The start of summer is upon us, or at least that’s what Memorial Day (military appreciation day) weekend reminds the rest of the country of our three day weekend. The one thing I wanted most around this time of year is for Colorado Rockies baseball to be relevant. My wish has been granted with the Rox playing inspired ball as of late and the first place standing at this point of the season leads me to believe that the guys aren’t pretenders this year.

Musically, I’m not surprised about the insane amount of Daft Punk submissions as of late, with the new album and all, however, I’m shocked about the number of entries from “the Great Gatsby” Soundtrack. Color me impressed with the material thus far and as much as it pains me to say this, the Lana Del Rey track is a definite stunner.

Haim – “Falling” (Leonard Friend Remix)
Justin Timberlake – Let the Groove Get In (Cadillax Remix)
Daft Punk – Doin’ It Right (Unlike Pluto remix)
Elex – Hit the Bass Drum (Original Mix)
Lana Del Rey – Young and Beautiful (Madeaux Remix)
Phoenix – Trying To Be Cool (Phantoms Remix)
Cassie – Me & U (Dopeshoes 7 Year Itch Remix)
Florence and the Machine- Over The Love (Game 7 Remix)
MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS + CHARLI XCX | ♡ “JUST DESSERTS” ♡
Cat Power – Manhattan (Club Clique Remix)

Vampire Weekend has taken their collegiate odes to east coast women and living and taken a more broad approach to songwriting with their latest release, “Modern Vampires of the City.” Is it inconceivable that VW had the best selling album in the land last week? An indie release no less. Number one on the Billboard charts with a spot at the top of most summer festivals in 2013 with a “Best New Music” from P4K. One could say this is the year of the vampire. Speaking of vampires, “True Blood,” starts this summer.

Despite not contributing the lion’s share of the vocals, Rostam Batmanglij (multi-instrumentalist), has staked his claim as a major creative force in the quartet composing song arrangements, writing and functioning as a utility man on stage. Monday night saw the NYC crew come into their own before a damp sold-out crowd with Rostam calling shots on stage setting the tone on most tracks. Lead singer, Ezra Koenig, has all but abandoned the songs of fast women from Cambridge in a setlist that was more extensive than most shows that they’re use to playing. Bassist Chris Baio hasn’t changed a step with his two step strum dance routing seeming to enjoy every moment of the evening and drummer Chris Tomson looked extremely well rested from his time off in Montana at Dude Ranch. The guys need a little more time to work out the kinks on the new material, but the handful of tracks performed from “MVOTC” had plenty of bite to keep the newer fans intrigued.

Vampire Weekend – Unbelievers (live on SNL) [mp3]

Classixx has put up a good fight with their latest album, “Hanging Gardens,” to claim their stake as conquerors of the summer jamz circuit. The only other release that stands in their way is the gargantuan release from Daft Punk, but that was expected. Saturday night saw the duo behind their keyboards to get the party started with a short(er) set that included the pre-recorded vocals on “All You’re Waiting For,” but that didn’t take away from those that had an itch to cut a rug. The SoCal kids sounded great, but the lack of live drums and bass left me thinking that the show has room for improvement. The album as a whole stands as one of my favorites for this year and the sound wasn’t LOUD ENOUGH for my liking.

Classixx – Hanging Gardens [mp3]

The Presets are performing at the Odgen Theater tomorrow co-headlining with Dragonette and openers Classixx. In all honesty, the three could be headlining the evening with strong new(ish) albums from both the Presets and SoCal’s Classixx. The Presets’ latest release, “Pacifica,” has a tinge of Darren Emerson from Underworld sprinkled for good measure on Australia’s best hope to follow in the footsteps of Cut Copy. “Pacifica” is a step in the right direction of using more instruments versus leaning too much on the electronic element with a more organic feel compared to previous efforts.

Classixx’s “Hanging Gardens” have just released their newest offering in what sounds like a steamy summer evening on a rooftop in a bustling city. The title track is a slow simmer that eventually culminates into a a soft banger setting the stage for the full album. The contribution from DFA’s Nancy Whang on “All You’re Waiting For” is a strong second, but the rest of the release has been on non-stop rotation.

The Presets – Fall (Erick Rincon Remix) [mp3]
Gossip – Move In The Right Direction (Classixx Remix) [mp3]

The Presets – Ghosts [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Last time Purity Ring came to Denver, the duo played to a wild Larimer Lounge. The seasoned veterans of the road have checked in the comfy confines of the LL for the very spacious Gothic Theatre tomorrow, before the 4ad kids bring the noise to the desert for Coachella. I have a pair of tickets to giveaway to one lucky reader. Just send me your name via Twitter over here or email me (julio dot enriquez at gmail dot com). The Canadians are on the hustle with their latest album, “Shrines,” for those of you that have yet to listen to the stellar release.

