October in music: Is it still love you want?

It's well into November but it seems like Halloween was just last week. Oh wait, it was! October was a slow month, wasn't it? Especially compared to the next few months, October would seem a little elderly, though a lot brighter. Music-wise, it took quite some time for me to compile a worthwhile list, most of which came to me towards the end of the month. Tiesto's Knock me out track featuring the silverware voice of Metric's Emily Haines came away the clear front runner - sad dance music struck A ded again? Unfortunately, the album panned far worse than one would expect - I love me some hypnotic, repetitive electro beat, but not at the expense of hook or novelty?

There were some groovy, consistent albums from Raekwon, Matias Aguayo, Kap Bambino, and Dead Man's Bones. I went to see Dead Man's Bones in concert, but I didn't want to include yet another track from the album on the list when there are many other artists to poke at (lest you think I'm a fan girl! *eye*). Though electropop was still going strong on the list, for me, there were some signs of fatigue. You'll find some of the hyped female electropop artists towards the bottom of the list - I like them still, but they might have been drooled over a lot more than this had they come out some time ago? The biggest album catch for me is the Roll Deep greatest hit collection - I love grime, apparently!? (Look for one more wicked track to appear on the next list!) Anyway, seeing as these lists always take so much time and I have to play catch up for work lost due to the unfathomable computer crash last week, I won't ramble on more than necessary. Behold, October!

The list in text (*denotes releases before 2009) and comments:

01. Knock You Out (Feat. Emily Haines) by Tiësto - "I don’t know much about Tiesto (apparently, some world famous DJ?), but [this song made me want to immediately devour] his latest album, Kaleidoscope. I have a very tender spot for club music, and Emily Haines. This track combines the two in the most delectable manner, and I swear by it all night long." THE most addictive October track.

02. Thunderbird by The Golden Filter - Sometimes, the best things are indeed free, like this track from the people who made Polly Scattergood's Please don't touch sound way more dynamic than anything she'd ever done. The best description I can think of for this track is Disco Dub? They've raised my expectations now, they'd better deliver a mine of diamonds for their upcoming album, Dummy. Or ELSE.

03. Rollerskate by Matias Aguayo -"Do you know how hard it is to get a hold of Matias Aguayo’s new disc, “Ay Ay Ay”? HARD. Rollerskate was one of those gateway songs that prompt discoveries, or at least the desire to know more about the artist. I had no idea who Aguayo before this song hit me like a pleasant jungle fever (roll with me here), and not that I know him anymore after the song (other than that he’s been producing quality European electronica for quite some time), but at least I can say that Ay Ay Ay is worth your effort of finding. The whole album has this rhythmic rumbling sound evident on Rollerskate, shaking off a good time. Heartily recommended!"

04. Say no by Moneypenny - There's something very playfully giddy and stubborn about their exclaim "you can't say no forever!" These two Chicago DJ chicks playing ridiculously catchy electronic music (download their many mixtapes for a taste) that hopefully would lead to a full length album soon - the holidayz are coming soon, and we need anti-depressive music pronto!

05. Worried Shoes (Daniel Johnston cover) by Karen O and the Kids - I liked Where the wild things are and Karen O, and this song was just a perfect stage for the combination of the two. Why is this narrative so depressing? Have you heard anything as despondent as "I took my lucky break and I broke it in two" or "with every step that I'd take I'd remember my mistake"? Probably something from The National collection? I feel bad that I must plead ignorance of Daniel Johnston before this song came into my consciousness? I'll rectify it, I swear. For now, Karen O will do.

06. The Needle By To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie - The needle sounds like a slow, dark, shapeless monster rising from a deep cave in the woods, surrounded by electric fields. Its invisible grip holds like ... well, you should find out for yourself.

07. Batcaves (Jackson Remix) by Kap Bambino - "This French duo is INSANE. The energy is off the hook, and kinda reminds me of Le Tigre actually. And I LOVE Le Tigre! Also, does she really sing “is it time for batgays?” or it’s just me?"

08. House Of Flying Daggers (Ft. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man) by Raekwon - "I’m so out of my element here, but this track is so ill, and retard-less*! Wu-tang 4-lyfe! So much prop for having all these old wuxian movies dialogue snippets on the album. I’d like a tag team of Kanye/JayZ/Kid Cudi having a rap-off with Ghostface Killah/Method Man/Raekwon et al. Who’d eat whom for breakfast? The album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx PT II, is surprisingly consistent. Somebody else may be able to catch all the lingo and analyze it in more details. I only know that it sounds good to ze ears and I don’t have face time with Puffy to politic it. Yo yo! Is that how it goes? *don’t blame me, blame Raekwon. But only behind his back."

09. Macorina by Chavela Vargas* -"I LOVE me some haunting Spanish-language songs, ever since my discovery of it through Lhasa de Sala some years ago. It speaks to my histrionic side? Listening to this song (off her 2004 album, At Carnegie Hall) is like listening to a tribal elder unfold some tragic love story by the fireside. And I want nothing more than to be told of a tragic love story by a haunted soul like her."

10. Thaw and the Beasts by Castanets - The beast is so lonely on Castanets' album, Texas Rose, the Thaw and the Beasts. And nowhere else is it more alive in its melancholy than Thaw and the Beasts.
(Download this Accidental Music set, Vol. 1)

11. Hung Up (Diplo Remix) by Madonna* - Can Diplo be wrong? NEVER! in my book, even if he does re-use some of his mixes here.

12. Dominos (Switch Remix) by The Big Pink -"It’s a Switch remix, satisfaction is almost always guaranteed. Hit that play button!"

13. Seven (The Twelve Remix) by Fever Ray - A discofied Fever Ray? How brilliant is that? Her vocal is so amazing, it's just ripe for remixes? When I have some time for tricks later, I'll remix the whole Fever Ray album. Maybe.

14. Elsa (Sonido Martines Remix feat. Fefe) by Sonido Martines - Doesn't Fefe sound like that girl from CSS? After some digging around, I learned that Sonido Martines was an Argentinian producer, and that the album attempted to capture the Buenos Aires music scene called "nueva cumbia" - basically Columbian flavoured, courtship ritual, folksy dance music style, revamped for the new generation. I love Elsa's hip-swaying beat, so if you know where I can get this album ... *eye*

15. Green Eyed Love (Classixx Remix) by Mayer Hawthorne - The remix of the Michigan soul singer Mayer Hawthorne's original Green Eyed Love is less sexy but catchier, as its choppy bits are rounded out by the lounge-inspired beats. Lift me up!

16. Sadie and Andy (feat. Meredith Metcalf) by Princeton - I'm a sucker for indie duets, and this inoffensive recounting of a mismatched pair hits right in my sweet spot.

17. L.i.p.s.t.i.c.k by Ralph Myerz And The Jack Herren Band* - Jazzy, breezy, slinky ... mating call?

18. You're a Disaster by Dragonette - "If Galore was the first part of the evening when the party just got underway and the night was pregnant with promiscuous possibilities, Fixin To Thrill is the part where promises turn into regrets but for bullheaded reasons people continue to drink on, hoping morning would come soon. You’re a disaster captures this soldiering-on desire, as one is compelled and repelled by the same fix. Life got in the way of a genuine good time for Dragonette, but they persevere with a smile. I’d be surprised if the Dragonette party would last beyond this album, however. Not because the band is not capable, but it seems like they’re a bit tired with their own scene by this point."

19. Spit The Devil by Olivia Ruiz - Olivia Ruiz is a popular French singer. I don't know for sure, but ze internetz says so, and one does not dispute ze internetz. Here, she sings about spitting the devil, who does something smokey to her vocal chord. "I have a tear of poison under my tongue / Flowing under my lashes, on my cheek / It burns like an acid made with my jealousy" What do you reckon she's singing about? I WONDER.

20. Coconut Madam by Emily Loizeau - Another popular Frenchie sings a whimsical song about someone stuck in a coconut ... uh ... her head? That's what I call mine, The Coconut.
(Download this Accidental Music set, Vol. 2)

21. Day Glo by Brazos - Really looking forward to listening to Brazos' debut soon. This song is so sweet, and I like the way he gently sings in-the-throes-of-love lines like "I don't mind dying when I make love to her."

22. Eskimo by Roll Deep - "I’m attracted to the dirty, aggressive bass and rhythm that grime is well known for, but I know so little of the genre, compared to other music venues. This track is the opener for a new THROBBING compilation album, Street Anthems, documenting ‘hits’ from earlier grime pioneers, Roll Deep (whose members included Dizzee Rascal)." I feel like I'm going to be an expert on grime in NO TIME.

23. Shame on me (Viking Remix) by Amanda Blank - A very dance-able, albeit more conventional remix version of one of the better Amanda Blank tracks on her debut, Might like you better. I can't locate the beat, but I think I've heard it on another track that I've listed elsewhere?

24. Check up on it by Chelley - The music is way too wicked to keep this otherwise lyrically boring song off the chart.

25. Pull My Heart Away (Remix prod. Jamiexx) by Theophilus London - I'm not sure about the original Pull my heart away, but Theophilus London is definitely someone to watch. He elevated the Amadou & Mariam's Sabali number from that of a good song to a remarkable one (and earned a spot on one of my previous lists). Kid Cudi, watch out!

26. Don't turn around (Ace of base cover) by Candy Claws - I confess: I LOVE the original Ace of Base song! When I heard this underwater version, I was like, OMG! Somebody else likes Ace of Base! And then I wasn't sure what I heard, because, what the hell is this weird cover? Are they departing under the sea? ARIEL?

27. Stones in the attic by Mr. Little Jeans - Mister Little Jeans, she's even more confused than me, but she's got some pretty songs and the clapping is pretty well used here?

28. Under The Sheets by Ellie Goulding - A bit too much hype preceded the release of Ellie Goulding's first single. I don't know why? Did she sleep with someone at Pitchfork? You know, because a girl can't advance that fast without sleeping around? SLUT! I like the song.

29. When We Swam by Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - "Know Better Learn Faster, Thao’s latest LP, continues the Thao tradition of being depressed while smiling through life. There’s a certain sex appeal to the album (‘oh oh bring your hips to me’ on When We Swam) but it is never in your face. I don’t know what to do with her - her music has always been very competent and easy to listen to, but she follows a certain indie appeal that I think entraps her formidable ability to pen sharp lyrics. There seems to be a lack of commitment to any particular feeling, too; she just floats on, being knowingly sad and clever. Instead of soaring, her music (and the album) skips along the lake of winter, never staying too long to weigh you down. You may even be slightly amused and not know what hits you until it does - if it does for you."

30. Volcana! (I hope you hear the train crashes remix) by Xiu Xiu - Strange? Yeah, that's all I got to say about this remix of Xiu Xiu's Volcana. I'm not sure about being drowned in lava though? Is that sexy? Hm.

31. Change Of Heart by El Perro Del Mar - The Swedish singer released a mini album, Love is not pop earlier this year, consisting of just 7 sweeter-than-sugar pop songs. Change of heart stood out for some reason, I don't know what. Maybe because there's a definite, however lazy, beat to it? WHO KNOWS?
(Download this Accidental Music set, Vol. 3)

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