60 Second Review

Kamikaze Picnic 93

2009-11-12T19:55:00.008-05:00

Believe it or not, there are still a wealth of artists creating interesting, well crafted, music projects. Most times you're not aware they're available because of lack of proper promotion to compete with countless other things, vying for your attention, online and off. Kamikaze Picnic 93 deserves your undivided attention, not because its the greatest album ever recorded. Because it's not. What it is though, is a very entertaining, intelligent production that anyone with a sense of humor and or an appreciation for genuinely eclectic art offerings will dig.There are a series of life pressing issues on Junk Island, ranging from vampires sharing cells with human inmates to a 'Junk Milk' consumption epidemic. With that said, I invite you to partake in the madness. Enjoy!

Click Here To Download Full Album FREE!
Zip file contains, mp3's, album art, liner notes and lyrics.

Contact Kamikaze Picnic: Myspace Facebook

The Under Dog’s Manifesto: A Guerilla Artist’s Path To Independence

2008-09-28T14:23:00.004-04:00

Part small business basics manual, part biographical text, ‘The Under Dog’s Manifesto: A Guerilla Artist’s Path To Independence’(Published by Coffee Grind Media) provides a wealth of information to the aspiring artistprenuer or ‘anyone who’s ever felt like an underdog’ as its dedication exclaims. Very impressive is this compilation of true life experience not only from Creature its creator but also a number of successful artists in their own right that contribute real life insight, substantiating the fact that it is indeed possible to not just survive off of your art but to thrive and live well because of it. This back pocket friendly package of pulp discusses topics ranging from making a brand, to being confident in self and realizing if your skin is actually tough enough to survive the initial struggle working independently. Ultimately, it will become easier with time, experience and a bit of fine tuning.

What Dr. Spock Didn't Tell Us by B.M. Atkinson

2008-08-17T00:45:00.005-04:00

What Dr. Spock Didn't Tell Us or A Survival Kit for Parents by B.M. Atkinson, Jr. is an entertaining list of afflictions parents and their children acquire quite naturally in the course of living. The book, replete with illustrations (by Whitney Darrow, Jr.) of the bedevilments parents can at best mentally prepare for, succinctly describes these ailments; most are a paragraph long but a few of the more complicated dis-eases take a page to fully explain. Soon-to-be parents, nervous Nellies that they sometimes are, may miss a few hours of sleep over the adroitly named memories most veterans will laugh and cry about. If any of this bedlam is in the traditional parenting books, it surely isn’t presented in such a seriously funny manner. Parents, sit down and enjoy What Dr. Spock Didn't Tell Us, you'll need all the help (and rest and laughter) you can get. If nothing else convinces you, consider the author’s explanation and the remainder of the book’s title: An encyclopedic guide to hitherto uncatalogued afflictions, aberrations, exotic diseases of the American Child. Told ya.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

2008-07-31T00:36:00.006-04:00

Bird by Bird is a collected reflection on the writing process. Author Anne Lamott begins with a vignette on the origin of the writer within, then discusses writing styles while adeptly weaving in examples, writing in different instances as a child, for a child, and as an adult reflecting on childhood so her students, er, readers experience the affects of character and narrator on a story. One can appreciate the candor with which the author reveals the realities of a writer's life (although it seems more specific, perhaps a middle-class, sufficiently connected writer's life): the bumps, trips, jealousy, depressions and near breakthroughs and almost made its and little acclaim for all that effort. Though the book attempts to defy categorization, this writer has labeled it a narrative lesson plan for a writer’s workshop with real life illustrations. Lamott may be a sweet but determined gangsta issuing a thinly veiled warning to aspiring writers that this is tough work and her turf or she may be a writer with a deadline and a drawer full of notes (on writing?) jotted on index cards that, with her insistence, arranged themselves into this book.

True Notebooks by Mark Salzman

2008-06-25T00:54:00.005-04:00

True Notebooks is the story of high-risk offenders in LA’s Central Juvenile Hall exposing their vulnerable selves in a writing class. This one opportunity to share their thoughts literally gives the few who attend room to breathe and a window to the sky instead of a tenebrous 10 by 12 cell abutting a brick wall. For their efforts, the prisoners unearth pain and fear and find joy and understanding. Salzman pens the sojourn without pity, emitting the raw energy of these prisoners, showing through his eyes and their voices that they are like so many teenagers we know…they think about girls incessantly, they clown around, they make mistakes, they have yet to discover their true selves. The author moves through scenes with dexterity as he shares his journey in a world not his own while contextualizing the stories of his students for whom life is a sentence not an abstraction and endings are rarely happy. Read True Notebooks and remember that life is less black and white but so many shades in between.

Plum Bun by Jessie Redmon Fauset

2008-06-25T00:36:00.009-04:00

Plum Bun by Jessie Redmon Fauset is a fairy-tale-like story told in the context of the complex realities of early to mid 20^th century America. Set in Philadelphia and New York City, this novel is crafted with such subtlety that the casual reader may miss the depth of knowledge and life that brims below the daintily espoused language. Although she approaches despotism at some points, the author, in the voice of the omniscient narrator, builds trust with adeptly evinced setting and insight and, at times, just as deftly misleads the reader. Minor roles are made vital when Fauset presents them with all their flaws and ornament. The word “propinquity,” employed several (or one too many) times, serves as a metaphor for the protagonist and for the novel: while close in proximity and forthright in words and deeds, both are obscured as their deeper selves remain veiled to the inattentive eye. This coming of age novel takes the structure of a nursery rhyme and fills it with the stuff of life—hope, disappointment, irony, wisdom—and reminds us that each moment of the journey is a worthwhile one.

To Market, To Market,
To Buy a Plum Bun;
Home again, Home again,
Market is done.

The Social Meaning of Language by JB Pride

2008-06-25T00:35:00.004-04:00

The Social Meaning of Language brings together the sibling sciences—psychology, sociology, anthropology, and all their compound and hyphenated forms—to discuss linguistics as a social science or, as it is now commonly known but was still emerging as at the time of its publication in 1971, sociolinguistics. (Yes, I know. Really.) This book collects and argues the ideas of the –ologists, men today’s students might google on their smart phones just before class. It examines how and why our speech functions range from unconscious to deliberate choices as we attempt to communicate with others who interpret our coded messages as intended and sometimes in unexpected ways. This surprisingly mod little book of complex ideas is valuable as a reminder that many textbook “facts” are not so much facts as accepted notions. Ideas like multi-dialectal speakers and second language acquisition theory—current terms in the field—are postulated and countered by the originators of the conceptions and their contemporaries. Such in-depth discussion will be especially appreciated by the student seriously studying the stuff of language and the social science enthusiast (if there is such a thing). Engage your left temporal lobe and peruse The Social Meaning of Language.

Compete.com

2008-06-16T11:48:00.004-04:00

If you're accustomed to using Alexia to determine traffic received by your website, you may want to consider a new source for that info. Compete.com is a search engine/stats monitoring system alternative for users providing an entirely different model for acquiring accurate statistical data. Unlike Alexia, Compete estimates 'complete people' as apposed to unique visitors. Stats are determined by assessing a consumer based community. No bots, spiders, agents, pingbacks or rss feeds here to contend with; just real human beings visiting your web space. Currently, Compete only monitors US traffic month to month. Alexia tracks internationally on a daily basis. But there’s much more to Compete then merely analyzing traffic. Compete informs a person searching whether or not a site is safe from spyware. It also allows them to select and compare similar sites. Compete alerts you of promo codes that some sites have, to help save you money. Their mission statement is a simple one, to ‘help create a more trusted, transparent, and valuable Internet for consumers’. Obviously they’re doing something right, they have 2 million plus active panel users. Compete uses a normalization methodology, leveraging scientific multi-dimensional scaling (by age, income, gender and geography) in other words their way of the best representation of the U.S internet population.

The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx

2008-03-20T14:08:00.004-04:00

The old saying has always been “sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll” and few in the musical genre’s long history have lived those words quite like Nikki Sixx. The Heroin Diaries covers a year in the life of the Motley Crue bassist / songwriter when he was addicted to heroin while writing for the band, recording an album and doing multiple tours. It’s told both through the actual diaries Sixx kept during that time and side commentary from the people that were closest to him while all of this was going on. At times the reality of Sixx’s life is startling, especially the amount of drugs he used and what he ended up doing while he was on those drugs, while at other times you may find yourself laughing at his dark humor. A quick read despite its length, The Heroin Diaries provides an insight into a world most of us will hopefully never see. It also illustrates the fact that even though many addicts aren’t happy being addicted they are the only ones that can truly help themselves. It’s amazing Sixx lived to tell this story.

The Sixty One: A Music Adventure

2008-03-11T12:32:00.003-04:00

The other day Sumkid sends me this link. A dope idea that kinda mixes indie music site promo with a web 2.0 Digg model. This is pretty high up on the, 'I wish I would've thought of that' scale. 'The Sixty One' is a cool tool for discovering new music from a growing list of independent artists. It's a simple concept. If you like something you 'bump' it. As an artist the more times you're bumped, the more likely you are to gain new fans and solidify a slot at the top of your genres queue. You can sign up as a listener and create your own play list station with feed to communicate with your subscribers. Or you can create an artist account and try your hand at 'innanet' fame by cleverly promoting with tenacity to an audience that is actually interested in hearing something new and different.

