Corrosive Material

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Finally…more albums: Black Milk, Coldplay, DJ/rupture

October 31, 2008 — 4 Comments

I’ve been too busy to write – and I’m still too busy…but why not. Stay with me because we are going hard on this one…I’ve been listening to a lot of stuff:

Black Milk – Tronic

I’ve caught an illness…and it came after listen to this album – Dopeitis. Doesn’t happen a lot nowadays with a lot of the hip hop coming out. But this is nuts. Milk’s beats are still bananas, but in a different way. It’s literally more….well – Tronic. The thump is still there, but it’s more organized and electronic in a TR303 or kind of way. The main improvement is Milk’s flow – he’s arrived as a MC. Is he Jay-Z or El-P or Nas, etc….no. Is he dope? Yes. I think we are just starting to see what he can do.

Mick Boogie – Viva La Hova

I’m a day late….but it’s still dope. Download here.

Elzhi – The Preface

I know we had this up earlier – however I wanted to do a somewhat proper review. First of all, Black Milk and El are a nice team – they should be able to grow together for a little while (but I would like to hear Elzhi on some other people’s beats too). Milk’s beats are little more aggressive, not in the knock or the samples, but in texture. The beats are kinda filled out now. And #2 – Elzhi says…. “I end careers, years, pierce ears fierce with spears/They say I’m gifted, and lifted like the beers in Cheers.” Seriously people….and that goes on for the entire album. End of review. Cop it if you haven’t already.

DJ/rupture – Uproot

I basically took a look at this on a flier. I saw it up as one of the Pitchfork’s “Best New Music.” (I’m not a huge fan of Pitchfork at the moment, honestly….they seem a bit out of it..and behind in a sense.) But I’m glad I took a look at this album. It’s dubsteppy…dubby….bassy….atmospheric…. I can feel me driving to this during a rainy fall evening in the city. It’s just got a very upbeat chill vibe, but if you don’t watch out, the trunk on your Mazda might start rattling unexpectedly.

Now I have the first joint Ruff Draft…which is one I should’ve had on the site before….but this more recent album is crazy too. I actually didn’t know it was out until I listened to a Gilles Peterson (aka best DJ on Earth) podcast a few days ago. Definitely a Stones Throw vibe on it, which most of you that know me know I love. She’s been feature on a bunch of stuff, most notably for me “Eye” on the classic Madvailliany album. She sings and raps with equal ability – and she’s nice at both…..but it’s music that kills it. Why is this not being played on the radio? You have a song ready for it – “Floatin’”. She’s TV friendly (attractive). Sometimes…you just never know why some people blow…and some don’t. But I don’t care if she does or not….she’s dope nonetheless.

Chase and Status – More Than Alot

Best drum and bass album of the year, and probably the best since Pendulum’s Hold Your Colour. It’s basically perfect. I don’t have a lot more to say about it. Listen to, for example, “Pieces” and “Take Me Away” and be experienced.

Evil Nine – They Live!

Hard to explain….but apparently El-P loves them. I saw that he was featured, and decided to take a looksie. You figure El-P prolly has pretty good taste. And he definitely does. It’s a band…..but it’s something more. It’s drummy, but not really. Like I said, hard to explain. It’s kind of horrorcore, electro, breakbeat…all in one. It’ll be hit or miss with a lot of people. A hit for me.

not the album cover

The Last Shadow Puppets – My Mistakes Were Made For You

A quick acoustic follow-up to The Age of the Understatement. Still well done like Ruth Chris’steak. These kids are super talented.

Marnie Stern – This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That

Yes – that is literally the title of the dope ass record. The girl is nice on the guitar. In fact, I don’t know a lot of people nicer than her on the axe. Great drumming…lyrics (which sometimes are nonsensical, but I can work with it)…..nice layered sound.

Jacopo Carreras – From Bed to Couch

Electro techno IDM…..whatever you’d like to call it. He lies somewhere between Autechre and Apparat, but it’s just a good listen. He made the album almost entire from software and synths he (a former aeronautical student) made himself.

Oldies of the Moment:

Lee “Scratch” Perry and the Upsetters – Ape-ology

A compilation double album of the hardcore dread shit. You’re not going to find better reggae. It’s just not going to happen. It’s kind heavy and dark in a sense…..the drums and the bass lines roll like earthquake aftershocks. Apparently Perry was into acid during the days these songs came out in the late 70s – and it shows. One of the best reggae comps I’ve heard.

DJ Shadow – Endtroducing… (Deluxe version)

One of the dopest albums ever. A truly landmark album and basically one of, if not the pioneer album(s) to sample based/break albums that would follow. Cop the deluxe version if you can, because of the alternate versions, remixed, and extra songs. This is from 1996…and 12 years later, it still sounds like a million bucks. If you don’t have or haven’t at least listened this album in its entirety, not only have you been missing out – I’d have to question your taste in music. I’m not joking.

