November 20th, 2008
I’m not normally into the shameless shill thing–other than the rare occasions when I’ve inveigled readers into nominating me for the much sought after Chancellor of the Confederated Islands of Micronesia position. Thanks for nothing, guys. However, this morning, Stereogum sent me an e-mail purporting that The Passion is a “top contender” for Best Music Blog in their annual Gummy Awards. God knows how many other bloggers received this e-mail–I haven’t checked my RSS today and imagine that half the web has already posted something similar. If so, congratulations Stereogum, on your elaborate ruse. Well played.
According to said e-mail, I’m supposed to send my readers over to The Gummy Awards voting site and tell you to vote for me. I’m also supposed to inform you that the polls are open now through 6 pm EST, 12/2/08. And that everyone who submits has a chance to win the top 50 CDs, as determined by the poll results, and a year’s subscription to Netflix.
So if you’re bored at work and have nothing better to do, I’d appreciate your support. Most of all, I’d like to thank you, the reader, for turning this site into the esteemed position it currently holds: Google’s 7th Most Popular Site for Weimar-era Germany snuff films. With your ongoing support, I know we can crack the top 5.
Download:
MP3: Ultramagnetic MC’s-”Ego Trippin”
MP3: De La Soul-”Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)”
Posted in News | 6 Comments »
November 20th, 2008
If Sach O found a bag of weed on the floor, motherfucker. you know what the fuck he’d go and do: pick it up, pick it up.
So I’m at the local Caribbean spot, half blunted, picking up some roti for a lazy Thursday night when Freddie McGregor’s Bobby Bobylon starts blaring out the stereo. Now I’m not about to enter any sound clashes, but I’m no slouch on the reggae tip either: I can live without ever hearing Legend again, I’ve given obligatory props to the Congos, I know that busting out Night Nurse gets the panties off and can tell Augustus Clarke, Johnny Clarke and Augustus Pablo apart. I’d heard Freddie McGregor’s work beforehand but this was the shit. That bass heavy hard rock music mixed with the soulful sensitivity that makes dreads break down and cry into their Red Stripes. Suffice to say, this required some investigation.
Released for the mighty Studio 1 label, Bobby Bobylon was McGregor’s full length debut but he was no novice on the mic, beginning his career at the tender age of 7 and releasing a multitude of singles. Collecting some of this older material and adding newer tracks, the album is surprisingly cohesive with tough production that sounds far grittier than its 1980 release date would suggest. Which isn’t to say that the album’s nothing but fire n’ brimstone: the first half is mostly lover’s rock at its best. Tomorrow is like today is the immediate stand out with one of the most pained, soulful vocals ever committed to tape. A lament to loneliness, the song doesn’t break any ground but the incredible performance and superb horn charts lift the song into that rarefied space where the music grabs your emotions and doesn’t let go until it’s done. Plus I’ll put lines like it’s a sad sad feeling to be sitting all alone, with people walking past me…I might as well be stoned up against anything cooked up at Motown or Stax. On the harder tip, I’m a Revolutionist hits with enough righteous fury to satisfy even the snottiest college communist while the warm, glowing production wraps the vocals up like a blanket.
McGregor’s a true OG with a career spanning an amazing 5 decades, a career I’ll probably never be in a position to summarize. As one of Reggae’s few living legends though, he’s certainly one of people that’ll be benefiting from my (ever dwindling, recession addled) musical budget. That is, if I can get past Bobby Bobylon. The album’s that good.
Download:
MP3: Freddie McGregor-”Tomorrow is Like Today”
MP3: Freddie McGregor-”I’m a Revolutionist”
Posted in Sach O | 7 Comments »
November 19th, 2008
If Alchemist continues to make beats this good, at some point in the near future he will pass Kelly Taylor for 4th place on the list of All-Time Greatest Things from Beverly Hills, with only The Beverly Hillbillies, Jim Palmer and Axel Foley in front of him.
Evidence continues to be consistent solo, kicking, a simple, slow flow that sinks into the pocket of the hypnotic, psych-guitar sample and soft drums. Blu sounds like he’s been studying 07-08, Andre 3000 but makes the verse his own, delivering one of his finest performances yet. Don’t be surprised if a major scoops him in the very near future.
