Why have I never heard of this band? The Black Angels rule and so does their new album Phosphene Dream. This album could have come out in 1967, it definitely has a psychedelic sounds of bands like the Mamma’s and Pappas and Cream. Combine that throwback sound with elements of garage rock and some serious dissidence and you have the Black Angels. Tracks like Rivers of Blood, Telephone, Entrance Song and Yellow Elevator #2 are just some of the many great tracks on Phosphene Dream. Also worth noting is the packaging, its cool and tripped out. Buy this today.

Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s – Buzzard

Honestly I don’t know if I like or dislike this album. It’s a dilemma, so you can tell me what you think. Its random, fun, haunting, weird, random sound bits, folky, heavy, light and straight up strange. I dig the confusion. My favorite track is Tiny Vampire Robot, its one of the slower tracks on Buzzard but it’s a keeper. Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s get 3 cant make up my mind meats outta 5.

The Vasalines – Sex With an X

They are back years later on the Sub Pop label and I dig this record. If you haven’t heard of The Vasalines time to start your homework, just start with this album and work your way back to 1987. One of the few band from the late 80’s that are still kicking, and they are from Glasgow. If you like rock give these Scottish cats some love.

Interpol

This new self titled album is nothing new from Interpol. You would think that a band of this caliber would push their sound to somewhere new but much like most things from the past, they don’t hold up to the present. This is not to say the new Interpol album isn’t good, it is if you like Interpol. Its nothing new, all these songs could have been any Interpol record. If you like Interpol the pick this album up, if you have already got your share of Interpol in your collection it is not necessary to add this one to the group.

Of Montreal – False Priest

“You look like a playground to me” is a line taken from the  song Sex Karma off the newest album by Of Montreal. This album rules. False Priest is all about fun, you can feel the happy take over your synapses. This album should come with a warning cause the funk level is so high it will cause permanent damage. Every track stands out in its own right yet are perfect when listened cover to cover, so I recommend pressing play on the first track and letting that motherfucker ride to the end. There are some guests on False Priest, Solange Knowles (Beyonce’s little sister) sings on Sex Karma, and Janelle Monae lends her vocals on Enemy Gene and Our Riotous Defects. Miss Monae is currently on tour with Of Montreal. I would love to go in detail on how much I like this album, but this is meaty bite so find a girl named Hello pick up this album!

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The problem is, the artists are missing the point.  Hip-hop is about truth.  It is about telling a story from one’s perspective based on personal experiences or imaginations. It is also about and at its best when it discusses the state of the world; societal issues.

This inundation of auto-tuned, fake-diamond encrusted nursery rhymes makes the hunt for meaningful hip-hop both frustrating and extremely rewarding. With that I bring to you one of the my favorite groups that has nothing in common with what’s commonly on your radio:

Common Market! Common Market is a Seattle based group (Seattle has many great artists) consisting of one MC (Ra Scion) and a DJ (Sabzi).  The group’s mission-To express through their art that the world is in a terrible state and that a change is necessary.  Attacking everything from local to global politics to the sorry state of hip-hop, Ra Scion’s lyricism is on par with conscious greats of the genre such as KRS, Mos Def, Nas (circa ‘Illmatic’), Atmosphere, and Common.

Simply put (minus a few less than great beats), Common Market is hip-hop done right. Don’t take my word for it. Here is a quick list of songs you should buy off of amazon right now:

G’Dang Diggy

Escaping Arkham

Winter Takes All

Slow Down Moses

Tobacco Road

Love One

Poison

soothsayer – (video link)

As artists I give Common Market:

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RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE played the Hollywood Palladium last Friday, I can stop right there, but you know I wont.

Needless to say this show RULED. The set list was more like a greatest hits album, plus they covered the Clash’s “White Riot” and during the cover song Rage turned on the house lights, the spectacle was like traveling back in time to when people moshed around and no one in the place was standing still.  It is very very VERY rare that LA get down, it felt like an east coast show, it was awesome to come out of the show bruised, aching and soar, but unlike my youth it took my 30year old body days to recover rather than a good night’s rest.

