Martin Gretschmann of the Notwist, aka Acid Pauli, tributes Johnny Cash with Germany's consensus song of 2004. Acid Pauli takes Bonnie "Prince" Billy's masterpiece "I see a darkness" and fucks it into something wholly satisfying.
Acid Pauli- I See a Dark(er)ness



From her Remix Collection, Ellen Allien's take on fellow Bpitcher Sascha Funke.
Ellen Allien- Forms and Shapes



Another Royksopp remix. I'll stop whenever they decide to put out a bad track.
Frost- Endless Love (analgue euromix)

-John

The term “pop-punk” brings to mind obnoxious, ugly teens playing awful music; needless to say, it’s a genre I generally loathe. However, as with everything else in life, there are exceptions to the rule. The Smoking Popes were a Chicago band, distinguished by Josh Caterer’s melodic, Morrissey-like, lovelorn croon. The band disbanded when Caterer became a born again Christian, due to differences in lifestyle and musical direction. Long story short, the Popes are back and set to perform their reunion show in November. “Need You Around” is probably their most well-known song, a minor radio hit in the mid 90’s. (wow, this song brings back major high school flashbacks)

Smoking Popes - Need You Around

-David

What a wonderful feeling when an unlikely collaboration works to such delightful results! Bjork has recently released her soundtrack compositions to Matthew Barney's film, Drawing Restraint 9. She continues her vocal experimentations featured on Medulla, where the human voice is used contextually and manipulated as an instrument, rather than being placed at the forefront. "Gratitude" is one of the few tracks to feature traditional singing on the record. Will Oldham lends his folky vocals over a delicate harp and Japanese children's choir that closes the song.

Bjork - Gratitude

-David

edit: Hilary Duff's video of "Wake Up" is the greatest achievement in modern history. stream it here. She is also a huge fan of The Smiths.

(When I heard that military kids get to meet Hil backstage at her concerts, I enlisted my father.)

-John

Now that we're in the big leagues, I'm pulling out a few tricks from my dj bag.


Nina Simone and The Postal Service should not work in theory; however, this Postal Service remix proves my hypothesis incorrect.
Nina Simone- Little Blue Girl (postal service remix)


Imagine Gang of Four and the Pet Shop Boys' handicapped child. From the '82 classic Cold War Night Life.
Rational Youth- Saturdays in Silesia


Once the synths kick in around the 2:43 mark, you realize that this is one of those perfect moments in pop.
The Spoons- Nova Heart (redanka mix)


Royksopp makes an unlistenable song sound genius. This guy is seriously in a R. Kelly/Hilary Duff facile mode. He's on auto-pilot, and bringing the hitz. (song of the moment: Hilary Duff's "Wake Up".)
The Streets- Weak Become Heroes (Royksopp's Memory Lane Remix)

-John

From one of the more overlooked albums of 2005, Roisin Murphy’s "Leaving the City" really flaunts Matthew Herbert’s microhouse production in a more accessible context. Murphy has a very soulful, almost lounge-y quality in her voice, while Herbert’s understated, staccato beats lift the song from predictability. Here's some ace leftfield pop for y’all.

Roisin Murphy - Leaving the City

-David

Jesu's music isn't metal in the traditional sense, really you can hear about as much Mogwai and Slint in their music as you can Justin Broadrick's former band (grindcore heroes) Napalm Death. Their sound seems described best by contradictions; it's certainly heavy, but oddly unaggressive, sludgy yet exquisite and melodic. Broadrick's vocals are decidedly non-metal, clean, and almost soft-spoken at times. To quote a friend, "I never knew sludge could sound so beautiful."

Jesu - Friends are Evil

-David

I cry while listening to Christian Fennesz. His minimalist abstract electronica is dark as achingly haunting, yet he translates this into a moment of beauty.

Christian Fennesz- Perlen Fur Euch


I'm not gonna post a picture of Micah P. Hinson because he looks like a huge nerd-bomber; however, I am gonna mention that his new album And the Gospel of Progress is as good as he is dorky. I really really like this album though. Reminds me a lot of Bill Fay.

Micah P. Hinson- The Nothing


I caught Martha Wainwright, sister of Rufus, on the late show one night, watched it again a second time, then recorded it. Another odd attraction for me, but if you asked me to marry her or never see her again, I would prob. marry her.

Martha Wainwright- Far Away


"The Paradise" off of Alan Braxe's Uppercuts reminds me of a first kiss or driving through Arlington Heights late at night. I get the two confused.

Alan Braxe- The Paradise


"Modern Times" by The Go Find has one of those moments in pop music where everything just comes together. Though these moments are a dime a dozen, it's still nice to hear.

The Go Find- Modern Times


Melody Club >>>> The Killers. They're gonna be huge.

Melody Club- Boys in the Girls Room

-John

Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla


hey, it's new sigur ros!
(john, i want to go to the show. new album just leaked. it's pretty good)

-David

Tortoise - The Lithium Stiffs

Listen to this song. I approve.

-David