HAPPY FUCKIN NEW YEARS

So it's been a while since me and Ethan have blogged. We're too busy being home, visiting family, eating food from a full fridge, and sleeping in our comfy beds. So for new years, I am gonna just write about my favorite records of the year, both that came out this year and former years. It's not like time lines mean anything anyway.
Here are the ones that came out this year:
Ninja Tune XX 6 CD set (future bass)
Crooks & Lovers by Mount Kimbie (love filled dubstep)
James Blake self titled (see description above)
Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus (space jazzhop)
Rolling Blackouts by The Go! Team (psychedelic cheerlearder indie rock funk)
Wind's Poem by Mount Eerie (like the darkest forest black metal indie)
Marnie Stern self titled (noise math rock)
The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens (electronic orchestra)
The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe (funk soul pop)
Moon Deluxe by Andrew Cedermark (indie rock flow)
Letherette self titled EP (glitchy soul)
Stay Home by The Beets (lo-fi reverb garage rock)
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) by Erykah Badu (funk soul)
Play it Strange by The Fresh & Onlys (lo-fi reverb garage rock)
Scatter [EP] by Doshy (glitchy 8-bit dubstep)
Perch Patchwork by Maps & Atlases (math rock pop)
Dye It Blonde by Smith Westerns (lo-fi indie pop)

Older:
Center Of Attention by InI (smoothest hip-hop ever)
Musipal by Wagon Christ (the total electronica pallet)
Madvillainy by Madvillain (another fuckin smoooooooth hip-hop)
Parallelograms by Linda Perhacs (beautiful psychedelic folk)
Since I Left You by The Avalanches (sample based songs that I will love way more than Girl Talk)
Quixotic by Martina Topley-Bird (velvety trip-hop)
Lemurian by Lone (beach washed boards of canada-ish wonder)
In Advance of the Broken Arm by Marnie Stern (noise math rock)
Trout Mask Replica Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (avant blues rock)
Rap Beats Vol. 1 by Samiyam (wonky 8-bit inspired slip into space)

Labcabincalifornia by The Pharcyde (great cali hip-hop)
Beat Konducta Vol. 3-4: Beat Konducta In India by Madlib (indian inspired hip-hop heat)
The Loneliest Punk by Fatlip (simply great hip-hop)
The Minstrel Show by Little Brother (vocal soul sampled hip-hop)
Stakes is High by De La Soul (simply the shit of jazz sampled hip-hop_
Sick to Death by Eat Skull (noisy lo-fi well crafted rock)
Born Like This by DOOM (aka MF Doom) (it's MF Doom, enough said)
Group Sex by Circle Jerks (a punk classic)
Adolescents Self titled (see description above)
Shame Fantasy II by Pink & Brown (noise rock guitar and drums thrashing threw your life)

No particular order for any of these. I fully enjoy every single one of these. They are all unique in their own way. If I described everyone of these, I don't think anyone would read this, as if anyone already does. Please, please, please have a fantastic holiday, do something crazy, kiss the person you want, and dream out loud. Merry new years.

-Chakrah

Go Team Go!

When Chakrah expressed the news that the new go! team album leaked, I made sure he sent it to me right away.  The third album entitled "Rolling Blackouts" is actually due out sometime next year.  Oh how I love the internet.  Anyway, the Go! Team has not disappointed me yet with their first two albums, so I had somewhat high expectations.  I may be going out on a limb, but this may be their best record yet.  It is certainly the most upbeat, well-crafted album of theirs.  The album opens up with "T.O.R.N.A.D.O." an awesome opening with lead singer (chanter?) Ninja doing her best chants, with marching band samplings.  It almost feels like the best football game ever (words of Chakrah).  One of my favorite tunes is the ridiculously poppy "buy nothing day," which offers vocals from Bethany Cosentino of "Best Coast."  To me it's a perfect pop/rock song, something that the radio should offer rather than Miley Cyrus or Lady Gaga.  As I drove home from Oneonta through the a winter dusting, I couldn't help repeating this song a dozen times, and the album in general.  It made for one of the most enjoyable car rides I've had in a long time.  Do you want your toes to tap?  Do you want to be filled with holiday goodness?  Then find the leakage!  You can do it's the 21st century.  And check out the video for T.O.R.N.A.D.O.

-E-steam

Have Fun

Algernon Cadwallader released their Fun EP quite some time ago, but I feel it's relevant to mention now especially for those who haven't heard it.  I had the pleasure of seeing them with some friends about a month or so ago at the SUNY Oneonta Waterfront Cafe.  These guys brought everyone to their feet.  Their albums translate incredibly live, better than their recordings.  If you take a look at their myspace, they say "yes we would love to play in your basement."  They play the smaller venues, and in my opinion those are the best types of shows.  My only hope is that they stay this small arena type band and keep bring that energy that they had at my college.  If you get the chance, go see these guys live.  Otherwise, check out the Fun ep and their full length "Some Kind of Cadwallader."

-E-steam

This Week in NFL Land....

After week 13, most NFL teams are fighting for a playoff birth.  This consists of 10 teams in the NFC and 12 teams in AFC.

            This week, NFL analyst Howie Long talked about the unusual playoff picture on Fox’s pre-game show.  Long explained how the NFC West has stirred up some controversy.  Currently, the St. Louis Rams lead the division at a record of 6-6, a low percentage for a leading team.  The Seattle Seahawks at 6-6 and the San Francisco 49ers at 4-8 are also in contention to win the NFC West. 

            6 teams in each conference (AFC and NFC) are eligible to go to the playoffs.  This includes four division winners and two wild card teams from each side.  With the NFC West being the weakest division in football, a 7-9 team has the potential to top the division as well as gain home field advantage for their first round game.  Many believe that it is unfair for an under .500 team to make it into the playoffs, beating out wildcard teams with significantly better records.  This issue has been made aware to top NFL officials.

            The big question is whether or not commissioner Roger Goodell should allow this to happen.  The NFL cannot change their rules mid-season, but it’s something the league has discussed.  The discussion consists of below .500 teams being awarded home field advantage, or a playoff spot in general.  Long believes that these teams should be allowed a playoff birth, but the home team should be the one with a stronger season standing.  The NFL is taking all of this into consideration and will continue to discuss this in the off-season.

            This year, we could see a 7-9 Rams or Seahawks beating out teams for a playoff spot such as the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, whom both have 8-4 records.  The thought of this does not sit well with a number of NFL fans.  The next few weeks will determine if this could be reality.  Right now, 22 teams are in the hunt.  The rest of the season should an intriguing one.

-E-steam

Pie in your eye

Bam!
In my face
Unstoppable
Force with
a brick
weights close
to a shit ton
of steel 
cut oatmeal
groovy
texture of
hippies
frolicking
instinctively
to the magic
that is
happening

-E-steam

Jumble Mind Tricks

I wish I wasn't such a fuckup
with missing pieces
clogging my head up

Words can project
What calms my body
Regardless of intellect

As I slowly cower
With what could result
losing all power

Get out of here
make some mistakes
find what's clear

-E-steam

The Age of Sufjan

If you haven't listen to the Age of Adz by now, I'm legitimately concerned.  Sufjan Stevens has proved on so many levels why he is one of the most talented artists of our generation.  He has moved away from his state named albums (Michigan, Illinoise).  The Age of Adz takes on a more electronic sound, but at the same time layering those catchy melodies and harmonies we heard on Illinoise.  The lyrics in this album are superior to anything else, maybe because of his tone.  In this album, Stevens seems to take on his own sadness, and even explores his suicidal thoughts.  The result:  Incredible music.  On the track "I want to be well," the usually clean artist belts out "I'm not fucking around."  This guy is serious.  Chekc it out!  Keys tracks are "Too Much" and "I want to be well."

-E-steam

KANTALOB

The Klipmode crew, which my friend Max and I think is a stupid name, has some of the best forward thinking individuals these days. This consists of devonwho, Suzi Analogue, MNDSGn, and our raving reviews of the one and only Knxwledge. It sounds as Madlib as it does Animal Collective. It just has such great soul samples uplifting you heart screaming across the room. It's also an easy listen because it's an EP that keeps it short and sweet. The dubsoul basslines hold it down subtly and correctly. It address you with a hello and a somber goodbye. Just cool out.
If you like: evonwho, Suzi Analogue, MNDSGn, Animal Collective, Madlib, Baths, Daedelus, and Dimlite.
Recommended tracks: Highland. and Goto_Kab.

-Chakrah

Seatlab

Okay, what I have learned about writing on this blog is that it is like blowing off hot steam. It feels like drinking chocolate milk. I know I always write what I am obsessed about at that fleeting moment. This next (art)icle will be no different. Sealab 2021 is an absurd reimagining of action cartoon Sealab 2020. To show a little genius, please observe a favorite screenshot.

The show is filled to the brim with imagination like an endless well. No boundaries. Nothing could be too ridiculous. On the Adult Swim website, they constantly update it almost every other day of different episodes from various seasons. They usually post the best ones.

For for a taste of the different characters, there is Captain Hazel "Hank" Murphy who on the surface looks like one, but he usually neglects his duty or makes decisions that cause Sealab to be in great danger. Then there's Jodene Sparks, who is a lazytothepointofbeinghandicapped radio operator to usually is co-conspirator with Hank on his escapades, and fluctuates between completely to stupid to evil genius. Lastly, there's Hesh Hepplewhite, more commonly known under his nasally hiphop title, MC Chris, which during one episode the crew actually go to an MC Chris concert while Hank is stuck under a new soda machine with names related to jazz genius, like Mingus Dew, while he is also getting stung by a scorpion and a little help bot keeps knocking out all of his teeth and made a necklace out of it. He is a very witty and annoying character you just love to hate.
So I urge the public, tune into Adult Swim or go to www.Adultswim.com and search around. There's a lot of great stuff on there. Love you, bye.

-Chakrah

Enjoy Your Holly Daze, ya turkeys!

Another unhappy turkey day to everyone! Not saying that you should be unhappy on a day all your cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents get together and are probably on their forth wine sloshy smile. I am just saying, the turkeys aren't happy today. They do have good reason why all their friends have left them. I reminds me of episode of South Park with Gobbles, the crooked-necked bird who was best friends with the wheelchair stricken riot, Timmy!

Be happy to be around the people you love as long as you can. Don't forget to tell everyone that you love them, no matter who they become or change to. We will love you no matter what form you are. That's how you stay with us. Happy Thankgiving everyone.

-Chakrah

Handjobs for the Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I was making some brownies for the holiday the other day and mustered up some cds to listen to while I was baking.  I found Broken Social Scene's self-titled album in the rack.  As I opened the case, I looked in the inside to see what read "We hate your hate."  This reason alone is enough to show the advantages of having an actual album, rather than just downloading.  I love this quote because it really defines this band.  I've seen them live once before and found out how politically charged this band is.  The amazing thing is that they never come across as too preachy.  The Canadian Indie rockers express their views in their songs, but they also write lyrics based on personal events.  This band is incredible, especially their live shows.  I urge you to check out the sweet melodies of Broken Social Scene.  They have put out 4 albums plus two albums in the Broken Social Scene presents series.  Enjoy your turkeys!

-E-steam

Bob and the Dylans

The clouds hung naked and unseen by these eye sockets screeching SEE ME SEE ME. After a fancy oyster dinner experience, bar known for businessmen who want to drink and not go home yet, medium-rare steak sloshed slippy and scrumptiously with some Ommegang. We slipped and slid down the mashing streets stretching and contracted in my waves. Finally after a short and to the point cab ride, we arrived at the simple red lettering light bulbs saying the only proper nouns you needed to hear, Bob Dylan. He is known for starting on time, only arriving on stage 5 to 7 minutes after 8:00, as the website text told my cerebral cortex. His voice sounds closer to emotive gravel of Tom Waits. When he played "Stuck Inside a Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again", my heart skipped several beats.

During endless amount of people surrounding and uncomfortably comfortable about slightly touching you, my father and uncle left me with my aunt to go get beer. During this time, my father finally made it near the front. A man tried to cut in front of him to which my father replied "There's a line here." The man snapped back at him "I don't see a sign for it anywhere." My father, stunned almost questioningly asks "Do you want to fight?" The man snaps back a second time saying "Maybe.(ghasps).(heard).How about I buy you all your drinks?" My dad's cringed the left side of his face with an upturned smile throwing back "We are drinking tequila." The new friend said "I would love tequila."

Anyway, you couldn't really understand Bob Dylan and we could barely see him until like 75% into the show. The sound seems to be improving at Terminal 5 ever since I saw an old favorite band of mine's first show I ever saw them, The World/Inferno Friendship Society.

Overall a pretty great show. The further you stood back, the more it smelled like some great Brooklyn greenery. The only thing they cared that you brought in were cameras, which apparently Bob Dylan asked for no photography. I guess if I had the camera in my pocket, i could have got it in, but I was staying the night at my sister's, so I had everything in my backpack for the night. They forced me to check my bag, whatever. Great times, great people, and father of the anti-culture, Robert Zimmerman, as known as Bob Dylan. The man.

-Chakrah

LUV Hz Volume Zkro

The warble dubstep is big in America due to artists like Bassnectar and Glitch Mob, or more so, I call it, as does England= Brostep. Other than Burial being big in America from the beat scene in England, nothing else caught on here, which was sad. Flying Lotus a huge, bright star, but some people want dirtier music. Now, like minded gentlemen like Starkey, Dev79 and this group, dubbed Siyong have opened up the bass waves again with their ee pee LUV Hz Volume Zero. I like the more progressive basslines in these songs keeping the song more interesting for repeat listens.
If you like: Starkey, Dev79, Burial, Brackles, Floating Points, Digital Mystikz, Mussy, King Midas Sound, and Vex'd.
Recommended tracks: Contra and Devil's Alley.

http://boomkat.com/downloads/312561-siyoung-luv-hz-volume-zero

-Chakrah

The Triy

Stereolab has always been an important band. They are mentioned in the movie High Fidelity, which I saw many years ago but never picked up on the band. My friend Max and I were in Princeton, New Jersey at a great record store called The Princeton Record Exchange.

There, he bought a two-CD compilation called Aluminum Tunes: Switched On, Vol. 3.

He put it on in the car ride back to our suburban boredom. We sailed across a warm french night with our bicycles wheeling through the clouds at impossible and steady speeds. I understood where Sufjan Stevens possibly got a lot of influence from the rhythmic jabs.
But this article isn't about that. That was just my first exposure to this amazing group.
The singer Lætitia Sadier has a new krautfolky drifts through the inner self to an inner wind chant. It's a luscious warm rain wrapped in star tails.
If you like: Stereolab, Sufjan Stevens, Neu!, Deerhunter, Atlas Sound and a want for space age bachelor pad music.
Recommended tracks: One Million Year Trip, Fluid Sand, and By the Sea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxWnA7rcsoE 

-Chakrah

Gal axy Hi

Friends shine among the founders of the Hudson Mohawke's crew, the LuckyMe Collective, and one such pair is  Dom Sum and Fine Art, blast a soul back into both cheap equipment and amazing usage of their imaginations. Imagine Nation. This group is dubbed The Blessings with their newest injection of colorful synths, choppy 8-bit sparkles and post-dubstep basslines all mash together to create a new rainbow in your ears is called "Galaxy High" EP.
If you like: Hudson Mohawke, Rustie, Glitch Mob, ninja tune, future bass, Starkey, Mount Kimbie, and glitch-hop.
Recommended tracks: Faberge, Arisseee Henson, and Hot Song.


http://thisisluckyme.com/html/1music/artists/the_blessings.html

-Chakrah

Guy Rips One on a Model

Last night I attended a play that was put on at my old high school.  My friend's youngest sister was in the play that was put on by the students.  I was a lot of fun and I got a friendship bracelet out of it.  That's another story.  Anyway, this play was interactive and involved using props.  One of the props was a heart that was tossed around the audience.  When someone received the heart, they told a story of love, usually depressing.  Unfortunately, I wasn't given the heart.  Instead of telling a sappy tale, I figured if given the opportunity, I would make it funny.  This happened to a friend of mine when we were probably about 12 or 13 years old.  The kid never really had much experience with the opposite sex and at that age, boys really have no idea what they are doing.  Essentially, a girl from his high school did some part time modeling on the side.  Somehow, my friend sought her out and just like with anyone that age, they spontaneously decided to date.  The relationship ran over the course of eight minutes.  It may be one of the most short lived relationships I have ever heard of.  Anyway, my friend used to love to tell this story of this abrupt end to his relationship.  I don't know specific details because I only heard this second hand.  However, somewhere within these 8 minutes, my friend couldn't contain his excitement.  He was standing next to his new love when he let one go on this girl.  I'm not sure if he tried to play it off, but this girl was well aware she had just been farted on.  That was the end of their relationship.  Someday, if he has a family he can tell his kids of his first girlfriend and how it ended with gas.  Imagine if relationships were actually that funny.  It seems as we get older, relationships get more serious and they probably should.  I like to think about this farting story because I can poke fun at relationships rather than get entangled in the complexity.

  

 

-E-steam

Fly Rush Uh?!

Music these days seem to have no boards, so people can make similar music with varied and sometimes relevantly the same kind of different music taste. Whatever it is. Something undefinable by the tongue but can only be described as being there. Russia has a pretty hip soul-influenced downtempo/wonky thing going on=Slav Soul. You get a wide taste of different artists that will be changing music of this kind. Bringing it to the next level. It plays like a "best of" of this cold and distant place that I have heritage to. I guess they stay inside more and experiment in the right ways.
If you like: Fling Lotus, Prefuse 73, 8-bit gods, Pixelord, the l.a. beat scene, colorful rainbowy synths, and Hudson Mohawke...and handsome aliens too.
Recommended tracks: Cheese Freak by Pixelord, Water Lily by Moa Pillar, Stereo Start by Appleyard, and Vote by Save Slaves

Listen to the whole album:
http://store.error-broadcast.com/album/fly-russia

-Chakrah

Elect ronic Luv

Finally, a girl with a flow. This is new fresh hip-hop with various electronica influences to keep it varied. The production is very smooth and thick with layers. Airy synths against fuzzy J-Dilla-who-found-dubstep influenced bass awareness. This collaboration between the sweet and sexy Melodee with the Amsterdam producer, I.N.T. said they will probably just keep releasing EPs. Shouts to Nalden for the support, Rush Hour for the distribution and Baschz for the artwork. With the use of AR (Augmented Reality) the artwork comes to life and becomes the first vinyl artwork featuring this technology! If you like raw hip-hop, buy the ticket. Take the ride.
If you like: J Dilla, Slum Village, Madlib, The Roots, Benga, Floating Points, and Shlohmo.
Recommended tracks: Come And Get It, Friends of Life, and Sounds Of The City.

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

-Chakrah

NIXONN TAPE

California feels like the magical yet totally debauchery driven place. Hopefully I will get to live there at least once. Souling out my headphones on a relaxing night, one woman with all of her outlandishly delirious, delicious voice over beats that she loves takes you on the right journey. This is the new mixtape called NNXTAPE by Suzi Analogue. She fits in with the other soulful girlies such as Santigold, MIA, and Erykah Badu. There are various electroica and hip-hop producers from Dimlite to Prefuse 73 to Lone to Teebs. She also used my favorite Lone song. All top notch beautiful hip-hop collages. Let her intoxicate your relaxing pad with whoever you're with.
If you like: MNDSGn, Santigold, MIA, Erykah Badu, J Dilla, Lone, Teebs, Prefuse 73, Billie Holiday, Dimlite, Knxwledge., and Flying Lotus.
Recommended tracks: A Minute (feat. Lone), Milky Way (feat. Leef Mayfield), What U Look Like (feat. Oddisee), and Hommme [Dakim Edit] (feat. Dakim)

You can listen to her whole album and download it for free.boom:
http://suzianalogue.bandcamp.com/album/nnxtape

-Chakrah

Gray Oceans

Floating and flowing through a washing tapestry of both the childish and almost operatic sisters you are aiming right for your cerebral cortex to touch your heart. These are the eternal children. Cocorosie's new album Grey Oceans needs to be heard by anyone who believes in things that are beautiful. I don't understand why so many people are hating on this album. They have always had their charm and their childishness it totally made up for in the past because of songs like "Rainbowarrior". This album is a total step forward for them. It is is very well produced. Very natural and balanced. Touches of the psychedelic too. This legitimately doesn't sound like anything else but just a progress from their previous works. Smokey Taboo taboo has so many sparkling and set over almost primitive sounding rhythms. Just let yourself be taken over by the ocean.
If you like: Antony and the Johnsons, Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, opera, native american chants, and indie bro-outs.
Recommended tracks: Smokey Taboo, Undertaker, and Grey Oceans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4BgNR_TLbc

-Chakrah

Death Tate ee pee

William Bensussen is The Gaslamp Killer. He ready to shatter your inner journeys. The first track feels like the middle east was being pushed through a Gameboy in the year 3000. The Gaslamp Killer never seemed to follow the usual path of wonky musicians from L.A. He always had this dirty spanish/middle eastern/psychedelic feel to his music that especially shined on the partial production on the killer vocal stylings of Gonjasufi's A Sufi And A Killer. This new EP has been dubbed Death Gate. Track 2 has an extension of that album with Gonjasufi laying down the tracks with heartbreakin', but missingmotherloving vocal croons. As Flying Lotus puts it, it is as "an inspiring progression from his last, as well as a breath of raw air into the world of clean, safe hip-hop." Just jump into this!
If you like: Gonjasufi, Flying Lotus, (early) Santana, Savaths Y Savalas, Computer Jay,  Novos Baianos, and Caetano Veloso
Recommended tracks: When I'm In Awe (feat. Gonjasufi) and Fun Over 100

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFp4eidLRPo

 -Chakrah

Show your colors: my newest rant

I feel the need to rant about something that has been bothering me lately.  For some reason, we have this obsession with how others dress and their general style.  Today, my own professor talked about hipsters and they way they dress.  This isn't the first time she has brought this up and I keep wondering why she spends so much time on this topic.  What is her problem with how certain people dress?  She was saying how they all dress the same in their tight jeans and thick framed glasses.  So what?  Everyone has their own style.  There was a time I was walking down the street and some dude who thought he was funny shouted "hipster" at me maybe because I was wearing my thick glasses (which I actually use so I can see things).  I was confused at first, but then realized there was nothing to dwell on because this person probably just thought he was being funny.  He can have his moment, I really don't care.  I always wonder why people feel this sense of entitlement that says" I am the definition of what is fashionable."  Fuck you, that's bogus.   A typical "bro" may wear a hat that's slightly off his head and to the side.  So what?  Does it really bother people that much?  Then there is what many like  to call "The Biddie Parade."  These girls wear short skirts and low cut shirts and people always make their snide remarks about this.  However, in their defense, they probably end up getting the attention of others around them. They may use it to their benefit to get cheaper drinks and whatnot.  Essentially, they win.  So what is our problem with the way others dress?  It could be out of jealousy.  I don't waste my time with criticizing others because I see it as a from of discrimination.  One could see it as profiling, based on how someone dresses.  Honestly, everyone has their own style and it's easier to accept it rather than be a cynic.  Criticizing someone else's style is implying that you know better and you've got it right.  Dress the way that makes you happy.  Don't let anyone else influence you, you're better than that.

