Surviving the Golden Age

New: The Co-Op "Dumb It Down (DMV Remix)"

2009-11-20T21:37:00.000-05:00

The Co-Op is a hip hop trio based out of Washington DC. The group consists of rapper Decon, rapper/producer D-Daye, and R&B singer Frankie D. The group has released two mixtapes, and now they are releasing their second single, "Dumb It Down". Check out the DMV remix, of course standing for DC/Maryland/Virginia.
MP3: The Co-Op "Dumb It Down (DMV Remix)"

Rita J: Artist Workshop

2009-11-20T18:39:00.000-05:00

Rita J: Artist Workshop
Chicago rapper/singer Rita J releases her debut album, Artist Workshop via All Natural Records.
Rita J reminds me of Queen Latifa. The girl is multi-talent; when she raps she commands the track but she also has a very soulful singing voice. She combines both talents on some tracks creating R&B tinged hip hop; on other tracks she lets her raps do the talking.
Right from the get-go its apparent that Rita J is bringing something unique to hip hop. The album's opening track, "Introduction" is half rapping by Rita J. The other half is a long extended guitar solo by Dylan Jones. Obviously most hip hop albums don't contain guitar solos, but certainly not guitar solos that last over a minute.
There are plenty of other quirks in the album. "The Address" features production from Forekast. The track's music is jazzy, equal parts A Tribe Called Quest and Digable Planets. "Outlasted" is a track about the plight of indie rappers which sees Rita J and Guilty Simpson exchange stories about what it takes to make it.
Overall, Rita J makes a very digestible debut album. The album showcases her myriad of skills and esoteric influences. I think where the album really lacks is on production. The album has some well produced songs but once she gets top of the line production, the sky is the limit for Rita J.
Rating: 7.2/10
MP3: Rita J featuring Adad "No Regrets"
Buy: iTunes, get the CD from Insound

Bodies of Work: Flyers

2009-11-19T19:44:00.000-05:00

Bodies of Work: Flyers
Bodies of London formed in London in 2008. Since that type they released their debut single "Better Sorry Than Safe" and now their debut EP Flyers.
The band's sound is a mixture of new wave and post-punk. Their synthesizer parts are reminiscent of Hot Fuss-era the Killers but the vocals are more similar to the Bravery. What gives the music a memorable quality are the backing vocals by keyboardist Lizzie Holdforth; when the male/female vocals are at their best they remind me of the Anniversary.
The band clearly has a lot of talent. On "Feathers", by the second time the chorus came around I found myself singing along. But the EP's most accomplished track is "Flyers". The minor synth riff that the track is based around is catchy and is perfectly accompanied by the Interpol-esque guitar driven chorus.
Overall, you would be hard pressed to find a debut EP better than this. Each track has its own unique qualities while still being a cohesive EP. Bodies of Work is a band that everyone will surely be hearing more from.
Rating: 9.0/10
MP3: Bodies of Work "Flyers"
Buy: iTunes

Arms and Sleepers: Matador

2009-11-19T10:14:00.001-05:00

Arms and Sleepers: Matador
Trip-hop duo, Arms and Sleepers have produced a prolific amount of material for only three years of activity. After a touring schedule that brought them to Europe, the group decided to focus on a new proper full length. The result is Matador, released by Fake Chapter Records.
To produce the record, the duo teamed up with a plethora of musicians including Tom Brosseau, Shelley Short, Ben Shepard and Catherine Worsham of Uzi and Ari, Philip Jamieson of Caspian, and Mona Elliot of Travels. The group's sound is definitively trip-hop but there are hints of other influence. Musically the group reminds me of Portishead with influences of classical music and chamber pop similar to the Pernice Brothers. The result is an album that is a lush soundscape full of little idiosyncrasies.
Unfortunately, lush soundscapes aren't always incredibly interesting. The music sounds more like a free CD given to you to relax in a fancy hotel than something that is going to be a recreational listen.
Rating: 6.6/10
MP3: ~~Arms and Sleepers "The International"~~ removed by request
Buy: iTunes

