Prince Paul's Negroes On Ice Tonight!!!

Pick Of The Week: Kate Bush, Childish Gambino And GTA: Vice City Box Set

Normally, this would be relegated to one pick but there are a lot of things that I have wanted to write about but never got around to writing about them. So taking an awesome page from Hey! Look Around You!, here are several picks guaranteed to fill your ears while you fill your belly this Thanksgiving. The pick of the week is assorted musical excellence.

Smallpox & Plymouth Crack Rocks (November 2011)

Smallpox & Plymouth Crack Rocks (November 2011)

01. Coma America by Amen
02. American Cliche by Filter
03. Boylife in America by Cody Chesnutt
04. America is Waiting by Brian Eno & David Byrne
05. America Gangster Time by Elvis Costello & the Imposters
06. American Flag by Cat Power
07. America by Deconstruction
08. American Leather by The Germs
09. Sins of America by D Generation
10. The American Woman by Cake Like
11. America Eats Its Young by Funkadelic
12. American Nights by Runaways
13. Which Way to America? by Living Colour

Video Graveyard

Oh, Rebecca Black. It seems like only yesterday that you wowed us with your hit single "Friday" and taught us that it comes after Thursday, before Saturday and Sunday and that we must get down on that particular day. Also, the debate over with seat she should choose presented 2011 with its biggest crisis since wondering how American Idol would survive in a post-Simon Cowell world. As amusing as the song was, it was never explained why and how she and her 13-year-old friends were driving places and partying late at night. At 13, all I did was play Sega Genesis, watch The Box and crush on girls I could not get then and, in many cases, still could not get now.

Kimya Dawson At Schubas On December 7

Autobiographical, honest and humorous are three accurate adjectives when best describing the work of Kimya Dawson. Hard working can also be used to describe her time since the hiatus of The Moldy Peaches in 2004. In that time, she has found a balance between family life and being one of most prolific artists of the new millennium. One could even go as far as describing her as the Lil' Wayne or Mike Patton for the indie folk crowd.

A Long Awaited Tribute To The Overweight Lover

This past Tuesday, rapper/actor Heavy D passed away at the age of 44. While H & J offer their condolences to his family and friends, this post is not meant to look at what was lost. It is to honor what was given to us during his time. Whether it is his huge crossover hit "Now That We Found Love" to his classic theme song for In Living Color as well as his transition into reggae and acting, Heavy D (born Dwight Myers) will forever be a part of pop culture history as a man who gave his all to the things he loved most. His talent was a gift and definitely a gift that he graciously shared with us. As reported on Pitchfork earlier this week, his final tweet was "BE INSPIRED!" and hopefully the art that he left behind will assist in inspiring each of us.

Eleven Bloody Eleven And The Return Of Black Sabbath

Somewhere Satan's laughing and spreading his wings as the original lineup of Black Sabbath announced their reunion earlier this afternoon. While this may come as no surprise to fans as the reunion has been rumored about for months, it is still a welcomed return nevertheless. As of now, the band has one performance lined up at Download Festival in June 2012 and plan to record a comeback album produced by Rick Rubin (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dixie Chicks, Danzig). This album will mark the second time since 1978's Never Say Die that this lineup will attempt to record a full-length album of all new material (the first attempt was in 2001). This is also the second time tht any lineup of the band would have recorded and released an album in recent times (2009's The Devil You Know consisted of the Mob Rules-era, Dio fronted lineup under the moniker Heaven and Hell). The band's announcement trailer is below and welcome back, Black Sabbath.

November More Like Snowvember (And A Bad Kate Bush Reference/Pun)

Yes, November is underway and with that said, let us move onto some great albums coming out this month. What other month has ever been filled with new releases from Megadeth, Florence + the Machine, Childish Gambino and Rhianna as well as deluxe reissues from The Beach Boys, U2, Slipknot, The Who and Smashing Pumpkins? In fact, Kate Bush is will releasing her second new album this month (the first being The Director's Cut in May) which a source of excitement here. There has never been a better time to buy music that this month.

Cheyenne Marie Mize To Release New EP

On November 8, Cheyenne Marie Mize will release We Don't Need, a six-song followup EP to her debut, Before Lately, on Roaring Colonel/Yep Roc. Mize's debut was a beautiful and delicate collection of songs filled with sweet vocals, enchanting songwriting and, at times, haunting melodies which made it easy to fall in love with upon first listening and still continues to impress on repeated spins. Judging by the EP's lead-off track, "Wishing Well," Mize's vocals and performance have grown significantly since her debut. As such, Mize sounds more confident than before while keeping her unique charm over a beat guaranteed to be a live favorite. Here is a link to "Wishing Well." Definitely download this song as well as buy her debut, Before Lately.

Metronomy, Lincoln Hall & The One Of The Best Albums Of The Year

The English Riviera is probably one of the best albums of the year that few people have actually heard and that critics have justly praised. Part Brian Eno, part dreamlike new wave with a hint of early, darker Duran Duran (especially with the basslines), Metronomy's third album is a well-crafted, cinematic work of art filled with popping basslines, organs, subtle guitar and excellent drumming. With songs like the funky bass and synth filled lead single, "She Wants" and the current single, the Roxanne Clifford (Veronica Falls) assisted duet, "Everything Goes My Way," the British quartet earned a 2011 Barclaycard Mercury Prize nomination for the album's inspired performance, songwriting and melodies.

