Artist Interview: Prof.

Posted in Interviews, News with tags , , , , , , on Thursday, February 2, 2012 by TSN

Ah…  Yes, so for some time now I have been digging on Prof. (musically and creatively); he’s a South-Side Minneapolis native (Powderhorn represent!), who makes music that is of quality production-wise, catchy lyrically, and it has an easy way of relating to, even with some delusions of grandeur and vulgar hyperboles.  Prof.’s imagination is over the top, and hard to overlook, but his sense of humor is something to be admired in an age of all seriousness.  His music is an escape from a world of frowns and disapproval. Continue reading →

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Album Review: Gangrene, Vodka & Ayahuasca

Posted in Music Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , on Thursday, February 2, 2012 by Tim Althaus

Before Alchemist and Oh No released Gutter Water, I wasn’t sure what to think; any time that two producing emcees collaborate on a project, I’m almost certainly going to compare their effort to Champion Sound by Jaylib. I still remember picking up my copy of Gutter Water the day that it came out, and I also remember being completely blown away. There was one immediate thought that came to my mind: Should I pour bleach into my ears to clean out the filth that I had just been subject to? Listening to Gutter Water is the equivalent of bathing in raw sewage without putting in ear plugs. On Vodka & Ayahuasca, Oh No and Alchemist casually continue the trend of mind marauding with pavement pounding beats and raised rhyming skills. Continue reading →

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Big K.R.I.T., “Boobie Miles”

Posted in Audio, Media with tags , , , on Thursday, February 2, 2012 by Tim Althaus

I spotted this one at 2DopeBoyz last night, but it was far too late to post anything, so I decided to throw it up today. Big K.R.I.T. released the artwork for his upcoming mixtape 4EvaNaDay, and he let go of the lead single as well; According to K.R.I.T., “Boobie Miles” is about overcoming all of the trials and tribulations that often seem to get in the way when you are trying to reach your dreams. “Boobie Miles” is so smooth, and although it doesn’t have a producer credit, I’m fairly certain that K.R.I.T. produced this himself; this guy does everything, and he’s pretty much the future of Southern Hip-Hop. I can’t wait to hear 4EvaNaDay, and I’m dying to hear Live From the Underground. It’s going to be a big year for Big K.R.I.T.

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Unlooped Vs. Dilla To Perform Encore Show

Posted in Audio, Media, Video with tags , , , on Thursday, February 2, 2012 by Tim Althaus

I was very excited to see this pop up on my Facebook feed yesterday, and I’m glad that Jon Jon Scott posted this. This last September, various musicians got together at the Stonefly Brewing Company in Milwaukee to recreate some of Dilla’s production pieces with a classical, yet modern mindset (very similar to Suite For Ma Dukes); I was bummed that I didn’t get to see Unlooped Vs. Dilla, but it looks like I might get another chance to experience a one-of-a-kind opportunity. They haven’t released the dates for the encore yet, but it’s going to be sometime this month, and I can assure you that I’m going to be there. You can listen to the original Unlooped Vs. Dilla performance below, and be on the lookout for J Dilla related material from yours truly through the rest of this month.

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Sleigh Bells Release Second Single Off of Reign of Terror: “Comeback Kid”

Posted in Music News, News with tags , , , , , on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 by Eric Gilardi

The second single off of the new Sleigh Bells album, Reign of Terror, has been released for viewing over at reignofterror.tv. This has happened not a moment too soon since I can not or choose not to remember the name of the first single. “Comeback Kid” has gotten me, once again, excited for the sophomore album by the popular Brooklyn, New York duo. After hearing the first single I was thinking, “Oh no, another follow-up failure to an unprecedented debut album.”

Major Disappointment of 2011: Sleigh Bells cancelling Lollapalooza.

Major Excitement of 2012: When I see Sleigh Bells for the first time, hopefully at Lollapalooza.

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Copywrite, “Rest in Power”

Posted in Downloads, Media with tags , , , , on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 by Tim Althaus

I’m so blown away by this effort by Copywrite that I don’t even know what to say. The former MHz member, Columbus Ohio native, and frequent Rjd2 collaborator is back with his new album God Save the King dropping on February 28th. “Rest in Power” won’t be making an appearance on the official tracklisting, but this cut is beyond incredible; I haven’t heard Copywrite sound this hungry since he released The High Exhaulted back in 2002. If you like hardcore raw lyricism with witty punchlines, then this track is definitely for you.

