Where the food sounds good, and the music is pretty tasty too.
You kind of know you’re in for a good time when a band describes their music as, “Music to help kiss the doldrums away.” And that it does, in spades. It doesn’t take long to be impressed by the L.A.-based band Superhumanoids. Nope. After the first listen you’ll be all ears. And although I’m a bit late in finding this wonderful band, I’m making up for lost time by having a major marathon listening party with a nice Bourgogne. Peace. Continue reading “Superhumanoids – Parasite Paradise”
Life as we know it comes down to one thing, and one thing only. Evolution. Those species whom have failed to adapt, change or mutant have fallen by the way side. It’s a fact. And so it continues today, especially in the mercurial world of music. In the world of entertainment, you either continue to be relevant or perish. Those who continue to generate their own personal phoenix steadily apply this fundamental truism, and continue to rise from the proverbial flames. Dante Terrell Smith knows a thing or two about evolution. In fact, he has embraced it. Throughout his career, first as half of the duo Black Star, as the ying to Talib Kweli’s yang. Then as a solo Rap artist par excellence and successful screen actor. As Mos Def, he continuously advanced a considerable stake in our collective consciousness. And now in 2012 we behold Yasiin Bey. Call it what you will, but this isn’t some media-grabbing ploy which will cultivate in yet another insignificant name change in 12-months. No, I suspect it’s something much deeper and meaningful than just une chose sans valeur. Yasiin Bey translates into the word ‘rich’ and in this case you shouldn’t take it as something which symbolizes material or monetary worth. No, Yasiin Bey is flush with the currency of true knowledge, understanding, self-awareness, but also vision. Yasiin Bey, fka Mos Def, has not rested on his laurels. By most standards his career has been a successful one. Embodying his various persona’s as rapper/poet and actor and through it all, he has stayed hungry. Indeed, Yasiin Bey is inhaling rarefied air, but yet still not content to let up now. With is latest track “Niggas In Poorest” he continues to further expand his legacy. Here he has taken “Niggas In Paris” ala Jay-Z and Kanye West and flipped it supremely. And in the process made it raw and grittier. By taking something overly flamboyant and by some accounts dull, and sharpening into a subtle social weapon. And in the process Yasiin thus lays a solid foundation for what’s to come next. “Don’t get caught up in no throne…” Teach! Peace. Continue reading “Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) – Niggas In Poorest”
Originally I reviewed the guys from L.A. back in September and I was thoroughly impressed with their vibrant sound and musical wit. Well, a bit has changed since their album To The Alps (2011). It’s a new year and Princeton has learned and grown a lot since last we spun them round our ear space. The new LP Remembrance of Things to Come finds the band building on an already great sound, but stretching out in new and less restrained directions. Don’t worry it’s still all good, and you can reassure yourself below with a listen of their first single “Remembrance Of Things To Come.” See, I told you not to worry. And just because the band Princeton is cool like that, they’ve got a free download for you at the band’s webpage Princeton. Remembrance Of Things To Come will be released February 21, 2012, on Hit City U.S.A./Easter Everywhere. Peace. Continue reading “Princeton – Remembrance of Things to Come”
23-year-old Al Spx from Etobicoke, Canada is Cold Specks. Recently, she and her songs have done a bit of traveling, as she spreads her river baptismal sound into ears and hearts the world over. Listen to her touching fare, “Holland” and “Old Stepstone.” Cold Specks’ sound is recognizable, they’re heavily steeped in the American deep south/folk gospel tradition, and they touch you the way a fire and brimstone sermon would. They make you both nervous and contrite, even for sins you’ve only dreamed about. Also, her songs are right where they should be, and really I can’t imagine a better medium for them than Spx’s wade-in-the-water voice. A voice which is beautifully haunting, and powerful like the thunderstorms of the lonesome plains. I am beyond giddy, so looking forward to hearing more Cold Specks debut release via Arts & Crafts. Peace. Continue reading “cold specks // holland // lay me down”
Some songs just go better with life and living. Period. You know, those songs that have more than just novelty going for them, but will stick with you for the long haul. Well, singer/songwriter Andy Cabic crafts such songs and he makes it sound easy. For the past several days I’ve been listening to the San Francisco based band Vetiver. Their durable album The Errant Charm has sunk roots deep into my soul, and my flesh won’t be easily rid of such beauty. These songs have bones and sinews well oiled with strong marrow. There lives in our world songs of fluff and fancy, and for a change it’s nice to have songs constructed like hand-made Shaker furniture. And like any craftsman worth their salt Andy has been at it for quite a while. Originally a member of the now defunct Greensboro, North Carolina indie rock band The Raymond Brake in the mid-1990’s. And although the band had some measure of success, it was short-lived and concluded with the release of the Never Work Ever EP via Hepcat Records. But this review isn’t about what was, it’s about the here and now. And right now this gifted songwriter and band leader has given us The Errant Charm. This collection of songs is easily one of the best albums of 2011. So, if you have a taste for alternative folk/rock bands with the essence of pine needles and sunflowers dripping from every verse, then put this one into your inventory. Peace. Continue reading “Vetiver – The Errant Charm”
When I listen to the AlunaGeorge’s Born To Die Remix it makes me feel like I somehow rolled up Ms. Del Rey’s sexy shadow and pouting lips and somehow smoked them, you know like one of those funny cigarettes. Now, I feel like I’m somewhere all dangled up in the forgotten prayers cluttering up the stratosphere. And those prayers are stuck up there for lack of the proper postage of faith. But me, I have all the faith in the universe in Ms. Del Rey to transcend a devout listener to a higher plane. I also believe that if you listen to this track long and hard enough, it will deliver you too. Peace. Continue reading “Lana Del Rey – Born To Die (AlunaGeorge Remix)”
Up and coming rappreneur PHZ-Sicks joins forces with Detroit’s very own Young Scolla, and the results are something nice. The video, featuring the track “Success/Failure” is smooth like butta’ but pops like colliding atoms at CERN. PHZ-Sicks has been gaining traction since 2010 and is shining bright like the sun. Last year, January 5th, 2011, PHZ-Sicks released his much talked about The Laws of PHZ-Sicks mixtape, which only left fans wanting so much more. More recently, the young rapper has opened for such rising stars as Wale and J. Cole, but in 2012 I expect this VA. native to break out and gain a wider audience. PHZ-Sicks is without a doubt one of our picks to watch. Peace. Continue reading “PHZ-Sicks // Ft. Young Scolla – Success / Failure (Video)”
Back from a seemingly endless void, we can finally drop to our collective knees and say, “Thank you!” For those familiar, Xiu Xiu is a band, but to me its the metaphorical maladjusted step-child from the dark uncomfortable regions of your psyche. The neighbors in your mind will shun him, and try desperately to keep their own pristine children away. But unbeknownst, those overly clean children will gravitate towards him. Not because he is cool, but because he’s interesting, and tells the most wonderful stories. Yes, he’s slightly damaged, but wondrously resilient and resolves to never play the victim. He corals them one and all, and out into the world they go. He leads them into the darker parts of town. He learns their secrets and shares his as well. Each child learns things they should never be privy to, and divulge family secrets never previously told. Into the wide wilds of the underworld they trail tears and laughter, and he plies them with nothing more than daring. His arm about a shoulder, gives them song enough to house their pain and lift their chins to the sky. This is the world of Xiu Xiu and the long-awaited album Always will soon be among us, to light up everything. And make us uncomfortably curious for more. Peace.
The LP Always drops March 6th 2012. Pre-Order and get the “Hi” download free!
Always tracklisting: 1. Hi 2. Joey’s Song 3. Beauty Towne 4. Honey-Suckle 5. I Luv Abortion 6. The Oldness 7. Chimney’s Afire (Mickensian Suicide) 8. Gul Mudin 9. Born to Suffer 10. Factory Girl 11. Smear the Queen 12. Black Drum Machine Continue reading “Xiu Xiu – HI”
Alright, time to shed your workaday clothes, put on your party duds, and shake something. And you better believe I got the music for the occasion. Newly ordained DJ Moon Boots is serving it up hot and heavy with his latest stupefying Aretha EP, check it out. I also included the equally danceable track “Off My Mind.” We haven’t heard much from this newly sentient mixologist, but so far, so good. But best believe our antenna are now readjusted, and awaiting your next groove transmission. Peace. Continue reading “Moon Boots – Aretha EP”
What can be better than taking the best a band has to offer for over a decade and placing it all into a nice neat package? Well, nothing. Life In the Trenches – The Other Side of 2001-2011, is such a package and it is filled to the brim with wonderful treats to satisfy the old and new fan alike. Who can deny the work of Fredrik Lindson and Torbjörn Håkansson? The duo has made memorable music, which I’m sure has whispered into the ears of lovers dancing cheek to cheek, both horizontally and vertically alike. Well, what can you do, it’s just that kind of music. Inside this collection of songs you’ll find single-only tracks, rare tracks and new-old material never before released. It’s a sweet compilation of dance worthy (Flipside Of A memory, Flipside Of A memory & New Plans) and cuddle inducing (C’est la Vie) sounds. Cop it. Play it. And most importantly, do what you do while listening to it. Peace. Continue reading “The Embassy – Life In The Trenches / The Other Side of 2001-2011(Album)”