FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: So Fucking Disco!
This. Is ridiculous!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Cee Lo Green...Is the soul machine!
Don't believe me?
Peep this.
Gnarls Barkley.
Run.
It's a different world!
Then where you come FROM!
Peep this.
Gnarls Barkley.
Run.
It's a different world!
Then where you come FROM!
Riddle Me This?
One of these things is not like the other one.
Wait! Wait! Wait! Cisco Adler is in a three piece hip-hop/alternative group from Malibu? A group that includes a cat on the 1's and 2's named DJ Skeet Skeet? What. The. Fuck? What is this supposed to be? The new N.E.R.D? I thought Cisco Adler was in some underwhelming rock band whose life was being chronicled for some VH1 television show? What, is this his side project? Why do I seem to care so goddamn much? -Sigh- Oh to be wealthy and not have to work...
Earlier...
OH MY GOD!!!!
FILE UNDER: New flava in MY ear!
Bonafied Lovin' [Hatchmatik RMX] - Chromeo ft. Teki
Spotted over at, where else?Discobelle.
Spotted over at, where else?
"Ease on down, ease on down the roaadd!"
FILE UNDER: OH MY GOD!
BROTHAS AND SISTAHS!I SAY BROTHAS AND SISTAHS! Get yo'self to the Hammer Museum. You got til June 8th. Kara Walker. My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love. L.A.'s just been blessed; you'd be a fool to sit this one out. Act like you know.
HAMMER EXHIBITIONS: Kara Walker: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love.
Earlier...
And I be?
BROTHAS AND SISTAHS!I SAY BROTHAS AND SISTAHS! Get yo'self to the Hammer Museum. You got til June 8th. Kara Walker. My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love. L.A.'s just been blessed; you'd be a fool to sit this one out. Act like you know.
Earlier...
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Flashback.
[Big] Pimpin'.
Thursday, March 20th, I'll be wearing my cardigan.
Will you?
Tell me something good!
FILE UNDER: Boy Stop!
Light skin, dark skin, my Asian persuasion...
"...I must admit that Discipline is the most cohesive deep-groove album from La Jackson since Control. Considering that none of her current producers (most notably Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Ne-Yo, and Jermaine Dupri) are particularly known for underground house anthems, the after-hours dance beats that jet-propel you through the first six full songs—from a blacked-out Britney-esque "Feedback" to the funky up-tempo ballad "Can't B Good"—come as a huge, disco-licious surprise. Still, the visual aesthetic here is Irving Klaw bondage chic filtered through Helmut Newton and vintage James Van Der Zee (!); the irresistibly priapic music is simply its sonic complement. The CD artwork and b&w video collage looped on-screen throughout the listening party was full of black PVC, Ohio Player playfulness, and pervy leather. Guest cameos by Ernie Isley on guitar ("Never Letchu Go") and Missy Elliott on vocals ("The 1") nonetheless blend better than you'd think they could under Janet's silky soprano and compulsive need to compete—and succeed—on her own terms..."
So I finally got around to listening to Janet Jackson's Discipline in its entirety this morning. [Well not all the way through. There is no need for tracks 10 -13. (I call it the Midnite Love section) Not on the iPod. I skip em.]
And you know what, it's good. I mean really good. And I'm glad it's good, cause I was sick of -EXPLETIVE DELETED- talking shit about Ms. Jackson, declaring her career dead and shit, and having the audacity to offer such sage advice as take a cue from Beyonce, Rihanna, Ciara, and the like! For a minute it seemed as though nobody had anything good to say about Janet or Discipline. And then I found this. And I chilled the fuck out. Cause girl...you ain't never lied...
VILLAGE VOICE: Janet Jackson's Dungeon Master Chic
Light skin, dark skin, my Asian persuasion...
"...I must admit that Discipline is the most cohesive deep-groove album from La Jackson since Control. Considering that none of her current producers (most notably Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Ne-Yo, and Jermaine Dupri) are particularly known for underground house anthems, the after-hours dance beats that jet-propel you through the first six full songs—from a blacked-out Britney-esque "Feedback" to the funky up-tempo ballad "Can't B Good"—come as a huge, disco-licious surprise. Still, the visual aesthetic here is Irving Klaw bondage chic filtered through Helmut Newton and vintage James Van Der Zee (!); the irresistibly priapic music is simply its sonic complement. The CD artwork and b&w video collage looped on-screen throughout the listening party was full of black PVC, Ohio Player playfulness, and pervy leather. Guest cameos by Ernie Isley on guitar ("Never Letchu Go") and Missy Elliott on vocals ("The 1") nonetheless blend better than you'd think they could under Janet's silky soprano and compulsive need to compete—and succeed—on her own terms..."
So I finally got around to listening to Janet Jackson's Discipline in its entirety this morning. [Well not all the way through. There is no need for tracks 10 -13. (I call it the Midnite Love section) Not on the iPod. I skip em.]
And you know what, it's good. I mean really good. And I'm glad it's good, cause I was sick of -EXPLETIVE DELETED- talking shit about Ms. Jackson, declaring her career dead and shit, and having the audacity to offer such sage advice as take a cue from Beyonce, Rihanna, Ciara, and the like! For a minute it seemed as though nobody had anything good to say about Janet or Discipline. And then I found this. And I chilled the fuck out. Cause girl...you ain't never lied...
Old School Funk for the True Funk Soldiers!
Is it okay to like this song now that's it disappeared from Modern Rock radio and MTV and VH1 aren't beating us over the head with the video forcing us to form an opinion on it? Cause I kinda like it.
For Your Consideration.
Dress you up in my love.
Jamie Lidell. Jim. In stores April 29th.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Love of my life. (Right now)
"Where's all my soul sisters? Let me hear y'all flow sisters..."
2 boys. 2 phones. One lunch break...
BRANDON: This new Janet is kinda good.
TAUWAN: I still need more time with it. My initial response is it starts string but then loses me in the middle. Now Erykah Badu's new CD: loved it the minute i pressed play. It sounds like some parliament funkadelic/bootsy collins shit created in the 70's.
BRANDON: I don't like it.
TAUWAN: Well, we'll agree to disagree on that one then. Haha. Such a -EXPLETIVE DELETED SO THAT I APPEAR TOLERANT AND EASY GOING, CAUSE I AM- what with the whole "ooh girl this janet cd is the lick, but i can't fuck with that crazy afro'd badu shit." lol.
BRANDON: Her shit is weird. It ain't the soul music im used to her putting out.
TAUWAN: Touch. Touche. So obvious she was in the studio with "that shit...."
But that doesn't mean YOU shouldn't press play. Why? Because this album is a revelation. A straight up start to finish, top notch LP drenched in reality, drenched in soul. It's been a minute since we last heard from Erykah, but this album makes up for all that lost time. Trust. From the opener Amerykahn Promise -a Blaxpoitation Grindhouse theater trailer without the visuals -right on down to the bonus track [that's right bonus track] and "safe" first single Honey, Badu opens her mouth, raises a fist, and tells it like it is, in whatever way she deems fit. [Stick around for the end of Me. Some might find the vocal play weird and out of control, but I think it's clever, nicely unexpected and inspired.] It's an ambitious, soul stirring effort, and definitely one of 2008's first headphone masterpieces. No disrespect to my girl Janet, but this is the February 26th release that keeps calling me back...
For fans of: Marvin Gaye/D'Angelo/Parliament/Bootsy Collins/Sly and the Family Stone, etc, etc...
The measure of a man(?).
FILE UNDER: A Moment of Clarity.
That shit ain't cute.
"..Jonah Falcon, 37, a cable-television host in New York who's gained worldwide recognition for his 13 1/2-inch length, attributes losing his virginity at the age of 10 (with a woman eight years his senior) to nothing more complicated than his size. He has also observed something far more miraculous: So great is man's obsession with size, such are the power and mysticism radiated by a superlative specimen, that some are willing to compromise their sexuality just to get close to it.'I've seen straight guys that turn gay around me," says Falcon, who is bisexual...'"
Oh really? It's that easy. SMH. But seriously, are we still having this discussion? Does size still matter? Do you even care? Should you even care? Ladies? [Fellas?]
Inquiring minds want to know?...
DETAILS: Is Being Well Hung the Key to Happiness?
That shit ain't cute.
"..Jonah Falcon, 37, a cable-television host in New York who's gained worldwide recognition for his 13 1/2-inch length, attributes losing his virginity at the age of 10 (with a woman eight years his senior) to nothing more complicated than his size. He has also observed something far more miraculous: So great is man's obsession with size, such are the power and mysticism radiated by a superlative specimen, that some are willing to compromise their sexuality just to get close to it.'I've seen straight guys that turn gay around me," says Falcon, who is bisexual...'"
