Philly Music - Electric City

Electric City, "Computer Rock" (YSI link)

Electric City, "Cannibal" (YSI link)

I've come to realize that whenever I try to structure this site, it's a total bust. I just don't do well with planning ahead and making weekly posts on a certain topic. The best example is my effort to make a weekly post dedicated to Philadelphia music, which never got rolling the way I had hoped. It was my fault, as I just get caught up in whims and was trying to make sure I had good Philly music to share

Electric City are a great way to get back to highlighting the great music coming out of my city, Philadelphia. Both members of the group, DJ Skipmode and MC Flipside, are integral parts of the city's hip-hop community and lifelong residents. It's a little-seen concept anymore, as hip-hop has become big business and labels scour scenes for new talent. A grassroots scene that is less intent on getting signed and hitting it big just doesn't exist much anymore. These are guys throwing the monthly at the Khyber, helping sites like 215hiphop.com, putting up the fliers and helping to give our city a unique sound and scene.

Blah blah blah, right. What about the music? It's very good, that rare underground hip-hop that doesn't bore me to death or make me want to laugh at the lectures about 'real hip-hop.' It's definitely got its focus on the past, owing its sound to the 'classic' East Coast period of DJ Premier, while also highlighting the lyrics like most East Coast rap. Personally, I love "Computer Rock," the title song of their EP. It's on some of that "What you know about hip-hop" shit that normally wears thin, but this song is so catchy and fun that it seems to be using the references as a source of inspiration. Like, you should check out these early 80s people who made party music, an essential message for all the serious hip hop fans out there. Of course, the title and reference to all sorts of hip house artists like definitely doesn't hurt in trying to appeal to me.

"Cannibal" is a more personal tale, about a terrible girlfriend and the pain she causes our boy. Again, it sounds so much better than the description, as the skills and talent of the duo allow them to break through any limits their influences provide. It reminds me a lot of the first time I heard Jurassic 5 or some of the other West Coast groups of the 90s, incredibly lyrical, fun, traditional but never boring.

The Rapture - W.A.Y.U.H. Simian Mobile Disco remixes

The Rapture, "Whoo! - Alright - Yeah...Uh Huh (People Don't Dance No More) (Simian Mobile Disco remix)" (sendspace link)

The Rapture, "Whoo! Alright - Yeah...Uh Huh (People Don't Dance No More) (Simian Mobile Disco dub)" (sendspace link)

Whoo! Alright - Yeah...Uh Huh, I love getting Simian Mobile Disco remixes, especially when they're reworking one of my new favorite live bands, The Rapture. In case I wasn't clear after Making Time, these guys are simply amazing in concert. Much louder and raging than I ever expected. Not sure that comes across well on the latest album, Pieces Of The People We Love.

Simian Mobile Disco are one of Pound for Pound's favorite remixers, so this seems like a match made in my skinny jeans heaven. Fucking a, this one is devastatingly good. It literally has me bouncing in my chair, ready to go out and fight a fellow bespectacled hipster or play with puppy dogs or kiss and eat cotton candy. The massive bass line is the key, before after the midpoint breakdown. There's also lots of interesting percussion sounds, including what sounds almost like an amplified water drop. This is essential music, grab this and play this for your next party or workout session or sexy time. The dub is just as good, no lyrics and little more muted at times.

-Snowden at Johnny Brenda's tonight in Philly, Driz Horse at the Khyber later with Julie and AJW

-High Voltage tonight in the LES



Check out the pics on Last Night's Party from the first edition to know why you need to be there. I mean, who is this girl? Or these girls? How do you meet them? Show up!

-My bol Daniel Le Disko spins at Crash in LA tonight at the Stone Bar with Gang Of Neon

Lil Jon - Act A Fool

Lil Jon feat. Three 6 Mafia, "Act A Fool" (sendspace link)

Lil Jon feat. Three 6 Mafia, "Act A Fool (instrumental)" (sendspace link)

A little afternoon delight! Who doesn't like to do it in the afternoon with Pound for Pound? As the chain above says, crunk ain't dead. Lil Jon is back with a trademark crunk beat and chanting lyrics, bringing in Oscar winners Three 6 Mafia to come back with a bang. It's nothing too special, to be honest, although it's always nice to hear Three 6 rap over a drum machine beat. This is the first song to leak from his new album, Crunk Rock. It's not a bad beginning, although I always have high hopes for one of the best producers around.

Short but sweet, more to come later today.

-Great Joanna Newsom interview at Pitchfork

-Democrats take the state House of Representatives in Pennsylvania by one seat, winning that one by 23 seats

-Fat Joe is a scientific genius

Johanna Newsom - Ys

Joanna Newsome, "Emily" (sendspace link)

I'm not gonna lie, I slept on Joanna Newsom's first album. I heard a bit of it, never thought I would give another listen ever again, too grating. It was a strange reaction for me, as I tend to search out musicians who polarize audiences into love 'em or hate 'em camps. I can't even recall why I gave up on it so easy, although I recall hating her voice. That's right, the man who writes essays on Bob Dylan's voice. I must have been depressed or something.

