Cougar Microbes are marching in like army ants…

The Jay-Z remix by Wallpaper. I posted yesterday got me fishing for all the ‘99 Problems‘ mashups in my collection. I thought his photo of my friend’s dad gloriously rocking the 80’s look at Dinseyworld was a perfect companion for this post:

“I got 99 problems…. but a bitch ain’t one“

TRACKS:

DJ Danger Mouse – 99 Problems from The Grey Album by Danger Mouse

Get your hands on Jaydiohead here

Jay-Z Vs. Oasis was created by Cooking Soul

Listen to JZ/DC here

Good to have you back at Cougar Microbes are marching in like army ants... Thanks for visiting!

Besides being an artist in his own right Wallpaper. has been steadily unleashing original remixes and high quality mash ups over the past couple of years.

Having tinkered with artists as diverse as Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Passion Pit and Mariah Carrey there is a lot of material to soak up. With that in mind Wallpaper. just unleashed a mixtape covering all these tracks going back to 2007. Check it out here!

TRACKS:

Jay-Z – Death Of Autotune + 99 Problems (Wallpaper. Remix)

Wallpaper. – Dorrough + Fela Kuti

When Metric released ‘Fantasies’ back in April I was convinced it would easily make my top albums of 2009 list, an opinion that was fortified by a superb performance by the band at Rock En Seine.

Sadly, I did not get as much from the album as I would have liked to in the long run. Though I really enjoy it still ultimately it was pipped by some more consistent releases.

The band did supply numerous remixes throughout the year meaning there is always a good time and place to listen to Emily Haines‘ lush vocals

TRACKS:

Metric – Sick Muse (Adam Freeland Remix)

Metric – Help I’m Alive (Acoustic)

Cougar Microbes favourite LehtMoJoe took a break from his frequent bastardization of some of my favourite rock tracks, most notably Nirvana’s ‘Territorial Pissing‘, to release his brilliant Spaghetti Western album.

Fortunately the sample bandito has not forgotten how to make a beautiful mess with his take on The White Stripes‘  ’Blue Orchid‘.

TRACK:

White Stripes – Blue Orchid (LehtMoJoe Remix)

French producer Golden Bug’s latest effort ‘Assassin’ has seen an official release on Bang Gang recently. The 12-inch is characterised by dirty bass and lots of attitude in a way that is not too dissimilar from fellow countrymen Daft Punk.

I was still spinning his remixes of GLOVES and Adam Freeland from earlier this year when the title track from ‘Assassin’ hit me with a surprise sneak attack and one of those neck breaking manoeuvres.

Deadly but certainly not silent.

TRACKS:

Up until a week ago my house was free from wailing spirits. Not so any more.

The Banshee’s 80’s Britpop undertones are reminiscent of The Killers and Franz Ferdinand as well as the inevitable Joy Divison reference, their new single ‘Colder‘ is guaranteed to warm you up quickly. Matter of fact, the whole album will. The choruses lift and the verses, well… they keep lifting. These guys differentiate themselves with keyboard textures and effects augmented by soaring riffs and multiple layers of angular sound. They clearly like their 16-beats with a disco hi-hat, and the tracks – although carefully produced – retain a rawness that conveys the band’s energy.

But it’s for better or for worse,that the album never lets up. It feels like a rollercoaster ride without the uphill parts – it’s fast and furious all the way through. By keeping energy levels up and a constant sharpness throughout, there’s not much time to breathe and savour the anticipation of the next rush.

Don’t get me wrong, the good songs are very good indeed. Tremendous choruses, such as the skilled build-up in ‘Kicks Up‘, and ‘People Around’, with it’s deliciously soothing verses that burst into a chant. ‘Cut Me Clear’with it’s guitar riff and disco-beat on the verses, is another one I liked,  and the aforementioned ’Colder‘ is simply a cracker.

These are clever tunes, and The Banshee certainly has potential for the Indie charts, and despite sounding more British than a bacon sarnie for breakfast, the quartet – believe it or not – are Italian. Their début album ‘Your Nice Habits‘ should be out anytime now, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for.

TRACKS:

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Guest post by the mystical Dorian H.

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