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Blog-achella 08: CDJ skillz
2008-03-13 19:15:00
Now back to Blog -achella, and I'm gonna have to get off my butt if I want to get this done in time!James ZabielaWho he is: British DJ who actually rose to fame after winning one of those magazine "Bedroom DJ" contests... perhaps those things aren't a total crock after all. But more importantly, if you look at that picture, I'm pretty sure he's also in Hanson.What he sounds like: From what I read, he is lauded for his mix of House and Breaks... wow, no one ever thought of that before, what a visionary! Actually, he also has super mad skillz with the Pioneer CDJs, too, which I won't make a snide remark about... 'cuz maybe if I got off my butt a little more, I could master some of those tricks... Anyhoo, dude's only got a few productions under his belt, so I chose this pretty good Royksopp remix for ya...Royksopp - Remind Me (James Zabiela Eighties Ingevort Mix) (ysi)What I think: Might be worth a gander, although I suspect him of cheesiness due to the company he keeps. ...
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This sounds like a good party
2008-03-13 18:15:00
Man, have I been slackin' this week...So pretty much all I know about percussionist Ginger Johnson is that he was from Nigeria, got very popular in London in the '60s, and is famous for joining the Rolling Stones on stage in Hyde Park in 1969 for a particularly famous version of "Sympathy For The Devil". That sounds pretty cool... Keith might have still even had some of his original blood in his body back then. Anyhoo, I stumbled across this record some time ago, and it's a percussion-crazy African Jazz affair. Plus it's got chants. We like chants around here... Ginger Johnson & His African Messengers - Hi Life (ysi)Good times, that. This record's a good one for you sample diggers, too... so get at it!
More About: Party , Sounds

Blog-achella 08: I have a large A, do you?
2008-03-12 17:46:00
Zee French House invasion continues...SebastiAnWho he is: Another one of them guys, and proof that DJs don't get the ladies based on their looks.What he sounds like: It's that Ed Banger sound, and this guy get get pretty obnoxious based on some of his stuff that I've heard... that said, I'm definitely diggin' this track...SebastiAn - Walkman (Re-edit) (ysi)What I think: I'm totally on the fence about all the Frenchy House DJs, especially because I prefer to see me some live band action at this shindig... so, what's French for "meh"?
More About: Blog , Large

Pong!
2008-03-11 17:53:00
Gotta make this one quick, but I'm sure you could use a break from my mindless blathering anyway...The group is called Swag. They're from England. They make really good funky house and breaks. You will like it...Swag - Pong (ysi)Now play some Pong...Get this widget!Tonegents, your one-stop entertainment mecca... :P

Blog-achella 08: Brainssssssss!
2008-03-10 22:37:00
Because no one rocks a party like the undead...KavinskyWho he is: I'll go to the press release for this one... “The first thing to know about Kavinsky: He’s a zombie. Legend says he was killed in a car wreck in 1986, speeding through the back roads of France at over 120 mph in a Ferrari Testarossa before veering off the road and being hurtled through the windshield. Though pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, he quietly got up off his stretcher and left, never to be seen or heard from again…until 2006.”What he sounds like: There is going to be a lot of French Electro-House (or whatever you want to call it) going on Saturday, and this guy is one of 'em. Actually, I'd say this particular track has a strong Italo feel, but it's right there in the ballpark...Kavinsky - Testarossa Autodrive (ysi)What I think: I imagine I'll been in and out of the Sahara Tent throughout the day to see what the Frenchies are up to. Again, this sound for me is best in small doses. I me...
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Blog-achella 08: Hey, these guys don't totally suck!
2008-03-10 20:50:00
Call that a backhanded complement if you will, but here's the facts...DredgWho they are: A band from the Bay Area, which is often a good sign. How about in this case?What they sound like: For some reason I'd been led to believe that these guys are nothing but a crappy hard rock band, and I think that's how they started out, but it's actually a bit more interesting than that...Dredg - Bug Eyes (ysi)What I think: See? Still kinda heavy but not that terrible at all. Between listening to this track and others, it seems Dredg have a little bit of Brit-Rock in 'em... they're unafraid to go big and epic and they have some nice atmospheric stuff going on is some of their tunes... plus the singer is half decent. Color me moderately impressed, but maybe not enough to check 'em out if they're against strong competition... guess that means... "meh".
More About: Blog , Guys , Suck

