Archive for the Art Category

Terry Junior – It’s Been Too Long (Republic Hymn)

Posted in Art, Culture, Local Love, mainstream, Media, Music, Music News, News, Politics with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on Saturday, February 15, 2020 by TSN

Beck and Jack White Collaborate on Third Man Record Blues Single

Posted in Art, Life Perspectives from T.S. Niebeling, Music News, News, Reviews, Song Download on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 by TSN

Again, I am amazed at genre crossing artists like Beck, who chose to collaborate with one of my favorites:  Jack White.  I must say, had I not heard, “I Just Started Hating Some People Today” on 89.3 The Current, with DJ introduction, I would have hardly imagined it was created by Beck.  With its country style guitar and cynical, but realistic message.  I imagine beck as some cool kid making sick dance beats, or songs I can completely use my imagination on.  These are good things, but this new song was also good, in a different way.  I love blues.  I could completely relate to the lyrics.  And it was crisp sounding and very straightforward.  We have all felt like killing someone at some point in our lives, yet this song is more on the Vonnegutesque dark humor, enjoyable, sort of, side of that feeling.  I could almost hear a smile, but Beck’s gritty vocals did not come off with the Beck style I had come to appreciate.  It was a bit different, but not different in a bad way, just different, and solid.  Something I had not expected; unexpectedly sufficed by a random song on the radio.  Beck has come into the realm of blues and he has successfully produced a single.  I am looking forward to hearing more.  These two artists (Beck and Jack White) are made for progressive blues/country rock.

I was subtly surprised with the dark vocals and country twang, but I must admit I was satisfied with the sound and think it progressive.  I would enjoy hearing other new material.

Furthermore, what I thought was just as amazing as the song was the collaboration with Jack White.  I could tell immediately that Jack White was on the track; with guitar slides, moderately heavy and catchy riffs.  The slide guitar solos were a plenty but not excessive, I could listen to any of The White Stripes’ albums for days, specifically because of the guitar solos and garage rock aspect.

I had no idea that Jack White and Beck had collaborated in the past, but with a little research I became learned.  Earlier collaboration on Guero’s ‘Go It Alone’ between Beck and White were drastically apparent by the sound.  Happy to know that real musicians are still making real music.

Unique and relevant artists creating gems together has me in high hopes about the music to come.  Third Man Records seems innovative and growing.  Beck’s new musical sound and approach appeal to me especially with Jack White at the Helm, and because it sounds excellent on the radio.  Jack White is a guitar virtuoso to say the least, and is one of the most innovative artists of our time, the latter goes for Beck as well.  I am satisfied with the exposure of sound while driving around with the station dialed in.

Get yourself a listen.

Details on the release of the special edition single and anything Beck:  Official Beck Site

Buy the New Blues Series Single:  Third Man Records

Updated Blueprint 3 Tracklist

Posted in Art, Media, Music News, News with tags , , on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 by Nolan Levenson

As previously mentioned by my man Tim, the album artwork and tracklisting were released for Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3, due out September 11th. Apparently the initial tracklisting was only a rumor, and not the official tracklist. Above is the official tracklist. It looks like Kanye handles the production on all but 5 of the tracks. Kid Cudi, Kanye, Rihanna, Drake, Young Jeezy, Swizz Beatz, and Pharrell make the guest spot cuts. Follow me after the jump for a track and producer list.

Also, on a side note, am I the only one that find’s “D.O.A.” a weird topic choice for Jay-Z, especially since one of his best buds, Kanye, uses the autotune quite frequently clearly. Plus Jay has been on tracks that use autotune (“Swagga Like Us” comes to mind). Seems a bit hipocritical. Just a thought I’ve had.

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Blue Scholars – Bayani Redux

Posted in Art, Media, Music News, News with tags , , , , , , , on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 by Nolan Levenson

On September 1st, Blue Scholars will be re-releasing one of my favorite albums, Bayani. The 2007 version, out on Rawkus/Massline, is out of print. Bayani Redux will be re-released on Duck Down to get it back out again. As you can see from the art above, it has a slightly different cover (I LOVE the color scheme) and will feature 3 more songs. Two of those songs were previously released on Digital EPs (“27” and “Southbound”). The last is a brand new track entitled “The Dawn Song” and features the Canadian rapper Shad (who is pretty dope).

So besides the artwork and the new track, there isn’t a lot here, which is somewhat dissapointing for me. I’ve been waiting 2 years+ since Bayani for some more material and we’ve gotten a couple of new tracks and the OOF! EP. Another new full length is apparently in the works so me and the other scholars fans are gonna have to sit tight.

Blue Scholars official EP release announcement + another free track

Posted in Art, Downloads, Media, Music News, News with tags , , , , on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 by Nolan Levenson

Today Blue Scholars released on their website/blog the tracklisting for their new EP entitled OOF! The project will be released August 25th via Massline/Duck Down. The inspiration for the album came from MC Geo’s Hawaiin roots and the Scholars return trip last New Year’s. The Scholars claim it will be “their most collaborative multi-media project” working with artist Andy Woebots to create art for the single “HI-808” that will later be printed and sold on a limited edition T-shirt. In addition, they will be working with photographer Aaron Yoshino. A new video for “HI-808” will be released too, made by Hawaii production team Kai Media and edited by DJ/Producer Sabzi’s brother Zia Mohajerjasbi.

The EP will have 6 brand new tracks from the Scholars (and the instrumentals although the instrumental titles are different). The EP will be released digitally along with limited edition 808 CDs. Follow me after the jump for the tracklisting and downloads.

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Brother Ali talks about new album and tour

Posted in Art, News, Video with tags , , , , , , , on Monday, July 27, 2009 by Nolan Levenson

Today, Rhymesayers and Brother Ali announced Ali’s new album, entitled “Us” due out September 22nd. RSE and Ali are offering a special pre-order deal of $9.99 and the opportunity to win a free ipod touch loaded up by Ali himself with all of his work including the out of print Rights of Passage. The album artwork is below:

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In addition, they announced the Fresh Air tour (click here for dates and the official announcement) featuring Ali, Evidence, Toki Wright, and BK-One, which my man Tim recently posted about. Tickets are on sale now as a special Fan Pre-Sale and will go on sale for the general public next week.

Fresh_Air_Web_Admat_t

Be ready for the new album and get your tickets ASAP! I’ve heard 4 new tracks off the LP and they are all fantastic!

Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 Tracklisting + Album Art

Posted in Art, News, Video with tags , , , , , , on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 by Nolan Levenson

ob4cl21

14 years after OB4CL, Chef Raekwon and Ghost will be releasing the sequel. The only track I’ve heard, “New Wu” is sick. The album features a lot of Ghostface, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Busta, Jadakiss, Styles P, Slick Rick, and more with production by RZA, Dr. Dre, Mathematics, The Alchemist, J Dilla, Marley Marl, and Pete Rock.  If you haven’t seen the video for “New Wu”, here it is:

Anyway, I’m super pumped for the new release. Hopefully it will not dissapoint. It’s due out September 8th. Here’s the tracklisting:

1. Return to the North Star f. Papu Wu
2. House of Flying Daggers f. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man
3. Sonny’s Missing
4. Pyrex Vision
5. Cold Outside f. Suga Bang & Ghostface Killah
6. Godfather f. Inspectah Deck
7. New Wu f. Method Man & Ghostface Killah
8. Penitentiary f. Ghostface Killah
9. Criminology 09 f. Ghostface Killah
10. Fat Lady Sings
11. Canal Street
12. 10 Bricks f. Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah
13. G-hide f. Ghostface Killah
14. Rockstar ft Inspectah Deck & GZA
15. Catalina f. Busta Rhymes
16. 40 Deuce f. Jadakiss & Styles P
17. Walk Wit Me
18. We Will Rob You f. Slick Rick, Gza & Masta Killah
19. Have Mercy f. Beanie Siegal
20. Surgical Gloves
21. Nigga Me
22. Mean Streets f. Inspectah Deck,
23. Kiss the Ring f. Inspectah Deck & Masta Killah
24. Ason Jones

Hip Hop Is Music is back!

Posted in Art, Audio, Media, News with tags , , , , , on Monday, July 20, 2009 by Nolan Levenson

Sojornalism Cover

For those that don’t know, there’s a hip hop label from the Northwest called Hip Hop IS Music featuring some pretty dope MCs including Braille, Theory Hazit, Poems, Sojourn, Sivion, Surreal, Othello, and the group Lightheaded. Braille and the label were on somewhat on a hiatus, and now they are back. While many categorize them under the “chrisitan rap” label and dismiss them, they are making some sick music. I would highly recommend Theory Hazit’s Extra Credit.

To mark the launch of their comeback, they are releasing a free single of Sojourn’s new album Sojournalism: The Summer Articles which drops September 1st.

Download: Sojourn – Get Back

Earth Crisis concert photos at Station 4 via Degross Punk Photography

Posted in Art with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Thursday, May 21, 2009 by Ryan Buege

This is the second time I’ve posted about a local punk and hardcore show that was captured by Degross Punk Photography, and there’s something about the vividness of Degross’s photographs that I don’t think I’ll ever get over.

Head over to his blog to view his entire set from the recent Earth Crisis headlined gig with Walls of Jericho, Reign Supreme, Unholy, and Blood Stands Still at Station 4 in St. Paul.

Disembodied concert photos via Degross Punk Photography

Posted in Art with tags , , , , , , , , , on Friday, May 8, 2009 by Ryan Buege

(Disembodied @ Triple Rock)

I just stumbled upon the page of Degross Punk Photography, a supreme quality photographer based in my own Minneapolis who seems to share a taste for some of the most revered and respectable names in hardcore and punk; I thought it was important to pass along my new knowledge to everyone else, hence this post. Recently, Degross shot at shows for HR (solo show from frontman of Bad Brains) and Destruction/Krisiun at Station 4 (that I also attended), as well as local sets from Agonstic Front, Have Heart, Suicidal Tendencies, The Bronx, Trash Talk, and the brilliant show that a rejuvenated Disembodied put on at the Triple Rock Social Club on Cedar a couple weeks ago. Click the link to go to his blog, and book mark his RSS or something. I’m certain his page will be updated quite frequently as the spring/summer heats up with the future ENR showcases and all other types of madness. Stay tuned!