Feist Video

Here's a video of the Feist gig in Nottingham I went to. About 40 seconds in, you can see the back of my ugly mug! I think I can safely say that it was the best gig I have ever been to. If you ever get the chance don't let it pass you by.


MP3: Feist - I Feel It All DOWNLOAD

MP3: Feist - My Man, My Moon (Damage On The Back Seat Remix) DOWNLOAD

Various Artist

Moulinex: I suppose, with the similarities in our names (my surname being Molyneux), it's high time I posted one of this German dudes uber cool, disco infused monsters. Here you go:

MP3: Moulinex - Leisure Suit DOWNLOAD

Alex Metric: Surely you remember this guy? His superb remix of Metric's Monster Hospital engraved itself on my puny little brain. Well, he's done it again with this slick remix of Suburban Knights by Staines ska loving four piece, Hard-Fi.

MP3: Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights (Alex Metric Remix) DOWNLOAD

Loud Pipes: One of Check The Availability's favourite artists, this is Loud Pipes first original offering. Taking a more chilled out approach to that of previous efforts, Feels Like Forever provides the listener with an insidiously dark and at times devilishly trashy electro track. The boy done good.

MP3: Loud Pipes - Feels Like Forever DOWNLOAD

Moving Units: Playing alongside the likes of Justice and Bloc Party at LA Weekly's Detour Music festival, Moving Units upfront post-punk sound begs to be heard in a live context. Nonetheless, the recorded effort is pretty damn good. Oh, and Big Stereos a fan...erm...so there!

MP3: Moving Units - Paper Hearts DOWNLOAD
MP3: Moving Units - Crash 'n' Burn Victims (Felix Cartel Remix) DOWNLOAD

Destroy Cowboy: Having toured with everyone under the sun (The Stills, Cold War Kids, 1990's...), Destroy Cowboy surely deserve some limelight of their one. Vocally akin to The Editors yet at times evocative of French sound-scapist M83, Destroy Cowboy have an uncanny ability to make a sound I usually detest, wholly appealing.

MP3: Destroy Cowboy - 1000 Candles DOWNLOAD

Fresh To Death

For those in the know, Liverpool is soon to be be host to Fresh To Death; a night of wholesome electronic goodness brought to you by Check The Availability's favourite scouse impresario, John Hyde and his motley crew of electro loving soldiers. Taking place at the famous Magnet bar on 6Th November, Fresh To Death already boast Manchester's Matt Payne (head over to Get Weird Turn Pro for an exclusive mix) as confirmed DJ, with others to be announced...watch this space.

In the meantime, the lads asked me to pass on this snippet of information: "Fancy yourself as a DJ? If so send your mix-tape to Freshtodeathliverpool@gmail.com or send a message to our myspace with a link to your mix-tape. We will listen to each mix and the DJ we most like will win an hour long slot at Fresh To Death, along with free entry for them + 1 guest". Radical!

In celebration of the event, they've even got together a nice little mix to show you what it's all about. Rather Kind of them wouldn't you agree. Oh, and if you're accompanied by a Flat Eric, you get in free.











MP3 Joey Nelson - Retreat From The Lounge Mix DOWNLOAD/Zshare

As a slight ad hominem, I came across this track the other day. It frankly can't wait any longer to be posted, so here it is. Thanks to La New Shit for bringing it to my attention. Pop over there and tell 'em I sent ya.

MP3: Matt And Kim - No More Long Years (The Risk Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

iwhack

There's no doubting that Steve Jobs and crew are true innovators of their field, but has anyone else noticed that their products are always mired with restrictive caveats that do nothing except hinder the enjoyment of often near perfect products. Case in point: the new iphone, due to arrive in the U.K. on 9Th November.

• I thought the deal was that if you buy a phone rather than have the network subsidise it with a contract, then not only do you own the phone, you also get to decide which provider you use. Not so with the iphone; Apple dictate the provider.

• Apple will not allow you to customise your ring tone, unless it's bought from the itunes music store of course. One of the most basic characteristics of a modern day mobile simply cast aside so we can all watch Steve (yes, I'm on first name terms) laugh all the way to the bank.

• The use of the word 'unlimited' with regards to the data package is obviously a misrepresentation of the truth when you notice that there's a 'Fair Usage Policy' involved.

• Again, using the word 'unlimited' when describing access to Cloud's Wi-Fi hotspots is code for 60 hours per month.
  

• No 3G = No rapid downloads of YouTube videos outside those wireless hotspots
  

Having said all this, if you happen to call me in 6 months time, we'll no doubt be conversing through the medium of the iphone. I have the integrity of a Gnat.

Thanks to G2 for the info.

MP3: Muallem - New Thunder (Feat. Beans) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Put Your Hands Up In The Yeah!

