Do yourself a couple favors this morning.
First off, watch this video and feel glad that it's not the 80's anymore. And this one. Yeah, definitely that one.
Second, watch this video and then gasp in horror when you realize that there isn't a single female in it. (Note: Nope, not even in the car.)
Third, just watch this one again just for some laughs. You know you haven't seen it in a while.
Yeah, I just posted four videos and called it a blog post. Maybe I'll post something later...
Sauntering my way out of here...
JS
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Don't Bite Me In the Face
I hate wind, too. Thought I'd start with that.
Not a lot to say here. I guess if I'm going to "blog" every day, once in a while there's going a boring one or two. And I'd say this blog is a pretty decent reflection of the exciting-ness of my day. I woke up late, watched football, went to the gym, watched more football, ate, watched more football. Pretty awesome. The best part of all of this is that I would provide some decent football analysis here, but now I'm sick of football.
All of the time in between all of that excitement was spent listening to more 2008 music. I got into two albums for the first time, one from Black Milk and the other by T-Pain. Surprisingly enough, both of them will have songs in my final 50. Yes, say what you will about T-Pain, dude always makes catchy shit. I can't say enough about his entertaining abilities. And I'm not even joking.
Sorry I couldn't make a better post today. In the meantime, listen to a goofy metaphor comparing love to the WWE.
Much love,
Jay
Not a lot to say here. I guess if I'm going to "blog" every day, once in a while there's going a boring one or two. And I'd say this blog is a pretty decent reflection of the exciting-ness of my day. I woke up late, watched football, went to the gym, watched more football, ate, watched more football. Pretty awesome. The best part of all of this is that I would provide some decent football analysis here, but now I'm sick of football.
All of the time in between all of that excitement was spent listening to more 2008 music. I got into two albums for the first time, one from Black Milk and the other by T-Pain. Surprisingly enough, both of them will have songs in my final 50. Yes, say what you will about T-Pain, dude always makes catchy shit. I can't say enough about his entertaining abilities. And I'm not even joking.
Sorry I couldn't make a better post today. In the meantime, listen to a goofy metaphor comparing love to the WWE.
Much love,
Jay
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Regardless
This morning I was involved in a car accident. That felt great. Moving on...
First off, if you love 70's soul like I do... go listen to Al Green's new album Lay It Down. It was released this year, but it sounds straight out of a time machine (which is a great thing in this case). I love Mr. Green and I spent way too long not listening to this album. I decided to give it a spin (or click) as I was preparing for my Best of 2008 List (which is still going to be awesome) and boy is it great. I'll conclude this thought by saying that his talking voice is exactly like his singing voice, which is the coolest thing ever.
Wait, did I mention that The Roots did all of the instrumentals for it? And John Legend and Anthony Hamilton are on it?
Okay, moving on. I wish UFC fights weren't so expensive. It has literally become my third sport (behind football and basketball; technically tied with soccer, so 3A, I suppose). As far as my predictions for the night (winners in bold):
Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir
Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva
Forrest Griffin is my favorite fighter so I'm going to take him no matter what. Frank Mir is a douche-and-a-half so I'm gonna pass on him in favor of "Minotauro". I don't really like "Rampage" or Silva, but I think Silva's last win against Keith Jardine was pretty fluky. Silva hasn't won a match that has gone past the first round since 2005.
I'd just like to point out the fact that if for some reason you accidentally type "jayshayy" into google... this site officially comes up first now! I'm recognized by google! However, if you seperate it into jay shayy, it suddenly does not work. This is unfortunate and will hopefully be changed in the very near future.
Feel free to chill out.
-Jay Shayy
First off, if you love 70's soul like I do... go listen to Al Green's new album Lay It Down. It was released this year, but it sounds straight out of a time machine (which is a great thing in this case). I love Mr. Green and I spent way too long not listening to this album. I decided to give it a spin (or click) as I was preparing for my Best of 2008 List (which is still going to be awesome) and boy is it great. I'll conclude this thought by saying that his talking voice is exactly like his singing voice, which is the coolest thing ever.
Wait, did I mention that The Roots did all of the instrumentals for it? And John Legend and Anthony Hamilton are on it?
Okay, moving on. I wish UFC fights weren't so expensive. It has literally become my third sport (behind football and basketball; technically tied with soccer, so 3A, I suppose). As far as my predictions for the night (winners in bold):
Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir
Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva
Forrest Griffin is my favorite fighter so I'm going to take him no matter what. Frank Mir is a douche-and-a-half so I'm gonna pass on him in favor of "Minotauro". I don't really like "Rampage" or Silva, but I think Silva's last win against Keith Jardine was pretty fluky. Silva hasn't won a match that has gone past the first round since 2005.
I'd just like to point out the fact that if for some reason you accidentally type "jayshayy" into google... this site officially comes up first now! I'm recognized by google! However, if you seperate it into jay shayy, it suddenly does not work. This is unfortunate and will hopefully be changed in the very near future.
Feel free to chill out.
-Jay Shayy
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Making Some Footprints
I'm starting to get used to this whole blogging deal. I figure I should at least put something in every day. A lot of the time I figure I have nothing to say... but I seem to BS at least one entertaining thing each time.
Anyways, I spent most of this Christmas Day watching basketball. Orlando - New Orleans was a flat-out blowout (I slept during three quarters of it)... but Phoenix - San Antonio and Boston - Lakers were both very entertaining. Overall, they picked some pretty damn good games for this holiday.
I got Guitar Hero World Tour for Christmas today. Luckily, my 360 is completely fucked, so I couldn't even enjoy the gift. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait a couple weeks to get back to Buffalo. Regardless, I found a way to remain jolly despite this tragedy.
Most importantly, today I decided to start compiling songs for my (now) annual Best Songs of the Year list (which will be awesome, just check out my 2007 list roughly half a page down). Something strange happened while I was doing this, though. I went through the entire year saying stuff like "music has sucked this year" or "nothing good has come out". Totally wrong. This year's list is gonna be awesome. There were so many great songs this year... I forgot half of them were even in 2008. Needless to say, look for the list very soon, probably right after the new year (since I will be spending the first few days of the new year completely forgetting about the old year).
Holler back,
Jay
Anyways, I spent most of this Christmas Day watching basketball. Orlando - New Orleans was a flat-out blowout (I slept during three quarters of it)... but Phoenix - San Antonio and Boston - Lakers were both very entertaining. Overall, they picked some pretty damn good games for this holiday.
I got Guitar Hero World Tour for Christmas today. Luckily, my 360 is completely fucked, so I couldn't even enjoy the gift. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait a couple weeks to get back to Buffalo. Regardless, I found a way to remain jolly despite this tragedy.
Most importantly, today I decided to start compiling songs for my (now) annual Best Songs of the Year list (which will be awesome, just check out my 2007 list roughly half a page down). Something strange happened while I was doing this, though. I went through the entire year saying stuff like "music has sucked this year" or "nothing good has come out". Totally wrong. This year's list is gonna be awesome. There were so many great songs this year... I forgot half of them were even in 2008. Needless to say, look for the list very soon, probably right after the new year (since I will be spending the first few days of the new year completely forgetting about the old year).
Holler back,
Jay
Some Christmas Cheer At the Midnight Mark
First off, I wish Christmas Berries were a real berry. It would be absolutely delicious. Really, if I had to marry and candle, I would have no problem with it being Christmas Berries.
Second off, I'd like to clear up a misconception real quick. Anybody who knows me is pretty much under the assumption that my favorite Christmas song of all time is "All I Want For Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey. It is true, I love that song more than air sometimes. And I sing it at the top of my lungs. But actually, I'd like to direct you to "Ave Maria" by Gary Hoey. I'm not a ridiculous fan of traditional versions of the song... but the guitar version he does of it is just beautiful (-1 manliness).
Third... freaking Celtics - Lakers tomorrow are you kidding me so awesome!?! I spent my family Christmas party tonight watching Game 4's in the '85 and '87 Finals just to prepare for it.
Fourth, again, Merry Christmas to everyone. I love you all. Even if I don't know you.
-Jason
Second off, I'd like to clear up a misconception real quick. Anybody who knows me is pretty much under the assumption that my favorite Christmas song of all time is "All I Want For Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey. It is true, I love that song more than air sometimes. And I sing it at the top of my lungs. But actually, I'd like to direct you to "Ave Maria" by Gary Hoey. I'm not a ridiculous fan of traditional versions of the song... but the guitar version he does of it is just beautiful (-1 manliness).
Third... freaking Celtics - Lakers tomorrow are you kidding me so awesome!?! I spent my family Christmas party tonight watching Game 4's in the '85 and '87 Finals just to prepare for it.
Fourth, again, Merry Christmas to everyone. I love you all. Even if I don't know you.
-Jason
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
I Just Wanted To...
...wish everyone a Happy Holidays, or if you have similar beliefs as yours truly, a more specific Merry Christmas. Everyone else can have the more general greeting of Happy Holidays.
-Jay
P.S. I think I'm finally going to stumble across more free time in the very near future (doesn't change anything about my shitty shitty home Internet connection... though I'll only be here for another couple weeks). Point is, expect more new, awesome blogging in the very near future.
