Odd Soul

I can't emphasize this enough. MUTEMATH is the band that everyone MUST see before they die!

The musicianship of the band tremendous and quite frankly, mind-blowing. For those that were fortunate enough to see the band live, they will understand what I'm talking about. On top of that, there is something the way they create music. Somehow, they are light years away from many of the bands that exists today. More importantly, it's the spirit daring adventurism that they bring on stage is what makes they truly remarkable. If you ask me, MUTEMATH is the band of the future (read my entry entitled The Future of Alternative Rock and my live review of the band)

For the past year, the band is hard at work on their their studio album, Odd Soul. I received the album a few days ago and I must say, it was quite a different listening experience. From what I noticed, the album is more driven by guitars rather than keyboards and synths. Although Greg Hill left the band early in 2010, Roy Mitchell-Cardenas really stepped up to the plate in playing both bass and guitars parts for the new record. The drumming by Darren King is superb like always as he continues to find new innovative ways to play the instrument. Finally, Paul Meany, the legendary keytarist and dynamic frontman outdid himself on Odd Soul and provided quality vocals once again.

The band has already started promoting the new record by releasing two music videos. The first one is for the title track while the other one is for "Blood Pressure". Their videos are amazing and I love their use of stop motion. It really shows their just as innovative visually as well as musically.

Driving Music

I've had the privilege of watching Ryan Gosling's latest film, Drive the other day. Not only was I blown away by the film, but I was impressed by how every detail was not wasted. Everything in Drive was executed perfectly and without flaw (no spoilers here). So for a movie of this caliber, it's a no-brainer that having the right soundtrack is very critical. Fortunately, Nicholas Winding Refn (director) got film score composer and former Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer, Cliff Martinez signed on to compose the soundtrack. He is well renowned for his work with such films as Sex, Lies and Videotapes, Traffic and Wonderland. His presence and expertise in music helped enhanced the experience that is Drive.

What's amazing about the soundtrack is how "airy" it sounds. That may be sound a little silly but if you think about it. The entire listening experience as a whole feels like a breath of fresh air. Every beat and every sound created is soft to the ears and captivates the listener without overpowering them. For a movie that is harsh and quite brutal, the music serves as a nice balance. Perhaps this is why Martinez was chosen for this endearing project. Through Martinez's ability in composing music, he founded a way to capture a sense of beauty amongst the brutal killing scenes and blood splatter. He helped give the film a new found depth in the endearing heroism of the protagonist (Ryan Gosling) and the compassion he felt toward his neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her son. In essence, the music helped bring everything together and for movie with tons brawn, the music allowed the film to carry on its' own through grace and elegance. The soundtrack also features tracks from techno-infused and classic inspired tracks from various artists. This helps complete the rich and cohesive soundtrack. One of my personal favorites is the dreamy electro pop track "A Real Hero" by College featuring Electric Youth.

For those that are reading this and have not seen this film, I suggest you drop whatever you are doing right now and go see this film. While you are at it, pick up the soundtrack. It'll be a perfect for the drive there.

Hauntingly Romantic

There is something eerie about playing James Blake self titled album. You don’t know what it is, but you can feel. The moment the music hits your ears, there is a cold chill that runs all over your body. Yet somehow and strangely, you don’t feel frightened.

Everything about the James Blake’s debut is rather simple from the song writing to the structures of the melodies. This may be due to James Blake’s extensive use of minimalism that creates a light poignant atmosphere that can be only described as haunting. However, the album’s lack of complexity does not hinder the album’s overall presentation. In fact, what enhances the listening experience is Blake's classically trained voice. His rich and soothing gives the music a whole new depth. Rather than colliding awkwardly with the music's already haunting mood, his voice complements it. This brings about a welcoming tone that inspired a romantic feel to the music which is quite extraordinary.

The album finishes rather quickly due to the structure of songs, but it will definitely leave a strong impression on the listener. It is no surprise that James Blake crafted one of the most gorgeous albums of the year. And I can you tell this. This amazing piece will more likely be one of the contending albums for Cream of the Crop this year.

Party In A Can

If there were such as thing as a “party in a can”, it would be The Go! Team’s third album, Rolling Blackouts.

