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On Reflection 2

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I'm preparing for duelling UK-centric parties this weekend and I came upon this one and thought of you. Not so much that I didn't hold you all those lonely lonely times, but that you are always on my mind.

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I've been making Spotify mixes for my other Tumblr for a few weeks now, and this one is a doozy. The theme is falling in love with technology. Enjoy!

#20 - Programmed for Love

May 30, 2013

Today’s mix is something I’ve been working on for a very long time, and in honor of my gig tomorrow representing the machines at Head On, I thought it was time to unleash it. I’m not sure what inspired me to look for music that matched this theme, but I started noticing a lot of songs about falling in love with computers or robots. It’s such a kitschy thing, but while the late 70’s were probably the most fertile period, every decade up to today had been represented to some extent in the theme. Sadly, a lot of the material I’ve collected isn’t on Spotify, so one of these days I’ll have to put together a proper DJ mix, but til then I found the tracks that were on Spotify, embellished them with a few slinky synthpop songs about love, and voila, “Programmed for Love” was born (note that the Roy Ayers song that this mix is named after is oddly not on Spotify with the rest of his catalog, though it’s highly recommended.)

// Brian Blackout

1. Kraftwerk – Computer Love 2. Mirage – Lady Operator 3. The Metronomes – Saturday Night 4. Soviet – Circuit Love 5. Phil Oakey – Together in Electric Dreams - 2003 - Remaster 6. Datarock – Computer Camp Love 7. Heads We Dance – You Are Never Alone With Model 21 8. ELO – Yours Truly, 2095 9. Casco – Cybernetic Love (Vocal Original) 10. Daft Punk – Digital Love 11. Zapp – Computer Love 12. Madi Diaz – Trust Fall - Down We Go Remix by Jensen Sportag 13. Tennishero – Midnight Love 14. Kate Bush – Deeper Understanding 15. Sylvia – Automatic Lover 16. Röyksopp – The Girl And The Robot 17. Goldfrapp – Strict Machine 18. Supersempfft – I See Stars 19. The Egyptian Lover – Computer Love (Sweet Dreams) 20. Chrome Canyon – Computers of Love 21. Neurotic Drum Band – Neurotic Erotic Adventure 22. Glass Candy – Computer Love

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Just scored the first two Orange Juice LPs and some Chickfactor tix at #RSD13 (at Other Music)

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Wow these Head On flyers for tomorrow I had made look awesome!

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Yes, I'm a week behind schedule as usual, but here's my favorite songs of 2012, in Spotify mix form. I tried to load up the front with pop and the end with dance music, so if you have a strong preference for either, use accordingly. More faves below...

(link to the whole mix on Spotify)

1. Chromatics – Kill For Love 2. Bear In Heaven – The Reflection Of You 3. Moullinex – Take My Pain Away 4. Tanlines – All Of Me 5. Poolside – Slow Down  6. Van She – Jamaica 7. Jens Lekman – Erica America 8. Hot Chip – Look At Where We Are 9. Twin Shadow – Run My Heart 10. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Tapes & Money 11. World's End Press – Second Day Uptown (Slow Hands Remix) 12. The Magnetic Fields – Andrew in Drag 13. Matthew Dear – Her Fantasy 14. Stars – Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It 15. Holy Ghost! – It Gets Dark 16. Saint Etienne – Tonight 17. Scissor Sisters – Let's Have A Kiki 18. Little Boots – Headphones - Dimitri From Paris Remix 19. Icona Pop – I Love It - feat. Charli XCX 20. The 2 Bears – Bear Hug* 21. I:Cube – Transpiration 22. Bicep – You - Steffi Remix 23. Emotion II Emotion – Night & Day - Feat. Ryann 24. Peaches – You Can't Run From My Love 25. Only Children – Down Fever - Original Mix 26. Todd Terje – Inspector Norse 27. Birdy Nam Nam – Cadillac Dreams - Original Mix 28. Airbird – Goodnight

My favorite songs not on Spotify:

"Gammy Leg" - Scott & Charlene's Wedding "Little Steps" - Computers Want Me Dead "Slip Away" - Fashions "Sugar" - Moon Boots "Better Love" (Robotaki remix) - Ben Ivory "1 out of 2" (Oliver remix) - Breakbot "Guide Me" (Gigamesh remix) - James Curd

Favorite albums:

Hot Chip - In Our Heads Moullinex - Flora the Magnetic Fields - Love at the Bottom of the Sea the 2 Bears - Be Strong Twin Shadow - Confess Chromatics - Kill for Love Jens Lekman - I Know What Love Isn't the Van She - Idea of Happiness Stars - The North Poolside - Pacific Standard Time

All in all, a cavalcade of hits. Thank you, 2012!

-Brian Pennington / Brian Blackout

* - Yeah I know an EP with "Bear Hug" came out in 2011, but the album came out in 2012. If you don't approve, substitute it for "Work."

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1980.  The Cure releases their US Debut, Boys Don’t Cry, as they begin to explore offshoots of Punk and Post-Punk.  Through this exploration they help define Gothic Rock and it becomes a thriving subculture, and Robert Smith is sad.

Also, hair.

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I'm psyched that youdonthavetosettle gets to premiere the new single by our friends Fashions. You need to hear this, immediately.

Fashions - “Slip Away”

I’m excited to be unveiling a brand new track today on the blog. Fashions are a new band based here in Brooklyn, and their debut single is catchy as hell. I got to help add to the huge chorus at the end of the song, which includes a children’s choir, so I’m very excited to get to tell folks about this tune.

“Slip Away,” is a bouncy slice of tropical electropop. We tested it out on a dancefloor a couple weeks ago and people started going nuts during the full chorus parts, I think you will too. The song is a free download on Fashions’ Bandcamp, so go grab a copy and start listening now. I warn you, it’ll be stuck in your head all day.

/// Brian Blackout

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For my weekly stint as a music blogger for youdonthavetosettle, I had to gush a little about the newest from Chris Malinchak and French Express' conveyor belt of stellar Balearic house.

Love Like This - the Establishment

French Express has been releasing great Balearic-influenced house all Summer, mostly via freely downloadable singles by artists like Isaac Tichauer and Jonas Rathsman. Late last night they dropped this new tune under ace producer Chris Malinchak’s new moniker the Establishment. Malinchak has been killing it all Summer, and this one has Ibiza 1988 written all over it. He starts with a feel good gallop, adds jaunty pianos and a beautifully chosen sample from the chorus to Exposé’s freestyle anthem Exposed to Love. Took me a little while to place it, but yet it felt so familiar, and so perfectly picked. It’s a nice change of pace from the mid-90s R&B samples that have been done to death recently. Follow the link in the song title for a free download from French Express, you can’t beat that for promotion.

While we’re at it, here’s the track the sample originated from, off of Exposé’s actual official Soundcloud, where you can stream most of their backcatalog. I hope more artists go this route. Plus you can pick up this and a bunch of their other 12” mixes on iTunes.

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For my post this week on youdonthavetosettle I'm writing about one of my favorite Aussie post-punk songs, which I'll be playing tomorrow night at our Olympics-themed dance party, the Midas Touch.

Asphixation - “The Crush”

We’re coming to the close of the 2012 Olympics, and I’m prepping several sets of nation-themed dance music to play at tomorrow night’s party The Midas Touch here in Brooklyn. As soon as I found out I’d be getting to spin some Aussie music, this song leapt to mind. Long a favorite of mine, I don’t think I’ve ever unleashed it on an unsuspecting dancefloor.

By far the standout track on a strange post-punk record entitled What Is This Thing Called ‘Disco,’? “The Crush” is the album’s catchiest and most accessible high point. The track is a lo-fi shamble of a high energy disco romp, hiccuping synth arpeggios taking turns with free jazz saxophone blasts. What really sets this tune apart from similar stuff from the era like the Mo-Dettes is the singer’s disaffected and very Aussie sounding vocal, half-sung and half-spoken, much in the style of early 80’s post-punk.

Though this LP is long out of print, you can find this track on Chapter Music’s killer compilation Can’t Stop It II, along with many other great Australian post-punk songs.

/// Brian Blackout

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Shockingly, in this week's youdonthavetosettle I am talking about Italo disco and beaches. Well, and recommending you good tunes.

