The Animal Show » Justice

REMIXTAPE TIME

Edward — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:17:59 +0000

The Animal Show: occasionally seasonally relevant

“Man, I remember the days when those handsome and incredible intelligent and witty guys over at the Animal Show posted, like, every day.”

Yes, those were the days. Remember when all you had to do to get bombarded by an onslaught of new music was tip your laptop towards your ear after firing up the old Animal Show on your favorite web browser, Netscape Navigator? Back in those days, when John Hughes still roamed the earth, everything still had that new-president sheen. Bloomberg was looking more turtle-like than ever, and Li’l Wayne only seemed like a convict. But I still hold out hope, because sometimes that’s all we have, you know?

It’s been a while since I’ve thrown some remixes at you, so here are a few I’ve been digging recently. These go out to my boy Bish, who reinspired my love of remixes this summer by constantly pumping my veins full of new mixed, chopped, and screwed goodies courtesy of his then-employer, DJ Chachi. He’s just started a blog where he’s been taking us all to remix class, which is definitely worth a click or two.

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Best I Ever Had (Matematics Remix) – Drake (YSI)

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Use Somebody (DJ Slink) – Kings of Leon (YSI)

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We Are Your Your Friends (Barretso Remix) – Justice (YSI)

Michael Jackson, R.I.P. Seriously. Please.

icebergxc — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:24 +0000

He was missed even before he died.

This was never the way it was supposed to end. One of music’s undeniable giants has passed on, leaving us for his reward in (fill in your own destination here). I won’t lie, my nose is running a little bit right now, and I think it may be sadness related. In Memoriam, I’d like to post a couple of songs that have been with me through some good times and also some other times that were pretty good too.

Let’s put on a strong face, using ComaR’s Billie Jean, My Love for support. Timbaland’s beat updates Michael’s timeless advice with an authority you’ll need to hear to feel. This is the only song I’ve ever been forced to play twice in a row at a party. She’s just a girl.

Billie Jean, My Love — ComaR (YSI)

Now let’s reverse the trend and take the classic beat from BJ and let Justice D.A.N.C.E. to it for awhile. Oh, C&C Music Factory pays some homage here as well. Thanks DJ Schmolli for keeping Michael d.a.n.c.ing for just a little longer, if only in our hearts.

Justice for Billie Jean — DJ Schmolli (YSI)

No point in beating Billie Jean (regardless of the claims she may make) when there’s Beat It. This time DJ Gizmo lays TI’s lyrical threats in lieu of MJ’s over the Beat It beat with great success, and Divide and Kreate picks up what Gizmo left out, pairing MJ’s threats with the psuedo-regretful strains of Hive’s Hate to Say I Told You So. This track in particular sounds like a good fit to me.

Michael Jackson vs. TI — DJ Gizmo (YSI)

I Told You to Beat It — Divide and Kreate (YSI)

Second to last, but certainly not second to least, we have DJ Gizmo yet again pairing MJ’s tunes with a new vocalist, this time Lady GaGa gets the Thriller treatment. Now you finally have something to play at Halloween besides Monster Mash.

Lady Gaga vs. Michael Jackson — DJ Gizmo (YSI)

In closing I’m putting this increasingly sentimental mash with Soul VI that I already had in my “To Be Blawged” folder. I freaking dare you not to sniffle when Michael playfully asks you “I dunno, what you wanna try?”. Yes, Mr. Jackson, I do remember when we fell in love. And it still is heaven.

Do You Remember (Michael Jackson vs. Soul VI) — DJ Gizmo (YSI)

wow it’s Gizmo again dude probably won’t stop crying all weekend. poor guy

The Show is an open-arms kind of community, so feel free to seek solace from each other in the comments. It’s a tough time, guys, and we’re stronger together than alone.

If You Like It, Have It.

icebergxc — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:31:31 +0000

I WILL turn this into a car blog.

While it may be exciting and all to break releases like E-603’s long-awaited new album, let’s go back in time for something less fresh but no less delicious. In that spirit I’m bringing DiscoTech’s remix of Whatever You Like by T.I. to you this post. Be sure to crank your bass before you start it up, and strap yourself in for four and a half minutes of high-quality synth that nestles T.I.’s lyrics like the cockpit of an F-1 racer. Hopefully you’ve had this one stressing your speakers since last year, but if not, welcome to the club.

Whatever You Like (DiscoTech Remix) – T.I. ft. Rihanna (YSI)

And here’s a little bonus track, not really worth its own post, but a really fun listen. Remember D.A.N.C.E? There were so many mashups of it that I don’t actually recall what the original sounds like, and yet I still like this song. Thanks to Sebwax for this slick A+B.

