N.I.C.E. Vinyl #5: The Rapture

It's been about eight years since this was released and three or four years since anything of real substance has been issued by The Rapture, but they're still going strong, working on their third full-length with Zdar of Cassius and hopefully picking up right where they left off. This though, this is the sound of DFA Records coming to life and everything changing. The dance/punk sound, so popular in the earlier part of this decade, along with the so-called "electroclash" genre, was coming from James Murphy, Tim Goldsworthy and their friends in The Rapture and other collaborators. This almost didn't come out though, as an argument between the band and their producers had stalled otherwise noteworthy progress which included their mostly finished full-length debut, Echoes. Luckily, whatever the cause of the feud, it was resolved peacefully and House Of Jealous Lovers finally saw release. It was the first record on the DFA label and was quite a success, eventually seeing reissue as a single upon the release of Echoes the next year, but the original single was a special release that doesn't seem to have been given a proper digital issue. The original version of House appeared on the DFA Compilation #1 as did it's b-side, the dub flavored Silent Morning, and House appeared on Echoes with a slightly altered intro, but the Morgan Geist Version appeared only on the 12" and a rare promotional CD. Geist, also of Metro Area, dropped all the vocals and added trumpet courtesy of James Duncan, taking the song from a dance floor destroyer to a slightly mellower jam that could fit nicely in the middle of an intense dj set or mix. I can't go into words well enough to describe how wonderful and classy Geist's version of House is other than to say it's easily one of my favorite remixes of all time, somewhere in an unwritten top ten. The original is utterly incredible, but the remix is just as strong in every way, which is incredible for something that sounds as if it were effortless. All I can say is that you should grab this without hesitation, put it on your iPod, burn it to a CD-R or whatever and go driving on the nearest highway with the first two tracks on replay for about twenty minutes. Silent Morning is something of a downer that was gladly left off the album, but on it's own it isn't that bad, it just doesn't hold a candle to House or anything off of Echoes. Afterward, get Echoes and continue the madness. So what are you waiting for? Download this and rock it!


The Rapture - House Of Jealous Lovers

FLAC

V0 MP3

01 House Of Jealous Lovers (Original)
02 House Of Jealous Lovers (Morgan Geist Version)
03 Silent Morning

November 2009 Mixtape

The site is back in full swing, although as I noted earlier it can't be an everyday thing at the moment. More like a three or four days out of the week thing. BUT I'M ON IT! It's a busy time of year and it's hard to always have my mind on the site when it's not my full time job, but I'm sure everyone understands that. All said, I've got tons of content to post and I'm working on lining up interviews for the new year, so stay tuned! For today though, here is the November edition of the mixtape. Enjoy!


The Unheard Music November 2009 Mixtape


01 Portishead – Glory Box (Scorn)
I don’t think you could make Glory Box any gloomier than it is right here in this remix. God, what an incredible track! Doesn’t feel like light could ever penetrate this one’s darkness. Great way to start a mixtape that isn’t so dark, eh!?!?

02 The Strokes – You Only Live Once
I love Julian Casablancas’ new album, Phrazes For The Young, but I didn’t want to put a song from that on my site since there are so many other sites featuring tracks from it. This song is simply wonderful, but I’ve also included the demo later in the mixtape to show just how different Julian can flip it.

03 David Lee Roth – Just A Gigolo-I Ain’t Go Nobody (Medley)
Another example of having the ability to transfer vinyl but not needing to do it. Did it anyway though. If you’ve never seen the video, check it out here IMMEDIATELY! Old school insanity from Diamond Dave!

04 Prince – The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker
I can’t say enough about this song and how great it is. This might be Prince’s crowning achievement. Listen to the beat and how often he changes it. Susan Rogers, Prince’s engineer from 83 to 87, always said he was the best drum programmer she had ever seen. Timbaland has built a career out of imitating this song. Simply unbelievable yet incredibly subdued.