Her latest work, Ys, seems to take her the next level, out of the curiousity cabinet into the one for fine china. The strings were composed by the legendary Van Dyke Parks, recorded by Steve Albini, engineered by Jim O'Rourke and Pitchfork gave it a 9.4. It's all pretty stunning for an album that doesn't have one song clocking in below 9 minutes. Above is the epic 13 minute opener, "Emily," which gives a great intro to her music and lyrics. This is not for the short-attention spanned, nor those looking to get buck. It's dense music, well, dense lyrically, as she seems to write a full chapter for each song. There is little space outside of this world of hers, which isn't bad, it's just very different. There is no hooks or refrains or any trappings of the pop world. Her voice sounds much better to me on this record, much less childish, much more unique. If you can get into Bjork, I think you'll be able to get used to her.

Defintely recommended, you won't hear anything else that sounds like this right now. Go here and buy your copy; go to her Drag City site for tour dates.

-Baile Crunk at Plan B in the East Village with special guest Nick "Catchdubs"



-Check Yo' Ponytail at Safari Sam's with Guns 'n Bombs, The Grey Kid and Le Disko's Daniel



-Great article on Sasha Baron Cohen in the latest Rolling Stone, speaking as himself not Borat - especially love the fact that he was raised in a kosher house

Alexkid - Nightshade

Alexkid with Liset Alea, "Nightshade (Chicken Lips vocal remix)" (sendspace link)

Alexkid with Liset Alea, "Nightshade (Rodriguez Junior remix)" (sendspace link)

Time to get back to some of recent dance music heat, this time with our first look at Alexkid, the Spanish house music producer. He's been around for a minute, but this is the first time I've come across something that really grabbed me. Thanks to my girl z. for the heads up, as she told me it was her jam which automatically meant it would be my jam.

Alexkid is joined by Liset Alea, a Cuban born/Costa Rican raised singer who seems to be mainly known for her work with Alexkid. I hope to hear more of her, as her voice and presence are amazing on this track, "Nightshade." My personal favorite of these two remixes is the Chicken Lips vocal one, an epic 7 minute trackt that goes lots of different places. I think you can call this dubby house, but who the hell knows? I love, love, love the opening minute or so, as the various instruments are brought in one after the other. Gorgeous. Later, things get very 70s funky with a massive, live bass breakdown. The vocals come in, leading to the third movement, a synth-y futuristic mover.

The Rodriguez Junior mix is a little more consistent, but is just as nice with repeated listens. I'm especially digging the buzzing bass that is featured throughout the song. There are more vocals, which again makes this a nice choice for a slower set or a more chilled listening session. Go here to cop Alexkid's CD output; it's not easy finding the man's music to be honest.

-Low B(udget) in NYC tonight at Roxy's Monday night Sway jawn



-The Postmen: A Sports Blog With A Pop Culture Twist - one of the best sports sites on the web, for real

Dylan Sunday - Theme Time Radio Hour #26-27

Bob and Joan looking super cute

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #26 (Halloween)

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #27 (Dance)

The first episode is clearly out of date, but the second one is never past its prime. There are very few things that I value more than dancing, on the real. I'm not good at it, occasionally descending into stereotypical white guy moves, but who cares? If anyone on the dancefloor actually gives a shit about how bad you look, I feel sorry for that person. On a small space filled with men and women gyrating and having fun, no one cares what you look like.

This leads me to a bigger thought, one that really doesn't connect much to Bob Dylan's music. The dancefloor for me has become a pivotal space for own thinking on music, an arbiter that I used to scoff at and now consider essential. When I was younger, music was essentially a solitary pursuit and in turn rhythm and sex and bass seemed useless. I listened to indie, experimental, the hard NYC rap, free jazz.

Clearly, I have done a 180 on that, as I've got older and come to realize how brilliant pop/dance music can be, how much more exciting it is to hear music that brings people together. Most of the divisions in music seem to center on the view of the dancefloor. The NYC hip-hop people seemed obsessed with music that is all about the lyrics and hardness, scoffing at the supposedly worthless snap music and crunk and Southern genres that are played for the strip club and dancefloor. Rockists are unable to appreciate any music that appeals to the body, that has an audience that could include teenage girls or those not in-the-know. There are other examples, from IDM to post-War jazz, but you get the picture. The one common theme, in my opinion, is a elitism that devalues the body and heart for the mind and intellect.

I've also been thinking about the notion of the dancefloor as site of equality, a place where race, gender and sexuality go out the window into a mass of people and movement. I tend to overstate these things, so I'd love to hear someone attack this from a feminist or

Confuzed Disco Part 1

N.O.I.A., "True Love (Sexual version)" (sendspace link)

Fawzia, "Please Don't Be Sad" (sendspace link)

For those wondering if I really celebrate and give thanks this weekend, causing the lack of posting, the answer is no. The reason for the silence is because I am still recovering from HS reunion Friday night. It was a devastating night, filled with awkward conversation, too much alcohol (I was pretty good, others not so good) and flashbacks to the hell that was being 16.

