If you find yourself saying, “I don’t get it,” instead of laughing, then you’re thinking too much.
Tags: Picture of the day
If you find yourself saying, “I don’t get it,” instead of laughing, then you’re thinking too much.
Tags: Picture of the day
Deep and Ben Boogie are New York’s 2 Hungry Brothers, a production duo who have worked with Lodeck, Mr. Sinister, Das EFX, Jeru the Damaja, Rakim, the Roots, Boot Camp Click . . . The list goes on forever. Their newest project teams them up with 8thW1, also from the AOK Collective, who is one of the fastest, wittiest rappers I’ve heard in years. I know I’m prone to hyperbole, but holy crap. Every song is full of one-liners worth repeated. They come so fast, it’s hard to keep up. “Being broke makes me feel sad!” “I make your iPod swell!/I’m killin’ it just willin’ it!” And 8thW1 is capable of long-form raps, too. “Short and Sweet” compares the effects on society of sugar and crack (“They claim we’re selling crack/but you be doing that!/Sugar is the illest drug/You be the supplier”) in the best conscious-nutrition rap since KRS-One dropped “Beef.” Hilarious and intelligent at the same time–not a common thing to find!
The album also features AOK Collective Crew members Fresh Daily, Homeboy Sandman and P.So; Von Pea of Tanya Morgan; Reef da Lost Cauze, and more. It’s ridiculously good.
There’s a sampler free on bandcamp, but I’m not sure how long that will last….
Stupidface video:
Tags: Free Album!, Hip Hop
There have never been enough quality lady rappers. I mean, sure, they’ve always been around: Jean Grae, MC Lyte, Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, Lil’ Kim . . . But the reason you can name most of them is because there are so few that break through. So for me, the best part of JR & PH7′s new EP is the cut by Eternia. She’s got a great voice, solid flow, and better-than-average lyrics. But if you’re interested in this EP, it’s probably not for her. Or for the other featured rappers here, which include Ohmega Watts, Termanology, Trek Life, Oddissee, The Residents, and Waxolutionists. You’re here because Germany’s production team JR & PH7′s “The Standard” was one of the better slept-on LPs of the 2009s. The beats they make are crisp and vibrant, and make anyone sound good, really. Not to denigrate the rappers here–they’re all solid underground wordsmiths.
Check it out on iTunes or wherever you’re getting your tunes these days.
From L.A. to the World feat. Trek Life
Tags: Hip Hop
The Tallest Man on Earth is Kristian Matsson, a Swedish folk singer with a voice that falls somewhere between Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon), Josh Ostrander (Eastern Conference Champions), and Bob Dylan. If that sounds like it has the potential to be grating, you’re right. But if you’re familiar with those artists, you also know that it works, and works well. “The Wild Hunt” is the man’s second record, and it’s just about as close to perfect as you can find in modern acoustic-based folk rock.
This is his first album on the independent Dead Oceans label, and it is exactly what you would expect and hope for from this artist: Powerful lyrics that fit neatly with tightly crafted guitar-based melodies that can be simple (“Burden of Tomorrow”) or as intricate and beautiful as anything off of Dylan’s best record, “Blood on the Tracks” (“Troubles Will be Gone”). The only criticism I have of this record is that it gets a little same-y after a while–it is ten songs done in a very similar manner. I’m hoping that for his next release, Matsson will step a little further out of his safety zone. Until then, though, this album is a wonderful experience.
Tags: Covers, Indie rock
See, now if you’re going to go through all the trouble to make a great bandname like “Turds of Misery” you should at least stick together for more than just 6 shows. Or maybe that’s appropriate.
Tags: Bands with better names than music, Picture of the day
1. CYSTS has a post on “pop punk” with 13 songs for downloading. Good stuff.
2. Speed of Dark posted a Frightened Rabbits concert.
3. New Game mixtape from XXL here.
4. YANP has a post of his picks for the best summer songs this year, all downloadable.
5. Chief Kamachi’s Clock of Destiny is pure fiya. Get his 2010 mixtape here.
6. Cookin’ on Three Burners cover The Gorillaz’s classic, Feel Good Inc. here.
Tags: Go away
I bought this comic on principle: I love Daredevil, and I love the potential in the art form of black and white comic books. Unfortunately, few b&w books actually achieve that potential, mostly because they’re done as novelty done-in-ones or anthologies. This one is no different. The first story is by Peter Milligan, and it’s passable but predictable: DD is offered the chance to get his sight back, but decides against it. I’m sure you can figure out why, but if not, don’t read the next paragraph unless you want the “suprise” spoiled.
(That’s right! Seeing actually makes him less powerful! Why? They don’t explain that. Nor do they explain why a sighted person can’t also use radar. Seems to work for submarine captains and airplane pilots. But whatever.)
The second story is a snoozer about Kingpin by Rick Spears. And the third is actually a short story–I mean, with paragraphs and everything. If I want to read words all strung together like that, I’ll pick up the copy of that Joe Strummer biography I’ve been trying to get through for the last few months. It’s by Ann Nocenti, and I have never been a fan of her take on DD anyway.
As for the art, it’s great. I love black and white art. The art chores are by Jason Latour, Mick Bertilorenzi, and then by David Aja, who also did the terrific cover.
My recommendation is to buy this to encourage the art form and/or to look at the pictures. But if you’re like me, the words will only annoy you.
Tags: Comic books, Comics review
