Athlete – Summer Sun
Comment: These highly touted Brit rockers have released a free gem off their Web site. Joel Potts’s sweet vocal recalls vintage Phil Collins and Pete Gabriel. While this slow guitar rock ballad may sound top 40ish, it will definitely cool you down during the summer’s sweltering heat. Grade: B+
The Cribs – We Were Aborted
Comment: This West Yorkshire-native band returns with its menacing guitar grooves, violent drums and an incredibly catchy chorus, which will have you dancing across your living room floor. Grade: A-
Michael Jackson – Bill Jean (Dirty Funker Remix)
Comment: The British techno outfit brilliantly distorts Jackson’s vocal, splices in samples of his last press conference and his timeless Thriller video. If you add in break beats, you have an awesome remix that pays its final respects to the Legendary Pop Icon. Grade: A+
Arctic Monkeys – Crying Lighting
Comment: This future mega-single has leaked across the net this week. The British band returns with a familiar formula that galvanized the British punk scene across the world. Alex Turner’s soothing vocal over guitar distortion and thunderous drum beats will have fans awaiting their next LP, due out at the end of 2009. Grade: A
Discovery – Can You Discover
Comment: Vampire Weekend’s lead keyboardist and guitarist Rostam Batmanglij delivers a great new single that features New Wave 80s electro-style synths and reggae style beats that will have you excited for more material from this potentially hot new act new 2009. Batmanglij’s new side project is perfect mood music for a fun day at the beach. Grade: A-
In The Spotlight: Billy Jean (Dirty Funker Remix)- Michael Jackson
Comment: The British techno outfit brilliantly distorts Jackson’s vocal, splices in samples of his last press conference and timeless Thriller video. If you add in break beats, you have an awesome remix that pays its final respects to the Legendary Pop Icon. Grade: A+