It was great to see old friends, who I don't get to see on the regular any more. However, I would have seen those people anyway, didn't need a $40 open bar for that. I knew that things were going to be bad, when one of the cuter girls from our class didn't say hello to me because she thought that I was the guy hired to photograph the night. That is not a joke, btw. From there, I found myself being told by the weirdest kid from our class that he thought I was a preppie but that he respected what I was doing now, in some sort of uncomfortable, Breakfast Club moment. Finally, the coup de grace was definitely talking with another one of the 'cool' girls for a few minutes, having another person say my name and have said girl ask where he was tonight. She thought I was another, far less attractive (imo) dude and it was all too much.

What does Confuzed Disco have to do with my reunion? Absolutely nothing, other than my desire to hear great music after the misery of that night. This 2 disc compilation chronicles the Italian Records label and its output in the early 1980s. We've hinted at Italodisco here, but I don't think I've put much up yet. We'll be changing that over the next month and this is a real great place to start.

-Williamsburg stnd up! DJ Tiny Pants and Sarah Hot Red Dress wreck shit.



- Download The Pilgrammage: Y'all Some Turkeys - The Grey Kid's Thanksgiving mixtape

-Finally, a special thanks to my bol RV for helping me get through Friday night with some reassuring text messages. I couldn't have done without him, no homo.

Happy Turkey Day! Happy Eating Day!

Daft Punk, BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix 2.3.97

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am hoping that very few people read this today and are instead spending the long company in the company of family and friends. I figured that I'd throw up something much bigger than usual, a long mix from one of the pivotal groups for Pound for Pound, Daft fucking Punk. This is an old mix that they did for the Live at Radio 1s Essential Mix series. I think it's their first appearance on the show, coming right before they changed the world.

I also wanted to take the time to let everyone know what I'm thankful for:

-all of my readers for checking in here and making this site what it is.

-all of my friends who helped me get through the toughest year in a long time

-Philadelphia, for being the greatest city on Earth

-The South for continuing to run hip-hop and make NYC rap fans even bigger, jealous a-holes

-Paris for running music, from Ed Banger and Kitsune to TTC and Institubes

-Scarlett Johansson

-

Big Apple Rappin' Part 1

Universal 2, "Dancing Heart" (sendspace link)

The Masterdon Committee, "Funk Box Party" (sendspace link)

What better way to follow-up yesterday's post on the current state of NYC hip-hop (reminder: it sucks) than with a look back at where the legend comes from. Soul Jazz as always have taken the lead on documenting the earliest days of NYC hip-hop, dropping the 2 CD anthology called Big Apple Rappin': The Early Days of Hip-Hop Culture in New York City 1979-1982.

I'll have a lot more to say about these two discs with Part 2, I really wanted to get these out ASAP. This is another essential compilation, lovingly put together with the amazing liner notes that this bol loves. You get a nice mixture of interviews with the key figures from the period who have been forgotten coupled with a nice critical examination of the music. For those who read this blog, it should be no surprise that this era of music is my first love and it means a lot when I recommend something this highly. Go here to buy your own copy, it is well worth the added Soul Jazz import price. [I will remind everyone that Tower Records is going out of business and all CDs are 40% off at the least. This would be a good time to stock up on said imports at an incredibly cheap price. Ya feel me?]

-My bol Project Matt has the next decade covered, as 1992 returns to Lotus



-Check Yo' Ponytail! tonight in LA with The Rapture spinning! Bands! DJs! Vodka!



-Anyone who still considers John McCain a liberal in Republican clothes or a decent man who won't pander to the Religious Right, read this immediately.

-Tomorrow night is going to be out of control, let me know about your event if you don't think I already know.

We Fly High - Jim Jones vs Jay-Z

Jim Jones, "We Fly High" (sendspace link)

Jay-Z, "Brooklyn High (Jim Jones dis)" (sendspace link)

Lil Wayne, "We Fly High (New Orleans remix)" (sendspace link)

The battle for NYC has begun, I guess. It was bound to happen with the return of Jigga to the rap game, as the Dip Set has pretty much the run of things since he left. It just seems odd that he would take on Jim Jones, the most maligned member of the Diplomats, not exactly a dude who is gonna take the King of New York title. But, Jones' "We Fly High" is the hottest thing to come out of that city in a minute, so it kinda makes sense. Well, the original is the one you need, a sinister beat, a slow burn feel, dope. Jim seems to hit fucking gold every so often, not sure why people hate on him so much. Thanks to RV for putting me up on this one a few weeks ago.

Thankfully, the best rapper today gets in on the act too, as Lil' Wayne drops his own New Orleans version of "We Fly High." Who else did you think? He reps his hometown to the fullest, his nasal-y voice is just made for this beat.

-The Rapture and Presets in LA at the Henry Ford Theatre. Afterwards, they DJ. That costs 2 measly bucks. LA, act like you know.



-Le Castle Vania at Estoria in Atlanta, he's promising a mixed set of his favorite new music!

-Kramer hates black people (video here). It's not well-known, but Putty is actually a founding Minuteman.

Dylan Sunday - Theme Time Radio #24-25

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #24 (Time)

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #25 (Guns)

I'm sure that everyone was sure that I would discuss guns with this post, predictably writing about violence and guns and gangsters. Oh, how I love to confound expectations!!! I'm like the blogger Bob Dylan!!!

This episode of Theme Time Radio Hour about time is an amazing one, loaded to the brim with twice as many songs and more talk. Not sure if this topic just appealed to the man or if a longer episode was planned, but this one is not to be missed.

