I saw this video recently on another blog and it literally scared me and awesomed me at the same time. That gang incorporated everything that is scary for a “typical” North American: teenagers, black and brown teenagers, sexual assault, random violence, fire, hijacking, billy clubs, foreign languages, graffiti, black leather jackets, and a huge cross. With little to no consequence for their actions. It’s intense, scary, and stressful.
It finally hit spring/summer time here in the crazy north weather. We had a stretch where we got snow again. I was so pissed off, and it was even worse because I didn’t even know what or whom to be pissed off at. When crazy weather like that happens, people tend to smirk or just laugh at the audacity of the situation, not this time. The week before it was sunny and happy and people were smiling then bloody snow. People were mad, I was mad. It wasn’t funny at all. But at least I had some good music to keep me company
The Kooks — Konk
Their last CD was great, it was that perfect mix of radio worthy pop and indie type rock. That song “Naive” was ultra catchy and one of my favorites of that year. It reminded me of England, all rainy and depressing but cool and hip at the same time. This new one is along the same veins, all that great song writing is there and this time it sounds like The Kooks are trying for something bigger, to break that ever important North American barrier. I actually hate that idea, after the 70’s only losers broke the American barrier like Robbie Williams and the such. Boy bands and wannabes. Why do you care so much about having dumb North Americans appreciate your music when they make stupid crap like Soulja Boy popular? Stop caring UK! You already make cool music, just continue doing that.
The Roots — Rising Down
I got into the Roots after I downloaded “Things Fall Apart.” Yeah I can hear all your rap people cringing, that’s like saying “Yeah I really got into the Beatles after I downloaded Sgt Pepper.” I should’ve already heard and loved “Things Fall Apart” already, it’s a classic of a classic. But whatevs, c’est la vie musique. Anyways after that I got a hold of “The Tipping Point” and the last one “Game Theory” and then I became a Roots fan. So this new effort I found kind of lacking. It has all the cool beats and cool rhymes, but it didn’t have anything to stand out. That sucks because The Game Theory had a ton of songs that stood out. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still good and if it’s like someone new people would be all over it. But it’s The Roots. I’m sorry if that’s not fair The Roots, but you raised the bar that high.
Be Your Own Pet — Get Awkward!
Unlike The Roots, here’s a band that I totally BFF’d with from the start. Heard those songs, bought the album first hand, went to a concert in the UK, got the band to sign my t-shirt which Jemima sold herself. So I was so happy to hear BYOP again. Again it’s a solid effort, but the problem I have with BYOP is that all the songs blur with each other. So take them singularly and it will go great with any mix cd you will make. Like for instance the childish and short “Food Fight!” would be fantastic on it self with like the Dead Kennedys following it, but not in the album itself. The prototype I think is the fantastic lead single “The Kelly Affair.” The only song that really stands out as being different is “Becky” the song about high school and murder. But if you listen to “Get Awkward” the whole way through and you’ll get a headache. It’s like drinking a slurpee, take careful sips.
Actually it’s that weather again, so it’s time for a slurpee mix!