Tonegent is One!
2008-03-10 17:39:00
Happy Monday to everyone. Yep, this past Saturday marked the one year anniversary of my little blog, and I'd just like to say thanks to all you folks who come here and read these ramblings of a record nerd... especially since most of the content here is not fit to be read by anyone, ever. I sort of wanted to make it a big deal with some kinda fancy post, but I spent the whole weekend in a celebratory haze of hookers and blow... and well, you know how those things go. Anyhoo, let's start the week off with a track I have played out about a million times...... and that track comes from Philly's own King Britt and his Sylk 130 project. And I gotta tell ya, that first Sylk 130 album, When The Funk Hits The Fan, is a stone-cold classic. The second record (an '80s tribute), emmmm... not so much... but at least he's got this one. This remix, however, comes off the CD Single, and is courtesy of none other than Questlove of The Roots, whose wallet definitely says "BAD MUTHERFUCKER"...

Blog-achella 08: Well, surprise surprise...
2008-03-07 22:04:00
An unexpected treat to finish the week...The Bird And The BeeWho they are: Based in L.A, they're a dude from freakin' Geggy Tah (OMGWTF?1?!!?1?!) and singer Inara George.What they sound like: Despite the connection to one of the most cliche bargain bin 50 cent CD bands ever, this is actually really good electronic pop...The Bird And The Bee - Polite Dance Song (ysi)What I think: I gotta tell ya... with a name like that I was expecting for some reason something horribly twee and acoustic, but I was wrong. Which never happens. Ever. Except it just did. My whole paradigm has just shifted up in this bitch. I need to lie down...... have a great weekend, folks!
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Blog-achella 08: Used Old Donkey Association
2008-03-07 20:05:00
Some dance for your pants...New Young Pony ClubWho they are: A London band with a good girl-boy ratio, if you're a boy. The girls, however are seemingly out of luck, 'cuz those dudes is ugly.What they sound like: I've seen the tiresome "New Rave" designation bandied about with respect to these guys, but seriously, what the hell does that mean anyway? Let's just call it nice Indie Dance-Pop... nah, that's pretty lame, too... ah, screw it...New Young Pony Club - The Bomb (ysi)What I think: Out of all the millions of bands playing this kind of music nowadays, I'd say these guys are one of the better ones... they actually have some nice hooks and I'm a sucker for girl-harmonies... and no, that's not code for hot lesbo action, although maybe it should be ;)
More About: Blog , Association , Donkey

Spring forward!
2008-03-07 18:49:00
It's the last House Music Friday before Daylight Savings Time kicks in, which means... oh, absolutely nothing... hmpf...Don't let the cute little mousey on the cover fool you, Floppy Sounds' Short Term Memories is a pretty dark album of Tech-House creepery. But again, the amount of information out there on this guy is pretty close to nil. The record's from 2001 and there hasn't been another Floppy Sounds release since, so I would assume that means the dude has either moved on to the greener pastures of composing Krispy Kreme jingles or is trapped under something heavy. Either way, it's a nice record that can be had for teh cheep. Check out this monster of a track...Floppy Sounds - Happening (ysi)Mmmm.... Krispy Kreme... want...
More About: Spring , Forward