We All Have Hooks for Hands: The Shape of Energy

2009-11-18T18:10:00.000-05:00

We All Have Hooks for Hands: The Shape of Energy
South Dakota isn't exactly a mecca of music, but if there is one bright spot it is the wacky-named, We All Have Hooks for Hands. The sextet gained national acclaim for their self-released debut album, the Pretender. The band hopes to garner the same sort of praise for their sophomore release, The Shape of Energy.
The band's recognition can be attributed to several factors. The band's size makes them a bit of an oddity; the six members include dueling drummers, a violinist, three guitars, two horn/keyboard players, and a lonely bass. The band's sound is certainly noteworthy enough. The lead singer's voice sounds like Doug Martsch from Built to Spill with a little bit of a Southern twang. The songs they write have an exhilarating and joyous feel. "Better To Live Than To Die" has all the lyrical panache and energetic spirit of last year's Mae Shi hit "Run to Your Grave".
The biggest complaint against We All Have Hooks For Hands is mismanagement of members. While the list of instruments at their disposal is great, instruments like the violin and horns hardly ever play a major role in songs other than veiled backing roles. The horns appear to have a major role in "Sea That Holds You" from the songs intro, but quickly fade into the background as the vocals get started.
The album piqued my interest, but it does get grating after a while. The lead singer's voice is erratic and occasionally gets so high that its ear piercing. The band clearly has talent but needs to reel in the singing and let loose the horns.
Rating: 7.3/10
MP3: We All Have Hooks for Hands "Better To Live Than To Die"
Buy: iTunes, get the vinyl at Insound

Mass Fiction: Genre

2009-11-17T23:29:00.005-05:00

Mass Fiction: Genre
Fans of Dubious Ranger should knowledgeable of Jonathan Eccles. He's the guitarist. When Eccles isn't jamming out with Dubious Ranger, he's playing in Mass Fiction. Eccles produced Genre with the band and released it November 10th through The Nothing Room.
Most of the band is apparently classically trained. But the only way to describe the band is Power Pop mixed in with some good old rock. Lead singer Greg Hoffman plays piano, and his voice sounds like a young Billy Joel. In fact, the third track "Slow Fat Animals" sounds like an early Billy Joel song. Hoffman really displays his vocals on this track.
Other acts Hoffman brings to mind are Meatloaf, "Sing to Dream", and even Tori Amos if she were driven by testosterone, "Bad Poet". A few times the band bring to mind The Pixies, "Bubbles", or even a bit of Portishead on "Bad Poet".
The slower tracks aren't so slow, but these are where Mass Fiction lose their charm. "Nocturne (Who's There?)" starts to feel like its dragging on way too long. It has a nice mix of guitar and piano, but the focus of Genre is the dance inducing pop that dominates the first half.
Lyrically, Hoffman does a good job of telling interesting little stories, and using rhymes appropriately. He sticks in these lines that just stand out enough to share the feeling he's trying to convey. Take for instance "Mouthful", where he sings "...kiss your pseudo-intellectual. The genius tastes so good, you'd better get a mouthful." Its catchy, and its filled with enough angst to keep you listening.
Overall, Genre is not a bad listen. The album shows what Mass Fiction can do, and that's play some good old fashioned dancable rock. I can't see them selling out massive arenas. This band is meant much more for a dancehall. And that's something rock bands used to be known for. Give them a listen, I'm sure you'll find your foot tapping eventually.
Rating: 7.8/10
MP3: Mass Fiction "Mouthful"
Buy: iTunes

Them Crooked Vultures: Them Crooked Vultures

2009-11-17T23:01:00.000-05:00

Them Crooked Vultures: Them Crooked Vultures
There is a great history of rock supergroups, but that legacy has been recently tarnished by such bands as Chickenfoot and Damnocracy. Them Crooked Vulture seeks to make the supergroup something great again. The group is comprised of Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age.
The group's hard rock pedigree combined with Homme's unique approach to song writing, creates a sound that is almost entirely unique to Them Crooked Vultures. The album's lead single, "New Fang" is emblematic of the groups sound. It starts with a drawn out drum intro by Dave Grohl, then into a guitar riff with all the slipperiness of The Doors but with the hard rock edge of Jimi Hendrix. The song's chorus is incredibly catchy; perhaps the best chorus Homme's written since Queens of the Stone Age's "No One Knows". The long drawn out bridge does not contain a formal guitar solo but rather an all-out band jam that ends with the tracks conclusion.
The entire album has a sound that combines retro hard rock with modern prog rock. The result is an album that is as fun as it is interesting.
Rating: 8.5/10
MP3: Them Crooked Vultures "Scumbag Blues"
Buy: iTunes, get the vinyl at Insound

