Skyzoo @ Bowery Ballroom 1/24/07

John is the writer on Angry Citizen. He is going to coincede his live reviews with us. So when he posts his reviews on his blog, they will also appear on here.

I got the idea from what Stereogum does with Village Indian.

Opening up for Clipse last Wednesday was Brooklyn's own Skyzoo. Skyzoo is a young gun on the scene trying to make a name for himself, which he's been doing by working with members of the Justus League and 9th Wonder. The hardest move has to be opening a show and rhyming to a sea of faces who aren't familiar with your material. You know when you see a new artist on stage and you can tell he or she has been on stage maybe five times in their life. There's that unmistakable look of desperation mixed with confidence on their face.

Hard moves aside, Skyzoo hit the stage, lifted up the crowd, and put us on his shoulders for the next thirty minutes. Skyzoo had the look of a veteran short on desperation and long on confidence. He was going all out connecting with every single audience member. If possible he would have walked the floor spitting rhymes for each and every individual present. But he couldn't on account of everyone being on his back.

He's also worked with Dilla and Premo to name a few. His flow definitely harkens back to '90's NY hip-hop without a whiff of nostalgia. He's all forward thinking and moving with an aesthetic reminiscent of O.C., AZ and even Murs based on his style and 9th Wonder beats. Skyzoo is at the point where he’ll continue to climb the ladder or fade into mix-tape obscurity. Who knows if he’ll progress past the mix-tap game, either way he’s worth checking out. Did I mention he's from Brooklyn?

Read the original post on Angry Citizen.
View more pictures tooken by Angry Citizen.

Video: The Game, Kanye West "Wouldn't Get Far"

The Game and Kanye made a video for "Wouldn't Get Far" which mocks the usual rap video.

Kele Okereke Spits Trash About Jack

Kele Okereke, the lead singer of Bloc Party, has lashed out at Jack White. Okereke states in the new NME that he was amazed "when Jack White said it wasn't his job to be critical about foreign policy because he was being paid to be an entertainer. I thought that was treacherous because it's complicit with the capitalist society."

I was not aware of this quote from Jack, but whatever. Not everybody has to be Bono, in fact, Bono has been losing his inner Bono. I like Jack because he continues the legacy of the blues in a more badass manner than anyone in the game right now. It would almost seem weird to me if Jack started busting out Kele like lines. For example, what would you think if Jack busted out "Tonight, make me unstoppable," {A lyrical excerpt from the new Bloc Party single "The Prayer"}? Those lyrics just fly right over me with their complexity. Read more here.

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Listen to the new and unknown Bloc Party track "Secret" here.

Kevin Federline Pokes Fun At Himself

Kevin Federline made a commercial for Nationwide, that will air during the Super Bowl.

iConcertCal: iTunes Just Got Better

Spotted on I Guess I'm Floating:

iConcertCal is a free iTunes plug-in that developes a schedule around tour dates by reading your iTunes library. So if you had the Fratellis' "Flathead" (which appears in the new iPod ad) in your library, the plug-in would generate all the available tour dates possible and add them to your schedule. If you don't have Bloc Party in your library, then you won't have Bloc Party dates on your calendar. Get it? Good.

You Still Drink That Jimi Hendrix Drink?

Spotted on AllHipHop:

Jimi Hendrix did not even get a chance to take over the beverage industry. Jay-Z is endorsing yet another company. Cherry Coke is his new product to work with. The mogul is going to help design a cityscape design for the can, as well as doing a commercial, and also appearing at the launch of the new Cherry Coke.

Jameel Spencer, the CMO of Rocawear, stated, "Besides just recording, he's making TV commercials and campaigns for brands." Hey Jameel, don't you mean 'Besides making TV commercials and campaigns for brands, he is recording.' That rings more truth.

Justus League Do Have A Kryptonite

Spotted on Certified Hip Hop:

A shockwave of news is shocking backpackers and hip-hop heads everywhere. Little Brother producer, 9th Wonder, has stepped out of the trio. 9th had garnered a lot of attention in the group for sampling old 60s and 70s soul and bringing back an old-school vibe.

It doesn't end there. The other two members and MCs, Phonte and Big Pooh have denied rumors that Little Brother had been dropped from Atlantic Records. Instead they are currently trying to break away from the label.

"First, I want to say that Little Brother has not been dropped from Atlantic. At
this time we are in the process of negotiating our release from the label due to
a difference in philosophies," stated Big Pooh.

It could be easily argued that the group would of had to go in a new direction if they wanted to continue. 9th's sound can get repetitive when you listen to albums he has worked thoroughly on.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie Trailer

Coming March 23.

Brian Eno Is Working With Coldplay

Spotted on Pitchfork:

The always excellent producer Brian Eno revealed during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Front Row program that he will be producing the next Coldplay album and the two parts have already started working.

"I think [the album] will be very original and very different from what they've done before," Eno stated.

The Coldplay inside me is raging.

Clipse @ Bowery Ballroom Pics

Spotted on Brooklyn Vegan:


View more pictures here and try to make it their show at BB King's on the 26th of April.

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In other Clipse related news, Clipse have collaborated with Capitol 1254 to make a Clipse New Era cap.

Kanye West's New Apartment

Spotted on Dezeen:

Kanye hopes to have his new Manhattan apartment finished sometime in February. It is designed by extreme minimalist Claudio Silverstrin.


Before you enter:

Chicago Gamer 005

They don't call the Chicago the Windy City for nothing. The chilly gusts of air cut your face and make you feel like they have plummeted it in the Artic Ocean. No surprise my dumbass has forgotten both gloves and hats with only my coat to protect me from the howling winds. To perserve my heat I contort to a hunchback Rizzy the Rat position.

Just like the city has fallen over a frozen spell so has my gaming life. This is what I get when I go to college and have no money, resources, or time to do things. Instead I wishfully think about games I could be playing. This means me living out the games...

Take for example the newly released DS game Hotel Dusk Room. An interesting film noir game in which you try to solve a mystery in an adventure game mold. Lately I have tried to do the same. I pop my collar on my jacket, talk in a raspy voice, and try sly but unsuccessful hits on women. They are probably turning me down because my acting is an equivalent of a home made movie audition.

If living out does not work than there has to be another way. Sure enough I discover that DePaul actually has a gaming room specifically design to house newly released games. I have always known this actually, but in a moronic spin have never actually used it besides a couple Geometry Wars sessions. Ha so this is the treasure cove I have discovered and will devour.

There is just one itsy bitsy problem. Gaming to me is either a social occasion (read: Halo LAN parties) or a total isolated experience where I marathon longer than people averagely sleep. If I want to play Rogue Galaxy great, but that means I have to play next to I-eat-Cheetos-so-loud-guy or Watch-me-guys-I'm-playing-up-to-eleven Guitar Hero player, whom just so happens to be playing that loud making my game inaudible.

