2Pacalypse Now
Tonight’s the night, y’all. This evening at Coachella, Dr. Dre and Snoop are performing a set together. You know who else is going to be there? This guy.
Try and tell me this song isn’t playing in your head right now. Or that it’s not playing in your head every day. You’re weird.
Happy new week of life today too.
LP
Sunday Jam
I was going to call this post “great female rappers” or “independent women of hip-hop” or something to that effect, but stopped myself. Nobody ever qualifies a man as being an “independent man,” because that adjective is lumped into that noun. I realize though that it’s just a linguistic error. Independence is really very feminine trait, it’s just that Americans think we’re still in the 1950s and we need to bring our (formerly economy-saving, factory-working) women home to the kitchen and sewing machines. Sorry. Just a rant. This post is therefore simply your Sunday Jam.
Apani B. Fly and Jean Grae, two fantastic rappers that nobody should overlook ever. Being female isn’t a part of their work. Check this song, which features both.
Enjoy your Sunday.
LP
New Music is the Best Music
Two new releases for your consideration:
The first is Andrew Bird’s new album “Break It Yourself.” If you know about Andrew Bird, you will like this album. If you don’t know about Andrew Bird, you will go listen to his music and you will like this album. Bird continues to hone his looping, layered sound on the album, and it’s really working. He plays like, all of the instruments, and when they all happen at once, there are some pretty amazing outcomes. Check out his work. Also watch this TED presentation he gave, just to understand really how talented he is.
The second is the upcoming release from Alabama Shakes. The upcoming debut release. I emphasize that because this album does not sound like a debut in any way. It sounds like the well-refined work of a bunch of rock veterans. Nope. This is square one. This album is really remarkable. Alabama Shakes generated a huge buzz at SXSW in March, and this album is looking like one of the most anticipated albums yet this year. It’s big bluesy rock from people that are serious about musical innovation. It’s really tough to describe these songs. Just go listen. NPR is streaming the album here this week. The album is set to be released April 10.
-AV
Show Tomorrow Night!
Guys! If you’re not doing anything tomorrow (Thursday March 22) in the evening, stop by Bird studio at 10:30 for some awesome live music. The Moor will be playing! It’s going to be pretty low-key, so come hang out and hear the cool tunes. Rumor has it that they like to have some really cool visual displays going while they play, so you should come for that also. It’s going to rock. Be there.
KOXY Presents The Moor
Thursday March 22nd
Bird studio 10:30pm
Doors 10pm
New Mix from DJ Abilities
Formerly of Eyedea & Abilities (RIP of course), DJ Abilities has taken a small step away from beat production and has been focusing on djing and mixes. Today, seemingly out of nowhere, Abilities released a mix called “NOW – That’s What I Call Fuck Off.” This mix is a reminder of why this man, who was once just a promised kid on the rap scene in the late 90s, is one of the best DJs in the game right now. He has worked with some of the best lyricists and been to the biggest battles and festivals, and this re-stakes his claim to be doing these things. Abilities has them.
You can download the mix from the post on the Rhymesayers website. Or just stream it here:
Concert Review: Scars on 45
Odder and Odder Future
Odd Future is still odd, go figure. Check out the newest video from them, featuring Hodgy Beats and Tyler, the Creator, called “NY (Ned Flander)”. As in, Homer Simpson’s neighbor. Maybe one of the weirdest videos from them, or at least, another video from them.
OF Tape Vol. 2 is out on March 20th via Odd Future Records.
LP
Yasiin Bey – N***** in Poorest
A parody of one of the biggest hip-hop tracks of the year, Yasiin Bey’s “N***** in Poorest” commemorates Malcolm X and chants, “don’t get caught up in no throne.” The single is wonderful and brings on a disarmingly powerful message. Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, has stated that he is remaking hits on his debut album, “Top 40 Underdog,” to keep in the tradition of true hip-hop. I am certainly excited to hear more from this project!
Check out the “N***** in Poorest” video:
LP
Pictureplane + Nite Jewel W/DJ Funky Delano Roosevelvet
This is big news. Perhaps the biggest event KOXY will bring to Occidental College and the Eagle Rock community all year…
On March 2nd, L.A. native and Occidental alum Nite Jewel and Denver based dance-electronic act Pictureplane will perform at The Cooler at Occidental College. In between sets, enjoy a set from New York based DJ Funky Delano Roosevelvet.