The Orignal/The Remix: Aaliyah "Try Again"

2009-11-16T21:40:00.000-05:00

Aaliyah is a touchy subject for a lot of people. She was young and slowly redefining what a female r&b star was when he life was cut short in a plane crash. "Try Again" was her highest charting single, reaching number 1 in the US. The Timbaland produced track was the peak of Aaliyah's career. Now, Los Angeles producer Belief is embarking on a Aaliyah remix project. The debut installation of the project is his remix of "Try Again". Check out the remix and let me know what you think.
The Original: Aaliyah "Try Again"
The Remix: Aaliyah "Try Again (Belief Remix)"

João Orecchia: Hands & Feet

2009-11-16T21:19:00.000-05:00

João Orecchia: Hands & Feet
João Orecchia's story may be as great as his debut album, Hands & Feet. His father was an Italian immigrant based in New York City who had dreams of a music career. Orecchia's father passed away during the recording of Hands & Feet so Orecchia turned his father's Italian ballads into the album's bookends.
The album opens with "When I Fall in Love". The track is essentially a remix of a vinyl recording of his father. The track showcases the type of glitch-pop that was the hallmark of Girl Talk's pre-Night Ripper career.
But João Orecchia is not just a producer; he is a multi-instrumentalist. On the album he plays everything from guitar and bass to more esoteric instruments like the melodica and theremin. On "Falling Out", Orecchia delves into toy instruments delivering a track that sounds like the theme song for the Land of Misfit Toys. The track is disjointed with electronic glitches and bops but anchored by a light acoustic guitar backbone.
Although eclectic, Hands & Feet is really a solid listen. It never fails to be interesting, though it does occasionally fail to impress. The end result is a promising debut album.
Rating: 7.8/10
MP3: João Orecchia feat Serengeti "All Opera"
Buy: iTunes, get the CD at Insound

The Original/the Remix: Tiësto "Escape Me"

2009-11-16T17:22:00.000-05:00

When did Tiësto become hot shit? Since reviewing his album Kaleidoscope, it seems once a week I have an MP3 or news story crossing my desk about the Dutch producer. The latest is this exclusive remix of "Escape Me". The original is a spin traditional trance track, but Avicii turns the clocks back to 1995 with his remix. The remix is so trance you may have E flash backs just listening to it. Check it out and let me know which you prefer.
The Original: Tiësto "Escape Me"
The Remix: Tiësto "Escape Me (Aviciis Remix At Night)"

New: Minus the Bear "Broken China"

2009-11-16T17:02:00.000-05:00

Minus the Bear are preparing to release their fourth studio album in 2010. The album is yet untitled but they recently released a digital single for "Into the Mirror". The single sounds like a new wave remix of the Doors with an awkwardly placed female vocalist in the mix. Let it not be said that Minus the Bear is happy being complacent. The single's b-side "Broken China" is a little more Minus the Bear's traditional speed. The track is danceable and features the type of complex guitar work that has been their hallmark. Check out the track and let me know what you think.
MP3: Minus the Bear "Broken China"

New: Snoop Dogg "I Wanna Rock"

2009-11-14T15:15:00.000-05:00

Snoop Dogg is preparing to release his tenth studio album, Malice N Wonderland. The album's first two singles, "Gangsta Luv" and "That's Tha Homie" have been bangers so I've been eagerly awaiting the album. Now a new track just leaked, "I Wanna Rock". Unfortunately, the track does not sample the Twisted Sister classic track by the same name. Instead, the track samples Rob Base and like the other released tracks from the album, this song is fire. Check it out and let me know what you think.
MP3: Snoop Dogg "I Wanna Rock"

