Home»Archive for December, 2009

Back In Business

Dec 24th, 2009 1 Comment


UPDATE: Thanks to a very special reader I now have the House Of House track at the bottom of this post for everyone in full 320kbps quality!

FINALLY, my internet is fixed! Let us never speak of this again. I promise to post more regular new music from now on. But I will keep doing the ‘Auntie Gertrude Takes A Trip’ posts about classic old music if you guys don’t think it’s waste of time? Please let me know what you think in the comments or on the Facebook page. While you’re there become a member of the group, if you’re not already, to get updates on when the blog is err… updated.

Here are some new tunes while I finish off my Top Albums of 2009 list. The newie from Palermo Disko Machine (AKA Jence from Digitalism) is some pretty cool electro. It sounds similar to Digitalism in that you can tell he’s using the same instruments, but other than that it’s on the darker, more chilled-out, side of what they’re known for, but I think fans will still enjoy this track. The track doesn’t really start until 2:30 so fast forward there if you have a short attention span. Jence also made an EP under this moniker last year which was lighter and poppier than Theme Of Palermo Disko Machine. It included a really catchy track which I loved called Pump, so grab that as well if you don’t have it.

Palermo Disko Machine – Theme Of Palermo Disko Machine

Palermo Disko Machine – Pump

(lean back)

I have been searching for this track for years! I heard it on the infamous As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 2 mix years ago and have wanted the full unmixed song ever since. Now that it has finally become available on iTunes Australia I have it to share with you all. Since there is no band on the internet called ‘Firebirds,’ the name ‘Firebirds’ is a derivative of the lyrics in the original song and the Dewaele brothers use the track in the aforementioned mix – not to mention the production sounds like them and their quality – I’m going to assume this is an actual Soulwax remix hidden under one of their many obscure monikers. Correct me if I’m wrong, but if I’m right, how was that for some detective work!



Alphawezen – Into The Stars (Firebirds Remix)

Jesus Twistie?

This next track by House of House, which comprises half of Still Going Liv Spencer and vocalist Saheer Umar, has had some ridiculous hype placed upon it. This vinyl-only release is so sort-after that, legend has it, people paid upwards of €100 on eBay when it sold out in record shops. Also, it’s very well worded press release is anything but modest, “Instantly coveted and championed by cutting edge DJ’s, record collectors and cultural connoisseurs, “Rushing to Paradise” quickly moved up into the upper echelon of “years best” lists, even before the records official release date.” After listening to it a couple of times I recognise the quality of the track, but I don’t really see why it’s been put on such a pedestal. I think it’s probably more to do with the fact that you can’t get it which makes people want it that much more. All in all it is a good house track, I just wish they kept the section from 3:30 – 4:23 going and kept the vocal out of it. Oh yeah, sorry but I could only get it in 128kbps, damn vinyl elitists!



NOW IN FULL 320 QUALITY!

House Of House – Rushing To Paradise (Walkin’ These Streets)

Merry Christmas!

Adso

Auntie Gertrude Takes A Trip 2

Dec 14th, 2009 Leave a comment




This edition of AGTAT is dedicated to The Beach Boys. It saddens me deeply that The Boys’ catalogue has been raped and pillaged by advertising agencies. This is mainly due to Brian Wilson, the driving creative force and leader of the band, signing away the rights to their songs to his manipulating and money-hungry father.



However, what most people in our generation don’t realise though is that The Boys’, and Brian Wilson in particular, were pioneers and innovators who greatly influenced the direction of rock and pop music in the late 60s and early 70s. Their album Pet Sounds, which was created almost single-handedly by Brian Wilson, is widely regarded as one of, if not the best, albums of all time. At the time of its creation there was nothing else like it; it was the first piece to successfully utilise multiple layers of instruments and vocals to produce music with real depth. It was also the major influence for The Beatles to produce Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – another album widely regarded as the best of all time. Further, Paul McCartney was quoted saying that the track God Only Knows is his favourite song of all-time.

My favourite songs from the album are:

The Beach Boys – God Only Knows

The Beach Boys – I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times

The Beach Boys – I Know There’s An Answer





Now for something a little more Gen-Y. A British producer that goes by the name of Bullion has, for lack of a better word, remixed the entire Pet Sounds album. I am reluctant to use the word remix because I think the guy has managed to produce something truly original that could stand alone as its own piece of music. The style he uses is comparable to that of hip hop producer J Dilla’s, whereby he takes small samples and chops and screws them to create new melodies and vocal hooks.

With no song running over 2 ½ minutes and mostly seamless transitions between tracks, this album plays like a mixtape that someone like GirlTalk would make. I think this album will naturally appeal much more to the readers of this blog than The Boys’ original music. Have a go at these two tracks and if you like them get the whole album which Bullion kindly offers for free.



Bullion – You Still Believe In Dee

Bullion – Wouldn’t It Be Nice





The Full Album (Rapidshare link – open in new window and click ‘free user’ then wait for the download button to appear): Bullion – Pet Sounds: In The Key Of Dee

Auntie Gertrude Takes A Trip 01

Dec 8th, 2009 Leave a comment




Good day everyone. Sorry about the absence of late, my internet has been fucked for the last two months and there is no resolution in sight. In the mean time, I am hijacking my work computer just for you. Since I’ve had very limited internet access lately, I’ve delved into the vast array of ‘classic’ old music that has largely been sitting dormant on my computer – music I’ve heard is good that I’ve acquired in my hopeless attempt to have “every good song ever made by anybody,” and that I hadn’t really listened to yet. So I’ll be posting some old music that isn’t flogged on golden oldies radio stations, but would be in a perfect world. I plan for this to be a recurring theme so I will dub these posts “Auntie Gertrude Takes A Trip.”

I’d like to start with the original chameleon and coolest cat in the universe – David Bowie. My favourite song of his and one of my all-time faves is Ashes To Ashes. The production on this is so slick and layered that you can listen to it over and over and keep finding new sounds.



David Bowie – Ashes To Ashes



You may remember the bass line in this song from somewhere?



David Bowie – Under Pressure (with Queen)



You’d at least be familiar with these awesome two tracks if you didn’t know they were David Bowie’s.

David Bowie – Changes

David Bowie – Golden Years

Finally, two covers/tributes that are just too good not to include. The Heroes cover is a rolling electronic beast while the Conchords tribute to Space Oddity and Let’s Dance is humorous and listenable at the same time.



TV On The Radio – Heroes

Flight Of The Conchords – Bowie





And just for good measure: a hilarious clip from Ricky Gervais’ comedy Extras featuring the man himself.


P.S. I promise I will start posting more while Jimps is away in South America (if my internet ever gets fixed).



Adso