Archive for Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Video: Evidence, “For Whom The Bell Tolls” (Behind The Scenes)

Posted in Video with tags , , , , on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Here is some behind the scenes action with Evidence, Phonte, and Will.I.Am behind the scenes of the “For Whom the Bell Tolls” music video shoot. If you decided to get one of the best releases of last year (The LAyover EP) then you know that this was one of the only videos not featured on the DVD. To be honest I laughed my ass off when Evidence was talking to Phonte about exfoliation, that shit is downright hilarious. Check out this video because it provides some great laughs. I can’t wait to see the video when it’s done, you know for sure that I will have it up as soon as it premiers.

Video: Jadakiss (featuring Faith Evans) “Letter to B.I.G.”

Posted in Video with tags , , , , on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

This video makes me very happy. I am glad to see Jadakiss back on the scene because he’s one hell of an artist. Faith Evans also lends her beautiful voice in the dedication to her ex-husband. This song has a great beat with a nice electric guitar loop, and Kiss is very potent and on-point (as always) about his old friend. Give this song a great listen because it’s a great tribute, and go check out NOTORIOUS which is out now.

The 44th President of the United States

Posted in Politics on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Barack H. Obama was sworn in today at a few minutes past 11 AM CT.

Album Review: Bon Iver – “Blood Bank EP”

Posted in Music Reviews with tags , , , , , on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 by Erik Burg

blood-bak-coverBon Iver’s Sophmore effort, following the magnificent 2008 release “For Emma, Forever Ago” changes pace in certain spots, trading the beautiful vocals for Weezy-esque auto tuning. I know, a big step (forward or back?) for a guy who was so unbelievably harmonic and damn near perfect on his first album. As far as the auto tuning goes, and if those tracks are successful or not, it’s sort of a wash. The scratchy guitar and minimal backup instruments still amaze, despite being slightly repetitive of the first album, but the vocals bring down what would otherwise be an amazing EP. “Woods” and “Babys,” the two tracks the Justin Vernon goes lil wayne on your ass, are the low point of the album, like I mentioned, but the other two tracks, “Blood Bank” and “Beach Baby” pick up exactly where Emma left off. The title and lead track “Blood Bank” is arguably Vernon’s best track to date, drifting along with beautiful vocals, heart-wrenching lyrics, and the usual acoustic minimalism. “Beach Baby” sounds like something from an old Pet Sounds cut, and while it obviously isn’t, it again changes pace a little from the usual back-woods Wisconsin folk. Dropping the vocals and picking up the pace of the song a little bit, Bon Iver takes a short little trip down instrumental lane, if only for two and a half minutes. 

Not much else to this review, seeing as it’s just an EP. It’s definitely worth checking out though, for fans of his past material or for someone who’s never heard the greatest thing to come out of Eau Claire county since ever (maybe). If nothing else, at least give “Blood Bank” a spin, it’ll give any new fan the best idea of what Vernon is all about, and what made “For Emma, Forever Ago” one of the best albums of last year. 

6 abandoned wintry woods out of 10

mp3: Bon Iver – “Blood Bank” from the Blood Bank EP. Out 1/20 on Jagjaguwar records.

Dig Deeper: Bon Iver’s Myspace, Official Site, Wiki