Untraceable

2008-02-01T00:33:00.001-05:00

I found traces of the predictable in Untraceable. We all knew the good guy would die and that the game would prove a pivotal factor but predictability is par for the course in suspense thrillers. I easily forgave this misstep because the movie has gruesome killing and a plot, with an Asian false lead no less (or am I giving too much credit here?). Attempts at serious reflection rendered trite dialogue that interrupted the flow like Crazy Eddie commercials during The Cosby Show but were few enough in number to keep me from screaming insanely. This anemic moviegoer welcomed the touches of irony, especially when presented subtly in the settings (pay attention, you must!) though I didn’t know if I should blame the film’s editor (David Rosenbloom) or screenwriters (Robert Fyvolent, Mark Brinker, and Allison Burnett) for the fill-in-the-blank style plot progressions. Someone suggested the director Gregory Hoblit, omitted these expendable details. Altogether, the 21st century Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes in each of us can enjoy this modern murder mystery.

Tyrell by Coe Booth

2008-01-25T23:15:00.002-05:00

Tyrell is realistic fiction for many an urban teen coming of age in or around poverty and a nightmarish fantasy in the seedy part of the city for suburban and rural dwellers. At times, the narrator’s slang distracts from the rhythm of the prose but such staccato may keep the interest of the adolescent who loathes reading 310 pages of anything. Images of poverty are fresh; the emotional undulations the title character experiences and shares lend authenticity and, along with ubiquitous sexual pressures and illegal activity, make this tale of stolen youth a page turner. With nearly every female in the novel characterized as irresponsible or a sexual deviant, I almost assumed Coe Booth a member of the generally hairier gender but I suppose that the notion of a near-perfect protagonist and narrator would make many a male novelist chuckle then pause. Still, you gotta love Tyrell’s fear and courage, naivety and wisdom all balled up into one hormone heightened kid who can’t catch a break but never stops trying.

King & I - Fairfield, CT

2008-01-21T10:08:00.000-05:00

Great Thai food places are still fairly tough to find in some places. In fact, I hadn’t found a spot that qualified around me until last week when I happened upon King & I, a beautiful restaurant tucked away in the Post Road Plaza in Fairfield, CT. The chicken panang was fantastic. Rather than trying to blow you out of the water with spiciness they make it so you can actually taste the sauce. The drunken noodles were tasty, as well, and pricing wasn’t bad at all. Dinner for two including an alcoholic beverage for each person totaled up to $40. Even if you have the most expensive meals on the menu your bill shouldn’t go too north of $50 unless you’re ordering appetizers and desserts. A perfect date spot, King & I keeps its lighting low and its service knowledgeable and quick. I plan on going back and eating my way through the menu.

For more information check out: kingandict.com/index_fairfield.aspx

Crest Clean Mint Extra Whitening Toothpaste

2008-01-19T09:58:00.000-05:00

As anyone who drinks tea, coffee, or anything else that may stain their teeth knows, it’s not always easy to find a good whitening toothpaste. There are a lot of brands out there, I’ve tried a few. The one that has worked the best, and I stick with to this day, is Crest’s Clean Mint flavored Extra Whitening toothpaste with Tartar Protection. From the first day I used it I noticed my teeth getting whiter and some of the staining that other whitening toothpastes had left going away. I’ve tried other versions of Crest Extra Whitening toothpaste but the Clean Mint is the one that works best. So before you throw up your arms in confusion while staring at the myriad of choices in your toothpaste aisle, focus on finding Crest’s Clean Mint Extra Whitening variety. Hopefully it will work as well for you as it does for me.

Praverb The Wyse - The Gospel Is Free

2008-01-05T21:34:00.000-05:00

Everyone and their mother has a friggin mixtape. (I heard a couple mom's that were actually pretty tight. I must admit, pretty tight). Praverb The Wyse releases 15 scriptures from his book of life over a few industry beats as well as original production. This is gospel rap without furious fire and brimstone exclamations or overtly self righteous finger pointing. His voice is pretty human, very easy to listen to. There's a charm that most rappers don't have you can hear shining through on, 'Loving Morning'. Its obvious that this young man has a fair amount of skill, 'The Gospel is free' serves as a nice introduction to this emcee that surely loves this Hiphop thing.

You can check it out for yourself here.

Ledisi - Lost & Found

2008-01-04T09:33:00.000-05:00

Ladies, it's alright to smile and be happy. To love your man and give him your all, if he so deserves it. Listening to Ledisi I gather the previous statements are felt and appreciated by more than just a mere handful of powerfully progressive, forward thinking females like the many that attend this dynamic femme body's shows. Her essence on this record as well as in person is nothing short of inspiring. Ledisi's 'Lost & Found' is great music to wake up to whether you're female or male - alone or attached. Various expressions of true love and passion inhabit this sound tablet of strength within poetical phrases and silky soulful music. Ledisi leads by example by putting forth a vibe of positive communication. It is obviously uncontrived. Natural. You can't fake this type of human therapy.

Citizen Kane

2007-12-07T11:11:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we look at lists of the greatest anythings of all time and openly wonder why certain old films, movies, ballplayers, etc. make those lists. After watching Citizen Kane again the other night it’s still abundantly clear why it’s considered one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, film of all time. Orson Welles’ classic still holds up to the test of time and is worthy of all the praise it’s earned. Following an intrepid reporter seeking the real back story of who Charles Foster Kane was in order to create a proper story on his life we get all the information about Kane at the same time the reporter does with no extra details until the very end. There are dozens of examples of why this film is great, one of my favorites is a beautiful illustration of how distant Kane was from his second wife. The two sit at opposite ends of a room nearly a hundred feet from each other, he in his chair and she by the fireplace, with nothing but space between them, and have a conversation the only way they can, by shouting. Everything about Citizen Kane is on point. If you haven’t seen it you owe it to yourself to find a time to.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2007-11-30T00:33:00.001-05:00

Not since childhood have I been so consumed by a work of literature. I initiated contact by opening the book; then the words leapt from the page and transported me across the world to an unknown land. My senses were overloaded with the realities of this place too distant to be real, too startling to be imaginary, replete with ripe fruit bubbling summer joys, cloudless and colorful winter skies, fallen Adams on cold autumn ground…I felt every character’s conflicting emotions like so many of my own, loving and loathing parts of myself in a boy--then man--I heard about but never met. I moved through the pages according to their rhythm, the prose at once fresh and soothing, fierce and subjugating. As the journey neared its end, some loose ones were tied in such perfect bows they disrupted the natural meter I had come to know. But in life I’ve learned to accept even the expected unexpected. In all, The Kite Runner is a 324 page sojourn through heaven, hell, and all the shared space in between that is worth every minute it takes to read it “a thousand times over.”

Stop complaining about Bad Hip Hop on the Radio and in the News and Read this Guy’s Blog!

2007-11-26T08:47:00.000-05:00

OK look… I used to complain about the crap that’s on the radio and how the media brings the worst out in Hip Hop. I have hereby decided to stop whining and look to resources other than the conventional media.

There’s a really dope blog that anyone who is starving for an unbiased, honest account of Hip Hop needs to be checking out. It’s called Adam's World. This cat (Adam Bernard) has put me on to some people who I would have never researched before and are now getting bumped in my player on the regular. Not to say that there are some people that I haven’t felt in his blog but they are very far and few between. But hey that’s my opinion, right? You’re not gonna like everyone but you’ve got to be exposed to people first right? Adam Bernard brings it to you raw with an artist of the week and lots of refreshing commentary on the underground as well as the mainstream stuff.

Number Ones - UME

2007-10-26T09:26:00.000-04:00

Is your music green? I don't mean new, novice, wet behind the ears or anything like that. I'm talking environmentally safe. Well the folks at UME are concerned about the planet equally as much as they care about releasing great music that's soul healthy. Now available in new eco-friendly packaging are a series of #1s compilations, by legendary artists Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Kool & The Gang, Conway Twitty, and Loretta Lynn. There are also great new #1s compilations like Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Modern Rock and Classic Disco, which include hit songs from artists like Rod Stewart, Sum 41, Poison, Hole, and Irene Cara. (Makes me wanna purchase a copy of Sparkle on DVD and get reacquainted with miss Cara.) In this world of ever changing digital technology that allows one to literally download most any of their favorite tunes in seconds, there are still many folks that enjoy a tangible hard copy. A cd collection in display should consist of your favorite titles fashioning their original packaging. A spindle with a dozen and a half cdrs scribbled on with a Sharpie is awful and lame.

Isopure Zero Carb Protein

2007-10-24T20:12:00.000-04:00

As a self-professed gym rat and nutrition freak I’ve tasted my fair share of protein powders. Never has one gone down as smoothly as Isopure’s Zero Carb variety. 50 grams of protein, a host of vitamins, and no carbs, all packaged together in a powder that tastes like a fruit drink (if you get a fruit drink variety, which I recommend). Unlike other mixes Isopure’s isn’t thick and there are no chunks of protein left over. Another welcome feature is that your breath doesn’t smell awful after you drink this, it smells fruity. The lone drawback for some folks with this product is that it can be very sweet, almost Kool-Aid sweet, which can take a few days to get used to. That being said, if you want a quality protein that won’t make you feel weighed down you need to give Isopure a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Death Note - TV Series

2007-10-21T02:02:00.000-04:00

From Manga to Anime to two full length feature films and a third on the way dedicated to one of its main characters, the Death Note series has become a phenomenon in Japan and the folks from the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim want to make sure a new audience in North America knows this as well. Tired and bored of the day to day occurrences in the shinigami world, Ryuk a shinigami(god of death) decides he’ll have a little bit of fun by dropping his 'Death Note' in the human world. The action soon begins once Light Yagami, a certified young super genius, discovers it on the campus of his highschool. Plainly put, the holder of this book is capable of ending the life of his/her victim by thinking of them and writing down their name. It’s the science of visualization gone terribly wrong. As Light’s quest to rid the world of evil proceeds he gains the title Kira. The question remains will he become the god he strives to be and turn his dreaded world into a crime less utopia. For that answer you’ll just have to tune in.