I feel like Dylan's rebirth or renaissance in the past decade stems so much from his willingness to explore time and its passing, the love found and lost, the reflection on the slippage of time, death, etc. He's given a chance to look at these ideas with this episode. My personal favorite is his quoting of Shakespeare and Faulkner, two artists who explored those ideas like few others. Not surprisingly, there are lots of great blues tracks, from Etta James to Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.

Christian Flores mixes

DJ Christian Flores, Them Dudes Is Good (sendspace link)

DJ Christian Flores, Gots Me A New Chain (sendspace link)

DJ Christian Flores, Vancouver Special (sendspace link)

There's nothing I love more than someone sending me a mix out of the blue, comprising songs and artists that I cover at Pound for Pound. My bol Christian Flores did just that and I had to share it with you, my dear reader. These are phenomenal, short, focused, covering a few genres but never feeling forced. Mixed live, it's real real nice.

Christian is holding down Vancouver, Canada, the first I've heard much out of the western half of Canada. It's nice to see Montreal and Toronto getting a run for their money. I will leave the tracklistings in comments, although a few of these tracks may get the special Pound for Pound treatment (upload, boring talk, blah blah blah). I hope that we will be hearing more from this young man, as this is an excellent start.

As always, I am always glad to hear your mixes, so send them along and if I like them and they aren't covering backpacker ish, I'll put them up here.

-Here's a video from one of the best parties around, Le Disko in LA, every Sunday night (hint hint!):



Beautiful people, great hair, bangs, booze, girls kissing girls, vinyl, moustache and lots of dancing.

-Resurrection at The Annex in the LES tonight with Dances With White Girls and others

-Donovan McNabb is out for the season with a torn ACL. Shitty just got shittier. How bout them Flyers Sixers Phillies?

Twilight 22

Twilight 22, "Electric Kingdom (12" mix)" (sendspace link)

Twilight 22, "Siberian Nights" (sendspace link)

Here's a little classic electro for your Saturday, as I can't think of a better soundtrack to a weekend day. Or a weekday day. Or night. Twilight 22 are the perfect story to define the electro movement, a group that formed out of a love for technology and an ability to make it with a major label. The band was mainly the brainchild of Gordon Bahary, who played all the instruments and was lead vocalist. His main interest was in exploring the computers and synthesizers that were beginning to emerge in music. Bahary was joined by Joseph Saulter in the songwriting and vocals, forming the core of Twilight 22.

They would only put out one album under this name, but their impact is enormous. They have two stone-cold classics, "Electric Kingdom" and "Siberian Nights." Ironically, at the time, two other tracks from the LP blew up on UK soul radio, "In The Night" and "Mysterious." For this bloog, though, I think it'll be quite clear why the two songs above are such pivotal tracks for Pound for Pound. Awwwww shit mang, "Electric Kingdom" is so fucking good it makes me wanna get married, have babies, make them listen to this in the womb and forever after and then create a ultra-cool super family. If that vocodered "Electric Kingdom" line doesn't make the hair stand up on your neck, you need to see a Doctor and find out what's wrong with you.

"Siberian Nights" is another slab of electro goodness, with drums as harsh as the frozen tundra.

-This is a great editorial, I just really wish dude would've written this fucking story, oh I don't know, 12 years ago

-A Low Budget San Francisco takeover tonight at the Milk Bar



-Bugged Out! at The End Club in London tonight with Radioclit, Optimo and much more

Todd Terje - Mjondalen Diskoklubb

Todd Terje, "Mjondalen Diskoklubb" (sendspace link)

Tood Terje, "Kul I Pul" (sendspace link)

One of the great things about dance music today is the connections that lead one further and further away from your initial source. I'm not if there has ever been a genre comparison; the best I can come up with is the way that Bob Dylan leads you back to Woody Guthrie and Blind Lemon Jefferson or you can trace the current LCD Soundsystem/DFA sound back to its roots in no-wave and house and disco and those musics back to their sources and on and on and on. Still, dance music has these connections NOW, as every artist seems to work or remix each other, you can connect the dots and have so much to hear and never leave 2006.

Todd Terje is a great example, as he has done remixes for Lindstrom, who've we did a post on and have many more to come. Lindstrom, of course, is one of the biggest names around today, developing that space-disco sound and putting Norway, Terje's home, on the map. He also started the label Full Pupp with Stevie Kotey, which released this record above. I came to his music on the Kitsune Maison 2 compilation, with his remix of Fox'n'Wolf "Claws Against Knives."

The above 12" is the first release on Full Pupp, dropping in 2005.

-New York takes Friday night, as there is some crazy fun ish dropping. Philly takesover, per usual with the Plastic Little record release. Best flier evah:




-Project Matt at Twisted Lounge! Jay-Z and Clipse record release party! Greenpoint!

-A truly cool, special White Lightning tonight, not to be missed



-Trash at Rififi (wait, there's a fucking bar called Rififi!?!?! Jules Dassin stand up!)

