The Man Who Was Too Loud

The Rain Song

2010-12-10T11:41:00.001-05:00

No hip-hop today, folks. My mood calls for a different take...

Nobody Gets Me But You

2010-11-18T16:24:00.001-05:00

Live Spoon...add Britt Daniel to the 'I wish I had that voice' list.

This is what happens...

2010-11-15T12:20:00.003-05:00

...when you find a stranger in the Alps, Larry!
...when you feed a stoner scrambled eggs, Larry!

Or when TV dialogue dubbing over swear words goes awry.

The Big Lebwoski

By All Means Necessary - [FHC]

2010-10-15T14:24:00.002-04:00

This is a classic hip hop track - and video - from the late 80s. K.R.S. One dropping knowledge, and predicting the state of rap in 2010, over a great beat. My favorite thing about this video is the a capella intro that wasn't a part of the album version. That, and the album cover and title which was an adaptation of Malcolm X's famous image.

Boogie Down Productions
My Philosophy

Monday Comic Relief...

2010-10-11T13:27:00.001-04:00

Funky Friday - [FHC]

2010-10-08T12:48:00.002-04:00

I played this tape until it broke in my cassette player. For real, this was my jam in '89. The D.O.C. wrote many of NWA's earliest songs and is personally responsible for getting Snoop Dogg to write and release The Chronic. After an accident in the early 90s, his vocal cords were permanently damaged, ending his career.

The D.O.C.
It's Funky Enough

Dig this: Carsick Cars

2010-09-24T12:36:00.001-04:00

Y'all listen to Carsick Cars? Awesome stuff from Beijing. Not new, but I dig it. This video is wicked:

CARSICK CARS - 蘑菇蘑菇 MOGU MOGU (Music Video) from Maybe Mars / 兵马司 on Vimeo.

Ain't No Half Steppin' - [FHC]

2010-09-24T11:29:00.001-04:00

King of the high-top fade, Big Daddy Kane brings the Asiatic flow in this week's classic from 1988!

Big Daddy Kane
Ain't No Half Steppin'

Old bands: De Facto

2010-09-23T07:45:00.001-04:00

y'all ever listen to De Facto? Psychedelic Dub from the two main dudes from Mars Volta:

My Puss!

2010-09-20T10:34:00.001-04:00

NSFW - [FHC]

2010-09-10T10:48:00.003-04:00

'Not Safe For Work' in every respect, you knew this track was going to make an appearance for Friday Hip Hop Classics. Kool G. Rap has more rhymes in this one song than most rappers have on an entire album. Offensive, hilarious, and so damned explicit.

Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo
Talk Like Sex

Have Tickets, Will Travel

2010-09-07T12:57:00.001-04:00

One week to go before the Black Keys concert. Let the pants-wetting begin.

Comin' Fast and Furious

2010-09-03T17:30:00.001-04:00

I don't know if we'll get a shot at hearing Psychotic Girl, seein' as how the word is they rock a lot of early 2 man jams, but it would surely make me happy!

How funkin' funky is this tune????!!!!

Who's House? - [FHC]

2010-09-03T11:52:00.003-04:00

Most people remember Run DMC as the guys who did 'Walk This Way' with Aerosmith. What many don't know is how skilled these three guys were. Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay...true Hip Hop Royalty.

This week's FHC brings you three of my favorite Run DMC jams - with some of the best beats ever.

Run's House

Beats To The Rhyme
one of Run DMC's hardest songs...

Peter Piper
damn, Jam Master Jay kills it on the turntables on this track...

Black Mountain

2010-09-02T10:30:00.002-04:00

Classic rock outfit from Vancouver on Jimmy Fallon, playing Old Fangs off of their new album Wilderness Heart.

You might remember them from a track I posted about a year ago, Druganaut.

Just heavy, riff-centric rock.

Buffalo '66

2010-08-31T10:34:00.002-04:00

This is my favorite film trailer of all time. A 2:30 minute synopsis of the entire film set to the sounds of Yes. The film is a must-see as well. Vincent Gallo writes, directs, edits, and scores. Mickey Rourke is stellar for the 3 minutes he's on-screen.

You Gots To Chill - [FHC]

2010-08-27T11:46:00.002-04:00

Friday Hip Hop Classics is back with Eric & Parrish Makin' Dollars - EPMD!

I'm not sure what I like best about this classic video: the Kool & The Gang sample, Eric's mumble-mouthed rhymes, or the awesome dance moves from each member you can see in the background during the verses.

