tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82601469263053296232024-03-05T03:20:57.913-08:00My Backpack is Bigger Than YoursBlog banner by Laura "Neila" Yang. http://www.iloveyeti.comE. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-23931668849263611212013-06-29T17:05:00.002-07:002013-06-29T17:05:57.559-07:00Gregory Pepper & Madadam "Big Huge Truck"Expanding the Backpack, 6/29/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a1722470503_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a1722470503_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
New free EP from weirdo indie-pop hopper Greg Pepper and Canadian producer Madadam, offered up courtesy of Fake Four Inc. This follows in the steps of Gregory Pepper's excellent "Escape From Cystal Skull Mountain" album that dropped last year, and has been billed as more of a hip hop style side project that him and Madadam closely worked on together for a while. Even if Gregory Pepper's moronic singing and humorous lyricism aren't your cup of tea, this free project is still worth checking out for the collaborations that him and Madadam have roped in from their Fake Four fam. Featured over the course of the album are verses from Ceschi, Noah23, Awol One, Open Mike Eagle and Kirby Dominant to name. Stand-out songs include "House on Wheels" and "Let's Be Friends," though the album's crowning achievement may be "Walrus for Mayor," which finds Awol One and Gregory Pepper waxing poetic over a very warm and optimistic Madadam beat. My only gripe with this project is that the sound is mixed very low, which means you really gotta crank up the volume if you want to hear it clearly next to other recordings. Still definitely worth a free download over on the Fake Four Inc Bandcamp Page, or a stream under the tracklisting below: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Sisypheon Rock (Gregory Pepper Mix) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Mechanical Head (feat. Blue Blue Heron) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. House on Wheels (feat. Noah23) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Cautionary Tales (feat. Ceschi) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. Pinch the Hooch, Double Helix, Jizz Cracker </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
6. Walrus for Mayor (feat. Awol One) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
7. Stone Airplane </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
8. Madadam Interlude </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
9. Stirring Dead Leaves (feat. Open Mike Eagle) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
10. Let's Be Homies (feat. Kirby Dominant) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
11. Fronting In Your Heartbone (feat. Livestock) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
12. Sisypheon Rock (Madadam Remix) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe seamless="" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2382693875/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://fakefour.bandcamp.com/album/big-huge-truck">Big Huge Truck by Gregory Pepper & Madadam</a></iframe><br /></div>
<br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-32801190634008937592013-06-17T00:16:00.000-07:002013-06-17T00:16:18.415-07:00Destro Destructo "Day of the Dead"Expanding the Backpack, 6/17/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a3145439092_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a3145439092_10.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
New album from Destro Destructo of Oldominion/Boom Bap Project, "Day of the Dead," available on a donation basis (or as a free download) via <a href="http://destrodestructo.bandcamp.com/album/day-of-the-dead">Destro's Bandcamp Page</a>. This album is entirely produced by a producer from Zaragoza, Spain by the name of Cash Flow, who tragically passed away in 2011 over a battle with leukemia. Destro decided to complete the project and offer it up to the masses in Cash Flow's honor, and the album is an achievement with plenty of stand-out boom bap hip hop jams to nod your head to. Cash Flow's simple loop-based production is a great compliment to Destro's steady voice and style, and the plethora of guest spots from the always excellent Oldominion crew further boost the quality of the product. Early favorites to me are the title track and "Along for the Ride," though the whole thing is pretty solid and well worth a listen. You can download the album for free over on Destro's Bandcamp, but if you choose to donate something for it 65% of the proceeds will be donated to cancer research/care in Cash Flow's name. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Dream Big </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Along for the Ride </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. Undertow 2.0 (feat. Snafu & NyQwil) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Sweat Equity </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. Day of the Dead (feat. Goldini Bagwell & Pablo) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
6. Filthy (feat. JFK) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
7. Fever (feat. L Pro) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
8. Grizzly </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
9. Heaven & Hell (feat. Bishop I) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
10. Black Cobra (feat. Onry Ozzborn, Iame & Laura Ivancie) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
11. Served Cold (feat. Luck One) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
12. Occupational Hazard </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
13. Electrico (feat. Oldominion) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
14. Champion Sound (feat. L Pro) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
15. Eyes Wide (feat. Josh Malm aka Redwood Son) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
16. Fade Away </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
17. Code of Conduct (feat. Silas Blak & Serge Severe) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe seamless="" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=661569954/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 450px;"><a href="http://destrodestructo.bandcamp.com/album/day-of-the-dead">Day Of The Dead by Destro Destructo</a></iframe><br /></div>
<br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-32849407731800932912013-06-07T00:29:00.000-07:002013-06-07T00:29:22.340-07:00Literate AccomplishmentThe Latest Greatest, 6/7/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fillinthebreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.fillinthebreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
New album from Literati, entitled "Fait Accompli," dropping on Ecid's Fill in the Breaks imprint on June 25th. I'd heard of this group in passing through Ecid's promotional pushes, but was first introduced to their music at a pretty shitty show in San Francisco at a bar called the Showdown, where they only managed to play two and a half songs before a gang of rowdy reggae DJs cut them off mid-set to spin records. Still, even with such a short span of time to show and prove, it was clear to me that these two fellas knew what they were doing and how to do it well. The group's two members, Mercies May and Chris Caesar, have been involved with a lot of under-the-radar projects over the years, with a wide range of collabs that have even included Little Dragon (yes, the current popular Little Dragon). Their material as a duo seems to be destined to get progressively better, and leave it to Fill in the Breaks to highlight that progression with this new full length of theirs. Looking forward to hearing it, check out the video for the single below:<br />
<br />
1. Modern Life<br />
2. Echo & Narcissus<br />
3. No Money<br />
4. Bad Karma<br />
5. My Own Worst Enemy<br />
6. Cupid<br />
7. Tear Gas<br />
8. Swoon<br />
9. Parade<br />
10. Way Out<br />
11. The Future<br />
12. Shade And Shadow<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OqNUU1T6TVI" width="560"></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-23579667007428222932013-06-05T18:03:00.000-07:002013-06-05T18:03:57.609-07:00nosunnofood "nosunnofood"Expanding the Backpack, 6/5/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a2602868707_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a2602868707_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
New self-released project from Edison, under the moniker of nosunnofood, available now on a name-your-own-price basis. This new album is an accoustic driven project that was apparently recorded over the course of four years and underwent various moves and metamorphoses in the process. Edison is one of the Bay Area's finest producers, and this collection of songs offers up a quieter and more meditative approach to his beats while maintaining his trademark excellence. The folky guitar elements of the production here remind me a bit of the awesome instrumental hip hop album that 2econd Class Citizen released last year "The Small Minority," though nosunnofood definitely stands out on its own and delivers a very strong emotional palette of sounds. Some great music to write or make art to, but also an album that you can really pay attention to in your headphones. You can download the album for whatever price desire (including Free Fifty Free) via <a href="http://edisonbuttons.bandcamp.com/album/nosunnofood">Edison's Bandcamp Page</a> or you can stream it in full below:<br />
<br />
1. the sighs<br />
2. slow climb to the common corners<br />
3. there is no war in love and hate<br />
4. astringent<br />
5. the repeating fades grayer everytime<br />
6. until the day your keys own you<br />
7. my modesty, your venn diagram<br />
8. where she walks, i will walk too<br />
9. that dream of falling face first<br />
10. breaking through to find more to go through<br />
11. last time, that stuff you said was wrong<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=357005508/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=0687f5/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://edisonbuttons.bandcamp.com/album/nosunnofood">nosunnofood by nosunnofood</a></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-19248778831558595212013-06-05T17:06:00.001-07:002013-06-05T17:06:32.898-07:00The Offspring Runneth OverThe Latest Greatest, 6/5/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.acidlabrecords.com/uploads/2/0/2/0/20203787/_4079370_orig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.acidlabrecords.com/uploads/2/0/2/0/20203787/_4079370_orig.png" width="400" /></a></div>
New album from Gajah & Mute Speaker, "On & Offspring," out as of a few days ago via <a href="http://www.acidlabrecords.com/">Acid Lab Records</a>. Gajah is one of the many skilled MCs out of LA who never seems to get the right amount of props for his projects, with a grip of quality albums both as a solo artist and as one half of Project Blowed's Acid Reign crew. I like Gajah's music in general, but this new collaboration with Brighton-based producer Mute Speaker sounds like one of his most solid projects to date. The album boasts some very strange and edgy electronic production, plenty of tightly written verses and flows, and some ill guest spots from Open Mike Eagle, Ceschi, Tommy V, and more. The always awesome cover artwork from Albane doesn't hurt matters any either. Feel free to stream the project below, and make sure you score a copy for yourself if you're feeling it. <br />
<br />
1. On<br />
2. Enough is Enough<br />
3. The Great Indoors<br />
4. In Between Time (feat. Open Mike Eagle)<br />
5. No Mercy On These Parts<br />
6. Lawd Have Mercy Lude<br />
7. Peace of My Mind (feat. Shuanise)<br />
8. Beast in Man's Clothing (feat. Sojourn, Shames Worthy & Zane One)<br />
9. Game Runner<br />
10. Party Animals<br />
11. Stability (feat. BeOND & Lyricon)<br />
12. See No Hear No<br />
13. Kids These Days (feat. Ceschi & Tommy V.)<br />
14. Offspring<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F6122722" width="100%"></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-25610223290919102822013-05-23T02:18:00.001-07:002013-05-23T02:19:42.890-07:00Thr33 X DopeThe Latest Greatest, 5/23/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2hAXnAJ6YXeRmnBmMFdY3ryU0xUSrY5f5Y7s8q1EVnJvRFCfPntsrXK97JIBx1sP4usYDnK1mM88GA_G0WdC1EfAp3YzP8d_ELvYT0YvcFCJyd9PuGD8gsI1WLEi8x4jTslyMQy5SWYU/s1600/920432_444286118988458_1513648636_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2hAXnAJ6YXeRmnBmMFdY3ryU0xUSrY5f5Y7s8q1EVnJvRFCfPntsrXK97JIBx1sP4usYDnK1mM88GA_G0WdC1EfAp3YzP8d_ELvYT0YvcFCJyd9PuGD8gsI1WLEi8x4jTslyMQy5SWYU/s400/920432_444286118988458_1513648636_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Psyched to see that the Th3rdz debut album "This That & Th3rdz" finally has a solid street date attached to it, and will be dropping June 18th via Camobear Records. Seattle's Oldominion collective has got its fair share of criminally slept on rappers, and when I heard that JFK, Candidt and Xperience were working on a project together, I immediately started keeping a careful ear to their bandcamp page in order to download whatever tracks I could get my greedy hands on. These three are some very skilled rappers, both on stage and in the studio, so as expected the leaks from this project (which date as far back as 2011) have been damn great. What I wasn't expecting was how many of those leaks wouldn't make the final cut, which I'm assuming is a good thing since this beast is 19 tracks long and probably loaded with A-sides. JFK, Candidt and XP all have excellent solo projects under their belts, and they compliment one another nicely on guest spots and at shows. This debut of theirs also boasts production from Vitamin D, Smoke, and Kuddie Fresh amongst others, along with guest features from Nacho Picasso, Geologic of Blue Scholars, and Sleep of Oldominion. Bangalangin'. Peep a couple of videos from the album under the tracklisting below:<br />
<br />
1. Intro<br />
2. Big Chain (feat. Cadence)<br />
3. Rap Rap (feat. Piece)<br />
4. Hustle Harder (feat. Geologic of Blue Scholars)<br />
5. Fixed & Addicted<br />
6. Settle Down<br />
7. Boobiewho (feat. Sonny Bonoho)<br />
8. Work<br />
9. All Do It<br />
10. Be Yourself<br />
11. Playas Only (feat. Brotha Brown)<br />
12. Go For Broke<br />
13. GNikes (feat. Fatal Lucciano)<br />
14. Pushin' (feat. Nacho Picasso)<br />
15. What You Waiting For<br />
16. Favorite Song<br />
17. Go Off (feat. Sleep of Oldominion)<br />
18. Awaken Your Dreams<br />
19. Goodies<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FjztQayMGJg" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ttjZw8Rs630" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-12789831282740283842013-05-22T20:42:00.003-07:002013-05-22T20:42:55.145-07:00Dillon & H20 "The New Blues Brothers EP"Expanding the Backpack, 5/22/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a4118037212_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a4118037212_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
New free EP from Dillon and H20 of Mass Influence, who are touting themselves as "The New Blues Brothers" and who got the funky chops to prove it. Dillon is a rapper who I wasn't immediately sold on when I heard his earlier work, but who's gotten progressively better with each release to the point where he's kinda killin' it on this new EP. Mass Influence also released a hell of a comeback song "Morning Breath Chasers" last year, and it's great to hear some new rawness from H20 on here. The Blues Brothers concept is fun and ties the project together nicely, and the whole thing has the enormous benefit of being produced by one of funkiest hip hop producers on the map, Batsauce. Good stuff, you can download "The New Blues Brothers" for free (or whatever you wanna donate) on <a href="http://dillonmaurer.bandcamp.com/album/the-new-blues-brothers-ep">Dillon's Bandcamp Page</a> or stream the EP below:<br />
<br />
1. 106 Miles to Chicago (Intro)<br />
2. The New Blues Brothers<br />
3. Outlaws<br />
4. Something in the Wind<br />
5. Waddap Y'All (feat. Chop)<br />
6. Get Your Mackin' On<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=952620449/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://dillonmaurer.bandcamp.com/album/the-new-blues-brothers-ep">The New Blues Brothers EP by Dillon & H2O</a></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-55453614929421511772013-05-15T04:27:00.002-07:002013-05-15T04:30:29.627-07:00Corina Corina "Come Again: The Eargasm Extended"Expanding the Backpack, 5/15/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a2361374284_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a2361374284_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
New free EP of quality music from NY-based R&B singer Corina Corina. "Come Again: The Eargasm Extended" is a solid collection of mostly extensions and remixes from Corina's last full length solo album "The Eargasm." It serves as a nice companion piece to that album, but also functions well as an entry point for people who have yet to hear Corina's music. Tracks like the remix of "Express Train" benefit from the inclusion of some great new guest verses, and it's awesome to hear fresh material from Corina with Angi3 on "Walk a Mile," but the EP's crowning achievements are the impressive remixes of the songs "O.D Love" and "Royalty." With "O.D. Love," Connecticut producer Deto-22 transforms a previously mellow number into a dark electronic tour de force that seems constantly on the verge of leaning into drum n' bass territory, with exciting results. Similarly, Willie Green's remix of "Royalty" completely abandons the quiet lounge atmosphere of the original in favor of some strong percussion and funky organ sounds, reworking the song into something entirely new. Great EP all around, accompanied by some very tasteful cover art. You can download "Come Again: The Eargasm Extended" for free over at <a href="http://corinacorina.bandcamp.com/album/come-again-the-eargasm-extended">Corina Corina's Bandcamp Page</a>, or stream it under the tracklisting below:<br />
<br />
1. Express Train (Remix) (feat. Roc Doogie)<br />
2. O.D. Love (Deto-22 Remix)<br />
3. Royalty (Willie Green Remix)<br />
4. I'm Free (Francois Merryweather Remix)<br />
5. Cost of Living (Remix) (feat. Julius Jones)<br />
6. Walk a Mile (feat. Angi3)<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=3159529726/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://corinacorina.bandcamp.com/album/come-again-the-eargasm-extended">Come Again: The Eargasm Extended by Corina Corina</a></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-89473240639279507412013-05-15T03:01:00.000-07:002013-05-15T03:04:00.962-07:00Lone Wake Up CallThe Latest Greatest, 5/15/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1.wp.com/ugsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/factor-wokeupalone-1280.jpg?resize=640%2C640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1.wp.com/ugsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/factor-wokeupalone-1280.jpg?resize=640%2C640" width="400" /></a></div>
New album from Saskatoon's shining star Factor, entitled "Woke Up Alone," dropping July 23rd 2013 via Fake Four Inc. Expectations have been shifting into high gear over at My Backpack is Bigger Than Yours HQ ever since this one was announced to the masses. Factor's last full length solo album, "Lawson Graham," was such a high-caliber conceptual body of work that it's hard to think of a producer compilation style album that rivals it in its artistry. "Lawson Graham" offered up a loving ode to Factor's grandfather through the unlikely wedding of hip hop and folk music, delivered in such a perfect way that you'd assume the genres had been married for years instead of being newlyweds. With this new Factor project on the horizon, it's a pleasure to see that he hasn't slowed down on the ambitious conceptual side of things. "Woke Up Alone" supposedly tells the tale of a grieving protagonist (played by rapper Kirby Dominant) who is trying to cope with the death of his wife. This tale is split into 5 scenes meant to represent the different stages of mourning, with guest rappers guesting in roles that range from the protagonist's psychologist to the Devil himself. Judging by the first leaked single off the album, the sound that Factor is aiming for on this album is something more dark and haunting than his usual fair, driven by dreary guitar jabs and creepy keys. Looks like some exciting stuff for sure, check out the leaked single "Alive Tomorrow" featuring Nomad and the album trailer below:<br />
<br />
Denial & Isolation (Scene 1)<br />
1. Woke Up Alone<br />
2. The Empire Has Fallen (feat. Paranoid Castle)<br />
3. After the Service<br />
<br />
Anger (Scene 2)<br />
4. Raise the Dead (feat. Ceschi)<br />
5. Alive Tomorrow (feat. Nomad)<br />
6. Stone Cold (feat. Open Mike Eagle)<br />
<br />
Bargaining (Scene 3)<br />
7. Long Hallways<br />
8. In Sickness & In Health (feat. Onry Ozzborn)<br />
9. Don't Give Up (feat. Paranoid Castle & Jeans Boots)<br />
<br />
Depression (Scene 4)<br />
10. Denied (feat. Myka 9)<br />
11. Devil's Call (feat. Evil Ebeneezer)<br />
12. Carry Over (feat. Jeans Boots)<br />
<br />
Acceptance (Scene 5)<br />
13. Let It Go (feat. Astronautalis)<br />
14. Give Up (feat. Gregory Pepper & Paranoid Castle)<br />
15. The Grave Burial <br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F90191252&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UiylT3GsVJE" width="560"></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-46108183652472995792013-04-19T01:04:00.001-07:002013-04-19T01:04:17.363-07:00B.I.C. (Bitches Is Crazy) "Influence" Expanding the Backpack, 4/19/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="388" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/15/54/155490843-1.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
New free full length album from New York hip hop crew Bitches Is Crazy, brought to you by NY's often underrated High Water Music label. I have very little to share about these guys since they're a new name in my book and I can't find a bio listed anywhere, but from what I can piece together the group consists of a bunch of rapper types (Yesus 199, Pete, Ill Spills, Izzy OZ) and a couple frequent producers (VESA, MP the God, Chuk Le Garcon). This "Influence" album of theirs earns them some strong points in the "classy hip hop street vibes" department, with their gruff voices complimenting the soulful production nicely. The album has a couple misses, and content-wise the constant raps about bitches and blunts do leave something to be desired, but overall this joint succeeds in my book off the strength of atmosphere that it evokes. I really do feel immersed in the world of hip hop that B.I.C. lives in when I toss this on, and there's something to be said about hip hop that can convey that feeling to you even when you can't always relate. Sucio Smash of High Water Music tends to be somewhat of a don when it comes to picking strong slept-on rap talent from New York (Homeboy Sandman, Fresh Daily, Senor Kaos, etc.), so it's always worth casting an ear to his picks of the litter. You can download B.I.C.'s "Influence" free of charge over at the <a href="http://highwatermusic.bandcamp.com/album/influence">High Water Music Bandcamp Page</a>, or stream it under the tracklisting below. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Yinfluence </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. NEVERCHILLIN </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. This Money </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Shinin' </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. WAVE </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
6. Basic Bitch (Typaniggayou)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
7. Ever Since </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
8. Yo Soy Widdit </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
9. What's Up (They Know) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
10. That's Right </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
11. Groupie Love </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
12. Taking Shorts </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
13. Busty Love </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
14. Food For Thought </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
15. Wise Words </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
16. DOPM </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
17. Happy to be Here (Shoutro) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
18. Mechanism </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
19. Split </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=45301496/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://highwatermusic.bandcamp.com/album/influence">Influence by B.I.C. (Bitches Is Crazy)</a></iframe><br /></div>
E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-12803126467549630922013-03-31T22:10:00.002-07:002013-03-31T22:10:30.172-07:00Ecid "Post Euphoria" EPExpanding the Backpack, 3/31/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fillinthebreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ECID_PostEuphoriaEP_pxWEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.fillinthebreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ECID_PostEuphoriaEP_pxWEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Late on sharing this one, but I was under the impression that it was supposed to later in the month and the single that premiered on Rolling Stone's website (props!) threw things off. I've actually been listening to Ecid's new freEP since around the beginning of March, and it's another strong showcase of his smarty pants rapping and beat-making expertise. The EP kind of picks up where his 2012 masterpiece "Werewolf Hologram" left off, following a similar pattern of choppy production techniques and snide rap verses while adding more live instrumentation into the mix. "Post Euphoria" is mostly lighthearted in tone but deals with a lot of dark subject matter, and Ecid keeps things clever and interesting for the course of its short duration. I hear that a new full length "Pheromone Heavy" is in the works for 2013, so color me intrigued. You can download the "Post Euphoria" EP free of charge via <a href="http://ecid.bandcamp.com/album/post-euphoria-ep-vol-1">Ecid's Bandcamp Page</a>, or stream it in full below.<br />
<br />
1. Burn Everything<br />
2. Dream Boat<br />
3. Kum & Go (feat. Ashley Gold)<br />
4. Insomniac by Choice<br />
5. 2Pac Cobain (feat. Sean Anonymous & Rapper Hooks)<br />
6. Akmude Sallam (2013 Version)<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=30365164/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://ecid.bandcamp.com/album/post-euphoria-ep-vol-1">Post Euphoria EP (Vol.1) by ECID</a></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-8283744434648659792013-03-18T01:23:00.003-07:002013-03-18T01:38:02.863-07:002K12's Most Slept On Hip Hop GemsThe Lowdown, 3/18/13<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->Well, 2012 is far behind us, and I swear that this will be my last post about hip
hop from that year. Instead of offering up one of those pointless top ten album lists, I figured that I'd highlight my picks for most criminally slept on gems of 2K12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Some real great albums on this list, please </span>give them a listen if you haven't already: <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1)<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span>Edison “Delayed Reaction Elements” (self-released) </b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/25/85/2585195580-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/25/85/2585195580-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
Edison’s latest album is a masterful
display of beat-making skill that stands out as the best instrumental hip hop
album of last year, as well as one of the top ten releases of 2012 period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This album has been in the works for a
minute, with many of the songs playing a major role in Edison’s amazing live
beat show over the course of the last few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Edison is known as a master at rocking the
Monome, a sophisticated piece of blinky button-based electronic equipment
that’s used by some of the more brilliant IDM musicians out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Daedelus will often use the Monome as
a means of crafting new mixes at his live shows, Edison’s live set involves a
different sort of improvisation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He digs
into his own Monome compositions and plays them live in an exciting and
unpredictable fashion, harking back to familiar tunes but never playing them
quite the same way twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Delayed
Reaction Elements” is everything that one could have hoped for from an Edison
album after seeing his live show, with plenty of very detailed and intricate
beat compositions that relay a lot of emotion while keeping folks’ heads
nodding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many stand-out songs to
cover in a short review blurb, but some favorites include the chunky guitar
based brilliance of “Bare Feet on Lego Bricks,” the creeping chords of
“The Poetry of Public Transportation,” and the extra funky bassline kick of
“There Is No Hand Too Left, No Cubicle Too Deadly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole album has a really interesting
choppy rock sample vibe that gets one wondering whether Edison could have
been a stadium rocker in another life, but the tone and sounds are diverse
enough to keep you guessing from song to song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This album was originally going to be released by Fieldwerk Recordings,
a Chicago label at the forefront of the instrumental hip hop scene, but
monetary issues ended up preventing it from happening and the album ended up
getting released independently on Bandcamp with little to no publicity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who’s had the chance to see Edison
play in the Bay Area or open for Aesop Rock and Dark Time Sunshine on their
last tour will know how much of a crime it would be to sleep on this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The album is available for sale via <a href="http://edisonbuttons.bandcamp.com/album/delayed-reaction-elements">Edison’s Bandcamp Page</a> and is worth every penny of the price. Please invest in it so the
man can press this thing up properly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can stream the album in full below if you’d care to test its
quality:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=3566575402/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://edisonbuttons.bandcamp.com/album/delayed-reaction-elements">delayed reaction elements by edison</a></iframe><br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br />
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Avatar “This Machine Has Gone Wrong…”
(Dumptruck) </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/50/27/502750602-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/50/27/502750602-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Avatar has been putting some extra hard into the
LA underground scene for some time now, and this fourth solo release of his is his
strongest material to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This
Machine Has Gone Wrong…” is the darkest and grittiest Avatar album thus far, and
the feel of the album works perfectly with his production aesthetic and
style of rapping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Av is often thought of
as a Shapeshifters and Ex Vandalz affiliate, with many tracks produced for
members of the Shifters and a dope album with Bleek under the group name Speak
Easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first impression when listening
to this new album was that the sound harkened back to some of the older and iller Shapeshifters recordings, with tracks like "Passage" and "Invasion" really capturing the oddball futuristic styling generally associated with that crew. But to paint this album as some sort of Shifters knock-off would be doing it a great disservice, as Avatar really delivers an original sound here that taps into his punk rock roots and dwells upon the wickedness of the world. Avatar's verses are smart and wordy enough to measure up to your favorite nerd rapper, but there's a gruffness to his voice and a rugged quality to his words that reflects his rough upbringing and Inglewood home. Tracks like "Shatterproof" find Avatar relentlessly barreling through his verses while numbers like "Cold Piece of Work" and "How Could You?" convey a more reflective and personal mood. The beats that Av delivers throughout the album are exceptional and far better than the beats on any of his previous collabs, with a very sinister and raw sound that's easily distinguishable amongst the wealth of LA talent. The stand-out jam "Propellers" is a great example of the quality of the production on here, pitting Avatar's catchy sung hook and chaotic verses over a noisy and immaculately layered track of marimbas and evil basslines. The album's got lots of stand-outs, and features the likes of Awol One, 2Mex, Dumbfoundead, Xololanxinxo, K-the-I??? and Megabusive amongst others (hats off to Smile Oak for destroying his verse on "Passage"). Another album that got insanely slept on due to only being released on Bandcamp with zero promotion... I doubt the awful cover art helped in selling it either! Stream it below, and don't forget to drop some dollars on it over at <a href="http://theavatar.bandcamp.com/album/this-machine-has-gone-wrong">Avatar's Bandcamp Page</a> if you enjoy it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=1285524104/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://theavatar.bandcamp.com/album/this-machine-has-gone-wrong">This Machine Has Gone Wrong... by Avatar</a></iframe><br /> </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3) Adeem & DJ MF Shalem "Made in New Hampshire" (self-released)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/13/64/1364800961-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/13/64/1364800961-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A completely unexpected new album from Adeem and Shalem, and a damn funky one at that! I'll freely admit that I thought Adeem & DJ MF Shalem's first album as a duo "Transitions" was a complete mess and a total let-down, particularly in light of the far superior Glue material that was surfacing from Adeem at the time. "Transitions" had a few classy songs like "Good Company" that stood out to me, but overall it felt like an album that had been worked on for too long and that had gone through too many transitions (ahem) before its completion. "Made in New Hampshire," on the other hand, features such an effortless chemistry between Adeem and Shalem that one gets the sense that it could have been hammered out in a week's time. Though if it really was crafted in that short a period, then the sheer amount of polish and cohesiveness would be worth singing praises over. Both Adeem and Shalem are at their funkiest and most upbeat here, abandoning some of their more conceptual endeavors (see: Adeem's "Volume in the Ground") in a determined effort to bring some good old-fashioned happy hip hop tunes to the masses. They might not be breaking any bricks with the approach, but the formula works extremely well. Adeem's voice has a very confident and soulful quality to it now that goes well with the music at hand, and he kicks plenty of dope flows and hooks without skipping a beat. DJ MF Shalem continues to build upon the excellent funk production he laid down for Grip Grand's "Rewinder" album, now incorporating lots of live instrumentation that conveys a truly charming old school hip hop feel. Lots of groovy basslines and funky guitar licks to get your ass in gear too. Definitely an ill album... My understanding is that there was a limited rough version of this album pressed up on CD, but that they're already all gone and that Bandcamp's the only way to go. So stream the album below, and check out <a href="http://adeemandshalem.bandcamp.com/album/made-in-new-hampshire">Adeem and Shalem's page</a> if you want to make a purchase: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=1216584636/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://adeemandshalem.bandcamp.com/album/made-in-new-hampshire">Made In New Hampshire by Adeem & DJ MF Shalem</a></iframe><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>4) Bi-Polar Bear "When Ledge is Home" (Modern Shark) </b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/47/58/475891611-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/47/58/475891611-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This was one of the most mysterious slept-on hip hop albums of 2012<b> </b>in my book. I know very little about these guys, other than that they go by Ug Orwell and August, they live in Brooklyn, and they make some fine lo-fi rap musics. Their recent connection to the NY-based Modern Shark label turned me on to their music, and I'm glad that I was since this new album of theirs is full of catchy melodic rapping and some very creative production. Like many projects put out by Modern Shark, the album has a very likeable home-made feel to it that never detracts from the quality of the music at hand. Stand-out songs include "The Days" with its warm keyboards and super catchy hook, "Fuck Her Pt. 2" which samples some kind of strange Japanese pop ballad, and "Ledge" which features production from Blue Sky Black Death and raps from Baje One of Junk Science (every bit as good as it sounds on paper). The album has a good-natured goofiness to it in its choice of film samples and hooks, and you get the sense that these two have got a lot of heart in what they do. Strong song-writing and production make "When Ledge Is Home" worth checking for in my book. The album also gets extra props for being the only album on this list that's actually available for ordering on CD, and with hand-painted packaging no less! Stream it for yourself below and then go order one over at the <a href="http://modernshark.com/bi-polar-bear-when-ledge-is-home-cd">Modern Shark Store</a> if you dig. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=1664976717/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://rollwiththebear.bandcamp.com/album/when-ledge-is-home">When Ledge Is Home by Bi-Polar Bear</a></iframe><br /></span>E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-50361828722477849002013-03-14T00:59:00.000-07:002013-03-14T00:59:07.837-07:00Molotovs, Anyone?The Latest Greatest, 3/14/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/store/images/large/CDs/prolyphicbuddypeace_workingman_LRG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/store/images/large/CDs/prolyphicbuddypeace_workingman_LRG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
New album from Prolyphic & Buddy Peace, "Working Man," dropping 4/30/13 on Strange Famous Records. Curious to see how this one turns out. I was a fan of Prolyphic's work with Robust back in the day, but had a slightly harder time listening to him rap through a full album on his own. Then again, I still occasionally revisit songs from the "Ugly Truth" album that he put with Reanimator five years ago, and I've heard nothing but good things about Buddy Peace as a producer. I think this project has potential, and the lead single "Business as Usual" is definitely a nod in the right direction. I'll be checking for it come the 30th, tracklisting and song below:<br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Stale Bread Winner Part 1</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Business As Usual</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Unpopular Demand</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Drug Dealer</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Death of the Boombox (feat. Sage Francis & Metermaids)</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6. Bad Influence</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7. F*** Banks</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8. Six Feet High</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9. Midtro<br />10. Hand Grenade<br />11. Go Green<br />12. The Tunnel<br />13. Stale Bread Winner Part 2</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8141316992147132" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F83062273" width="100%"></iframe><br /></span>E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-17634443634969105542013-03-14T00:40:00.001-07:002013-03-14T00:40:33.641-07:00Sapient & Evil Ebenezer at Sol Collective, Sacramento CAView From the Front Row, 3/14/13<br />
<br />
A little over a week ago, I had the privilege of seeing Sapient's new live show over in Sacramento CA at a little art gallery called Sol Collective. Those who've spoken to me about hip hop recently know that Sapient's new album "Slump" gets my vote for the strongest release of these early months of 2013, so I felt justified in driving the distance to see him after a busy day of work in Berkeley. Accompanying Sapient on this tour was Evil Ebineezer, whose music I also tend to enjoy, so the stage was set for an excellent hip hop gig.<br />
<br />
First, a word or two about my impressions of the venue and the picture of the Sacramento hip hop scene that this show painted. On the plus side, the small art space got a surprisingly good turn out of hip hop fans, despite the lack of alcohol or snacks or any of the luxuries typically associated with these sorts of shows. Hell, even the bathroom was a tricky thing to reach, as it was located behind the stage with a narrow window of space to maneuver through if you wanted to get there without disturbing the performers. The art exhibit on display was not particularly good, and the diverse crowd of fans turned out to mostly be friends of the various performing artists, which brings me to the real negative side of this show. There were about seven local Sacramento hip hop acts who were not listed on the bill that ended up performing before Sapient and Evil, and each and every one of them was mediocre at best. I'm not gonna list their names here since I ain't trying to get on the Sacramento scene's shit-list or anything, but sitting through every one of them was a chore and I found myself bored and lounging on a couch in the back, which is not something I typically do at rap shows. One thing that stood out to me beyond the mediocrity of it all was the lack of excitement or passion in what a lot of these openers were doing. It was like they'd just gotten up for work and didn't really want to be there playing a show. Strange, since just the other week I saw a Sacramento based hip hop duo Mad1ne absolutely kill shit live to the point of stealing a show in Berkeley. Guess they just chose the wrong dudes to open for this one. It's all politics when it comes to booking these sorts of events anyway.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47Ncf1P5rqJP2Xx4fSkSJ-afC1l3gwcjRcJB3_zsy8qNdY_YohYLrf0s7vVZLfyVpsaDr-RaYVuhrkpyWsoz06xW_Hf004NdLiTSDNzQtfupUvHCWoxHL5cZXvGSlMMStEnqaqmoMJRXK/s1600/Sapient+Evil+Ebineezer+and+Various+Openers+at+Sol+Collective+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47Ncf1P5rqJP2Xx4fSkSJ-afC1l3gwcjRcJB3_zsy8qNdY_YohYLrf0s7vVZLfyVpsaDr-RaYVuhrkpyWsoz06xW_Hf004NdLiTSDNzQtfupUvHCWoxHL5cZXvGSlMMStEnqaqmoMJRXK/s200/Sapient+Evil+Ebineezer+and+Various+Openers+at+Sol+Collective+027.JPG" width="200" /></a>Once Evil Ebenezer got up to play, the crowd had dwindled to a much smaller pool of hip hop heads. But like the DJ Abilities and Sadistik show the night before, the fans remaining made up for the lack of a large audience with their genuine enthusiasm and appreciation for the music. I reclaimed my rightful place in the front row before Evil kicked off his first tune, and was pleased with the immediate positive reactions of the crowd, which felt a lot more genuine than the half-hearted applause that the Sacramento openers got. This was my first time seeing Evil play live, and he breezed through a good selection of songs from his "Call Me Evil," "Birds," and "Evil Eye" albums that emphasized his cool rap voice and penchant for poppy hooks and songwriting. There have been points in Evil's recent recordings where his sound has gotten a little too poppy for my tastes, but it seems like he avoided playing any of those tunes in favor of highlights from his various albums. Some stand-outs included "Take Me With You," "Scarecrow, "Wonder Years" and "Liquor Store," which somehow managed to work despite the sobriety of the venue. "Wake Up" was also an excellent mellow way to end the set, and Evil got a good deal of call and response from the crowd for most of his songs that had him in a good mood the entire time. He encouraged people to come visit him at the merch booth after the show even if they didn't want to buy anything just to say what's up. Nice set.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjOPCBX2eB6ugDQf1e3YMuYuiVji536Kn_TxlY1y3O7WqTOs_2EbVCqjS0dbSzqjGzWGi18ISUUnicmxG2sZCpZAHimjjY2Ue3agcLktWh-cK1_rAZN_b_sxqRwYd2IjHloGGWepXn9F9/s1600/Sapient+Evil+Ebineezer+and+Various+Openers+at+Sol+Collective+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjOPCBX2eB6ugDQf1e3YMuYuiVji536Kn_TxlY1y3O7WqTOs_2EbVCqjS0dbSzqjGzWGi18ISUUnicmxG2sZCpZAHimjjY2Ue3agcLktWh-cK1_rAZN_b_sxqRwYd2IjHloGGWepXn9F9/s200/Sapient+Evil+Ebineezer+and+Various+Openers+at+Sol+Collective+039.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Sapient was up next, and he put on a very engaging and impressive show that really demonstrated how he's grown as a musician. He and his keyboard player/touring partner AED set up various instruments and props on stage, and then Sapient kicked things off with an instrumental set that showcased his production talents live. He churned out some hype synthy sounds with his beat equipment in an unexpected intro to his set, which worked well. Once he'd finished showing off the beats, Sapient picked up his guitar and took to the mic while AED held things down on the keyboards and drum machines for the "Slump" part of the show. This segment of Sapient's set was the highlight of the night
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghMtik4LiWX3LGmIFvejg47zNcDeBhV9oSbbWNWt8SJn4TbE6cTVOkCbWAdLSkLovPAWoI-vEAwARaXWxMwbATJ0l1-E8TJS2ib8q_D-S3if6De5Uu7Dhg-sdAEynmNUbVpmopvkz9t4V/s1600/Sapient+Evil+Ebineezer+and+Various+Openers+at+Sol+Collective+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghMtik4LiWX3LGmIFvejg47zNcDeBhV9oSbbWNWt8SJn4TbE6cTVOkCbWAdLSkLovPAWoI-vEAwARaXWxMwbATJ0l1-E8TJS2ib8q_D-S3if6De5Uu7Dhg-sdAEynmNUbVpmopvkz9t4V/s200/Sapient+Evil+Ebineezer+and+Various+Openers+at+Sol+Collective+042.JPG" width="200" /></a>to me, as it was awesome to see him and AED translate the sounds of Sapient's new album to a live setting. I wasn't sure if Sapient would be as convincing a singer live as he was on record, but he managed it just fine at Sol Collective. This was only the second or third night of Sapient and AED road-testing the new "Slump" material and there were a few hiccups here and there in the syncopation of the music, but for the most part the songs were played flawlessly and had their own original sound live. "When" and "Monsters Eat Bricks" were stand-outs to me, but "Ello" was definitely a crowd favorite and got a lot of love from folks. After covering about 8 or 9 songs from "Slump," Sapient dropped the instruments, picked the mic up off the stand, and ran through some of his older rap numbers for the hungry fans. He played mostly songs from "Gunwings" and "Barrels for<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4SFB9qcx2Ay8Q_wDjImyoJa-TwJo7nWTu1seuol0zbvyVFTbdWH5fhKp1mHkNVQNNN_MqtuF9cFmLj81yP9YhJySyeMEZGVnfIqhzB9b5Zvgd3K7YEYM6UMbkgzpZwLZY6iGMTc2XmkP/s1600/Sapient+Evil+Ebineezer+and+Various+Openers+at+Sol+Collective+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4SFB9qcx2Ay8Q_wDjImyoJa-TwJo7nWTu1seuol0zbvyVFTbdWH5fhKp1mHkNVQNNN_MqtuF9cFmLj81yP9YhJySyeMEZGVnfIqhzB9b5Zvgd3K7YEYM6UMbkgzpZwLZY6iGMTc2XmkP/s200/Sapient+Evil+Ebineezer+and+Various+Openers+at+Sol+Collective+060.JPG" width="200" /></a> Feathers" and did them justice, though he took it back further to "My Grind is Tech" and "Letterhead" for the encores. Sapient's rapping sounds good live and he gets pretty animated on stage, but the third part of the show was probably the weakest of the three. I really liked the format of the set overall, though, and think that Sapient should stick to incorporating all three of these elements in order to cover the bases and give the crowd a sense of his diversity. If I weren't familiar with Sapient's recordings, I definitely would have looked into them after watching his set. Very interesting and creative performance that lived up to expectations.<br />
<br />
Overall, this was a good show despite the questionable string of openers (Sapient even made note during his set that it was like "a little festival"). I recommend checking out this guy's new live show for yourself if you get a chance. E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-50901706859516341472013-03-11T01:28:00.001-07:002013-03-11T01:30:20.515-07:00DJ Abilities, Sadistik and Maulskull at Neck of the Woods, SFView From the Front Row, 3/11/13<br />
<br />
Last Saturday, I went to check out Sadistik's most recent tour opening for DJ Abilities at Neck of the Woods (formerly known as Rockit Room) in San Francisco. The last time I saw Sadistik play in the Bay was <a href="http://www.mybackpackisbiggerthanyours.blogspot.com/2011/01/sadistik-sarx-arival-woke-with-plan-at.html">early 2011</a> at a headlining show at Kimo's SF, where he got live in front of an audience of maybe 5 people. That show was my first experience listening to Sadistik's music, and I've checked out a bunch of his recordings since, including his pretty excellent new release on Fake Four "Flowers for My Father." I was curious to see him play some of his new material live, and was also interested in seeing what DJ Abilities would bring to the table for his set. Unfortunately, this event was another under-promoted gig with a pretty minimal turn-out of people, but it didn't stop any of the artists from doing their damn thing and actually made for a pretty special and intimate show. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eCvX_IW4l26rkzd_-bGspXAuhw_R2cAhNHX8QGr2i46kjvWlOF6Igo09VKsb-smEYXN-n2bZLKhbyJo-iGR0nwgf848t5z9wpR6SToJhV3oPoW0DELh-UFX2XpisthovhKBk1BJhUVXx/s1600/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eCvX_IW4l26rkzd_-bGspXAuhw_R2cAhNHX8QGr2i46kjvWlOF6Igo09VKsb-smEYXN-n2bZLKhbyJo-iGR0nwgf848t5z9wpR6SToJhV3oPoW0DELh-UFX2XpisthovhKBk1BJhUVXx/s200/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+005.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Maulskull of Black Mask was the first of the acts to perform, and took the stage once folks had given up on getting any sort of reasonable attendance. I'd seen Black Mask play once before at a <a href="http://www.mybackpackisbiggerthanyours.blogspot.com/2010/11/jfk-insects-black-mask-joe-cutter.html">JFK show</a> in SF and remember enjoying their set, so it's cool to see Maulskull still touring and doing his thing. He performed a bunch of solo songs from his new album "Us & Them" which highlighted his heavy synth production and energetic flows, and was very approachable and
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhmwRX7n4Wy8S5xCEJB5V8NlmVOujHdJIiqUamSzhyphenhyphenInA1EbZM_FNzhuA5fInAeqA9YO39QQVxXihlSuKMrg79pzMCy4hP2NI6exskHk10Kgqr0pC1PY-02IFTkyDG3YGcH9_OHaJvMTV/s1600/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhmwRX7n4Wy8S5xCEJB5V8NlmVOujHdJIiqUamSzhyphenhyphenInA1EbZM_FNzhuA5fInAeqA9YO39QQVxXihlSuKMrg79pzMCy4hP2NI6exskHk10Kgqr0pC1PY-02IFTkyDG3YGcH9_OHaJvMTV/s200/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+009.JPG" width="200" /></a>
responsive to the crowd. He played his set mostly off stage and a few feet into the crowd to get closer to the shy spectators, only reclaiming the stage in order to work in a bit of scratching here and there. Stand-out songs included "Rise" and the very somber "Marionette," which set the tone for Sadistik's set well. Maulskull was also kind enough to give away hard copies of "Us & Them" to everyone in the crowd, and like Black Mask's album, these freebies were packaged beautifully in glossy digipacks with solid artwork and some impressive guest features. A guaranteed way to get me listening and paying attention to your album. Good performance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6wWAAh8q-l25-0qNCQj7EFqvF76H9IIG3GRh71vYkAYU9e0KjK4ZKbYzXOcp7vZv8znae8D7oE7PymyQCDFebbeP7ygkrniWyvFOEowfz2kZMVJSw3mrPCJk9a7CLmnm9SME8xV6vKtj/s1600/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6wWAAh8q-l25-0qNCQj7EFqvF76H9IIG3GRh71vYkAYU9e0KjK4ZKbYzXOcp7vZv8znae8D7oE7PymyQCDFebbeP7ygkrniWyvFOEowfz2kZMVJSw3mrPCJk9a7CLmnm9SME8xV6vKtj/s200/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+013.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Sadistik was the next artist to play, and he put on a strong set of songs spanning his discography that relayed his personality well. One thing that I really enjoy about Sadistik's music is the moods that it sets through both his lyrics and his choice of production, and these moods are only amplified when heard through booming club sound systems. Tracks like "Searching for Some Beautiful" and "Russian Roulette" were really brought to life through the surrounding speakers, and Sadistik performed them with a live intensity that one might not expect from listening to his albums. He played his entire set off-stage next to the circle of fans, which he brought in closer for his songs and frequently interacted with. Amongst those watching were Young God of Blue Sky Black Death, who Sadistik often pointed to when a track that used a beat of theirs dropped. Fake Four's label manager DJ Halo was also part of the circle as well, and was nodding his head appreciatively to the performance. Sadistik incorporated some strong stage antics in a determined effort to impress
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXUhEbneXjzjLimsAmAxrgAA68Bp7CwG8cJAeFY-FsYT_HdXkqpUjqF-UBRtRNfPJxODr_umDCTKprfnlU2-h4OPyJmGyStUGIMIN7X7nRdytLxOYI-Z0DnNX2JYCjvdr9gw-Va2EeHM6/s1600/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXUhEbneXjzjLimsAmAxrgAA68Bp7CwG8cJAeFY-FsYT_HdXkqpUjqF-UBRtRNfPJxODr_umDCTKprfnlU2-h4OPyJmGyStUGIMIN7X7nRdytLxOYI-Z0DnNX2JYCjvdr9gw-Va2EeHM6/s200/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+019.JPG" width="200" /></a>
