness from the track and turns it into a fun little club jam.

Harold Faltermeyer
Axel F (The M&M Mix)
Axel F (Extended Version)
I’ve been collecting records for 10 years now. I know I have a pretty impressive collection, but I’ve always thought something was missing. I looked at my shelves upon shelves of 12” singles with an emptyness in my heart, a lacking, a yearning for something I didn’t quite understand. But now that I have the 12” single to Axel F I knew that is what was lacking. That was the missing piece, the keystone if you will, to my collection. My collection is now complete (not really). These remixes are awesome and I suggest everyone listen to them whilst jogging and/or fighting to avenge James Russo’s death.

Side Note: The first mix has little, if nothing, to do with M&M’s…I think.

Posted in dubs, Harold Faltermeyer, JandB Orchestra, Mike Oldfield, remixes | 1 Comment »

A Monstrous Psychedelic Blog Experience through the candy-coated center of your third eye (or something).

April 23rd, 2009

Record Store Day was last Saturday, and between my hunting in Pittsburgh, my friend’s hunting in Toledo and my mom’s hunting in Colorado I was able to get a lot of the super-neato-keen exclusives that were available that day. The biggest (and most difficult) find was the 12” single of Oasis’ “Falling Down” which you’ll find more information about below, but I also got some other nifty swag. I’ll try to post more of this stuff later in the week, here’s the best of the best right now.

Regina Spektor
Better (Piano and Voice)
Better (Radio Recut)
Hero
Bartender
I already owned this album but I had to get this vinyl, so I can frame it and have Regina’s cute face look over me in my bedroom. Wait, that sounded creepy didn’t it? Um…nevermind. The vinyl version came with these extras special bonus cuts, which were previously only available on iTunes and on singles. The piano only version of “Better” is super-awesome, and the rest aren’t half bad either. Hey Regina, call me.

Oasis
Falling Down (A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Remix)
Just putting this one up on a blog doesn’t really do the complete package justice. I have it labeled as “A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Remix” but the front cover goes all out, calling it “A 20 minute cosmic dozescape psychedelicized by the Amorphous Androgynous. A monstrous psychedelic bubble exploding in your MIND.” Hyperbolic? Not at all, because this mix is fucking insane, and absolutely incredible. A must have for fans of anything that doesn’t suck. Important side-note, Amorphous Androgynous is the psychedelic pseudonym of The Future Sound Of London, one of the top five electronic acts of all time. So yeah, it’s a must have. On the vinyl version of this it was split in half, with parts 1 and 2 on one side and 3 through 5 on the other. I did you the pleasure of mixing them together, so you can have one 20 minute freakout session. Don’t take the brown acid.

Posted in B-sides, Oasis, Regina Spektor, remixes | 9 Comments »

Dreaming Of Tangerines In Space

April 22nd, 2009

Haven’t gone through all the links yet, but I’ve already discovered some pretty sweet ones thanks to you people. There are so many good sites out there but for every quality blog there are 50 that are pure shite, so thanks everyone for acting as my filter. Now here’s some music no one will want as a reward.

FM – Black Noise
A great Canadian rock trio that specializes in space-themed prog. Rush? Fuck no! I’m talking about FM! FM is awesome, well at least this album is, I haven’t been able to find anything else by the group. How awesome is FM you ask? Well, for starters they don’t have a guitar player! That’s right motherfuckers, they rock it with glockenspiels, mandolins and electric violins! Need more proof? One of their early members was a guy called Nash the Slash, and look at him! Black Noise is all sci-fi insanity, with amazing song titles like “Slaughter In Robot Village,” “Dialing For Dhrama” and “Phasors On Stun.” If Rush is too low key and subtle for you then FM is your band. Much better lead singer too – although that’s not saying much when your comparison point is Geddy Lee. According to Wikipedia (which is always right) Black Noise is in print, but I can’t find a copy new anywhere – only overpriced and used. So its hard enough to find for me to justify putting the whole thing up.

Flashpoint – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Treat Williams and Kris Kristofferson find a wrecked Jeep in the desert that had a dead body, a rifle and a shitload of money. The dead dude is the guy who killed Kennedy and the money was his reward. So of course Kirstofferson and Williams try to keep the money. Sounds like the best movie ever made doesn’t it? But wait, Rip Torn is in it! It IS the best movie ever made. Need further proof? Tangerine Dream provided the soundtrack, well most of the soundtrack, the title track is by a band called The Gems and it has to be one of the worst pieces of shit ever put to vinyl. This is another one of Tangerine Dream’s out-of-print and overlooked 80s soundtracks to a movie no one ever heard of, and is worth a listen if you like them. The opening track is especially good.

Posted in Complete Albums, FM, soundtrack, Tangerine Dream | 4 Comments »

Hopped Up On Goofballs

April 17th, 2009

So I broke/tore/snapped/fucked up a joint in my ribs by lifting an aquarium. I didn’t even know my ribs had joints. Regardless, that hurt a lot. But I’m flying high tonight thanks to painkillers.

This post is brought to you by Vicadin, the letter “H” and the number “pink.”

Woah, I think this shit is starting to kick in. I better make this quick.

Quick note too, I’m still looking for some good blogs, so please share any links you have (that’s not to say the links submitted weren’t good, I just haven’t looked at them that much yet). And contray to what shitstains out there may think, posting a link to your own blog isn’t trolling. Being a little moron and picking fights is though.

New Order
Here To Stay (Felix Da Housecat’s Extended Gltiz Mix)
Here To Stay (Scumfrog Dub Mix)
This is not a cover of th Korn “classic” (although that would have been wrong/AWESOME), instead its a track New Order released for the soundtrack to 24 Hour Party People, a movie about Factory Records. Makes sense. The track was produced by The Chemical Brothers, and has a definite house vibe to it, especially the remixes, big beats abound.

Breakfast Club
Expressway To Your Heart (The Shep Pettibone Mix)
The band Madonna was in before she was Madonna. They never released anything with that version of the line-up. This is a cover of the Philly Soul classic originally released by The Soul Survivors back in the 60s. This remix is from a 12” single and it takes what was already an 80s-tarded update of the tune and rockets it to mega80starded proporations. Yes, I said 80s-tarded, I just invented it. I’m gonna copyright that shit.

Madonna
Human Nature (Runway Club Mix)
Human Nature (I’m Not Your Bitch Mix)
Human Nature (Bottom Heavy Dub)
And here’s Madonna, I didn’t even plan that synergy, it just kind of happened. I think. I don’t remember. I think I should go lay down.

Posted in Breakfast Club, Madonna, New Order, remixes, Vicadin is a hell of a drug | 6 Comments »

Before They Were Has-Beens

April 16th, 2009

I recently pillaged my blogroll of dead and out-dated links and am in need of MP3 blogs to discover and link to. Everyone leave suggestions in the comment section – whore yourself if you want, it’s fun and all the cool kids do it. My blog is read by literally…um…a few people everyday and a link from me will totally make you hot shit forever.

A quick little list of things I look for in a blog:

  • No rapidshit or other download service links – pay for your own server, it’s cheap.
  • No complete album downloads of albums that are easily available
  • At least halfway decent writing
  • A layout that doesn’t look like a monkey shit it out

Most importantly, if you have ever ripped off something I posted and then re-posted it as your own, I will find you an do very bad things to you., like make you listen to Katy Perry records.

I’m currently nursing a rather nasty muscle injury and my mind is not what it usually is, so I apologize in advance for the rather shitty writing you are about to read.

Beats International
Dub Be Good To Me (Norman Cook’s Excursion on the Version)
Dub Be Good To Me (Norman Cook’s Excursion on the Hip Hop Version)
Dub Be Good To Me (Smith and Mighty Remix)
Dub Be Good To Me (Smith and Mighty Mellow Mix)
Dub Be Good To Me (Acappela)
Beats Unlimited was the brainchild of Norman Cook, AKA Fatboy Slim, and was his first foray into music after The Housemartins broke up. A pretty big change of pace if I may say, considering The Housemartins were best known for their acapella renditions of Christian songs. This is clearly a transitional group for Cook, who would go through a few more aliases before settling on Fatboy Slim and making big beat history. Despite being called a dub song, this is classic old-school house with a dash of pop thrown in, and is as dated as 80s dance gets (even though it techincally came out in the 90s). These remixes are from a 12”.