The show itself was amazing. the band did a great job of mixing up their set list and playing a raw, uncut, super metal show for its home town in Los Angeles. The sell out show consisting of 4,000 people got a treat of seeing a stadium band playing one of their smallest venues since their break up. I havent seen them play a show like this thins 97 at the electric factory in Philly.  Conor Oberst opened, but I missed his entire set which is a bummer.

There was some serious police presence at the show as well. Lots of cops, undercover and even some officers in riot gear just waiting for something to happen. I will get into that in a little bit.

Here is Rage’s set list, it speaks volumes over anything else I would say about this show.

1. Testify
2. Bombtrack
3. People Of The Sun
4. Know Your Enemy
5. Bulls On Parade
6. Township Rebellion
7. White Riot (The Clash cover)
8. Bullet In The Head
9. Calm Like A Bomb
10. Guerrilla Radio
11. Sleep Now In The Fire
12. Wake Up

Encore:
13. Freedom
14. Killing In The Name

There was a reason Rage was there. It wasn’t cause they wanted money, it wasn’t cause they were doing some reunion hoopla, they were there to raise money and awareness about the purely racist law that Arizona is about to pass and the Racist FEDERAL Law that Arizona’s law is based on. It is rare that a band can combine both art and awareness and pull it off. Rage excels at this, having seen them 11 times now this show was one for the books. The only thing that sucks is the fact that they had to throw a show in order to rally people, especially the kids, to raise awareness and to boycott the shit out of Arizona.

Boycott ARIZON. Don’t visit there, don’t see sports that involve Arizona, don’t perform in Arizona, if something is made in AZ don’t buy it. If you live in Arizona, move now. Basically Fuck Arizona.
On a personal note I cant believe that I live in a time where this is even a topic of discussion. Anyone who agrees with what Arizona is doing should take a good long look at themselves and the history of the United States of America. Remember what is inscribed into our Lady Liberty’s book, and I quote “”Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”

The show gets a good ol fashion 5 meaty rating

Your Anger is a GIFT

Shout out to Christian aka the Asian Opera for snapping this rugged ass pick on his iphone while getting thrashed around with yours truly. Big ups yo.

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The 2 baddest white dudes from NYC are back on their aptly titled 4^th album Lp4. Fans of  smooth guitar work, frantic bhangra and conga’s, dope ass audio sound bites, and all things funky will dig this latest piece of work that Ratatat has laid out. Is it much different than the last album? Not really, it more of the same, the same awesomness that is. I use the word awesomeness a lot. Pick this album up and be the coolest kid on your block this summer. Fort reals college kids love this shit.

Hot Hot Heat- Future Breeds

I was real skeptical about this album. I don’t even listen to these dudes anymore, I skip their songs anytime they come up while I am shuffling. I was going into this album waiting to hear the same type of music. It was a nice surprise that they switched up their style. Much more aggressive, yet still super fun.  If there is one track to listen to it has to be JFK on LSD, and the track after that, Jedidiah, has this ending that is totally bugged out, it just a bunch of nonsense audio cuts put one after the other, AWESOME!!!

Jamie Lidell – Compass

I let this album collect dust for a bit. To be totally honest I didnt hear it until set my  iPOD to shuffle, and then though the magic of randomness I heard this soulful, gospel choir Chris Cornell like voice taking me to church, and like it or not that is where I was heading.

All joking aside this is a sleeper hit. The music is all over the place, using a conglomerate of instruments and God knows what else to create a sound that complements Jamie Lidell’s awesome voice. Normally I am not a fan of this type of music, but this is a solid piece of musical expression.

Tokyo Police Club- Champ

I had HIGH hopes for this one. I love me some TPC, but this album not so much. By the 5th or 6th track the album takes a nose dive. Maybe I need to listen to it more, this album sounds like more of the same. I would recommend it if you are into this band, if your not then listen at your own risk.

