As the 4th of July holiday is just about upon us (I leave for East Hampton Wednesday) its time to release my annual summer cd. Like all these cds, they start with an inspiration. I was very inspired by a special edition of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" that contained a cut of Life In Technicolor that included lyrics. It sent me down the road of finding what I called "anthematic alternative" songs. But like every year, warm weather brings me back to another love of mine - dance music. So this year I tried to blend the two thoughts. All songs can be purchased on itunes; here's where I netted out:
1. Life In Technicolor ii / Coldplay
I always liked this instrumental intro into the "Viva La Vida" album, but wondered why it didn't have lyrics. Now it does.
2. Did You Hear Me Coming / Pet Shop Boys
The second single off their new album "Yes," The Smiths' Johnny Marr does the guitar intro which is unmistakable. It also acts as the perfect foil to the previous track, bringing the tempo up.
3. Fragile Tension / Depeche Mode
One of the more upbeat songs on their new album. Great guitar and synth hooks.
4. What Do You Want From Me / Monaco
This is an old track from the band Monaco which is Peter Hook's (from New Order) personal project. The great thing is that whoever he has singing sounds exactly like Bernard Sumner. But better than that is the track itself - crashingly big and beautiful.
5. Summer / Vocal Mix / Michael Cassette
With this track the cd gets dancier, but the lyrics and the synth hooks keep it sounding alternative.
6. Paranoid / Kanye West
This track is very Kanye but again has hooks with an alternative sound.
7. America / 12 Inch Mix / Full Intention
A total throwback dance track to the mid 90s when Out magazine released their album WorkOut. A big house track if ever there was one.
8. Jai Ho! You Are My Destiny / A.R. Rahman & PussyCat Dolls
A blatant pop dance track, I do love Rahman's chorus. Catchy as all hell.
9. Black Satin / Raveonettes
For a sonic break from the previous dance tracks, I tossed in this surfer rock track.
10. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You / Black Kids
I still can't get enough of this song. Bridges the Raveonettes track towards the dance tracks that follow.
11. Poker Face / Jody Den Broeder Mix / Lady Gaga
Again, I'm generally not into this type of diva pop, but this mix throws in some early-Madonna hooks that feel a bit 80s.
12. Magnificent / Adam K & Soha Mix / U2
Great, great, great dance mix of one of U2's newer tracks. Crashing, trancy, but with full vocals. Wraps up the anthematic feel of the disc.
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