The Drank

Here's a big one. Myself and my friend Justin Campagnano have been making rap music for a few years now, gettin better as time goes on. We've just refined our sound and made a name for our group: The Drank. Our first full length album, JuiceBox, will be out in 2010, and until then we will release music as it gets done.

Well our first single is done: "Where The Love Is Free". We wanted to capture an old school feel with our own twist. This track takes inspiration from A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast and Dr. Dre among others. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Where The Love Is Free | Music Upload

Expect a music video soon as well boi...

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Wax Poetics

I was watching current (aren't I hip?) and I found out about this magazine called Wax Poetics. It's a publication that takes a look at hip-hop through the lens of jazz, funk and soul. I think publications like this are what make music journalism great. It's not about what's most popular, it's about learning about the music itself, loving it, and discovering where it came from. Whether your interested in the new, the old, or both...poetics will deliver an entertaining read that, as the founder said: "you will never think about throwing in the garbage" like another magazine.

This month is it's first Brazil issue, featuring an interview with Tropicalia founder Gilberto Gil. As a sidenote...the Brazilians have come out with some of the greatest music on Earth, creating new genres and a distinct sound. I'll get into them more in another post.

But for now, check out waxpoetics.com for more information on the magazine. This is what music is about.

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New Music Tuesday

It's Tuesday, and I've got a couple new songs to show you all. First, though, a few big albums came out this week.

First off is Humbug by the Arctic Monkeys. This band's been huge in England for several years now, and you may know their songs I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor or Teddy Picker. Humbug takes a much darker and slower turn than their previous two albums. It's different, to say the least, but I'm still getting into it. Check out:

Cornerstone - Arctic Monkeys

Dance Little Liar - Arctic Monkeys

Next is David Guetta's One Love. To be honest, if you've heard one of his new songs you've heard them all. Party anthems for the club, in the vein of Love Is Gone. Substitute big name artist for each track and you get the idea. I wish his album had more musical variance, but it really doesn't.

Jet came out with Shaka Rock. There is some nice progression in their sound on certain songs. Others sound like the same old wannabe rock and roll. Maybe it's just me but sometimes this band sounds like it's trying too damn hard.

Here are some interesting stand alone tracks I found this week:

Passion Pit: To Kingdom Come

A catchy song with a neat video...

Needtobreathe: Lay 'Em Down

Soulful, reminiscent of K.o.L.

The xx: Islands

Nice, chill, electronic sound

Lily Allen's new single 22 live

...and In For The Kill by La Roux

In For The Kill - La Roux

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Two Cool Songs + Love From New York

Here are two cool new songs from the UK!

Animator by Pull Tiger Tail

Superhuman Touch from Athlete

Also check out this preview for the new film New York, I Love You. It is a sequel of sorts to Paris J'Taime, which I saw a while back and was amazed by. What's notable is that Phoenix's 1901 is featured in the trailer. If you don't know, Phoenix is one of my favorite bands, and I'm so glad they're finally getting out there. Enjoy!

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3eb and Anjulie

I'm back, feeling a bit lazy today. But...here is another song from Anjulie

Also, Third Eye Blind came out with their new album Ursa Major today. There's been some internet contraversy about them. A lot of current bands think of Third Eye Blind as a huge inspiration, apparently, and a lot of critics are baffled. Personally I love Third Eye Blind. They were a big part of my 90's music experience, and their latest album before this, Out of the Vein, was good as well. I haven't listened to all of Ursa Major yet, cuz my cd burner is broke and my I-pod was stolen...but I will soon. For now, here is the video for their new single, Don't Believe A Word:

Hope it didn't give you a seizure...

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Hiatus

I'm gona be leaving for a cruise to Belize and the Western Carib tomorrow, so this'll be my last post for about a week. The computer I'm using sucks so some of the posts I've done already might not be working. Never fear, I'll get 'em when I come back. Have a great week, I know I will.

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Yeah Yeah Boom

I've been loving this song since I heard it, so I figured I'd share. It'sHeads Will Roll, the newer single from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and my favorite from them since Maps.

There is also a newer artist named Anjulie. I have a soft spot for women who sing soulful tunes, so I'm likin this sultry little number. Apparently it became popular when someone remixed it, but I'll take the original.

If you like that sound, check out:

Duffy

Corrine Bailey Raye

Gabriella Cilmi

Kate Earl

Norah Jones

Hughes

If you haven't heard, John Hughes past away at age 59, leaving behind a legacy that spoke the most to, oddly enough, people who he shouldn't have understood. Speaking as someone who was just a baby when his major films hit the screen, it's crazy that I know who this guy is, or much less, care about his passing.

I do. His films spoke to generations before mine, and watching them now, I can't help but feel the times. John Hughes movies created the high school of myth...where the nerds, jocks and brats became underdogs, heroes and damsels in distress. I never attended High School in the 80's, but I have an impression that there was something. True or not, Hughes created an amazing place I got to be a part of, and I will miss him for that.

