| drafted |

Well, kinda. I'll be ramping up my music duties blogging elsewhere, so I've decided to put this project on hold until I find a way to free up the spare time to keep posts here consistent, thoughtful, and original. After all, there isn't exactly a shortage of cookie cutter music blogs around the interwebs these days.

Thanks to those who kept musiclives.Here alive for the past year or so. 
I hope to be back sometime soon.

| so much for subtlety |

*Psst, I think she wants you to lay it on her.*

Kudos to Kelly Rowland for her latest musical rebirth, but I think it's bad sign when I mute her and un-mute only to hear Big Sean's verses.

I would've appreciated some wordplay in the lyrics; maybe a clever tip of the hat to something other than Kelly's burning loins. Yeah, we get it - you want one of those oily bodybuilders to rail you! Can't help but wrinkle my nose upon realizing that the song really just about that, and only that.

Ho hum, mute, enjoy her solid attempt at the Jessica Alba pose, repeat.

| sing off > the rest |

Some examples of why The Sing Off is the best vocal competition on TV.

// Delilah - Whataya Want From Me? (Adam Lambert Cover) //

The original is a hit, no doubt, but hearing this from a female perspective lends a greater sense of vulnerability. The mark of a great cover is when a previously untapped - or even unintended - aspect of the song is discovered and brought to light. The harmony balance here is so delicate and I was thrilled to see how it unfolded so well. Delilah is a group of fantastic ensemble of solo female vocalists, and this performance showcases the top three leads perfectly.

// Afro Blue - American Boy (Estelle Cover) //

Just sick! I'm glad Shawn Stockman pointed out the scatting in the beginning, but that part of the performance was incredible. I watched this by myself and actually started to applaud at the end without thinking about it (I guess I do that now). Never have I ever clapped at the TV, but I think this warranted an ovation. "There was nuthin' wrong with that performance!"

| bad, real bad: you used to be dope |

// Timbaland f. Pitbull & David Guetta - Pass At Me //

"Oh oh my God" is right. What happened to you, Timbo? I'm starting to think maybe Magoo left you...



All repeats are on mute, strictly for the eye candy. MMMHMM.

| bring sexy back... back |

Come on, JT, he was about to have a THREESOME! Stop teasing us with Fallon rap duets and SNL cameos. "Friends With Benefits" wasn't that good. FutureSex/LoveSounds was.

| and you flauntin! |

// Neon Hitch - Gucci Gucci (Kreayshawn Cover) //

Up and coming British singer Neon Hitch has been known for her brazen covers ranging from Travie McCoy & Bruno Mars' "Billionaire" to Wiz Khalifa's "On My Level." Her upcoming album Beg, Borrow & Steal is out soon and her latest reworking of Kreayshawn's viral hit "Gucci Gucci" is sure to turn some heads. Her original material is a little more on the electro-pop side, but she's done a great job showcasing her versatility with her youtube videos to date. Check her out - she's got some spice to her.

Two things worth mentioning:
- 1:07. Niiice (Fab voice).
- She kinda reminds me of Gwen Stefani. yes/no?

Take a look at Ms. Hitch as she hawks her designer goods on the streets of New York City.

| sexy done right |

// Beyonce - 1+1 (Video) //

As I said regarding Lloyd's "Naked" video, it's really hard to do sexy without coming off as hokey or perverted. Whatever "sexy" is to you is quite possibly very different than the next guy, which is why I applaud Beyonce for pulling off strong and sexy without having to hang too much boob. A little bit of fierce with hints of fragility sprinkled throughout, "1+1" is worth a repeat or two. Enjoy!





Edit: Speaking of things worth repeating, how did I miss this video drop last month? w-o-w.

| swimming real good |

// Ebrahim - Swim Good (Frank Ocean Cover) //

Another goodie from Mr. Ebrahim, this time cover Frank Ocean's "Swim Good."

Nothing fancy. Just a voice and a piano, and a fantastic result (as usual).

| bad, real bad: so minaj is a king now? |

 

Rolling Stone’s “Kings of Hip-Hop” List

1. Eminem
2. Lil Wayne
3. Drake
4. Kanye West
5. Jay-Z
6. Nicki Minaj
7. Rick Ross
8. Ludacris
9. Gucci Mane
10. T.I.
11. Snoop Dogg
12. Diddy
13. Pitbull
14. Fabolous
15. Wiz Khalifa
16. B.o.B
17. Waka Flocka Flame
18. Lupe Fiasco
19. Kid Cudi
20. Big Boi

(Shaking head vigorously) I'd really like to know the selection criteria for what makes someone a "King." Influence? Record sales? A vagina?