Tony Matterhorn

Tony Matterhorn, "Dutty Wine" (sendspace link)

Tony Matterhorn, "Start The Party" (sendspace link)

Jah got the dancehall fever again! Actually, I really just have the ability to figure out a huge song months after it blew up in Kingston and Brooklyn. Tony Matterhorn is a newer name on the scene, once known only as a soundman. Out of nowhere, he dropped "Dutty Wine" had people goin' absolutely nuts, . It was clear that the man was just as good on the mic and from his numerous appearances on the best of compilations he seems to be establishing himself as one of the names in the genre. Give it a listen and I think you'll see that this one is a must, should be perfect for playing to the non-hardcore reggae fans (like me!)

"Start The Party" is pretty new, proof that your bol is stepping his game up. This one comes out on the Ghetto Whiskey riddim, which seems to be just washing up on our shores. Logically, it's a track to start the party and it gets the job done for me. In fact, I am dancing as I type this

-Cheeky Bastard at Hiro Ballroom tonight with Chromeo's P-Thugg, just do it



-Montreal, where you at? It should be here:



-Oh, and don't forget that Le Castle Vania is still destroying the West (San Diego tonight, Beauty Bar)

Lily Allen - Smile

Lily Allen, "Smile" (sendspace link) 320 BR

Lily Allen, "Smile (Aaron Lacrate's Gutter mix)" (sendspace link)

Lily Allen, "Smile (Digital Soundboy mix)" (sendspace link)

I've been dropping some sad songs lately, so what better time to change up the blog's and my mood with a song called "Smile"? Pretty smart, Jack! I've actually been planning a Lily Allen post for months, but completely fucked that up. Her debut album has gotten her lots of love, hope that she doesn't fall prey to the fickle attitude many fans have towards dance-y pop songstresses like Annie. The original is a great song, has a kinda lilting, reggae-ish beat. The lyrics are nice and mean-spirited, as the smile is for her cheating exes' tears. Nice to see a little grrl power in a pop setting, even better to see that others have just as much of a mean streak!

The remixes are definitely interesting choices, not exactly the first two names to pop into my head when considering a Lily Allen remix. I like that. I don't like the Digital Soundboy one, however, which just doesn't work imo. This is the moniker of Shy FX, a big name in the drum'n' bass world. He gives you a pretty standard take on that genre and it just doesn't have any life to my ears. It sounds so by the numbers, I could almost imagine there being some program that spits out drum'n'bass remixes like this. On the other hand, Aaron Lacrate takes a similarly rough genre and reimagines the song. The drums are brutal, better reflecting the mood of the song's lyrics, better than the original even. It's less frantic than the typical Bmore club mix, showing that this genre has much more life in it.

-New weekly starts tonight in Philly: PaperStreet and Soul Traveler Brendan Bring'em take over a new Center City swanky jawn, Bamboo Lounge

-Apple and 4 airlines are gonna let us use our iPod on flights for video; next step is letting me iPod DJ my flight to Paris (FYI, it'll be all Smiths, all 12 hours or whatever.)

-The Huffington Post posted an actual Fox News internal memo that would easily be mistaken for an RNC press release

New Dirty South Bangers

Young Jeezy, "I Luv It" (sendspace link)

Young Buck feat. T.I., Young Jeezy and Pimp C, "4 Kings" (sendspace link)

My hip-hop game has slipped enormously this year, as I just haven't had the time or money to put into the genre, coupled with disappointment at the hyped releases like Ghostface's and even Cam's. Leave it to the South to get my hopes back up and my attention on my favorite genre again.

Young Jeezy's first album, Let's Do It: Thug Motivation 1o1, was one of my favorites last year and his mixtape work with DJ Drama was even better. This appears to be the first single from the next album, I Am The Street Dream, which is supposed to drop at the end of the 2006, so therefore expect early 2009. "I Luv It" is classic Jeezy, you aren't getting anything you wouldn't expect: talk of money and traps, the greatest flow and voice (imo), a banger-not-banger. I'm not a huge fan of this beat, would love it to be more minimal. Other than that, a good start, I'll take a look at the new Drama/Jeezy mixtape next week.

Young Buck gets hated on plenty, I'm not gonna argue with the reasons for that. However, he's always good for a few good songs and he's not afraid to be outshone by other talent. Here's a good example, as Buck invites some Southern legends to a posse cut - Pimp C, T.I. and Jeezy. This has that old-school Houston sound, big, live bass, sung refrain, slow as molasses, perfect for Pimp. I'm feeling it, although again it ain't gonna get the club going crazy. Ain't nothin' wrong with that, right?

-High Voltage finally jumps off tonight! Last Night's Party will be in the house, so fix up look sharp.



-Mike Z is a part of Driz Horse tonight at the Khyber

-I want to thank everyone who has written or called or commented and expressed their sympathy for the passing of Tucker last Friday. I can't begin to tell you how much it has meant to me to hear from old friends, new friends, readers, whether to hear stories about the little man or that I'm not weird for being so upset or just to let me know that people care. It's really helped, as I am trying to move on again and knowing that I am surrounded by so many thoughtful, caring, compassionate people leaves me confident that I'll be alright.