Oddly Dope Album of the Moment:

Soundtrack – Kung Fu Super Sounds

This is basically soundtrack music from the old Shaw Brothers kung fu movies from back in the day, put out by the De Wolfe group. This CD will be sampled from for years to come. Has everything from straight funk…to strings and chimes….electro…to western horn ensembles. It’s actually dope just as a stand-alone album to listen to.

what I think about the crisis.

October 13, 2008

The IMF’s director says that we are in the brink of systematic failure, on an international scale.

For real, Dominique?

To quote him and the Telegraph’s article:

“He said: “Intensifying solvency concerns about a number of the largest US-based and European financial institutions have pushed the global financial system to the brink of systemic meltdown.”

The IMF also warned global equities could plunge by a further 20 per cent in the coming days unless governments deliver concrete action to address the crisis.”

You know what that means right? The majority of the world is going to end up paying for the malpractice of the “ruling” few. And malpractice I believe is the correct word. Let me pose something to you – your family doctor is insured and credentialled to make sure that even if he manages to screw up your kid’s (or your own) tonsillectomy, you’ll be paid in full for all expenses – and you’ll probably get a fat check at the end of it all.

So why do I have a feeling that this upcoming worldwide regulation and nationalization of finance is going to be executive produced by the Majority At Large, i.e. you and me..and Eddie in South London…and elsewhere in the world, especially the poorest nations?

Honestly – I might not be the one to talk about people’s rights and fair play, but people need to wake up and take control of their finances. And I don’t mean just your own – we need to be questioning the very people who question US about our credit and finance issues, when their practices are the ones that put us at the most risk for failure. It’s the people that need to take grand, panoramic view of their world and come into full view of what’s been happening.

It’s been my understanding that my blog has been looked at by some people around here, and that I should probably be careful of what I write – so I will. Honestly, I have no grand visions on what the government’s financial state should end, mostly because I’m having issues controlling myself from buying multiple pairs of Y3 adidas, much less trying to understand what the government should do with our money.

I do think the banks got (and still are) greedy. I do believe the FED is unnecessary, and I do believe that in the end, they really don’t care about US having to pay for all of their mistakes.

My thing is this…Trust the people. At the end of the day, we are going to drive everything anyways. WE are going to have to buy food, clothes, the stocks, gasoline, etc. And they are going to try to grind us – yes, even me over here (and they actually already have. Another story.) THEN what we have to do is stand up and make sure we get a fair deal, or at least the very best deal we can get.

If we allow ourselves to be completely railroaded, they will have pile-driven us so deep that we will have to basically succumb to every demand of us, just for help. Instead of the IMF or World Bank “saving” a country – they (with a through the governments) will make plans/bills to where WE are the Ecuadors and Argentinas, individually. And we obviously won’t be able to pay – so they will basically enslave us. We have to prevent this.

I’ve said for a long time that it’s getting scary out there folks. I don’t have a need to be listened to like some sage, as I’m clearly not, especially as a 29 year old college dropout. I’ve got my own road to run, just like you do. But know I hope you’re looking up from the ground, and you’re seeing what I’m seeing.

Educate yourselves.

What can I say?

October 9, 2008

some albums you should prolly check out: Madlib, Miles Davis, Johnson & Jonson

October 7, 2008

I’ve been busy at work – but I felt like I needed to post up some tunes. I’m no longer doing grades because well…..I’m beginning to think scoring kinda degrade the process – I’m not Pitchfork.

I (and Dave for that matter) just post music for you to try out, something other than your usual. If you have any suggestions – corrosivematerial1@gmail.com. And Dave – hit me up on the regular email…what are you up to?

Madlib – WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip

Yet another dope album from one of the more productive producer in music history. You’d think a person would get tired of working so much, or that people would get tired of him – but not so much. In fact, I’m disappointed when I don’t see something from him on the horizon. However, I have to admit this snuck up on me – a much appreciated surprise. This is basically an AM radio/hip hop mash up. It sounds like a small liberal arts college radio station, at 2 in the morning, that let Madlib come in with a crate and some friends, and play whatever he felt like playing on the fly. The sounds vary, but it’s still a cohesive piece. It’s a slightly disorienting listen upon first go-round, but at a minute, you begin to settle in. Dope.

Johnson & Jonson – (self-titled)

Official. For those not familiar with Blu from the Blu & Exile album, you should get on the bandwagon. Exile is out of the picture for the moment and replaced with Mainframe, a producer that I know next to nothing about. That being said – he is pretty dope: very sample heavy and layered, especially with the vocals. He doesn’t chop it up too much and too do much. He finds something dope and just loops it, with a few extras on it. Blu’s lyric game is basically top-notch, one of the best out there, at the moment – very honest, very skilled in all facets, and cocky, but in a regular guy kind of way. I’m not going to say it’s better than Below the Heavens, it’s just different. Quality cop.

