DFA COMPILATION #2

This week's biggest new release is a heavy hitter, the DFA Compilation #2 from DFA Records. It's a 3xCD box with "LP style" CD packaging inside. DFA's recent progress has been somewhat difficult to track, after their intial blow-up and the success of The Rapture (and their eventual split), especially since DFA releases almsot exclusively vinyl singles. The compilation shows that the DFA has been hard at work improving their sound, widening the scope of their musical aspirations, and -- as always -- making some insane beats, and is a brilliant way to give people with small music budgets (and no record players) a chance to hear this music.

Highlights include the absolutely must-own-because-it-owns-you dance-punk exercise "Yeah (Crass Version)" from lcd soundsystem, the brilliant hip-hop/Beach Boys/post-punk messy Rapture b-side "Alabama Sunshine", tracks from recent sign Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, new tracks from The Juan Maclean, hot beats from Pixeltan, Black Leotard Front, and J.O.Y., and the DFA's recent collaboration with the historic 80's group Liquid Liquid, as well as other new groups and rare tracks and remixes. Plus, the third CD is a hott don't-stop-the-beat mix CD from Tim Goldsworthy and Tim Sweeney. Highly recommended. Tracklist:

CD ONE
01. "Casual Friday" Black Leotard Front
02. "Sunplus" (DFA Remix) J.O.Y.
03. "I Robot" The Juan Maclean
04. "Alabama Sunshine" The Rapture
05. "Rise" (DFA Remix) Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom
06. "Dance Hall Modulator" The Juan Maclean
07. "Get Up Say What" (DFA Remix) Pixeltan
08. "Wasteder" (DFA Remix) Black Dice
09. "Yeah" (Pretentious Mix) lcd soundsystem

CD TWO
01. "Yeah" (Crass Version) lcd soundysystem
02. "Endless Happiness" (EYE Remix) Black Dice
03. "Sunplus" J.O.Y.
04. "Beat Connection" lcd soundsystem
05. "El Monte" Delia Gonzalez and Gavin Russom
06. "Bellhead" Liquid Liquid
07. "That's The Way I Like It" Pixeltan
08. "Sister Saviour" (DFA Dub) The Rapture
09. "Less Than Human" The Juan Maclean

CD THREE / MIX CD
01. "Get Up Say What" (DFA Remix) Pixeltan
02. "Echoes" (DFA Edit) The Rapture
03. "Bellhead" Liquid Liquid
04. "Sunplus" (DFA Remix) J.O.Y.
05. "El Monte" Delia Gonzalez and Gavin Russom
06. "Give Me Every Little Thing" The Juan Maclean
07. "Sister Saviour" (DFA Dub) The Rapture
08. "Rise" (DFA Remix) Delia Gonzalez and Gavin Russom
09. "I Robot" The Juan Maclean
10. "Endless Happiness" (EYE Remix) Black Dice
11. "On Repeat" (Dub) lcd soundsystem
12. "Yeah" (Crass) / Beat Connection lcd soundsystem

You can stream tracks from the album on DFA Radio at DFA's site. Read the Pitchfork review here. Buy the album here.