By: Kory Kasler, Promotions Director
I don't use iTunes. I don't have a Spotify account. I've never used last.fm. I just spend way too much time on Bandcamp, and I thought I'd share some albums I've stumbled upon during that time.
1. "Sad Bastard EP" - Algebra
Algebra is a really solid alternative hip-hop act from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am a big fan of Cincinnati hip-hop artist Evolve, and this album immediately reminded me of that same style. I wish there were more of this in the world and less Wiz Khalifa or Lil Wayne.
2. "SON.R22" - Hexis
European black metal/grind artist Hexis is definitely one to check out if you are into black metal. It adds a ton of intensity with the ultra-fast grind element and forms a really solid album. Check it out for sure.
3. "Demo 2011" - Traitors
Traitors is a strange mix of hardcore, punk, thrash and sludge. They do a great job of switching between the styles and still making the demo sound like an album and not just a collection of songs. The first track comes in and is really sludge-heavy, and then they go into the second track that is faster and has more of a thrash element in it. It's really interesting, and is definitely one for a fan of hardcore.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
4. "DOMESPLITTER" - Direct Hit!
This is one of the best pop-punk albums I've stumbled across in a long time. It's got really catchy lines and a lot more energy than a lot of pop punk bands I've seen. The scratchy, screamed vocals really bring it all together to make it sound more intense than you'd expect from a pop punk band. Great album!
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5. "Follow Me" - Chalk Dinosaur
Chalk Dinosaur is a really eclectic project that encompasses some elements of surf rock, indie pop, funk, and all kinds of other odds and ends and really makes something unique. It's always good to see someone doing something new rather than copying what other people have done in the past. Definitely check it out. With that many different things mixed together, there's got to be something you like.
Showing posts with label hip-hop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hip-hop. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Billy's Rec's: The Billy Bracken Experience, Are You Experienced?
1. The Books - "Smells Like Content"
The Books never cease to surprise me with their unique blend of folk, experimental, and spoken word. It's hard to pick a single song to represent them because their songs are incredibly diverse. While they often incorporate the guitar, banjo, and cello in their music, they also make use of various samplings ranging from famous quotations to music found discarded at thrift stores.
They experiment with many non-traditional musical instruments as well, like toys and filing cabinets, which are looped as background sounds.
Their lyrics are extremely abstract and can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. My favorite line in this song is "Expectation. Often leads to disappointment/ If you don't expect something big and exciting... usually...", at which point the song ends, driving home the point that it is important to live life in the present, and not constantly worried about future gains.
2. The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
I have always been a huge fan of Mike Skinner, known by his stage name The Streets. After his latest album was released this February, I've gotten really into him again.
"Blinded By The Lights" is one of his older songs, and one of the first songs that attracted me to The Streets. It's a really relaxed song, documenting the frustration Mike experiences losing his friends at a club, then ultimately discovering his girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend. The song documents his initial spiral downward, but ultimately culminating in complete bliss and overcoming his emotions.
3. Borgore - "Guided Relaxation Dub"
With the dubstep genre becoming increasingly popular, I feel that many artists have simply become interchangeable with one another. It's just a difference of where each artist decides to throw in the mandatory "whoomp... whooomp." Borgore puts an entirely new spin on the dubstep genre, creating a much grimier and almost metal sound.
While his music might not be everyone's cup of tea, I find it refreshing to see an artist reinventing a genre becoming overwhelmed with generic sounds. The drop after the initial guided relaxation sampling makes you realize this isn't your generic, American Apparel hipster dubstep.
4. Immortal Technique - "Leaving The Past"
Current hip-hop artists tend to focus on glorification of a criminal lifestyle, drugs and violence. Immortal Technique is unique with his music in that he focuses on political activism in his lyrics. He expresses commentary on poverty, racism, religion, governmental oppression and conspiracy and historical facts. It's impressive how he manages to merge impressive rhymes and beats with controversial topics.
In "Leaving The Past," he discusses the dangers of our capitalist society and the oppression we freely impose on other countries with our military strength. He also explores the topic of racial inequality that still exists in modern society even though we tend to overlook it. One of the most powerful lines in this song I think is, "I hate it when they tell us how far we came to be/ as if our peoples' history started with slavery."
5. Rodrigo y Gabriela - "Tamacun"
I've been obsessed with this band ever since I saw them last year. The band is comprised of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero. Their music is a fusion of Latin rock, folk rock, and metal. Both musicians share a passion for metal music, and incorporate fast rhythmic guitar-playing and extended solos in their music. It's hard to find a song by them that I don't like, but I think "Tamacun" is a good example of the unique style they have created.