Starbury - Cyclone II

2007-10-20T15:35:00.000-04:00

Would a pair of kicks priced just under fifteen bucks revolutionize the sneaker market and bring the likes of corporate athletic wear empires to their knees? The masses suddenly realizing the ridiculousness of paying hundreds of dollars for imported assembly line moldings of rubber, vinyl and polyester. No, of course not. Even still, nothing beats an inexpensive pair of pretty slick looking running shoes. Enter the Cyclone II, one of the most aesthetically pleasing, from a rather wide range of Starbury designs. Available in four color combinations, (I personally favor the Dark Grey/Black/White persuasion) the Cyclone II is a mash up of low end Reebok Classic (a.k.a. Carl Lewis's) and New Balance Classic Retro Running shoe. Interestingly it settles right between its two competitors in terms of comfort and durability. The major issue with these shoes though is that they're exclusively sold at Steve & Barry's. New York has seventeen locations, but only one of those is in the city. If you reside in the insomniatic rotten apple and wear a popular size, good luck on finding a pair.

ReverbNation.com - The Absolute Resource for the Independent Music Artist

2007-10-03T15:27:00.000-04:00

Check it, I am considered by my peers as a person who is on the forefront of indie promotion in NYC so I kid you not: Reverbnation.com is the best indie music artist resource out now.

An artist can use the widgets (tools) provided by ReverbNation to pep up and boost his/her own website, Myspace page and postings on message boards in virtually the snap of a finger with seamless integration. They even offer ways to make money by doing nothing but promoting ones own material. When people click through your page, you make money. I know it sounds too good to be true but within 24 hours of signing up for that option I made 63 cents from doing absolutely nothing. That’s residual income! By adding on a Snocap.com account you can sell your mp3s as well. There is a mailing list tool that rivals that of the likes of expensive services like Constant Contact (which charges like $10/month) for the low cost of FREE dollars. You can import your current email list flawlessly and the spam buster policy is fantastic! The media players load instantly (unlike Myspace which can take forever) and you can make custom "tunepaks" with the songs you desire to lure people in from your monthly newsletter. You have the option of using html to spice up your profile and upload unlimited pics and songs. There’s even a widget for your show announcements that has a map built in with full zoom features.

Success is only limited to your creativity and it’s free and all you need to do is take advantage of it with ReverbNation.

Preachermann - Negroes Stay Crunchy In Milk

2007-10-02T16:47:00.001-04:00

To follow the path of one's elders in bloodline is generally the natural order of man. Preachermann is no different when it comes to this tradition as there are a number of ministers in his family, realizing this he chose to follow suit but in a very unorthodox way compared to those that came before him. To preach means to teach, something that this administer of soul does throughout his EP entitled 'Negroes Stay Crunchy In Milk'. With a voice that reminds you of Curtis Mayfield with a bit of Al Green during his chain rockin shirtless period, Preachermann channels the energy of many soul singers of the past but still his unique energy and life's experience shine through to reveal pieces of this man as he brings us to the present moment. Apparent in his interaction with audiences at live shows and even out in the jungle of concrete plateaus, you can see that its not all about him, its about the betterment of the hearts of his ever growing congregation, being anointed with the words and sounds he conjures and transmits for his heavenly guide.

Core Rhythm - Nat Turner Reloaded

2007-09-28T11:16:00.000-04:00

Core Rhythm's freshmen release, 'Nat Turner Reloaded' has the strength of a senior classman placing anything to follow it in contention for a doctorate in the major of mic management. The album is a tight work that tackles the ever looming issues of race, supremacy and the disenfranchisement of the poor and persons of color on the planet. Guest appearances by artists like Creature, Wells Knotty, GrandMixer DXT, Baba Israel and Farbeon are a complement to an already strong album, they serve to help complete this well thought out and prepared sonic offering. Incredible choices of film soundbites throughout are the glue that seamlessly meld each track together. Album cuts provided by DJ Drilla except Track 2 by DJ Center and Track 8 by GrandMixer DXT.

Slanguage listen

Kanye West - Graduation

2007-09-19T09:54:00.000-04:00

The Louis Vuitton Don donned a cape and mask instead of the traditional cap and gown on his graduation day September 11th, 2007. My brief stream of thought on his speech at the ceremony is as follows: 'Graduation is a guilty pleasure, filthy leather, immature, corny but pure. An (un)predictable detour. It's worthy of applause, while self loathing, with nice clothing and still self assured. On an award tour, throwing tantrums for sure, for over shores or round the corner explorers. 55-70% or so of the tunes on this album are pretty much single material. (Something most artists never successfully pull off unless their names happen to be Big Boi & Andre 3000). Elton John, Quincy Jones, George Clinton & Hank Shocklee are just a handful of beings of influence without whose presence this production could literally not have manifested. "Everything I Am" is a great song. The impulse to kick the squat out of Kanye while he's suited in that bear mascot outfit does exist, but it's well balanced with the idea of a celebratory high five and victory shuffle to cheer the home team winning 07's state championship. Lastly, Kayne did not sell any narcotics or murder a soul. He just ran his mouth and shopped'. I guess that's not so terrible.

Rue Melo – Rue Melo

2007-09-17T22:21:00.000-04:00

Once in a blue moon an album crosses my path that thrills me beyond all belief and makes me believe in true artistry again. Rue Melo’s debut CD happens to be one of those albums. A tri-lingual beauty who sings in English, French and Spanish, Melo has a level of soul rarely seen in today’s artists. In addition to her vocal and songwriting capabilities Melo is also backed by one heck of an impressive band. I was hooked within the first 90 seconds of this album and look forward to keeping it in my CD player for a very long time. The music of Rue Melo and her band is like Joss Stone on a whole other level making her eponymous debut a definite album of the year candidate.

Stone Cold Wu-Tang

2007-09-13T15:17:00.000-04:00

OK, this wasn’t a DVD, it was a VHS tape, but as a Wu-Tang movie it still merits a review. I enjoyed Stone Cold Wu-Tang for the pure entertainment value of it. The main villain kills people with his hair braid and you can’t get much more ridiculous than that. The first seven minutes are filmed in what I can only assume was a blackout since next to nothing is visible, but after that it’s fight scene after fight scene with about paragraph’s worth of dialogue in the entire movie. A few other fun facts about the movie is that the city they’re supposed to be in is completely deserted the vast majority of the time and looks a lot more like Tijuana than Tokyo (or Hong Kong, which is where they supposedly were, but I like alliteration). For some campy martial arts fun Stone Cold Wu-Tang is a winner.

Chamillionaire – Ultimate Victory

2007-09-07T09:55:00.000-04:00

When Chamillionaire released The Sound of Revenge it surprised me. I had it in a stack of albums and when I put it on I thought “oh no, another southern rapper,” but his charismatic nature and multiple flows won me over. With Ultimate Victory, however, Chamillionaire suffers a bit of a sophomore slump. “Ridin Dirty” was the mega hit off of the last album and Chamillionaire seems to be stuck in that flow for the vast majority of Ultimate Victory, rarely switching things up. After a while this becomes tiresome as the flow becomes routine. The news isn’t all bad, though, as there are quite a few standout tracks on the album due to the fact that Chamillionaire, unlike a lot of his peers, throws some interesting topic matter into his rhymes. Unfortunately, the rest of Ultimate Victory is a bit of a letdown. I’m guessing someone at the label pressured Chamillionaire to stick with the “Ridin Dirty” flow to sell more singles on iTunes, which he probably will as the singles will be incredibly strong. As a complete album, however, it's neither an Ultimate Victory nor a stunning defeat. Instead it's more of a 12 round split decision.

Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor

2007-09-03T20:18:00.000-04:00

While there's ample talk of artists finding forever and refusing rehab while cleaning out their ear drums, easily forgotten in less than a year is a kat that spoke simply about food and liquor. Lupe Fiasco’s freshman release is a well put together piece of art. Considering all the crying about Hiphop music being so terrible, it's hard to imagine how an entire album of tight, compelling rhymes and beats, with hardly any profanity could be overlooked and ushered to the wayside. Honestly, it isn’t that hard to believe. People always seem to complain about what’s available; Then new options appear on the horizon. The ship they’ve long awaited finally shows up. It docks, but they don’t want to get on. Amazingly, all of these previously eager life guards freeze up. They suddenly can no longer swim. They soon decide it would be much safer to stay on dry land. Lupe’s fiasco is a result of poor label decisions, and improper promotion methods yes, but perhaps more so caused by a finicky audience that will ultimately starve to death or suffer severe malnourishment if they don’t have the courage to try something new.

American Terrorist f. Matthew Santos - mp3

Video: Gnarls Barkley - Who Cares

2007-08-29T03:04:00.001-04:00

These days it isn't often you get but so excited about anything music related, unless you're lucky enough to have an extensive vinyl collection at your disposal. (Yes records rule!) Never mind, most videos plain ol suck. In the occasion that there is something worthy of your attention it ought to be noted, celebrated even. Who would have known the perfect role for lmnop movie actor/director Mario Van Peebles, would be that of a not so baaaad ass Blacula. ‘Who Cares’ out shines the ‘Crazy, Smiley Faces and Gone Daddy Gone’ set of Gnarls Barkley videos because it doesn’t take the easy route, it moves beyond obvious. Hands were definitely soiled. Blood Red Nights (the title of this short film/music video) is a three minute and thirty eight second masterwork that you will appreciate more and more every time you watch it.

M.I.A. – KALA

2007-08-27T10:33:00.000-04:00

M.I.A. has been, since her debut, worshipped by the hipsters and adored by a large segment of the music press. KALA should put an end to most of that. While her first album, Arular, managed to merge her average singing with her average rapping with interesting production well enough to create some catchy songs, on KALA it all goes wrong. Sonically it’s simply a mess. Rather than being interesting the beats end up feeling noisy. Lyrically it’s just as ridiculous as her previous effort, but without any of the charm. While I was listening to KALA I openly wondered what made me like M.I.A. in the first place.

Bekay – The Horror Flick LP

2007-08-24T16:28:00.000-04:00

Bekay is one of those artists whose buzz has been nice for a few years now but we’ve yet to really see him break out of the “buzz” zone and into the “star” zone. On The Horror Flick LP he shows signs that he’s ready to make that leap. The album starts out with a number of braggadocios tracks, a few too many if you ask me. It’s obvious Bekay is a heck of a lyricist, but at times I wondered if this was going to turn out to be a case of Canibus Syndrome – all battle rhymes, no hook writing ability. The last two songs on the album, however, “Don’t Feel Good” and “Dead End,” prove that Bekay is not only capable of writing complete songs, but he is capable of crafting interesting ideas and making them work over a three to four minute format. If given the right opportunity Bekay could be a star. The Horror Flick LP starts to scratch the surface of this talented individual, making it worthy of your listening time.

Britepic

2007-08-19T11:07:00.000-04:00

Adbrite.com over the years has become a viable source of income generation for many website owners and blogs alike with their textual ads and interstitials. Not long ago did they also delve into the realm of video, attempting to tap the flourishing viral market by allowing users to tag clips with their personal logos while simultaneously making it possible for ads to be displayed along with their content in video flash players. Now, Adbrite has taken it up yet another notch in a quest to corner every possible avenue for advertising online. Simply, they suggest that you replace that universal (img) tag we all know in HTML, (used to display images), with their code that actually turns your visuals into ads. The new service is called Britepic. The idea is that since images still are one of the most highly sought after items online, why not embed ads into your images to earn money. How successful this new implementation will be only time will tell. We’ll just need to give it a test run for ourselves.

Hairspray: The Soundtrack

2007-08-09T01:06:00.001-04:00

A conglomerate of stars young, old, and in between lend their voices to the soundtrack: Hairspray. Danceable, kid-friendly tunes soulfully sung by Zac Efron and Elijah Kelley are juxtaposed against bold, sultry ballads: Queen Latifah makes the world believe “Black is Beautiful;” love is in the air during the John Travolta-Christopher Walken duet “(You’re) Timeless to Me” (implausible, I know, but true). The supporting cast delivers solid vocals throughout. Producer Marc Shaiman expertly curbed potential show stoppers (Amanda Bynes) and show killers alike (sorry Brittany). Nikki Blonsky was born to play Tracy Turnblad; in every word she sings you feel her gleaming smile and energy. With Hairspray, the songs are the story. Aided only by the cd cover picturing the actors in costume and, of course, the melodies, I created my own 1962 Baltimore: the hair, the high school, the black and white television set with the black and white teens on their designated sides, and the dances appeared before me as the drama unfolded in song.

Homeboy Sandman – Nourishment

2007-07-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

It’s rare in any form of music for someone to come along with something new and unique. As the old saying goes, it’s all been done before. On Nourishment Homeboy Sandman proves himself to be one of the few exceptions to that rule. From the almost vaudevillian “Knock ‘Em Out” with it’s crazy piano laced hook, to the hand clap beat of “VerbalSoulClapMania,” Homeboy Sandman pushes the boundaries of rap music and, during a time when many people feel Hip-Hop has become stale, has found a way to come with something fresh. His rapid fire flow is surprisingly easy to understand and he arms it with plenty of knowledge to share. All this adds up to Nourishment being a potential year end Top Ten album.

For more on Homeboy Sandman check him out at myspace.com/homeboysandman.

QN5 – Asterisk 4

2007-07-24T11:38:00.000-04:00

When I went to see Sideshow last month I picked up Asterisk 4, the latest compilation CD by QN5. First off, this CD is actually mixed, which is a nice change of pace from all the mix CDs that are just tracked. Second, there’s a lot of dope music on this album. I didn’t skip a single track while playing Asterisk 4 and when it got to the point where most CDs get boring and repetitive, which is at around the one hour mark, Tonedeff and Substantial came through with a truly amazing song titled “Punk (Megashow Mix)” that combines the best elements of Hip-Hop with the best elements of electronic music. The joint would fit in at any dance club in the world. Overall I was very pleased with Asterisk 4, and I’m not usually one to give props to 79 minute albums.

Dynamite Warrior

2007-07-20T14:23:00.000-04:00

I’m a sucker for a good martial arts flick, so when Dynamite Warrior hit my desk I was psyched to block out a few hours to dedicate to it. Unfortunately my excitement was quickly squelched by a nonsensical plotline that attempted to mix a martial arts film with a bad sci-fi flick. Set in early 1900’s Thailand, the main character attacks cattle rustlers with rockets, ends up falling for a girl, has to fight someone who’s been blessed with superhuman power from a demon, and must get the menstrual blood of a virgin, who happens to be his love interest, to break the spell. Sound ridiculous? It is. Martial arts movies should stick with the martial arts and leave the cheesy sci-fi stuff for the cheesy sci-fi movies. As Dynamite Warrior proves, the two don’t mix well at all.

Sketch Tha Cataclysm – Party Music 4 Pissed Off People

2007-07-16T16:54:00.000-04:00

Never has an album been as appropriately titled as Sketch Tha Cataclysm’s Party Music 4 Pissed Off People. PM4POP is exactly as advertised, socially conscious music that you can dance to. While a lot of artists have attempted to play both sides of the coin Sketch has managed to succeed where most of them have failed. Neither lyrics nor production take a backseat on PM4POP as Sketch has made sure both shine equally without letting one overtake the other at any point during the album. If you’re looking for something that will make you think and will make you shake your ass at the same time pick Party Music 4 Pissed Off People up. With songs such as “The Revolution Will Not Be…” and “Betsy Ross and the Miseducation of America,” you won’t be disappointed.

For more on Sketch Tha Cataclysm check him out at myspace.com/sketchthacataclysm.

Live Free or Die Hard

2007-07-11T23:18:00.001-04:00

Action seekers will find much in this the fourth installation of the previously thought retired Die Hard series. Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis), Mr. Analog living in the digital age, is probably the only anti-hero capable of stopping an American cyber-terrorist plot with his cool humor, calm demeanor, and McGyver-esque tactics. Each of the characters were well chosen including: the nerdy hacker suspect turned indispensable assistant Matt Farrell (Justin Long); the sassy, street-smart teenaged daughter of the hero, Lucy McClane (Mary Elizabeth Winstead); the exotic cyborg? killing machine and mate of the evil genius, Mai Lihn (Maggie Q); and the mildly cartoonish villain himself, Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant). Two hours of shots blasted, disasters averted, panicked escapes, jets, planes, and automobiles and I rushed home to brew some green tea to calm my frazzled senses. I do hope director Len Wiseman made sure Mr. Willis had his vitals thoroughly inspected before and after filming. Men his age shouldn't entice the grim reaper with such shocks to their biomechanical systems.

Transformers - Sum's Review

2007-07-09T15:47:00.000-04:00

This summer was starting to look like total torture in the world of comic and cartoon adaptations for the big screen. Two hours of Jessica Alba prancing around in tights on botox cocktails wasn’t enough to cut it for The Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and although there’s still hope for the Spiderman series, the last installment was a pain in the ass. Then came Transformers…. Director Michael Bay weaves the epic tail of Autobots vs. Decepticons on a collision course for the Allspark with a huge budget, dope images, explosive altercations and best of all HUMOR. There may have been just a little too much folly, but the fact that we could see Optimus Prime introduce himself with his original voice, or hear Megatron tell Starscream that he’s ‘failed him again’ made up for the few missteps. Add an urgent plot, John Turturro, and some robots with great acting coaches, and you have the beginning of possibly the best adaptation since Batman Begins. Bring on the sequels...this is a must see for the kid in all of us.

Flight of the Conchords on HBO

2007-07-08T15:54:00.000-04:00

For years HBO has been searching for a suitable half hour program to follow their standout program Entourage. Two years ago there was The Comeback, which was fantastic at times, but could also make the viewer feel very very awkward. Last year’s attempt was Luckie Louie, which was ambitious, but oftentimes depressing. With this year’s Flight of the Conchords, however, HBO has finally found the perfect show to follow Vinnie Chase and his boys. Flight of the Conchords follows two very funny musicians from New Zealand who have one fan, who is a borderline stalker, very few gigs, and who, at times, randomly break out into song about whatever situation they’re in. It’s almost as if Weird Al had a British sense of humor and his own TV show. Flight of the Conchords is downright hilarious and will hopefully be around for quite a while. Make it a point to catch this show.

