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Arnow - Popularity

Introduction: Arnow is a local group from the Bronx. So local that I heard about these guys because I was working at the same record shop Solo Jones used to work at.

There are many reasons I think these guys are going to blow up soon. But before we get into any of that, I just wanted to say "CALLED IT!".

Production: Bumping music. This shit would be great to play in a car. The vocal samples, and overall sample choices sometimes add a certain left-field quality to it, which is nice. And I just have to commend the blending of samples on too many tracks to mention. ("Abu Dhabi", "Popularity", "Introlude", etc.)

Duds: #7, #12. Annoying chorus on #4.

Vibes: A crew with such consistency in talent that it's enjoyable hearing them switch off with one another, knowing that you can only expect more quality coming up to bat.

Debut album by the boys from the Bronx A.K.A. Arnow.

If I'm going to describe this album, I have to do it in two parts: the production, and everything on top of it (vocals & speech samples). The production style makes the music particularly applicable in a variety of situations: partying, driving, or being on the subway. You can play it when you're with your friends having a good time, or when you're by yourself just listening. It's got that kind of appeal.

That kind of universal appropriateness is what causes a wide, non-sectarian spread of the music. This can be a great thing, because it means many different kinds of crowds will come together to appreciate your music. It's a very fine line to walk on though, because at times the music run the the risk of sounding generic.

The raps, however, are on a league of their own.

That's what I think is really enjoyable about Arnow. The style of production is so coherent and in tune with the recent school of rap that's been doing really well lately (The big bass, ambient sounds and lots of hi hats style. you know what I mean.), but they sound like nobody but themselves. The voices of Solo Jones, Kid Qwest, DNyce, and L.P. have yet to be heard prior this album, and there really aren't any voices like theirs.

So listen to their shit.

http://arnowmusic.bandcamp.com/

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"Bein real" couldn't be a more appropriate title.

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Ideas of Distance - Young Man

Right off the bat, one of the best albums I've heard in a while. Maybe ever. Production: Very well blended. And sparse, occasionally, but one of my favorite things about Colin Caulfield is his ear for thing blending well, in terms of not only like, levels, 'n stuff, but tastefully using and filling spaces. Duds: There legitimately aren't any. Vibes: They range from fuzzy, to spacious, to looking up at the sky in a grassy field. Slightly outside of the city. It makes sense that the title of this album is Ideas of Distance, because that is very much a concept explored in this collection of pieces. What Colin does, usually, is give a hint of an idea. or. work on an idea. and then give a preview to his audience of that idea. (See: Felt (idea) http://youtu.be/AXrmSKOZqH0. This turned into the last track.) So, Ideas of Distance, to me, literally means musical ideas, all having something to do with distance. Or grew out of a feeling related to such. Which explains all the space in the music haha. But anyways, I never knew the Beatles too well, but I know Yung Homies' signature vocal style. It's fresh, and it's very obviously left its influences here. You know, that like, softish, tone thing. I like to listen to "Low" when I'm on the bus on the way to the city from New Paltz. Not because it's dreamy or anything (okay, yeah), but I also think that it bridges the two locations pretty well. So yeah, I'll leave with this: The mood of the album is very much a weekend away at New Paltz. Fortifying, fun (internally), and afterward, you want to hype up and go ham toward achieving your goals. So put it on occasionally. It's a good experience.

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Here's a second video, since time passed and I wasn't able to write a review tonight (I had it planned.) Goodnight.

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This is my favorite rapper in the New York City Underground.

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ALEA IACTA EST - Reservoir Sound Womb

Introduction: Reservoir Sound Womb is a Record Label/Crew founded by A.M. Breakups. I found them out because my homie, Warren S. Britt (I'll write a paragraph about him later.) is a part of it. This is a compilation.

Production: Slow, progressive, slightly distorted. Hip Hop. With drums from a hardcore band at times. I like. Duds:  6-9, 15 is irritating. Vibes: I've never known so man dope, extremely literate, non-self righteous, honest rappers. Seriously. I appreciate it because it's my style of Hip Hop. Introspective conversations with intelligent, real cats.

First off. Teddy Faley. Damn. Upon Warren linking this on Twitter, the first thing I did, naturally, was look for Warren's tracks on here. (#'s 4 and 13). 'S my boy, so I gotta peep his ish. Number 4 is actually credited to Warren's group, We Are Not for Them, so I peeped #13 ("A Song For Teddy Faley"). And as per usual, Warren did not disappoint me. I'd explain to you why I like Warren, but you can just watch this video (http://youtu.be/dfa5rTaI5J8). After that, keep in mind that I threw a concert, and he covered Green Day's "Basket Case" and had one of my best friends come up and sing with him. Like I said. 'S my boy. But yeah, I'm listening, and I'm like. Who dafuq is Teddy Faley? Then I noticed this dude two tracks down. Whose name was Teddy Faley. So naturally, I click him next. "If they made you out of clay, your soul would reject it." Dis ** is ELOQUENT! And I proceed to let him impress the fawk out of me as I hear him tear it up with some illa imagery and confessionals. And I was surprised to find that this song (#16 Straw Man Argument (Remix) ) was produced by A.M. Breakups. I hadn't heard a lot of his work beforehand, but when I had checked out a few songs, I got the impression that he was on some Count Bass D eccentric chop-very-short-samples steez. But I was wrong! He's actually on some I-do-whatever-the-fuck-I-want-so-fuck-yo-shit-Javier steez. lol.

