...because, deep down, hipsters really do like to dance. (At least in their living rooms when they think no one is watching).
Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Black Dominoes Remix).mp3Take some
Graceland-inspired Afro-Carribean beats, add 4 years at Columbia University and a heavy dose of Upper Crust "Summer in the Hamptons, anyone?"... and then remix. Go buy
Vampire Weekend first, though.
Patrick Wolf - Tristan.mp3 from
Wind In The WiresWith heavy, plodding beats, this bruised-n-bleedin' cut is the ultimate in darkly sexy, brooding indie-fucks to go "down the road and not across the street" to. Recommended for that hot, dirty rough sex with your favourite indie boi.
Sufjan Stevens - To Be Alone With You (Pocketknife's Considerate Eagle Scout Remix).mp3 from
Tambourine DreamThis soft fluffy DOWN-tempo song originally comes off Sufjan's very mellow album
Seven Swans. (Get it? It's a pun, with "down" and "swans"... oh, never mind.) This is probably the last song I would ever expect to hear remixed, but it works incredibly well with a strong backbone beat, and some flourishes near the end that emphasize the minor chords.
The Cure - Close To Me (Closer Remix).mp3 from
Mixed UpThis remix album covers most off the songs of one of the best albums ever,
Disintegration, plus several other much-loved classics. For that angsty high school kid inside all of us, who was never understood! A change of tempo: this lighthearted, bouncy and up-tempo beat hits nicely with bright tambourine and light bells.
Le Tigre - After Dark (Morel's Pink Noise Vocal Mix).mp3 from
This Island RemixesA complex Jungle beat remix, richly layered with multi-textured beats and sophisticated synthesizer.
Future Bible Heroes - The World Is a Disco Ball (Rob Rives club mix).mp3 from
The Lonely Robot EPI used to work it out to this during my days as a campus foodservice slop-jockey, in college. This 8+ minute loop of thumping beats shows a side of Stephin Merritt that's less plucked acoustics and more computers. A good club mix for those nights when you just wanna dance, dance, dance.
Tori Amos - Raspberry Swirl (Lip Gloss Version).mp3 from
CruelIf any of these folks know dance, it's Tori. Frequently lending her tracks to entire LPs of remixed tracks, these club mixes are second-to-none. But going back to the roots, a really simple, clean remix of this track off
From the Choirgirl Hotel highlights the late 90's best works.
Mirah - La Familia (Remix).mp3 from
Joyride: RemixesIt's very important, when putting this song on a mix tape for someone (or even a
muxtape), that you emphasize that the question posed in the chorus is a PONDERANCE ONLY and NOT a proposition... unless that
is what you really mean. Hmmm, this could get complicated. The really light, tingly beats sounds familiar from "Cold Cold Water, but now perfected for dancing, and the chorus in the background is more straightforward, altered in a minor chord that taken on a more serious--rather than playful--sound.
Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire.mp3 from
In Ghost ColoursSo 80s! So dancey! So addictive! Not at all what you might expect from a contemporary Australian group, known for somehow recreating each song live onstage, each time resulting in a new but fabulous sound. I don;t know why this track isn't as well-known as some of their others; it blows them away. Put it on a loop and watch yourself plow through a mountain of paperwork or household chores.
Caribou - Pelican Narrows.mp3 from
The Milk of Human KindnessNot a remix; just a fantastic original cut off their super album. The dynamic interaction of the sounds are undeniably classically-based.
LCD Soundsystem - Daft Punk Is Playing At My House (Soulwax Shibuya Re-Remix).mp3 from
www.electrorash.comA club remix to keep the party going. Complete with the background white noise of people chattering, bottles being recycled (because, you know, if you're playing either Daft Punk or LCD Soundsystem at a house party, you're probably recycling). This remix offers synthesizers, bells, electric guitar and all kinds of crazy shit with a hi-hat (and a suped-up tempo!) White people, get it on.
Annie - Heartbeat.mp3 from
AnniemalA sweet song of the bubblegum variety but with a perfect beat for a cool night.
ABX - The Trees Were Presidential (Andrew Bird vs. Youngbloodz).mp3 from
thehoodinternet.comYeah, I realize a mash-up might be cheating, but it's just too awesome. Based on Andrew Bird's "The Trees Were Mistaken" off of the
Soldier On EP. It gets the heavy treatment with some gangstas. The light and tinkly strings which flow and bounce intertwine beautifully with a hard rap beat and these down-n-dirty lyrics. Even Bird's sweet whistling is sampled here, from this track and also from "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left." Fantastic!
the Mountain Goats - Color in Your Cheeks (Mike's Remix).mp3A spacey, dizzying remix based off this song from
All Hail West Texas. It retains the distant feel and the tape hiss of the boom-box recording while adding some "2001: A Space Odyssey"-type beats and sound effects.
Jens Lekman - Sipping on the Sweet Nectar.mp3 from
Night Falls Over KortedalaGreat song, boring video. The super 70's disco feel here, however, should keep you on your feet for some time.
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks (Datassette Remix).mp3Based off the insanely popular (and rightfully so!) cut from 2006's
Writer's Block, you probably won't recognize this song for the first few seconds, as the heavy, block-y ticks count off a surreal, futuristic beat. The whistling is replaced here with some super staccato synthesizers, and the chorus is amped up with slick, smooth sound effects that make the verses seem minimalist by comparison.
Soho Dolls - Prince Harry.mp3 from
Ribbed Music for the Numb GenerationInitially minimalist in the verses and polished in the choruses the exceedingly bouncy beat, ultra British-ness and cheeky lyrics beg to be used as a girls' night out theme. Sing along: Save up all your USDs for British universities! This song is way too short for how much fun it is.
Interpol - Public Pervert (Carlos D Remix).mp3 from
C'mereA slow one to finish up the night with. Spoon, baby, starry nights.
