Let's kick this, my 2000th post (!!!), off with a hearty hello and how do you do! I'm psyched to have been around to reach this millenial milestone, but more importnantly, to have you join me on this jamtastic journey. Many appreciative gestures all around!


Delphic, the "hey guess what, we're going to be huge in 2010 whether you choose to deny it or not" kids who continue to rock our bodies, recently threw together a playlist when they joined up with Mike Joyce for his Alternative Therapy show.

The lads did some chatting, Joyce did his own playlist, but we're featuring the Delphic ditties, cause it's been a constant source of repeated tuneage since falling into our laps earlier this morning. It's a free download here and the track list is as follows.

Delphic - Doubt (Riton Remix)
Delphic - Red Lights
Bjork - Dull Flame of Desire (Modeselektor Remix for Girls)
Chemical Brothers - The Golden Path (Ewan Pearson Remix)
Delphic - This Momentary (Radioproof Remix)
DIOYY - We Are Rockstars
Delphic - Counterpoint (The Chain Remix)
Delphic - Counterpoint (Woolford Remix)

Delphic's debut, Acolyte, is out January 11, 2010. Buy it, cause TRUST, it's that rad.

mp3: Delphic - Doubt (835 Remix)

Coming at us with a massive mix of mega proportions, the rad dudes of Buffetlibre DJs are fixed to whet your appetite for a remixed recap of the "noughtiest" decade. Let's dive on in.


Some of their favorite artists (count: 70) chose the best dancefloor tracks of the past 10 years, and the boys handpicked nearly half to compil, mix and mash into an hour and fifteen minutes of sweaty sweetness.

Here are the tracks used in Verbena Selected 4.

01 – Sintonia Buffetlibre
02 – Intro
03 – Vitalic – Fanfares (Selected by LADYTRON)
04 – LFO – Freak (Selected by ETIENNE DE CRECY)
05 – The Chemical Brothers – Saturate (selected by ORBITAL)
06 – Radiohead – Idiotheque. (selected by TERENCE FIXMER)
07 – Vitalic – La Rock 01 (selected by EDITORS)
08 – Underground Resistance – Transition (selected by BEN SIMS)
09 – Buy Now – For Sale (selected by MSTRKRFT)
10 – Missy Elliot – Get Ur Freak (selected by MATTHEW HERBERT)
11 – Chemical Brothers – Salmon Dance (Crookers remix) (selected by YELLE)
12 – Daft Punk – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (selected by MARTIN SOLVEIG)
13 – Juan Maclean – Happy House (selected by RADIO 4)
14 – The Rapture – House Of Jealous Lovers (selected by DIGITALISM)
15 – Audion – Mouth To Mouth (selected by SLAM)
16 – Simian – We Are Your Friends (Justice remix) (selected by GROOVE GARMADA)
17 – Pilooski – Beggin (Franki Valli edit) (selected by THE RAPTURE)
18 – Orbital – Belfast (selected by FERRY CORSTEN)
19 – Metro Area – Miura (selected by LCD SOUNDSYSTEM)
20 – Lindstrom – I feel Space (selected by SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO)
21 – Closer Musik – Maria (selected by JAMES HOLDEN)
22 - Stephan Bodzin – Marathon Man (selected by GUS GUS)
23 – Quench – Dreams (Sebastien Leger remix) (selected by THE TEENAGERS)
24 – Switch – A Bit Patchy (selected by FATBOY SLIM)
25 – Felix da Housecat – Silver Screen Shower Scene (selected by EROL ALKAN)
26 – Dustin Zahn – Stranger (Len Faki Podium Remix) (selected by VITALIC)
27 – Justice – Waters of Nazareth (Erol Alkan remix) (selected by THE BRAVERY)
28 – James Holden – A Break In The Clouds (selected by UNDERWORLD)
29 – Roger Sanchez – Another Chance (selected by ROGER SANCHEZ)
30 – Bob Sinclair – World Hold On (selected by BOB SINCLAIR)
31 – Kelley Polar – Satellites (selected by JUNIOR BOYS)
32 – Glass Candy – Rolling Down The Hills (selected by THE AVALANCHES)

Of course you can download the mix in it's entirety here. And if you'd like to view the full list of the artists' favorite tunes, jump here.

mp3: Patrick Wolf - Who Will (Buffetlibre DJs Remix)

More to be loved and lots to be lauded
Although there's not one category allotted
For everything rad in this world of mine
We'll simply give you the...


So many super-duper tracks, concerts, people and places effected this beast in the past 12 months. The below list details all those "radlets" that don't particularly fall into one of the previous album or song rundowns from earlier this week. So we call these randoms. And they are awesome.

