Kali Arulpragasam is M.I.A.'s very talented sister who designs jewelry under her brand Super Fertile.
Her summer collection depicts the cultural bright spots of countries currently affected by war and terrorism.
The New York Times did a brief about her jewelry this past weekend. You can see more of her excellent work at the Super Fertile website, including better close ups and more countries.
I was hoping for a necklace of Iran, but didn't see one. I totally dig the Iraqi muscle men earrings.
These pieces are so lovely. They remind me of vintage children's encyclopedias. They're priced from $800.
It kinda seems like everyone's most anticipated albums came out last year. So what's there to look forward to? Here's a couple ..
Glass Candy is my favorite band of the past few weeks. I got into them after reading Fluxblog's great write up on "Beatific," which is one of the best electro tracks I've heard in a while. It's a little bit of "Into The Groove," a bit of Blondie's "Rapture" and a dash of PJ Harvey's "Down By The Water."
Ida No has an amazing vocal presence. She takes you back to a different time. Johnny Jewel works those vintage synthesizers like you wouldn't believe. This is glam electro at its best. And to think they're from Portland! I purchased their B/E/A/T/B/O/X album and the After Dark compilation at Amoeba Records two weeks ago, which was kind of miraculous because I thought these albums were both available on their tour only.
All these great tracks from Glass Candy, and their official album is still to be released this year.
Also, Cut Copy, the Australian electro rock band which released one of my favorite tracks from last year, "Hearts on Fire," is set to release their new album In Ghost Colours. They have a video for their new single "Lights and Music" which is wonderfully produced by DFA and just as addictive as "Hearts on Fire."
I think Cut Copy foreshadowed the revival of 90's house from last year. They sound a bit like New Order and Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr's Electronic project. You can download Cut Copy's free new mixtape So Cosmic, which includes a bunch of their new tracks, at their website.
I've also been listening to DFA Record's reissue of Pylon'sGyrate Plus, which has left a bad note in my ears since I got into a minor car accident on the freeway while it was playing.
There's a great Britney Spears bonus track called "Outta This World" which is much better in its demo version than the official Target special edition version of Blackout.
Did you know Britney Spears did a track with DFA? It's not bad .. but it's not good either. In case you're wondering, cowbells are included.
I turned 28 today. I spent it wandering around the Ferry Plaza with my mom and sister. I got a 12" record from my brother, Bloc Party's "Flux" single with a remix of "Where Is Home?" by Burial. I'm not a fan of dub step, but definitely curious to hear what it sounds like.
The photo is of me and my cousin's dog Mooshie on Christmas Day a few weeks ago. Mooshie means 'like a mouse' in Farsi. Yikes! My eyebrows look pretty sinister.
I've been really into El Perro Del Mar's debut album from over a year ago. It's melancholic yet hopeful. Lines like "God knows, I've been taken a lot without giving back" and "You've got to give to get" are so simple and beautiful. It doesn't drive me nuts that she repeats them for a good 3+ minutes. There's a sense of catharsis when you repeat phrases that you should follow, but somehow still neglect.
She has a new album coming out at the end of February, and I'm glad I had time to catch up on her debut. It's the perfect soundtrack for these crazy January storms we're getting in California.
A catwalk tragedy from Victor & Rolf's Fall 2007 collection?
The spiritual child of Dusty Springfield and Alison Moyet?
The ex-singer of a fairly unknown Irish electronic duo?
The new queen of European dance?
It's Roisin Murphy. I just got her outstanding Overpowered album. It's a total surprise. I love her soulful voice. My favorite songs are "You Know Me Better" (which will be her next single) and "Primitive." Check out her video for "Overpowered."
I'm not sure when this album will get a U.S. release, but it should soon! The $15.99 import price was well worth it.
Panda Bear Person Pitch Astonishingly beautiful. Never mind 2007, Person Pitch will go in the history books as one of the best albums of the 00's. My absolute favorite part of this record is in "Bros" from 7:59 to 8:58. This album for me defines the incredible year that I had (a rebound from a fairly awful 2006).
Sally Shapiro Disco Romance I didn't even know italo disco was a genre until hearing this album. Beautiful synth washes, simple pop compositions and a mysterious, soft-spoken singer. I love every minute of this Disco Romance. Also, producer/songwriter Johan Agebjorn has introduced me to a handful of artists through his musical inspirations.
M.I.A. Kala Even I was surprised how much I ended up listening to this album, especially after disliking the prep singles, "Bird Flu" and "Boyz." M.I.A. is one of the few artists with views on globalization, imperialism and poverty that people are listening to. She's a complete treasure. "Hustle," "Paper Planes" and "Roadrunner" are my favorite tracks.
Jens Lekman Night Falls of Kortedala I have a deep appreciation for storytellers, especially when they have touches of humor and sadness in their stories. This is one of the very Iranian things about me. Jens has this quality, and also a really great ear for sampling and arranging. Musically, the album veers from tropical disco to traditional folk. He's sensitive and funny and never too precious.
Simian Mobile Disco Attack Decay Sustain Release An amazing dance album with its gloopy, sci-fi hip-hop electronics. While Daft Punk and bands like Justice weigh heavy on many minds, the music from this British duo is what I will remember from 2007. Although A-Trak's "Hustlin' Hustler" is my definitive version of "Hustler," the rest of the tracks are mighty fine without any remix treatment.
Of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? My jaw just about dropped when I first heard this album. I can't believe this is the same band that used to sing about P.P. Icycles and Lamar. It's almost a psychedelic experience to hear Kevin Barnes becoming so painfully honest. "She's A Rejector" is my favorite.
Britney Spears Blackout I'm not even shitting you. I really liked this album. "Break The Ice" is one of my favorite songs of the year. Great production, completely upbeat all the way through and still pretty sexy. Most people hock shit albums, but for once a mega star has a hot album that's not being shoved down our throats. What is wrong with the world today?
Patrick Wolf The Magic Position The latest in a long line of great British eccentrics. This album has a whole lot of a drama and even more fun. I think it's Patrick's voice and his strange, uncomplicated productions that keep me coming back. He's very talented and there are some beautiful songs here.
Kanye West Graduation Although I really liked this album, I was surprised by the amount of laid back, mellow jams. I thought the whole album would innovations like "Stronger." Still, songs like "Good Life" and "Flashing Lights" didn't let me down. I also count "Can't Tell Me Nothing," Kanye's mix tape, as part of this favorites deal.
LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver This album took a very long time to warm up to me. I thought it was too masculine -- I just didn't get excited about it like the last album. Soon enough, "Get Innocuous!", "Someone Great," became increasingly infectious. I still really dislike "North American Scum." Must be big with the foreign contingent.
Overall, kinda of a weird list for a weird year. The first 6 or 7 albums were easy for me to decide. The last few were a challenge, only because I wondered if I bought enough new music this year. Then I looked at my collection, and saw albums from Animal Collective, Caribou, Arcade Fire, The Shins, Modest Mouse, Devendra Banhart, The White Stripes, Interpol, Bloc Party, Dizzee Rascal, Bjork, Chromeo, Maximo Park .. all bands I cherish. I could easily name 2-3 songs off each one that I really enjoyed, but not a favorite as a whole.
Also, this is my list of my favorite collection/mix tape/remix albums.
1. Ce Soir, On Danse, Chromeo Incredible mix. Introduced me to "Put The Freeze On", early 80's space disco/R&B and some sweet soul jams.
2. We Go All Night Long + Crying on the Dancefloor, Johan Agebjorn Amazing italo disco mixes. Introduced me to Mr. Flagio's "Take a Chance" and Nicolas Makelberge's "Dying in Africa." You can download them here and here.
3. Dirty South Dance, A-Trak Kanye's DJ and Kid Sister's partner in crime came up with the hottest dance mix. The word "mash up" makes me vomit, but when A-Trak mixes Kavinsky and M.I.A., or Gwen Stefani and LCD Soundsystem, it's a whole different ballgame.
4. I Like Turtles, Diplo Also known as the free mix he did for Pitchfork (although no longer available). This is the mix I would play walking to the gym on Saturday mornings. A great way to start the day .. lots of hot beats on this. I think Diplo is a great producer.
5. Fabric Live 33, Spank Rock An sensitive mix of old school jams and new dance from a band obsessed with sex. This mix was fresh to my ears when it first came out, and introduced me to Simian Mobile Disco, Uffie, Bonde Do Role and Para One.
A few weeks ago, Pitchfork Media posted a video by The Dodos, a San Francisco duo with an "acoustic troubadour meets freak-folk" sound.
