A Curt Baker & Scott Olstad Compilation:
While not all of us may be able to dance, it is a safe bet that all of us have or desperately wanted to. The following is a list of all of the recent danceable albums that are most likely to have us groovin in the car, our computer chair, or while plugged into our iPods on the bus. There is just no denying the booty-shakin’ allure of the following ten albums. If you have ever tapped a single toe for half a second, or even if you haven’t and wanted to, the following records are must haves.
10. Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds // justintimberlake.com
I don’t care how “indie” you are (even ultra-hipsters Pitchfork Media gave it a rave review), you simply cannot deny that FutureSex/LoveSounds is a pop-dance masterpiece, the likes of which haven’t been accomplished since before Michael Jackson became..well…super creepy. Not that I would know, but I would imagine just about every other song played in a top 40 club has to be off this album. I completely understand why my girlfriend would leave me in a heartbeat for JT, FutureSex/LoveSounds may very well be the sexiest dance album ever.
9. Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future // myspace.com/klaxons
While Myths may not be getting many spins in da club, its danceability is something that should not be taken lightly. Klaxons take the tried and true U.K.-influenced, dance-rock sound and turn it on its head, making the genre subset sound fresh again.
8. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver // lcdsoundsystem.com
Nominated for the Grammy award for Best Electronic/Dance Album and winner of many “album of the year” awards, LCD Soundsystem’s sophomore release, Sound of Silver, is in actuality, nothing less than golden. Featuring a diverse selection of tunes from the instantly catchy “North American Scum” and “Time To Get Away” to the more introspective “Someone Great” and “All My Friends,” the album remains consistently toe-tapping until the final, out-of-place but still great “New York, I Love You.” Anymore albums like this and it wouldn’t be long until people are writing songs called “LCD Soundsystem Is Playing At My House.”
7. Head Automatica – Decadence // headautomatica.com
While Head Automatica does have a more recent album, it was their first album, Decadence, which established their role as one of the better dance bands I’ve heard in the past few years. Head Automatica front man, Daryl Palumbo once described the band as “the best pub band in the fucking world.” If this pub was actually a dance club, then I would whole-heartedly agree. With songs titled “Dance Party Plus” and “Disco Hades II,” this album is a dance party in itself and is a surefire recipe for getting bodies moving at any party.
6. M.I.A. – Kala // miauk.com
Kala was certainly a critic’s favorite across the board in 2007. On the surface, it is a quirky dance-rap hybrid, but upon further inspection it features many political statements from violence in Africa (“20 Dollar” referring to the cost of AK-47’s there), to an apparent comment on child soldiers (“World Town”). Certainly Kala is one of the more unique albums on this list.
5. Kanye West – Graduation // kanyeuniversecity.com
Kanye’s latest is probably one of the more controversial calls on the list. While most of the albums gracing this list are produced for dance parties from track start to track finish, Graduation’s diversity makes it harder to classify outside of one of the finest hip-hop albums from the previous year. However, I’ll stake my reputation that nobody listens to this entire album alone in their room without moving their bodies a little. Despite bringing a diversity of sounds to the table, Chicago’s favorite son has once again created an album that will undoubtedly become a mainstay of dance parties across the country until his next release.
4. Men, Women & Children – Men, Women & Children // menwomenandchildren.com
I don’t know what was in Glassjaw’s water supply, but between front man Daryl Palumbo forming Head Automatica and former guitarist Todd Weinstock creating Men, Women and Children, it’s clear that the New York band knew something about shaking a tail feather. Like Head Automatica, Men, Women and Children’s debut album is the kind of record that could get even the most reserved listeners to move their feet. Making DJs job just a bit easier, Men, Women and Children’s self-titled release is forty minutes of unrelenting, hyperactive dance music that turns any gathering into a party.
3. Justice - † // myspace.com/etjusticepourtous
Featuring what is arguably 2007’s biggest dance single, the aptly named “D.A.N.C.E.”, it would have been criminal to leave Justice’s † off the list. However, this album warrants a look past the hit single as it is filled with dance grooves in their purest form; there is no mistaking the genre of this record.
2. Daft Punk – Alive 2007 // daftpunk.com
Even if you’ve never listened to a Daft Punk album, you’ve heard this band. Whether through TV commercials or even being sampled by other artists on this countdown, Daft Punk’s catchy beats have permeated our popular culture. Any normal album by these titans of the electronic genre would deserve a place on the list, however their recently released live album takes dance to different level. While their studio albums contain solid beats, many of the duo’s songs have been criticized for being too repetitive and dull. However, this live album makes it clear that even in the studio, Daft Punk is thinking about the live show. The way the two Frenchmen mix and mash tunes spanning from their decade-long discography is nothing less than energizing. The final product is a live album that is almost impossible not to dance to, even if you aren’t at their show.
1. Girl Talk – Night Ripper // myspace.com/girltalkmusic
Simply put, Greg Gillis (Girl Talk) is a genius. While “mash-ups” are sometime fun novelties that you will play once or twice, Greg’s creations are far more than that. Sometimes featuring samples from as many as 22 different tracks, Girl Talk’s songs completely reinvent their source material and mold them into Frankenstein-like dance-perfect mixes. Night Ripper takes the crown as PopZap!’s Dance King with ease; there is just no better way to get your groove thang movin. So whatchyu waitin for!?