OK, so it doesn't look like Minor Crisis (the file hosting service I use) is going to fix itself anytime soon making this is as good a time as any to use another hosting service that will allow me to upload larger MP3's such as this mix from Aussie musician/producer/DJ, Turbosaurus. Gorging itself on upfront dance music staples as well as containing some cheeky nods to past influences, Turbosaurus presents a mix thin on DJ arrogance and fat on listener friendly accessibility. Top notch, say I.

Tracklist:

01. Crystal Castles "Alice Practice"
02. Uffie "Hot Chick"
03. Riot In Belgium "La Musique"
04. Audio Thieves "(Pray Like) Aretha" (Van She Tech Remix)
05. Boney M "Sunny"
06. Simian Mobile Disco "Hot Dog"
07. Tepr "Minuit Jacuzzi" (datA Remix)
08. I Am Finn "I Love You" (Van She Tech Remix)
09. Franz & Shape "Countach"
10. Stardust "Music Sounds Better With You" (Miami Horror Remix)
11. Fannypack "You Gotta Know"
12. PM Dawn "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" (Tittsworth Neutron Dance Remix De-neutron'd by Turbosaurus)
13. Presets "I Go Hard I Go Home"
14. Larry Tee ft. Princess Superstar "Licky" (Herve Goes Low Remix)
15. Armand Van Helden "I Want Your Soul" (Fake Blood Remix)
16. Digitalism "Echoes"
17. Cut Copy "Hearts On Fire" (Joakim's Heartattacks On Fire Remix)
18. Feist "Sea Lion Woman" (Chromeo Remix)
19. Pase Rock "So Fucking Disco"
20. Yo Majesty "Kryptonite Pussy" (UMYO Remix)
21. Mazarati "Players' Ball"

MP3: Turbosaurus - Roulade Mix Re-heated Zshare

Music On Mass

Being a mental health nursing student can really suck when trying to balance 'real life' responsibilities, such as writing essays on the inner workings of a multi-disciplinary mental health team, and 'second life' (excuse the pun) obligations, like continually updating a blog such as this. The solution: dump the writing and just post a load of songs you really love, minus the waffle!!!

MP3: Digitalism - Pogo (NT89 Edit) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: The White Stripes - Hardest Button To Button (Infix Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Resident Anti-Hero - Mass Media Mind Murder DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Kanye West - Stronger (Phantom Sky Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Calvin Harris - Colours (DFS Advert) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Coldcut - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (O2 Advert) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

This one's a bit special. You may remember a Toyota Auris advert that was being aired in the UK a few months back. The 'soundtrack' to the comercial really struck me and after much frantic searching, I found the composer, a certain Nick Payne of The Works Music, a "London based music and sound design production company". The composer has no plans to release the track as now the ad is off air, there is "no vehicle for promotion". So here I am, creating something of a vehicle. Go Download!

MP3: Nick Payne - Toyota Auris (Removed As Per Artsist Request)

Purple Crush - Vacation (Loud Pipes Remix)

I Got my paws on this one last night and having had it on repeat ever since, I'm more than convinced I got hold of something hot. Taking Purple Crushes classic sounding Vacation, Loud Pipes tosses aside all elements of 'classic', opting instead for layers of euphoric synth over infectious bass lines, coupled with a breakdown of Van She proportion; a clear influence of the remixer. Yet while all this is going on, Loud Pipes production work still manages to emphasize the vocal and lyrical aspects of the original track which oozes sass and sex appeal. Catch the original while you can, it's only gonna be up for a week. Oh, and go add Loud Pipes as a Myspace friend...before everyone else does.

MP3: Purple Crush - Vacation (Loud Pipes Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

MP3: Purple Crush - Vacation (Removed As Per Artists Request)

Operator Please

Last night I was in attendance at Levi's One's To Watch at the Barfly, Liverpool. Yes, I know it stinks of desperate corporate marketing, but they've certainly had more than a modicum of success, with past performers including, among others, The Editors, The Kooks and everyone's favourite shoe-gazer, Maps. The Headliner last night: Operator Please; a clean cut bunch of juvenile Gold Coast Australians.

Looking like something from School of Rock, Operator Please push forward a rather innocuous brand of Indie-Pop Rock while boasting both a violinist and a Beth Ditto lookalike. Although the audience (comprising mostly of 14 year old drunks) were treated to an overall tight and at times fun performance, I soon realised I was party to nothing groundbreaking. That said, they serve a purpose, albeit to entertain college kids, but there's no harm in that now is there.

MP3: Operator Please - Just A Song About Ping-Pong DOWNLOAD/Zshare

MP3: Operator Please - Crash Tragic DOWNLOAD/Zshare

For those who haven't had enough violin infused indie, here's some more entertaining use of the instrument from Belgium's dEUS. Oh, and before I forget, you should be able to get Check The Availability at www.cta-music.com now.

MP3: dEUS - Suds And Soda DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Feist

I was severely 'miffed' when my constant putting-off of purchasing tickets for Feist's Manchester gig inevitably led to the familiar "Sorry love, we're all sold out" line from the box office attendant. So in desperation I've bought tickets for the Nottingham show on 23RD September...111 miles away!!! Now, as happy as I am to be going, I own a 988cc 1992 Nissan Micra, so you can appreciate my concern about actually making it there. Any auto-mobile donations would be most appreciated.












