Archive for January, 2009

Audio: Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone” Radio Rip

Posted in Downloads with tags , , , , , , , on Friday, January 30, 2009 by Erik Burg

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With the 2007 release of his debut album entitled “I Created Disco,” Calvin Harris burst onto the scene just about as fast as he disappeared from it. Riding the wave of stellar electro-pop that year with Justice, Simian Mobile Disco, and Digitalism all lighting up the charts, Harris was heralded for a while but then was immediately dismissed as “the same cookie cutter bullshit” that was floating around in heavy amounts that summer.

I have to say though, that “I Created Disco” however cookie cutter it may be, was a fun album. I got plenty of plays out of it, and when it comes up on shuffle now-a-days its a great refresher. I guess I was sort of dismissing a sophomore album from him though, thinking that it might just be over-the-top and foolish a la his track with Dizzee Rascal “Dance Wiv Me.”

But here I sit, enraptured by Harris’ newest single. Premiering on what seems to be some sort of French electro radio/podcast (it’s a radio rip so he talks near the end, but it doesn’t take away from the essence of the song at all) “I’m Not Alone” is pretty different from his past material. And in a really good way. Instead of the same old indie-hipster-electro-techno whatever you want to call it, Harris goes the route of 80’s new-wave house. Well, it’s kind of hard to describe and certainly not easy to categorize, for whatever it’s worth though it’s good. Like I said, “I’m Not Alone” absolutely booms with energy and club vibe, sounding like something you might hear overseas at a Tiesto show rather than on the average teenage kid’s iPod.

I’ll stop trying to describe a song that simply has to be heard. Whether you dismissed his first release or simply haven’t heard him yet, Harris will be making waves with this release, so be ahead of the curb and grab “I’m Not Alone” now!

mp3: Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone” Radio Rip

Dig Deeper: Myspace Official Page Wiki

Video: P.O.S. Interview w/ Kiwibox

Posted in Video with tags , , , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Tim Althaus

I never knew that Stef had his first mastercopy of his new album stolen. In this video he talks about the issue of his album being stolen and how political the new album is.

On a seperate note you should definitely think about going out and getting P.O.S.’s new album Never Better out on Rhymesayers Entertainment February 3rd. It should be a great follow up to 2006’s Audition.

Super Furry Animals plot new album release

Posted in Music News with tags , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Ryan Buege

According to SFA‘s site, the band is presently working on finishing tying all the strings together for their ninth LP which is currently untitled, and they have announced release dates: March 16th digitally at superfurry.com, April 13th in the UK, and April 21st in the US. I know it won’t take much to excite most of our readers over the prospect of having their hands around a new Super Furry disc, so we’ll just leave you with the band’s opinion of the sessions in their own words:

“Musically it’s based around riffs and grooves we’ve been playing around with over the last few years. We have enough now for a whole album so even though it’s still very melodic we thought we could leave off the acoustic ballads for the time being.

“It’s recognisable as a melodic SFA record, but is very focused musically as a cohesive album. And no country rock as Daf has developed a pedal steel phobia. Which has confined the great Nashvillian instrument along with the Saxophone to the banned instrument directive of the SFA board. there’s only one slow number which isn’t slow at all.”

Keep reading for a full tracklist… Continue reading

Urine Sample Links Barry Bonds to Steroids

Posted in News with tags , , , , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Tim Althaus

barry_bonds_breaks_record I know that you guys are used to getting posts on this blog about music. But baseball is a sport that is very close to me, and I have a great admiration for it. I can’t tell you the amount of disgust I have had in the last 5 years hearing about players that are seemingly legends, becoming enemies because of steroids. Barry Bonds claimed in 2003 that he never “knowingly” took steroids. I think this is a bunch of bullshit, everyone knows that Barry literally turned from a twig into the Incredible Hulk. Bonds has a new perjury case set for March 2nd, and I can’t wait to see what happens to this guy. For years I watched players like Ken Griffey Jr. dominate the sport of baseball without ever having to use performance enhancing drugs. It’s ridiculous to me how much of a mockery the sport of baseball has become, it’s our national passtime and ratings are dropping off like crazy.

Considering Marc Ecko already took the ball that broke Hank Aaron’s record and put an asterisk on it via Vote 756, there isn’t much left that can happen to Bonds except for hard time in jail. If this guy gets caught for perjury he is probably going to be going away for awhile. The issue that still reigns is that he denied ever being injected with steroids. If this sample does exist and is positive, for the lack of a better term, Bonds is screwed.