05 Jesu – Old Year
Justin Broadrick’s post-Godflesh band brings it slow and heavy. Love that insane heaviness!

06 Wire – Ex-Lion Tamer
Stay glued to your TV sets! One of the best songs from Pink Flag, this might also be the catchiest. You should just go check out Pink Flag if you haven’t heard it, but if you need a prior introduction, this is it.

07 Kraftwerk – Numbers (Remix)
This is the version released on the original 7” single. It includes a little bit of Computer World 2, both tracks from the Computer World album. I got this from a compilation named 7 Inch Singles 1973-1991, although I don’t think it’s a legit release as it contains a few demos from the Techno Pop era. I’ll have to post those eventually as they’re pretty fantastic, but I should probably just post the compilation as most of those versions, if not all of them, will never be reissued due to Kraftwerk’s current reissue policies. Not to mention, as many people have complained about the recent reissues, these versions have the crackles and pops that are missing from the new versions.

08 Pale Saints – Hunted
I found out about these guys while trying to find something similar to My Bloody Valentine. In the end, most everything I found was a disappointment compared to MBV, and that includes these guys, but they’re pretty great in their own way. This track ended up on an EP and the In Ribbons album, both great examples of the shoegaze movement. This is easily my favorite track by Pale Saints with its very eerie vibe that leaves you feeling like you’re being hunted. I’m not going to tell you these guys are the best, but they’re definitely worth a listen.

09 The Jim Carroll Band – People Who Died
Awesome song. This was used somewhat recently to great effect at the end of the remake of Dawn Of The Dead. Such an upbeat song about such sad events. Rest In Peace Jim.

10 The Strokes – I’ll Try Anything Once
This is Julian’s demo of You Only Live Once. I think it’s awesome how different this home made demo is from the finished version. It’s almost a completely different song! If you’re not familiar with The Strokes, get Is This It ASAP. Also, you should check out Julian’s solo album which is excellent in it’s own right. If I can spare the cash I’m going to buy the super-deluxe version of the album, as it comes with a bonus disc of demos and leftovers, a vinyl copy of the album, a DVD, a sweet book with the complete lyrics and all kinds of other neat crap. Worth $89.95? I like the album that much I think it is.

11 Sublime – Cisco Kid
I’ve never been a big fan of Sublime, but the Robbin’ The Hood album is really good. Consisting primarily of four-track demos created by Bradley Nowell alone, it’s a really fun, lo-fi record with some of his best songs and lots of oddball experimentation. The funny part is how unhappy Brad’s surroundings were at that time, as he was a heavy heroin user and spent much of his time at drug houses, which is where most of the songs on the album were created. Still, he managed to capture a happy, upbeat vibe throughout the album, adding a sunny tint to such dark days. Cisco Kid is a great example of that tint, with it’s goofy, classic-tv samples and Brad’s simple raps alongside his weird-ass, lo-fi production. Like he says in the song, “Respect to the man with the uzi”, and he probably knew that vibe better than anyone would like to know, but he still made something fun and memorable out of it.

12 Pixies – No. 13 Baby
GOD BLESS THE PIXIES!!!!! If I had a band I’d do a slow and heavy cover of this song. BAAAAAAABBBEEEEEEE!

13 Goldfrapp – Slide In (DFA Remix)
The DFA here is Mo’Wax co-founder Tim Goldworthy and LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, as opposed to the R&B production crew that we’re going to ignore. A few years ago, Goldfrapp asked some of their favorite producers to give them some remixes. When they contacted the DFA, they told them they could remix any song of their choice in any way they chose. Well, the DFA proceeded to turn Goldfrapp’s Slide In into a thirteen minute full-on disco stomp with live drums and all the fixings. It came out on a very limited 12” initially but now is available on several comps. If you’re feeling this, you should grab both volumes of The DFA Remixes. Your jaw will drop at the consistency of their sheer awesomeness!

