Little Dragon "Ritual Union"

So I met this little dragon, and soon after I became part of a Ritual Union.

David Byrne and St. Vincent "Love This Giant"

If you would like to know how to make an enriching and invigorating collaboration album between a well known elder statesman and his apprentice, I mean that in the most respectful way possible, then you may want to try this. If you adore brassy arrangements with a side of intelligence and integrity, then you may Love This Giant.

Taproot "Plead The Fifth"

                                                                                                                                                                                                This band often has some surprisingly beautiful harmonies, that can easily wither because they are occasionally suffocated by a dense and aggressive sound. The funny thing is that this Taproot system allows those melodies to breathe. So, did they commit murder? I Plead The Fifth.  

Meek Mill "Dreams and Nightmares"

       In the eponymous opener, it’s apparent this song includes both “Dreams and Nightmares.” The song only progresses until the end, but he delivers the beginning like a dream, and then sounds like a p***** off Big Sean in the second half. For those who don’t know, that’s neither a diss or compliment; just an observation, but it sounds right though. Whether for the love of money, or “In God We Trust,” when it comes to choice, I choose the latter because good is hardly the outcome when it comes to lust. Meek and Kirko Bangz are both “Young and Gettin’ It” while “N***** claiming my flows, I should put these n***** on maury/And I ain’t claiming these hoes, got these haters looking all salty.”  I’m aware that my lines and observances are prone to being faulty. The next song is no joke; a document of what the loss of a father figure can do to a family. The music-box assited beat recalls earlier memories, while every line was a tear that became a warning to his father’s murderer; simply saying I will rip you to shreds. After the last song left him “Traumatized,” he is prepared to “…ball hard like Lebron James/and Rozay D-wade n****” and when he says it, you best “Believe It.” Rozay stays for the encore feature before the closing of these “Maybach Curtains.” The subtle horns, Nas verse, another chorus of Legend, and what’s left of the arrangement is the product of triumph.                           If the album was all Dreams and Nightmares, it is predominately the former; while some of the content may be borne of the latter, the verses hardly ever falter. For compelling story telling, I recommend the aforementioned track four, “Tony Story (P. 2),” or even listen to some Groban while wearing “Polos & Shell Tops.” I wasn’t really fond of track three, but if you want some that are better, one features Louie V (“Rich and Famous”). If that isn’t your style, the next one is worthwhile; it features Rozay, Trey Songz and Wale. Seriously, I cannot even describe why I like “Young Kingz” so much, but I’m inclined to say it's the percussion and the track’s buoyancy.  As for the track with Drake? “Amen!” The instrumentals remind me of a Sean track, and the chorus is something great to laugh at, while the verses fail to fall back! One of the most memorable for me happens to be “Who You’re Around,” and that is not only for the words of wisdom but that hook brought to you by Mary J Blige.

planningtorock "W"

They are either planning to rock the W or an ambitious audition for a showcase at Shea’s ready for rollcall; it’s not Broadway, but it is thrillingly theatrical.

Ed Sheeran "A+"

How many artists can not only cause a stir with the tweenage, teenage, and young adult crowd while also earning respect, and performing with Sir Elton John? Not many! Ed Sheeran is one of those artists, and for his proper debut he earns an A+ for effort, and the quality is not that far behind. 

Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr.Rager

The chronicles documenting life of the man on the moon return featuring The Legend of Mr. Rager. The first audio file is either inspired by a certain graphic novel series, or superficially appears that way in the title. it’s not about a pilgrim trying to live in the modern world, but a Mescudi (who’s a man) coping with the spotlight after rising from the underground. It may be "Scott Mescudi Vs. The World," but he has some help from Cee-Lo, along with earnest and honest lyrics, and a sound preparing us for the other side. There is no revolution without some sort of evolution, and listening to this little sounds like it is exactly that. The strings are air tight, almost like they know the drill, and the piano prefers to miss a whole mess of sit-ups instead of the beat. I cannot help but think of The Beatles listening to this “REVOFEV.”                                                                   You know how some people just love to do the opposite of what they’re told, so when you say “Don’t Play This Song” they probably will. Besides, there is the  the whole lyrical aspect and the fact that Mary J Blige sings backing vocals in this one.                                                                                                                                             How is everybody? Still Here? “We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up).” Well, usually most people probably leave saying what I write has no value, and refuse to finish, so I would be surprised if I had more people reading this. This next song can absolutely be enjoyed, even if you don’t smoke “Marijuana,” but some may say that the effects this song has on your spirit may even levitate your soul. We all know his love for it, but maybe it was loyalty because it “always had my back, hey” Cudi declares. I have to say that the second verse is more insightful to his past.                                                                                                                                                       When some musicians write songs they almost adopt an alter ego, but “d*** you must understand when I speak about a song, it’s how I really am/Yeah this is how I really think” with a “Mojo So Dope.”                           I didn’t realize how much of an adult alternative style the hook has, or the instrumentals in general; there is this subtle bass, but I think of Keane’s breakout 2005 hit, and for that you wanna “Erase Me.” Kanye is in the script, and he doesn’t really disappoint, but “all good things must come to an end.” Thankfully, the album is not yet over.                                                                                                                                                                           “No matter the phase, my name is engraved/In the minds of the young/To be living 'til their grave” is  the best this song has to offer because cudder is too busy “Wild’n Cuz I’m Young.”                                                    The next song starts a triple whammy of some of my favorite songs. Good, because I’m definitely in the “The Mood” for more. I was going to pretend I was clever, but living with a "MANIAC" is no joke, so I decided to leave that one alone. The feature (Cage) and sample (St. Vincent "The Strangers") really add something to the whole context of the song, and the accompanying video takes it even further.                                                          Many people want to escape their lives and enter a different world/dimension or state of being, and that’s why some drink, or smoke kush; which seem to be the most effective at entering different mind states. Then, there are video games, movies, books, and anything else you can think of that will do something similar. Which is basically what the song was about, but instead of escaping his life he wanted to escape his tragic and destructive mind state plagued by “Mr. Rager.”  Mary J returns for another duet with the cudster to  immerse themselves in "These Worries," including  situations  that are common once fame comes calling: “I’m tired of muf***** sayin that they worry about me/when in fact they probably never gave f*** about me.”It sounds like Mr. Solo Dolo strikes again, and the menace rages on.                                                                This may be “The End,” but the album is not finished yet. I originally thought this was about his experimentation with cocaine, but marijuana sounds more accurate considering the lines before: “...I am so damn comfortable I never want to leave it/The feeling is something like a spiritual healer/That could end me, I think that's the part I find intriguing, I'm fiending.” I believe it is strategically placed to illustrate his revival after his trials, and survival in spite of it; because he came close, but he’s still here.  While we came for Cudi, the verses from GLC and Chip tha Ripper are not to be ignored, because they are poignant; props to Nicole Wray for the hook, but that is what confuses me as to its context.                                                                               I should have known "All Along" that Cudi would not disappoint. As for the "Ghost," it is just one of many "inhabitants"  that is "Trapped in My Mind." We have all been there at least once, but seriously I'm aware that you would prefer not to waste any more time than you already have, so take care

Sense Itself : "Destroyed" (Part Six)