-Jay
P.S. I think I'm finally going to stumble across more free time in the very near future (doesn't change anything about my shitty shitty home Internet connection... though I'll only be here for another couple weeks). Point is, expect more new, awesome blogging in the very near future.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Snow
I hate snow. Easily in the bottom 5 least favorite things in my life right now. I'll try to recount...
JAY'S LEAST FAVORITE THINGS RIGHT NOW:
1. Brett Favre
2. Slow Internet Connection
3. People who love snow
4. Snow
5. The fact that I enjoy that "Just Dance" song
You might ask why the people who love snow are ahead of the snow itself. Clearly, it's because not only have they made a bad decision to like snow, but they also have a complete disregard for the fact that they enjoy something in my top 5 least favorite things.
I just hate being snowed in. I hate driving, I hate snow... so when you combine the two it's just about my least favorite thing ever. Except Brett Favre.
Way too pissed off to write anything coherent or interesting.
So in the meantime read my new favorite blog ever Club Trillion. It's written by like the 15th man of the Ohio State basketball team, and it is absolutely hilarious. This is exactly what I'd be doing if I was put in a barely marginally famous position.
JAY'S LEAST FAVORITE THINGS RIGHT NOW:
1. Brett Favre
2. Slow Internet Connection
3. People who love snow
4. Snow
5. The fact that I enjoy that "Just Dance" song
You might ask why the people who love snow are ahead of the snow itself. Clearly, it's because not only have they made a bad decision to like snow, but they also have a complete disregard for the fact that they enjoy something in my top 5 least favorite things.
I just hate being snowed in. I hate driving, I hate snow... so when you combine the two it's just about my least favorite thing ever. Except Brett Favre.
Way too pissed off to write anything coherent or interesting.
So in the meantime read my new favorite blog ever Club Trillion. It's written by like the 15th man of the Ohio State basketball team, and it is absolutely hilarious. This is exactly what I'd be doing if I was put in a barely marginally famous position.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Well...
Well shit. It's been like a week since I checked in. So lets just get back into the swing of my rambling.
Overall, the funniest sports-related story of the year thus far.
Everything about this story makes me laugh, especially the little head-to-head picture lineup they gave. I'm surprised they didn't give some shit like:
Joe Sakic
Seriously, you want to feel smarter? Keep reading the sports news:
Derrick Rose needs 10 stitches from cutting an apple
Through and through, Derrick Rose has been my boy since he was playing high school ball. But Jesus y Jose y Maria Christo, REMEMBER THAT YOU LEFT A KNIFE IN YOUR BED!
There we go, I just made a "stupid athletes" section and didn't even say anything about the person whose name rhymes with... Flaxico.
In the meantime, do yourself a favor and listen to my Ultimate 100 Playlist. You're going to love half of it, hate a quarter of it, and get extremely intoxicated off the final 25%. Trust me. Just don't drive after. It's a felony, kids.
Or just listen to:
Broken Social Scene - Almost Crimes
Asher Roth - Roth Boys
Wale - W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E
Atmosphere - Dreamer
Alexisonfire - Polaroids of Polar Bears
Overall, the funniest sports-related story of the year thus far.
Everything about this story makes me laugh, especially the little head-to-head picture lineup they gave. I'm surprised they didn't give some shit like:
Joe Sakic
- 5'11"
- 195 lbs.
- 39 years old
- 2001 Hart Memorial Trophy Winner
- 4'6"
- 200 lbs.
- 3 years old (refurbished by manufacturer)
- single-stage gas engine
Seriously, you want to feel smarter? Keep reading the sports news:
Derrick Rose needs 10 stitches from cutting an apple
Through and through, Derrick Rose has been my boy since he was playing high school ball. But Jesus y Jose y Maria Christo, REMEMBER THAT YOU LEFT A KNIFE IN YOUR BED!
There we go, I just made a "stupid athletes" section and didn't even say anything about the person whose name rhymes with... Flaxico.
In the meantime, do yourself a favor and listen to my Ultimate 100 Playlist. You're going to love half of it, hate a quarter of it, and get extremely intoxicated off the final 25%. Trust me. Just don't drive after. It's a felony, kids.
Or just listen to:
Broken Social Scene - Almost Crimes
Asher Roth - Roth Boys
Wale - W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E
Atmosphere - Dreamer
Alexisonfire - Polaroids of Polar Bears
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Checking Back In
I'm back in Buffalo for the next couple weeks after coming back from break. I was excited to get back, but with this being the end of the semester, things are generally very hectic and basically a pain in the ass.
Anyways, I basically took about 14 naps today around doing school work and such. I only caught one game today, with my Knicks losing to a very deep Portland team tonight at MSG. Chris Duhon and David Lee had great games again, but Portland proved to be too effective. Greg Oden looked like balls on offense, he has ton of work to do in that respect. He tried to dunk on my boy D-Lee in the first period, but back rimmed it and looked rather foolish. Other than that, not much else to note on the game. Tim Thomas looked lazy and tired again... I guess that happens when the other team decides to play defense.
I've been trying to get into a bunch of new music lately, which has actually turned out to be pretty successful. I started listening to Mr. Hudson & the Library (Mr. Hudson appeared on one of my favorite songs on 808 & HeartoTune, "Paranoid"). His voice kinda sounds like Sting's (The Police, not the face-painted wrestler... that'd be pretty funny). The instrumentals are kind of reggae-based, it's pretty chill stuff. He's signed to Kanye's GOOD Music, where 'Ye has already proclaimed him to be the future of music. I'm not going that far at this point, but MH&TL (+1 for abbreviations) has a new album coming out soon and seem to have a pretty bright future. I'd put their top 40 breakout potential at about 65% for the moment.
"Too Late, Too Late"
"Bread + Roses"
Other Stuff You Should Listen To
"I Love College" Asher Roth (dude is funny, maybe trying a little too hard to sound like Eminem)
"She Loves Me So" Anthony Green
"Love Hangover" Kidz in the Hall ft. Estelle
Over and out, long day ahead.
Anyways, I basically took about 14 naps today around doing school work and such. I only caught one game today, with my Knicks losing to a very deep Portland team tonight at MSG. Chris Duhon and David Lee had great games again, but Portland proved to be too effective. Greg Oden looked like balls on offense, he has ton of work to do in that respect. He tried to dunk on my boy D-Lee in the first period, but back rimmed it and looked rather foolish. Other than that, not much else to note on the game. Tim Thomas looked lazy and tired again... I guess that happens when the other team decides to play defense.
I've been trying to get into a bunch of new music lately, which has actually turned out to be pretty successful. I started listening to Mr. Hudson & the Library (Mr. Hudson appeared on one of my favorite songs on 808 & HeartoTune, "Paranoid"). His voice kinda sounds like Sting's (The Police, not the face-painted wrestler... that'd be pretty funny). The instrumentals are kind of reggae-based, it's pretty chill stuff. He's signed to Kanye's GOOD Music, where 'Ye has already proclaimed him to be the future of music. I'm not going that far at this point, but MH&TL (+1 for abbreviations) has a new album coming out soon and seem to have a pretty bright future. I'd put their top 40 breakout potential at about 65% for the moment.
"Too Late, Too Late"
"Bread + Roses"
Other Stuff You Should Listen To
"I Love College" Asher Roth (dude is funny, maybe trying a little too hard to sound like Eminem)
"She Loves Me So" Anthony Green
"Love Hangover" Kidz in the Hall ft. Estelle
Over and out, long day ahead.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
2010
Never ever have I been so sick of a year that hasn't even happened yet. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch 34 seconds of NBA coverage on ESPN and you'll know. So far the 'Please Seriously STFU' sports topics of 2008 have been (in order):
1. Brett Favre
2. 2010
3. Roger Clemens
4. Brett Favre
5. Pac Man Jones
The Knicks suck. Seriously they're only 7-8 and I'm way more sick of watching them than last year. These are going to be two extremely painful years. Tim Thomas might be the worst, laziest player I've ever seen in my life. By himself he's worth about negative ten points a game. The worst part about watching them is that they are in D'Antoni's system, which is supposed to be a quick, exciting offensive system. The problem is that they get no ball movement and that they're missing a key component of making this work... NOBODY ON THE FUCKING TEAM CAN SHOOT!
I swear every episode of MTV's True Life should be called "True Life: I'm a Bitch". Except for the disease episodes. That's not their fault.
And Cricket commercials need to die. Or get slightly less busted female appearances.
Yeah as one can tell I'm in a great mood. I came back home for a few days and I have very little internet connection. This is causing me to go generally insane.
I'll be a little more clear-headed tomorrow I think. Or whenever I get back to this. HOV!
1. Brett Favre
2. 2010
3. Roger Clemens
4. Brett Favre
5. Pac Man Jones
The Knicks suck. Seriously they're only 7-8 and I'm way more sick of watching them than last year. These are going to be two extremely painful years. Tim Thomas might be the worst, laziest player I've ever seen in my life. By himself he's worth about negative ten points a game. The worst part about watching them is that they are in D'Antoni's system, which is supposed to be a quick, exciting offensive system. The problem is that they get no ball movement and that they're missing a key component of making this work... NOBODY ON THE FUCKING TEAM CAN SHOOT!