Anyone could make a decent case for Eminem and Wayne at #1 and 2. But seriously, Rolling Stone: Drake above Kanye and Jay-Z, then Nicki Minaj over... everyone else? Minaj is clearly already the Queen of Hip-hop (if you want to call her that), but you have to put her on the man list too?

Gucci's barely done anything, Pitbull isn't even hip hop, and Waka Flocka is a bum. Hell, I didn't even know Ludacris was still alive! Fab at 14 and Big Boi at 20 are a shame.

It's like they just pulled names out of a hat.

| watching the throne |

// Jay-Z & Kanye West - Otis (Video) //

(Sorry, couldn't help myself from reposting)



Considering their tumultuous, over-romanticized relationship over the years, Jay-Z and Kanye West sure are pushing hard to convince the world that everything between them is kosher. Call me cynical, but the "Otis" video looks like it could be a lot of fake smiles and posing. Can the good times last, or are we waiting until the next ego clash...?

If you ask me, two awesome things coming together doesn't always make something double-awesome. As my buddy Rich would say: "It's aaaaight."

"Hahahawhatarewelaughingabouthahahaha!"

| the single life: issue twenty two |

// Chris Brown f. Joelle James - Leave The Club //

Download

Is it just me, or is Chris Brown the R&B version of Lil' Wayne? All these mixtapes are extras leaking in the last year or so have kept the once-villified star steadily in our sights. Of course, non of this would matter if the stuff he was putting out sucked. Thankfully though, a lot of it is top notch material. "Leave The Club" is a smooth jam featuring sweet-singing YouTube sensation Joelle James, whom Brown recently signed to his CBE sub-label. The pair have some nice chemistry and they make great use of another excellent Justice League production.

// J. Cole - Be (Freestyle) //

Download

Acknowledging he didn't mean to compete with Jay-Z and Kanye's Throne drop, J. Cole decided it would be safe to put out a quick 3-track download for his fans via his Twitter. Going in on Common's classic BE intro, Cole definitely does his thing. Best line: "Cole got delivery, bitch - you got Digiorno's." #niceee If you missed him last time he was in town, check him out @ The Vogue theatre on August 23rd.

// Big Sean f. Rick Ross & Pusha T - 100 Keys //

Download

Continuing his staggering rise to pop music prominence, Big Sean is giving us a surprisingly solid debut with Finally Famous. Backed by impressive guests and top tier production, the Detroit-bred rapper really is doing it big. While many of the tracks from the album are winners, my pick comes from the Deluxe Edition. The energy of the synths and the flawless timing of the piano riffs in the hook are irresistable. This is a different type of hustle anthem. It's not trap music or another DJ Khaled street banger, and I actually like that. A nod to WrighTrax for the beat is also well-deserved.

// XV - Foreign Exchange Student //

Download

I was a bit late getting to this, but I've recently been getting solid replay value out of XV's latest mixtape, Zero Heroes. The diverse rapper from Kansas has been b-u-s-y in the last 5 years. He's put out 16 mixtapes and 1 LP. If it wasn't obvious just from the album art, XV isn't afraid to mix it up and draw from various sources and genres. One of my favourite tracks from Zero Heroes is "Foreign Exchange Student." Sampling Miami Horror's "Holidays," Vizzy oozes about a girl who kills it in Black Ops, listens to The Pixies (religiously), and dresses her ass off to boot. Yeah, that'd be nice. Keep your eyes open for XV's new album coming sometime later this year.

// Elle Varner f. J. Cole - Only Wanna Give It To You //

Download

For a while, it was killing me that I couldn't figure out with 90's R&B track this reminded me of. Then it hit me: Groove Theory - Tell Me. What a classic throwback. (It makes me want to go on an Amel Larrieux DL spree!) R&B newcomer Elle Varner packs a bit more punch than Ms. Larrieux, and I would consider her new single with J. Cole a hit. The track is turning heads for its old school vibe. Get it on your summer playlist, pronto.