The music really seems to correlate with this water theme, and now fishes seem to arrive at certain times in tune; all different types including ones I have never seen before. It sounds like it would be perfect for a waterfall somewhere in Asia? Possibly? Remember, please, that I am a little groggy. I don't know if listening to this while "Washing" clothes or dishes would make it any more interesting. I still try to breathe. I need to start swimming to the surface! I try, but it seems really tedious and draining; I felt that I had swam a mile, and yet I'm still in the same spot. Now my mouth starts to open and I cough under water; the water enters my lungs as this drum machine beat and violin start playing. It's getting worse (my strife, not the sound). As the rest of the orchestra follows the lead of the piano, I fall into the big sleep and slowly my spirit starts to ascend as I fall into sweet sounds and 'Sweet Dreams.'                                                                                                                                   We're back to the 'Broken Places (Full Length Version)' which appears on a screen like a video game; the music sounds like it could score the title screen, or that interim prompt. Should I continue? Of course, I want to make sure that person is okay, so I hit yes. Even if I have to listen to two different versions of two songs I had already heard earlier again. Let's just say it's a little 'Slow' coming back to life. Shouldn't it be like a video game? Like BAM! Probably not; it sounds nice, but the time can be cut in half and it won't really affect the song in any way since it is basically the same. Did I hit the continue button? Looks like it. Hey do you see a progress bar? Would you be able to tell me how-- "WHAT THE F--- IS THIS A------ WRITING?! THIS IS LAME" Ok, fine you don't have to tell me; wait a second. I wake up, and am in the bed, and I realize that it was really me that was mauled by that suicidal somnambulist.

A Grasp of Hope: "Destroyed" (Part Five)

 "When You Are Old" a lot of things change, including how you view those things. This track is one of the shortest, but strongest as well; how it can say so much without saying anything?  It just seems to capture the feeling so well. Where am I ? Somewhere near the country it seems like, but I was just in freakin' space! How did I know of that incident with that sleep attack? The twang of this song and this percussive hi-hat picks up where the roots of "The Poison Tree" end, or is that begin? There seems to be a woodpecker somewhere I hear a knocking, and maybe some..no, not cymbals. The hospital is right there and everyone runs in slow motion. "I'll see what I can do" is read on the lips, but you cannot hear anything. What can I do? I'm trying to shave a metal spear with "Sandpaper?" That can get pretty depressing and discouraging, almost to the point of having a "Breakdown," so I stop and just think; not what I think of the music, but just contemplate life for a few minutes. It seems as if all hope is lost, and I hear this drumming of a soldier that is not as such anymore. I hear this alien voice, but see no body. I look around and just stop trying to scrape that space needle; what will it be good for? Like war, absolutely nothing.                                                                                           I may be back on Earth "Unter Den Linden." It's imperative that I find that hospital, but how do I know where they can be? Are they even in Germany? How would I know? Well, You know what? It may be very difficult, but I will find it because I am full of "Fortitude." The arpeggios of sounds in this song are very engaging and as the lights ascend to the volume of the beat, the lights on the buildings do the same thing. I better start NOW! Even though I am pretty anxious and overwhelmed. "How do I even find out?" I shout as I just realize that I do not speak German. But that matters if I actually was in Germany, but I still can't seem to understand anything anyone is saying, and things look so blurry too; I feel this pressure in my ears and I try to breathe but cannot. I cannot even open my mouth, but that is because subconsciously my body is trying to protect itself from drowning because I am under water.WHAT?!                                                                                                                                    

A Sense of Feeling: "Destroyed" (Part Four)

 It cannot be Mars if I see a "Blue Moon." This sound coming from it is pretty pleasant and I want to jump, but I'm frozen. All the sudden, a magnifying glass has appeared in front of the planet and I see this huge party full of really cool people and beautiful girls that I would never have the courage to talk to. I slowly shrink in size as my life seems to flash before my eyes. "What have I done in my life? Am I proud? Do I mind not having a girlfriend?" I ask. Does it matter at all because I'm going to die soon anyways.                                                                                                                              I would like to do "The Right Thing," but sometimes the line is so convoluted you cannot tell which is the best action for the most positive outcome. How can I escape this place? I don't even know where I am.                                                                                                                                          Picture this: A jazz lounge with hand drums on open-mic night, and several beatniks and hippie-dippies. I love that conjugated word! I heard it in a movie and thought it was funny, even though I'm not. Just as soon as they appear, they are gone and now I'm looking out on planet Earth. It is very serene and tranquil; out in space by what they call "Stella Maris." Time passes by and I don't even realize that a different song has started playing.                                                                                       Some cannot handle their anger, or their raw feelings of negativity; some may say "The Violent Bear It Away" and beat another person to a pulp. That person was so disconnected from his body, it was as if he was fighting demand in another universe, another plane, and his body was still here. The person was rushed to the hospital, and out poured the sweet sorrowful nectar that is "Lacrimae," but it's not salty because these aren't the same kind of tears. It was scary AF! It happened within a second and it seemed like everyone was stuck in slow motion; nothing they could do would have stopped him because they were too lethargic, but after that sleep-attack he had a myocardial infarction and passed away. The victim was rushed to the hospital because there was still a chance for him, or her; he had ripped most of her hair out of her scalp. Couldn't we tell another way? You do not want to know what happened there. He was dead though, but they did take the offender to the hospital too; just in case.