14 TV On The Radio – Mr. Grieves
TV On The Radio cover a Pixies rockabilly classic as a gloomy acapella dirge. Nothing new here, and not really representative of TVOTR’s output, but such a beautiful recording. This is from their awesome Young Liars EP.

15 James Brown – Funky Drummer
Something tells me that everyone probably knows all about James and how funky he is, but there was a time I had know idea how great he was, so I figured it could never be a bad thing to have a visit from JB and famous funkateers. If you’ve never heard, prepare for greatness. If you already know, sit back and enjoy the ride! Either way, a great outro to this months mix.

September 2009 Mixtape: Summer Ending Sucks

The title of this months tape sums things up pretty well if I do say so myself. Summer this year felt like a blur and it wasn't ever really warm in Ohio, at least not for too long. It's depressing, and it's gonna get cold, and that just sucks. Last year around this time I made a really upbeat mix for myself that kept me entertained for a while, but I feel a little grumpier this year, so this month you get a grimy, dark and funky mix. That said, it might not be the most uplifting thing, but it's certainly entertaining, especially if you like noisy moments! Enjoy!


The Unheard Music - September 2009 Mixtape: Summer Ending Sucks

01 Boards Of Canada - Powerline Misfortune
This is an unreleased track from BOC's Old Tunes, Vol. 2 cassette. It wasn't supposed to see the light of day but someone leaked this tape and two others putting around four hours of early BOC stuff out on the internet. It's not all prime stuff, but it's all interesting. This track, in particular, is rather dark and eerie.

02 Dan The Automator - Bear Witness III (Once Again) (MVO Re-Edit By Starchild Excalibur)
I was asked about Dan's unreleased album Omakase recently and was sad to report there isn't much to report. Bear Witness III was scheduled for the album and was released in advance, but it's not that great a track. This Re-Edit by Starchild Excalibur is kinda rare though as it appeared on a promo-only 12" issued by MCA. I'm guessing that MVO stands for My Very Own. This version doesn't save the original by any stretch, but it's a fun mix to listen to. Play this in your car with the windows down if it's still warm and sunny!

03 The Bird and The Bee - Birds and The Bees
You've probably heard this band on Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice or similar programs. Don't let that sway you, they're still very good. Greg Kurstin, a member of Geggy Tah, does most of the music and production while Inara George, daughter of Lowell George of Little Feet fame, writes lyrics, plays various instruments and uses that hypnotic voice of hers to charm down the heavens. This isn't a happy song, but it is beautiful. Perfect fall music.

04 Black Dice - Smiling Off (DFA Remix)
Black Dice are typically classified as a noise group. That's probably fair and they don't seem bothered by it. For reasons unclear to me, they were on the DFA Records roster, home to LCD Soundsystem, The Juan MacLean, Delia & Gavin and other non-noise inspired artists. Even more interesting, apparently EMI, after signing a distribution deal with DFA, decided that Black Dice should be promoted like they were the next big thing! Now, signing Black Dice to a unique indie that doesn't necessarily share their musical stylings, that's one thing, but expecting a noise group to blow up in the mainstream is simply crazy! That said, EMI pushed and some incredible remixes for their single, Smiling Off, were produced by Luomo, ZZ Pot and the DFA themselves. Luomo and ZZ Pot's mixes take the track further out into the weirdness, but the DFA make it kinda danceable! Prepare to have your mind blown at the prospect of a disco noise record!

05 Mira Calix - Humba
This track, off of Mira's Ilanga 10", came up in conversation when I was talking to Rom from Schematic. Both sides of this record are polar opposites, this being the noisy one, and the B-Side being the peaceful, eerie, ambient one. Beautiful record that is kinda slept on. Rom said that Mira cited a strong Ken Nordine influence in these tracks, with the rhythmic, chant-like vocals being a strong sign. She's got a cover of Boards Of Canada's In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country on the forthcoming Warp20 box that I can't wait to hear, but if you like this you should go to Bleep NOW and purchase a download of Ilanga!

