Cougar Microbes

1. M83- Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

2: Kanye West & Jay Z – Watch The Throne

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

3: Atlas Sound – Parallax

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

4. Thurston Moore – Demolished Thoughts

For those who don’t know Thurston Moore he’s the genius behind Sonic Youth. With his solo work he offers something very different from the raw material that characterizes his band. This album is very personal, folky and acoustic, oh and it’s produced by none other than Beck. Perfect on a rainy autumn day.

5. John Maus – We Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves

John Maus sometimes sounds so stereotypical that we might wonder if his music is just a big joke ! Everything is exaggerated and weird, from the way he inserts strange sounds when you least expect it, or his obvious nonstop mimicking of Ian Curtis. It’s a lot to handle, but somehow it works perfectly.

6. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

7. Cut Copy – Zonoscope

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

8. Nicolas Jaar – Space is Only Noise

Jaar is only 21, but he already released one of the most acclaimed and talked about album of the year. I think that says it all.

9. The Kills – Blood Pressures

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

10. Metronomy – The English Riviera

Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here

TRACKS:

Atlas Sound – The Shakes

John Maus. Hey Moon

Benediction by Thurston Moore

Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise If You Can See (Dave Aju Remix)

Metronomy – The Look

Jay-Z & Kanye West – Ni@#as In Paris ft. T.I. (Remix)

Midnight City by M83

The Kills – Future starts slow [vinyl version] FullHD

Need You Now by cutcopymusic

Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

When fishing through videos to post I spotted occasional Cougar collaborator J. Lanyon Dollars had posted a video on a popular social network we are all signed up to. He said Beck‘s video for ‘Hell Yes‘ claiming it was the coolest video he’s seen in a while. When I asked him what made it so good to which he replied:

This video sums up what makes Beck so orginal as a musician, artist and collaborator. Pushing things one step further into his surreal mind for us to share. Every album is takes a different tack on his uncharted journey. You don’t know what you’ll get – but you know he’ll deliver ubergoodness.

TRACKS:

As has become customary here is the annual Valentine’s Day post featuring some of my favourite love themed songs. Whether you have been in a relationship for a long time or have just found a special someone stick these on for 15 minutes or so today.

Bright Eyes’ ‘The First Day Of Our Life‘

Conor Oberst delivers near enough the perfect love song managing to be heartfelt and honest without sounding contrived. My friend described it as ‘one of those songs that if you’d want in the soundtrack to your life if there was one‘. I couldnt put it better myself.

Band Of Horses – ‘No One’s Gonna Love You‘

Back in the summer Cee Lo Green‘s delivered his imperious take of ‘No One’s Gonna Love You‘ but for Valentine’s Day I feel the original is perhaps more appropriate for this day. Band Of Horses‘ wide-eyed declaration of affection shoots unashamedly for the heart and should warm even the biggest cynic.

Beck – ‘Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometimes‘

Having featured not one but two Michel Gondry helmed videos this weekend it is quite fitting that the final selection is a track taken from the soundtrack of his ‘Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind‘ masterpiece. The truth is I have been planning to use this song for a while; Beck‘s splendid interpretation of The Korgis ‘Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometimes‘ is guaranteed to give you goosebumps.

I’ve said before on these pages that for me the perfect mashup is one where I am familiar, and preferably appreciate, the source material.

Illinois producer Amiland doesn’t big up his work and likes to keep a low profile, instead he lets his mixes do the talking…

Which is fine because his Beck Vs NaS effort comes across loud and clear!

TRACKS:

Amiland – Life’s A Bitch, Loser (Nas vs. Beck)

The track comes across as a (knowing) Beatles tribute to, with a healthy dose of Beck‘s delivery and The Chemical Brothers vibe. All good things, check out the video:

TRACKS:

The Constellations – Setback