via betterPropaganda
Arguably one of the most danceable records of the year, Cut Copy’s In Ghost Colours is one of the few albums that I can listen to from start to finish while continuing to dance and sing along. When I first heard “Saturdays” a couple years ago, I wasn’t exactly sold on Cut Copy. Bright Like Neon Love had its catchy moments, but I’d somehow written Cut Copy off as being too retro. What was I thinking? Clearly, I wasn’t thinking.
Now that I’ve listened to more electropop music from Australia, I’ve come to realize that Cut Copy’s 80s dance sound is pretty typical of that scene (i.e. artists on Modular Records). But, since they were the first to catch my attention, Cut Copy has a special place in my heart. How can you not enjoy yourself when you’re listening to “Lights & Music,” “Hearts on Fire,” or “Far Away?”
Read more about why I like Cut Copy and their live shows here. I can't believe I half-blinded myself at one of their shows by losing a contact.
Far Away (Hercules & Love Affair Remix) - Cut Copy
Lights & Music (Radio Edit) - Cut Copy
Other Top of 2008 Albums:
A Reflection
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
The Dodos - Visiter
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes/Sun Giant EP
The Walkmen - You & Me
Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Department of Eagles - In Ear Park
Deerhunter - Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.
December 12, 2008
Top Albums of 2008: In Ghost Colours
September 22, 2008
Cut Copy/The Presets - Webster Hall 09.21.08
NOTE: Blogger somehow deleted this post for a second time. If I hadn't been trying to figure out when the last Cut Copy show was, I wouldn't have even noticed. Blogger, if you're going to take down one of my posts on purpose, please contact me when you do so.
The Presets
Cut Copy
Cut Copy & The Presets sold out a Sunday night show. Tickets were nearly impossible to purchase on Craigslist, unless you were clicking refresh every second. People got down on a Sunday night, and this is why I love this city. It's been a love/hate relationship ever since I was purposely elbowed in the face by a tall tranny around 14th St. & 3rd Ave (OINY), but, hey, maybe some compromises need to be made.
This was the first time I saw The Presets and pretty much the first time I heard their music beyond "This Boy's in Love." This Aussie duo packs more punch in their set than Hot Chip does (Figuratively, that is. I didn't leave with any significant bruising). When the drummer moved from his set and over to the other synth, I thought that people would start going crazy and losing it. I've said this about Hot Chip before, but I felt like I was in the Meatpacking District, an area I avoid like the plague. And, still, it was a lot of fun. Let's just say that The Presets made me believe that Carles aka HIPSTER RUNOFF may be right. The electrowar is coming/has begun. This electro music has the potential to drive people to violence.
If I had thought that people were losing all inhibition to the Presets... that was nothing compared to crowd's reaction to Cut Copy. During the set, while jumping around, I yelled over to my friend, "I feel like I'm at Girl Talk!" To that, some guy by me replied, "ME TOO!" Now, I wouldn't say Cut Copy is better than or on par with Girl Talk, which is by far the craziest, most fun dance act that I've ever been to. But, it was an experience to be a part of the crowd that was dancing/jumping like they just didn't care. It didn't matter if you were an obnoxious frat boy or a meek hipster girl. It didn't matter that this was New York City, where fun is not to be publicly displayed. There was dancing and a whole lot of sweating in the poorly ventilated nightmare that was Webster Hall. Cut Copy has come a long way from playing Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom. I don't remember being this pumped at the last Bowery Ballroom show, but that may have been because I was half blind after losing my right contact.
If you had any doubt before, believe me when I say that the 80's are back, and they may be here to stay for awhile.
See past posts on Cut Copy here and here for more tunes.
Cut Copy and the Presets will be repeating their performance Monday night (tonight) at Webster Hall. They will also be DJing at the Meatpacking Apple store from 2-3:30 PM. To cap it off, Cut Copy and KIM of the Presets will be DJing at Santos Party House at the Official Afterparty. Jeez, do these guys sleep?? I guess electrowar soldiers don't need sleep.
Cut Copy Setlist (Thanks, Kyle!)
Visions
Nobody Lost, Nobody Found
Far Away
Time Stands Still
So Haunted
Unforgettable Season
Strangers in the Wind
That was Just a Dream
Saturdays
Feel the Love
Out There on the Ice
Lights & Music
Future
*******************
Hearts on Fire
May 15, 2008
Cut Copy - Bowery Ballroom 05.14.08
I've been looking forward to this show since I missed them in March. I was smart to buy tickets immediately after the show was announced, because tickets sold out quickly and rightfully so. You can pretty much deduce from listening to the music that Cut Copy would put on a fun, energetic show. They do not disappoint.
