Album Review: Soulwax--Most Of The Remixes (2007)

I don’t understand why this record was so anticipated. It is exactly what the title claims—Most of the Remixes We’ve heard it all before, and all of it is pretty hard to swallow in one gulp—it gave me a stomach-ache. I think that if my hard drive hadn’t crashed I probably wouldn’t have listened to it 6 times in a row, like Audioscrobbler forces me to admit. But the mash-up is king, and Soulwax tends to reign supreme in that region so I must give credit where credit is due.

1. If you’ve ever wondered whether or not it would be possible to turn Kylie Minogue’s, Can’t Get You Outta My Head into a really freaking cool track (and I have no idea why one would ever wonder such a thing, but) the answer is yes. Yes it is possible to turn that over-played-what should’ve been 90’s-house hit into an uber-hip track that fits comfortably between a remix of Justice’s Phantom Pt. II and Gorillaz’ DARE. Thank you Soulwax.

2. I must also admit that the remix of Six Days is seriously out of control. I mean, so out of control that it almost promotes me to use the phrase 'off-the-hook.' Almost. But I fail to understand the connection between the original DJ Shadow track and the B-52’s song that Soulwax threw into the mix, but suffice it to say that a track once conventionally added to playlists called 'chill-out' now unduly deserves to be included in something (equally conventional, but) closer to ‘dance-groove’ or [insert generically titled dance playlist here].

So yea—while sometimes, the compilation does get a little bit too ravey, and at other times has me wondering if Soulwax could actually be serious about releasing something so cheesey—I assure you that when taken in small doses it will not allow your fingers to turn into glow sticks, and will not have you rolling on the floor. But if rolling on the floor's your bag, and you live in Europe, then check out Soulwax/2 Many DJ's at Night Versions, where they'll be performing these remixes live. Those of us in the US will have to be content with playing the CD over and over again.

Sia live at the El Rey

SIA: The name I’ve heard a gazillion times. Well since our own little orphans Eagle and Talon had gone on tour with her and the Six Feet Under hit single, I thought it was time to experience the Australian wonder-ess.

Last night’s sold out show at the El Rey Theatre opened with Willoughby. A super tall guy with a warm calm voice (Gus Seyffert) backed with another tall guy (Charlie Wadhams) on tambourine and vocals and a short dude (Bram Inscore) on bass and a guy whose size I couldn’t tell that was playing drums. It was the perfect set and they even did a cover of John Lennon’s “I’m Losing You”.

Well where do we start with Sia? As soon as the curtains opened the whole band had on glow in the dark children’s painted outfits on. It was likes these floating cartoons performing. After the first song finished Sia introduced her new friend who had just performed with her, it was actor Giovanni Ribisi’s daughter who is like 8 years old or something. Sia told the audience they made a song together and broke out into a fully structured song called “Little Black Sandals” that they sang together.

As the show progressed the set was dressed with neon lights shaped like children’s drawings of big palms trees and flowers that lit up different colors to the beat. Behind a backdrop of a painted rainbow and a smiley blonde girl stick figure.

Of course the audience went wild when she announced her hit “Breathe Me” and as I lurked across the room I could see a thousand mouths singing along. It really struck me then how powerful one song on a television show can connect a room full of music lovers.

She was such a charmer and kept asking the audience if they needed anything, particularly a beer or a hug. At one point into her set she pointed out some Aussies in the room and told the audience not to buy them beer because they were underage. Then she almost dedicated a song to them called “The girl you lost to cocaine” but realized in the same second into the attempt that it wasn’t appropriate so she corrected herself and dedicated the song after to them.

Sia is on tour her North America and UK tour now and you definitely wont want to miss it, so you better check yo’self before you wreck yo’self. Put an Australian accent with that…

REVIEW: Sunset Rubdown @ the El Rey (10.19.2007)

Thanks to Oh My Rockness! and Goldenvoice for hooking me up with Sunset Rubdown tickets to last Friday's show. For those of you who don’t know who/what Sunset Rubdown is: Wolf Parade's Spencer Krug (after 1 solo release under the same name in 2005) and Pony Up!’s Camilla Wynne Ingr, got together with two other dudes in 2006 and recorded, "Shut Up I Am Dreaming" which is a masterpiece of an album. click to view discography

***most listen-worthy track on the album***


But I will not hesitate to be honest here: While I really do think that Sunset Rubdown is one of the best recent groups I’ve heard in a very long time, if you hadn’t heard them before seeing Friday's show you will probably disagree with me forever. Why? BECAUSE THE SHOW WAS BORING! There’s just no way around it. I didn’t feel any positive energy or excitement from the band at all--In fact, I found myself more interested in trying to stab the olives at the bottom of my martini without spilling any of the drink, and in the venue's (really cool) light fixtures than I was in the show. To be truthful: I got the impression that the band was more bored than I was.

Seriously though, their recorded material is really good and I definitely recommend that you give it a listen. Just don't get too excited about seeing them live.

Daft Punk’s “Electroma” Will Melt Your Face.

Dude, daft punk seriously pisses me off. I mean, just look at the photo:

Will someone please tell me what the hell this is about? They swear like it’s ok to be this cool. You know that song from Grease 2 that Michelle Pfiefer sings, about how she wants a to date a bad ass--I think it’s called “cool rider”, right—ok well Electroma ascribes a whole new meaning to the letters she sings in the chorus (C-O-O-L R-I-D-E-R). Not to mention that it’s ALSO the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Ever. In fact, Daft Punk should really consider re-writing the book called “How To Be Cool”--I’d totally buy it.

Some highlights of the film are as follows:

THE SOUNDTRACK. It’s amazing. And get this: Daft Punk isn’t even on it. And seriously, these guys actually have really good taste in music.

Curtis Mayfield – ‘Billy Jack’
A Sei Voci Ensemble - ‘Miserere’
Todd Rundgren – ‘International Feel’
Brian Eno – ‘In Dark Trees’
Linda Perhacs – ‘If You Were My Man’
Jackson C. Frank – ‘Dialogue’
Sebastian Tellier – ‘Universe’
Haydn – ‘String Quartet in E Flat Major Op. 64, No. 6’
Chopin – ‘No. 4 in E Minor [24 Preludes, Op.28]’

THE BURNING MAN SCENE. See for yourself.