Nite Jewel:
Over the past few years, LA’s Nite Jewel has honed its pop-funk craft across releases from Italians Do It Better, Mexican Summer and LA’s own Gloriette Records. In that time, her airy but often distant voice has found new gravitas and charisma. Meanwhile, the synth lines have gotten more agile and the bass pops tighter and tighter. The stuttered 80s synth R&B melodies unfold into one another here in ways both giddy and deceivingly nonchalant. This maturation and evolution will all come to a head in early 2012 when Secretly Canadian will release Nite Jewel’s proper full-length follow up to her brilliant 2008 LP, Good Evening.
Pictureplane:
Produced and recorded by Travis Egedy and mixed/co-produced by Jupiter Keyes of HEALTH, Thee Physical is a celebration of human touch in a digital world. The album is also unquestionably Pictureplane’s best and most assured record to date: his vocals are confident and unnervingly sexy, the instrumentation is at once both purely electronic and surprisingly human. Pictureplane has managed to make electronic music deeply emotive—a synthesis of the human and the machine both in lyrics and sound.
And non-Occidental students, please RSVP here.
DO NOT MISS THIS. Check the facebook event page for details and let us know you’ll be joining the fun!
Milo Takes Baths
As a teaser for this album, Milo put his new mix tape cover out and told a short anecdote of a “challenger approaching” him to battle…as if his bubble bath was threatening. Full of street cred. Full of danger. Who knows what’s underneath those suds. Rap skills.
Anyway, earlier this week, Milo released his second mix tape, called “Milo Takes Baths.” It’s Milo, rapping, over Baths. Successfully. Nerdily. Beautifully. You’ve always wanted LOTR, World of Warcraft, and Mean Girls references together in one place. This guy does it in pure style.
Check this mix tape out here. Check out his first mix tape, released in the beginning of November, called “I Wish My Brother Rob was Here,” to make sure you know where this nerd-rap got its fame and notoriety.
Follow the dude on social networks too. He writes enough rhymes about his facebook and tumblr, might as well be a part of his next song.
LP
Wild Ones!
Thanks to everyone who came to Branca Patio tonight to check out Wild Ones! The show was wonderful! Definitely listen to their EP “You’re A Winner,” and keep your eyes peeled for a full-length release in the near future! Stay tuned for more KOXY concert announcements…
Mixtape from Brother Ali
February 14th might be a day for full hearts and chocolate, but today, February 13th, is the day of The Bite Marked Heart. Or at least that’s the name of Brother Ali’s free 7-track mix tape that dropped today. The EP features Phonte (Little Brother, Foreign Exchange), Stokley Williams (Mint Condition), singer/songwriter Nikki Jean and Aby Wolf. Beats provided by Jake One and Ant. I hope at least some of those names mean something to you.
Check all the free good music right now. You can download it here.
Brother Ali – The Bite Marked Heart by rhymesayers
LP
A Different Kind of Truth, The Same Kind of Van Halen
Legendary rockers Van Halen released a studio album of new material this week. It marks the band’s twelfth studio release, and the first since frontman David Lee Roth rejoined the band.
It’s alright.
Long-time VH fans will enjoy the familiar sound on A Different Kind of Truth. The dynamic is really not different at all. This is, in part, due to the fact that some of these are songs that Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth were working on decades ago. It’s also partially due to the fact that Van Halen is something of a one-trick pony. Don’t get me wrong, that trick is awesome. But still.
Actually, pretty much my only complaint about this album is David Lee Roth. He doesn’t have any energy, his lyrics are rarely interesting, and his voice sounds tired. There are a handful of moments where he seems to break through and sound like his on self, but it’s never a full track. Most of the time he gets in the way of really strong rock music. Eddie, love him or hate him, hasn’t missed a beat with his guitar work. The guitar solos are actually incredible. The songs are big and loud and enjoyable, but I just can’t quite get past DLR’s vocals. They sound out of place and uncomfortable.
