Couple Things

Happy belated Thanksgiving to everyone. Today's post is a bit thrown together but I have just a couple songs I'd rather share than featuring a particular artist.

To start, here are a couple tracks that have leaked from Lupe Fiasco's upcoming album Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. I got a hold of these a couple weeks ago but never got around to post them. The first track is the first single from the album titled "Superstar" and features Matt Santos on backing vocals. The second track I thought was going on the album, but right now it's not listed on the tracklist on Wiki (you know, the ultimate source for music information). Either way I really like the song, its titled "Can You Let me Know?" and has a catchy but unique beat that has become representative of his style. Lupe has really risen in my eyes as an mc and my expectations for this album are pretty high, so hopefully he doesn't disappoint. His ability to add depth musically and lyrically to his songs is amazing and while his sound might not be radio friendly enough to put him with the other mega rapper stars, I think he has the talent to belong.

Lupe Fiasco - Superstar

Lupe Fiasco - Can You Let Me Know?

And if you liked Kanye West's remix of Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" then you should really like this track which combines another popular French techno song reworked with American hip hop artists. This time it's Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." featuring Mos Def and Spank Rock. Its a catchy track that will get the people dancing in no time, just as the title might suggest.

D.A.N.C.E. feat Mos Def and Spank Rock


- Alec


Oh an finally there's this band, which musically didn't impress me at all, but I gotta admit that I love their band name

At the Foot of My Rival

I call the New Amsterdams my favorite band to anyone who asks me. Here is my reasoning. Do you know that feeling when you feel like you are sick of every cd you own and just want to hear something, anything new? Well, I get it every now and then, and when it happens I always seem to go back to a New Amsterdams CD. It doesn't matter how sick I am of my other music, I never seem to get sick of them.

A few months ago, they released their newest album At the Foot of My Rival without any fanfare behind it at all. The way in which it was released actually fits the album quite well. 'Revenge' starts the album off very subtly with a guitar line that sounds like it was recorded on a laptop computer, accompanied by a muted singing enhanced by harmonies during single words throughout. 'Wait' quickly breaks in with a full-sounding guitar and backing bass, like somebody just turned the lights on. Matt Pryor's voice is still a touch subdued, but you can really get a feel here of what they are going for throughout the album. It feels like a bunch of friends are sitting in your room and singing stories about their past experiences. It means a lot to them as evidenced by the wailed harmonies, but yet there's still a familiar and comforting vibe.

'Hughes', my favorite track off the CD has a similar feel to the album opener with the simple guitar. Here, a slide guitar sweeps over the top, and a sweet-sounding chorus brings some subtle banjo pickings in as well. My other favorite 'Fortunate Fool' rekindles the fuller sound and warmth of most of the other tracks, while keeping the mood nice and soft. When you are sick of your music, give this one a shot.

The New Amsterdams - Wait

The New Amsterdams - Hughes

The New Amsterdams - Fortunate Fool

-Kyle

Blue Scholars

I should probably be letting Kyle write about this group since this was his discovery, but I'll be honest and admit that a lot of the stuff we write about here is first discovered by him; he has more patience to sift though shitty to find good groups than I do. My role is more of a filter, a second opinion to see if a group really has a good sound. That being said, this post is about a very interesting and unique group out of Seattle.

Blue Scholars is a conscious hip hop group out of Seattle, Washington. When I say a unique group, I mean just that. Besides coming out of the pacific northwest, a region known much more for its grunge and alt rock scene than hip hop gives them a unique perspective. But its the two members of Blue Scholars that truly define who they are. The mc of the group Geologic is of Filipino descent and the dj, Sabzi, is of Iranian descent and adheres to the Baha'i faith.

Take their background and throw in a laid back west coast style and some socially conscious lyrics about the grind of the life of the common man and you've got Blue Scholars. All these factors came together in their 2007 release Bayani, which interestingly enough is titled after a Baha'i prayer. Its a very strong album that touches on a range of topics as Geologic rhymes over the well crafted beats of Sabzi. Their style in general is very laid back, and features several songs that have slower tempos and a relaxed feel to them. This creates an interesting canvas for Geologic who often features very charged lyrics that flow over these chill beats which works well in that it forces the listener to focus more on what is being said.

Here are a couple tracks to check out from Bayani. These guys have a great sound and even though I wasn't immediately drawn to them, after a couple listens I really found myself being pulled in by their powerful heartfelt sound. My particular favorite is "Still Got Love", whose jazz trombone solo (as weird as that sounds) at the end was really the first thing that got me to listen to them more. Its a nice reference to the early jazz influences in hip hop.

Blue Scholars - Ordinary Guys

Blue Scholars - Still Got Love

Blue Scholars - North By Northwest


-Alec