Mighty Mos Def?
So I'm in the local powerhouse CD shop (you know) looking for the Stephen Marley CD ("The Traffic Jam" is crazy!) when I unexpectedly find...Mos Def's third album (fourth if counting Blackstar) True Magic. Wa-wa-we-wa?
This album completely just arrived under radar after months of pushed back release dates and what not. Why isn't the album from such a great talent like Mos Def a priority? The crudeness of this release is evident in the cd's packaging. The disc lays bare in a clear case (see pic). That's it. No liner notes, no commemorative poster...nothing. Needless to say I was disappointed (I like reading the liner notes!). Luckily, this 1st disappointment was not followed by another.
The album is definitely no Black On Both Sides, but then again that album is classic and how do you trump that? You can't, and I wasn't expecting it to. However, I do like True Magic more than his second effort The New Danger. The album moves along at a good pace and he has a good mix of commercial beats (jacks the "Nola Clap" beat) and slower, more brooding underground fair (like Mos' earliest track "Foundation"). Stand out jams include Sun, Moon, Stars and "U R The One" which is kind of like that Eamon track "Don't Want You Back" but way more credible. Also check out "Crime and Medicine" where he jacks the Gza's "Liquid Swords" beat but does it justice by keeping the hook. Mos was also nominated for a Grammy this year for 'Best Rap Solo Performance' for the song "Undeniable", which is on this album (deserved?).
Mos might not be "Mighty" anymore but he's still strong.
Posted by Jonathan at 01:30 PM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2007Miracles do happen...
just wanted to drop a heads up about a record that is guaranteed to turn heads and ears when it drops next month - Five Roses by MIRACLE FORTRESS.
Miracle Fortress is bascially this dude Graham Van Pelt who some may know from Think About Life . the record is instantly fetching - full of lush, swooning melodies, hooky guitar parts, dare i say - Beach Boys like harmonies and just this killer bright and beautiful spacey vibe. Five Roses has been winning battle after battle against CDs trying to crack into my changer (the new Arctic Monkeys, Handsome Furs and Bright Eyes - all solid records - recently fell victim to Miracle Fortress).
Graham's put together a live line-up (Jordan Robson-Cramer, Jessie Stein and Adam Waito) and is going to play some shows this spring + summer - starting May 15th in Toronto at Sneaky Dee's and May 16th in Montreal at Friendship Cove. Five Roses is out on Secret City records May 22nd.
Here's a track for you to take home and try out.
Miracle Fortress - This Thing About You.mp3
and check out a few more over at dude's myspace.
Posted by Geoff M at 04:59 PM | Comments (0)
April 13, 2007on repeat: Matt and Kim edition
yo gang,
I think I may have said before not long ago that recently, I’ve kind of reverted to the level of musical maturity I had as an 8 year-old (no offence kiddies) in that, damn – sometimes its just wicked fun to listen to songs on repeat. No? recent favorites have included Hot Chip’s new track My Piano (for a “yea, lovin’ that beat, keep it pumpin’ yeaaa!!!” kind of mood)… the new Voxtrot track Kid Gloves (for an “introspective, foot-tappin’ serious indie-rock” type of mood… an old Thermals song How We Know (for a “fk I’m pissed, this sucks, I want to go home…grrrr I’m feeling aggressive” mood) and the latest… Matt and Kim’s Yea Yeah. (right click on above song links to download tracks)
Matt and Kim (photo by Tod Seelie)
Whoa, this’a sugary one! Absolutely fun and infectious. Super poppy and danceable. Guaranteed to give you a jolt of the happy stuff, make your head-bob, foot-tap and grin uncontrollably. Just a week ago I got these Brooklyn based hot-shots’ full-length and well, its kind of been on repeat. (that’s a little bit more mature, no?). its not far off from being a full record of Yea Yeahs – but obviously with some diversity. Matt and Kim stick with the keys and drums formula throughout (that’s how they roll) and work it to the max – it doesn’t get tired for one second. Totally one of my favorite new musical finds of ’07.