-E-steam

Sam arise!

I don't know what it is, but I have been on a samurai movie kick. Like the last 5 movies I've watched were samurai or samaurai-ish. I have been loving every second of it. Most of these movies are by the Japanese acclaimed director, producer, screenwriter, and editor, Akira Kurosawa. Even one of his films George Lucas ripped off his main story of his film The Hidden Fortress, which is about a queen that has to get across enemy territory by a strong Samurai and his two bumbling idiot slaves, to be turned into the little known movie Star Wars, episode IV. He has made so many films and I heard they mentioned him in Entourage (though, I have to admit, I have only watched a few episodes of). They all feel uncommon in culture and universal in message. So there are movies by Kurosawa, but then I also watched on youtube Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, which was a 1991 gory B action film that is great to play on silent during class to freak out the people behind you kind of movie. My friend sent me a link for the clip from it that was called "Fight scene from Riki-Oh - Oscar (most ridiculously AWESOME fight ever)", so I decided to take a minute and 35 seconds out of my life and it has been changed forever. Keep the blood, swords, and honor coming!

My Samurai/Samurai-ish movie person picks: 
The Hidden Fortress, Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, Old Boy, Ran, Seven Samurai, and Yojimbo.
The Riki-Oh clip mentioned above: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vMKN1tYknE

(from Yojimbo)

-Chakrah

Deerhood

Out of my slurry speakers speaking to me about the deconstructed pop, composition noise rock eruptions screams the name: Deerhoof. So much has changed about them as much as it has stayed the same. Just being themselves almost standing alone in their own niche that takes my skull for a ride. From the noisy, glittering, jagged edge of Tiger Can off of their first full length, The Man, The King, The Girl, to the melted structured forms of Offend Maggie title track. Even ?uestlove of The Roots loves them and especially the drummer (both admit to be each other's favorite drummer). They never seem to stop amazing me. All of their albums were all crafted in different stages of their musicianship and influence. Member changes here and there kept their sound varied enough to keep it interesting throughout their career. I say that they are just as influential as Animal Collective or Dirty Projectors will show to be in the coming years. I think that if you are going to get into this band, just go through their discography backwards. The more you move back, the weirder, more lo-fi and noisier it gets. So start with Offend Maggie and look out for their upcoming release entitled Deerhoof vs. Evil. They are releasing a track each week so the world can slowly hear the album being leaked by them.
If you like: (early) Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors, Fiery Furnaces, Xiu Xiu, Arab on Radar, U.S. Maple, and Wives
Recommended tracks: The Merry Barracks (from the upcoming Deerhoof vs. Evil), Flower (from Holypaws), Spiral Golden Town (from the Green Cosmos EP), Dummy Discards a Heart (from Apple O'), Polly Bee (from The Man, The King, The Girl), C (from Milk Man), Chandelier Searchlight (from Offend Maggie), Scream Team (from Runner's Four), Our Angel's Ululu (from Reveille), Trickybird (from Halfbird), and Cast Off Crown (from Friend Opportunity).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YzxDfye7hc

-Chakrah

The Office is Still at its Best

The Office is currently in its seventh season and has kept up with the same humor from the beginning.  In my opinion, the fifth one was the only season that may have not been top notch.  I thought the idea of having them sell the company and bring in a couple new characters was brilliant and has kept the show fresh.  Besides, Michael is still as awkward as ever.  
My girlfriend was telling me how her professor liked the first four seasons and then lost interest.  It was the fifth season that may have thrown him off.  For those of you who haven't watched the show, you have no idea what I'm talking about.  Watch the show, from the beginning.  Here's a clip to get you started:

CLICK ME

-E-steam

Relocated

You know who doesn't have a television show? The witness protection program. Not only that, about the people who are in throws of it. How about, let's make it a dead-pan comedy. This is from the same writers as the demented, before-the-Daily-Show, kids puppet/adult black comedy show called Wonder Showzen. So this new show on Adult Swim called Delocated has just finished their second hysterical season. It starts out, but changes after the first episode, that a family in the witness protection program is moved to New York and given their own reality show. Shortly into the show, it is mainly the dad who has to stay concealed. He has to wear a ski mask and voice modulator. Whenever his mask comes off, they blot out his face. His code name is "Jon". Jon is a man that is struggling to make his life meaningful, who has a deep love for sandwiches, and has constantly failing relationships between his ex-wife, son, current girlfriend, and the various special agents that are assigned to protect Jon. Please, watch this show so I have someone else to talk about it with. I leave you with a scene dubbed "The Meat Suite". Happy eye candy nourishment, GO!