Tiesto and His Ladies
mp3: Tiesto (featuring Emily Haines) - Knock You Out (Boko Remix)

With the release of Tiesto's album, Kaleidoscope, we were given a new listening experience, courtesy of the Dutch DJ/producer. Female vocalists...and great ones, at that. The release, as a whole, was ok, but standout tracks featuring Tegan and Sara, Nelly Furtado and Emily Haines quickly jumped to the top of my "most played" list.


Mixtapes
mp3: Jack Splash (featuring Missy Elliott and Jazmine Sullivan) - I Could Have Loved You (BURNS Remix)

Beginning with Theophilus London's This Charming Mixtape back in January, through monthly additions from The Hood Internet, Bufffetlibre DJs and Lupe Fiasco, some of our favorite songs came courtesy of these freebies. One in particular got us all funked up...Jack Splash's Heir to the Throne: Volume 1 contains the grooviest of goodness, and while his teaser track with Missy Elliott and Jazmine Sullivan failed to make the final cut, I Could Have Loved You was among our most repeated plays.


Redlight Remixes
mp3: Beyonce - Control (Redlight Remix)

With a funkily-repeated bass and synth line, Redlight grabbed my attention within the first 3 seconds of his mix of Beyonce's Control. The hits just kept coming, as he tackled Ladyhawke, Junior Senior, Kid Sister and Kings of Convenience. Most recently, his fix of Lady Gaga's Paparazzi has sent me into a proverbial state of dancing freneticism. This kid is legit.


Disco Dreamwave Dudes
mp3: Visitor - Los Feeling (Fear Of Tigers Remix)

This umbrellic list spot contains all those boys who make the girls go weak in the knees with their tunes drenched and dripping in a wash of the yummiest disco influences. You may recognize them...they're the kids we probably wrote most about. Diamond Cut, Flashmen, Visitor, The Sound of Arrows and Fear Of Tigers. Excuse me while I go collect myself.


Virginia
mp3: Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone (Viking and CJ Milli Shooting Stars Tribute)

Yes, like the state. From Chesapeake to Richmond, three of our most loved finds and favorites of the year come from the 10th territory of our grand land: KiD A, CJ Milli and Viking. From eclectic electropop, mashes and mixes to dance floor destroyers, these kids kept the beastly booty bouncing all year long. "Sic semper tyrannis" indeed.


The Fame Monster
mp3: Lady Gaga - Teeth (King5kat Remix)

No list seems to be complete without the inclusion of Lady Gaga, and I'll readily admit my admiration for the gal's pop-producing panache. With the release of The Fame Monster last month, Gaga turned disbelievers into diehard fans and further proved that the Lady is no tramp. Now, vamp and camp, on the other hand, is always present, and we love it. Sidenote: the track, Monster, was my most played song this year. You don't even want to guess how many times I spun it. Outrageous.


Twitter
mp3: Andy Milonakis - Let Me Twitter Dat (Rusko Remix)

Yes, the social networking tool deserves it's own list spot. Never before have I felt more of a connection with fans and friends, all via 140 character messages. While we've been twittering since early last year, 2009 saw a boom of beastly use...for both personal and professional purpose. We've held contests, talked shop with PR kids and artists directly...and we've chatted with nearly all of you. 23,426 tweets and counting!


Theophilus London
mp3: The Very Best - Warm Heart Of Africa (Theophilus London Remix)

The Brooklyn boy kicked the year off with a bang. As mentioned above, This Charming Mixtape was, and still is, a constant source of enjoyment. Listen to Grey X Sage if you haven't already...it's brilliant. London proved to be the "jack of all trades" over the course of these 12 months. From his solo work, to producing with Mark Ronson and Sam Sparro, you couldn't turn a corner without running into the gifted gent. Theophilus is a dynamic live performer, and you don't want to miss his quirky dance moves. Ultimately, the most gnarly dude of the year.


Juliette Lewis Interview
mp3: Juliette Lewis - Sticky Honey (Endo DandB Remix)

What do you say when presented with the opportunity to interview one of your idols? First you cry, then quickly compose yourself, for there's work to be done! In September, Juliette Lewis played a show at New York City's Fillmore, but not before I had the utmost pleasure of chatting with the dynamic actress turned rock star. This goes down as the second be[a]st experience of the year...and definitely a highlight of my entire life. Big smiles.


Everything's Coming Up Peaches
mp3: Peaches - I Feel Cream (Blogula Remix)

You may have read a little, no A LOT, about Peaches here over the past calendar year. First, we had the most fun [read: sweatiest and amazing] night at Tribeca Grand when she DJ'd in April. May saw the release of I Feel Cream, her 5th studio album. Three NYC tour dates, and we were there for all of them. November 14, 2009 was the highlight of the year though. Getting to interview the electroclash icon, and one of our most favorite artists ever, was one of those experiences we still can't believe happened, but sure are happy did. In a word? BEASTLY.

Later today, time permitting, I'll drop my BE[a]ST Breakouts for 2010 list. As always, keep it rad!

