Genres
Chiddy Bang Freestyle For 9 Hours Straight, Release New Mixtape
Chidera Anamege, the rapping half of Chiddy Bang, is currently performing an eight hour freestyle in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Longest Freestyle Rap”. The rap is live from Las Vegas for MTV’s digital music awards show, The OMA’s. Watch the performance live here.
You can help out by suggesting topics for the freestyle via Chiddy’s Twitter using the hashtag #RapWorldRecord.
The Philadelphia duo will also be releasing their new mixtape, Peanut Butter and Swelly, later today. Links will be provided when available.
Track: Curren$y & Alchemist – “Scottie Pippen (feat. Freddie Gibbs)”
Track: “Scottie Pippen (feat. Freddie Gibbs)”
Artist: Curren$y & Alchemist
Release Date: April 20, 2011
Label: Jet Life Recordings/Warner Bros.
This cut, taken from Curren$y‘s fifth studio album Covert Coup, features Curren$y and Freddie Gibbs trading verses over a dark, moody backing track courtesy of The Alchemist. Although only two verses long, “Scottie Pippen” is a nonstop showcase of both rappers’ lyrical and technical talents. Curren$y’s distinctive New Orleans drawl opens the track, bringing in a few basketball references and his signature punch lines before allowing Freddie Gibbs to take over the mic — and take over he does. Gibbs’s verse highlights the rapper’s incredible flow and rhymes, with the Indiana-based rapper spitting perhaps the strongest verse on the entire album. Seriously, is it even allowed for a feature to go this hard on a track?
“Scottie Pippen (feat. Freddie Gibbs)” is from Covert Coup, out now via Jet Life Recordings/Warner Bros. You can download it for free here.
Rating: 9/10
Odd Future Ink Record Deal, Start Odd Future Records
LA rap collective OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All) have inked a deal with RED Distribution/Sony to form their own independent label, Odd Future Records. The new label will operate under the Sony Music umbrella, but will be completely independent in terms of creative control — something that is essential to Odd Future’s authenticity and image as a musical and artistic act.
Odd Future frontman Tyler, the Creator will still be releasing Goblin via XL Recordings on May 10, 2011, which will be the group’s first physical release. And as for the new record label’s first release? The group says that they have yet to decide and will begin planning a release schedule in the near future.
Review: Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
Released: April 25, 2011
Label: Temporary Residence Limited
Purchase: iTunes | Insound | Amazon
It’s been a while since post-rock band Explosions in the Sky released their album, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, and many questions lurk through the fans’ minds: what has changed in the last 4 years, and how will Explosions in the Sky be able to create new music that is fresh and adds something new to their incredible, innovative discography? Few albums have impressed me at first listen as much as their 2003 album, The Earth is a Cold Dead Place. While Take Care, Take Care, Take Care is quite engaging on first listen, it is an album designed for repeated listens.
Drummer Chris Hrasky once said that “I think we just liked the idea of a band that there was not a leader or main songwriter, everyone collaborating and has their own say. I don’t think any of us want the sort of ‘leader role’, so a leaderless band is kind of the best option for us.” A band that doesn’t employ words must use the entire band to make sure that the music can stay radical, and Explosions on the Sky thrives on this. Everyone plays a role in each song instead of having one, main front man for the group. The band members’ technical abilities and musicianship complement each other extremely well. As critical as the guitar is used in their songs to create the melody, the drummer is just as important. Chris Hrasky utilizes his drum kit to create the entire atmosphere for each song. In the track, “Trembling Hands”, the drumming is so momentous that it is the focal point of the song.
“Trembling Hands” is the only song that utilizes vocals in Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, and it is the first time in six years that they have done this. The one and only other time they have done this was in “Day Two” on their experimental eight-day project, Travels in Constants, Volume 21: The Rescue. “Trembling Hands” is a track that is much different than the rest of the album, and discography. The singing, along with the drums, gives the band energy that has never been heard before in an Explosions in the Sky song. It is probably the most inventive song on the album.
In a few days on April 30, Explosions in the Sky will be playing at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to promote their new album, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. Post-rock is a genre of music that is normally made to be very despondent and tragic, so playing the album at that venue will be quite fitting. “Human Qualities” seems to be a rather quiet and desolate song. However, this long 6 minute and 49 second build-up makes the last minute incredibly awe-inspiring. Explosions in the Sky does a good job of this in Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. Explosions in the Sky fabricate songs that are not only melancholy, but they also create songs that are extremely inspirational and hopeful for its listeners. For the genre of post-rock, it is not the band that always chooses the meaning of the music, but rather the listener to discover how the music impacts them. Explosions in the Sky connect their listeners to an emotional level that can sometimes never be done with words.
