July 16, 2004
From Ma$e to Dr. Mason Betha and back to Mase
Harlem's back. Harlem World, that is. After 5 years away from the game and "livin la vida without the loca," Mase (aka Ma$e, Muder Mase), has a single out, appropriately titled, Welcome Back.
It's a bomb track, no doubt. It's also the next song you'll hear all over the place until you can't stand it. However, with a funked up version of the Welcome Back, Kotter theme song as the root of the hook, it's got serious staying power, too.
I've already listened to it five* times in a row. Head still bobbing.
Welcome back, Mase. Truly.
* Make that six times.
The New Mos Def: "The New Danger"
Mos Def has finally stepped away from the camera long enough to complete a new solo album, The New Danger, due to be released on September 28th.
Fans have been waiting for a new full album since they first heard his amazing first album, Black On Both Sides, was released in 1999. Not that we've had to completely go without getting to hear his smooth flow. He faithfully shows up on albums and singles enough to keep us both satiated and drooling for more. (See my All Mos iMix for all the tracks iTunes offers that feature Mos Def as a guest.)
July 14, 2004
Glen, the Starbucks Commercial Guy
Thought I'd be nice and help spread the meme of Glen, the band Survivor, and their Starbucks commercial. I think Roy is the true star, though.
Enjoy.
There's also, Stacey. Leave her alone.
July 08, 2004
Update: musicplasma: the music visual search engine.
Tip: Use the two inner-most areas of the concentric circles that define your selection point to zoom in and out. This took me a while to discover, but it's a gem of a find.
Wish #1: I should be able to minimize/hide the search/info remote control interface thing-a-ma-bob with a single click.
Wish #2: There should be single-click "show all" functionality as well.
Props: I get more impressed with this site the longer I play with it. This is in no small part because I get to play with the site itself.
musicplasma: the music visual search engine.
Type in an artist or band name in the search box. See and interact with related artists.
I wonder, are they simply hooking into Amazon.com's recommendations?
No matter. This is cool. Way cool.
June 30, 2004
Rapper or Failed High Tech Startup
Now it's time for everyone's favorite game, Rapper or Failed High Tech Startup! (Just hover your mouse over each one for the answer.)
- 2Mex
- Akon
- Anticon
- Blumentopf
- Borialis
- Ciara
- Company Flow
- Computer Jockeys
- El Sitio
- Electric Schoolhouse
- Equipp
- Framfabb
- FatDrive
- Hot Action Group
- Imaginon
- ISYSS
- Kablink
- Kritik
- Neoforma
- Nephlim Modulation Systems
- Pelham Power Productions
- Raekwon
- Rayvon
- Sarai
- Sierra
- Technotronic
June 24, 2004
More Rap Artists Whose Names Are Adjectives, Nouns, or Both
These artists are a bit more underground (or just unknown and bad) than in the first installment, but the names are noticeably more pedestrian. Coincidence?
- Atmosphere
- Casual
- Nice
- Parliament
- Shells
- Smooth
Honorable Mention:
- Big Momma's House
This has potential to degrade into simply, "Funny Rapper Names," I fear.
June 02, 2004
Rap Artists Whose Names Are Adjectives, Nouns, or Both *
Adjectives:
- Biggie Smalls
- Common
- Fabolous
- Hi-Tek
- Juvenile
- Ludacris
- Mystikal
- Slim Shady
Nouns:
- Black Eyed Peas
- Grandmaster Flash
- Hieroglyphics
- Ice Cube
- Ma$e
- Puff Daddy
- Q-Tip
Both:
- Big Boi
- Big Pun
- Mad Skillz
- Ole Dirty Bastard
- Vanilla Ice
Special Award of Merit:
- Del The Funky Homosapien
* I have chosen to focus on run-of-the-mill words and only those rap artists the average white rap geek might be expected to know about. I'm sure there are others that fit nicely into these lists. I apologize for leaving someone off, especially if they happen to be your favorite rapper. Please, don't shoot me.
May 25, 2004
Dead Phish
Last Friday night, I got together with Mike, Page and Fish to talk openly about the strong feelings I've been having that Phish has run its course and that we should end it now while it's still on a high note. Once we started talking, it quickly became apparent that the other guys' feelings, while not all the same as mine, were similar in many ways -- most importantly, that we all love and respect Phish and the Phish audience far too much to stand by and allow it to drag on beyond the point of vibrancy and health. We don't want to become caricatures of ourselves, or worse yet, a nostalgia act. By the end of the meeting, we realized that after almost twenty-one years together we were faced with the opportunity to graciously step away in unison, as a group, united in our friendship and our feelings of gratitude.So Coventry will be the final Phish show. We are proud and thrilled that it will be in our home state of Vermont. We're also excited for the June and August shows, our last tour together. For the sake of clarity, I should say that this is not like the hiatus, which was our last attempt to revitalize ourselves. We're done. It's been an amazing and incredible journey. We thank you all for the love and support that you've shown us.
-- Trey Anastasio
Holy fucking shit!
December 21, 2003
VH1 Driven - Dave Matthews
Tonight VH1 airs an episode of their Driven series on Dave Matthews. Photographs taken during the early days of DMB taken by yours truly will be included in the broadcast. Watch those credits, as I still haven't been paid nor have I signed a contract with the folks at VH1. Hmmm.
By small coincidence, this is episode #41 of the Driven series.
November 05, 2003
Tenacious D-VD
The notion of Tenacious D having a DVD is a humorous one. The fact that they chose to call this DVD "The Complete Master Works" solidifies them as the band with the best sense of humor since The Beatles.
October 11, 2003
Howie Day's songs are cooler than his name.
Years from now when I'm interviewed (because I'm a celebrated musician) who my influences are, I'll have to remind myself to include Howie Day in the list.
I've been wearing out about 8 tracks from a live show I legally downloaded a couple days ago. The guy's got skills.
He does layering/looping much like Keller Williams*. And his voice definitely has a Dave Matthews feel to it. In fact, at one point Howie's between-song banter sounds so much like Dave-Speak it made my head turn.
His songs are definitely mellow, but at 1:30 in the morning that's just fine by me.
* If you are currently listening to music or have your speakers on at all, click this link at your own peril.