The album is nothing shocking or interesting, nor is it disappointing or boring. The songs all sound similar, but that’s kind of the point when it comes to VH. Aside from the first track (“Tattoo” was the lead single and is arguably the worst track on the album), the album is consistently above-average, with pockets of real intensity and energy. Overall it gets a 6.5/10.
-AV
A Different Kind of Truth is available on iTunes for $11.99 and is streaming on Spotify.
2/11 – Fidlar, Pangea, Brown & Blue
Come out to KOXY’s first campus show of 2012! Brown & Blue, Pangea, and Fidlar will be playing some wild tunes. The show is 9p-12a this Saturday, 2/11. In Sycamore Glen. There will be a beer garden for those 21 and up! Tell everyone everywhere.
(this Fidlar fan already got her beer…come Saturday you can get yours too).
I Self Devine, 2012 Edition
Do you know this guy? Like Biggie said, if you don’t know, now you know. Meet I Self Devine, a dude that’s been around for years, but is currently climbing back into the spotlight. From Rhymesayers, the best independent hip-hop label out there (due to its beautiful monopoly on talent right now): “Chaka Mkali, also known as I Self Devine is a musician, MC, community organizer, racial justice trainer, graffiti artist, muralist, program coordinator and director of organizing and community building at Hope Community Center in Minneapolis.” So there you go.
I Self is releasing mixtapes, mixtapes, and mixtapes this winter and spring. At the beginning of January, he announced his plans to release a mixtape each month for the months of January, February, and March. Then in April, he’d bring on a full-length studio album. So much music, so much quality. I missed this guy.
You can stream or download his January mixtape, “LA State of Mind,” and his February mixtape, “The Upliftment Struggle.” You can, and you should. It’s not every day a hip-hop vet steps back onto the scene with this much wisdom and these dope of beats. He’s reflected on his youth and projected on the future of the country, all in two tapes…with the promise of more to come. Don’t sleep on I Self Devine.
-LP
Battle of the Bands!
Calling all Oxy musicians and bands! Interested in playing big shows with other college acts and getting lots of cool exposure? Sign up for this Battle of the Bands competition! You can read more detailed info in the excerpt below, and sign up here.
“This year, we’re announcing the 4th year of our competition this spring in early February. Battle dates are
yet to be posted but Regionals and Semi-Regionals will take place
between March, April and May with the National Finale to be held in
June in Los Angeles, CA. We announce artists selected to compete
within two to three weeks ahead of Battle dates.
It’s open to all genres of music and is absolutely FREE for artists to
sign up and participate. We have tons of cool prizing such as cash
and gear for artists as well as
exposure on a national level to fans and industry alike, including
spots on our Textbooks & Tickets Tour, opening for headlining acts
like T-Pain, Chiddy Bang, Kreayshawn, MNDR and more.
We’ve divided the country into 6 regions, and have a panel of industry
judges that choose the best bands from each region to compete.
Additionally, the artist with the most song plays in their region gets
a spot in their Regional Battle. Artists sign up on our site
(www.collegebattle.com) and create a page with some basic info, their
best song and a youtube link if possible. The most played artist is
guaranteed a spot, so after that it’s up to them to promote! The only
requirement is that at least one key member in each band/group must be
a current undergrad or a 2012 graduate.
You can find complete rules, regulations and other information on the
CollegeBattle.com site.”
Allan’s 2011 Review
Last week Gabe posted his yearly recap. Here’s my own take. Pretty different areas covered, so check both out!
This is what I thought of last year in music. I didn’t get to listen to a lot of releases, and this list only reflects what I did get around to hearing. Have a look, and let me know what to look for this year!
http://allantalksmusic.blogspot.com/2012/01/2011-recap.html
Thanks for reading, and here’s to a great 2012!
Allan Van Vliet
KOXY Music Director
Gabriel Mathews’ Top 20 Albums of 2011! And More! Sometimes NSFW
It’s that time again. Forgoing the pretentious reviews this time, but I’d like to open with a few equally pretentious comments and observations regarding this here year that was, music-wise.
