We’re closer to the ’10s than we are to the ’90s. And guess what happens when we hit 2010? The twenty-year flashback happens in music. It’s a theory I have. Popular music recycles itself every twenty years. What’s the “now” sound? We’re re-living the ’80s right? Started off with the electro-clash thing and it’s morphed into this Talking Heads/The Cure vibe. Back in the ’90s we were dealing with a re-hash of the ’70s—everything from grunge’s revival of hippie-rock, to the resurgence of punk. It’s not a perfect theory by any means, but you can always find some interesting examples of this. Along comes Mr. Comicstore, a reminder that the DJ was king/queen of the ’90s. Party DJs like Fatboy Slim were all that and a bag of chips. Whether Mr. Comicstore is early on the DJ revival, or late to the party is your call. Either way, he’ll get your booty moving. (Thanks to Samantha for the tip. By the way, these aren’t complete tracks, but I’ll let it slide this time since they’re long enough to mix into and out of on your “two [iPods] and a microphone.”)
John Hughes
Let’s get his pedigree out of the way. Yes, John Hughes is related to that John Hughes (Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller). It’s a father/son relationship. The younger Hughes (the third actually) runs Hefty Records out of Chicago. Ten years ago he started the label as a way to get his own music out back when he was recording under the moniker Bill Ding (his other nom de beat is Slicker). Hefty has released some amazing albums, including the new Eliot Lipp, Telefon Tel Aviv, and essential re-issues and remixes from trombonist/Motown player, Phil Ranelin. Back to Hughes’ music… “Gull” is featured on the new IA-Tunes EP, a digital version of Hefty’s Immediate Action series. This track has a great xylophone riff that sounds not unlike a riff in Kraftwerk’s “Tour de France.” In fact, “Gull” sounds as if “Tour de France” somehow broke and Hughes came across the pieces and put them back together to form a completely new song. In fact Hughes composed pretty much the entire song with his sick collection of modular synths. If you’re new to this world of Hefty, I suggest you jump in now, and jump in deep. If you’re already a fan, share your favorite Hefty moments with us in the comments.
The Cansecos
“You know what I feel like doin’? I feel like struttin’…”
Another wonderful find courtesy of the CBC Radio 3 podcast. This Toronto quartet serves up warm, disco-tinged percolators guaranteed to put a little pimp in your limp. Or something like that.
Children of the CPU
Look at the cover. Look at the band name. WYSIWYG (a little tech nerd reference of my own there). Warm, synthy pop with sweet, disposable lyrics. Perfect for an analog road trip with your windows down.
About
Jason Forrest (aka Donna Summer) has a record label called, subtly enough, Cock Rock Disco. Said label will be releasing the full-length debut of Amsterdam’s Rutger Hoedemaekers (aka About). About is all about “shredded pop,” as the sticker on my review copy describes it. It is, in fact, more shredded in places (e.g., “Think Niles Drink”) and more pop in others (e.g., “Strike You As the Enemy”). But sometimes About get the balance just right, which they do on a track not currently available for free and legal download (i.e., “Nogato”). Hmm, if only I could share it with you. If only… You know, you really should sign up for our mailing list. Just felt like saying that. Oh, and check the neat stop-motion video for “Think Niles Drink”. And sign up for the mailing list (lower right corner of the screen, btw). Just felt like saying it again.
Data Panik
You want the bad news or the good news first?
The bad news (you’re so predictable): Scottish electro-pop-punkers Bis are no more. Kaput. Finito. The band that gave us the theme song to the Powerpuff Girls is dead.
The good news: original Bis members Manda, Steven, and John have been joined by two other lads to form Data Panik. The torch has been passed. Now aren’t you glad you heard the good news last?
The Helio Sequence
So we just got schooled by one of our fine readers. Brittany P. wrote in with a “Currently Listening To” list of 45 bands. Everyone from The Books to Slowdive to Galaxie 500 to Boards of Canada. Then at the very end of the list was this little note: “I’m surprised none of these bands are on 3hive.” Everyone should know that we often surprise ourselves with what we haven’t featured on 3hive. It’s those surprises that keep us doing what we do. And I believe a reminder of what we do is in order: we only feature MP3s that are provided by the artists or their labels. We made that decision early on and it’s helped to differentiate us from the crazy amounts of audioblogs out there. There are a ton of bands we’d love to feature, like the ones mentioned above, but they don’t have free and legal MP3s available. That said, Brittany’s list is highly useful as I’m sure she includes more obvious oversights on our part. Like The Helio Sequence. So listen, enjoy their space-gazing sound, and if you live in the western part of the United States, be sure you see them on tour. And keep those suggestions coming!
Sukpatch
They’re back! They’re back! Sukpatch are back! After a near seven-year hiatus, Chris and Steve are finally about to drop a new full-length full of polished bedroom beats, guitar loops, and slacker poetry on our aching ears. (If you need to get caught up on these fools, head over to Slabco and download their first two albums for free, ’cause that’s how Slabco rolls.) To celebrate their new release, Sukpatch have put out an open call for remixes. Go to the Music section of their site to download remix files and instructions. The rest is up to you…and Reason, Ableton, Cakewalk, Acid, or whatever the kids are using these days. Good luck on that.
I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness
There was a time (before MP3s or listening stations) when I’d buy records based solely on the name of the band. Don’t laugh, it’s how I ended up discovering Echo and the Bunnymen and Siouxsie and the Banshees before they became ’80s household names. It’s the name that drew me to I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness which, with their shadowy, elastic heartbreakers, could have been shelved alsongside Bunnymen and Banshees back in the day. Only they’re of this decade and from Austin, Texas (with ties to Windsor for the Derby). Britt Daniel of Spoon produced their debut EP and his taut and tuneful sensibilities shone through (see “Your Worst Is the Best”). Their new LP, Fear Is on Our Side, was produced by Paul Barker (of Ministry and related side projects) who made the dark corners darker (see “According to Plan”). Either way, it’s good stuff and gives you the opportunity to invite this exchange: “Who is this?” “I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness.” “That’s nice, but who is this?”
Sing-Sing
Released in the U.S. by Reincarnate Music a mere two days ago, Sing-Sing and I, this British duo’s second full length album (ugh, too many twos in that sentence!) should please you U.K. pop fans who like smooth-voiced female singers, and just about anyone looking for bright yet not banal songs, some of which are downright groovy.