Oh really? It's that easy. SMH. But seriously, are we still having this discussion? Does size still matter? Do you even care? Should you even care? Ladies? [Fellas?]
Inquiring minds want to know?...
You can deal with this, or you can deal with that!
FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: So fucking disco!
"You've got a friend in me!"
Earlier in a loft Downtown...
PUFF PUFF PASS. Al Gore. PUFF PUFF PASS. Hillary Clinton. PUFF PUFF PASS. Barack Obama. PUFF PUFF PASS. "John McCain scares me," says he who looks 15 with the Nikolai Fraiture haircut [the new [or old] Rachel for the hipster set], or as if he came with his cooler older brother. PUFF PUFF PASS. "WHAT!?@#?" PUFF PUFF PASS. "Wait a minute let me finish..."
"The Arizona senator is viewed favorably by 61% of all registered voters, including a plurality of Democrats.The survey showed that McCain's potential advantages extend even to domestic issues, where he is considered to be most vulnerable. Even though McCain has joked about his lack of expertise on economic issues, voters picked him over Obama, 42% to 34%, as being best able to handle the economy..."
Again, don't sleep homie. Don't sleep...
LOS ANGELES TIMES: McCain has edge over Democrats
Earlier...
Shawty is da shit?
"You've got a friend in me!"
Earlier in a loft Downtown...
PUFF PUFF PASS. Al Gore. PUFF PUFF PASS. Hillary Clinton. PUFF PUFF PASS. Barack Obama. PUFF PUFF PASS. "John McCain scares me," says he who looks 15 with the Nikolai Fraiture haircut [the new [or old] Rachel for the hipster set], or as if he came with his cooler older brother. PUFF PUFF PASS. "WHAT!?@#?" PUFF PUFF PASS. "Wait a minute let me finish..."
"The Arizona senator is viewed favorably by 61% of all registered voters, including a plurality of Democrats.The survey showed that McCain's potential advantages extend even to domestic issues, where he is considered to be most vulnerable. Even though McCain has joked about his lack of expertise on economic issues, voters picked him over Obama, 42% to 34%, as being best able to handle the economy..."
Again, don't sleep homie. Don't sleep...
Earlier...
For Your Consideration.
So here it is in all its glory.
Mariah Carey.
Touch My Body.
The music video.
Okay, it's better than I expected, but I think that's mostly due to the presence of Kenneth. And okay, she genuinely seems to be channeling that old Mariah in certain scenes, you know, when she's not busy putting her hands on her hips or rubbing her thighs while seducing the camera. Really, she should just let her hair down more.
Mariah Carey.
Touch My Body.
The music video.
Okay, it's better than I expected, but I think that's mostly due to the presence of Kenneth. And okay, she genuinely seems to be channeling that old Mariah in certain scenes, you know, when she's not busy putting her hands on her hips or rubbing her thighs while seducing the camera. Really, she should just let her hair down more.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
How do I live?
Yeah, this video [and song] is awfully grown. And yeah the lyrics are on some Diane Warren, Beaches type shit. But you know what? I fucks with Chris Brown, and I want nothing but the best for Ms. Sparks. [Plus she's looking quite good in this video] And yes, by the end of the track I was definitely more invested than I was at the outset. I see bright live performances of this song in the future.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Do you really wanna touch it?
KENNETH! Boy if you don't get yo ass back in this house!...
Here's a little clip of Mariah Carey's new Brett Ratner directed music video. Don't expect much.
I see what's she doing, and I know what's she's getting at, but, it still ain't working. At least in this clip. -Sigh- Too bad she couldn't just bottle up all that fun loving goodness that seemed to come to her with ease in videos like Dreamlover, Fantasy, and Honey.
Here's a little clip of Mariah Carey's new Brett Ratner directed music video. Don't expect much.
I see what's she doing, and I know what's she's getting at, but, it still ain't working. At least in this clip. -Sigh- Too bad she couldn't just bottle up all that fun loving goodness that seemed to come to her with ease in videos like Dreamlover, Fantasy, and Honey.
Feedback.
FILE UNDER: Video of the Night!
This right here? This shit right here? FIYAH BABY!
Janet Jackson. Discipline. In stores tomorrow. Act like you know.
Big ups to Rizoh over atThe Rap Up for putting this on my radar.
This right here? This shit right here? FIYAH BABY!
Janet Jackson. Discipline. In stores tomorrow. Act like you know.
Big ups to Rizoh over at
GET DOWN!
FILE UNDER: OH MY GOD!!!
DFA. Modern and Contemporary works of art. Night moves. Need I say anything more?
WHO: Juan Maclean,T&T (Tim Goldsworthy & Tim Sweeney),Holy Ghost!,Justin Miller & Jacques Renault, you?
WHAT: DFA Dance Party
WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2008 - 9:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
WHERE: MoMA
WHY: Cause sometimes you can't do bad by yo' goddamn self.
DFA. Modern and Contemporary works of art. Night moves. Need I say anything more?
WHO: Juan Maclean,T&T (Tim Goldsworthy & Tim Sweeney),Holy Ghost!,Justin Miller & Jacques Renault, you?
WHAT: DFA Dance Party
WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2008 - 9:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
WHERE: MoMA
WHY: Cause sometimes you can't do bad by yo' goddamn self.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
In the basement.
PART ONE.
"THINK!"
''BLACK'S RECONSTRUCTION''Trotter raps for 75 bars straight on this lyrical exercise, spitting effortless game (''Smooth like the dude Sean Connery was playing'') over a dirty drumbeat and foghorn-like tuba moans. ''It was a first take,'' notes Trotter. (Show-off!) ''That's a song in the tradition of 'Web' and 'Thought @ Work'. It's become something that die-hard fans check for, that extended freestyle, minimal chorus, hard-hitting lyrical joint.''
The Roots - Black's Construction
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: The Roots' Next CD: Track By Track
"THINK!"
''BLACK'S RECONSTRUCTION''Trotter raps for 75 bars straight on this lyrical exercise, spitting effortless game (''Smooth like the dude Sean Connery was playing'') over a dirty drumbeat and foghorn-like tuba moans. ''It was a first take,'' notes Trotter. (Show-off!) ''That's a song in the tradition of 'Web' and 'Thought @ Work'. It's become something that die-hard fans check for, that extended freestyle, minimal chorus, hard-hitting lyrical joint.''
I feel for you.
FILE UNDER: Headline of the week!
"A HA! CLASSIC!"
Cause when you spend 20-30 yrs of your life moving about like this in heels, the inevitable outcome is of course, this:
"Pop legend Prince is having a secret HIP REPLACEMENT at the age of just 49—after being crippled by years of sexy dancing. The pint-sized US star would develop a severe limp and have to use a WALKING STICK without surgery."
NEWS OF THE WORLD: Prince crippled by sexy dancing
Also...
One of the best parts of yesterday evening was definitely near the top of night as we sat there lifted, feeling good goody, and landed on VH1 classics and/or soul and caught a viewing of Purple Rain right as it was coming on. Dats what I'm talking about!
Big ups to my boyE-Rocka for the link and the heads up!
"A HA! CLASSIC!"
Cause when you spend 20-30 yrs of your life moving about like this in heels, the inevitable outcome is of course, this:
"Pop legend Prince is having a secret HIP REPLACEMENT at the age of just 49—after being crippled by years of sexy dancing. The pint-sized US star would develop a severe limp and have to use a WALKING STICK without surgery."
Also...
One of the best parts of yesterday evening was definitely near the top of night as we sat there lifted, feeling good goody, and landed on VH1 classics and/or soul and caught a viewing of Purple Rain right as it was coming on. Dats what I'm talking about!
Big ups to my boy
Brushfire Fairytales.
I am completely and utterly convinced that 2008 is the year of Jack Johnson. All it took was a trip to the local Barnes & Noble yesterday afternoon to confirm this. Especially when I was hit with this:
Seriously, it's like Jack Johnson whirlwind burnout extravaganza up in this piece, no? Also, while slipping in and out of consciousness [for various reasons] last night, I saw this on my television screen:
Yeah...Still convinced I ain't been missing much since the release of his debut Brushfire Fairytales.
Seriously, it's like Jack Johnson whirlwind burnout extravaganza up in this piece, no? Also, while slipping in and out of consciousness [for various reasons] last night, I saw this on my television screen:
Yeah...Still convinced I ain't been missing much since the release of his debut Brushfire Fairytales.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
MIXTAPE FRIDAYS!!!
