Mixtape #4: Warp

Warp Records just turned twenty years, and is celebrating by putting on some amazing shows and releasing this absolutely beautiful box set. Included in the set are a few mixes -- one from label co-founder Steve Beckett, another with tracks voted on by the fans, and some sort of mash-up disc. If a generous reader would like to purchase one for me, I would love them forever (seriously).
ANYWAY...
I attribute my love of electronic music in part to Warp Records. Their pioneering stable of artists is inspiring, and the breadth of stylistic ground their bands cover is impressive in itself. To celebrate the venerable label, I decided to curate a humble mix of my own. It barely scratches the surface, but I included many of my personal favorites from the roster (sadly, Jamie Liddell and Bibio narrowly missed the cut due to some sequencing issues). Also, I think this is the best mixtape I've made yet. Get it Here, and share your thoughts on Warp Records (or... anything, really) in the comments.

Song Order:
0:00 – 4:33 Aphex Twin “Vordhosbn”
4:33 – 9:58 Boards of Canada “Julie and Candy”
9:58 – 13:01 Flying Lotus “Tea Leaf Dancers”
13:01 – 17:11 Squarepusher “Don't Go Plastic”
17:11 – 21:00 Broadcast “The World Backwards”
21:00 – 24:10 Prefuse 73 “Perverted Undertone”
24:10 – 26:45 Jackson and His Computer Band “Hard Tits”
26:45 – 32:18 Clark “Matthew Unburdened”
34:12 – 38:08 Born Ruffians “Kurt Vonnegut”
38:07 – end Grizzly Bear “Reprise”

Record Review: Grizzly Bear

Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest
[2009, Warp]
3.5/4

Read the full review HERE. Since the cozy lo-fi intimacy of Horn of Plenty, the men of Grizzly Bear have slowly been widening their scope. 2006’s watershed Yellow House was almost infinitely more complex than its predecessor, with dense arrangements and winding song structures that propelled them to universal acclaim, without compromising the haunting intimacy of Horn of Plenty. Floorboards creaked, steps resonated through halls, even the sound of piano dampers being released could be heard on “Knife.” With the following Friend EP, their sound seemed to be turning inward, with the “electric version” of “Little Brother.” The group seemed to be moving toward a more simplistic (but no less powerful or huge) sound, one that they had been honing over countless tour-dates...continue reading

I really like this album. If you haven't heard it, I suggest you do. This isn't the most eloquent review I've written, and maybe a little bit gushy at times; I was pressed for time toward the end.

Mixtape #1: May 2009

Download HERE

For those of you keeping up, my blogging has always been sporadic at best. In an effort to bring fresh content, I've decided to start posting some mixtapes to share the music that I love. They'll be mixed DJ style (ie, one continuous mp3) in adherence to the spirit of the mixtape: the songs were sequenced this way for a reason, so no skipping around. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy, and I'd appreciate feedback.

This mix was inspired by the title track to Bibio's latest album Ambivalence Avenue. I'm typically not a big proponent of analog and lo-fi sounds and techniques (certainly not against them, either), but I love the sound quality of the track. The hazy, lazy feel... it reminds me a bit of the first half of Panda Bear's "Take Pills" played at twice the speed. The rest of the tracks are in a similar vein, for the most part.

0:00 - 3:29 Bibio: "Ambivalence Avenue"
3:29 - 6:48 Broadcast: "Accidentals"
6:48 - 11:20 Animal Collective & Vashti Bunyan: "Prospect Hummer"
11:20 - 14:25 Benoít Pioulard: "Palimend"
14:25 - 18:08 Kurt Vile: "Beach on the Moon (Recycled lyrics)"
18:08 - 20:01 Grouper: "When We Fall"
20:01 - 24:34 Here We Go Magic: "I Just Want to See You Underwater"
24:34 - 31:48 Lotus Plaza: "Antoine"
31:48 - 35:06 Dan Rossen (of Grizzly Bear): "Deep Blue Sea"
35:06 - 36:00 Jon Brion: "Row"
36:00 - End Chad Vangaalen: "Rabid Bits of Time"