Man on the Moon (The Anthem)

One more song I've been pumping a lot. Look for him to blow any second. This song is truth.

Kid Cudi- Man on the Moon (The Anthem)



"But my mind is all crazy, crazy, crazy. The got me feelin' like I'm not human, like I came here from above, above, above..."

Red Hands

Two songs I've been listening to a lot today...

Red Hands- The Dear Hunter



"Was it bitter when you tossed and turned on his undercover mattress? Did it feel so good? I hope it felt so good. Don't know what I'd do if you lost sleep over little old me. He's so much better, they're all much better. Take off your sweater, your shoes, and your shirt, and get to work."

I'm Bored, You're Amorous- Dear and the Headlights (shitty live version, so go download the real track. It's worth it)



"I've got this feeling in my blood that I want more . This ain't enough. A girlfriend, a movie, a slow dance, and straight teeth."

Probably post more on these two bands real soon.

Banksy

Graffiti and photos courtesy of Banksy.org.uk

British graffiti artist "Banksy". Shouts to V for sending me this link. I think his art is real cool.

SEE MORE

I'm Like A Virgin Losing a Child

In anticipation of their new record Mean Everything to Nothing that comes out this spring, I popped on Manchester Orchestra's debut, one of my favorite 2006 releases, while I headed over to Cambridge to do some journalism shit. This album has always been a favorite of mine, but I haven't listened to it all the way through in awhile. It is truly amazing. Haunting, emotional, textured. The echoing chords and chiming keys along with Andy Hull's unique coo comes together to form one cohesive piece of art. Lyrically, I think Andy Hull is as good as it gets. Fans of more recent Brand New will fall in love with MO. There remains a lot of diversity throughout the tracks, fronted with jaunty and up-tempo numbers("Wolves at Night", "Now That You're Home"). However, when they slow things down, MO gets as intimate as anyone you'll ever hear. Need any convincing? Go download "Sleeper 1972" and tell me you don't get chills. Please, please go get this and be sure to pick up their new disc in a couple months.

Check out: "Wolves At Night", "Sleeper 1972", "I Can Barely Breathe".

Wolves At Night on Letterman.


Sleeper 1972

"If seeing is believing, then believe that we have lost our eyes."

The Three Lies

Very interesting blog post from Stephen Christian, lead singer of Anberlin.

A bit recycled, but still an interesting set of ideas to mull over.

...Remind Me In 3 Days

I've been really digging this album for awhile, but forgot to write anything up about them. The Knux is a duo made up of brothers Kintrell "Krispy Kream" Evans and Alvin "Rah Al Millio" Evans, who bring back memories of vintage Outkast. The brothers also play a heavy hand in the heavy bass, electronic spacey beats that give The Knux an extremely distinct sound. These dudes should blow soon (I actually thing "Bang, Bang" was on a recent episode of Entourage), so don't sleep on them and get this record.

Recommended songs: "Bang, Bang", "Wake The Fuck Up", "Roxxane"

Video for "Bang, Bang"



"Roxxanne"

44

Image by REUTERS

Today was a historic day for America. I think we made the right choice. Putting rationality aside for a moment, there is some indescribable feeling that overcomes you when you hear Obama speak. This feeling of trust, comfort, and (here it comes...) hope. I don't know what's going to happen in the next four years, but America is more optimistic than ever before, and with the challenges we all face, this unity, positivity, and open-mindedness is crucial. Good luck President Obama, for what it's worth, you have my trust, respect, and support.

"Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forward to meet it."

Saosin

I guess today has been a real self-titled day for me. Another gem I forgot about for awhile, but when I decided to pop this shit on at the gym I also remembered how great this is. Not a ton of real masterpiece songs, but not any weak ones either. Solid, through and through. Although he struggles live a bit, Cove's vocals are on point here.

Check out "It's Far Better To Learn", "Sleepers", and "You're Not Alone (as close to a power ballad as we're gonna get nowadays).

Oh and as long as we are on the topic of Saosin, gotta bring this up:



Although I love Circa Survive and think Cove works well with Saosin, I still wonder how amazing Saosin could've been with Anthony Green fronting them...

Straylight Run

I've been listening to a lot of Straylight Run's self-titled stuff today. I seem to forget about these songs often, but whenever I get back to them, I instantly am reminded how great they are.

Been pumping "Sympathy for the Martyr" a lot today. I feel like it really fits my outlook on things recently.

"A laundry list of problems doesn't make you interesting,
and never getting help doesn't make you brave,
never listening to reason doesn't mean that you have faith,
you're just cutting of your nose to spite your face."

Always Coming Back Home To You

"The clouds ran away/opened up the sky/ and one by one/I watched every constellation die/and there I was frozen/standing in my backyard/face to face, eye to eye/ staring at the last star/I should've know walked all the way home/ to find she wasn't here, I was still all alone.

One of the many reasons I love Atmosphere. Slug will always be one of my favorite MC's of all time. Completely dope all around.

"From the heaven I've had/to the hell I've been through/ I'm always coming back home to you..."

Swagga Like Us (Freestyle)

One of the sickest freestyles I've heard in awhile...keep your eyes open for Drake.

"I know you waitin' on the last quote/check the Soundscan you can see that I'm the last hope."

SEX AND DRUGS AND HOUSE

HAHAHAHAHA.

Studio Update: Kid Cudi

Ryan Leslie x Kid Cudi @ studio from Vernonmac on Vimeo.

Just found this on Kanye's blog. Can't wait to hear new shit from Kid Cudi.

Flashback

Last night I was just chillin for a bit watching some random music videos with Tets and we started hitting up some hilarious videos from the 90s we completely forgot about. We stumbled upon this one:



Fatboy Slim makes the best videos. Need any more evidence? Check out this one

Picked up Alive 2007- Daft Punk and Oracular Spectacular- MGMT last night. Got to give them both a listen today.

So far today I've been stuck on The Only Way To Be Alone- Good Old War. It's just one of those albums on a sunny day you can pop on and listen to all the way through and thoroughly enjoy it. I've said it a million times, but if you haven't picked it up yet, do yourself a favor and grab it. "Tell Me" gets more enjoyable every time I hear it. Gives me a real campfire vibe.

Probably going to see Notorious tonight. Hahaha.

PEACE

New Deal Mixtape

Great mixtape produced by DJ Benzi (always putting out hot mixtapes). Be sure to check out "2nd Time Around" featuring two of my favorite MC's Brother Ali and Wale on one track. Brother Ali's verse is mind-boggling. Just straight rips it. Other up-and-coming dudes like Skyzoo, Kidz in the Hall, and Kid Sister. Of course you got your Kid Cudi and Charles Hamilton on there, but I think i've hyped those dudes up enough. Another major highlight is "Brooklyn We Go Hard" remix with Jay-Z, Santogold, and Notorious B.I.G. Keeps it fresh. Be sure to check out more shit from DJ Benzi and the pretty killer clothes from 10 Deep. They are doing a lot to support hip hop so try and support them too.

Get DJ Benzi/10 Deep: The New Deal Mixtape

Mixtapes

Been spinning these three dudes non-stop for the past month or so. Watch out for all three of them because by this time next year I expect them to have blown up (with Wale of course, but ya'll already knew that)

Be sure to check out:

Drake- Forever (feat. Lil' Wayne and Nut Da Kid)
Kid Cudi- Day N Nite
Charles Hamilton- Brooklyn Girls

Andddd the video for Brooklyn Girls...



Get Kid Cudi
Get Drake
Get Charles Hamilton