Single player gaming I dunno is a private thing to me. I hate when someone comes in and watches or askes the dreaded question, "What are you doing?" The concept of me explaining the plot of game is simple, but explaing what I am actually doing is so complex and convoluted you sound like a jackass before you start. For example, "Oh I'm just playing Okami where I press down the R1 button to call down a scroll that lets me draw things on the map that changes it. Now there are thirteen types of brushstrokes..." I have lost you there I'm sure. Man I went on a rant there, I apologize.

My solution is my birthday, headphones to zone out Guitar Hero prick, and a little social growth to get over my isolated views. Probably won't work though.

Van Halen Have Bills To Pay

Spotted on Stereogum:

It has been reported that David Lee Roth is most likely going to join his former band, Van Halen, for a 40-date amphithetre tour. This would be the first time in over 20 years Lee Roth joins his old family.

In honor of the flamboyant frontman, we will list our favorite quotes to come out of his mouth.

"I used to have a drug problem, now I make enough money."

"Music is like girlfriends to me; I'm continually astonished by the choices
other people make."

"Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up
right alongside it."

"I used to jog but the ice cubes kept falling out of my glass."

You Still Drink Fiji?

Spotted on Stereogum:

If you still drink Fiji water, you are so not cool anymore. Beverage Concepts and Authentic Hendrix announced a drink that exclusively has the rights to Jimi Hendrix.

"Beverage Concepts is committed to providing in our beverage line the same level of excitement, undefined coolness, rock 'n roll feel and unprecedented taste that is synonymous with the Jimi Hendrix image," explained Beverage Concepts CEO Josh Glass. "We are especially pleased to announce this partnership with Authentic Hendrix here at NAMM, where we are surrounded by Jimi Hendrix fans and by music lovers from around the globe."

No release date has been stated of yet.

The hard rocking beverage industry shouldn't be too much of a fight for Hendrix -- just watch out for Seagal.

Christians Do Not Want Your Kids Listening To Music Anymore

According to this crazy Christian propaganda site, most popular musicians nowadays are gay.

"One of the most dangerous ways homosexuality invades family life is through popular music. Parents should keep careful watch over their children's listening habits, especially in this Internet Age of MP3 piracy."

• The Spores
• Scissor Sisters
• Rufus Wainwright
• Merzbau
• Ravi Shankar
• Wilco
• Bjork
• Tech N9ne
• Ghostface Killah
• Bobby Conn
• Morton Subotnik
• Cole Porter
• The String Cheese Incident
• Eagles of Death Metal
• Polyphonic Spree
• The Faint
• Interpol
• Tegan and Sara
• Erasure
• Le Tigre
• The Gossip
• The Doors
• Phish
• Queen
• The Strokes
• Sufjan Stevens
• Morrissey(?questionable?)
• The Pet Shop Boys
• Metallica
• Judas Priest
• The Village People
• The Secret Handshake
• The Rolling Stones
• David Bowie
• Frankie Goes to Hollywood
• Man or Astroman
• Richard Cheese
• Jay-Z
• Depeche Mode
• Kansas
• Ani DiFranco
• Fischerspooner
• John Mayer
• The Indigo Girls
• Velvet Underground
• Madonna
• Elton John
• Barry Manilow
• Indigo Girls
• Melissa Etheridge
• Eminmen
• Nirvana
• Boy George*
• The Killers
• Lou Reed
• Lil' Wayne
• Motorhead
• Jill Sobule
• Wilson Phillips
• DMX
• Lisa Loeb
• Dogstar
• Thirty Seconds to Mars
• Lil' Kim
• kd lang
• Frank Sinatra
• Hinder
• Nickleback
• Justus Kohncke
• Bob Mould
• Clay Aiken
• Arcade Fire
• Bright Eyes
• Corinne Bailey Rae
• Audioslave
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Panic at the Disco
• Elton John(really gay)

Ghostface? The Strokes? Arcade Fire? These guys know their stuff for real!

By the way, you guys didn't spell "Eminmen" right.

FREE Download: Jay-Z 1989-1994 Early Tapes

If you already didn't know, Hova didn't always have that cool as the other side of the pillow flow. In these early mixtapes he was more "animated like say a Busta Rhymes."

1. 1991 Freestyle @ Big Daddy Kane's B-Day Bash
2. '93 Freestyle
3. It's That Simple
4. Livin' It Up
5. Originators and Originators 99
6. Many Styles
7. My Kind of Girl
8. Can I Git Open
9. Hawaiian Sophie
10. What's In a Name
11. I Can't Git With That
12. Show and Prove
13. In My Lifetime (1st Version)

Full Album (Thanks to legendz @ the HipHopGame forums)

Support Clipse Already

Spotted on Brooklyn Vegan:

Clipse make the best album in 2006 and they have to downgrade their shows to smaller venues. Originally, the duo were supposed to play Webster Hall but were than billed to the smaller Bowery Ballroom.

Now they cannot even sell out Bowery. The gig is scheduled for this Wednesday so go pick up your tickets here ($25). Kidz In The Hall and Skyzoo are among the supporters. Skyzoo made a great mixtape with 9th Wonder last year.

-NobodySmiling interview with Skyzoo.

Going Back To Cali?

The answer to the above question should be most certainly yes. Coachella looks to be taking this festival thing serious and they unloaded us with a giant and quality list of artists that are confirmed to play the California music festival.

Bold = See this artist if you attend or you will regret it.

• Björk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Tiesto, Arcade Fire, Interpol, Manu Chao, Willie Nelson, Air, Happy Mondays, the Decemberists, Faithless, Gotan ProjectThe Good, The Bad and The Queen, Paul Van Dyk, Arctic Monkeys, The Roots, Jarvis Cocker Sonic Youth, Crowded House, Placebo, Satellite Party, Stephen Marley feat Damien “Jr. Gong” Marley, Kings of Leon, DJ Shadow, Kaiser Chiefs,Konono No. 1, LCD Soundsystem, Nickel Creek, Travis,Damien Rice, Black Keys, Blonde Redhead, Infected Mushroom, the New PornographersPeeping Tom, Placebo, Rufus Wainwright, The Rapture, Explosions in the Sky, Richie Hawtin, !!!, Benny Benassy, Felix Da Housecat, Hot Chip, Jacks Mannequin, Julieta Venegas, Lily Allen, Lupe Fiasco, Ozomatli, Peaches, Ghostface Killah, Jose Gonzales, Amos Lee, Brazilian Girls, Fountains of Wayne, Regina Spektor, VNV Nation, Coco Rosie, Cornelius, Gillian Welch, Junior Boys, Pharaohe Monche, Roky Erickson and the ExplosivesSoulwax, Sparklehorse, The Kooks, Tilly and the Wall, Andrew Bird, Peter Bjorn & John The Frames, Gogol Bordello, Comedians of Comedy, Justice, MSTRKRFT, We Are Scientists, Yeva, Grizzly Bear, Amy Winehouse, Avett Brothers, Circa Survive, The Coup, The CribsCSS, Digitalism, Erol Alkan, Evil Nine, Girl Talk, Klaxons, Noisettes, Spank Rock, Tapes ‘n Tapes, The Fields, Tokyo Police Club, Rodrigo Y Gabriella, DJ Heather, The Feeling, Fratellis, Mike Relm, Silversun Pickups, Busdriver, Brother Ali, Nightwatchman (Tom Morello), Bojones, Mika, Pop Levi, Anathallo, Fair to Midland (Thanks Prefix)

Edit #1 - Pitchfork reports Jesus and Mary Chain are playing!