The only non-local, Kid Cudi, is on hook duty–and I’ve got to say, I’m impressed with the guy’s versatility. I caught him in New York a few weeks back with Skinny Slim of the Philadelpyinz and Doc Zeus, who lived up to his name and threw temper tantrums and disguised himself as a swan (pause). His stage show is surprisingly tight for a rookie and he’s clearly much more than a Kanye weed carrier. And though it’s kind of annoying, I can’t get “Day and Nite” out of my head. Amounted together, “Therapy,” is another reason why LA hip-hop is better than its been in a long while.
Download:
MP3: Alchemist ft. Blu, Evidence & Kid Cudi-”Therapy”
MP3: Kid Cudi-”Day N’ Nite”
Posted in Are You From the Lester Bangs School of Thought? | 9 Comments »
November 19th, 2008
Very funny new video from millionaire playboy/amateur Dance Dance Revolution champion, Zilla Rocca, in promotion of his Bring Me the Head of Zilla Rocca mixtape. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, what are you waiting for? Hoverboards? Detox? Cam’ron to write a tender, poignant love song about a woman?
Also, peep 33 Jones’ Bring Me the Remix of Zilla Rocca series.
Download:
ZIP: Zilla Rocca-Bring Me the Head of Zilla Rocca
Posted in Videos | 3 Comments »
November 19th, 2008
In addition to teaching the children of England the meaning of dope, Dan Love blogs at From Da Bricks.
Stretch Armstrong should need no introduction around these parts. As one half of New York’s most legendary hip hop radio team, the unlikely looking Adrian Bartos’ pseudonym will be indelibly associated with establishing the careers of most of your favourite rappers. However, what few people realise is that Stretch built up a modest yet well-executed catalogue of beats towards the tail end of hip hop’s infinitely lauded golden era, including work with Lil’ Kim on her full length debut and Shawn J. Period’s original crew Down South that you’d be remiss to overlook.
My hands down favourite Stretch production comes in the shape of his mix of Big Noyd’s ‘Usual Suspect,’ lifted from his ’96 solo drop Episodes Of A Hustla, an album that suffers from brevity, mediocrity and the towering shadow of the infinitely superior material put out by close affiliates Mobb Deep. Nice try, Mr Perry. Put these issues to one side though and there are a handful of enjoyable moments to savour for those who miss that gritty New York aesthetic and tangible Queen’s cadence on the mic. That’s everyone, right?
Sample fodder comes care of the late, great Mr Hayes and the third installment from his ‘Ike’s Rap’ series that like the majority of his work has been heavily dug (does the colloquial term for hunting down records even work in the past tense? Who knows). It’s a beautifully simple act of production on Stretch’s part, jacking the first couple of bars and pitching them up with absolutely nothing left out of the mix. You’d be forgiven for writing off Stretch’s innovation behind the boards in this instance if the end product wasn’t so uncontrollably bangin’, but since it is you can officially take your hatin’ elsewhere. Sucka. Crispy drums and occasional sample manipulations complete the picture and give Noyd the space he deserves to get busy. Who ever said this shit needed to get complicated?
Try listening to this without aggravating that pesky crick in your neck: consider that a dare of the double dog variety. Just be aware that any successful attempts touted in the comment section will be immediately discounted on the basis that you’re lying.
Download:
MP3:Big Noyd-”Usual Suspect (Stretch Armstrong Mix)”
MP3:Isaac Hayes-”Medley: Ike’s Rap III/Your Love is So Doggone Good”
Posted in Beat of the Week, Dan Love | 2 Comments »
November 18th, 2008
Re-reading my review, I briefly blanched at the easy potshot lambasting “stale, corporate local radio” for ignoring the Knux–then I checked out Power 106’s playlist. “Krazy” by Pitbull and Lil Jon?” “So Fly” by Slim and Young Joc?” You’re trying to tell me that neither “Cappuccino” nor “Bang Bang” is better than that gruesome twosome? C’mon, Interscope, step up your payola game.
