Mix: So It Goes.

Being at an age prone to delusions of invincibility, my armour cracked upon hearing that yet another friend has passed on. Another friend, 22 years old, no longer fighting the good fight in this circus we call Life. A friend whom I once called my best, my truest; forever. A friend with whom growing up meant growing apart.

And I'm not sure how to handle this. My Heart hurts. My eyes, they threaten, and yet the only thing I can think of is music. Just burying myself in songs (in memories) of better days. Seeking comfort in musicians we loved in summer sun and winter rain--singing and dancing stupidly until we collapsed in fits of laughter on her bedroom floor. This mix won't be sad, that wasn't her style, it's not my style; our style. So to others, this mix may seem a sorry excuse in honouring the dead, but it's the best way I know how. & knowing Leril, she'd laugh and call me a stupid ass for it.

Leril, this is for you.
Rest in Peace.


NSYNC -- God Must Have Spent (A Little More Time On You) [one fo her favourite NSYNC songs]

Ricky Martin -- Livin' La Vida Loca

Jennifer Lopez -- Waiting for Tonight

Nancy Sinatra -- These Boots Were Made For Walking


Blink 182 -- I Miss You





She was born with HIV and ultimately died of complications from the disease. Help raise awareness as well as money to insure no one else has to needlessly die. There's an AIDS Walk in NYC on the 18th of May, and there are a number of AIDS charities you can donate to.

I know white rappers who claim they're more artistic and advanced than the inner city tune is

A discussion with a friend about Aesop Rock, ultimately lead to a discussion about El-Producto, better known as El-P.

As a rapper, El-P brings a verbosity to his rhymes not often heard let alone matched, blowin' the listeners mind time and time again with the words he strings together and spits. Never stretched or reaching, El-P's raps generally take a solid two listens to completely absorb and appreciate the brilliancy woven throughout. And as a Producer? Forget it. Opting for a grungier lo-fi sound, El-P's production skills not only amplify his rhymes, but compliment them as well. This rings true for fellow NYC hip-hopper, Aesop Rock, for whom he has produced several tracks. Underground and meant to please himself more than others, El-P doesn't go for the glitz like Kanye, because frankly, he doesn't have to. They're rappers on completely opposite sides of the hip-hop spectrum. 'Ye is in it for the money, El-P is in it because he loves it. And don't get me wrong, I love me some Kanye (as can be attested to by the several posts riddled throughout this blog on him), but you can't listen to El-P or Aesop Rock, and then listen to Kanye West, and tell me they're playas in the same game, because they're not. Kanye couldn't keep up with either of them if he tried, because apples and oranges, though both fruits, just aren't the same.

I've gotten off-track, I'm sorry, but there was a point to be made. While El-P may not be commercially friendly, his passion for hip-hop shines in his work. Passion begets passion, so, so what if he's not breaking the bank? He's got a following more loyal and more apt to stick with him than Kanye or Fitty.

Before I drop the tunes, let me note that El-P is playing Webster Hall on Saturday, May 10th. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of. For more information, go here. You best believe that if I wasn't pinching pennies, I'd be all over that show. Now cue the music!

Company Flow -- Population Control

El-P -- EMG

El-P -- Smithereens (Stop Cryin')

El-P -- The Overly Dramatic Truth

El-P -- The League of Extraordinary Nobodies

El-P -- Constellation Funk

El-P -- Accidents Don't Happen

El-P -- Truancy

El-P feat. Aesop Rock -- Run the Numbers

Cannibal Ox -- Scream Phoenix [produced by El-P]

Rapped every single word to the newborn child

Music is the poetry of the air.
-Richter


Kate Nash -- Mouthwash
This is my face
Covered in freckles
With the occasional spot
And some veins
This is my body
Covered in skin
And not all of it
You can see
And, this, is my mind
It goes over and over
The same old lines
And, this, is my brain
It's torturous analytical thoughts
Make me go insane...

Grateful Dead -- Ripple
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty,
If your cup is full may it be again,
Let it be known there is a fountain,
That was not made by the hands of men.
There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.
Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.
But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then whos to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home...