 // Big K.R.I.T. f. Yelawolf - Happy Birthday Hip-Hop //

Download

A early gift of rapper/producer Big K.R.I.T.'s soon-to-be released mixtape, Last King 2: God's Machine, "Happy Birthday Hip-Hop" is an ultra cool summer joint. Joined by Yelawolf, the two southern rappers toast hip hop over a jazzy piano-laden beat. The instrumental feels so good - I'll give God's Machine a serious listen if the rest of it sounds anything like this. Even with the DJ tags at the beginning, do not sleep on this! It's too sick.

// Washed Out - A Dedication //

Download

I've been a fan of Washed Out for years, and I was really happy to see his recently released Within and Without get such a positive reception. Boasting dreamy arrangements and surprising depth, the album really is a treat to behold. "A Dedication" ends the masterwork with a plodding, methodical clinic on nostalgic music-making. I never ever bothering to decipher the lyrics - all you need to do is just put it on and lay around for an hour or two. Best served on lazy summer afternoons.

// Pusha T f. Tyler, The Creator - Trouble On My Mind //

Download

Pusha's back, this time teaming with fiendish rap enigma Tyler, The Creator. Making a team of "hipsters, felons and thugs," Pusha's Re-Up fam shot the video alongside members of Tyler's OFWGKTA crew. The grimey beat complements both rappers in entirely different ways, but still manages to find balance. Still on the fence about Tyler's antics, I regrettably give him top marks for outshining Pusha. "Trouble On My Mind" will appear on Pusha's upcoming 9-track EP titled Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray.

// Gardens & Villa - Black Hills //

Download

Equipped with a wide-ranging array of sounds, California's Gardens & Villa recently made a decent splash with their self-titled debut album. My favourite track so far is the synth-heavy single, "Black Hills." Lead singer Adam Rasmussen's whimsical falsetto grows on you in a way not unlike that of Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes. I'd recommend their album for a good listen or two - you'll find at least one or two tracks to keep. Gardens & Villa will be making a stop in Seattle on October 11th @ The Sunset.

// Lloyd - Naked //

Download

At first I thought this song was kind of corny, but it grew on me. It's a rare successful attempt at something new for the grown and sexy. It's not old Barry White, but Lloyd takes a pretty good shot at creating something sexy without it coming across as sleazy or lame. (see: whatever song that was about him missing that pussy. Seriously, what was that garbage?)

| so this is inevitable withdrawal |

"All I can ever be to you is the darkness that we know."
- Amy Winehouse

She was one of the first artists I followed seriously when I started to care about music, and it's a pity to see her go like this. I kept waiting for the new Amy Winehouse material, and now we'll have to wait for the cheesy post-humous marketing blitz. To the casual fan or someone who's ignorant to her music altogether, she was probably just some trashy, anorexic junkie with a big voice who had one good album then died.

Winehouse was no saint while alive and shouldn't be anointed as such just because she died young, but it saddens me to see so many people taking the "no pity for the drug addict" stance on the topic. She was someone's daughter, sister and friend. This was a human being who walked among us only one week ago.

On a music level, I don't think there's any greater injustice you could do to an artist who was as widely acclaimed to simply discount her as a flash in the pan. It would be like saying Michael Jackson had "Thriller" then became white and creepy and died. Would it be just to say Elvis had "Hound Dog" then got fat and croaked?

With copies of her previous work being bought up like hot cakes, I hope that all those people buying up Back to Black and Frank aren't doing it just because they want to know what the fuss is all about now that she's gone. I hope they want to know more about the singer and the indescribable talent she possessed. Yes, she had top tier production from Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi. But in her own right, she was reputed and respected for her songwriting ability and work ethic in the booth. Then there's her voice. All I will say is that they'll eventually make a movie about Amy Winehouse, and they're going to hell of a time trying to find someone that sounds anywhere in the same solar system as her.

Somewhere underneath that crazy beehive and the tattoos was a real artist. Looking through the videos below, you can see the transformation over the years. Once youthful, excited, and happy to be performing, Winehouse becomes visibly anxious, gaunt-looking, and generally out of it. The crazy thing is, she actually looked a little bit healthier in her performances last month. She could have been an even bigger icon in life than she has became now in death. Instead, she is a symbol of abuse and the darkness that we all struggle with in our own daily lives.


2003.


2005.


2007.


2008.


2010.


2011.


So sad...

| the kitchen sink |

// Beastie Boys f. Santigold - Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win //
/ Directed by Spike Jonze /



11 minutes long and a little bit random, but one of the coolest videos around. The Beasties are still keepin' it fresh!

| the single life: issue twenty one |

  // J. Cole - Lost Ones //

Download

When it comes to rap, it's a shame how infrequently we as listeners are treated to (socially) conscious material from a name big enough to actually matter. No disrespect to the lesser names speaking the street gospel or tackling hard political issues, but the name is all the difference between Bono and any other dude with a guitar and an opinion. With "Lost Ones," J. Cole may have created his first true classic. As the title would indicate, the song deals with unplanned pregnancies and the morality of abortion. Alternating between male and female perspectives, Cole expertly combines storytelling, lyricism and raw emotion. This style of perspective-taking is done often enough, but not since "Stan" have I felt so affected by the delivery. Even if you don't like rap, this is too real and too powerful to ignore. (On the conscious tip, I strongly recommend J. Cole - "See World")

// BALAM ACAB - Oh, Why //

Download

I was music hounding aimlessly for hours when I came across this on some obscure blog, and I instantly felt better about all the time I had previously wasted. I was curious to find that BALAM ACAB was loosely categorized as healing/experimental music, but "Oh, Why" seems to fit right into that description. I must stress that listening to this on regular computer speakers or crappy earbuds simply won't do it justice. "Oh, Why" instantly struck me as a song that would pair perfectly with a short film about making a life-changing decision or overcoming a major obstacle. I love everything about this song, from the angelic vocals to that amazing crumbling rock(?) sample. In some weird way, it is therapeutic and uplifting. Find yourself a decent set of headphones and repeat, repeat, repeat. It still rocks me every time.

 // Coldplay - Moving to Mars //

Download

Although Coldplay seems primed to continue their foray into stadium rock on their coming album, they still drop reminders of the Coldplay of yesteryear every now and then. Though "Moving to Mars" may be a bit of an afterthought on the shiny "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" EP, I would take it over the aforementioned single or guitar-happy "Major Minus" any day of the week. How ready were Coldplay fans for a new piano ballad? Within hours of the release of the song, YouTube was already packed with polished piano covers. Not too bad for a B-side, eh? These guys are so, so good at this, it's almost scary.

 // Milagres - Glowing Mouth //

Download

Brooklyn-based electro-pop quintet Milagres put "Glowing Mouth" out a few months ago, but its slow burn is finally making its way through the blogosphere. Though you won't be adding this to your summer workout playlist, you can throw this on at your next bbq or cool people party and rest assured that it will have some heads doing a little bob-along. Between the pulsing synths and lead singer Kyle Wilson's smooth falsetto, the band strikes a nice balance of power and finesse. I'm not sure what else Milagres has to offer, but we'll find out when the album drops this September. Keep an eye out for these guys!

 // Ken Yates - I Don't Wanna Fall In Love //

Download


I found this a while ago while checking up on John Mayer's tumblr. Mayer, who spent a year at Berklee College of Music, visited his old stomping grounds to provide a "masters" class for a lucky student. That lucky guy would turn out to be Ken Yates, a singer-songwriter out of London, Ontario. Yates was given a chance to work with Mayer for a day and perform a song for him. After hearing Yates' "I Don't Wanna Fall In Love," Mayer promoted the song as "a really great song." He added that the song continues to move him to this day. There is nothing complicated about this song, and I think that lends to its beauty. Any reasonable person should be able to admit that falling in love is scary. This song hits the nail on the head and reminds us that maybe it's normal to shy away and guard yourself. Yates should be commended for finding a way to convey that sense of young love anxiety.

| the neglect |

... will stop this weekend. finally got around to organizing all of these songs. =)

| like water |

If you've never heard of Ebrahim (aka EebSoFresh), you really need to get familiar now. Here's his latest release, covering one of my favourite John Mayer songs. Heartbreaking stuff...

| tell me a story, maxwell |

Maxwell does the VH1 Storytellers thing. So, so good.



Courtesy http://www.mrworldpremiere.net/

| another bad kreayshawn? |

Been busy with this whole Canucks playoff run thing, but couldn't resist putting some shine on one of YouTube's latest sensations, Kreayshawn. She's an interesting chick. Lots of attitude. Lots of girl power swag, but she lost me when she started talking about shooting people.

To me, her style reminds me of Kid Cudi meets Soulja Boy meets Kid Sister.  Can she stand the test of time? Two and a half million people think she just might have the recipe...

| sleigh bells @ the vogue |

830pm - First time at the Vogue and I must say, it's a pretty nice space. Some band called obenhofer is already up on stage and making a lot of noise. Not bad, I guess. Not really that good either.

845pm - obenhofer just finished their opening set. Entertaining but nothing worth writing home about. the stage is being set up for neon indian.

853pm - it's getting freakin cold in here. On goes the jacket. Crew is still doing mic checks and fiddling with some knobbies on the keyboards. It's a really weird feeling wearing a waterproof winter jacket inside at a concert, but this A/C is relentless. Plus I got torrential rained on walking here on the way in.

906pm - Neon Indian up on stage. Solid start to the show - good energy. Actually, the main dude is moving around a lot. Maybe a little bit too much for my likely. Reminds me a young Ted Mosby meets Prince, for some reason. Still, we're groovin.


917pm. Yo what the hell is up with these strobe spotlights blasting me in the face?? This shit is blinding me!

944pm - Unable to shake the mental image of young Ted Mosby in my head every time I look at the lead singer of Neon Indian. Because of this, I can't help but feel I'm part of a HIMYM flashback. Given how much this guy is gyrating to his own jams, this isn't a good thing.

949pm - Neon Indian is done and I feel like I just watched 45 mins of that pikachu clip that gave kids seizures when pokemon came out in japan. For the love of god, why would you insist on blinding the audience? We came to hear AND see the band. "Deadbeat Summer" definitely gets the biggest pop from the crowd. Apparently we heard a couple tracks from the new album, which is coming in the Fall. Nirvana on the house system now and people are diggin it.

1009pm - Almost set up for sleigh bells. Just noticed the old guy next to me is here with his teenage daughter. Neither of them look like they're having fun. Ok, I've got to stop looking.. It's making me sad.

1012pm - Lights get dim and some death metal is blasting. CRAAAAZY entrance for Sleigh Bells. Alexis rockin a black leather jacket with the #23 Slay Bells jersey. Lighting rig in the background is amazing. It's been a long time since I've felt this kind of energy at a show. Unreal.

1036pm - "Infinity Guitars" is fucking slaying this room!!!! Holy shit!!!!

1050pm - Show's out already? Short set but the crowd is happy. We got most of the album plus some a couple I've never heard before. Out on the street and everyone's still buzzing about their favourite song. My ears just got blitzed.

extras via Twitter:

| firefox fail |

so I haven't been able to log in and only now realized that Firefox 4 and Blogger have compatibility issues... post coming soon. :)

| BONO. WENT TO SEEEE! |

I cannot get enough of Fox News' retardation over Common being invited to the White House.


As a fan of critical thinking and music, it's a treat to see Jon Stewart argue circles around Bill O'Reilly. Somewhere, Ludacris is laughing his ass off to this.

| a burning in my heart |

// Death Cab For Cutie - You Are A Tourist //

Frickin' rad music video from indie rock mainstays Death Cab For Cutie. That guitar riff really reminds me of Modest Mouse's "Float On", which is one of the most awesome (and most fun to sing) songs the last decade. Oh yeah, they supposedly did this in one take. No big deal, right?

Look out for their 7th(!) studio album, Codes and Keys, out later this month. As always, it should be a good one.

| yes, love kills |

// Natalia Kills - Wonderland (Director's Cut) //

Not overly interested in Gaga comparisons, but if I had to comment: Natalia Kills is a WAY more attractive and just the right amount less nutty. I'm listening through her album right now and enjoying it a lot. Solid chick, and a likely superstar on the brink.

| the single life: issue twenty |

// Ellie Goulding - Heartbeats (Cosmonaut Grechko Edit) //

Download

I've posted a Cosmonaut Grechko track before, and I'm stoked to share another one of his outstanding chilled-out remixes. This time, he reworked Ellie Goulding's cover of The Knife's "Heartbeats". The quality is a little on the bunk side, but this is the one and only version out there as far as I can tell. This is a precious find as we start gearing up for warm summer nights and star gazing. First up on a stacked post, and it's a beauty.

