Modular let us know about the latest addition to their phenomenal Modcast series, with Memory Tapes piecing together 23 minutes of original material exclusively for the mix. Slaughtered builds upon the sonic parameters he established in Player Piano, and the unedited collection of raw instrumentals articulate a well tuned ear for the Swede-Pop sound. It’ll be interesting to hear what he comes out with next. Check out the mix below.

Modcast #95: Memory Tapes – Slaughtered

So it’s that time of year again, the season of list-making. I said the same thing last year, but I still feel the same, so I am shamelessly copying and pasting. Though often overdone, and largely mediocre, a good remix can be a powerful thing. It can transform a great song into an even greater one, and a not that great one into an enjoyable listening experience. They allow music to transcend genres, and when done right, create a song that one thinks of as completely separate from the original. I’ve chosen to list these by remixer and not the original artist. Obviously I haven’t listened to everything, but these are the jams that have taken over my year.

10. Fare Soldi [ "Start" - LBCK ]

EDM has the tendency to be repetitive, and can come off as really stale when not done properly. “Start” by LBCK was a track that I wouldn’t expect myself to normally go for, but the minimalist execution was impeccable, and thus was in heavy rotation for me during the springtime. Luckily for me Fare Soldi brought “Start” back on my radar with this remix that is entirely reflective of and independent of the original, an amazing feat.

LBCK – Start (Fare Soldi Alla Frutta Remix)

9. Toro Y Moi [ "At A Glance" - Body Language ]

This was the first Body Language track I ever heard, and it lured me in like no other. This remix by Toro Y Moi is brilliantly subtle and perfectly complements the delicate original.

Body Language – At A Glance (Toro y Moi Remix)

8. Millionyoung [ "To the Lighthouse" - Memoryhouse ]

Spring was filled with dreamy, hazy electro, and for me, this remix is perfectly indicative of that period, and of the season. A little bit melancholy, but with hopeful hints of pop, Millionyoung has completely elevated the Memoryhouse original to such a level that I’m still content to jam to it 11 months after my first listen.

Memoryhouse – To the Lighthouse (MillionYoung Remix)

7. Memory Tapes [ "Real Life" - Tanlines ]

Memory Tapes made my list last year as well, for his remix of a Fool’s Gold track, and here he is again! Tanlines are completely awesome of their own accord, but two musical loves combined can be an even more beautiful thing. This remix is stunning and still hits hard.

Tanlines – Real Life (Memory Tapes Remix)

6. Sub Focus [ "Hold On" - Rusko ]

Rusko‘s debut, O.M.G.! took total dominance over the beginning of my summer this year. It was actually impossible to listen to anything else, and dubstep officially claimed me as a victim. I didn’t think it could get any better, until I heard this Sub Focus remix that goes even harder than the original. Not for the faint of heart, the full experience can only be achieved once you’ve played this as loud as your neighbors will allow. Wobble!

Rusko – Hold On (feat. Amber Coffman) (Sub Focus Remix)

5. Javelin [ "In Heat" - HEALTH ]

I love Javelin like no other, and the nature of their original material almost guarantees that they will be excellent remixers. This remix rocks so hard that the only thing I can manage to say is Javelin + HEALTH = fuck yeah! Inarticulate, but spot on.

Health – In Heat (Javelin Remix)

4. Hey Champ [ "Beaches and Friends" - French Horn Rebellion ]

This is the ultimate summer song, period. The title is “Beaches and Friends”! It doesn’t get any more clear cut than that! I could listen to this song forever and ever, and still be content. In fact, I’m listening to it right now, it’s 28 degrees, and I’m still feeling all the warm beach vibes. Hey Champ took the French Horn Rebellion original and defined my entire summer. This song is perfection.

French Horn Rebellion – Beaches and Friends (Hey Champ Remix)

3. Rusko [ "Soldier On" - The Temper Trap ]

I don’t even like The Temper Trap (except for that one song), and I actually walked out of their DC show, but this Rusko remix is out of control. Out. Of. Control. I’m not actually sure that it’s possible to NOT like this song if you pledge any allegiance to dubstep.

The Temper Trap – Soldier On (Ruskos F’kin Seagull Remix)

2. Penguin Prison [ "Hurtful" - Erik Hassle ]

Frankly the original Erik Hassle track is terrible, but Penguin Prison has revamped it into a deeply soulful masterpiece. It’s remixes like this that truly justify the art form, and show that beauty can be found where you least expect it.

Erik Hassle – Hurtful (Penguin Prison Remix)

1. The Twelves [ "Something Good Can Work" - Two Door Cinema Club ]

The Twelves are master remixers, and this one of a Two Door Cinema Club original is my most listened to remix of the entire year. The catchiness of this track just can’t be denied, go on, try to play it in a room and have your friends not ask you about it. Won’t happen. The original is mediocre, the remix is out of this world.

Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work (The Twelves remix)

That’s it for this year, let me know what you think I missed!

