The Walrus is a Philadelphia-based music blog written by Michael. You may send me stuff through the send a tip page or email me. All mp3s should be sent as links. NO ATTACHMENTS, PLEASE. If I like your music, chances are I will write about it.
DISCLAIMER
mp3s on this site are for promotional purposes only. If you wish to have an mp3 removed please contact me.
The slow and crushing beats of Modeselektor’s new “for boys” remix of Bjork’s “Dull Flame of Desire,” from her newest Volta, recall the sorely missed heyday of IDM, aka dance music you couldn’t really dance to. The vocals of Bjork and Antony (guest vox) are chopped to bits and stutter along to the acid synth buzz. There is absolutely nothing here that we don’t love, except for the fact that it has to end.
Pre-order the 12″ CD/DVD Special Pack, which also features Mode’s “for girls” version, from One Little Shop.
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If you don’t know about Philip Jeck, you really should. This guy has been doing really interesting things with old vinyl for years. Like experimentalist Fennesz, Jeck creates noisy, lo-fi textures with subtle, micro-melodies woven in. Though it may be difficult to grasp at first, it soon becomes spellbinding as you continue to listen.
His newest piece, Sand, reaches further into obscurity and ambiance as the sounds become so phased out and devoid of origin. “Unveiled” is the lead track and perhaps the most beautiful with its erratic pops and swirling waves of noise. Definitely cool stuff.
We recommend that you purchase Sand from Boomkat and lose yourself in it.
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Now the Philly/Jersey band/project/what-have-you has released a free EP of disco-fused dream-pop under the name Memory Cassette. Zone out to the revelries of Rewind While Sleeping starting NOW.
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A few months ago we posted two great songs by an unsigned band — Virginia’s Hot Lava. Not too long ago we were asked nicely by their new label Bar None (congrats!) to take them down, since their self-released album Lavalogy would soon be remastered. Of course, we graciously cooperated.
To our delight, the new versions sound even better than the originals. The harmonies are far richer sounding and now we are falling in love with these kids all over again. So why should you accept them as your new “lava”? Well, here are some reasons:
1. You appreciate classic songwriting.
2. You are weird and have a great sense of humor.
3. You enjoy songs with smart, clever lyrics.
4. Their debut album will leave a permanent smile on your face.
5. The band will be doing a split with Dan Deacon and Videohippos next year. YES!
‘Nuff said. Now get-ta downloadin’ and lovin’ the awesome “Apple+Option+Fire”.
Bar None will release Lavalogy on 10/7. You can stream the album in it’s entirety here.
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Contrary to previous reports, yesterday’s Apple event “Let’s Rock” proved once and for all that Steve jobs is, in fact, still alive.
As expected, he introduced new iPod Touches as well as new iPod Nanos, which look almost as thin as he does, except more colorful. In any case, the ad for the new Nanos features the blissed-out electronic song “Bruises” by Brooklyn up-and-comers Chairlift (on tour now with Yeasayer, previously opened for MGMT).
They will undoubtedly start receiving more attention as this ad runs. Check out the vid, and stream songs, especially the highly recommended “Planet Health”, on their MySpace page.
Their debut album Does You Inspire You is available now on iTunes and will available physically 10/28 on Kanine.
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Just a reminder, our friends at Unusual Times, purveyors of all things unusual and the makers of some mighty tasty gin, are giving one lucky winner a full Moog™ Etherwave® Theremin exploration kit just for signing up! The prize pack includes:
(1) Standard Moog™ Etherwave® Theremin, with 110VAC Power Supply
(1) 10′ Audio Cable
(1) Microphone Stand
(1) KB-15 Theremin Amplifier
(1) Etherwave® Gig Bag
(1) Instructional DVD w/ 2 video tutorials
Plus, they are throwing in the rad documentary DVD Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey, which features Robert Moog, Brian Wilson and other influential musicians discussing the innovative instrument.
But you have to hurry, the contest ENDS THIS WEDNESDAY, 9/10!
Planisphere, which is French for “Map”, is a 4-part electronic suite produced by beat-benders Justice for the Dior Homme Summer 2009 Fashion Show. It’s definitely more Moroder in terms of synth use, but other than that it is pretty much the same Justice that you know and love from Cross. Obviously, that’s not a bad thing.
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If you are attending First Friday tonight you should take our advice and go see Human People at Deep Sleep Boutique. Why? Well, first off, they are talented and always fun. Second, the beer is FREE! Third, and perhaps most importantly, there is a good chance you will make out with someone, or at least wind up as a missed connection. The deets:
Friday, September 5, 2008
Deep Sleep Boutique @ 9pm
54 N. 3rd st.
Philadelphia, PA
FREE BEER!
Oh we definitely like girls, and although we will gladly do things for them, we aren’t sure if we would do ANYTHING for them. Walter Meego, on the other hand, would – at least according to their song “Girls.”
Oh and uh, do you know who else likes girls? Bristol djs Outlaws. Why just take a look at their eye-candylicious MySpace page, which will trigger instant happiness — unless you happen to be a girl, gay or a jerk. We should also mention that their remix of the Walter Meego track is pretty dope too. Keep an ear out for a cameo by Canadian Rock God, Bryan Adams.
“Girls” is from Walter Meego’s latest album, Voyager, available now on Insound.
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Every so often there is a band that a flurry of music bloggers get boners for and this week its dark disco duo Fan Death. We may not be AS excited, but we definitely dig their weird imagery and their Knife-ish disco-y vibe.
A mix between 70’s American disco and 70’s Italo-Disco (ie Goblin), the duo’s first single “Veronica’s Veil” would the kind of music you’d expect to hear in a Dario Argento remake of Saturday Night Fever (a remake which we are not opposed to).
Fan Death are unsigned at the moment (12″ due out soon), but you can pick up more mp3s from Big Stereo and GvsB. More of their weird imagery can be seen here.
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While checking out our new fav blog The Unusual Times the other day we stumbled upon the new video from Chad VanGaalen. After witnessing its awesomeness, we figured it would be a good time to do a little retrospective on his video work.
Along with each of his album releases, VanGaalen, who also creates his own album art, illustrates and animates short films to coincide with some of his songs. His style is a strange and compelling mix of Liquid Television and Pink Floyd’s The Wall. Have a look:
“Clinically Dead” from 2004’s Infiniheart:
“Red Hot Drops” from 2006’s Skelliconnection:
“Flower Gardens” from 2006’s Skelliconnection:
VanGaalen’s newest short film, and perhaps his finest, was created for the song “Molten Light” from his soon to be released album Soft Airplane. The haunting nature of the music combined with the surreal, more story-based visuals leaves us in amazement:
Even though summer is over, it’s safe to say that these San Francisco dudes, that named themselves GIRLS, don’t intend to ever let it go.
Songs like “Lust For Life” and “God Damned” (see the video here) are intended to sound like “Beach Boys songs played out of old car speakers,” but we think the former sounds more like Elvis Costello playing the role of a 17-year old girl and singing the most dramatic passages about love from her diary. Sounds ghey and kind of dumb right? Wrong. It’s actually awesome and catchy as hell.
GIRLS’ only official release, the “Lust For Life” b/w “Morning Light” 7″, can be purchased from True Panther (limited to 500 copies).
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