6. Yello - "Oh Yeah"
I just had to include this song in my blog as an homage to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which I just re-watched a couple days ago. Every time that I ace an exam or do well on a presentation, this song inevitably starts playing in my head. It's the perfect soundtrack to success.
--Billy Bracken, Sales Director
The Books never cease to surprise me with their unique blend of folk, experimental, and spoken word. It's hard to pick a single song to represent them because their songs are incredibly diverse. While they often incorporate the guitar, banjo, and cello in their music, they also make use of various samplings ranging from famous quotations to music found discarded at thrift stores.
They experiment with many non-traditional musical instruments as well, like toys and filing cabinets, which are looped as background sounds.
Their lyrics are extremely abstract and can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. My favorite line in this song is "Expectation. Often leads to disappointment/ If you don't expect something big and exciting... usually...", at which point the song ends, driving home the point that it is important to live life in the present, and not constantly worried about future gains.
2. The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
I have always been a huge fan of Mike Skinner, known by his stage name The Streets. After his latest album was released this February, I've gotten really into him again.
"Blinded By The Lights" is one of his older songs, and one of the first songs that attracted me to The Streets. It's a really relaxed song, documenting the frustration Mike experiences losing his friends at a club, then ultimately discovering his girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend. The song documents his initial spiral downward, but ultimately culminating in complete bliss and overcoming his emotions.
3. Borgore - "Guided Relaxation Dub"
With the dubstep genre becoming increasingly popular, I feel that many artists have simply become interchangeable with one another. It's just a difference of where each artist decides to throw in the mandatory "whoomp... whooomp." Borgore puts an entirely new spin on the dubstep genre, creating a much grimier and almost metal sound.
While his music might not be everyone's cup of tea, I find it refreshing to see an artist reinventing a genre becoming overwhelmed with generic sounds. The drop after the initial guided relaxation sampling makes you realize this isn't your generic, American Apparel hipster dubstep.
4. Immortal Technique - "Leaving The Past"
Current hip-hop artists tend to focus on glorification of a criminal lifestyle, drugs and violence. Immortal Technique is unique with his music in that he focuses on political activism in his lyrics. He expresses commentary on poverty, racism, religion, governmental oppression and conspiracy and historical facts. It's impressive how he manages to merge impressive rhymes and beats with controversial topics.
In "Leaving The Past," he discusses the dangers of our capitalist society and the oppression we freely impose on other countries with our military strength. He also explores the topic of racial inequality that still exists in modern society even though we tend to overlook it. One of the most powerful lines in this song I think is, "I hate it when they tell us how far we came to be/ as if our peoples' history started with slavery."
5. Rodrigo y Gabriela - "Tamacun"
I've been obsessed with this band ever since I saw them last year. The band is comprised of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero. Their music is a fusion of Latin rock, folk rock, and metal. Both musicians share a passion for metal music, and incorporate fast rhythmic guitar-playing and extended solos in their music. It's hard to find a song by them that I don't like, but I think "Tamacun" is a good example of the unique style they have created.
6. Yello - "Oh Yeah"
I just had to include this song in my blog as an homage to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which I just re-watched a couple days ago. Every time that I ace an exam or do well on a presentation, this song inevitably starts playing in my head. It's the perfect soundtrack to success.
--Billy Bracken, Sales Director
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Rika's Recs: A Gang of Wolves to Dance Freebies to A Fest I wish I Could Afford Right Now
1. Odd Future’s television debut on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
For almost a year, my brother has indirectly suggested hip-hop acts I should check out by infiltrating my iTunes with mixtapes and singles. (He uses it to sync stuff onto his iPod). Among his collection were mixtapes by the Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All collective – OFWGKTA, for short.
Not only am I drawn to the overall talent this Los Angeles-based group possesses, but I’m also in jitters over their encouragement of stage dives, mosh pits and sing-alongs at their live shows (which sell out fast), the occult-based aesthetics, heavy incorporation of skate culture, and their internet-driven climb to fame and success. Their recently-signed Tyler, The Creator has also expressed his love for Justin Bieber and R. Kelly. Basically, they’re up my alley and the Fallon performance of “Sandwitches” made me love them even more.
2. RCRDLBL.COM
I stumbled upon this website last summer, when for some reason I was under this spell of listening to nothing but dance music. RCRDLBL.com acts as a quick fix whenever I feel that my need for beats have run low, as well as a solution to discovering something new! Here I discovered gems like Dave Nada’s remix to Wacka Flocka’s “No Hands,” Deathface’s “Gift of Fury” single, and a very beautiful, ‘60s girl group-inspired “I Heard You Say” single by Vivian Girls. So on that note, the free music downloading site expands outside of dance. They just know what’s sweet.
