IM // UR | The Rumble Strips are back (produced by Mark Ronson)

We swear this isn't an ironic listening. We love Beyoncé and 4. OK, we might unironically skip straight to track 5, 'Party', produced by Kanye West and with rap by Andre3000, because we ain't no stay-home-mums that need all those ballads about being broken hearted and finding the right person. But, after that, the album turns into a beautiful compilation of classic r'n'b, soul and a bit of sweat-inducing booty tracks - not too many though - that sound surprisingly courageous considering the actual state of pop music. And for that, we bow down and hail Queen B. P.S. Get the deluxe version, for those extra couple of amazing tracks.

WE // R \\ WEARING

The name of this label has been interpreted in many ways; from 'bass-seekey' to 'base-ike', but the correct way describes exactly what this label is about: BASIC. Bassike delivers easily breezily cut staples with an interesting little twist that keeps them from being your run of the mill. For those that live in climates like that of Australia (where Bassike hails from) or Brazil, you'll know how easy it is to make fashion faux pas when the weather gets hot and the prospect of wearing anything but a bathing suit becomes slightly unappealing; Bassike is all and everything you need.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Before watching HBO's Game of Thrones, I assumed the series would tend a bit more towards the blood-dripping Danish movie Valhalla Rising rather than fairy-tale stories a lá 'Lord of the Rings'; and for that I didn't really like the series at the beginning. But slowly, I found myself submitting to tales of bad kings, midget juggernauts, savage warriors and... dragons. And that happened probably because there aren't exactly good guys and bad guys here, like there are in Tolkien stories - and that is, of course, a simplification of his work. Another reason I relented to this series is because of the intriguing political backstage element that leads to the ever-happening dance of thrones. Oh, and did I mention the gratuitous nekkid-ness?

WE // R \\ GOING

Of the slew of new spots having opened up in Sydney in the last six months, The Norfolk on Cleveland St in Surry Hills has been one fated with success. Owned by some of the same kids that have brought The Flinders back to life (and currently, it's incredibly quick onset of 'The Norms'), you'll undoubtedly find The Norfolk rammed with all kinds, vying for a bite, a beer and a spot in the garden out back. The aim of the game is to cultivate Aussie pub culture at it's best; and it's doing a pretty decent job so far - if only you could get a table!

WE // R \\ READING

Super Sad True Love Story is the third book from the writer of the best selling Absurdistan, Gary Shteyngart. Incidentally, I read him name dropped in Flavorpill's Ultimate Hipster Reading list and in the same sentence as James Franco (they're buds, apaprently) just before I finished his latest offering. Don't let any of that put you off, or take away any of the sad scary brilliance of Super Sad True Love Story; written from the perspective of one 39 year old Lenny Abramov, son of Russian immigrants and in love with the impossibly cute and cruel Eunice Park. A satire that cuts to the bone, Super Sad True Love Story is exactly it's title. And it's good.

The Rumble Strips are back (produced by Mark Ronson)

Wednesday // April 01, 2009 at 14:55 // filed under Music

The Rumble Strips

The Rumble Strips are back with another album, Welcome To The Walk Alone. Mark Ronson offered to produce them after the band covered Amy Winehouse's 'Back To Black'. Later, Mark was quoted saying that both he and Amy agreed that the Rumble Strips' version was better than Amy's - I think I also agree with them on that one.

So Mr. Ronson, who was just voted the 'Britain's Best Dressed Male' according to a new poll by GQ Magazine, has been working his magic on the band for the past year and now we have a taste of their sessions. So their new track is called 'London' and as opposed to their dramatic remix of Winehouse, it's a upbeat dance number from the band.

Welcome To The Walk Alone was initially recorded in the traditional New York studio Avatar Studios (The Power Station), with the vocals added later in London and orchestration composed in Prague by the amazing Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy, Arcade Fire). I hope it will sound as good as it looks on paper.

Download 'London' and 'Back to Black' below in 128kbps (sorry!).

Flash Content

The Rumble Strips - London [mp3]

Flash Content

The Rumble Strips - Back To Black (Amy Winehouse Cover) [mp3]

Tracklist

1. "London"

2. "My Heart Belongs To Susie Salmon"

3. "Read The Reason"

4. "I've Fingered A Mongol"

5. "The Reason Is The Reason Of This Reason"

6. "I'll Be The Lady Tonight"