Mary Cigarettes is an unusual name for this one-man band from the CorpId netlabel. His high, sweet vocals and gently bouncing accompaniment (high hat snare and popping organ slides) add a layer of smokey emotion to this catchy tune. The lyrics are chock full of sly shots at the cliche lyrics of 80s pop songs, too…an audio treat for music fans!
Girls Are Made for Cheating: Si Tu Voulais, Je Te Mentirais
Wow, I love the electro-retro sound of Girls Are Made for Cheating! There are several band pages to be found online (see links below) and even down-loadable songs on the GAMFC page at Pure Volume. Hans (the name behind this one-man band) has even promised a new EP in July of 2010, to you can count on more songs by Girls Are Made for Cheating in this summer’s podcast episodes!
Danish Daycare: A Purpose To My Sins
If you love the 80s like I do then you are going to love Danish Daycare!
Released recently on the 23 Seconds netlabel, the album A Story of Hurt is a terrific homage to the dark side of the 80s. Part Psychedelic Furs, part Cure, the shoegazer sound of Daniel Jönsson is a real treat for those who are sick of dance/pop. Driving guitars and dark drums underlay smooth and smoky vocals that bring to mind the darker side of REM or perhaps Sisters of Mercy.
The entire album is terrific and the song A Purpose To My Sins typifies the sound of the entire album. A must-download album for blustery Spring days in the Netherlands!
Ultrahouse Ritual: Melancholy 666 Mix
Not much to say about this song from the Remix Fight website. The original tune is called Melancholy Afro, the remix is called Melancholy 666. The original singer/songwriter is not cited, nor is there a bio for Ultrahouse Ritual anywhere to be found. With all of these unknowns, this still manages to be a smoky little Gene-Loves-Jezebel number (“Desi-i-ire!”) with a personality of it’s own.
Texasradiofish: Drugs of Choice
Another fresh tune from ccMixter artist texasradiofish, this time a mashup of Colin Mutcher‘s Drugs of Choice and some sweet vocals called Go Go Gigolo by Leza2unes.
I have featured Colin Mutcher and texasradiofish before here at TD Tunes (including another remix of Drugs of Choice by audiotechnica) and think that they both create terrific music. Colin has a dark and moody voice that texasradiofish somehow transforms into a happier, upbeat song.
Scomber: Obi Wan Kenobi Rides the Spagetti Express
Just can’t seem to get enough from Scomber. This oddly-titled track is his latest offering on the ccMixter website. It features contributions by Forensic and Zapac and is indescribably fun to listen to. The kitchen sink sound includes a bouncy beat, funky guitars, a horn section, and a wailing harmonica. I am not sure what the lyrics (and title) are all about, but it doesn’t really matter. Scomber & Co are simply awesome!
Scott Altham: Spank (Mix)
Scott Altham is an Englishman who lives here in the Netherlands. He makes excellent remixes and shares them on the ccMixter website. Spank is a remix of an original song by Loveshadow, another ccMixter artist. The are plenty of bouncy beats and electro-glitchy effects to enjoy in both the original and this excellent remix.
KALL: Child Labor
Kelly, Anne-Lise and Lotte (KALL) have put together an amazing song called Child Labor as part of their History of Rock and Roll work with David Jimenez. They have created a protest song with surprisingly upbeat music and haunting lyrics:
“I want to feel alive and free,
I want a future for my family and me.
I want my dream to come true,
I just need the will to pull through.”
You can also hear an example of David’s own work with another Kellie here.
“Me & sky” posted on 16 July 2007 by Asif Akbar on http://www.sxc.hu/photo/828647. Royalty free use with permission.
Emerald Park: At the Mall
A great pop song from Emerald Park‘s 2008 album For Tomorrow.
This album has recently been (re-)released on the 23 Seconds netlabel and is definitely worth a listen…and download. Thanks for sharing, folks!
Gruber: Kim is Here
A small chain of events brought me to Gruber, a local electro-dub duo. I had a café lunch at Dudok in Den Haag and picked up a flyer of events coming in January at the Haags Pop Centrum (among others). When I got home, I read through the listings and checked out those that sounded interesting by following the links from the muziekcafé area of the HPC website.
“Kim is Here” is from their first CD which is titled “And er yeah things like that.” It appears to be out of print (I checked at the local Plato store), but thankfully there are several excellent tunes on their website. Gruber songs are copyrighted, so I emailed Edith to ask permission to podcast this tune and she wrote write back to say yes. (Thanks for that, Edith!) There are lots of great samples in this one, a nice throbby baseline, plaintive vocals from Benno, and lyrics about my favorite person: Kim!