radiochopper

All quiet on the western front..

2009-02-11T11:10:00.003Z

I know, it's been an absolute age since I last posted anything here! There's a good reason though, I assure you. A while back I started writing as a contributor for the much more established blog Noise Porn, using this as a springboard to get my feet wet in the whole blogging scene. Who knows, I might still write the odd post on here if something really captivates me, but expect updates to be few and far between.

Your best bet, if you like the kinda tunes I pick, is to check out Noise Porn, which is full of fresh posts daily, by me and the rest of the crew.

Radiochopper, signing out.

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

2008-11-02T19:30:00.004Z

I posted about these guys before, but had to take the post down because I'd unwittingly posted a track that was exclusive for their newsletter members. (Oops! You can, however, get it if you sign up to their newsletter.)

Anyway, as a member of their newsletter, I got the heads up on a brand new remix. Let me present to you:

Bonde Do Role - Geremia (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) (320kb/s)

As an added treat, here is their ass-kicking remix of Buy Nows "Body Crash":

Buy Now - Body Crash (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) (320kb/s)

2008-10-30T17:33:00.003Z

It's been a while since I've found anything really inspiring and awesome enough to post on here. So imagine my joy when I found this absolute jem of a track. It's a remix of Simian Mobile Discos' I Believe, by DVS & Richard Blake. Unfortunately, after spying it on The Hype Machine, it was promptly taken down.

You can listen to it here, and rest assured as soon as I find a copy of the MP3, it'll be up here for your listening pleasure.

Better late than never...

2008-10-09T23:54:00.003+01:00

JUSTICE - A CROSS THE UNIVERSE (teaser)
Uploaded by edbangerrecords

No song today, but I bring you the word that Justice are doing a Soulwax-esque tour documentary. Trailer embedded above. It looks like the Soulwax doc, but with more titties and blood. Who can't get behind that?

Haaaaave you met Ratatat?

2008-10-07T15:17:00.003+01:00

I'm suprised it's taken me this long to post a Ratatat tune (even though this is technically a remix of Ratatat) but they're one of my favourite bands. Don't really have time to write a full writeup of Ratatat at the moment, so here's the track. Enjoy.

Ratatat - Falcon Jab (Copy Remix) (320kb/s)

Coconut Records

2008-10-06T00:31:00.003+01:00

This song comes from Coconut Record's debut album, Nighttiming, which was released last year. Coconut Records is a musical solo project by LA's Jason Schwartzman. If his name sounds familiar to you, that could be because he had starring roles in Rushmore and The Darjeeling Limited (gotta love Wes Anderson movies) among other films. The song itself is an upbeat, piano infused affair. The whole album is good listening if you want something that'll put a smile on your face. You can check out some more of Coconut Records' tracks at his mySpace.

Coconut Records - West Coast (VBR)

Daily Song(s)

2008-10-03T14:39:00.010+01:00

From here on out I'm going to try to recommend at least one song a day. I might not always have the time, but this page is gonna be a darn site more active than past experience would suggest.

So here goes.

Hot Chip. You either love them or hate them. Or, you're the middleground "meh, they're okay" exception that proves the prior rule. For me, they bring back a lot of good memories. That, plus, I've always been a fan of their melodic vocals and catchy synth chords. Just imagine they did a cover of Marvin Gaye. How much potential would that have?!

Oh, wait, no need to imagine. They did do a cover of Marvin Gaye.

Hot Chip - Sexual Healing (VBR)

Next up is a song by Italian duo Crookers, who seem to straddle the house/crunk/ghettotech genres. It's got a foot-tapping beat and would go down easy at many a clubnight. This is just a sample of what they have to offer though, so I'd recommend investigating the rest of their discography.

Crookers - Il Brutto (Original Mix) (320kb/s)

Hot on the heels of that track comes a remix of an undeniably catchy song. UK-based DJ duo (why do good electro artists always come in duos?) Atomic Hooligan give us their own unique touch on M.I.A's Paper Planes. It's a little bit faster than a lot of the other stuff I've posted here, and that's why I like it. It's a refreshing change of pace. Their album 'Sex, Drugs and Blah Blah Blah' has been out for a while now, and I only just heard about them and picked it up. If you're into breakbeats, I'd seriously advise you get your hands on a copy and give it a listen.