// Jim Jones f. Lloyd - Believe In Magic (Prod. by Girl Talk) //

Download

Easily the most radio-friendly track Jim Jones has done in years, "Believe In Magic" looks to be a strong contender for playtime in summer playlists. With Lloyd on the hook, the track has a sort of happy-go-lucky vibe to it. Credit party master Girl Talk for putting a fine instrumental together using the Honey Cones' "Want Ads". I've never been a huge Jim Jones fan, but there's no way you can ignore this one. It's destined to be cranked up loud and on repeat all year long.

// Al Bizarre - Fresh Scream (Original Mix) //

Download

After briefly masquerading around the internets as a lost Skrillex track, "Fresh Scream" was soon found out to be a track by Al Bizarre, whom I will admit I cannot find a lick of info on. All you need to know is that Skrillex got jacked and lost pretty well all of his work, including the material for his new album. This is a small setback for one of the reigning kings of dubstep, but I bet he'll come back with some crazy shit. Back to Al Bizarre, though, it's probably not the worst thing in the world if people mistook his track for a Skrillex joint. Dare to dream, Al.

// Beastie Boys f. Santigold - Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win //

Download

Beastie Boys? Good. Santigold? Goood. Though Santi's voice is a tad too noticeable throughout parts  of the song, the final product definitely pops and comes off as a brilliant collaboration. The loose reggae beat and muted trumpets are an odd pairing but really make the track come alive. I've tried to follow the lyrics, but my eyes crossed and I got a headache. Just bump this as loud as possible, and your feet will do the rest.

// Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues //

Download

It's taken me a very, very long time to come around, but I think I'm finally starting to "get" Fleet Foxes. The Seattle-based band is widely heralded as the catalyst behind the recent surge in popularity for folk music. If you can disspell the hippie-music stigma of the genre, Fleet Foxes are a real treat to listen to. There is a certain grounding, or perhaps humbling quality to their music which I would think everyone could use once in a while. When seeking a departure from the boisterous, head-splitting stuff we usually bombard our ears with, look to Fleet Foxes Helplessness Blues. Their self-titled debut from 2008 is also stellar and highly recommended. Consider me a regretable late adopter on this one.

// Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks (Gigamesh Remix)

Download

Relatively new to the scene, LA indie rockers Foster The People have made a sizeable splash in the market with their hit single, "Pumped Up Kicks". As things tend to go in the internet age, a good sign of a song's flexibility and popularity is the remix treatment it receives. This remix by Gigamesh punches up the song's dance factor quite nicely. It's pretty standard fare as far as electronic dance remixes go, but it's still a nice spin on the original.

// Swizz Beatz f. Mary J. Blige - It's You //

Download

Oh you fancy, huh? Swizzy continues ramping up to the release of his second studio album, Haute Living, with the Mary J. Blige-assisted "It's You". As you can tell by the title of the album, the former Ruff Ryder is now aiming to inject some class into his work. "It's You" is about as close to cocktail party music as we've ever heard from him, and the subdued tone actually works pretty well. Mary J. on the hook is like clockwork. And the winner is.....

| bad, real bad: me no like |

// Nicole Scherzinger f. 50 Cent - Right There //

Me no like anything about this song. Someone please give Nicole Scherzinger a sandwich and remind her she's not from Barbados. I've given Scherzinger mad love for most of her previous solo singles, but this is pretty damn cheesy. There's not much to like here unless you like fake accents and backup dancers that look scarily similiar to Amber Rose.

Do people from the Caribbean get offended when regular people from Kentucky mimick their accent? I mean, I'd be a little bit peeved if I ever found out that Tai Mai Shu was actually some skinny white kid. Just sayin'.

Funny, though, how this would probably be a mega hit if this was Rihanna featuring Lil' Wayne. Seriously, picture Rihanna strolling on that weird sideway conveyor belt thing. Imagine Weezy and his Cheshire Cat smile in front of the pretty blue sky backdrop. Instead, we have undernourished/over-exercised Nicole Scherzinger and The Original Slur Master himself, 50 Cent. Unfortunate.

| bad, real bad: this is too easy |

// 50 Cent & David Guetta - Bullshit & Party //

Wow: "Bullshit" and "Party." The two very words that first come to mind when the names 50 Cent and David Guetta come up. Hip-hop heads haven't cared about 50 for years, and house fans shun Guetta for his selling out and losing his creative edge. The songchild birthed from this union is the musical equivalent of a one-eyed invalid. My already poor opinion of Guetta holds true in light of this totally underwhelming effort. And 50? Well, this is another example of him trying to get people to buy something new with his name on it.