The one thing that I notice about the album right away was the wide array of miscellaneous sounds on the album. You hear everything from J-Pop inspired tunes ("Secretary Song"), thematic horns ("Bust-Out Brigade") to distorted guitars ("Rolling Blackouts"). Although the album appears slightly messy in its arrangement, it’s still rather cohesive, which shows how the diverse the band is.On another note, the album's diversity contributes the overall mood of the record, which is very festive. It makes the listener feel like they are part of one big party with great music playing, confetti falling all over the place and good times all around. Overall, Rolling Blackouts is a fun and exciting experience that it’s something worth celebrating for with every listen.

Having a party and don't have a mix tape ready? Play Rolling Blackouts by The Go! Team to help get things started.

Introducing Teesa

Still not sure who Teesa is? Maybe this will help. This is a promo video that was made to introduce the up-and-coming pop artist to the world! Plus, we were quoted in the beginning of the video! Check it out!

Essence of Pop Music

Theresa Houston, aka Teesa formerly of the indie rock outfit Trey’s Parade, has traded in her guitar for synthesizers as she makes her pop debut with her self-titled EP. Upon listening to Teesa, one thing is certain. She has truly captured the essence of writing terrific pop songs. Her captivating melodies will keep you dancing on your feet while her brilliant lyrics will leave you singing even after the song is over. Another thing I notice is how each of the tracks carries its own unique personality that distinguishes them from each other, but allows them to remain cohesive as a whole. The EP’s lead off track, “Gameboi” is an 8-bit inspired fantasy about a girl’s love in a video game world. Teesa utilizes electronic sounds with great finesse allowing her to create a pop song that is unique and sensational. “Captive” and “Freak” are also great pop songs both which feature pulsating rhythms and irresistible lyrics. They may not be as unique as “Gameboi”, but the simplicity of her melodies can still leave an quite an impression.

Overall, the EP is a stellar debut for the up incoming songstress and captures the essence of great pop music.  Expect big things to come for Teesa in 2011 for this is a shining indication that an international pop star is in the making. If  you would like to hold of her EP, go to iTunes or click here to purchase your copy. You can also follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

Robyn Is Back

Despite the content of my blog being majority alternative rock, indie rock and electronica, it does not mean that I will only cater to those particular genres. Their are many kinds of music that I enjoy listening to such as hip-hop, classic R&B and even pop. Speaking of pop, this next piece is about Swede pop star Robyn.

The other day, my girlfriend was watching the music video for the song "Hang On Me" by Robyn. Immediately it caught my attention and I was digging on the song. For some of you, you are probably already aware of who Robyn is. In fact, some of you might be dusting off your copy of her classic album, Robyn Is Here. Back then, she was known for her classic singles, "Do You Know What It Takes" and "Show Me Love". Then somehow, she disappeared from the music scene and I never heard from her again. But here's the real story. In 1997, she returned home to Sweden to recover from exhaustion due to excessive touring. She then released two other albums, My Truth and Don't Stop The Music, but did not receive an international release. Then it 2002, she released her album, Robyn, which was the beginning of Robyn's hand in synth pop. She citied that her influences were The Knife and Teddybears, which are both electronic acts from Sweden. Then in 2009, she began to release a collection of EP's known as the Body Talk series (Part 1and Part 2) which eventually led to the release of the full length Body Talk record. The album displays Robyn's pop finese combined with the dynamics of synth pop and electronica. As a result, Robyn has crafted the perfect pop album of 2010, filled with innovative melodies, cutting edge beats and graceful lyrics.

From the looks of it, there is not stopping this pop star after more than 15 years in the music scene. Expect big things from here in the future, but not in the too far distant future. Rumor has it she may be release another album sometime next year. That's something to definitely look forward to.

New Audio

It appears that Davoy Havok and Jade Puget, aka Blaqk Audio have been secretly working on new music for the past few months. Recently, they have posted two brand new tracks on their SoundCloud page entitled "Down Here" and "Bon Voyeurs". This will be the first new music to be released from the duo since their 2007 debut, CexCells. Whether or not these are official tracks or not, this is bound to be exciting. I have posted my favorite of the two here, but you can listen to the other track by going to their SoundCloud page.

Down Here by Blaqk Audio

Daft Punk Helmet

If you have ever Guy-Manuel de Homen-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, aka legendary electronic duo Daft Punk, you will usually see them wearing their traditional helmets. Their helmets, futuristic in design, are stunning to look at. I bet that there are some of you (Daft Punk fans and me included) that would love to get your hands on the their headpiece. Thanks to Harrison Krix and Volpin Props, our dreams can now be reality.


