DOWNLOAD: The Hundred In The Hands - Gigantic Tom Tom
The Hundred In The Hands put a song called "Tom Tom" on May's This Desert EP, so at first glance we thought this was nothing more than a heavier, larger, louder version of that. Turns out "gigantic" is code for "slightly less disco, slightly more pop," meaning the 4/4 drums have been swapped for wet, stuttering beats and there is a bit more guitar in the second half. Nothing drastic, but whatever works, you know?
The Hundred In The Hands - Gigantic Tom Tom
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DOWNLOAD: Absolute Body Control - Figures
If, like me, you were disappointed to learn that Depeche Mode turned into an embarrassing rock band after their debut album, you'll find odd, warm relief in Cold Waves & Minimal Electronics, a 'new' compilation profiling lost synthpop classics made in Europe in the first half of the Eighties. Belgian duo Absolute Body Control get the comp - put together by London label Angular and New York's Wierd Records - off to a soaring, bleeping, cracking start; get more of that when the full release arrives in February.
Sounds Like: early Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Giorgio Moroder
Absolute Body Control - Figures
Absolute Body Control's RCRD LBL Page
DOWNLOAD: Clubfeet - Teenage Suicide
Ever since the eternal M.A.S.H. theme song, "Suicide Is Painless," made a tuneful appeal for ending one's life, many have waited for an equally potent rebuttal. Clubfeet's excellent debut single, "Teenage Suicide," is the closest contender I've found -- a gauzy pop song with the wit of Belle & Sebastian, slow driving Go-Betweens arrangements and a catchy chorus: "Teenage suicide / Don't do it!" After hearing this song, something tells me one or two could be compelled to take the advice these Aussies are cooing.
Sounds like: Broken Social Scene, The Go-Betweens, Hot Chip
EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOAD: Psychic Powers - Running
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The Italo disco/synth pop revival continues with “Running”, the newest single from RCRD LBL signees Psychic Powers. It’s one of those tracks where the synth production completely uplifts the chorus and gives you that warm, fuzzy, Pet Shop Boys feeling inside. It’s really quite amazing when a band can pull that off. The track is off of the band's exclusive RCRD LBL EP Frozen, which we’ve been blasting as if we were in a John Hughes movie. Psychic Powers will be doing more with RCRD LBL in the coming months, so make sure to check back for more of their tunes.
Sounds like: Sally Shapiro, Pet Shop Boys
Download: Psychic Powers - Running
Download: Psychic Powers - Frozen
Download: Psychic Powers - Special Boy
VIDEO THRWBCK: Royksopp - Poor Leno (2002)
It was 2002, we were hanging out in Paris with all of our friends from high school, and "Poor Leno" was on MTV Europe every hour on the hour. Not to rehash old times, but it was through bands like the Norwegian electronica outfit Royksopp (along with a whole slew of French Touch bands and the first M83 abum) that really opened our minds to the world of electronic music beyond your typical dance floor fillers. To this day we listen to Royksopp's debut album Melody A.M. and are transported to a dreamscape of woodland creatures and bubbly synthesizers.