A Confidence: "Destroyed" (Part Three)

Finally, "The Day" has come where I have heard Moby sing...without any assistance ( I'm not talking bout backing vocoder, but vocoder on his voice); this is an attempt to be clever while simultaneously an occurrence in an alternate dimension. I'm floating toward a black hole, which then changes into a sun, as an electronic symphony blasts through and these heat rays melt my face off. Everything becomes dark and I hear this soulful songstress humming in the background with strings that wear a tattoo. As the voice resonates, a line drawn by crayons and markers bounce off my body.                    "I refuse to 'Lie Down In Darkness!' Absolutely Not!" They say now without me the sun is no more, or is that just me drowning in delusional self-importance? HA! Yeah right! The sun will shine without me, it has shone before I was born and it will shine when I'm gone. "Flip! I need some medication for my face, even though it's just bone. It feels like it's burning, or would it matter?!" I ask as I now walk in a space desert. I feel my face just to see, and it doesn't feel hard; it feels gelatinous. It seems twenty seconds before the third minute passes by in the desert this beat comes along, and out appear discs ascending and descending to the beat as the jazzy piano orchestrates, or choreographs, a light show directed by "Victoria Lucas." The robot returns again, and he means business; because he shoots a beam that pulls me in, and with a short ride in an omnidirectional carousel slowly accelerating in speed as this addictive rhythm and synthetic orchestra sing their song. My mind was too slow to comprehend, or maybe I was just too dizzy. It spit me out, and I threw up something techno-tribal, or was that the conductor? My vision starts to blur as I swear I see and hear starships blasting lasers at each other and this dischordant sound that is off-timed with the beat.

A Confidence: "Destroyed" (Part Two)

  I can't "Be The One" to write an incredible story to where you won't roll your eyes, nor can I make you proud of what I write (especially if you're a fan of Moby). I decide to just sit down for a minute, and realize that I have a space suit on; one that I never put on. I see a montage of all sorts of dance-clubs, and picturesque mountain landscapes (sometimes both at the same time). "I need time to collect my thoughts" I think to myself as I look to see if I can find that robot. "Why The h*ll would I need that? "The Low Hum" is full of background beats and lullaby-esque shimmering space melodies with the vocals of Emily Zuzik; sounds perfect for just contemplating one's own worth in a tranquil place at two in the morning. "Finished!" I shout as I look at the clock that says it is quarter past two. I was in one spot the whole time, but now things really do seem to be changing; the scenery is filling with stars as the building slowly dissappears. As I start to levitate, sans gravity, I freak out, but I hear a voice singing "That's alright" and it calms me. At first, I thought I had seen "Rockets," and I laughed at the thought, but now I'm not sure.

"Destroyed" in Several Entries (Part One)

I said that this was going to be a b**** the first time I had heard this record. I stand somewhere in this white hallway with these ringing tones in the air tonight, and I see nothing, but white space. "WHAT THE F--- IS THIS S---?!!" I hear someone shout from another part of the universe, as they read this. In space no one can hear you scream; I mean "am I even in space?" I think as the words become visible in a cartoon bubble, and then I hear this sound of an elevator (not literally) as the percussion changes. A silent ode to "The Broken Places," faces, dreams, hearts, and people. I think I'm alone and then I hear a robot sing a mantra, or refrain, over and over, but am stopped by this line. "I was the hell that you needed ... oh." As backing instrumentals play, I see vibrations and this white space slowly morph into something else, but I still look and nothing has changed.