First off, I’d like to note what a great year this was for women in music: within my top twenty alone, you’ll find five solo female artists and two half-female duos. My number one album was largely the work of a woman (the glorious Jenn Wasner). The honorable mentions section has a few women in it as well, and even outside the list, people like Feist, Beyoncé, and Zola Jesus did commendable work this year. Not to mention Adele, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Azealia Banks, and Lana Del Rey, whatever you think of her. (I have to admit, of course, that once again, the complaint that my list is lacking in music by black people is valid, unfortunately. It’s frequently just not my thing, apologies.) Also interesting this year was the power of the duo: four within the top twenty if you include The Throne, which, I mean, come on.
Secondly, let’s get this out of the way: 2011 was a disappointment. I found 2010 pretty disappointing, as you can see if you look back at that list. But this year was even more so: tons of great artists who should have made amazing albums made lackluster ones instead. Chief among these were Fleet Foxes, Beirut, Zola Jesus, Feist, Man Man, M83, and The Rural Alberta Advantage. I was so, so excited for every single one of their albums, expecting absolute greatness, but was let down time and again. Fleet Foxes fouled up by altering Robin Pecknold’s vocal style to its detriment, laying the psychedelia on too think, and penning overly pedantic, aphoristic, and personal lyrics (remember the depersonalized beauty of their debut’s near complete lack of the word “I”?) Beirut’s The Rip Tide was an admittedly modest album, which was pleasant enough, but we all know Zach Condon is capable of more. Zola and Feist fell into the same pit of rehashing old styles without much inspiration (Nika—bring back the noise! I love you forever, but, come on!! Please!!), resulting in unmemorable music. Man Man, one of my perennial favorites, seem to have run out of ideas that fit their unique style (as evidenced by Ryan “Honus Honus” Kattner’s far superior work with Mister Heavenly). M83 managed to make a double album that was significantly less epic than his classic Before The Dawn Heals Us. The RAA just tragically hit a standard sophomore slump with Departing, after their debut had become one of my very favorite albums of the past few years.
Additionally, it’s sort of odd and obnoxious, how, in a year as filled with political (and other) strife and conflict as 2011, so much love was shown to music based in absolute lack of strife. Destroyer, Bon Iver (who I admittedly love), M83, Real Estate (see below for more on that one). All of these were praised for being so goddamn pleasant, in a year that really didn’t call for it. While there were a few overtly political albums that got a lot of credit—P J Harvey’s Let England Shake and tUnE-yArDs’ w h o k i l l most notably—the Handsome Furs album was sheer political awesomeness and it was pretty soundly ignored (Also, I kind of think the sudden love for Harvey’s record on end-of-year lists was more of an attempt to praise something political than anything else, though I should probably listen to it before saying so.)
A small note: people keep going on about 2011 being “the year of the saxophone.” If this is true, it’s not because of the many jazzy soft-rock solos that cropped up everywhere (from Deerhunter late in 2010, to Destroyer, M83, Eleanor Friedberger, Bon Iver…), it’s because of Colin Stetson, the man who single-handedly made the sax a completely awesome thing that it’s never been before.
Finally—So much overrated tripe this year! Much of which I haven’t even listened to! So I probably shouldn’t talk! But, at the very least, I can deride Fucked Up, who made one of the most boring albums I’ve heard, M83, with a similar complaint (five memorable songs out of twenty-two is just not a good track record), and, again, sadly, Fleet Foxes. Apparently, it’s not all about ambition and grandiosity, after all.
Again, I’ve embedded video or audio of some variety for each album in the top twenty, for your viewing/listening pleasure. EPs were allowed.
Anyway, in the immortal words of Vinny from Snatch, “Let’s not stand on ceremony. Let’s start the show.”
20 ALBUMS I REALLY WOULD’VE LIKED TO LIKE ENOUGH TO FEEL CONFLICTED ABOUT NOT PUTTING THEM ON THIS LIST (In alphabetical order):
13 & God-Own Your Ghost
BATTLES-GLOSS DROP
Beirut-The Rip Tide
Beyoncé-4
Bill Callahan-Apocalypse
Chad VanGaalen-Diaper Island
Childish Gambino-Camp
Drake-Take Care
Feist-Metals
Fucked Up-David Comes To Life
M83-Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.
