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)”
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October 10th, 2008
Let’s say that you’re drunk. You’re very drunk. It’s 7:00 p.m. You’ve been steadily getting smashed since work got out two hours ago and you have a fiery, insatiable craving to listen to some music. But then you realize that the High Places and Abe Vigoda show at the Smell (you carpetbagger you), doesn’t start for a few hours and you wonder, how can I pass the time while waiting in Los Feliz Village?
Well, my good friend, the answer is nigh (or near, if you’re not into being completely pretentious.) Yes, this year’s Best Music Writing book reading will be held tonight from 7-8:30p.m. at Skylight Books in Los Feliz (see Facebook promo page.) Here’s to hoping that both wine and cheese will be served, as I’m allegedly supposed to regale the crowd with an anecdote regarding my Soulja Boy article. Rest assured, If I manage to imbibe a reasonable quantity of Sauvignon Blanc, I am a serious threat to humiliate both myself and my family name with an impromptu “Crank That” dance.
Good times had by all. All.
Download:
MP3: Love-Seven and Seven Is (from Da Capo)
MP3: Glenn Gould-”Aria Da Capo”
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August 10th, 2008
I don’t usually do the party flier thing but I know one of the people involved in this event’s promotion so…. Plus, Wallpaper are good people in my book for playing that show I put on a few months back with Knux and Clean Guns. And that Obama fellow ain’t too shabby either.
More info at the link below.
http://theprlabs.com/
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August 10th, 2008
Seems like the appropriate cut to play right now. One of the best Wu songs ever and perhaps my favorite of their videos.
R.I.P. Isaac Hayes (1942-2008).
Download:
MP3: Wu-Tang Clan ft. Isaac Hayes-”I Can’t Go To Sleep”
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August 7th, 2008
For that hideous American Apparel ad to the right. I didn’t know what I had in store when I approved it. Apparently, orgies involving hipster girls and pederast-seeming gym teachers who just emerged from a disco-era warp, is really in this fall.
Thusly, today’s word for the day is “Oy.” For those who don’t know “oy” is “yo” backwards. Who says the Jews don’t know how to keep it “hip-hop.”
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July 28th, 2008
Thanks to an intense campaign filled with blackmail, bribery, intimidation, coaxing and more than a little wheedling, my LA Weekly essay, “Soulja Boy: Cranking the Chain,” was chosen for this year’s Da Capo Best Music Writing Anthology. Needless to say, I’m very excited and have already begun to compose a thank-you speech big-upping the academy, God, Soulja Boy and most importantly, his boy Arab. (Who were he to ever change his name to Ahab would maintain a serious shot at having my favorite rapper name ever.)
If you’d like to buy the book, you can pre-order it at Amazon. Not like you’d buy it for my piece per se (obviously….that whole milk for free from cow thing) but the anthology also features articles from some very fine music writers including Carl Wilson, Ann Powers of the LA Times, Brandon Perkins of Urb and Oliver Wang. This year’s guest editor is Nelson George, a renowned journalist/author/filmmaker, who co-created CB4 with Chris Rock, which had already automatically made him him ripe for canonization in my book. And now without further adieu, I give you what you really want, Jim Jones,”Straight Outta’ Locash,” and of course,”Sweat of My Balls.”
Download:
MP3: Jim Jones-”We Fly High”
MP3: CB4-”Straight Outta’ Locash”
MP3: CB4-”Sweat of My Balls”
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April 3rd, 2008
There is no Passion anymore. The hipsters have won. I have grown a mustache, developed a new-found appreciation for Man Man and refuse to swaddle myself in anything but the finest fabrics made with real American (or at least Mexican-American) labor in Downtown Los Angeles. The Revolution is over. Feed me headbands or feed me organic vegan corn dogs and Kombucha tea. I’m a beast.
Really, so, uh, yeah, the big ad next to this post, sorry. I know it’s a bit obtrusive, but since I’ve been blogging for free for two and a half years, I feel that it’s okay to have an ad or two because like the other Wayne: “I refuse to bow to any corporate sponsors.” Of course, I say this while eating a bag of Doritos and drinking Pepsi, the choice of the new generation.
Download:
MP3: Scarface-”Sell Out”
MP3: Jay-Z ft. Big Boi, Killa Mike & Twista-”Poppin’ Tags”
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February 12th, 2008
I’m going to Puerto Vallarta for a week for a friend’s wedding. Tough life. In the meantime, starting tomorrow, I’ll have a Murderer’s Row of guest bloggers filling in for me. If you need me in the interim ask for Jefe. I’ll be the one drinking tequila out of a sombrero. It’s the Latin equivalent of drinking rum out of Stanley cups.
Download:
MP3: The Coasters-”Down In Mexico”
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February 3rd, 2008
And here I’d always pegged him as more the Dolly Parton type.
Download:
MP3: Islands-”Dont Call Me Whitney, Baby Bobby”
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February 3rd, 2008
My friend, the advice vixen, Stephanie Frasco, has taken out an ad on the right hand sidebar of this page. She has also started a new blog for her renowned You Tube advice column, Ask Frasco. Though I’m obviously biased, I think you should check it out if you have a spare moment. The girl gives funny, on-point advice and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the finest Mexican restaurants in the city of Los Angeles. Not bad. So click over there, or follow this link to the Ask Frasco blog.
Posted in News | 2 Comments »
