Vinyl Notes

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.

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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The Pussycat Dolls are back with a new album, Doll Domination slated for release September 16, 2008. Although I tend to be a fan of deeper music, I like the Pussycat Dolls, their energy and pop aesthetic. The music is fun and the girls are oh so sexy. The new video debuts tonight at 8PM on MTV’s new show FNMTV but VinylNotes has it here for your viewing pleasure after the jump.

This is a fun, high energy dance track about the quest for fame and what it feels like once it happens. You can be sure this song is destined to tear up the pop charts and become a club banger. Check it out (you may have to push the player to the next song).

Kissey Asplund recently crept onto my radar by way of the viral underground. Like many new artists coming out in the last couple of years, Asplund was able to use MySpace to network and find people to work with. It was through MySpace even, that she began connecting with various producers and beat makers, eventually establishing a formative bond with French producer Papa Jazz. The result of this union was her May 28th debut release, Plethora.

Described by Andy Kellman from AllMusic as a “Swedish space cadet…fading in and out of consciousness or singing in her sleep,” Asplund’s sound is futuristic and abstract, fusing jazz, hip hop and soul in ways both sensual and esoteric. As her voice flutters in a strange staccato over pulsating synth rhythms, Asplund fluidly straddles talking and singing; blurring the line between spoken word and vocal jazz.

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Unable to sleep in the middle of the night, I decided to appease my insomnia by getting some reading done. Imagine my surprise and excitement to find my feedreader loaded with news of Nine Inch Nails new album. The best part? It’s available on the NIN website as a free download. Yay!

If you are an avid NIN fan like myself this album – The Slip is especially for you. From Trent Reznor himself:

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Seems like an odd question to ask I know, especially with the recent success of her latest single. If you are like me, a fan of the old Mariah, you probably agree that Music Box was her last good album. She’s had a few ok songs here and the since then, but mostly she just seems to be trying to keep up with the times. The effort smacks of desperate attention seeking from someone who is beyond their prime.

I guess that’s not really fair. Don’t get me wrong, I still love her voice; I just wish she would use it. When I see her in public, I always think she looks like a hoochie, and when I heard her most recent single, all I could think is…wow; and not in a good way. It reminded me of LSG, the group with Gerald Levert, Jonny Gill and Keith Sweat and “My Body” which struck me as awkward even though it hit No. 1 and No. 4 on the R&B and Pop charts respectively.

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Looks like Diddy is dancing to the bank with reports rolling in that Danity Kane’s sophomore LP Welcome to the Dollhouse at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The first single of the new album “Damaged,” is an infectious track guaranteed to get you to the dance floor.

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