Coolzey – Soixante-Neuf EP

2007-07-06T16:53:00.000-04:00

When I first saw this CD in my mailbox I had no idea what to expect. The album had no tracklisting and no picture of the artist on the cover, just some artwork and a sticker that said it was the second EP in a series. After listening to it I’m looking forward to the rest of what’s to come. Coolzey has a unique style all his own and although you only get to be engulfed in it for 15 minutes, it’s a fun, albeit short, ride. The final track on the EP, "Artworld," is the real standout, where a mock Wal-Mart like store is created as the last place on earth where people can buy music, but the kids are becoming too smart to fall for the capitalist creation and rather than purchase the watered down, store-approved, version of art they are out creating their own.

Raheem Jamal – Boombox

2007-07-06T16:45:00.000-04:00

A rap album that positive, but not preachy, as well as being funky and fun? A radical concept to say the least, but Raheem Jamal took that concept and ran with it, creating Boombox, an album that Hip-Hop fans should be cheering for. The name of the album is incredibly appropriate as Jamal takes the listener back to a time when we heard dope Hip-Hop playing out of boomboxes on nearly every street corner. Jamal doesn’t imitate those times, however, he has his own updated version of it, so don’t think of Boombox as yet another artist attempting to channel the quote-unquote “Golden Era,” rather think of it as an artist attempting to create a Golden Era right now. Give this one a spin, you won’t be disappointed.

Evan Almighty

2007-07-03T19:19:00.002-04:00

Evan Almighty, the not quite sequel to Bruce Almighty stars God himself, Morgan Freeman, and one of his funniest straight men, Steve Carell. In this rendering, God touches a vain mortal in a life changing way but, give or take a pop-culture reference, the similarities end here. Release your notions of Jim Carrey’s Bruce and let Steve as Noah, uh Evan, tickle your senses with his personal brand of physical humor. Ok, it isn’t what some expected, but should the Almighty’s sequel be predictable? I think not. The world was long overdue for a light family comedy that doesn’t require us to explain to the kids the thinly veiled violence and sexual innuendo; we get enough of that from commercials and cartoons, green CGI monsters included. Thanks Almighty and the Almighty’s crew for another winner, even though the hipsters weren’t pleased that you didn’t really doom us all.

The Known World by Edward P. Jones

2007-07-03T19:18:00.001-04:00

Slavery. The American South. Life. Chains. Color Lines. Toil. Love. Sweat. Confusion. Legacy. Tears. Loss. Freedom. A litany of characters- black, white, and Indian, bound and free- living in the antebellum south. Owning, stealing, buying, maiming, loving, killing, but never freeing slaves. Only a great mind could conjure up so many lifetimes and eloquently reveal them in the disjointed way one remembers their own past, intertwined in the lives of those around them, with a non-intrusive narrator who reports what he knows and sees without judgment. This tale of the true South captured my attention, stole my emotions, and released my spirit only after I digested every word. Know what you never knew. Read The Known World by Edward P. Jones.

Sideshow @ The Knitting Factory 6/21

2007-07-02T16:53:00.001-04:00

When 5G Productions and QN5 Music came together to create the first Sideshow they couldn’t have possibly known how instantly successful it would be. The crowd that gathered to see what was billed as “a night of singer / songwriter Hip-Hop” was only two people away from being a total sellout, though, so Louis Logic, Tonedeff, Substantial and Miz Metro, the four performers for the evening, had to know they were on to something. Overall it was an amazing night of music that mixed Hip-Hop with live instrumentation including two artists, Tonedeff and Louis Logic, showing off their skill on the piano. In a bit of marketing genius, everyone who attended the show was given a ten track CD featuring the music of all the artists. In an era where the underground rarely gets a chance to be played on the radio it was a fantastic move at getting listener retention for music that seriously deserves it. Everyone involved in Sideshow should be extremely happy with how the first one turned out and if you see another being advertised make it a point to go.

Sole Inspiration @ Sputnik 6/27

2007-07-01T04:42:00.000-04:00

Yes, dear readers, custom sneakers are officially a form of art. That was immediately obvious to anyone who attended Sole Inspiration at Sputnik in Brooklyn. The first installment of In The Studio explored the artistry behind the spirited sneaker culture, and doubled as a benefit to help youth in Brooklyn’s Help 1 Family Shelter. Featuring sneaker designs from customizers such as Future Kicks and Tough City/Uncutt Ink, the event definitely let the sneakers shine. My personal favorites were the low tops with the NYC cityscape in black and white. Before the exhibit opened, there was a small reception, which featured previews of two upcoming ‘sneaker head’ documentaries, Jordan Heads and Know You Got Sole. What really set the mood was the music by DJ NessDigi. He took us all back to the time when we fell in love with sneakers and Hip Hop; two art forms forever linked.

SolWorks, the event promoters, will have bi-weekly events in the near future. When they do, you’ll know where to find me – with the cool kids in the one-of-a-kind Dunks.

Myopenbar.com

2007-06-22T08:56:00.000-04:00

Whether you’re a would be lush, self proclaimed socialite or just too cheap to buy a round of drinks to impress your peers, take them out courtesy of info provided by Myopenbar.com. The heavens have smiled on folks that enjoy ‘dippin in the sauce’ and getting their party on everyday of the week. Myopenbar provides weekly updates on free and nearly free booze offerings in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. Soon to come to that list are Boston, DC and Seattle. Don’t assume that every event listed is devoid of class and culture, they run the gambit of not only your proverbial open bar with stumbling perves and sweaty broads, but also gallery openings, independent film screenings and artsy magazine release parties. The descriptions of each function are at times cynical, but mostly humorous. Stars aren’t used to rate each event, just tiny martini glasses. Sign up for Myopenbar’s boozeletter today and amaze your friends with how in the know you actually aren’t.

Do You! by Russell Simmons

2007-06-14T14:55:00.000-04:00

If anyone is fit to write about entrepreneurial success it’s Russell Simmons. Do You!, however, is not a specific outline of how he built his numerous companies, rather it’s more a set of concepts that one can use in business, or everyday life, to better themselves. I have to admit, after reading the book I was inspired to start work on a project I had been putting off for years and it felt good. Simmons will be the first to acknowledge there’s nothing new in this book, what Do You! has are essentially common sense realities about life that we should all know, but sometimes forget to harness. After reading through it your first thought will probably be “I knew all that, so how come I’m not doing all of it?” My lone gripe with Do You! is that Simmons goes a bit overboard with his love of yoga, something that I think could have been put more in the background. In fact, you might want to just skim that chapter, but make no mistake, read through the rest and you will, much like me, be inspired to do even more in life.

Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns

2007-06-12T13:34:00.000-04:00

One can’t help but to love J. California Cooper and her heavy-handed narrator self in her latest offering of short stories, Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns (2006), told the way your tough but sweet, God-fearin’ auntie would: sometimes graceful, sometimes verbose, often preachy, forever feigning ignorance, but wisdom-wise in true southern doublespeak. Although different ages and circumstances were identified, attempts to give the narrator of each story a separate personality were futile; one could imagine aunties’ shawl-draped shoulders embracing the southern breeze as she recounted her tales. The one perceptible departure was an odd, rambling narrator whose message nearly fell through the holes in her childhood recollection. The vibrant characters adorned with telling names offer pre-encounter insight into their lives like sisters Willa and Futila Ways and politician Mr. Bsurd. The tales presented in Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns hold all the jealousy, misery, adultery, covetry? and every breakable admonition in the Old and New Testaments one can handle where characters reap what they sow, for better or worse. Give it to a churchified loved one and they’ll smile for days. But be careful or you’ll find yourself their next victim, er witnessee.

Can Joann - Hurt People Hurt People

2007-06-11T00:21:00.000-04:00

I appreciate its introduction, as I close my eyes to recognize film credits appear on the miniature screens that are the back of my eyelids. This is definitely, the perfect opening instrumentation for a future indie film that will win countless awards and change the world as we know it, in ‘pay it forward’ fashion. Can Joann rocks, on ‘Hurt People Hurt People’ their album recorded in a farm house located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. With nine total tracks your equation works out as such; [a hint of head nod + smooth cool rocky blues, equals]. There are poetic pen etches and successful attempts made to address personal life issues that many of us face but don’t always acknowledge. There’s quite a bit of self analysis going on here. Subtle and overt remarks about society that display optimism and the belief of future progress ultimately exist as well. ‘Hurt People Hurt People’ is actually an inspiring story being told in song if you catch on to the plot early and pay attention throughout.

Waitress

2007-06-06T12:19:00.000-04:00

‘Waitress’ is a little bit country, and a little bit off-kilter funk, tragic-romantic, dysfunctional comedy. An amalgamation of peculiar characters that converge into a brilliant, well balanced blend of interesting human ingredients, sorta like those edible ones Jenna (Kerri Russell) uses to create the magnificent pies she’s known for. Jenna’s husband Earl (Jeremy Sisto) is quite disturbing. Veteran actor, Andy Griffith who plays the role of Old Joe, is a certified scene stealer, while Ogie’s (Eddie Jemison) ‘spontaneous poems’ will indeed put a smile on your face. Nathan Fillion as Dr.Pomatta is convincing as mister nice guy awkward, gradually building to become the picture of a slightly flawed knight in shining armor. Dawn (Writer/Director; Adrienne Shelly R.I.P.) is big screen ‘Ugly Betty’ incarnate. Becky (Cheryl Hines; Curb Your Enthusiasm) is satisfyingly humorous. And Cal (Lew Temple) is a side order cook slash restaurant manager who’s much smarter then he let’s on. ‘Waitress’ is a film about, pies, marriage, infidelity, growth, interestingly strange relationships and more pie.

Carina Round – Slow Motion Addict

2007-06-04T09:49:00.000-04:00

In a fair world Carina Round would be ruling the pop charts with Slow Motion Addict. We don’t live in a fair world, however, and the pop charts in America haven’t been very kind to foreign acts as of late, most of which become either one hit wonders (Lady Sovereign), or critically acclaimed artists who can’t seem to get airplay or sell records (The Streets). Hopefully Round will find a way around this predicament as Slow Motion Addict is one part The Killers and one part The Cardigans (think Gran Turismo Cardigans not “Lovefool” Cardigans). Round proves she can write, rock and even slow it down on Slow Motion Addict, making it one of the scarcest kinds of albums around, a complete Top 40 album. After a complete listen it’s clear Slow Motion Addict wasn’t made to sell singles on iTunes, it was made to be a great album, and that’s exactly what it is.

Tank – Sex Love & Pain

2007-06-04T09:47:00.000-04:00

Sometime during the last decade or so R&B music made the move from talking about all aspects of life to simply speaking about relationships. Love has become the overwhelmingly favorite theme of R&B singers and Tank is no exception. On Sex Love & Pain you can expect to hear songs about, well, Sex, Love & Pain, though there seems to be an abundance of the Pain. Tank can sing, his only issue is the subject matter he chooses gives him little to get creative with. Yes, we all need booty albums, but if Tank wants a lasting legacy in R&B he might want to try dipping his feet into the deeper end of the pool sometime. I think we’d all be pleasantly surprised by the results. In the meantime he’s given us another fairly typical R&B album.

Sa-Ra – The Hollywood Recordings

2007-06-04T09:43:00.000-04:00

Very few groups have the hype machine working for them quite like Sa-Ra does. Everywhere I’ve turned in the past six months someone has been trying to sell me on Sa-Ra being the next big thing in Hip-Hop. Of course, all of those people doing the selling work with them in some way. Now that The Hollywood Recordings is out we can all finally judge for ourselves. Sadly, much like the majority of things that are over-hyped, Sa-Ra isn’t much to write home about. The Hollywood Recordings sounds like an album made up of people who think they’re really cool and desperately want us to feel the same way about them. Unlike a George Clinton album, where the artist comes across as cool because they are, not because they feel they are, Sa-Ra’s album lacks authenticity. At times they try to channel George Clinton, and at other times (a lot of times) they make attempts to sound like Pharrell, but at no point in time do they attempt to create a sound of their own. In the end, The Hollywood Recordings is another example of someone trying to manufacture cool when we all know in reality cool is simply a state of being and it can’t be faked.

The 100th Human by Chris Fenwick

2007-06-01T14:14:00.000-04:00

Want to help yourself but avoid the hollowness of the typical self-help book? Turn off your internal editor, let go a little, and you’ll soon find yourself enjoying Chris Fenwick’s “The 100th Human.” The novel takes its title and premise on the scientific study and questioned phenomenon of the 100th Monkey effect, which determines that once a critical mass of awareness is reached, knowledge will spread mentally to all others. Despite its occasional weak phrasing and obvious monologues on positive thinking, it was a worthwhile pursuit. The author deftly controls the speed of the book, placing readers in the thick of the characters’ physical and spiritual quest for truth as they encounter impending danger. Buy it from Amazon and visit the author’s website for access to some freebies that will help you to continue to seek heightened awareness. “The 100th Human” novel puts your toe in the self-help sea, but it’s up to you to step in.

Pad Your Pocket with MyPoints.com

2007-06-01T14:13:00.000-04:00

Unlike other click-thru companies, MyPoints.com makes sense (see dollars & cents). Sign-up is hassle-less and fee free. Members receive no-obligation emails to visit websites, taking advantage of sale prices, free shipping, and other valuable deals at places you would shop anyway for products you want. Members can join the latest diet/fitness/book club for 10 to 10,000 points. For non-purchase options, every click-thru earns 5 points and completing short surveys adds 10-50 points to your account. Points are redeemed in the form of gift cards for hundreds of reputable internet and physical locations, dispelling worries of imaginary bucks to spend on the equivalent of 99¢ store gems. If, like many, you’ve long since adapted your life to a box full of email, you won’t mind these three or so more a day that can pay for a birthday gift or your next pair of kicks.

Alraune

2007-05-29T17:33:00.000-04:00

There are many different adaptations to the Alraune story of a ravenous woman. My favorite, hands down, comes from Eros Comix. The brief series follows Dinah, a gorgeous black woman that becomes cursed with an insatiable appetite for sex. Dinah must figure out how this curse was placed on her and whether or not she really wants to be freed of it.

I think the fact that I don’t usually stumble upon black adult comics very often is why this stands out for me. What a sexy, smart, and flat out FUN series. If you happen across any of the issues, allow for some ‘alone time’.

Thievery Corporation - The Cosmic Game

2007-05-29T17:26:00.000-04:00

Making electronic music that doesn’t fall out of the cookie cutter format is tough. When you deal with dance beats, eventually the noise becomes all too familiar. Thievery Corporation has a unique sound that leaves the listener in a relaxed rage. No, that’s not a typo. Their album, ‘The Cosmic Game’ is best served mid-evening, after a good smoke.

Prepare for socially conscious (yet not overbearing) lyrics like:
We are eternal, made of the creator/ Won’t fall to the soul-less devastators/Divide and conquer, try to separate us/ Up to this day, them still try to rape us
From Warning Shots

The paradox of poverty has left us dismayed/Sliding democracy, washing away/The toil of the many goes to the fortunate few/The revolution solution, oh I’ve come to join you
From Revolution Solution

I never thought politically correct could be so downright sexy……

Amerimacka…..Oh what a beautiful life/Amerimacka…..Is like licking honey off a knife
From Amerimacka

Padre @ Pianos in NYC 5/26

2007-05-29T15:42:00.000-04:00

From the lyrical content of Padre’s Left In A Trade it’s obvious the group is a little different from your normal indie rock bands. Who else writes about the transgendered? The group opened Saturday’s show with a song, “Rumors of Recovery,” that included that very topic in its first line, and lead singer Eli Kaplan used his full range of facial expressions to both further illustrate the lyrics and play to the crowd. Kaplan made sure the group’s 45 minute set was full of good times for the entire audience, taking time between songs to speak with the crowd, and at other times to tell us “the floor right by the stage is lonely and wants someone to stand on it” as a way to get people off the wall in the sweaty Pianos performance space and up closer to the stage. It’s always great to see a talented artist having fun while performing and in Padre the audience had the pleasure of seeing just that. It was definitely a great way to spend a Saturday night.

The Measure Of A Man by Sidney Poitier

2007-05-27T18:24:00.000-04:00

‘The Measure Of A Man’ isn’t a self absorbed autobiography of an individual that’s accomplished much and chooses to assault us with his greatness. Sidney Poitier of course, is well aware of his contributions to the art of film, playing in a number of pieces with controversial topics that were far more then simply influential on life beyond the silver screen. Indeed, he’s modest to an extent. The most endearing segments of his story are the ones told about his early life as a child on ‘Cat Island’ in the Bahamas. A consistent theme in the book is how his training for survival as a youth on the island was revisited during various moments of significance throughout his seventy plus years. In my opinion the most important concept discussed is one of self analysis that ties directly into self responsibility along with the importance of family. Sidney Poitier covers so much to be considered in this ‘spiritual autobiography’. A great read written by an equally great man.

Chapped Hands Remedy

2007-05-26T14:42:00.001-04:00

Guys, there is no reason to neglect your hands. Furthermore, there's absolutely nothing wrong with an occasional manicure (no clear polish!). While you contemplate, I have one suggestion for repairing those moisture deficient digits and that cuticle mess you call manly. C.O. Biglelow Apothecaries, a company established way back in 1838 has developed a lotion called, ‘Chapped Hands Remedy’ for the likes of you. Deemed, ‘The Ultimate Medicated Skin Protectant For All-Year Round Use’ by Bigelow, after personally sampling it at Bath & Body Works, I’d have to concur. At $14.00 for a 1.7 oz tube, the price is well worth it for transforming iguana textured skin into silky smooth (but still strong and masculine) hands that your lady of interest will appreciate and enjoy touching her special and equally silken, sensitive areas.

Dungen - Tio Bitar

2007-05-25T08:40:00.000-04:00

Although I may require Pimsleur’s assistance (no need for channeling the dead, there are language tapes available) to decipher the lyrics of Swedish rocker Gustav Ejstes, I’ll gladly take the lessons. 'Tio Bitar', sounds like a crispy, vintage recording pulled from a time capsule buried deep beneath the soil, round nineteen sixty-something. I feel trippy-meadows, grass leaking dew suspiciously-suspect and I need a pair of the darkest shades ever made because that fireball in the sky is working overtime. I like the vibe, dig the frequencies throughout. Ten solid tracks and there’s no filler. Think I’ll skip Pim's method though and find a curvy, Swedish gal to help work the kinks outtah my lumbar region while 'En Gång I År Kom Det en Tår' plays just loud enough in the background from my refurbished Hi Fi.

