What heterosexual male wouldn’t want to be Bill Paxton’s character on the HBO series Big Love? You can’t argue with three wives, a lot of money, and having your life’s soundtrack written by David Byrne. Actually, you would probably argue a lot if you had three wives. Anyway! David Byrne delivers a masterful ensemble of audio-blip ecstasy that will lift you up to the zenith of aural serenity. Perhaps it’s not as dramatic as that, but it’s nothing short of captivating. It exudes a dreamy aroma, using the softer sounds of orchestral arrangement while also incorporating cleanly guitars. The percussion section is often in the background, if present at all, but this adds to its vivid power when making its way to the forefront at selected moments; such as is in Byrne’s The Breastplate of Righteousness. The last track of the collection is a delectable change. Byrne’s version of Blue Hawaii is exactly what its title implies: rhythmic acoustic guitar, slide guitar, and tropical supporting vocals that paint a picture of a cool day on a mellow island. It is a clever ending to magnificent collection of music.

By Santos Ramos
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Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

It should come as no surprise that this collaboration between former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and producer Brian Eno is eclectic and engaging. There is difficulty in trying to view the project as a single entity because of its broad range of style. The first two tracks are surprisingly folky, with familiar vocal melodies and steady rhythms. Track three jumps a dimension or two. It is haunting, with peculiar and sporadic melodies. Dissonance is prominent throughout, working better in some spots than in others. Poor Boy is the next song that jumps out as truly experimental. It sports an onslaught of auxiliary sounds, electronic and acoustic, fading in and out, panning to and fro, some drenched in digital effects and other not. The record ends with its most tranquil personality. It creates a “sailing off into the sunset” feel with whooshing electric guitars and a listless rhythm, which suggest the latter days of these two great musical minds.

By Santos Ramos
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David Byrne is bringing a mixture of new songs and old to Minneapolis’ State Theater on Tuesday October 14. You can purchase tickets HERE

Above the Fold can’t get enough of WALE. We are anticipating his new album like a 15 year old with a sex date. You can imagine our excitement when we saw that the Washington D.C.-based MC was not only featured on a new M.I.A. remix, but also that he leaked the first track off his new mixtape titled LRG x Wale x 9th Wonder Presents: Back to the Feature. The track features a dope Curtis Mayfield sample. Watch Elitaste for more news on the Mixtape.

• MP3: Wale - Nike Boots (Feat. Lil Wayne)
• Wale - 5 Minutes Feat. Skyroo (Produced by 9th Wonder)
• M.I.A. - Boyz (Remix Feat. WALE)

One of the masterminds behind the dance/rock mashing group Lo-Fidelity Allstars, Phil Ward is proving he can get even dirtier on the dancefloor with his most recent DJ alias Lord Ward.  Dropping his debut solo release, Brooklyn Blister, back in august to much acclaim, Lord Ward is at it again.  With his newest single Rich Boys in Strip Clubs, Lord Ward is sure to be rockin’ dance floors around the world with dirty basslines that drip ghetto-fantastic.  The song starts rather misleading, feeling like a red-rope club in south Florida, but busts in and beats you in the face with bass n’ beats that feel more like a parking garage in downtown Detroit.

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• MP3:  Lord Ward - “Rich Boys in Strip Clubs”

Telepathe’s new EP Chrome’s On It features two tracks of the group’s ambient/electronic sound that can be described as dark and emotive. The EP is filled out with 5 different remixes on the two tracks. The three remixes on the more upbeat Chrome’s On It all put a unique sound to the song. The Mad Decent remix uses spacey sounds along with a thick beat to liven the song a bit. Frankmusik puts a nice spin on the track by adding an airy aura. Bells is the darker of the tracks. Free Blood runs with the darker feeling and uses a lot of ambience to create a good listen. Overall this EP feels like it just touches the surface of what Telepathe has to offer. This writer is very excited about seeing the group perform later this month to see how these sounds are recreated live.

The album will be available for purchase from IAMSOUND on October 14

• MP3: Telepathe - Chrome’s On It
  

Totally Michael is the most addictive thing in pop music right now. A one-man band armed usually with only a laptop and a guitar, Totally Michael makes sure that people who come to see him play leave satisfied. He can be described as an MC with a guitar due to his nature of putting on a show when he performs. He has no qualms with his addiction for Blink 182 stating that he probably listens to a full Blink 182 album once a day.

The Bloomington, IN-based artist is set to release his debut full-length album via IHEARTCOMIX next week. Instead of doing a usual interview with the pop-addict, we decided to ask him his Top 5 for various situations. Read what he had to say below the jump.

• MP3: Totally Michael - Winona
• Totally Michael - Death Hill (Over and Over)
• Totally Michael - Winona (Miami Horror Remix)
• Read the rest of this entry »

It seems every legendary musician had an electronic side project before it was a common rite of passage. Paul McCartney was no different when he started The Fireman with producer Youth over a decade ago. The group is set to release its first album in 10 years on November 18. We are always excited about anything Paul McCartney does, especially when it pushes the envelope. The new album Electric Arguments does not disappoint. The first track off the new album has already been getting some buzz. Take a listen for yourself:

• MP3: The Fireman - Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight

Well we all know the drama between Jay Z and Oasis from last summer where Noel Gallagher of Oasis said he didn’t think hip hop belonged at the Glastonbury Festival. So as an ultimate payback Jay Z came out during his set at the festival and covered some Oasis.

Well the production team known as Cookin’ Soul decided to mash Jay Z classics with Oasis classics. The mixtape is rather weak overall, but one track that I can get behind is their mash of Jay Z’s 99 Problems and Oasis’ Supersonic

Download the entire mixtape at Cookin’ Soul’s MYSPACE

• MP3: Jay Z vs. Oasis - 99 Supersonic Problems

The Illinois-based indie-pop group Headlights will be releasing a new remix album featuring most of the favorite tracks off the band’s two previous albums. The group is kicking off a European tour tomorrow in anticipation for their remix album to be released on December 9. Some of the people remixing on the album are TJ Lipple, The Album Leaf, Uzi and Ari, and Son Lux. Check out a remix track for their single Cherry Tulips:

• MP3: Headlights - Cherry Tulips (TJ Lipple Remix)

Indianapolis’ very own psychedelic blues-rocker, Grampall Jookabox, is readying his upcoming release, Ropechain, and is hitting the road in support of its November 4 street date.  With dirty bass lines, overdriven guitars, and the gritty blues lyrics of David Adamson (Grampall…) this release is sure to please.  Check out a couple tracks below, and be sure to catch Grampall Jookabox on tour.

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• MP3:  Grampall Jookabox - “The Girl Ain’t Preggers”
• Link:  Grampall Jookabox - “The One Thing” (via RCRD_LBL)

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Indie record label The Record Machine (Kansas City, MO) has been making a habit of  to provide the masses with some excellent free&legal music, and this month they were kind enough to send over a track from artist Max Justus.  At the young age of 20 Max Justus is no stranger to the industry, releasing several indie records including his most recent effort Five Leaping Leopards.  Showcasing his talents for electronic music, MJ hits it hard with 8-bit drums, pop synth, and warm strings.  Check out a music video / mp3 for his unreleased track CTRL_ALT_Dance.

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• MP3:  Max Justus - “CTRL_ALT_Dance”
• Max Justus - “Seven” (Buy)

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