I Wanna Be A Dap-King

2010-08-25T13:58:00.002-04:00

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Money

The Reason

You wouldn't know it from listening, but this album just came out this year.

Some Comic Relief

2010-08-24T09:43:00.001-04:00

This is one of the best shows on TV. Louis CK comedy is uncomfortable, brilliant, and laugh out loud funny, while addressing issues of regular people's lives.

Talkin' All That Jazz - [FHC]

2010-08-20T11:20:00.004-04:00

So I'm thinking of doing a weekly post on Fridays showing some of my favorite classic hip hop songs, calling it Friday Hip Hop Classics [FHC].

First up, Prince Paul and Daddy-O of Stetsasonic, one of the first hip hop groups to use a live band on their albums, along with great samples, which is the subject of this first - and my favorite - Stet hit!

A Voice Like Sand And Glue

2010-08-19T14:51:00.003-04:00

David Bowie once wrote a description of Bob Dylan's voice as 'sand and glue.' In honor of our beloved Mark Lanegan, I offer up two additional gluey, gritty voices I'd love to have...

Tom Waits
The World Keeps Turning
[sorry for the cheesy video]

Joe Cocker
Woman To Woman

What Mark Lanegan's Been Up To

2010-08-18T09:48:00.003-04:00

Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, QOtSA) and Isobel Campbell (Belle and Sebastian) have apparently been releasing albums together over the past couple of years. Who'da thunk?

Wish I Was There

2010-08-17T09:35:00.003-04:00

The Black Keys @ Lollapalooza

Fantastic photo.

This is not 'Nam, this is bowling, there are rules

2010-08-16T18:23:00.001-04:00

This damn movie gets better with age. In my opinion, absolutely the most brilliant comedy ever.

The Beat is King

2010-08-14T15:10:00.002-04:00

Halfway Home
TV On the Radio

Cascading drums and distortion-as-beauty guitars wash over in waves. Tunde Adebimpe's voice shines through like a beacon in the storm.

Theophilus London

2010-08-11T23:46:00.003-04:00

Brooklyn rapper from my last post. Seems as if this guy has a few hits up his sleeve:

I Want You

Where the hell is that sample from??? Is that Marvin Gaye???

Maximum Groove, Baby...

2010-08-11T19:33:00.007-04:00

TV On the Radio (TVoTR) is one of my favorite bands currently. I first saw them live at Austin City Limits. Mind was blown. Then they released an album called Return To Cookie Mountain, of all things, and it was critically lauded. Still my favorite of theirs.

The guitarist, Dave Sitek, produces their albums and is now releasing an album under his own moniker Maximum Balloon. I know...that name is...uh.

But their first single, Groove Me, featuring the Brooklyn rapper London, is very good. Other songs feature vocalists like David Byrne (!), Karen O., members of TVoTR, and more. See what you think...?

Quickly...til it explodes...and I unload The Cactus!

2010-08-11T18:15:00.000-04:00

Blue Blood Blues

2010-08-05T16:22:00.002-04:00

One of my favorites from the incredible sophomore album Sea of Cowards by The Dead Weather.

Seriously, the first five songs of this album grab hold and shake the shit out of you. In the best way possible.

Colin Fitz Lives!

2010-08-05T12:39:00.001-04:00

Click the headline. Interesting...

Follow The Leader

2010-08-04T16:00:00.002-04:00

Eric B. & Rakim

Rakim is one of the best lyricists of all time. Sure, these were the days where all you had to rap about was how good you and your crew were on the m.i.c., but just listen to that delivery. Enunciated, fast, and hardly a breath taken. Classic old school hip-hop.

Right Down The Line

2010-08-02T21:28:00.001-04:00

Gerry Rafferty
Right Down The Line

This is the soundtrack to my childhood in Jersey when my parents would drive us to the shore.

Junior Kimbrough

2010-07-31T22:26:00.001-04:00

10 full minutes of mean ass blues. I think the Junior's wife was right, the Keys did it right.

Effigy

2010-07-29T23:44:00.005-04:00

Uncle Tupelo's blazing cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic. I first heard this on the No Alternative compilation sometime around 1993-4. Just a solid song from the quiet start through to the destructive ending when the whole shithouse goes up in flames.

You're A Winner!

2010-07-24T11:39:00.004-04:00

Sweepstakes! by Gorillaz, feat. Mos-Def

Just an awesome layering of details and color. One of the best tracks on the album, by far. Just try and not shake your ass.

