Blast From The Past: Masta Killla’s “No Said Date”
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Although the quietest and most mysterious member of the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as the last to release a solo disc, many hip-hop purists consider Masta Killa?s razor-sharp 2004 debut to be one of the group’s most powerful. Avoiding the overwrought dynamics which plagued much of the later Wu-work, Masta Killer rhymes hard over pulsing beats from the cream of the Clan?s production team. Among the best? Try the tempo-shifting funk of “School,” the unrelenting venom of ?Grab The Mic,? and even the classic vibe of the Sanford and Son-throwback ?Old Man.? Although it remains one of the more obscure releases from the Wu-Tang camp, ?No Said Date? is certainly a stunner.
“Old Man” video (ft. ODB & RZA):
Daily Dose - 2/28/08
News:
-Carly Simon to release newest disc on Starbucks’ Hear Music - Billboard
-NME Awards still dwell on Arctic Monkeys - MTV UK
-A new look at the face of Bach - Reuters
Artist Of The Day:
Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy represents everything we love about rap. This hardass, trash-talking Atlanta native spits nonstop about selling coke, killing people, selling coke, assaulting people, and selling coke. But Jeezy’s thematic repetition is balanced by a lethal combination of slang, unflinching frankness and urban paranoia. Check out “I Luv It,” from 2006’s The Inspiration, his most visceral single.
“I Luv It” video:
Anatomy Of A Letter of Complaint
As an arts critic, I offer my thoughts and opinions for the world at large to read, analyze and judge. Much like the musicians who put themselves into the limelight for me to inspect, readers in turn ponder my work, validating it through links or damning it through letters.
Unfortunately, there is a difference between valid criticism and frothing rants. I try to craft my reviews with careful deliberation and ample research, and in turn, I hope that the public is intelligent enough to afford me the same courtesy when reaching out. To my eye, there are two types of constructive criticism: factual corrections (such as a reader pointing out the time I accidentally published a piece which mixed up the last names of Kims Gordon and Deal - a regret which still makes me shudder to this day) and well-composed critical responses (alternate viewpoints on an album which may sound dissonant on first listens but ages well over time).
That is why I am flabbergasted at letters like the one posted below, which ran in Thursday’s issue of The Ithacan. The author, one Michael Gunter from Hopatcong, New Jersey, is an interesting fellow. He called into question my less-than-flattering review of Lenny Kravitz’s It Is Time For A Love Revolution, which ran in the paper on February 14th. The article was posted online here, apparently found by Gunter via Google. Interestingly enough, a similar search on the letter’s author uncovered that he is a middle-aged, hard-working Kravitz apologist, who has written long essays defending his hero to sources ranging from the BBC Manchester website to the St. Louis Riverfront Times. It is fine to be a fan, and if you want to express yourself via 13,865 posts on Kravitz’s message board, more power to you. But at least ensure that your letters of concern make sense.
For your viewing pleasure, here is said letter, as it ran in today’s paper. Included are footnotes, which expand after the text to specifically explain why Gunter’s argument lacks coherency.
Daily Dose - 2/27/08
News:
-Stephen King and John Mellencamp finish work on a musical - EW
-Who knew that so many adored Jack Johnson? - Rolling Stone
-Prince needs a hip replacement - NME
Artist Of The Day:
The Beach Boys
Everybody knows them for their surfing tunes, but these masters were truely buoyed by Brian Wilson’s brilliant ear for harmonies. Our favorite track is “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the opening to the critically adored 1966 album Pet Sounds, because of its cascading vocal beauty. Check out this fuzzy but cool video of the song from its original single release.
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”:
Up And Rising: The Whigs
The Whigs are one of the rare bands that Sharp Notes initially wrote off, only to come back later and enjoy. We first heard them last spring as the opening act for OK Go, and were blown away by their energy. Although lead singer / guitarist Parker Gispert was 24 at the time, he looked all of 12, a horse scream escaping from under his mop haircut. Coupled with the thump of a garage-ready rhythm section, this lean Athens, Georgia trio was low on melody but high on youthful vigor. It seemed like a far cry from any preconceived notion of what a band signed to the Dave Matthews-helmed ATO Records might produce.
Sadly, their debut record, 2005’s Give ‘Em All A Big Fat Lip, was as devoid of hooks as their live show, and quickly grew digital dust in the depths of our iTunes. But after snatching a copy of the guys’ just-released sophomore disc, Mission Control, earlier this year, we found ourselves increasingly intrigued with every spin.
At first, the allure was in opening track “Like A Vibration.” As subtle as a punch in the face, this rocker starts off with building drums and guitars, framed by Gispert’ s painfully-gruff vocals - it really sounds as though he regularly snacks on fiberglass. By the start of the second verse, bassist Tim Deaux and an army of overdubbed guitars mimic Nevermind-era Nirvana, so much so that it sounds as if the giants have decide to drop by on the recording.
Right there is the group’s thesis statement - commemorate the glory days of alternative by mixing sweet melodies in with well-produced venom. There isn’t too much originality or lyrical inspiration here (try not to laugh at “Could we just have some fun? / Could we just make to love?”), but that does not damper the wide-eyed excitement the guys clearly felt while making this disc. On “Right Hand On My Heart,” drummer Julian Dorio sounds close to breaking through his skins at any moment. “Production City” steals and overdrives rhythms from former stagemates Franz Ferdinand, offering a grunge take on dance punk. “Sleep Sunshine” even offers an opportunity for minor experimentation, as both a power ballad and alt-country trip are threaded together by Gispert’s paranoid poetry.