Blog-achella 08: Actually there's only 3 days
2008-03-06 23:53:00
Seems like we haven't heard too much from those wascally Scandinavians yet...120 Days Who they are: A band from Norway... rock the fjords!What they sound like: They've got kind of a Brit-Rock vibe, striving for the epic and with plenty of keyboards.120 Days - Come Out (Come Down, Fade Out, Be Gone) (ysi)What I think: This song is, in fact, pretty epic... but others of theirs I've heard don't quite match the goodness. Perhaps worth a flier... you gotta watch someone during those afternoon hours (unless of course you dedicate the time to getting properly drunk, which is certainly a fine option).
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I'm more of a Dallas person
2008-03-06 19:04:00
Before I begin... Hip-Hop fans, check out my current eBay auction for some real goodies!Time today for some classic Soul Jazz goodness from Tenor Sax boss Houston Person , featuring some all-star players like Grant Green and Idris Muhammed. It's got a little Latin beat and a lot of groove...Houston Person - The Son Of Man (ysi)Dig it...
More About: Dallas

Blog-achella 08: How the heck do you pronounce that?
2008-03-05 23:08:00
Don't be scurred, folks, we've got a good one here...YoavWho he is: Singer-songwriter dude from more-or-less all over the world, and I'm sure the ladies (and the gays) will find him quite "dreamy".What he sounds like: Don't let the singer/songwriter tag and the somewhat moody looking, acoustic-guitar cradling picture scare you... this guy is actually pretty damn cool. Why? 'Cuz he's got a multi-effect pedal and he's not afraid to use it!Yoav - Club Thing (ysi)What I think: Yep, all the sounds you heard were made with the acoustic guitar, effected and looped, and homie does it live...... I'm a sucker for this kind of thing, especially when there's decent songwriting skillz involved, which this guy has. My completely unexpected wanna-see act of the day!
More About: Blog , Pronounce

Blog-achella 08: Stop the Serj
2008-03-05 21:16:00
Predictably, just when I thought I was done with the Friday preview, another act was added, and a relatively "big" name at that. But that big name just happens to be System of a Down singer Serj Tankian, whose voice makes me want to dunk my head in a vat of acid. And as much as my Virgo-ness wants total completion-ness... Serj Tankian can suck it and suck it hard. Click the link if you must... moving on...Electric TouchWho they are: A band from Austin, but with a British singer who loomed above them, smug in his cultural superiority... then they called him a queer. What they sound like: Pretty straightforward Rock.Electric Touch - Lines (ysi)What I think: That song's the only mp3 I could find for you, and it's actually the worst song I heard by these guys. Go check their Myspace... they're actually kinda decent. Definitely for the "meh" pile as far as actually watching their set, but I see some potential to not suck. "Wow, thanks for the compliment... we think..."
More About: Blog , Stop

Get a Dago to do it for you...
2008-03-05 18:47:00
So... is it too early to drop a perfect summer barbeque jammy on ya? It is? Well, too bad... deal with it!British DJ Joey Negro is a dude that I should have mentioned a few posts ago when I listed some modern purveyors of actual good Disco, but forgot about. So wouldn't you know a track off of one of his many fine compilations would pop up in the shuffle so soon thereafter, as if to mock my ignorance. D'oh! This Peter Jacques Band is kind of interesting. They were the brainchild of a French businessman/part-time DJ and the Italian musical dude he rode the coattails of. But they were also the act that brought the whole Italian Disco scene into the worldwide light, therefore making said businessman beaucoup bank. Businessmen are smart like that. But it doesn't hurt when your Italian lackey can turn out sunny Disco/Funk numbers like this one...Peter Jacques Band - It Feels Mighty Fine (ysi)Remember that for your first pool party this year... and have a hot dog for me.

