[Listen] Mike Shinoda (of Linkin Park) & Joe Trapanese - Razors.Out Feat. Chino Moreno (of Deftones/†††)

Everyone knows how anti-Linkin Park presently due to being a hardcore fan in my teens and just getting aimlessly tired of the lackluster releases they put out in the last few years. So you ask why am I doing yet another post regarding the band? Well, I ran across an email this morning for the upcoming soundtrack for the film The Raid: Redemption not knowing it was Linkin Park related as the first thing that drew me to it was featuring Chino Moreno of Deftones in the subject line. Opening the email, I see that that the track titled "Razors.Out" and score for the film were produced by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda and musician Joe Trapanese and I thought "Eh, what the hell. I'll give it try."

Glad I decided to give it a try because the track is pretty dope. It reminds me of production off Linkin Park instrumentals like "Cure for the Itch" and "Session" but mainly their remix album Reanimation (which is still my favorite release from the band) and adds those signature vocals from ††† (Crosses)/Deftones/Team Sleep frontman Chino Moreno that we all know and love and also gives a late 90's nu-metal fan's wet dream in one listen as well as another song with Chino singing about Razors. Mostly, though, as RCRD LBL states, it makes us wistful for the next Deftones album. Check it out below and grab the score here which also features a track with the Get Busy Committee.

[SKOA Presents] Some Kind of Mixtape: January 2012

Welcome to the first of many mixtapes from your blogger buddies at SKOA. The Some Kind of Mixtape series is a new monthly feature that will showcase both tracks from the month prior and tracks from albums that will be coming out this month. All of our mixtapes will be hosted on 8tracks, which is our one of our favorite communities for sharing mixes. Included in the "liner notes" of our mixtapes will be an explanation from each SKOA writer on their song selections for the month.

Since this is our first one, we encourage you to give us feedback on how we did. We hope you enjoy Some Kind of Mixtape: January 2012. We made it just for you!

<3

Kibbe, Shey, & Adrian

Some Kind of Mixtape - January 2012 from skoablog on 8tracks.

 

††† (Crosses) - "Purien†" (from EP ††)

When ††† (Crosses) came to be the internet blew up for a little while and the tag "witch house" started being thrown all over the project. The second EP, ††, from the pairing of Chino Moreno and Shaun Lopez offers more of the same from EP † with lashings of instrumentation to help mellow you out after the hardest of days and it's all held together by the haunting yet comforting vocal work of Chino. The subtle "woo" towards the climax of the song leads into a retro drum beat and guitar solo that are sure to elate you to a higher place. - Shey

Miike Snow - "Paddling Out" (from their upcoming album Happy To You)

When Swedish trip Miike Snow returned with the track "Devil's Work" back in December, I was immediately hooked and couldn't wait for more. Their second offering, "Paddling Out," delivered yet another tantalizing taste of the band's upcoming sophomore LP, Happy To You, and I was once again sucked into the world of Miike Snow. With catchy piano instrumentation, upbeat vocals combined with a fantastic chorus, and all kinds of synthesizer goodness, "Paddling Out" has made me even more excited for Happy To You. March 27th couldn't get here any sooner! - Adrian

Wazu - "Murder 1" (from WAZU EP)

From their debut self-tiled EP, Australian-American duo Wazu's single, "Murder 1" had me hooked within the first few seconds of the first time I tried them out. The Syndney-born now Brooklyn-based group has managed to develop a sound that, while it clearly draws inspiration from bands like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, David Bowie, and Talking Heads, is still their very own. It's dark, gritty, and stupidly catchy. In addition to playing out more in the NYC area, Matt and Rizz are readying their upcoming debut album for a May release. If you're around in NYC next Monday (2/6), join me for their set at Piano's.  - Kibbe

Breton - "Sandpaper" (from The Blanket Rule EP)

London's Breton create art pop and are known to experiment with visuals during live performances with footage shot by the art-rock group in their bank-turned-base called BrentonLABS. While prepping for their upcoming release, Other People's Problems, which is out via FatCat Records on April 3rd, the band dropped The Blanket Rule EP for free in mid-January that featured "Sandpaper", which was tucked in almost at the end of the five-song EP. With it's sassy synths and pulsating beats, the song has the power to fill many a dancefloor. Consider me more than excited to see them on March 21st at Mercury Lounge. I will be there ready to party my face off. - Kibbe

Memoryhouse - "Walk With Me" (from their upcoming album The Slideshow Effect)

Toronto dream pop duo Memoryhouse have no trouble impressing with each new song they release from their upcoming debut album The Slideshow Effect. With only a month to go before the release of the album, their latest track "Walk With Me" will find itself being played repeatedly until that day. Evan Abeele and Denise Nouvion have crafted yet another kaleidoscope dreamscape that drifts in and out of reality, with instrumentation rising and flowing in an almost trance-like way. The slow build and eventual crescendo makes for a fantastic track that makes the February 28th release date of The Slideshow Effect seem much too far away. - Adrian

