Kid Cudi (Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager)

Alright, honestly it took me more than a few listens to get a feel for this album. When I first listened to Man on the Moon II I was thinking I couldn't get into, a bit of a bore. Though, the more chances I gave it, the more I've grown to really enjoy it. I would not consider Cudi to be a hard-hitting rapper, but hip-hop that is of actual substance. This album to me, kind of reads (or plays, I guess) like a 90's style hip-hop album... similar in style to works of A Tribe Called Quest.

With that said, it seems as though Kid Cudi is in search of some sort of release. This album is in more ways than Man on the Moon, more or less a diary entry, a certain kind of therapy. Who am I to make that indictment? Well, no-one, but I really feel that Cudi is laying it all out, and I can respect that. Upon my first few listens of the album, I was so focused on not really the music, but the fact that this album is incredibly personal. Unlike Man on the Moon there is a greater focus on reality rather than dreams. He's got a lot to say, and displays it with depth. When you really focus on the nitty gritty, this record is a heartbreaker with mentions of being alone, permanent sadness, and death.

This album is filled to the brim with rad beats. Seriously, vocals aside, musically this is one sound album. From the first track featuring Cee Lo, you get a real good groove going on. Unfortunately, for me, there isn't entirely a good balance. There are jams that are pretty all consuming, and then we're left with some weak tracks. It happens.

With Kid Cudi, I feel like it is important to mention there is far more than meets the musical eye. Lyrically, his songs are enthralling for anyone who can appreciate a certain element of realness. Like I stated earlier, the 90's feel of this album, overwhelms me... in the best way. I'd have to say my favorite hip hop came out of the early 90's. You have no idea how much I can appreciate an artist who does not feel the vindication to use auto-tune. He dabbles in  different styles on this album that really work for some tracks. Such as, the first 7 seconds of Ghost!. While it is not one of the songs that I am most keen on, I am always a sucker for down south cowboy sounds. Actually, almost every track has that little somethin' special to give it oomph.

I'd say, about half of the album is solid as a rock. Maybe a little over half. If I were to pick three jams to check out, I'd say give these a go: Scott Mescudi vs. The World (feat. Cee Lo), Erase Me (feat. Kanye West), and Marijuana. Scott Mescudi is just a really well rounded song. The chorus gets me every time, it'd be a lie if I say my shoulders weren't bouncin' and my head wasn't bobbing every time I hear this song. It's one of the catchier tracks, not in a bad way at all. The added soft touch of Cee Lo Green is not overly necessary, but oh so welcome. Erase Me is among the indisposed hip hop on the album, but man oh man I dig it so much. Cudi's added rock element and melodious vocals are just so inviting. Probably the least "deep" song, but the song I will happily listen to over.and.over.and over again. If you're like me and dig on the mellow, Marijuana would have to be your jam. Is it wrong to say that I think this song is so gosh darn pretty? Well, it is. Kid Cudi's ode to marijuana is a whole new kind of love song. It puts you in a trance.

Overall, I think Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager is a pretty sweet compilation.

Dub Side of the Moon

Ya know when you find that special musical gem, and you're all giddy, and so pleased with what you seem to have stumbled upon? That's me right now.

I'm sure you've heard Pink Floyds Dark Side of the Moon (if not, what are you doing here?!... kidding). Well last week I happened to come across a reggae tribute album to Dark Side entitled Dub Side of the Moon by Easy Star All-Stars (which has been around since 2003). I'm so over the moon with love for this album. The smooth transition from Pink Floyds psychedelic rock sound, to what I consider to be psychedelic reggae sound is purely sensational. I enjoy the creative use of bubbling bong water, coughing and a couple mean sax riffs. Not to mention the album keeps up with Pink Floyds entire feel of the album, with funky guitar beats and a mellow conduct.

Based on insight alone, Dark Side of the Moon is such a brilliant piece of work, and it's wicked that Easy Star All-Stars did such a tremendous job of emulating, without overstepping.  Dub Side of the Moon is dreamy, it's chill.... it's addictive. My favorite tracks would have to be Money, Time, and Us and Them. Apparently you can sync it with The Wizard of Oz, just like the original. I think its a rad tribute.
Check 'er out!

The Black Keys

What sounds are best on Sunday? None other than old-time blues. Of course this is just my personal opinion. Being a girl raised in a pond with splish-splashes of soul, funk and rhythm and blues it's no wonder that hard-hitting blues have become sounds of pure comfort for me. It's a shame that the blues aren't as prominent as they were back in the day. But, luckily for us we have banging blues bands like The Black Keys.

The Black Keys are easily among my top picks. Their music is some of the loosest, rawest of tunes I have heard in this decade. If you ever get the chance to listen to these guys on vinyl, take it, it is a soothing, and crisp experience. Pure perfection. The band consists of two guys who, upon looking at them, you would not think that they are the ones who have produced such genius (yeah, genius). What I really enjoy about the Black Keys is their element of realness. What I mean is, this barroom blues with blasts of psychedelia is so raw with zero fluff and glitter. They are gritty with a sound of maturation, creating a sound of organic growth through every album they release. Each song that you will hear by the Black Keys carries with it sacks of substance. And, really, what more could use ask for? Especially in a world which seems to covet music that has no meat on its bones.

In May, The Black Keys came out with their eighth studio album, Brothers. It's so sugar sweet. The sound is not what I expected, quite quite different  from (my fav's) Attack and Release, and Rubber Factory however, not in a negative way. I find that Brothers has a lot more tracks that are melodious, which certainly is not a bad criticism. The guys of the Black Keys seem to have really found and honed in on their sound which is that of blues with an unheeding dose of soul, and rock. In finding this magical sound that is so true to them, they have been able to become a more rounded band who has the ability to appeal to a wider spectrum of music lovers.

The Black Keys are so rad. What I gather from listening to their music is that they are under the influence of classic blues supergods like Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Eric Clapton (circa The Bluesbreakers). Regardless of who their inspiration comes from, its workin' like a charm. Being able to dabble in different mediums and genres, in my mind, makes you an astute, wise musician. The Black Keys have not only collaborated with Danger Mouse but they also have a collaboration album called Blakroc, which is an album consisting of collabs between The Black Keys and various hip-hop, rap and r&b artists. Is that not wicked, or what? It's a pretty sweet album. If you like hip hop and are open-minded it is definitely worth the listen. My favorite tracks are: Stay Off the Fuckin' Flowers with Raekwon,Why Can't I Forget Him? with Nicole Wray, Ain't Nothin' Like You with Jim Jones and Mos Def, and What You Do to Me with Billy Danze, Jim Jones, Nicole Wray. Word on the street is there will be another Blakroc album out in 2011. I don't know the details though.

Don't just take my word for it though, go out experience the Black Keys for yourself. If you're diggin' on  unhinged, chill, modern, whisky blues, the Black Keys are for you. Mad chops.

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