Andrew Jesaitis ::

Mashups are nothing new. For as long as Hip-hop has existed, DJ’s have sampled and created something greater than the sum of its parts. What is new is the accessibility the digital age has allowed into the world of sampling. This is true both on the producer and listener levels. Anyone with a computer and a copy of AudioMulch can try their hand at a remix and we, the listeners, can find and judge what they post to the net. So without further delay, here are my top 5 must hear mash-ups. I linked to their hypem page, so favorite them while you are there to give them some much deserved publicity!

1. The White Panda – Ice Chrome Paint Job
In this battle to the death, The White Panda pits Chromeo up against Dorrough. Out of the rubble rises an up-beat, electro-pop version of the one of 2009′s most misunderstood songs. But, who cares about the meaning with a dancefloor filler like this. The White Panda – Ice Chrome Paint Job

2. DJ Topcat – Time to Listen
Tailib Kwali raps over MGMT’s trippy Time to Pretend in a song that is the epitomy of the college music experience. Topcat breaks MGMT’s track down into recognizable, component pieces, glues them together with an inspired beat, and produces something reminiscent of a long-form Girl Talk track. DJ Topcat – Time to Listen

3. Hathbanger – Party and Bullshit
Some of the most successful mashups are the ones that make no sense, but somehow just work. This remix between Biggie and Miley falls into that category. I was never a fan of either of the original tracks, but Hathbanger brings them together to form something amazing. Hathbanger – Party and Bullshit

4. Starters DJs – Cream your Friends
In this frenetic composition the Starter DJs blend a little Wu-Tang into J.U.S.T.I.C.E and find a concoction that is irresistible. A hella syncopated and driving beat will help you express your approval on the dancefloor. Starters DJs – Cream your Friends

5. Fox Mashups – Hot Schoolyard
Sometimes mashups hide their flaws in the frantic mess that we have come to love. Lucky for you, Fox has no flaws to hide on the smooth track combining the stylings of Snoop, Pharrell, and the Jurassic 5. Fox Mashups – Hot Schoolyard

Also check out The Hood Internet. I didn’t include any of their tracks on this list since you should enjoy their Mixtape Volume 4 in its entirety.

I’ve come across some really excellent music lately. But, to keep things short and to the point I am just going to point you to the dance stuff (what else do you want to listen to on a Saturday Night).

1. Lil’ Boots – Remedy (Rusko’s Big Trainer’s Remix)
Whoa. Rusko is a really talented producer. This song turned me on to a whole new genre–dubstep. Dubstep is sort of a cross between Garage and DnB. Even if you have no idea what I just said, do yourself a favor and go check out the song. I guarantee that you will be bobin’ your head within seconds. The bassline is super pumpy and the song bounces between a catchy chorus and a great break. When I first discovered the track it was all I listened to for about a week and continues to be in regular rotation in all my playlists. Lil’ Boots – Remedy (Rusko Big Trainers Remix)

2. B.A.B.Y – Let’s Dance (feat. Bet You Are William)
This is a great track from Brynjolfur (aka B.A.B.Y.) out of Denmark. It’s a little bit edgy for House, but a really smooth break brings it back into balance. The magic happens when the vocals are overlaid on the bassline. The first time I heard it, I didn’t want it to stop. B.A.B.Y – Let’s Dance (feat. Bet You Are William)

3. Green Tea – Future Classic (feat. Kero One)
A flowy track you can’t help but enjoy from the San Francisco producer Green Tea. It’s got a really fun electro bassline and a little guitar rift that will leave a smile on your face. Green Tea – Future Classic (feat. Kero One)

4. Modwheelmood – Sunday Morning
Modwheelmood is made up of Alessandro Cortini (of Nine Inch Nails fame) and guitarist Pelle Hillström. This tune falls somewhere between electro-rock and pure dance. It’s a bit slower and isn’t going to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside with its haunting lyrics, but nonetheless it is a must hear. You’ll find yourself humming the spooky melody out of nowhere and then be itching to hear the track in full. Modwheelmood – Sunday Morning

5. Discovery – Osaka Loop Line
I’m not a talented enough dancer to do this track by Discovery justice. Somebody could really groove to the uber-syncopated intro and break. It sounds like nothing I have heard. Evolving from almost perfect noise, it blossoms into a beautiful song with a great beat. I actually thought my speakers were tweaking out for the first few bars. I can’t thank groups like this enough for truly providing a unique and wonderful offering. If you are wondering who is pushing music’s evolution, it’s these guys. Discovery – Osaka Loop Line

Sometimes it seems that like all my favorite bands are between albums. In these times I swear I can’t dig up any new music that that is worth listening to more than the one time it takes to determine it’s terrible. However, this is not one of those times. An enormous number of albums worth their scratch have come out in the last few months. I’ll do my best to limit it to five songs off these albums, but it’s going to be difficult.

1. Stereophonics – Stone
I finally saw the Stereophonics in concert two weeks ago at the Showbox in Seattle and they blew me away. I had been waiting to see them for years and hearing Dakota live sort of marked the end of an era for me. In any case, Stone stood out as a quintessential Stereophonics song–hauntingly melodic and more often then not building into a giant climax. Near perfection.

2. People in Planes – Last Man Standing
These guys opened for the Stereophonics and are good enough to be the main act on any stage once their name gets out there. Last Man Standing is fresh off their new CD and is really raw and driven. Its reminds me of 30 seconds to Mars with a splash of Incubus, but less angry and less produced-basically remove the shit from these bands and you have People in Planes.

3. Santogold – LES Artistes
Santogold is true to her name and delivers a shining entry into the electro-pop arena; the genre hasn’t sounded this good since the Swedish first got their hands on it. This song in particular has all the needed fixings of an electro-pop hit- catchy vocals, a nice little treble arpeggio traversing the length of the tune and a driving bass line.

4. Counting Crows – 1492
The Counting Crows are back! Really a timeless band that had such a strong freshman album they were doomed to continually disappoint. The pop sellout in release of Hard Candy didn’t help matters. But, they have apparently come to their senses and put out an album on par with August and Everything after. 1492 is the very first track off the album and hits hard. It’s like Mr. Jones telling you about his bender last night- crazy as hell but sure to be on continual repeat in your mind for the next week.

5. MGMT – Electric Feel
So I have known about MGMT ever since I went on a ski trip with a bunch of crazy kids from Wesleyan. We had these epic dance parties that centered around the song Kids. I was told that MGMT was like the unofficial theme music to the Wesleyan experience. Well the finally got an album out and not just a bootleg. It’s called Oracular Spectacular. Kids is there along with this song, Electric Feel. Unadulterated, catchy, and you can’t help but dance to it. Think electro-rock, this band blends the genres seamlessly and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.

Estelle – American Boy; Seriously catchy, seriously getting the play time it deserves
Gnarles Barkley – Run; Yeah it’s not that new, who cares it’s still great
Mudcrutch – Scare Easy; Did the Traveling Wilburies release a new album? Yeah, it’s that kind of Petty good

I first heard Great Northern on the final stretch of my drive home from college. Bozeman’s 95.1 KMMS was playing the single Telling Lies and at first I thought I was listening to something by the Silversun Pickups. But, when no over the top indie-whine of a chorus came on, I knew I was hooked. Its driving guitar rift is perfectly complemented by a vocal harmony that progresses into a powerful lyrical message.

Indie rock should take a lesson from Great Northern and learn the value of restraint in songwriting. Great Northern’s sound is fresh and wouldn’t be confused for mainstream music in the least. I can only assume that bands like Wilco and Silversun Pickups are striving so hard to not become mainstream trash that they venture too far into indie-land and lose some of the obvious musicality of their work.

If all you heard off of Twilight for Daylight was Telling Lies, you would be denying yourself of a great album. Despite the emo implications of the Our Bleeding Hearts, the track delivers a strong, almost mysterious melody with lyrics that are much more mature than the expected, “I walked into a room and no one will talk to me.”

Other standout tracks include Home, Just a Dream, and Into the Sun. Each, like Telling Lies, finds that delicate balance between indie and listen-ability without ever losing track of the band’s sound.

Unfortunately, some of the band’s sonic momentum is lost toward the end of the album. The Middle is an interesting track. Neither the verses or the chorus are poorly done. In fact, I actually like each part on its own, but the way the song is constructed is just a little disjointed. It sounds like some strange mashup of the Polyphonic Spree and the Hot Hot Heat. Perhaps it doesn’t quite work because I have to be in completely different moods to enjoy the two styles of music. Similarly, the last track Babies doesn’t quite work for me. It’s a haunting lullaby that is infused with too much emotional pain to be simply enjoyable. That said, I imagine that this was the sound that the Band was going for in the track, so their musical talent must be credited.

Great Northern is a L.A. band to watch out for. Twilight for Daylight strong sophomore release that deserves your ear.

Check them out at greatnorthernmusic.com