DJ Scratch'n Sniff's Favorite Albums of the Year

The following is a list of my favorite 10 albums for this year. I didn’t listen to every album released this year, and I'm not saying that these albums bear some sort of historical impact on the world of music because they're on my list. Some I listened to more often than others. Some I just liked the better than others- Either way, here are my favorites from 2008 in no particular order:

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement

This one brings a melancholy smile to my face. Took the unmistakable Arctic Monkeys sound and added arrangements reminiscent of classic 60’s britt pop.

Fav Tracks: Calm Like You, I Don’t Like You Anymore, The Chamber

The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

Catchy, fast paced, playful. Very loud record for a 2 piece band. Definitely sat in my CD player longer than most records.

Fav Tracks: Shut up and Let Me Go, We Walk, Traffic Light

Does it Offend you Yeah? - You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into

Good for when I needed some heavy beats and 80’s influenced ballads.

Fav Tracks: We are Rockstars, Epic Last Song, Let’s Makeout

Los Campesinos! - Hold on Now, Youngster

Does the Arts and Crafts label ever disappoint? This record reminded me that Indie rock doesn’t have to take itself so seriously all the time.

Fav Tracks: Death to Los Campesinos!, Don’t Tell me to Do the Math(s), You!, Me!, Dancing!

Little Joy - Little Joy

Blends classic Strokes sound with Brazilian folk rhythms provided by Los Hermanos guitarist Rodrigo Amarante. Appealed greatly to my lounge and world music sensibilities.

Fav Tracks: Brand New Start, With Strangers, No One’s Better Sake

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

Ahhh…Ok…I get it! Listened to this record 3 times straight on a road trip. This one finally made a believer out of me.

Fav tracks: Crawl, Sex on Fire, Manhattan, Closer, Use Somebody

Hot Chip - Made in the Dark

Mesmerized me with electro beats and haunting ballads like Whistle for Will and the title track, Made in the Dark. This is an album that definitely got me Ready for the Floor.

Fav Tracks: One Pure Thought, Shake a Fist, Hold On, Wrestlers

Bajofondo Tango Club – Mardulce

Gustavo Santaolalla proves his musical genious once again on collaborations with Elvis Costello, Gustavo Cerati, and Julieta Venegas.

Fav Tracks: Gran Guignol, Ya No Duele, Pa’ Bailar (Siempre Quiero Mas)

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Made me long for my days as a wide eye coed and inspired me to dust off that old cardigan. Yacht Rock soothes the savage beast.

Fav Tracks: Walcott, M79, Oxford Comma, The Kid’s Don’t Stand a Chance

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

The perfect soundtrack to a year that seemed an endless psychadelic trip. Wouldn’t have made it out alive without this album. You can hear so many musical influences in this record and they are executed masterfully. Wow-e-wow wow!

Fav Tracks: Solid from Start to Finish!

Honorable Mentions:

Born Ruffians – Red, Yellow, and Blue

Delta Spirit – Ode to Sunshine

Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles

Black Kids – Party Traumatic

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

FoundTrack Fall '08 Release Party Recap & Photos

CLICK HERE FOR FULL GALLERY

Thanks a million to everyone that came out and supported us last Thursday for the Fall '08 Release Party. It was quite the jam and the perfect way to celebrate with the extended FoundTrack family. If you don't mind staying in your seats for the closing credits, I'd like to give special thanks and single out some groups who made the event happen.

The FoundTrack Fall Artists-

The 20 artists on FoundTrack's Fall '08 Collection have given us an opportunity to celebrate their work. The music you hear on the compilation is just the tip of the iceberg. Please explore the rest of their music and check them out next time they are scheduled to perform in town. I know a lot of you were asking for CDs and unfortunately we ran out but you can still download the collection until the release of our Winter compilation in late December so get down on it.

Colin Young-Wolff

While all of us were enjoying food, music, and brews, the Wolff man with the cam was capturing the story of the night. Colin has been a constant on the pulse of LA's hottest events including the Scion house parties. Make sure to consider him when you're planning those holiday bashes. Checkout his event photo blog and his portfolio. AND checkout his full gallery of FoundTrack's Fall '08 Release Party photos.

Chef-Boy-Are-Deejays were Off the Hook!

Reckless Romeo (AKA Paul Jones) - starting us off the night right with his old school pre-80's crate of vinylistic delight was Paul Jones- Look for Reckless Romeo himself to be contributing on our blog dropping some knowledge on some lost tracks and back-catalogue classics.

DJ Scratch N Sniff (AKA Jose Galvan) - Next on decks was our Foundtrack homey Jose (formerly of Indie 103) coming through with an eclectic mix of great stuff including several FoundTracks from previous compilations. You can catch Jose at his weekly residency on Wednesday nights at the hip new Kitchen 24 on the Cahuenga strip.

