This Track Is Fire!

  Note: In honor of one full year of This Track Is Fire I thought I would highlight the top 10 posts over the last year, but there's a tie in the seventh position, and a three-way tie in the tenth position, so instead you're getting the Top 12 Posts over the past year. Fun fact: Boys Noize came in at #3 this past year and I thought I had just discovered them a year or so previously, even before I had heard that they would be the opening act for this NIN tour, but nope! You see, I have lot of music. Long story short, I had actually been a fan of Boys Noize's earlier work, having bought another track almost 10 years prior. I knew the name sounded familiar! Anyway, if you like your techno mixed with pounding, industrial rhythyms, this is for you. Check out the original post here .

Far too often bands get their time in the spotlight and after a good run they seem to either lose their creative spark, or tastes shift and their audience just kind of dries up. I am happy to report that this has not  been the case with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, aka OMD. Since they returned as a proper group with The History Of Modern  in 2010 they have shown that they are reinvigorated, contining to make catchy synthpop tunes (like this one) whilst also experimenting with more creative pieces. While the halcycon days for groups like Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, OMD, and their peers may have been the 80s/90s, albums like Bauhaus Staircase  show that these are not nostalgia acts, but rather bands that are still putting out refreshing work that continues to push against the boundaries of popular music. Enjoy!

I fully admit that this type of music is not for everyone, but sometimes I like rhythmic noise and music that's not entirely comfortable, but with a beat. Music like this won't show up in the Top 40, but I love it no less. And with a career around 40 years in the making, there aren't many people that do challenging electronic music better than Richard D. James, AKA Aphex Twin. This one keeps looping back into my play list and every time it does it puts a smile on my face. Sure, it's a bit of a cacophony, but there's that driving bass that pushes everything forward. Like I said, I love it, maybe it's not for you, but check it out!

I've been listening to Sleek Teeth for a couple of years now and they always bring the EBM goodness. Like your music electronic and especially stompy? Then LA-based Sleek Teeth are for you! Enjoy! The River by Sleek Teeth

This song often reminds me of loss; I think I first discovered before my maternal grandfather's funeral and it really hit me because I had experienced a fair amount of loss in the previous 18 months: I had gone through a divorce, a friend of mine's wife lost her battle with cancer, and I lost two uncles and a grandfather. Do you realize That everyone you know someday will die? And instead of saying all of your goodbyes Let them know you realize that life goes fast It's hard to make the good things last You realize the sun doesn't go down It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round But paired with that sense of loss is realizing, yes, we are all mortal and will therefore die, that one should appreciate, and yes, be thankful for the people in our lives and cherish the time we have with our loved ones. I will miss those people not at the table with us this week as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, but I am also thankful for the time I had with them, a...

  I saw Nine Inch Nails for what I believe is my fifth time on Friday, and Boys Noize was not only the opening act, he was also on the "B Stage" playing with Trent/Atticus for four songs in the middle of the set, delivering a remixed/retooled version of "Closer" that I absolutely love. You can check out that part of the set below (starting with "Vessel" and moving into "Closer"): While all of that is certainly impressive, Boys Noize is no slouch when it comes to his own music. If I am being completely honest, I was torn as to which track of his I should post here, either "Close" or "Girl Crush," but as I listened to them both, man, it was a hard decision because they are both so good, but I had to go with my heart. That Gesaffelstein-esque, synth bassline just appeals to me in a way that is difficult to put into words, so I won't. I'll let Boys Noize's music speak for itself. Enjoy! Happy Monday! +/- by Boys Noize