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There is a reason that this album is called brothers, cause each and every track sounds like a Motown revival mixed with that black keys style. Instead of sounding like recycled soul these dude pulled deep into their own American history and pulled out a phenomenal piece of work. The only thing I don’t like is that I didn’t get this slice of audio greatness on vinyl. Tracks like “Sinister Kid”, She’s Long Gone” and “10 cent Pistol” will make you wonder why this isn’t a double album. If you like that classic American music sound but need some current styles to not throw you way back then this is the album for you.

The Claps – New Science EP

Ok I only got the EP, but what an EP. True I have never heard of these cats, but if their full length is anything like this EP than its gonna be a winner. It was only 3 tracks, with another 3 remixes. So far so good

Ganjasufi

Ganja- slang term for marijuana
Sufi- a Islamic sect that follows the ways of Jesus more so than the Prophet Mohammed. Hafiz was a Sufi Muslim.

Ganjasufi, an explosion of world sound and a conglomerate of genres crunched into an entity of awesomeness. There is a LOT going on, and your ears will pick up something new on each play. I don’t know if I like it because its weird as all fuck or because it assaults my brain much like an epileptic bird that flew into a Daft Punk show. Check with your doctor first, then cop this. Did i mention this album was produced by Flying Lotus Gaslamp killer and Mainframe? Fuck Yeah…

Gospel Gossip- Drift EP

I have a special place in my heart for these guy. They always come with out with subtle difference from their previous works. Unlike other bands they improve and tweak their sound ever so slightly and this new EP reflects that. With that said do I dig it? Of course I do. Is it their best work, eh the jury is still out. But you i love that trash garage rock sound, stupid!

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Flying Lotus is back on his most anticipated record yet. Cosmogramma is a home run. FlyLo has been in the “underground” for a minute now and critics are saying that this album will pull him into the mainstream, plus it Thom Yorke being on a track is an added bonus for any Flying Lotus newbies. I have been down with Flying Lotus since he first started doing music for bumps on adult swim, and his sound is literally out of this world.

Cosmogramma is banana’s. Fusing all sorts of genres, beats, sounds, ping pong bounces and other audio, Flying Lotus has effectively made a record that will cause your head to bop unconsciously. I hope he does get some of that mainstream money, he deserves it. I dare you to pick up his latest album and not be completely blown away!

Ok onto another album that is in constant rotation, Diamond Eyes by the Deftones. EVERY TRACK IS SOLID! Songs like “You’ve Seen the Butcher” and “Rocket Skates” will only cause you to go nuts trying to find when these guys are gonna come around your town and play these songs live. I have seen the Deftones numerous amounts of times, and cant wait till they make it out to Southern California so I hear this amazing album in all of its glorious liveness!!!

Crystal Castles new album is self titled just like their last album, so it called Crystal Castles (II), the 2 is silent ii think. I am a huge fan of this duo and on the initial listen I was kind of disappointed. But like with most things that are super awesome you have to let the experience sink in. As soon as I gave it a second listen I instantly was entranced by its subtle violent audio and cracked out vocal effects. This album is a definite departure from their last album, Crystal Castles came back much more mature and more structured yet still have that signature audio that they are known for. Buy it, listen to it, live it, love it!

Earl Greyhound has a second album out, and this trio brings the rock from your local neighborhood into your stereo. I have been waiting on an album like this. Most of the subject matter sounds like it was conceived on the road. In fact the album will transport you on a cross country trip of American Music. Hard rock sounds, solid lyrics, crazy jam out sessions, vocal harmonies and myriad of good ol fashion rock and roll makes this a must grab for anyone who likes a cold beer and putting their stereo on blast.

All albums get a 4 meat stamp of approval.

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Coming from a strait up heathen family ever since I can remember Christmas was a time where everyone else got to have fun spinning their dreidels or kissing your best friends wife under the mistletoe. This album encompasses that feeling of awesome exclusivity that you fucks have on Christmas.