Memory Tapes – Bicycle (Little Loud Remix)

Washed Out – Luck

Real Estate – Pool Swimmers

JJ – Ecstasy

Mountain Man – Animal Tracks

Memory Tapes – Bicycle

So I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned Tanlines on here. First heard their name through this Au Revoir Simone remix they made. Later I came across their track “New Flowers” and rocked out on that for a couple of months. They were the opening band for the Julian Casablancas show a few weeks ago here in DC (personally thought that they seemed more genuine and intriguing than their headliner). And yet, I have never mentioned them. Blasphemy. Came across an excellent Memory Tapes remix (need I say more?) of one of their songs, and I guess that was the push I needed. This is music you can dance to. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Tanlines – Real Life (Memory Tapes Remix)
Tanlines – New Flowers

Gucci Mane – Excuse Me (Memory Tapes Remix)

Gucci Mane – Excuse Me (Diplo Remix)

“Virgins making music?! No, this post isn’t about Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift. It’s not about the Jonas Brothers either, though obviously one of them just lost his V-Card (why else would someone with a purity ring get married?). Rather, this post is the about the five best debut albums released in 2009 by artists who likely set themselves up for further success (with the exception, perhaps, of Colour, who seem to have disbanded).

While there can be no doubt that these five artists are exceptionally talented and original in their own rights, one can’t deny that, at least in part, their success is owing to the myriad of music blogs out there trying to find the next best thing. So hats off to you lads (and the contributors at Indie Shuffle who caught these rising stars).

That said, while I was able to narrow this list down from more than twenty notable releases, I just couldn’t figure out which was “the best”. So, in no particular order, I present to you my five favorite debut albums of 2009:

Bombay Bicycle Club – I Had the Blues, but I Shook Them Loose

What’s so good?

“Would you look at how young these fine lads are?! Just out of high school, they’ve wisely postponed college to work on their debut album, and if this single is any hint at what’s to come, we’re going to be in for a treat. I should add that the moment I heard this single, I rushed out and got their two other EPs, and they haven’t let down. Check it, check it. I’ll be keeping my ears posted for more news on them.”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review: Here)

And keep my eyes posted, I did! When their album was released in July it did not disappoint me at all. Indeed, it was a bloody pleasure to hear a full album from these chaps.

Bombay Bicycle Club – Always Like This

Freelance Whales – Weathervanes

What’s so good?

“Glockenspiel.Drums.Banjo.Cello.Synthesizer. Pay attention to Freelance Whales now. To make comparisons to Sufjan Stevens, Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie may be fair, but Freelance Whales is taking their music to new levels. Their songs often feel to have both an up and downbeat, producing unexpected effects as the listener. On the one hand, I’m skipping along; on the other hand, I’m becoming deeply introspective: This album takes you on a journey – Jess @ Indie Shuffle”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review: Here)

Jess wrote about Freelance Whales a fair time before the blew up the blogosphere. We recently had the opportunity to see them opening for Fanfarlo, and they didn’t disappoint at all. Hats off to them–if this debut is any indication of what’s to come, they’ve got a strong future ahead of them.

Freelance Whales – Hannah

Memory Tapes – Seek Magic

What’s so good?

“The more I enmesh myself in the music world, the more I realize that good music comes in sets of seven consecutively bigger waves. There are plenty of ripples and backwash between, of course, but about every seventh wave ends up being huge. In my case, the “seventh wave” of albums comes about every two weeks, and I’m pretty sure that this new Memory Tapes album is that seventh wave. I can only hope there’s an eighth rogue wave coming along to beat this one out.”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review: Here)

Memory Tapes – Green Knight

Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

What’s so good?

“Sometimes, the best music finds come to you when you least expect it. I had gotten free tickets to see blind pilot, and these guys happened to be opening. They also happened to be amazing. Local Natives have only been around for a year, but they play like they’ve been around for ages. Along with their five original members, they were also touring with an extra fiddle player (don’t know her name) who helped fill out their rich, orchestral songs, and man could they belt those vocal harmonies. Had they been a little more established, I’m sure the whole room would have been singing along. Their energy made me completely forget about my horrible jet-lag i showed up with.”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review of EP: Here)

Camden wrote about the Local Natives for Indie Shuffle well before their album, Gorilla Manor, was dropped. As such, I had my eyes and ears pricked for their full LP’s arrival. When it came, they blew up. Mad props to these young guys, who were most recently touring with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

Local Natives – Sun Hands

Colour – Anthology

What’s so good?

“Colour is/was a four-piece math pop band from Kingston, United Kingdom. Delivering a sound filled with detail, harmonies, time signatures and tempo changes, Colour unwittingly found themselves driving a new wave of math pop from the low-key Surrey town. The 13 track Anthology spans the bands recordings from the past couple of years, including two brand new songs recorded just after their split in June. Oddly enough, it’s their first (and last) full-length release.”

(Full Indie Shuffle Review: Here)

On technicality, one may argue that this isn’t a true album. But then you’d just be being a contrary, and this is my list, so ultimately it’s my choice. I think this was an amazingly addictive piece of artwork, albeit that it lacks the cohesion of a true studio album. It’s my honest opinion that these guys should have stuck around.

