!!! is a band that’s hard to Google and hard to pronounce (for the record, it’s commonly said “chk chk chk”), but that’s somehow perfectly suitable for a band that invades your ears with intense, hypnotizing grooves until your forget where you are. This time around, the California six-piece looked to the club scene in Berlin for inspiration, setting up shop in a German club’s basement to jam for hours on end, and the result is the dark yet insanely dance-worthy fourth album Strange Weather, Isn’t It? (out August 24 via Warp). Says vocalist Nic Offer, “Most of the DJing I do is on the bus just for the guys, so my style is kind of iPod shuffle-esque. I like the songs to be totally different from each other. Anyways, these are some of my mindblowers.” Our minds are officially blown.
“AMFM” (download):
The Martin Brothers “Rocket Surgery”
Tyler gave me this, and I always listen to it. Synths always sound good when they sound like they’re either from space or underwater. These sound like both of those things. And it bangs. Video
Denim “Middle Of The Road”
It’s that dude from Felt making his stab at Britpop chart success in the early ’90s. It’s goofy, but I love it around 2:36 where they just trance for a bit. Someone should explore this avenue of glam/trance further. Video
Joao Donato “Lunar Tune”
You know how people say anything that sounds slightly weird or avant sounds like Sun Ra? Well, this sounds like Sun Ra. But from Brazil. Pay attention, cuz the band is fucking jammin’. There was not a better take of this. They are cookin’. Audio
Les Rita Mitsouko “C’est Comme Ça”
Every so often, the afterparty ends up being in some bullshit ’80s indie dance club, and I’m forced to relive my high-school years. How about playing this song instead? They’ve actually got a lot of good stuff. Video
Little Walter “Mellow Down Easy”
Who is this guy and what is he doing in my iTunes? I have no idea who gave me this, but I like it. Video
RD Burman “Duniya Mein Logon Ko”
Doesn’t this video make you think you should totally fall into a YouTube Bollywood K-hole? See ya … Video
Lenny Williams “Riding The High Wire”
I often think Lenny is my favorite male singer. I don’t even know who else I consider. All right, Luther, but that’s good company. This song just makes me so happy. Sometimes you need one of those, you know. Video
Robert Wyatt “The Age Of Self”
Maybe Robert Wyatt is my other favorite male singer. I haven’t really gotten into his albums yet, but I’ve always loved his voice, and this song is great. Audio
Minnie Riperton “You Gave Me Soul”
You know how old people are always trying to say some old square-ass shit is so sexy and you just can’t understand that? Well, here’s an old song that I think is so sexy. Maybe kids won’t understand it, but I think she sounds fucking marvelous. Audio
M.I.A. “Internet Connection”
I don’t give a shit what anyone says. Shave a few songs off this album, include a couple of bonus tracks, and you’ve got one of the best records of the year. Check this, one of the bonus tracks. Audio
Ohio Players “Ecstasy”
I bet you can make Mario pause mid-sentence if you play this song. Cuz he will have to pause to say, “I love this song.” Video
Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge “I’m Down (But I Keep Falling)”
You know who you should get into? Kris Kristofferson. This is from Full Moon, my favorite album I’ve found by him. It’s the first LP he did with Rita, and I think they had just married. A killer chill-out record. Apparently, that’s what you do when you get married.
Lost Boyz “Music Makes Me High”
And this will do the trick. I can play this several times in a row. Video
The Berg Sans Nipple “Weatherman”
Gorman met one of these guys and got this album from him. I don’t think it’s out yet, but I just love it, and this is one of my favorite tracks on it.
Swell Maps “Big Empty Field”
Remember, like, eight years ago when everyone wouldn’t shut up about post-punk? I still like this song. Video
James Blake “Postpone”
Track four from that EP everyone’s talking about. I’m on this dude’s dick. Video
Womack & Womack “Baby I’m Scared Of You (Mark E Edit)”
One time me and my ex gf listened to this like 10 times on ecstacy. The original version is great as well. Video
