Toxic Tuesday 7 : Emalkay, and Excision.

     First off lets start with an apology for me being so busy over the last few days, I had to pack a room and drive it up north here on friday, then on the weekend my time was spent driving my parents around and trying to fit everything back into my house. That being said my internet connection here is prehistoric, having a download speed of about 15 kB/s, which is like not even having internet at all. But excuses aside, on to our seventh Toxic Tuesday.

     Our first artist today is Emalkay, a dubstep giant from Birmingham, UK. You may remember a while back we had a remix by Ephixa and Stephen Walking of his song "When I Look At You", and if you thought it couldn't get any better, think again.

Emalkay - Eclipse (Album)

(click to download)

     This is Emalkay's debut dubstep album, and his years of producing grime and garage music definately show through as this is the dirtiest dubstep we've posted for a long time. With aptly placed vocals to offset the low bass lines, this albums usually kicks it around 140 BPM, no surprise really, so turn the volume up and the bass down low.

     Our second artist today is, I would say, the majority of talent in British Columbia, aside from Downlink. Excision, is straight up in my top five dubstep producers, rising even higher when I narrow it down to Canadians. Everyone always talks about having a "Trademark sound" really I think Excision more has a trademark feel. His work is that amazing easily done laid back sense to it, like he could make it better but it might kill you.

Excision - X Sessions Mix (Song)
(Right click, save as to download)

     The link above will get you a mix from Excisions facebook, fully an hour long. Most tracks of that size lose their pace after about fifteen minutes, fewer still manage to hold the attention of the listener for the full hour, lets just say you had better have an hour to spare. The tracklist for the mix can be found here, and another three mixes of the same size can be found on his Soundcloud, as well as ten free tracks by Excision including the hilarious "Whalestep".

     Thanks for checking us out and sorry for the wait, in a perfect world I would have a better connection, no nagging parents, and the money to not need a job... speaking of money, if you can please support the bands we post, everything counts even a like on Facebook or a subscribe on Youtube. I don't own these tracks and they are for promotional purposes only, so don't abuse the privileges, and stay tuned for more.

ElenaxMarie's Library: (Artists A-G)

A: Alison Krauss & Union Station

Miles To Go - Paper Airplane (2011)

B: Bayside

It's Not A Bad Little War - Killing Time (2011)

C: Chris Brown

Yeah 3x - F.A.M.E (2011)

D: Dashboard Confessional

Bend And Not Break - A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar (2003)

E: Ellie Goulding

Lights -Lights (2011)

F: Foo Fighters

Arlandria - Wasting Light (2011)

G: Go Radio

Any Other Heart - Lucky Street (2011)

Rainy Thursday: The National

Today, there will be no alliteration. I do not have the energy, nor do I really have the time this late in the day. Sorry to disappoint. But who knows, maybe this will stick, as it reflects my personal blog. I really got the inspiration from having spent a good couple of hours out in the rain today putting up a big tent...I just thought it was fitting.

For today's post, I have a band that was introduced to me by one of the guys I worked with at the park (also fitting, as that's where I spend most of my days working). This particular friend is now up in the Yukon doing some sort of solitary work out there, so this is my tribute to him.

The National is based out of Brooklyn and consists of five artists. Matt Berninger, with his "beautiful earthquake of a voice," adds something to this music that I find easy to get lost in.  The first song I ever listened to (as well as the only song I had from them for a good six months) was frequently put on replay on my computer or ipod while I was studying or writing, or just wanted to think. Check it out if you would like:

The National has seven albums out to date, their first being a self titled album, and the last named High Violet. I suggest that you check out music from all of their albums, as I find songs from each to be wonderful. If you are interested in getting your hands on this music I've got a site with four free downloads on it. You can access those at betterPropaganda. Other than that, you're going to have to either find your own download links, or you can search for the music and use Listentoyoutube to download the songs that you want to have in your music library.

Ciao,
K.

Hardcore Humpday 4 : All's Quiet, and Dancing With Paris + Bonus

     I think I've been procrastinating with this post way too much today as it is now running on six thirty in the evening here. I've got two artists for you today recommended by Ian, who wrote last weeks post, and a little something at the end for sticking around.

     Our first group today is a five piece metal band from the back woods of Michigan, All's Quiet. Thier debut album, Like Vultures, is currently blowing my mind.

All's Quiet - Like Vultures (Album)

(Click to download)

     Best to start this off with a warning I suppose, don't be tricked by the into track. It starts off all unsuspecting electro, with light synths and that damn beeping that makes me think I'm burning my dinner. But when that track is gone to a blissful place and taken you with it, the second track kicks you right in the teeth. Fading in with heavy riffs reminiscent of any rock band, it quickly morphs into that automatic head banging music, are you bouncing in your seat yet? All's Quiet is that special breed of metal that can combine a classic rock sound, with harsh throat tearing vocals, and guitars out the ass, with a gentle back vocal and a hint of electronica. Check out their album above and don't say I didn't warn you.

     Our second group today is a four piece from Toronto, Ontario, Dancing With Paris. 

Dancing With Paris - There's Something In the Water (Album)

(Click to download)

     This band introduces a completely unique sound, their facebook says, metalcore/pop, itunes says groovecore.... wait.... groovecore? Those are two words I didn't think anyone would put together without a healthy dose of cocaine, but none the less I will let them do the explaining, cause I am at a loss for words. 