http://video.adultswim.com/delocated/meat-suite-marathon.html

-Chakrah

Curd Your Enthusiasm

My friends and I get together at least once a week and watch the fantasticlyawkwardgenius called Curb Your Enthusiasm. It is a show mostly center around the retired director and writer of Seinfeld, Larry David, his family, and friends where he is in constant limbo with the unwritten rules of various situations that in the end usually screw him somehow. There are so many stars that show up throughout the show usually as themselves or characters that are very close to representing them, from Ted Danson, to Christian Slater, to Catherine O'Hara (who plays a character that doesn't represent herself, just the crazy fictitious sister of Marty Fuckhouser). Last night, we watched one of the best episodes of latest season that's has been put on DVD, season 7, which was Officer Krupke. That character shares the same name of an officer in the hit Broadway play and movie West Side Story, which Larry David tells to the cop after singing him the song from that part of story, to which the officer replies that he has never heard that before but someone told him once to "go fuck my face". I don't want to give away anymore about that episode. This show has as many genius moments that Seinfeld ever had. It's just like if Seinfeld got a show on HBO and most of the main characters were rich. In this Season and alluding to in previous seasons that Larry David reveals that in Seinfeld, he was George Costanza. That blew my mind so much. It makes so much sense. All the situations that George found himself in and reacted the way he does, it all makes sense that it's Larry David. In this season, it slowly has a Seinfeld reunion, not just in the final episode, which is half Curb and half Seinfeld reunion. Larry David lives in my blood every day.
Favorite Quotes from Larry:
"I'd rather have the thieves than the neighbors - the thieves don't impose. Thieves just want your things, neighbors want your time."
"You're nothing without your health. Some people are nothing even with their health. I fall in that category, sometimes."
"My name is Larry David and I happen to enjoy wearing women's underpants."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCYrBur34ak

-Chakrah

Undiesniable

Finally reviewing something current. Cool. Go! Hot new dubstep/garage/grime off of Hyperdub Records does not disappoint. This is album is dubbed Undeniable by Terror Danjah. Sounds that could be both associated with classic dubstep sounds heard in the likes of Skream or 2562 but then also have this new Mount Kimbie-post-dubstep melody injected into various tracks. It's a very well rounded album, covering all forms but without the wobble-bass standard. That doesn't mean it's without it's killer bass stabs covering all forms of techno, both old like early Aphex Twin to the more recent Martyn. This will be pleasing too listeners of electronica.
If you like: Aphex Twin, Martyn, Burial, 2562, Skream, Untold, Ikonika, Rusko, Blawan, Brackles, D1, and Floating Points
Recommended tracks: I'm Feelin U, Minimal Dub, Acid, This Year (Pro Plus) (feat. D.O.K, Mz Bratt & Griminal), and Undeniable (feat. D Double E)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb6moz9lXy8

-Chakrah

Klavierwork

Sometimes stuck in a bong coma is a hazy lazy sunday slammer James Blake. He's back with another fantastic EP out of the L.A. post-dubstep scene with I find bordering on Wonky or even Sludge Hop. So beautiful and intimate. James Blake's voice always seems to shine throughout his works consistently. There is something just so beautiful and meditative about their music. Almost every track seems to have pockets of dusty air thrown in. I don't mind that his man puts out consistent EPs instead of a long album. I can't wait to hear what comes out of this man's throat next.
If you like: Mount Kimbie, Flying Lotus, Actress, Knxwledge., Lone, Mux Mool, and Baths.
Recommended tracks: Tell Her Safe and I Only Know (What I Know Now).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl4JIpluKeg

Intense Nem

Shower me with shards of glass and I still stay and laugh wholeheartedly. It's like guitars and clarinet are invading your home in the darkest and most intense corners, that is for 100% Intense by Intense Men. It's just as a joke as it is completely serious, channeling one part Mike Patton, one part Ornette Coleman, and one part old Dillinger Escape Plan. The short song lengths really play to their advantage, not wondering around an idea for too long. It recalls parts of older/other bands containing similar members like Stoney Moutain or Mothguts all mashed and rewashed and resorted and more mature than ever, to the be followed by a song called Blumkin. I love these guys. The New Jersey scene is weird and good and still waaaay alive. Brunswick represent! Shout out to Brighton Bar for keeping it alive and strange.
If you like: Mike Patton, Ornette Coleman, John Zorn, Charles Mingus, Mothguts, Stoney Mountain, Dillinger Escape Plan, 2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack, droooooonez, or noisy jazz.
Recommended tracks: Frog Doodies, Sexting, Blumpkin, puppy boners, and Mr. Guy does the pot.

http://nachtrecords.com/fr_home.cfm

-Chakrah

Inpastabilities

Glichchchch is the a beautiful feature in the last 15ish years of music. This half of the more famous duo The Postal Service, is more commonly known to the masses as Dntel, more common known to his mom by James Scott Tamborello. Mia Doi Todd sprinkles her fragile, angelic vocals over various tracks. All these songs in their complex layers are as comfortable as pillow. There are touches of breakbeat on songs like Anywhere Anyone and Why I'm So Unhappy, which are in my top picks. I know everyone talks about it so I guess I will here. (This is) The Dream of Evan and Chan is a fantastic song which is the initial inspiration for Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie fame) and Jimmy Tamborello would eventually put out the fantastic electronica/glitch/indie pop wonder album Give Up. Please get it.
If you like: The Postal Service, Aphex Twin, Mia Doi Todd, Boards of Canada, Oval, and Autechre
Recommended Tracks: ANywhere Anyone, Why I'm So Unhappy, (This is) The Dream of Evan and Chan, Umbrella, Suddenly is Sooner than You Think

-Chakrah

Rawberries!

The rawberries taste like rawrberries. These are smoothberries slipping you along like a Sunday never forgot. I am taking about the new soul/wonky jammer SKR∆WBERRiES.FUNR∆iSRS VOL.3 by Knxwledge. He is part of the Clip M0de crew who all are beautiful in their own way, Knxwledge. is my favorite next to the sublime vocal drenched sludge hop godess Suzi Analogue. Super compressed sounds moving us to yell "come on feet, move for me" (quasimoto lyric). Short beautiful vingettes that aren't actually too short for their length, like the beginning from Kafe to Misty. They repeat enough for satisfaction but begs for repeat listens. Some songs dwell in the same sound and get a little boring but the better songs way overcompensate in their greatness.
If you like: Flying Lotus, Madlib, Suzi Analogue, devonwho, MNDSGn, and Daedelus
Recommended tracks: ∆romatik, Draggin, Strungºut, Misty, Kºultr∆ynin, Neithroneofus, interprise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcdGUElQuxI&feature=related

-Chakrah

This Week in NFL Land...

