DDOSBS#72 - Wilco

Happy new music Tuesday to you all.

Wilco is a Chicago-based band that mixes a quasi-experimental style with an accessible Americana sound. With 15 years, and their share of musician shuffling, behind them, the band has had quite some time to venture around the music industry, trying any genre between neo-folk and country rock. Their new album, which counts as their 8th, was simply named 'Wilco', it representing the true style and nature of the band.

Some of its better tunes are 'You Never Know' and the duet 'You And I' with the lovely Feist.

But I still find myself leaning towards their older works:

Wilco - Jesus, Etc

DDOSBS#71 - The Shins

Its hard to find an account of indie rockband The Shins, without a reference to Natalie Portman's 2004 Garden State quote The Shins "will change your life".

Well, this seems to be true in any case for Jesse Sandovol, who, last month, made the awkward transition from being the band's drummer to being the proud owner of a taco stand. The seemingly powerful and dominant frontman James Mercel replaced him with a rocker from Modest Mouse, also kicking out the keyboardist in exchange for a former Grand Archives member. You should be able to hear their 'new sound' sometime next year.

But for now, the Shins as they used to be:
Start slow. End rowdy.

The Shins - Sleeping Lessons

DDOSBS#70 - Nat King Cole

Nice try at the French. For an American... But I must admit, it makes it sound kinda cool.

Nat King Cole - L-O-V-E
(expanding his fan-base internationally by bluntly translating his song lyrics)



He also did it in Japanese.

DDOSBS#69 - Mark Ronson (Kissy Sell Out remix)

In 2007, Mark Ronson re-composed the 1987 ditzy-yet-dingy 'Stop Me If You Think You've Heard Enough' from early alt rockers The Smiths, adding some grand orchestration and vocals from the up-and-coming Daniel Merriweather.

A while later, British DJ 'Kissy Sell Out' turned the song up another notch.
The first minute and a half set out the solid foundation, after which Kissy goes outright bananas at the mixing controls.

Mark Ronson (Feat. Daniel Merriweather) - Stop Me (Kissy Sell Out remix)

DDOSBS#68 - RIP Michael Jackson

RIP Michael Jackson

Jackson 5 - Forever Came Today

DDOSBS#67 - The Very Best

The e-music scene and all language borders were struck with a bolt from the blue when, some time last year, they were introduced to a fresh and interesting collaboration that went by the stately name of 'The Very Best'. This project, which consists of, on the one hand, Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya and, on the other, electro-producers Radioclit, started when the three musicians met on a fortunate stroke of serendipity during a furniture shopping session in 2007.

The unlikely trio put out a mixtape called 'Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit Are the Very Best' in '08. On the record, with the use of four different languages, Esau gives his authentic African interpretation of anything from M.I.A. and Michael Jackson hits to Hans Zimmer scores and the Beatles' oldies (basically anything that could be remotely associated with the continent of Africa). They also let us hear some original material, as well as guest vocals by such stars as Santigold, Akon and Vampire Weekend. Below you can hear one of the tracks, 'Kamphopo', adding some serious steel drums to an original by the Aussie band Architecture in Helsinki. If you're convinced you can even download the entire mixtape HERE (for free!).

Recently, the Very Best have confirmed that they are not here for a one-day experiment though, having released two new singles on Tue & Thu of last week for their upcoming original album this fall. These are the summery title-track 'Warm Heart of Africa', featuring Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig and the infectious 'Ntende Uli'.

The Very Best - Kamphopo

DDOSBS#66 - Laura Izibor

Here is some sassy R&B, straight off the streets of Dublin, Ireland.

No kidding.

Laura Izibor - From My Heart To Yours

Laura Izibor - Shine

If you're up for more.

DDOSBS#65 - Donavon Frankenreiter

Jack Johnson is not the only one who can produce some laid back surf tunes.

They're good friends actually, Jack and Donavon. The two have quite a bit in common as well. Both have been pro surfers (or are in Donavon's case), like their songs simple & mellow and ever since Donavon rented a room in Hawaii from Jack's parents their paths cross often. Donavon Frankenreiter's first record, self-titled, was also released under Jack Johnson's label, Brushfire Records.

Enjoy this mellow vibe, that's what summer is all about.

Donavon Frankenreiter - Lovely Day

DDOSBS#64 - David Guetta

In this month's new Black Eyed Peas album "The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)", producer Will.I.Am tries to venture into the realm of electro, switching his crew's hiphop-oriented style to, as he likes to call it, "electric static funk".

French House DJ David Guetta, who also lent a hand on the album's works and has been increasingly interested in other venturing R&B-artists, shows him how its really done.

David Guetta - Boom Boom Guetta



There's more where that came from!

DDOSBS#63 - KT Tunstall

Here's a way to survive the credit crunch:

Pass the rest of your band members the pink slip and rock the pedal looper instead.

KT Tunstall - Black Horse and the Cherry Tree

DDOSBS#62 - Noah and the Whale

These London 'blokes' have enjoyed considerable air-play in the UK, but their happy-go-lucky tunes deserve a much greater audience.

According to sources, the boys are slaving away in the studio to finish up their follow-up album for the end of the summer.

Noah and the Whale - 5 Years Time

DDOSBS#61 - Grover Washington Jr

This grooving saxophone remake of Dave Brubeck's legendary 'Take Five' shows why Grover Washington Jr is considered to be one of the fathers of Smooth Jazz.

Grover Washington Jr - Take Five [Dave Brubeck Cover]

DDOSBS#60 - Make The Girl Dance

And so the hunt started for the uncensored video.

Make The Girl Dance - Baby Baby Baby

DDOSBS#59 - Phantom Planet

If, back in the day, Pavlov would have swapped his lab-dogs with 16 year-olds and changed the bell stimulus with the intro to Phantom Planet's 'California', it is pretty likely that he would have ended up with the same results of classical conditioning (not to mention saliva-filled test-tubes).

But the creative minds behind this Californian indie band have more up their alley besides producing theme songs for 'The O.C.'.
This track is a bit faster, but just as catchy.

Phantom Planet: Do The Panic

DDOSBS#58 - Outkast

The careers of the Pearle-sporting duo Outkast have been in a bit of a media-chaos for a while now. With both Andre 3000 and Big Boi waking up as movie stars and going to bed as rock stars, with some TV debuts and further sideprojects (including Big Boi's desire of becoming the future mayor of Atlanta) thrown in during the day, its easy to lose track of what the two Atlanta rappers are up to.

Originally they planned a joint album to follow up their 2006 Idlewild soundtrack project. The word spread that the boys would instead first go solo for a bit, before combining their creative powers in the future. 3 years later, the two are still claiming their releases should be around the corner.
Over the years, several songs (1, 2 and 3) from the side of Big Boi leaked, but most turned out to be about the musical equivalent of the rapper's 'Who's Your Caddy' movie.
In either case, with the title 'Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty', it's obvious that the boys are up to their usual shenanigans once again.

But for now, this will certainly still do:

Outkast - PJ and Rooster

DDOSBS#57 - Nicola Fasano vs Pat Rich

It is often interesting to see how far a melody can travel throughout the music industry.
First, check out this song:

Nicola Fasano vs Pat Rich - 75, Brazil Street



Now, it is a well-known fact that between artists there is a lot of 'borrowing,' it's normal. Remixes are also all around, especially in the dance scene. If with the previous song you thought: "Hey, I recognize that tune." it's very likely. Let's go back, way back, to the 1979 disco scene:

Chicago - Street Player



Next stop, 90's Techno:
The Bucketheads - The Bomb

By now, in the bubble of dance music, recycling becomes more obvious:
Wideboys (feat. Claire Evers) - Bomb The Secret



It is at this point that Djs Nicola Fasano and Pat Rich decided to put the scissors on the tune and give it a House wrapper, as you can hear above.

And who else would be at the end of this long and abusive road of sampling but Cuban rapper Pitbull to embrace the tune and inject it once more with a shot of epinephrine and Top 40 bliss.
Although he's known to be quite the rustler, Pitbull has been on a cover-bender for his last couple of hits, introducing his reggaeton and pop audience to the sound of Dance/House music. (For additional examples: 1, 2 and 3)

Pitbull - I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)

DDOSBS#56 - Nellie Lutcher

The late Nellie Lutcher (1912-2007) was "most recognizable for her distinctive voice, particularly her phrasing and exaggerated pronunciation" (Wikipedia, coming in handy).