the small crowd, including one memorable moment where he referenced the serial killer in "Silence of the Lambs" by applying a bunch of chap stick to his lips and asking the crowd "do you love me now?" He also performed a freestyle that incorporated a couple of topics chosen by the crowd, which was a fun segment of his set, though he was not quite reaching Astronautalis levels of amazing when it came to that game. His songs "Kill the King" and "Ashes to Ashley" got some very strong and favorable reactions from those in attendance, though it was a little strange to see him perform "Micheal" live, as that track almost feels too personal for a live setting to me. Never the less, the entire set was enjoyable and went appreciated by everyone in the circle of fans. A strong performance for sure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOUeggp3xhsUYiiCgGmHzzZrQqyxkBUdYQrGf46VAeIdgAwV8Lkpv04bw8ZDkMlfDHh7hlfJjdvdb-PNz4YS5ZWZLxvfLNVnQFBY0Uv0iy8mHTWnBtRx6ab3MVFGKwGxMCGI-vKgqBTUM/s1600/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOUeggp3xhsUYiiCgGmHzzZrQqyxkBUdYQrGf46VAeIdgAwV8Lkpv04bw8ZDkMlfDHh7hlfJjdvdb-PNz4YS5ZWZLxvfLNVnQFBY0Uv0iy8mHTWnBtRx6ab3MVFGKwGxMCGI-vKgqBTUM/s200/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+025.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
DJ Abilities set up shop at his turntables shortly after Sadistik's set was a wrap, and he threw down an enjoyable DJ mix that incorporated old school hip hop, new school hip hop, classic rock, a touch of reggae and some soul. His show on this tour was similar to his interludes on the last Rhymesayers tour with Atmosphere, with him mixing up songs as an ill DJ should and keeping the crowd entertained with his picks. He also incorporated some of his signature class-A scratching between songs, and used some interested vocal plug-in effects to chop some of the songs into fragments. I used to idolize DJ Abilities as a scratch DJ when I was younger, and Eyedea & Abilities opened at one of the first underground hip hop shows I ever went to back in the day, so seeing him pull some scratch routines is always a treat. The crowd was sparse, but Abilities' tunes had pretty much everyone who was still there dancing, including my friend B and myself in the front. The only
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlvHyamW3YvSP6V0LZHZUDEmMZlGYXXnJ4NfmVT1bF5g2aoOqBVZRXaGwwop3IKL_VRCx6WtWNhxEcTw5q4ZzeQPInqnXGcqTiKD1SUJdzhePtNTAcwav-ij8GJJViRZZIzBPVIaGXcRF/s1600/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlvHyamW3YvSP6V0LZHZUDEmMZlGYXXnJ4NfmVT1bF5g2aoOqBVZRXaGwwop3IKL_VRCx6WtWNhxEcTw5q4ZzeQPInqnXGcqTiKD1SUJdzhePtNTAcwav-ij8GJJViRZZIzBPVIaGXcRF/s200/DJ+Abilities+Sadistik+Maulskul+at+Rockit+Room+SF+2013+033.JPG" width="200" /></a>
negative thing I have to say about DJ Abilities is that in my limited experiences chatting him after shows, he's always struck as having a bit of an ego... After this event, he was going on about how no one is crafting DJ mixes like he is and how it's easy to fill most venues with his name on the bill. I enjoyed his set, but frankly his routine was not that far removed from the DJ mix sets that friends of mine spin in Oakland on a regular basis. Still, it was a good show.<br />
<br />
Despite the small turn-out of people, this was a very good show. Met a lot of great folks and had a lot of fun. Good times.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yMXJAv8eaT4" width="560"></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-73057125843912071822013-03-05T02:39:00.003-08:002013-03-05T02:39:44.385-08:00Moodie Black "Moodie Black" EPExpanding the Backpack, 3/5/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/24/94/2494099611-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/24/94/2494099611-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
New free EP from one of the latest signees to the almighty Fake Four Inc, Moodie Black. Consisting of vocalist/producer K., guitarist Sean Lindahl, and drummer David Norbert, this Arizona based hip hop noise outfit is new to me but has a pretty impressive sound. They used to go under the name GAHEDiNDIE which vaguely rings a bell to me, but this is definitely my first time hearing their material and I'm enjoying the extra noisy and distorted approach they're bringing to the table on this EP. Their jagged sound immediately stands out and the production kind of reminds me of Ecid's beats on the recent Sector 7G album, with plenty of discordance highlighting some well thought-out flows and melodies. Strong material that's got me looking forward to more. You can download the EP over at the <a href="http://fakefour.bandcamp.com/album/moodie-black">Fake Four Bandcamp Page</a> or stream it below:<br />
<br />
1. COMPLEXION<br />
2. NO BLOOD (feat. Ceschi)<br />
3. TOTEM<br />
4. HIPSTER DEATH<br />
5. CROW<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=4060332104/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://fakefour.bandcamp.com/album/moodie-black">Moodie Black by Moodie Black</a></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-24767375568942661042013-03-02T18:28:00.003-08:002013-03-02T18:28:55.887-08:00A Good Night for UnderstudyingThe Latest Greatest, 3/2/13<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/21/43/2143984045-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/21/43/2143984045-1.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a gang of <a href="http://www.mybackpackisbiggerthanyours.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-understudies-cc5-collected.html">mixtapes</a> and a ton of shows in the Bay Area, the Understudies Crew has finally released their official full length album "One Night Only" via their bandcamp page. This group consisting of Citizen, Sean E Depp, Gee, Poe, Manifest, Fly Cobb, Self Advocate, Husayn Jay and Myers is one of the most well-respected hip hop crews out of Berkeley CA, known for their live shows and also their community building in the East Bay hip hop scene. "One Night Only" is not a perfect album, but it is the strongest collection of songs from the Understudies thus far and the most cohesive sounding project from them to date. A number of the songs on here like "Wilde (Life of the Party)" and "All Here (Remix)" should be familiar to Berkeley heads who've seen them destroy shit live, while other newer numbers like "Way of My Words..." are sure to impress fans of the crew. The album reaches a high point with the Digital Martyrs produced song "Part 2: Got the Blues," where the Understudies team up with their friends Candlespit Collective and Mikial to deliver some very stylistic bitching about former relationships. The Understudies are offering up this album on a donation basis, so make sure you toss some money in the pot so they can press this thing up as a CD in a digipack. Donate and download on the <a href="http://theunderstudies.bandcamp.com/album/one-night-only-2">Understudies Bandcamp</a> or stream the album below: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Sirens </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Numbers & Math </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. No Higher! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Mindstate (feat. JB Nimble) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. wile. (LifeOfTheParty) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
6. Chamber of Secrets / NoTengoMuchoDinero </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
7. Karate Man (Bleed on the Inside) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
8. Part 1: Remember Me </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
9. Part 2: Got the Blues (feat. Candlespit Collective & Mikial) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
10. thesmileswewear. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
11. way of my words... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
12. solutionaries (whenthingsgetdreary) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
13. Consider the Options (No Grammy) (feat. JB Nimble) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
14. LetGo(Don't) (feat. JB Nimble & Scarub) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
15. All Here (Remix) (feat. Manifest, Citizen, Fly Cobb, Husayn Jay, JB Nimble, Cyberclops, Poe, Gee, Sean E Depp, Welsed & Self Advocate)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
16. Forecast</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=2460755685/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://theunderstudies.bandcamp.com/album/one-night-only-2">One Night Only by The Understudies Crew</a></iframe><br /></div>
E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-16759258400234632062013-02-28T02:46:00.001-08:002013-02-28T02:57:45.380-08:00November 2K12 in Hip Hop TermsThe Lowdown, 2/28/13<br />
<br />
Well, despite already being knee deep in music from 2013, we're still stuck on 2012 over here at My Backpack is Bigger Than Yours. Belated review central! Make sure you check these joints if you haven't already:<br />
<br />
<b>1) Sole "A Ruthless Criticism of Everything Existing" (Black Canyon)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hillydilly.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sole-420x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://hillydilly.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sole-420x420.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This new album from Sole picks up where “Hello Cruel World”
left off, showcasing Sole’s modern slow flow over a variety of excellent beats
from producers such as Ecid, Factor, Man Mantis, Busdriver, Alias, Skyrider and
many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went in expecting to hear a
nice companion piece to “Hello Cruel World,” but was surprised to find that “A
Ruthless Criticism of Everything Existing” is actually a superior album that
continues to improve upon Sole’s rejuvenated style over some seriously ill
production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If “Hello Cruel World” was
the sound of Sole testing the waters with his new lyric heavy approach, then “A
Ruthless Criticism” finds Sole completely in his comfort zone as he flexes his
rugged voice with a confidence rarely heard in rappers of his ilk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a very select set of MCs who can be
political on record without sounding like they’re trying to pander to some
trendy hip hop demographic, and Sole belongs high on that list with his biting
wit and self-deprecating humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Denver
Nights” covers the police brutality of Occupy Denver while “Last Earth” is a sung ode to the devastation of the Planet,
but sharp political comments are littered throughout the album and never sound forced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sole’s jaded outlook on hip hop is also a
pleasure to listen to, as he dispels the notion of hip hop as a movement on
“Young Sole” and gives advice to a younger generation of MCs on “Letter to a
Young Rapper,” noting that “most white rappers sound like they’ve never been
punched in the face.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The range of the
production on the album really helps drive across Sole’s style, with
traditional choppy beats like the outstanding “Never Work” balancing out the equally
great electronic productions like “Animal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This and “Hello Cruel World” are two of the
strongest Sole projects in years, and with a Vol. 2 for “A Ruthless Criticism”
entitled “No Wising Up & No Settling Down” on the horizon, it seems
that Sole’s back in full form and showing no signs of slowing down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Listen to the song "The Untouchables" featuring greencarpetedstairs on the hook below: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iYUs602eN-Q" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>2) Myka 9 & Factor "Sovereign Soul" (Fake Four Inc)</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/82/79/827939373-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/82/79/827939373-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Myka 9 & Factor’s latest collaboration is a very dense
and cerebral body of work that will probably require a couple of listens before
it clicks, but once it does there’s quite a lot to dig into here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myka’s vocals are meant to be studied, as he possesses a
broader range of styles than most rappers and tends to indulge in lots of risks on his albums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the impressive chopping skills
on “Mind Heights” and “Sexy to the Beat” to the old school baritone cadences on
songs like “Heaven Up,” Myka 9 is clearly in a class of his own when it comes
to rap vocals, and tends to be heralded as one of the greatest technical rappers
of all time for his feats of stylistic prowess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not always easy to wrap your head around what he’s trying to
accomplish, but it’s a welcome challenge that's often worth studying on repeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Backing up Myka in the beat department is the
talented Saskatoon producer Factor, who delivers a very psychedelic soundscape with live instrumentation similar to his recent instrumental "Factor & the Chandeliers" EP. The sound is a lot more nuanced and detailed that the straightforward dopeness of Factor's beats on Myka 9's previous "1969" album, and while it's not as instantly likeable it somehow feels like there's more going on in the compositions here. Lots of interesting collaborations with like-minded creative MCs on this project as well, including the monstrous "5 Mikes" posse cut featuring Open Mike Eagle, Mykill Myers, Mic King and a ridiculous verse from Myk Mansun. Listen to the collab with Astronautalis and Ceschi, "Bask In These Rays," below:<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</b><b>