Official Website http://www.dungen-music.com/

Tales of Eternia - PSP Game

2007-05-24T17:20:00.000-04:00

For those that have been wondering why Sony has not released any real quality role playing games (RPGs) for its Playstation Portable system (PSP), well look no further. Tales of Eternia is your answer. Unfortunately this game has not been released in the US, only in the UK and Japan. So you will have to get a copy on Ebay or by other means. Good thing that the PSP is region free, meaning that you can play any Universal Media Disc (UMD) from any country. What makes Tales of Eternia stand out amongst other RPGs is the style of fighting, called 'linear motion battle system'. This basically means that you can cast spells and fight in real time within a 2D side-scrolling environment, kind of like Street Fighter. This makes for exciting battles with various types of enemies as you progress throughout the game. One can end Tales of Eternia in under 50 hours, but if you want to get the full experience - I would say 90 plus hours... easy.

Check out the official site at:
http://talesofeterniagame.uk.ubi.com/

ART Studio V3 Mic Preamp

2007-05-23T10:13:00.000-04:00

I'm of the opinion that more bang for the buck cannot be found in a mic preamp. This little unit provides an easy interface from microphone to recording device--be it a computer, a 4-track cassette machine, a digital multi-track, whatever... It's really simple to use and it sounds much better than just plugging the mic straight into whatever you're recording on. There’s a "Voicings" knob that slightly modifies the characteristics of the sound, and the settings are marked for what the manufacturer thinks the settings are good for, but my advice is just tweak it and stop when you like the sound. You can crank the input knob and push in the +20 gain button to get some seriously gritty sounds or back them off and it's crystal clear. I've found this little box to be invaluable, and frankly better sounding and more versatile than similar offerings from other manufacturers. For $70 brand new, there is simply no better way to make your microphones sound better.

The Love Kills Theory - Happy Suicide Jim

2007-05-21T11:18:00.000-04:00

Remember when there was this funky little thing called alt-rock? The Love Kills Theory sure does and they’ve created an album, Happy Suicide Jim, that illustrates what can be done with alternative music when musicians get experimental with both their instrumentation and their songwriting. Happy Suicide Jim is a throwback to that small blip on the rock scene during the 90’s when the music was interesting and as a whole the album is a welcome addition to the current music scene. The impressive songwriting of Happy Suicide Jim is also featured in the liner notes with the inclusion of all the lyrics. The Love Kills Theory will definitely appeal to those who remember when listening to the radio meant hearing an impressive mix of music (so basically those folks who are 25 and up), but they’re also a worthwhile listen for anyone who might be interested in hearing what would have happened if a certain small sector of the 90’s music scene had been given the opportunity to fully mature.

Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2007

2007-05-21T11:15:00.000-04:00

My ears are still ringing (I really should have remembered my earplugs!), but what a show it was on Saturday, May 19th. The 2007 edition of the annual Joey Ramone Birthday bash / lymphoma benefit featured a handful of rock icons, tons of old Ramones footage, and a lot of positive vibes. Slinky Vagabond, a band created by Keanan Duffty that’s comprised of him, Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols, Clem Burke from Blondie, and Earl Slick from David Bowie’s touring band, made their world debut and The New York Dolls headlined the evening with an hour long set. David Johansen and crew are fantastic live performers and it’s great to see a trailblazing band from the 70’s still creating great music all these years later. A New York Dolls show should be required viewing for any rock band, or musical artist from any genre for that matter. Overall it was a fantastic show and a fantastic night in support of a very worthy cause on what would have been Joey Ramone's 56th birthday.

Theory Hazit - Extra Credit

2007-05-21T11:14:00.001-04:00

In the past year or so Hip-Hop Is Music has been at the forefront of releasing Hip-Hop albums that have a positive vibe. Theory Hazit in the next in line for the label and his album, Extra Credit, is yet another example of what an MC can do if he puts his mind to attempting to create a better society. Theory Hazit admits he’s made mistakes in his life, speaks openly about them, never attempting to make any excuses, only explaining how doing certain things hurt his ability to do what he really wanted in life. The album isn’t all doom and gloom, however, there are a lot of fun songs on Extra Credit, as well, making it a complete Hip-Hop album that one can listen to from start to finish without skipping a track, and since it’s on Hip-Hop Is Music you can rest assured knowing you can play it in front of kids. We need more artists like Theory Hazit and more labels like Hip-Hop Is Music.

KRS-ONE and Marley Marl – Hip-Hop Lives

2007-05-21T11:12:00.000-04:00

Who would have ever thought these two would get together and make an album? I guess it’s true what they say, time heals all wounds. KRS-One and Marley Marl, two of Hip-Hop’s greats, coming together for an album should be regarded as a landmark. Sadly, due to a lack of history, many current Hip-Hop fans might not understand why this is important. The dynamic duo feuded for 20 years, but they’ve managed to squash the issues they had with each other and the album they created, Hip-Hop Lives, is a testament to what Hip-Hop can be. There’s everything from education, to history, to just straight raw skills as both KRS-ONE and Marley Marl prove that age doesn’t have to be an issue in Hip-Hop. It seems every few years KRS does this, releases another album to remind folks that he should still, even all these years later, be listed in everybody’s top ten MCs of all time. Hip-Hop Lives is simply dope Hip-Hop.

Cashis – The Country Hound EP

2007-05-21T11:10:00.000-04:00

We’re often told not to judge a book by its cover. One can, however, oftentimes judge an album by its track listing. Chashis’ The Country Hound EP is one of those albums as it features song titles such as “That Nigga A Gangsta,” “Gun Rule,” and “Pistol Poppin.” The Shady Records artist racks up a huge body count for a seven song album and seems completely devoid of any positive thoughts whatsoever. At one point he says a line about police killing blacks, but it’s only after he himself has committed numerous black on black crimes in his music. Cashis will be positioned as the next 50 Cent, but he’s nowhere near him in terms of charisma or talent. After all the violence that’s happened in Eminem’s life over the past few years, most of which he mentions on his guest spot on “Pistol Poppin,” it’s truly a shame he’s pushing yet another artist who glorifies gun violence.

Millers Crossing

2007-05-18T18:59:00.000-04:00

I have been a fan of Joel and Ethan Coen since ‘Blood Simple’. ‘Fargo’ may have won the Oscar but ‘Millers Crossing’ is their best flick hands down.

Tom Reagan (played brilliantly by Gabriel Byrne) finds himself playing both sides of a gang war during the prohibition era. Veteran actor Albert Finney is Leo O’Bannon, an old school Irish boss that runs an entire town; from owning the mayors office and police department to having other mobsters pay him kickbacks to stay in business. The underrated Jon Polito is Giovanni ‘Johnny Casper’ Gasparo, an Italian boss that is tired of answering to Leo and thinks he can a win a war against him. This is classic noir and told so well, even people not familiar with the genre will develop a great appreciation and respect for the style. This flick is perfect from the cinematography, set design, to dialogue. You get so caught up in the double crosses, you almost forget to laugh when you hear a great line………and of those there are plenty.

I’ll never be able to say enough great things about Gabriel’s performance. Our hero has the weight of the world on his shoulders but you’d never know it. Tom stays cool in every scenario he's in and you’re left in awe at his ability to play people. This is one for the collection.

The Losers’ Club by Richard Perez

2007-05-18T15:29:00.000-04:00

The Losers’ Club takes place in 1990’s NYC, the East Village to be exact, and is the tale of Martin Sierra, a down on his luck writer who has a day job he’s not very fond of and a love life that borders on the non-existent. Martin has been trying his hand at the personals and although the responses are few and far between he has made some friends and gone on some dates because of his ad. The Losers’ Club chronicles those evenings out with his personal ad dates and his life as a struggling writer in NYC looking for not necessarily love, but simply someone he can connect with. Easy to read and thought provoking, The Losers’ Club keeps you rooting for Martin Sierra, all the while giving quite a bit of insight into the life of a creative person. The complete restored edition also features an interview with the author.

Fishbone – Still Stuck In Your Throat

2007-05-17T15:41:00.000-04:00

A lot of people like their ska with a bit of an edge and Fishbone has been fulfilling those people’s needs for nearly 30 years. This year they’re back with another collection of songs where partying is most definitely the M.O. The album even features one song, “Party With Saddam,” that implies if we could all just have a good time together there wouldn’t be any more conflicts in the world. It’s a bit of a utopian ideal, but it’s one that illustrates perfectly what the band is all about. The music on Still Stuck In Your Throat ranges from smooth, more reggae influenced, songs to ultra fast rock tunes. Fishbone doesn’t make the type of albums you’d put on as background music for your next cocktail party, they make the type of albums you crank up until the neighbors complain. Still Stuck In Your Throat is exactly in that vein.

Gothic Vampires From Hell

2007-05-17T13:00:00.000-04:00

Everyone trying to get on the music industry has felt at some point in time that it was run by vampires. Of course, folks say this in a metaphorical sense, but in Gothic Vampires From Hell it becomes quite literal as we follow four musicians attempting to navigate their way from bar band to world success but are confronted with the calamity of having a record label run by actual vampires (and sexy vamps at that!). The production value of Gothic Vampires From Hell leaves much to be desired (and we’ll ignore the fact that the band somehow became signed to a label without signing a contract), BUT, that being said, the lack of a budget can create some fantastic drinking games (take a shot whenever you hear a witch’s cackle from the 50’s during a scene where a female vamp is getting her suck on, or whenever you see one of the pumps spilling blood out of a character, and you should have a nice buzz by the end of the 90 minutes). A large plus is that Gothic Vampires From Hell is backed by a killer soundtrack, so the combination of good tunes and slight cheese makes for a fun viewing experience.