Turas - Amnesie

We’re thick in the sounds of Summer, and here’s one of my favorite Summer gems. This track has a great little arpeggiated synth bass augmented by some slap bass guitar. It’s filled to the brim with shimmery synths and ready to be cranked on your road trip of choice. Turas appears to be some kind of musical italo disco superhero. Based on this tune, his superpower is evidently to transport everyone to the beach for a super funky dance party. They forget to mention that his sidekick is Spuds Mackenzie. Grab this track and prepare to be transported.

While we’re on the subject of italo, here’s a dubbed out song to soundtrack your beach trips, courtesy of Expatmichael, an American living in Rome. Hipnosis are better known to disco nerds for their Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre covers. This track is an original, but is about as proggy and atmospheric as italo disco gets. Expatmichael posts loads of choice finds, I highly encourage you to follow him for more good stuff.

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On this week's youdonthavetosettle, I celebrate all things Noodleman. There's some uncomfortable sexy disco and a little bit of PM Dawn. Surely, something for everybody.

Baby Come on (the Noodleman rework) - Sex o’Clock USA

The Noodleman has been churning out chugging, dubby takes on disco for some time now, and as a new 12” of his re-edits gets unleashed to vinyl, I thought it a good time to introduce y’all to my favorite edit of his, and one of my favorite tricks to get a dancefloor good and hot. It’s a slippery, dubby take on Mort Shuman’s “Baby Come on,” from the French “documentary” Sex o’Clock USA. Strings careen seductively, the drums pulse a slow yet pounding swagger, all while singers implore you to “…give it your lovin’ daddy.” Daddy likes.

And that’s just a taste, after you grab the download from his Soundcloud, rush to pick up Mr. Noodleman’s new 12” EP, Dub Sauce, and you’ll find the same smoking hot grooves, perfect for Summer listening. Lots of early buzz about groover “Sloppy Angel,” but I’m partial to his take on PM Dawn’s “I’d Die Without You,” straight off the Boomerang soundtrack, complete with an Enya-riffic breakdown and chock full of that early 90’s piano noodling you’ll know and love.

/// Brian Blackout

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This week on youdonthavetosettle I get to write about one of my favorite edits by Eugene Tambourine. This is total Breakup House.

Last week we had a guest posting by Eugene Tambourine, and this week I’m pleased to say he’ll be writing regularly for us beginning next Monday. I met Eugene when we were neighbors 5 years ago, and we bonded over a mutual love of Vicky D. Eugene has more edits than an iPod could ever hold in his archives, but he shares a lot of them with the world on his Soundcloud.

Ten City’s “That’s the Way Love Is,” a top 10 hit in the UK that never had the same popularity in the states, has been a favorite of mine ever since Eugene shared it with me. It evokes moods often left behind on the dancefloor. Regret. Remorse. Wistfulness. Emotional acceptance. Eugene’s edit stretches out all the right parts and tucks aside the track’s weaknesses. Without resorting to a 10 minute mammoth edit, it succinctly elevates the original to higher heights of feeling.

Ten City - That’s the Way Love Is (EeeTee edit)

P.S. I once saw Jens Lekman covering this tune live, and you can see him do the cover (and segueing into Sipping on the Sweet Nectar) on Youtube, you’ll get some serious goosebumps. Here’s to hoping he records it someday.

/// Brian Blackout

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This is a gem of a balearic house tune from my youth, but it sounds so current, I'm shocked it's the first time anyone's blogged about it. Via youdonthavetosettle:

You’re getting a secret balearic house weapon from me this week. This is a cut I can picture folks like Bicep or Chris Burns going crazy over. I bought a comp containing this track back when I was an aspiring raver of 13 or 14, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Back then I barely knew what house was, and I’d never heard the term balearic, but this tune is the JAM and it skirts both sides of the aisle so nicely.

Don’t know much about the artist, whether they had a Twin Peaks obsession, or even which of the four remixes it is. You can pick up the vinyl for a dollar bin steal over on discogs, but there’s no good place to buy a digital copy, so indulge your inner Bob over here…

Uncle Bob - Uncle Bob’s Burly House