MP3: Hot Chip - No Fit State
Hot Chip's Website
Buy "The Warning"
Hot Chip immediately reminds me of the Beta Band, which should be considered high praise. And no, not just because they are English and use electronic instruments. A good number of these songs have that same familiar drone progression that brings me back to my favorite Beta Band tunes. Why did they break up? I even hear a little Duran Duran in here somewhere. That's not to say this album doesn't have it's own sound. There is lot going on, and "The Warning" offers a good variety of tracks, some that belong in a club, and some on your headphones when you can really pay attention. Bobblehead, this definitely belongs on your invisible IPod!
MP3: Office - Q&A
Office Website
Buy "Q&A" From Itunes
If you saw my playcount on this tune, you would puke on your keyboard. Solid, upbeat album, front to back. Is there a Magical Mystery breakdown in the middle? How do I explain this track? I don't, you have to listen to it, over and over.
MP3: Zero 7 - Futures (w/ Jose Gonzalez)Zero 7 Website
Buy "The Garden"
I have to admit, I'm a sucker for anything Jose Gonzalez. But that's another post for another day. The appearance of Jose on several tracks on "The Garden" is what initially attracted me to this album. After a further listen, it's a good album to put on during dinner, but tends to lose my attention. A little Euro-popish, but enjoyable. P.S. that's not your music player skipping 2 and a half minutes in, it's just being "artsy".
The Knife Website
Buy "Deep Cuts" from Itunes
Ok, a Jose Gonzalez post inevitably leads me to mention one of my favorite songs recently, "Heartbeats". I initially heard Jose's version, which lead me to the original, by Swedish electronic indie band, The Knife, which lead me to their excellent album "Deep Cuts". I love the simplicity in the lyrics of "Heartbeats", and Karin Dreijer Andersson is as ballsy a vocalist as Cyndi Lauper (I told you there's a little bit of 80s in all of us.)
Bonus: Hot Chip's "And I Was A Boy From School Video