Blog-achella 08: More young French girls!
2008-03-05 01:55:00
Two bands in, and already I'm seeing a pattern for Saturday... whereas Friday was all about the Aussies, Saturday is starting to get French y...YelleWho she is: Another cute girl, and this time she really is French!What she sounds like: '80s style Pop, complete with really, really cheap keyboard sounds.Yelle - Ce Jeu (ysi)What I think: I'm not really feelin' this one, perhaps because I am not a 15-year-old French girl... although sometimes I pretend to be one in order to fuck with horny old men in chat rooms... ok, not really... no, seriously, that was a joke... what's that knock at the doo--
More About: Girls , Blog , Young

Musicians iz dum
2008-03-04 18:59:00
Today, the German/Brazilian connection, with expert commentary...Compost Records Glucklich series of compilations is a pretty neat one. They combine old-school Brazilian goodness with newer, electronic Brazilian-flavored goodness. The Germans love them some Brazilian music. And actually, I once had a chance to ask Rainer Truby, who put this compilation together, about that. We were driving toward LAX and I asked, "So, why is it that there are so many German acts doing the Brazilian music?"... expecting, what with him being one of those people, that he would have some insight into the question. His answer: "Uh, yeah, I guess they do. I don't know, man."... wow. Thanks for that nugget, bro. Go take another hit off the bong while you're at it. Which just goes to show you musicians are talented... but dumb. Anyhoo, todays cut comes from Spain's Wagon Cookin', who also have a newish album out that is teh hotness... Wagon Cookin' - Lua (ysi)So to recap... Musicians : good...

Blog-achella 08: Psyche!
2008-03-04 00:45:00
Hey, I'm sure it's tomorrow already somewhere...UffieWho she is: A hot American girl in Paris, continuing the Ed Banger invasion.What she sounds like: She raps like it's 1982 with beats from 2012 from all of the Ed Banger kids. For instance, on this (appropriately-titled) jam, the music is courtesy of Mr. Oizo...Uffie - Hot Chick (ysi)What I think: It's decent party music, for sure. The beats make up for the, let's admit it, pretty weak rapping. But what, you expect Queen Latifah, here? I imagine I'll go check this out for at least a couple songs, and not just because she's hot. No, really. Don't call me a liar!(Okay, you got me... I tried...)
More About: Blog , Psyche

Quick one on Monday
2008-03-03 19:43:00
Mondays are teh suck. You need some nice purdy music right about now, don't you? So here it is, courtesy of hottie singer Clara Hill's Folkwaves project, from Sonar Kollektiv. Those guys seem to like to think they put out folk music now in addition to their normal electronica, because they have some artists that use the odd acoustic guitar... sure guys, whatever. Think more of a yummy Zero 7 vibe...Clara Hill's Folkwaves - Be Like That (ysi)Hope that eases the Monday pain a bit... Blog-achella returns tomorrow!
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I bay, You bay, eBay!
2008-03-02 16:41:00
Hi everyone, hope your weekend is kickin' ass!So, I am seriously whittling down my actual CD collection and going all-digital like the hip dude I am, and I'm going to be selling off CDs in lots of 10 on eBay over the next few... and who better to provide a home for my unwanted babies (wait, that sounds kind of creepy, oh well, whatevs...) than my beloved readers. Here's the first lot, featuring some good old-school Hip-Hop.Das EFX - Dead Serious: The debut album feat. "Mic Checka" and "They Want EFX"... Bum stiggidy bum stiggidy bum!Channel Live - Station Identification: Another debut, this one featured KRS-1Run-DMC - Greatest Hits - 'nuff saidBlack Eyed Peas - Behind The Front and Bridging The Gap - They were good before they let that man Fergie in the group...Monie Love - Down To Earth - Maybe the best of all the female MCsBeastie Boys - Hello NastyFun Lovin' Criminals - Come Find Yourself - better than you rememberDream Warriors - And The Legacy Begins - Great Canadian gr...
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Blog-achella 08: Spare some change?
2008-02-21 23:05:00
Prepare your bong load, here's another act for the Jack Johnson fans...Slightly StoopidWho they are: A buncha lunkheads from San Diego, like you couldn't a guessed that. They're into, like, surfin' and beer and partyin', wooo!What they sound like: If I may steal a concept from Bill Simmons, you've all heard of the phrase "so-n-so is like a poor man's so-n-so". Well he takes that one step farther, to the sub-"poor man's" level, aka the "homeless man's" level, therefore... Slightly Stoopid is like a homeless man's Sublime.Slightly Stoopid - Everything You Need (ysi)What I think: Now, I loved Sublime and I'm not diametrically opposed to this kind of music per se (hell, I'll even admit to seeing G. Love & Special Sauce once... at Coachella mind, you... it was early and no one else was playing... and you know what, I didn't hate it), but... these guys kinda stink. Homeless man's, indeed.
More About: Change , Blog

