Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Busdriver, Islands, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nick Thorburn, Th' Corn Gangg
Busdriver is unashamed at being your "Least Favorite Rapper"
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Busdriver’s “Least Favorite Rapper” (Feat. Nocando) Mp3
I wouldn’t call Busdriver’s “Least Favorite Rapper,” off his most recent effort, Jhelli Beam, self-loathing, as much as humble.
For the uninitiated, perhaps you recognize Busdriver from Nick Thorburn’s ridiculous side project Th’ Corn Gangg, or as the unfamiliar voice on Islands’ “Where There’s a Will There’s a Whalebone.” One of the fastest rappers in the game today, Busdriver was embracing indie rock years before Jay-Z did, and has piled up a pretty fair amount of friends within the genre.
Unfortunately, as a pioneer in this type of a relationship with both hip-hop and indie rock however, Busdriver’s career has floundered a bit, as no one’s really sure which side to categorize him as. Knowing this full well, Busdriver can easily record songs like this one, tallying off reason after reason why you like Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West and Jay more than you’ll ever like him.
At least give him this: What he might be lacking in commercial appeal, he gains in humility, so perhaps it’s worth a listen for people into the art of rap in the purer sense.
– John Cassillo, Reviews Editor
Filed under: News of Note, Uncategorized | Tags: Jay Leno, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lady GaGa, Phil Selway, Pitchfork, Radiohad, Rihanna, Thom Yorke, Vampire Weekend, VMAs, Wilco
Kanye talks to Jay Leno the day after the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
PREVIEW: Watch Kanye’s interview with Jay Leno and Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye’s performance of “Run This Town.”
After the Kanye West publicity stunt/VMA debacle Sunday night, the rapper sat down with Jay Leno on Monday and publicly apologized, Pitchfork reports. After giving a heartfelt apology, and shedding some tears when Leno asked West what his late mother would have thought of his disrespectful act, he performed “Run This Town” with Jay-Z and Rihanna. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage:20 Watts Reviews Jay-Z's "Run This Town"]
In other Kanye news, SPIN.COM reported that he and Lady Gaga would join forces and hit the road together this winter. The entire tour will comprise of 34 stops and it starts November 11 in Pheonix, AZ and will end on January 24 in Dallas, TX. The nearest Syracuse date is Buffalo, NY on December 20. If you saw Gaga’s VMA performance you know that this will literally be the craziest winter tour. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Lady Gaga's New Music Video/Short Film]
According to Pitchfork, Vampire Weekend has announced details regarding their second full-length album. The album entitled Contra, will be released January 12, 2010 and the tracklist is currently available on the band’s website. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: 20 Watts Reviews Discovery's The LP]
NME.COM reports that Radiohead drummer Phil Selway will release a solo album. Selway will sing on the album and be joined by Wilco members Glenn Kotche and Pat Sanzone, solo-artist Lisa Germano and bass player Sebastian Steinberg. The albums release date is unknown at this point.
NME.COM also reports that Radiohead’s frontman, Thom Yorke, is set to perform “The Reckoner” after a showing of the new climate change film “The Age of Stupid.” The performance will occur via satellite transmission from a mysterious undisclosed location. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Radiohead Leak Track? "These Are My Twisted Words", Radiohead Wrote A Song That Would Suit A Funeral? No Way!!]
- 20 Watts Staff
Filed under: Releases of the Week | Tags: Chip Tha Ripper, Common, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, MGMT, Ratatat, The Blueprint 3
Kid Cudi's debut album lays claim to hip-hop record of the year status
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘n’ Nite” MP3
WE GIVE IT: 17/20 Watts
For those searching for some of the most original and self-sustaining music of 2009, perhaps Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon: The End of Day is your perfect match.
As much as Jay-Z has purported to further blur the lines between hip-hop and rock over the years, perhaps no one has hit the point so eloquently as Cudi has with this record. Astoundingly, he’s already passed up one of his mentors (Jay-Z) in terms of successfully merging different genres. The other (Kanye West), when he’s not making himself look like an ass at award shows, is putting out “experimental” hip-hop already dwarfed by this release.
So how has Cudi succeeded where his predecessors failed, and vaulted himself from mixtape hype-product to industry innovator? The key is in his supporting cast, and fearless experimentation. (more…)
Filed under: Editor Picks, Releases of the Week | Tags: Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, The Blueprint 3
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys pay homage to their favorite city in "Empire State of Mind."
