Tag Archives: Disco

Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

spacey instrumental electro dance punk

Moods

Psychedelic dance music

Thoughts

Two of the members went onto major things with !!! And LCD Soundsystem. This LP has the jam band sound without the jamming. It's music made by a traditional rock quartet but as if their trying to sound like a spaced-out electro project with dub sounds and house goodness weaved in. There's a 'raw' element here that provides a nice character, feels very human. It's key as instrumentals acts like this can someone's feel a little too clinical or impersonal without the vocal touch.

I'd be really interested in seeing Out Hud live as there are so many jumping off points for jam noodling. As a studio thing it works and it's interesting hearing it so many years later as their sound has gone on to influence lots of other bands from the disco biscuits to pretty much the entire DFA roster.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Out-Hud-STREET-DAD/release/229420

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XJ_qx0CkRs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRe_GduF_g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wImsKpTBuH8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFHWjR_D-bI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0zLOcRzQT4

Spotify


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Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

Description: Album Review of Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Mr Beatnick – The Synthetes Trilogy

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

electro semi dreamy, fun and easy

Moods

Blissed-out moonlight electro

Thoughts

The first half is OK, took me a few listens to warm up to but it improved with time. Things take a positive turn at shifting sands – stretches our gets a little more groovy.

Honestly it's fine record but nothing worth holding onto.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mr-Beatnick-The-Synthetes-Trilogy/release/5046503

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18MTnH1e5Rs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWFwyP7llKo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNuP-rLb6Uo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK2lVoimj70

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js_2ni6lJaI

Spotify


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Mr Beatnick – The Synthetes Trilogy

Description: Album Review of Mr Beatnick – The Synthetes Trilogy


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Shit And Shine – Bad Vibes

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

intense electro

Moods

Electroshock dance-punk

Thoughts

booming and slightly brooding electro with weight, drifts into acid house territory at times. A couple tracks (acid and backstage) take a warped vocal sampling approach to hedonistic activities while still holding this catchy dance-punk beat.

All songs are open ended and freeform with heavy repetition on basic basslines. For that reason I'd leave this for slightly more experimental listeners with a tolerance for that kind of thing. It seems like a group that would have an interesting live show with lots of places for improvisations.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Shit-Shine-Bad-Vibes/release/12782873

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ5bLD3JDtc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPj2uqCwS6s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b3KORG031c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F9sH3RYonc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IukyZwcV7bc

Spotify


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Shit And Shine – Bad Vibes

Description: Album Review of Shit And Shine – Bad Vibes


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Max Graef Band – Dog

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Jazzy punk funk by amateurs

Moods

An enjoyable jazzy dance punk record

Thoughts

The basic but prominent bass work give this an 80s dance punk vibe like the minutemen or that other LES stuff like the ESG. Keys and rhythm provide an accessible jazz funk but it remains grounded.

A great hybrid of those two styles, nothing inventive but it's a fun record with an easy amateur feel that's appealing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Max-Graef-Band-Dog-/release/7837490

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXorVKlYj1Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBDwyynSBL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9P5lvySQLo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TRBQec5A7U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8RSUcX2zV0

Spotify


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Max Graef Band – Dog

Description: Album Review of Max Graef Band – Dog


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

iZem – Hafa

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Danceable global chilled out pop

Moods

A refreshing sun shower

Thoughts

Evidently this is the project of an electro producer though it doesn't feel like an electro record. The lead-off track is a jazzy pop thing I enjoy, not sure what language she's singing but it fits with the basic sax to set the exotic tone. 'Quiver' works with a detached feeling like Drake's music or certain portishead. The spacey 'kulala' is another standout, a swelling keys line and ping pong balls swirl around a peaceful vocal line.

This sits right on the border of the worldly music craze that's taken over pop production but iZem is on the interesting side, exploring the sound with organic instrumentation. It's as if this is an afro focused record that's been influenced by Drake, not vice versa. Vocalists aren't very distinct but I enjoy them, at least the language is varied. He's at his best with vocalists, not always an easy thing to do as a producer.

Meditative, transporting, fresh and enjoyable; recommended.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/iZem-Hafa-/release/9230946

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZrmeKnof44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5v41wqHZYc

Spotify


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iZem – Hafa

Description: Album Review of iZem – Hafa


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

House of Feelings – New Lows

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

modern productions of golden age NY house with observational, self reflective lyrics delivered in mantra like form.

Moods

Tired of the club but still wanna dance

Thoughts

This feels like a genuine record. It takes a house sound that I remember, updates the production (using precise songwriting) and adds great vocals singing about thoughts / anxieties that I ruminate over (love, technological anxieties).

Jamming on: most tracks but ‘you ain't so big’ and ‘body’ make a nice pair.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/House-of-Feelings-New-Lows/release/12511643

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyt-GJYvCCc

Spotify


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House of Feelings – New Lows

Description: Album Review of House of Feelings – New Lows


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Kalabrese – Independent Dancer

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Groove based 'fun’ electro

Moods

A ode to the joy of being lost in life

Thoughts

Hard not to dig a kalabrese release, his tracks are all bursting with love of the craft. Above all else this album maintains a constant groove with lots of interesting production flourishes and bursts of instrumentation that keep these extended cuts engaging.

Lyrically he sings like a wanderlust euro, not the most articulate but he makes up for it in his genuineness. The addition of other vocalists is a welcome dimension. It's an album with moments of greatness but also suffers from an uneven side 2 that felt scattered.

Worth a listen for sure.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Kalabrese-Independent-Dancer/release/4420013

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnDgS8Hkni4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af01NV3mqjc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQNGYgQMEaE

Spotify


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Kalabrese – Independent Dancer

Description: Album Review of Kalabrese – Independent Dancer


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Hunee – Hunchin’ All Night

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
New age / world into clubier house tracks

Moods
Obscure for the sake of being obscure

Thoughts
The 80s world pop on the first few songs is OK but things take a decidedly more interesting turn with ‘ritual of love’ where the house vibe is gradually turned up behind a vocal rambling. This transitions into Larry Heard’s burning 4 love, a fantastic house track. Things finish off OK, better than side 1 at least, but overall not anything I feel the need to revisit.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Hunee-Hunchin-All-Night/release/11839108

Listen!

Youtube





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Hunee – Hunchin’ All Night

Description: Album Review of Hunee – Hunchin’ All Night


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

System Olympia – Dusk & Dreamland EP

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
Modern electro synth stuff

Moods
Wanna be hip and obscure

Thoughts
A number of different ideas that didn’t click with me

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/System-Olympia-Dusk-Dreamland-EP/release/9707999

Listen!

Youtube





Spotify

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System Olympia – Dusk & Dreamland EP

Description: Album Review of System Olympia – Dusk & Dreamland EP


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Material – Secret Life

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?
80s punky jam art rock

Thoughts
Interesting and full of energy, slightly abrasive at times which gives it a nice edge. Sounds like a number of things from the era but manages to carve a distinct sound. Little in the way of structure, seems a whole bunch of noodling thrown at basic hi hat rushes and bass lines, at times flea funky or punky.

Not a perfect album, the later tracks aren’t as strong, this is still an interesting predecessor to modern dance punk like LCD Soundsystem. Draws from 80s talking heads at their most stoned.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Material-Secret-Life/release/152653

Listen!

Youtube





Spotify

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Material – Secret Life

Description: Album Review of Material – Secret Life


Rating: 3 out of 5