That is not even every act. More surprises to come.

Q-Tip Readying New Album

Spotted on Billboard:

The respected MC from A Tribe Called Quest is working on a spring release titled The Renaissance. The always smooth MC hopes to steer hip-hop into a new direction by putting together what sounds like a band.

"I wanted a hip-hop sonic feel, something pure to the sound of hip-hop with real drums, real emotion and people taking solos," he told Billboard. "In that sense this record feels like we're moving in a new direction ... something hip-hop should do."

Q wants the album to be mostly guest free stating that "Sometimes guests don't really warrant an appearance." But he has put together a dangerously awesome trio to work with -- D'Angelo, Andre 3000, and Common (Could anybody post a current pic of D'Angelo for us).

Arista decided not to release the 2001 album Kamaal The Abstract, but Q-Tip owns the album and is going to officialy release it. Bonus tracks will be included for those folk who have the leaked copy from years back.

Q also spoke on the tour he did with A Tribe Called Quest last fall saying it felt good but doesn't think it is likely the group will reform for new material.

Hillary Is A Go

She has announced that "I'm in and I'm in to win." The Democrats are touching all cultural and sexual bases -- Obama (Black), Hillary (Women), Richardson (Hispanic), and Edwards (Old-fashioned canidate - white, business haircut).

This looks better than '04's choices. The Democrats just had to pick anybody but Bush and they were basically a shoe in.

Interview: Isis of Thunderheist

I interviewed Isis who is the MC of the hip-hop duo Thunderheist. Thunderheist has been creating a buzz around the underground scene.

We talk about her solo career, the real problem with hip-hop at the moment, and when we will see the first full length album by Thunderheist.

Listen to the interview

We are working on subscribing our interviews and podcasts to iTunes.

Thunderheist's web site // Isis' Myspace

Chicago Gamer 004

Funny how fast you get to know somebody by just having a conversation with them. Take a couple days ago I met a fellow gamer in my History of Animation class. I figured he was a fan by the way he dressed: baggy, shaggy, and sleepy. We both had a mutual friend in the class so we kind of became friends by default that we both wanted to talk to her. After plenty of conversations where we really were not actually having conversations we decided to get some dinner after class.

Steve, with his black thick as peanut butter hair, and I enter the DePaul Student Center to get the quickest bite to eat ever. The only reason we decided to get to eat was 1) we were starving 2) we were hoping Lauren our friend would join us. She didn't so all we could do was one-line comments followed by two minute silences. Cold to a icicle I veered to chicken noodle soup. Bad decision...

But, Steve and I sat down. After some quick talks we got to the conversation of Final Fantasy. If man, girl, monkey, sea creature says they like Final Fantasy they have just made a friend. I figure that if you like FF that means you are laid-back, imaginitive, and lack most social skills. Just the friends I am hoping for.

Soon enough we were joined by some of his friends: a moping gent, a loud brash WoW addict, and his bored girlfriend whom got excited once we moved to Pokemon and Zelda. Spirited debates, laughter, and all over some nice greasy nachos. The awkard dinner became actually fun. Lauren missed out on the fun.

CHICAGO GAMER COMPLETE

Reasonable Doubt

"Thriller" Fall Out Boy featuring Jay-Z [Via: Nah Right Lite]

Jay, cmon man.

DJ Donna Summer

Stack up on bottled water and get all of your best girl friends to come over NOW! Why? DJ Donna Summer aka Jason Forrest is giving away a free mashup album -- Bootybreaktranceclub-Core Mix (Note: the cover art with the link above doesn't have lettering on it. Cover the kid's eyes). Think Girl Talk but more electronic based. Booty is one long 60 min song. Most of the songs used are tracks from Japanese DJs in the trance-core scene but highly renowned acts such as Lynard Skynard and Outkast are also included.

My personal favorite moment is when 2 Live Crew hits the album at 11:44.

Ryan, this should be right up your alley.

Thanks to Prefix for finding it.

Pitchfork Music Festival 2007 Announced

Indie cats Pitchfork Media have announced the dates and prices for the 2007 Pitchfork Music Festival. Be prepared for aviators, critics standing still with their arms crossed, and a humid Chicago summer on July 14 and 15th.

Pitchfork still are the best when it comes to pricing. You can catch one day for $25 and both days for only $35.

Os Mutantes, Spoon, and Art Brut are a few acts who played at last year's festival. With the power that Pitchfork holds, you can expect more great artists. Of Montreal, Deerhoof, and Arcade Fire are all releasing records...

Tickets go on sale March 12 via Ticketweb.

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Check out Musicsucks.net's interview with the Islands Alex Chow.

Chris Martin Will Be On Graduation; Brion Returning

Spotted on XXL:

Kanye West has stated that Coldplay frontman Chris Martin will be appearing on his third album, Graduation, due out later this year. Martin will contribute and appear on the song "Homecoming" which is strongly believed to be the first single for the album. West has not been afraid to step out of the hip-hop norm and recruit oddball guests such as Maroon 5's Adam Levine.

Mastermind Jon Brion, who produced many tracks on Late Registration, West's second album, is set to return for Graduation.

I Have a Soft Spot for Coldplay

Everybody has guilty pleasures. It's inevitable really. Some people like to tune the air guitar for The Corrs' "Summer Sunshine" and others like to close the door and act all emotional to some Goo Goo Dolls. It's ok -- you are human my friend.

Coldplay is my achilles heel.

Parachutes, the debut album from the English quartet, is a quick dose of melodic acoustic pieces. Chris Martin sets up the same format for almost every song -- tiptoing drums, a slow acoustic strum, a lazy bass, and usually Martin letting his fingers get some exercise on the piano. Man, that sounds boring to the highest degree, doesn't it? Luckily, the band triggers more uprising tunes just at the right moment. "Yellow" remains to be one of the best songs of the millenium to me. Nike commercial guitars and lyrics like "look at the stars, look how they shine for you," -- sounds like generic British music -- yet it has been on repeat. Weird.

A Rush of Blood to the Head, the second LP, had a high amount of pressure put upon it. Parachutes received a Mercury Music Prize nomination, and the general assumption was that Coldplay had the talent to go somewhere. Coldplay were also hearing rumors about a split. A Rush of Blood delivered. The music had a new energy. The music now seemed like it fitted an arena, instead of clubs. I spent a summer on the beach listening to this album over and over. I do wish "Clocks" wasn't in Peter Pan trailers and Kodak commercials though. It always seemed like when I heard the famous piano progression I'd hear an overvoice saying a catch line like "Let life treat you right." Cue the epic ending of "Clocks".