Lupe Fiasco -- Hip Hop Saved My Life
One you never heard of I,
Push it hard to further the
Grind, I feel like murder but,
Hip Hop just saved my life
His man called said your time might be now
They played your freestyle over "wipe me down"
They played it 2 times, said it might be crowned
As the best thing out the H-Town in a while
He picked up his son with a great big smile
Rapped every single word to the new born child
Then he put him down and got back to the kitchen
Put on another beat and got back to the mission
To get his momma out the hood, put her somewhere in the woods
Keep his lady lookin' good, have her rollin' like she should
Show his homies there's a way, other than that flippin' yay'
Bail his homie out of jail, get a lawyer on his case
Throw a concert for the school, show the soldiers that its cool
Throw some candy on the Caddy, chuck the deuce and act a fool
Now it feels good when it happens like that
Two days from goin' back to sellin' crack, yessir


Nas -- Still Dreaming
How you a man waitin' for the next man to get rich?
Yo' plan is to stick out yo' hand real quick
So if he feed ya family and he serve you shit
Then he need that head you get and he deserve your bitch
Since you wishin' cash fall from the sky all ya life
Dwellin' on the past when you was alright
When you was gettin' cash but wasn't too bright
Now ya luck down you feel like, bustin' them shells
Nobody owe you, can't do nothin' for self
Want niggaz to show you, how to come up wit' green
I scheme since I'm fourteens, what the fuck was your dream?
Rental cars, little broads, sayin' you was seen
Wit' little niggaz wit' a chain you was doin' ya thing
How high was I? You the thousandth guy
That came around thinkin' we can see, eye to eye
We on a different echelon, coulda got bread together
Now you gets deaded on
Some people really
Some people really are (still dreamin')
Still dreaming...

Mix: What do you say to taking chances?

"No one should come to live in New York unless he is willing to be lucky."
-E.B. White

A friend introduced me to that quote, and with the Big Move date now set and rapidly approaching, this girl has never felt more ready to be in Fortune's favour. Maybe this is where my fascination with that Celine Dion song comes in--at the moment, "Taking Chances" is my song to the City. It perfectly summarizes the anxiety and hope contained within my freckled skin. Like a first kiss--you're scared because you think you are going to be terrible, but you throw caution to the wind because you're getting exactly what you want. Exactly what you want. Except this kiss has been four years in the making and is now eight months overdue. And now the waiting--the yearning--is over. One more month and I'll finally get the kiss I've been waiting for...

And I've never been more scared/excited in my Life.


Celine Dion -- Taking Chances

The Proclaimers -- I'm On My Way

Killing Joke -- Change

Daft Punk -- Too Long [Live]

Prince -- Let's Go Crazy

Dark Dark Dark -- New York Song

David Bowie -- Fill Your Heart

Morrissey -- Let Me Kiss You

Bob Dylan -- Bye and Bye

Curtis Mayfield -- We've Only Just Begun

Nina Simone -- Feeling Good [it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me, and I'm feelin' good...]

Billy Bragg -- Don'Think Twice It's Alright (Bob Dylan Cover) [Live]

I don't have a future figured out

Okay. OKAY. While I am one never to be ashamed of what I listen to, I must admit that my cheeks reddened when I realised who sung "Taking Chances." The song is a song Corporate has chosen to play on the store's "radio" every three to four hours. Listening to it every so often, I googled a bit of the lyrics that piqued my interest. My, my, my, what a surprise when the world's proudest Canadian popped up at the top of the search. Having been forced to listen to Miss Canada's music when I was younger, I thought I'd be a pro at picking her voice out. Apparently not. So, I'm going to push the (slight) embarrassment aside and let y'all know that I'm digging this song. It's sweet and sappy, and a perfect falling-in-love song, and I'm a girl with a case of Spring Fever, so shut it.




Celine Dion -- Taking Chances

The goal is to keep me from Falling

#1 Hit Brit, Leona Lewis, has finally gotten to us here at Revolution Muzak. "Bleeding Love," while not nearly as catchy as some of its contemporaries, still manages to worm its way into our cranium and stay there for a ridiculously long time.