Wild Nothing - "Nowhere" (from the Nowhere 7")

Since the release of his debut album Gemini back in 2010, I'd almost completely forgotten about Wild Nothing, but Jack Tatum's one man dream pop project has returned and the wait was well worth it. "Nowhere," which features the vocals of Twin Sister's Andrea Estella, is a fantastic return to form for the artist, who has taken what he did so well on his studio debut, that is a gradual build of instrumentation and vocals, and delivers it in a much more upbeat and summery package. The addition of Estella's vocals, in combination with Tatum's vocals, gives the song a great amount of depth and diversity. Wild Nothing's sophomore LP is expected to drop later this year, and if "Nowhere" is any indication, the album will be a dream pop lovers fantasy. - Adrian

Sleigh Bells - "Comeback Kid" (from their upcoming album Reign of Terror)

With the noisy duo set to return fully with their sophomore LP, Reign of Terror, later this month they let us dip our toes into their mixing pot of goodness in the shape of the first single, "Comeback Kid". The ominous feedback opening leads into a big drum machine riff and distorted guitars before Alexis' vocal chimes in bringing the song to a head. Catchy, dirty with a perfect softened chorus. More please! - Shey

Pulled Apart By Horses - "Wolf Hand" (from Tough Love)

The cheeky chappies from Leeds launched their new album, Tough Love, with the explosive "V.E.N.O.M.", a perfect introduction for what was to come next. "Wolf Hand" shows a growth from the band, a step forward musically whilst lyrically they've kept their tongues firmly placed in their cheeks. From the offset this track is the perfect follow up to the shout along comeback single that was "V.E.N.O.M.". A heavy bass line and guitar riff accompanied by a thumping drum beat is all you need to cleanse the soul. This track, and this album need to be added to everyone's collection - Shey

Teen Daze - "Let's Groove" (from Let's Groove single, grab over here)

On New Years Eve 2012, Vancouver-based Teen Daze dropped "Let's Groove" which started everyone's new year off dancing until their feet couldn't take it anymore. Although the track doesn't really fit in with the current chilled out ethereal sound he's progressed to over the course of his many EPs, I for one am thankful that he took a moment to stop everything and just start dancing. Since then he also dropped his first single, "Brooklyn Sunburn", which is off his upcoming debut album, All Of Us, Together, which is due out on May 22, 2012 via Lefse Records. - Kibbe

[Download] Crosses (†††) - "Prurien†"

We had a few tidbits regarding this track last week but today via Rolling Stone we get to have a listen to the full track in all its glory, and it's good. Real good. With Crosses looking to release their second EP later this month on January 24th this is our first proper taste of what to expect from them with this  EP ††. In support to the track they will perform some live dates in Cali starting up Pomona on the 31st finishing up on Feb. 4th in Frisco. We're very much looking forward to the release of the new EP and this is a perfect tease for those of you just as excited as us.

Crosses (†††) - "Prurien†" by Some Kind of Awesome

[Listen] Crosses (†††) - "Prurien†"

We are very excited to have some new Crosses material creeping online. With their new EP only weeks away this track titled "Prurien†" is sure to get your juices flowing. With their first EP still getting a lot of play from the staff here see what you make of the new song. As a heads up this isn't a complete song by the sounds of it but from the way it's sounding the full track will be a goodie. Only two weeks until the EP drops and it'll be like Christmas all over again. Let's hope for live dates this year too, that would be a cause for celebration.

The band's EP †† is due out on the 24th of January.

[News] Crosses (†††) EP Set For January 24th Release

As we mentioned last week, Crosses, Chino Moreno and Shaun Lopez's joint project, we thought the duo were hinting at dropping a second EP rather soon. Well, it look like we'll only have to wait a just a couple of weeks as they just posted an ominous looking video on their Facebook and Twitter pages. Give it a look after the jump. As well as that, the above image was uploaded to their Instagram page. Mark your calendar for the 24th of January as EP †† is coming!

[News] Crosses (†††) Hint At New EP, '††'?

With their EP † still getting heavy play on our iTunes, Chino Moreno and Shaun Lopez's project Crosses (†††) may have just hinted at another EP coming sooner rather than later! Rejoice! Posting the simple phrase "Celebra†e" to their twitter account along with a ling to the fuzzy footage seen above featuring some ominous sounding tune the title of the video is "††† EP ††". To me that seems like two "†" would be EP numero 2, non? See what you make of the video and track at the top and get excited, for this pair of musical talents are going to shower us with goodness in 2012 (hopefully!)