Harrison Krix is a graphic designer from Atlanta and the man behind Volpin Props. With Volpin Props, he makes and designs for replica props based on movies, video games and many more. His work is absolutely phenomenal, but my favorite would have to be his replica of Guy-Manuel's helmet. My girlfriend showed me the video and I was extremely impressed. The replica was perfectly designed down to the tiniest detail. It even lights up like the real one. It took Krix and Volpin Props 17 months to replicate the headpiece, but the final product is quite a beauty. Daft Punk would be so proud. To see the fruit of their labor, watch the video below. For more information on Harrison Krix and Volpin Props, go to their facebook or their official blog.

On another note, my girlfriend and I are thrilled that Daft Punk will be doing the soundtrack for the upcoming Disney sci-fi film Tron: Legacy. They are the perfect choice. Plus, the movie looks mind-blowing!

Mental Wealth

Chris Cunningham is one of my favorite music video film directors. He began his career working on the Stanley Kubrick film, A.I., in which he worked on the robotic designs for the film. After his work on A.I., he pursued making music videos for many artists. Some artists include Bjork, Aphex Twin, Portishead and Squarepusher. Chris Cunningham has also made commercials which included Playstation (see Mental Wealth) and Gucci (see Gucci Flora). I love how he utilized dark elements in his videos. Some of his videos features distorted looking characters, dark rooms and even strange transformations. But despite the bleak nature of the videos, there is a obvious beauty that can be found if looked at more closely. I wish I could post all of his videos, but I narrowed it down to three of my favorites. The first one is "All Is Full of Love" by Bjork. The second one is "Come On My Selector" by Squarepusher. The third one is "Frozen" by Madonna. Take a look at these videos. If you have a Chris Cunningham video, please share it.

A Perfect Collaboration

One thing that I noticed about Bring Me The Horizon is that they are one of the few metalcore bands that are not afraid to experiment with electronic and ambient elements. They began incorporating these in their last album, the crticially acclaimed Suicide Season. With their newest release (please bear with me), There Is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It, There Is a Heaven Lets Keep It a Secret, they utilized these elements a little further in hopes that it would expand and diversify their sound. As a result, their latest work is perfect mix of heavy and complexity. But what blew my mind the most was the appearance of electro-pop sensation Lights on the record. She was featured in the tracks, "Crucify Me" and "Don't Go" and although both parties' respective music are at different sides of the musical spectrum, Light's elegant voice complements perfectly with the band's music. For your listening pleasure, I posted my favorite track of the two, "Don't Go". It not only features a killer breakdown from BMTH, but it also displays Lights' ability and versatility to sing in any genre other than her own.


If you have not done so yet, pick up Bring Me The Horizon's new record (bear with me again), There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It, There Is A Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret. I highly recommend it. While you are at it, don't forget to pick up Light's current record, The Listening.

"Don't Go" (Featuring Lights) by Bring Me The Horizon by Future Phonograph

Passion Pit In Hawaii

When Passion Pit released their debut album, Manners sometime last year, everyone was raving about it. Even John Mayer couldn't stop talking about them. He even wrote about them in my blog during the early stages of Battles Studies. My girlfriend was the one that told me about them. The moment she introduced me to "Sleepyhead" from their Chunk of Change EP, I was immediately hooked to the band's blend of electronic-induced pop rock music. So when BAMP Project announced that they will be playing at Pipeline Cafe on December 11th, it was no surprised who was the first person I told the news.

For those that have never had a chance to indulge in what everyone was raving about last year, here is live footage of Passion Pit performing "Sleepyhead" at Warsaw. This should give you guys a taste of what to experience on December 11th. For more information on the concert, visit BAMP Project.

A Softer Side

Metal bands follow simple formula: the heavier, the better. These bands have a reputation for making very heavy music. Melodic parts are usually sacrificed for heavy riffs and gruesome breakdowns. So what makes the Deftones standout out among all the other metal acts is that they are not afraid to embrace their softer side. Unlike their metal counterparts, the Deftones are known for using intricate song structures and complex melodies. At the same time, strong experimentation and exploration is conducted to expand their sound. Some of the genres that the Deftones incorporate into their sound are dream pop, electronica and new wave. In doing this, the band has successfully merged massive and grace into one completely unique sound. A great example of this would be their latest video, "Sextape" off their record Diamond Eyes. The video was directed by ZFCL (Zak Forrest and Chad Liebenguth). The directors were able to capture Deftone's vision of dream world full of color and wonder.