Really though, these two were once giants in their respective genres, and it's sad to see them so pathetic and used up that they have to resort to recycling an already overused sample and leeching off Biggie's classic, "Party & Bullshit". The two songs don't share anything beyond the words in the title, but I'm sure it's no accident this is what 50 and Guetta settled on. If you ask me, they could just drop the "& Party" and just called the track "Bullshit." That'd be infinitely more accurate.

Boring. Repetitive. Wack. 50 Cent & David Guetta deserve each other.

| look at her NOW |

// Karmin - Look At Me Now (Cover) //

You know when you see something so crazy, you rub your eyes to make sure they aren't playing tricks on you? Well, I just Q-Tip'd my ears to make sure this chick actually just blazed Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now."

Crazy! I think I might have a crush..

| a lipdub of our own |

I kinda wish I'd known about this when they filmed it a few weeks ago...
Takes me right back to my UBC days. Proud to be an Alum :)

| the single life: issue nineteen |

// Chris Brown - Talk Ya Ear Off //

Download

It's been a while since I've heard Timbaland turn out a beat as nice as this - it sounds like a Justin Timberlake  FutureSex-era production. This time, though, the benefiary of Timbo's handiwork is none other than Chris Brown. Built on some creative Timbaland beatboxing, "Talk Ya Ear Off" is definitely club-friendly without sounding too canned. Brown is chameleon-like, putting his own flair on the verses while channelling a little bit of JT on the chorus. He even attempts - albeit questionably - a little Michael Jackson during the break. All in all, it's a solid toe-tapper that'll make a fine addition to any R&B dance playlist.

// The Pains of Being Pure at Heart  - Belong //

Download

Contender for Top 50 of 2011 alert. Easily one of the most hyped releases so far this year, The Pains' sound harkens to some of our favourite 90's alternative rock bands. It would be cool if they did it all on their own, but the truth is some of that vintage (holy crap is early 1990's "vintage" yet?) alt sound is owed to their teaming with British superproducers Flood and Alan Moulder. These two legends can count U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode, and The Killers as their past collaborators. Ho hum. Check out their album, also titled Belong. Past Me is playing air drums to this as we speak. Hell, Current Me is air drumming too.

// The Wilderness of Manitoba - Hermit //

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You'd think that a band called "The Wilderness of Manitoba" would be from Manitoba, but these guys actually call Toronto home. Rich, layered vocals and masterful control of pacing and harmonies are the hallmarks of this folk quintet. I've been listening to their album "When You Left The Fire" for about a week now, and it really is one of the most complete albums I've heard in a while. Nothing about them is overwhelming, which is ironically a godsend when you're like me: always thirsting for the next sound/song to knock me out of my chair. "Hermit" is the first song of theirs I came across, and it remains my favourite. Just don't listen to it while operating heavy machinery...

 // Lupe Fiasco - Airplanes //

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For those of you who like Lupe and/or still haven't gotten sick of B.o.B's "Airplanes". By the way, Lupe proves that he was made for this beat. Originally slated for L.A.S.E.R.S., the track was passed into Bobby Ray's hands at the request of Atlantic. Including "Nothin' On You," that's two hits that B.o.B. jacked from Lupe. Gee, I wonder why the guy hates his label...

// Savoir Adore - Sparrow //

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Labelmates to MGMT and Francis & The Lights, this Brooklyn-based indie pop duo has recently caught my attention with their new single, "Sparrow." It could be a transitive property of that wicked glowing ball of christmas lights they have (above), but there is a warmth and innocence to them that I can't deny. In true dreampop style, "Sparrow" reminds me of stupid love - the kind that is awkwardly normal when you're young but really, really uncool when you're older. Maybe that's what they're trying to get away from? Puppy love really is a lie, after all.

| bad, real bad: mariah's hand bra |

..... oh hey! Peter Andre went on a hot date with a stunning Scottish nanny! Rad.

| no mas |

Announced today....

