Digitalism: Idealism

Thanks to Mike C. for hunting this one down and sending it over. Digitalism is drawing a lot of comparisons to Justice for their similar "garage" approach to dance music, and to Hot Chip for the live sound, and full-band scale of their performances. Scope it.

Sorry, I haven't listened enough to write more. Check out the AllMusic review for guidance.

LINK: Digitalism: Idealism

Animal Collective: "Peacebone"

"Why again do people like this band?" That's been my primary impression of Animal Collective since purchasing their Here Comes the Indian album on a recommendation. That was both scary, and really really boring. Noise collages just aren't for me.

But, their new album, Strawberry Jam is nice and accessible -- almost campy for a band that has enjoyed most of their success on the predication that they are difficult to listen too, and therefore uniquely hardcore in their own right. Anyway, the new album isn't quite easy listening, but's a real gem of modern psych-rock. There's definitely a quirky, circus-style Beach Boys-thing, with a wall of electronic noise happening throughout the disc.

Here's the first track off the album, called "Peacebone". If you like this song, you will like Strawberry Jam.

Alpha: Stargazing

We're overdue for a couple of new posts around here, so here goes a couple of favorite discs from the early '00s.

First up, a truly under appreciated gem from 2004, Alpha's Stargazing. There aren't enough great things to say about this album, if you're got a think for lush, low-key, vocal electronic.

The songs here are almost all downtempo, and many of them feature some gorgeous, and very understated vocal performances (see: "Once Around town", "Lipstick at the Asylum" and "Saturn and Rain"). If you played this album in a dentist's office, no one would need novicaine. It's just straight-up relaxation.

LINK:
Alpha: Stargazing

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum

No doubt this one will be included in a future chronicle of worst album covers of all-time. What's inside is pretty interesting though, and about as out-there as the cover art. I suppose I'd describe it as electronic psychedelia, with a little smidge of instrumental hip-hop thrown in for variatino. That's a pretty shitty explanation I realize. Listen for yourself.

LINK:
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum

Justice - †

It doesn't happen very often, but here's a dance/disco (you be the judge) record that's completely tearing my shit apart. It's like someone took a rusty chainsaw to the usual nice, clean, tightly produced micro-house record. This album barks. It's not safe for children. This album has fucking rabies.

Give the first track, "Genesis" a listen:

I may still be in lust (only one full listen through) but I'm thinking Top 5 of 2007 here.

LINK:
Justice - †

Chromeo - She's In Control

Thanks to Mike for providing the link to this slice of digi-liquid-funktronic-ness. If you like synthesizers, BIG New Order-style beats, and vocoders, this one's for you. Kinda sounds like what Morris Day & the Time might have come up with, had they had the benefit of computers in the early 80s.

The track "Needy Girl" is a clear standout, but the whole album is pretty solid... if you like vocodor... and synths.

LINK:
Chromeo - She's In Control

Savath & Savales - Rolls & Waves

Here's an fantastic EP from Scott Herren (a.k.a. Prefuse 73) moniker / side-project, Savath & Savales. Most S&S material might be described as "Ambient Spanish electro-folk," but this particular release leans more heavily on glitching and sound gadgetry that's normally associated with the Prefuse releases. Don't expect instrumental hip hop though, these cuts show off Herron's calmer side. That said, you can still expect beats.

DOWNLOAD:
Savath & Savales - Rolls & Waves EP

The Field - From Here We Go Sublime

Currently listed on Metacritic as the #1 most well-reviewed album of 2007 (and, unbelievably, the 5th best score since 2000) this new release from The Field is being heralded as a new direction for ambient techno. From Here We Go Sublime is dense, yet minimal, and in manages to liberate itself from the typical fleshing-out of techno music, while also restraining the formula that often makes the genre so predictable.

If you only listen to one electronic record in 2007... this might be the one. It's only April though.

DOWNLOAD:
The Field - From Here We Go Sublime