More from the vault!

It matters little, but I'm just going to release the rest of the entries. There weren't too many left, so what the heck! Most will be left as is with minor tweaks. I don't even know why I'm announcing this, because barely anyone reads this; what's the point of stretching this blog's life longer than it is needed because it is dying, and I prefer not to write these anymore. BOO HOO. Ha Ha! Whatever. Take Care!

Plain White Ts "Wonders of The Younger"

            Hey, There Delilah this song was written for you, the band got more recognition, and were stuck in the studio to make more songs just like it too. You know it's truuuuue.                                                                       How they tried, to make one of the greatest follow-up albums in time. Yes, in time.                                           Ohhhh, many people were disappointed, disgruntled and let down, but that is part of the life we know; not always easy to accept. I thought it was good, much better than good; a couple seconds of vocalizing and then the final guitar strum.             
              When they set out to record in the Big Bad World they set out to make an album that was much different than that of their peers; not only better, but one updating sounds from decades past. I thoroughly enjoyed the album, but others didn’t. From the song that tries to recreate that magic of the last album; you will know in 1,2,3,4. The one-two-three blow of the opening trio, the feeling that I get when that girl  looks at me, the quick delivery and harmonica-rock of I Really Want You, and a classic ending.   

Talib Kweli "Gutter Rainbows"

This review is a blast from the (recent) past; written several years ago. I decided it to leave it as is for the most part, but still feel free to put me on blast.

This post is ridic...

There are only a few more reviews still in the vault, written at least a year ago, and some more recent ones not yet there. So once they are all released that might be it for this silly blog.

Justin Bieber "Believe"

We only get one time to make a first impression, and yes I understand he was in-between teens, but  at the time I was just “this is silly.” Some people may say something a lot worse, and not just "ridiculous."  

Funeral for a Friend "Welcome Home Armageddon"

Before we begin, I will say that this was written before the proposed end of the world, but due to "quality control," excuse me while I laugh and smirk in silence the tense will kept as is.

Green Day "Dos"

        The second installment in their ambitious-nostalgic trilogy proves that you can sound just as relevant, and possibly intelligent, without all the bombast and conceptual excess. There is a duality to how one perceives their significant other, or current lover, and the first two tracks illustrate them well; whether it is the tender-hearted “See You Tonight,” or the straight-forward “F*** Time.” Even these “Lazy Bones” livened up; because for the first two albums the monotone of Casablancas was annoying. Wait a second, this is Green Day! The riff is pretty nice, and I also think of my dearly beloved. “Wild One” seems to be about a human battleground for angels and demons, and all because she chose planetary travel over the glory of God?                   The rhythm of “Makeout Party” sloshes between what could be two slightly different time signatures; like the swapping of spit after the tongue enters the black hole. While this “Stray Heart” sounds like it used some (social) distortion, and “Ashley” is about a riotous old fling with a tempest hooked on meth: “Back when I loved you but you're scaring me to death/This careless memory and now I could care less.”  It seems that the pursuer of “Baby Eyes” might be the prey of the “Lady Cobra.” Isn’t karma a b****? Fight or flight… that percussion will not save you either. The previous song might be about the only feature on this record, and her “Nightlife” sounds pretty low-key despite what we may believe; when it comes to the song anyway. Anybody remember the Super Mario Bros. Movie? “Wow! That’s Loud” Favorites: See You Tonight, F*** Time, Lazy Bones, Lady Cobra, Nightlife, Wow! That’s Loud, and Amy.                                I was planning to write a review for the third album, but I decided not to. Not because the album is bad. It can be called the album with the "hairy chest," with a mini suite written by some "Dirty Rotten Bast---" that recalls their 2004 release; you know the name.  You can call it lazy, or just honestly sick of writing about the works of others, but Tre! is worth more than one listen;appropriately so, it may take more than one for some of the songs to grow on you.