Right before Cut Copy went on, I lost my right contact. So, I was pretty much blind for the entire set. Even though I couldn't see that well, the lights and music were still on my mind (hardy har har). The band kept encouraging the crowd to dance with them, and people actually uncrossed their arms and jumped around. I saw a few guys wearing 3D glasses. You can see the effect here. I may have pointed and laughed at them at the show but in retrospect, I wish I had a pair with me.
It seems like there is some controversy involving a possibly lip-synching lead singer. Did anyone notice that? I don't remember if the music sounded recorded, and I certainly could not see well enough to make out that detail.
Cut Copy played most of their new album, In Ghost Colours with a few old favorites from Bright Like Neon Love. When people were yelling out the names of songs, I obnoxiously yelled out, "PLAY THEM ALL!" The lead singer responded," Yes, we will play them all. Every single one." Or something to that effect. Alas, they lied. Still, I loved their selection of songs from Bright Like Neon Love, especially "Times Stands Still." I just wish they would have performed all of the new album, which is one of the most danceable records. Cut Copy doesn't even need any stage banter, which was very minimal. Their music and use of flashing lights is more than enough to get everyone's attention.
Time stands still when I think of you. I love cheesy 80's dance lyrics.
Setlist
Out There On the Ice
Time Stands Still
So Haunted
Unforgettable Season
That Was Just a Dream
Nobody Lost, Nobody Found
Lights & Music
Future
Hearts On Fire
Far Away
Saturdays
Check my past post for more songs.
Unforgettable Season - Cut Copy
Out There On the Ice - Cut Copy
Time Stands Still - Cut Copy
April 30, 2008
I'm like FAMOUS (but really I'm not because I was a poor plebeian with normal tickets at Coachella)
My name is Sarah, and I like to dance. I like to dance to good music and with people who like to dance. Dance with their eyes closed. Anyways, Mimi asked me to guest write on her blog, and I thought it was going to be a ghostwriting kind of a deal, which is all gravy because my writing sucks, despite my BA in English. But here's what I had drafted while bored at work and on the bus to work. I saved approximately four dollah bills today taking the bus in, but ruined my satin flats.
Coachella was awesome, and Andrew was the perfect person to go with. PERFECT. It makes me wonder who would be more fun to go see shows with- Mimi or Andrew.
:) p
It was an experience to say the least, but not as... grand as I had imagined, not nearly as big or overwhelming as I had expected, although I was rarely at the main stage.
A few disappointments:
Spank Rock never showed up - instead, Amanda Blank and two women did an insulting set, insulting to the audience because it was just unorganized and badly put together. When Amanda Blank messed up, she laughed it off and ran off stage instead of continuing. But Spank Rock is performing with MSTRKRFT at Hardfest.
MGMT - I know I really only like 2-3 songs of theirs. I don't think I gave enough of their songs a listen before going in expecting their entire set to sound like Kids or Electric Feel. I'll stick to the songs that I like.
M.I.A. was a huge disappointment. By no means was I expecting to be blown away, but I did want to experience her live. She's a little "ghetto," if you will, for my taste. I liked her earlier stuff, but quite a few songs feature a copious number of gunshots, to which the audience and crowd throw up their hands fashioned into guns. I'm just not kosher with that. Pumping those into the air to gunshots is not my idea of YAYNESS.
Chromeo was another disappointment. I've seen them a few times, the last at Neighborhood Fest in LA, which was a good performance. I don't know if they took the time to make a set list, but most likely not. It was almost as if they had come up on stage like they were going to have a jam session. I think the main dude is letting it get to his head that he's "made it," and now that he has he has the right to waste the time and money of people who have driven out to see him among other acts. He must have played a maximum of five songs.
Vampire Weekend. Wow. They really blew up. One of the largest crowds at the Outdoor Stage, given it was the first day and an afternoon. Ezra just doesn't have the energy or personality to hold an audience. They may be intelligent and talented musicians, but performers they are not.
This was definitely a weekend of surprises. Bands I wasn't expecting or anticipating were the most enjoyable.
Jack Johnson at night is weird. He's daytime listening, Malibu listening. I have several beach playlists with him on it. Well, I HAD playlists because my external harddrive decided to leave me. Every good man leaves me, with a big void and a huge chunk of history. Literally, all my photos ad music.
Fatboy Slim was awesome. I'm pretty sure Andrew was entertained by me. Floored by the light show. We sat at the back of the tent enjoying the crazy light fixtures and effects. But I digress, because the music was unbelievable. He was an awesome headliner.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings was a welcome break from the continuous chaos that is Coachella. Soulful, but energetic, Sharon Jones really infused the crowd with her rich voice. I sound like I'm writing a newspaper article.
Oh, and her unforgettable pinwheel.
