na: after dark, michal ho
Two excellent electronic albums over the past few days. The much-talked about After Dark compilation from the Italians Do It Better label and Michal Ho’s newest, Screw the Coffeemaker.
Various Artists – After Dark
Johnny Jewel, one-half of Glass Candy, is the man behind many of the tracks here. He’s one-half of Farah, one-third of Chromatics, and one-half of Gla…well, we already covered that. Anyway, if you’re a dance music devotee, you’ll recognize a couple of tracks here: there are covers of Kraftwerk (“Computer Love”), Belle Epoque (“Miss Broadway”), and Indeep (“Last Nite a DJ Saved My Life”), as well. Also of note: Professor Genius. I’ve been meaning to write about him for a while, but just haven’t quite had the time. He’s one of the other talents on the label that is impossible to really define as anything but instrumental Italo. Try “La Grotta.”
Kristal Hawkins over at Paper Thin Walls did a really amazing interview with the guys behind the Italians Do It Better label yesterday, wherein they talk you track-by-track throughout this compilation. This week you can also stream the entire album, while reading over their answers. If ever you wanted to try before you buy, here’s your opportunity. Essential reading too!
Michal Ho – Screw the Coffeemaker
Screw the Coffeemaker‘s pleasures might be a little less immediate than After Dark, but they’re still there. In a recent Resident Advisor interview, Ho talked a bit about this actually: “I actually have great fun deleting the cheesy hooklines from my tracks just to make pop fans suffer for lack of something to hold on to…” It’s funny, though, even when you can’t really hear the “pop hooks,” you can tell that they were there. And that’s enough. The idea or feeling of remains and your mind fills in the blank of what was once there. I think I’m going to call this genre “interactive house.” Who’s with me? Try: “Take Away” and “Gisele” to start.
um so yeah after dark is AMAZING. pls download, everyone.
I’ve been casually searching for “After Dark” for a while. You’re right; it’s amazing, and a great addition to eMusic.
Will other “Italians Do It Better” titles appear on eMusic? I know that at least some of the label’s other titles are very highly-regarded, e.g., The Chromatics’ Night Drive.
Daniel, it looks like they will. Today we got in promos for the new Chromatics (Todd likes; I haven’t listened yet) and Glass Candy (Todd and I both LOVE) full-lengths.
Great! I love when eMusic picks up interesting boutique lables — e.g., IDIB, Wagon Repair, BPitch, Soul Jazz — and you’ve picked up a number of them lately.
Just saw Michal Ho at Poland’s Unsound festival (www.unsound.pl) and I’m happy to report that his live set, after a slightly too understated beginning, is even better with the album, and brimming with hooks that refuse to remain still. Amazing stuff and perfect for dancing.
Excellent blog! Thanks for the kind words re: AFTER DARK. And please note my own compilation is also available on eMusic.
//PG//
Cool; A note from one of the “After Dark” artists! Your comp is one of my favorite discs of the year. I’ll check out your solo work, as well. Thanks for pointing it out.