Black, White, and Hova All Over

Even with all of the new music picked up at the library a few days ago, today was a day for vinyl shopping. I explored a little outside of my usual section which should be called "Anything Older Than 1983," in favor of a newer artist. That usually means spending more on the record and surprisingly fewer options, but it's a risk worth taking if you find the perfect missing piece to your collection. And today it was a corner piece: The Black Album.

This is the only the third album I've bought wrapped up and scratch-free. Sometimes I can't understand why a $23 new album could be pitted against an $8 copy that's been opened and played once. But Jay-Z's Black Album was offensively on sale, and it seemed too easy to pass.

The top pictures are pulled from the photo collage included in the album. Seems a little cheesy for Jay-Z, a little too thug-scrapbooky, but appealing to dweebs like me who want to know more about the people behind recording and producing.

Middle pics: the list. With the help of Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Hova produced one of his most successful and appreciated albums of his career. You might recognize a couple of hits with "Change Clothes," "99 Problems" and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," which make any hit off "The Blueprint 3" seem like mixtape throwaways.

But the real stuff, typical with any rapper, is found on B-sides. "Justify My Thug" and "My 1st Song" along with "Lucifer" are some of Jay's crowning achievements. Take a listen to the whole album, including interludes. The progression is remarkable, the themes dark and unashamed.

Song of the Day

**1/5/09

J. Cole - Grown Simba

----------I can appreciate a rapper who doesn't mind making a Walt Disney character roar with the ryhme "I was like a young Simba/couldn't wait to be the King." J. Cole, a rapper from Fayetteville, North Carolina, relocated to the Empire State in 2003, and his rhymes were picked up by Jay Z's label, Roc Nation, in 2008.

J. Cole is a minimalist rapper - the beats and samples aren't dressed up because his words are already fresher than an Armani suit. Hope he looks fly whenever he tours his home state. Get "Grown Simba" from The Warmup Mixtape.

Key Tracks: I Get Up, Lights Please

http://myspace.com/jcole

Yes,that is my left foot propped ever so dangerously and nonchalantly on top of my vent. I wouldn't recommend this stance for new drivers...JUS sayin'. I'm trying out some nifty new tricks with Paint (yes,yes, guffaw and point at my meek efforts), but the point is that I went on a short-ish trip today, and here's the list of what I jammed to on the way to and from:

1. Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville

Good for the girl or guy who enjoys more rennegade heartland-ish music. Phair's low moan fits the often eyebrow-raising themes in Guyville like a Dunkin' Donut and Coffee.

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication

With adventure ready songs such as "Around the World," "Emitremmus," and "Road Trippin'" as well as the more contemplative "Scar Tissue" and "Porcelian," this funk rock album was made for the road.

3. Jay Z - The Blueprint 3

The oddball in the bunch, right? Correct, but HOVA's run-this-town raps are ideal for feeling like you're driving a Murcielago instead of a...ahem....Honda.

4. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times

Back to the rock, and back to the roots with wailing guitars and pavement-pounding rock n' roll. By far the best Kings album there is.

Told you it was a short trip! I have just begun a long-extended and desperately needed vacation, but I'll be back with more new songs soon.

Take care!

Seven Songs For the Weekend

So...I'm pretty confident that this weekend is going to be a good one. And why in the name of all that is poppin' lockin' and droppin' would I listen to something low key and plain jane? *Scoff* ne'er!
Believe me, I had a bit of a laugh compiling this list, especially watching the risque, avant garde, and macabre "Paparazzi" by my girl Lady Gags. If you already have something else on your turntables (I know, it's probably just an ipod, but run with it) for this evening, try out one or two of these suckers anyways. You either won't regret it or you won't remember it *wink, wink*

1. Swizz Beatz - No Money in the Bank

2. Timbaland - Bounce (Remix)

3. House of Pain - Jump Around

4. Lady Gaga - Paparazzi

5. Ray J - Sexy Can I

6. R. Kelly feat. Jay-Z - Fiesta

7. M.I.A. - Pull Up the People

The Blueprint 3

So I know I'm a little behind on this one, but I bought (with that green papery stuff called cash) The Blueprint 3 Jay-Z's latest encore released officially-ish on September 11th.

I had a leaked copy of the album, but the inner music geek inside of me wanted the plastic, the celophane wrapper, and the album artwork. To get these treasures of tracks, I shelled out a phenomenal $17 for a copy (you're welcome, Jigga Man and Atlantic). This small fortune is now sitting amongst my very haphazard collection of cassette tapes, vinyl, and cds that are temporarily on my desk until I can move them to my collection.

Many of the tracks are produced by Timbaland and Kanye West, and a line of artists longer than Saturday morning at the DMV appear on collaborative tracks. Rihanna's chorus-belting role and Alicia Key's sultry cry take hold of "Run This Town" and "Empire State of Mind," respectively. Pharell, Kanye, Drake, and Kid Cudi take hold of the B-Sides.

I still haven't formed a definite yay or nay to this one. It may take me a few more listens, for while I may acquire leaked tracks early on, I sometimes forget that I have them and the necessity to revisit material rears its head.

What do you guys think? Is Jay-Z's latest the greatest, or can you find way more than 99 problems with The Blueprint 3?

Song of the Day

**8/20/09
Miley Cyrus - Party in the USA
------------------Even though Miley's got a couple of girl-rocker butterflies in her stomach upon touchdown in LAX, she's hops on a taxi towards Dreams Come True Boulevard. She'll have you nodding your head "like yeah" and screaming out the sunroof of your limo to Junior Homecoming or while shopping for her new clothing collaboration with Max Azria in Wal-Mart. Cyrus feels a little homesick until the radio plays Jay Z and Britney Spears - two artists that (apparently) make her feel right at home. Street cred from Cyrus/ Hannah Montana? - zomg! Get "Party in the USA" from Miley Cyrus' album, The Time of Our Lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihKPKiwK3jA

Song of the Day

**7/24/09

Jay Z feat. Beyonce - Bonnie and Clyde

---------------Bonnie and Clyde robbed banks, but Jay Z and Beyonce steal the spotlight of the R&B and Hip Hop music industries with consistenly electrifying duets. Produced by Kanye West, "Bonnie and Clyde" cruises along Jay Z's life of sin with his halo, Beyonce. The lyrics devotedly praise love, respect, and sanity with each other in a crazy world. Get "Bonnie and Clyde" from Jay Z's seventh studio album, The Blueprint: The Gift and the Curse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn6tq6IS3jg