Monday, December 31, 2007

2007 Tops, Bests, and Notables

TOP 10 MOVIES:

1. No Country For Old Men


2. There Will Be Blood


3. Michael Clayton


4. Grindhouse (Planet Terror/Death Proof)


5. Pan's Labyrinth


6. Zodiac


7. Superbad


8. Transformers


9. 300


10. The Curse of The Golden Flower

Especially Noted:
No End In Sight (documentary)


TOP 10 ALBUMS

1. "In Rainbows" by Radiohead




2. "Kala" by M.I.A.




3. "Out Of The Woods" by Tracey Thorn




4.
"Graduation" by Kanye West



5. "One Man Spaceship" by Jeff Mills



6.
"I'll Sleep When You're Dead" by El-P



7. "Our Love To Admire" by Interpol




8.
"Watchers From The Black Universe" by Gosub



9. "White Music For Black People" by Apollo Heights




10. "The Inevitable Rise And Liberation Of Niggy Tardust" by Saul Williams


Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):
-- "23" by Blonde Redhead
-- "Pegaso" by Professor Genius
-- "Old Joy New Joy" by Salt & Samovar
-- "Out Of The Woods" by Tracey Thorn
-- "Elaste Vol. 1 - Slow Motion Disco" - Various Artists (compiled by DJ Mooner)
-- "The Big Doe Rehab" by Ghostface Killah
-- "What's The Time Mr. Wolf" by The Noisettes
-- "Map Of Africa" by Map Of Africa
-- "Cross" by Justice
-- "Black Hollywood" by Camp Lo
-- "Holy Fuck" by Holy Fuck
-- "Finding Forever" by Common
-- "Volta" by Bjork
-- "Mirrored" by Battles



Notable Singles:
1. "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice
2. "The Heinrich Maneuver" by Interpol
3. "Ayo Technology" by 50 Cent
4. "Sensual Seduction" by Snoop Dogg
5. "82 Afros" by Camp Lo (featuring Ski)



Best Album Cover Art:
"D.A.N.C.E." by Justice


Worst Album Cover Art:
"Finding Forever" by Common

Notable Videos:
• "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice
• "Sensual Seduction" by Snoop Dogg


Shameless Self-Promotion:
"Magma - EP"

Top 11 Scandals of 2007 (According to AOL News)
See here.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Smartbomb Your Holiday: A Compilation



Smartbomb Your Holiday is a compilation created by me for Smartbomb Creative Studio as an expression of gratitude to all of our clients, collaborators and cohorts... Thank you!

Here's the tracklisting with a few comments on each.

1. "Laugh Track" by Gosub
--- I first heard this track on a random music blog... liked it so much i bought the album... It represents all the positive happenings of the whole year for me.

2. "Last Chance On The Stairway" by Duran Duran
--- Duran Duran played this obscure song from the "Rio" album live as part of their latest tour, The Red Carpet Massacre. It was a part of the "Electro" Set - amazing!

3. "Flashing Lights" by Kanye West (featuring Dwele)
--- My favorite track from one of my favorite albums of the year.

4. "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun" by Minnie Riperton
--- One of the "throw-back" songs on the compilation and one of my favorite songs of all time...

5. "She's Magma" by Rontronik
--- Taken from my first ever solo release...

6. "Earth Orbit One: Little Fluffy Clouds" by The Orb
--- Another of the "oldie-but-goodies" chosen for this compilation.

7. "15 Step" by Radiohead
--- A song that comes from an album represents the changing times in the music industry and stands as a flag-ship of sorts, of what is to come.

8. "Enrico" by Isolee
--- Dance...

9. "Banstyle/Sappys Curry" by Underworld
--- This is music for creative-types, especially since the group was a spin-off of the design team, Tomato.

10. "Scratch Your Name" by The Noisettes
--- The chorus goes "Scratch your name into the fabric of this world before you go.." 'Nuff said.

11. "Gatekeeper" by Feist
--- This blending of genres is out of sight, here...

12. "It's Your Touch (Ashley Beadle's Heavy Disco Edit)" by Black Ghosts
--- Probably one of the best dance tracks out right now... Love-filled, fun , yet, NOT cheese-ball.

13. "Stop Me" by Mark Ronson (featuring Daniel Merriweather)
--- One of my favorite Smiths songs covered fantastically...

14. "Rolling Down The Hills" by Glass Candy
--- Lay back. Chill...

15. "The Answer Is Yes (12 inch Version)" by Justus Kohncke
--- The title of the song says it all...


Get the Smartbomb Your Holiday compilation here
[NOTE: the download is a .zip file containing the tracks which are .m4a (aac) format music files - compatible with iTunes.]

Hope you like it and thanks again to everyone who made 2007 a year to remember.
— Sincerely, Smartbomb Creative Studio team & Rontronik

Monday, December 17, 2007

Album Cover of the Month: A Charlie Brown Christmas (OST) by Vince Guraldi Trio


This is (or should be) a classic for all children and the "child at heart." A great soundtrack for the holidays, no matter what age the listener. My favorite thing about this cover is the classic Charles Shulz "Peanuts" characters dancing around the christmas tree... I only wish it was the little "sad" Christmas tree with ornament that Charlie buys...

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