RIP Tucker

New Young Pony Club - The Get-Go

New Young Pony Club, "The Get-Go" (sendspace link)

New Young Pony Club, "Jerk Me" (sendspace link)

I've been meaning to mention this band for way too long, as New Young Pony Club fit perfectly into the new wave of indie dance rock, joining bands like The Klaxons, The Presets and Soulwax creating live music that is perfect for the club. Like The Klaxons and Presets, New Young Pony Club are part of the Modular People stable, one of the best and most important labels going today.

These are two of the earliest tracks, which dropped on 7" early this year I believe. They give a pretty good idea of the band's sound, which features a lot of the great basslines, extended time, shouted lyrics, repetitive statements that Pound for Pound loves. This is just an opener, as I hope to have some more from these guys and girls when I have their approval.

-Los Angeles is the place to be tonight - Crash is tonight and might be one of the coolest parties I've seen. Gang of Neon are the resident DJs, they spin "Fight House, Analog Rock, Heavy Synth, French Wave, Indie Rock, Baile Funk, and any other form of mature dance music that’s taking the world over," which is nice. Tonight, LA's own GUNS N BOMBS of Kitsune join in.

Also, Franki Chan has the Lady Sov afterparty tonight


Finally, my bol Le Castle Vania continues to destroy LA in the name of bass and acid and sex



-Kafka couldn't have dreamed up the frightening story of America in 2006

Dylan Sunday - Theme Time Radio #22-23

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #22 (Telephone)

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour, #23 (Water)

That's right, Dylan Sunday on Tuesday. It's Dadaist or something, get over yourself, it's been a tough week. I really have been listening to lots of Dylan lately, kinda wish that he would do an entire show devoted to his own music, talking about the songs and how they came about, what he considers his best. How great would it be to have Dylan take this format and apply it to his own music, bringing random anecdotes and the history and all that good stuff? It ain't happenin', and to be honest, deep down I don't really want Dylan to give his take on his songs. Part of his staying power and magic is that his songs are so elusive and hard to pin down.

I want to dedicate this post to MR, my friend who has helped me get through the past few days more than anyone else. I'm not sure what sort of wreck I would be if I had not hung out with her so much this weekend. The water theme of Episode 23 reminded me of a conversation we just had about the Philadelphia Global Water Iniative. I can't get into the specficis of it, since I am not smart enough nor are there many specifics to get into yet. But, it did help to refocus my mind on urban issues, the future of cities, getting my online mag started up. This project is a great example of collaborative work, international in scope and bringing cities together in the struggle to survive.

Right now, I'm trying to stay strong, take the punches, make it to the bell. After that, I can rest and come out strong for the next round. As always, if you are interested in these issues and want to write about them, please get in touch. More to come on this in the next few weeks.

Kitsune Maison Compilation 1

Popular Computer, "Clone Age" (sendspace link)

Italian X-Rays, "Strip Down" (sendspace link)

Metronomy, "This Could Be Beautiful" (sendspace link)

One of my favorite strategies to combat depression or sadness is to buy lots of new music. Some call it retail therapy, I call it survival of the blogger, whatever. Anyway, thanks to Tower's bankruptcy and inability to learn how to competitively price, I had a huge windfall Sunday night. The fruits of that day will pay off for the rest of the year at least.

First up is the phenomenal Kitsune Maison compilation. I was shocked to find this in the racks, as it definitely didn't seem like a label that would be on their radar. I was more shocked that it was the first compilation, not the more recent, second volume with Bloc Party, MSTRKRFT, etc. Whatever, it was there and I copped. It was well worth it, as this one is nearly as good as Volume 2. It's got a more relaxed sound for the most part (especially on the tracks above), but overall you get a collection of songs testing the boundaries of house music. I've chosen a few of the tracks that I hadn't heard before, but you get Digitalism's monstrous "Zdarlight," Hot Chip, VHS or Beta, Tom Vek and Architecture in Helsinki for those who don't like gambles.

My favorite is the album closer, "This Could Be Beautiful" by Metronomy. It sure is, a pulsing, melodic song that leaves you smiling at the end. Wonderful, the perfect antidote to the darker stuff I've been listening to lately (by lately, I mean the past 2 decades). "Strip Down" is pure Pound for Pound gold, heavy bass, talking about stripping down, filthy lyrics, yes please. Popular Computer's "Clone Age" has much more of a German techno feel. Unfortunately, the CD and LP appear to be out of print, keep an eye at Turntable Lab or Phonica for the LP.

-Versus Magazine SF does their weekly thang, this time with special guest DJ Richie Panic

-A heads up for the NYC kids, as my bol Dimitry is starting up a new weekly tomorrow night with lots of other people like Nicky Digital, Heidi Gallant and DJ Alex English



This is not to be missed, Pound for Pound approved.

-I'm sure that y'all have seen this, but the three frat douchebags in Borat are suing. Not sure if their parents and the South are also defendants for creating these embarrassments. Make sure to check out the one guy's myspace photos, which shockingly feature a John Belushi drinking poster and a confederate flag t-shirt.

A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

Bob Dylan, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (live 1962)" (sendspace link)

Bob Dylan, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (live Carnegie Hall 1964)" (sendspace link)

Bob Dylan, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (live 1975)" (sendspace link)

U2 & The Alarm, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (live)" (sendspace link)

I figured I'd put up some extra Bob Dylan this week, as I've spent a good amount of time with the man's music this weekend. You'll still get your Dylan Sunday radio show jawn, we'll all pretend that it's Sunday and my days haven't fallen into a black hole.

