Compression : I

First of the Compression series. Let's see how this goes, hey?

From the gospelesque vocals to the basic synths, French Horn Rebellion has got that Passion Pit sound down to a tee.

French Horn Rebellion - Up All Night

'Not Made For Love' by Metronomy, two remixes here. Joakim's remix is quirky, but in a slightly lethargic, who's-the-new-kid-he's-a-weirdo way. Astronomer's is equally quirky, but has a more upbeat, acoustic feel.

Metronomy - Not Made For Love (Joakim Remix)
Metronomy - Not Made For Love (Astronomer Remix)

Grum (formerly GRUM) has been remixed by Joe & Will Ask?, and, in typical J&WA? fashion, the track is club oriented, but unlike most, it somehow shines through, even to a casual listener, providing a melodious drop at 1:30. Drop at 3:16 is also quite pleasant too.

Grum - Heartbeats (Joe & Will Ask? Remix)

Designer Drugs apply their horrorhouse dance-floor formula to the delectably French 'Baby Baby Baby'. Horror Theme for a French Femme Fatale? My opinion?

Definitely.

Make The Girl Dance - Baby Baby Baby (Designer Drugs Remix)

Rarche Out!

Diligence

That's what I need. A tall, cold glass of diligence.

This will be my last regular post for a while. I have to go hit the books, and study like there's no tomorrow. I have my German oral exam in a little over a week. I have to talk about 'Integration problems that foreigners experience in Germany'.

In German.

ArghhhhhhhhhhHHHH (that was one of those shouts that peaks about 5 seconds after they begin).

My exams finish mid November, but don't expect regularity to return immediately.

Hope I can still keep you kids hooked on Rarche for long enough.

- Coulson

Missing

Have you kids been watching music videos lately? If so, you've probably spied the videos to some Empire Of The Sun tracks, namely 'Walking On A Dream', 'We Are The People' and 'Standing On The Shore'.

The first, 'Walking On A Dream' was filmed in Shanghai, and featured both Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore. The other two featured Luke Steele by himself, with no Nick Littlemore. Have you been wondering where Nick Littlemore is? So has Luke Steele.

Apparently, Luke Steele hasn't spoken to his Empire Of The Sun counterpart for over 5 months. No one knows where he is. And to top it all off, Empire Of The Sun had their first live show last night in Brisbane at Parklife. I wonder if Luke Steele pulled it off?

Anyway, I've scoped out some superior Empire Of The Sun remixes out for you kids, for your hearing pleasure. Both are atypical remixes, which actually do something to the original, in this case, by applying groovy brass synths. Spot the Jimmy2Sox drop at 2:04.

Delectable.

Empire Of The Sun - We Are The People (Jimmy2Sox Remix)
Empire Of The Sun - Standing On The Shore (Cassian Remix)

C'mon Nick Littlemore, Luke Steele needs you.

Hey! What? I'm In Love

I'm not a particularly big fan of Dubstep, I find the warbling, wah-wah sounds comical, and almost always a tad anti-climatic. But Foamo, well, he's another story.

Diplo & Laidback Luke - Hey! (Foamo Remix)
Jack Beats - What (Foamo Re-Edit)
Dub Pistols - I'm In Love (Foamo Dubstep Remix)

Decent Danceable Dubstep.

Signed

Mustard Pimp, beloved lords of Bassline, have finally been signed to a big label (well, it actually happened in July, but the new-single-hype is only occuring now). Those kids had it coming, and hey, maybe now they can tour outside of France (Melbourne please).

To commemorate their signing to, ermmm, Dim Mak, Mustard Pimp kindly released a remix of their debut single, 'Cherry'. As a song to jump up and down to in a club, it is meritorious. One of their best works yet.

Mustard Pimp - Cherry (Mustard Pimp Dark Remix)

Some old original tracks:

Mustard Pimp - Beetle Gum
Mustard Pimp - Curry

Maybe Mustard Pimp can improve Dim Mak for the better?

New Technology Is Fragile

It's true, isn't it? New technology is fragile. I've had my iPod for less than a year (a red one, of course) but it's already starting to get dust under the screen. I bought my WeSCs (I don't care if you think they suck, they look good) at the same time, and the extension cord for them broke after about 6 months.

Worst.

New Daft Punk and Juggers. Juggers is 100% real, but there are doubts over the authenticity of the Daft Punk track, but I don't mind, it still sounds spiffy.

