Calvin Harris generates music with a great mix of electronic, funk, and disco. For some reason I feel like I’m missing some major artists in this genre. Does anyone know any other bands that sound similar? This particular song is the kind that I can really get into something like studying. It helps me focus for some reason. ATB has a similar effect.

2. Port-Royal – HVA (Failed Revolutions)

The quiet progression of this music with the effects reminds me of DNTEL/pre Postal Service. It’s relaxing, yet with a bit of unknown thanks to the effects, which keep it interesting.

3. People Under the Stairs – Trippin’ At The Disco

This song is a fun one. I am still on my quest to find the best disco/funk/hiphop/rock band that just make you want to dance. I haven’t quite found IT yet. I’ll let you know though…

2. Matias Aguayo – Rollerskate

This ones reminds me of the Sanford and Son theme song. After hearing this one I had to go back and listen to the theme song and it made me smile!

3. Honey Claws – Lightning Killeye

This song sounds a lot like MGMT to me. I really enjoy it.

1. Unicorn Dream Attack – Jamie

This is an interesting 8 bit cover of Weezer’s Jamie. I still have an old tape of Ben, Blake, Wayne, Chris, and me singing and playing the song in Wayne’s old church. I heard it not too long ago and it took me back to my high school days.

2. The Slew – It’s All Over

The Slew is a combination of Kid Koala (Eric San), Dynomite D (Dylan Frombach), and some former Wolfmother members (Chris Ross and Myles Heskett). Kid Koala and Dynomite D were commissioned to create the soundtrack for a documentary that will no longer be made so they decided to take their creation on the road with the help of the Ex Wolfmother members. This is just a taste.

3. Canadian Wildlife – Winter’s Moon

This song is very slow and beautiful. Somehow the band name Canadian Wildlife is reflective of their musical style. Winter’s Moon sounds like a small song in a large open space (not unlike Canada). Oddly enough, I can’t find a website associated with this band. Let me know if you happen across it.

Any feedback on the songs… what you like/don’t like is appreciated.

Kid Cudi is an up and coming indie Hip Hop artist from Cleveland, OH who now works in Brooklyn. You may recognize that the backup vocals are Memphis’ MGMT. Ratatat is also featured. Kid Cudi’s debut full length album is due out Sept. 15 (my birthday).

2. Shoops – Move Bounce Flip

This Montreal duo’s debut “Love/Lust” is due out in the near future. According to them their music sounds like

Your girlfriend listening to Kanye West while she touches herself.

3. Anya Marina – Move You

Be patient with this song… give it a couple of listens and see what you think.

Musically, Marina and her producers Brian Karscig (guitarist for San Diego’s Louis XIV, who produced 10 tracks) and Britt Daniel (of beloved indie-rock band Spoon, who produced two) keep things rocking at a dynamic clip.

You can find her album Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II at Amazon.com.

During what can be seen as a very successful scholastic career of standing on various corners and hurting people, Despot sought a creative outlet and found it in the small rapping nooks of New York City. … With the work ethic of a hairbrush and the wit of a new sock, Despot and Blockhead have been working on a debut full length since Despot began to lose his hair. Blockhead will handle the majority of the production on this album with some dear friends stepping in to make whatever sounds we have not made yet.

This song was produced by RATATAT and is a breath of fresh air in the midst of the metamorphosis of hip hop.

2. The Herbaliser – Mr. Chombee Has The Flaw

Though this song is from around 1997, I really enjoyed their influences from hip-hop, groove, funk, and jazz.

3. The XX – VCR

The LP of their debut self titled album is out already. VCR’s soft opening is welcoming and leads me into their steady guitar riff, which persists with slight variation throughout the song.

1. Felt – Protagonists

FELT is a musical collaboration with the long-term goal of having sex with b-level Hollywood actresses. This record is not for the love of Hip Hop. The album is not to prove whose city has a better-implemented smoking ban. It’s solely a vehicle for rappers to have celebrity sex.

This is the best reason to have a band. Ever.

2. Generationals – Bobby Beale

This is a quirky song that grew on me after a couple of listens.

3. Julian Plenti – Only if You Run

This is the lead singer, Paul Banks, of Interpol which is why his voice may sound familiar. Apparently he is not touting this fact which is pretty respectable in my opinion since he could gather a lot of followers from those that already listen to Interpol. Looks like he wants to make it based on merit.

1. Coeur De Pirate – Commedes

Why I like this song? Besides the fact it’s all in French, there is eloquent piano playing with an almost nursery rhyme rhythm (which I like).

2. Kidz in the Hall – Flickin

The real reason I really enjoy this song is because it mixes elements of rock music (think a softer basement jaxx) and hip hop. The lyrics are great IMHO (in my humble opinion).

3. The Dø – Tammie

The Dø’s Tammie has a slight Mirah and folk aspect coupled with claps that help the song from becoming too depressing.

1. Atlas Sound

A collision of sounds.

2. Cold Cave

Upbeat reverb.

3. Grizzly Bear

Slow, dreamy, drift.

This one got stuck in my head. Listener beware.
2. Crystal Castles – Good Time

Love the claps in this one.
3. Fishboy – Bricks Part 1

Simple.
4. Glass Brigade – Little Tybee

5. Miike Snow – Cult Logic

This is another that got stuck in my head. It makes me want to dance despite my boot due to the fractured ankle.
6. Neon Indian – Should Have Taken Acid with You

7. Parlovr – Sandwalking

8. Spoon – Got Nuffin

How can you go wrong with the latest Spoon?
9. The Broken Hearts – Black Cat

10. Deluka – Cascade

Though I’ve never heard of Cam’ron, apparently he has been around for a while. He’s associated himself with Mase, Notorious B.I.G., and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. His first single was “Pull It”, which earned airplay in May of 1998. “My Job” conveys the life of a regular full time jobber, which is a departure to the usual thug life representation. It’s somewhat refreshing.

2. Cornelius – Drop

The cough in the middle of the song along with the sound effects of the water make my body feel like I need air. Drop is off of the album “Point”. He uses a lot of sounds from nature as well as electronic sounds in his music. Cornelius was ranked at number 43 in a list of Japan’s top 100 musicians by HMV.

3. Machesa Traditional Group – Rarichama

“Rarichama” is an upbeat song that begs you to clap in time with it. They are from Botswana and won Best Traditional Artist or Group in the 2003 Kora All African Music Awards.

4. Starlight Mints – Zoomba

Their voices are almost comical in this song. It’s one of those songs that grabbed my attention and just kept me wondering what I would hear next. The Starlight Mints are an indie band that was formed in Oklahoma in the 90′s.

5. The Field – The More that I do (Foals Remix)

The Field is a Swedish minimalist techno group. I personally like music that I don’t have to think too much about to enjoy from time to time. This is definitely one of those tracks.

6. Tommy Sparks – She’s Got me Dancing

Reminiscent of disco, “she’s got me dancing” is a song that will make you want to get up and move your body. It’s got a simple, straightforward beat coupled with an entourage of synthesized effects in the background. It ended so abruptly that it left me wanting more.