Indie Roundup: What I've Been Listening To (7/30/10)

I told myself when I re-opened this blog that I wasn't going to let the Indie aspect of my life die. Well, it hasn't at all. The past weeks we've seen some interesting albums dropping from the hipster living. Here are two albums I highly suggest download/buying as they are currently some of my favorite rights now.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Let It Sway

The Missouri boys are back. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin releases Let It Sway, courtesy of Polyvinyl Records. The album has a lot of songs (I'm too tired to count them right now). Notable tracks that stick out: Banned (By The Man), Back In The Saddle and All Hail Dracula! It's a lot different from SSLYBY previous releases (Pershing & Broom). It kind of sounds like Fountain of Waynes on LSD. That's fine in my books.

Rating: 78%

When I first heard the Ra Ra Riot album, I was pretty tired and drunk. I decided to click on a random song. 'Shadowcasting' was the song and what a fucking jam that song is. I haven't The Orchard much of a listen, but I can already tell it's not going to be as strong as The Rhumb Line.

Rating: 74%

Download: Freddie Gibbs - Str8 Killa No FIlla (Mixtape)

I cannot remember a time I anticipated a record/mixtape as much as I did with Freddie Gibbs Str8 Killa No Filla. The mixtape features Jay Rock, Pill, Bun B and others. I'm gonna stop talking from here because there's going to be a review soon. Download link below.

Download: XXL

New Writings @ The Hood Nerd

I've found a space where I can be comfortable. I'm co-writing for the webzine called The Hood Nerd. I believe in what Jay is doing and hopefully I can lend some ideas to him. We posted my first review, which is Curren$y's Pilot Talk. Check it out here!

Video: Freddie Gibbs - National Anthem (Fuck The World)

My most anticipated mixtape this year. Freddie Gibbs debuts his video for "National Anthem (Fuck The World)". He's dropping a new mixtape Thursday, entitled Str8 Killa No Filla and following that up with his EP, Str8 Killa.

Review: Curren$y - Pilot Talk

Curren$y - Pilot Talk

Evolution has occurred since the early days of Earth. From monkeys to humans (though that is disputed), to pre-historic dinosaurs to lizards today, evolution is all around us. But for some reason, none of this intrigues me. The evolution of southern bad ass Curren$y is more appealing. While holding the title of “Spitta”, Curren$y has taken his rapping career into a different relm of ‘respect’. First he was covered by the shadows of Young Money Entertainment, now he’s finally able to shine with his Roc-A-Fella swagger and he’s debut album to the mainstream, Pilot Talk.

For one, I’m not a huge fan of seeing a lot of guest appearances on an album. However, Pilot Talk is an exception. Curren$y features the likes of Snoop Dog, Mos Def, Jay Electronica and more. With each artist representing a different side of Hip-Hop, the album really takes its own and shows where Hip-Hop/Rap should be going. And you can’t forget the production of Ski Beatz, who everyone is a fan of.

Curren$y displays different sides of his rapping abilities. Take for instance track number two, “Audio Dope II”. Spitta accompanies the elevator themed instrumental with some of that southern bad ass I was talking about. The combination of the Curren$y’s smooth, calm flow with the addition of the rasta background demonstrates his true ability as a performer. He flows that up with “King Kong”, the original single for Pilot Talk. Here, Curren$y discusses how he’s higher up in the world than King Kong...or any person for that matter. The club banger even has some lyrics for your brain to ponder. "On the ground I am like a quarterback attackin defensive line men homie who gon block em."

What Curren$y lacks in his previous works is difference int he meaning of songs. You have him and Wiz Khalfia rap about weed for a whole mixtape and it seems that is all they want to do. Do we have a problem with that? Not when the tracks are great. For instance, “The Hangover”, which features Mickey Rocks. Depending on what kind of Hip-Hop your ear likes, the is one for the record books. If there is a sound I can see Curren$y being comfortable with, it’s defiantly the laid back, burn an l sound that is illustrated throughout this track. The story behind this track is pretty much about partying and living life on the edge, which Curren$y does everyday.

We cannot forget about the other standout track off the record. “The Day”, which features Mos Def and Jay Electronica, is something for fans to get amped for. Center Edge Territory, which is the group name of the three, have five more songs that are awaiting the opportunity to our ears. Curren$y wisely invites New Orleans native Jay Elec to jump on this track and as expect, Jay Electronica steals the show on the track. While Jay Electronica has stayed quiet this year thus far, he delivers some of the most power fullest bars we’ve heard this year. “I pray my heart is DMC and Reverend Run enough / 'Cause I’ma throw my number up / I’ma throw some chicken bones and feathers on a hundred bucks / And summon up the thunder what / The voodoo man is coming, bruh / You can’t see the forest for trees / It's okay, I got my jigsaw and my lumber truck / Tell them boys that their run is up.”

Pilot Talk is concluded with two previously released tracks, “Address” and “Life Under The Scope”. Stalley lends a few bars in “Address” and with the addition of Ski Beatz on the track, it’s a track to be talked about...or at least played twice. And how about ending a great album with yet another laid back track with “Life Under The Scope”, where Spitta discusses how the life of the famous really is.

Evolution is something that will always be argued about. However, the evolution of Curren$y from being an unappreciated pothead to on top of every major blog is something that most won’t mind. Pilot Talk is a great example of how patience is always worth it in the long run. Whether your a fan of Curren$y’s weed tunes (Breakfast, Chilled Coughee, The Hangover) or the new outlook on life (The Day, King Kong), he brings something for every Hip Hop fan to listen to. After all, we still talk about monkeys turning into humans, right?

Rating: 84%

Download: Lupe Fiasco - BMF (Building Minds Faster) Freestyle

As it seems that the whole internet has petitioned for Lasers to be released, Lupe Fiasco has decided to drop a new freestyle over Rick Ross's track, "BMF (Building Minds Faster!)". Personally, I feel that I could have done a better job because it's really not that good. Still worth a listen or two. Download link below!

Lupe Fiasco - BMF (Building Minds Faster!) Freestyle [Mediafire]

Lyrical Chatter: Limbeck - Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It

The funny thing about music is it's like the internet. Whatever you make never goes away. This week's Lyrical Chatter column features the band Limbeck. Their one of those bands that never really gets the appreciation that they deserve. We will be listening to the previously un-released track, 'Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It'.

The title of the track is a story of itself, until you listen to the lyrics in dept. The track was originally released on the Doghouse 100 compilation, then re-recorded for their latest effort, The Delicacy of Living Modestly.

---------------------------------------------------------------

leaving now and it's so nice out i think that i could blind myself watching the sun go down play the radio loud i don't want to go but i gotta go now six hours to go until i show up back home i pull up to some kind payphone to hear the sweetest noise come out i played the radio loud i don't want to go but i gotta go now i heard the sweetest noise come out from the payphone i wanna turn around don't let time take the thrill while i'm away cause if you let it take the thrill this whole thing's a waste i played the radio loud i didn't want to go but to turn around i heard the sweetest noise come out from the payphone but it's such a joke now i didn't want to go home but i like my home now

---------------------------------------------------------------

Vocalist Robb McClean tells his story about going back and forth between a girl. He doesn't know if he should leave because he's obviously spent a significant amount of his life with her. He talks about how the partner shouldn't let time take the thrill because it will all go wrong. The thrill in this case is love and how she should just move on just like he did. At the end of the track, McClean states, "I didn't want to go home/but i like my home now" describing how he's content with how he's living now without her.

Limbeck - Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It [MultiUpload]

Review: Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler's Day Off

Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler’s Day Off

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off meet Bewler’s Day Off. The name’s are similar, but that’s where it ends. Meet Rugz D. Bewler, New York based Rapper. Coming up through the NYC, you have to make a name for yourself. Pretty much, if you’re beats and rhymes sound the same as some else, then you’re going to be in the shadow. So how does one get noticed? Ask Rugz D. Bewler.

With the releasing of the mixtape, Bewler’s Day Off, we are graced with groovy disco dance beats (“Don’t Dance”), doing exactly what we thought: partying. We even have some romance throughout the mixtape (“Love” & “Sexy Time”). But every recording artist needs a song freestyle over a british cutie. Bewler does just that with his freestyle over Lily Allen’s “Oh My God”. While the song is mainly dominated by Allen, Bewler donates a few bars for our listening pleasure. Rugz doesn’t stop there.