Before I begin to build my Ark in the basement to survive the rain, I wanted to look at one of Dylan's most powerful songs, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." I've been trying to understand why I turn to his music first in bad times, whether a death or a breakup or a smaller failure. I think that it's because in his songs and lyrics, I hear the sadness that the bad times bring, but also the sense of struggle and survival that these times shall pass too. I think that the most powerful art reflects this sense of sadness and pessimism about the world with a committment to survival and witness.

The past few days I've felt a numbness descend on me, a difficulty to do much or get enjoyment out of things. Yet, I know that I can't descend into some sort of abyss, that I need to fight and continue on. I'm especially glad that I finished Joshua Wolf Shenk's Lincoln's Melancholy recently, a book that deals with Abraham Lincoln's lifelong struggle with depression and the ways he used it to fuel his greatness. It's become an underlying theme here and in my own life, reflected in some of my posts and thinking. I think that Dylan's music might capture that sense of struggle better than anything (except maybe jazz). I'm rambling, sadly, but hopefully this makes sense.

This song capture all of that eloquently, from the ominous title to the bleak imagery to the more hopeful ending. Notice how in the final stanza, the question suddenly becomes "What are you gonna do my blue-eyed son?" It's the key question, right now. Oh, and for those want to hear how Dylan could reinterpret a song, listen to the existential, solo version from 1964 and then the rollicking, joyous 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue version. Note the extra line in the version from the Gaslight Tapes 1962:

"I heard the sound of one person who cried, he was human."

Le Castle Vania One More Time

Snowden, "Black Eyes (Le Castle Vania remix remastered)" (sendspace link)

Le Castle Vania feat. Factory Aire, "Trouble In Daylight" (sendspace link)

Le Castle Vania feat. Factory Aire, "Tigertron" (sendspace link)

Le Castle Vania feat. Factory Aire, "Tigertron (extended)" (sendspace link)

I'm not sure if everyone grabbed these songs when I first put them out, as it came in the midst of our server issues and whatnot. I figured it couldn't hurt to throw them up again, as they really are the absolute shit, on steady rotation at Pound for Pound HQ.

Also, our boy is embarking on a big national tour (for the first time?) and I wanted to make sure that all of my readers make sure to catch Le Castle Vania in their city. Things kick off tonight...

-See our boy DJ tonight in LA at my bol Daniel's Le Disko



-Tune in to Seclusiasis Radio tonight for a special interview with Justice and a portion of their Making Time set

-Congratulations to my girl AP and her man KA for their engagement. It's the best news I've heard in a while and really helped put a smile on my face in the midst of tough time. I am so happy for the two of them, it's wonderful to see two people who make each other better.

-"

Joy Division - Heart and Soul Part 1

Joy Division, "Interzone" (sendspace link)

Joy Division, "Ice Age" (sendspace link)

Joy Division, "In A Lonely Place (Detail)" (sendspace link)

Not sure how many parts this is going to be, either 2 or 3. I've been meaning to get some tracks from the Heart and Soul boxed set, one of the most amazing documents I've ever encountered. It compiles nearly all of the recorded output of Manchester's Joy Division, the influential post-punk band. It is absolutely essential that everyone owns this, even just to have all of the albums and outtakes put in their chronological order.

These tracks above come from Disc 3, which is a mix of hard-to-find releases and unreleased material. I tried to give you a taste of their various sessions chronicled, as it should be enough to get everyone to save the bucks to cop this. The first song, "Interzone," comes from the band's demo. It is electric, the guitars sound so jagged and piercing it's overwhelming at times. The chords sound like they could cut your skin if you let it. It shows the band in its most punkish form, not what you'd expect if all you know is "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

-Great Event NYC #1




-Great Event NYC #2



-Great Philly Event Stolen By NYC Invaded by Philly



-Catchdubs in D.C. at Marx's Cafe (Nick, play "There Is Power In A Union"!)

-All-night rave at the L.A.V.A. house in West Philly

-Go out, have fun, be with friends, dance with boys and girls

RIP Tucker

At about 3:30 am, our family dog, Tucker S, passed away. I don't know what to say, to be honest, as I'm completely numb and heartbroken. I hope that you can all keep my little brother in your thoughts and prayers, as I hope that he is at peace now and in no pain.

It's funny how the loss of an animal can have such an impact, but it is devastating. I cannot stop crying and I feel a complete loss in my life. I can't begin to fathom that he won't be there to jump up when I came home, or give me kisses when I asked for them and when I didn't, or take up an entire couch when he wanted to go to sleep. I may put up a pic of my little man later, just so you can have a sense of him and how handsome and distinguished he looked. He was the neighborhood's dog, the one everyone knew and said hi to on his walks in Fairmount. I'm sorry to ramble, but I don't have any clear thoughts.

To put it simply, I loved him and I miss him and I am so sad right now it hurts. Regular posting will resume down the road and each post will be dedicated to Tucker Schonewolf.