Keys on Leno

2010-07-21T16:45:00.002-04:00

Man, it's hard damn work sitting through an entire Leno show...

Mother Nature's Son

2010-07-21T15:07:00.004-04:00

Jack White performs the Beatles classic in front of President Obama and Sir McCartney at the recent Library of Congress Gershwin Prize event at the White House. Full show will air on PBS July 28th.

Watch the full episode. See more In Performance at The White House.

I love this song and love White's note-perfect rendition. From Paul's occasional nods, it seems he approved as well.

A New One I Found

2010-06-25T17:07:00.001-04:00

I don't know what I would/will do when I see them live...again!

Click Here for 2010-11 Thrashers Schedule

2010-06-22T14:03:00.005-04:00

The boys are out to the West Coast in game number 2 after opening with the Crapitals on October 8th.

Commercial Keys

2010-06-22T11:34:00.000-04:00

Did they write it first, or was it written for this show? I wonder about this stuff.

Svn Fngrs

2008-08-17T14:00:00.004-04:00

A new 7-song EP was released by Mr. Charles Thompson recently and I just bought it. Those of you who really know me will understand how odd that is when it comes to anything this man records...

Black Francis - When They Come To Murder Me

So Frank Black/Black Francis has returned to his roots of solo work by changing his name back to his Pixies frontman persona and stepping away from the pedal steel guitar. After a long period of Memphis influence, we find The Catholics sound back in favor.

Reminiscent of his work on Pistolero, the song stays true to the composition style he pioneered with the Pixies, with an uneven time signature and his old guttural menace singing of loss.

Attack & Release

2008-08-11T19:01:00.016-04:00

7 weeks left until Cas and I die from awesome overload.

I was speaking to Cas on the phone last week and he mentioned how he hadn't heard any of the new tracks off of the recent Black Keys album, Attack & Release. It's a vast departure from most of their work, as they're playing with additional studio musicians (normally it's just the two of them) and Danger Mouse is producing.

I couldn't let that void go unfilled, Cas. Not since they'll absolutely be playing the new songs when we see them. So, cue Ad-Rock, 'cause here is the new style...

The Black Keys - All You Ever Wanted

The perfect first track for this album: a literal bridge between what you're used to and what is coming. Just a sonic revelation when that sunlight breaks through. Gary interviewed Danger Mouse recently and he's really proud of this song. I concur.

The Black Keys - Same Old Thing

Whoa, now. Flutes? Tribal chants? A ton of voice filters? Yeah, this isn't the same old thing from The Black Keys. Or is it? I think it still holds tight to the rawness and sheer weight of their previous work. Patrick Carney (drums and, previously, production) has claimed he loves the new sound.

The Black Keys - Oceans & Streams

I really love this song. It's produced by Brian, for sure. But I feel like he successfully pulled his influence back enough to expose more of their core sound - especially after listening to the tracks on their last album, Magic Potion, and seeing where Carney was heading. But he still injects some great additions, like the organ towards the end. There's a fullness to the wall of sound in this song and it's a refreshing change of pace.

The Black Keys - I Got Mine

The album's not all super-produced, though. I Got Mine is one of many tracks that return to form, almost entirely. YouTube performance from Letterman, who is noticeably impressed afterwards:

Are you ready, Cas? I want that beard. Rock n' roll, bitches.

The Raconteurs - Together

Jack White doesn't always sing, despite what the radio singles reflect. Brendan Benson, a successful solo artist prior to this band, takes the helm and lets Jack fill in the blanks. A real comfortable song.

Ray LaMontagne - Bring It On Home

As usual, one extra track unrelated to the concerts in October. This one comes courtesy of Annie, who introduced this Ray LaMontagne feller to me. A cross between The Band, Van Morrison, and a younger, soulful Joe Cocker. The guy's 34, fer crissakes.

Let's hear it for great voices.

The Politics of Dancing

2008-08-02T15:26:00.009-04:00

8 weeks left until the concerts. In the mood for some bluesy love songs?

The Black Keys - I'll Be Your Man

Check out this standard from Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. Simple and achingly honest, you can't help but hope he gets the girl. This is The Black Keys.

The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes (Acoustic Version)

An acoustic, and in my opinion better, recording of the first single from The Raconteurs. They're looser, more comfortable, and you get candid studio comments and a humorous moment from Jack White. The most energy of either version, this should've made it on the album.

Urge Overkill - Emmeline

Urge Overkill frequently balanced atop both straight-up guitar riffs and complex narrative (quintessential raconteurs, if you will). From their album The Supersonic Storybook, this song bridges both styles and defines some of my best feelings about the Chicago band. Urge also happens to be the source of 'National Kato.'

