41. Bird Song - Florence and the Machine

It’s time for my 50 ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FEMALE VOCALISTS list! It took some time to narrow my selection to just 50 (I cheated with Melanie Pain and Camille Dalmais, counting them under one umbrella of “Nouvelle Vague singers” but who’s paying attention?). My criteria are simple: they are female of the species, I love their voice, and they have attempted to sing in English at one point in their career. I’ve left off the list some of my favourite female musicians, not because I don’t like their voice, but because their voice isn’t their biggest selling point for me. The present list is focused mostly on the quality/uniqueness of their tone (voice box), and their ability to emote the hell out of the songs. 

I’ll present some stats at the end of my list, which will be spread over 23 posts or so. Let’s?

42. The Bridge is broken - The Dø (Olivia Merilahti)

43. 10 Mile Stereo - Beach House (Victoria Legrand)

46. Pursuit of happiness (Kid Cudi cover) - Lissie

46. Ojos asi - Shakira

46. Bulletproof - La Roux (Eleanor Jackson)

47. White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane (Grace Slick)

48. In a manner of speaking (Tuxedomoon cover) - Nouvelle Vague (Mélanie Pain)

48. Guns of Brixton (The Clash cover) - Nouvell Vague (Camille Dalmais)

49. Be my baby - The Ronettes (Veronica Bennett)

50. Beat of my drum - Nicola Roberts

Best of 2010 .::. 50 Refixes/Covers | 25 Remix/Refix (minus the Xx)

The Xx is probably the most remixed band I listened to in 2010, so I have dedicated 5 spots on the list to all things Xx. This “25 Remix” list is for the rest of the field.

#01. Jump on stage - Girl Talk

“”Listen to the hits,” (This is the remix) indeed. Girl Talk released his brand new album yesterday FREE of charge, and it’s true that the best thing in life is free, especially music and money. This is, without a doubt, the most fun I’ve ever had listening to Girl Talk. It helps that he decides to let samples breathe a little and not be too finicky about jamming as much into one “song” as possible. I kinda want to have a party just so I can play this. Mash-ups are not over until Girl Talk says so.

It’s hard to pick a track as a favourite since they all sort of flow together like a DJ set. However, I’m partial to Jump on stage because of Skee-Lo’s “I Wish,” for sentimental reason. But really, the rest of the album is so deftly arranged and lively that it’s totally worth bothering to click on the link and download. I’d have even paid my many invisible ruble for this.”

The rest of the remix of the year:

01. Jump on Stage – Girl Talk           

02. Teqkilla (Remix feat. Nicki Minaj) – M.I.A.           

03. Power (Remix feat. Jay-Z) – Kanye West

04. The Phoenix Alive (Disco Bloodbath Vocal Radio Edit) – Monarchy

05. Indestructible (Laidback Luke Club Mix) – Robyn           

06. Obsessions (Ocelot Remix) – Marina and the Diamonds           

07. All Delighted People (original) – Sufjan Stevens           

08. Rill Rill (George Lenton remix) – Sleigh Bells           

09. Baby (Ft. Prince Zimboo & M.I.A. / Switch Remix) – Major Lazer           

10. Chaos (Rory Phillips Mix) – New Young Pony Club

11. I’m Not Your Lemonade + Heroes n Villans (feat. Gucci Mane Remix) – Major Lazer & La Roux        

12. Born Free (High Contrast Remix) – M.I.A.   

(DL Pt1)                    

13. I’m the one / money on my mind (jj remix the Xx) – The Xx & jj

14. NY is Killing Me (Jamie X remix) – Gil Scott-Heron           

15. Lookin’ 4 Ya (Feat. Andre 3000 / Jedi Remix) – Big Boi           

16. As We Enter (Tinie Tempah Remix) – Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

17. The Afterlife (The xx Remix) – YACHT

18. Madder Red (The Golden Filter Remix) – Yeasayer           

19. 6669 (Aislyn Remix) – Neon Indian                       

20. Alors On Danse (feat. Kanye West & Gilbere Forte Remix) – Stromae & Kanye West           

21. The Black & Gold (Wale remix Sam Sparro) – Sam Sparro & Wale           

22. I Am Not A Robot (Doorly Remix) – Marina And The Diamonds           

23. Beam Me Up (Jacques Renault Remix) – Midnight Magic           

24. Wonderwall (Questions Version) – Oasis          

25. Oh My Kids (Usher vs Sleigh Bells) – The Hood Internet   

(DL Pt2)

Track List:

1. Bulletproof (Nacey Remix ft. Matt Hemerlein)
2. Colourless Artibella
3. I’m Not Your Lemonade + Heroes ‘N‘ Villains Remix ft. Gucci Mane
4. Independent Kill ft. Candi Redd
5. Keep It Fascinating
6. Magic (Falling Soldiers Dub)
7. In 4 The Kill Pon De Skream
8. Houstatlantavegas Pains ft Drake
9. Tigerlily (DYWHAP Blend) ft. Rusko
10. Can’t Stop Now (Armor Love Remix)
11. Quicksand (Mad Decent 2010 Rerub) ft. Amanda Blank
12. Cover My Eyes (Costra Nostra Edit)
13. I Said It (Major Lazer Dubplate) ft. Opal
14. Hold Yuh (Double Dubplate) ft. Gyptian

Silent Bullet (Hi-Brid Mashup) - La Roux vs The Knife

I’m not usually a fan of mash-ups, but the pairing of La Roux and The Knife here works for me.

Tigerlily - La Roux

I made the leap of purchasing La Roux’s debut album without listening to its latter half, and while it’s not as strong as the first half, I’m not really regretting getting the whole album. It will be getting a lot of play on the road. The 1-2-3-4 punch of In for the Kill, Tigerlily, Quicksand, and Bulletproof is potent enough for even the most casual synth pop fan. My only major beef with La Roux is this whole business of being stuck in the 80s, not pushing the music landscape forward. In some ways, it’s a step back into the past, without adding anything new to what’s already established?