Wyclef Jean: From the Hut, To the Projects, To the Mansion

2009-11-13T18:33:00.000-05:00

Wyclef Jean: From the Hut, To the Projects, To the Mansion
Despite a steady stream of output since the demise of the Fugees, most people have no recollection of Wyclef since his 1998 single "Gone Til November". On his new mixtape album, Wyclef attempts to raise his profile while recognizing he has a new generation of hip hop fans he has to win over.
The album's opening track, "Warrior's Anthem" starts with Wyclef rapping a story. The story is about how he signed an autograph for a kid that read "Wyclef from the Fugees" and the kid said "what's a Fugee? Aren't you will.i.am?" This kind of insouciance about his current irrelevance makes Wyclef an easy hero to root for. But clearly since the Fugees break up, his skills have no deteriorated.
The most impressive thing about Wyclef is his ability to rap and sing without changing the ambiance of the album. Some rapper/singers have to switch styles completely to make the transition, but Wyclef does it so smoothly. The only exception is the closing track; the acoustic "The Shottas" stands out like a sore thumb on the album. It is sloppily tacked on to the end of the album after the last interlude as if it was an afterthought.
Besides that one track, the album is a cohesive statement of Wyclef's skills. My favorite song on the album is "The Streets Pronounce Me Dead" but From the Hut, To the Projects, To the Mansion is a bold statement that Wyclef is indeed not dead and further he still has a lot of music to make.
Rating: 8.0/10
MP3: Wyclef Jean "Warrior's Anthem"
Buy: iTunes, get the CD from Insound

Kosha Dillz: Beverly Dillz

2009-11-12T19:13:00.000-05:00

Kosha Dillz: Beverly Dillz
Kosha Dillz worked a pizza delivery job to release his debut 12" vinyl three years ago. Luckily college radio picked up on the Jewish rapper and he was able to go on two US tours and release Freestyle Vs Written, a full album collaboration with C-Rayz Walz. Now Dillz is releasing his solo debut album, Beverly Dillz.
There is a surprising legacy of Jews in hip hop. Sure there are conspiracy theories, but from the Beastie Boys to Aesop Rock, Jews have been known to rock the mic. Kosha Dillz definitely has skills on the microphone; his cadence and presence is unmistakable.
Where Kosha Dillz gets into trouble is his lyrical content. Many of his tracks are passable, but some are downright cringe-worthy. On "Cellular Phone" he raps "knick-knack-paddy-whack Kosha Dillz' a bone/tell your girl to go pay the bill of my cellular phone/I don't need to talk no politics, I leave that stuff alone/light it up, roll it up, but I don't smoke no mo'". This is only a minor example of some of the lame lyrics Dillz coughs up.
The production is pretty good on the album and the rapping is solid, the lyrics are the real weak point. Some songs are effected more than others by lyrical weakness, but overall the album isn't half bad. Dillz has enough skills to make an impressive album, I'm just not overly thrilled with this release.
Rating: 5.3/10
MP3: Kosha Dillz "L.A. Ish"
Buy: iTunes

New: Obie Trice "Got Hungry"

2009-11-12T13:18:00.000-05:00

Obie Trice is preparing to release his first album since leaving Shady/Interscope. His new album, Special Reserve is being released mid-December. "Got Hungry" is the first single from the new album. Judging by the single, the album seems like it will make a great stocking stuffer. Check out the track and let me know what you think.
MP3: Obie Trice "Got Hungry"

The Original/The Remix: Au Revoir Simone "Another Likely Story"

2009-11-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

Au Revoir Simone released their third album, Still Night, Still Light in May of this year. They are preparing to release the second single from the album, "Another Likely Story" next week. The track is a subdued dance tune just waiting to break out. Luckily Social Disco has come to the rescue with a great club remix of the track. The remix definitely hearkens back to the days when Crystal Waters still owned the radio waves.
The Orginal: Au Revoir Simone "Another Likely Story"
The Remix: Au Revoir Simone "Another Likely Story (Social Disco Club Version)"

New: Black Sheep "Forever LuvLee"