M.I.A - Paper Planes (Atomic Hooligan Remix) (128kb/s)

This track is a departure from what I'd usually insist on people listening to, but it's just such a good song, I can't help but share it. It's been out for a while now, on the latest album by David Byrne (of Talking Heads fame) and infamous musician/producer Brian Eno. This track was released free, in advance of the album, to generate buzz. And it certainly did. I put it on whenever I feel like relaxing. The mellow guitar works and minimal synth undertones really work well with the soothing vocals to produce a song that is a pleasure to listen to.

David Byrne and Brian Eno - Strange Overtones (320kb/s)

If you'd like to hear more of this timeless duo, or purchase the album, you can do so here.

Wow, I came into this expecting to write up one song, maybe two tops. I think I got a bit carried away with myself.

That's all for now folks!

2008-10-02T13:18:00.000+01:00

>UPLOAD COMPLETE
>DAY OF AWESOME TRACKS CLOSING...
>DAY OF AWESOME TRACKS CLOSED.
>DISCONNECTING...
>
>
>
>DISCONNECT SUCCESSFUL
>RECONNECT Y/N?
>_

#5 (Kinda...): Justice - Planisphere

2008-10-02T13:10:00.003+01:00

This isn't your usual compilation of Justice tracks here. This is a Justice epic. Spanning four tracks, it's one continuous ode to musical innovation. It's a dramatic opus, with sinister undertones, emphasized in part by the pipes and organs playing in the background. It's not just a dark electronic track though. Justice have plenty of room to play with, including as they do, a lengthy guitar solo and plenty of other instruments, more tangible than just the synths they have become so famous for.

It's certianly an original release, just as certain as it is a Justice release. You'll be hard strung not to be impressed with this new direction.

I was going to post the songs here, but I noticed most of the other sites that did have had to take them down again fairly quickly. What I would do, if I was so inclined, would be to link you to another site hosting them. But that's a legal grey area. And I wouldn't want to venture there, of course...

#4 The Toxic Avenger - Escape (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)

2008-10-02T13:01:00.002+01:00

What can I say about The Bloody Beetroots? Put simply, I love The Bloody Beetroots!

They're an Italian electro duo, and their music bears a striking resemblance to the dirty bass of Justice. If you like Justice, and pounding bass, then I'd place money on you loving this mix.

The Toxic Avenger - Escape (The Bloody Beetroots Remix) (320kb/s)

#3: Alex Gopher - Aurora (Shinichi Osawa Remix)

2008-10-02T12:41:00.002+01:00

Shinichi Osawa, aka 大沢伸一, aka Mondo Grosso, is a Japanese artist who's been releasing records since the early 90's. They say that wisdom comes with age, and Shinichi is no exception. If you've got even a fleeting interest in all-encompassing umbrella that is the electro genre, chances are you've heard at least one of his songs/remixes. For the most part, they are 'tap-your-feet' catchy, without being over the top cheesy. He has honed his craft to an art, and this track is exemplary of that. For more of his stuff, check out his MySpace

Alex Gopher - Aurora (Shinichi Osawa Remix) (192kb/s)

Sidenote: Alex Gopher has been around for quite some time, and used to be in a band with Etienne de Crécy. They both have stuff that is well worth checking out.

#2: MGMT - Kids (Soulwax Remix)

2008-10-02T11:33:00.000+01:00

Okay, by now this song is old-hat. I know this. Everyone and their dog has heard it. That doesn't stop it from being one of the best songs of the summer.

So this is for the whole three people out there who've been living under a rock the past two months. I don't even really need to describe it short of saying Soulwax put their timeless electro twist onto the psychedelic vibes of MGMT's Kids.

I can't emphasise this enough: IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THIS TRACK, GET IT NOW!