Two teams redeem themselves after weeks of despair.  This week in the NFL, The Buffalo Bills conjured up their first win this season against the Detroit Lions by a close score, 14-12.  The Bills locker room let out a sigh of relief, knowing that they won’t have a winless season.

Bills Cornerback Leodis McKevlin said, “We won. We're not going to be talking about being an 0-16 team or nothing like that. It feels great to get a win and get that off our chests."

The game consisted more of who made the most mistakes, rather than who made the best plays.  Still, Buffalo came out with a victory and the Lions have suffered their 25^th straight consecutive road loss. 

The 1-7 Dallas Cowboys came into the New Meadowlands Stadium this week to face the 6-2 New York Giant’s with a backup quarterback and a new head coach.  Wade Phillips, the former head coach was fired last week after a disappointing first half of the season.  Jason Garret’s first leadership duty was a success and led to the Cowboy’s second victory of the season by a score of 33-20.

Quarterback Jon Kitna threw for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns.   Wide Receivers Dez Bryant and Miles Austin recorded touchdowns as well as running back Felix Jones.   Kitna went 13 for 22 with one interception. 

The Giants felt the losses of Wide Receiver Steve Smith and offensive tackle David Diehl.  Eli Manning was able to throw 2 touchdown passes, but couldn’t do enough to save his team from the devastating loss.  They players and coaches alike felt the pain from this loss. 

Head Coach Tom Coughlin said, "We didn't play well enough to win.  We didn't execute the way we've been executing. We gave up big plays and didn't make as many big plays. We hung in there. We gave a good effort at the end, but it was too little too late.”

The win for the Cowboys put a smile on Jason Garret’s face as he earned the game ball from owner Jerry Jones.  They will go into next week with a more positive attitude.  The Bills can be certain that they will not go winless this season.  

-E-steam

A little rambling of poetic intentions

Do You Dare...?

Escape into new heights
Where dreams override
Your conscious thoughts
Where it doesn't matter
What you say
As long it expresses
What you truly feel
Where elements are
Enhanced with color
Dive in and stay 
A while longer
And grasp your satisfaction

-E-steam

Get Awat From Me EP

Full disclosure here, these are post-whatever electronica, self-dubbed genre Sludge Hop (which he states is a better name for wonky), are from the hands of my best friends from home, Max Ross. When you grow up in the suburbs and you have to get everywhere by car, you get fucking bored. This is what we do when there's nothing to do but make fun of how hard hipsters are trying and how wack-ass hip-hop needs to get just get away from us. The influences range from J Dilla to Flying Lotus to Hudson Mohawke to Madlib to Stravinsky to MF Doom (or DOOM). So so so so so smooth. The post-wonky sub-basslines carry these tracks along with the intricately mulled over beats that makes you want to take a long drive to no where. The samples are used very sparingly, just like little accent notes on the page. Very tasteful. It also features a local New Jersey band called Intense Men, which contains the older brother of Max. Oh, and a fucking crazy reverand. Not only all of that, the mothafuckah is giving it away fo' freeeeee. This album is for pushing away all the hate and bullshit that we all have to experience every day and replacing it EP that will make you forget.
Favorite tracks: 91.1!, The Center, and The Spirit of Truth.
http://mussy.bandcamp.com/album/get-away-from-me-ep

-Chakrah.

This Week in NFL Land...

This week in the NFL, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones decided that major alterations were necessary for his failing franchise.  Jones fired head Coach Wade Phillips on Monday after an embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers.

            The Cowboys began the season by opening up their new stadium, which will be the venue for this year’s Super Bowl.  Jones had high hopes for the Cowboys this season and predicted a possible spot in the Super Bowl in their own home.  Unfortunately, the team has fallen to 1-7, and is in last place in the NFC East.  Jones finally saw enough after this week’s loss and made the decision to fire Phillips mid-season, even after a contract extension last season.

            Prior to this week, Jones said that we would not fire Phillips mid-season, but circumstances changed.

            “There was a lot of denial in me for at least the last couple of ballgames,” Jones said.

            Record wise, the Cowboys are one of the worst teams in the NFL, and that cannot be entirely due to coaching.  This is the second straight week they lost by a significant margin, but also the second weak they have been without quarterback Tony Romo.  Romo suffered a broken clavicle after being pummeled by the New York Giant’s defense.  Wide Receiver Miles Austin explained that he knows the team hasn’t been playing to their full potential.  He knew the firing was not all about the coaches.

            “Anytime someone loses a job and you obviously have something to do with it, it's tough,” Austin said. 

            Austin’s reaction seemed to be the general feeling throughout the Cowboy’s lockeroom.  Jones spoke with the team about the changes and about what to expect for the future.  He told them he did not want to give up on this season and that they have eight games left and one goal: winning.

            Cowboy’s offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett has been sworn in as the new Dallas head coach.  At this point in the season, The Dallas Cowboy’s playoff hopes have dwindled away.  They will go into New York this week to face the first place Giants.   

-E-steam

Temporary Forever

"Buy real estate in an imaginary place" says 32 year old abstract MC Regan John Farquhar, more commonly referred to as Busdriver. I have been really meaning to check out this guy for a long time. I have heard a bunch of tracks that he was featured on, but they all need to bow to his 2002 album. There are so many layers to the greatness of this album. Is the lyrics? The flow? The jazz samples? The super intricate record scratching? It is everything. Out of all of his albums, friends of mine who are obsessive fans of Busdriver say that this album is the most solid. You won't need to skip a track. Everything is crafted in its own way. His lyrics go between beautiful vignettes to rhythmically glued together words. His humor makes my cheeks gleefully smile like his rap at a fast food window on "Stylin' Under Pressure".
If you enjoy: Aesop Rock, Deltron 3030, The Roots, Black Star, and/or Handsome Boy Modeling School.
Recommended tracks: Imaginary Places, Somethingness (feat. Radioinactive and Rhetoric, produced by Edit), and Along Came a Biter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpP-8tJ-9Js

-Chakrah.