3. Chaos in Tejas line-up announcement assault
Part of me wants to survive on Nature Valley granola bars and spend mad money on this 4-day fest I’d like to call heaven, but part of me knows I currently don’t have the funds to support a trip to Texas – let alone a predicted expensive ticket price. Lovers of hardcore, like myself, peed themselves five ways when Youth of Today were among the announced headliners. Japanophiles rejoiced when a smorgasboard of Japanese bands were added to the bill, which includes Kriegshög, who are playing their last show in Texas. This is just scratching the surface of the fest’s monstrosity.
4. Music tracks in skate videos
Seven years ago, I rolled my ankle skating and quit the following day. Three days ago, when it got really warm, I picked up my brother’s skateboard to turn in my retirement card and traversed the Athens bike path. I also went on Youtube to revisit all of the old skate videos I used to obsessively watch. Skate videos are great sources for broadening your music taste, especially if you like your music to be morose, fast, or just plain punk. I’ve gotten into bands like The Locust, The Cure, and The Buzzcocks thanks to videos like “Kids in Emerica” and Girl’s “Yeah Right!” They also make me want to shred and create art.
5. Screamo’s Face #1 Pg. 99 reunites for a summer show!
Robotic Empire records announced that Pg.99 has reunited to play one show at Virginia’s Best Friend's Day fest, and when that news permeated I swear I could hear the tears shed and some hairs parting asymmetrically. The band disbanded in 2003 and have chosen the Richmond, Va., fest – where the band is from – to play Pg. 99’s “Document #8” album in its entirety because, according to their guitarist, they feel it “would be fun to play those songs again.” Uh, of course, especially to an audience that will be insanely jubilant.
--Rika Nurrahmah, General Manager
For almost a year, my brother has indirectly suggested hip-hop acts I should check out by infiltrating my iTunes with mixtapes and singles. (He uses it to sync stuff onto his iPod). Among his collection were mixtapes by the Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All collective – OFWGKTA, for short.
Not only am I drawn to the overall talent this Los Angeles-based group possesses, but I’m also in jitters over their encouragement of stage dives, mosh pits and sing-alongs at their live shows (which sell out fast), the occult-based aesthetics, heavy incorporation of skate culture, and their internet-driven climb to fame and success. Their recently-signed Tyler, The Creator has also expressed his love for Justin Bieber and R. Kelly. Basically, they’re up my alley and the Fallon performance of “Sandwitches” made me love them even more.
2. RCRDLBL.COM
I stumbled upon this website last summer, when for some reason I was under this spell of listening to nothing but dance music. RCRDLBL.com acts as a quick fix whenever I feel that my need for beats have run low, as well as a solution to discovering something new! Here I discovered gems like Dave Nada’s remix to Wacka Flocka’s “No Hands,” Deathface’s “Gift of Fury” single, and a very beautiful, ‘60s girl group-inspired “I Heard You Say” single by Vivian Girls. So on that note, the free music downloading site expands outside of dance. They just know what’s sweet.
3. Chaos in Tejas line-up announcement assaultPart of me wants to survive on Nature Valley granola bars and spend mad money on this 4-day fest I’d like to call heaven, but part of me knows I currently don’t have the funds to support a trip to Texas – let alone a predicted expensive ticket price. Lovers of hardcore, like myself, peed themselves five ways when Youth of Today were among the announced headliners. Japanophiles rejoiced when a smorgasboard of Japanese bands were added to the bill, which includes Kriegshög, who are playing their last show in Texas. This is just scratching the surface of the fest’s monstrosity.
4. Music tracks in skate videos
Seven years ago, I rolled my ankle skating and quit the following day. Three days ago, when it got really warm, I picked up my brother’s skateboard to turn in my retirement card and traversed the Athens bike path. I also went on Youtube to revisit all of the old skate videos I used to obsessively watch. Skate videos are great sources for broadening your music taste, especially if you like your music to be morose, fast, or just plain punk. I’ve gotten into bands like The Locust, The Cure, and The Buzzcocks thanks to videos like “Kids in Emerica” and Girl’s “Yeah Right!” They also make me want to shred and create art.
5. Screamo’s Face #1 Pg. 99 reunites for a summer show!
Robotic Empire records announced that Pg.99 has reunited to play one show at Virginia’s Best Friend's Day fest, and when that news permeated I swear I could hear the tears shed and some hairs parting asymmetrically. The band disbanded in 2003 and have chosen the Richmond, Va., fest – where the band is from – to play Pg. 99’s “Document #8” album in its entirety because, according to their guitarist, they feel it “would be fun to play those songs again.” Uh, of course, especially to an audience that will be insanely jubilant.
--Rika Nurrahmah, General Manager
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