One day later...
Exile on Main St.
All for swinging you around!
1/Men's Needs/THE CRIBS
2/The Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth/CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH!
3/All for Swinging You Around/THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
4/I Stand Corrected/VAMPIRE WEEKEND
5/Time to Pretend/MGMT
6/My Little Japanese Cigarette Case/SPOON
7/Faith/THE BOY LEAST LIKELY TO
8/Walcott/VAMPIRE WEEKEND
9/Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (2008)/MICHAEL JACKSON AND AKON
10/Here Comes Your Man/THE PIXIES
11/Can't Cry These Tears/GARBAGE
12/Tomorrow/SEAN LENNON
13/Stuck Between Stations/THE HOLD STEADY
Exile on Main St.
All for swinging you around!
1/Men's Needs/THE CRIBS
2/The Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth/CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH!
3/All for Swinging You Around/THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
4/I Stand Corrected/VAMPIRE WEEKEND
5/Time to Pretend/MGMT
6/My Little Japanese Cigarette Case/SPOON
7/Faith/THE BOY LEAST LIKELY TO
8/Walcott/VAMPIRE WEEKEND
9/Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (2008)/MICHAEL JACKSON AND AKON
10/Here Comes Your Man/THE PIXIES
11/Can't Cry These Tears/GARBAGE
12/Tomorrow/SEAN LENNON
13/Stuck Between Stations/THE HOLD STEADY
Big ups Trevor Macomber!
FILE UNDER: Happy Black History Month!
Today is day two of Tauwan's Birthday weekend extravaganza. [I turn 24 tomorrow on the 24th]. And before I get stupid, jump up go crazy, I wanna give a Big Ups to my boy Trevor Macomber all the way in CT holding it down. And, of course, for this:
You open it up and it says Car Wash, and plays the original hit from Rose Royce. Love it. Big ups T-Rev. Big ups!...
Today is day two of Tauwan's Birthday weekend extravaganza. [I turn 24 tomorrow on the 24th]. And before I get stupid, jump up go crazy, I wanna give a Big Ups to my boy Trevor Macomber all the way in CT holding it down. And, of course, for this:
You open it up and it says Car Wash, and plays the original hit from Rose Royce. Love it. Big ups T-Rev. Big ups!...
Get naked.
FILE UNDER: A Moment of Clarity.
"That tone, that when it wasn't perfect, but it was naked...I am not saying to do all your joints like that, but when it's real, it don't really matter, I rather get the emotion, so y'all gotta get naked youknowhwatimsayin? Y'ALL GOTTA GET NAKED! Yougetwherei'mcomingfrom?"-Diddy
Get naked from the three minute mark onwards...
"That tone, that when it wasn't perfect, but it was naked...I am not saying to do all your joints like that, but when it's real, it don't really matter, I rather get the emotion, so y'all gotta get naked youknowhwatimsayin? Y'ALL GOTTA GET NAKED! Yougetwherei'mcomingfrom?"-Diddy
Get naked from the three minute mark onwards...
Riddle Me This?
FILE UNDER: Old School Funk for the True Funk Soldiers!
I love this song to death, but seriously, what the fuck is with this video?
I love this song to death, but seriously, what the fuck is with this video?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Play that beat!
Believe me, I adore playing an old school hit like nobody's business, but sometimes there's nothing better than putting on one of your favorite long players, enjoying it for what it is: a tip-top, start to finish "headphone masterpiece".
"I'm glad I hitched my apple wagon to your star!"
After listening to this album from start to finish you almost have the urge to recite the album title with hunched shoulders, palms facing upward, looking slightly confused as if a question mark sits behind the word ever. Best. Party. Ever? That’s a damn good question when the songs that encompass this disc by the english duo Joj Owen and Pete Hobbs deal with child like grown up fears of growing old, growing up,[the toe tapping country breeze of ‘Fur Soft As Fur’] towns full of monsters,[the rhythmic and vocal urgency of ‘Monsters’] and seeing spiders when one closes his eyes. [‘I See Spiders When I Close My Eyes’ a mollifying guitar-strummed-diddy for those with OCD] Seeking comfort from the horrors the duo comes to us for solace, hitching their apple wagons to our stars, and asking us to be gentle with them, all while keeping an eye out for any unsuspecting terror, which may explain why they choose to sleep with guns up under their pillows. Yes it is all very child like indeed, and both the lyrics and musical palette they work with [synths, strings, harmonicas, guitars, tambourines, sweet follow the bouncing ball harmonies, and the like] give off a fluffy children’s book/cd vibe, but the duo is getting at something more. Comfort is the best medicine and with all that is bad out there lurking in the shadows, it’s nice to find that person, place, or thing that makes you feel safe. It’s a sentiment echoed by Jof near the middle of the album on the melancholy ‘Battle of the Boy Least Likely To’ when all he seeks is to get the one he loves alone and next to him. This girl quietly saves him again and again, and that, for him, is truly the best thing ever.
Key Tracks: Be Gentle With Me, I’m Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star, Sleeping With A Gun Under My Pillow
ALSO:
STEREOGUM: New The Boy Least Likely To - "A Balloon On A Broken String" / "TBLLT Is A Machine"
AND BONUS (!):
Faith. George Michael. The Boy Least Likely To cover.
Enjoy!
"I'm glad I hitched my apple wagon to your star!"
After listening to this album from start to finish you almost have the urge to recite the album title with hunched shoulders, palms facing upward, looking slightly confused as if a question mark sits behind the word ever. Best. Party. Ever? That’s a damn good question when the songs that encompass this disc by the english duo Joj Owen and Pete Hobbs deal with child like grown up fears of growing old, growing up,[the toe tapping country breeze of ‘Fur Soft As Fur’] towns full of monsters,[the rhythmic and vocal urgency of ‘Monsters’] and seeing spiders when one closes his eyes. [‘I See Spiders When I Close My Eyes’ a mollifying guitar-strummed-diddy for those with OCD] Seeking comfort from the horrors the duo comes to us for solace, hitching their apple wagons to our stars, and asking us to be gentle with them, all while keeping an eye out for any unsuspecting terror, which may explain why they choose to sleep with guns up under their pillows. Yes it is all very child like indeed, and both the lyrics and musical palette they work with [synths, strings, harmonicas, guitars, tambourines, sweet follow the bouncing ball harmonies, and the like] give off a fluffy children’s book/cd vibe, but the duo is getting at something more. Comfort is the best medicine and with all that is bad out there lurking in the shadows, it’s nice to find that person, place, or thing that makes you feel safe. It’s a sentiment echoed by Jof near the middle of the album on the melancholy ‘Battle of the Boy Least Likely To’ when all he seeks is to get the one he loves alone and next to him. This girl quietly saves him again and again, and that, for him, is truly the best thing ever.
Key Tracks: Be Gentle With Me, I’m Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star, Sleeping With A Gun Under My Pillow
ALSO:
AND BONUS (!):
Faith. George Michael. The Boy Least Likely To cover.
Enjoy!
My drink and my 2-Step.
So Paula's [and Randy's?] new music video premiered on American Idol last night. Why? Cause they can do that. And you know I stopped what i was doing to take it all in. And you know what? I actually liked it. But only because I love to dance, I love choreography, and at one point in time I actually loved to choreograph. [Homo say what?] And as many of you should know by now, I am a sucker for pop singing females in slick dance routines. I will say this though. Dance like there's no tomorrow? Really? What are those lyrics? It is not 1986 anymore Paula. I swear, it's like she fell asleep on December 31st, 1986, woke up in 2008, called Randy Jackson and was like "I'm ready. I got this. Let's jam. Laker time!"
Lust for life.
FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!
"Clap your hands everybody, said everybody just clap your hands..."
Though I don't go around shouting my love from the rooftops, I absolutely adore the music these guys produce. I'm curious to hear what's next, especially since what's next includes production and twiddling of the knobs form the one they call Danger Mouse. [Ike Turner was also set to get his shred on for the album, but we all unfortunately know how that story ends.] Should be interesting.
And it is.
MYSPACE: New The Black Keys - Strange Times
Earlier...
POP...LIFE!: Tauwan's Top 25 albums of 2006 - # 13. The Black Keys - Magic Potion
"Clap your hands everybody, said everybody just clap your hands..."