Random note - being made a contributor on this blog kind of feels like being given a key to your boyfriend's place. No, it doesn't actually. I'm just flattered.
Diplo turned the speakers/bass in towards him, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that it scared me a little. I was scared for his ears. I was disappointed that he didn't do the Beatles song.
Cut Copy was absolutely unbelievable. This is when I first took off my shirt - which I didn't anticipate doing. I was jamming HARD.
The shows I enjoyed most I also remember least because i was so lost in my own world of dancing, beats thumping in my head, and interacting with other people around.
PRINCE. CAN. MOVE.
PRINCE. CAN . JAM.
PRINCE. CAN. PERFORM.
At one point, he did an awesome riff, sustained a high note for a good thirty seconds, covered his face with his arm, slowly lowered his arm, devilishly cast his eyes about the crowd, and then continued holding the tens of thousands of people in suspense. Andrew and I marveled at his control over the crowd. How do you have that many people scream your name on command? It's hard enough for me to get ONE person to scream my name.
I'm so glad we went to the main stage and decided to stay. Prince did have a long set, and he gave the crowd what they wanted. For a huge headliner, that's awesome. And his drummer was an older woman in a vibrant red jacket.
Oh, and the first thing I saw was his shiny outfit. All white. And custom heels, or so Andrew believes.
Yelle was so adorable. A few things stand out:
1) her shiny dress
2) her songs were fun and poppy, but start blending in
3) her Heidi Klum accent, e.g. "Ah you rehdee too dahnce Coechehhlaah?" "Do yoo wahnt too shehk yo bootee Coechehhlaah?"
Hot Chip - read Cut Copy, plus the international crew that joined in the dancing madness.
Bonde Do Role was amazing. The crowd kept spilling out of Gobi so we danced outside (I think it was Gobi).
Mark Ronson was good. I heard a few songs but again, it was dark and the outdoor theater, and it just wasn't engaging enough.
Justice. Wow. Suspense.
The intro was literally 2 minutes long. And you could never tell when he was going to end.
"We are your friends" went on for what seemed ten minutes. The entirety of Sahara and, probably, Coachella was jumping at one time or another. It definitely could have gotten dangerous in there.
Simian Mobile Disco was tons of fun - refer back to Hot Chip and Cut Copy.
Booka Shade was interesting.
Kid Sister was adorable. I convinced myself that I had found the orange leather flats she was wearing until Andrew shot me down. She started quite late after A Trak had a long set, and the soundboard cut her short. Well... she did start late so she went over her time.
Some afterthoughts:
There were soooo many Prius' in the lots of parking.
My favorite art installations:
Big Rig Jig
The robots that interact with people and voices and roam around the fields
The Tesla Coils
And my last note - do not go near the burgerrito. Such a bad idea.
Thanks to Mimi for faith in me, such blind faith, an everyday plebeian thrust into the limelight (limelight, aka www.madeablog.com)
Can you still title your blog "Look at me, I made a blog" if you've bought a domain name? I think not.
March 18, 2008
Cut Copy
A part of my soul is crying right now. A bit dramatic? Yes, maybe just a little bit, but I just missed seeing Cut Copy at Mercury Lounge (also my favorite venue) tonight. A few weeks ago, I tried looking for tickets to the sold-out show. But, when eBay cruelly informed me that I did not win the tickets, I gave up; I bought tickets home to Chicago. At the very least, I wouldn't have to be in the same city while missing the show. Thankfully, when Cut Copy announced another New York show in May, I immediately bought tickets. I may have to wait another two months, but at least I will finally experience them.
So, who is this band that unknowingly broke my heart? Cut Copy is a 3-member band from Melbourne, Australia, and their music is reminiscent of 80s dance. You may think that other bands have already done what Cut Copy is doing now and have done it better, but who doesn't love retro music?
I was initially introduced to Cut Copy years ago when I downloaded "Saturdays" from Insound.com. Now, with the release date of their sophomore album approaching, I've been hearing "Lights & Music" over and over again from many different places. And, well, the song is kinda awesome. Cut Copy posted In Ghost Colours on their myspace a couple days ago. I haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but I like what I hear so far. "Far Away" is my current favorite.
Cut Copy stopped by Austin, TX for a couple shows, and it seems like In Ghost Colours is going to be well-received. I noticed them on a couple lists in the Guide to Pitchfork's SXSW 2008 Coverage.
Don't miss the next Cut Copy show and be heartbroken like I am right now. Cut Copy plays the Bowery Ballroom on May 14. I will be the girl in the front, dancing like crazy.
Far Away - Cut Copy
Lights & Music - Cut Copy
Hearts on Fire - Cut Copy
That Was Just a Dream - Cut Copy
Saturdays - Cut Copy
