Thursday, September 17, 2009

Weezer Piss Me Off Again: Raditude Tracklist

ARG. Okay, so I am a huge fan of this band, as they were basically the soundtrack to my pre-and-post-pubescent life. But they are really grinding my gears in '09. First they debut three new songs in Korea, and they aren't good. Then the single "(If you're wondering why this song title is so lame) I don't really know" dropped and, well, I actually liked it. This past week the album cover was released online, and it's kind of cool.



But now this tracklist appears and I'm mad. The thing is front loaded with the crappy tracks from Korea, and right in the middle is the same song that Sugar fucking Ray covered on THEIR new album that came out THIS YEAR! WTF, dudes? and why is the 'Standard Album' only 10 songs? Is this going to be Red II, where the best songs aren't actually on the album? Ughh, though I guess there's still time to wait and see...

Raditude Tracklist


Standard album:
1. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
2. I'm Your Daddy
3. The Girl Got Hot
4. Can't Stop Partying
5. Put Me Back Together
6. Trippin' Down The Freeway
7. Love Is the Answer
8. Let It All Hang Out
9. In The Mall
10. I Don't Want To Let You Go
(11. The Story Of My Life - iTunes bonus)
(12. Kids/Poker Face - iTunes pre-order bonus)

Deluxe also includes:
11. Get Me Some
12. Run Over By A Truck
13. The Prettiest Girl In the Whole Wide World
14. The Underdogs



c/o Weezer : Blog

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Battle of the Hip Hop Sequels

So, this past month, two Heavyweight New York MC's dropped sequels to their highly regarded LP's of yore.

In the Red Corner, we've got Jay-Z who's multi-adamantium selling The Blueprint (2001) basically altered the course of modern Hip-Hop as we know it - and also gave the world this guy... thanks. After this shit dropped, everyone had a yacht, upon which they made it very clear all champagne was to be drunk directly from the bottle, that or poured upon any hoes in the general vicinity. But a lot has changed since then: Jay is a married man, a former President of a Multi-National Corporation, he flirted with retirement, he morphed into Denzel Washington, and he hangs out with the dudes from Coldplay. Now, it would seem, is the best time to remind the world you've still got it. Enter, The Blueprint III:

"Wait," you might be asking yourself, "Blueprint Three, you say?? What happened to Two?"
To which I would respond, "It wasn't that good, now let's move on." The Blueprint III was touted as Jay's attempt to shake up a rap game that had become stagnate, had been resting on its laurels (i.e. get paid at any cost). But, man, this record feels like just that to me... sure, the flashy production style is there, the cocksure swagger is still intact, the smooth, laid back flow.. it's all there. It just doesn't feel like anything new to me, it falls flat. It's, simply, NOT the groundbreaking, tide-reversing, game-saving LP it wants to be.

In the Blue Corner stands Raekwon The Chef, of the Wu-Tang Clan, whose groundbreaking 1995 solo effort Only Built for Cuban Linx set the precedence for what grimy, coke-rap was about. Basically the anti-HOV, Raekwon has made his career spitting cerebral street narratives that make you never want to go to Staten Island, duke even took shots at Biggie in his prime... and talk about true rap Heavyweights! (get it... cause they're both, umm.. y'know, they're fat..) So.. yeah, moving onward: After Cuban Linx, Raekwon fell from listeners graces, as gritty street raps were slowly replaced with flashy songs about money, and women, and yachts. His next two albums disappointed, and Rae was forced to lie low. Enter 2004, er, well 2006, no wait Spring '09.. actually just a minute September 8, 2009: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt II

Okay, so there were some set backs, but holy crap-sicles the record is actually good. Damn good, in fact. The Chef has somehow managed to capture all of the electricity the first Cuban Linx had, and while it's not quite the album its predecessor was, it is a vital slab of real Hip-Hop. Tracks like "House of Flying Daggers", "Black Mozart" and "10 Bricks" harken back to the dawn of the Wu-Tang era, while others provide stark backdrops for Rae to weave his tales. Even the guest MC's (which are few and far between considering this albums sprawling 22-song, 72 minute time table), come hard: Inspectah Deck on "Flying Daggers", the uncredited Busta Rhymes on "About me", Ghostface on any track with Ghostface, Beanie Sigel on "Have Mercy", and Masta Killa on "Kiss The Rings". The only real problem with the album is that, to me, it feels more like the closing of an era, rather than a new beginning. Like Raekwon wrapped up the 90's on one more classic album, but I do hope he has atleast another in him, maybe next decade?


Winner: Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II

But.. I'll let you be the judges yourselves.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

from the pits of hell..

Yet another new Radiohead track (or is it new?????) has emerged on glorious internet, follow this link to give it a listen http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/57736/01-radiohead-these_are_my_twisted_words-(advance)-2009-woi.mp3

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Goodwill Scores pt. I

So, like many of you, I am a fan of the occasional trek to one of the fine local Goodwill Establishments, I think that if you go in with an open mind you will probably leave with some choice goodies. Indianapolis runs the gamut, so to speak, in terms of Goodwill quality. Some you'll find next to nothing, others you could have a heyday. My favorite is the Broad Ripple location - before, I've found such gems as a Pavement T-shirt, a Cave-In CD, a Radiohead shirt.

Well, last Sunday I ventured out to my favorite used goods retail store to do some shopping (you see, I had, on the day prior, ripped a hole in a pair of my work pants, and was in need of some new khakis). I found myself some clothes, and that was all good and well, so I decided to peruse the CD stock, because "Hey," I thought, "there could be something decent."

The first album that popped out for me was Sebadoh's 1994 LP Bakesale.


I won't say I'm the biggest Sebadoh fan, but I have one of their other albums (1999's The Sebadoh), and I really like it, so... yeah, after a few listens now I can say that I definitely like this one a whole lot too. Very solid 90's alt-guitar rock - with two core songwriters at helm here, the tracks unwind in what feels like a free-for-all. There isn't a consistent sound they've got here, rather an overall aesthetic that they pool their creativity into. Unfortunately for the guys, I think this creates an atmosphere where everything is pleasing, but most of it isn't overly captivating. Could just mean I need to give it more spins though.


The second album I came across is the Toadies 2001 output Hell Below, Stars Above.


I'm a big fan of the first Toadies record, Rubberneck, and knew of but had never heard this joint. So, when I saw it on the shelf I didn't really think twice about nabbing it. That said, this record is kind of weird. There are moments that rock just as hard, if not harder, than the first. Then, the next minute, Vaden Todd Lewis just hits you with some bizarre melody or strange time pattern that leaves you scratching your head. Solid joint, overall, however.

Friday, August 7, 2009

point break =/= the greatest

This a post for my dude Clint. Who wanted to hear the new Weezer tracks, and the new Radiohead single "Harry Patch (in memory of)".

so here you go, cocktease.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

i'm half idi-i-ot


Pissed Jeans have, for me, always been one of those bands that I like, but had to be in the mood to sit down and enjoy. I don't know why this is, it's quite possibly just a result of severe ADD on my part, but who knows, right? Well, anyway your boys from Allentown are back again, with more of their brand of visceral, noisy, pissed-off punk rock. "King of Jeans" is one that will need to sink in, for me, but I think it's an incredibly forthright interpretation of what these dudes are, and what they are capable of as a band. So, you know, if it's your thing, it WILL NOT disappoint.

Rocks if you like:
Jesus Lizard
Flipper
Young Widows

>>>clicky<<<