I Led 3 Lives – Peace Now

An album I bought strictly on listening to the 30 second excerpts on iTunes. A very, very interesting hodge podge of genres: jazz, trance, electro, and maybe even some other things. Very New York City fusion. When you listen to the sounds with vocals, it sounds a little like Brazilian Girls….but then the next song goes in another direction. I finished listening to this album this morning, and I have to say it’s a bit disorienting in that it’s hard to know where you stand. I think this is something you just take in and kind of just….let it happen to you….and don’t analyze it too deeply. Good pickup.

These New Puritans – Beat Pyramid

The title explains it. It’s an album in which you listen and you wonder how it was made. It’s got a shock value in terms of extremes….it’s post punk done with an guitar, bass, a sturdy drum set, MPC 2000XL, and a disco ball. The topics range from sleeper cells connected to BBC journalist Alan Johnson to medievel numerology. It’s odd and familiar, and yet it makes sense. I suppose they are like Late of the Pier with less Prince/David Byrne inflections – but very aggressive and heavy, but brief. It’s like a tornado taking you up and you see a little dubstep…then a little Clash…and then you come down into some weird house you know isn’t yours. Very advanced and very good.

Terry Lynn – Kingstonlogic 2.0

It’s not raggae…it’s Jamaican….but this isn’t any love and peace joint. She talks real about what’s really happening in the Jamaica (and elsewhere) that people don’t like to discuss: the corruption and violence – the life outside of the all-inclusive beach resorts – all over dancehall-ish, R&B lite, even sometimes techy music. IMF, social and health care issues, consumerism, etc. It’s prolly going to be plopped in the Caribbean/Island/Jamaica/dancehall/dub corner….but it’s more than that. A lot of the time talking politics in songs can be a real task, but she makes it mostly dope. It’s not going to be for everyone, i.e. Dave. But to those into dancehall or dub music….might wanna check it out on iTunes.

throwbacks I’ve been listening to.

Eumir Deodato – Prelude

My first experience with Deodato is actually from my father, through Kool & The Gang albums. Later on in life, I found out more about him: a great Brazilian producer and jazz musician….proponent of the synthesizer. For those familiar with this particular album know about the dope opener: a jazz fusioned-out take on Strauss’“Also Sprach Zarathustra.” The lineup he gathered for this album is nothing short of legendary: Stanley Clarke, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Ray Barretto and Airto Moreira among others. Definitive 70s music right here. Which leads to…

Miles Davis – Bitches Brew

This album needs absolutely no intro. One of my favorite albums ever in life. I’m only putting this down because if you’re going to listen to Deodato – I would be totally remiss if I didn’t first recommend the definitive jazz fusion album (although this is more jazz-rock, tinged with electronic instruments). Cop the complete box set, if you can. If you have to start off a jazz collection – this wouldn’t really be the place to begin. However – it’s inevitable that you will cross this bridge.

The Pharcyde – Labcabincalifornia

For whatever reason I’ve been feeling some Pharcyde – and funny thing is that a lot of people don’t know that J Dilla produced this album. I have nothing more to say about this. If you don’t have this album, (or Bizarre Ride II), or at least some of the songs…you are lost, sir or ma’am.

That VP debate was an insult to my intelligence…

October 3, 2008

DJ K.O. feat East & Silent Knight – Here We Go

October 3, 2008 — 1 Comment

This is an offical video release off DJ K.O.’s outstanding full length release “Picture This”. Released on Shaman Work Recordings, you can pick this up at most retailers. These are some friends of mine so support real Hip Hop!!

The video is directed by Restless Films: http://www.youtube.com/user/RestlessFilms

DJ K.O. myspace page

Defending Elitism…

October 1, 2008

Everyone in America is chiming in their thoughts on Sarah Palin and the prospect of her being VP or possibly even President. Its reasonable to consider if elected she is one cancer cell or plaque packed artery away from being the president. Im going to post a Newsweek article written by Sam Harris (one of my favorite writers) that elaborates on my (David) two main concerns about a Palin presidency. Before I post Sam’s article I just want to give a run down of my personal opinion which is probably not going to be as prolific as Mr. Harris but I am in no way intimidated by that. I also want to preface that a persons ablity to be a true thinker is when they can hold two opposing thoughts in their heads at the same time while simultaniously making an assessment of both. If you can do that (which I am doing and Sam Harris does in this piece), then please save me all the factionary bullshit about “left” “right” “liberal” “conservative” or whatever box people are painted into. We have been trained to think that if you don’t agree with my beliefs that you are automatically mirrored on the other side, and that is just intellectually lazy.