One more picture for all of you who don’t think he did steroids…

Bonds before and after Roids

Bonds before and after Roids

Video: Soilwork, “20 More Miles”

Posted in Video with tags , , , , , , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Soilwork needs no introduction (am i right?).

These Swedish melodic death metallers will soon be joined for a tour in the U.S. by Darkane, Warbringer, Swallow the Sun will kick off on January 30 in Rochester, New York. They’ll be in MN at Station 4 on February 23rd. Keep reading for all the dates…  Continue reading

Paid Dues 2009

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , , , , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Tim Althaus

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It’s almost spring time and that means that Paid Dues is right around the corner. If you are lucky enough to be out in San Bernadino you will be able to catch one sick ass show. Rhymesayers vets Atomsphere will be headlining the bill, and will be featured by an array of RSE artists (Brother Ali, Eyedea & Abilities). To be honest the two acts I would be looking forward to the most are Cage as well as Blu & Exile. Both of the aforementioned artists are coming off of near classic albums and I would love to see what kind of life they can breathe into a live show. Who knows Exile might just rock out on the MPC during their show. Just like Soundset, this festival sounds very promising.

Editors Note: I had to edit this post because the supergroup Slaughterhouse (Royce Da 5’9″, Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz) has been added to the bill.

Video: Colin Munroe “Will I Stay (remix)” feat. Wale [Rehearsal Footage]

Posted in Video with tags , , , , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

I want to tell you all that I am not posting this video because of Wale (because I think he is average, he’s good, but not that good) but because of Colin Munroe. I first heard Colin on Black Milk’s latest release Tronic on the track “Without U“. I had a chance to read about Colin Munroe, and I must admit that this guy can do pretty much anything, he is the complete package when it comes to a musician. When it comes to fresh voices and background vocals you are going to be hearing a ton of this guy in the next year. Check out this video and realize how amazing Colin Munroe is. Not to mention he produces most of his own music.

Also check out:

Colin Munroe is: The Unsung Hero

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Download

Mixtape Courtesy of OnSmash

Video spotted at OKP

Video: Black Milk talks Just Blaze & being independent

Posted in Video with tags , , , , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Black Milk seems to be one of those guys that people don’t stop talking about. After a year like he had last year, he’s bound to make constant headlines this year with every move he makes. In this video for Out Da Box TV, Black talks about why he is doing his thing on the independent route and also about the advice that he received from Just Blaze. Whatever this guy does lately seems to turn to gold. I hope to hear a lot more from Black Milk in the future and you know if there are you will find them here.

Spotted at OKP

Brief Soundset ’09 info & update

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , , , , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Erik Burg

Evidence moves the packed crowd in '08

Evidence moves the packed crowd in '08

The biggest and baddest outdoor hip-hop festival is back for another year in 2009. Anybody who attended last years events knows that it was absolutely banging and that the acts there were second to none. A few adjustments have been made to this years festivities, most notably the fact that instead of holding everything at the Metrodome the party will be brought to Canterbury Downs in Shakopee, MN. The date remains the same, memorial day May 24th starting at 11 am.                                                                                                                              Aesop Rock with “None Shall Pass” at Soundset ’08

No official artists have been announced yet for ’09, but their myspace (check it HERE) says that information will be released as soon as possible. So keep an eye out guys, because if the line-up is anywhere near last years this event will be one you won’t want to miss.

There will be a post up as soon as possible when artists and other acts are announced, so STAY TUNED!

Blacksmith TV Episode 3 – “Rocking The Bells Pt. 1”

Posted in Video with tags , , , , on Thursday, January 29, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.
Shouts to Okayplayer for having this video up. The footage on this episode of Blacksmith TV was taken at last year’s Rock the Bells Festival when Kweli was getting ready for his set. It’s amazing to me that they only gave such a great mind twenty minutes to preach. I know there are a lot of artists at Rock the Bells, but Kweli is one of the greatest emcees of his time. It’ s also very funny that Kwe rides his bike around NYC like it isn’t a thing. I love at the end of the video how the guy won’t let Kweli in to do his own show and Kweli has to tell him what’s up. Watch out for the rest of the episodes of Blacksmith TV coming soon.