Of course, music played a major role in delivering what we youngins call a classic slice of the American pie, and for that I think it's best to mention some of the songs that made these movies so classic in the first place:

I Melt With You-Modern English

Karla Devito-We Are Not Alone

Do Wot You Do-INXS

If You Leave-Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (try saying that one time fast)

Left of Center-Suzanne Vega

Don't You (Forget About Me)-Simple Minds

Heart Too Hot To Hold-Jesse Johnson and Stephanie Spruill

Love of the Common People-Paul Young

And...well...my first experience with this guy came from being a little kid and watching Home Alone in the 90's so let's throw in some classic tunes that pretty much make me feel like Christmas:

Run Run Rudolph-Chuck Berry

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree-Brenda Lee

Home Alone Theme (duh) thanks John Williams

Lastly, check out this video. The song is Lisztomania by a band called Phoenix. 2009 song, but someone paired it up with some scenes from these movies, and it fits. Testament to the timelessness of this man's work.

Rest In Peace

Some Good Sounds

This kid...Matthew Christiansen...I saw via twitter. He's got some nice music going on, so check it out. Matt! Grab some buddies and lead a band, you've got the talent! Let's encourage him to do so.

Check out his stuff at:

http://www.reverbnation.com/controller/audio_player/external_player/song_2329743%2Csong_2232044%2Csong_2201638%2Csong_2219040%2Csong_2283920%2Csong_2206960%2Csong_2217704%2Csong_2217691%2Csong_2252658%2Csong_2218721?no_resize=true

Sorry for the long link (copypaste)

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Soundtrack of My Life?

So I did this thing on billboard.com. You give them several dates, like the day you were born and the day you got your drivers license, and they create the SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE. Well here is mine.

Bon Jovi-Livin' On A Prayer

J-Lo-All I Have

50 Cent-In Da Club

Gwen Stefani-Hollaback Girl

I've apparently been livin' on a prayer since birth, but I find lots of comfort in pop music. Try it for yourself and see what results you get.

More Wale

Wale-Pretty Girls

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David Guetta: One Love

You can't get away from David Guetta. Especially if you're ever downtown...anywhere. It's not like you don't know who this guy is, so I'll get right into it. His new album comes out this month, and it looks like he's collaborating with everyone. Estelle, NeYo, Kid Cudi, Akon, Kelly Rowland, Neil Diamond. I'm joking about the last one, but you get the idea.

Here are two of the songs he's released. I like Sexy Bitch with Akon a lot, and I'm diggin the little homage to Daft Punk that comes about .45 on Gettin' Over.

David Guetta Feat Akon - Sexy Bitch ( Extended Mix ).mp3 -

Gettin Over - David Guetta Feat. Chris Willis

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Deli

Quick...

I mostly talk about stuff of a national scale, because I know next to nothing about local music in places I'm not local to, but I found this great website:

www.thedelimagazine.com

This is a music magazine and website featuring local and popular music. It's split into nine different pages, one for each city: Austin, Burlington, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco and NY.

Neat.

Madcon Hits Back

Due to the new U.S. success of Beggin' (finally) Madcon is starting to get recognized. The group consisting of Tshawe Baqwa and Yosef Wolde-Mariam is actually from Norway! I had no idea. They've been around since '92 but started performing European shows with hip-hop acts such as Gang Starr in the 2000's. Beggin' came out last year and they blew up.

SO...here are three new tracks of their European release An InCONvenient Truth. I think the freshest sound comes from Wholehearted.

Liar - Madcon

Wholehearted - Madcon

The Sweetest Drug - Madcon

Also, check out behind the scenes of the filming for their video for Liar.

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New Music Tuesday

Every Tuesday I peruse I-Tunes for new music...so each Tuesday I'll show you a few notable songs.

First...there's this band called Movits. I think they Swedish...but they play this mix of Jazz and Hip-Hop that's pretty cool.

Fel Del Av Gården - Movits!

A new track from Muse called Uprising. I'm not too sure about it yet. The title of the audio file is different, but ignore. This is the song.

Oi! - Lost Odyssey

Can you hear a little Bob Dylan? How about Elton John in the beginning of the chorus? David Gray-Fugitive.

Fugitive - David Gray

...and some electronic music to check out:

Simian Mobile Disco-Audacity of Huge

Oi! - Lost Odyssey

MSTRKRFT-Fist of God

Fist Of God - MSTRKRFT

Ian Carey Project-Get Shaky

Get Shaky - The Ian Carey Project

...and if you like the more obnoxious side of female electronic/hip-hop...(I don't)...look for Amanda Blank. She opened for acts like Santogold, and her album just dropped. Love Santogold. Love M.I.A. But when we get into acts like Lady Sovereign I lose it. Lady Gaga...crap. Amanda Blank...see for yourself. I can guarantee that you'll be hearing her music very soon in commercials and tv shows.

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