Meccas & Ghettos

2008-07-13T17:42:00.014-04:00

Cas and I are going to what might be one of the most exciting concerts I've ever attended, seeing as how we're going to two separate shows back-to-back. On a Wednesday in October we're seeing The Black Keys play at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. Two guys from Akron, Ohio bringing their delta blues back south.

The Black Keys - Grown So Ugly

The very next night, Thursday, we return to the same venue to see The Raconteurs, Jack White and Brendan Benson's fleshed-out offshoot with the boys from The Greenhornes. This song says it all.

The Raconteurs - Blue Veins

Black Keys? Founder of the White Stripes? Coincidence or marketing genius? You tell me. Two great bands (I would even go so far as to say The Black Keys are high on my all-time list). Two nights. I'm just really excited. I plan on posting several songs from both bands in the coming weeks to celebrate the trip, alongside individual selections from other artists. Like this one, from one of the greatest bands in history:

Ghetto Defendant - The Clash (w/ Allen Ginsberg)

This song is just so good. Off of Combat Rock, they hire Allen Ginsberg to talk about Arthur Rimbaud while The Guns of Brixton play their island rhythms over a matching, somber dirge. Combat Rock is full of gems like this.

Welcome To Liberty City!

2008-06-10T17:55:00.008-04:00

Okay, you'd likely have to be under a rock to have missed the release of a videogame by the name of Grand Theft Auto IV. Not only is it the most expensive videogame ever made, it sold over 500 million copies - at $60 a pop. That's big money for an industry that now dwarfs Hollywood in profits.

Despite all the controversy over the cop-killing, lawbreaking, hooker-izing gameplay, there's actually a really great narrative in the game and some amazing experiences.

One of the best aspects of any of the Grand Theft Auto games were the radio stations. You could listen to many different stations, complete with fake commercials and famous DJs (Fema Kuti, Iggy Pop, George Clinton, etc.) in the various vehicles throughout the city. This version of the game is no different. I wanted to share some of my favorites with you...

Bob Marley - Stand Up Jamrock

Just a great dub version of a classic BMW song. There's a whole Tuff Gong radio station that plays nothing but stuff like this. I don't know what it is, but there's something about air raid sirens over dub that I can't get enough of.

The Boggs - Arm In Arm (Shy Child Mix)

This song was a surprise for me, having never heard of The Boggs. They featured it in one of the game's many TV commercials and it just stuck in my head. An eclectic song that's hard to nail down into one genre. Is it rock? Electro?

Minnie Riperton - Inside My Love

Okay, stop the presses. This song was on the radio all the time when I was a child. What strikes me as odd is how blatantly erotic the lyrics are. Funny how you never get that when you're young...and how the hell did it get on the radio so often? I feel the same way about Sheena Easton's Sugar Walls. Anyhow, I heard it playing in the game when I entered a strip club with the intent of forcing the owner to pay for protection. I had to physically persuade him and then try and escape with my life, but the entire time I sang along to this great R&B track. Brings back some great 70s memories and precedes Mariah Carey as the high-pitch queen.

Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak

Thin Lizzy was so good at creating memorable riffs. This one just sounds so...heavy. A classic tune from a classic rock band.

Steve Marriott All Stars - Cocaine

Do you know how many songs are titled 'Cocaine?' Seriously...a ton (or would that be a kilo?). This one I'd never heard before and it first played after I finished a coke deal that went real bad. There's a place in my heart for classic rock songs like this.

David Axelrod - Holy Thursday

From the jazz station comes this smooth joint from David Axelrod. Perfect for a late night drive through rainy Liberty City. Axelrod's work has been sampled by DJ Shadow, Dr. Dre, and Swizz Beatz. Hell, he even joined up with our next artist on a few tracks:

David McCallum - The Edge

Still up on the jazz tip, someone better call Albert Broccoli and let him know that this track is missing from a James Bond flick. This is some straight-up John Barry groove here. But it's not Barry, it's David McCallum - best known for his acting roles. Man From U.N.C.L.E. was probably where you've seen him. Seems he was a multi-talented chap, eh?

LCD Soundsystem - Get Innocuous!

Last but not least, this is probably the best track LCD Soundsystem (aka James Murphy) has ever made. It reminds me of David Bowie so much I can't help but love it, if Bowie had done heavy electronic music (Earthlings doesn't count, Sean). Sometimes when this song comes on the radio in-game, I just drive around listening to it, forgetting whatever it was I was tasked to do.