I swear every episode of MTV's True Life should be called "True Life: I'm a Bitch". Except for the disease episodes. That's not their fault.
And Cricket commercials need to die. Or get slightly less busted female appearances.
Yeah as one can tell I'm in a great mood. I came back home for a few days and I have very little internet connection. This is causing me to go generally insane.
I'll be a little more clear-headed tomorrow I think. Or whenever I get back to this. HOV!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
808's and Heartbreak
Well after talking about it on like two consecutive blog posts, I decided to actually take a shot at this. I still don't know what my final rating of the album will be at this very moment, but I have a feeling that I will by the end of this process. I'll do a song-by song on this one, since apparently I can't come up with a feeling for it as a whole. *All songs are rated on the 'JS 6-scale' [for those that aren't familiar, its basically 0 (bad)-to-5 (great) with 6 being fucking epic shit].*
1. Say You Will - The album's opener sets the tone for what Kanye's attempting to do with the entire album. "Mrs. So Fly crashes lands in my room/Can't waste no time, she might leave soon". The chorus goes as "Don't say you will/unless you will", or some variation of that with some "hey, hey, hey's" mixed in there. The beat is a desolate electronic beat that mimicks a slow heartbeat, adding to the desperation he's trying to convey. The beat continues for what amounts to be about a 3-minute outro, much like he did with the album version of "Stronger". Normally its done to ride out a banger; here it stands to punch in the feeling that he's putting across, the true intent of the album. Plus he has a flare for the dramatic. In the end, the song is pretty average, but it does get the point across.
3 * * *
2. Welcome to Heartbreak - Here's the first one that I have real mixed feelings about. Another simplistic beat with some synth thrown in. It's a good backing for the "where the hell has my life gone?" punchlines that he throws around throughout the song. But really, the lyrical content is lacking. He starts one line with "He said his daughter got brand new report card"... before the line was over I knew the rhyme was "sports car." Through all of that introspection and spiritual revivement one would figure he'd have a new one in his bag. That said, the chorus is catchy and most of all, Kanyesperate (okay, I'll never try that again). It passes the this stuff is pretty average test.
2 * *
3. Heartless - Don't worry, I'm not going to hate on both singles. Just this one. Maybe because I heard Love Lockdown and thought "okay he's trying something different," then heard Heartless and thought we need bring out the hip-hop defibrillator. The beat sounds like a ride on a DisneyLand trolley, the chorus is nothing interesting, and generally there's nothing catchy about it. I'd go into his flow and lyrics and such... but why bother, this isn't a rap album. Nevertheless, there's nothing here of note.
1 *
4. Amazing - I can't even understand what's being attempted here. Jeezy growls, repeated verses, basically the same song I heard with Heartless but less feeling and absolutely no meaning whatsoever. Not even giving this the time of day. Oh wait, Jeezy just came in with a "verse". I think I'd rather hear the AutoTune. Wait... am I at song four and I haven't said "AutoTune" yet? Alright, I'll say it again. Just for fun. AutoTune.
0 (Please no Remix Baby)
5. Love Lockdown - Thankfully, here's one I can deal with (I swear the hatred has nearly ceased). 'Ye wanted to be a pop star. And he achieved that with this one. The tribal drums, the piano beat, the freaky-ass music video: it all hits. Everyone's heard it, I'm not going to delve into it too deeply. But the drumming outro is pretty sick too. He got his message across, he knew he had a great beat, he kept it simple and let it work its magic (despite the probably unnecessary wild monkey howls).
4 * * * *
6. Paranoid - Kanye is just having fun here. And so am I. The beat has a pretty sweet 80's pop feel, similar to a mindnumbingly good Chaka Khan song. I'm not even positive what the songs about... but I'm pretty sure it just says "leave the attitude at the door, lets have a good time and worry about it later." It doesn't fit with the theme of the album, but at this point I've left that at the door and at this point I'm just looking for anything to salvage. It's an upliftingly fun song, which flows right into the next one.
5 * * * * *
7. RoboCop - He keeps trying to convince us that there's something really deep here, but he'll always revert to songs like this. Which I'm not saying is a bad thing, because it isn't. The song is about a girl being too controlling and watching his every move. I guess this contributes to "heartbreak", correct? Unless the crazy, psycho Lorena Bobbit's are your thing, I suppose? This doesn't provide the same "F' You" punch like JT's "Cry Me a River" (yeah, I went there), but the chorus is hella fun, what can I say?
3 * * *
8. Street Lights - I want to know allhiphop thinks of this (I'll throw in a 'lol' for good measure). This is just a beautiful sounding song (take 2 points off of my manhood, I don't care I got a couple to spare).
All the street lights, glowing
Happen to be just like moments
Passing, in front of me
So I hopped in
The cab and I paid my fares
See I know my, destination
But I'm just not there
I could listen to this song over and over again. You can hear the sincerity in his voice, which actually sounds pretty good on this song. As long as he's not trying to belt it out further than his range (youtube: Europe VMAs "Love Lockdown"), he can sound pretty good. And it doesn't even sound like he had to consult with T-Pain on this one.
5 * * * * *
9. Bad News - Another downbeat song in the same vein as the previous song. It almost plays off as a blues song as he says "I've just heard some real bad news." But the feeling is there; this is one of the closest songs to him sincerely and accurately conveying his true pain.
2 * *
10. See You In My Nightmares - Let me start out by saying that "Barry Bonds" was my least favorite song on Graduation. The Lil Wayne cameo was completely useless (even more than Mos Def's... yes, I stand firm that 'Ye should've done that whole album solo). I digress, this song is half decent. The beat starts out like a Young Jeezy mixtape song 18 (without the Jazze Pha/Mannie Fresh beat kicking in). Kanye and Weezy both sound flat-out angry on this one. It isn't a great song per se, but it does transition the story quite well coming out of the previous song. You broke his heart, he's angry, and he's going to dedicate an album to it.
2 * *
11. Coldest Winter - This is the other song that I would say packs the biggest punch as far as describing regret, lonliness and a loss of hope. "Goodbye my friend/Will I ever love again?" is repeated quite a few times, describing the pain of what I assume is the dissolvement of his engagement. "If spring can take the snow away/Can it melt away all our mistakes"; metaphor is questionable, the intent is not. Tribal drums are always a plus.
3 * * *
12 Pinocchio Story - I wish that the album version sounded clearer. But it's done on purpose, a studio version wouldn't sound better. It's a freestyle (I believe), and I have a hunch that he'd say this is the most meaningful song he's ever put to record. It's a live version where the crowd cheering just adds to the effect of the moment (youtube: "Longing For" live by Jah Cure). He's speaking from his soul here. Somebody should remind him that this is what comes out most pristine.
5 * * * * *
As a whole, I'm still mixed up about it all. The album really picks up steam after Amazing (which is a good thing, since I nearly threw my laptop out the window while listening to it). But start-to-finish, I just don't think the feelings and inner turmoil came onto record like he thought it would. Maybe I should stop overanalyzing and go with my instincts here.
3 Stars ***/6
1. Say You Will - The album's opener sets the tone for what Kanye's attempting to do with the entire album. "Mrs. So Fly crashes lands in my room/Can't waste no time, she might leave soon". The chorus goes as "Don't say you will/unless you will", or some variation of that with some "hey, hey, hey's" mixed in there. The beat is a desolate electronic beat that mimicks a slow heartbeat, adding to the desperation he's trying to convey. The beat continues for what amounts to be about a 3-minute outro, much like he did with the album version of "Stronger". Normally its done to ride out a banger; here it stands to punch in the feeling that he's putting across, the true intent of the album. Plus he has a flare for the dramatic. In the end, the song is pretty average, but it does get the point across.
3 * * *
2. Welcome to Heartbreak - Here's the first one that I have real mixed feelings about. Another simplistic beat with some synth thrown in. It's a good backing for the "where the hell has my life gone?" punchlines that he throws around throughout the song. But really, the lyrical content is lacking. He starts one line with "He said his daughter got brand new report card"... before the line was over I knew the rhyme was "sports car." Through all of that introspection and spiritual revivement one would figure he'd have a new one in his bag. That said, the chorus is catchy and most of all, Kanyesperate (okay, I'll never try that again). It passes the this stuff is pretty average test.
2 * *
3. Heartless - Don't worry, I'm not going to hate on both singles. Just this one. Maybe because I heard Love Lockdown and thought "okay he's trying something different," then heard Heartless and thought we need bring out the hip-hop defibrillator. The beat sounds like a ride on a DisneyLand trolley, the chorus is nothing interesting, and generally there's nothing catchy about it. I'd go into his flow and lyrics and such... but why bother, this isn't a rap album. Nevertheless, there's nothing here of note.
1 *
4. Amazing - I can't even understand what's being attempted here. Jeezy growls, repeated verses, basically the same song I heard with Heartless but less feeling and absolutely no meaning whatsoever. Not even giving this the time of day. Oh wait, Jeezy just came in with a "verse". I think I'd rather hear the AutoTune. Wait... am I at song four and I haven't said "AutoTune" yet? Alright, I'll say it again. Just for fun. AutoTune.
0 (Please no Remix Baby)
5. Love Lockdown - Thankfully, here's one I can deal with (I swear the hatred has nearly ceased). 'Ye wanted to be a pop star. And he achieved that with this one. The tribal drums, the piano beat, the freaky-ass music video: it all hits. Everyone's heard it, I'm not going to delve into it too deeply. But the drumming outro is pretty sick too. He got his message across, he knew he had a great beat, he kept it simple and let it work its magic (despite the probably unnecessary wild monkey howls).
4 * * * *
6. Paranoid - Kanye is just having fun here. And so am I. The beat has a pretty sweet 80's pop feel, similar to a mindnumbingly good Chaka Khan song. I'm not even positive what the songs about... but I'm pretty sure it just says "leave the attitude at the door, lets have a good time and worry about it later." It doesn't fit with the theme of the album, but at this point I've left that at the door and at this point I'm just looking for anything to salvage. It's an upliftingly fun song, which flows right into the next one.
5 * * * * *
7. RoboCop - He keeps trying to convince us that there's something really deep here, but he'll always revert to songs like this. Which I'm not saying is a bad thing, because it isn't. The song is about a girl being too controlling and watching his every move. I guess this contributes to "heartbreak", correct? Unless the crazy, psycho Lorena Bobbit's are your thing, I suppose? This doesn't provide the same "F' You" punch like JT's "Cry Me a River" (yeah, I went there), but the chorus is hella fun, what can I say?
3 * * *
8. Street Lights - I want to know allhiphop thinks of this (I'll throw in a 'lol' for good measure). This is just a beautiful sounding song (take 2 points off of my manhood, I don't care I got a couple to spare).
All the street lights, glowing
Happen to be just like moments
Passing, in front of me
So I hopped in
The cab and I paid my fares
See I know my, destination
But I'm just not there
I could listen to this song over and over again. You can hear the sincerity in his voice, which actually sounds pretty good on this song. As long as he's not trying to belt it out further than his range (youtube: Europe VMAs "Love Lockdown"), he can sound pretty good. And it doesn't even sound like he had to consult with T-Pain on this one.
5 * * * * *
9. Bad News - Another downbeat song in the same vein as the previous song. It almost plays off as a blues song as he says "I've just heard some real bad news." But the feeling is there; this is one of the closest songs to him sincerely and accurately conveying his true pain.
Oh you just gonna
Keep another love for you
Oh you just gonna
Keep it ike you never knew
While im waiting on a dream
That'll never come true
2 * *
10. See You In My Nightmares - Let me start out by saying that "Barry Bonds" was my least favorite song on Graduation. The Lil Wayne cameo was completely useless (even more than Mos Def's... yes, I stand firm that 'Ye should've done that whole album solo). I digress, this song is half decent. The beat starts out like a Young Jeezy mixtape song 18 (without the Jazze Pha/Mannie Fresh beat kicking in). Kanye and Weezy both sound flat-out angry on this one. It isn't a great song per se, but it does transition the story quite well coming out of the previous song. You broke his heart, he's angry, and he's going to dedicate an album to it.
2 * *
11. Coldest Winter - This is the other song that I would say packs the biggest punch as far as describing regret, lonliness and a loss of hope. "Goodbye my friend/Will I ever love again?" is repeated quite a few times, describing the pain of what I assume is the dissolvement of his engagement. "If spring can take the snow away/Can it melt away all our mistakes"; metaphor is questionable, the intent is not. Tribal drums are always a plus.
3 * * *
12 Pinocchio Story - I wish that the album version sounded clearer. But it's done on purpose, a studio version wouldn't sound better. It's a freestyle (I believe), and I have a hunch that he'd say this is the most meaningful song he's ever put to record. It's a live version where the crowd cheering just adds to the effect of the moment (youtube: "Longing For" live by Jah Cure). He's speaking from his soul here. Somebody should remind him that this is what comes out most pristine.
5 * * * * *
As a whole, I'm still mixed up about it all. The album really picks up steam after Amazing (which is a good thing, since I nearly threw my laptop out the window while listening to it). But start-to-finish, I just don't think the feelings and inner turmoil came onto record like he thought it would. Maybe I should stop overanalyzing and go with my instincts here.
3 Stars ***/6
Fairly Standard
Not a whole lot to report on today. Watched a couple of NBA games and watched my Syracuse Orange beat up on the overrated #18 Florida Gators. The Orange are looking to be far better than last year's team, with their two best shooters (Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins) coming back from knee injuries. Add that with the development of Arinze Onuaku, the greatness that is Johnny Flynn, and solid freshman Kris Joseph (10 points tonight), and this is a team that will surely make the Big Dance and possibly compete for the Big East title.
I just got done listening to Chinese Democracy, Axl Rose's, er, Guns n Roses' newest album. Let me say that coupled with Kanye's new one, this has been the most bizarre couple days for album releases I've ever witnessed. Both albums are almost mind-bogglingly tough to get a read on (or even review), but expect to see reviews in the next day or so anyways. I have pretty strong opinions about both artists, so it only feels right to expand on my feelings about them.
And fuck fantasy football. Seriously. That's all I have to say.
Stuff I Watched Today
Syracuse vs. Florida (NCAABB)
Houston vs. Miami (NBA)
Portland vs. Sacramento (NBA)
New Orleans vs. Green Bay (NFL)
UFC 54 (technically yesterday, but still)
UFC 55
Straight Ballers
Arinze Onuaku
Georges St. Pierre
Tim Sylvia (back in the day)
James Irvin
Drew Brees (but thanks for killing me in fantasy)
Lance Moore? Yeah, Lance Moore
Axl Rose (yeah he's still sorta got it)
I just got done listening to Chinese Democracy, Axl Rose's, er, Guns n Roses' newest album. Let me say that coupled with Kanye's new one, this has been the most bizarre couple days for album releases I've ever witnessed. Both albums are almost mind-bogglingly tough to get a read on (or even review), but expect to see reviews in the next day or so anyways. I have pretty strong opinions about both artists, so it only feels right to expand on my feelings about them.
And fuck fantasy football. Seriously. That's all I have to say.
Stuff I Watched Today
Syracuse vs. Florida (NCAABB)
Houston vs. Miami (NBA)
Portland vs. Sacramento (NBA)
New Orleans vs. Green Bay (NFL)
UFC 54 (technically yesterday, but still)
UFC 55
Straight Ballers
Arinze Onuaku
Georges St. Pierre
Tim Sylvia (back in the day)
James Irvin
Drew Brees (but thanks for killing me in fantasy)
Lance Moore? Yeah, Lance Moore
Axl Rose (yeah he's still sorta got it)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Best Songs of 2007
I don't have anything interesting in my life right now.. so I figured I'd re-post this... I wrote it in February 2008. If I had any interest in doing so I'd change about half of this list at this point. But whatevs:
1) “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” UGK ft. Outkast
Overall, this is the year’s perfect hip-hop jam. Or at least mine. Andre 3000 begins the song poetically with all sorts of mind-blowingly good play-on-word and metaphoric lines (examples include “And I apologize if this message gets you down/Then I CC’d every girl that I’d see see around town” and “I’m so like a pip, I’m glad it’s night”… Gladys Knight and the Pips, get it?). If it was just ‘Dre on the whole song, I’d probably still give it a 5. Almost one-upping him on the second verse is Pimp C who bumps the shit out of the song, almost immediately reversing the polarity of poetic flow into a Southern Rap Barbeque Jam. In verse three, Bun B continues where his late partner leaves off… possibly not on par with the intelligent lyrics of Andre 3000, but UGK’s flow is simply impeccable. It’s almost impossible to not bounce up-and-down to the “anthem”. The only slight misfire on the song is Big Boi’s verse, partially because I’ve never really been a fan of him, partially because it half-kills the momentum/vibe of the song. It’s delivered too slowly and the sublime beat almost completely cuts out until the end. But I haven’t even touched the beat yet. It’s absolutely wonderful, soulful, gospel, beautiful, whatever. My goal in this review isn’t to completely and totally analyze the song and beat the shit out of it; it’s for you to listen to it. It’s great. It was a pretty clear choice for me that this song was number one.
2) “Dancing in the Rain” Blu & Exile
You like hip-hop? Eh? Okay go listen to Blu & Exile. Right now they are the best underground hip-hop group out there and it’s truly a shame that nobody’s heard of them. This is the highest-rated song out of the three I included (in the top 11) from their debut album “Below the Heavens”, which I believe is the Album of the Year, regardless of the genre. Blu is a relatively unknown (okay, completely unknown) 24-year old MC from Southern California and his partner Exile is a fairly well-known underground hip-hop producer from Los Angeles. Blu wrote this song when he was 19, and it shows with the youthful feeling to it. Exile produces by far the most chill beat of the year, mixing in a guitar with an old-school drums-n-bass line. Blu speaks of the struggles of being a young urban teenager, being a writer, being an artist, being a person in this crazy, hectic world of ours. He explains that all of this pain can at least be temporarily relieved by just letting loose: “Don’t nobody wanna dance slow in the rain/So just move your ass, Just move your ass/Don’t nobody wanna liberate the weight of the pain/So just move your ass”. No offense to my idol Common, but if he had released this song, it probably would’ve been labeled a classic. It’s an idealistic song in the wake of pain and pressure. And it reminds me of what hip-hop should be all about.