X&Y had even more hype to pull through than A Rush of Blood did. Chris Martin was in the position to make Coldplay the band on the top of the mountain. Maybe, just maybe, U2 would be knocked off the thrown which they had ruling only because of default. No one had really challenged them on a commercial level in a long time. The pattern continued with X&Y -- Coldplay made their sound bigger. Every song now had a keyboard/synthesizer in the backround to build an exaggerated atmosphere. X&Y is also the album in which Coldplay's influences are blended together the most -- U2 and Radiohead. Edge guitars are heard on almost every song. "Fix You" loaded more ammo in Coldplay's movie soundtrack arsenal. Specifically, the end of movies. You, Me, & Dupree didn't waste time with that idea. X&Y was Coldplay inflating their sound to the fullest.

Nothing hits the spot more for me than Coldplay. I know the rock-a-meter for me is not too high when two of the three discs in my stereo at the moment are Coldplay. Maybe John Mayer and Jason Mraz will enter soon. As my brother in-law says, "Joe, you have lost your man card." I'll tear it up to hear "In My Place" a few more times.

4 To the Floor

This track is old news, and from ages ago (2003, I believe?), but this is key. This might just be the song that converts you over to the realm of funky-ass minimal techno/house/whatever.

Matthew Dear - Dog Days

Matthew Dear, and his various aliases (Audion, False, Jabberjaw) is one of my favorite electronic musicians around today. With a myriad of artists that are frustratingly indistinguishable from one another, Matthew Dear sticks out. Whether if he is layering over his affected vocals under his own name, or administering a full-on techno sleaze workout as Audion, his sound is always recognizable.

He has been gaining a lot of notoriety with his Audion moniker, whose "Mouth to Mouth" (Spectral) was one of the biggest club hits of 2006, being played by every (worthwhile) DJ imaginable. With good reason. His tracks are always just repetitive enough to make them wholly infectious without being grating. Unless you really dislike hard jacking body-moving beats. Which you might.

TRL Getting the Ax?

MTV really wants to forget about the original purpose of the channel and continue down the Exposed road. New York Daily News reports that TRL could be coming to a close simply because no one watches it anymore. Nielsen media has the viewership for the music countdown show at a mere 393, 000 -- down from almost 600,000 in 2001.

What is Vanessa not good enough for you (I'm so glad we found a way to get a picture of her on the blog)? Damien has improved since he started a few years back.

An MTV rep did not comment.

In true spirit of TRL, here are some of our favorite moments.





I like how Liam tries to keep a straight face when he says it is about being real.



At 2:32 we have a head shaker and at 3:27 we have a tear dripper.

The Peacemaker

AllHipHop
The Nation written in 2005

Sigur Ros Working On New Album

The experimental Icelandic group posted on their web site that the band has begun to record the follow up to 2005's Takk. Bassist Georg Holm is not sure if the band is going to abandon or at least spin their lush anthemic sound they've used throughout their career.

"We have finished recording a few songs but some more things need to be done. We don’t know exactly where the album is heading yet. We are really just experimenting at this stage."

The band noted that they are also giving old songs that never saw the light of day a chance.

"Some of the songs we recorded are old songs which we had written a while ago, unreleased material which we never got a chance to finish. We decided it was time they were recorded.”

A target for release is not yet settled, but there is hope for a new Sigur Ros album in 2007.

Nas Looking To Drop Again In 2007

Nas is in the zone. With a #1 release in his bag with Hip Hop Is Dead, the Queens born MC wants to release another album this year. This is out of shape for Nas, who customly waits at least two years excluding his 1999 release Nastradamus -- we all know how that worked out.

"New album is in the making right now," Nas said on the set of his new video for "Can't Forget About You." " '07, new Nas album, I can't wait. I'm not finished. I feel like something is starting right now. This is a momentum and a movement that's happening out here. I gotta make sure I stay the captain of this ship and push it forward. I'm here at Def Jam, I'm renaming it the Black Oasis. You bring Nas into any situation like the situation that's at Def Jam and you gonna get nothing but the top of the line."

Nas went on to elaborate more on Hip Hop Is Dead and the message behind it.

"Ah, man, going into the year the way I went into the year was real good," he said. "The irony of a title like Hip Hop Is Dead being #1, what is that? That's what it's all about. At the end of the day, it's real big. It feels like a good time. I'm excited, I'm loving the rap game, the potential that it has to grow. A lot of people thought that because I was hating the state of the rap game, I was hating rappers. I don't hate. It's just that there were a lot of rappers that were corny. There's always going to be corny rappers. They didn't understand the message. People were not getting it. It's a slow process, but it's all good. We're going to keep grinding, keep giving them more, showing them more. This is a record that's going to take time. We gonna push it on them for the whole year."

So is the next one going to be like More Fish -- the second part of an album? Hip Hop Is Saved? Hip Hop Is Resurrected?

It's All G.O.O.D.

The G.O.O.D. music label, which was started by Kanye West, has closed its offices at Sony Music. But Kanyeezy says the label is far from done.

"It was said that because G.O.O.D. Music didn't have an office at Sony anymore, that there was no more G.O.O.D. Music," West said while on the set of Game's "Wouldn't Get Far" video. "We got GLC about to drop. Consequence is about to drop. John Legend is almost platinum. He beat the sophomore slump, we know his career is gonna last as long as he wants it to. Common's album is about to drop. The whole thing was never about marketing, it wasn't about clothing — it was about making good music. I feel we still deliver that. We come to do our job."

Kanye also briefly discussed his next album Graduation ,which is yet to have a release date.

"You remember, you didn't find out about the Nas joint until real late," he continued. "I waited till the last listening session a couple of weeks before the album came out. I played it in a room with 300 people and Nas' voice hit the track and it was like, 'Ah, man.' Another surprise might be there might not be anybody on it. There are a few rappers I really love and I would love to work with, but I'mma figure out what I'mma do for my album."

Jeremy Piven Has Conga Skills

Common - Play Your Cards Right
Uploaded by Wild100s


Video of Common, Bilal, and Jeremy Piven performing "Play Your Cards Right" (which sounds better and better) from the Smokin' Aces soundtrack on Jay Leno.

50 Cent's Last Stand?

Note: This is only word on the street. No valid source yet.

The title for G-Unit kingpin 50 Cent's upcoming album, Before I Self Destruct, rings oh so true. It has been reported that 50 has been growing nervous about the future sales of his third album. Recent low sales from other G-Unit blood has dropped the confidence of the usual egomania superstar.

50 isn't the only one who has been biting his nails over the scenario. Interscope president Jimmy Iovine has had countless amounts of emails with his artist discussing the budget of the album. 50 said in a recent interview that he wanted to spend as much as Jay-Z did on his comeback album Kingdom Come. Iovine is not sure if he wants to give 50 all the financial help he is looking for. The Interscope president is also fed up with 50's public and private shenanigans i.e. numerous beefs and disses.

50 even has thoughts of being cut from the Universal Music roster if the album doesn't sell up to par.

It's time to show us what you got fiddy.