Though I don't go around shouting my love from the rooftops, I absolutely adore the music these guys produce. I'm curious to hear what's next, especially since what's next includes production and twiddling of the knobs form the one they call Danger Mouse. [Ike Turner was also set to get his shred on for the album, but we all unfortunately know how that story ends.] Should be interesting.
And it is.
Earlier...
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Just a little lovin'.
Sho you right!
A few weeks back I purchased this here album presented above. Shelby Lynne covering Dusty Springfield standards? Yes please! Imagine my surprise when I pressed play and was hit with some soulful easy listening takes on these Dusty classics. I'm not saying I don't enjoy it, but I was looking for some of that good old fashioned anguish and soul ever so present in a Dusty Springfield arrangement and vocal. What I was looking for, was something like this:
They say this is like the "BEST. TOP 24. EV-ER!", but yeah, I don't know. Both nights were pretty lackluster for me. And this was one of the few performances from last night that I actually watched on the screen and didn't just listen to from the other room. Kudos Ramiele, definitely one of my favorites. And definitely one of the top [2? 3?] performances from last night.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
So So Def.
FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!/OH MY GOD!
And bad boys...
The Cool Kids.
Stunnas on.
So mad I skipped out on that concert a few weeks back...
Stunnas On - The Cool Kids
Copped over atThe Rap Up
And bad boys...
The Cool Kids.
Stunnas on.
So mad I skipped out on that concert a few weeks back...
Copped over at
Ella, ella, eh?
Earlier:
"...Klaxons will in fact cover "Umbrella"-- not the other way around-- at the February 20, 2008 BRIT Awards ceremony, according to a Guardian report. That's cool enough in itself, but here's where it gets fun: Rihanna, up for a International Female Solo Artist award that night, will join them..."
Later:
A few things:
1) So is Umbrella like the new Irreplaceable?
2) Anybody feeling Rihanna's Grace Jones look?
3) Rihanna is totally trying to score a part in Josie & the Pussycats 2: CAT! Scratch! FEVER!
4)I thought she was to be backed by the Klaxons, not the cast of Willow?
5) For some reason, this performance makes me think of this:
"...& THE LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD!"
6) And finally, why am I always impressed [surprised even?] when she holds that "more" note at the end of the bridge?
Big ups toIdolator for the vid.
"...Klaxons will in fact cover "Umbrella"-- not the other way around-- at the February 20, 2008 BRIT Awards ceremony, according to a Guardian report. That's cool enough in itself, but here's where it gets fun: Rihanna, up for a International Female Solo Artist award that night, will join them..."
Later:
A few things:
1) So is Umbrella like the new Irreplaceable?
2) Anybody feeling Rihanna's Grace Jones look?
3) Rihanna is totally trying to score a part in Josie & the Pussycats 2: CAT! Scratch! FEVER!
4)I thought she was to be backed by the Klaxons, not the cast of Willow?
5) For some reason, this performance makes me think of this:
"...& THE LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD!"
6) And finally, why am I always impressed [surprised even?] when she holds that "more" note at the end of the bridge?
Big ups to
A Moment of Clarity.
"Why you got yo ass on your shoulders?"
QUESTION: Why Does Everyone Hate Hipsters Assholes?
ANSWER(?): "My friend Janet says that one reason it pisses her off is because that look used to be a code. It meant something. If you saw someone walking down the street dressed the same way you were, with the same haircut you had, you immediately knew that they listened to the same records that you did. Now that look has become generic and meaningless. People with blue hair listen to top 40. People spend hundreds of dollars trying to look like they shop at the thrift store. They have appropriated the style, yet discarded everything that the style stood for. Another friend, John, complains about the younger generation taking over his neighborhood while ripping off a lifestyle they don't really understand, "...I should be glad that I still have the opportunity to chase them off my yard to keep them from stealing my teeth or something. Not that they'd know how to fucking bite anything with them".
WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! STOP! Slow down baby...
BONUS. Just because...
Foals.
Cassius.
Here's a little story that must be told,
And it goes it a little something like this.
I wish it had gone like this.
Actually it went a little like this.
I needed this lunch break. At the wrinkle in time I'm putting the finishing touches on the leading Wine Sommelier's Exhibit Letter, due Friday to the Department of Homeland Security, ATTN: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. But the words escape me. I got the ideas, and Esq. provided me with a quickly drafted, off the cuff closing paragraph for the proceeding. But I can't read his handwriting. And currently, he's out of reach. Phone calls, meetings with clients, conference calls to the nines. But none of this should matter. These are just words he said, rearrange them, set them to your own music. But I can't. It ain't hitting. I know what to say, and I know how this should all end, but at this wrinkle in time words escape me. If this were college this would be the point in time where I hit up facebook, read an away message, or merely walk away from the page. But I can't. This ain't college, this is real life; the Real World some might say and I gotta sit here and stare, hunt for the phrasings, and reach for the words cause there's no way out.
UT!
Maybe there is. The clock is striking twelve. Get up. Walk away. The rain, rain? Gone away! Let that sun come out and I walk away. To the kitchen. Sammich time. Outdoors I will go. me, an iPod, Vanity Fair, and this sandwich. This sandwich made today with the script flipped. Added to the mix, warmer meat and softed cheese courtesy of a little time spent in the mi-cro-wave, dijon and mayonnaise mixed; warmed, compressed, steaming up the ziplock.
Our initial encounter started out simple enough. Out he ran, dashing across my feet. "Aww what a cute CA- Wait a minute! That ain't no damn cat, that's a fucking squirrel!" Hillarious.
Seat one?
Too wet.
Water in my lap, lightly across the thighs. Spots on the good clothes. The work clothes. The were it to church and then Hometown Buffet or Sizzler afterwards clothes cause I slide beneath the small space between the table and this here chair cause it was too wet.
Seat two?
Fine enough. Just sit on the edge and open the mag. Phone out of pocket and sitting to my right. Next to that the sandwich. Out in the open, sitting on the ziplock, tantalizing scent being carried through the air like a pie sitting on a windowsill. Must be what caught his nose. Cause the cat, excuse me squirrel is back. And he's wildin' out. Seriously, what it do nigga? You lost something? Now normally a squirrel running to and fro is no cause for alarm whatsoever, but at this moment, in this open, spacious mock villa on the westside for these nine to fivers the squirrel is curiously interested in this table, these four chairs and MYspace.
This is definitely more entertaining this Vanity Fair article on that new Stars Wars game. [Which it must be said I kind of want to play.]
And because when I look down, this fool is looking at me. I mean stopping and looking. Big black eyes all up in my big brown eyes. And it's kind of scary. And I don't want none of his riff raff right now. He already look like he don't play, evil stare or not. This fool, while small and fluffy looking is also missing pieces of hair, not in a times or hard [it is winter and all] and mother nature is a bitch, but more, I lost mass quanties of body hair in these streets keeping niggas at bay.
And that is part of the reason why I am scared. I am in no mood to be attacked in the face by a leaping, flying squirrel. No sir. And yet I play back. Stare in his eyes, barely widen our distance, and even throw him a small piece of my sandwich.
And why wouldn't I? This nigga is bold. So hip to something I got that he is breaking the cardinal rule of "stray" animals and we innocent humans, if we motion for you to move, run off, or fly away, you do it.
But not this nigga?
All on the table, running around the chairs, doing circles around my table. When worst came to worst, he ran up and down and around my OWN CHAIR! WITH ME HALF IN IT.
That's when I stood up.
This was getting out of hand. I mean he didn't want my sandwich right? I threw out a piece, he sniffed it and moved on as if what he really was after was some good old human flesh. So I stood up. And just like that he moved on to my possessions scattered on the table. He sniffed the phone. Nothing. Looked at the magazine. Nothing. And the he went for it. He inched closer and closer to the sandwich until a small piece of dijon mustard stuck to his chin. He sniffed. And sniffed. And sniffed. And just like that, BAM! he snapped up 1/3 of my sanwich. A big ass piece of bread hung from his fangs, smothered in mayonnaise and dijon mustard, as he ran up the tree and nibbled in down in two minutes [you know I watched in amazement when I sat back down] on a giant branch.
And I just watched and watched and watched. What else was I gonna do, finish my sandwich? No sir. So I took apart the other 2/3 of my sandiwch and through most of it away, save the other giant piece of bread that complimented the piece he stole in the first place. I sat and watched, bread in hand, amusing the small group gathering/walking by taking in the squirrel and this urban Steve Irwin.
Eventually I gave up and he wrapped his meal up and came winding down the tree just as anxious, as if nothing happened. Again I tossed him the bread. Nothing. A sniff and scamper into the woods.
Fuck this. I'm out and he's killing my lunchtime buzz. I moved spots, he came back, this time deciding that this second piece of bread was his to own. He swooped it and peaced out. This time I saw no squirrel on a branch munching laboriously on a piece of mayonnaise soaked bread. He no longer needed me, and he got what he want. I got played y'all, and that shit ain't cute.
Ungrateful bitch...
I wish it had gone like this.
Actually it went a little like this.
I needed this lunch break. At the wrinkle in time I'm putting the finishing touches on the leading Wine Sommelier's Exhibit Letter, due Friday to the Department of Homeland Security, ATTN: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. But the words escape me. I got the ideas, and Esq. provided me with a quickly drafted, off the cuff closing paragraph for the proceeding. But I can't read his handwriting. And currently, he's out of reach. Phone calls, meetings with clients, conference calls to the nines. But none of this should matter. These are just words he said, rearrange them, set them to your own music. But I can't. It ain't hitting. I know what to say, and I know how this should all end, but at this wrinkle in time words escape me. If this were college this would be the point in time where I hit up facebook, read an away message, or merely walk away from the page. But I can't. This ain't college, this is real life; the Real World some might say and I gotta sit here and stare, hunt for the phrasings, and reach for the words cause there's no way out.
UT!
Maybe there is. The clock is striking twelve. Get up. Walk away. The rain, rain? Gone away! Let that sun come out and I walk away. To the kitchen. Sammich time. Outdoors I will go. me, an iPod, Vanity Fair, and this sandwich. This sandwich made today with the script flipped. Added to the mix, warmer meat and softed cheese courtesy of a little time spent in the mi-cro-wave, dijon and mayonnaise mixed; warmed, compressed, steaming up the ziplock.
Our initial encounter started out simple enough. Out he ran, dashing across my feet. "Aww what a cute CA- Wait a minute! That ain't no damn cat, that's a fucking squirrel!" Hillarious.
Seat one?
Too wet.
Water in my lap, lightly across the thighs. Spots on the good clothes. The work clothes. The were it to church and then Hometown Buffet or Sizzler afterwards clothes cause I slide beneath the small space between the table and this here chair cause it was too wet.
Seat two?
Fine enough. Just sit on the edge and open the mag. Phone out of pocket and sitting to my right. Next to that the sandwich. Out in the open, sitting on the ziplock, tantalizing scent being carried through the air like a pie sitting on a windowsill. Must be what caught his nose. Cause the cat, excuse me squirrel is back. And he's wildin' out. Seriously, what it do nigga? You lost something? Now normally a squirrel running to and fro is no cause for alarm whatsoever, but at this moment, in this open, spacious mock villa on the westside for these nine to fivers the squirrel is curiously interested in this table, these four chairs and MYspace.
This is definitely more entertaining this Vanity Fair article on that new Stars Wars game. [Which it must be said I kind of want to play.]
And because when I look down, this fool is looking at me. I mean stopping and looking. Big black eyes all up in my big brown eyes. And it's kind of scary. And I don't want none of his riff raff right now. He already look like he don't play, evil stare or not. This fool, while small and fluffy looking is also missing pieces of hair, not in a times or hard [it is winter and all] and mother nature is a bitch, but more, I lost mass quanties of body hair in these streets keeping niggas at bay.
And that is part of the reason why I am scared. I am in no mood to be attacked in the face by a leaping, flying squirrel. No sir. And yet I play back. Stare in his eyes, barely widen our distance, and even throw him a small piece of my sandwich.
And why wouldn't I? This nigga is bold. So hip to something I got that he is breaking the cardinal rule of "stray" animals and we innocent humans, if we motion for you to move, run off, or fly away, you do it.
But not this nigga?
All on the table, running around the chairs, doing circles around my table. When worst came to worst, he ran up and down and around my OWN CHAIR! WITH ME HALF IN IT.
That's when I stood up.
This was getting out of hand. I mean he didn't want my sandwich right? I threw out a piece, he sniffed it and moved on as if what he really was after was some good old human flesh. So I stood up. And just like that he moved on to my possessions scattered on the table. He sniffed the phone. Nothing. Looked at the magazine. Nothing. And the he went for it. He inched closer and closer to the sandwich until a small piece of dijon mustard stuck to his chin. He sniffed. And sniffed. And sniffed. And just like that, BAM! he snapped up 1/3 of my sanwich. A big ass piece of bread hung from his fangs, smothered in mayonnaise and dijon mustard, as he ran up the tree and nibbled in down in two minutes [you know I watched in amazement when I sat back down] on a giant branch.
And I just watched and watched and watched. What else was I gonna do, finish my sandwich? No sir. So I took apart the other 2/3 of my sandiwch and through most of it away, save the other giant piece of bread that complimented the piece he stole in the first place. I sat and watched, bread in hand, amusing the small group gathering/walking by taking in the squirrel and this urban Steve Irwin.
Eventually I gave up and he wrapped his meal up and came winding down the tree just as anxious, as if nothing happened. Again I tossed him the bread. Nothing. A sniff and scamper into the woods.
Fuck this. I'm out and he's killing my lunchtime buzz. I moved spots, he came back, this time deciding that this second piece of bread was his to own. He swooped it and peaced out. This time I saw no squirrel on a branch munching laboriously on a piece of mayonnaise soaked bread. He no longer needed me, and he got what he want. I got played y'all, and that shit ain't cute.
Ungrateful bitch...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Earth Intruders.
FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!
"STOP! LOOK! WHAT'S THAT SOUND?"
The iPod was on repeat. And it was doing a pretty good job of playing the hits. Not necessarily single after single after single...it was just getting it right, track after track. And it was also doing a good job reminding me of exactly what is on the iPod, and that other albums exist outside of the four or five in heavy rotation at that moment in time. Take Volta for example. iPod on shuffle. Silence followed by the opening swell of the orchestra. Bjork. Antony. The Dull Flame of Desire. "Damn. Can't remember the last time I put the needle on the track for this one." None of that mattered then. All that mattered was the music. And it had me. As does this remix. Which upon my first encounter with it, prompted another quick "Damn. Can't remember the last time I put the needle on it for this one."
DISCOBELLE: Björk + Ratatat - Wanderlust [Ratatat RMX]
"STOP! LOOK! WHAT'S THAT SOUND?"
The iPod was on repeat. And it was doing a pretty good job of playing the hits. Not necessarily single after single after single...it was just getting it right, track after track. And it was also doing a good job reminding me of exactly what is on the iPod, and that other albums exist outside of the four or five in heavy rotation at that moment in time. Take Volta for example. iPod on shuffle. Silence followed by the opening swell of the orchestra. Bjork. Antony. The Dull Flame of Desire. "Damn. Can't remember the last time I put the needle on the track for this one." None of that mattered then. All that mattered was the music. And it had me. As does this remix. Which upon my first encounter with it, prompted another quick "Damn. Can't remember the last time I put the needle on it for this one."
Monday, February 18, 2008
Tears of a clown.
God, always a show with this one.
This. Is ridiculous.
"...These are actually pictures of the twit attempting to show the world how much her feelings were hurt after the backlash from her ridiculous beach video for her single, "Higher," filtered through her thick skull..."
Wow. Just wow.
BUT WAIT!
It gets better:
"...Spencer was recently quoted as saying, "Madonna, eat your heart out. Britney Spears, eat your heart out. I would say we have diamond records coming - they're gonna sell 10-million plus...."
Wow, Spencer. Just wow. 10 million? Of what? Of this:
You've got your work cut out for you buddy.
"I ain't a hipster, but I kick it like a Sneaker Pimp!"
FILE UNDER: This is how we do it!/New flava in ya ear!
Talib Kweli. This is the Hostile Gospel Pt. 1 (Deliver Us).
Please,
...don't sleep.
Also...
Hostile Gospel (Deliver Us).
Talib Kweli. This is the Hostile Gospel Pt. 1 (Deliver Us).
Please,
...don't sleep.
Also...
A Forest.
FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you The Raveonettes in "Black/White".
Enjoy!
The Raveonettes. Lust Lust Lust. In stores tomorrow!
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you The Raveonettes in "Black/White".
Enjoy!
The Raveonettes. Lust Lust Lust. In stores tomorrow!
Oh Word?
"Hmm. So these guys are backing Rihanna. I'm curious to see how this all pans out. Stay tuned..."
From Pitchfork:
"...Klaxons will in fact cover "Umbrella"-- not the other way around-- at the February 20, 2008 BRIT Awards ceremony, according to a Guardian report. That's cool enough in itself, but here's where it gets fun: Rihanna, up for a International Female Solo Artist award that night, will join them..."