The tool he uses on this record that other artists don’t do is: showing different emotions in different songs. Sure, you can have concept mixtapes (aka: stories) or just similar sounding mixtapes (aka: Jay Rock, Drake, etc…). Rugz D. Bewler delivers with the help of Skotch Davis and former basketball great Stalley (“Bend Her Over [Life’s A Bitch]”). Throughout the song, you hear the chorus, “Life’s a bitch and I’m gonna bend her over.” The line might not mean much, but it shows the extended emotions used to complete Bewler’s Day Off.

I could go on more about the mixtape, but why be the spoiler? Bewler’s Day Off is something to listen to the next time you’re looking for something new and different. As my ears listened, my heart loved. Download Rugz D. Bewler’s “Bewler’s Day Off”.

Rating: 8.0

Worth Listening: “Cobra Kai”, “Oh My God”, “Love”

Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler's Day Off [DatPiff]

Download: YC The Cynic - Summertime

Nothing I love more than seeing up and coming NYC MC's making it in the music world. YC The Cynic released a mixtape earlier this year entitled You're Welcome and is set to release his second of the year, The Spectacle. Here is the first leak from The Spectacle entitled 'Summertime High'. Easily one of my favorite songs of the summer so far.

YC The Cynic - Summertime High [Bandcamp]

Look What I Found: Brandon Clark & The American Standard

Sometimes we listen to music. Other times we dream about music. But mostly, music is always with us. Whether it be a random sounds you hear out in the world or one of those annoying vuvuzela's. It's sounds and music. It runs through our soullllllssssss. Enough of the touching introduction, my real reason to writing to you today is about Brandon Clark & The American Standard. When I listen to music, I try to stray away from what I normally listen to.

First it was Pop-Punk, then it was Indie, a little Country and now HipHop/Rap. I tend to listen to all the genres still, however more so with Indie and Hip Hip. Brandon Clark and crew have given us their small rendition of songs, entitled Honestly. The album gives you many different shades. Shades that we all should start listening up for. Whether it's the catchy opener 'Anchor' or the slow moving/Billy Currington sounding 'Restless', this EP has a lot to offer. I highly suggest checking out this guys release as he is signed to P Is For Panda, who was previously one of the original founders of The Militia Group. Don't be surprised to see Brandon Clark's name on the Billboard Hot 100 soon.

Brandon Clark & The American Standard - Anchor [Mediafire]

Stream Honestly [Bandcamp]

2010 The Open Championship @ St. Andrews Links

I'm the occasional golf fan. I'll watch all the majors as much as I can. We were greeted with a treat today by a 21 year old named Rory McIlroy, tying the course record with a 63, where he currently stands in the lead with a -9 after day one. My personal favorite, Lucas Glover is four shots back shooting a 68 along with Tiger Woods and other Americans. I'm going to start incorporating sports into this blog as I'm an avid sports fan.

In other sports news, the New York Mets play tonight against the San Francisco Giants. This days marks the return of outfielder Carlos Beltran and the benching of the frenchy. Notes from the game later tonight.

Download: Black Lips / Pierced Arrows - Scion A/V Garage

One of my friends in the industry sent me this a while ago and I passed up on it. He sent me it again today and I decided to give it a listen. It's a duel release from the Black Lips and Pierced Arrows. Two tracks or pure rawness. Not really my cup of tea, but some of you will enjoy this. Download link below.

Black Lips / Pierced Arrows - Scion A/V Garage [Mediafire]

Download: Ab-Soul - LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous

When it comes to HipHop and Rap, I'm down to listen to anything really. I'll give it a try. If it's good, I'll write about it. If it's weak, I'll just throw it in the trash bin. This guy Ab-Soul just released his latest mixtape, LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous. I mean, is it Album Of The Year material? No. Is it worth a listen? Sure.

Be sure to listen to the track 'Turn Me Up', which features Kendrick Lamar (Who I've never enjoyed prior to this song). Download link below.

Ab-Soul - LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous [Usershare]

Download: Nick Torres- Live At Glamour Kills

Going back to my old roots now, I used to be in love with Northstar. From 7th grade through 9th grade, they were all I played. They are still one of my favorite bands that I constantly listen to. Nowadays, the band never performs for reunion shows. Hell, Nick Torres and Cassino don't even play cover songs..until now.