Bodega: Quarter Water, 2 for $1 Deals

The latest video from Dallas Penn and Oh Word.

The Hole - video powered by Metacafe

V2 Records Reconstructed

Sheridan Square, the name V2 Records operates under, have continued their focus on reconstructing by letting go the V2 staff and closing off future releases. The company wants to focus on catalog releases and digital distribution.

The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and Moby were major artists on the V2 staff. Sheridan will keep distributing and profiting off past releases on V2, but will not release new material from those artists.

Sheridan is going to reorganize V2 with COO Michael Olsen overseeing the catalog business and primarily working in the companies Nashville offices.

Drop The Guns, Bust Out Adobe Photoshop

The above picture is Tru Life and J-Love's Jay-Z's attempt at a Dipset diss. Tru Life is a Roc La Familia employee. Rocafella and Dipset have had public beef going back and forth.


Someone from the Dipset camp was able to hack into Tru Life's myspace page and change the cover of the mixtape. They also made the song that played Jim Jones and Jay-Z's Brooklyn Remix.


The new cover:

We are in for a good year.

Quick Remix Reviews

John Legend
"Heaven (Remix)" featuring Pusha T of Clipse
6/10
Link courtesy of Notes From A Different Kitchen

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Clipse
"Mr. Me Too (Z.A.K. Remix)" contains music from the composition "Honey Dove" written by Lee Fields
9/10

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Snoop Dogg
"That's That (Remix)" featuring R.Kelly & Nas
4.5/10
Link courtesy of Notes From A Different Kitchen

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Notes From A Different Kitchen

FCC Pushing For Indie Time

FCC commissioners are trying to put together a deal with the radio business that would put aside time for indie music to be played. This is the FCC not trying to be cool and pound their chest about their indie cred, but to quiet or settle the storm about major labels buying out radio more or less.

Recently, Sony BMG agreed to pay $10 million and stop bribing radio stations to play their artists.

Part of the deal the FCC are putting together includes letting radio broadcasters sail smooth. They would not have to confess about playing Paris Hilton over Arcade Fire.

But will this really make a difference? Will the 'time' put aside be at an actual hot spot for radio stations? Or will it be at 2 in the morning? Others are also disputing on what the definition of indie is to radio. Are the Killers considered indie?

Paula Abdul Wasted On TV

What is she smoking?

Kanye Speaks About HBO Show

Kanye West has clarified details about his HBO show. Many believed it was originally going to be a camera crew following Kanye around, giving you a glimpse inside the life of the superstar. But West has stated that it is not at all a reality series.

"I wouldn’t do something as cliché as a reality show,” West said in a statement. “At least give me the credit for being more creative than that."

"It’s a situational half-hour comedy," West said. "It’s fictional, and loosely based on my life."

West said he has been working on the pilot for around two years with Rick Rubin and Larry Charles, both of which are going to be highly involved with the show -- producing and directing.

"Maybe this will give me the opportunity to spazz out at the Emmys one day,” West said.

The project is still untitled and no date yet on when it will air.

Chicago Gamer 003

Where or where has my free time gone. Once upon a time (more like week and a half ago) I had the time to burn through games at a rapid eight hours a day click. That can be seen as healthy or not healthy, but it was fun and dammit I miss it.

Now I find myself waking up at seven in the morning, having class at eight all the way to nine at night, studying my brains out, and the time I'm not at school you can find me at work. Not that work isn't bad and nor is school, hell I'm studying to be a game developer. I just want to sit down roam fields, smit dragons, and win back-to-back-to-back Super Bowls.

Man am I sounding like a whiner. I need to man up and endure through the pain. My birthday nears which means new games to indulge my fantasies in. I'm hoping for Final Fantasy V, the one game in the series I have never touched ever. Which is weird because I did have the Anthologies edition, but I only played VI.

I'm very curious about the game because it is seen as one, if not the best ever Final Fantasy. But all the cool innovations and growthes it had I have experienced. The job system was perfect in Tactics and jadeness my set in when I play it. The story was probably awesome then, but after winners like X or XII will it actually hit me the same way. The only way to find out is to dive in and play the damn game.

In other stories, game development at Depaul is getting screwing. I finally have graduated to Unreal engine. Designing levels is my thing and creating wacky ridiculous structures that don't play like the standard deathmatch levels is awesome. Screwing up is why it is so screwing. But you gotta fail to learn some. I'm sure hearing about my studying is not the most exciting thing on the planet. So I will end it there.

Chicago Gamer COMPLETE

Track Review: Norah Jones

Norah Jones
"Thinking About You"
Not Too Late

Norah Jones is the VH1 exception. She is a pretty face who has won loads of Grammys with that typically boring Starbucks Saver CD sound. But Norah could pull it off. Her bluesy vocals and down tempo contemporary songs have soothed mine and many other souls.

It's already hard to pull off the secretary sound, but it's near impossible to have an enduring career with the one dimensional genre.

Norah's getting ready to release her third album, Not Too Late, later this month. Will Norah finally mix it up? The answer is no if you go by her leadoff single "Thinking About You." Jones sings about letting a guy go because she loves him but does not feel like she's receiving the love back. "You hold my hand, but do you really need me?" Jones' voice is still solid although it continues to decline into an ordinary voice. The supporting music is the same it has been for her previous releases -- laidback giving you a autumn vibe. Yaaaaawwwwn.

Norah Jones needs to steer her career in at least a semi new direction. Why doesn't she try hillbilly music out? How about a country covers album like Springsteen did last year?

If she doesn't change it up soon, she's going to find herself at a dead end. It's not too late.

Take What You Are Given

I promised myself I wouldn't listen to anymore Arcade Fire leaks. But who was I kidding? Another tune from Arcade Fire's Neon Bible has found it's way to the internet -- "My Body Is A Cage".

It begins very stripped down just an organ, a quiet, haunting drum, and the chilling voice of Win Butler, which sounds higher and more vulnerable than usual.

The track slowly but surely escalades to epic proportions like the other leaks. We don't want to give it all away though.

"My Body Is A Cage"(Removed due to request from Merge Records)

Track Review: Stephen Marley

Stephen Marley
"Traffic Jam" featuring Damian Jr. Gong Marley
Mind Control

Stephen's love for hip-hop and R&B has never been cloaked. He's worked with Erykah Badu, Krayzie Bone, and Eve. His talent has never been denied either. He's done production for his brother Damian, helping Damian's album Halfway Tree pick up Best Reggae Album in 2001. He also was a producer on Damian's 2005 LP Welcome To Jamrock. We all know how much that rocked.

"Traffic Jam" is the first single off Mind Control, Stephen's second solo album. The mixture of hip-hop and reggae is perfected in the song. A beatbox Kenny Muhammed would be proud of paves the way for success. Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's "La Di Da Di" is obviously brought to mind to old school hip-hop heads.

The Marley brothers continue to prove two heads are better than one with this dancehall jam that enters perfect and never leaves it.

The Kanye West Show

We want another album from Kanye soon, but a television series will do. HBO is going to give Kanye his own series. It will be based on a day in the life of the college dropout West.

