Songs of the Week (29 Aug - 04 Sep)

This was a week full of surprising ups and downs for the music world! Get ready for a wild ride...

Music Monday: Classified

The focus of this week's Music Monday is the veteran emcee from Canada, Classified. Hit the jump to find out why his buzz is suddenly growing...

Music Monday: Video Vanguards

There was a long period of time when I refused to watch a single music video. It was becoming an art form devoid of originality, and filled with copycats. But it seems there has been a recent resurgence of quality music videos of late. Check out these new videos, and let's hope that that revolution continues...

Music Monday: New Album Alert

Just a reminder, we are now using a new system for rating albums. There will be no Five-Mics, Four Stars, or Three Thumbs-Up. Instead, we are simply going to tell you whether or not it's worth your time and money. Oh yeah, and why not pay tribute to the funniest man alive at the same time. Bring Dave Back! Hit the break for more...

Allow Me to Introduce... Kid Hum

Meet the newest member of our team, Kid Hum. If you haven't heard of him, don't sweat it. But from now on, you have no excuse NOT to know him. Hit the jump for the breakdown...

Songs of the Week (01 Aug - 07 Aug)

Here's a lil' something for your Music Monday...

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Music Monday On A Tuesday

Sorry for missing our Music Monday post, but we didn't want to put anything out that was half-assed or half-finished. So yesterday, instead of the normal music recommendations, we put out a new song of our own. Hope you enjoy it! 

[download] Tycho & Tyrel' D - The Rule of Two (Prod. Kid Hum)

We've also been working on putting together a new system for reviewing albums, so lets try it out. Music should be shared everyday anyways!

Songs of the Week (18 Jul - 25 Jul)

Check out our recommendations to get you through your Music Monday... Enjoy!

Smooth Summer Joint

Off her debut studio album, The ArchAndroid, Miss Monáe shows off her diverse talents on this fast-paced track. It's the perfect song to take your mind off the scorching heat while you're cruising this summer.

[listen] Janelle Monáe - Faster

Album Review: Big Boi "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty"

Remember when you popped Speakerboxxx/The Love Below into your CD player for the first time? If you like music, you probably had the eargasm of a lifetime & then put the whole disk on replay for about a month, right? Well, before you get this album, you better prepare yourself for the same exact experience. This album isn't just good, it's Make-You-Thankful-You-Spent-Your-Money-On-It good. The intro alone is better than most singles I've heard this year. You know the difference between Big Boi and every other rapper? He can tell you the answer:

"I write knockout songs, you spit punchlines for money."

When I heard about General Patton's first solo album in seven years, I was doubtful that he would still have the same magic, especially without André 3000 at his side. But my doubt was quickly replaced with anticipation as leaks off the album started hitting the web. Now my anticipation has been answered with the Album of the Year.

The star-studded lineup of guest appearances delivered a great performance, but Big Boi was not to be outdone on his own album. Working to the strengths of each artist, he was able to build off of the features to make each song better. Much to his disappointment, all songs featuring 3-Stacks were blocked from being on the album, but Big Boi delivered this message to his fans:

The production is futuristic, in that Big Boi is ahead of his time, not just because he's trying to sound futuristic. And just like Speakerboxxx, most of the production is done by Big Boi himself, with only one song coming from André 3000 and four songs from Organized Noise, among others. It's a mix between the old OutKast and nothing you've ever heard before. Tracks like "Daddy Fat Sax" harken back to the days of "Land of a Million Drums", but at the same time feel like a breath of fresh air in an industry of stale sounds.

Give this album a listen, even if you go download it for free first. It's fluid and cohesive, but still keeps you on your toes through all fifteen songs. Mark my words, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Song of Chico Dusty will be a hip-hop classic.
[download] on iTunes

And in case you missed it before...

[download] Big Boi - Mix Tape for Dummies

-Tycho

Songs of the Week: Part Two (11 Jul - 17 Jul)

"Nature Boy" Cover - Pomplamoose

I've been listenting the shit out of this song for a little while, and for good reason. The duo, comprised of Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn, create some of the prettiest music I've listened to.

"If I Were a Bell" - Amel Larrieux

Apparently back in the 90's Amel was part of a group named Groove Theory. I tried listening to Groove Theory but it does no justice to the most recent stuff I've heard from Amel specifically this song which drowns in a mixful of soulful dissonance and buttery vocals

"He's A Pirate" - DJ Tiesto

There's not much to say about this song other than it's a combination of DJ Tiesto (who is awesome), and Pirates of the Carribean (which is also extremely awesome).

"Blackout City" - Anamanaguchi

If you are like me, who liked the Mario music, or 8-bit music in general, tremendously then Anamanaguchi is for you.The coupling of 8-bit synths, reminiscent of those fantastic Mario days, and some rather serious percussion makes for an interesting listen, out of all the songs on their most recent album though, I loved "Blackout City" the most.

"Your English is Good" - Tokyo Police Club

This song has been a favorite summer song of mine for the last two or three, and I can't even explain why, all I know is that everytime I listen to it I get lost in it, it's just a great song. Also the video is wonderfully shot and definitely does justice to the song.

-JollyOldDro

Songs of the Week: Part One (11 Jul - 17 Jul)

Here's a little something we put together to help you through your Music Monday...

An up and coming Florida emcee, Laws landed two great features from Emilio Rojas and Big K.R.I.T. for the remix of his most popular song to date, Hold You Down. Huge props for the Guru shout out toward the end of the song!
[download] Laws feat. Emilio Rojas & Big K.R.I.T. - Hold You Down Remix

After falling off the face of the planet for a couple months, on Thursday Wale popped back on the scene in a big way. He not only announced his next mixtape More About Nothing, but also dropped a free track that won't be on there. Yupp, Wale is back.

[download]  Wale - Workin' (Prod. Yogi)

If you haven't heard him yet, you need to check out Miguel Jontel. He's Filipino, so of course he's going to be great! Blu fans may know him from the tracks "First Things First" and "Cold Hearted", and the rest of the world will know him soon. Also, J.Cole continues his streak of murdering features, fitting in perfectly with Miguel over this smooth beat.

[download] Miguel feat. J.Cole - All I Want Is You
And if you like the song, be sure to check out the visuals!

Fresh out the DMV, mC goes gives us his interpretation of Rihanna's single. Catch him on Twitter!
[download] mC - Roodboi (Remix)

Yeah that's right, Justin Bieber. Well, technically Bieber mixed with Paul McCartney & Wings. I can promise that this mix of "Baby" and "Live and Let Die" sounds nothing like what you think. Check it out for yourself. It's surprisingly awesome.

[download] Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney & Wings - Live and Let Die + Baby (Remix)


-Tycho