2009-11-11T19:07:00.000-05:00

The last time most people thought about Black Sheep was with their 1991 single, "The Choice is Yours". The track was voted #73 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs. Black Sheep broke up in 1995, but reunited in 2000 and has been active since. Although Black Sheep was originally a duo comprised of Dres and Mista Lawnge, Mista Lawnge has left the group and now Black Sheep is just Dres. Black Sheep is preparing to release a new EP, From The Black Pool Of Genius: The Prelude on December and then Dres will be releasing a Black Sheep full length in the spring of 2010. Check out the first single from From The Black Pool Of Genius: The Prelude, "Forever LuvLee". Enjoy!
MP3: Black Sheep "Forever LuvLee"

DOOM: Unexpected Guests

2009-11-11T11:33:00.001-05:00

DOOM: Unexpected Guests
DOOM's lengthy career started in the late 80s in the group, KMD, but it wasn't until 1998 that he unleashed his MF Doom persona. Since that time, he has teamed up with such artists as Madlib to form Madvillain and Danger Mouse to form Danger Doom. Now all of DOOM's most potent team ups are being compiled on one album by Gold Dust Records.
DOOM is obviously one of the most polarizing figures in hip hop. A good deal of hip hop heads love his crazy non sequitur rhymes; others just don't get it. This compilation definitely shows off some great moments of DOOM's career. On "Angels", DOOM rhymes "veggie fried rice spicy/told the hos I don't feel so well/my belly/roll down Melrose/drive me to the tele". These type of seemingly inane lyrics are what make DOOM a unique voice in hip hop.
The truth is huge DOOM fans have probably already compiled a good deal of these tracks for themselves. The album includes guest appearances DOOM made on others' albums, remixes, non-album tracks, and vinyl only singles. The opening track, Talib Kweli's "Fly That Knot" was released on his album, Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD. It doesn't diminish the quality of the track, that its been previously released but I had heard it before. "?" appears on the album as well but the track was included on DOOM's debut album, Operation: Doomsday so probably most DOOM fan considering buy this owns that.
Overall, its a little hard to figure out who this compilation is targeting. DOOM isn't the primary artist on many of these tracks, so its not a good introduction to DOOM for a new listener, but most DOOM fans probably have a good deal of these tracks. I guess for DOOM fans that haven't gone on a downloading spree this will probably save them a couple hundred bucks trying to find the vinyl or CDs that contain these guest spots.
Rating: 7.4/10
MP3: DOOM featuring Babu and Sean Price "The Unexpected"
Buy: iTunes, get the CD at Insound

New: DJ Khaled featuring Lil Wayne, Usher, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and Drake "Fed Up"

2009-11-10T22:17:00.000-05:00

DJ Khaled is perhaps best known for screaming "we the best" at the beginning of various songs, but the truth is whenever his name is on a track its usually a star-studded event. Khaled is preparing to release Victory at the beginning of 2010 and the first single from the album is "Fed Up" which features Usher, Drake, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne. The track is undeniable hot. Check it out.
MP3: DJ Khaled featuring Lil Wayne, Usher, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and Drake "Fed Up"

New: Del The Funky Homosapien covers A Tribe Called Quest on "Lyrics To Go 2009"

2009-11-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

Del The Funky Homosapien is one of the hardest working men in the business. This year he's released two solo albums Automatik Statik and Funk Man (The Stimulus Package) and a collaborative album with Tame One. Now he's dropping this little nugget for the fans: a cover of the Tribe Called Quest classic "Lyrics To Go". Check out the track and let me know what you think.
MP3: Del the Funky Homosapien "Lyrics To Go 2009"

The Original/The Remix: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart "Higher Than The Stars"

2009-11-10T21:05:00.000-05:00

Within a year of releasing their debut album, Brooklyn's The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are back with the Higher Than the Stars EP. The EP contains five new tracks, included is the title track "Higher Than the Stars". The track has been given the remix treatment already. The original track is pretty dancy, but Saint Etienne definitely takes the track to the club. Check out the original and the remix and let me know which you prefer.
The Original: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart "Higher Than The Stars"
The Remix: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart "Higher Than The Stars (Saint Etienne Visits Lord Spank Remix)"

Wale: Attention Deficit

2009-11-10T13:15:00.000-05:00

Wale: Attention Deficit
Wale's big break was his 2007 mixtape, 100 Miles & Running. His position as America's favorite rapper not to release an album was solidified with the release of 2008's The Mixtape About Nothing. Although Wale got to stardom on his own terms, he finally has to release his debut album. Attention Deficit has all eyes on it, as critics and fans alike wonder if a mixtape rapper can make a smooth transition to major label rapper.
Attention Deficit is a mixed bag. The album's lead single "Chillin" features Lady Gaga. The track is clearly a commercial single and Wale caught a lot of flack from his fan base for perceived selling out. Unfortunately, the politics of being on a label like Interscope requires artists to produce hit singles.
Whether he's rapping commercially or for underground tracks, Wale is most successful when he is delivering punchlines. He is one of the wittiest rappers out there. There are several times when Wale wanders off this path on Attention Deficit. The awkwardly socially conscious "90210" is about teenage problems like bulimia, drug use, and promiscuous sex. "Contemplate" is basically a song about a jilted lover thinking about his ex which leaves Wale little room to show off his lyrical talent.
Overall, its hard not to feel disappointed by Attention Deficit. Wale has admitted that he caved to some label pressures, but that's not the real issue. The issue is Wale is best when he's showing some swagger but his skills as a troubadour are not up to par.
Rating: 5.3/10
MP3: Wale featuring K'Naan "TV in the Radio"
Buy: iTunes, get the vinyl at Insound

New: Plies featuring Young Jeezy "So Bad"

2009-11-10T12:42:00.000-05:00

Plies released two albums last year, so no surprise he took a little break this year. Plies is preparing to release his new mixtape, Street Credentials. "So Bad" is the street single from the mixtape. The track features Young Jeezy. Its a pretty nice track. Check it out.
MP3: Plies featuring Young Jeezy "So Bad"

New: The Little Death (Moby side project) "Gather Round"

2009-11-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

Moby's beginnings in Darien, CT saw him play in several bands including the hardcore band Vatican Commandos. Moby has been a bit of a jack-of-all-trades in his post-hardcore band, production career. Now Moby is getting back into the band swing of things with the Little Death. The band is Laura Dawn (lead vocals), Moby (bass, guitar), Daron Murphy (guitar, bass, harmonica), and Aaron A. Brooks (drums). The band is self-releasing their debut album. Although the bluesy sound is miles away from Play, the lead single "Gather Round" is pretty good. Check out the track and let me know what you think.
MP3: The Little Death "Gather Round"

We Came as Romans: To Plant A Seed

2009-11-09T20:06:00.000-05:00

We Came as Romans: To Plant A Seed
To Plant a Seed is the debut album by Michigan metalcore band, We Came as Romans. The band's humble beginnings and DIY ethics lead to their signing less than a year after self-releasing their debut demo.
We Came as Romans is an odd beast. "Broken Statues" contains technically stunning guitar riffs, orchestral strings, and "Bohemian Rhapsody"-esque four part harmonies. The song's vocals are a dynamic contrast between David Stephens roaring screams and Kyle Pavone's whiny singing voice.
Other tracks like "Road That Don't End And Views That Never Cease" add some elements of techno or trance to the mix. But the only thing that really seperates We Came as Romans from other metalcore bands like As I Lay Dying is the elements of classical music the band mixes in. "Intentions" contains a breakdown that sounds straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Lyrically, the band has been lumped into the Christian hardcore scene even though they veer away from classifying themselves as such. The lyrics are definitely posi but there is no real references to God or Jesus except for one lyric in the track "Dreams" that reads "this is Him speaking through me". So either way its not a huge statement but I'm just glad they aren't singing about heartbreak.
Overall, the album feels a little trite to me but I can't help but feel like it has some pretty unique properties to it. Some of the stuff they do sounds straight out of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and that makes them cooler than the average metalcore band in my opinion.
Rating: 5.7/10
MP3: We Came as Romans "We Are The Reasons"
Buy: iTunes, get the CD at Insound