Enjoy this song, some classic jazz.

Nellie Lutcher - Zoom



Also check out the song "Fine Brown Frame", here, but expect an overly liberal/literal video interpretation of the song's title...

DDOSBS#55 - Athlete

Those British and their rock.

Athlete - Hurricane

DDOSBS#54 - The Maccabees

Interestingly enough, the Maccabees got their band name by flicking through the Bible and picking a random word. Despite the band's reference to the word of God, none of the members from this Brighton-based band claim to be particularly religious.

The Maccabees only recently released their second album, Wall of Arms. This here is a song from their first record Colour It In, to get you up to speed.

The Maccabees - Toothpaste Kisses

DDOSBS#53 - Miike Snow

Several months ago, the unknown trio behind Miike Snow did a lap around the musical blogosphere with a bleep-bloop makeover to a Vampire Weekend track.

Having played the anonymous card for a while and reaped its promotional fruit, the boys decided it was time to take off their antlered-rabbit masks and reveal their faces. Out stepped music producer Andrew Wyatt and the R&B-production-duo Bloodshy & Avant, who are known as the minds behind some of the music of Spears, Madonna, Minogue and other billion-dollar pop divas.

Nonetheless, the trio's self-titled debut album reveals nothing of their musical past. "Animal", the opening song, is a breezy pop-meets-synthesizer track.

Miike Snow - Animal

DDOSBS#52 - Pink Martini

Pink Martini. Pretty cool name for a band. It sounds just as chilled out as the music they make.

Browsing through Wikipedia, we learn that their music "is often described as "vintage music"". Good description, seeing how, within their music, many different styles can be pinpointed, including a load of influences from Latin, Lounge, Classical and Jazz. Think 50's to 70's with a modern twist.

The plan was to post the track The Gardens of Sampson & Beasley. You have to love the 'vintage', there we go, electric organ in it. However, as of yet it has not been uploaded to youtube, hence, no link.

Listen to No Hay Problema instead, which already has the cool just because of the title.

Pink Martini - No Hay Problema

DDOSBS#51 - Albert Hammond Jr.

Albert Hammond Jr; you might not have heard of him, but as the rhythm guitarist and occasional vocalist of the band The Strokes, you might recognize him.
Up to this day he has released two solo albums, apart from his continued band-involvement.

This track is from the first album Yours to Keep. His second release, Como the Llama, is said to be more diverse, expanding on the indie/rock style that is the signature of his first album and of the work done with The Strokes.

Interesting to know: Albert is planning to co-design a line of men's suits. He is known for his stylish three piece suits, influencing the Strokes' appearance in this way.

Albert Hammond Jr. - Hard to Live (in the City)



A live version is all you get for this song. Check out his myspace for more.

DDOSBS#50 - The National

Brooklyn-based rock band The National will be celebrating its decennial anniversary sometime this year. This makes it a decade ago since the five friends stepped out of their respective careers within the thén booming 'dot-com bubble' and out into the spotlight with some stunningly mature indie rock.

Let this track simmer for a bit.
Berninger's deep baritone voice leads on as the initial callow piano-play finally turns into the band's full grandiose. Horns and everything.

The National - Fake Empire

DDOSBS#49 - Shwayze

From the 'Rich Girls' Mixtape, the Malibu boys behind Shwayze put a twist on 'L.E.S. Artistes' by Santigold (you know, the one formerly known as Santogold).

This is just a warm-up; the new Shwayze album releases next month.

Shwayze - What Am I Doing Here?

DDOSBS#48 - The Count & Sinden featuring Kid Sister

Boy and we thought the beeper was sooo last century.

The Count & Sinden - Beeper (feat. Kid Sister)

Show Review: Phoenix at Trouw Amsterdam

The French quartet of alt rock band Phoenix hit Amsterdam last night. So did DDOS.


Phoenix played their concert on June 4th in the fairly new venue Trouw, a former newspaper pressing facility, in Amsterdam. The original architect utilized a great deal of concrete and high ceilings, giving the building a very industrial feel. A definite pro for the venue is that it is fairly long but not very wide, this makes it feel intimate even when the place is packed with 600 people.