Midnight Juggernauts - This New Technology
Daft Punk - Fragile

Can't wait for Tron Legacy. I sincerely hope it's better than Electroma.

Album : Cities Of Gold

'Cities Of Gold' is the debut album from Sydney Psychedelic-Indie kids Lost Valentinos. They emerged in 2005 as The Valentinos, but had to change their name in 2007 to Lost Valentinos, due to a lawsuit from Bobby & The Valentinos.

In 'Cities Of Gold', Lost Valentinos continue their trademark sound - soaring yet searing synths, strangely macabre falsetto, as well as the occasional congo drum beat. The album seems to have been modelled on maintaining a mystical, cryptic feel, true to Psychedelic-Indie style. The outstanding tracks in my opinion are 'Thief', 'Serio', 'The Bismarck' and 'In The City Of Gold'. Despite the sombre feel throughout all the songs, they are strangely uplifting.

Wisely, the best tracks in this album have already been released as singles, so if you're expecting more one-track wonders, you'll probably be dissatisfied with this album, as the rest of the album can probably be viewed as fillers. However, this is one of those few true album-albums, which sound much more impressive if you listen to them from start to finish. If you're a true fan of Lost Valentinos, this album will not disappoint.

Lost Valentinos - In The City Of Gold
Lost Valentinos - Kafka! (Bag Raiders What Y'all Know 'Bout Seven Remix)

What the hell are Bag Raiders on about with that remix name.

Disappointment

I expected better from these two. Any Fake Blood track should not go for one minute. And the Siriusmo remix of 'Shooting Stars' is criminally underdone. Not much is changed from the original, and what is changed, really isn't that spectacular.

Jay Z - Run This Town Ft. Rihanna (Fake Blood 1 Minute Mash)
Bag Raiders - Shooting Stars (Siriusmo Remix)

Some better efforts from Siriusmo, although Testliebe cuts out just before it gets exciting:

Siriusmo - Testliebe
Digitalism - Echoes (Siriusmo Remix)

Oh well. Fake Blood and Siriusmo are still brilliant.

Allure

Allure makes dazzling melodies, the type that just invokes a foot-tapping reaction. His tracks are full of reverb and distortion, but not the aggressive in-your-face variety, in fact, they come across as rather harmonious and soothing.

If his music was a drink, I would compare it to a light, bubbly Schweppes soft drink, probably Agrum.

Allure - Narcisse
Allure - Champagne
Allure - Dandy
Allure - Diamonds
Allure - Roses

If only these had lyrics, I would sing along to them.

Thief Of Wellbeing

Winegums are not good for your system. Especially when you attempt to eat the entire packet by yourself. I ate around 90%, but stopped when I felt like throwing up. I vowed never to eat winegums again.

The following day, I found the same packet of winegums lying in my bag. I ate the rest of them. I have now concluded that winegums are delicious.

Two new remixes from those kids called Gentlemen Thieves. Los Feeling remix is my pick of the two (plus the original artist name/track name of the second is borderline cringeworthy).

Visitor - Los Feeling (Gentlemen Thieves Remix)
Kiss In Cities - U R My Girl (Gentlement Thieves Remix)

I might go get some winegums now.

Alliteration, F

Fred Falke and Friendly Fires flew over Fences, for a flamboyant First Move.

Burns - First Move (Fred Falke Remix)
Phoenix - Fences (Friendly Fires Remix)

Try saying this quickly ten times in a row:
Flee from fog to fight flu fast!

Aeroplane

Remember just how brilliant Aeroplane's remix of Paris was? Well the vocals in that song were that of Au Revoir Simone. Now a remix of Au Revoir Simone themselves by Aeroplane has emerged.

Blissful.

Au Revoir Simone - Another Likely Story (Aeroplane Remix)

Some more Aeroplane for you kids to play with.

Cut Copy - Hearts On Fire (Aeroplane Remix)
Aeroplane - Whispers (Hercules And Love Affair Remix)

I think I might go listen to this remix now.

Toxic Is Dead

That's right. Rarche isn't dead, Toxic is. Well, actually he isn't. He's alive and kicking, and about to release a mix for Scion. Still, nothing hypes up the value of your work than dying, right?

The Toxic Avenger - Toxic Is Dead

Also spotted this pearler from Viking. Sounds like a Toxic remix, down to the warped, glitching vocals to the horror synth pads and reverberating bass. All slapped down upod a solid base of Indie goodness, a la The Sounds.

