The Fix

Months after New Order announced their split, Cut Copy swooped in from Australia to fill the vacancy. That may sound like a backhanded compliment, but it isn’t, because the Melbourne trio doesn’t sound exactly like their Mancunian forebears. They do, however, scratch a similar itch for super-catchy synth-pop. Radio stations, dance clubs, and music critics have taken notice, and the group’s follow-up to 2004’s Bright Like Neon Love looks set to be their most successful effort yet. It certainly doesn’t hurt that DFA domo Andy Goldsworthy (associate of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy) offers his production and mixing moxie. Listen closely, and you can also hear a little ELO, Brian Eno, and Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark. Further, vocalist/keyboard player Dan Whitford has the perfect singing style for this kind of thing. Like New Order’s Bernard Sumner, it’s smooth, but not slick; yearning, but never desperate. In “Midnight Runner,” when he whispers, “There’s a secret I’ve been keeping from you,” it’s hard to resist leaning towards the speakers–or cranking up the headphones–for some insight, but Whitford isn’t telling, lending the romantic proceedings a dash of mystery.

From start to finish, In Ghost Colours goes down easy, but it’s hard to predict how much staying power it’ll have outside the club scene. Unlike New Order’s “Blue Monday” or LCD’s “All My Friends,” to name two gloriously insistent examples, there’s no sonic or lyrical edge here–nothing even resembling an edge. Fortunately, Cut Copy are too bouyant to qualify as bland, but there’s no reason synth-based dance music purveyors shouldn’t dig deeper, push harder. Resonance awaits those willing to take the chance.

Don’t have time to search out this week’s essential MP3s, streams and viral videos? That’s why we’re here.

Radiohead: “All I Need (Live at the BBC)”
The best track from In Rainbows gets a faithful makeover in front of a reverent BBC audience. But listen closely and you can quietly hear Thom Yorke baring his soul on the lyric, “I’m an animal/ Trapped in your hot car.”
(via Six Eyes Media)

Dizzee Rascal “Sirens (Acid Girls Can Hear It Too Remix)”
As if this British rapper’s thick-accented rhymes weren’t mind-blowing enough, someone has gone and turned this song into full-tilt old school rave anthem. Anybody have a glo-stick we can borrow?
(via Online Home)


Flight of the Conchords “Business Time”
The funniest HBO singing comedy duo since Tenacious D delivers the least sexy slow-jam ever, plucked from its forthcoming Sub Pop album. We so want to hear R. Kelly cover this.
(via Julio Enriquez)


The Kooks “Always Where I Need”
The only flop-haired U.K. band worth keeping around, The Kooks return with another deceptively scrappy rock tune featuring chugging guitars and a shout-it-from-the-rooftops chorus.
(via Done Waiting)


Cut Copy “Lights and Music”
With its dizzying beats and driving bassline, this New Order-ish track is capable of transporting you to a booming nightclub without ever having to leave your couch. What are you going to do with the 15 bucks you just saved?
(via Sean Ryan Online)


Hayes Carll “I Got a Gig”
While Ryan Adams busies himself trying to win his model ex-girlfriend back with sniveling blog posts, the rest of the world can move on this Texan songwriter whose Townes Van Zandt style of barroom rock sounds so authentic it’s kind of freaking us out.
(via Left Over Cheese)


Tina Dico “On the Run”
The occasional Zero 7 collaborator and full-time Danish pop star breaks out of her down-tempo shell, convincingly rocking out on this burly new track from her latest solo album, Count To Ten.
(via box.net)