Calvin Harris at PMA | Pretty Much Amazing

Posts Tagged: Calvin Harris

Tiësto – Kaleidoscope, Album Review

Tiësto Kaleidoscope, Album Review albumreviews Tiësto
Kaleidoscope

Ultra Records
out October 6th

70/100
[Rating Scale]

Album giveaway details at the end of the post

[rating:70/100]

Poor Tiësto. He’s got 4.5 continents at his feet, he’s headlining DJ gigs in stadiums, he’s smashed up the worldwide charts with his trance albums, but there’s that glittering jewel of America that’s always just out of reach. Springsteen and Bono can fill stadiums in the U.S. Heck, the Oakland Raiders can fill a stadium. But the kids just aren’t into trance music here.

Tiësto’s closest equivalent is David Beckham. Both have had a fantastic decade, and both are some of the biggest names in their respective fields—fields which the U.S. happens to care very little about.

Mr. Beckham tried to take over America by ditching the prestigious football clubs in Europe and coming stateside to win us over. It didn’t really work. Tiësto’s going on offense in the U.S. by getting every indie-music darling he can find to sing on his latest album, Kaleidoscope (available in the U.S. on October 6^th). Will it work? Continue reading →

DAN’S DANCE PARTY

DANS DANCE PARTY listen The first time is the hardest, or so they say. While this might not apply to activities you can do while shitfaced drunk (sex, riding a bike, driving, delivering a baby), it DEFINITELY applies to writing for an awesome, successful blog. My name is Dan, and I’ve been word-masturbating (writing a blog with 5 readers) for a while, but now I’m about to have word-sex with all of you, and I’m a little nervous. I’m here to let you know that breaking it down is the SHIT, and to bring you the newest developments and most awesome artists in the “breaking it down” umbrella of musical genres. So! Once a week, you’ll get to read my fucking AWESOME words, in one of 3, that’s right 3, fan-tas-tic formats: Continue reading →

MP3 / Music / Remixes — 11 Comments
26
Aug 09

Shakira – She Wolf (Calvin Harris Remix)

Shakira She Wolf (Calvin Harris Remix) mp3

We weren’t impressed with Calvin Harris’ newest album, but we also can’t deny that the man can make mega-fun music. PMA has been a big fan of Calvin’s remixes the most. One of our biggest complaints on his new album was the undeniable feeling that his tunes would be a lot better if another vocalist took charge. This is exactly what we get when Harris takes on guilty-pleasure pop tunes, like Shakira’s “She Wolf.”

The man has a knack for grabbing already catchy pop tunes by the neck and turning them into sure-fire dance-floor fillers. I challenge you to play this remix at your next party and see if people don’t start going down. I know I will make sure to jot this one onto this weekend playlist. Along with this tune. Listen to it here: Continue reading →

Album Reviews / Music / Reviews — 19 Comments
24
Aug 09

Calvin Harris – Ready For The Weekend, Album Review

Calvin Harris
Ready For The Weekend

Ultra Records
out August 18th

48/100
[Rating Scale]

[rating:48/100]

Calvin Harris wants to stick to the music, and for good reason. On his sophomore effort, Ready For The Weekend he has a lot to be proud of. The album is thought out, textured, and deserves better than a treatise on 90s handbag house. As Calvin himself says, “There are a huge volume of reviews that aren’t even based on the music. They barely say anything about the record.” I do not intend for this to be one of those reviews.

In and of itself, the music on Ready For The Weekend is not bad. In each track there is at least one moment of excitement—an excitement of the sort that makes you want to ratchet up your dance moves to a new and often dangerous level. Unfortunately, the dances best suited for this album take place in the cafeteria of my old middle school. Don’t blame the music though, which is truly not bad, blame it on the vocals. Continue reading →

Favorite Songs / Listen / Music — 4 Comments
17
Aug 09

Calvin Harris – Stars Come Out

Calvin Harris’ new album, Ready for the Weekend hit the web over the weekend (so timely), supplying us with some shiny and new tunes to dance to. My favorite of the solid bunch, “Stars Come Out” features an ass-on-the-floor superhero bass line that you won’t be getting over any time soon. And that’s the truth.

Spanning four and a half minutes, “Stars Come Out” is a piece of that precious pop-dance music that first launched Calvin Harris in the spot light. It reaches what those who followed him could not. Sam Sparro and Frankmusik have met their maker.

Listen to “Stars Come Out” here Continue reading →

Listen / Music / Remixes — 10 Comments
1
Aug 09

Mika – We Are Golden

Mika We Are Golden listen
Mika’s back, and this time with more Divo power and Broadway lust it seems. The first single off his sophomore debut features the same title as the LP, and includes a full-blown backup chorus.

‘We are Golden’ has quite the catchy tune and the message is nothing but inspirational. However, it just seems like this track would be better suited as part of the soundtrack for a Fame musical spinoff.

If you were a Mika fan before this, then I’m sure you will enjoy ‘We are Golden’.

However, if you didn’t like Mika or were indifferent to his music beforehand, then this track probably won’t win you over.

There are several remixes that have come out, and I will say I prefer almost every single one to the original. My two favorites are the Calvin Harris remix and the Jokers of the Scene remix. They take away the Broadway pomp that might turn off some fans.

Verdict: Over the top & show-tune-y, but true to Mika’s style. His message throughout the track is quite noble, and I imagine this to be a good inspirational anthem for the young non-conformists out there.

Click here to listen to “We are Golden” and selected remixes. Continue reading →

Listen / MP3 / Music — 8 Comments
8
Jul 09

Dizzee Rascal – Holiday (prod. Calvin Harris)

I have a love/hate relationship with Dizzee Rascal. I love his first two albums, I even really liked his third album. I especially loved his Calvin Harris-produced first single, “Dance Wiv Me,” but I really disliked “Bonkers.” So maybe it’s a lot more love than hate, but the point it is not. The point is that “Holiday,” the third single from Dizzee’s fourth studio album, Tongue ‘N’ Cheek, is just as good as “Dance Wiv Me,” if not better.

While I’m not completely sold on the dancey direction Dizzee Rascal has taken with his new album, I can’t deny that “Dance Wiv Me” and “Holiday” are undeniable JAMS. Listen to the “Holiday” here Continue reading →

Feature / Listen / MP3 / Music — 5 Comments
12
Jun 09

PMA’s Top Songs of the Week #2

epic illustration by masa.

You know how this works, these are the top 7 most downloaded mp3s on PMA over the last 7 days. Check out last week’s Top 7, there a couple of re-entries this week. Continue reading →

MP3 / Music / Remixes — 6 Comments
1
Jun 09

Katy Perry – Waking Up In Vegas (Calvin Harris Remix)

I sort of like this single. I really like this remix, Calvin Harris never disappoints.

Download_Katy Perry - Waking Up In Vegas (Calvin Harris Remix)

MP3 / Music / Remixes — 5 Comments
29
Apr 09

Passion Pit – The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix)

Passion Pit The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix) mp3
It’s no secret that I’ve been somewhat, mildly obsessed with this sweet little Cambridge band, and I can’t wait to listen to their debut full-length Manners. In the mean time, aural goodies keep popping up left and right. The latest of which is Calvin Harris’ fuzzy, dance-floor remix of Manners‘ first single “The Reeling.” More remixes like this and I’ll be one happy camper. I actually can’t wait to hear some posh European remix of my current on-repeat hang-up, “Moth’s Wings.”

Download
Passion Pit - The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix)

Read on to check out another “Boom Boom Pow” remix by LMFAO. We like them. Continue reading →