The Sounds - No One Sleeps When I'm Awake (Viking Remix)
Sonny - Mora (The Toxic Avenger Remix)

I'm just about dead from studying. Need to relax and recharge.

Such A Dancer

Such a dancer Mr Oizo, such a dancer. Glitchy, dark, French. Reminiscent of Positif. Good stuff!

Mr Oizo - Sucer Dancer

Cheers, WooDPecKer.

Album : Humbug

Arctic Monkeys third album, 'Humbug', was sure to sell bucketloads. Which it did (outsold all other Top Five albums combined in it's first week). The album was not produced by James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco fame, but by Josh Homme, of Queens Of The Stone Age. The result is an overall murkier, distorted sound.

Gone are the two/two and a half minute foot tapping, frantic songs that comment on life and love, instead, 3/4 minute ballads that are replaced slower, with a more developed sound. On the main part, catchy riffs are shunned so that the song as a whole can flourish. Catchy riffs can still be found in tracks such as 'Crying Lightning', 'Potion Approaching' and 'Dangerous Animals', but even in these songs lays a distracting overall fuzzy reverb, leaving the song lacking in crispness or vitality, the very things that helped the band achieve the incredible popularity they hold today.

Humbug heralds the maturing and refinement of the Arctic Monkeys. Despite what other critics may say, by no means is it a terrible album. It's just that it's different to their previous works. Unfortunately, this bold change may isolate their original fan base, leaving them wondering what happened to their beloved band.

Arctic Monkeys - Crying Lightning

Matt Helders is the drummer for Arctic Monkeys. He also does some remixing on the side. Not half bad.

Yo Majesty - Club Action (Matt Helders Remix)
We Are Scientists - Chick Lit (Matt Helders Remix)

Nice work, guy from Arctic Monkeys.

WhoDIB? : Bigger Than Big

Bigger Than Big was a pretty swell track, with an infectious vocal hook to reel you in. It would be a difficult yet interesting task to remix it, but Jupiter Ace and Bag Raiders were up to the challenge.

Jupiter Ace utilises the 'Bigger Than Big' voice snippet throughout the song, and presents a glitchy, sparkly melody for us to groove to, giving it a dancier edge. This assures that a diverse tune is achieved, rather than a boring repetitive one. Noice.

Bag Raiders also uses the 'Bigger Than Big' vocal snippet, layered with their trademark 'Rainbow Road Super Synth' (I may have made that name up), and, hell, it works like a charm. The instrumental and vocal parts of the main chorus are introduced at separate times, ensuring a delectably delicious drop at 2:26. This is an incredible remix, even by Bag Raiders standards.

WhoDIB? Jupiter Ace or Bag Raiders?

Super Mal - Bigger Than Big (Jupiter Ace Remix)
Super Mal - Bigger Than Big (Bag Raiders Remix)

Bag Raiders.

If I Told You

If I told you there was new Kid Cudi, you'd probably be interested.
If I told you there was new Ratatat, you'd probably be intrigued.
If I told you there was new MGMT, you'd probably be inquisitive.

But if I told you they all collaborated together on new material, well, you'd click download immediately, wouldn't you?

Kid Cudi - Alive Ft. Ratatat
Kid Cudi - Pursuit Of Happiness Ft. MGMT & Ratatat

And here's the track that shot Kid Cudi to stardom, just for good measure.

Kid Cudi - Day N' Nite (Crookers Remix)

I don't know how Crookers did it, but that remix is still as good as the first time I heard it.

My Vegetables Are Bleeding

The Bloody Beetroots once were one of the artists to watch. Now it seems they've somewhat fallen out of favour. Their debut album 'Romborama' didn't seem to be the success many anticipated, critically and commercially, despite the fact they are starting to be accepted by the club-oriented populace.

Now that I think about it, a similar thing happened to MSTRKRFT. They were the talk of the town, before their 'Fist Of God' album bombed, and they were rejected by the majority of the Blogosphere. Interestingly, they also seem to have been accepted by the more house-oriented public.

Funny that, The Bloody Beetroots and MSTRKRFT are actually both signed to the same label, Dim Mak Rec-

Oh. I see. It makes sense now.

Steve Aoki.

The Bloody Beetroots - Dimmakmmunication
The Secret Handshake - Summer Of '98 (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)

That first track, 'Dimmakmmunication' was made to celebrate The Bloody Beetroots' signing to Dim Mak Records. It's actually fairly decent, if not unoriginal.