I found a few remixes, surprisingly since this song has been around for over six months, I'd expect to find a buttload. While the remixes I found aren't completely horrible, the Stevie Tech Nicks remix is definitely the weakest (and most awkward), while the UK Dirty Remix is probably the best, making only minimalistic changes to the song.


Leona Lewis -- Bleeding Love

Leona Lewis -- Bleeding Love (Stevie Tech Nicks 2008 Live Edit)

Leona Lewis -- Bleeding Love (Moto Blanco Radio Edit)

Leona Lewis (feat. AC) -- Bleeding Love (UK Dirty Remix)

The Wombats -- Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis Cover)

Mix: Love Me Till My Heart Stops

It's not who you love. It's how.


Prince -- I Would Die 4 U

Fleetwood Mac -- You Make Loving Fun

Hanson -- I Will Come To You

Daniel Bedingfield -- If You're Not The One

Ben Harper -- Forever

Death Cab For Cutie -- Passenger Seat

Ryan Adams -- Wonderwall (Oasis Cover)

I'm gonna try 2 tame your little red love machine

Having always had a thing for dark hair, dark eyes, and well, Prince in general: that picture is doing things for me right now. Prince is another bish turning 50 this year, and he still has got IT. I inherited my love of Prince from my sister. Needless to say, our mother did not appreciate her youngest daughter prancing around the house with her walkman, singing along with "Pop Life," "Erotic City," and "Purple Rain." I am a pop whore to the core, and a sucker for high-singing pop-funk-rNb musicians. If I had a car and no financial responsibilities whatsoever, I would totally be heading to Coachella this weekend. Totally.

Prince -- Sexy M.F. (12" Remix)

Prince -- New Position

Prince -- Raspberry Beret

Prince -- I Feel For You [quintessential summer jam of mine]

Prince -- My Name Is Prince (House Remix)

Prince -- When You Were Mine [Live]

Prince -- Guitar

Prince -- Baby I'm a Star

Prince -- Black Sweat

Prince -- How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore [Live]

Prince -- Batdance [what kind of Batman fan would I be if I didn't include this?]

Prince -- All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan Cover)/Best of You (Foo Fighters Cover) [Live]

Prince -- A Case of You (Joni Mitchell Cover)

DJ Scenius -- Harder Better Faster Controversy (Daft Punk vs Prince)

Immuzikation -- Just Another Call With You (MGMT vs Soulwax vs Prince vs Chromeo vs Afrika Bambaataa vs Stardust)

I said I love having sex but I'd rather get some head

R.M. darlings, Three 6 Mafia, are back with a new song, "I'd Rather" (feat (DJ Unk). "I'd Rather" is a track off their new album, Last 2 Walk, slated for release June 24th. Three 6 in general are pretty addicting, but "I'd Rather" is the best thing I've heard thus far this year, if only for the following lyric:

I didn't feed her none but dick 'n' bubble gum...

That tickled me in the best of ways--and I like this song a helluva lot better than Lil' Wayne's "Lollipop" (gag me, please), the overall sound and rhymes just put "Lollipop" to shame. While songs about oral sex are nothing new (from Peter Gabriels's "Kiss the Frog" to Blink 182's less subtle, "The Blowjob Song") Three 6 definitely have the catchiest. The chorus, which is the title of this post, has been on repeat in my brain since Saturday afternoon. Worst part? Since I am notorious for just singing whatever comes to mind, I busted out with that lyric at work last night, much to amusement of several male co-workers. I'm way excited about Three 6 dropping a new album, HUZZAH!

Three 6 Mafia feat. DJ Unk -- "I'd Rather [Dirty Version]

Three 6 Mafia feat. DJ Unk -- I'd Rather (Douster Remix)

Three 6 Mafia feat. DJ Unk -- I'd Rather (Krayz Remix)

The music video isn't anything phenomenal, just Three 6, chicks, and cool effects. The video is the clean edit of "I'd Rather."


EDIT Three 6 Mafia -- In the Ghetto

We Interrupt Your Normally scheduled Broadcast With This Brief Announcement

Save my television and cell phone, every electronic of mine has been seriously wounded or killed since the 1st of this month. My printer died, my camera is on its deathbed, my iPod is being held together by no less than six rubber bands, and now my desktop has passed on. In the midst of checking my e-mail, my computer shut down--died, taking 90GB of music, and five years worth of writing and photography, with it. Yes, while I knew the end was near, I had procrastinated in transferring files to discs.