Ratatat - Vans re-edit

The Pack, "Vans (Ratatat re-edit)" (sendspace link)

The Knife, "We Share Our Mother's Health (Ratatat remix)" (sendspace link) 320 BR

Ratatat need way more attention at this site, for real. They seem to be a band that always has some hype when their shit first drops, but they never get the sustained love. Honestly, the more I listen to their albums and their remixes/re-edits, the more frustrated I am by that situation. I think that the biggest problem for them is falling between audiences, coupled with the inevitable fate of being an instrumental act. Their sound is almost too unique, somewhere between dance-punk and drone, hip hop and indie.

The song above is new and a good way to get into the band. They really got their initial buzz from doing a whole album worth of original instrumentals under rap acapellas. It was brilliant stuff, a chance for them to show their influences. Here they take one of the better joints from '06, The Pack's "Vans" and turn it into a psychrock jam. It's very good, although you know your bol loves the minimal snap shit from the original more. Make sure to cop Ratatat's new album here, as it's held my attention since I got it.

I never got a chance to talk about their show last month at the Khyber here in Philly. It was a sold-affair that ran super late for no apparent reason. The crowd was good, in good spirits despite the long wait for the headliners. Ratatat played a great set, mostly stuff from the new one. Thanks to MG for coming with me, taking a chance on a band she'd never heard of. She actually loved it more than me, so I really think that the band could get a little bigger.

-George Allen concedes, the Dems have full control of the Senate. Fucking a yea!

-Peep the new design at Blackmail Is My Life, great to have the other JT back blogging on the regular

-Borat Central on Youtube

The Knife - Like The Pen

The Knife, "Like A Pen (club mix)" (sendspace link)

The Knife, "Like A Pen (Heartthrob remix)" (sendspace link)

The Knife, "Like A Pen (Thomas Schumacher dub)" (sendspace link)

The Knife, "Like A Pen (Heartthrob dub)" (sendspace link)

Everytime you think you're out, The Knife pull you back in with another single from their amazing Silent Shout LP. Here's the latest heat to drop, "Like A Pen" + remixes. I can't imagine that people haven't copped the album yet, as it's one of the year's best and has been a constant source of material at Pound for Pound.

This is the first 'club mix' as far as I'm aware of the singles, although that hasn't hurt their music in the clubs with all of the killer remixes floating around. But, it's real nice to have a nice extended version. On the real, all 4 songs above are killer. I don't know what it is about The Knife, but their music really hits me. It's not dance music per se, but as I've said before, I really would love to be at a club where this was the soundtrack. Haunted house, coined by Pitchfork, sounds right, as this is ghostly, skeletal music. Not Chain Reaction skeletal, but definitely stripped to the core. I'm especially feeling the Heartthrob remix, might be the busiest, most active and club-friendly.

-Did you ever feel like you would wake up the morning after an election and not feel like dying? It's an amazing feeling to see the country repudiate the conservative movement and its ideology in a single, inspiring moment. It's just a beginning, but it's nice to have a sense of hope again. Highlights: seeing Rick Santorum stomped, the SD abortion ban being rejected, Rumsfeld resigning today, PA going almost completely blue, horrible people like Conrad Burns and J.D. Hayworth lose Disappointment: Lieberman winning, gay marriage bans passing in 4 states and...y'know, that's about it. A wonderful night, much more to come on all of this.

-Steve Bloodbath starts a new monthly tonight dedicated to goth music (!!!) at Sal's On 12th

Nice Up The Dance

Cutty Ranks, "Who Say Me Done" (sendspace link)

Ward 21, "Petrol" (sendspace link)

I've mentioned the fact that I would like to get more reggae up on this blog, but alas I just forget when I start a post or else feel like I have nothing to offer since I don't have the newest ish coming out of Kingston. I'mma keep working on that, but this Soul Jazz compilation should serve as aa perfect dancehall post at Pound for Pound.

Nice Up The Dance is an attempt to chronicle the clash between the worlds of reggae and hip-hop over the years, with an emphasis on the 1980s and early 9os. It's a fascinating document, although a few selections seem to lack the hip-hop element. The liner notes, as with all Soul Jazz releases, does a great job connecting Jamaica and America, in particular highlighting the huge impact Jamaicans living in the US had on the development of hip-hop. Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash are the two most prominent, both men greatly influenced by the soundsystems and toasting (MCing) of reggae.

Cutty Ranks' "Who Say Me Done" is my favorite track on the album, a medium flame tune that shows Cutty to be one of the greatest ever. Damn, I love his voice and flow, simply perfect. Fittingly, this track was a retort to all the critics and fans who were writing the OG off as past his prime. Ward 21's "Petrol" has no info whatsoever about it in the liner notes, but whatever, I love it. It's definitely more on the digital dancehall steez that I love, so be warned if you are looking for roots ish. You also get an early Sean Paul track, some Kenny Dope of Masters of Work fame and lots of other good shit. Recommended, in spite of the cost.

-Daily Kos, MyDD (content was not what I was hoping for with that name) and Talking Points Memo are probably the two best sites for following the returns tonight. I feel like I'm gonna throw up when I consider 2 more years of this shit.

-Check Yo Ponytail with The Horrors, another Franki Chan jawn:



-My girl Julie G spins at Cantina tonight in South Phill, then tomorrow Driz Horse holds it down at the Khyber