Larry Charles will be taking the load of the duties. Charles is said to be executive producing and directing the series. Charles is part of the HBO family already. He was the executive producer of the first two seasons of Entourage, a Ponch favorite, and is a longtime executive and director of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Other folk involved include music producer Rick Rubin, West's manager G Roberson, and obviously West himself.

The title of the project is still untitled as well as when it will appear on your TV.

Get Lowe On Tha Tracks

Hello all, Ryan Lowe here. From this point forward, I shall join the ranks of Headless Ponch, dedicating as much trifling knowledge as I possibly can.
With indie music getting stale as of late, I have focused my attention on the various genres of electronic music that exist (not the lame ones, promise).

So......look for reviews of new (or old, or whatever I feel like posting) albums, EPs, and 12".

Sometime in the near future, I hope to do about an hour-long DJ podcast, so that's something to look forward to, I suppose.

A lot of the music I will be writing about and reviewing will be quite foreign to your casual indie-hipster, but hey, thats alright, yeah? One look at any 2006 year-end list of any of the better known indie blogs or websites yields nothing but safe, safe, safe. Fuck being safe, lets listen to some new music, friends. Its all about context. You'll see.


As a preview of music in the vein that I will write about, here is the song 'Seeing Through Shadows' by Loco Dice.



Enjoy!

All You Need To Know About iPhone

• 3.5 inch touchscreen



• 2 megapixel cam



• 8 GB of storage



• Bluetooth with EDR



• WiFi



• Visual voicemail



• Quad-band GSM + EDGE

All of that in a mere 11.6 millimeter device. Boys and girls, meet the iPhone.

Engadget
Billboard
Karen Chu (1Up)
Prefix

Islands Heading To The Studio

Nick Thorburn of Islands stated on the band's web site that in Februrary the band are going to hit the studio and begin recording on the follow up to the 2006 Return to the Sea.

The singer of the freewheeling group said that "it will trump anything that's come before it."

"The songs are all brand new, 10 minutes long with innumerable key & tempo changes, modulation, genre-meddling bombastic progressive rock existential death-defying dangerousness. I assure you, it will be good."

Thorburn, who has now dropped his previous alias of Nick Diamonds, said they even have more material they'll try to get too once they're done focusing on the first load. These songs being not ten minutes, but rather three and a half minute pop songs.

Nick's Message

Bowie Organizing New York Music Festival

The trendiest rocker ever Mr. David Bowie himself has organized the HighLine Festival. The festival will take place in New York City in May. The only confirmed act other than Bowie is Daniel Johnston.

Bowie has always been with the crowd and his current musical favorites show it. Bowie has publicily addressed his liking of Arcade Fire, TV On The Radio, and The Secret Machines. Could Bowie pull off the ultimate indie wet dream and get Arcade Fire and TV On The Radio in the same festival? Well, let's examine the chance.

TV On The Radio just recently announced a large North American tour. The announced dates end on April 21st. Check.

Arcade Fire announced a mini NYC tour in support of Neon Bible for the month of May. If you were like the most of us common folk and didn't grab tickets for the NYC dates, it's possible that Will and Co. could make a stop. Fingers crossed.

The exact dates for HighLine are set for May 9-19.

Let's also give a big happy birthday to Bowie who turned 60 on January 8th!

HighLine Festival Website

Geffen Pulls A Houdini

I don't think anyone knows (or cares) that Mos Def released a new album -- well he kind of sort of released one. The newest LP titled Tru3 Magic was put in stores and pulled right back out by Geffen, Def's label.

Geffen said the release was a "pre-release" at an attempt to counter an early online leak. Mos Def only had to release one more album on Geffen before he could cut the connection between the two.

After seeing low sales and thinking of what they actually did, Geffen and Def agreed to pull it out of stores and plan a re-release.

A total of 11, 004 copies were sold according to SoundScan. The "pre-release" only featured a CD in a blank jewel case -- no artwork or packaging. The second and hopefully brighter release will see the light of day in spring of 2007.

This story had me thinking though. Imagine how great it would be if I strolled into my local CD Warehouse and saw a new Ghostface or Kanye release sitting on the shelf. Obviously, the artist would want to make an attempt at selling copies, but if artists wanted to put little releases into stores without saying anything, anyone who'd see it would buy it in a second. Talk about bragging rights the next day.

The Takeover

He's a business man. Jay-Z continues to get his tie and tux on with his newest partner being General Motors.

Hova worked with GM's global color studio to create 'Jay-Z Blue'. The object of the project was to "bring a stylish hue to a rugged sport utility vehicle." And to of course help Hova pick up the next Escalade.

Jeff Chang Releasing New Book

Hip-Hop writer Jeff Chang is releasing his new book titled Total Chaos, in Februrary of this year. Chang wants Chaos to fill the holes. He wants it to hit the topics of hip-hop culture he missed in his 2005 release Can't Stop Won't Stop.

“Total Chaos has been a labor of love for two reasons,” Chang told HipHopGame. “When I was writing Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, I felt that there were so many aspects of the hip-hop arts movement that I didn’t get to talk about. So Total Chaos fills in some gaps. One person can never represent the entirety of hip-hop. So I love this book because it’s as diverse and dizzying as hip-hop arts is at its best, with everyone speaking in their own amazing voice.”

Chang feels that many current writers in the hip-hop field only discuss rap and not the real culture and transformation of the grand movement.

“The arts establishment doesn’t recognize hip-hop arts if it’s not in the form that we saw during the early ‘80’s – emceeing, DJ’ing, graffiti and b-boying/b-girling,” Chang says. “But for anyone who has grown up with hip-hop, it’s obvious that the hip-hop arts movement is one of the most vibrant and transformative of our time. So I think the time has come for us to claim with pride all the hip-hop being made in places people wouldn’t expect – in literature, photography, graphic design and more. The list goes on and on.”

Be ready to express your views and debate when Chang and a panel of writers, contributors to hip-hop, etc. go on the road with the release of Total Chaos for a tour discussing the topics in the book and in the culture in general.

Banner For The Blog

We need some spunk to the site. Right now it's just a basic Blogger template with a basic text-color banner.

We at Ponch want something better -- something with some personality.

I have an idea! How about you make us a banner? Eh? You won't be payed, but your work will be noticed by everyone.

If you're interested email your ideas to me.

While you're at it, try to make one for What We All Want too.

Neon Bible Release Date and Tracklisting Revealed

Finally, the curtain has been lifted. The nuclear bomb of the music world, Neon Bible, is being released in America on March 6th (March 5th for Europe). A tracklisting for the holy bible has also been given.

The way the band decided to release details on the album continues to be awesome. "Intervention" was a phone line. "Black Wave/Bad Vibrations" was an 'accidental' leak. This time Richard Reed Parry, Juno Award winner and guitarist of Arcade Fire, acts as a host of an infomercial -- one of those infomercials about the Best of 80s, when they have the tracklisting scroll down the screen while song samples get played.

Plain and simple, this band is just better than everyone else.