And no worries Carl is on the album as well as Boxie Brown and Neko Case. Unfortunately the Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future is not on the album which makes me sad.

There are so many classic songs on this album its gonna make your head explode. Master Shake shines above the rest. Twas the Night Before Jesus is my favorite track, and it will surley get you all teary in the eye region and fill you pancreas with holiday joy.

4 meat-wady-wad meats for this Christmas Miracle.

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1st up a new album from the Flaming Lips! These cats do weird right. This album is all over the place, I dare you to name all the sounds that are going on during this record. Embryonic is the name of the new record, and yes there are guests, MGMT is on 1 track and Karen O is on 3 tracks. In fact the track “I Can Be A Frog” featuring Karen O has a great call response thing going where Wayne Coyne calls out an animal and Karen O imitates the sound that animal would make, her bear and tiger noises are on point. I love this record, its full of great audio, and the replay factor is super high, I am always finding sounds I did not hear on previous listenings.

2nd up is the new project by the Black Keys and produced by non other than ex best friend of Jay-Z Damon Dash (Stacy Dash’s cousin). This is a Hip Hop album where the Black Keys take a back seat on lyrics and make awesome music for some of today’s best MC’s. Who is spitting on this record? RZA, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Raekwon, Pharaoh Monch, MOP, hell the opening track is ODB and Ludacris. If you are a fan of Hip Hop and want an album that is true to the form of the culture than this collaboration album is for you. Oh the name of this album is Blakroc and there is a video trailer that goes with this album located on their website. http://www.blakroc.com/

Both albums get 3 1/2 Meats, yummy…..

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DOOM as he is now known is one of my favorite cats in the game. He is super bugged out and the talent that he possesses should be considered a national treasure. Everything about DOOM screams American Style. You don’t know what the MF stands for? 3 things, when he is spitting its “Metal Face” and when he is crating beats its “Metal Fingers” and when he is hitting on your mom its “Mother Fucker” but he dropped the MF recently.

I normally don’t like compilation albums but this one is too tasty to pass up. Both of MF persona’s make it to the compaction and even Victor Vaughn(yet another alter ego from DOOM) spits on 1 track.

Last thing, DOOM album, “Born Like this” came out in March. How good is it? It will be on the “Best of 2009 New Noize Show” on 92.9 KJEE later this year.

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That’s right. Pretty Tony rocked out Santa Barbara Saturday night at small venue called the Velvet Jones. The W is strong no matter where it is heard, and Ghostface Killah brings a presence to a live hip hop show that is rarely felt. The show was great. Cappadonna who was not on the bill showed up and did a warm up set and the Ironman himself burst out onto the stage with Cappuccino the Great backing him up for the rest of his set.

Cappa did tracks off of the Pillage, like Milk this Cow, which is a face melter. Tony Starks did a lot from his catalogue, including material off of Iroman, collective Wu Albums, to his latest project, the Wizard of Poetry. In fact he played for a good hour and some change. Highlights had to be Daytona 500, Camay, Ice Cream, MGM, Nutmeg, and 4^th Chamber. At one point during the club show, as dictated anytime you see any Wu Tang Clan shows, Ghostface honored his brother the Old Dirty Bastard and covered Shimmy Shimmy Ya. He also let the DJ do a little medley of classic R&B songs from artists like Michael Jackson and immediately went into some new tracks off of the Wizard of Poetry, his self proclaimed “R&B” album.

The crowd was good, some fights, surprisingly mostly girls, which is always awesome. Ghostface was nice enough to hang out and sign some shirts and albums for people after the show. I got to meet Ghost for the second time, the first was at a GoGo joint in Elizabeth NJ in 2002 on my birthday, he didn’t remember but he was still super chill and singed my GFK Graphic Novel, oh you didn’t know that the Wu is all over cross product marketing.

It’s is hard to hit the mark when it comes to live Hip Hop, luckly Ghostface Killah’s darts are sharp and defiantly hit a bulls eye in Santa Barbara on Saturday Night.

WU TANG WU TANG

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