tunequest

Originally called just "Isotope," the band changed its moniker to Isotope 217 to avoid confusion with the 70s experimental rock/jazz outfit of the same name. But whether by direct inspiration or after-the-fact realization, I-217's modus operandi is remarkably similar to its nomenclatural predecessor, specializing in a kind of improvisational, "experimental" jazz, similar to the jazz+rock fusions of the 60s/70s, but updated for the late 90s. Released on ...

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Originally uploaded by The Polish Ambassador. The Polish Ambassador has posted four downloadable electro-musings on intergalactic negotiation tactics. Partake of them slowly and acclimate yourself to the Ambassador's power. Though he is on a mission of peace and synthesized grooves, these treatises are but a prelude to the all out assault that will be Diplomatic Immunity which launches December 15.

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A Night at the Drugstore, found on National Skyline's 2001 album This=Everything. The band started by Hum's bassist after that band's demise. This song is smooth and laid back with a looping, but grounded ethereal quality. [audio:061031NightAtTheDrugstore.mp3] I think it belongs on your iPod; I know it's happy on mine.

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While it is a song with an incomprehensible name Puncture In The Radar Permutation from an album with an incomprehensible name Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night, here's the song that got me hooked on Stereolab. It's a song with several movements, beginning with a haunting tension that mounts to a climax around 2:20. Then it totally breaks down and melts that ...

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It's a bit of a cosmic coincidence that I happen to be on a huge Ratatat kick right now and a new Ratatat bootleg has happened to suddenly surface around the net. It's titled 9 Beats and is apparently a rare look at the band's early/demo work. How early? It doesn't say, but it probably pre-dates their 2004 debut. The tracks on the album aren't songs per ...

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Take for example this remix. Normally, I absolutely can not tolerate Missy Elliot. I just don't like her style. And her 2004 single I'm Really Hot was a completely egotistical crapfest which couldn't manage to display the slightest bit of talent or even a minisculey appealing hook. So it is a bit of a minor miracle that Ratatat manages to not only make the song listenable, but ...

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Sound-dust was Stereolab's first release since Cobra and Phases... the record that really exposed me to their music. It came out as I was slowly digesting the groop's extensive back catalog. The previous records had built expectations and I was trepidatious toward the possibility that it might not meet them. I was a fan, but I just didn't know what to expect. On the first couple listens I ...

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...And I can't get El Pico out of my head. Here's a clip of the song taken with my phone

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I just got home from Ratatat's performance at The Earl in East Atlanta. Awesome awesome stuff. This band is phenomenal, from concept to execution, and they kick it ten ways live. I can now add Ratatat to the list of bands I've seen more than once. Hoorah. I would have liked to record the show, but my dinky Maxell voice recorder for iPod was overwhelmed the sheer ...

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