Tracklisting:

1. Black Mirror

2. Keep The Car Running

3. Neon Bible

4. Intervention

5. Black Wave Bad Vibrations

6. Ocean of Noise

7. The Well & The Lighthouse

8. Antichrist Television Blues

9. Windowsill

10. No Cars Go

11. My Body is a Cage

Chromatics

I'm sorry to say that I primarily know nothing of the Chromatics. I've done my research and only came up news of a debut album, Shining Violence, being released this year on Troubleman Unlimited.

I'm interested in Chromatics because of their new single "In The City". The vinyl fuzz that kicks off the song brings to mind an obvious retro vibe. A bass and keyboard pluck (If that makes sense) enter the bare atmosphere. Then the guitar lick comes in sounding like Avalon era Roxy Music. 2006 favorites, The Knife, could be another similar comparison.

Sofia Coppola should be head hunting this band for her next soundtrack.

Watch the "In The City" video at the bottom of this post.

Myspace :: Troubleman Unlimited

Mirror, Mirror

The hype surrounding Arcade Fire's second album Neon Bible is exploding in the music world. Two songs to date -- "Intervention" and "Black Wave/Bad Vibrations" -- have found their way to the internet in some fashion. Both tracks have receieved generally great reviews from boys and girls.

"Black Mirror" is the newest addition to the Neon Bible family. "Mirror" was posted on Arcadefire.com by singer/songwriter Win Butler and is the first single.

"Mirror" is unfortunately the least impressive song of the bunch. I just don't understand where the band tries to drive the song. It's a mess of different instruments -- strings, piano, oboe sounding thing -- jumping in for the sake of jumping in. A basic melody that doesn't ever change and a really lame chorus don't help out Win and Co. either.

"Black Mirror"

SHOWSTOPPER

A perfect mix of current successes in pop music including Ciara and Amerie is brought to the table by Jersey native Natasha. Natasha is fresh and still a young'n -- she graduates from high school this year.

Her talent jumped out at producer Rodney Jerkins. Jerkins, a Grammy award winner, had Natasha do a routine/tryout to see if she could be the real deal. In just one go, Natasha had won Rodney over. He got her inside his own Darkchild studio and they layed down what would become her first two singles -- "Hey Hey Hey" and "So Sick".

"I've never seen a new artist like Natasha," says Jerkins. "She's already doing things that it took a decade for more established artists to learn."

Jerkins then signed her to Darkchild Entertainment, a subgroup of Jive Records.

Natasha has the momentum to her favor. Both singles are getting good airplay on radio stations. "So Sick" has Pusha T and Malice of Clipse lending a hand. The beat doesn't sound out of place with Clipse. In fact it sounds like a beat that would fit just fine on their 2006 release Hell Hath No Fury. It's a minimalist approach with just bass and hand claps. Natasha rides her verses with a high falsetto before diving into the chorus with swagger equivalent to Kelis.

Natasha is expected to drop her debut album sometime in 20o7. Expect the eyes to shift to the ready made superstar.

Watch the "Hey Hey Hey" video at the bottom of the post.

Official Website :: Myspace

The Killers Passed On Ghostface

Speaking to Spin magazine, Ghostface stated that he wanted to do a mash-up with The Killers. To his disappointment the local Springsteen cover band said no.

There's a high possibility that the collabo would of been on the bad side, but who passes up on Tony Starks?

Ghostface then went on to praise Ex-Arctic Monkey bassist Andy Nicholson. After hearing "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" by the Monkeys he said "That is an excellent bass line. Who plays bass on this record? I've gotta get him on my next record!"

On other Killers related news, the third single off Sam's Town is going to be "Read My Mind". The video will be shot in Tokyo with bikes. These guys really want to get the gritty attitude across.

First Afro Samurai Episode

The first episode of the Japanese anime show with music from RZA and voices by Samuel L. Jackson and Kelly Hu to name a couple, is now on Spike for your viewing pleasure.

Watch Episode

'The Cool' Will Be Made Like Easy Mac

The Emperor, Lupe Fiasco, was frustrated with early leaks of Food & Liquor (dude, it happens to all of us) and is going to have his sophomore LP, The Cool, hopefully be out by the summer. He hopes to limit the possibility of a leak by recording the album in "1 week".

"The timing is gonna be pop, pop, pop," he explained. "There's gonna be a lot of setup and a lot of preproduction on this album, so it's gonna be in pieces. But the pieces won't come together, seriously, until like three weeks before it comes out. We'll probably record everything in, like, a week. So we're just gonna get it all together, map it out, have it done to a T, and then go and record. Then fresh from the studio, fresh to mastering ... so it eliminates a lot of time and error that was surrounding [my debut]."

Personally, I think Lupe should either limit the producers he's used for Food & Liquor or have them take him to a new direction. Lupe's style is very witty and cool so bare bone beats like De La Soul could fit his flow. I thought Food & Liquor was good but every song felt the same, making the album feel tired by the end.

Oasis Set For Colossal New Release In 2007

Noel Gallagher has put all the marbles on the table once again. He states that the next Oasis release, anticipated for 2007, will be "colossal". Gallagher said that the recent mini tour he and guitarist Gem Archer did in support of their best of Stop The Clocks have inspired his new load of songs.

"All the tunes I've written recently have been on the kind of acoustic side, you know? But for the next record I really fancy doing a record where we just completely throw the kitchen sink at it," he explained. "We haven't done that since 'Be Here Now' (1997 album). I'd like to get, like, a 100-piece orchestra and choirs and all that stuff."

The Gallagher brothers sing their own praise and hype like no other, but another Be Here Now wouldn't be too bad. Just don't make the album 129 minutes long.

Busta Rhymes Charged Again

When is it going to stop Busta? Rhymes (born Trevor Smith) was placed with a charge once again. This time it was misdemeanor assault coming from a man who claims he was beaten outside a lower Manhattan building over money disputes. Busta's lawyer, Robert Kalina, stated that "I can tell you, judge, my client is innocent, and I rarely say this in a courtroom."

Rhymes has also been accused or charged on other occasions in recent memory. In April of '06, he was accused of making remarks to a gay man and having his bodyguards push the man away. Then on August 12 of 2006, after performing at the AmersterJam Music Festival he was charged with assault.

He is scheduled to make a court appearance on Februrary 20.

Chicago Gamer 002

Portables are made for flights. Plain and simple, portable systems are made for long, exhausting, need-to-kill-some-time plane trips. So with my trusty DS in my hand I braved the dark gloomy skies of the midwest as I made my return to Chicago after a six week hiatus in Ohio. To be honest this journey was only an hour long, but that was more than enough to play a lot of Elite Beat Agents.

I packed my headphones in the wrong suitcase so it was not in my carry-on bags. Which blew because in order to really appreciate the quality of EBA, play with some good headphones. But I didn't and nor did I have a stylus to tap, drag, and spin with. Playing ghetto style I used a pen and blasted the music sky high. Too bad that did not work out all that well because my flight was at night. Everyone was sleeping and hearing "Believe" by Cher not only woke them up, but the I-hate-Cher attitude came to full bloom.

