September 15th, 2004 1:54pm
Au Revoir Simone "Back In Time" - Even moreso than...
Why Do You Think This Will Never Work?
Au Revoir Simone "Back In Time" - Even moreso than on their first mp3 release, Au Revoir Simone sound like Stereolab reimagined as a bunch of lovesick teenage girls who keep elaborate watercolor sketchbook diaries and live in an eternal autumn. "Back In Time" begins with icy, aloof harmonies and keyboard chords which seem like the audio equivalent of overcast skies, but the beat picks up in the final third as a single voice takes the lead and the lyrical sentiment shifts from indecision and insecurity to plain-spoken forthrightness. (Click here to visit the Au Revoir Simone website.)
Carl Douglas "Kung Fu Fighting (The Strike Boys remix)" - It seems absurd enough that a German record label would put together a compilation of nothing but new remixes of Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting," but it's even more strange and surprising that most of the mixes are pretty great. The majority of the remixers (a line-up which includes Seeed, Kid Loco, Rob Smith from Smith & Mighty, Noiseshaper, Adrian Sherwood, and Pole) rework the song in some permutation of electronic reggae or dub while still keeping the basic vocals and musical hooks intact, as though to remind the listener that the source material is in fact quite good when taken out a kitschy context. This Strike Boys remix veers a bit closer to straight dance music than other songs on the compilation, but has a lovely bounce to it that I find very appealing. (Click here to buy it from Echo Beach.)
Elsewhere: Catchdubs has the brand new Destiny's Child single, which is pretty hot. Tikun Olam is a top notch mp3 blog focusing on folk music. Tuwa, whom many of you might know as a regular in the Fluxblog comments box, has also started an eclectic mp3 blog called Tuwa's Shanty.
Au Revoir Simone "Back In Time" - Even moreso than on their first mp3 release, Au Revoir Simone sound like Stereolab reimagined as a bunch of lovesick teenage girls who keep elaborate watercolor sketchbook diaries and live in an eternal autumn. "Back In Time" begins with icy, aloof harmonies and keyboard chords which seem like the audio equivalent of overcast skies, but the beat picks up in the final third as a single voice takes the lead and the lyrical sentiment shifts from indecision and insecurity to plain-spoken forthrightness. (Click here to visit the Au Revoir Simone website.)
Carl Douglas "Kung Fu Fighting (The Strike Boys remix)" - It seems absurd enough that a German record label would put together a compilation of nothing but new remixes of Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting," but it's even more strange and surprising that most of the mixes are pretty great. The majority of the remixers (a line-up which includes Seeed, Kid Loco, Rob Smith from Smith & Mighty, Noiseshaper, Adrian Sherwood, and Pole) rework the song in some permutation of electronic reggae or dub while still keeping the basic vocals and musical hooks intact, as though to remind the listener that the source material is in fact quite good when taken out a kitschy context. This Strike Boys remix veers a bit closer to straight dance music than other songs on the compilation, but has a lovely bounce to it that I find very appealing. (Click here to buy it from Echo Beach.)
Elsewhere: Catchdubs has the brand new Destiny's Child single, which is pretty hot. Tikun Olam is a top notch mp3 blog focusing on folk music. Tuwa, whom many of you might know as a regular in the Fluxblog comments box, has also started an eclectic mp3 blog called Tuwa's Shanty.
9/15/04 3:24 pm
If you’re into Kung Fu Fighting, you also have to listen the Tom Jones vs. Moog Cookbook cover.
9/15/04 4:05 pm
mmmmmmmmmm I love the moog cookbook!!! And Roger Manning Jr. (who or whom) is part of that duo heh. Such fun music heh, like their version of “hotel california” and the lounger cover of “basket case”
9/15/04 4:49 pm
Holy shit. Tikun Olam looks like a trawl through my record collection. I’m vaguely terrified, for some reason.
9/15/04 5:07 pm
That Carl Douglas is great fun. And thanks for the mention.
9/15/04 6:04 pm
That Kung Fu Fighting mix is the shit. Much more musically interesting than the original. Funky ass synth bass line. Nice find!
9/16/04 4:26 am
Maybe you’re terrified because your name is Jack Fear. FEAR. Get it? I bet you never thought of that.
9/23/04 9:59 pm
I completely disagree JDiddy. The original is so euphoric, if you don’t pay too much attention to the vocals it almost approaches Marvin Gaye. This is just a boring grind, completely loses the charm of the original.
It was the movie “City of God” that turned me on to this song, I used to hate it before.