"The worst is yet to come"....

Yikes - it gets worse? I mean, good on Budden for forming Slaughterhouse, but I would much rather keep on with "Pump It Up" and "Fire" any day of the week. And to think the height of his popularity was a distant 8(!) years ago. Time flies when you get dropped by Def Jam and you fade into mixtape obscurity... man, Budden could've been so much more.

| the single life: issue eighteen |

// Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise //

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The Beastie Boys require no introduction or background blurb. We all know who they are and what they've accomplished in the span of their staggering 30+ years together. The always-relevant hip hop pioneers are back now that MCA (Adam Yauch) is supposedly back to good health after a bout with cancer. Their next studio album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, is due out soon and sounds good if "Make Some Noise" is any indication. For those of you who are wondering why you've never saw a Hot Sauce Committee Part One, it's because the project was shelved years ago. Part Two will feature some tracks from that album in addition to more recent material. I'm not a Beastie Boys fanatic or anything, but their presence is always both necessary and welcome regardless of the music climate. The Boys still sound as youthful and motivated as ever. "Here we go again, give you more, nothin' lesser / Back on the mic, it's the anti-depresser: AD-ROCK. No Pressure!" Kinda says it all, dunnit?

// Xaphoon Jones - The Jackson Pit //

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// Xaphoon Jones - One Step Ahead (Aretha Franklin x Empire State of Mind) //

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One half of electronic/hip-hop team Chiddy Bang, Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin is the musical genius responsible for birthing the duo's inventive beats. Forever honing his craft, Xaphoon recently published his latest mixtape, simply titled Mixtape Vol. 2. Mostly putting his own spin on well-known pop/rap tracks, Jones took very honourable run at two classics in Aretha Franklin's "One Step Ahead" and "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5. The first is more of a blend with the "Empire State of Mind" instrumental, but it's still a glittering gem of a remix. The initial drop is a little akward for half a second, but it quickly becomes clear why Xaphoon wanted to pair the two together. It's a nice reminder of Aretha's past greatness, seeing as us youngins likely know sweet little about her. Maybe this will inspire some more us to do a little music history homework (or as I like to call it: "wiki that shit.")

"The Jackson Pit" is a killer mashup of The Jackson 5's mega hit and Passion Pit's own standout track, "Sleepyhead." All I can say is that it pops. An instant crowd pleaser at any party - throw it on and dancing will ensue.

// Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi f. Jack White - Two Against One //

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Pairing up with Italian composer Daniele Luppi, songwriter/producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse is set to re-ignite the blogosphere with his latest project: a western-inspired mini album titled Rome. Teaming up once again with Jack White (of recently-disbanded The White Stripes), the trio have created a brooding, slithering slice of awesome. As Luppi's work is mainly based in cinema, it's easy to identify how the song's awe-inspiring level of polish came to be. Word is that Norah Jones is heavily involved in Rome as well. This is shaping up to be mighty interesting...

// Raleigh Moncrief - Lament For Morning //

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Sacramento is home to indie rock/electronic producer Raleigh Moncrief. Best known for his contributions to The Dirty Projectors' highly acclaimed 2009 album, Bitte Orca, Moncrief is now readying his own EP for release in the coming months. Watered Lawns is expected to be a glitchy, sample-rich electronic offering and I'm really excited to see what it's like. "Lament For Morning" is slowly eeking its way up my mental list of songs I must listen to over and over until something else (ie. nutrition, sleep) pulls me away. I first listened to the whole thing in my car yesterday, and I fell in love how quickly it progresses without feeling rushed. Then, just when you feel the track waning, 1:45 hits and the whole thing explodes into unicorns and rainbows. Shortish at 2 minutes and 51 seconds, but hey, that's what the Back button on the iPod is for right?

// Chiddy Bang f. Mac Miller - Heatwave //

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Sampling Martha & The Vandellas' version of the Motown classic "(Love Is Like A) Heatwave", Chiddy Bang are back at it with newcomer Mac Miller. Pretty well consisting of a breakbeat with vocal loop and synths, the combined effect on the updated "Heatwave" is another fine addition to Chiddy Bang's ever-expanding library of singles. I'm always wary of the use of soul/R&B/Motown hits, but I'm beginning to trust Chiddy Bang's handling of the classics. These guys are the real deal.