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Jay-Z (feat. Alicia Keys) “Empire State of Mind” MP3
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 20 Watts Reviews Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3
“BK Anthem,” “Hello Brooklyn,” “Where I’m From,” “Brooklyn Go Hard” — if there’s one thing Jay can do, it’s shout out his favorite city. In fact, Jay’s NYC-related repertoire is so extensive, they should replace those tacky “I ♥ NY” shirts with “Jay ♥’s NY.”
I was close to completely disregarding The Blueprint 3, that is, until I heard “Empire State of Mind.” Unlike the Brooklyn odes of Hova’s past, “Empire State of Mind” is slightly less discriminating, including more sections of NYC other than Bed-Stuy, such as Harlem, TriBeCa, and Broadway.
Although Jay’s rhymes are often smug to say the least, he justifies his “confidence” with the line, “You can tell by my attitude that I’m most definitely from New York.” Alicia Keys’ vocal chords transform the repetitive chorus’s lyrics into a passionate, classy dedication. The hometown pride inherent in these two NYC natives seeps through every aspect of “Empire State of Mind,” from the name-dropping lyrics, to the jazz-tinged beat — this classy masterpiece easily overshadows the rest of The Blueprint 3.
– Carly Wolkoff, Managing Editor
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: No Age, Radiohead, MGMT, The Beatles, Nine Inch Nails, iTunes, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, Paul McCartney, Neon Indian, NME, Trent Reznor, Music Hall of Williamsburg, Pitchfork, Thom Yorke, The Blueprint 3, The Beatles: Rock Band, Ratatat, David Letterman, EMI, accuradio, The Blueprint, American Gangster, Massive Attack, Converge, Torche, Kurt Vile, FYF, Fuck Yeah Fest
Kid Cudi releases new track "Pursuit of Happiness" featuring MGMT and Ratatat
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” MP3
Pitchfork posts new Kid Cudi song “Pursuit of Happiness” featuring indie gods MGMT and Ratatat. The single will be the third off his upcoming album Man on the Moon: The End of Day, to be released September 15, 2009. The single alludes to his search for weed (Cudi’s drug of choice) as the pursuit of happiness — a theme highlighted nicely by MGMT and Ratatat’s synthpop beat. Catch a live performance of “Pursuit of Happiness on tonight’s “The Late Night Show With David Letterman.” [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor's Pick #71: Cudi Gets Psychedelic]
Rolling Stone reported the change of release dates for Jay-Z’s new album The Blueprint 3 from its planned Friday drop date to today, a more conventional Tuesday release. While the move means the album no longer drops on the eighth anniversary of the first Blueprint, it should assure Jay the top spot on Billboard’s albums chart. The album is his first release since 2007’s American Gangster. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: 20 Watts Reviews Jay-Z's Blueprint 3, Editor's Pick #168: Jay-Z Endorses Indie Rock]
RS also reported that Nine Inch Nails has changed the date of its final show to September 10. The band was due to end its performing career on Sunday, September 6, at Los Angeles’ Echoplex, but after frontman Trent Reznor’s short illness, the final concert will now be Thursday at L.A.’s Wiltern. Over the last few weeks, the band has also performed shows in New York and Chicago on its “Wave Goodbye” tour. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor's Pick #147: Alice in Chains' "A Looking in View", Trent Reznor Announces Final Nine Inch Nails Tour Dates]
Paul McCartney told NME.com that he would like The Beatles’ catalogue available for download. According to McCartney, record label EMI is to blame for the band’s inaccessibility on the Internet. “We were having problems with iTunes — well not iTunes, EMI was the problem — with downloading which we’d like to do because that’s how a lot of people get their music,” McCartney said. The Beatles: Rock Band drops tomorrow, so this problem will be partially solved for players who can download songs from the Rock Band website. Rock Band developers Harmonix have plans to offer more Beatles albums and tracks for download in the future. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: McCartney and MGMT, Beatles and iTunes Fail to Reach Agreement]
In other Beatles news, web radio heavyweight AccuRadio announced today that it will begin broadcasting a series of Beatles-themed channels tomorrow to celebrate the release of the Beatles’ remastered collection. The channels will include “Beatles Plus” — more or less all Beatles’, all the time — as well as the obviously named “Just Covers” and the intriguing “Beatles and Friends,” which claims to contexualize the remastered catalog with other bands and songs from the time. AccuRadio’s apparently endless roster of free niche radio stations also includes such appetizing options as “Sea and Sand,” “Canadian Pop” and “Hiptronica” — whatever that means, we’re into it. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Beatles Rooftop Performance, Beatles Rock Band Trailer]
Neon Indian, whose debut LP drops October 13, has announced the dates for his upcoming world tour. Unfortunately, he will not be stopping in Syracuse, but you can catch him in NYC at the Music Hall of Williamsburgon October 24. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: 20 Watts Interviews Neon Indian]
Kurt Vile, after losing his job as a forklift operator, didn’t have much recourse but to pursue music full-time. Former lead guitarist of The War on Drugs, Vile released the albums Constant Hitmaker and God Is Saying This to You in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Now he’s hard at work on his Matador Records debut and has just released the album’s lead track “Hunchback.” Supposedly more of a rocker than the rest of the album, “Hunchback” follows a Youngian thread. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Yo La Tengo’s Popular Songs (Matador Records)]
British trip-hoppers, Massive Attack sat down with the magazine for a little Q&A about their career, the upcoming Splitting the Atom EP and their next full-length effort, set for February. Also included with the interview was the scenic, Thom Yorke-esque number “Bullet Proof Love,” which will be featured on Splitting the Atom, out next month. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Radiohead's "These Are My Twisted Words"]
No Age, Converge and Torche tore up Saturday’s FYF Fest in Los Angeles. Mixing genres from metal to hardcore to punk, the festival, formerly known as Fuck Yeah Fest, aims to raise awareness for the California state parks system. SPIN has pictures of the mayhem as it unfolded this weekend. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Free NYC Dirty Projectors Show on July 19th]
– 20 Watts Staff
Filed under: Releases of the Week | Tags: Circulatory System, Elephant 6, Everything Goes Wrong, Heartbeat Radio, In Prism, Jay-Z, Mister Pop, Polvo, Popular Songs, Signal Morning, Sondre Lerche, The Blueprint 3, The Clean, Two Dancers, Vivian Girls, Wild Beasts, Yo La Tengo
Polvo's In Prism drops this week
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Polvo’s “Dream Residue/Work” MP3
Every week, 20 Watts rounds up the new releases on our radar; click the link for our full review.
Have suggestions? Leave a comment or e-mail them to 20wattsblog@gmail.com.
Polvo — In Prism [16/20 Watts]
After a decade of inactivity, Polvo reunited permanently in 2008. The results, predictably, were explosive. As edgy and loud as the band may have been in the past, In Prism could possibly surpass anything they’ve ever done in both categories. The noisy, electrifying collection is a testament to the band’s accomplished career, of which the best offering may be this one.
Circulatory System — Signal Morning [16/20 Watts]
Another band returning to the music fold after an extended absence, Circulatory System picks up where they last left us in 2001. Their trippy, experimental folk, hallmark of the Elephant Six Recording Company, is back in full force, but with a few more elements thrown into the ring. Electronic noise, and big, loud brass litter the release, as it makes a statement that the band, and their Elephant 6 brethren may in fact be back.
Yo La Tengo — Popular Songs [17/20 Watts]
Rather than attempt to reinvent the wheel with their latest album, Popular Songs, Yo La Tengo attempts to perfect what they’ve already proven to be so good at. Their psychadelic, dreamy pop, mixed with layers of noise has had hipsters swooning for a quarter of a century, and this is no exception. It’s the summation of a glowing career sure to bring us more spacious and soaring soundscapes for years to come.
Sondre Lerche — Heartbeat Radio [16/20 Watts]
Trying to shed his contemporary jazz persona, or maybe trying to merge it with his pop-rock alter ego, Sondre Lerche has succeeded on Heartbeat Radio. After years of flitting between two separate music personalities, the album finally finds him in a new comfort zone. It’s an organic mix of jazz and rock which he seems all too suited for, and who knows what it might lead to, save another deal to write a popular movie soundtrack.
Jay-Z — The Blueprint 3 [15/20 Watts]
Bent on redefining the music scene as we know it, Jay-Z embarked on The Blueprint 3. Though the mission may not be fully accomplished, he at least went a long way to redefining his sound. In a refreshing turn of events, the album harps on pop sensibilities, rather than your typical club hip-hop. The results are, with some exception, surprisingly positive. Jay sounds incredibly comfortable in his new element, and it can only be a foreshadowing for what he attempts to do next.
Wild Beasts — Two Dancers [17/20 Watts]
Embracing their experimental pop sound, Wild Beasts attempt to make you sit up and listen while changing very little about themselves. Consider it done. Distinctively impressive vocals, catchy hooks and expert guitar work take Two Dancers from being just another release in the band’s catalogue to an all-encompassing monster. The aggregation of influences, superior range and even surprising moments go a long way to making it a standout.
The Clean — Mister Pop [18/20 Watts]
The kiwi punk veterans return for the first time in eight years with a release sure to keep them churning out albums at a lot quicker a pace than recently. Mister Pop is a collection of addicting melodies, repetitive in all the right spots, and as straightforward as it is existential. For the time off, the band had very little rust to shake themselves of, and it’s almost as if they’d never left.
Vivian Girls — Everything Goes Wrong [16/20 Watts]
Back for more, the buzz-worthy band tries to live up to the expectations that come with their sophomore album, Everything Goes Wrong. For the most part, they succeed, testing themselves where possible, and exploring the outer reaches of their sound. The album is quick, yet creative enough to hold your attention, maybe even more so than their self-titled debut.
– John Cassillo, Reviews Editor
Filed under: Releases of the Week | Tags: Drake, Empire of the Sun, Grizzly Bear, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Mr. Hudson, Rihanna, The Blueprint 3
Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 surprisingly delivers a creative pop sound
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Jay-Z’s “Already Home” (Feat. Kid Cudi) MP3
WE GIVE IT: 15/20 Watts
You’ve been hearing about The Blueprint 3 all summer long. From “D.O.A. (Death to Auto-Tune)” to “Run This Town,” and everything in between, it feels as if we’ve had Jay-Z on the mind for months now. Well, the wait is officially over.
In a last-minute turn of events, Jay scrapped his plans to release the highly-anticipated album on Friday, September 11th. It turns out people usually expect releases to happen on Tuesdays, plus the switch has only created more of an Internet frenzy. (more…)
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: All Points West, Dirty Projectors, Fleet Foxes, Girl Talk, Grizzly Bear, hip-hop, indie rock, Jay-Z, Ra Ra Riot, Seasick Steve, The National, Vampire Weekend, Williamsburg Waterfront, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Jay-Z is apparently a huge fan of Grizzly Bear
PREVIEW: Download Jay-Z’s “Run This Town” (Ft. Rihanna and Kanye West) MP3
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 20 Watts Reviews Jay-Z’s “Run This Town”
With Jay-Z prepping the release of his ridiculously hyped new album, The Blueprint 3, it’s surprising that he would have time to go to any concerts — much less Grizzly Bear’s free appearance on the Williamsburg Waterfront (previously graced by Girl Talk and Dirty Projectors this summer) this past Sunday, Aug. 30. However, the rapper did the 12,000 hipsters at the waterfront one better, by giving the indie rock scene one of the most notable stamps of approval it’s ever received:
“The thing I want to say to everyone — I hope this happens because it will push rap, it will push hip-hop to go even further — what the indie rock movement is doing right now is very inspiring. It felt like us in the beginning. These concerts, they’re not on the radio, no one hears about them, and there’s 12,000 people in attendance. And the music that they’re making and the connection they’re making to people is really inspiring. So, I hope that they have a run where they push hip-hop back a little bit, so it will force hip-hop to fight to make better music, because it can happen, because that’s what rap did to rock.” (MTV) (more…)
Filed under: Features, XCLUS!VES | Tags: All Points West, Jay-Z, Ra Ra Riot, The Knux, Vampire Weekend, Yeah Yeahs Yeahs
–Jett Wells
Filed under: Releases of the Week | Tags: Blueprint 3, Hot 97, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna
Jay-Z's new single off The Blueprint 3 is a letdown
PREVIEW: Jay-Z featuring Rihanna, Kanye West “Run This Town” MP3
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Music Video Spotlight: Jay-Z’s D.O.A.
I didn’t realize until today that the song I’ve been avoiding on Hot 97 this week was actually Jay-Z’s latest song off The Blueprint 3. Popular opinion around town seems to be that Kanye + Rihanna + Song = Success. But even those two proven hit-makers couldn’t save “Run This Town.” If you’re going to compromise a fun beat for superior rhymes, the message should be that much more powerful. But it’s not. Their insistence that they’re going to “run this town tonight” is not just boring, but wholly unconvincing — such a lofty assertion needs to be backed up by a sick song.
While Jay-Z is calling for the “Death of Auto-Tune,” he may unintentionally be facing another death in his own music (see Retirement). Rihanna’s moans border more on the yelp of a dying animal than the thunderous roar of a comeback. The thought of a Rihanna comeback is still exciting, but it won’t be through her disappointing appearance on this single.
I forced myself to listen to the song more than six times to make sure there was nothing wrong with my calculator; the equation is just flawed. To say that I’d rather listen to Soulja Boy, or Drake than Hova is not only ridiculously pathetic, but pathetically the ridiculous truth.
– Carly Wolkoff
