I’m getting back to my rock roots, and from no better place than Minneapolis. But don’t worry, hip hop is still my first love (well, technically that would be rock…). I just want to diversify my music library to genres other than hip hop & electronica (I think hip hop’s at about 80%, right now). But who gives a fuck about all that, let’s get to the Gold…
I first set my ears on Solid Gold a couple months back when tuning into GAYNGS’s debut album Relayted. The trio teamed up with Ryan Olson of Mel Gibson and the Pants, among others, to do a collaborative project that’s nothing short of sexy smooth. Where GAYNGS is a seductive gang-bang of Minneapolis musicians, Solid Gold would more of a glam-rock/synth-pop band with lead singer Zach Coulter’s voice, which sounds a hell of a lot like George Michael’s. I’m still not quite sure what genre to categorize this under, but for once in a long time I’ve opened up to rock that isn’t 40 years old (there are a few exceptions – mostly ’80s/’90s rock). I should note, however, my first listen through the album wasn’t anything to boast about, but once I got use to the sound… I was hooked – this is especially for my hip hop fans, give it a couple listens before you move on.
If anyone could help me define/classify this, it would be much appreciated. I wanna start looking for similar sounds and you could be a real help. +If you do I may just post more… just maybe.
[audio:WhoYouGonnaRunto.mp3|titles=Who You Gonna Run to](Download Link in Full Article)
I was watching one of my favorite mockumentaries, The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down, when I heard a song by Zero 7. Before I get to the song I gotta talk a little about the film. If you haven’t gotten the opportunity to see it, you definitely should. It may at first seem like just a cheesy film about stupid American 20-year-olds, and as much as it is, it’s also very funny and well written.
I included a clip of the film where the song appears, which I cut down and uploaded just for y’all. Just to let you know what’s happened so far in the film, everyone is going home to crash after a night of drugs, partying and debauchery. The video captures the morning as a serene contemplation of the night before, but in my experience this is hardly the case. Anytime you’ve stayed out so late that you get a nice glimpse of the morning sunrise… well, let’s just say it’s anything but pleasant. But this film catches its beauty (somehow) with some nice shots of the LA scenery. The clip also includes the scene after, which is pretty funny (especially if you watch the whole film), but is a bit obscene if you just jump right in (and even if ya don’t).
Finally, the reason I chose this song was mainly because of the film. The two complimented each other so well, not to mention I’ve been a fan of Zero 7 for a while. Give me your thoughts on the clip of the film which features “Today” and the scene after, if you’d like.
[audio:Today.mp3|titles=Today](Download Link in Full Article)
I’ve finally found some rock that isn’t 40 years old. Of course, though, it had to be by one of the most abundant underground hip hop producers today, Danger Mouse. Danger Mouse has worked on a number of different projects including Gnarls Barkley, DANGERDOOM, The Grey Album – one of the best mashup albums to date – and now, to top it all off, he’s collaborated with James Mercer of The Shins to form Broken Bells.
When first hearing of Broken Bells on hypem, I didn’t realize the two had collaborated at the time. After realizing it, I knew I had to check out the entire album. I’ve listened to the album a few times through and so far it’s prettay, prettay good. The group reminds me a lot of Gorillaz, that sort of electric-inspired alternative rock. I like this new style, but haven’t immersed myself in it enough (any other suggestions). The album had two songs in particular that stuck with me. Of course, they’re the two singles off the album, the first being “The High Road”, which I instantly fell in love with, and “The Ghost Inside”, which took some time but is steadily becoming my favorite.
The reason I chose to feature “The Ghost Inside” over the other favored track is because it has something that I can’t really explain… or maybe I just have more to talk about with this one (I’m sure ill feature the other some other time). What might be the reason I like this one so much is because it, in particular, reminds me a lot of the Gorillaz. It has some quirky vocals that grow on ya, and some unconventional, hip hop inspired instrumentals (a lot like the Gorillaz). One of the sounds actually reminds me of the sound that the black smoke makes in LOST. I probably just got LOST on the brain because the final episode is tomorrow! But just listen closely and I bet you’ll hear it too. Anyways, check it – tell me what ya think.
[audio:TheGhostInside.mp3|titles=The Ghost Inside](Download Link in Full Article)
First off, I wanted to apologize, I was going to post this yesterday, but I decided to Jailbreak my iPhone instead. :D It’s incredible what I can do with it now! But, let’s get the music…
This is the fourth installment in the Know Good Classics series. All of the features in this series are either rock or R&B, even though this site is mainly based on hip-hop & electronica. The reason for this is when I was growing up I listened to these genres, mainly from my father’s influence. I eventually turned to hip-hop & electronica in high school and (more so) in college. And now to the feature!
If you listen to any classic rock stations then you’ve probably heard this one before. Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress) was a big hit back in the day by The Hollies, and is now featured in such films as Remember the Titans (poor quality sample of it here), and a few other films. I actually rediscovered this from what I thought was Wonderland, but came to find it wasn’t. The actual film that I heard it from is still yet to be determined, so if you have any ideas please shout ’em out! Oh well, the song will be a nice refresher from the good ol’ days (as my pop says), so give it a listen and tell me what comes to mind when ya listen to it (if anything)…
[audio:LongCoolWoman.mp3|titles=Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)](Download Link in Full Article)
I know what you’re thinking… what pop bullshit is up on here Well, it is pop, but it isn’t shit. During my early years (when I pimped the pajama pants) all I listened to was Tears for Fears, along with Earth, Wind & Fire, mixed in with a whole lot of Beatles (my father’s influence). I’ve always loved Roland Orabal’s voice, but I do understand why some may not; it’s a stereotypical 80’s pop voice (Shout), which may irritate and possibly annoy some. But, besides their cheesy 80’s “act”, the group has released numerous classic songs, including Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Sowing the Seeds of Love, and my current favorite, Head Over Heels (there’s also Mad World, but I like the Donnie Darko version better). I listen to this one on repeat for a couple key parts throughout the song (one mentioned below), and I must say, Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith know how to hit the right chords at the right time. Maybe if they were a decade back, they wouldn’t have suffered the 80’s faux pas. I mean common, look at this album cover… what the fuck were they thinking :) (album cover is in the full article)
[audio:HeadOverHeels.mp3|titles=Head Over Heels](Download Link in Post)
First, I wanted to explain what I am trying to accomplish with this “Know Good Classics” thang. I love music from the 60’s & 70’s (and a little from the 80’s & 90’s) just as much as I love music nowadays (if not more). I decided to showcase some of the best classics to give them a small revival. Now, some of ’em you may know, some of ’em you may not know. But what cannot be disputed is their greatness.
The first song to start out the series is “Gimme Shelter” by The Stones. My most memorable recollection of the song was when I was in London, just about to graduate college (I studied my last semester out there :)). My most vivid memory of the song was when I was listening to it in Waterloo Park with my “good ol’ chaps”, getting belligerent in more ways than one ;) (ahh, the good times).
[audio:GimmeShelter.mp3|titles=Gimme Shelter](Download Link in Post)