I don’t smoke weed anymore. I’ll leave it to the kids. I’m 27 with a business to run and I need to be alert and focused with my mind strong. For those who still get it on, smoke one in my memory as your favorite lonely stoner.
This is not a joke. I know most of you wanna see me all drugged out and fucked up and I know misery loves company, but I’m sorry those days are over. I had a good run, Amsterdam and all. I’m happy being sober. I’m happy being a new me. I don’t give a fuck who thinks of me different, you didn’t care about me in the first place if you can’t be proud and happy for me for growing and starting a new chapter. I’m not your puppet or your tap dancing drug addict here to be your miserable muse, i always made music for me to help myself find understanding. I have finally learned from the words in my songs. I love who loves me and who really cares about me.
Learn from this, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Hell does have an exit, and I found it. For those who are looking for a way out, I left the door open, and I’ll be waiting for whoever wants to grow with me. Peace and love, Cudi.
Staying true to their sound Rise Against has released their sixth studio album “Endgame” on March 15, 2011! When it comes to delivering honest social and political commentary, Rise Against does just that and offers an explosive twelve-song album with a “fight for the fire of truth” message. Rise Againt’s album presents a bleak view on the modern world at a time when it is sadly appropriate – between the chaos in the Middle East and the horrific earthquake/tsunami in Japan. “We’re living under this black cloud of doom. Everything’s spiraling out of control… the record is all about that” said frontman Tim McIlwrath. While that may sound very pessimistic to some, Rise Against delivers the best of what punk rock music is all about: questioning authority and attempting to unnerve the ruling class. The album who was produced by Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore – also responsible for the band’s last three of five albums – continues Rise Against’s trend of energetic, anthemic punk.
An album that steers clear of relationship or love talk (which I personally find very refreshing) Endgame keeps the conversation heavy while delivering 12 tracks that bring out the best in McIlarth’s infectious voice. The opening track “Architects” reels you right in from the start with the fast-paced tempo and upbeat vocals. The beat slows down once the chorus takes hold and McIlarth sings, “Do you still believe in all the things that you stood by before? Are you up there on the frontlines? or at home keeping score? And do you care to be the layer of the bricks that seal your fate? Or would you rather be the architect of what we might create?” Another track worth mentioning, also known as the first single off the album is “Help is On the Way”, a song which suggests that Katrina (the devastating hurricane that struck New Orleans in 2005) might be the tip of the iceberg to the onrushing apocalypse. Among its varied musical transitions it also features one of the few moments where McIlrath veers into screamo territory.
Another track off the album worth paying attention to is my personal favourite “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” a song that pays homage to the homosexual teenagers who committed suicide after being bullied. At the end of the song McIlrath reads off their names. It is truly impressive for a rock band to address issues such as this in such an honorable and compassionate way. In “Survivors Guilt” McIlrath gives us an unsettling remind that all great societies have met an unfortunate end as it gives way to a dead soldier questioning motives on anti-war. “And I fought with courage to preserve / Not my way of life, but yours.”
The album makes for a thoughtful shot of adrenaline and seems to revolve around that key vibrant energy and steady, sharp strumming from guitarist Zach Blair (Endgame marks his second Rise Against record). “Broken Mirrors” and “Midnight Hands” are standouts in terms of guitar work as powerful rifts are hammered out.
Rise Against has been a favourite of mine since hearing (and loving) their 2008 album “Appeal to Reason.” The band has come a long way since their first album yet remains true to their fans and their sound. “Endgame” is an album that I thoroughly enjoy not only for its thought provoking lyrics, or its powerful guitar work, but for the fact that this is about as good as it gets! Pick up a copy of “Endgame” today and support rock royalty!
LONG BEACH — Nathaniel D. Hale, known in the music industry as Nate Dogg, died Tuesday, his family announced. The rap star, born and reared in Long Beach, Calif. was 41. Cause of death is not known. However, Hale had suffered two strokes, one in 2007 and another in 2008. Details will be available later.
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All or Odd Future for short are blowing up. Last month Tyler The Creator released his self-directed video for “Yonkers” which was one of the best hip-hop tracks I’ve heard this year. While it seems that I wasn’t alone (the video now has over 3 million views) Kanye West took to his twitter saying that Odd Future’s single is “the video of 2011.” Ontop of that all, Tyler the Creator, and Hodgy Beats, two members of the L.A. collective, recently stunned Late Night with Jimmy Fallon with their highly acclaimed radical performance where Mos Def showed his love for the group. MTV has also recently featured the entire crew and both Tyler and Hodgy have signed with XL Recording and Fat Possum. Damn!!! Recently Tyler the Creator’s “French” has been remixed by Toro y Moi. The combination of the smooth production and Tyler’s in your face rhyming makes for a tune meant to be blasted.
