Cooke's Cuts - March

March, the month of college selection, breaking up stubborn winter ice, and fine tuning the 6k erg test. For those of us training out here at the Olympic Training Center, in Chula Vista, March is pieces, pieces, pieces.

As pair selection begins, I need a good mix to warm me up and get me ready for the action. This month features a hot track from Peaches, new music from Joakim, and a classic that’s appropriate for any starting line.

After you’ve downloaded a few of these hits, you’ll be ready to make a great mix for the iPod Shuffle contest brought to you by the Four-O-Meter.

-Megan

• Artist: Peaches
  
  Song: Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommy Sunshine’s Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
  
  

  Famous for delivering lyrics laden with innuendos, Peaches is not for the faint of heart. Once you get into the saucy frame of mind, her flow will take you through any work-out with a grin. Add a splash of Tommy Sunshine and you’ve got a hard hitting remix that puts out every time.

• Artist: The Killers
  
  Song: Read My Mind (Pet Shop Boys Starts Are Blazing Mix)

  Of course The Killers can stand alone on any good playlist, but never shy away from a little flavor courtesy of the Pet Shop Boys. The Boys take a great song from the Sam’s Town album, amp it up, making it perfect for any high paced effort.

• Artist: Joakim
  
  Song: I Wish You Were Gone
  
  

  It’s electronica meets alternative meets pop. Thankfully, not the kind of pop you’ll be hearing all day long on the radio. Joakim’s new album Monsters & Silly Songs is packed full of unique music with a steady beat. Be sure to also download the track Lonely Hearts.

• Artist: The Knife
  
  Song: Marble House (Rex the Dog Remix)
  
  

  The Knife is a relatively new group and their hit, Marble House, will leave you humming all day long. Though the secret members of the group avoid touring and promoting, their music, an interesting blend of electronic pop, speaks for itself.

• Artist: Para One
  
  Song: Dundun-dun (MSTRKRFT remix)
  
  

  Here’s the perfect track to get yourself fired up. Dark and hard hitting; the louder it plays, the better it sounds. No words necessary for this killer track.

• Artist: Gym Class Heroes
  
  Song: New Friend Request (Papoose Remix)
  
  

  From the hip-hop/rock group that brought you Cupid’s Chokehold, here’s the last track on the album that seals the deal. It’s a great alternative to the usual slower tempo of hip-hop.

• Artist: Above & Beyond
  
  Song: Good For Me (Thomas Datt Bootleg Mix)

  This type of vocal trance makes you want to put on a great pair of headphones and turn up the volume until everything else disappears. Above & Beyond brings rich, synthesized layers to dramatic, echoing vocals. This club hit will make time fly on any machine.

• Artist: Coco Electrik
  
  Song: Tainted Love
  
  

  An interesting remix of the original, this song is pure candy: short and sweet. It’s a guaranteed a crowd pleaser.

• Artist: Angels & Airwaves
  
  Song: The Adventure
  
  

  In honor of AT&T’s sponsorship of the Olympic Training Center, AT&T is hosting a party and a concert featuring Angel’s & Airwaves. Here’s their hit “The Adventure” which we get to see performed live this week.

ERG ROOM CLASSIC:

• Artist: Cake
  
  Song: The Distance
  
  

  Perhaps some Pavlovian dog complex to the idea of starting lines, my heart raises ten beats when I hear the intro to this song. Nevertheless, it’s hard to deny this classic its right in the Hall of Fame.