We're not restricted to official releases
This blogger loves whatever she pleases
Thus we played and repeated without being confined
Here we go, turn it up, its' the...


As mentioned, I didn't want to limit myself to only including songs or singles with official releases, on major labels and the like. Instead, each of these were and are still repeatedly played, loved loads more with each listen, and continue to be a staple of my sincerest adorations.

mp3: My Gold Mask - Bitches

Gretta groans while Jack owns...vocals and guitar, respectively. This duo from Chicago wowed us with the hauntingly eerie opening chords of this song, and kept our interest at a pulse-racing peak over the course of this beat-heavy thriller.


mp3: Yuksek (featuring Amanda Blank) - Extraball

Dreamy bending synths introduce what turns out to be a raging romp through boy vs girl vocals, complete with hand clap encouragements. The horn rises? Amazing. The deep bass? Swoon-worthy. Yuksek's debut single? Beastly.


mp3: The Sounds - No One Sleeps When I'm Awake

I actually tried to outplay this to tire of it...only the more I listened, the more I loved. The lead single from the band's third studio album immediately carved a home in my heart with it's pre-chorus build-ups and tweenage angst-ridden desires.


mp3: Sleigh Bells - Ring Ring

Sultry moans and finger snaps anchor this kickback track from this as-yet-unsigned Brooklyn pair. Musical sensibilty at it's best, this song could easily have been crafted anywhere from the roaring twenties through today's modern mayhem, and it would still be the hit it is now.


mp3: MEN - Off Our Backs

This trio hit me like no one else this year, and it all started with a chance stumbling across some demos rooted through social networking. Music with a message, this slice of electropop pie never fails to slap a smile on my face and get the feet a'flyin.


mp3: Major Lazer (featuring Nina Sky and Ricky Blaze) - Keep It Goin' Louder

Easily appealing to mainstream media and dirty dubhall dancers all in the same, it's hard to deny the impact that Major Lazer had this year. This song actually led to a confrontation on the subway between me and another "less energetic" passenger. Try and not move to this track...I dare you.


mp3: The Golden Filter - Thunderbird

A super wet and rubbery bass anchors the second single from this disco-delicious duo. Carefree and whispering vocals float atop some of the funkiest riffing we heard all year. Dramatic drumming and shrieking keys call out as if to say "I'll be stuck in your head for days", and honestly, we'd have it no other way.


mp3: Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets

From that first drum hit, this moving tale of distress buried itself in my heart and vowed never to leave. Goulding's gripping vocal style pairs with the emotional journey through "all the boys before". Something about the innocence of the song spoke so deeply, I actually had to swear off listening to it for some time. It's back for good now.


mp3: Peaches - I Feel Cream

With help from producers Drums of Death and Simian Mobile Disco, Peaches' title track off her 5th studio album is a dark mix of house beats and sexily-sung tones. Just when you think the gal's gone soft, a deep drum bangs and the rapped rapport begins: "Let's get suspect, let's get wet...every little defect gets respect!" Perfection.


mp3: Fever Ray - Seven

I can't even drum up the proper phrasings to verbally applaud this effort. I will say, however, that I've never failed to cry every single time I listen to this gorgeous arrangement. For this year, Seven is the MOST RAD.

Tomorrow, I'll lay out my BE[a]ST Randoms of 2009, for example, those concerts, happenings, songs, artists, etc...that don't particularly fall into one category or another. Stay rad!

Shuffled and shifted, I've finally cried "enough!"
Listing the greatest albums of the year sure is tough
But on we prevailed, and it came out just fine
So here it is, from 10 to 1, the...


Had to throw another rhyme in there, since I did it yesterday too. All in all, I'm extremely proud of the variety and selections in my top 10. I hope you enjoy.

Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do
June 16, 2009 (Downtown)
mp3: Major Lazer - Hold The Line

Only so much praise can be said for the high quality and production skills of Diplo and Switch without sounding like a broken record. Although, interestingly enough, one of their biggest tunes from this release, sounded just like that. Sing it with me, "oh, oh oh oh ohhh, oh oh oh oh oh oh ohhhhh". Awesome.


HEALTH - Get Color
September 8, 2009 (Lovepump United)
mp3: HEALTH - In Violet

It's noise, it's dissonance and overall a mess...upon first listen. But go back and listen to the LA troupe's second studio offering, and I guarantee you'll be in for a slow death by admiration.


Dizzee Rascal - Tongue N' Cheek
September 21, 2009 (Dirtee Stank)
mp3: Dizzee Rascal - Holiday

The good ol' grime boy broke through his underground audience with a solid offering that verges on the punny yet powerful. Backed by Calvin Harris' stellar production hand, this rascally rapper secured A+ status with fans by asking them to "dance wiv 'im".


