Music Mostly Mellow

[drwex]

Really this should be titled "music that has been sitting around for a while as I try to decide what to make of it." None of these are really stand-out awesome, but all are pretty good in their own ways. With one exception this is a much more mellow sound than I usually blog about.

http://audioporncentral.com/2010/07/marina-and-the-diamonds-oh-no-video-and-grum-remix.html
http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Marina_And_The_Diamonds/track/Oh_No_Active_Child_Remix
Marina and the Diamonds might be the best new thing to cross my screen this time around. She's no Florence (but then, it took me a while to warm up to Florence) but she's young. Give her time. I saw the APC posted video first and really liked it. "Oh No!" is a fairly standard pop tune, but the lyrics caught my attention. How many 23-year-old girls write songs about knowing exactly who they are and what they want to be, and warn their listeners not to let their possessions possess them? Yeah, it's not exactly profound but it is head and shoulders above most of the pop schlock. In addition to the lyrics, she has an interesting voice; she does need someone to write better melodies for her, though.

http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Eli_Escobar/track/Love_Thing_Part_3_Only_You_Feat_Amanda_Blank_Video_Edit
Eli Escobar (http://myspace.com/eliesco) is a DJ with a very smooth electro-house style. He uses more muted and fuzzed out electro effects and keeps his beats going but not too loud or thumpy. He also changes things up a lot as the tracks play, which I like. Some electro DJs just drone; Escobar flits across styles and samples to keep things lively.

http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Morcheeba/track/Even_Though_Surfing_Leons_Afternoon_Remix
Morcheeba are not a group lots of people have heard, particularly lately. Their sound tended to be ambient and trance-y with very strong lounge blues influences. Most of those influences came from vocalist Skye Edwards who has just rejoined Morcheeba, stronger than ever. Her voice is more mature now, but it retains the sultry smoothness that I love. This is the kind of stuff I like to close my eyes and just stream. Chemical enhancements optional.

http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/School_of_Seven_Bells/track/Half_Asleep_Lusine_Remix
School of Seven Bells (http://www.schoolofsevenbells.com/) is just two female vocalists but their production is rich and layered, giving much more of an ensemble feel. The style is dreamy and ethereal but with reasonably solid beats. This is no Cocteau Twins, but it's not bad. My sole complaint is that I wish they'd use more real backing instruments and less synth stuff.

http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Pill/track/On_Da_Korner_Prod_Needlz
Pillz (http://myspace.com/gangstapill) wins for "most surprising sample" this week. If I had to pick a vocalist for a gangsta rapper to sample it would NOT have been Suzanne Vega. But the sampling works. Also, Pillz doesn't seem infatuated with "niggas" or "bitches" which is pretty much an instant turn-off for me. It's still gangsta rap, which is certainly not everyone's cuppa, but it works for me.