I'm a little late on this one. I was on vacation down in Virginia when the set was released. But, better late than never, so here's my impressions of this pack of 25.
1.
Chicago Transit Authority - Emotive: I'm not sure how these guys are classified. My guess is some kind of ambient/breakbeat/techno combination. Definitely a decent piece, albeit a tad long.
2.
The Pinker Tones - Sonido Total: More of a dance track, and in Spanish no less. I have limited knowledge of electronica, so let me just say this is one of the tracks from the set that would fit in a Jet Set Radio soundtrack.
3.
Wax Tailor - Que Sera: Plenty of scratching and sampling, but the beat is solid and hip-hop like. I think, if you like Gorillaz, you may like this song, and maybe the rest of their work.
4.
Ursula 1000 - Urgent / Anxious (Featuring Cristina): See my alt. rock journal for my opinions on female vocalists. This one comes off as a pop song with electronic beats instead of instruments.
5.
Venus Hum - Yes and No: Oddly enough, my opinions on this one are about the same as the last track. Go figure.
6.
The Presets - I Go Hard, I Go Home: Welcome to Australian indietronica, I suppose. The song's really heavy on echo effects, which I don't like, but at least the beat and rhythm work well.
7.
Justice - Waters of Nazareth: Justice is apparently a "glitch/coarse electric" band. And it certainly comes through in this song.
8.
Audion - Kisses: Trippy album cover, to start. Sticks with the somewhat coarse sound, but has a nice beat to back it up. Not a bad track, in my opinion.
9.
Kevin Yost - What Is Cool?: Jazz influenced, it is. In fact, it's hard to describe it as an electronic piece, since the jazz stylings take over.
10.
Tortured Soul - Always In Heaven When I'm With You (Spinna Mix): These guys appear to be new, and I like them already. There are vocals here, but they're a tad quiet. Besides, the beat is solid enough to take over.
11.
Daedelus - Sundown: Not much I can say about this, aside from it's a good piece and the whole tribal dance-like break is largely unexpected.
12.
KJ Sawka - Close Your Eyes: Another somewhat poppy entry to the list. This one does feel like an electronic song, though. Not too fond of it, but it's not that bad.
13.
The Fitness - Day Job: Another electronic/pop hybrid. I just can't stand this one, between the beat and the lyrics.
14.
Alias & Tarsier - Dr. C: This is more of an alternative track, with a bit of electronica thrown in for good measure. Can almost compare it to The Postal Service.
15.
iiO - Is It Love: I would describe this as an electronic pop ballad. Bit more ballad than anything else, overall.
16.
London Elektricity - The Strangest Secret in the World: Back to dancable, heavily-sampled music. This one's got a great vibe to it, and is another track that'd fit in a Jet Set Radio game.
17.
Thievery Corporation - Originality (featuring Sister Nancy): ...and out of nowhere, reggae. I like this blend, since it is still an electronic track, but the reggae provides a nice beat to it.
18.
Assemblage 23 - You Haven't Earned It: I like the beat, but I really hate the vocals. Kinda reminds me of a heavy rock singer, which is a genre I can't stand.
19.
Camille - Ta douler: And now, some French pop. I can't really call this electronica, since I can't hear much electronic sound. Yet again, I wish I payed attention in French class so I'd know what's going on here.
20.
Roy Ayers - Tarzan (Ame Remix): Another long track. This one's a little bit ambient. Haven't heard the original, so I don't know what was done with it, but it's not too shabby.
21.
Gaelle - Falling: Here's another track I have a hard time calling electronica. I'd put it more in the R&B, jazz realm. While it's not my style, it's certainly a good track.
22.
James Figurine - Apologies: This one's certainly electronic, and rough electronic at that. The singing is vaguely familiar, but I can't put my finger on who it sounds like.
23.
Alabama 3 - Bullet Proof: Hard to describe this one, I'd put it as somewhat of a hip-hop-rock kind of sound. Another track that reminds me, albeit vaguely, of Gorillaz, though with a more prominant female vocalist.
24.
Nortec Collective - Tengo la Voz: Back to the Latin sounds introduced earlier on. One of the funkier tracks (though not a funk track. Just funky.) Heavy on the horns.
25.
Junior Boys - In The Morning: Scratchy, beepy, all the stuff that electronica is stereotyped as having. Just lacks the sampling. The vocals aren't too shabby, but it's just too electronic for me.
And, my top picks from this set, according to my own tastes:
The Pinker Tones
Wax Tailor
Kevin Yost
Tortured Soul
Alias & Tarsier
London Elektricity
Thievery Corporation
Roy Ayers
James Figurine
Nortec Collective
So, there you have it. Tune in next week when I review whatever they're putting out next.
KJ Sawka
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Click Pop
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Generated on 24 Aug 2009