Watch the deliriously silly video for Yea Yeah, then go get yourself some Matt and Kim… THEN go see these kids: Ottawa (May1), Montreal (May2), Hamilton (May3), Toronto (May4), Waterloo (May5)
Posted by Geoff M at 03:41 PM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2007Good things come with Icky Thump
So our good friend Devon just came back from interviewing The White Stripes in Nashville, TN. Their new album, Icky Thump, is due on June 18th and they’ve got huge treat for us Canadian fans. I’ve been working on this interview all morning and it was fun to see Jack and Meg in such a good mood. In the near future you can expect a feature on the band on The NewMusic, you don’t want to miss it.
PS. Earlier this week the album cover for Icky Thump was revealed on their website. Enjoy!
Manny.
Posted by Manny at 04:45 PM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2007take home a piece of brights eyes...
or not.
Apparently Pitchfork totally busted Costco attempting to sell fake acoustic guitars signed by Conor Oberst. That's kind of hilarious, am I right?
Until Conor's legal team got involved, they were selling these guitars for almost 900 bucks! That's really where they effed up. Forget selling a guitar signed by some obese Costco manager probably living in Wisconsin, but selling it for that much? PLEASE! The biggest Bright Eyes fan in the world wouldn't part with that much cash just for a damn signature on a shitty, generic guitar. Bright Eyes fans, I would like to think, aren't that foolish.
Speaking of Bright Eyes, I'm picking up my copy of their latest album, Cassadaga, tonight. I'm assuming it'll be on deck for the next week or so. And I don't give an eff what kind of review Pitchfork gave it, because album reviews mean so little to me. Oh, and I'll be reveiwing the album on here sometime tomorrow...
Posted by anto+nella at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007Is it Hard To Explain?
I hope all of you are as excited as I am about the upcoming Transformers movie, although we are sure to be disappointed. However, I have started my feelings of disappointment early. In the trailer, the character of Spike, played by Shia LaBeouf (Even Stevens anyone?) is wearing a The Strokes t-shirt. Why?! I believe that this is a sure indicator of an annoying character.
I am immediately reminded of Edward Furlong in Terminator 2 with his Public Enemy t-shirt and Cal in The 40 Year Old Virgin with his album cover art t-shirts (Gza - Liquid Swords, Nirvana - Nevermind, etc.). I found both these characters lacking personality but compensating by wearing cool t-shirts. Will I have to put up with an annoying Shia LeBeouf performance draped in a The Strokes t-shirt just so I can see robots transform in live action? I believe I will have to because how could you not want to see that. It's like if you were married with three kids that drove you straight into madness but your wife was Salma Hayek. You got to hang in there regardless.
I would have no hang-ups on the character had he worn a different band logo (or album cover), you know, something with a little more personality like this...
or this...
The point is I like The Strokes and if a character is gonna wear a t-shirt with The Strokes logo on it he better be just as cool as the band.
Posted by Jonathan at 06:10 PM | Comments (0)
April 09, 2007JOSE’S FIRST TWINKIE
The news & info department here at MuchMusic received a DISTURBIA kit, straight from the makers of the highly anticipated movie, which is destined to be a “flop”. In this kit came one (1) pair of binoculars, one (1) blinking arm-band bike light, one (1) red bull and one (1) twinkie. I immediately grabbed the binoculars and started scoping out the scene. It was pretty boring. Robert then hooked me up with the blinking bike light, and I was ready to roll.
Jose got wind of the free red bull and moseyed on over. It was at that point that he informed me that he never had the privilege of downing a Twinkie. “WHAT?” I screamed. “You have to eat this. Come on.” So he did.
Let’s have the photos tell the story, shall we?
Yeah, he was not impressed. Not in the least.
“THAT WAS VILE” and “UGH, TWINKIE OIL!” were my favourite quotes.
Just another day ‘round here.
oh, and i really love to play Eye Spy these days...
Posted by anto+nella at 12:36 PM | Comments (0)