TONIGHT!
FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: So fucking disco!
"Give me that hand clap! (Let me get that hand clap!) Give me that hand clap!(Let me get that hand clap!)"
"Tonight is the night.
TONIGHT!
To-night is the night."
Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton. Tavis Smiley. 11PM. PBS. Check your local listings.
TAVIS SMILEY: February 18, 2008/Tavis revisits his conversations with the two Democratic Party presidential candidates: Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama.
"Give me that hand clap! (Let me get that hand clap!) Give me that hand clap!(Let me get that hand clap!)"
"Tonight is the night.
TONIGHT!
To-night is the night."
Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton. Tavis Smiley. 11PM. PBS. Check your local listings.
Go Go Gadget Gospel.
FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: So fucking disco!/A Moment of Clarity.
"I think if they want to get married, God bless them. Gay marriage is probably 1 percent of the population, so it's not like it's going to be an epidemic. Hey, trust me, I'm never going to kiss you and say, 'Chris, you're sexy.'"
Charles, you so crazy.
TOWLEROAD: Charles Barkley Supports Gay Marriage, Slams 'Fake' GOP Christians
"I think if they want to get married, God bless them. Gay marriage is probably 1 percent of the population, so it's not like it's going to be an epidemic. Hey, trust me, I'm never going to kiss you and say, 'Chris, you're sexy.'"
Charles, you so crazy.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The kid stays in the picture.
FILE UNDER: New flava in MY ear!
"Crank it up give it to me come on,
Crank it up give it to me come on!"
A week or so back I was alerted to the fact that Janet, "Ms. Jackson if you're nasty", Jackson had posted two new tracks off her upcoming LP Discipline. Off I went, clicking the link, hoping to press repeat. But I didn't. And I didn't see what all the fuss was about. I enjoy me some Feedback, and I love me some Janet Jackson, but these songs were aight.
Skip to the end.
I take that back. Rock Wit U [not to be confused with MJ's Rock WITH You], is an alluringly seductive slice of European house music heaven. With the kind of air and vocal sensuality that Ms. Jackson could pull out in her sleep. It breathes, it pulls, it winks, and it coos. And you'd be a fool to ward off its advances.
"Crank it up give it to me come on,
Crank it up give it to me come on!"
A week or so back I was alerted to the fact that Janet, "Ms. Jackson if you're nasty", Jackson had posted two new tracks off her upcoming LP Discipline. Off I went, clicking the link, hoping to press repeat. But I didn't. And I didn't see what all the fuss was about. I enjoy me some Feedback, and I love me some Janet Jackson, but these songs were aight.
Skip to the end.
I take that back. Rock Wit U [not to be confused with MJ's Rock WITH You], is an alluringly seductive slice of European house music heaven. With the kind of air and vocal sensuality that Ms. Jackson could pull out in her sleep. It breathes, it pulls, it winks, and it coos. And you'd be a fool to ward off its advances.
"Si, se puede!"
FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: So fucking disco!
"I may have been on the fence beforehand, but man this video...powerful. Just powerful. Thank you will.i.am. Thank you."
"...Latino voters have given Clinton overwhelming support in some contests, notably California, where they favored her over Obama by roughly 30%, contributing significantly to her victory here. Partly, this may be because Latino voting power in this country owes much to Bill Clinton, who as president tapped several prominent Latinos -- Bill Richardson, Federico Pena, Henry Cisneros -- for positions of influence. Also, Latino voters traditionally have valued experience over soaring rhetoric. And some Latinos -- like some Anglos -- sadly have shown distaste for African American candidates, a reserve exacerbated by tensions between blacks and Latinos in many American cities. That last factor -- prejudice -- is rarely addressed directly, but it stalks this campaign..."
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Hola, Obama
"I may have been on the fence beforehand, but man this video...powerful. Just powerful. Thank you will.i.am. Thank you."
"...Latino voters have given Clinton overwhelming support in some contests, notably California, where they favored her over Obama by roughly 30%, contributing significantly to her victory here. Partly, this may be because Latino voting power in this country owes much to Bill Clinton, who as president tapped several prominent Latinos -- Bill Richardson, Federico Pena, Henry Cisneros -- for positions of influence. Also, Latino voters traditionally have valued experience over soaring rhetoric. And some Latinos -- like some Anglos -- sadly have shown distaste for African American candidates, a reserve exacerbated by tensions between blacks and Latinos in many American cities. That last factor -- prejudice -- is rarely addressed directly, but it stalks this campaign..."
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Riddle Me This?
Is it sad that it's 10 PM on a Saturday night in Los Angeles and I am sitting here trying to unwind and actually enjoying this here disc?
Oh Word?
It's a beautiful day?
"...As for the direction U2's album is headed, Lanois is brief in describing the record, which should be out this fall.
"I can tell you a little bit about the fundamental quality," he says. "It's very much hand-played but it's also electro."..."
For Your Consideration.
"COME INTO MY HOUSE!"*
Seriously, give these girls a chance. Album one was surprisingly satisfying.
Earlier...
*P.S. The cute blonde one, Aubrey, in the middle? Barely recognizable. I don't even think that's her...
Boy Looka Here.
It's the way you walk, and the way you talk...
I know, I know. Again, Tapes n' who? Tapes 'N Tapes. They came, we saw, we hung them up to dry and moved on to the next indie sensation. Well they're back and you best believe they want you to pay just as much attention to them as you did before. And after listening to this dark, sordid stomp through Tapes 'N Tapes manor, you probably will.
Earlier...
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Sweet Escape.
FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!
So I don't know if you've heard...but this is album is a big fucking deal.
BIGMAMA: Tauwan?
TAUWAN: [Bumping 50 Cent's I Get Money. Chilling] Yes?
BIGMAMA: Go on my bed and look in the Target back and pick which one you want to listen to.
TAUWAN: [Walks to Bigmama's room, looks in the bag and sees two discs Michael Jackson's 25th Anniversary edition of Thriller and Lenny Kravitz's It Is Time For A Love Revolution. Grabs one of them and proceeds to immediately rip the packaging with his teeth. Walks back to the kitchen. Disc in mouth.] I decided to go with this one.
BIGMAMA: Which one is that?
TAUWAN: Thriller.
BIGMAMA: I thought you were gonna open Lenny Kravitz.
TAUWAN: Nope. I have been listening to this all week.
And I have.
I feel bad for Michael and the folks at the record company.
All week I have been playing Thriller. Start to finish. No skipping. Loving it each and every time. And it's all thanks to Michael and his handlers, reminding of its magic this week, practically begging me to bump this headphone, dancefloor masterpiece again.
And that is why I'm sorry.
Cause I feel that I am not alone in these actions. We all own Thriller.
[It sold a gajillion fucking copies for christaskes.]
We all love it.
And each and every review, construction poster advertisement, and ad in the paper, begged me to go ahead and dust it off...
...not purchase it.
No matter how much I love me some Will.i.am production [seriously, peep Chris Brown's Exclusive and play Picture Perfect. Postmodern pop never sounded so good.], Fergie's The Dutchess [yeah I said it], and Kanye West, I don't need to fork over 10-17 more dollars for an album I own that is already near and dear to me, and still in good condition.
And, again, I am sure I'm not alone in this sentiment.
Especially once I read that the bonus DVD only contains 4 videos !?@#
No thank you, I'm just fine.
I was eager about those remixes though, and,... Well... Will.i.am takes The Girl Is Mine [a song that only I seem to adore, saccharine wordplay and all] and erases Paul McCartney completely. It's nice to be shocked and amazed at the timelessness quality of Michael's newly added vocals, but that is quickly taken away and re-gifted once Will.i.am decides to place a microphone above his boards. Luckily he more than makes up for it with his P.Y.T. mix, which is pretty nice, and could be a hit if originally released today. [Just ask Mariah "Touch My Body" Carey]. But Fergie's Beat It duet is straight garbage, ditto Kanye's Billie Jean which, we all know, was doomed from the start, destined to not be able to hold a candle to the original.
Only one remix shines and [non?] surprisingly, it comes from Akon, whose slowed down piano ballad version of Wanna Be Startin Somethin is out of this world. Like Snoop Doog with a fro and some chest hair on display on a round motel bed in outerspace sensual seduction style, out of this world. I admit, I laughed when the Konvict business card came on at the start of the track, but trust, ain't nothing to laugh at once the vocals kick in, and up until the song comes to an end. Akon sounds the best I've ever heard em sound. Yeah, he could sing, but he couldn't sing if you know what I mean. But he does it here. And the added lyrics work. Michael's verses and chorus serve more as a sample, much in the way it does for Rihanna's just as wonderful Don't Stop the Music.