Yeah, the review’s probably hyperbolic, but the enthusiasm is sincere. Young, talented, major label rappers have been in short supply during this decade and it’s nice to be able to ride for a group who you believe in as artists, not just rappers. Of course, not everyone will like Remind Me In Three Days. It’s too frivolous and poppy for the Okayplayer/purist types and as cynics have rightfully pointed out, yes, Rah Al Milio sounds awfully similar to Big Boi.
But it’s unfair to write off Knux for sounding like one of the greatest groups of all-time, particularly when you’re not willing to discount B.O.B. for sounding eerily like Andre 3K. Besides, Puff only signed Shyne because he was a BIG clone and “Bad Boyz” was dope. Shut up–you know. As for Guerilla Black, c’mon…. dude bombed because he was Guerilla fucking Black, not because he sounded like Chris Wallace. Besides I’m willing to bet that greater things lie in store for the duo; after all, Krispy bears an uncanny resemblance to Morris Day and if that doesn’t portend future excellence, nothing does.
LA Weekly Review: The Knux-Remind Me In Three Days
MP3: The Knux-”Fire”
MP3: The Knux-”Bang Bang”
Video: Morris Day and the Motherfucking Time-”Jerk Out”
Posted in LA Weekly | 12 Comments »
November 17th, 2008
Because playing these albums in flagrante delicto is the only romantic gesture lamer than offering a woman a fish sandwich.
10. Cornball Stevie Wonder Songs (I.E. “You are the Sunshine of My Life.” “I Just Called to Say I Love You”)
I’m not going to tell you that these songs don’t serve a purpose–they do: father-daughter dances at Bat-Mitzvah’s, weddings between accountants and interpreted with polyester flair by Marty and Elayne at the Dresden. Unless your goal is inducing flashbacks to that luau-themed day where your special lady celebrated the blossoming of her womanhood by reading a halftorah portion on Jonah and the Whale, steer clear of maudlin Stevie. Shit’s schmaltzier than a Henny Youngman joke.
Recommended alternative: Wonder’s “Boogie On Reggae Woman.” Particularly, if your significant other had a “Phish phase;” though if she asks to hear the Moe cover, fleeing is strongly encouraged.
Download:
MP3: Stevie Wonder-”Boogie On Reggae Woman”
9. Chris Isaak-”Wicked Game”
I’ve always suspected that this is the song that Benjamin (Rob Lowe) from Wayne’s World would’ve seduced Cassandra with. “Wicked Game’s” fine enough, but there’s something unctuous about Chris Isaak frolicking on a beach in black and white with Helena Christenson. Of course, the video’s rightfully canonized, but spin it during sex and you logically run the risk of a girl wondering if you’re syphilitic.
Recommended Alternative: Sophie B. Hawkin’s “Damn I Wish I was Your Lover”
Comic relief. Scores bonus points from any sane-thinking person for its role in sound-tracking the campfire concupiscence of Dylan and Kelly, during the epic second season of Beverly Hills 90210.
8. Meatloaf-Bat Out of Hell I and II
Make up your mind, asshole. What exactly won’t you do for love? Come out and say it already. The Cleveland steamer? The strawberry shortcake? The Estonian gestalschanhauser?
You’re probably thinking who in their right mind fucks to Meatloaf? A valid point–but considering, Bat Out of Hell I and II have moved over 50 million copies worldwide, it’s safe to say that the term, “Meatloaf” has a revoltingly different context for many people, many of whom consider it a verb.
Recommended Alternative: There is no recommended alternative. If you would even considering having un-ironic sex to Meatloaf, sterilization is your best option.
7. Bob Marley-Legend
Unless you want to exude the vibe of a frat rat rocking a backwards, upside down Abercrombie visor, khaki cargo shorts, flip flops and a co-ed naked lacrosse tee, it’s highly inadvisable to play Legend. Marley solo jawns are acceptable but, in general, should be avoided, with most containing several songs long bludgeoned into banality. If you haven’t discovered that reggae is more than Bob Marley, now’s the time to stir it up. Excruciatingly bad pun intended.
Recommended Alternative: The Congos–Heart of the Congos.
Because it’s awesome.
Download:
MP3: The Congos-”Fisherman”
6. Al Green’s Greatest Hits
Al Green’s unquestionably one of the greatest soul singers ever, but there’s nothing more generic than Al Green’s Greatest Hits. When people own one R&B record, this is it. Hell, this was the only R&B album I owned until I knew any better. It’s certainly an excellent compilation. but show some originality. This is more played out than a Von Dutch trucker hat.
Recommended Alternative: Any one of the pre-1975, Green solo joints. Or his most recent, Lay it Down–a less iconic collection of songs, but one that easily bests all recent competition this side of Erykah Badu.
Download:
MP3: Al Green-”Letter”
5. Anything Coldplay
Sex tunes for people who drink decaffeinated soy lattes, shop for flavored olive oils at the Pottery Barn and consider Dan Brown an edgy, important novelist. Chuck Klosterman once wrote that “Coldplay songs deliver an amorphous, irrefutable interpretation of how being in love is supposed to feel, and people find themselves wanted that feeling for real.” I won’t dispute that, but will merely add that if Coldplay is somehow synonymous with the feeling of true love, I recommend cultivating an Ibogaine addiction and listening to “White Light/White Heat” on repeat for 36 and half hours.
Recommended Alternative: Beach House
Similarly soporific, but in that sexy, shooting scag on the Baltimore wharf sort of way.
Download:
MP3: Beach House-”Gila”
4. Nine Inch Nails-Downward Spiral
Inevitably, there was a time when this soundtracked many a coital union between tramp-stamped females with coke and cutting problems and the black lipsticked, trench-coat adoring men who loved them. But that was 1995 and this is now. Goth tendencies aside, it’s difficult to reconcile the ol’ “fucking you like an animal” Trent Reznor, with the ‘roid-happy, ebullient front-man he is today (sort of). Downward Spiral is the Boomerang of albums, in that it’s hard to ignore that only a few years later, Eddie would be picking up trannies at 3:00 a.m. to be a “Good Samaritan.” To say nothing of Pluto Nash.
Recommended Alternative: The Kills-Midnight Boom
2008’s best ode to self-destructive romances between people with probable chemical imbalances. VV seems about as stable as a Detroit automotive manufacturer, while guitarist, Hotel, dates Kate Moss. No punch line necessary.
Download:
MP3: The Kills-”The Tape Song”
3. Marvin Gaye-”Sexual Healing,” or “Let’s Get it On”
Putting on either these songs would seem hackneyed in a bad romantic comedy, let alone an actual sexual encounter. At this point, playing “Der Komissar,” might give you a better chance of actually getting laid.
Possible Alternative: O.V. Wright’s A Nickle and a Nail
Download:
MP3: O.V. Wright-”Ace of Spades”
2. Jeff Buckley-”Hallelujah” and really, the entire Grace album
Yes, at one point, there was no better lover’s rock than Grace, but then Josh Schwartz and Seth Cohen dubbed over the tape and replaced it with a synapse-scarring soap of a whiny Newport Beach rich kid fleeing his parent’s multi-million dollar Newport Beach mansion because his man-crush knocked up a girl who lived in Chino. Hot.
Recommended Alternative: Beirut’s-The Flying Club Cup
Subscribes to the same same sad-indie kid demographic as Buckley, though “Nantes” has yet to be marred by cringe-worthy commercial usage. I suppose this is what Rockville’s for.
Download:
MP3: Beirut-”A Sunday Smile”
1. Luther Vandross
Like Green, Vandross is another soul legend whose erotic efficacy has been rendered flaccid by over-use. No one’s questioning Luther’s bona fides, but shit, if you’re under 40 years old and putting on Luther Vandross, you are either wildly behind the times, or you’re Jazz from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. You may as well start reciting her poems about roses being red, violets being blue and how the two of you should get some bar-b-q and get busy.
Recommended Alternative: D’Angelo’s Voodoo.
This decade’s best bet to top any list of the 10 Songs/Albums That No One Should Ever Have Sex to Again, when another asshole compiles a similar list in the year 2034.
Download:
MP3: D’Angelo-”Devil’s Pie”
Posted in Are You From the Lester Bangs School of Thought? | 26 Comments »
November 16th, 2008
On self-imposed deadline and procrastinating by watching Fat Boys videos–in particular, this gem from Krush Groove. I think I’d like Rick Ross better if he’d just admit that deep down, he truly empathizes with Buff Love, Kool Rock-Ski and Prince Markie Dee. Also, I wish rappers would go back to rocking “ski” at the end of their names. Or at least invent a new, similarly scintillating suffix.
Posted in Are You From the Lester Bangs School of Thought? | 5 Comments »
November 14th, 2008
For whatever reason, “Dear Catastrophe Waitress” won’t unlodge itself from my skull tonight, causing me to wonder when Belle & Sebastian are going to get it together and record a proper follow-up to The Life Pursuit. These BBC sessions just aren’t cutting it for me.
In related news, I think that I’d like emo if it sounded like this, rather than the mewlings of a bunch of timorous eunuchs (as opposed to normal, more hearty and vigorous eunuchs). More bands should write songs about possibly closeted major league baseball players. I mean who’s going to pretend that Rodriguez, New York third baseman doesn’t have HIT written all over it.
Download:
MP3: Belle & Sebastian-”Dear Catastrophe Waitress”
Posted in Are You From the Lester Bangs School of Thought? | 12 Comments »
November 14th, 2008
Are you frequently fatigued? Do you lack the energy to assault major American film directors over the role of O-Dog? Do you find yourself drinking beverages, one part Alize, one part Cristal, and one part Suge Knight tear drop, while wondering why your particular brand of thug lacks passion? Well, with one sip of Hunid Racks’, 2Pac Energy Drink, you’ll be ready to smite all rotund rivals, pen rose poems of dubious merit, shoot yourself during robberies and keep hos in check (while clowning around with the Underground.)
Unless you’re Faith Evans or a postal service employee disgruntled by the character of Lucky from Poetic Justice, it’s clear that something refreshing and naturally effervescent looms in your future–something with healthy ingredients like carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, taurine, sodium citrate, natural & artificial flavors, glucuronolactone, caffeine, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, d-calcium concatenate, guarana extract, panax ginseng extract, inositol, l-carnitine niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin. I know, cyanocobalamin, right? Get ready for the ride of your fucking life!
Don’t believe me? Then listen to the sagacious wisdom of the fine people at Hunid Racks, who guarantee that if you “drink a can, [you] improve your daily hustle. Drink two cans, get ‘yo hustle on.” Rick Ross drinks 17 of these each day. Does this account for his obesity? Maybe. Does it account for his success? Absolutely. *
After Rick Ross Learned to Hustle at a Shirts Vs. Skins Basketball Game, He Never Looked Back
As Hunid maintains” “the 2Pac energy drink is for the “real Hustlers…focused on goals…who want to upgrade their mind body and soul and…reach their ultimate goals.” Lofty goals…like hanging out with Hussein Fatal and E.D.I. Amin of the Outlawz. ** After all nothing’s more wise than the company motto: “Don’t look behind, look ahead, erase the past get that cash!” Exactly the sort of forward-thinking economic policy implemented under the Bush administration.
Indeed, imbued such wiry energy, the makers of Hunid stay awake 22 hours a day, enabling them to read each issue of Harper’s, Field and Stream, and Retired General. Thusly, they’re aware of the deep economic rut and the many choices any hip-hop beverage connoisseur has to choose from: Pit Bull, Crunk, Drank, Pimp Juice, Hyphy Juice, Loud Energy Drinks and of course, good ol’ fashioned syrup. All , fueled by the spirit of condescending and everlasting stereotypes, yet none that can match the immortal power of the ghosts of overrated, dead rappers. The 2Pac Energy drink: Baby, toss it up! (and down).
* God knows, it isn’t his talent.
** One reason Biggie defeats ‘Pac is a stronger weed carriers JV. Lil Cease + Lil Kim > Outlawz combined (”All Eyez on Me,” “Hit ‘Em Up” exempted.) Conspiracy is better than you remember–it still isn’t that good.
Download:
MP3: 2Pac: “Toss It Up”
MP3: 2Pac: “Holler if You Hear Me”
MP3: Junior Mafia-”Step into the Realm of Junior M.A.F.I.A.”
Video: 2Pac-”Toss It Up”
Video: 2Pac-”Holler if You Hear Me”
Posted in It Got Weird, Didn't It? | 14 Comments »