Gil Scott-Heron – The Paris Concert

2007-05-17T12:50:00.000-04:00

There’s not much new that can be said about the legendary Gil Scott-Heron. He’s an artist who hasn’t really received the accolades he probably deserves, but in the pantheon of music history there are few greater. With his Paris Concert DVD fans get a chance to see two hours of live footage from a show he performed at New Morning back in July of 2001. The date of the show is interesting being that songs such as “Work For Peace” and “There’s A War Going On” took on whole new meanings only a few short months later after the acts of 9/11. At only 13 songs in length one might wonder how Scott-Heron manages to create a two hour show, but he does so with aplomb. This is an example of a veteran in his element. That statement not only applies to Scott-Heron, but also his entire band, who gets plenty of time to jam with solos of their own. Sadly, Scott-Heron was sent to jail shortly after this show for a cocaine possession charge, and after serving that sentence he would return to jail in 2006 on a similar infraction. He is eligible for parole in July of this year. Genius usually comes with a fatal flaw. His flaws have been revealed through his legal troubles. Let his genius be seen through his performances. The Paris Concert is great viewing for music fans of all ages.

Gil Scott-Heron – The Paris Concert will be available June 5th.

Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

2007-05-16T22:27:00.000-04:00

In the simplest of terms, ‘Breath, Eyes, Memory’ is a coming of age story. Sophie, born in a poor rural section of Haiti, is raised by her grandmother and Aunt. Her mother lives in New York, trying to make a better life for herself and her family by sending money back home. Sophie is 12 when her mother summons her to New York.

I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to leave everything you are familiar with and be expected to slip right in to a new culture (that should but won’t accept you). This was not an easy read. While most coming of age story focus on one life changing event, this story tackles the issues of culture change, rape, mental health, and trying to assimilate while holding on to tradition. What made me love this book is the fact that Edwidge didn’t shy away from any of the taboo subjects. Sophie had to endure the humiliation of being ‘tested’ every month. A process where her mother inserts a finger in her vaginal opening to make sure she is still a virgin. Sophie’s mother is jealous that her daughter has not suffered as she has and attempts to thwart any happiness Sophie comes across. This book is raw and real, it ain’t no fairy tale.......so don’t bother looking for the happy ending.

The Police: Message in a Box

2007-05-16T20:17:00.000-04:00

The Police.

My favorite Rock 'n Roll band. Period. This box set contains everything they've ever recorded, includes a few B sides, and live performances. During a time when aggression ruled the UK airwaves (Sex Pistols etc etc ), The Police burst on the scene with a mixture of reggae and jazz influenced melodic pop. Their lyrics were honest, playful, and socially conscious. The song 'Driven To Tears' speaks to a growing selfish society that has to be informed when they should be outraged. As you listen through the CD's you will here the bands sound progress, mature, and reach it's peak with 'Synchronicity', which would be there last studio album. After 20 years out of the limelight, they're touring again. They wouldn't be able to sell out every show if they didn't have the goods to back it up. The Police may not be as readily recognizable as The Rolling Stones but their talent is on par (if not better in my opinion).

The Hip-Hop Project

2007-05-15T12:59:00.000-04:00

The Hip-Hop Project is the latest in a long line of Hip-Hop documentaries. This one follows Chris “Kazi” Rolle in his quest to both work within the arts scene in New York City and point Hip-Hop in a more creative direction. Starting as a group of kids simply wanting to be involved in rap music, The Hip-Hop Project didn’t set out just to create a group, but rather took years to develop the artists involved and really make them complete MCs rather than one dimensional rappers. The film goes in depth with Kazi and two members of the group, Princess and Cannon, illustrating how everyone has their own struggles and no matter how unique those struggles may be, be they teen abortion (Princess), abandonment (Kazi), or the loss of a loved one and subsequent attempted eviction (Cannon), in the end they act as a common bond that unites us all. The growth these young artists go through in the film is impressive and shows that with a little bit of work, and a little bit of introspection, rap music can be just as strong as ever. Inspiring as a whole, The Hip-Hop Project is worth your time.

For more information check out: www.hiphopproject.com.

Other People’s Property by Jason Tanz

2007-05-15T12:57:00.000-04:00

There have been a lot of books written about Hip-Hop but Jason Tanz’s Other People’s Property: A Shadow History of Hip-Hop in White America, takes on the subject from a completely new angle, namely how whites have been influenced by Hip-Hop and how Hip-Hop has been influenced by whites. Tanz starts this task by drawing on his own experiences to investigate the complete white impact, what it means, and how it’s created a litany of subgenres in the culture. Other People’s Property includes a number of diverse stories, including one of a breakdancer who rides the train into a Connecticut suburb to teach kids both how to break and the history of breaking, a chapter that revolves around radio and rap music being delivered to the masses in Wisconsin, and a look at the emergence of white suburban gangsters. The writing style of Other People’s Property is very fluid and easy to read. Tanz interjects a good amount of humor where appropriate, as well, for instance when he writes of one rapper in particular he says “you would have heard him recount his many sexual exploits, including the fact that – and I’m sorry to be the one to have to tell you this – he has had sex with your mother.” This book is for everyone in Hip-Hop, especially those who are worried that what happened to jazz will happen to Hip-Hop. Other People’s Property tackles all the issues and helps complete Hip-Hop’s current story, making it a must read.

Hip-Hop Japan by Ian Condry

2007-05-14T12:53:00.000-04:00

Ian Condry did a painstaking amount of research for Hip-Hop Japan, which covers a lot of bases and covers them well. One of the most interesting debates in the book involves the concept of keeping it real. Since we’re in America we have our American version of it, but in Japan they have groups with two differing opinions on the subject, one feeling keeping it real means keeping it American Hip-Hop and staying true to its roots, while the other feels keeping it real refers to the idea of keeping it Japanese and true to one’s own essence. Another interesting item in Hip-Hop Japan is that MCs are taking on the Japanese government which has adjusted history books in an attempt to create a more patriotic country. Hip-Hop Japan also covers the typical battles between commercial and underground, going pop and staying Hip-Hop, and the added struggle for female artists to try to get on. The lone issue I had with the book is that the language used in it doesn’t make for easy reading. You really have to concentrate as the author uses, in my opinion, far too many SAT words and not enough universal language, which is ironic since the entire idea of the book involves globalization. That being said, for anyone interested in how Hip-Hop arrived, spread, and is currently treated, in Japan this is a very informative read.

Screaming Masterpiece

2007-05-13T12:48:00.000-04:00

With the exception of Bjork and a few others Iceland hasn’t brought a ton of musical artists to the American mainstream. The country, however, is a hotbed for unique musical talent. Screaming Masterpiece chronicles that Icelandic talent and the recent history of Iceland’s music scene. Live performance clips are interspersed with interviews with prominent artists and some beautiful shots of the country. Many of the artist interviews revolve around the music while others speak about one of the constant underlying themes of the music while Bjork and a few others address the question of nationality and what it really means to be Icelandic. Multiple genres of music are covered in this 80 minute ride through country that seems to be looking to discover itself through their music.

DJ Meddafore: Let ‘Em Know 8

2007-05-12T12:45:00.000-04:00

Even though the compact disc is a technology that is universally hailed as better than its predecessor, the cassette tape, mixtape DJs, at least the creative types, can still find using CDs limiting as compared to their stop, rewind and fast-forward forefathers. Back in the cassette tape days Hip-Hop DJ’s created mixes where one side would be one form of music and the other side would be something completely different. For some it would be Dance / Hip-Hop, for others it would be Hip-Hop / R&B, whatever it was it’s infinitely harder to do it on a CD. Philly’s mixtape king, DJ Meddafore, has taken a crack at it, though, with Let ‘Em Know 8, which features 30 tracks, starting with 18 Hip-Hop and closing with 11 R&B. The Hip-Hop side featured Mistah F.A.B.’s instructional track that utilizes the classic Ghostbusters theme and teaches listeners how to ghost ride, while the R&B side features the J. Valentine standout “Church Girl.” Overall Meddafore does an admirable job of attempting to bring back some variety to the mixtape scene. Here’s hoping future Let ‘Em Know efforts also exhibit such musical diversity.

Let ‘Em Know 8 is available now at meddafore.com/store.htm.

Crackheads Gone Wild 2

2007-05-12T12:43:00.000-04:00

Let it be known there isn’t very much “wild” about Crackheads Gone Wild 2. There is, however, quite a lot of depressing footage of folks thinking they’re normal when they’re clearly on drugs. Though the voiceovers are at times, very rare times, funny, the main point of this film seems to be to show how delusional a drug addict can get. You have wannabe rappers of all types, people convinced they aren’t an addict because of the few things they claim they won’t do for crack, and some folks who can barely stand they’re so high. Crackheads Gone Wild 2 has the occasional enjoyable moment but at the end of the DVD you’ll more than likely just be depressed that people can live that way and slightly disgusted at yourself if you laughed at a few too many of the scenes.