"Take a block of spicy metalcore with a dash of rock, stir in 3 cups of Southern spice, add a cup of hardcore (non traditional) breakdowns, dice up a fair portion of soothing pop vocals and sprinkle a little dance spice on top. Let it simmer on the stove for 17 minutes and serve it while it’s still hot. This is the recipe that has come to be Dancing With Paris."

     I think that I agree with that description I unceremoniously ripped off facebook, but we can easily say that you won't be able to form your own opinion without listening to it first.

     So thats it for our fourth Hardcore Humpday, tradition I say. Although it was nice having it written for me, I can't say I don't enjoy having the music handed to me and just making my own article. Its always nice to throw in some metal and rage the day away, and theres nothing like it for shifting your mind into overdrive and getting things done. So for those of you that don't appreciate the metal as much as others heres a link to a page where you can download the score from Portal Two. Its an amazing album straight from Aperture Science, so full of electronic goodness over their trademark charm. Mind the lemons.


Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory - Portal 2 : Songs To Test By (Album)

Toxic Tuesday 6 : Shem, The Luna Sequence and Traxx Project

     No intro today I thought it best to just jump right into the music and hasten the day. Our first artist today is Shem, a name unto itself. Shem completely blew my mind last week when I stumbled onto his/their work after some cruising on youtube.

Shem - Remixes & Mashups (Album)

(Click to download) 

     The first track is a remix of In Heaven by Helios, a song I never heard before this and I'm sure that I won't be able to listen to the original now. With all this crazy rapture nonsense going on its the perfect song, and again Shem is one of those crazy talented dubstep artists that somehow manages to make soft dubstep, and powerful dubstep at that. Hit the album and turn it up.
\

     As far as I remember we've never had a female dubstep artist here on the daily beats, well here to break that dry spell is The Luna Sequence.

The Luna Sequence

(Click for albums: They Follow You Home and Underneath)

     The amazing part about the work of Kaia Young, is the range of musical possiblity. Not only dubstep, but drum and bass, metal and industrial. A plethora of amazingness too good to pass up. One thing that sparked my interest as well, is she the fact that her current project is to create an album completely with free software. Makes me want to start producing. Hit the link above for two full length albums entirely for free.

     Our last artist today is Traxx Project. Kaine Shutler is a DnB producer from Cullompton, United Kingdom, and as always, how do the British make such amazing music? Not that my being British has anything to do with the whole amazing part...

Kaineshutler's youtube

Traxx Project 

     Traxx Project tends to be more into Drum and Bass, which is never a problem. I love the blend of remixes and original creations that great artist like this produce. The best part is when you know some of the songs being remixed, and somehow they manage to improve on them. 

     Hit one of the links above depending on whether you want to pick songs before you download them. The website has all of his music either for free or sale, and all of it is extremely worth it. 

     

     Sorry about the lack of overall consciousness today, and the lack of a post yesterday. I'm starting to think the post everyday thing is a bit much. Maybe we will cut Monday and/or Thursday out of the mix to give me time to rest and finish up these course. Once I get my co-op posts may be even slower. But do not lose faith just yet, there is always more amazing music on the internet, and we will continue to show our support. Speaking of support w hit 1400 views today, which is amazing even with the recent downward slope. Spread the word and the music. 

The Way It Was : Parachute

This album has been out for a little under a week, but I had the pleasure of listening to the full album several weeks before hand thanks to MOG! This album is sure to make my top list of album releases of the year and its only May so that is saying a lot.

I heard of this band back in 2009 when they released their album Losing Sleep. I wasn't exactly in love with them at this point, but did keep the track She Is Love. So here is a link for one of the most popular songs on the album...White Dress...oh and btw there is another free download off the album on iTunes....I'll link that to you too!!

Serene Saturday 2 : Olafur Arnalds

     Welcome to the May 24 weekend, the absolute most hectic weekend up here in the great white north. This is the weekend tourist season begins, everyone leaves their crazy lives in the big city and heads up north for some relaxing time at the cottage, which in turn changes the lives of every up here from relaxing to absolutely bat shit insane.

     I'm starting to think that on these really busy days when I can barely post at all they will be just one artist, maybe one of their albums and some links, as like I said, this is the single busiest weekend up here. If I had more time, and maybe a better internet connection you would get more. But seeing as how the world didn't end I would say you shouldn't be asking for much anyway.

     Olafur Arnalds is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Mosfellsbaer, Iceland. Arnalds was the drummer for metal bands Fighting Shit, and Celestine as well as others. Knowing this it is almost impossible to believe it. I listened to his solo work long before I even knew about the work with metal bands. His classical sounds mixed with piano and strings create emotional masterpieces out of every
track. To me this is the emotive music, the sit down and watch the rain, let the world go by music. Truthfully its isn't easy to function at all when you
play these tracks, so put your head back and relax. Check out his website above, and head here for a complete list of his albums, and purchase links.

Olafur Arnalds - ...And They Have Escaped the Weight of Darkness (Album)

     Olafur is also starting a solo tour, so just him and his piano, maybe some electronics, check out his website for location details. His way of touring is really quite amazing, his concerts take audience participation to a whole new level. He sometimes records the audience singing or clapping and turns it into a beat for him to freestyle piano to, check the vid below for more details.