3) “Paper Planes” M.I.A.
2007 has been weird. Straight up. Somehow a Sri Lankan girl named Mathangi Arulpragasm mixed The Clash’s “Straight to Hell” and the chorus of the 2 Live Crew song “Rump Shaker” and created the gangster-est song of the year. Really, some rapper should’ve come up with this song before she got to it. The sample of “Straight to Hell” creates a reggae-like backing (fitting for The Clash, a punk band who was heavily influenced by reggae) that sets the stage for M.I.A.’s boasting of “bonafide hustler making my name”. The chorus is basically gun shots and a cash register ka-ching dispersed around a couple words. Somehow it comes out like genius. It’s official: Sri Lankans can be gangsta. And they will “take your money”.
4) “Sleeping Lessons” The Shins
This is the highest ranked song that is actually… a band. That’s probably a little late I’d say, even for me. But in my mind this was a year that hip-hop trumped rock, indie rock, electronic, techno, reggae, everything really. Anyways, this song starts out beautifully, with an intro that sounds very much like a harp or something of the sort. In a dreamlike state singer James Mercer sings “And glow/glow/Melt and flow/Eviscerate your fragile frame/And spill it out in the ragged floor/A thousand different versions of yourself”. In my mind, the song is about open-mindedness and having the ability to believe in whatever the hell you want to. This is reiterated in the repeated line “Jump from the hook/You’re not obliged to swallow anything that you despise”. Two-and-a-half-ish minutes into the song the guitar and drums finally kick in and you get a song closer to their Chutes Too Narrow opener “Kissing the Lipless”. Never a bad thing.
5) “Throw Some D’s” Rich Boy
I heard this song roughly two months, maybe four months before his album dropped. I was expecting huge things from him, for reasons I am about to list. Then the album dropped. And after listening to Rich Boy’s self-titled debut album, I realized that he wasn’t huge. He wasn’t even big. He was barely above passable. He simply doesn’t have it. And even despite this huge disappointment, I’m still amazed how he pulled it all together for at least one song, that being “Throw Some D’s”. Butta and Polow Da Don’s masterful production probably has a bit to do with it, as the mixture between soul, bass, and video game sounds somehow makes love to my auditory senses. I’ll mark that down for the future. But even in competition with the beat, Rich Boy’s rhymes about rims, selling dope, and gettin’ hos blow just about every other mainstream rap song this year out of the water.
6) “Blu Collar Workers” Blu & Exile
I almost wish that they had released this song on a later album, because at least it would’ve had a chance of hitting the radio. And it really belongs on the radio. The sung chorus makes it an enjoyable one, as he pleads “Please don’t take it personal/But I gotta go and work some more/And I know deep down it hurts your soul/But I’m a blu collar worker, girl”. And this isn’t Eminem singing to his daughter or 50 singing to… bitches?. It’s actually pretty good. Even the subject matter fits on the radio, as he raps about the way the ladies perceive his rap career. It’s a downright fun jam.
7) “Stronger” Kanye West
I’m half-putting this on here because it’s a great rap song, half-because it’s a mainstream tribute to French electronic magicians Daft Punk, half-because I’m so surprised that this song was so widely embraced. And those 1.5 reasons are why it chills in this year top ten. The analysis probably isn’t necessary because everyone and the mother-in-law have heard this song. This song is just redeeming for me. It put electronic music on mainstream radio. It serves as legit contender for Pump-Up Song of the year (it’s going to be a couple years before you stop hearing “Stronger” at sporting events, and a couple decades before CBS stops using it for interludes to pre-game NFL pieces). And most of all, it made black teenagers figure out who the hell Kate Moss was, and even better, made them curious to how the hell she’s a famous model.
8) “Archangel” Burial
It’s hard for me to explain some songs. Partially because I’m overwhelmed by emotions… mostly because I’m not educated in enough musical technicalities to explain shit. Any who, this is my first electronic song in the list, created by an anonymous London artist who goes simply by the name of Burial. The song starts off with an industrial drum beat that sounds like it was created in the basement boiler room of abandoned warehouse in Eastern Europe. Don’t ask me how I came up with that. But I swear that’s the sound. Almost immediately after the music starts, a few barely audible lyrics are sung over it. And repeated. And a few more come in. And repeated. And I am overwhelmed by emotions… and am wondering how exactly I could explain this song to somebody. And it’s haunting and beautiful.
9) “A Paw in My Face” The Field
Swedish electronic artist Axel Willner, also known as The Field (I’ll let the “the” name slide this time because the song is so good, but I’m not letting The Edge or The Dream off easy on this one) creates the best minimalist song of the year. Again, it’s repeated electronic music, but it almost seems to have words, creating verses and hooks and choruses, albeit long ones. The song is perfect from start to end, but the full payoff doesn’t come until the end of the song, which includes a short jazzy outro that satisfies the song and ties it up as a whole. You really just have to have to listen it and draw your own conclusions.
10) “All My Friends” LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem is normally known for making innovative, somewhat offbeat electronic music. This song would probably be considered a change of pace for them, but in my opinion it is undoubtedly the best song on their critically acclaimed album Sound of Silver. The quickly-paced keyboard intro sets the pace for an eight minute marathon of living life without regret. The song does a great job of picking up steam throughout, almost like the stakes are getting higher and higher as the song goes on. I consider that quite the amazing task to complete, given the length of the song and all. This is a song that I had much lower at the start of the list-making process, but it continued to move up with every listen.
11) “In Remembrance of Me” Blu & Exile
Well if you haven’t figured out by now, I feel pretty strongly about Blu & Exile’s debut album. Lyrically, this might be Blu’s most perfect work. This song contains by far the best storytelling out of anything created this year, possibly in a very long time. There are no lyrics sites online that have this song, so to get the lyrics I literally had to listen and come up with what I heard. I’ll just give it to you:
“It seemed like yesterday we was chasing the ice cream truck/Now we hopin’ that our eyes blink/Plus its kinda crazy, right?/One minute you a baby/and the next you sexin without protection and you holding the baby/Like damn, I was just in your shoes/Now you the papa that was just in their shoes/Teachin them to walk straight/Cuz honestly they got a long way to go/And now what you tell them is all that they know/See I remember when my folks said you’ll know I mean when you get older/I was only a teen, thinking that I was a grown-up/Please, I had so much to see/Thinking that the little I saw is all that the world had to offer to me/At eighteen I headed off in the streets without guidance/Just the eyes of God watching over me as time went/I spent hours working nine to fives to survive/Me and Jack up in the shack started hustling sacks/just to eat chips and soda/We thinking we’re gonna blow up once this demo gets done/We gonna be stretched out riding limos and such/Boy I was just a dreamer/Rockin’ shows like I win gold/you shoulda seen us/We was full of youth/Not yet abused by time/I saw the whole world through my rhymes/It’s kinda crazy, right?
This reminds me of Junior High/You and I first met/’96 was a year that I could never forget/Sunsets, dance, kisses, chickenheads/Spreadin’ rumors ‘Blu’s cheatin on Shamika with Anika’/We was bad ditchin’ class/grass had us all gassed/I never smoked/Played ball/Thought it’d make me choke/By the way, we lost the championship game by one/Slow fucker hit three at the buzzer/My heart sunk/I was trying to be a pro baller/My first fuck was that year/still I don’t call her/My own father brought me over to her house that weekend/He was cheating so I lost my big V while he was beaten/In the other room/Not yet abused by time/I saw the whole world through that girl’s eyes/It’s kinda crazy, though/How time flies/How it flies/My grandpa died the same year/My mom thought I was to young to make this song/Because I’m only twenty-two/But y’all boy has a long path behind him/I’m walkin in the shoes of giant/And I was a fan of Jordan before I knew Bryant/Lost my great gray suit/But I was done tryin/I hid tears behind my suit attire/Now you can find through my rhyming/Cuz my time has come/and you’ll know my whole story by the time I get done/Rising like the shinin sun/Reminding you how we came/We rich now/We used to be slaves/We pushing whips now/We used to be whipped/Rockin chains/when we used to be in them/Still complaining that we victims in the system/Shit is twisted for shit/We came a long ass way/Yet it just feels like one long day/Shit amazes me/How time flies”
12) “Girls Like Mystery” The Cribs
The Cribs are always good for at least one fun, singable piece of pop perfection per album (though their last album contained four of them). Regardless, the English trio strikes gold again with this song. It’s a very simple song about the fact that… girls like mystery? Yes, apparently they do, and The Cribs know it. This song may be their best song yet. And yes, I’m making this review short because of the “In Remembrance of Me” marathon right before it. But really, there isn’t much to analyze. The song is just awesome.