MGMT - Kids (Soulwax Remix) (320kb/s)

#1: FRANKMUZIK - When You're Around (Boys Noize Remix)

2008-10-02T10:59:00.001+01:00

This excellent track is making the rounds at the moment. And so it should be. FRANKMUSIK is a 22 year old guy from Croydon (any uk producers hold a special spot in my heart, what with all the overshadowing by amazing European acts like Soulwax), and he's currently working on his debut album having released two EP's so far.

Not sure if this song will end up on it, but it's well worth a listen nonetheless. It's a very upbeat, happy melody that sounds uncannily like a rework of 'Golden Brown' by The Stranglers, off the snatch soundtrack. To say they took some inspiration from this song would be an understatement.

Not what you would usually expect from a Boys Noize remix, but it's just as delicious all the same.

FRANKMUZIK - When You're Around (Boys Noize Remix) (320 kb/s)

For more info on FRANKMUZIK, check out his myspace or his website.

Just for comparison, here's what Golden Brown sounds like:

Still breathing

2008-10-02T10:49:00.001+01:00

Wow, has it been almost four months already? Time flys when real life commitments rear their head. Obviously I can't just abandon my blog and let it go out like this. So without further ado, let me commence what will henceforth be known as:

>THE DAY OF AWESOME TRACKS
>ACTIVATE Y/N?
>
>Y
>AWESOME TRACKS ACTIVATED_

Girl Talk - Feed The Animals

2008-06-30T17:48:00.001+01:00

As some of you may be aware, Pittsburg DJ Girl Talk (real name Gregg Gillis) is a master-crafter when it comes to mashups and mixing. He currently has four albums out, with the latest (Feed the Animals) being released a little over week ago. As with Radioheads In Rainbows, you can download the whole album completely free off his labels website. Just put in $0.00 as your price.

Girl Talk has become somewhat of a celebrity in certain music circles due to his repeated use of unlicensed samples comprising essentially all of his music, and he's not breaking that tradition in his latest musical incarnation. He gets away with all of this under the moniker of fair use, something that has no doubt infuriated the major music labels.

A defining factor in the composition of Feed the Animals is variety. There are underlying tones of hip-hop permeating a lot of the album, but samples come from much further afar, with Procol Harem, Radiohead, Aphex Twin, Jackson 5, and Cheap Trick amongst the many artists sampled to produce the album.

Most importantly, the album is a whole boatload of fun. There's something inately satisfying about hearing Rick Ross's Hustlin' getting mixed in alongside David Bowie's Rebel Rebel. Brings a smile to my face every time, and this whole album is filled with moments like that, where you realise the tune you're tapping your feet to is actually mixing in a song from 'back in the day' that you were crazy about.

My rating? 7.5/10

If you still need convincing, check out this appetiser:

Girl Talk - Set It Off (not completely representative of the album, as each track is so different, but a good start nonetheless)

4xAAs REQUIRED

2008-06-30T13:01:00.001+01:00

Hello and welcome to the latest blog on the internet screaming "THIS MUSIC IS GOOD, LISTEN TO IT!" into your ears. We shall see if it lives up to the premise.

First and foremost, this blog will be serving up steaming-hot bowls of new and undiscovered electro-goodness, as well as slipping the odd classic into your daily diet. It's one of your 5-a-day, honest. Expect anything from glitchy mashup remixes, to pounding dirty bass and perhaps even a little bit of house sneaking in there. In short, expect the unexpected.

So without further ado, let's get to the songs:

MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Remix)

I have to admit, I have a soft spot for the original Electric Feel from New Yorks MGMT. Now that the French duo Justice have given it a slap around and a new coat of paint I feel it's in its prime. It's Justice. Do I really need to say more? Bask in the glory already.

Felix Da Housecat - Tweak

A classic, from Felix's 2003 album "Virgo Blaktro & The Movie Disco". An album well worth checking out. The bass in this song really makes the track.

Altern8 - Frequency (Hostage Remix)

This song was featured in the teaser for the new Soulwax DVD (seen here). It's a remix of Frequency by Altern8, a song that was huge in the early 90s clubbing/rave scene. The drop in this song is so fucking epic. High marks all around.

Tobiah - I Love Your Music

Maybe it's the powerful melody, or haunting vocals that does it for me, but definitely worth a listen even if 8bit/lofi isn't your forté.