EPISODE 5

EPISODE 5: The New Year's Ceiling-Tile Puncher

Song: 'Genesis'
Artist: Justice
Album: Cross (2007)
Label: Ed-Banger

Thought we'd take the snob cast theme-tune out for a proper spin. Meet Justice, ladies and gentlemen. The French pair's love of vintage metal and forerunners' Daft Punk's signature French sound allowed them to put the sort of meaty sound into techno that you can't just ignore. Ever since this record dropped, electronic dance music just changed, as if a missing ingredient were suddenly revealed in a genre which often veers toward cheesy flourish or obtuse sterility: Balls. Incredible achievement. One of the very best of that year, fully deserving the live record that followed based soley on this record's material. 

Song: 'Dominoes'
Artist: The Big Pink
Album: A Brief History Of Love (2009)
Label: 4AD

Only a song this big and this wide open could be worthy of the 2nd spot on the New Years edition. This London, England duo is sure to get your party spot bumpin', and hey.. after the party's over, after you've cleaned up all the beer cans, & after you've fed the dog, throw this song on with a set of good headphones, and fall in love with one of your new favourite jams of the next decade.  

Song: 'Merrymaking At My Place'
Artist: Calvin Harris
Album: I Created Disco (2007)
Label: Almost Gold

Rarely made admission from a Snob: I haven't heard the new record yet. I know that there is one, and I know that there was some mention of a giant conductive-jelly human body synthesizer being involved (naturally), but I do know THIS record, and fully recommend it. Full beginning to end of plain cheeky, fun tracks that don't take this dance thing music too seriously, but do take not-taking-things-seriously, VERY seriously. So much fun. Seriously, just check it out. 'Acceptable in the 80s', 'The Industry'. Ridiculous tracks for ridiculous people and ridiculous times.

Song: 'You'
Artist: Atmosphere
Album: When Life Hands You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (2008)
Label: Rhymesayers/Warner

Bet you thought when this tune started that it was Gnarls Barkley, huh? Bet you were glad when it wasn't, huh? Well the name of this album says it all. Being the sixth(!) album from this hip hop twosome, they never fail to have fun and come out swingin'. Atmosphere (comprised of MC Slug and DJ Ant) have been hailed as one of the most successful independent hip hop acts to date. So how come you've never heard of em??......no, seriously....how come you haven't?? Good thing you've got your best friend the Snob Cast here to keep you hip. We got your back.

Song: 'Get On The Floor'
Artist: Michael Jackson
Album: Off The Wall Reissue (2001)
Label: Sony

Finally an irrefutable excuse to play Michael! While we've never officially discussed "Snob Nite's" official position on the King o' Pop, I'm sure I speak for both of us individually when I say: "Heeee Hee". Off the Wall was my tribute record purchase - bought it the day after he died, having always loved the disco era singles but somehow never having heard 'Off the Wall'. So much wasted time! What an excellent record! End to end dancefloor precedent setting! Maybe the greatest music year of the decade, certainly containing the most significant musical icon's passing of my lifetime. (Oh... and this all reminds me - I don't have much time to fulfill last year's resolution... where's that moonwalking diagram?) 

Song: 'Neo Violence'
Artist: The Tough Alliance
Album: A New Chance (2008)
Label: Modular/Interscope

This is The Tough Alliance. They own Sincerely Yours records and are largely responsible for what is referred to as the Swedish Pop phenomenon. Sometimes I just stare off into space imagining what it might be like to live in a country where this, Lykke Li or JJ are what 'pop' sound like. Unfair. But hey, that's what we're here for. This track is from a particularly excellent record full of snarly post-punk sing alongs on perfectly inappropriate dance tracks, and we're talking real late 80s Manchester acid house stuff, pianos, strings, synths & the whole proto-rave thing full of unusually uplifting sounds and lyrical content delivered with a ton oï punk attitude. Is it irony? Maybe, but not while you're listening to it.

