Collages of stuttering breaks and swirling samples, along with extended doses of “spoken word” culled from the underbelly of American pop culture. A potentially played-out formula turned downright entrancing.
Sixtoo
Halifax’s art-hop pioneer evolves his doomsday mic checks into full-blown audio armageddon (see “Storm Clouds & Silver Lining”) for his Ninja Tune debut.
Dave Douglas
Douglas has played with some crazy kids (John Zorn, Cibo Matto, and Sean Lennon) and covered Rufus Wainwright. These remixes have a splash of electronic vermouth with a foundation of gin jazz and a little speed.
Four Tet
The “As Serious As Your Life” B-sides come in all flavors: Jay Dee and Guilty Simpson capitalize on the original’s funky underpinnings with b-boy savoir faire while the live version pushes the limits of both RAM and patience.
Howard Hello
Sunny, ambient pop songs from San Diego, CA where everything is obvious. Howard Hello isn’t obvious.
TV on the Radio
I won’t add myself to the list of those who have failed to describe TVOTR’s sound in words. That’s why they invented MP3s…
Tussle
Get your groove/dub/disco/funk on, OR, get your Tussle on…
The Robot Ate Me
TRAM’s sunny disposition belies their dark, warped lyrics. They sand down pop songs like you would a rocking chair for that “distressed look.”
Her Space Holiday
We’ll keep adding MP3s ’til the wheels come off… Our growing talent showcase proves again (if needed) that emotronica wiz Marc Bianchi can play confessional singer/songwriter, bedroom beatslinger, or sampler symphonist with equal artistry. And yet, somehow, my man still finds time to get his remix on.
Kim Hiorthoy
A sampling of favorites from 2003. This Scandanavian multi-talent builds mystery and melody from scraps found on the cutting room floor.