Song 2 D.A.N.C.E. – Blur vs. Justice (YSI)

Part B (see previous: Part A)

icebergxc — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:52:21 +0000

Something about Han Solo and Carbonite

So remember that time that I blogged a blog about some new songs from Party Ben? It was all like “these are some good songs, but there is another one that he hasn’t released yet, so chill out a sec, willya?

He released that last one. It’s a lively mashup of Justice, Kanye West, Soulwax, and Walter Murphy he’s calling “Let There Be Love/Beethoven Lockdown”. As the format of the title implies, it’s got this tight two-part thingy going on, but is best taken all together for maximal effect. Truly, it is a work, one of those where the instrumental works so hard that you just want to sing along with it even though you’re not an instrument. Also, the video for this one is really really tight, check it out on Party Ben’s site.

In case you were wondering, the Classical groove that you taste is from Walter Murphy’s “A Fifth of Beethoven”, the same song that popularized A plus D’s mega (well, as mega as mashups get) hit Beethoven’s Fifth Gold Digger. If any mashups can be said to be played out, this is one (the other being Boulevard of Broken Songs by Party Ben).

But before I start to ramble, here’s what you came here for:

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Party Ben – “Let There Be Love/Beethoven Lockdown” (mp3)

The Animal Show Rocks You Into 2009: Part VI

Edward — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:58:07 +0000

If only every New Year's Eve could be Europe-awesome.

Jeez, d00ds, can you believe it’s already New Year’s Eve? This stuff really sneaks up on you. Especially when you’re making a countdown to it on your blog.

Let it be known that 2009 will be the year of The Animal Show. I made a jpeg to prove it:

Say hello to Frosted Miniguns, the mascot of the Animal Show. He'll help me stampede into 20-09.

To finish the year off, I’m going to give you the gift of music. Wowzers, right? This should complete your New Year’s Playlist (and don’t forget to add my top 5 songs of 2008 to that mix!!!!!!).

D.A.N.C.E. (Benny Blanco mix feat. Spank Rock and Mos Def) – Justice

Yes, this song has been ubiquitous the past couple years, but this remix puts a pretty awesome spin on it, and Spank Rock makes a party go.

Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna) – T.I.

An also-ran for my top 5 of 2008, throw another gratuitous log on your party fire with this. If you haven’t heard it yet, I’m not sure I want you as a reader.

The Final Countdown – Europe

By this late in the party/morning, there is no reward for creativity. Your guests want to hear something everyone can sing along to, and you’d better deliver. Hopefully you have a sweet dance choreographed to this, or something.

Have a safe and embarassing New Year’s, and make sure all your friends’ New Year’s resolutions are to set animalshow.wordpress.com as their homepage!

My Top 10 Albums of 2008

Edward — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:02:59 +0000

Only 8 days left to wear these!

I know, I know, dear readers. You’ve been so very patient these past 24 hours waiting for this, and I appreciate it. Well, now you can stop sending me hate emails, and feast your eyes and ears on this cornucopia of musical goodness. Just in time for Christmas Eve.

Did you know making year-end lists is hard? I really hadn’t counted on there being so much writing involved in blogging. I thought it was all about writing funny things over people’s faces in MS Paint. Dagg, yo. Anyway, I wrote many many words, and I hope you read at least one out of every 5. That’s really what I’m going for.

Catch the list after the break.

10) MGMT – Oracular Spectacular: Technically a 2007 release, I’m including this because the physical release was 2008. And because I don’t care to split hairs. I liked this album a lot, but not as much as some people (deep, right?). Mainly, I was turned off by the album art. What the hell, guys? Do you think you’re cooler than me? I can paint my face, too. Anyway, there are some sweet tracks on here, which have inspired some even sweeter remixes. Check em both out.

MGMT – Electric Feel

9) Esau Mwamwaya – The Very Best Mixtape: I do a lot of reading the internets for music. Presumably, you do too, unless you’re my dad, in which case, Hi, Father. Anyway, in September, the entirety of the information superhighway was blowing up with news of this dude, Esau Mwamwaya (pronounce his name just by reading it so fast that noone can tell the difference). He was totally bringing afro-pop into the world-wide-web generation, man. He sang Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa! Totes out-Africa’d Vampy Weekend! And then he released this super-sweet mixtape for free, and I was all like, dang, bro, this is sum hawt shitt. You’ll prolly be like that, too.

Esau Mwamwaya – Funa Funa

8 ) Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours: The word “Colours” snagged me, although this album has the dubious distinction of being the only one on this list I purchased at Pitchfork’s recommendation. To be fair, I bought it because I was going to Pitchforkfest (which I cannot recommend highly enough), and they were one of the bands on the lineup I hadn’t heard of. I was not disappointed. My major criticism of Pitchfork is their love for music more cacophonic than melodic. Cut Copy is none of that. If anything, they err on the side of Eurotrash pop beats, which is fine by me. All in all, this is an album which delivers the jams without compromising intelligence.

