Monday, June 28, 2010

You Schmooze, You Lose: Egalitarian Tyranny

*Originally published on 4/8/10@http://www.djmotherfucker.podomatic.com


DJ Motherfucker may rule the program with an iron lung, but every once in a while she feels slightly selfless. This set is an example of one of those rare moments. We here at the Schmooze are proud to introduce your guest DJ for the evening, The Staff of Ra. The selections submitted tonight were of his malevolent choosing. Feel the wrath.

You Schmooze, You Lose: An Imaginary DJ Set

By Jennie Willis

Stereolab- International Colouring Contest
In the 1970s, musician and overall eccentric Lucia Pamela designed a coloring book depicting the people and things she saw on her trip to the moon, where she recorded her debut album "Into Outer Space With Lucia Pamela." A quirky and bubbly album that is highly recommended. Upon release of her coloring book, Pamela announced an International Coloring Contest that was open to everyone and without a deadline so all walks of life from all galaxies would have the opportunity to participate. This is the theme of this track from Stereolab, whose intergalactic Moog transmissions combined with Laeticia Sadier and Mary Hansen's warmly detached vocals honor Lucia and her big ideas.

Lou Reed- Satellite of Love
While Transformer is considered to be Lou Reed's foray into glam rock, one can still pick up on the subtle contempt at the heart of this jilted narrative beneath the Bowie production values. "I've been told that you've been bold with Harry, Mark, and John" cuts through the soaring 'bum bum bum' backing vocals and twinkling piano accompaniment. Reed's deadpan delivery reminds us that outer space is something the rest of us will experience only through watching television.

Deerhoof- The Perfect Me
An urgent and mutated wall of synthesized noise and rollicking percussion pound out a plea to the desolate on this track, which shows that a truly innovative group can make the experimental catchy and the innovative humble.

Delta 5- Now That You've Gone
A bass-driven Rough Trade single embodying the gray longing of post-punk Britain and beyond. However there's a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of going out and getting drunk...any kind of heartache can be resolved with an ample amount of booze and good times. You're gone and we're doing just fine, thank you.

Cibo Matto- Sugar Water
An adorable shibuya-kei offering that takes us through concrete deserts and invites us to bathe in sugar. Regardless of whether or not you've taken a shower today, how can you say no?

The Slits- Typical Girls
Reggae guitars bounce in time with the back-and-forth vocal harmonies on this apt description of common ladies, who are all emotion and compliance.

Kate Bush- Running Up That Hill
Believe it or not, John Lydon is a huge Kate Bush fan. While your DJ is not, who is she to argue? What John Lydon and the Staff of Ra decree goes. There is a definite momentum to this track that can't be ignored and has rendered it a classic.

Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot- Bonnie and Clyde
Ah, Serge et Brigitte. Apparently Gainsbourg was intimidated by Bardot's breasts. But we're not here to gossip. This track is ridiculously sixties and ridiculously French. You will love it.

Cristina- Is That All There Is?
Ending the guest DJ set is a skewed and obscenely hilarious rendering of the instantly recognizable torch ballad. Cristina's version turns the subject matter of the song completely upside down and changes the tone from bewildered existentialism into razor blade nihilism. In fact, the original lyricists made sure this was suppressed. Luckily, spit and swagger perseveres.

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