[Album Review] Various Artists - 'Batman: Arkham City - The Album'

When you think of DC's Dark Knight. Batman, you automatically think of Gotham Cities night backdrop, darkened alleyways and the worlds most sadistic villains. So why is it when it comes to soundtracks and album's based on the series films or games, labels choose the strangest selection of songs? We'll let the whole Prince soundtrack slide because he's well….Prince. Duh. Normally when I think of Batman soundtracks the first song that comes to mind is Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" and I have no bad things to say about that song because it's still a classic. But besides that song being amazing and all, the "pop" soundtrack for our dark superhero doesn't seem all that fitting.

So let fast forward to present day, because I know everyone wants to avoid talking about the Batman & Robin film, let alone the soundtrack. After 2009's successful action, adventure game Batman: Arkham Asylum, The Dark Knight and associates return for the series' follow up sequel Batman: Arkham City. Unlike the first game, Warner Bros. decided to approach the sequel with a more marketable approach and release the game's score as well as an album inspired by the game on their imprint Watertower Music and bring in some of modern day's popular rock bands such as Panic! At The Disco, Coheed and Cambria, System of a Down's Serj Tankian, AFI vocalist Davey Havok's side project Blaqk Audio, Deftones vocalist Chino Moreno's side project ††† (Crosses), Daughtry and many more.

As stated, earlier when you think of Batman you think of a dark setting but when you see a band like Panic! At The Disco, who are more theatrical rock, involved on a Batman related project, it just makes you scratch your head a bit and ask why? Don't get me wrong though, this in no way should prevent you from checking out the album at all. It's a wonderful collective of artist and songs, especially cuts like the heavy tune "Trophy Widow" by The Damned Things, The Boxer Rebellion's "Losing You", A Place to Bury Strangers' "In The Shadow", Blaqk Audio's "Afterdark" which is one of the songs I could definitely hear fitting in with the game's setting, same as other tunes like †††'s "The Years", Raveonettes' "Oh, Stranger", Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's "Shadow on the Run" and Serj Tankian's "Total Paranoia". You could take a majority of those songs and remove the vocals and they would fit in with overall atmosphere of the game.

Overall, I like to think of the album as just another compilation rather than a soundtrack or album that is being accompanied to the franchise's latest entry. A majority of the album is very enjoyable, however, the comic nerd in me just can't picture some of it in the game's setting but if you can get past that then you got yourself a nice rock/electronic album for your ears to vibe to. So go give it a try and check out some of the standout tracks we listed above. The album is now available at physical retailers and via major electronic retailers such as iTunes and Amazon. If you are looking into nabbing the game, as most of us are, and you dig the soundtrack, look into getting the Collector's Edition of the game which features a digital redemption code for the soundtrack and features an additional exclusive track. Nice!

Sample all tracks on the album below...

1. Panic! At The Disco "Mercenary" Idolator
2. Coheed and Cambria "Deranged" IGN
3. The Duke Spirit "Creature" NME
4. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "Shadow On The Run" Rolling Stone
5. Blaqk Audio "Afterdark" Alternative Press
6. Raveonettes "Oh, Stranger" AOL/Spinner
7. (Crosses) "The Years" Consequence of Sound
8. The Damned Things "Trophy Widow" Guitar World
9. Daughtry "Drown In You" E!
10. The Boxer Rebellion "Losing You" Filter Magazine
11. Serj Tankian "Total Paranoia"  Revolver Magazine

We give Batman: Arkham City - The Album 3 out of 5 Awesome SAWSES! It's not Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" but its definitely a worthy rock compilation.

[Listen] ††† (Crosses) - "The Years"

As is common these days with huge block-buster movies the world over we are treated to a soundtrack here and there Remember Zooey Deschanel chipping in and singing the Winnie The Pooh Theme, although you can debate amongst yourselves if that's classed as a 'blockbuster'. Anyway, in addition to these sound-tracks we often get a video game or two every now and again to wear down our thumbs and blister our fingers until our heart's content. The Batman: Arkham City videogame goes a step further and features a dope ass soundtrack along with an original score and the guys over at CoS has some new ††† (Crosses) for us to listen to and enjoy. If you've already forgotten who ††† is it's Chino Moreno of Deftones and Shuan Lopez. The dark as hell track can be heard below and is titled "The Years". If you missed their EP jump over here to download it, it's well worth your time.

The full Batman: Arkham City videogame soundtrack can be viewed after the jump and features some goodies from The Duke Spirit, The Damned Things and Serj Tankien. Interesting.

Batman: Arkham City Soundtrack:

01. Panic! At The Disco – Mercenary
02. Coheed and Cambria – Deranged
03. The Duke Spirit – Creature
04. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Shadow On The Run
05. Blaqk Audio – Afterdark
06. The Raveonettes – Oh, Stranger
07. ††† (Crosses) – The Years
08. The Damned Things – Trophy Widow
09. Daughtry – Drown In You
10. The Boxer Rebellion – Losing You
11. Serj Tankian – Total Paranoia