Moonface-Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped
Nurses-Dracula
The Rural Alberta Advantage-Departing
Tapes ‘n Tapes-Outside
Tom Waits-Bad As Me
The Weeknd-Thursday and Echoes Of Silence
WU LYF-Go Tell Fire To The Mountain
Youth Lagoon-The Year Of Hibernation
20 ALBUMS I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE HEARD BEFORE MAKING THIS LIST, BUT EITHER DIDN’T GET AROUND TO OR DISMISSED BASED ON ONE OR TWO SONGS, WITH NO DISTINCTION MADE HERE BETWEEN THESE TWO CATEGORIES (In alphabetical order):
The Black Keys-El Camino
The Builders & The Butchers-Dead Reckoning
Colin Stetson-Those Who Didn’t Run EP
Danny Brown-XXX
Das Racist-Relax
Destroyer-Kaputt
Frank Ocean-Nostalgia, Ultra.
Gem Club-Breakers
Girls-Father, Son, Holy Ghost
The Men-Leave Home
My Brightest Diamond-All Things Will Unwind
Neon Indian-Era Extraña
Oneohtrix Point Never-Replica
Phantogram-Nightlife EP
P J Harvey-Let England Shake
Shabazz Palaces-Black Up
Toro Y Moi-Underneath The Pine
The War On Drugs-Slave Ambient
Wilco-The Whole Love
Wild Flag-Wild Flag
YACHT-Shangri-La
1 ALBUM I PATENTLY REFUSED TO LISTEN TO OR ACKNOWLEDGE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS LIST (In alphabetical order):
Real Estate-Days
10 HONORABLE MENTIONS (In alphabetical order):
Braids-Native Speaker [Kanine Records]
Emanuel Vinson-Summer 20: re-up [Self-released]
Gang Gang Dance-Eye Contact [4AD]
Low-C’mon [Sub Pop]
Mister Heavenly-Out Of Love [Sub Pop]
Okkervil River-I Am Very Far [Jagjaguwar]
Smith Westerns-Dye It Blonde [Fat Possum]
Tim Hecker-Ravedeath, 1972 [Kranky]
TV On The Radio-Nine Types Of Light [Interscope/4AD]
Typhoon-A New Kind Of House EP [Tender Loving Empire]
TOP 20 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR (In descending numerical and ascending qualitative order):
20. Grouper-A I A: Alien Observer [Yellowelectric]
19. Radiohead-The King Of Limbs [Self-released]
18. Iceage-New Brigade [What's Your Rupture?]
17. Eleanor Friedberger-Last Summer [Merge]
16. Arctic Monkeys-Suck It And See [Domino]
Mildly NSFW
15. Kurt Vile-Smoke Ring For My Halo [Matador]
14. Atlas Sound-Parallax [4AD]
13. EMA-Past Life Martyred Saints [Souterrain Transmissions]
12. tUnE-yArDs-w h o k i l l [4AD]
11. James Blake-James Blake [ATLAS/Polydor]
10. Jay-Z and Kanye West (aka The Throne)-Watch The Throne [Def Jam/Roc-a-fella]
9. Panda Bear-Tomboy [Paw Tracks]
8. Dodos-No Color [Sub Pop]
7. The Weeknd-House Of Balloons [Self-released]
6. St. Vincent-Strange Mercy [4AD]
5. Tom Vek-Leisure Seizure [Island]
mildly NSFW
4. Handsome Furs-Sound Kapital [Sub Pop]
NSFW
NSFW
Handsome Furs – “What About Us” from stereogum on Vimeo.
3. Colin Stetson-New History Warfare, Vol. 2: Judges [Constellation]
2. Bon Iver-Bon Iver, Bon Iver [Jagjaguwar]
1. Wye Oak-Civilian [Merge]
Oh, and, obviously:
0. ibid.-This Could Have Been A Warmth[Self-released]
Happy New Year!
Gabriel Mathews
KOXY Tech Staff
ibid & Ugly Sweaters
Head over to the Braun common room this Friday, December 3rd, for a live music extravaganza! ibid. (aka KOXY’s own Gabriel Mathews) and the Ugly Sweaters are playing at 10 pm FO’ FREE. It’s the perfect way to escape this wind & weather. Bring friends!
Wishes and Thieves
Wishes and Thieves are a pretty cool alternative group from NYC. They have a lot of really neat sonds. Go check them out, and listen for them on KOXY!
http://www.wishesandthieves.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WishesandThieves?sk=info