Peaches - I Feel Cream
May 5, 2009 (XL Records)
mp3: Peaches - More

Eccentric and energetic, the queen of electroclash's 5th studio output features everything from signature beat drops to the hairy and heart-wrenching notes sung by the indisputible icon. From start to finish, one of the most cohesive albums this year.


Florence + The Machine - Lungs
July 6, 2009 (Island)
mp3: Florence and The Machine - Kiss With A Fist

Sultry vocals backed by endless drummings and soulful strummings, the debut album by the London outfit features many songs about violence and death. It's the most beautiful compilation of dark subject matter you could ever ask for.


Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
March 9, 2009 (Interscope)
mp3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dull Life

From the first two singles through the bonus acoustic versions of a handful of tracks, our beloved New Yorkers constructed a sentimental and slamming indierock album. When you're not dancing you're crying, but fear not, for one or the other is ready to pick you up and put you right back down again. Emotionally electrifying.


Micachu and The Shapes - Jewellery
March 9, 2009 (Rough Trade)
mp3: Micachu and The Shapes - Calculator

This progressive art-rock offering cuts through the clutter and, surprisingly, plays off as quite the improbable pop phoenix. Additionally, the use of nontraditional instruments, like broken bottles and cardboard boxes, makes each spin a new and uniquely thrilling journey.


Aceyalone - The Lonely Ones
March 31, 2009 (Deconstruction)
mp3: Aceyalone - Can't Hold Back

Soulfully retro with a modern day sensibility, this longtime "featured guest" broke out of the shadow of his pals, and threw together this solo effort. He does reign his friends in, as well as a slew of new fans, by pairing Motown croonings with mad beats and massive riffs.


Fever Ray - Fever Ray
March 18, 2009 (Rabid Records)
mp3: Fever Ray - When I Grow Up

Making every hair on the back of your neck stand up simultaneously is quite a feat in and of itself. With a handful of keys and notes hit, this debut and final album immediately launched its way into the forefront of notoriety, blog-wide. On a personal note, there's no greater emotionally sound electronica artist that Karin Dreijer Andersson.


The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa
August 25, 2009 (Green Owl)
mp3: The Very Best - Mfumu

Let slide the "all too fitting" band name, strip away the inevitable collaboration with M.I.A. and if you haven't already spun this album, I'd implore you to drop everything you're doing and get on it now. When played as background noise, it's perfect. When used as a dance floor filler, the bodies move nonstop. When played in Beastonia, we can only say one thing: RADDEST OF THE YEAR.

And on we go...prepping our ears for what will surely be anoher rad year of tunes in 2010. In the meantime, tomorrow I'll give you my 10 BE[a]ST Singles of 2009. Are you ready?

Spreadsheets sorted: band name, album title, date
A time consuming task to which many can relate
That said, here's half the list of these favorites of mine
Ladies and gentleman, the top 25-11...


Did you get it? It was a rhyme. Anyway, without further ado...

Dragonette - Fixin to Thrill
October 27, 2009 (I Surrender Records)
mp3: Dragonette - Liar

Bear in Heaven - Beast Rest Forth Mouth
November 13, 2009 (Hometapes)
mp3: Bear in Heaven - Casual Goodbye

Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
April 20, 2009 (4AD)
mp3: Camera Obscura - French Navy

Metric - Fantasies
April 7, 2009 (Last Gang Records / Arts & Crafts / Metric Music International)
mp3: Metric - Stadium Love

K'naan - Troubadour
February 24, 2009 (A&M/Octone)
mp3: K'naan - Take A Minute

The XX - The XX
August 17, 2009 (Young Turks)
mp3: The XX - Intro

Röyksopp - Junior
March 23, 2009 (Wall of Sound)
mp3: Royksopp (featuring Robyn) - The Girl And The Robot

Amanda Blank - I Love You
August 4, 2009 (Downtown)
mp3: Amanda Blank - Something Bigger, Something Better

The Bird and The Bee - Ray Guns Are Not Just For the Future
January 27, 2009 (Blue Note Records)
mp3: The Bird And The Bee - Love Letter To Japan

The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love
September 22, 2009 (4AD)
mp3: The Big Pink - Too Young To Love

Electrik Red - How to Be a Lady: Volume 1
May 26, 2009 (Def Jam/Radio Killa)
mp3: Electrik Red - So Good

Miike Snow - Miike Snow
October 23, 2009 (Downtown)
mp3: Miike Snow - Silvia

Wale - Attention Deficit
November 10, 2009 (Allido, Interscope)
mp3: Wale - 90210

Vitalic - Flashmob
September 25, 2009 (Different Records/Pias)
mp3: Vitalic - Poison Lips

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
April 6, 2009 (Parlophone)
mp3: Bat For Lashes - Sleep Alone

Tomorrow, I'll dish out the remaining albums, from 10 to 1, that I consider the BE[a]ST of 2009...with commentary on each.