quick audio picks: 12
Baby Oliver pretty much came out of nowhere, and their last release on Environ rocked the entire office, even me, the guy that typically doesn't like this kind of stuff. As is a growing trend with things lately, pitched down, weird vocals...
expand review seem to be all the rage, and "Feelings 2(1)" does it up properly. The New Order-esque chorus fits in surprisingly well between the wacky verses, and those dirty drums really sell the track. "Shot Caller(2)," on the other hand, is a little more on the abstract tip. More DFA than Environ, this one is definitely a power track, but you definitely would have to use it sparingly. Don't drop this one in every set or you'll be pegged for a one-trick pony - that's just how different this track sounds. -minimal man
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Pretty much everyone at the Lab can agree to the Junior Boys around mid-day, with the album playing out in its entirety everytime it gets put on (a rarity!). The Junior Boys' sound grows on you - if it hasn't yet, it...
expand review will. So catchy, yet deep enough to warrant repeated listening as the Boys ride that fine line between pop and electro and make it work from both ends. Two of the stronger tracks plus two remixes are featured on this lead single from the "So This Is Goodbye" LP. "In The Morning(1)" is a great opener to the Junior Boys' sound with equal parts synth-pop, electro, and vocals with feeling that I can actually stand (not over-powering or whiny). Flip the record for "The Equalizer(2)" and more of this formula, but this time with subtle vocoders and arpeggiated synths working the background over a snappy beat that just won't quit. Your boy Morgan Geist does a rework of "The Equalizer(3)" with percussion reminiscent of electronic tablas, and an electro-tinged beat that's a bit heavier than the usual Geist stuff. Also features a more minimal version of "In The Morning(4)" mixed by Alex Smoke. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 123
New Environ release from Kelley Polar. "Chrysanthemum(1)" is quite unique with a sound harking back to late eighties new wave / early nineties alternative. With its male / female harmonies and dramatics, it kind reminds me of Anything Box (of "Living In...
expand review Oblivion" fame). "Rosenband(2)" features a leaner, more level sound if that's what you are looking for. But for most of you, the b-side is where it's truly at with a Morgan Geist instrumental edit(3) of "Rosenband." He completely reworks the feeling and comes up with some impressive future music. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Second single from Kelley's much applauded "I Need You To Hold On While The Sky Is Falling" full length. The Pearson and Usher Closed System Dub of "Entropy Reigns(1)" is a bittersweet bit of electro disco that edges on the emo side...
expand review of things thanks to vocals by Mr. Polar and Claire de Lune. The track really takes its time, never rushing for a moment with a steady synth bass pulse and perfectly placed orchestral elements pushing things along - all mixed down to perfection by Morgan Geist. Pearson and Usher's Second Law Dynamix version(2) beefs the drums up and puts more focus on the violins and synths for a way more epic feel - it almost feels like the original on steroids and extended breakdowns. Smart dancefloors will surely dig. A-side at 45, B-side at 33. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 1234
Les Rita Mitsouko is a French pop rock duo that reached its apex of popularity in the 80s. Here they've re-emerged on the Because imprint (home of Ed Banger) with some new school remixes. The real draw here is the remix...
expand review by the reclusive Daniel Wang. His version(1) of "So Called Friend" sounds more like 80s French pop than the original version(2), complete with delicate, bubbly synth work and an authentic rock percussion kit (cowbell!). His version also comes in instrumental and French lyrics form. For the requisite electro take, check the Maton remix(3) of "Ding Dang Dong." The original version(4) sounds a bit like a less threatening Siouxsie to me. Limited to 700 copies, cool artwork too. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
It's been about 2 year since the last Metro Area release (can you believe it's been that long?), but their latest 12" is finally here. The indelible duo of Morgan Geist and Dershan Jesrani were hugely responsible for sparking the disco-italo revival...
expand review in the dance music scene back in '99 (and we all know who big disco has grown since then) and are back to bring you 3 new tracks sporting their signature new disco sound. One whole side of vinyl is dedicated to "Erodyne(1)" - a classy hybrid of disco, italo, and boogie that will instantly tickle your ear with tingly arpeggiated synths, warm bass, lush strings all of which sit perfectly over tight snappy drums. A classic Metro Area sound for sure. "Read My Mind(2)" is the first true vocal track by the duo featuring Philip Owusu (of Owusu & Hannibal) on vocal duties all over a super catchy italo groove. The song really works (hope to see more vocal collabs in the future), but if instrumental is your thing, there's also the "RMM Dub(3)." Excellent stuff. Definitely Recommended. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 123
Original copies of this 2001 release by Metro Area's Geist gives you a good idea of what he was up to before MA– tracky, quirky house with flourishes that hearken back to his early straight-up techno productions. Geist assumes several styles: "Bassfly(1)"...
expand review is jackin' 90s-style Chicago house, "N'Arret Pas(2)" works a nice disco-sample vibe without coming off as sounding too derivative, and "Cash Tantrum"(3) makes deft use of the Detroit-style techno palate. These tracks are all aimed squarely at the dancefloor, and they bump in a much more traditional way than most of the Metro Area catalog, which ain't a bad thing. -Language
quick audio picks: 123
It's been a little while since we've heard from Morgan Geist, but he's back with that Environ sound you love. "Detroit" starts off with a catchy little synth loop and slowly builds with soft vocals (courtesy of Jeremy Greenspan of Junior Boys)...
expand review until the drums finally kick in and its like when the Kool-Aid man says "ooh yeahhhh." Gotta love that smooth new disco/house Metro Area sound. c2 aka Carl Craig offers up 2 remixes of the track to take things way deeper. "RMX1" is like a time bomb waiting to blow on the dancefloor, slowly ticking with heavy resonant kicks till that catchy little synth hook comes in. "RMX2" wastes no time getting it hype with a sick bassline setting it off with the vocals and jacking percussion building it till when the full drums come in. Another killer from Environ. Recommended. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 123
It's pretty easy to sense that Morgan Geist is a big new wave head. It seems a matter of time before he drops the whole new disco thing and starts producing straight Human League. This new single is a step in that...
expand review direction with "Most Of All(1)" featuring the vocals of Jeremy Greenspan from Junior Boys. With its romanticized lyrics and softened edges, the song sounds like Talk Talk reborn with slick, crisp Metro Area production. The flip features "Skyblue Pink(2)," which is "an homage to memories of summer days in the 70s spent listening to synth-rock in his older brother's room, fused with the spirit of Klaus Schultz's epic electronic film works and raging power chords." Balearic indeed. Also includes instrumental of "Most Of All." -the mgmnt
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