Nick Torres, formally the lead singer of Northstar, played a ten song set for a Glamour Kills Birthday Party. Minus the talking in the background, it's pretty sweet to listen to and it's a keepsake kinda thing if you really love Northstar. I apologize about the rip. There's a delay in the for about three seconds on each track.

Track List:

1. Between Horns and Halos

2. Broken Parachute

3. Chesterfield King

4. For Members Only

5. Governor

6. Pollyanna

7. The Pornographer's Daughter

8. Rigged and Ready

9. To My Better Angel

10. Two Zero Two

Download: Mediafire

Look What I Found: Lindsey Mcfly

You never know what you're going to find on Facebook. Usually, it's your 'friends' making annoying posts where you just block them off your feed (Like half of my friends). Others go to socialize and some play MindJolt Games. Occasionally, I'll have some artist add me asking me to listen to their music. Usually, I decline. This time I took a chance.

Lindsey Mcfly decided to add me on Facebook today, having one friend in common Theophilus London. First off, I felt like denying the guy because of the terrible moniker/stage name. His default picture intrigued me enough to click on his Band Camp page. Anyways, the song I played on his page was pretty nice. Something to lay back and lose yourself to. That song is called 'Money'.

Below, you'll find a link to his Band Camp page, accompanied by a link to his latest mixtape, Best I Am. It's worth a listen. If not, blame it on me.

Lindsey Mcfly - Best I Am [Mediafire]

BandCamp

Download: Summer Solstice Volume #1

This is a mixtape I made about a week ago and posted it on my other blog, You Are Now In The Clouds With... It's a pretty chill mixtape, featuring HipHop and Indie together. Nothing really underground, but none the less it's worth the download.

Track list:

1. B.o.B - Past My Shades (Featuring Lupe Fiasco)

2. The Black Keys - Ten Cent Pistol

3. Blu - So Perfect

4. Childish Gambino - Bitch Look At Me Now (Two Weeks)

5. Here We Go Magic - Collector

6. Theophilus London - Julia (Remix)

7. Steel Train - Bullet

8. Greta Morgan - Children in the 90s (I’m Not The Same)

9. Wiz Khalifa - We’re Done

10. Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin F. Jill Scott

11. The National - Afraid of Everyone

12. Beach House - Zebra

13. The Drums - I Felt Stupid.

Download: Megaupload

Download: Skyzoo & Illmind - Frisbee

The first single off of Skyzoo and Illmind's album. Man I sure do love my Skyzoo.

Skyzoo & Illmind - Frisbee [Usershare]

Review: Mark Rose - Separate

Mark Rose - Separate

With music nowadays, peoples perspectives of what they want to play change drastically. Mark Rose, formally the lead singer of the Chicago based band Spitalfield, once played pop-punk in front of small loaded venues. He then released The Greatest Lakes EP, which showcased his incredible talent of captivating listeners with his soothing summer voice.

However, with his latest release, Rose takes his music into a different direction. We still have the adoring acoustics with relaxing voice, but it’s a bit different this time. ‘I Don’t Know How to Not Love You’ is the introduction to Separate. To some, you’ll love it thinking, “what a genius way to open an album.” However, Mark Rose sells himself short with this track. It reminds me of a Phil Collins song mixed with German Gestapo alarms from World War II. “Standing” follows right after, with the sounds that Rose should accomplish. The track displays his soft sound, the combination peaceful guitar riffs and 1980’s guitar sounds.

If there is a time during the EP where I can see Rose topping the charts, it would be with track four, “Make This Move”. The track showcases Rose’s guitar abilities as well as the combination of embedding the soft vocals with claps and an upbeat pace. The lyrical outlook is splendid as well. “I won’t mind/we never say forever/Give me time/I can prove to you/I was meant to make this move.”

Lets just hope the cards workout this time. Mark Rose is a deserving musician, producing everything on his own and not ripping off other artists. With Separate, he creates the perfect blend of calm and chilling, something most artists can’t pull off. The next year will be interesting regarding Rose, as this will now mean he’s put two EP’s in my top EP’s of the year.

Rating: 7.5

Download: The Morning Benders - EchoMix1

One of my favorite Indie suits, The Morning Benders, decided to lend their ears to SayMayday.com with a Summer Mix. The track list is below and it's one big song. In my opinion, I feel like this is going to be a very nice summer thanks to someones ear. Chris Chu has a taste for music.

1. Steve Martin & Bernadette Peters “Tonight You Belong To Me“
2. Xavier Cugat “Perfidia (Instrumental)“
3. The Avalanches “Since I Left You“
4. The Radio Dept “Where Damage Isn’t Already Done“
5. The Walkmen “There Goes My Baby (The Drifters Cover)“
6. Bibio “Lovers’ Carvings“
7. The Morning Benders “Have One On Me (Joanna Newsom / J Dilla Cover)“
8. Twin Sister “Lady Daydream (Cassette Version)“
9. Arthur Russell “Lucky Cloud“
10. Blur “Caravan“
11. Smokey Robinson and The Miracles “Ooo Baby Baby”

Download: SayMayday

Lyrical Chatter: Owen - Abandoned Bridges

Heart ache, heart break; the few words that come to mind when thinking about Mike Kinsella, the man behind the solo moniker Owen. I've been a big fan of Owen since 2006, when I first started getting into music. With every release prior and afterwards, Kinsella has discussed some of the most disturbing stories you'll hear, except he can make them sound beautiful. A man with a mission behind an acoustic.

He's back at it again with the releasing of the Abandoned Bridges 7" vinyl that has found it's path to the internet like usual. The plastic includes a new track entitled 'Abandoned Bridges', along with a Wilco cover 'I'm Always In Love'. Without the lyrics in front of my eyes, this has become somewhat tricky to decipher what is being said while writing my thoughts down.

------------------------------------------------------

i left the party pretty early

i thought i'd go home

drink some wine and fuck myself

i didn't want to wake you

as a man, i've known a number of loves

some of which i'll die with,

some i'm not too proud of

i've lived, loved and learned

said fire to abandoned bridges and watched them burn

here i am, i'm all yours

i've had enough small talk and irony

i've had enough hermetic misogyny

i've had enough repeating history

i've had enough so i left the part.

i pulled matt aside and said, "it's time to go."

said "fire" to a room of friends I don't know

here i am, i'm all yours

------------------------------------------------------

To sum it up, Kinsella discusses about past relationships in which failed. He talks about his hatred for 'hermetic misogyny', in which means difficult to understand and hatred for females. He's had enough of repeating the same path and decided to lead a new life. He is now happily married with one child.

Owen- Abandoned Bridges [Mediafire]

Review: Steel Train - Steel Train

Steel Train - Steel Train

Combos. The famed snack distributed by Mars Incorporated. Since the mid 1970s, Americans have been blessed with the filling bite size snack. Whether it’s the Cheddar Cheese Cracker or Pepperoni Pizza Cracker, we all have loved it. The reason we love these un-healthy snacks is due to the weird combination. A filling center of your choice with a cracker stretching around it, making it appear as dog food.

New Jersey/New York’s Steel Train is something similar to a Combo. It’s a filling arrangement of music, pleasing the ear with Pop rock roots, embellishing that with dark words wrapped up with a crazed attitude. After the releasing of the 2007 album Trampoline, the animals give us their latest effort.

The self-titled album is a record illustrating different sides and colors. “Bullet”, the introduction to the album, can be taken into different accounts. Singer/Guitarist Jack Antonoff said the song is about his sister and how they’ve been through a lot throughout their lives. In my retrospect, I take it as a relationship. A dysfunctional one.

The five piece suit tell the tale of loved ones that aren’t working out anymore through ‘You And I Undercover’. Antonoff hints to the listener how, “All I want is a soldier, hand and hand with you”, saying how he needs someone to be there for her since he cannot anymore. You can move onto the track ‘Touch Me Bad’. The name suggests other things. And while the track is a crazed wrecking train mixed with poppy hooks and humming choruses, Antonoff describes the rough times he endured in the past.

There’s a fair portion of the album I didn’t discuss because I want you to be the judge. If you’re looking for smack in the face indie-pop, you’ve found it. If you’re looking for something different from the mainstream, you’ve found it. If you’re looking for your album of the year, you’ve found it.

Rating: 9.5