So I didn’t do a Music From Gossip Girl post last week because I didn’t really like last week’s episode nor its music selection. This week’s episode was a lot better, and Alex Pastavas threw in a tune by one of my favorite new (and broken-up 
) bands, the Harlem Shakes. Last night’s episode also featured tunes by the ever-impressive Delta Spirit.
Make sure to read this week’s recap over at the delicious Daily Intel @ NY Mag, but before you do, check out this week’s Gossip Girl playlist.
Artwork by the talented and generous Adam Sparpalius.
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Harlem Shakes released one of my favorite albums of the year, as well as one of my favorite songs of the year (”Sunlight”), but their first single, “Strictly Game” is great too. So great, in fact, that they even commissioned our friends, Kids At The Bar to remix it.
The remix is ravages the vocal loop and slaps a sizzling bassline that, with the right equipment, will shake your soul. The remix runs a few seconds shorter than the original, but in those four minutes, it holds your attention ransom and demands your body to move.
[download id="234"]
What a concept for a video. I’m really impressed by the creativity and originality. The second time around you watch it it’s even cooler. A concept so simple, yet (correct me if I’m wrong) never really been done before. Badass.
Also, Harlem Shakes’ keyboardist, Kendrick Strauch, got his Karen O on and covered the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Y Control” from their critically acclaimed debut, Fever To Tell. The cover is simple, dreamy and smooth. Towards the end, Strauch’s “Y Control” turns into a shimmery, disco-flavored ballad. All the polish doesn’t ever reach the heights Karen O and the YYYs take “Y Control” to. But can anyone? Probably not.
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There are many reasons why I feel that summertime is the best time of the year, and most of them are here on this playlist. Spanning thirty-six songs (!!), this 16th pmaCAST — and our longest podcast ever, clocking in at over 2 hours and 10 minutes — is all about the tunes that make a perfect summertime listen. Download this here or on iTunes (via the links above), put it on your iPod, put it on a mixtape-shaped flash-drive (seriously, buy one) and give it to your friends, play it at a beach party — do something with it!
pmaCAST #16 The “For Summer Only” Episode Tracklist
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If you hadn’t noticed, we love the Harlem Shakes ’round here. Their album, Technicolor Health is just about the perfect summer album full of youthful ambition and indie darling fun. “Sunlight,” my favorite tune off the album, makes me tremble (to borrow a phrase from our Fuel Friend). Hell, if we’re borrowing phrases, I might as well say that “Sunlight” makes me want to twist and shout!
With “Sunlight” and the rest of Technicolor Health produced by the incredibly talented Chris Zane (clientele includes Les Savy Fav, The Walkmen, Passion Pit, and White Rabbits), there’s no question as to why this shimmery, cheery beauty is so over-the-top catchy. Listen to “Sunlight” here and now Continue reading →
Harlem Shakes
Technicolor Health
Gigantic Music
released March 30th
[81]
[Rating Scale]
[rating:81/100]
When the Afro-Pop guitar chords, rickety drums, and wavering vocals fill your headphones at the start of Technicolor Health, you can’t help but to feel a bit wary of the Harlem Shakes. You can’t help but to wonder if the hype was undeserved, if this is a Vampire Weekend or Born Ruffians knock-off band, if you’ve heard this all before. Fortunately, you can’t help but to be wrong.
Because pretty soon, the horns kick in, the falsetto kicks in, and the distinct sound of the Harlem Shakes takes over. Continue reading →