So word of advice to metal bands out there. Take a page from Deftones' book and don't be afraid to show your softer side.

Groundbreaking

I never realized that Derek Miller, half of noise pop duo Sleigh Bells, was originally the guitarist from the metalcore band, Poison The Well. I'll admit that I had never indulged in Poison The Well's music, but one thing is for sure is that Miller knows a thing or two about breakdowns. In his new gig with Bells, Miller uses heavy breakdowns with electronic beats and synths to create a distorted but cohesive sound. The other half of Sleigh Bells is vocalist Alexis Krauss. She adds the pop dynamic into the mix and gives their sound that added flair. Together, they created a sound that I would describe as "noise polluted electro induced pop music". It sounds strange, but that's the beauty of their music. It is something that I have never heard of before. It's original, mind blowing and most of all, absolutely groundbreaking. Their debut album, Treats is a real treat in itself and it transcends beyond genres of metal, noise and pop. Miller and Krauss have just discovered uncharted territory and we can only imagine where their insane sound will take them.

Fun Fact: Here is a funny story of how Krauss and Miller met. Miller was dining at a restaurant in New York. A lady came up to him and asked him if he was looking for a singer. When Miller nodded, the lady immediately volunteered her daughter. The daughter was Krauss and that lady who volunteered her was her mother. Pretty amazing, huh?

Smashing Cover

Levi's has campaign called the Levi Pioneer Sessions (in part of Levi Revival Recordings) in which artists cover classics that that have inspired them and the music they create today. I love everyone of these recordings because there is something magical that happens when an artist covers a song that has made an impact in the way they viewed music. It is as though you can feel that exact moment when they made a connection with it. There were many artists that have already participated in these recordings such as She & Him, Jason Mraz, John Legend, The Roots as well as many more. One of those artists stood out among the rest.

Michael Angelakos, the lead vocalist/keyboardist of Passion Pit covered the classic Smashing Pumpkins song, "Tonight Tonight". Instead of using loud guitars, Angelakos used a wide array of electronic sounds and the grace of his voice to recreate the song in his own unique fashion. What came out it is a dreamy, more romantic form of the classic song that still retains the same spirit that it embodied when the Smashing Pumpkins recorded it back in 1996. In the video, Angelakos goes into depth and explained the reason why he chose to cover that particular song. This is my favorite part because it showed what a significant impact the song has made on his view of music. It's a beautiful thing when music is able to do that. You can hear the song below. Passion Pit is currently on tour supporting their latest effort, Manners (there is a really awesome deluxe edition of the album that you get at their official store). For more info on that band, go to their official site or their myspace to hear some of their tracks.

Tonight, Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins Cover) by Passion Pit by Future Phonograph

Jam-Ear-Oh-Kwai

It turns out that after all these years, I have been pronouncing the name completely wrong. I don't know why it took so long for me to figure it out. I went to FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section of the band's website and it turns out that the band's name is pronounced "jam-EAR-oh-Kwai". I'm sure by now you know that I'm talking about Jamiroquai (read the last sentence if you still don't know how to pronounce it). Hailing from England, the band which consists of core members Jay Kay (vocalist/songwriter) and Derrick McKenzie (drummer). Although, there are two members of the band, Jay Kay remains as the focus of the band and appears in all of their music videos. They are mainly a acid jazz/jazz funk band that dabbles in pop, rock and electronica. The one thing that I love about his music is that whenever I listen to his music, I always feel like dancing. For some reason, when his music comes on, I just get up on my chair and start moving my feet.

One of my favorite albums from the band is A Funk Odyssey. This album represents the departure of Jamiroquai's traditional acid jazz sound and concentrates more on the pop, dance and electronic aspect of the bands' sound. It was a bold change, but a good one. The album had spawned hits like "You Give Me Something", "Love Foolosophy" and my personal favorite, "Little L", which you can watch the video below. I love this video because the concept was inspired by dance clubs back in the 70's with little cosmic twist to it. It has everything color tiles on the floor, bright lights, people dancing and of course, a disco ball. Absolutely awesome. If you have never heard of Jamiroquai, check out their immpresive catalog. I suggest start out with Travelling Without Moving (spawned highly-acclaimed single, "Virtual Insanity") and The Return of the Space Cowboy and then built your way toward A Funk Odyssey. One way or the other, I guarantee it will make you want to dance.

On one final note, can you tell me how you pronounce his name again? You should know by now...