Does this mean the end of Revolution Muzak? Absolutely not. The laptop is still kicking and I have over 800 albums in my physical CD collection. Also? The Hype Machine, Skreemr, and Google are amazing resources.

So if Revolution Muzak is keepin' on, why this post? Because the laptop is ancient in 'lectronic years (5 human years becomes 50), and patience will be required. But don't fret, all this chicky needs is a new tower and everything will be gravy once more.

Some mp3 tidings to hold you over until I post my mix.

Party Ben -- Boulevard of Broken Songs (Green Day vs Oasis)

A Silver Mt Zion -- Broken Chords Can Sing a Little

Portishead -- We Carry On [Live]

Glass Candy -- Computer Love (Kraftwerk)

Mix: IV XX

"420 is not so much a time or place as it is a state of mind."
-High Times magazine


Ice Cube -- Smoke Some Weed

Sattel Battle -- On Weed

RKZ -- Bass and Weed

Snoop Dogg (feat. Nate Dog & Ray J -- Smokin' Smokin' Weed

Sublime -- Smoke Two Joints

Cab Calloway -- Reefer Man

Beastie Boys -- Hold It Now Hit It

Black Sabbath -- Sweet Leaf

Dr. Dre -- Let's Get High

Neil Diamond -- Pot Smoker's Song

Bob Dylan -- Mr. Tambourine Man

Supersuckers -- Killer Weed

Cypress Hill -- Hits From the Bong

I'm not in love, I just wanna be touched

Kate Nash's album, Made of Bricks has been in heavy rotation on my 'Pod as of late. With Spring raging, the album only amplifies the sunshine. Poppy bits coupled with the piana and Kate's vocals, remind me of a visit to someone's beach house with everyone lazing about, as one of your friends sits at the piano, jamming away. A breakup album if ever there was one; a majority of Made of Bricks deals with with failed romance. However, Nash's sweet voice and poppin' piano melodies, manage to make Bricks maintain a feelgood vibe throughout with the saccharine delivery of lyrics like:
Yeah you make me merry make me very very happy
But you obviously, you didn't want to stick around ["Merry Happy"]

and

You've got that look in your eyes,
When I'm telling a story
And you find it boring you're thinking of something to say.
You'll go along with and then drop it
And you humiliate me, in front of our friends ["Foundations"]


While Nash takes jabs at ex's with witty lyrics, she also takes a few jabs at herself by exposing weaknesses in heart&soul-bearing tracks like "We Get On" and "Nicest Thing"--songs both dealing with obsession, crushing, and unrequited affection. With pop-indie sensibilities, and being cute as a button, Kate Nash is definitely slated for success (or at least Regina Spektor's fanbase.)


Kate covering The Supremes, "Baby Love" on Virgin Radio


Kate Nash -- Foundations

Kate Nash -- Birds

Kate Nash -- Stitching Leggings

Kate Nash -- Nicest Thing

Kate Nash -- I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend to Dance With You(Black Kids Cover)


I checked out remixes for her tunes and they were infinitely terrible. Normally I share bad remixes, noting they're terrible, but these were too bad to even acknowledge.

Mashing: not just for Potatoes, Vol. VII

Incredibly long day to commence in about an hour and a half. Freckling and burning to the nth degree--but hey, I get paid to play Connect Four and slide down slides.