DJ Mario Cotto - Super Mario gave us all one ups on with his crucial and crafty mixes on the ones and twos. We were very grateful to have him- Check out his weekly show on KCRW Monday nights from 12-3am or listen on-demand here. Come by Miss T's Barcade in Korea town the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month at his residency, Power Up . He will be in effect this Friday so work off that turkey and get down on the dance floor.

DJ KnewJack - Last but definitely not least is the beast himself, Knewjack, doing us all the favor by giving us the flavor that kept us at the bar past 3am. Now do yourself the favor and support Knewjack and his booming monthly DJ Mixes and monthly residency, Neon Rocks, at Trip in Santa Monica.

The R-Bar

We couldn't think of a better place to bring a family of supporters than this fine establishment. Laura, Hope, and the rest of the R-Bar crew have been big supporters of us since they opened their doors and they were more than accommodating. Make sure to come by next time you're in the area. They're starting to book bands and have added food including a killer grilled cheese/tomato soup combo and of course their jukebox is one of the best in town, evidenced by inclusion of the exclusive and rare Foundtrack/R-Bar 80's Megamix:

R-Bar - 3331 W 8th St. Los Angeles (K-town)

Independent Kitchen Fiesta

Thanks to Nora at Independent Kitchen Fiesta, the #1 independent catering service in LA for helping us out with the delicious Mediterranean feast for our fiesta. Contact Nora Gunner @ (818) 981-7548 next time you need some affordable and delicious grub for your special event.

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We hope you will continue to support these artists and good folks so consider them for parties and events that come up throughout the year. Feel free to contact us directly if you'd like to get in touch with them.

Have a great Thanksgiving Everyone! AND, see you all next at next season's bash.

CLICK HERE for the FULL PHOTO GALLERY from the Fall '08 Release Party.

FoundTrack's Fall 08 Release PARTY UPDATE ! - Drink Specials & More...

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Hey Gals & Guys, Here are A FEW UPDATES about the PARTY this Thursday-

We're hosting a release party for our Fall '08 Collection music compilation at R-Bar on Thursday November 20th. Come one, Come all, but don't forget the password for the evening- "FoundTrack"

* DRINK SPECIALS! - $3 Beers and $6 Vodkas from 8-10pm

* FOOD will be served, so make sure to arrive early

* TUNES will be provided by KCRW's Mario Cotto, FoundTrack resident DJ KnewJack, & DJ Scratch 'n Sniff aka Jose Galvan *JUST ADDED: DJ Reckless Romeo

* PARTY PHOTOS by the awesome Colin Young-Wolff! -Checkout his event photo blog and his portfolio (the music section is especially rad).

* $5 VALET is available in case you can't find street parking

* RSVP NOT REQUIRED, But You Need the Password - "FOUNDTRACK" at the door

* FREE CDs, TREATS and MUCH MORE! - Stay tuned to www.FoundTrack.com/events for updates.

See Everyone there!

R-Bar
3331 W 8th St. (corner of Irolo, one block west of 8th and Normandie)
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 387-7227

Fall '08 Release Party UPDATE! - DJ Profiles

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DJ KnewJack

-Represents LA he was raised out in Boston

- Has opened for Squeak E. Clean, Kool Keith, Courtney Love and a host of other quality acts at LA's hippes events including several of our parties.

-Listen to his FoundTrack DJ mixes here. Download his November mix, Fast Voyzey, right here.

Trivia - Loves tuna melt sandwiches

-Come see him play tonight at his monthly residency,Neon Rocks, at Trip in Santa Monica. Click on flyer below for more details.

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DJ Mario Cotto

-Represents Philly to the fullest

-Check out his weekly show on KCRW monday nights from 12-3am or listen on-demand here.

-You can also listen to his KCRW online show which airs 8-10 am and then repeated 8-10pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Full schedule here.

Trivia - His first 5 records were Menudo's “Quiero Rock,” Michael Jackson's “Thriller,” The Beatles' “Rubber Soul,” Michael W. Smith's “Project,” and (unbeknownst to his parents) The Beastie Boys' “License to Ill.”

- Come by Miss T's Barcade in Korea town the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month at his residency, Power Up (Get it... Mario ...Power Up?) Tonight happens to be the 2nd Friday of the month so you know where to be. Click flyer below for more details.

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DJ Scratch N Sniff

- Born in Mexico City, Los Angeles native AKA Jose Galvan

-FoundTrack homey and up and coming mixmaster

-Averages approximately 50.6 booty shakers and 3.8 "oh no he didn't's" per gig

-Alum of KSCR Radio and the Indie 103 morning show

-Trivia - still owns a copy of Vanilla Ice's "To the extreme" on cassette.

- Come check out his weekly residency on Wednesday nights at the hip new Kitchen 24 on the Cahuenga strip: