Sunday, November 15, 2009

You Need To Check Out

Regina Spektor.

I first heard of Regina Spektor when she appeared on the Bridge School Benefit line up a few years ago. I did attend, and was in love with her after the first song. Her voice is just beautiful, and her song writing is just astounding. She did all her songs with just her and her piano, and it was one of my favorite performances of the whole night. She gets a lot of love from college students, and young adults from what I've heard. So here are my two favorite songs from her, one of which (fidelity) I had the immense pleasure of seeing in concert. I say you buy everything she ever has done, and ever will done. She has great vocal range, and is morbidly peppy (oxymoron much?). You can feel everything she is singing about through the strain in her voice, and she has a very mature view on life, its not all daisy's in the world, but it sometimes is, so she writes about it all.

Fidelity - Regina Spektor


Laughing With- Regina Spektor

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Decidedly Dope

Saul Williams.

He is a blend of rock music, spoken word poetry, and hip hop. He has written 4 books, co written a movie script, and released 4 albums. He has heavy social and politically driven lyrics, and is a wonderful author. His movie 'Slam' is one of the best independent movies I've ever seen, even winning an award. His poetry is super dope, he has been featured on Def Poetry Jam, and many other well known poetry shows. He is rock enough to tour with Nine Inch Nails, and Hip Hop enough to be commented on by Nas. His poetry is dope enough to be featured in schools and made into books. He is as Nas said, "every kind of great artist combined into one".

CD's:
Amethyst Rock Star (2001)
Not In My Name (2002)
Saul Williams (2004)
The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust (2008)

You can listen to the majority of all of his work on this youtube playlist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfXiLYcP4SU&feature=PlayList&p=20DED818CB625109&index=0&playnext=1

Books:
The Seventh Octave (1998)
She (1999)
,Said The Shotgun To The Head (2003)
The Dead Emcee Scrolls (2006)

These can be purchased off amazon, or at your local bookstore.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Bridge School Benefit Concert

So last night, I went to the Bridge School Benefit Concert. For those of you who don't know, Bridge School is a school started by Neil Young to help severely handicapped children. It is a non-profit organization, and for 23 years they have been hosting benefit concerts, all of the proceeds going to the School. It was amazing, and just a beautiful, acoustic experience.

Neil Young, opened with some words, and one song, which was nice and then

Gavin Rossdale took the stage, every song he sang was beautifully done, he did a Prince cover which was just spectacular.

The next band to take the stage was Wolfmother, they had the fans dancing, and did quite the Neil Young cover as well. I did have to leave during their set to meet a friend of my parents, who has a child enrolled at the bridge school. I met them all at the parents booth and we talked about random things, all the while the child smiled and ate. It was moving hearing all her stories of how they can tell what music he does and doesn't like, and hearing all the gossip on what artists actually got themselves involved with the kids, which is a nice thing. I said my farewells and returned to the concert during the Fleet Foxes performance.

I hadn't heard of the Fleet Foxes before, and they preformed very well with beautiful harmonies, and a nice soft sound.

Monsters of Folk were the next to take the stage, and I was ready to be rocked with all the love they have been getting from Rolling Stone recently, and they did not dissapoint. They weren't as soft as I would have guessed, but they all have very different voices all of them nice, and they harmonize together PERFECTLY. They have amazing lyricism, and great story telling in their songs, with great band chemistry.

Sheryl Crow then took the stage, I loved how she turned on stage and played facing the kids for a little bit, after meeting one of these kids, my attention became more attuned to the acknowledgment they got from artists. But I stand strong behind the fact that Mrs. Crow may be better live than on her Cd, I was blown away (or it could have been the huge wave of marijuana that overcame me as she played her set, which she commented on.) She covered the Beatles song, Say Hey, and the whole crowd was screaming. She is very energetic on stage! And the crowd went wild when she played Soak Up the Sun.

Adam Sandler was probably lucky to go after Sheryl, because everyone in the crowd was either blunted or contact high, and we found his musical humor substantially more funny that it normally would be. He sang a lot, doing some classic rock covers, going on to his own original pieces all humor oriented like the 7 foot man, and the Hanukkah song. He did call Neil Young out to do a duet of 'Powder Finger' which was suprisingly good. Probably because Neil took lead, but Adam acknoledged the kids, made references on how people should donate more, and let quite the average set. I respected his performance which is a whole lot more than I expected to do.

Chris Martin opend with his own little poem about the bridge school, sung beautifully. His vocals were amazing, as was his piano playing, just astounding. He messed up, but played it off and the crowd loved it, he gave off a very relaxed feel. His violinist who he referred to as 'Daf' was amazing, even doing a very strange (yet superbly accurate) horse impression on the violin. He covered a Bruce Springsteen song, and sang many of his own hits, all great. He sang Earth Angle, and had the crowd harmonizing in parts for a good while, very live and nice performance.

No Doubt was maybe the best performance of the night. I can't even believe they have flown under my radar for this long. Gwen sounds JUST like she does on the radio, and every band member has INCREDIBLE musicality, many of them playing multiple instruments, all very well. The percussionist, background vocalist, and trumpet player were all the same guy! And the pianist got up and started playing the trombone! Gwen danced around with the kids, going right up to them, and they were just having an amazing time. Amazing group chemistry, and probably the best performance of the night.

Neil Young is so accustomed to performing now, you can only expect greatness, and it was delivered. He performed very well, Peggy on background, he even had a song with Sheryl Crow in the background, and they had some interesting instruments.

At the end all of the performers came out and were singing and dancing around, playing with the kids, grabbing instruments and playing, it was what a concert should be, fun spontaneous, nice. Adam Sandler even held some instruments for the kids to play, which I thought was very nice, I saw almost every artist go back there and play with the kids during this final song, and it was very moving. An amazing way to close the show.

So the Bridge School is an amazing cause, that you should support weather by going next year, or purchasing the collective CD of many exclusive performances from the past 23 years this has been going on. It is available on Itunes, just search Bridge School. All in all I really think you should help such a beautiful cause, with such beautiful music. All of the artists did very well, and I was very glad to be a part of this concert.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Decidedly Dope

Do you like hearing the newest hip hop from Lil Wayne to Lupe Fiasco tracks WAY before they hit the radio? Wanna get mixtape downloads the day the are released? Want to hear songs from new artists? Do you want to download all of the aforementioned tracks/mixtapes for free?

hotnewhiphop.com

Updated on the daily, view, listen, download, then show it off to your friends.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Songs of the Day

Songs about death are some of the most powerful songss we can find in our society. Here are some of my favorites. They may not all have the same message or tone, but they are all about the end.

Tears In Heaven- Eric Clapton


Wish You Were Here- Pink Floyd


Dance With My Father Again- Luther Vandross


Who'd You Be Today- Kenny Chesney


The Crossroads- Bone Thugs N Harmony

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Samba Music

Last night I had the immense pleasure of seeing world renowned percussionist James Henry perform at the album release party at Yoshi's in Oakland for his new CD 'Dragonfly'. The night started of with me helping sell his CD's, not very successfully I may add, we sold about 5 before the show started. We broke down the stand and went inside to watch James Henry and Hands on Fire ROCK IT. The saxophonist was amazing, the drummers were amazing, the bassist and the guitarist were in James' words "The Baddest", but he wasn't lying. They were on stage, singing, they had dancers, vocalists, and the filled the stage and just about everyone had to dance. The rhythms they produce just make you want to get up and dance. One song that stood out to me, was 'Heaven Above' which is easily the greatest song I've ever heard played on the steel pan. The cat on keyboard was amazing, playing piano, and a bell program that I've never even heard on the keyboard perfectly. James himself, displayed his huge array of musical talents from singing, to playing just about every percussion instrument I have ever seen. The music is peaceful, happy, fun, and they even got some people from the crowd to come on stage. A little before the show ended I went back outside to help set up to sell Cd's again, and after the show was over, we got mobbed. I believe the total sales were at about 710 dollars, and if you have ever been to Yoshi's you know there isn't a lot of space in there. Everyone was totally moved and just amazed at how live they kept it, going late into Monday night. Samba music, is such a beautiful genre, and the sheer difficulty of keeping all these different instruments in rhythm and together was amazing enough. Everyone caught themselves subconsciously moving to the beat. He's on Itunes, under the World genre, and here is a video of a small ensemble of their music.



Here is a video of how he is at live shows:


Here is a video of some of his work with kids at schools:


Check Him Out

Monday, October 19, 2009

Eminem New Song

I'm one of many eminem fans who were not impressed with Relapse, in the least. Although I respect him thoroughly from his previous works. Here is a new track by him. Its just average in my opinion, but those fans who liked relapse would probably like this. Its typical sick humor, disturbing imagery, and his unidentifiable almost arab almost jamacian accent. Check it out

http://www.rapbasement.com/audio/eminem-taking-my-ball-radio.html

Lupe Fiasco's New Track:

Lupe Fiasco has a new song, that is apparently going to be on the twilight soundtrack... As much as I love and respect him, and am a fan of artistic expression, but I hope he doesn't compromise his sound to increase the payout. As of now I have heard some internet speculation that his new Cd titled 'We Are Lasers' is to be released on December 15. It should be amazing, if it is anything like his last two. So keep an eye out for that!

Any way heres the song
Solar Midnight - Lupe Fiasco

Friday, October 16, 2009

Decidedly Dope: Music Blogs

Anyone who knows their music, most likely follows a few blogs, and anybody who loves their music, can appreciate them. I'm a new blogger, but I enjoy working on things, doing research ect. But if you get at a legit blog, they bring you EVERYTHING you could ever want. Amazing way to spread their knowledge. So my hat is off to you Joe Blogger, working all day, and throwing up random posts for the betterment of others just because you love to do it! And if you follow a blog, donate to it, send a thank you email, do something to let them know they are appreciated.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Hip Hop Elitism:

http://www.wiretapmag.org/arts/43585/

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Song of The Day

Red Alert On Planet Earth- ATMA


This is a massively dope song. check it out.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Songs of the Day

Cover Edition:

Hurt - Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails Cover)


Use Somebody- Airto (Kings of Leon Cover)


Hallelujah- Rufus Wainwright (Leonard Cohen Cover)


Fields of Gold- Eva Cassidy (Sting Cover)



Now these are all great covers, I'm not saying they are better than the originals (although some of them are), I'm just saying I respect the covers they've done of great work. Some you may have heard, others maybe not, but hey thats why you're on my site right? Enjoy

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Album Review: Apathy's "Wanna Snuggle?"

Apathy Wanna Snuggle Review:
1. Hells Angel – Good track, just a quick intro like song, it coulda been longer. It was nice though gets you hyped up for how the rest of the album will be. 4/5

2. Money Orientated featuring Emilio Lopez- an pretty good track talking about money and the ways it grabs hold of society and how it effects their thoughts. A nice AZ sample from ‘Lifes A Bitch’ good track, but felt like it was missing some emotion. 3/5

3. Gov’t Cheese- Now this is a nice track. A recap on his younger life, where he grew up and things he was accustomed too. Slightly up-beat, but with an overall nice rhythm and a dope beat with some big band horns going in the back. 4/5
4. On and Off the Mic featuring Blacastan- A track about how the game needs more real rappers, with witty punchlines and well executed samples, and a nice beat this is a good track. Has some jokes at the end, more like callouts, and still stays nice. 4/5

5. Back In LA featuring Ryu and Veze Skan- This is a great track, with a chill beat and hook. Nice sample, and all the guests dropped good verses. They rap about LA and what goes on there, and how they still love it. I think all the artists brought their A game for this one, although Apathy had my favorite verse. This is a legit song. 4.5/5

6. Shoot First featuring B Real and Celph Titled- The typical Demigod track, hook, semi-raw beat, and a whole lotta punchlines. I think the beat could have been less peppy, but other than that it was good. I liked Celph Titled’s verse the best, than Apathy, then B Real. There weren’t any punchlines that had me in awe, but most of them were good. Noteworthy track, but could have been better. 3.5/5

7. I’m a Demigod- Ok this is fire. Dope beat, sick lines crazy flow amazing track period. Its Apathy doing his thing, with metaphors punchlines and clever rhymes. Great track BUY THIS SONG. 5/5

8. True Love featuring Phonte- Softer song, chill about love. Talking about the type of girls they want/had. I always feel like Apathy doesn’t have the voice or tone for songs like this, I always expect him to drop a joke or a sick metaphor. Its alright for me although Phonte saved the song by dropping an ill verse. 3.25/5

9. Mind Ya Business featuring Chip-Fu- Low key track, with a beat that has an islander feel to it. About gossip, and how Apathy feels about it. It was ok, not bad, but nothing special. 3/5

10. Thinkin’- A song about how girls think/worry too much and are very nosy. It’s a semi-valid point, but I feel its slightly promoting that they stop thinking. It was an ok song again not bad, not great. Nice sample though, pretty good beat.
11. This is the Formula featuring J Live- This is a pretty good song Apathy and J Live actually both worked well over this Jazzy beat. Very chill dope lyricism from both artists. This is a nice track. 4/5

12. Guys and Girls featuring Blue Raspberry- Interesting concept where he goes through the common complaints about girls and how they are all moody and nosy but still play games, and then through the eyes of a girl how guys only want one thing ect. Chill beat, great sample, good track. 3.75/5

13. Anyday featuring King Magnetic- This is a dope song. It’s about feeling down, beat, but hoping things will change. Great beat, great lyrics great sample. Both artists did their thing on this track. Buy This Song! 5/5
14. Candy featuring Dose- Alright track kind of follows the lines of Will Smiths candy, only this one is less pop sounding. Both artists had alright verses but the beat was pretty good and the sample was nice. 3.5/5

15. Run, Run Away- A song about how poorly he acted towards a girl. I liked it, nothing lyrically astounding, but better than most. And it was a nice story, alright track 3.75/5
16. No Sad Tomorrow featuring Holly Brooks and Mike Mass- Another great track! You can probably guess what the songs about from the title, but this was nice. Lyrically good, and with a crazy beat and sample. Mike Mass did an amazing job as well. Great track BUY THIS ONE 5/5

17. Rhode Island featuring Emilio Lopez- Apathy giving props to Rhode Island, and how his career got started there. His verse is really short, but its good, and he sings the hook and does shout outs at the end of the song. Emilio did a great job as well, his verse was much longer. Good song 4/5

18. What Goes Up- A great song, very relaxed beat with a soft rock feel to it, and a nice old school sample. The song is a story about how a man who is under a lot of stress, but trying to change his life around, he fires his gun into the air just into the sky, but “What goes Up, Must Come Down” and it comes down and kills his girlfriend. When he gets the call and makes the connection he decides he needs to kill himself as well. Great song, great story, I wish it was longer though. 4.75/5

19. Hard Times On Planet Earth- Apathy talking about the financial hardships, despite popularity and how he wishes he had a different job with better monetary gain. This is a dope track, nice beat, good concept, good lyrics. 4/5

20. Slave featuring Motive- A great song, with a dope beat. Ap’s verse is about being an economic slave. While motive takes a similar story although he is speaking as if he is a real slave. Nice concept, both verses were well thought out with good flow and lyricism while staying on topic. I give this song a 5/5

21. Victim featuring Holly Brook- This song is AMAZING, my favorite beat on the album and Holly has an amazing voice that works perfectly with this song. The first verse is a story about how a man attempts to rape a girl, but it turns out the girl was a murder and she kills him. The second verse is about a girl who is raped by her step brother and his friends, and it turns her into a killer. Again Holly’s soft and slightly eerie voice is just perfect for the song. My favorite track on the whole album YOU MUST BUY THIS SONG IF YOU DON’T BUY ANYTHING ELSE. 6/5

22. The Last Thing I Need featuring Motive (bonus track) - Good beat, and good track talking about things he doesn’t want to happen. Both artists go hard, and they complement each other well. 4/5



Apathy’s album “Want to Snuggle?” was Overall a pretty good album. Definitely worth a purchase in my opinion but you can find the whole thing on YouTube to choose which songs you like (here’s the playlist url: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F1024F9B0F3F2B05) But definitely worth a full purchase. It has a lot of songs with great concepts and interesting wordplay, and Apathy brings his killer lyrics as always. Overall a 4/5 album, but I don’t recommend you buy it from itunes because they don’t have all the tracks. Buy it from a website like this one (http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/detail.asp?=Apathy-Blacastan-Blue-Raspberry-B-Real-Celph-Titled-Chip-Fu-J-Live-King-Magnetic-Ryu-Wanna-Snuggle-Demigodz-Entertainment&UPC=DGZWSCD).

Artist Time: Atmosphere

Atmosphere might be my favorite hip hop group of all time. They are based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota and rocking the whole world. The sheer talent displayed by both the Mc (Slug) and the Producer (Ant) is amazing. They have released 6 studio albums (including strictly leakage). They have had other artists come and go, but Slug and Ant are the ones who stayed constant. They have a blend of spoken word poetry, hip hop, and a little alternative punk rock in them. (They even preformed at the Vans Warped Tour). A little bit of everything for everyone.

Here are my favorite tracks off of all their studio albums:

Overcast! (1997):


God Loves Ugly (2002):


Sevens Travels (2003):


You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having (2005):


Strictly Leakage (2007):


When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (2008)


Now they have released many EP's and even 2 Compilation albums, all of which I recommend you check out. They also have a small series called the 'Sad Clown/Bad Dub' Which is a collection of live/unreleased materials. Easily the most noteable song off of all the EP's in this series is the song 'Sunshine' off of Sad Clown Bad Dub 9. One of my favorite songs ever, and maybe the happiest rap song ever made:




You should definitely check out Atmosphere, they are cofounders of the Rhymesayers label. You can find them on Itunes, and can purchase at least two of their cds at mainstream stores such as target. You can also order from their myspace at http://www.myspace.com/atmosphere

Slug also has a group with California rapper Murs, called 'Felt' who you should check out as well.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Songs of The Day

Sick & Tired -Shihan


The District Sleeps Alone Tonight- The Postal Service


Blue Boys Tune- BB King


So Cold- Celph Titled ft. Oktober

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Songs of the Day

Little Girl Gone- Devin The Dude ft Lil Wayne and Bun B



Smile In Your Sleep- Silverstien


Kiss From A Rose- Seal


Building Steam From A Grain of Salt- DJ Shadow

Friday, October 2, 2009

Rest In Peace Mr. Magic

Mr. Magic- Rap Attack DMC mix


A pioneer of hip hop died today. May he be remembered forever. Rest in Peace

Here is a tribute for Mr. Magic, brought by Mr. Cee
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/mixtape/id.949/title.mr-cee-mr-magic-tribute

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Songs of the Day

A Penny- Grip Grand


Shattered- O.A.R.


Sad, Sad, Song- M. Ward


Circles- Hollywood Undead

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Song Of the Day

Bob Dylan- Knocking On Heavens Door


Need I give a reason?

Who's Got Soul?

Beatnick & K-Salaam have a new project out called 'Never Can Say Goodbye' it is a tone of remixes of hugely classic songs. Heres the tracklisting

1. Michael Jackson- I'll Be There Remix
2. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell- Ain't No Mountain High Enough
3. Stevie Wonder- My Cherie Amor
4. Michael Jackson- Never Can Say Goodbye Remix
5. Marvin Gaye- Whats Goin On?
6. Stevie Wonder- Up Tight Remix
7. Michael Jackson- ABC Remix
8. Marvin Gaye- Lets Get It On Remix

All tracks produced by Beatnick & K-Salaam. Now I know your wondering, Ok thats an amazing list where can I cop it? Music Makes The World Move has your back. Download it free and legal here: http://ksalaamandbeatnick.bandcamp.com/

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Song Of the Day

Black Rose- Sadistik


Only One Today, because the rest of them would have been from the Bob Dylan/ K'naan album I just reviewed and posted a download link too! look vvvvvvvvv

Album Review: 'The Messengers (Episode 3: Bob Dylan) - K'naan and J.Period

Track By Track Review:

1. Intro- K'naan is reciting his views on the generation, poetry, and how he was introduced to Bob Dylan, and then the song goes into a slightly hip-hopped version (I think I hear Rakim in the background) of a Dylan song, which I actually really enjoyed, the hip hop mixing, and heavier drums didn't seem to drown out Dylan's exceptional lyricism as I would have imagined. (4/5)

2. Rhythmic Poetry (Interlude)- K’naan is talking about how he was introduced to rap, over a Dylan guitar loop, with a sample from a movie and random ‘Hip Hop’. (2/5) not much of a song, still pretty dope though.

3. Don’t Think Twice- Opens with the same beat in the interlude and a Dylan Interview sample, but K’naan gives you an introduction to what the album will be like by singing the verse, with Dylan on the other verse, they continue back and forth. Great singing and lyrics from K’naan, and Dylan was already great so…(4.5/5) Amazing Song.

4. No Great Message (Interlude)- Same Sort of Deal as last Interlude, Dylan dropping knowledge

5. 4th Time Around- More back and forth from K’naan and Dylan, I like this song, good lyrics on both parts, but not as good as Don’t think twice. More of a whiny sound, still good though. (4/5)

6. Voice of the Other Side- K’naan talks about Dylan, how he was the voice of the people. (2/5) good concept, but only an interlude.

7. Lay Lady Lay (Intro)- A Dylan interviewer asking questions about Africa, and then a portion of the last verse of Dylan’s song Lay Lady Lay. (3/5) my favorite interlude of the album.

8. Relationships Lay- First song not named after a Dylan song, so K’naan takes lead here. A song about love, and Dylan singing a portion of Lay Lady Lay, while K’naan talks to a significant somebody about how he loves her, and won’t let life affect his love. Good song, but not great. (3.5/5)

9. True Story (Interlude)- Dylan introducing the next track. (2/5) just talking, a little humorous though.

10. Hard Rain- A back and forth with Bob Dylan’s A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall playing, while K’naan picks up where the lines left of continuing them through Dylan’s pauses in the lyrics. This goes on for two verses, and is amazing. The third and final verse, is just Dylan singing the third verse of the song. Beautiful, best song on the album (5/5)

11. It’s Alright Ma (Bonus)- Dylan opens with a witty quote from T.S. Elliot, the song then opens up with semi hard hitting drum opening. Dylan begins singing his song It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) and it stops after 4 verses, no K’naan. Still great though, (4.5/5)

Overall: An amazing concept, beautifully done. K’naan does an excellent job of showing how relevant Dylan’s music was, and still is today. K’naan actually compliments Dylan very well, and J.Period does an excellent job of sampling, and mixing. The album has great production. Rumor has it the bass player was live, so more props to him. For a free album, you would be crazy not to pick this up. It is an excellent album. My only complaint is there was too many interludes, taking up space that could have been more amazing tracks.

Download it here: http://www.jperiod.com/knaan/

Monday, September 28, 2009

Songs of The Day (War Edition)

One- Metallica


Uncommon Valor- Jedi Mind Tricks & RA the Rugged Man


So Long Mom- Tom Lehrer


War/No More Trouble- Playing For Change (medley)

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Concept Songs of The Day (Heartbreak)

Abusing of the Rib- Atmosphere (Hip Hop)


Black Orchid - Blue October (Rock)


Your Eyes- Adam Pascal (From Rent) (Soundtrack)


End of The Road- Boyz II Men (Soul)

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Decidedly Dope: Record Shops

In the world of new age technology, and illegal downloads, people are too lazy to do anything but get their music, fast and free. And you can say what you want on those means, but I will say this. Even if you do download, if its an album you love, go buy it. I mean support the artists, and even the local record stores! Weather you buy your cd's from target, itunes, or a local shop I don't care, just buy it. If you feel the need to download, do it for finding new artists. Think of it as looking at a painting in a gallery, you can see it whole heatedly, for free. But if you want to keep it, you gotta buy it.

Songs of the Day

Eleanor Rigby- The Beatles (Rock)


My Favorite Things- John Coltrane (Jazz)


Georgia On My Mind- Ray Charles (Soul)


Classic- Nas, Rakim, Krs One, & Kanye West

Friday, September 25, 2009

Songs Of the Day (RIP edition)

We Are the World- Michael Jackson


Hold Ya Head- Notorious B.I.G & Bob Marley (RIP both of them)


Half The Man I Used to Be- Nirvana (Kurt Cobain)


Its A Man's World- James Brown



The RIP edition, great songs, by artists who died before their time.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Songs of the Day - Down Under Edition

The Sea is Rising- Bliss N Eso (Hip Hop)


Ana's Song- Silverchair (Rock)


The Royal Family- The Necks (Jazz)



Just thought it was a day to shout out some Australian bands that don't get much attention from the American Youth. Although Youth Group is my favorite Australian rock band, they were featured earlier this week, so I passed on them.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Decidedly Dope: Tool

http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/free-dvd-video-software.htm

This right here is the key to the lock of rare music distribution. By following this link, you will be able to download a plethora of nifty internet tools, but I have only ever needed one. The youtube to Mp3 converter. You download the software, open it up from the desktop, then just copy and paste the url's to your favorite songs video on youtube, and it will put it on a list. After you have pasted all the songs you want, hit download. They will appear on your desktop, from where you can listen to them, drag them to itunes, or upload them to myspace, what ever you may want to do with it. Hey you can even get some of the songs you liked that I posted on the Songs of the Day!?

enjoy
-Jeremy

Songs of the Day

Lying Down - Symmetry (Hip Hop)


Grey Street- Dave Matthews (Rock)


Pretty Little Rave Girl- I Am X-Ray (Techno)


River Flows In You- Yiruma (Classical)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Decidedly Dope: Artist

Purrbot
I was introduced to purrbot about 3 years ago, when a friend of my fathers recommended it to me. I was excited, and then skeptical about its soft sound, so I listened to it before I went to bed. On one of the many sleepless nights I had I started really listening to what he was saying in the songs, and it was pretty profound. After an in depth listen I began to realize, that this was a truly talented singer songwriter. I would classify what he does as rebel folk music, for off of his first album (Civil Unrest released in 2003) he attacks stereotypes, and writes about love, anger, winter, and the world we live in. This album is definately worth a purchace if you like soft rock or folk muisc. Can be found on Itunes!

Discogrophy:
Civil Unrest (2003)
A Kind of Giving (2009)

Songs to check out:
Dim White
Empty Threats
Its All Your Fault

Songs of the Day (9/22/09) (Revolutionary Edition)

Kill Pop- Future Leaders of the New World (Metal)


Diallo- Wyclef Jean (Soul)


Redemption Songs- Bob Marley (Reggae)


4th Branch- Immortal Technique (Hip Hop)

Decidedly Dope: Podcast

IndieFeed podcasts on Itunes might just be the greatest things ever. An excellent way to get free, independent music from just about all genres. I personally find their flow of artists (especially in the spoken word and hip hop sections) extremely consistent, and oftentimes new. They give short news reviews about the songs after they have played as well. I personally subscribe to IndieFeed Alternative, IndieFeed Hip Hop, and IndieFeed Spoken Word, but definately back any of the podcasts they release under ANY genre. About one post a day, and rarely ever dissapointing.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Daylight Aesop Rock Interpretation 1st Verse (as requested)

(yes y'all and ya don't stop keep on to the break of dawn)

Yo...put one up to shackle me, not clean logic procreation-
Bind him and force him to inhance his logic, ( the not clean is a sexual reference)
I did not invent the wheel I was the crooked spoke adjacent- He wasn't the greatest, he was the mess up that was ignored (crooked spoke)
While the triple sixers lassos keep angels roped in the basement- The devils kept angels roped in the basement (I assume the angles are ideas)
I walk the block with a halo and a stick poking your patience- He's trying to be an angel but is only annoying you (assumed reference to religious fanatics on the streets)
Ya'll catch a 30 second flash visual-(catching only a part of it)
Dirty cooperative net platoon bloom head trip split ridiculous- net platoon referring to an army of angry internet haters (keyboard warriors) that have blossomed since the Internets creation, causing people to trip
Fathom the splicing of first generation-gene splicing of the first generation of fuck ups, finding beauty in mistakes
Fuck up or trickle down anti hero smack (Cracking!) -anti hero violence
I paste the game to zero hour completion green (Splash!) - Video game reference, but saying he hasn't taken the time to try/begin
Duke of early retirement pick a dream- saying that dreams of being young/famous/rich are pushed into peoples minds
American nightmare hogging the screen- American dream reference, the true side to what is mentioned in the line above
I'll hold the door open so you can stumble in - he will let you enter the dream if you leave him alone.
if you'd stop following me around the jungle gym
Now it's an honor and I spell it with the 'H' I stole from heritage
- saying he finds honor/pride in heritage
Merit crutch stolen wretched refuse of my teeming resonance - His merit was a crutch for supporting him (selfesteem most likely) and was stolen because some1 didn't like the way he would just breakdown (physics definition of resonance)
I promise temperance towards breed with a leaning conscience- saying that he promises peace and harmony (temperance the tarrot card) with a conscience that isn't set in stone, or not following normal standards
Here the creed acts sense responsive but my sports supports the wattage-Here (a world other than this one) creed(belief) acts responsive to the senses (saying belief is blind), but he still supports what is fueling creed
And I'm sleeping now (Wow!) yeah the settlers laugh - He rested as others ran to save themselves and made fun of him for it (American Settlers)
You won't be laughing when your covered wagons crash - many of those who laughed died on the trek over
You won't be laughing when the buzzards drag your brother's flags into rags - died in wars over nationalism and pride
You won't be laughing when your front lawn is spangled with epitaphs - when everywhere becomes a burial ground
You won't be laughing! -he will be glad he rested, and they will no longer laugh
And I hang my boots to rest when I'm impressed - he sits and watches things he's impressed with
So I triple knot them and forgot them - and then forgot his duties, (the reason he had the boots)
This origami dream is beautiful - he has a dream of a new life
but man those wings will never leave the ground - but feels it can't be implemented
Without a feather and a lottery ticket, now settle down - because he needs luck (finding a feather) and lots of money (lottery ticket) so you need to be patient.


Songs Of the Day (9/21/09)

Big L Punchline Anthology (Hip-Hop)


Secondhand Serenade- Fall For You (Rock)


Oscar Peterson & Count Basie- Slow Blues (Jazz)


A Change Is Gonna Come- Sam Cooke (Blues)


Sunday, September 20, 2009

Songs of the Day

Nights Like This J- Live (Hip Hop):


Forever Young- Youth Group (Rock)


Kinda Blue- Miles Davis & John Coltrane (Jazz)


Black Ice- Def Poetry (Spoken Word)

Why We Are Here

This site is my personal thoughts, ideas, and discoveries in music of all types. Starting Today I will be putting up artists I enjoy, artists I've recently discovered, album reviews, and other things music related. Check back frequently as I will try to do this everyday. I will post songs of the day, they will be in many different genres and many different styles, hopefully you will find something you like.