Hercules

Mustard Pimp just released their 'Hercules' mixtape. It certainly is worthy of Mighty Hercules himself, clocking in at a total of 12 hours. Each one-hour part is named after one of the Twelve Labours of Hercules. I like the classical reference.

I'm not going to even bother to listen to the whole mixtape, let alone review it (understandably). You can find out more about it at Sex4Ears, or download each one-hour separate part here.

Also released are two new Mustard Pimp remixes, one of The Hives, the other of Partyshank (which A1 Bassline is half of). Also here for you Rarchesters is a remix of Mustard Pimp's 'RER D' by Mendel, as well as an original track named Valium.

Once again, Mustard Pimp have delivered, and cemented their reputation as leaders of bassline-oriented music.

The Hives - Main Offender (Mustard Pimp Remix)
Partyshank - Virgin (Mustard Pimp Remix)
Mustard Pimp - RER D (Mendel Strike & Riots Remix)
Mustard Pimp - Valium

If you like whirring, ear splitting basslines, and you haven't checked out Mustard Pimp, please do. Don't be a name snob.

Give It Back

"Give me back my PlayStation or I'll hit you."

Excellent Daft Punk remix from Justin Faust, up there in the list of Daft Punk remixes that don't suck.

Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger (Justin Faust Remix)
Justin Faust - Capri Spinoff

"I mean it. I'll hit you."

Sure You Will

An old Justice track?

Sounds suspicious.
Sounds fake.
Sounds terrible.

Just compare it to some real Justice (remix courtesy of Culture Prophet), it's absolutely awful.

Justice - Sure You Will
Justice - Culture Prophet's Guide To The Planisphere

Oh. Justice produced it in 2003 for a mock Eurovision contest. Completely legit.

Zoots Man

Zoot Woman. That name reminds me of those infomercials called 'Zoot Review'.

Anywho, Zoot Woman creates interesting tunes. Comparisons? A more upbeat version of White Lies under the guidance of some prominent producer. I adore the song title 'Lonely By Your Side'. An oxymoron of sorts, it forces you to think. Which is needed nowadays.

Dyebox whacks out a meatier song with their remix of 'Live In My Head'. Not half bad.

Zoot Woman - Lonely By Your Side
Zoot Woman - Live In My Head (Dyebox Remix)

With some proper marketing, I reckon Zoot Woman could go far. All they have to do is ditch that awful artist name...

Century

Well, well, well.

The Big One Oh Oh. Post number One Hundred.

It feels as if I've come of age. Or I'm past my prime (probably the former).

Here's hoping to many more posts to come!

- Coulson

Round Up: August

August is so passé. September is where it's at.

Top 3 Most Downloaded:
1. Dragonette - I Get Around (Van She Tech Vocal Mix)
2. GRUM - Heartbeats (Edwin Van Cleef Remix)
3. Bag Raiders - Shooting Stars (Shazam Dub Mix)

Commentary:
1. Dragonette remix? Yes please. Growling, roaring, and the like at 1:38, Van She Tech style. Swoit.
2. The popularity of this really jumped out from nowhere, but I assume it's riding on the back of the recent release of GRUM's 'Heartbeats' EP. If you appreciate danceable, nouveau-disco, GRUM's your best bet.
3. Remove the dreamy, sparkle-in-your-eyes quality of the original, and replace it with a jazzy, upbeat melody of brass, bass and triangles, and you have yourself Shazam's remix of 'Shooting Stars'. Foot-tap invoking.

Top 3 Most Underappreciated:
1. Gossip - Love Long Distance (Fake Blood Remix)
2. The Sterehoes - Red Yellow Blue
3. Tesla Boy - Spirit Of The Night

Commentary:
1. I'm not angry, I'm disappointed. Classic parent-speak. But I am disappointed. Gossip is hot right now, what with their new album and 'Heavy Cross' etc. Plus it's Fake Blood. Ashamed. Get it, make me proud.
2. I love the Euro/American pop-like feel to this song, it somehow goes with the Electro aspects of this song. Also dig the Korg solo at 1:48.
3. 80's super synths from go. 80's piano/melody right after. 80's vocals afterwards. All with an oxymoronical (?) avant-garde retro twist. Perplexing.

Bonus For Rarchesters:

The Kills - Cheap And Cheerful (Fake Blood Remix)
The Kills - Cheap And Cheerful (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)