Tune Tape Tuesdays #30

As you may have read last week, this Tune Tape is the first to be broadcast from Farnham, Surrey. To explain what this means, I've decided to put together a little map.

That's right. Farnham is so uncool I've listed it in Comic Sans MS. Ouch. As you might imagine, being in a town where the median age is dead can start to do things to your head (high five for rhyming), which is why this week's Tune Tape is a little thin on the ground compared with last week's colossus of nigh on 30 tracks. But hey, we roll with the punches. This week, I've decided to do things a little differently. Instead of my usual one paragraph essay on tracks, I've decided to break it down and concentrate on a smaller selection of tracks - to which a little summary will accompany. Hopefully a smaller selection of tracks will make it easier for you to load the page - I know some of your internet machines have been having shit fits trying to handle that much Soundcloud at once. As always - feedback, feedback, feedback, por favor! 


1. This Charming Man (Luis Leon Bootleck) - The Smiths

Being a massive fan of The Smiths (yet another band to come out of Manchester - holler), I'm always weary of any remixes of their tracks - especially "the classics", of which This Charming Man is arguably the best known. Anyone who has tried to turn a Smiths song into filthy Dubstep, trashy EuroHouse or an Electro banger has - in my eyes - failed miserably. Then along came this track, which, with its slow crescendo and delicate beat, holds the Smiths' hand into the world of Progressive House. And what a track it makes! The lyrics aren't messed with and still provide the focus of the track, while a toned-down house beat accompanies the song, elongating it into something that can be enjoyed for several minutes, rather than the 2:45 of the original. That's got to be a win.


2. Farah Fawcett Hair (feat. André 3000) - Capital Cities
Last month, André 3000 released his joint cover with Beyoncé of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, which featured pretty prominently on The Great Gatsby soundtrack. Although it was a far cry from his Ms Jackson heyday, it's great to hear his unmistakable gravelly growl again - this month in collaboration with Capital Cities. Farah Fawcett Hair is following the new trend of 'copy+paste' established by artist such as The Avalanches, Clean Bandit, and Chinese Man. Essentially, tracks are made up of a host of samples taken from retro films, advertisements, turn-of-the-last-century records...you get the picture. If those, plus the crazy-happy chorus isn't enough for you, the input of André 3000 takes it to another level of awesome.


3. Get Lucky (Daft Punk Cover) - San Cisco

Speaking of covers...here's San Cisco covering that track that you're probably sick of hearing: Get Lucky. While Daughter's take on the track was, in my opinion, down right depressing, San Cisco essentially makes an acoustic version of the original. The tempo's pretty similar, it features an electric guitar in the chorus, but I reckon (say it quietly) the vocals are better than Pharell's. In a purely musical sense of the word, of course. Regardless, this cover made me fall in love with the track all over again - hopefully it can do the same for you.


4. Dancing in September Mashup - Troika
I'm always a little weary of Mashups. In my experience, a vast amount are tacky and amateurish, only dealing with the most overplayed of the year's chart crap. However, when they're good, they're great. Troika's Dancing in September is the perfect example of when a Mashup gets it right. He manages to mix together the least cringe, but still well known, chart toppers with a host of lesser known tracks to create one hell of a guilty pleasure. This song demands fist pumps, and for the first time in your life, you would be totally validated. Touché, Mr Troika - I tip my (flat) cap to you.


5. Somethin' Bout You - Follow Me


Another week, another track from Follow Me - these dudes are no strangers to Tune Tape Tuesdays. If you're new here, Follow Me likes taking signature tracks from the 90's (TLC, Brandy, etc) and turning it into some incredible House. This week is no different. According to their song page, they heard a radio broadcast from 1996, and decided to turn it into something new - ie. THIS. With the beat of progressive house, but lacking in the minutes, this is perfect to stick on and get people moving. 


6. Betwixt - OMN

Here's one to divide opinions. This is what my mother likes to call "repetitive crap". Agreed, there is an element of repetitiveness, but only if that's what you're concentrating on. I guess it depends what you use your music for; if it's purpose is to fill the silence whilst you do your work - this song is perfect. If you prefer to put the music in the front seat, then  you might become weary of this track after a few plays. Personally, I think it's a good crack at Chillwave - but it's hardly breaking any boundaries.
7. Art & a Wife - Rah Rah

This week we're signing off with a video. Not because it's particularly mind-blowing, but because Rah Rah doesn't currently have a Soundcloud account (and uploading it myself is against copyright, apparently). The VT features a couple of remote-control cars being chased by a pack of dogs in a park. If you like those 'animals do the funniest things' YouTubes, then this might be for you. However random, the video suits the band's playful sound. With a vibe similar to DataRock in the mid-00's, a sound somewhere between The Drums and the Courteneers, and tongue-in-cheek lyrics that wouldn't feel out of place in a Franz Ferdinand track, Rah Rah sets itself squarely in the Indie tradition. With a toe-tapping beat and catchy riffs, this track is perfect for skipping along to under the warm Summer sun - which reminds me, what am I doing inside?



Love,
Belle x