DJ Earworm -- Together as One (U2 vs The Beatles vs Diana Ross vs Mariah Carey [one of the smoothest and chillest mashups I have ever come across--highly recommended]

Party Ben -- Rehab
(I Can't Help Myself) (Amy Winehouse vs Teh Four Tops)

Phuego -- Beautiful, Easy Girls (Sean Kingston vs The Commodores)

Titus Jones -- Kiss Britney's Boyfriend (Ashlee Simpson vs Chris Brown vs Britney Spears)

Party Ben -- The Way I Keep Me Hangin' On (Timbaland vs The Supremes)

DJ Maxentropy -- Gotta Work Like This (Amerie vs Mims vs Lil Wayne)

A plus D -- Believe in Sexual Eruption (Cher vs Snoop Dogg)

Beatmixed -- Step to Silence (Coolio vs INXS vs Ciara vs Depeche Mode vs Survivor vs Blondie vs The Chemical Brothers) [motherfuckin' DOPE]

Party Ben -- Dreaming of Boyz (M.I.A. vs Kate Bush

XAM -- Praise 4 Minutes (Madonna vs Fatboy Slim)

Party Ben -- Callin' on Sunday (Lyrics Born vs U2) [highly recommended]

Overdub -- Come as the Starlight (Nirvana vs The Superman Lovers) [Who knew Nirvana could sound so perky?]

SUPER DUPER MEGA MIX: I Totally Graduated Middle School in 2000 (& Got My First Kiss in the '90's)

Next -- Too Close (Extended Version)

Will Smith -- Miami

Ricky Martin -- Livin' La Vida Loca

Cher -- Believe

Billie Meyers -- Kiss the Rain

Enrique Iglesias -- Rhythm Divine

Jennifer Lopez - If You Had My Love

No Doubt -- Just a Girl

Spice Girls -- Wannabe

Sugar Ray -- Someday

Fastball -- The Way

Harvey Danger -- Flagpole Sitta

Marcy Playground -- Sex and Candy

Paula Cole -- I Don't Want to Wait

Semisonic -- Closing Time

Citizen King -- Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)

Green Day -- When I Come Around

Blessid Union of Souls -- Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me For Me)

Blink 182 -- Dammit




Inspired by my finding my eighth grade yearbook. The above image contains reproductions of genuine autographs from said yearbook. Snoogins.

Who's that girl that you dream of?

Revolution Muzak's favourite Swede, Robyn, is scheduled to drop her self-titled album in the states on May 6th. The album, Robyn dropped in Sweden in 2005, and then throughout the rest of Europe in 2007. The album has garnered much acclaim from critics, and for good reason. Pop sensibilities with electrified beats keeps the album playful but with heart. The first song I heard off the album was "With Every Heartbeat"-- a smooth heart-aching ditty with 'lectro beats mellow enough not to distract you from the vocals and lyrics, yet poppy enough to groove to. The acoustic version sets off Robyn's vocals against a driving piano melody tranforming it from a smooth spring number into a rainy day ballad.

Anyways, the real purpose of this entry was to expose you to the 5th U.K. single off Robyn, "Who's That Girl." While the single isn't slated to officially drop in th U.K. until the 21st of this month, Robyn released the video on Youtube yesterday. The song is definitely gearing up to become an R.M. summer jam. The song is reminiscent of '90's summers with '00's beats--drippy popsicles and sloppy kisses, a combination this blogger is a sucker for. Listening to the other singles--"Be Mine," "Handle Me," and "Konichiwa Bitches"--the album has a succinctly female sound. Packed with yearning, heartache, spunk, 'lectro beats, and a heavy helping of estrogen, I'm guaranteeing that Robyn is going to have one hot North American summer.

Back to what started this post: "Who's That Girl." One thing I like about European artists on YouTube? They allow you to embed their videos. Being a bit of an art nut as well, madd props for the Barbara Kruger nod in the beginning of the "Who's That Girl" video.

Robyn -- Who's That Girl



Bonus!Jams!
Robyn feat. Kleerup -- With Every Heartbeat

Robyn -- With Every Heartbeat [acoustic]

Mix: I'm a Hype Machine Reject

Celebrating two months of aurally stimulating blogging, I decided to submit Revolution Muzak to the Hype Machine's blog list. After several error messages, I contacted the Hype Machine staff. This gem arrived in my inbox this morning:

Hi Gia,

Thank you for suggesting your blog! Unfortunately, it seems it doesn't quite fit our format right now. We look for blogs with a more clearly defined focus in the music that's posted.

All the best,

Zoya

Riiight.

To show Zoya just how clearly defined our focus here at Revolution Muzak is, today's mix is brought to you by iTunes shuffle. Oh yeah.