With the exception of “Trembling Hands”, not much has changed in this album. For a band that is so inherently inspiring to others, Explosions in the Sky does not attempt to achieve many new heights. You could probably compile Take Care, Take Care, Take Care along with their first album, How Strange, Innocence, and not notice a difference. However, this is not a problem for Explosions in the Sky. If not changing their musical direction is a problem, fans would be complaining by their second album. Explosions in the Sky seem to keep faithful to their fan base by giving their supporters what they want.
With the release of Take Care, one has to wonder what’s next for this band? For now, the band that seems to be going nowhere but up, will keep themselves playing shows alongside Arcade Fire and a countless number of festivals such as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.
8.5
Standout Tracks: “Human Qualities” and “Trembling Hands”
Free White Lies Single and New Tour Dates
London’s White Lies are giving away a free MP3 download of “Holy Ghost”, the second single from the band’s new release Ritual. The band will be launching a seven-city tour in the United States by making an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman on May 16. They will return to the States later this summer with an appearance at this year’s Lollapalooza. Download the MP3 and check out the band’s tour dates below.
White Lies
May 17 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
May 19 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
May 20 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
May 21 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
May 24 – Austin, TX – Antone’
May 25 – Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s
May 26 – Mexico City – Vive Cuervo Salon
August 5-7 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
Review: The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar
The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar
Released: March 15, 2011
Label: Canvasback/ATL
Purchase: iTunes | Insound | Amazon
Do you remember that feeling you had the first time you heard the explosive chorus of “Adam’s Song”? So much passion and energy was wrought by just a few simple power chords. Although that was years ago and the magic has waned, The Joy Formidable, a three-piece band from Wales seeks to recreate that epic feeling on their debut The Big Roar and succeeds wondrously.
Although Roar is technically their debut, TJF are no strangers on the indie scene. Formed in 2007, they have gained popularity through the release of numerous singles and the mini-album A Balloon Called Moaning, not to mention a moderate amount of notoriety for having a video banned from YouTube. In fact, half of Balloon’s songs have been re-vamped for Roar, and what were good songs before have been turned into near-masterpieces, fitting in with the rest of Roar.
The band jumps right out of the gate with “The Everchanging Spectrum of a Lie,” evoking the fuzzy sounds of Silversun Pickups and The Smashing Pumpkins. Upon hitting the chorus, however, The Joy Formidable distinguish themselves from these influences. Where Smashing Pumpkins are brooding and Silversun Pickups are atmospheric, TJF have a constant intensity. The song ends with an instrumental buildup that transcends the sound of headphones or speakers, a sound that demands to be heard live.
This transcendent feeling emerges time and time again on Roar. “Cradle” is pop perfection- clapping along feels mandatory. The chorus of “Chapter 2” is such a simplistic progression, but it feels fresh and huge. “Whirring” also employs a lengthy instrumental breakdown that builds up the sound to epic proportions.
Relying on a huge sound in song after song would make them a one trick pony, but TJF is incredibly creative in their musicianship as well. They don’t write songs based on a variety of riffs, and one would think that their fuzzy sound would grow monotonous quickly, but it doesn’t. They manage to make great songs through the creative use of their simple tools.
For example, “Whirring” uses only three notes in its main line, but different accents on repetitions and the changing backing guitar chords create interesting layers. “Austere” is driven by the drum beat and bass line and has no real chorus. “Llaw=Wall” is a dualistic song, as indicated by the title. The first half is soft and atmospheric, but explodes in a wall of sound halfway through. In the midst of this, there is a beautiful, brief pause to deliver the line, “You’re the ugly truth.” A couple of verses, choruses, and a bridge rarely appease The Joy Formidable.
Another strength of the band is a charismatic, talented frontwoman. The adorable Ritzy Bryan blazes on the guitar, and her vocals are among the best in indie rock. She has a great amount of versatility in terms of both range and in the emotion of her singing.
This isn’t to denigrate the accomplishments of the other band members, though. Bassist Rhydian Dafydd takes center stage and carries songs such as “Austere” and “A Heavy Abacus.” Drummer Matt Thomas provides the consistently impressive backbone to each song and shines through especially in the furious “I Don’t Want to See You Like This” and the double-bass section in “Whirring.”
The lyrics don’t always reach the high bar set by the music and vocals. They often have a certain poetic imagery about them, but while some lines are straightforward, others are moderately baffling (“Abacus, haunting me/Abacus, watching me”).
