These guys did a few shows as Slick Rick The Ruler’s backing band AND re-recorded an anniversary edition of Smiff N’ Wessun’s ‘Da Shinin.’ These guys are the real deal and will soon be a household name

@Trey Stone: I can understand losing interest in Radiohead post-Kid A to some degree. That album is such a high watermark/paradigm-shifter it can be difficult to match. But as someone that’s really listened to those guys intensely ever since The Bends, I might just be more tuned into the subtleties of their most recent work. They’re not trying to change the world anymore–they’re just making really good music. Songs from “In Rainbows” are monsters live. “House of Cards” at the Bowl last year was genuinely soul-stirring.

And I’m definitely not one of those sweeping Coldplay haters. I absolutely acknowledge their abilities and actually enjoy some of their tunes. If anything, I wish they’d really push themselves and come up with THEIR Kid A. But I don’t even think they’ve made their OK Computer (yet).

with Coldplay, i agree with the standard criticism that they can be boring, really boring depending on which album we’re talking about (i think “Parachutes” and “X&Y” only have a few good tracks between ‘em,) but in their inspired moments their melodies are transcendent. sounds corny, but true. i can co-sign on some of the more recent singles though, to be honest with the exception of “Lovers in Japan” i think their singles from the new one are some of its weakest tracks.

But to echo Trey Stone’s sentiments, they do manage to do all sorts of really interesting things in the studio that get completely overlooked underneath all of the bombast and pink sneakers. It’s too bad, because there’s so much creative potential there.

But dude, are you serious about Coldplay’s recent output being better than Radiohead post-Kid A? “House of Cards” alone pwns Coldplay’s entire catalog. And their singles have definitely gone downhill in the past couple of years (I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive them for raping Kraftwerk’s “Computer Love.” That was all kinds of wrong). The only point I can concede to Coldplay is the “secret” song on Viva La Vida, “Chinese Sleep Chant,” which is still just their attempt at aping shoegaze heroes like My Bloody Valentine.

@Douglas Martin: Yeah, I was going to mention Dilla sampling “Come Play in the Milky Night,” but never got around to it. Thanks.

Still can’t figure out though, why so many hip-hop cats have such terrible, terrible taste in rock. Yeah, there’s the odd exception (Schoolly’s Signifying Rapper), but…Body Count, anyone? I mean, Premier digs so deep for example he ends up sampling some silent movie soundtrack for Illmatic and in all that time he never found a Sonic Youth record? It’s weird.

Also, not to dis, but you mean “play rock star karaoke” not “play rock star kabuki,” I think…though Lil Wayne playing rock star stylized Japanese acting would probably be a lot more interesting.

i think taking sources and bending them to your own vision– in hip-hop, as least– what separates madlib and dilla from… well, damn near everybody else.

Coldplay is a band that is not in the remotest sense can be considered “cool” but their singles all have managed to be really great and the albums are all fairly good as well.

Doesn’t mean that I want any rappers making music with them, though and rappers definitely need to expand their rock literacy beyond them, Limp Bizkit and Phil Collins.

Radiohead is a valid point too, but really, they’re the one great band that people with shitty taste in music name-drop to seem smart and cool.

@ Doug–Thank you very much. Kanye’s sample choice might not be nearly as original as everyone thinks, but I’m consistently impressed by the way he re-purposes them into wholly new contexts.

Dilla’s uber-sampling today is what looping a Lou Reed hook was 20 years ago. Too bad so many want to steal and bite his work instead of use it as a frame of reference.

I do find it hilarious that Weezy seems to think learning a chord or two on guitar makes him “rock.”

Once again, I applaud you Weiss.

and as far as Coldplay, i thought their last album had made it OK to admit they were good. really though, “Rush of Blood,” “Viva la Vida” and the EP they put out after it all > anything Radiohead’s done since “Kid A.” i realize you didn’t mention Radiohead, but i thought i’d put that out there anyway