RZA -- A day to G-d is 1,000 Years

Regina Spektor -- Field Below

Jimi Hendrix -- Love or Confusion

Garbage -- Push It

Sizzla -- Run Out Pon Dem [Sean Paul stole the beat for "Temperature"]

GZA -- Amplified Sample

Pete Townshend -- Exquisitely Bored

Robbie Williams -- Karma Killer

The Jackson 5 -- Reach Out I'll Be There

Bob Dylan -- Romance in Durango

Stevie Wonder -- Master Blaster (Jammin')

Six Degrees: Round Three

Remember kids, challenges are not only welcomed, but encouraged and should be e-mailed to me or left in a comment.This means if you would like to see this feature appear regularly, then you should challenge me often.



A challenger appears! This morning in my inbox there was a challenge from BoyHowdy (AKA Cover Lay Down): Pete Seeger to KISS with bonus points given if I don't use Springsteen. Here we go, kiddies!

Pete Seeger was one of Bob Dylan's earliest supporters, and at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival (which he was the MC of) wanted to disconnect Dylan's electric guitar. Bob Dylan has influenced many artists over the years, and some of these artists pay tribute by covering his songs. Billy Joel, being no exception, covered Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" on his 1987 album Концерт. Billy Joel, being a native New Yorker, was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame on October 15, 2006 along with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. The latter three of which are in the band KISS.

5 Degrees: Pete Seeger -> Bob Dylan -> Billy Joel -> Gene Simmons -> KISS

Pete Seeger -- Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)

Bob Dylan -- Maggie's Farm

Billy Joel -- The Times They Are A-Changin' (Bob Dylan cover)

KISS -- Forever

Mix: I'm moving to Australia.

When I went to bed Nick took back the pillow he said I could keep and the Mickey Mouse night light burned out and I bit my tongue.

The cat wants to sleep with Anthony, not with me.

It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

My mom says some days are like that.


Michael Jackson -- You Can't Win [from The Wiz]

Sublime -- Badfish

Tegan and Sara -- Fix You Up

The Flaming Lips -- Bad Days

The Dresden Dolls -- Gravity

Placebo -- Summer's Gone

The Eagles -- Victim of Love

Nirvana -- Scentless Apprentice

Nada Surf -- Happy Kid

Sondre Lerche -- Tragic Mirror

Nina Simone -- Break Down and Let It All Out

Earth, Wind, & Fire -- That's the Way of the World

Reading is Instrumental! Vol. II

Panic! at the Disco -- Time to Dance (Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk)

The Velvet Underground -- Venus in Furs (Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch)

Neutral Milk Hotel -- Ghost (The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank)

Jefferson Airplane -- White Rabbit (Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll)

My Chemical
Romance -- To the End ("A Rose For Emily" by William Faulkner)

The Decemberists -- The Island, Come and See, The Landloard's Daughter, You'll Not Feel the Drowning (The Tempest by William Shakespeare & a bit of the Japanese folk Tale, Crane Wife)

The Libertines -- Narcissist (The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde)

Led Zeppelin -- Ramble On (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien)

Muse -- The Small Print (The German legend of Faust that has inspired Goethe, Christopher Marlowe, and Thomas Mann to name a few)


Confused? See Reading is Instrumental's previous installment.

Six Degrees: Round Two

Remember kids, challenges are not only welcomed, but encouraged and should be e-mailed to me or left in a comment.



Michael performed "The Way You Make Me Feel" with Britney Spears at Michael's 30th Anniversary Celebration in 2001. Moby produced as well as co-wrote the song "Early Mornin'" for Britney's album In the Zone. Soon after, Moby collaborated with Public Enemy on the track "Make Love, Fuck War," released prior to the 2004 election. Thirteen years prior (1991) Public Enemy recorded a new version of their 80's hit, "Bring the Noise" with the metal band, Anthrax. The success of the Anthrax version of "Bring the Noise" lead to the two acts joining forces on tour.