The only other mild complaint is that a couple of songs don’t have as much strength or lasting power as others. “A Heavy Abacus” is a mid-tempo number that relies on a lot of power chords and lacks the punch of other songs. “Buoy” may have better served as a softer number to come down from the powerhouse “Whirring” right before it, but instead just feels overshadowed as it is.
These are only minor faults with an album great on so many levels. The vocals, musicianship, and big sound make The Big Roar an excellent debut and The Joy Formidable a band to watch in the coming years.
9.1
Standout Tracks: “I Don’t Want to See You Like This,” “Whirring,” “Cradle”
Video: Tyler, the Creator Loves Golf, Becomes Thurnis Haley
In a promo video for his forthcoming studio album Goblin, OFWGKTA leader Tyler, the Creator plays the golf-loving Thurnis Haley, discussing his passion for the sport.
Goblin, Tyler’s second album, will be released on May 10, 2011 via XL Recordings and will be the Los Angeles rap collective’s first physical release.
Explosions in the Sky Stream
Post-rock band Explosions in the Sky has just released a stream for their new album in its entirety on their website here. The band is releasing their new album, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, on April 26. They will begin a USA/European tour on April 30th and you can read more to see the tour dates.
04/30/11 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Forever Cemetery
05/01/11 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre
05/03/11 – Austin, TX – The Backyard*
05/04/11 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Pavillion*
05/15/11 – Edinburgh, UK – HMV Picture House
05/16/11 – Dublin, IRL – Vicar St
05/17/11 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Academy
05/19/11 – London, UK – Roundhouse
05/20/11 – Paris, France – Bataclan
05/22/11 – Berlin, DEU – Postbahnhof
05/23/11 – Koln, DEU – Essigfabrik
05/24/11 – Brussels, BEL – Ancienne Belgique
05/25/11 – Amsterdam, NLD – Paradiso
05/27/11 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Festival
06/09-12/11 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
06/17/11 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater
08/11/11 – Olso, Norway – Oya Festival
08/12-13/11 – Gothenburg, SWE – Way Out West Festival
08/19/11 – Brecon Beacons, UK – Green Man Festival
Twin Atlantic Announces Release Date
Twin Atlantic has announced that they will release their new album, Free, on Red Bull Records on May 3rd. Free was recorded at Red Bull Studios with legendary producer Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Pixies, Jimmy Eat World). The band will also begin a European tour on April 27th. Read more to see the tour dates.
Upcoming Twin Atlantic Tour Dates
4/27 Belfast, UK Speakeasy Bar
4/28 Dublin, Ireland Academy 2
4/30 Aberdeen, SCT Lemon Tree
5/1 Inverness, UK Ironworks
5/3 Newcastle, UK Academy 2
5/5 Manchester, UK Academy 3
5/6 Glasgow, UK Barrowlands
5/7 Leeds, UK Cockpit
5/8 Nottingham, UK Rock City
5/10 Birmingham, UK Academy 3
5/11 Bristol, UK Fleece
5/12 Southampton, UK Joiners
5/13 London, UK Kings College
5/16 Tilburg, NL 013
5/17 Cologne, DE Blue Shell
5/18 Hamburg, DE Molotow
5/21 Stuttgart, DE Zwoelfzehn
5/22 Berlin, DE Comet Club
5/23 Munich, DE 59:1
5/24 Prateeln, SUI Gallery Music Club
5/26 Vienna, Austria Vienna Arena
5/31 Frankfurt, DE Das Bett
6/3 Copenhagen, DK KB18
6/4 Hasselholm, SE Siesta Festival
6/5 Oslo, NO John Dee
Wilco Announce Single “I Might” Via dBpm Records
Wilco announced via their Facebook page that the first release from their new record label, dBpm Records, will be a new single from the band. The 7″ will feature “I Might” and a cover of Nick Lowe’s “I Love My Label”. How fitting!
You’ll be able to purchase the single at the Wilco-curated Solid Sound Festival during June 24 through June 26 in North Adams, Massachusetts. Wilco will be headlining the first two dates of the festival. It will then be available for purchase everywhere in July.
No dates have been announced for the band’s follow up to 2009’s Wilco (The Album), but as Spin reports, the band has already laid down twenty tracks. Frontman Jeff Tweedy says, “I do think it’s a little bit more obnoxious and irreverent of a pop record than people have heard from us, maybe, ever. And that’s exciting. But I have no doubt that the second this record becomes available there’s somebody sitting in a basement at their computer with the word ‘meh’ already typed up, waiting to post a review.”
We’ll keep you updated as more details arise.
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