</b></span></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n5nhqCXuEtI" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>3) Corina Corina "The Eargasm" (self-released)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/35/89/358999956-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/35/89/358999956-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This album almost snuck under my radar, but I had the good
fortune of running into Corina in one of her visits to my record shop and she
was kind enough to hand me a copy to listen to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More often than not, when people hand me music this way I end up
listening to it once or twice and then leaving it to gather dust, but
occasionally an album proves to have real replay value and ends up being a
discovery of sorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Eargasm” is one
of those albums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very personal,
polished and well-composed piece of work that merits more than just a couple of
plays and continues to get bumps from me in 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I started listening to “The Eargasm” for the first time, I will
admit that Corina’s R&B singing voice did not immediately click with me,
but I never felt the need to skip a song and by the end of the record she’d
definitely convinced me of her talents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
carries her voice well over a variety of very modern hip hop beats provided by Willie
Green, Steel-Tipped Dove, Has-Lo and others, and the album flows exceptionally
well from front to back at a nice pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Corina really knows how to express herself
over these tracks, and I love how the music is a very direct reflection of
her as a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The album has songs about
trying to the pay the rent in New York, quitting day jobs, loving the notion of loving others, and persevering through past relationships. She heeds by the mantra "baby, don't sell yourself short" and truly does not sell herself short over the course of the record, delivering a very complete portrait of herself as a person. The excellent production and mastering job from Willie Green breaths a lot of life into the songs, and in the end we're left with the strongest hip hop R&B project since <a href="http://www.mybackpackisbiggerthanyours.blogspot.com/2012/09/august-2k12-in-hip-hop-terms.html">Mankwe's</a> album from August. Here's hoping that 2013 continues to offer up offbeat hip hop-influenced R&B projects like this one... I hear that Lady Daisy & Batsauce have a new one in the works, so we shouldn't be waiting too long! Check out the music video for Corina Corina's song "The Familiar" below: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SW2bQYPHMfE" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-89114960527811608472013-02-19T02:03:00.001-08:002013-03-02T18:29:49.197-08:00Louis Logic, Ceschi, Jonny October and Troy Walsh at Union Pool. Brooklyn, NYView From the Front Row, 2/19/13<br />
<br />
I made a little visit out to New York last week and had the opportunity to see Louis Logic's first headlining show in 7 some odd years at the Union Pool in Brooklyn. Featured in the line-up were the talents of Ceschi Ramos, Jonny October, Troy Walsh and J-Zone holding things down on the wheels of steel. <br />
<br />
The show was scheduled to start at 8:00 PM, so my homie Misha and I decided to schedule our metro ride to arrive down there in the 9:00 PM-ish range, under the assumption that hip hop shows always start at least an hour late. By some strange twist of fate, Louis Logic managed to get things running exactly on time, which could very well be a first in my hip hop show-going experiences. Unfortunately, we missed Troy Walsh's set due to our late arrival, and Jonny October was just about wrapping up his performance as we made our way through the crowd. We did get a chance to see a special guest appearance from rapper Pack FM, who rocked a song or two as an interlude during Jonny October's set and got some pretty good crowd response going. The few songs I heard from Jonny October sounded pretty good, and he seemed enthusiastic to be on stage opening for some underground heavy-weights.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbNawvKUGI7bfY8RdJQnbuWvINs_hrrUjuuFqU2HVvJpNypnHpgFNFp5ovZgrI3GWktKCPx21Rm8xBTKZGCl1Z1TImVoJGTR9GxEz2Ugn0VhLIvo-JRfBRNSPfmgY1o_b6G7iaPlXBYHR/s1600/New+York+MD+Trip+2013+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbNawvKUGI7bfY8RdJQnbuWvINs_hrrUjuuFqU2HVvJpNypnHpgFNFp5ovZgrI3GWktKCPx21Rm8xBTKZGCl1Z1TImVoJGTR9GxEz2Ugn0VhLIvo-JRfBRNSPfmgY1o_b6G7iaPlXBYHR/s200/New+York+MD+Trip+2013+013.JPG" width="200" /></a>As for the stuff I was in attendance for, I have to send a special nod of appreciation to J-Zone for his excellent DJ skills and selections between sets. J-Zone spun exclusively 45s throughout the evening, and laid down some deep funk jams that had folks bobbing their heads and getting loose. J-Zone's choice selections were obscure and funky as hell, and his interludes between sets were a major step up from your average DJ fare. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYpuU_MvcfSCniWMZQven67QPzj-kzeassTs4LeppWU5gWG4D1Hpsb9KhxS7fUhUsmsmyh63-WudZrCEmseKeJSb7lnyZWLEm5YQjthcjiVU-BFyrRmRwFEbUNHFBnRJiSqxc7J_F7k7p/s1600/New+York+MD+Trip+2013+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYpuU_MvcfSCniWMZQven67QPzj-kzeassTs4LeppWU5gWG4D1Hpsb9KhxS7fUhUsmsmyh63-WudZrCEmseKeJSb7lnyZWLEm5YQjthcjiVU-BFyrRmRwFEbUNHFBnRJiSqxc7J_F7k7p/s200/New+York+MD+Trip+2013+014.JPG" width="200" /></a>Ceschi was the first of the acts I had the chance to watch from the front row at this gig, and he put on an amazing show that remains second to none in the world of hip hop and beyond. He kicked things off with one of his signature acoustic rap songs and then grabbed the mic and went straight into "Count On It" to get the crowd riled up. Ceschi is one of the more impressive acts to see live in my opinion because of the diversity of his songs and the command that he has over the crowd, regardless of what style of music he's playing. He put on a stellar show, barreling through tracks like "Fall of Captain E.O" and "Bad Jokes" flawlessly without skipping a beat, with fans like myself shouting along to many of the lyrics. Some highlights of his performance included an excellent rendition of "Black and White and Red All Over," an awesome performance of "Love Song for the Apocalypse" and a crazy finale of "Half Mast," which was performed from the center of the crowd amidst much sweating and moshing. Louis Logic backed Ceschi up throughout a good portion of his set, occasionally providing back-up vocals and playing keyboards for the tunes, plus always emphasizing how much he loved the man's music. One of the most memorable moments of the show was when Ceschi abandoned his mic and sat up by the bar to perform "The Way We Grow Back Tails" on his guitar, silencing the crowd to a whisper until the hook brought everyone together in song. A truly great performance that turned a lot of heads and caused a lot of jaws to drop. I don't think I've ever seen this guy play a set where he hasn't at least partially lost his voice by the end of it all, and I'm always appreciative of how much he puts into his craft and his stage show. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7mfkP3Rk91UzI7A89vwRNPKSv5z6QKhAmfsVe2E34HuD8djXAfZu2C7e-UVHLPqaZ9pViCWXToPZaM5sMAvWvcqrLxt-NjSf9fpEwFrzXxG4KOr7pptBGCSz9HyLZCNCGhpRRHhqhTh5/s1600/New+York+MD+Trip+2013+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7mfkP3Rk91UzI7A89vwRNPKSv5z6QKhAmfsVe2E34HuD8djXAfZu2C7e-UVHLPqaZ9pViCWXToPZaM5sMAvWvcqrLxt-NjSf9fpEwFrzXxG4KOr7pptBGCSz9HyLZCNCGhpRRHhqhTh5/s200/New+York+MD+Trip+2013+018.JPG" width="200" /></a>Louis Logic took the stage shortly after another J-Zone interlude, once again timing things exactly in accordance to the evening's schedule. I'd only seen Louis Logic play live once prior to this concert, and it was about a decade ago in Virginia when he was touring with JJ Brown and promoting his "Sin-a-Matic" and Odd Couple albums. I remember being pretty underwhelmed with his set at that show, partially because of Glue's show-stealing opening performance and partially because of some of his attitude and humor rubbing me the wrong way. I actually ended up walking out of that show before he had finished, but his music has undergone quite a transformation since then and I was damn curious to see if he'd deliver this time. When Lou kicked things off with "Up to No Good" and demonstrated how hungry and animated he was on stage, any fears I may have had quickly fell to the wayside. He performed a very interesting and entertaining set that combined some of his older classics and songs from "Misery Loves Company" with his newer unreleased material, which will apparently be dropping on his upcoming album which if memory serves is tentatively titled "Always Look on the Bright Side." Lou's old and new songs both worked very well for the most part, and offered very different sides of his music while maintaining his penchant for clever concepts and humor. Out of the older numbers, "Factotum" and "Rule By a Fool" worked super well on stage, and he performed a quality rendition of "The Ugly Truth" on his keyboard despite gripes about promising his fiancee he wouldn't play it
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKlEk_oagIb9RzQbtB8VA9AVX_u2EcOnm0fFy6oP_9jHXiBOlBWs4kPhXCS3eu7xrCE6mfK5CWEovAtsQcWHaT1AkX4YmpyDtsFej5q2BX-XkU9rbRHMk20i6_6pNA-r4UqMUx7-rux0o/s1600/New+York+MD+Trip+2013+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKlEk_oagIb9RzQbtB8VA9AVX_u2EcOnm0fFy6oP_9jHXiBOlBWs4kPhXCS3eu7xrCE6mfK5CWEovAtsQcWHaT1AkX4YmpyDtsFej5q2BX-XkU9rbRHMk20i6_6pNA-r4UqMUx7-rux0o/s200/New+York+MD+Trip+2013+024.JPG" width="200" /></a>that. Speaking of Louis Logic's significant other, she was in attendance and got on stage to play some instruments for Lou's newer songs, which seemed slightly less grounded in traditional hip hop and featured a lot more singing and live keyboard playing. I'd be lying if I said I was a fan of all of the singing in the new approach, but the songs themselves were very good and featured a lot of clever concepts, including a track dissing reality TV shows, a track advocating gay rights, and a song reflecting upon his past touring debauchery in a negative light. The many enthusiastic fans in attendance demanded an encore, and Lou hopped into the crowd to throw down his verse from "Diablo." Strong set that showed off Louis Logic's personality well, my faith in his live show has been restored.<br />
<br />
The vibe of the NY crowd at this thing was great, and definitely benefited from my friends Corina Corina and PremRock being there. Even got to meet Willie Green before the night was out. Good times!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BIkwBIKmmo8" width="560"></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-66199622326529816052013-01-04T02:30:00.000-08:002013-01-04T02:31:02.566-08:00October 2K12 in Hip Hop TermsThe Lowdown, 1/4/13<br />
<br />
More notable albums from the final months of 2012:<br />
<br />
<b>1) P.O.S "We Don't Even Live Here" (Rhymesayers) </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51vXP-IQ3ZcCGIVsNJfH-zm5BxGmxp_yhlll07uoGv5tCyNx4SqDyT72kd5wywjZbppt59iGDHCkdIn2NFIylfZfZVQLFCDSZsF2k2mtP3luzTn7mhmzRz2xUjqiDvweP6pDNaNAEHKKC/s1600/artworks-000028458941-4xh64v-original.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51vXP-IQ3ZcCGIVsNJfH-zm5BxGmxp_yhlll07uoGv5tCyNx4SqDyT72kd5wywjZbppt59iGDHCkdIn2NFIylfZfZVQLFCDSZsF2k2mtP3luzTn7mhmzRz2xUjqiDvweP6pDNaNAEHKKC/s400/artworks-000028458941-4xh64v-original.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
I must say, as much as I love Doomtree and P.O.S' music and everything that it stands for, I was worried that this album wouldn't deliver. The Doomtree group album "No Kings" that preceded "We Don't Even Live Here" was an undeniably solid piece of work, but somehow I don't find myself revisiting it as much as some of Doomtree's other efforts. Not really knocking the album, I do enjoy it, but I guess it's not my personal favorite sound of theirs. More worrisome was the free album that Mike Mictlan dropped earlier this year, "SNAXXX," which I actually disliked to the point of not bothering to share it on this blog. Those and Doomtree's super busy tour schedule both made me second-guess whether P.O.S would deliver on this joint, and boy do I feel foolish for even having a shadow of a doubt. Not only does P.O.S deliver another outstanding earthshaker of an album, but he actually takes the electro beat styles that Mike Mictlan and Doomtree were working with and improves upon them tenfold. Granted, the first two-thirds of the album play out like some traditional dark P.O.S shit, with Lazerbeak and Cecil Otter providing most of the ill instrumentation and P.O.S dropping his gruff verses and punk-influenced indie rock hooks. Then, starting with the dance riot single "Get Down," the album takes a sharp turn into heavy electro club territory without skipping a beat. Both sides of the album offer up some killer songs, with favorites including the bouncy Astronautalis collab "Wanted/Wasted," the dark mission statement "Lock-Picks, Knives, Bricks and Bats," and the aforementioned dance single "Get Down." P.O.S also deserves major props for his lyrics, which are penned with a political punk aggression that avoids the cliches so often associated with political rap music. On "All of Me," he barrels his way through Occupy protestors, spitting "I ain't invited to your protest/ they say I'm out of my damned mind/ Rather break glass then stand holding a 'Peace' sign." Meanwhile, the song "Fuck Your Stuff" is an enormous anti-materialist anthem, with a live as hell hook and lyrics that include "how to make bombs with shit you find in your kitchen." Raps laced with attitude, amazing beats, and excellent guest spots scattered throughout. Another truly exceptional album from P.O.S. Check out the crazy video for the equally crazy song "Get Down" below:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7PputxGopVQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>2) Blueprint "Deleted Scenes" (Weightless) </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://printmatic.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/deletedscenescover_hires.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://printmatic.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/deletedscenescover_hires.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
Speaking of albums that exceeded expectations, this new one from Printmatic succeeded in doing so in a major way. This album was billed as a collection of songs that didn't make it onto Blueprint's last release "Adventures in Counter-Culture," and the title "Deleted Scenes" would lead one to believe that it's some random collection of B-sides, but that couldn't be further from the truth. This really is a brand new full length Blueprint album, carefully crafted and unified in theme and focus, with excellent mastering and plenty of stand-out songs. The album could be considered a continuation or companion piece for "Adventures in Counter-Culture," with songs cultivated and reworked from the sessions used to record that project, but the songs are so damn great that it really feels like a worthy follow-up to an album that was years in the making. "Deleted Scenes" finds Blueprint once again flexing his creativity over his own unique electronic-influenced production, splitting his focus between straight-forward relatable rap verses and electronic indie pop. Both are delivered under Blueprint's trademark voice and flow, and never is there a point where a song doesn't feel like it belongs on the album. In fact, one of the most impressive things about this collection of songs is just how cohesively it plays out as an album, with a more distinctive sound and style than many hip hop long-players that dropped this year. Dismissing this project as something that was quickly scrapped together would be a big mistake, so I hope that indie rap heads and especially fans of "Adventures in Counter-Culture" won't sleep on this one. No music videos for this one alas, but you can listen to the song "Never Grow Old" below:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cwuNX14QKQA" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>3) Robust "Fillin' in the Potholes" (Galapagos4)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.galapagos4.com/images/r1/G40062%20Robust%20-%20Fillin%20In%20The%20Potholes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.galapagos4.com/images/r1/G40062%20Robust%20-%20Fillin%20In%20The%20Potholes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This one didn't really grab me as hard as P.O.S or Blueprint's albums, but it definitely grew on me with repeated listens. I think I might be one of those dudes that Robust is referring to on his song "Northern Soul" when he spits "dropped 'Potholes' but my fans don't think I'm hot no more." Robust's first album "Potholes in My Molecules" really impressed me and was one of my favorites of that year, but since then I've felt like he's been on a gradual decline with his recordings. I had high expectations for "Fillin in the Potholes" since it's the first time in a while that Robust has been paired with an all-star cast of Chicago producers (Meaty Ogre, Maker, PNS, Void Pedal, etc.), plus the album is billed as somewhat of a return to form for Ro and is graced by Albane's always dope artwork. The beats are terrific throughout and it's definitely the strongest recorded stuff from Robust in a long while, but there's still something about his flow and voice that makes his verses not stand out to me as much anymore. Still, he does more or less hold this thing down, and there are some bright moments with his rhyming like the affirmative statements of "What's Your World" or the simple run-down of "Soloist." Some raw soulful Chicago rap shit, check out the video for the Void Pedal produced song "High Road" below:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qzU_KmQtAmE" width="560"></iframe> E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-22593298711248057782012-12-31T01:48:00.001-08:002012-12-31T01:48:37.629-08:00Tommy V "Mockingbird"Expanding the Backpack, 12/31/12<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/20/13/2013777807-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/20/13/2013777807-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
New free EP of extra fun music from Tommy V, "Mockingbird," out now via Fake Four Inc. It's been ages since I last heard a solo album from Tommy V, and I'd kind of assumed that he'd quit making new music at this point, so when the Fake Four guys announced that this was dropping for free in December my curiosity was piqued. It's been some 12 odd years since his last solo project "Quarter Life Crisis" dropped and garnered a cult following amongst LA underground heads, and I have a major soft spot for the Convenience Store album he put out with evs and Neila in 2007, so it's great to hear him back in full form here! Tommy has always had a very fun and creative vibe to his music, and this EP shows off both of those attributes with great humor and sincerity. Not one track in, and the man is already picking grey hairs from his nutsack and hologramming himself to avoid bottles being thrown at him! Great upbeat jazzy music with fun melodic rap styles and memorable lyrics (check out his critique of hipster cafe's on "Cafecíto Orgánico" or his funny second-hand story "Pawn Shop"). I guarantee that you Pigeon John fans out there will go absolutely crazy for this shit. One of the best free hip hop albums 2012 has to offer, so don't you dare sleep on it. Download Tommy V's "Mockingbird" on <a href="http://fakefour.bandcamp.com/album/mockingbird">Fake Four's Bandcamp Page</a> or stream it below:<br />
<br />
1. Cepillín Intro <br />
2. Remember Me?<br />
3. Son of a Gun <br />
4. Disillusioned<br />
5. Cafecíto Orgánico<br />
6. Dollar Bin Delectables<br />
7. I Hate Music<br />
8. Useless Labels (feat. David Ramos)<br />
9. How's Cali (feat. Ceschi)<br />
10. Pawn Shop<br />
11. Seu Amor<br />
12. Always Heal<br />
13. For Infinity<br />
14. Can You Hear Me?<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=2800976666/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://fakefour.bandcamp.com/album/mockingbird">Mockingbird by Tommy V</a></iframe><br /><br />
<br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-29527723445206979882012-12-31T01:16:00.000-08:002012-12-31T01:48:54.654-08:00Mixed Blood on Our HandsThe Latest Greatest, 12/31/12<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/84577830/mbm_fake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/84577830/mbm_fake.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Peeking at 2013, the first release that I will be dropping my money on without the slightest bit of hesitation is this new self-titled album from the group Mixed Blood Majority, which they'll be self-releasing on 1/22/13. Mixed Blood Majority is another of those outstanding Minnesota hip hop groups that have been cropping up lately, and consists of Crescent Moon (of Oddjobs and Kill the Vultures) and Joe Horton (of No Bird Sing) on the raps while Lazerbeak handles all of the beat work. Aside from the excitement of having another fully Lazerbeak produced rap album on our hands, I'm stoked to hear this project for the contributions from Crescent Moon, who I've been a fan of since his early days in the Oddjobs. Not as familiar with Joe Horton or No Bird Sing, but you can only expect so much from a non-Minnesota native and I gotta say that he sounds fresh next to Crescent Moon on the leaked single "Fine Print." The album also features Toki Wright, Kristoff Krane, and Cecil Otter, who all tend to be winners when it comes to the raps. Listen to leaked single "Fine Print" below, and prepare to get bloody:<br />
<br />
1. Fine Print<br />
2. Product of My Company<br />
3. Still Standing Still<br />
4. Dead Weight<br />
5. Story to Tell (feat. Toki Wright)<br />
6. Ritual (feat. Kristoff Krane)<br />
7. The Ballad of Cedric Ceballos<br />
8. Free Up (feat. Cecil Otter)<br />
9. Hallucination Music<br />
10. The Runaround<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/track=1704368921/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://mixedbloodmajority.bandcamp.com/track/fine-print">Fine Print by Mixed Blood Majority</a></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-8359834348261509032012-12-31T00:57:00.000-08:002012-12-31T01:49:07.948-08:00September 2K12 in Hip Hop TermsWay behind here, but still wanna wrap up these last months of 2K12. Some major picks for the month of September. October and (eventually) November to follow in 2K13:<br />
<br />
<b>1) Typical Cats "3" (Galapagos4)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wordlifeson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/typical-cats32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.wordlifeson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/typical-cats32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Now here's an album that lived up to some lofty expectations and earned itself a secure spot amongst my favorites of 2012. This third group effort from Typical Cats plays out like a blueprint for the art of MCing, with Qwel, Qwazaar, and Denizen Kane all impressing in some very major ways on the rapping tip. Qwel's relentless flows and rhyme patterns are in tact, but his styles feel looser and more daring on this project, which makes for some extra bright moments on tracks like "My Watch" and "Mathematics." Qwazaar stays killing it with his amazing voice and cadence, whether he's dropping a super hard show-stealing verse on "On My Square" or channeling some mellower introspective vibes on "Reflections From the Porch." The very underrated Denizen Kane also impresses big time throughout the album, switching his styles between straight MCing ("Gil Say They Don't Knock"), spoken word ("Denizen Walks Away"), and melodic reggae vibes (the stand-out cut "Blank Stone"). I see a lot of reviews online pointing a finger at Denizen and labeling him the weakest link of the group, but I'm just gonna have to beg to differ here since he more than holds his own next to Qwel and Qwazaar in my book. Of course, all of this awesome rapping is gone to waste without a proper set of beats, and DJ Natural delivers a great collection of soul and jazz influenced hip hop production for these fools to rap over. DJ Natural was the weakest part of the group to me on past albums, but on "3" he definitely gets his formula right and carries a special vibe throughout the album with the help of his partner Kid Knish. I love the way the album's mastered, as it sounds as if it could have been recorded a long time ago while still remaining timeless, and the little instrumental interludes and segues make the album flow perfectly. Hell, this album even has a skit on it that I don't completely hate, which is close to a first (though still the weakest part of the album, overall). Anyway, I can't recommend this one highly enough to my hip hop traditionalists out there. Prime cut grade A rapping over 20 cuts, need I say more? Check out the video for the song "The Crown" below:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3EDfeDA01jc" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2) The Gaslamp Killer "Breakthrough" (Brainfeeder) </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/mast_image_square/mastimages/Breakthrough-The_Gaslamp_Killer_480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/mast_image_square/mastimages/Breakthrough-The_Gaslamp_Killer_480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