I didn't know Akon had it in him. [Though I must admit I love me some Lonely and Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape.]
And neither will you.
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' [2008 Remix] - Michael Jackson and Akon
So I don't know if you've heard...but this is album is a big fucking deal.
BIGMAMA: Tauwan?
TAUWAN: [Bumping 50 Cent's I Get Money. Chilling] Yes?
BIGMAMA: Go on my bed and look in the Target back and pick which one you want to listen to.
TAUWAN: [Walks to Bigmama's room, looks in the bag and sees two discs Michael Jackson's 25th Anniversary edition of Thriller and Lenny Kravitz's It Is Time For A Love Revolution. Grabs one of them and proceeds to immediately rip the packaging with his teeth. Walks back to the kitchen. Disc in mouth.] I decided to go with this one.
BIGMAMA: Which one is that?
TAUWAN: Thriller.
BIGMAMA: I thought you were gonna open Lenny Kravitz.
TAUWAN: Nope. I have been listening to this all week.
And I have.
I feel bad for Michael and the folks at the record company.
All week I have been playing Thriller. Start to finish. No skipping. Loving it each and every time. And it's all thanks to Michael and his handlers, reminding of its magic this week, practically begging me to bump this headphone, dancefloor masterpiece again.
And that is why I'm sorry.
Cause I feel that I am not alone in these actions. We all own Thriller.
[It sold a gajillion fucking copies for christaskes.]
We all love it.
And each and every review, construction poster advertisement, and ad in the paper, begged me to go ahead and dust it off...
...not purchase it.
No matter how much I love me some Will.i.am production [seriously, peep Chris Brown's Exclusive and play Picture Perfect. Postmodern pop never sounded so good.], Fergie's The Dutchess [yeah I said it], and Kanye West, I don't need to fork over 10-17 more dollars for an album I own that is already near and dear to me, and still in good condition.
And, again, I am sure I'm not alone in this sentiment.
Especially once I read that the bonus DVD only contains 4 videos !?@#
No thank you, I'm just fine.
I was eager about those remixes though, and,... Well... Will.i.am takes The Girl Is Mine [a song that only I seem to adore, saccharine wordplay and all] and erases Paul McCartney completely. It's nice to be shocked and amazed at the timelessness quality of Michael's newly added vocals, but that is quickly taken away and re-gifted once Will.i.am decides to place a microphone above his boards. Luckily he more than makes up for it with his P.Y.T. mix, which is pretty nice, and could be a hit if originally released today. [Just ask Mariah "Touch My Body" Carey]. But Fergie's Beat It duet is straight garbage, ditto Kanye's Billie Jean which, we all know, was doomed from the start, destined to not be able to hold a candle to the original.
Only one remix shines and [non?] surprisingly, it comes from Akon, whose slowed down piano ballad version of Wanna Be Startin Somethin is out of this world. Like Snoop Doog with a fro and some chest hair on display on a round motel bed in outerspace sensual seduction style, out of this world. I admit, I laughed when the Konvict business card came on at the start of the track, but trust, ain't nothing to laugh at once the vocals kick in, and up until the song comes to an end. Akon sounds the best I've ever heard em sound. Yeah, he could sing, but he couldn't sing if you know what I mean. But he does it here. And the added lyrics work. Michael's verses and chorus serve more as a sample, much in the way it does for Rihanna's just as wonderful Don't Stop the Music.
I didn't know Akon had it in him. [Though I must admit I love me some Lonely and Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape.]
And neither will you.
Jungle Love.
FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: So Fucking Disco!
Dearly Beloved...
"On Sunday Barack Obama completed his sweep of the most recent primaries with a devastating win in Maine. At the same time, 3,000 miles away across the country at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, Morris Day and the Time took the stage at this years Grammys for a blistering performance. This cannot be a coincidence. It occurred to me today the narrative of 2008s primary campaign is beginning to eerily resemble Purple Rain..."
Jeff Weiss, you had me at hello.
PASSION OF THE WEISS: Disco Vietnam: The 2008 Election and its Eerie Parallels With Purple Rain
Dearly Beloved...
"On Sunday Barack Obama completed his sweep of the most recent primaries with a devastating win in Maine. At the same time, 3,000 miles away across the country at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, Morris Day and the Time took the stage at this years Grammys for a blistering performance. This cannot be a coincidence. It occurred to me today the narrative of 2008s primary campaign is beginning to eerily resemble Purple Rain..."
Jeff Weiss, you had me at hello.
You don't know, what you do!
FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: So Fucking Disco!
Hot on the campaign trail, Mrs. Hillary Clinton asks, "Obama what? Obama who?"
"In recent days, Clinton has challenged Obama's ability to deliver on his rhetoric.
"There's a big difference between us -- speeches versus solutions, talk versus action," she said.
"Speeches don't put food on the table. Speeches don't fill up your tank or fill your prescription or do anything about that stack of bills that keeps you up at night."..."
CNN: Clinton sharpens attacks on Obama
Earlier...
Stop! Look! What's that sound?
Hot on the campaign trail, Mrs. Hillary Clinton asks, "Obama what? Obama who?"
"In recent days, Clinton has challenged Obama's ability to deliver on his rhetoric.
"There's a big difference between us -- speeches versus solutions, talk versus action," she said.
"Speeches don't put food on the table. Speeches don't fill up your tank or fill your prescription or do anything about that stack of bills that keeps you up at night."..."
Earlier...
You should be dancing!
FILE UNDER: New flava(s) in ya ear!
Representin' that World Town.
IMEEM: Paper Planes (Homeland Security Remixes) - EP
Representin' that World Town.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Ready for the Floor. [Update]
"If you build it, they will come..."
Damn son! Looks like this show may have sold out during the pre-sale that went down this morning. Better look into the whole Jay and Mary Heart of the City sale going down Saturday morning. Unless it too has sold out by the time you finish this message.
Ready for the Floor.
"JUST LET YOUR SOUUUUL GLOWWW!"
So this morning I was thinking, "damn, if I go to this Kanye West show, what the hell am I going to wear?"
Real talk.
A weekend or two back I was at the ever overflowing with Black teenagers spot that is the Bridge. Leaving Marie Callender's. Walking past to the movie, look in the window: large group of young well dressed Black kids. I'm talking boys in flannel shirts, fitted caps, high tops, fitted jeans, [I said "fitted", not tight. Don't get it twisted.], ironic tees, print all over hoodies. Ladies in tights, flashing brights, door knockers, looking fresh. To. Def.
This should come as no surprise to anyone right? Let's not kid ourselves, the Black community has always had its skater bois, club kids, hipsters, and fly girls, but ever since the massive success of playas like Lupe Fiasco, Pharell Williams, and most importantly Kanye West, it's become a little more okay to step out on the block in bright colors, fitted jeans [Again, I said "fitted", not tight. Don't get it twisted.], and kicks that knock. Everybody's got a look these days, from the hood to the wood, and it ain't just a giant white tee with a fitted cap and nondescript jeans.
And when this Glow in the Dark tour rolls into town, best believe that it will. Be. A fashion show both on and off the stage.
Kanye West. Lupe Fiasco. Rihanna. N.E.R.D. Los Angeles. The newly built Nokia Theatre Downtown. [Which I hear has horrible acoustics.] April 21st. Tickets on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Get ready for the floor.
Stop! Look! What's that sound?
FILE UNDER: PRIMARIES: So Fucking Disco!
All last week, Barack Obama had this track stuck on repeat on his iPod.
"...If nothing else, a presidential campaign tests a candidate's ability to think strategically and tactically and to manage a very complex organization. We have three plausible candidates remaining--Obama, Clinton and John McCain--and Obama has proved himself the best executive by far. Both the Clinton and the McCain campaigns have gone broke at crucial moments. So much for fiscal responsibility. McCain has been effective only when he runs as a guerrilla; in both 2000 and '08, he was hapless at building a coherent campaign apparatus. Clinton's sins are different: arrogance and the inability to see past loyalty to hire the best people for the job and to fire those who prove inadequate. "If nothing else, we've learned that Obama probably has the ability to put together a smooth-running Administration," said a Clinton super-delegate. "That's pretty important."..."
TIME: The Barack Blowout
All last week, Barack Obama had this track stuck on repeat on his iPod.