The Electrifying Horace Pinker (October 2011)

Side 1
01. Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
02. Werewolf by Cat Power
03. Girl Serial Killer by Hanin Elias
04. Demon Days by Gorillaz
05. Ghost Dance by Patti Smith Group
06. Satan's Jewel Crown by Emmylou Harris

Side 2
01. Dead Babies by Alice Cooper
02. Spiderbaby (Yeah-Yeah-Yeah) by White Zombie
03. Witch by Cold
04. Vampires by Bumblebeez 81
05. Black Sabbath (From the Satanic Perspective) by Type O Negative

Pick Of The Week: Fishbone's Crazy Glue

Since I was 12, Fishbone has always held a special place in my musical heart. Without a doubt, they are permanently entrenched in the list of my top five bands (and top five recording artists) of all time. While I hear the cries of bias in the distance, let me assure you that this pick is no more than a pick of the week. It is an EP from a legendary band that serves as a reminder of why I love this band so much, why other people should love this band and that their sound has influenced numerous musicians and inspired a documentary. The pick of the week is Crazy Glue by Fishbone.

Video Graveyard

Video Graveyard was created for two reasons. One was to pay tribute to the concept of the music video, an art form still utilized but not given the same respect as it was given in the past. The second reason was to humorously look at older, somewhat forgotten videos. In other words, the visual work of early 80's Adam Ant (or Adam and the Ants) is the exact reason for which this piece exists.

Ten Years Of Gorillaz

Has it really been 10 years since "Clint Eastwood" worked its way into our ears and heart with its sweet thumping beat, melodica and brilliant vocal combination of Del the Funky Homosapien and Blur's Damon Albarn? According to a forthcoming release, The Singles Collection, 2001-2011, not only has it been a decade, it was one filled with memorable hooks, entertaining videos and a robot version of the band's guitarist, Noodle. The forthcoming release (in stores November 29) is a celebration of the radio successes of the virtual band and its creators, Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl, Monkey: Journal to the West).

Thirteen of the band's singles (minus "Rhinestone Eyes" and "Revolving Doors"), along with two remixes, comprise the collection with it seeing four different physical releases two of which include a CD/DVD and, more impressively, a box set of 7" singles. The tracklist for the collection is posted below as are a few visual highlights celebrating a decade of animated musical brilliance.

The Haunting Thrills Of October's New Releases

October is a month that I, as a music adventurist/lover/fan, am excited for. New releases from Fishbone, Rachael Yamagata, Tom Waits, Bjork, Wayne Static, She & Him, Mayer Hawthorne, Surfer Blood, Jane's Addiction, The Original 7ven (formerly The Time and also consisting of the original lineup) and many, many more are hitting stores each week. Fall is a great time to be an audiophile and if you are not one, then October will convert you. Treat yourself to excellence and play it loud!

Sometimes, Somewhere, Somehow (September 2011)

Side A
01. Sometimes by Pearl Jam
02. Sometimes by Ours
03. Sometimes in the Fall by Phoenix
04. Sometimes (Mono Version) by The Zombies
05. Sometimes I Forget by Loudon Wainwright III


Side B
01. Gotta Start Somewhere by Jon Brion
02. Somewhere by Husker Du
03. Somewhere There's a Feather by Nico
04. Dream Somehow by Oingo Boingo
05. Going Nowhere Somehow by White Town

New Villager Appearing At Empty Bottle This Friday

Is it an experimental art project? Is it pop music? These are questions one might ask upon listening to NewVillager's debut album. The conclusion you will most definitely come to is that they are an intriguing and inviting mix of both with songs filled with pop hooks and toe tapping beats.

Grieves Discusses New Album, Recording And His First Headlining Tour; Appearing At Subterranean 9/26

If you are a fan of independent hip hop, there is a good chance that Grieves is an artist that comes up frequently. Since 2008's 88 Keys and Counting and 2009's The Confessions of Mr. Modest, the emcee, along with producer/multi-instrumentalist Budo, has been proving himself to be an exceptional lyricist and performer providing energetic opening support to various acts as well as landing various event and festival spots this year such as South by Southwest, Paid Dues Festival and Warped Tour. Recently, Grieves released Together/Apart, an album that chronicles the trials, tribulations and highs of two years of touring in his personal and professional life. Along with Budo, he is heading out on his first headlining tour and will be performing at Subterranean on September 26 with Prof and The MC Type as opening support.

Through email, I was able to interview Grieves and inquire about the new album and its headlining tour, his influences and vocal harmonies. The key is Detroit and Germany. Thanks to Thomas from Biz 3 for setting this up.

Chromeo and Mayer Hawthorne For Two Nights At House Of Blues

There are very few concerts that I would ever call perfect date concerts as concerts tend to be loud and, often, far from romantic. This concert, however, will be the moment where dancing, love, romance and incredible music all come together for one unforgettable night. Furthermore, when the night involves Mayer Hawthorne and Chromeo, it is hard to imagine anything but meeting the love of your life that night somewhere between the throwback 70's era soul groove of Hawthorne and the modern meets retro electro-funk of Chromeo.

September Will Eat A Hole In Our Wallets

New albums from Björk, Mastodon, Primus and Wilco? Wild Flag releases their album while Das Racist releases their first commercially available full-length? Hank Williams III releases four albums as his first post-Curb recording (s)? Joey Belladonna's first album with Anthrax in over 20 years? September is rarely known for having such an epic set of releases but each week of this month is filled with great artists and albums that you will listen for the rest of the year or to infinity...and beyond. See, all the buzz over these albums has me quoting Buzz Lightyear. The Family even returns as Fdeluxe and is releasing a new album. Okay, time to stop reading and start ordering albums.