While I haven't been the hugest fan of all of Brainfeeder's releases as of late, Gaslamp Killer's grand debut solo LP on the label is my favorite release of theirs and my favorite electronic album in quite some time. Took a minute for me to draw an opinion on this guy as a musician since up until now he was mostly known for his mixes, but after hearing this album I think it's safe to say that dude makes some nasty beats. The music on "Breakthrough" demands the listener's attention and insists on offering up new challenges with every song, which makes for an exciting ride that veers off in all sorts of crazy directions. The relentless pounding of "Flange Face" and ominous drones of "Seven Years of Bad Luck For Fun" are balanced by the quieter elegance of songs like "Nissim," but never are you drawn too far from the jarring noise. One really impressive thing about this album is the way that Gaslamp Killer ropes tons of talented guest musicians into the mix without losing the cohesion of the album. Each guest artist leaves their distinct mark on the songs they grace, and the styles differ, yet nothing feels out of place. Gonjasufi's off-kilter singing feels right over Gaslamp Killer's strange cinematic arrangements, and Daedelus and Samiyam both serve up their distinct versions of button mashing to add to the cacophonous symphony. Great stuff, check out the creepy video for the song "Seven Years of Bad Luck for Fun" featuring Dimlite below:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gN0yoKFAh-Q" width="560"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<b>3) Carnage the Executioner "Respect the Name" (Fill in the Breaks) </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://test1.fillinthebreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Carnage-RGB-WEb-Cover-1400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://test1.fillinthebreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Carnage-RGB-WEb-Cover-1400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Carnage's official follow-up to his "unofficial" (but super good) album "Worth the Wait" is another tough pill to swallow, but repeated listens reveal a very strong lyrical album with plenty of unconventional styles to study and personal anecdotes to relate to. Carnage's chaotic style and erratic flow are in full effect over a series of raw old school sounding beats, which are provided by a number of lesser known producers from Minnesota alongside a couple of mainstays like Medium Zach. The album is a lot cleaner than "Worth the Wait," with a polished sound more similar to the aesthetic of the Typical Cats "3" album, and it features Carnage at his most personal and subdued. He's simmered down from the all-out rampage of "Worth the Wait" to deliver a more thoughtful and introspective piece of work, with songs like "Nigger-tivity," "Addict" and "M.T.W Story" offering a refreshingly vulnerable side of the stylistic beast. Those who want to hear Carnage go on a rapping warpath need not fear, since songs like "Soul Snatcher" and "C.3XL" still show off his trademark ruthlessness as an MC. A bit too much braggadocio in the first half of the album perhaps, but all in all this is an excellent album and the strongest offering to date from one of the respected rappers of the Minnesota hip hop scene. Peep the video for the title track "Respect the Name" below. Not a strong video, but definitely a strong song:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ON8WJw6FO70" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>4) Cars & Trains "We Are All Fire" (Fake Four Inc) </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/43/37/433794687-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/43/37/433794687-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Maybe it's just because of the copious amount of gritty rap music I listened to in September (Typical Cats, Carnage, and Blu & Exile's dope "Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them" joint to name a few), but Tom Filepp's new album as Cars & Trains was one that I came back to and revisited quite a bit. The previous album from Cars & Trains, "The Roots, the Leaves," had some impressive moments on it but didn't really move me as a whole. This new album, on the other hand, is a very quiet and mature body of work that speaks to me on many levels. The album feels more fragile and intimate than any of Tom's previous recordings, and while it never quite jumps out at you, it gently settles into your soul and soothes you for its 35 minute duration. The folky electronic instrumentation of the album is gorgeous, and Tom's delicate voice compliments the warmth of the album well. His lyrics are very perceptive and touch upon the concept of family in a genuine way, which adds to the beauty of the project. Another clear winner in Fake Four's non-hip hop output this year, this is an album that fits certain moods like a glove and will be listened to for some time to come. Check out the video for the title track "We Are All Fire" below:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6Qat74zD8xw" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-82412625663270674022012-11-07T22:25:00.000-08:002012-12-31T01:49:21.061-08:00Rocketing Out the SlumpThe Latest Greatest, 11/7/12<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/20/91/2091229054-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://f0.bcbits.com/z/20/91/2091229054-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Sapient's long-rumored alt rock project, "Slump," will be dropping via Camobear Records on February 19th, 2013. Very curious to see how this one turns out. Sapient has a very solid work ethic, both as a solo artist and as a member of the well-respected Sandpeople collective out of Portland. Considering the amount of beats he produces and the number of albums he drops on a yearly basis, it's kind of surprising how many of them turn out to be solid. This new album drops his traditional rapping in favor of a more melodic rock approach to his songs, which is not actually a huge jump from his past work considering his tendency to end each of his albums with some poppy hip hop rock joint. Still, it'll be interesting to hear this style of music for an entire album for a change. It could either result in the most essential Sapient project to date, or in a complete trainwreck of a concept album. Sapient does tend to lean towards the side of quality with his releases, so I'm confident that "Slump" will offer at least a couple of key catchy tunes to bring a smile to your respective slumps. Tracklisting and debut single video below:<br />
<br />
1. Slow Up<br />
2. Pieces of Paper<br />
3. When<br />
4. Shotgun in my Spaceship<br />
5. Roman Candle<br />
6. The Dapper Mob<br />
7. Notroh<br />
8. Seeking New Skin<br />
9. Went Like This<br />
10. Opera Pigs<br />
11. Ello<br />
12. Monsters Eat Bricks<br />
13. I Was Wrong<br />
14. Gladys<br />
15. Anaphylaxis<br />
16. Out From Under<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tQA4QwDSjEg" width="560"></iframe><br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8260146926305329623.post-37211622047600466122012-10-25T04:15:00.000-07:002012-10-25T04:15:12.140-07:00Busdriver, Nocando, and Open Mike Eagle at The New Parish, OaklandView From the Front Row, 10/25/12<br />
<br />
About two weeks ago, I
went and checked out the Arguments With Dreams Tour starring Busdriver,
Nocando, and Open Mike Eagle at the New Parish in Oakland CA. This was
the first show of the tour and it had the misfortune of landing on an
unexpected Game 5 for the Oakland A's, which probably drew a bit of the
sports fanatic Busdriver fans away from the venue. Still, the show got a
pretty good turn out of top notch people, including a bunch of fans
from Nappa Valley who I ended up grabbing a beer with before the show.
Later met up with a few awesome friends of mine at the venue, and
happened to bump into Doseone, who distributed hugs in the midst of
buying a round of drinks for the performers. I've seen all of the acts
on this tour play many times before (hell, I've seen Open Mike Eagle and
Busdriver play a couple of times this year alone), but this particular
show felt special since it was my first time seeing these three LA rap
talents on a proper tour together. Given their numerous collaborations
and similar approaches to hip hop, the sets that these Hellfyre Club MCs
offered up had a special chemistry that made for a really dope show.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivPz3trrCfXxDnMbIKdmG0F-8Y4BQM4tEizTYpTNOcP4MBIYfq1b3TkWwY7qYp69enW-U6T5sImJbhbrazR_mu2DR0jFzFTf-6xl6X0G2hPCvGCYVMlMf8sg1YAg4GtOtEIVlqn0qHfU0/s1600/Busdriver+Nocando+Open+Mike+Eagle+at+the+New+Parish+Oct+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivPz3trrCfXxDnMbIKdmG0F-8Y4BQM4tEizTYpTNOcP4MBIYfq1b3TkWwY7qYp69enW-U6T5sImJbhbrazR_mu2DR0jFzFTf-6xl6X0G2hPCvGCYVMlMf8sg1YAg4GtOtEIVlqn0qHfU0/s200/Busdriver+Nocando+Open+Mike+Eagle+at+the+New+Parish+Oct+2012+002.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Open Mike Eagle kicked things off with some smooth melodic styles that quickly roped the crowd in and won them over by the third song. After an odd electronic intro rap from "4NML HSPTL," he got into the full swing of things with his track "The Processional," where his skillful musical flows and clever lyrics had folks' undivided attention in no time. I've seen Open Mike Eagle play tiny dive bars like Johnny V's and huge concert halls like the Fillmore, and he always kills it with his unique soft-spoken style and finds charming ways to banter with the crowd. Highlights of this recent set at the New Parish included "Neighbor" and his verse off of "Why Pianos Break," though he cut his song "I Rock" cruelly short when he realized that it wasn't really speaking to him that night. Mike Eagle had the crowd do some proper stretching exercises before throwing down some beat manipulation and dropping the track "Free-Writing Exercise," where Nocando joined him on stage to exchange some heated verses. The two friends I was with had never seen Open Mike Eagle live, and the Nappa Valley kids had never even heard of him before the set at this show. All of them left converted fans and told me how much they loved Mike's set. Dope show for sure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTn-kjsHtvhWdC0PU1LD6JO131a2TOcy4tMOVfPhyphenhyphenoFBGtEu5c4EtP5GYs25JYIl7s_tSYVOeAHhGLA4tCKozr-0_3CbRLG8FWdiKJpD-aB30uconxUmIpwF-ymk_A1SXA1mt1_C2KS4_/s1600/Busdriver+Nocando+Open+Mike+Eagle+at+the+New+Parish+Oct+2012+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTn-kjsHtvhWdC0PU1LD6JO131a2TOcy4tMOVfPhyphenhyphenoFBGtEu5c4EtP5GYs25JYIl7s_tSYVOeAHhGLA4tCKozr-0_3CbRLG8FWdiKJpD-aB30uconxUmIpwF-ymk_A1SXA1mt1_C2KS4_/s200/Busdriver+Nocando+Open+Mike+Eagle+at+the+New+Parish+Oct+2012+013.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Nocando was next to rock the mic, and he delivered a more loud and aggressive set of songs that worked nicely on the crowd. Oakland is one of the two places that Nocando claims as home, and he was clearly the touring artist that felt most at home at the New Parish that night. The way that Nocando pointed out his friends in the crowd and rocked a beat from an iPod that someone handed him in the front row, he may as well have been killing it in his own backyard. Still, club-oriented joints like "Where's the Money?" and "All Over a Bitch" (which Nocando openly apologized to the ladies for) got folks rowdy in the front row and made the place feel like a proper dancehall. He also kicked some of the freestyling he's known so well for, and brought Busdriver out for their collaborative number "Two Track Mind." This was one of Nocando's first shows back in the states after spending some time in Japan, so it was great to see him vibing so well off of Oakland's energy. Very good set.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6BNYT6btwwYZMQqYGaUwWPNuo2w4L_WS4WqMHurZbBFc3gnoTPTubFaP1rFsaEBVIG6A5W0rjPKcLuZVpsFdwuVatjcalbZZg8Y9GZhE7FOLCeqCwVr_jOQwZj_R70WvESeFkjVEP66I/s1600/Busdriver+Nocando+Open+Mike+Eagle+at+the+New+Parish+Oct+2012+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6BNYT6btwwYZMQqYGaUwWPNuo2w4L_WS4WqMHurZbBFc3gnoTPTubFaP1rFsaEBVIG6A5W0rjPKcLuZVpsFdwuVatjcalbZZg8Y9GZhE7FOLCeqCwVr_jOQwZj_R70WvESeFkjVEP66I/s200/Busdriver+Nocando+Open+Mike+Eagle+at+the+New+Parish+Oct+2012+048.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Busdriver stepped up as the evening's headliner, and proceeded to show off his zany styles of rapping to the fullest. He started things off with a series of solo tracks that spanned his body of work, with a particular emphasis on songs that have impressed people live. Some stand-outs included "Me-Time," "Casting Agent & Cowgirls," "Avantcore" and "Bon Bon Fire," though just about every song he played was solid. While this part of Busdriver's performance was great, the highlight of the evening was definitely when Nocando joined him on stage to perform a set of songs as Flash Bang Grenada, where the crazy music took on a new life. Busdriver and Nocando were having a great time playing together, frequently laughing or bugging out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztHbjVupY-uYyWqoMYc9ANxYQdXekcDHONdSM5nzUWolENVG8DW9mLXouxpn4zEwRMn6679hl4MFJklXgIoXe50pASp77Iu7aa-wyf69T8r_5affx6uVnOH5gnVvAm0TUnJQ0B20O18__/s1600/Busdriver+Nocando+Open+Mike+Eagle+at+the+New+Parish+Oct+2012+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztHbjVupY-uYyWqoMYc9ANxYQdXekcDHONdSM5nzUWolENVG8DW9mLXouxpn4zEwRMn6679hl4MFJklXgIoXe50pASp77Iu7aa-wyf69T8r_5affx6uVnOH5gnVvAm0TUnJQ0B20O18__/s200/Busdriver+Nocando+Open+Mike+Eagle+at+the+New+Parish+Oct+2012+056.JPG" width="200" /></a> over each others flows and lyrics, and the good vibes translated well to the music and to the crowd. Tracks like "Beat My Bitch" and "Good Cop, Bad Cop" sounded plenty live through the New Parish speakers, and Open Mike Eagle joined the two of them on stage for a rowdy rendition of their excellent track "In a Perfect World." My friends and I were dancing so hard that at one point my glasses flew off and somehow found their way onto the stage, where Busdriver stumbled upon them and handed them back to me in the front. Great set that ended a great show.<br />
<br />
Fun times for all involved, my friends and I left smiling and sweaty. Peep the video footage for "In a Perfect World" live below, and please excuse the less than stellar sound quality. Now, if I could just start a petition here to get Open Mike Eagle to start performing "Haircut" again in his sets, we could round these shows out to perfection. Not the best song in his catalog or anything, but that track has been great the few times I've seen him play it live!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0_7fCLvHyKM" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />E. Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00613552182336095527noreply@blogger.com0