Download: Copywrite, “Rest in Power”

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Music Discovery: Of Monsters and Men: “Little Talks(Live on KEXP)”

Posted in Music Discovery with tags , , , on Monday, January 30, 2012 by Eric Gilardi

Of Monsters and Men is an Icelandic indie/folk band who have been riding the elevator of success with “Little Talks” to the top. This is a stripped down version of that song which was recorded live by KEXP 90.3 out of Seattle in the bands living room from Iceland back in late 2010. The band is still gaining momentum from this song and now seems destin to join the likes of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros as a band with a cult following. “Little Talks” blends horns with a playful chanting in the chorus and is worth a listen before your friends find out about another gem from Iceland.

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Slept on Saturdays: The Left, Gas Mask

Posted in Music Reviews, Slept on Saturdays with tags , , , , , on Saturday, January 28, 2012 by Tim Althaus

When Hip-Hop fanatics talk about modern day underground classics (the last 10 years), they generally always mention a few albums: Blu & Exile, Below the Heavens; Little Brother, The Minstrel Show and Madvillain, Madvillainy. For some odd reason, I don’t hear anyone talk about The Left, Gas Mask; Journalist 103, Apollo Brown & DJ Soko crafted the perfect record with no filler and no throw-away tracks. I’ve been well aware of Apollo Brown’s skills on the boards for some time, but for unknown circumstances I managed to neglect Gas Mask when it came out back in 2010. This album has everything synonymous with a classic album: pristine production, raw lyricism and perfectly placed guest appearances. Continue reading →

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Album Review: SOJA Strength to Survive

Posted in Music Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on Friday, January 27, 2012 by Eric Gilardi

Strength to Survive is the new album by the DC-based band SOJA. This album is produced by John Alagia who has worked with the likes of Dave Mathews, John Mayer and O.A.R. to name a few. By the time you are a couple of tracks into the new album you can tell that the 7-piece band has progressed their sound beyond the spectrum of reggae. They definitely are perfecting a blend of reggae sound with meaningful melodic lyrics and a rhythm that puts a smile on your face as you reflect on your own life.

Strength to Survive is balanced so well from the start with the more funky in-your-face track “Mentality” to their powerful ballad “Don’t Worry.” If you listen to the lyrics in “Don’t Worry” it has such a positive message in such a somber sounding song. Truly a gift to anyone who is a having a bad day. Almost everyone in the world will be able to relate to this song that does not have the authentic reggae sound but has the positive message associated with the genre.

Strength to Survive is an album you will find yourself singing along to in no time, trust me. It will make you reflect a lot on one’s life, as well. The track “Gone Today” makes you think of how precious your life really is, “Let You Go” brings you back to question past relationships, and “Everything Changes” makes you think we are blind to changes that need to be made because of how good we have it. In my mind, this song also represents what the band wants its music to represent; a calling to the world to make a difference, help one another and live in peace.

Strength to Survive kept on surprising when my favorite track “Not Done Yet” hit my ears. The electronic feel following the chorus is what really made me perk up. Again, this song made you reflect on your life. Then it speaks to you in such a way that it puts you in a direction to live out your dreams and bless the world with your presence. This message is a very consistent one throughout the albums entirety.

Strength to Survive is one book you can judge by the cover because it will give you exactly what it says; strength to survive. You get more meaning and direction from this album at a much better price than going to see a therapist. If getting their message out to their fans was their goal with this new album then mission accomplished.

You can check out my review with Jacob Hemphill here.

Album Release Date: January 31, 2012

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Network TV Premiere: Cults on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”

Posted in Music News, News with tags , , , on Thursday, January 26, 2012 by Eric Gilardi

The popular New York indie rock group Cults made their television debut on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” Friday, January 20, 2012. They performed “Abducted” which is off of their self-titled album Cults which was released in June of last year. You can catch the video if you head over to the site for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” This process is going to test your patience but if you are a Cults fan than it is worthwhile. Once you sit through the advertisement head to the last scene, approximately the 37:30 mark to catch the performance.

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