13) “The Glory” Kanye West
Kanye’s just having fun here. He pulls out everything here. “The Glory” contains probably his best rhymes on the entire underrated album Graduation. His flow continues to add to the song with every line. The sample he uses is top 3 on the album (along with the Daft Punk on “Stronger” and Labi Siffre on “I Wonder”). And he didn’t forget get to use a gospel chorus backing led by oft-used, rarely misused John Legend. By time you get “I know, I know/I look better in real life”, you know this is one of ‘Ye’s standouts. I really don’t understand how Graduation was Kanye’s worst-reviewed album. He got rid of the bullshit skits that plagued his previous albums. His choices of samples were extremely eclectic at worst; it’s obvious that he has branched out even further in his musical tastes. Most of all, the amount of standout tracks (“Champion”, “Stronger”, “I Wonder”, “The Glory”, “Big Brother”, “Flashing Lights”) far outweighs the clunkers (“Barry Bonds”, arguably “Drunk and Hot Girls”, though I’ve grown to enjoy it for what it is).
14) “A Strange Education” The Cinematics
The Cinematics (first Scottish Band tally of the night) debut album, also titled A Strange Education, contains a lot of diverse sounds and styles. Not saying that I was a huge fan of it, because I wasn’t. But the song “A Strange Education” is a totally different story. In remarkably enough, it’s probably the most straight-ahead rocker on the album. And I hate straight-ahead. Anyways, the song starts and continues almost in a dreamer manner, using guitars that sound like they belong in a post-rock band. Lead singer Scott Rinner’s voice is perfect in capturing this Scottish love-rock-ballad-like-thing (okay, the only thing that makes it Scottish-ish is the fact that they’re Scottish).
15) “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” Radiohead
I like it when Radiohead makes songs with guitars and stuff. Y’know, not completely made on a computer. Sometimes that’s mad cool, though (see “Idioteque”). But “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” is not made completely on a computer. And that’s a good thing. The acoustic guitar sounds pretty good, especially the intro. And Thom Yorke’s voice continually and gradually gets more and more desperate and intense sounding, exuding an emotion that, as a listener, places you inside-looking-out, rather than the reverse. The best song on a pretty incredible album.
The Best of the Rest
16) “Flashing Lights” Kanye West
17) “The Greater Times” Electrelane
18)“Australia” The Shins
19) “Reckoner” Radiohead
20) “The Past Is a Grotesque Animal” of Montreal
21) “Fluorescent Adolescent” Arctic Monkeys
22) “Roc Boys” Jay-Z
23) “Littlest Things” Lily Allen
24) “Champion” Kanye West
25) “Vampire” Hot Rod Circuit
26) “I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” Black Kids
27) “Us Placers” Child Rebel Soldiers
28) “Coffee” Aesop Rock
29) “Bonafied Lovin’ (Tough Guys)” Chromeo
30) “Young Folks” Peter Bjorn and John
31) “Black Mags” The Cool Kids
32) “69” T-Pain
33) “Longing For” Jah Cure
34) “In Transit” Albert Hammond, Jr.
35) “Me & Mr. Jones” Amy Winehouse
36) “Mistaken For Strangers” The National
37) “Play Your Cards Right” Common
38) “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” Radiohead
39) “Bartender” T-Pain
40) “Crank That” Soulja Boy
41) “Because of You” Ne-Yo
42) “Same Girl” R. Kelly and Usher
43) “Go Getta” Young Jeezy
44) “People in Love” Art Brut
45) “The People” Common
46) “Pussyole (Oldskool)” Dizzee Rascal
47) “The Way I Are” Timbaland
48) “Smile” Lily Allen
49) “Ali in the Jungle” The Hours
50) “Men’s Needs” The Cribs
Other Notes
Overall, this year was just awful for albums. I was going to come up with an album list, but I literally could only come up with a handful. Blu & Exile’s “Below the Heavens” was my undoubted number one, though. If I were to make a list, I’d include Radiohead’s “In Rainbows”, Jah Cure’s excellent reggae comeback “True Reflections… A New Beginning”, and “Graduation” somewhere in the top 5.
Albums I was looking forward to the most this year: Thrice, Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, and Jay-Z. Thrice, Bloc Party and Lupe Fiasco all massively disappointed me (they couldn’t even fit a song into my top 50). Dizzee’s album wasn’t even remotely close to his remarkable debut… I’m afraid he’s listened to too many execs and he’s getting further and further away from his old sound. Arctic Monkeys’ album grew on me a lot, but the first half of the album is still nearly unlistenable. Kanye threw it down, though.
I’m not including “Hey There Delilah” because they recorded the song in like 1972 (or 2004-ish). They whored the song out for like 4 years praying that it would catch on, and somehow it actually worked in 2007 (“Cupid’s Chokehold” did it in 2006). Believe it or not it would actually be somewhere on this list if the circumstances were otherwise. Now I’m just expecting Something Corporate’s “Konstantine” to be a number one single in 2008.
Best music video of the year was also the number one song on my list. The video just adds to the fun. Scariest video of the year… BY FAR “Coffee” by Aesop Rock. Try watching that shit alone at 5am when you’re wasted. I had me some nightmares.
Most annoying song time extension due to hidden track at the end: “Coffee”. I have like zero ITunes plays for it because there’s no way I’m ever waiting around for four minutes of silence in between the real song and the hidden song.
Songs on the list that you probably haven’t heard yet that I didn’t make full write-ups about (aka just listen to them): “Black Mags” The Cool Kids, “Bonafied Lovin’” Chromeo, “Longing For” Jah Cure (watch the live YouTube clips for the full effect), “Ali in the Jungle” The Hours.
Song I couldn’t decide whether it was good or bad of the year: “Pro Nails” Kid Sister ft. Kanye West
Song completely ruined by radio editing of the year: “Throw Some D’s” Rich Boy
Prediction on how many songs from 2007 I’ll hear in 2008 and realize that they should’ve made the 2007 List, making me regretful and sad: 14
Amount of songs I had to reconsider the rank of so that I could knock “Ayo Technology” out of the Top 50, solely on the basis that I didn’t feel comfortable having 50 Cent on my list: 4
Amount of times I reconsidered putting “Ayo Technology” back in the Top 50, solely on the basis that it is almost entirely about internet porn: 3
Although it’s very early in the year, the only song I’ve heard in 2008 that I’m positive will make next year’s list is “We’re Looking for a Lot of Love” by Hot Chip. I’m guessing that it’s going to stay in the top 10.
1) “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” UGK ft. Outkast
Overall, this is the year’s perfect hip-hop jam. Or at least mine. Andre 3000 begins the song poetically with all sorts of mind-blowingly good play-on-word and metaphoric lines (examples include “And I apologize if this message gets you down/Then I CC’d every girl that I’d see see around town” and “I’m so like a pip, I’m glad it’s night”… Gladys Knight and the Pips, get it?). If it was just ‘Dre on the whole song, I’d probably still give it a 5. Almost one-upping him on the second verse is Pimp C who bumps the shit out of the song, almost immediately reversing the polarity of poetic flow into a Southern Rap Barbeque Jam. In verse three, Bun B continues where his late partner leaves off… possibly not on par with the intelligent lyrics of Andre 3000, but UGK’s flow is simply impeccable. It’s almost impossible to not bounce up-and-down to the “anthem”. The only slight misfire on the song is Big Boi’s verse, partially because I’ve never really been a fan of him, partially because it half-kills the momentum/vibe of the song. It’s delivered too slowly and the sublime beat almost completely cuts out until the end. But I haven’t even touched the beat yet. It’s absolutely wonderful, soulful, gospel, beautiful, whatever. My goal in this review isn’t to completely and totally analyze the song and beat the shit out of it; it’s for you to listen to it. It’s great. It was a pretty clear choice for me that this song was number one.
2) “Dancing in the Rain” Blu & Exile
You like hip-hop? Eh? Okay go listen to Blu & Exile. Right now they are the best underground hip-hop group out there and it’s truly a shame that nobody’s heard of them. This is the highest-rated song out of the three I included (in the top 11) from their debut album “Below the Heavens”, which I believe is the Album of the Year, regardless of the genre. Blu is a relatively unknown (okay, completely unknown) 24-year old MC from Southern California and his partner Exile is a fairly well-known underground hip-hop producer from Los Angeles. Blu wrote this song when he was 19, and it shows with the youthful feeling to it. Exile produces by far the most chill beat of the year, mixing in a guitar with an old-school drums-n-bass line. Blu speaks of the struggles of being a young urban teenager, being a writer, being an artist, being a person in this crazy, hectic world of ours. He explains that all of this pain can at least be temporarily relieved by just letting loose: “Don’t nobody wanna dance slow in the rain/So just move your ass, Just move your ass/Don’t nobody wanna liberate the weight of the pain/So just move your ass”. No offense to my idol Common, but if he had released this song, it probably would’ve been labeled a classic. It’s an idealistic song in the wake of pain and pressure. And it reminds me of what hip-hop should be all about.
3) “Paper Planes” M.I.A.
2007 has been weird. Straight up. Somehow a Sri Lankan girl named Mathangi Arulpragasm mixed The Clash’s “Straight to Hell” and the chorus of the 2 Live Crew song “Rump Shaker” and created the gangster-est song of the year. Really, some rapper should’ve come up with this song before she got to it. The sample of “Straight to Hell” creates a reggae-like backing (fitting for The Clash, a punk band who was heavily influenced by reggae) that sets the stage for M.I.A.’s boasting of “bonafide hustler making my name”. The chorus is basically gun shots and a cash register ka-ching dispersed around a couple words. Somehow it comes out like genius. It’s official: Sri Lankans can be gangsta. And they will “take your money”.