How To Destroy Angels

I remembered back in college, one of my friends who used to lived in the same hall as I did told me two bands that he used to listen when he was growing up. The first one was Depeche Mode which came up when we were talking about electronic music. The other and this was probably his favorite of the two was Nine Inch Nails. He was fond of them during the early 90's when he first listen to their debut record, Pretty Hate Machine. For me personally, I had never indulged in any of their music. Maybe it was because I was too young to know about them. My friend and I did have a good 10 year gap between us. The only encounter I did have with NIN's music was video called The Perfect Drug which is a single from the soundtrack off the 1997 film, Lost Highway. We continued with our conversation band and talked about everything from music style to which albums were the best and even revealing to me that NIN has only one core member, which is Trent Reznor. When he revealed that to me, it completely threw me off guard because I was never aware that one person can represent the idenity of an entire band. I thought it was the coolest thing at the time. Our conversation about NIN ignited my interest in the band and I began my listening spree trying to obtain as much listening material as possible. After listening to some of their albums, I realize that he was right about one thing. Although, Pretty Hate Machine was a stellar debut, The Downward Spiral is the best album in his catalog.

After announcing in 2009 that Nine Inch Nails was no longer a touring band, the mulit-instrumentalist/songwriter began work on new material for a new music project. In 2010, he revealed that his new project will be with his wife Mariqueen Maandig and fellow collaborator Atticus Ross and named the project How To Destroy Angels. Like Trent Reznor's previous works with Nine Inch Nails (Ghosts I-IV and The Slip), How To Destroy Angels' EP is available for download for free on their official website. I immediately downloaded it and started listening to it. Like Ghosts I-IV and The Slip, the electronic aspect of the project is very strong, but it brought upon a strong conceptual vibe to it. I was imagining that I woke up from a deep sleep and witnessing the aftermath of a post-apocalytic war. While listening, my mind painted a picture of a desolate wasteland in which cities are ruins and where life is scarce. The music created a dark and lonely atmosphere. However, beyond the ashes of the wasteland, there is a gleam of hope. That hope came in the form of Mariqueen Maandig. Despite the name of the band, her voice is delicate and very angelic. She brings life to the music on the EP. Although, her voice gave the music depth, it feels as though that throughout the EP her voice merely blends in the background of atmospheric sounds, but not too much to the point where she's unnoticed. However, the true highlight of the EP is the final track "A Drowning" and this is where Mariqueen Maandig truly shines. Her voice really stands out past the atmospheric sounds of electronics and drum beats and showcases her strength and grace as it closes the album on a powerful note.

A Drowning by How To Destroy Angels by Future Phonograph

Although this is a mere preview of the things to come from How To Destroy Angels, this EP is a solid record filled with stunning atmonspheric electronic landscapes featuring stunning vocals from Mariqueen Maandig. Since the EP is free download, I highly recommend giving this album a listen, whether you are a long time fan of Nine Inch Nails or even just a fan of electronic music. If you would like to download the album, click HERE. If you are willing to spend a little cash (it's very small, trust me), you can also download the album in lossless audio and it comes with their stellar video "The Space In Between". Or if you absolutely love the album, there are bundles on sale where you can buy the EP and it comes with a T-shirt. Either way, don't miss out on one of the best EPs of 2010.

Damn Swan Dress

One thing I tend to grumble about is that many people only remember Bjork because of the swan dress that she wore at the 2001 Oscars. Not many people realize what a talented and innovative singer/songwriter/musician she really is. She has released a brilliant catalog of albums throughout her career, but the one album that I feel is where she truly blossomed as an artist is the album, Homogenic. In her earlier works, she was known to make electronica influenced pop music, but this was the album where she started to experiment other genres which included trip hop, folk and ambient music. It is also the album that took upon a much darker atmosphere, which adds a whole new dimension to her music. Bjork is also known for making great music videos. Shown below is the music video for the song, "Hunter" from her album, Homogenic.

Drive My Soul

I remembered a while ago that there were these Old Navy commercials that had a mellow synth pop song playing in the background. I did not recall what Old Navy was advertising at the time, but I remembered being drawn to the music and the voice of the song. It was later that I discovered that the music from the commercial was from a Canadian singer named Valerie Poxleitner who is better known as Lights. I listened to her EP and her music is absolutely breathtaking. Her full length debut will be released on September 22, 2009 entitled The Listening. So don't forget to check that out as well. In the meantime, check out her new video "Savior".



"Saviour" Music Video