Initially it appeared the band drew a very high percentage of 'converse-and-checked-shirt people' but by the start of the show the crowd was made up out of a good mix of all kinds of individuals. The band opened with Listzomania one of the leading songs of their new album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Although the album has only been out for a week now, the wave of recognition and enthusiasm that went through the crowd must have been extremely welcoming for Phoenix. Somewhat suspicious was the fact that most people seemed to know the lyrics perfectly well considering the short time the album has had to settle since its release...

The live performance that Phoenix gave away didn't leave much to wish for. Instruments and vocals were perfectly adjusted to each other and the only thing that really differed from the album versions of the songs was the extra Pow of energy the band sent hurling towards the audience. Chapeau for the boys for being able to sweep up the Dutch crowd, who are generally known for being extremely absorbent at concerts and shows. During the encore, where Phoenix played If I Ever Feel Better and 1901 the whole crowd was nodding along feverishly and even some hands were raised.

The band played nearly all the songs on their new album, interspersed with some of their older work. The vocal skills by frontman Thomas Mars during live performance were admirable. His signature voice seemed to get all the notes right effortlessly. Sound quality at the venue was superb. Lighting was interesting although sometimes a bit heavy on back-lighting. At least the people in the far back got to see the band members' silhouettes. Finding your way to the back of this venue to get some drinks was a bit of a hassle and definitely means losing your spot. But for most people it was about the music anyway.

All in all, great entertainment.


Frontman Thomas Mars



The new venue Trouw in Amsterdam

DDOSBS#47 - Phoenix

For those that had to miss out on the concert; here's the vibrant new single. Let it catch you.

Phoenix - Lisztomania

DDOSBS#46 - Jon Foreman

If you're not familiar with the name Jon Foreman, you might just recognize his crooning voice from the music of Christ-loving alternative rock band Switchfoot.

Last year the singer/guitarist decided to go solo for a while.
Foreman put out four EPs, each reflecting one of the four seasons (just like Vivaldi did).

If you hadn't guessed, this one is from the Autumn record.

Jon Foreman - The Cure For Pain

DDOSBS#45 - Lykke Li (Fred Falke Remix)

Finally, the summer is really upon us, blessing us all with sun, bikinis and farmer's tan (sorry Southern-Hemispherers, you're missing out).

This also means the anticipation of the 2009 Ibiza season. Outside of to the people who are jetting to the sun-filled island in the Mediterranean to take part in the infamous party scene, this also brings joy for those not actually going there.

Ibiza-themed compilations are being released bringing the best of the chilled-out Balearic House for the day time and club-bangers for the night time. With the compilation label Ministry of Sound releasing titles such as Clubbers Guide to Ibiza '09 and the Ibiza Annual the summer should be packed with some dance hits. Also, especially do not forget the notorious Hed Kandi releases. The laid back house vibe is the label's signature style. The cover art by Jason Brooks definitely ads to this feeling.

Since most releases are still planned for the coming months, some songs will be featured at a later point. In the meantime, enjoy this one, which is a remix that adds a twist to the original song. In between the electronic bleeps and beats there is a refrain that's pure white sand covered bliss.

Enjoy the summer.

Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone (Fred Falke Remix)

DDOSBS#44 - Caravan Palace

They combine festivity with franticness,

gypsy jazz with an electro sound.

and

their Django-addiction with Puppini-esque vocals.

That is Caravan Palace.

Caravan Palace - Jolie Coquine

DDOSBS#43 - Friendly Fires

Remixing a song can usually go two ways.
Sometimes, a remix can add some much-needed umph to a stodgy track. On the other hand, a remix can also turn an great original into a corny replication.

By adding your own lyrics, a remix can be an easy way to join in on the credit claim of a song, while in other cases, a remix can take a futile song and give it a hit-wonder metamorphose.

Aside from all this, a remix can simply be used as a form of artistic interpretation, in which the original is pulled apart and turned into something different all together.

Friendly Fires - Paris



This song was remixed as well, decide for yourself how it turned out.

Friendly Fires - Paris (Aeroplane Remix) (Feat. Au Revoire)