Also, check out this hilarious Funny or Die skit the gang appeared in, in which they poke fun at the many record deal meetings they’ve probably had to sit through lately.
The Daft Punk “Tron Legacy” is getting remixed. Daft Punk have announced that they will be releasing a remix album called “R3CONFIGUR3D” on April 5th. The album will include all the tracks on the original December release as well as two exclusive tracks that were initially only available online. The new tracks are called “Sea of Simulation” and “Sunrise Prelude”. The soundtrack was recently awarded with Best Original Score by the Austin Film Critics Association, however was not nominated for an Oscar this year. Check out the tracklist below.
“R3CONFIGUR3D” Track list
The Glitch Mob – ‘Derezzed’
M83 vs. Big Black Delta – ‘Fall’
The Crystal Method – ‘The Grid’
Teddybears – ‘Adagio for Tron’
Ki:Theory – ‘The Son of Flynn’
Paul Oakenfold – ‘C.L.U.’
Moby – ‘The Son of Flynn’
Boys Noize – ‘End of Line’
Kaskade – ‘Rinzler’
Com Truise – ‘Encom Part 2′
Photek – ‘End of Line’
The Japanese Popstars – ‘Arena’
Avicii – ‘Derezzed’
Pretty Lights – ‘Solar Sailer’
Sander Kleinenberg – ‘Tron Legacy (End Titles)’
I’m not really sure what to make of this song, not quite sure if I like it or dislike it. Spoek Mathambo, a white-tuxedoed South African Artist refers to his music as “darkwave township house.” His cover of the Joy Division’s song “Control” has been circulating the Internet recently although it was released last summer. The video who was directed by Cinematographer Michael Cleary in collaboration with renowned South African Photographer Pieter Hugo portrays a cast of dancing, gytrating kids from the neighborhood of Langa, Cape Town. The images are both bleak and beautiful and capture Ian Curtis’ oppressively depressing lyrics while still being a danceable tune.
The indie-rap veterans known as Atmosphere are set to release their newest album “The Family Sign” on April 12th. The first song off the album, “Just For Show” began streaming last month, although the official music video was released a couple of days ago. The video which is comparable to Kanye West’s “Monster” is a simple, strange, and sad story about the love between a dog and its owners. What makes Atmosphere so enjoyable however, is the fact that they are able to tell a universal story through each and every one of their songs while remaining raw and talented.
Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold has released a free three-song EP on the band’s Twitter account on Monday afternoon. With his talented guitar finger-picking and smooth vocals that are reminiscent of Gordon Lightfoot, Robin Pecknold makes folk music very enjoyable. The next Fleet Foxes album is set to drop May 3rd, 2011.
Sweatshop Union has done it again and boy was it worth the wait! The latest release The Bill Murray (EP) which dropped on March 1, 2011 is a brilliant collaboration between the Vancouver based hip-hop MC collective (Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, Innocent Bystander). Formed in 2000, Sweatshop Union remains as fresh as it gets and welcomes you to the 6-0-4!
With mainstream hip-hop music currently infested with MC’s whose only priority is making money, Sweatshop Union is a breath of fresh air. Not only is this group lyrically and musically inclined, but they are passionate, raw and talented. Nowadays it’s hard to find a hip-hop group that actually brings ORIGINALITY to the table and offers something to actually think about. Hold up… you mean they actually rap about more than what the mainstream media puts out – guns, drugs, sex and girls? You got that right. Sweatshop Union doesn’t offer just quality produced beats (and there beats are sick!) but they offer songs like Bring Back the Music which talk about the terrible state of mainstream music today and how they need to bring it back to its basis. In the track John Lennon, which makes me feel as though I am lying on the beach in Barbados listening to a steel drum, Sweatshop Union reminds us to “make the most while in the thick of it”. In fact the whole album is above the typical rap garbage that kids are being exposed to on a daily basis through the mainstream media and while I’m not sure about you, Sweatshop Union’s the kind of rap that I actually want my kids to listen to.
What’s not to like about this EP? From mellow, chill tracks like my favourite Staring at the Walls (Too Late) to more pumped up jams like Makeshift Kingdom; The Bill Murray (EP) has it all! The only real way to listen to this album is to play it in its entirety especially since there isn’t a single track that you’ll want to skip. Yes you heard me, from the intro to the very last song there is not one track that you will want to skip. When’s the last time that happened? This album is a must have, plus it’s only $7.89. Support some of Vancity’s best talent ya’ll and much love to the familla.
Kulture 