5 Degrees: Michael Jackson -> Britney Spears -> Moby -> Public Enemy -> Anthrax

Michael Jackson feat. Britney Spears -- The Way You Make Me Feel


Britney Spears -- Early Mornin'

Moby & Public Enemy -- Make Love, Fuck War

Public Enemy & Anthrax -- Bring the Noise

You don't have to be grown to grow

The Odd Couple dropped on March 25th, I bought it on the 26th and listened to that album for three days straight. The beats are spot on, smooth and hip groovin'. The vocals are top notch even though Cee-Lo's range isn't as varied as it was on St. Elsewhere. The tone of The Odd Couple is noticeably different then that of St. Elsewhere--perhaps a little less mo-town funky and a little more contemporary funky, still fun, but there seems to be an underlying somber tone to the entirety of the album. The second song on the disc, "Who's Gonna Save My Soul" is soul &heart-wrenching number. Then if you don't find yourself clapping along with "Going On" you really need to go out and have some more fun in your life. "Blind Mary" is probably my favourite track off The Odd Couple it's fun, laidback and reminds me of playing on the playground at recess. It's definitely one of those afternoon driving tracks of early Summer. Another act I'd love to see live.

Gnarls Barkley -- Charity Case*

Gnarls Barkley -- A Little Better*

Gnarls Barkley -- Blind Mary*

Gnarls Barkley -- Transformer

Gnarls Barkley -- The Last Dance



*Off The Odd Couple

Taking it back to the basics

Spank Rock and The Chemical Brothers--a gasm to the ears, mos def. I have a list of artists I keep meaning to throw the spotlight on and never do because of severe lack of time. This tune is off the Heroes soundtrack, and just because it's attached to a shitty television show, doesn't mean it sucks. A smooth ditty with a rolling beat contrasted nicely with Spank Rock's vocals. Definitely worth five minutes of your day. Definitely.

The Chemical Brothers feat. Spank Rock -- Keep My Composure

'Cause you're lookin' really cute in those jeans, let me peel them off like a tangerine

Thriller turned 25 this past November. To celebrate Jackson and company released Thriller 25 in Februaury, a reissue of Thriller packed with seven new tracks. Five of the tracks are collaborations/remixes with contemporary artists like Akon, Kanye West, will.i.am, and Fergie. Ok, while I understand where the Jackson camp was coming from in getting today's "hottest" acts to come in an revamp a few songs (got to get the younguns innerested), but Fergie and will.i.am? Really?

I will admit "The Girl is Mine 2008" isn't completely hopeless, but "Beat It 2008"? What were they fucking thinking?! Fergie's vocals on the ditty sound like a night of terrible karaoke--while you may have had fun singing, everyone listening was cringing. Definitely the weakest of the remixes. The best of the remixes hail from Akon and Kanye West.

The remixes seem as though they were tagged on as an afterthought. If they wanted to do remixes, I say they should have went full-on cock's out and released Thriller 25 as a double-disc; disc one: the album straight up, and then disc two: one remixes of the entire album, with better talent doing the mixing, of course. Mark Ronson, Justice, Danger Mouse, and we'll keep Kanye too--the possibilities are endless. Will.i.am--really?

Michael Jackson feat. Akon -- Wanna Be Starting Something 2008

Michael Jackson feat. Kanye West -- Billie Jean 2008

Michael Jackson feat. will.i.am -- The Girl Is Mine 2008

Michael Jackson feat. will.i.am -- P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008

Michael Jackson feat. Fergie -- Beat It 2008 [lame]


Up next in my Michael Jackson posting: Rhymefest's dedication mixtape Man in the Mirror produced by Mark Ronson [this is the dope shit]

All I do is party...

Let me say, before I even get to the music, that the cover for the new MSTRKRFT single is fucking hot. If looking at that image doesn't get your blood flowing, then you need to have your pulse checked. I thought the screencapture from the Madonna video was hot, this image puts that one to shame. If there was a male in the immediate vicinity, he'd definitely be in trouble. Check out the hi-res version for hi-res hotness. Ok, now cue the motherfuckin' music! 'Lectro-punks MSTRKRFT's last LP, The Looks was released in '06, this summer they plan to drop it's untitled follow-up. The first single off the new album dropped on the first of this month. "Bounce" is a rumpshakin' ditty. I know fans are up in arms because their sound is a bit different on the track, but I don't think it's something to get your knickers in a knot for. It's still a great track that you can shake your ass to. On the single for "Bounce" they also released "VUVUVU" a track they've been playing live for the past year. High-energy and grooveable, one can't help but want to throw their hands up in the air and let the music take over. The slow down at the 1:40 mark is totally appropriate, and then the speed-up at 2:08 makes you want to grab someone and makeout whilst dancing, because everyone knows sweaty-sticky kisses are best.