Blog-achella 08: Mum's the word
2008-02-21 20:52:00
Here's an act that has "sunset time slot" written all over it...MumWho they are: A bunch of happy-looking Icelandic folk. They're just all so freakin' happy in Iceland, aren't they? As a matter of fact, I think I read a news article recently that said Iceland is the best country to live in in the world, based on economics, low crime rate, and the fact that Bjork will come to your house and make you cupcakes if you call her ahead of time. I wanna go to Iceland.What they sound like: I'm gonna throw "a mellower Boards of Canada with the odd girlie vocal" at ya. Whaddaya think?Mum - We Have A Map Of The Piano (ysi)What I think: Like I said, a band like this playing outside while the sun goes down in the desert = fuck and yes. They better make that happen... but then again, Jack Johnson was booked to headline, so all bets are off.
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Disco doesn't (always) suck
2008-02-21 18:59:00
No, really, I'm serious! Bear with me, here...Yeah, a large majority of Disco does in fact suck large hairy coconuts, but much like how even a shitty move can have a couple of good scenes (most likely involving young, supple breasts), it's not all bad. And there are a couple of major sources of this knowledge. One would be TJ Gorton's awesome blog American Athlete and the other would be any disco compilation mixed by Monsieur Dimitri From Paris. Pretty much for me it comes down to the strings. I hate the cheesy disco strings just as much as you do. But you take those strings out, what do you have? Stuff that sounds kinda like House! And we like house! So here's a no-strings-having Latin disco-funk jammy from Dimitri's Disco Forever compilation, courtesy of The LTG Exchange, who I can't find squat about... The LTG Exchange - Corazon (ysi)See? It's okay to admit that you sorta kinda like some certain disco songs. No one's gonna hate you for it... I promise!
More About: Suck

Blog-achella 08: Bring on the fat guy!
2008-02-20 23:10:00
Get ready for the fat guy, but first...PendulumWho they are: Aussies (yep, them... again...) Before the first act plays, everyone at Coachella will join together and lift up their voices in a rousing version of "Waltzing Matilda".What they sound like: Drum & Bass! It seems like every year, by rule, there is exactly one Drum & Bass act. It's like affirmative action for fading dance music genres... these guys are hard, fast, and often Heavy Metal guitar-y...Pendulum - Slam (ysi)What I think: As far as D&B goes, I'm sorry to say I find these guys kinda "meh". The guitars (of which there's a lot in the live clips you can see on their website) are where they lose me. That said, the video for this song is genius...Dancing Fat Guy = Comedy Gold, every damn time.
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Blog-achella 08: Funk fi-yah!
2008-02-20 21:14:00
Okay, pretend I was going to Coachella on Friday instead of Saturday (can't, stupid "job")... then I could say "Believe it or not, this is the act I'm most excited to see on Friday", and you'd be like, "Really?", and I'd be like "Really!"Sharon Jones & The Dap KingsWho they are: They are one bad black mama and the (mostly) white boys that back her up. Because it seems that most all of the hippest current funk "revival" bands are pretty darn white in composition. Discuss...What they sound like: Like they stepped straight out of 1965 and straight into your ass! In a good way... In a good way!Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Give Me A Chance (ysi)What I think: Fuck and yes. I mean, I don't need to say much about it. If you can't dig Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, you're probably rooting for the terrorists to win. How 'bout some extra video goodness?Now, if you still can't dig it... (sighs, shakes head dismissively, resumes getting funky)
More About: Funk , Blog