I went to high school with Meric Long, the leader of the band. I recall him being a nice guy, and somewhat goofy in junior year English class.
From the high school friends I keep in touch with, I heard about The Dodos being Meric's project and that he was playing around town, although I haven't had the chance to see him perform.
The Dodos song "Fools," and their music in general, is pretty much what the band describes as their inspiration: "free-spirited, unhinged acts like Animal Collective." "Fools" is very energetic and emotive. I definitely dig it. The album is coming out on French Kiss next year.
It's strange to see a creative experience by someone you remember from an early educational institution, especially when you have similar interests as adults (freak folk, Animal Collective, San Francisco, independent music, etc.) and you weren't close friends back in the day.
It's a a feeling of genuine surprise and happiness when someone is doing something they love, coming from the same Lamorinda rich hippy suburban bubble as I did. It's also encouraging, and inspires me to get my shit together, get over my stage fright, finish the new album and keep pushing.
Cass McCombs is also from the same pool. I remember seeing him perform at a New Year's party in Walnut Creek in 1998, and tearing tickets at the now closed Park Theater about a decade ago (although thesedays his PR only brings up his periods in New York, Baltimore and now Chicago).
Of course people move on, and new environments shape their creativity. Perhaps that's one reason San Francisco has been taking its toll on me as of late.
I like Cass's music a lot, and I still haven't had the chance to get his new album. I've been wanting to do a cover of "Nobody's Nixon" for some time now. He's currently on tour with Jose Gonzalez.
I've been listening to the new Britney Spears album this weekend. Where should I start? How about the fact that I've never owned or listened to any of her previous albums. Not even on a guilty pleasure level.
Musically, she has always been on my shit list, mostly because her singles are usually pretty mundane, especially compared to her two main contemporaries (Timberlake and Aguilera) who seem to have a genuine interest in broadening their musical scope. I know just as much about her as every other pop culture enthusiast.
I liked the first single, "Gimme More." Despite all the shit that's reported about her, I've always wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, mostly because of my skeptical view on entertainment news media. Even Billy Joe is backing her up! I was going to get it the week it came out, but I passed after listening to this ridiculous interview the day after it dropped.
I got it this weekend (Virgin Records, San Francisco, $12.99) after listening to a few tracks online and really enjoying what I heard.
Blackout is a very unique and pleasing electro pop album full of singles with great hooks and a sound that's thankfully not outdated. The producers, from Bloodshy & Avant to T-Pain and Nate "Danja" Hills, were rumored to have saved their hottest tracks for her and described her as being professional in the studio.
It means a lot that some of the biggest producers in pop came together to save this woman's career, and to obviously rely on her to promote their own talents. For once, it is about the music, and the songs are really outstanding.
My favorite tracks by far are "Break The Ice," "Freakshow" and "Radar" -- all of which can become huge hits for her. It took a few years to put this together and with the tight 12-track selection (and a handful of equally amazing unreleased tracks floating around), you can tell everyone gave their all, at least in the studio, to put these songs together.
Listen to "Sugarfall," an unreleased song and possible Neptunes production that was not included on Blackout. It's slightly less upbeat than everything else on the album, which is my guess why it wasn't included, but the hook is terrific. There must be dozens of studio gems like this that were ditched in favor of the 12. She was not lazy during the production of this album.
Back to the KIIS-FM interview, it's really awful that she's not promoting what could be her breakout album, an album that could attract the same Misshapes hipsters who restored Madonna's supremacy during Confessions On A Dance Floor. You got Robyn doing backup up "Piece of Me," a "Konichiwa Bitches"/"Hollaback Girl"-style rap on "Freakshow," and production not unlike The Knife's Deep Cuts.
Unfortunately, the cover art and typography is ugly. The photos inside are depressing. There are no acknowledgements or thank yous. 'B. Spears' is only on two song credits, plus an executive producer credit. Her voice is extremely processed. Her website isn't updated, which is shocking for an artist of this stature.
In some way, the album experience is a downer, like listening to Nirvana's Unplugged, only because it feels like the person singing doesn't exist anymore. The songs aren't given the momentum they deserve.
In any case, she's alive and they music really is good. Plus, she's at the age Madonna was at the start of her career. Maybe she'll be this generation's freaky Michael Jackson or troubled Judy Garland .. or ________________?
I purchased their 
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