Isolee - We Are Monster

Isolee, "Schrapnell"

Isolee, "My Hi-Matic"

Here are a few tracks from the album that brought Isolee his most acclaim and success, We Are Monster. This one came out before Western State, but the songs on this one are more recent. To my ears, I can see why it did do better than his earlier album, as it has a fuller, more rhythmic sound, it seems like it could fit into any DJs set at a club rather than some cool, bizarre place that doesn't and never will exist. He seems to flesh out his songs more, adding warm synths and bass sounds that are perfect for a dancefloor.

I don't really believe in the concept of selling out, as those Kid Robot Air Max 1s don't buy themselves. Even if you do believe in that hoary concept, I would imagine that this does not represent Isolee's attempt to go mainstream. He doesn't appear to be trying to make music for Ibiza, or the dressing rooms of Atrium or some Volkswagon commercial. What seperates it from the more commerical music is its attention to detail, as each song seems infinitely deep with sounds buried underneath and a willingness to upset the order that has developed in a song.

You can get the album here, although it's another import so you have to pay dearly. These are all original productions by Rajko Muller, but the man also does some incredible remixes. Head over to One Louder and grab an Isolee remix of Franz Ferdinand, and you can see what he does with other people's music.

-I normally try not to pontificate here, but can I just say how fucking pathetic Bush is for pursuing this gay marriage ban? He knows it won't pass, his friend says he doesn't care much about this, but his polls are down and the midterms are coming, so it's time to blame the fags. This is the biggest issue facing the country? He is such a coward, it makes me ashamed to live in this country.

-It's been a long two weeks dealing with the news without The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. They're back, and now this Stephen Colbert commencement speech at Knox College turns up and has me laughing for the first time in awhile. Actually, check the end of the speech, as it is suprisingly heaartfelt and touching, got me all emo.

In fact, read this closing and let's all try to keep it in mind in spite of the stories we read everyday. "Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blinder, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow. Saying yes leads to knowledge. Yes is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say yes." That's today's word. [Via Firedoglake]

-I always love to shout out a a great Philly blog, especially we run the Internets. myselfmyself is the most recent one to catch my eye, a great example of a blog without genre restrictions. You've got new Radiohead (much more of that, look around on the second page,) Wolfmother and Cam'ron remixes, some up and coming bands. you name it. Best of all, bol is from Philly, which means that he is already good people and talented and smart. Go and check it out, another great discovery.