Colour – Over The Moon

So it’s that time of year again, the time for the “best of” lists that seem to crop up everywhere. While I find the idea of a list of the best albums of a year overwhelming (let alone of a DECADE, not even gonna touch that one), I know that I will be able to handle it. However, for now I’m easing into it with a more specific category, my favorite remixes released this year. Though often overdone, and largely mediocre, a good remix can be a powerful thing. It can transform a great song into an even greater one, and a not that great one into an enjoyable listening experience. They allow music to transcend genres, and when done right, create a song that one thinks of as completely separate from the original. I tried to choose five, but had to bump the number up to ten, because there was too much greatness to go around. I’ve also chosen to list these by remixer, not original artist. So let’s get to it.

1. Faux Pas [Paul Dempsey - Ramona Was a Waitress]

Faux Pas has never let me down. This song is number one not only because it is catchy, danceable, and has an amazing instrumental interlude, but because of how far it has come from the original version. He has transformed a song I would have never otherwise listened to, into one that I can’t get out of my head. Pure Genius.

Paul Dempsey – Ramona Was A Waitress (Faux Pas Remix)

2. Chico Love [Phoenix - Lisztomania]

I was already obsessed with Phoenix as well as this track, when I came across this remix by Chico Love. It is eight minutes long and worth every second. The vocals are slowed down dramatically, and every syllable becomes all the more significant. This track becomes almost a ballad, and even though you’ve likely had Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix on constant rotation for months now, there is something new to be discovered here.

Phoenix – Lisztomania (Chico Love Remix)

3. Bibio [Wax Stag - Folk Rock]

This remix was the second date in what was to become my full-blown love affair with Bibio. This track was one that would come up randomly every so often in my iTunes, and I was blown away each time. It is perfectly crafted and just plain irresistible. It is Bibio through and through, and my favorite time to listen to it is when on a train, it makes your journey seem all the more magical.

Wax Stag – Folk Rock (Bibio Remix)

4. Treasure Fingers [Little Boots - Meddle]

I was already quite enamored with Treasure Fingers when I first heard this remix, which also served as my first introduction to Little Boots. The internet was all abuzz about her, and I decided to check out the rest of her stuff. Well, I was hugely let down by its mediocrity, which only further confirmed the genius of Treasure Fingers. This will get you dancing whether you like it or not.

Little Boots – Meddle (Treasure Fingers Remix)

5. Peter Bjorn & John [Miike Snow - Animal]

This song by Miike Snow was already pretty catchy, but Peter Bjorn & John took it to the next level. I like this version more than the original now, everything these guys touch becomes gold. Check it.

Miike Snow – Animal (Peter Bjorn and John Remix)

6. Memory Tapes [Fool's Gold - Nadine]

This track is especially dreamlike, and lured me in with it’s intro of “don’t bare your soul to me”. Memory Tapes is one of my all time favorites, and has clearly done justice to this song, bringing their two styles together impeccably. The refrain of “Nadine” near the end is so amazing.

Fool’s Gold – Nadine (Memory Tapes Remix)

7. Washed Out [Small Black - Despicable Dogs]

I love everything that Washed Out creates separately, with all the hazy fuzz permeating throughout. Similar in style to Small Black, but more electronic than rock. He brings the perfect amount of his own aesthetic to their sound.

Small Black – Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix)

8. Siriusmo [Chromeo - Night by Night]

Chromeo‘s track “Night by Night” is brilliant enough as is, but Siriusmo has infused it with his own brand of quirkiness. It starts out like a pretty basic remix, then transitions into a pretty gnarly interlude that works perfectly, and almost makes you forget what you’re listening to.

Chromeo – Night by Night (Suriusmo Remix)

9. Blueshift [Bat for Lashes - Daniel]

I really don’t know much about Blueshift except that when I was obsessed with this Bat For Lashes track, he was the only one to create a remix that I thought was worthy of the original (and that I longed for).

Bat For Lashes – Daniel (Blueshift Bootleg Vocal)

10. Delorean [Lemonade - Big Weekend]

I have to admit, I’m really not the hugest fan of Delorean (although their name is awesome) or Lemonade, but somehow when they get all mixed up together, voila! Perfection. This track is great, despite my prejudices. To quote the song “the future of sound came to him in a dream”, brilliance.

Lemonade – Big Weekend (Delorean remix)

All right guys, that’s it. I’m sure I’m probably missing some great remix out there in the world, but this is the best of what I’ve heard. Let me know what you think!

So I’ve been listening to the new single from Yeasayer nonstop for about a week now (I just sort of forgot to write it up), and was generally ignoring the buzz surrounding them prior. Well I was foolish, because this track is fantastic, and I can’t wait for the rest of the album to be released. There is also a very lame remix of this floating around by Memory Tapes, which makes me so sad, because I love nearly everything else he does. The original just didn’t need that much improvement. Inspirational, undeniably catchy and featuring some Ethio (inspired?) samples (my people!), this song is all over the place, but miraculously manages to seem put together at the same time. One of the loveliest things to happen this fall for sure.

Yeasayer – Ambling Alp