Proposition 19

The majority favored the opposition.  Proposition 19 did not pass in California this past Tuesday, and I can't say that I'm surprised.  Proposition 19, if passed, would have allowed the possession of small amounts of marijuana.  Unfortunately, pot is still seen as taboo in our world.  On the positive side, I do believe that even having this on the ballot was a small step in the right direction.  There is no doubt that it would boost up California's economy.  The main problem I have is the manner in which the news treated this issue over the last few months, and how they distorted information.  There was one newscast I saw recently that really bugged me.  It was on ABC News with Diane Sawyer where a few reporters went on a driving course, while high.  What did they find?  That it was dangerous.  I could have told you that.  Can you imagine a newscast that would say it was ok to drive, while high?  Of course not, they would be sued before their next segment.  But wait a minute, what about drunk driving?  You can get a DWI or DUI.  Why wouldn't they do the same thing with weed?  The newscast made no mention of this.  If you legalized pot, the only fair thing to do would be to have the age of purchase, 21 (like alcohol) and make driving under the influence illegal.  It's unfortunate that the media really alters perceptions, but I don't want to sound too cynical.
Over the summer, I heard a story from a friend of mine that really upset me and I'd like to share it.  We were sitting on a friend's porch when we heard a siren in the distance.  Nobody else that was on the porch made a move, but this one friend of mine instantly got frightened.  I asked her why she was so uptight?  She then explained how she was arrested for having "paraphernalia" in her car a few weeks prior.  The cop was extremely harsh and left a severe impact on her and gave her a horrible disdain for the police.  She was due for a court date and had a lot of issues to deal with around this situation, just for having a bowl.  What really upset me was that she had all this fear and hatred of cops because of how they treated her.  Is that how we are supposed to feel about cops?  I always thought that they were here to protect us and they do a great job of it, but it's clearly not their only focus.  It bugs me that we should fear cops if we are good citizens.  The whole point of the police is to make us feel safe.  If people are afraid of cops, then where do we turn?  Just something to think about.  

-E-steam

Deerhunter Never Stops

So I was in the library today doing French homework and I wanted to make it somewhat bearable.  I tuned up my headphones to Halcyon Digest, the newest Deerhunter album that came out a little over a month ago.  I discovered that I may have a sick obsession with this album because I can't seem to stop listening to it.  For some reason, the album has not gotten old and at the same time when I first listened to it, I instantly fell in love.  That doesn't usually happen for me.  As I was listening to the album, I distracted myself from my work and couldn't help myself as I bobbed my head and made other ridiculous gestures that got me awkward stares.  However, this didn't make me stop because the music was so good I really couldn't care less.  If you must know, the album is generally about the thrill of listening to something amazing for the first time.  For me, that's how it feels every time.  If you have never listened to Deerhunter, I would suggest starting with this album and here's why:  For people who have never listened to the indie/experiment genre, the previous two albums may seem a little strange.  Halcyon Digest is more of a stripped down sound with more instruments, including saxophone on the song "Coronado."  This song is just too damn catchy.  Another song that stands out is "Desire Lines."  I sometimes listen to this song in the morning on my way to the newspaper I work for, located  in Cooperstown.  The song is about a journey into a new genre, which I compare to my scenic journey through upstate New York.  I could talk about every song individually, but that would be tedious and I don't think any of you would want to read that.  Bottom line, give this band your ears.

-E-steam

This Week in NFL Land...

After a short stint with the Minnesota Vikings, Wide Receiver Randy Moss found himself off the Viking’s roster on Monday.  The team suffered a 28-18 loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday and was disappointed in Moss’ lack of effort.

            Moss was recently fined $25,000 for refusing to speak with the press.  This week, an angry Moss made it clear that he would “conduct his own interviews” and refused to cooperate with the press for the remainder of the season.  The team was disappointed in Moss’ performance on the field.  They felt he didn’t put in a lot of effort and contributed to the team’s loss.  As a result, Moss went 1 for 2 making on reception for 8 yards.  Moss talked about how unhelpful the coaching staff was and implied that this was a major cause of the loss.

            The Patriots traded Randy Moss back to the Minnesota Vikings about a month, where he played seven seasons right out of college.  This transaction was in exchange for the Vikings third round draft-pick for next season.  Patriots coach Bill Belichick claimed that he was thinking about what was best for the future of the franchise.  However, many claim that problems in the locker room, and with the media are what led to his dismissal.  The issues that caused Moss’ trade in New England carried over into Minnesota.

            The Vikings had enough of Moss’ bashing and made the decision to waive him, even after giving up their draft pick.  Many analysts believe that coach Brad Childress gave up on the team’s playoff picture, which made the decision easier. 

            The receiver had put up impressive numbers over the years that could potentially lead him into the Hall of Fame.  Two teams have waived Moss in one season, which looks bad for the 33 year old.  NFL teams have little interest in signing him because of his recent reputation.  It is to be believed that the Buffalo Bills are looking to sign Moss.  The team is the worst in the NFL and they could use all the help they can get.   If Moss does sign with the Bills, it will be a huge step down from where he was at the start of the season. 

-E-steam

FUNNY PICTURES

Hello boys, girls, and penguins. Okay, we're giving in. Here is a post for funny pictures. Something to set your eyes to, pass to the brain, and make your body convulse with happiness.

enjoy lovies!
-Chakrah.