06 Boards Of Canada - 24
24 really isn't the name of this track, although no one knows what it's real name is. This appeared on another leaked cassette of early and unreleased BOC recordings. In this case, the tape is often referred to as Old Tunes, Vol. 1, but that is incorrect as the tape doesn't even have a name. It's now being referred to as the Random 35 Track Tape by fans. Recently, I saw someone had made a video for this using footage from an old film named King Of Jazz. The idea of white men dancing goofy and calling themselves "kings" of jazz is ridiculous, but it's a fun video nonetheless and the track is excellent! You can check it here.

07 Dynamix II - Feel The Bass
Old school classic jam! I hope to be talking to David Noller in the near future about what he's up to and there will be a post about it when that happens. Props to Rom for the connect!

08 Ice-T - The Girl Tried To Kill Me
More poetic subtlety from Ice-T. I had a girlfriend who thought this was the funniest shit she'd ever heard. Great track, all the way from the insane rap to the ridiculous eighties hair-metal guitars!

09 Takeshi Muto - Fuqpulga
This track has been an easy favorite for years. More props to Rom and Schematic. If you enjoy this, you have to get Expect More From A Past Life, a compilation of tracks Rom released as Takeshi and Metic. Very cerebral stuff.

10 Prince - Irresistible Bitch
I shouldn't have to say anything about Prince, but for the uninitiated, this is primal, primitive, electro-funk from the early eighties. This originally appeared as the B-Side on the 12" for Let's Pretend We're Married. Perfect match. Put this on and try not to dance. Now if only he had stayed this funky and energetic.

11 John Wesley Harding - When The Beatles Hit America (Original Version)
This originally appeared on the fourth entry into Sire Records' Just Say Yes sampler series, Just Say Da. Kinda prophetic, seriously funny and, despite the jokes having aged, still insanely entertaining. John tells us, talking blues style, the story of a then yet-to-happen Beatles reunion and the ensuing chaos, all circa 1991. This was actually re-recorded for the reissue of John's New Deal album, but this is the superior version.

12 Steely Dan - Green Earrings
I've run into a lot of people who don't like Steely Dan. That's fine, as I've always felt you either got them or you didn't. This track, though, should be considered a genuine work of genius. The Dan, despite primarily being a studio based group of constantly changing session musicians, always sounded relaxed, funky and in the zone. This track is no exception, and may be the pinnacle of their abilities. I always think of this as money making music. They just sound like they're having the time of their lives and raking it in too. There will be a small post about this track in the near future, but it's contents will remain a secret for the time being.

13 Nazz - Open My Eyes
Proto-pop-punk-rock stuff from Todd Rundgren and crew. Not too much to say about this, just a really great song.

14 Sheila E. - La Vida Glamarosa (The Glamorous Life)
This is a Latin percussion-fueled take on The Glamorous Life from Sheila's unreleased album, Fe. I'm not going to say too much about this here because I will be featuring that album in a post in the near future. For now, enjoy!

15 Failure - Small Crimes
Ken Andrews and Greg Edwards are geniuses. I love all their stuff, but their 1994 album, Magnified, is my favorite. Ridiculously heavy and gloomy, it sounds like the soundtrack to clinical depression. It all culminates with Small Crimes, the darkest and heaviest track on the album, with it's chunky guitars and slower-than-death crawl. Oh, how I LOVE this track and this album! I'd post it here but you can still get it digitally. I don't want to misrepresent the album because it isn't this heavy throughout, but that's not saying it doesn't rock, so go to Amazon or iTunes, listen to some samples and decide if this darkness is strong enough for you!

16 Autechre - Zurich 2001
This was a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Autechre's Untilted album. I'm assuming this is a live excerpt from Zurich in 2001. Who woulda guessed? This sounds like an old Chevy Nova and a Pac-Man machine got together, had violent, painful sex and rode each other raw until they fell apart. Brilliant!