[Throwbacks:] Odessa – Caribou (featured in FIFA ’11)
This eclectic little number comes from an era twas rife with alternative electronic acts like Caribou. Released in 2010, a few years before, acts like MGMT and Empire of the Sun were transforming alternative rock and electronic music while channeling sounds of the 80s rock scene.
“Odessa” was featured in FIFA ’11, the worldwide hit soccer video game from EA Sports, well known for its varied soundtracks. Take some time and drift away to these entrancing sounds.
We’ve got two eclectic EDM highlights today coming from some very talented artists.
Our first selection is an amazing future-lounge remix (think music played in posh waiting rooms in 2025), of Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding’s monumental classic “Outside” remixed by Anevo. Anevo’s take on the song adds additional layers of chill, Ellie’s smooth vocals, calming “beach-song” guitar chords create a perfect combination of dance music elements. The result is a “future-banger” ready for downtempo clubs, and waiting rooms (heh, couldn’t help) across the world.
Also check out another smash-remix of Anevo, his cut of one of my favorite new electronic groups, Years & Years, “King (Anevo Remix)”
[Festival Anthem House-Trance] Eric Prydz – Opus (Original Mix)
Eric Prydz has been a staple EDM artist/DJ/producer since before the term “EDM” even existed. Having released music under numerous aliases, such as Pryda (also the name of an iconic album Prydz released in 2012). “Opus” is the culmination of the evolution of electronic, house music, and dance festival anthems. The Original Mix of the song has a lengthy build-up which peaks with a “drop” further cementing a sound reminiscent of Daft Punk or deadmau5. Check out more from Eric Prydz below with some of his other hit songs and links to his web presences below:
Alternative, pop-punk, post-hardcore emo band Taking Back Sunday was a band I heard a lot about in my high school days but didn’t particularly check out, or like too much. However, “Liar (It Takes One to Know One)” was one of several songs from the genre I particularly enjoyed, along the same time I was listening to early Fall Out Boy, Killswitch Engage, Silverstein (whose first CD I bought), Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, The Killers and Modest Mouse. Journey back to 2006 with this single from the album, MakeDamnSure.
All our secrets they are tailored trouble
draped loose now around your hip —
your spotless instincts are valid
We co-exist…
—
If you tell me that you don’t bend…
Liar, Liar
if we’re keeping score,
we’re all choir boys at best (interested and arrogant)
[Eurodance / Techno:] Movin’ On (Extended Moon Mix) – Ellen Gee
Once again letting my nerd/gamer geek flag fly, in today’s origins post I will be highlighting “techno” music. The first track I’m highlighting, is Ellen Gee’s “Movin’ On (Extended Moon Mix)“, best known for its inclusion in the Japanese music-and-rhythm dancing simulation game, Dance Dance Revolution 5th Mix. This somewhat rare song, was featured on only one version of the game and for a LONG time was only available in its 1:30s length form (all DDR songs are cut from their full version to make them more playable and less exhausting). DDR sampled MOST of its licensed music through a Japanese DJ/mix series called Dancemaniathat was hosted by Toshiba-EMI, along with a lot of original productions from Konami (the publisher) itself. Some of these original productions actually made the video game singers into real stars/artists (ex: Naoki, beForU, dj TAKA, Paula Terry, Riyu Kosaka, Aaron G., Des-Row, DJ TaQ and more…) For more info about DDR, see below:
[Dance / Electronic:] Neon Trees – Lessons in Love (Kaskade Remix)
Next up, we have two songs of the same name, but both good in their own right. Neon Trees “Lessons in Love (Kaskade Remix)” remixed by the legendary, on-of-a-kind, kaskade, featured on his EP Fire & Ice. The song is a great combination of electronic sounds and alternative rock feel.
Our second “Lessons in Love” comes from TCS vs. Level 42 with their re-make of the 1985 classic rock song of the same name, remixed by EDM artist/producer, SideChain. Check it out above!
About Dance Dance Revolution:
Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) was a revolutionary arcade game, that later expanded into the console market (on Playstation 1 and 2, but subsequently almost every system of its time), where players would step on a dance mat (or metal dance pad at the arcade) with arrows on the ground. As the music plays (much of it was Japanese pop, eurobeat, techno, dance music, but DDR was known for having a little of everything), arrows rise on the screen and once they reach the top, the player must step on them. The game became wildly popular in Japan after its initial release in 1998, eventually made its way overseas and had quite a cult following in America as arcades imported Japanese arcade cabinets and people around the country met up specifically for “DDR seshs” and even tournaments arose, with prizes in the $1,000s or more for those competing in national and international tourneys.
Kaskade is probably one of the most popular and sought-afterAmerican producers of electronic and house music. Chances are, if you watch TV, play video games or went to the movies you’ve heard one of his songs. His music is featured in many different forms of media, much akin to fellow EDM producers and DJs, like BT and Paul Oakenfold.
Our feature is one of Kaskade’s signature songs from the early 2000s, the completely chilled-out, smooth house single “Steppin’ Out”
Kaskade is largely known for growing the house music scene in his hometown of Chicago in the early 2000s. Though Kaskade has varied in musical styles during his growth, as a whole, his music can be said to be fulfilling for the soul, or music to put you at ease. Much of his house music includes sultry female vocals alongside soft, harmonic melodies that become instantly recognizable, simply from their uniqueness. Take the song that introduced many, including myself to Kaskade, his absolutely astonishing remix of David Morales & Tamra Keenan’s “Here I Am” featured in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada.
Next up was a random song that my iPod shuffled to today. An EDM/progressive-house tune I bought and downloaded back when I was a senior in high school (2007). This one comes from Alternative Electronic band Kosheen, one of their bigger breakout singles, “Same Ground Again“. In fact, their whole 2007 EP, Damageis chock-full of good alternative-sounding electro music that still holds up today. Check it out above and see more from Kosheen at the links below:
[Alternative Rock:] Saints of Bliss – Born on the Wrong Side
[Quotable Lyrics:]
Born on the wrong side, mixing with the wrong kind,
Misunderstood, and I blame it on the hard life Life is unfair, when you haven’t got a rich dad, And I cannot pay the rent ’cause I’m playin’ in a rock band
As part of the division of genres into pages that will follow on this music blog, I am highlighting one of our first Alternative Rock song features, this one from the band Saints of Bliss with their track “Born on the Wrong Side”. With plenty of alternative and indie feel behind the song, the track is a nice solid listen with plenty of emotional depth in its borderline angst, but pleasurable lyrics, down-tempo chords mixing with alternative-pop rock riffs.
You can check out more from the British band on their sites here:
Our first throwback comes to us from electronic producer, Two Fingers, with his bass thumping, head-bangingly good track “Stripe Rhythm.” Props go out to [adult swim] for playing this gem during their bumps.
Last, but certainly not least we have the alternative/electro band you can never go wrong with, Bloc Party. Their hauntingly good, rhythmic string of consciousness that is “Compliments” is worth taking note of. “Letter to My Son” is another epic Bloc Party cut, much more alternative rock in feel and sound. Don’t sleep on either!
![[Throwback:] [Alternative Pop/Electronic:] Caribou – Odessa](https://illuminousmusic.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/d2acc5b99b69da66acbd57d44d6c5d6f.jpg?w=1200)
LUMiNOUS Musings 