"...If nothing else, a presidential campaign tests a candidate's ability to think strategically and tactically and to manage a very complex organization. We have three plausible candidates remaining--Obama, Clinton and John McCain--and Obama has proved himself the best executive by far. Both the Clinton and the McCain campaigns have gone broke at crucial moments. So much for fiscal responsibility. McCain has been effective only when he runs as a guerrilla; in both 2000 and '08, he was hapless at building a coherent campaign apparatus. Clinton's sins are different: arrogance and the inability to see past loyalty to hire the best people for the job and to fire those who prove inadequate. "If nothing else, we've learned that Obama probably has the ability to put together a smooth-running Administration," said a Clinton super-delegate. "That's pretty important."..."
Erotic Citaaayy!
FILE UNDER: Old School Funk for the True Funk Soldiers!
This Valentine's Day, ask [politely] and you shall receive?...
This Valentine's Day, ask [politely] and you shall receive?...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
T-shirt and my panties on: Afterword.
M
E
S
S
EPAIV22 (9:38:18 PM): Hola
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:38:27 PM): good evening
EPAIV22 (9:38:43 PM): Mariah Careys song is terrible
EPAIV22 (9:38:49 PM): Lol
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:38:56 PM): haha
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:38:59 PM): you ain't feeling it?
EPAIV22 (9:39:05 PM): No
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:06 PM): after all that time and suspense
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:09 PM): and build up
EPAIV22 (9:39:17 PM): It's mess
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:21 PM): and why is bitch's record company going around deleting people's blogs
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:28 PM): for posting an mp3 of th track
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:29 PM): haha
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:39 PM): as if that couldn't help things exposure wise
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:40 PM): haha
EPAIV22 (9:39:46 PM): And people are saying her song is better than Janets stuff
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:55 PM): well this is America
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:58 PM): full of sheep
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:39:59 PM): and lambs
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:40:01 PM): excuse me
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:40:02 PM): lambs
EPAIV22 (9:40:11 PM): Hahahahahahaha
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:40:11 PM): that's what Mariah calls her fans right?
EPAIV22 (9:40:16 PM): Lambs.
EPAIV22 (9:40:23 PM): Correct
EPAIV22 (9:40:29 PM): That's hilarious
EPAIV22 (9:40:37 PM): Those lyrics are just mess
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:42:32 PM): you know I ain't listened to it all the way through actually
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:42:35 PM): haha
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:42:55 PM): I went with the 1:32 second snippet on myspace and was like "okay"
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:42:57 PM): ...
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:43:10 PM): especially once I heard the word wifebeater
EPAIV22 (9:43:15 PM): Hahahaha
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:43:17 PM): guess I should have stuck around though
EPAIV22 (9:43:22 PM): Oh lord
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:43:29 PM): cause she goes on to drop "Wendy Williams"
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:43:36 PM): come on now The Dream
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:44:02 PM): COME ON
EPAIV22 (9:44:23 PM): She's like, " if there's a camera in this room you you better not be filming. If there is a camera in this room I better not catch this flick on you tube. You tube. I'll hunt you down"
EPAIV22 (9:44:29 PM): Wtf?
EPAIV22 (9:44:38 PM): M
EPAIV22 (9:44:43 PM): E
EPAIV22 (9:44:48 PM): S
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:44:53 PM): go on
EPAIV22 (9:44:53 PM): S
OneTokenBlackGuy (9:44:56 PM): thank you
Earlier...
White lines.
FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!
Keep it simple stupid.
Lights and Music [Moulinex Remix] - Cut Copy
Spotted over atDiscobelle.
Keep it simple stupid.
Spotted over at
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
T-shirt and my panties on.
FILE UNDER: New flava in ya ear!
Pump your brakes girl. Pump your brakes...
So here it is.
The wait is over.
Mariah Carey.
That chick.
New single.
Touch My Body.
Off her upcoming album, E=MC^2.
You wish I was kidding.
MYSPACE: Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
Yeah...I'mma need a few more spins with that one. I see she's still on that "them chickens is ash and I'm lotion" vibe found here and there on The Emancipation of Mimi. Whatevs. It's cool. I mean, it's better than this:
Right?
Pump your brakes girl. Pump your brakes...
So here it is.
The wait is over.
Mariah Carey.
That chick.
New single.
Touch My Body.
Off her upcoming album, E=MC^2.
You wish I was kidding.
Yeah...I'mma need a few more spins with that one. I see she's still on that "them chickens is ash and I'm lotion" vibe found here and there on The Emancipation of Mimi. Whatevs. It's cool. I mean, it's better than this:
Right?
Boy Looka Here.
FILE UNDER: Big Ups The Mae Shi!/Oh Word?
An 8.1 rating on Pitchfork. Hmm. Not too shabby The Mae Shi. Not too shabby at all...:
"...for anyone who's followed the Mae Shi, this has to come as some sort of payoff. The band has quit cramming as many breakneck riffs as possible into each convulsive track, chilled the fuck out, and begun to focus on linear songs. More than that, the L.A. six-piece has finally made an album that matches their grand ambitions, one that weaves most of their songwriting tricks together with some new ideas, and manages to be listenable and cohesive...This is the band who sold "mixtape" CD-Rs containing several hundred of their favorite songs at a few seconds each and DVDs with 30-plus videos, built their own synths, called previous albums "hip-hoperas" while sounding like the ugly rejected bits of new-wave at 77 RPM, and talked all sorts of shit while reigning spaz-rock terror on any club, supporting slot, or Bar Mitzvah that would have them. No longer; they now walk the walk..."
Boy you ain't never lied.
PITCHFORK: The Mae Shi - HLLLYH
Earlier...
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes?
An 8.1 rating on Pitchfork. Hmm. Not too shabby The Mae Shi. Not too shabby at all...:
"...for anyone who's followed the Mae Shi, this has to come as some sort of payoff. The band has quit cramming as many breakneck riffs as possible into each convulsive track, chilled the fuck out, and begun to focus on linear songs. More than that, the L.A. six-piece has finally made an album that matches their grand ambitions, one that weaves most of their songwriting tricks together with some new ideas, and manages to be listenable and cohesive...This is the band who sold "mixtape" CD-Rs containing several hundred of their favorite songs at a few seconds each and DVDs with 30-plus videos, built their own synths, called previous albums "hip-hoperas" while sounding like the ugly rejected bits of new-wave at 77 RPM, and talked all sorts of shit while reigning spaz-rock terror on any club, supporting slot, or Bar Mitzvah that would have them. No longer; they now walk the walk..."
Boy you ain't never lied.
Earlier...
Monday, February 11, 2008
PUFF (!) the Magic Dragon!
I like Panic At the Disco.
And it's all Bloc Party's fault.
You see I have this friend who, for a brief wrinkle in time, was all about the Bloc Party live. Homegirl would pay to see them open a DuPont paint store if she could. And on this fateful night a summer or three back, we were to make the trek to Long Beach and see the kids get fueled by Ramen. Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, Panic, Bloc Party, and teenagers. Loads and loads of teenagers...in a nearly seatless arena...OH!...MY!...GOD!...- Insert your own Teenage girl Beatlemania/Boy Band glee hysterics here - Unfortunately the band we drove south to see, canceled. Somebody got sick or something and the boys of Bloc Party were a no show. And unfortunately, tickets were already paid for way in advance.
-Sigh-
These fueled by Ramen acts can't be that bad right?
Right!
Let me just go on out and say it. I did not care for Panic At the Disco. Here today gone tomorrow pop rock for the teenage set. Flash in the pan, sorry not a fan, wham bam no thank you ma'am. Just because. I was that guy. You know the one who would turn off I Write Sins, Not Tragedies before it's hook or a few words in a verse could rope me in, cause I just knew I had no business liking something of this ilk.
But not now. Not here. I'm stuck. Ticket is paid for. Got to grin and bear it. And you know what? This ain't half bad. They are really putting on a show. Vocals are on point, the theatrics are whimsical and actually don't distract too much from the music, and they get extra points for performing Killer Queen and Eleanor Rigby to an obviously confused teenage crowd who want to sing along, but for some reason, they just can't. "Must be a unreleased track or something."
And that is how I became a Panic At the Disco fan. I'll spare you the whole I got the album and like it more than I like to admit, play start to finish, sing along in my room tidbits and just leave you with this, the video for their new single Nine in the Afternoon, from their upcoming sophmore albumPretty. Odd. For those seeking a little Thomas the Tank Engine/Fraggle Rock/Teletubbies/Lamb Chop's Play Along action in their lives right now.
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