MP3: Feist - 1234 DOWNLOAD
MP3: Feist - One Evening (Rene Goulet's Da Luz Mix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: The Warren Family Band - So Sorry (Live) (Feist Cover) DOWNLOAD
BONUS: MP3: The Warren Family Band - There Is An End (Live) (Holly Golightly Cover) DOWNLOAD

Psychiatry = Pseudoscience?

Sorry to get all serious on yo' ass but I think this is a topic worth investigating...plus an excuse to post a rad Kidz In The Hall track. This clip is taken from the programme 'The Trap' made by British documentary maker Adam Curtis. Thanks to the guys at These Rocks Pop for the song. Oh and if anyone can tell me the tune at the beginning of this video it'd be greatly appreciated.

MP3: Kidz In The Hall - Ritalin DOWNLOAD/Zshare

The E.L.F. (2)

Heads up! Here's a new track from Darren Cross, otherwise known as The E.L.F. Possessing a slightly more shadowy tone to that of previous track Cockroaches, Dragon Fire may seem rather apt to Check The Availability's British readership. Where as Cockroaches was the sound of the Summer that never was (in terms of weather), Dragon Fire's more introvert sound reflects the inevitable arrival of day light savings, anti-freeze and all round hibernation. Lucky b**tard is supporting Midnight Juggernauts on various Australian tour dates.

Here's the video to Cockroaches which was not put up before because I only just found out how to embed Youtube videos. Duh!?!


MP3: The E.L.F. - Dragon Fire DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Moby

My recent interest in Moby was rekindled after watching the unmissable The Bourne Ultimatum where the familiar strings of Extreme Ways poignantly herald the end of the movie. Extreme Ways is taken from the 2002 (is it really 5 years ago?) album 18, which the more I listen to, the more I realise how critics of the time misjudged it, only ever comparing it to forerunner Play, while refusing to accept it as a piece of work in its own right:

• You finish listening to 18 feeling as if you've heard a decaffeinated version of Play. (Modjo)

• The follow-up to Play is, essentially, 'Re-Play', a cynical rehash of the melancholic-yet-strangely-uplifting schtick which sold ten million albums and sound tracked every single advert of the last three years. (Dot Music)

• Moby is no auteur, a fact made painfully clear by his terrible new album, 18, which revisits the already derivative territory of Play. (New York Magazine)

• The lead single, the excellent Bowie-ish wibbler We Are All Made Of Stars is a total red herring. The other 67 minutes and 17 tracks are Play Redux; familiar-sounding "oh-lord-my-dog's-just-died" samples over shopworn pianos and strings, straining to be epic but lacking the crucial element of surprise that made Play sound so innovative. (NME)
  

• Most of 18 is pleasant but unchallenging and unremarkable. (Pop Matters)

If you do own 18, now the baggage of being a 'follow up album' has been cast aside, do yourself a favour and give it a listen; similar in style to it predecessor, yes - but honestly, so much more besides.

MP3: Moby - In My Heart DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Moby - We Are All Made Of Stars DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Moby - Extreme Ways DOWNLOAD/Zshare
BONUS: MP3: DJ Isaac - Nobody Listen To Techno DOWNLOAD/Zshare

The Whole Of The Moon

Here's a totally unnecessary, grossly over produced, hopelessly cheesy yet valiant cover of The Whole Of The Moon, performed by all American songstress turned actor, Mandy Moore. And for those who've been living in a cave, here's The Waterboy's original to boot.

MP3: Mandy Moore - The Whole Of The Moon DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: The Waterboy's - The Whole Of The Moon DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Pomomofo

Without meaning to sound too harsh, I'm a little disappointed at the blogging community. How could sites that claim to be havens for new music let Pomomofo go by without so much as a blink of their hawkish eye. Soaked in 80's nostalgia, this Sydney based trio are anything but subtle, happily brandishing their synthpop influences with catchy keyboard riffs and stereotypical bass grooves. While never taking themselves too seriously (they've been known to play tennis on stage) 'Pomo' nonetheless bear an enigmatic edge, fusing an underlying darkness with their overall sleazy, party sound. All this coupled with a plethora of big name remixes from the likes of (The Black Ghost's) Boy 8-Bit and they've got themselves a promising future if nothing else.

MP3: Pomomofo - Late Night City Skylines DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Pomomofo - Back At The Club DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Pomomofo - Back At The Club (Boy 8-Bit Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Pomomofo - Back At The Club (Beaufort Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Pomomofo - Back At The Club (Cicada Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

As I'm the charitable sort, here's the full Bagraiders vocal mix of Sneaky Sound System's, I Love It, Which I felt was unfairly omitted from the last post. Yet another track thats vying for 'song of the year'...in my humble opinion.

MP3: Sneaky Sound System - I Love It (Bagraiders Vocal Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare