Frank and Beats » Passion of the Weiss

Dec
14

For the past two years, Phaseone has released mixes that perfectly coincide with the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Anyone afflicted will tell you they notice an almost immediate change in mood after Daylight Saving Time ends. Even in Los Angeles where it’s relatively warm throughout the winter, the melatonin deficiency triggers a natural preference… Continue reading »

Nov
18

Frank & Beats: Gangrene’s Fresh Gutter Water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I11pgTCli3c Aaron Frank rolls up spliffs longer than hockey sticks. Rappers bragging about their weed habits is nothing new–especially in a year like 2010, with Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa, and Rick Ross hogging the sativa spotlight. But in 2008, when the Gangrene collaboration between Alchemist and Oh No was first announced, Jim Jones and Lil Wayne… Continue reading »

Oct
21

Frank & Beats: The Gaslamp Killer’s Descent to the Death Gate

The Gaslamp Killer – DEATH GATE from (((∆))) on Vimeo. Aaron Frank is not afraid of Death. They’re afraid of him — there was a falling out over a quibble concerning the proper amount of hair spray. Previously down for his dynamic DJ sets and choices in facial hair, Willie “The Gaslamp Killer” Bensussen… Continue reading »

Oct
15

Frank & Beats: James Blake’s Songs of Experience

Aaron Frank empathizes with James Blake having two first names. It was a welcome surprise when James Blake opted to follow his stellar CMYK with another in the same year. CMYK was a groundbreaking first step for the “post-dubstep” genre, and though I’m circumspect towards that particular name (I remain vague on the definition of… Continue reading »

Aug
11

Frank & Beats: In Which I Hype Magnetic Man

With Sach O out of town, Aaron Frank is determined to fill his quota of writing about largely obscure bass music. Granted my tolerance for standing in a hot, outdoor meat market with hordes of jaw-grinding, community college freshmen that likely don’t even know who’s performing is beginning to wain. But after checking out the… Continue reading »

Aug
04

Frank & Beats: Flying High With Curren$y

Aaron Frank turned in this review three weeks ago. In a tribute to Curren$y’s weed habits, it is running absurdly late. Since leaving Lil Wayne’s Young Money label in 2007, Curren$y’s work ethic and output has roughly paralleled his ex-mentor. He has released nine mixtapes and two independent albums with Amalgam, thus obliterating any notion… Continue reading »

Jun
13

Frank n’ Beats: Lorn Again

Aaron Frank might pop up in your cereal. Since attending last year’s Nosaj Thing-headlined Brainfeeder Sessions, I’ve noticed Lorn’s “Tomorrow” popping up in DJ sets from Gaslamp Killer to Mary Anne Hobbs. Boasting an unmistakably dark tone, it veers on industrial, making it stand out from the often Dilla-descended beats that pound at the Low… Continue reading »

May
24

Frank and Beats: Tame Impala’s Blown Innerspeakers

Whether or not Tame Impala’s already-booked tours with experimental brethren MGMT and Yeasayer will turn out well remains to be seen, but at the very least, we know the drugs will be good. After all, you can’t help but see the smoke in their superb full length, Innerspeaker, which positions the young Aussies to get… Continue reading »

May
12

Frank and Beats: Ratatat’s Rush Job

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYpqE0_VpWA Aaron Frank did not name his column. The title stems from a certain editor’s penchant for bad puns and an affinity for both Frank and Dank and “There’s Something About Mary.” Ratatat may need a life coach. Not like I believe in life coaches per se, but there have been bad decisions of late.… Continue reading »