But yeah. I was so intrigued by this dude Teddy, that I listened to the other song of his on the album, DC4. And again, I was like "Holy Cheet this is my manz! He's really eloquent, a dirty ass ** that enjoys titty pics, and fux w/ distorted ass drum heavy beats." anecdote: I went on to check him out more, and linked him to the homie Jecht Rye from Manchester, and he's like "ahh, yeah. I know Teddy Faley." Twas cool.

But yeah. Dude also produces, mixes, and master his own tracks. BAM! Alright Teddy. Now that that's said, I can get on to the rest of the album. My favorite track is #14, In Closing (Remix) - Shape. (It has the same type of appeal as "Vincent Van Gogh Coke AD", drawing you in, taking you for a ride, while keeping your mind and senses very stimulated.) Reservoir Sound Womb runs shit real hard, and I am hella glad this tape is out. It's free. Cop it. http://reservoirsound.bandcamp.com/album/alea-iacta-est

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Kismet (2007) - Jesca Hoop

Production: So interesting. And so weird. It really is like taking a swim in a lake with the moonlight reflecting on the water with the animals of the forest performing some sort of ritual to awaken the spirits of the trees. Duds: Nah man. I daren't. Vibes: Spending time in the aforementioned forest.     This album is very much that rush of excitement that you get when you know you're not supposed to be doing something, but you're doing it regardless of that. It's 1) so enjoyable that it makes up for the fact that you're not supposed to be doing it, and 2) the fact that it's forbidden means that it's all the more enticing. This is the girl that you meet at a concert that you've been looking at the entire night, because something allures you to her, and when you finally do talk to her (because I'm assuming you're not being a lil bitch about it), you meet the most interesting girl that you have ever met, and she leads you to a night filled with dark crannies, abandoned warehouses, rooftops, watching the moonlight, and peering into eachother's souls. This girl is so excited by the fact that you are so interested in who she is and where she's taken you that she gives you this knowing smile. And you spend the night feeling so comforted by the fact that she fits so well into the space between your sternum and your outside that you swear that she must be the key into understanding what it is about the atmosphere of the night that led these events to transpire. Your perception of yourself is clouded at the moment because of the thoughts that you could not be known to the world at this level, but the world is exactly who you are so you are assured of your presence and your ideologies of what makes you the being that you are. This is Kismet. (Buy this album.)

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Oye Mi Canto (Not A Review)

I was speaking over AIM to Greg. I use "speaking" lightly. More like, it was open while I was reading and watching videos. I was overcome with a desire to explain the significance of this song. And I realized the significance of Reggeton and it's role in Latino teen culture in the U.S.     can I talk to you about my growing up?     alright     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zCX7_W1DQ4 (displayed above)     when this song came out     it was such a big deal to me     not only to me     but everyone man.     I want to talk 'cause i want to talk.     but yeah     you have to understand     when Reggeton started coming out     it was the first thing for like.     us. Javier Medina 1:37 am     for latino teens     it was like     the same thing that hip hop was     how it was liket     this is you     this is your people     for kids all over the u.s.     and when reggeton came in     it like     because it's from puerto rico     and it's part of america     they mix english in too     even though it's in spanish     and     but it was like     particularly for us     for kids who grew up with the sentiment of being bicultural     you know Javier Medina 1:40 am     you had to rep your spanish side     or else you were a gringo     and you had to rep the fact that you live in the u.d.     u.s.*     and speak english and stuff     else you were a hick     and the hicks since always didn't seem to have that much of a bright future     because it's really hard to succeed in the educational system     if you don't speak english     but yeah Javier Medina 1:41 am     when this music came out Javier Medina 1:41 am     that was us right there man     and that's why it was such a big deal     and when this song came out     to me     that was just like     wow man     first off Javier Medina 1:41 am     it was a unity anthem for latinos everywhere Javier Medina 1:42 am     and there used to be this sense of     dominicans vs puerto ricans     in the was of brooklyn versus queens     where it's not a blam i hate you     but you know     some people don't fuck with the other one     and this snog     song     it's got all these puerto rican rappers on it     and they're like     every latino     EVERY latino!     dominicans, puerto ricans, colombians, cubans, EVERYONE!     listen to my song     that's what the title means     listen to my song.     and it was so powerful     you don't even know man. Javier Medina 1:44 am     and then a rapper, N.O.R.E., comes in and cosigns Reggeton? That's was it man.     That's rap, the thing that's prevalent everywhere in our neighborhoods accepting and being like     "Hey. Your movement. We respect that. It's a good one."     And that was so powerful. You don't even know man.     When I'm putting now the feelings into words of why I love this song so much.     It really makes me say thank you to the guys who did this. Javier Medina 1:46 am     And Reggeton stars, they're so about the community     Daddy Yankee set up so many programs to help latino kids everywhere.     They talk about how good it is to educate yourself     and they hold true to that sentiment that is ever so present in Latin America that what's bigger that money, bigger than fame, and anything, is learning     becuase nobody can EVER take that away from you     that makes you the man. Javier Medina 1:48 am     If you're famous, that's cool.     But if you educate yourself and do stuff with your fame and be an example to the kids who love you, then THAT makes you the big man.     That makes you so much bigger. And you are the man.     And they're all so appreciative of the cirucumstances that allowed them to reach where they are. Javier Medina 1:51 am     They give thanks, and recognize that, and forever treat those people as brothers, because they acknowlege that without them, and without God, they wouldn'thave been able to reach where they are.     It's such a great example man.

