'U' Under-Rated

   

They began as a duo in 2005 around Christmas time when Árni Rúnar Hlöðversson and Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir made a song as a present for their friends. FM Belfast is now a supergroup, of sorts, from Iceland. The band ranges from 3 to 8 members, depending on who's around. FM may reject the traditions of their own country's music but they slot very much into the tradition of Icelandic rebellion, and tether it instead to the synths of Scandinavia, pumping them up with their own innate sense of fun. Of course they're not the first Icelandic band to make electronic music, but their sound is different from that of fellow Icelanders like Sigur Ros or Eberg. FM's instantly accessible and familiar 11 track album, How To Make Friends, is not about Iceland's glaciers and twisted landscape, grab it here.
Sometimes the worst thing that can happen to a band is to get buried with comparisons such as being compared to Coldplay or the XX from the get-go. All I know is that a lady is one who never shows her underwear unintentionally. 

Hard Smart Beta



Starfucker, now Portland's legendary city darlings, can bob their mop-tops and froth their weezer falsettos into howling wolves by way of a boys choir. Having set the stage, Starfucker throws themes together like the Capulets and Montagues, desire and defeat all intermingled like it ain't no thing. In trying to make sense of the way they sound I hear power to the people, seized by people ready to wield it...puzzle solving perfect.

The words German Love spark sparks. The "German" part is famously literal, wracked by philosophical passions but incapable of expressing them casually. The "Love" part is the most open, earnest, vulnerable craze we feel. Starfucker sings "I will give it to you / give it to you / give it to you" like hungry robots, as though repeating the desire will fulfill it.

Here's five sun drenched sound bytes for the best time of year.

Trackpot


The mashing of two songs usually goes together worse than a McDonalds fries and vodka combo or honesty and politics in the same sentence. Now I have little reason to speak in its favor but there's an exception to every rule.

Doctor Beat + Drop the Pressure = Dr. Pressure.

The original DP mashup was created by Phil n'Dog in 2004 but later climbed to the number three seat on the charts and drove the UK's dance floors happily insane through 2005. It was destiny that these songs be mixed to create this modern version of a party classic, actually the best refresh of an old song I've ever heard.

I listened to this song while I was a yellow belt in Taekwondo, now I have a black one.

Class Dismissed.

Mylo vs. Miami Sound Machine - Dr. Pressure
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Digital Penetration


When one year ends and another begins, what comes to mind? For some it's quitting a bad habit or a promise to yourself that you said you'd do. Personally, I think of warranties expiring then bonds maturing.

There was more drama and entertainment crammed into my 2010 than an episode of the Jersey Shore. I discovered that if you want to be interesting, be interested. It also came to my attention that silence, experience shows, is what terrifies people most.

Get on board if you aren't already because 2011 is going to be filled disco dance explosions. It may be a new year but these fury filter sounds remain a staple of all my french house mixes and playlists. Lets take Swivel Hips for example - Tony Saputo and Frank Demaria both of whom hail from Italy but have settled in Boston. I know what you're thinking, they sound like they belong in the Godfather or perhaps at least dabble in some underworld dealings of some sort. Surprisingly, they drops beats not bombs and are directly respobsible for any reconstructive surgery your music taste might undergo. The rest of them are picky in the songs they remix resulting in a catalog of solid work, my only complaint would be that they're too short.

Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You
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Skeeter McBeatz - What'cha See
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Ivan The Terrible - Yellow Fronts Brown Backs
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Go Go Bizkitt! & Pardon My French - Still Waiting For You (Yella Finesse Blend)
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Sun Fire - Step Into The Light (Geisha Twins Remix)
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Yella Finesse - Hit The Club (DeeJMD Remix)
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