Of course, the guys aren’t perfect. A few songs offer the great core of an instrumental detour, but deliver little resonance outside of aimless noodling. And like most modern albums, the disc seems front-loaded with great tracks, only to get soggy in the last third. But in an MP3 age, The Whigs have taken enough cues from the past to record several tracks indelible enough to stick around.
“Right Hand On My Heart” live on Letterman:
Daily Dose - 2/26/08
News:
-Hmmm, it seems like Rihanna couldn’t sing in high school, either - Perez Hilton
-iTunes becomes #2 music retailer, trailing only Wal-Mart - Business Week
-Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus will host the CMT Music Awards - CMT
Artist Of The Day:
Wolf Parade
The Canadian indie heroes are expecting a spring release for their newest disc, which is surprising given their numerous side projects (including singer / keyboardist Spencer Krug’s stunning Sunset Rubdown). Their 2005 debut record, Apologies To The Queen Mary, is still more than worth a listen. Check out this passionate live take on the group’s best song, “I’ll Believe In Anything.”
Janet Flashes Back…and other New Tuesday Releases
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-Janet Jackson - Discipline - Further proving that the elderly can indeed make positive contributions to society, Ms. Jackson returns with her tenth studio album.
-Rocket From The Crypt - RIP - Underrated San Diego rockers release their immortal final concert, a hometown show?from Halloween 2005, in a CD/DVD combo.
-Beach House - Devotion - Ambitious dream pop duo return with their sophomore album, a more nuanced affair than their eponymous 2006 debut.
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-Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)- Allegedly the first in a quickly-released trilogy, Badu’s first full-length in five years is an return to the trademark nu-soul that she helped to pioneer.
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-Webbie - Savage Life 2- We’re guessing that song titles such as “I’m Hot,” “Thuggin,’” “Six 12’s,” and “Doe Doe” will help to narrow this Baton Rouge-based rapper’s target market.
Daily Dose - 2/25/08
News (Of The Weird):
-Headline of the Year: “Jill Scott talks about bra problems” - Yahoo News
-Valerie Bertinelli did drugs with and cheated on Eddie Van Halen - AP
-Noel Gallagher moves away from James Blunt because of?the latter’s?terrible music - NME
Artist Of The Day:
The Frames
After their Grammy win last night, Glen Hansard and Mark?ta Irglov? of the film Once gained quite a bit of attention for their song “Falling Slowly.” Although the tune is beautiful in the film’s recording, Irish band The Frames put an interesting twist on the composition for their 2006 album The Cost. Fronted by Hansard, the group adds a bit of grit to the ditty, making it more palatable for those who found?the performance last night to be a bit schmaltzy.
“Falling Slowly” video:
Genre Specific: Uplifting Trance
Origin:
The U.K. circa 1997
What It Is:
Originating as the happy sibling of Progressive Trance, Uplifting Trance packs in more breakdowns over a backdrop of major chords, filling the listener with a steady?sense of euphoria.
Why You Should Care:
Although naysayers write trance off as the music of drugged-up ravers, it has long been a staple of young people across the world. While this and other styles of techno may be limited?to the fringe club scene in the United States, trance is a lifestyle for many across the world, especially in Europe. Due to its massive popularity, this dance music has been subcategorized into dozens of subtle genres. But if you yearn to connect with world citizens about a type of music, start with Uplifting Trance, whose friendly tones and messages are an excellent primer to the style.
Key Artists:
-Paul Van Dyk - “Nothing But You”
-Daniel Kandi - “Make Me Believe”
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-Art Of Trance - “Love Washes Over” (Airwave Vocal Remix)
Random Review - The Black Crowes’ “Warpaint”
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The Black Crowes -Warpaint (Silver Arrow)
Release Date: March 4, 2008
Rumors of a Led Zeppelin reunion tour must strike fear in the hearts of The Black Crowes. With a blues-soaked crunch reminiscent of the classic rockers, the Crowes are frequently accused of plagiarizing from the Jimmy Page songbook. But critical chiding did not stop the American public from buying millions of Black Crowes records. Unfortunately, if Robert Plant and his men decide to tour again, the Crowes would likely become a second priority to fans.
Even if they became famous as a Zeppelin alternative, it is impossible to dilute the pure energy the Crowes exhibit. Fronted by the dirty pipes of former tabloid fodder Chris Robinson, the sextet?s muscle is as primed as ever on ?Warpaint,? their first studio album since 2001?s ?Lions.? The disc?s first standout is the solid ?Walk Believer Walk,? which recalls the fiery soul of the Crowes? most complete work, explored on albums such as 1994?s ?Amorica.? Like many compositions on ?Warpaint,? the song merges holy words with sinful guitars, dripping with the dirty blues soul which the group has marketed so well. A comparable partner is a take on ?God?s Got It,? originally performed by classic guitarist / preacher Rev. Charlie Jackson. Simpler cuts like ?Oh Josephine,? a lazy back porch ode to a beautiful girl as told through a trippy effects pedal, sound even sweeter amongst some of the more grandiose selections.
Although the disc is solid in sound and feel, if you have an ear for keen lyrics, be sure to stay clear of anything that comes out of Robinson?s mouth. Like classic rockers of yore, he has little use for declaring anything outside of ambiguous messages, rock mantras and well-tread clich?s. In fact, on ?Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution,? Robinson even stifles a laugh while spitting out the knowingly tawdy come-on, ?Put a little grease on my axle now.? Not that dumb words negatively affect the guys? power; lines later, the repetition of ?Don?t you want to see the ships go down with me? anchors the tune?s brightest breakdown.
Ultimately, the Crowes don?t let a non-recording hiatus affect their brand of feel-good rock comfort food. It ain?t rocket science, and sometimes the hooks become a bit soggy, but you have to admire a band for sticking to its roots even as trends come and go.
“Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” video:
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