4) “Sleeping Lessons” The Shins
This is the highest ranked song that is actually… a band. That’s probably a little late I’d say, even for me. But in my mind this was a year that hip-hop trumped rock, indie rock, electronic, techno, reggae, everything really. Anyways, this song starts out beautifully, with an intro that sounds very much like a harp or something of the sort. In a dreamlike state singer James Mercer sings “And glow/glow/Melt and flow/Eviscerate your fragile frame/And spill it out in the ragged floor/A thousand different versions of yourself”. In my mind, the song is about open-mindedness and having the ability to believe in whatever the hell you want to. This is reiterated in the repeated line “Jump from the hook/You’re not obliged to swallow anything that you despise”. Two-and-a-half-ish minutes into the song the guitar and drums finally kick in and you get a song closer to their Chutes Too Narrow opener “Kissing the Lipless”. Never a bad thing.
5) “Throw Some D’s” Rich Boy
I heard this song roughly two months, maybe four months before his album dropped. I was expecting huge things from him, for reasons I am about to list. Then the album dropped. And after listening to Rich Boy’s self-titled debut album, I realized that he wasn’t huge. He wasn’t even big. He was barely above passable. He simply doesn’t have it. And even despite this huge disappointment, I’m still amazed how he pulled it all together for at least one song, that being “Throw Some D’s”. Butta and Polow Da Don’s masterful production probably has a bit to do with it, as the mixture between soul, bass, and video game sounds somehow makes love to my auditory senses. I’ll mark that down for the future. But even in competition with the beat, Rich Boy’s rhymes about rims, selling dope, and gettin’ hos blow just about every other mainstream rap song this year out of the water.
6) “Blu Collar Workers” Blu & Exile
I almost wish that they had released this song on a later album, because at least it would’ve had a chance of hitting the radio. And it really belongs on the radio. The sung chorus makes it an enjoyable one, as he pleads “Please don’t take it personal/But I gotta go and work some more/And I know deep down it hurts your soul/But I’m a blu collar worker, girl”. And this isn’t Eminem singing to his daughter or 50 singing to… bitches?. It’s actually pretty good. Even the subject matter fits on the radio, as he raps about the way the ladies perceive his rap career. It’s a downright fun jam.
7) “Stronger” Kanye West
I’m half-putting this on here because it’s a great rap song, half-because it’s a mainstream tribute to French electronic magicians Daft Punk, half-because I’m so surprised that this song was so widely embraced. And those 1.5 reasons are why it chills in this year top ten. The analysis probably isn’t necessary because everyone and the mother-in-law have heard this song. This song is just redeeming for me. It put electronic music on mainstream radio. It serves as legit contender for Pump-Up Song of the year (it’s going to be a couple years before you stop hearing “Stronger” at sporting events, and a couple decades before CBS stops using it for interludes to pre-game NFL pieces). And most of all, it made black teenagers figure out who the hell Kate Moss was, and even better, made them curious to how the hell she’s a famous model.
8) “Archangel” Burial
It’s hard for me to explain some songs. Partially because I’m overwhelmed by emotions… mostly because I’m not educated in enough musical technicalities to explain shit. Any who, this is my first electronic song in the list, created by an anonymous London artist who goes simply by the name of Burial. The song starts off with an industrial drum beat that sounds like it was created in the basement boiler room of abandoned warehouse in Eastern Europe. Don’t ask me how I came up with that. But I swear that’s the sound. Almost immediately after the music starts, a few barely audible lyrics are sung over it. And repeated. And a few more come in. And repeated. And I am overwhelmed by emotions… and am wondering how exactly I could explain this song to somebody. And it’s haunting and beautiful.
9) “A Paw in My Face” The Field
Swedish electronic artist Axel Willner, also known as The Field (I’ll let the “the” name slide this time because the song is so good, but I’m not letting The Edge or The Dream off easy on this one) creates the best minimalist song of the year. Again, it’s repeated electronic music, but it almost seems to have words, creating verses and hooks and choruses, albeit long ones. The song is perfect from start to end, but the full payoff doesn’t come until the end of the song, which includes a short jazzy outro that satisfies the song and ties it up as a whole. You really just have to have to listen it and draw your own conclusions.
10) “All My Friends” LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem is normally known for making innovative, somewhat offbeat electronic music. This song would probably be considered a change of pace for them, but in my opinion it is undoubtedly the best song on their critically acclaimed album Sound of Silver. The quickly-paced keyboard intro sets the pace for an eight minute marathon of living life without regret. The song does a great job of picking up steam throughout, almost like the stakes are getting higher and higher as the song goes on. I consider that quite the amazing task to complete, given the length of the song and all. This is a song that I had much lower at the start of the list-making process, but it continued to move up with every listen.
11) “In Remembrance of Me” Blu & Exile
Well if you haven’t figured out by now, I feel pretty strongly about Blu & Exile’s debut album. Lyrically, this might be Blu’s most perfect work. This song contains by far the best storytelling out of anything created this year, possibly in a very long time. There are no lyrics sites online that have this song, so to get the lyrics I literally had to listen and come up with what I heard. I’ll just give it to you:
“It seemed like yesterday we was chasing the ice cream truck/Now we hopin’ that our eyes blink/Plus its kinda crazy, right?/One minute you a baby/and the next you sexin without protection and you holding the baby/Like damn, I was just in your shoes/Now you the papa that was just in their shoes/Teachin them to walk straight/Cuz honestly they got a long way to go/And now what you tell them is all that they know/See I remember when my folks said you’ll know I mean when you get older/I was only a teen, thinking that I was a grown-up/Please, I had so much to see/Thinking that the little I saw is all that the world had to offer to me/At eighteen I headed off in the streets without guidance/Just the eyes of God watching over me as time went/I spent hours working nine to fives to survive/Me and Jack up in the shack started hustling sacks/just to eat chips and soda/We thinking we’re gonna blow up once this demo gets done/We gonna be stretched out riding limos and such/Boy I was just a dreamer/Rockin’ shows like I win gold/you shoulda seen us/We was full of youth/Not yet abused by time/I saw the whole world through my rhymes/It’s kinda crazy, right?
This reminds me of Junior High/You and I first met/’96 was a year that I could never forget/Sunsets, dance, kisses, chickenheads/Spreadin’ rumors ‘Blu’s cheatin on Shamika with Anika’/We was bad ditchin’ class/grass had us all gassed/I never smoked/Played ball/Thought it’d make me choke/By the way, we lost the championship game by one/Slow fucker hit three at the buzzer/My heart sunk/I was trying to be a pro baller/My first fuck was that year/still I don’t call her/My own father brought me over to her house that weekend/He was cheating so I lost my big V while he was beaten/In the other room/Not yet abused by time/I saw the whole world through that girl’s eyes/It’s kinda crazy, though/How time flies/How it flies/My grandpa died the same year/My mom thought I was to young to make this song/Because I’m only twenty-two/But y’all boy has a long path behind him/I’m walkin in the shoes of giant/And I was a fan of Jordan before I knew Bryant/Lost my great gray suit/But I was done tryin/I hid tears behind my suit attire/Now you can find through my rhyming/Cuz my time has come/and you’ll know my whole story by the time I get done/Rising like the shinin sun/Reminding you how we came/We rich now/We used to be slaves/We pushing whips now/We used to be whipped/Rockin chains/when we used to be in them/Still complaining that we victims in the system/Shit is twisted for shit/We came a long ass way/Yet it just feels like one long day/Shit amazes me/How time flies”
12) “Girls Like Mystery” The Cribs
The Cribs are always good for at least one fun, singable piece of pop perfection per album (though their last album contained four of them). Regardless, the English trio strikes gold again with this song. It’s a very simple song about the fact that… girls like mystery? Yes, apparently they do, and The Cribs know it. This song may be their best song yet. And yes, I’m making this review short because of the “In Remembrance of Me” marathon right before it. But really, there isn’t much to analyze. The song is just awesome.
13) “The Glory” Kanye West
Kanye’s just having fun here. He pulls out everything here. “The Glory” contains probably his best rhymes on the entire underrated album Graduation. His flow continues to add to the song with every line. The sample he uses is top 3 on the album (along with the Daft Punk on “Stronger” and Labi Siffre on “I Wonder”). And he didn’t forget get to use a gospel chorus backing led by oft-used, rarely misused John Legend. By time you get “I know, I know/I look better in real life”, you know this is one of ‘Ye’s standouts. I really don’t understand how Graduation was Kanye’s worst-reviewed album. He got rid of the bullshit skits that plagued his previous albums. His choices of samples were extremely eclectic at worst; it’s obvious that he has branched out even further in his musical tastes. Most of all, the amount of standout tracks (“Champion”, “Stronger”, “I Wonder”, “The Glory”, “Big Brother”, “Flashing Lights”) far outweighs the clunkers (“Barry Bonds”, arguably “Drunk and Hot Girls”, though I’ve grown to enjoy it for what it is).
14) “A Strange Education” The Cinematics
The Cinematics (first Scottish Band tally of the night) debut album, also titled A Strange Education, contains a lot of diverse sounds and styles. Not saying that I was a huge fan of it, because I wasn’t. But the song “A Strange Education” is a totally different story. In remarkably enough, it’s probably the most straight-ahead rocker on the album. And I hate straight-ahead. Anyways, the song starts and continues almost in a dreamer manner, using guitars that sound like they belong in a post-rock band. Lead singer Scott Rinner’s voice is perfect in capturing this Scottish love-rock-ballad-like-thing (okay, the only thing that makes it Scottish-ish is the fact that they’re Scottish).
15) “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” Radiohead
I like it when Radiohead makes songs with guitars and stuff. Y’know, not completely made on a computer. Sometimes that’s mad cool, though (see “Idioteque”). But “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” is not made completely on a computer. And that’s a good thing. The acoustic guitar sounds pretty good, especially the intro. And Thom Yorke’s voice continually and gradually gets more and more desperate and intense sounding, exuding an emotion that, as a listener, places you inside-looking-out, rather than the reverse. The best song on a pretty incredible album.
The Best of the Rest
16) “Flashing Lights” Kanye West
17) “The Greater Times” Electrelane
18)“Australia” The Shins
19) “Reckoner” Radiohead
20) “The Past Is a Grotesque Animal” of Montreal
21) “Fluorescent Adolescent” Arctic Monkeys
22) “Roc Boys” Jay-Z
23) “Littlest Things” Lily Allen
24) “Champion” Kanye West
25) “Vampire” Hot Rod Circuit
26) “I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” Black Kids
27) “Us Placers” Child Rebel Soldiers
28) “Coffee” Aesop Rock
29) “Bonafied Lovin’ (Tough Guys)” Chromeo
30) “Young Folks” Peter Bjorn and John
31) “Black Mags” The Cool Kids
32) “69” T-Pain
33) “Longing For” Jah Cure
34) “In Transit” Albert Hammond, Jr.
35) “Me & Mr. Jones” Amy Winehouse
36) “Mistaken For Strangers” The National
37) “Play Your Cards Right” Common
38) “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” Radiohead
39) “Bartender” T-Pain
40) “Crank That” Soulja Boy
41) “Because of You” Ne-Yo
42) “Same Girl” R. Kelly and Usher
43) “Go Getta” Young Jeezy
44) “People in Love” Art Brut
45) “The People” Common
46) “Pussyole (Oldskool)” Dizzee Rascal
47) “The Way I Are” Timbaland
48) “Smile” Lily Allen
49) “Ali in the Jungle” The Hours
50) “Men’s Needs” The Cribs
Other Notes
Overall, this year was just awful for albums. I was going to come up with an album list, but I literally could only come up with a handful. Blu & Exile’s “Below the Heavens” was my undoubted number one, though. If I were to make a list, I’d include Radiohead’s “In Rainbows”, Jah Cure’s excellent reggae comeback “True Reflections… A New Beginning”, and “Graduation” somewhere in the top 5.
Albums I was looking forward to the most this year: Thrice, Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, and Jay-Z. Thrice, Bloc Party and Lupe Fiasco all massively disappointed me (they couldn’t even fit a song into my top 50). Dizzee’s album wasn’t even remotely close to his remarkable debut… I’m afraid he’s listened to too many execs and he’s getting further and further away from his old sound. Arctic Monkeys’ album grew on me a lot, but the first half of the album is still nearly unlistenable. Kanye threw it down, though.
I’m not including “Hey There Delilah” because they recorded the song in like 1972 (or 2004-ish). They whored the song out for like 4 years praying that it would catch on, and somehow it actually worked in 2007 (“Cupid’s Chokehold” did it in 2006). Believe it or not it would actually be somewhere on this list if the circumstances were otherwise. Now I’m just expecting Something Corporate’s “Konstantine” to be a number one single in 2008.
Best music video of the year was also the number one song on my list. The video just adds to the fun. Scariest video of the year… BY FAR “Coffee” by Aesop Rock. Try watching that shit alone at 5am when you’re wasted. I had me some nightmares.
Most annoying song time extension due to hidden track at the end: “Coffee”. I have like zero ITunes plays for it because there’s no way I’m ever waiting around for four minutes of silence in between the real song and the hidden song.
Songs on the list that you probably haven’t heard yet that I didn’t make full write-ups about (aka just listen to them): “Black Mags” The Cool Kids, “Bonafied Lovin’” Chromeo, “Longing For” Jah Cure (watch the live YouTube clips for the full effect), “Ali in the Jungle” The Hours.
Song I couldn’t decide whether it was good or bad of the year: “Pro Nails” Kid Sister ft. Kanye West
Song completely ruined by radio editing of the year: “Throw Some D’s” Rich Boy
Prediction on how many songs from 2007 I’ll hear in 2008 and realize that they should’ve made the 2007 List, making me regretful and sad: 14
Amount of songs I had to reconsider the rank of so that I could knock “Ayo Technology” out of the Top 50, solely on the basis that I didn’t feel comfortable having 50 Cent on my list: 4
Amount of times I reconsidered putting “Ayo Technology” back in the Top 50, solely on the basis that it is almost entirely about internet porn: 3
Although it’s very early in the year, the only song I’ve heard in 2008 that I’m positive will make next year’s list is “We’re Looking for a Lot of Love” by Hot Chip. I’m guessing that it’s going to stay in the top 10.
AutoTune & Heartbreak
Today was the first day of immersion into Kanye's 808's and Heartbreak. And after about three hours I still don't know what to think. Everybody's heard the singles by now, and yeah... the whole album is sung in AutoTune. I assumed I would probably still like it, since I can listen to just about anything and enjoy it these days. I can't say I don't like it... I like the concept, some of the songs are fairly dope, but it just seems like he got lazy with it. The album got finished waaaay ahead of schedule, and I think it clearly shows. I'll probably have a better idea on how I feel about it in a couple days.
By the way... GO BILLS! I'm not ready to get excited yet, because after all it was the Chiefs, but at least they showed they can produce against a bad team. 54 points against anybody isn't anything to scoff at. Big ups to Leodis McKelvin... apparently you were worth a first round pick.
Two days til I leave back to Rochester for Thanksgiving. Should be fun stuff.
Games I Watched (at least part of)
Buffalo vs. Kansas City (NFL) (Yeah!!!!!!)
NY football Giants vs. Arizona (NFL)
Philadelphia vs. Golden State (NBA)
San Diego vs. Indy (NFL)
Minnesota vs. Detroit (NBA)
LA Lakers vs. Sacramento (NBA)
Players Who Killed It
Leodis fuckin' McKelvin!
Trent Edwards
Andre Miller
Randy Foye
Kobe Bryant
Jason Thompson
Bobby Brown
Listen to
"Paranoid" Kanye West
"Robocop" Kanye West
"Love Hangover" Kidz in the Hall feat. Estelle
By the way... GO BILLS! I'm not ready to get excited yet, because after all it was the Chiefs, but at least they showed they can produce against a bad team. 54 points against anybody isn't anything to scoff at. Big ups to Leodis McKelvin... apparently you were worth a first round pick.
Two days til I leave back to Rochester for Thanksgiving. Should be fun stuff.
Games I Watched (at least part of)
Buffalo vs. Kansas City (NFL) (Yeah!!!!!!)
NY football Giants vs. Arizona (NFL)
Philadelphia vs. Golden State (NBA)
San Diego vs. Indy (NFL)
Minnesota vs. Detroit (NBA)
LA Lakers vs. Sacramento (NBA)
Players Who Killed It
Leodis fuckin' McKelvin!
Trent Edwards
Andre Miller
Randy Foye
Kobe Bryant
Jason Thompson
Bobby Brown
Listen to
"Paranoid" Kanye West
"Robocop" Kanye West
"Love Hangover" Kidz in the Hall feat. Estelle
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Day One
I figure I'm going to try to update this every day... just to make sure I actually write in this. I've tried to make a bunch of other sites... but I think I got too ambitious and ahead of myself with it. So I decided to just make a very simplistic blog.
Games Watched:
Buffalo vs. Bowling Green (yesterday) (NCAAF) (Go Bulls! MAC EAST CHAMPS!!)
Oklahoma City vs. New Orleans (NBA)
Cleveland vs. Atlanta (NBA)
Phoenix vs. Portland (NBA)
Players Most Impressed By Tonight:
LeBron James... of course.
Grant Hill... it's only the second period at the moment but he came out with some ENERGY tonight.
Listen To:
"Paper Trail" Kidz in the Hall
"The Pledge" Kidz in the Hall
"Electric Feel" MGMT
Games Watched:
Buffalo vs. Bowling Green (yesterday) (NCAAF) (Go Bulls! MAC EAST CHAMPS!!)
Oklahoma City vs. New Orleans (NBA)
Cleveland vs. Atlanta (NBA)
Phoenix vs. Portland (NBA)
Players Most Impressed By Tonight:
LeBron James... of course.
Grant Hill... it's only the second period at the moment but he came out with some ENERGY tonight.
Listen To:
"Paper Trail" Kidz in the Hall
"The Pledge" Kidz in the Hall
"Electric Feel" MGMT
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