 Song: 'Walking On A Dream'
Artist: Empire Of The Sun
Album: Walking On A Dream (2009)
Label: Astralwerks

The title track on Empire�s debut on good ol' Astralwerks is likely the track that will hit you the hardest with exactly how dialed into the 80's electro pop road trip vibe they have the ability to be. It's scary. Don't mess with it. Band historians might be interested in the fact that this is a sort-of supergroup taking key players of Pnau and Sleepy Jackson. I don't care about that - just saying some people might. Personally, no matter how theatrical the presentation may be (a fact that stalled me quite wrongly, and for way too long) I think that THIS should be the band that goes on. Another worthy purchase.

Check out the video

Song: 'Pull My Heart Away'
Artist: Jack Penate
Album: Everything Is New (2009)
Label: Beggar's Banquet/XL

This record is the reason I�m glad we didn't do any greatest of 2009 lists. Just when I thought we thought we knew the rough size and shape of the greatest music year since forever, Jack Penate upsets the front-loaded balance with a late entry that I'll be playing on repeat well into 2010. It's a little poppy, it's a little derivative - but - the difference between this and every other Cure-Pop waverider: it's full of excellent songs. Not only are the songs there, but they're gorgeously performed. What this guy is saying and how he's saying it need to be heard, then heard again. Just another of several consistently excellent albums on this New Year's cast, front to back a record worth having, and a dude worth watching.

Song: 'Don't Stop'
Artist: Chali 2Na
Album: Fish Outta Water (2009)
Label: Decon Inc.

We got the right to keep it funky cuz it's hip hop! Was that the sweetest, funkiest soul-hoppin' jam you heard this year? Good, good stuff from Chali 2na - the founder and featured baritone of backpack heroes Jurassic 5. He's put out a couple of solo records, though the earlier one was technically a mixtape (Welcome to the Fish Market from 2005ish, also great.) This 2009 release has a lot more southern influence in the beat production, and for that reason might be a little more dancefloor ready, while keeping that backpack lyricism that'll be losin' minds in the indie crowd years to come. Long live.

Song: 'Beating Heart Baby'
Artist: Head Automatica
Album: Decadence (2004)
Label: Warner

 

Head Automatica easily has my vote along with The Faint (check back in 2 tracks) as being some of the pioneers of the new dance rock craze, as this album was released back in 2004. The band started out when frontman Daryl Palumbo (a personal hero of mine & frontman for hardcore band Glassjaw) wanted to trade in his vicious screams and try his his hand in the hip hop and Britpop genres, both of which were not fitting to what Glassjaw was all about. I have yet to show this track to a friend who hasn't instantly had it stuck in their head.....but in a good way.

Song: 'Atlantis to Interzone'

Artist: Klaxons

Album: Myths Of The Near Future(2007)

Label: Polydor

When this song comes on, try and sit still....just try! Such a hook, Such catchiness, Such fun. What more do you need? Probably another double Vodka Redbull. Set it up!

Song: 'I Disappear'
Artist: The Faint
Album: Wet From Birth (2004)
Label: Saddle Creek

Coming straight outta Nebraska and signed to the same label as Bright Eyes (and actually had Conor Oberst as a guitarist back in the '90s..........wait....what?!) The Faint, as i mentioned earlier, are my co-pick for the pioneers of this dance rock bizness. I first saw these guys perform this jam on Conan O'Brian about 5 years back and couldn't believe how enjoyable/dirty that intro bassline is. They instantaniously had me. Damn, hit em where it hurts!

Song: 'It Was a Very Good Year'
Artist: William Shatner
Album: A Transformed Man (1968)
Label: Decca

Phoenix, Grizzly Bear, Here We Go Magic, Animal Collective, Temper Trap, Jack Penate, Doom, Dan Deacon, Matt and Kim, Deastro, Passion Pit, Islands, Bear in Heaven, Washed Out, Pains of Being Pure of Heart, Atlas Sound, Japandroids, Fever Ray, Dead Man's Bones, The XX, Empire of the Sun, Dirty Projectors.

It's been a very good year.

Take it home, Bill.