Purity Ring – Fineshrine[mp3]

Purity Ring – “Belispeak”

Purity Ring Tour Dates

4/10 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
4/11 Las Vegas, NV Beauty Bar
4/12 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
4/15 San Francisco, CA The Independent (SOLD OUT)
4/16 San Francisco, CA The Independent (SOLD OUT)
4/17 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill (SOLD OUT)
4/18 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre (SOLD OUT)
4/19 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
4/23 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
4/24 Seattle, WA Neptune
4/25 Vancouver, BC Vogue
4/27 Calgary, AB Republik
4/28 Edmonton, AB Starlite Ballroom
4/30 Saskatoon, SK Louis Pub
5/01 Winnipeg, MB WECC
5/02 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
5/03 Chicago, IL Metro (EARLY SHOW)
5/03 Chicago, IL Metro (EARLY SHOW)
5/04 Pontiac, MI Crofoot Ballroom
5/11 New York, NY Downtown Festival @ Bowery Ballroom
7/28 Dufer, OR WTF?! What The Festival

AND WE’RE BACKKKKKK! After a brief hiatus, we’re back on the grind and hope to make the Friday Remixes better for y’all. Today is opening day for my beloved underachieving Rockies. See you at the ballgame.

Capital Cities – Safe and Sound (Vice Remix)
Started From The Bottom (G-Mix) D.L.O. x Drake x Wiz Khalifa
Zedd & Tiesto vs. Cryogenix & Daddy’s Grove – Clarity Like This (N3AKO Bootleg)
Can’t Sleep In The Chaos (ft. Lights, Gold Panda, 3OH!3, Faithless, Star Slinger)
Koreless – Lost in Tokyo (Cralias edit)
Daft Punk – Digital Love (Panic City Remix)
Thieves Like Us – Stay Blue (Malouines remix)
Goldroom – Only You Can Show Me ft. Mereki Beach (The Knocks Remix)
Avicii ft Negin – Three Million (Your Love Is So Amazing – Shoe Scene Symphony Remix)
CHROMATICS / TICK OF THE CLOCK (Visione’s The Stroke Of Midnight Remix)

A lot of you guys will commence eye rolls when seeing any movie’s preview as soon as the name TOM CRUISE is flashed before your eyes. Think about how many great movie’s he’s done: Top Gun, Cocktail, the Outsiders, Risky Business and on and on and on. See, he’s not that bad. Fast forward to 2013 and we have the futurisitic post apocalyptic feature, “Oblivion.” Who better than Mr. Anthony Gonzalez to score the spacey film? The rest of you that don’t win can purchase the “Oblivion” soundtrac over here and for more information on the movie, head over here. Look for the soundtrack to be released April 9.

C=T wants to set up ONE US WINNER with an “Oblivion” prize package consisting of:

Oblivion on viny.
Oblivion 3d puzzle
Oblivion hat
Oblivion water bottle

All you have to do is @ message me on Twitter over here or email me at ( julio dot enriquez at gmail dot com)

Track-listing:

• Jack’s Dream (1:22)
• Waking Up (4:09)
• Tech 49 (5:58)
• StarWaves (3:41)
• Odyssey Rescue (4:08)
• Earth 2077 (2:22)
• Losing Control (3:56)
• Canyon Battle (5:58)
• Radiation Zone (4:11)
• You Can’t Save Her (4:56)
• Raven Rock (4:33)
• I’m Sending You Away (5:38)
• Ashes Of Our Fathers (3:30)
• Temples Of Our Gods (3:14)
• Fearful Odds (3:09)
• Undimmed By Time, Unbound By Death (2:26)
• Oblivion (feat. Susanne Sundfør) (5:57)

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds came to the Ogden last night to “Push the Sky Away.” I’m converted. I am now a “Bad Seed.”

Little Boots is back with great news. Fans can look out for a new album this May titled, “Nocturnes,” but in the meantime, we have “Motorway.” The beautifully arranged single that plays well into Little Boots’ strengths of clever beats and silky vocals.

Little Boots – Motorway [mp3]

Little Boots – Motorway

Phoenix made good with their promise of new tunes in 2013. The new track, “Entertainment,” has that grandiose buildup with the falsetto vocals from Mr. Thomas Mars. Look for the Parisians’ new album, “Bankrupt,” April 23 in the States.

Phoenix – Love Like a Sunset (Mike Hewitt Remix) [mp3]

Phoenix – Entertainment (homemade lyric video)