Don't piss off Primo!
2008-02-20 19:25:00
It's been like three months since I served up some old school NYC boom-bap for ya... wassupwiddat?Jeru The Damaja is probably not a name you've heard too much of recently, but he is certainly a memorable MC of the early '90s. He's got one of those great gravelly voices and his first two albums, produced by none other than DJ Premier, rank as essential releases of the era. But then, it seems, he kinda started acting like a cock, pissed off Primo , and faded into semi-obscurity. The moral of the story? Don't piss off Primo..."Dont' piss me off, yo."Fo reals. But he'll always have those first two records, and here's a classic joint for ya...Jeru The Damaja - Whatever (ysi)Jeru actually just put out a new album last Fall. Did you know that? Me neither! Point proven! :P
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Blog-achella 08: Nice hair, dude
2008-02-19 23:14:00
Tryin' to fight off the flu, here... wish me luck...StarsWho they are: A group from Montreal, Canada, whose music is thankfully no where near as ridiculous as that one guy's hair. Seriously, dude the diagonal high-lighted pink mohawk is so last week.What they sound like: Some very nice Indie Pop. I'm almost positive this song has been in a commercial, though I wasn't able to find it. Let's just say if it hasn't, it certainly should be...Stars - The Night Starts Here (ysi)What I think: Me likey. Actually, one time I went to Amoeba to shop for music and suddenly found myself smack in the middle of a Stars in-store performance. I was nicely impressed then, and continue to be now. Wow, that politeness doesn't sound like me, does it? Fuck fuck shit! There, that's better...
More About: Dude , Blog , Hair , Nice

Blog-achella 08: Oompa Loompa mosh pit!
2008-02-19 21:08:00
People have been saying that this year's Coachella lineup is certainly a bit odd, but I think I've figured out what the deal is... I've figured out the exact demographic they are catering to...BattlesWho they are: A New York band.What they sound like: I've seen the term "math rock" used. That term is gay. That term does not come close to properly describing this music. This music is Heavy Metal for Oompa Loompas. I dare you to listen to it and not see that...Battles - Atlas (ysi)What I think: Man, that's feckin' awful, innit? But certainly the Oompa Loompa dance party at Dan Deacon will make it's way over to these guys for some headbanging... yep, these guys are all over this shit..."We've found a suitable whore! Let the triple penetration commence!"I just calls 'em as I sees 'em, folks...
More About: Blog , Mosh

Sings like a bird
2008-02-19 19:02:00
Today, a great vocalist who is finally getting her own shine...British singer Martina Topley-Bird has been heard here on Tonegents a couple of times, doing vocals for both David Holmes and Tricky, but today we take a listen to her first solo album, which features collaborations with folks such as, um... David Holmes and Tricky... oh, well... go with what works for ya, I guess :P The sound is sorta along those dark, sultry Trip-Hop lines as well, and it's a nice listen...Martina Topley-Bird - Soul Food (ysi)Martina's got a new one coming out in May, and there are downloadable goodies from that available on her website. Hmm, this blog is sounding like an advertisement today, isn't it? "And the first 10 to order will receive the melon baller, a $25 value, absolutely free!"...
More About: Sings

Blog-achella 08: Does he call his tracks "fables"?
2008-02-18 23:16:00
Now we have a must-see for the Hip-Hop heads, whose choices are kinda slim at the 'Chella this year...Aesop RockWho he is: White rapper alert!What he sounds like: Underground Hip-Hop, and I can't lie to ya, homeboy's sound is a bit, shall we say... obtuse...Aesop Rock - Super Fluke (ysi)What I think: So yeah, interesting... certainly a unique flow and certainly interesting beats, but not exactly party-starting material, knowhutimean? I'd add more, but I'm still distracted by the Lindsay Lohan photo shoot from New York Magazine that surfaced today. What can I say, men are pigs and I is a men. Sue me. :P
More About: Blog , Tracks , Call , Fables