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Safe Trip Home (2008) - Dido

My favorite Dido album. Production: Very, very well done. Duds: None, considering this is Dido. But I honestly wasn't feeling number #7 or #10. Vibes: It's perfect for a day like today. I've gotten little sleep. I've gotten off of work, and I come home with a mind full of thoughts and a body full of sentiments.     First off: It's evident that Dido took an interest in learning the technicalities regarding audio engineering and layering, and. well. all of that. Sounds less produced by her brother than her previous works.     During the time in between Life For Rent (2003) and this album, Dido was invited by this producer fella Jon Brion to kick it in LA for a while. She went, and spent some time not only playing instruments and enjoying herself, but also learning about recording studios and their intricacies. And, when I read about that earlier today in the Bio section of her website, it all made so much sense. In this album, I just get the sense that a lot more was done in terms of instrumental arrangements. Like, they'd have an entire orchestra's string section playing and mixed in at a low level, to add to the emotion-provoking capabilities of Dido's voice.     Even with these kind of additions, though the feelings of Dido speaking to you haven't been affected at all. And honestly, that's one of the things that I Love so much about her. I just feel like everything's so honest. I'm listening to her voice, and I'm listening to her talk to me.     Not to mention the fact that she's got, in my opinion, the most touching voice out of any singer I've heard.     I listen to Dido when I'm in my room, and I turn on my stereo, and lie there feeling. In fact, that's what I did today after I came home from work. I was tired, having slept about 3 hours, and had two hours before I had to be out of the house to get to class. So I put my pillow on the floor and turned on this disc. I almost fell asleep, after putting track #4 on repeat for a bit. I decided to not sleep, in order to try and get started on this article, but that turned out to be a mistake. I didn't get to doing much other than adding in the pictures, because I was so tired.     But you know what I'm saying. Turn on this album. Close your door. Enjoy.

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Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs (2001)

Cheers for first album reviews. Production: Swag. Duds: Just one. (#4) Vibes: You are a soccer mom, Slug is hitting on you in the yogurt isle, and you can't help but blush.     First off: Atmosphere is composed of Ant (producer) and Slug (Rapper)     Ant doesn't give a fuck. He doesn't like publicity much. He'll make some kick ass beats, give 'em to Slug to rap over, and then go home and chill with his wife. Slug will pull your girlfriend out of  Wal-Mart, fuck her, date her, and then get drunk and fuck it up. Well. Ten years ago he would have.     So for those of you who don't know much about Slug, that's okay. I told you some. Listen to the album. That'll tell you more. This album is a personification of a dude being really honest. The album starts off with a sampled little monologue telling you that. Kinda.     The reason that I actually bought this album was 'cause it had number 5 (Don't Ever Fucking Question That) on it. I had discovered Atmosphere through Tony Hawk's Underground 2, and downloaded a few songs off of LimeWire as a result. My shit was blown, once I heard that track. I was just like "How the fuck does this guy know exactly how I'm feeling?". And better yet, that shit was in a song that I could put on repeat, and sulk to. Or skate to. Or whatever the fuck I wanted to. But yeah. I decided this one over You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having, because of quantity really. I knew two tracks off of this one versus one of You Can't Imagine, and one on Seven's Travels. I'm pretty happy with my choice. My favorite Atmosphere track of all time is on this album. "They're All Gonna Laugh @ You". It's actually not even produced by Ant. But that's another story. This album will open your mind up as much as studying it's covers will. These things are beautifully intricate. Check it.