The first of my concerns is her relgious zealotry. The fact she is a over the top with her faith does not make me or the billions of people in the world who are not christians feel any easier about her being in charge of the most powerful war machine in the world. Sarah Palin is not just a woman of faith she is a textbook zealot, that is not just a partisan swipe..

I have proof—

I know that chances are you may have seen these videos but I just had to put them out there one more time in case you havent. If you want the highlights: Witch hunting, praying for pipelines, saying the war in Iraq is a task from God and a never saying no or “blinking” to anything Isreal wants to do.

The second thing that bothers me about the Sarah Palin phenomenon is the belittlement of intellectualism in American Society. It bothers me that somehow if you want to ask difficult questions (and she has not been asked a single difficult question at all) or if you truly question what is so obvious about her qualifications that you think you are better than everyone else is just silly. It is not malapropos to examine her corruption ridden role in Alaska and how that is going to leak over into the second most powerful seat in the USA. The questions of her ability to do this job and the question of John Mccain’s judgement are so relevant and apparent that it is something we shouldn’t be taking lightly. What is wrong with being smart? Blurring this line between being cerebral and being a snob is dangerous. It is dangerous because these are complicated times. We have multiple wars going on, environmental disasters, disease, poverty, economic failings, the rise of other powerful societies i.e. China and India etc… This is not a time to downplay the role of the intellectual in American society. Mental prowess is so much more important now than a persons ablitiy to be a mom or who you want to have a fucking beer with. I really hope people wake up to this. If you think therfore you are! Its not if you think therefore you are an elitst.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/160080/page/1 <——–PLEASE READ!

2008 started off slow, but it is wrapping up nicely…

October 1, 2008 — 1 Comment

Murs – Murs For President Release:Sept. 30th 2008 Dopeness:5.5 of 10

Murs has hit the big times! Murs for president is his first release on a major label. Yes, one of the hardest working emcees in the indy game earned his spot in the big leagues. Congrats to him for that but he sure couldve have brought some more heat on this album. There are a couple of notable tracks “The Science” Love and Appreciate2″. I could do without the crossover joints. There is a pretty standard stale obvious sampled Will.i.am track on here and a song with Snoop Dogg that sounds like he sent it in from across the world by phone (no chemistry at all). All and All I will keep bumping my old Living Legends and 9th Wonder with Murs cds. Im not hating though I think he deserves all the success he gets.

Land Of Talk – Some Are Lakes Release: Oct. 7 2008 Dopeness:7.8 of 10

Some Are Lakes is the full length Saddle-Creek records follow up to Applause Cheer Boo Hiss EP. This cd is a grower because apparently the band has made changes to their line up as well as their sound. Elizabeth Powell is still the lead vocalist though so its not that much of a stretch. Some are lakes is a more laid back record than Applause. It is much more emotional lyrically. It is a great album all the way around but if you are aching for that Applause sound the you will probably enjoy “Yuppie Flu” and “Give Me Back My Heart Attack”.

The Dears – Missiles Release:Oct. 21st 2008 Dopeness: 8.9 of 10

The Dears are one of my favortie bands period. Its very hard for them to do wrong to my ears. This to me is just a continuation of their greatness. Missiles leaked pretty early and while I understand the band is pretty bummed about it, I don’t think they will have much to worry about. This record is going to satisfy their core base and maybe even pick them up some new listeners as well. Murray Lightburn croons beautifully with his paranoid style that still makes you feel like everything is going to be alright. His wife Natalie sings more prominently on this record than any of their previous releases. Im not complaining about this because she can sing and the duets are nice, plus it isnt over done to the point where she takes away from Murray. If you download this album please go but it! I will

Los Campesinos – We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed Release:Oct.14th 2008 Dopeness:7.1 of 10

Poppy, Dancy, Happy, Loud, Euro are just some words that come to mind when I think of Los Campesinos! This band is a prime example of why I can tolerate European pop punk over american pop punk anyday. We are Beautiful, We are Doomed it has all the elements that American pop punk has with one caveat, its smart! We are Beautiful is just an extension of their previous very recent release Hold On Now, Youngster. Pick up either one if you like Los Campesinos! you will like both of theses releases.

Jake One – White Van Music Release:Oct. 7th 2008 Dopeness:7.5 of 10

White Van Music is the debut release from this Seattle based producer. Jake One is signed to G Unit records for a production deal but White Van Music is released on Indy staple Rhymesayers records. I dont think you can get a much broader spectrum than that in Hip Hop. The line up on White Van Music is a direct reflection of that mentality though. This album has the craziest line up. Theres a song with Brother Ali and Freeway together. WTF ? but it works somehow. It ranges from Young Buck, MOP, Prodigy to Little Brother, Slug, and Casual. There are two stars of this album Elzhi & Royce’s “Glow” might be the best hip hop song of the year in my opinion. Oh yeah you know who else steals this diverse show? MF Doom comes out swinging like a beast forreal!