I actually tried to explain to the passenger next to me what the game was about in blind hope that he would reply, "Oh thats cool, yeah forget the grumpy remarks I said to you. Dance on my little pale white man." His real reply was a dead stare with piercing eyes that only suggested that he would take an axe out of his briefcase and decapitate my head.

Being the frightened little man that I am I shutup and tried to play the game on mute. Diastorous, humbling, and failing were some of the words that come to mind when I think of that playthrough. But I needed to play some more. I looked around and found a dark little corner in the back that nobody was at. Bingo, just use some of my Solid Snake stealth moves and I am there.

"Excuse me sir, the seatbelt sign is on."

Fuck a stewardess spotted me and fuck the seatbelt sign is on.

"I was wondering if I can change seats."

"Sorry, just sit tight we will be landing in about twenty-five minutes."

Thats twenty-five minutes I could use to beat "Canned Heat". "I understand that, but I just need to move. I promise you I won't die." Her look is starting to turn into the axe wielding passenger next to me.

"Look you are moving and the seatbelt sign says no walking. So whats the problem." Ooh nice one, Matt.

"No moving." Man she said that with some ice cold bitchiness. Fuck it, I will just relax saving up my energy for a latter game....

....and because I really don't want to lose my head.

CHICAGO GAMER COMPLETE

Billy Gorgan Gives Update On Smashing Pumpkins

Using Myspace as his tool, Billy Corgan blogged about the near future of the Smashing Pumpkins. He gurantees a new album and world tour.

2007 (from billy)

Dear Beautiful Souls,

Happy New Year to you! May 2007 prove to be a blessed year in every respect and every way…I send you every ounce of love I have in my heart…May the grace of Mother be with you…This year for us will see a new album of songs and a world tour of tears, and we truly look forward to playing again for fans young, old, and missed…

So yes, tunes are being dusted off, while others are being asked to kindly submit to an upstart millennia and all it’s asking…In our daily prayers, we send out the signal that all who should hear us come forward and be seen, and by extension, heard…when we opened the lid on this music box, we were pleasantly suprised at the music that played: familiar yet unknown, welcoming but not sentimental…and that is all we can ask…

God has absolutely blessed us in every respect…for many years there were private laments about opportunities missed and hearts so broken, but no more…we have turned the page and moved on, from places and faces, names and games…this age calls for resolve and certitude, and the fire within to burn ever bright…if that fire should be connected to absolutely deafening guitars, thundering drums, and the melodies of snakes, then so be it! We love you! If you are meant to be with us, find us!! We have need, and our arms are ever-open…although I can say definitively we don’t need jugglers…but we do need ???? (what?) what do we need!

With a smile and a wink,
billy corgan

Slim Thug Busy With New Material

Slim Thug is currently juggling two projects. One isn't a Slim Thug album, but more of a More Fish type thing. Slim has been working with Boss Hogg Outlawz for a new album titled Serve & Collect. Hoyz N Blue members rap alongside Slim. Serve & Collect is being released on Februrary 27 on label Koch.

A sophomore effort from Slim Thug is also in the making. No report yet on if the Neptunes will be adding production like they did on his debut Already Platinum.

Tracklisting for Serve & Collect:

1. "Recognize a Playa" feat. PJ, Chris Ward, Slim Thug, Sir Daily
2. "Back 2 Front" feat. Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug, Sir Daily
3. "Boss Hoggin" Slim Thug
4. "Cheatin" Rob Smallz feat. Slim Thug
5. "Side to Side" Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug, Sir Daily
6. "Pockets Full of Paper" PJ feat. Slim Thug
7. "Give It Up" Slim Thug, PJ, Chris Ward
8. "I'm a G" Slim Thug, PJ, Young Black, Chris Ward
9. "Heat on My Side" Killa Kyleon, J Dawg, PJ
10. "Straight Outta Texas" Sir Daily, PJ, J Dawg
11. "For the G's" Chris Ward, Black, PJ, Slim Thug
12. "Keep It Real" Chris Ward
13. "I'm a Hogg" Slim Thug, Sir Daily, PJ, Chris Ward
14. "Ridin 4's" J Dawg feat. Slim Thug
15. "Wood Wheel" Sir Daily
16. "Got To Get It" Slim Thug, PJ, B Chris, Young Black, Chris Ward
17. "Plan To See" Killa Kyleon

Free Talib Kweli & Madlib Album

Free (good) music? No way. Yes way. Talib Kweli and Madlib collaborated to put together a nine track album titled Liberation. You can download it for free here.

1. The Show
2. Funny Money
3. Time Is Right
4. Engine Runnin ft. Consequence
5. Over the Counter
6. The Function ft. Strong Arm Steady
7. Happy Home ft. Candice Anderson
8. Soul Music
9. What Can I Do

Alternate artwork

The Hives Preparing New Album

The Hives went to Gröndal Studios at the end of the new year to begin recording hopefully more of the punk rock craziness they've showed in their still young career. Gröndal Studios is the same studio they used to record Veni Vidi Vicious and Tyrannosaurus Hives.

In other Hives related news, the Swedish lads have collaborated with hip hop producer Timbaland. The track the band and producer worked on has a working title of "Put It On Me". "Put It On Me" is expected to appear on Timbaland's upcoming album Shock Value.

Elite Beat Agents Review

iNis Creates A Rhythm Action Classic

System: Nintendo DS Developer: iNis Publisher: Nintendo

Man is this game wicked hard, but man am I having a fun time with it. EBA is a Americanized port of iNis' previously designed DS game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan. Just like in that game you are asked to tap dots that appear on the screen in sync with the music. It starts simple, but quickly ramps up in difficulty. The design and gameplay are the same between the two, but the songs are different. Whereas Ouendan was covered in J-pop tunes, this rendition is filled with American radio hits of the last thirty years.

Surprise, surprise the songs do work. Most of the them seemingly blend in with the stage creating a smooth groove hard to shake off. I never imagined myself singing along to Ashlee Simpson's "La La" or to the guilty ballad "You're the Inspiration" by Chicago, but I am and enjoying it. There are two dozen songs to play through on your first go, but diligent players can unlock more if they tackle the game's many difficulties.

It'll take practice and patience to do just that. The game starts appropriately easy followed by the medium, hard, and expert levels. Expert is so tough it feels like you are playing against the '92 Dream Team. Only rapid fast reflexes, sense of rhythm, and blind luck will help you here. But like a true classic the game never crosses the line between frustration and fun. I found myself constantly saying, "Dammit I was so close! I almost had it. One more try, one more try!"

It's there that you realize how great the game is. It's like John Travolta entering the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever. Once he starts moving his hips there is no holding him or this game back from hipster cool greatness.

Defining Moment: Right before you begin the searing finale "Jumpin' Jack Flash", the game pumps you up. All the characters you helped start a slow chant "EBA, EBA, EBA!", before the guitar riff comes crashing in electrifying all your nerves.

4.5/5