Cut Copy – Feel the Love

7) She & Him – Volume One: Zooey Deschanel is a mystery to me. Mainly because I have no idea how to pronounce her name. I’ve been told it’s supposed to be like Zoe, but I will continue to call her “Zoo-ee” until she personally corrects me. I find that exoticism makes her all the more attractive. She has one of those instantly recognizable voices, and the songs on Volume One could have been written forty years ago. And I mean that in the best way possible. She’s a cutey patootie. I’m waiting for Volume Two.

She & Him – This is Not a Test

6) Okkervil River – The Stand Ins: I had a poster of the cover art from The Stage Names up on my wall last year, and I told my roommate at the time that I thought it would be hard to find creepier album art. Then Okkervil River stepped it up, to make something even more disturbing. Then put them together. Yummy. This was completely a sequel to The Stage Names, which was, at one point, going to be a double album. Stage Names was probably my favorite album of 2007, so I was understandably very excited about Stand Ins, and it really didn’t disappoint. It didn’t have as many amazing individual songs as Stage Names, but it flows perfectly and makes me all the more excited about the prospect of new Okkervil material. Of course, now if they don’t release another album in 12 months I’ll probably be disappointed.

Okkervil River – Bruce Wayne Campbell on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 1979

5) E-603 – Something for Everyone: If Girl Talk and Diplo had a lovechild, I would be very confused. But I’d be a lot more interested if, instead of Girl Talk, E-603 and Diplo had a lovechild. Because I think E-603 is legitimately better than Girl Talk. And not just because he looks like this or dresses like this, or writes things like this. Having seen both perform this year, I can say that E-603 puts on a better show. Period. Whereas Girl Talk plays through his hits, prolonging some samples and occasionally venturing into new material for a few seconds, E-603’s show is completely different every time. I kept looking for my favorite samples from the album, and being impressed and surprised when the ones I heard were even better. His debut album is all the mash-up I need. And it’s available for free on his website. Download it now.

E-603 – Crystal Friend

4) Santogold – S/T: If I said this was due to my embarrassing affection for Gossip Girl, I wouldn’t be giving Santi enough credit. But I can’t say it didn’t help. If you’ve never heard the blood-curdling “Ah-ah-ah-ahhh”s of “Creator,” you’re missing out. I’m not afraid to say I like Santogold more than M.I.A., and her collaborations have been sick. Though I have too much of a conscience to post her album (you should buy it. Now.), she did release a mixtape with Diplo, one of my favorite DJs of the year, which is nasty (and an honorable mention on this list). Catch it.

Santogold – Creator

3) TV on the Radio – Dear Science: 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain has been one of my favorite albums of the past couple years. It showed TV on the Radio’s stepping in stride, perfecting their formula for hard-hitting electro-rock. I would have been all right with a straight sequel to that (a la The Stand Ins), but Tunde and the boys rocked my world with a deep and troubled album that still rocks. I feel it’s hard to write about it in a way that gives it enough credit. Just listen.

TV on the Radio – Halfway Home

2) Fleet Foxes – Sun Giant EP/ S/T LP: Pitchfork packaged this as their number one, the LP I bought came with the EP in it, and both were released in ’08. I’ll follow Subpop’s lead and do the same. Enough has probably been written about Fleet Foxes, but I’ll say this: the album continued to surprise me. It stood the test of time, of overplay, of overblogging, and still came out a surprisingly strong effort. I’m a big fan of indie-folk, and this seems to be the perfection of it. The most amazing thing about Fleet Foxes to me is how note-for-note they could replicate their harmonies live. Listening to them, you’d assume that overdub after overdub had gone into the recording, but those chords in White Winter Hymnal really just are a few guys singing together. Beautiful.

Fleet Foxes – Drops in the River (From the Sun Giant EP)

1) Vampire Weekend – S/T: It’s a little disappointing to me how quickly the tide of public approval can turn against an artist. Overexposure really is deadly (and I suppose I’m not doing much to remedy that..), and Vampire Weekend suffered more than any other band in 2008. They deserved all of the hype, though. They brought simple youthful joy to music for upper-middle-class hipster kids. They exposed the too-cool-for-school to pure, unadulterated fun. And that’s no easy task – I saw them in concert in July, and, during “A-Punk,” they attempted to get audience participation in the form of a few well-placed “ohs.” Ezra Koenig, before teaching us, looked out at the audience (which had been standing still for the entirety of the 4 songs leading up to the moment) and asked, “do you guys do this? Are you into this?” Not really, but Vampire Weekend helped them try.

Vampire Weekend – M79