MSTRKRFT feat. N.O.R.E. -- Bounce (Extended Version)

MSTRKRFT -- VUVUVU

We only got 4 minutes to save the world

Ok, ok, so I am a bit behind the times in the fact that I have only yesterday heard Madonna's "4 Minutes." Loving Madonna, and already anxiously awaiting the release of her new album, Hard Candy (slated to drop April 29th), "4 Minutes" has me totes psyched now! With the backings of Timbaland and J. Timb, "4 Minutes" is damn near flawless. Upon first listen of "4 Minutes," yours truly could not resist the urge to get up and dance. Maybe I just wanted to move, maybe my body had a spasm, or maybe the track is grooveable--take a listen and then check whichever answer you think most likely. Officially released as a single two weeks ago, the remixes have already begun to infiltrate the web-o-sphere. Right now I can only find two, give it another week and there will be thirty. Both are pretty meh, with the Junkie XL edging out in the magic that begins at the 2:20 mark.

Madonna -- 4 Minutes (Junkie XL Remix")

Madonna -- 4 Minutes (DJ Illo's Stutter Remix)

& the only thing hotter than having J. Timb and Timabland produce your album and appear on the first single from said album? Having the french duo Justice direct the video of course! Although the video was made in the beginning of February, it will not be released until tomorrow (04/04) at 4:44pm on Tick-Tock.Tv.Screencaptures of the video have leaked and the joint looks hot. This screencapture alone is enough to make me fan myself. Madonna is turning 50 this year (2 weeks before MJ) and the bitch looks like she's in her late 20's.

Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland -- 4 Minutes

Mashing: not just for Potatoes, Vol. VI

Bobby Martini -- Ain't No Other Man Till You Get Enough(Michael Jackson vs Christina Aguilera)

DJ Schmolli -- She Works Hard to Beat the Cash Machine (Donna Summer vs Hard Fi)

Dildog -- TaTu Dreamin' (Aerosmith vs TaTu) [while I can not stand TaTu, I do love me some Aerosmith]

McSleazy -- Hold Your Rendezvous Now (Basement Jaxx vs Beastie Boys)

DJ Nite -- You Won't See You're All I Need (Marvin Gaye vs The Beatles)

GHP -- Abba and The Bunnymen (ABBA vs Echo and The Bunnymen) [highly recommended]

Cheekyboy -- Good Gosh (Gorillaz vs Basement Jaxx)

Ed Home -- Bad Control (Missy Elliot vs Michael Jackson)

Immuzikation -- Just a Friend With The Clap (Shirley Ellis vs Biz Markie) [highly fucking recommended]

Cover Me This, Cover Me That Vol. 6: The MJ Edition

I'm sorry, but Michael Jackson has taken over this blog. As I've stated previously: I am terribly one-track minded sometimes. This Super Special Edition of Cover Me This, Cover Me That, will include covers not only of Michael's hits, but some tunes the King of Pop has covered himself.


Glenn Case -- Human Nature (Michael Jackson)

Michael Jackson -- Come Together (The Beatles)

Pierce the Veil -- Beat It (Michael Jackson)

Michael Jackson -- Butterflies (Floetry)

Alien Ant Farm -- Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson)

Michael Jackson -- Ain't No Sunshine (Bill Withers)

Shivaree -- Don't Stop Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)

98 Degrees -- She's Out of My Life (Michael Jackson)

Michael Jackson -- I Shot the Sheriff (Bob Marley)

Alex Arrowsmith -- Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson)

Michael Jackson -- Girlfriend (Paul McCartney)

Shinehead -- Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)

Chris Cornell's cover of "Billie Jean" & Ben Gibbard's cover of "Thriller" can be found in Cover Me This, Cover Me That's previous installment.