Ministry
I Wanted To Tell Her (12” Remix)
I Wanted To Tell Her (Tongue Tied Mix)
A Walk In The Park
I thought I had all the early Ministry singles, so imagine my joy when I stumbled upon this gem, finding it in Toledo of all places (I guess there ain’t no synthpop party like a Toledo synthpop party). “I Wanted To Tell Her” was the second single off of Ministry’s 1983 debut album With Sympathy, and the highest charting one as well. Like everything on With Sympathy it sounds nothing like what was to come from Al and his not-so-merry band of industrial misanthropes, and yes he does sing with a fake British accent, and yes it’s totally awesome. These are from a 12” single.

Exotic Birds
No Communication
No Communication (Instrumental)
Demon Dance
Demon Dance (Instrumental)
I’ll Never Say Goodbye
Yes, Trent Reznor was in this band, but he’s not on this single. He didn’t sign up until a few years later. My plans for an all “before they were stars” style post isn’t a complete bust however, since the group’s frontman, Andy Kubiszewski, went on to form Stabbing Westard. After that he went on to produce for t.A.T.u, which means he’s probably filthy stinkin’ rich now.

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

When it Rains it Rains Shit

April 13th, 2009

April. I hate April. I’ve detailed my reasons why before, I’m not getting into those past pains again. I will tell you though that so far this month I’ve had five of my fish die, pulled my abdominal muscles and faced something so weird I’m not even getting into it here. The sad thing is that the month isn’t even halfway over yet.

I really gotta look into getting that April/Nuclear shelter built in my basement, stocking it with 12” singles, a TV and an Xbox and just sitting this whole month out next year.

Also, every nerd that reads this should go to my friend Anna’s blog. She’s cool and she knows more about computers and video games than you do.

Daft Punk
Musique
Da Funk (Armand Van Helden Remix)
I don’t find a lot of Daft Punk at Jerry’s that much. I think it’s like Dark Side Of the Moon, if you bought it you probably intend on keeping it. On the off chance that I score a Daft Punk single it’s usually worn to hell and back. I’m still morning the horrid condition of the “Better Faster Stronger” 12” I got a few months ago, thing barely played. However, this one played amazingly well and I get to share it’s amazing awesomeness with you amazingly awesome people.

Komakino
Man on Mars (Extended Club Mix)
Man on Mars (DJ Tibby Remix)
Man on Mars (DJ Jan Remix)
Man on Mars (Talla 2XLC Remix)
There’s not enough space-themed electronic music, don’t you think? Doesn’t make sense. Someone needs to get on that, I think the astronauts deserve more than Hawkwind and Rush records. I think this is a pretty good trance track, even thought I’m not a huge fan of the genre outside of progressive trance like Hybrid – who are also kind of sci-fi themed. Maybe I just like spaceships in my dance music, who knows? Interesting/useless bit of trivia, there was also a rock band named Komakino, which proves that no matter how obscure the Joy Division reference you may come up with, someone else beat you to it. These are from a 12” single.

Pussy 2000
It’s Gonna Be Alright (Rockdapussy Mix)
It’s Gonna Be Alright (Hard Pussy Mix)
It’s Gonna Be Alright (DJ Sneak Vocal Edit)
It’s Gonna Be Alright (Original 2001 Mix)
Yes, it’s official, that is the worst name of a house DJ act I have ever seen. Pussy 2000? What the hell were they thinking? Not only is it disgusting, it instantly dates them! It’s gross and impractical! What a horrible combination! It’s a shame too, because this track, which samples The Clash’s “Rock The Casbah” is actually kind of good. I’d also like to state that I picked up this 12” because the credits had Joe Strummer on it, and not because the name of the group. Seriously. I’m serious.

Stop judging me.

Posted in B-sides, Daft Punk, Komakino, Pussy 2000, remixes | 4 Comments »

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