Grab Bag

2008-05-10T13:17:00.009-04:00

Not much to say with this update, but wanted to share a few more great songs with you all. First, we've got Gnarls Barkley from the new album The Odd Couple, which I think is as varied in quality as their first album. This track, however, stands out to me:

Gnarls Barkley - A Little Better

Next is a track I first heard in a club in downtown Jax. This version, however, has a bit more bite and a great bridge which sent the dancefloor into a frenzy, despite its shortness. From the Brazilian group CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy, or 'Tired of being sexy'):

CSS - Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above

Finally, for Cas - a song from Queens of The Stone Age's last album Era Vulgaris which, to me, continues to draw parallels to Jack Bruce and Cream. I mean, I've heard the similarities before, but damn this sounds like they hired Bruce to sing on this track. Cream was always known to have at least one tongue-in-cheek song on their early albums, typically full of that trademark British wit. This fits that mold, I feel. I mean, you tell me: does Josh Homme's falsetto and phrasing sound just like Jack or not?

Queens of The Stone Age - I'm Designer

It's Educational!

2008-03-14T23:00:00.003-04:00

While driving back from Atlanta a few weekends ago, listening to music as the long, dull expanse of I-75 drew by, a series of songs shuffled into play. Each had a similarity I found interesting: they all dealt with a topic, explaining it literally and/or scientifically, over the music. It was serendipitous, for sure. Pure science, political commentary, and a brand new dance.

Air - The Word 'Hurricane'

From The Virgin Suicides film directed by Sofia Coppola...

The Clash - Know Your Rights

From Combat Rock, one of their more unique albums and, interestingly, the first cassette I ever bought.

The Chemical Brothers (ft. Fatlip) - The Salmon Dance

I don't know about you, but this may be the dance single of 2007. Whenever Fatlip is involved, you know things are gonna get a bit weird.

Takin' It Way Back...

2008-02-27T17:56:00.004-05:00

I'm gathering some mind-blowing tracks from The Black Keys highlighting the best of lo-fi, American Delta blues. It's going to be one helluva post...but you're going to have to wait a bit before I take you way back.

Until then, I thought the Wu might hold your attention as they take it back in their own way. Check the bass line and tell me that's not hard...

Wu Tang Clan - Take It Back

Gettin' Feisty!

2008-02-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

Yes, you all know Leslie Feist from that iPod song with the blue sequin pantsuit that played over and over on TV. Yes, that Feist:

But she also has some really great songs that remind me of growing up in the 70s. Seductive, lounge records that fit best when you play them in dim lighting, sitting in a smoking jacket, and sipping brandy. Or something. Whatever. I don't even like brandy.

Like an AM single from my childhood, enjoy...

Feist - One Evening

Feist - My Moon My Man

...and because I know Sean shares my affection for the Brothers Gibb, here something special for him:

Feist - Inside And Out

Business Time

2008-01-30T18:47:00.000-05:00

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day. Always seen it as a Hallmark-developed sales tool. Wow, thanks Kev, for making us feel like shit. Nice job.

But in musical honor of the 'holiday,' I wanted to share a bit from the amazing Flight of The Conchords. See them on HBO or go watch Eagle vs. Shark. But recognize the slow jam when they lay it down for the ladies...

Seeds, Drugs & Rainbows

2008-01-27T11:58:00.000-05:00

Let me start this off with a triple-shot of awesome!

Wilco - Side With The Seeds

This track is perfect for driving. Reminds me of listening to Jerry Garcia in Key West with Gary and my cousin Scott. Probably right after a 6' bong hit and Scott's own version of a 'whirlpool.'

Black Mountain - Druganaut

This one's for you, Cas! I found this band after following the lead singer through three other side projects. They just released a new album that's getting pretty good reviews, but I've only heard a few songs and none rival this one. I love when the girl sings, "Lightin' up the sky!" Classic, heavy rock n' roll.

Radiohead - Down Is The New Up

So did you hear Radiohead released a new album? Yeah, I thought that you might've. In reality, they released two new albums, the second being available to anyone who purchased the more expensive box set release of In Rainbows. I'm here to share the best song of the second album with you. This song just blows me away.

Enjoy!

The Man Who Was Too Loud - Now With Even More Loud!

2008-01-27T11:47:00.000-05:00

A fresh change to this blog has arrived! From this point on, we will be posting songs, artists, and other music-related what-have-you. Feel free to comment - the more the merrier!