Vinyl Notes

On a long drive from Harbor City to the Valley, I popped in Kissey  Asplund as an alternative to completely rocking out. My taste in music may be eclectic, but when I’m driving I like the music loud, abrasive and super high energy. But I digress…

Having never heard of Asplund before, my aunt began asking me questions trying to get an idea of what I think (my family may not like my music, but they respect my analysis). I told her that I liked Kissey’s style but that her voice was not that great.

“That’s interesting,” said my aunt. “I wonder why it is that Americans put so much emphasis on vocal ability as opposed to the quality of the content.” (more…)

I noticed a bit of an (accidental?) meme running through my feedreader and decided to share with you, dear readers, some of my favorite things.

Favorite Band: Right now I am really digging Nico Vega. I’ve raved about Aja’s voice on more than one occasion, and their show at the Viper Room was the best concert I have been to in my life (no I’m not exaggerating). This underground band out of LA has landed a place on my list of all time favorite bands, joining the ranks of Nine Inch Nails, Outkast, and the Raconteurs. I’m also listening to Gnarls Barkley, Kid Sister, Lykkie Li and The Last Shadow Puppets

Favorite Movie: I’ve been a Tarantino fan since Reservoir Dogs, I’m surprised when people who seem to be movie fans, don’t like his movies. To each his own…Kill Bill kinda came out of no where, but as soon as I saw it, no other movie has replaced it as my favorite. Aside from the obvious creativity and QT signature dialogue style, I could not resist Uma Thurman as the baddest femme fatal since Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones. One of my favorite scenes is when Elle Driver and Beatriz Kiddo duke it out in Bud’s trailer. Check it out: (more…)

Gnarls Barkley broke out hard with the debut single “Crazy,” and earned critical acclaim with St Elsewhere. It was like they literally started a craze. The song was in high rotation on practically every radio station, became a standard for Las Vegas lounge performers, and sparked other strange and creative remakes:

All things considered though, “Crazy” is arguably the duo’s biggest hit, the buzz surrounding which, may well have been the peak of the musical careers of both Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green, in terms of celebrity.

Granted Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton (of The Grey Album fame) and Cee-Lo Green (of Atlanta hip hop group Goodie Mob fame) are successful artists respectively. However, prior to working together, they had been largely underground successes, who had toiled in virtual obscurity for years, and developed cult followings. With their powers combined, they blew the minds of music fans with their genre bending, soulfully dramatic, innovative style.

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If you follow this blog (hi mom!) you may have noticed things have changed a bit. Well, when Know More Media closed it’s doors, they passed they gifted me Vinyl Notes. I’ve made the necessary transfers, but the design is still a work in progress.

If this is your first time seeing this blog, welcome, stick around, experience my music blogging compulsion.

It’s been a few weeks since my last update, but you know…in transition and all. I will be getting back into the groove, posting here, at Listen In Music, Convicted Artist Magazine and ShePlaysMusic.

As one door closes, another door opens…

Until next time.

A week or so ago, Stereogum reported that Gnarls Barkley’s latest video for the song “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul” was leaked by permission.

I wasn’t able to catch it before it was removed, but fortunately the video is out for the those of us who don’t get up early enough to catch leaks. All I can saw is that this it is one of the most unique and disturbing videos I’ve seen in a very long time; dispondent and dark, just like the song.

Seems like everyone is being sued these days. Folks are litigious about getting there money for song samples, undelivered books and dilution of the value of their names.

Courtney Love was sued earlier this week, for breaking an oral agreement with management firm, London Co. The firm claims that Love owes them 5% of her reported $19.5 million profits from the sale of Love’s portion of the Nirvana catalogue.

Lil Wayne may have had three weeks as king of the Billboard but now he’s being sued for copyright infringement. According to Rolling Stone, music publisher, Abkco filed suit against Wayne claiming that “playing with Fire” from Tha Carter III poses unfair competition with the Rolling Stones song “Play With Fire.” If Abkco is successful, Lil Wayne might be paying them some royalties from Tha Carter III.

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As predicted, Nas’ Untitled hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week. On that very day - today - he joined protesters from Move On and Color of Change, in dissent regarding Fox’s portrayal of African Americans. Nas and Fox News have been at odds since Fox aired a story painting the rapper as a violence glorifying thug. While Nas does have some gritty songs, he has always tried to include positive messages in most of his music. The Fox News spot was pretty slanted; check it out.

Sorry folks, the video is no longer available

Well, sure add that Nas is not the worst after you’ve made it seem like he’s the spawn of Satan. Nas is a pretty savvy businessman, so there is no doubt he would choose songs appropriate for the occasion. He has plenty of songs about brotherhood, unity and love.

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Nas released his 10th studio album last week, after much controversy and anticipation. At first the LP was entitled “N**ger,” however Nas opted for a title self-titled untitled release after much criticism from the NAACP.

“Everybody is trying to stop the title…. Record stores are gonna have a problem in this day and time selling a record with that title. Who knows what’s gonna turn out and be on that title? Who knows what that title will be?” [source]

Nas did not shy from the controversy altogether,choosing an image of his bare back with whip lacerations in the shape of an “N”. He also airing several unappologetic videos including “Sly Fox” in which he lamblasts Fox Corp. for it’s biased reporting and encouraging the people to restore and rebuild the media.

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I can’t imagine what it must have felt like for Gym Class Heros frontman Travis McCoy, to be standing on stage and have an audience member hurl racial slurs at you. What I can say is that I certainly sympathize with his plight.

Gym Class Heroes lead singer Travis McCoy was arrested last night in St. Louis on one charge of third-degree assault. The punk-hop group had just finished the first song of their Warped Tour set, “Peace Sign,” when a black audience member near the front row called the New York-based singer a “fucking ignorant nigger.”

McCoy calmly asked the man, “What did you just call me?” As security was removing him from the crowd, the frontman reached down and broke his microphone over the man’s head. McCoy immediately apologized for his reaction and said it wasn’t representative of him as a person. “I’m sorry. But when someone calls you something that ignorant and that offensive, you have to bash their head in with a microphone,” said McCoy. The audience cheered as the man in question was carried away by security. Local police are not releasing the victim’s name at this time.

McCoy was subsequently arrested and released on bail for assaulting the heckler. Tisk, tisk McCoy, but I’m glad you immediately realized the error of your ways. Next time, think before you act.

Hat tip: Rolling Stone

Has anyone else seen the “Be Kanye” infomercial? It’s absolutely ridiculous and part of the reason that no matter how much people seem to hate on Kanye West, I won’t be converted to the club. He may rant like a crazy person on his blog, but he still does clever stuff like this. So what do I care about his personality? It’s not like I know him personally…

“Ladies and gentlemen, hold it right there!” Unleash the super star in you with “Be Kanye.” LOL, check it out: