A Taste:

Beach Boys, Justice, The Animals, Ratatat

Cobra Starship’s dance-y pop rock never fails to “Make them good girls go bad!”

On their latest album Hot Mess, the merchants of pop dance ecstasy light up one infectious anthem after another. They’ve got the groove to make any dance floor go off, and they’ve got enough melody to make you hum all day. It’s quite the combination, and the perfect mess of melody and mischief.

Guitarist Ryland Blackinton has a very diverse taste in tunes. He opened up his iTunes and gave ARTISTdirect.com an exclusive look at what he’s spinning. Check out Ryland’s playlist below and pick up Hot Mess now!

Ryland Blackinton’s Playlist:

1. The Creation — “Painter Man”

2. The Animals — “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”Classic Animals. This is also one of my favorite videos from the 60’s. Eric Burdon walks around so nonchalantly while he lip syncs.

3. Ratatat — “Mumtaz Khan”

Ratatat’s newest album, LP3, really blew my mind. They started using a lot of Middle Eastern percussion and this song, in particular, has one of the best baroque guitar riffs I’ve ever heard. Seeing them live is psychotic.

4. The Beach Boys — “In My Room”

Brian Wilson perfectly encapsulates the sense of security one feels in his respective bedroom. This song also has some of the most beautiful four-part harmonies they’ve ever done. The album art [for Endless Summer] is crazy too. It features strung out mountain man drawings of them hiding in the grass. Way far out.

5. Patrick Cleandenim — “Motorik”

Patrick just recently released Orange Moonbeam Floorshow in the States, and it’s the best dance album to come out in a while. He used to make this really Bacharach-y piano pop music, and I fully back his movement into electronic dance music.

6. Crystal Stilts — “Prysmatic Room”

Like hearing a song you’ve loved in the past, the Stilts have an amazing nostalgic quality. I remember the early demos had so much reverb it sounded like the music was drowning. I can’t put it on without listening to the entire record.

7. Dinosaur Jr. — “In A Jar”

8. Justice — “Planesphere Part II”

Insanely dark and classical…Even more impressive that it was madeexclusively for Dior Homme.

9. Breakbot

This guy just got signed to Ed Banger records and basically every remix he’s ever done is better than the original. Hopefully we’ll be seeing an album of his soon!

10. Talking Heads — “Naive Melody”

Perfect song. David Byrne once said, “The better the singer, the harderit is to believe them.” It’s true, though not a pitch perfect performance, you get every word of the song. I also love that weird little warbly synth sound. The live version on “Stop Making Sense” will make a Talking Heads fan out of anyone.

—Rick Florino
08.31.09