Leonland > Music2008-03-14T15:44:02ZLeon Barnard's Music Weblogtag:www.leonland.com,2008:/music//3Movable TypeCopyright (c) 2008, Leon"Tuxedo Rap"2008-03-14T15:44:02Z2008-03-14T15:37:03Ztag:www.leonland.com,2008:/music//3.3922008-03-14T15:37:03Z
"Tuxedo Rap"
People Under the Stairs
Stepfather
6Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comSongs I've been intoSong: "Tuxedo Rap" Artist: People Under the Stairs Album: Stepfather Track No.: 6 Notes: Man, the way they capture the old school hip-hop sound without mocking or using it as a gimmick it is great. The beat is so nice, but this track is solid all-around. It just makes me feel good each time I hear it.
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Jonny Greenwood - Jonny Greenwood Is the Controller2007-04-19T01:13:56Z2007-04-19T01:11:12Ztag:www.leonland.com,2007:/music//3.3242007-04-19T01:11:12Z
Jonny Greenwood
Jonny Greenwood Is the Controller
2007Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comArtist: Jonny Greenwood Title: Jonny Greenwood Is the Controller Year: 2007 Rating: TBD Notes:
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Dengue Fever - Escape from Dragon House2007-04-19T01:09:29Z2007-04-19T01:01:36Ztag:www.leonland.com,2007:/music//3.3232007-04-19T01:01:36Z
Dengue Fever
Escape from Dragon House
2005Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comArtist: Dengue Fever Title: Escape from Dragon House Year: 2005 Rating: TBD Notes:
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Various Artists - Rawkus Records: Best of Decade I (1995-2005)2007-04-18T23:07:52Z2006-10-18T01:31:30Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2962006-10-18T01:31:30ZLeonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comArtist: Various Artists Title: Rawkus Records: Best of Decade I (1995-2005) Year: 2005 Rating: ****½ Notes: This disc was on my wish list for a long time. It's a compilation of songs from Rawkus Records (or, you could say, Mos Def, since he appears on about half of them), most of which I already own through the originating CDs. I thought it might be nice to have them all together on one disc so I pondered this purchase for a long while. The other day I saw it for six bucks at Amoeba and that sealed the deal. The final track, "B-Boy Document '99", is fresh enough to justify buying an album otherwise mostly filled with songs that I already have.
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Cassius - 15 Again2007-04-18T23:08:21Z2006-10-18T01:11:20Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2952006-10-18T01:11:20ZLeonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comArtist: Cassius Title: 15 Again Year: 2006 Rating: ***½ Notes: I had been waiting eagerly for a new album from Cassius, so I was very excited to hear that one was coming out in September. Since they're French, I wasn't surprised that it wasn't in stores here the day that it was released there. But I became increasingly frustrated that I couldn't find it, eventually deciding that it wasn't going to be released in the U.S. Fortunately, I live close to an Amoeba Music, and I found an imported French copy. After all that work, my anticipation had built up quite a bit, given my enthusiasm for their first two albums ("1999" and "Au Reve"). Sadly, I was quickly disappointed by the hit-or-miss tracks on this disc. The first song, "Toop Toop", is quite good, probably my favorite. There are some other songs that are either enjoyable or at least really interesting. But many are repetitive, uninspired, and/or unoriginal. It's possible that this disc will grow on me over time, as their second album did, but my initial reactions to their previous CDs were much more positive, so I'm not too optimistic. Oh well, it's still worth it for the few "winners" on this disc.
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Easy Star All-Stars - Radiodread2007-04-18T23:59:03Z2006-09-21T22:17:59Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2892006-09-21T22:17:59Z
Easy Star All-Stars
Radiodread
2006
****Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comArtist: Easy Star All-Stars Title: Radiodread Year: 2006 Rating: **** Notes: I know, the concept of a reggae tribute to Radiohead's "OK Computer" doesn't really seem like it would work. On some tracks it doesn't. But the several good and few great tracks make this a nice pick-up. In particular, Toots and the Maytals singing Thom Yorke on "Let Down" really works, even though there's a juxtaposition between the feel-good reggae vibe and, well, Radiohead. "Electioneering" isn't one of the most memorable tracks on the original "OK Computer", but the reggae interpretation here is really tight and manages to come off as serious and heavy enough. Part of the reason I give this disc four stars is through association, since the songs all resemble the originals enough to make you think that you are listening to "OK Computer" at times. If this was a cover of a lesser album, my rating might not have been as high.
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"The Girl I Can't Forget"2006-09-20T04:06:33Z2006-09-20T03:58:17Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2872006-09-20T03:58:17Z
"The Girl I Can't Forget"
Fountains of Wayne
Out-Of-State Plates [Disc 2]
2Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comSongs I've been intoSong: "The Girl I Can't Forget" Artist: Fountains of Wayne Album: Out-Of-State Plates [Disc 2] Track No.: 2 Notes: You would be hard-pressed to find a catchier tune than this pop-rock ditty. It's tempting to dislike it because it's so head-bobbingly pop, but it's genuine-ness is disarming enough to make you say "oh, what the hell" and totally get into it.
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Zero 7 - The Garden2007-04-18T07:52:04Z2006-09-10T08:22:48Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2842006-09-10T08:22:48Z
Zero 7
The Garden
2006Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comReview QueueArtist: Zero 7 Title: The Garden Year: 2006 Rating: TBD Notes:
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Zero 7 - When It Falls2007-04-18T07:55:44Z2006-09-10T08:19:49Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2832006-09-10T08:19:49Z
Zero 7
When It Falls
2004Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comReview QueueArtist: Zero 7 Title: When It Falls Year: 2004 Rating: TBD Notes:
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Aesop Rock - Daylight2007-04-18T07:55:11Z2006-09-10T08:17:26Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2822006-09-10T08:17:26Z
Aesop Rock
Daylight
2002Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comReview QueueArtist: Aesop Rock Title: Daylight Year: 2002 Rating: TBD Notes:
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The Roots - Game Theory2007-04-18T07:56:40Z2006-08-25T01:01:57Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2752006-08-25T01:01:57Z
The Roots
Game Theory
2006Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comReview QueueArtist: The Roots Title: Game Theory Year: 2006 Rating: TBD Notes:
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Aesop Rock - Bazooka Tooth2006-08-25T01:17:24Z2006-08-24T01:13:56Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2772006-08-24T01:13:56Z
Aesop Rock
Bazooka Tooth
2003
MaybeLeonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comWish ListArtist: Aesop Rock Title: Bazooka Tooth Year: 2003 Desirability: Maybe Notes: I read that this disc isn't as good as his previous two, but I might pick it up anyway, just because I'm desperate for more Aesop Rock.
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Danger Doom - The Mouse and the Mask2007-04-18T23:09:44Z2006-06-27T19:56:41Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2592006-06-27T19:56:41ZLeonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comRecent acquisitionsArtist: Danger Doom Title: The Mouse and the Mask Year: 2005 Rating: ****½ Notes: This disc really grew on me. It plays very well as a complete disc (unlike another Danger Mouse project, Gnarls Barkley). The rapping is solid and the beats are clean and never annoying. The mood is light, and the energy is never too much or too little. I would have guessed that guest appearances by characters from Cartoon Network Adult Swim shows would detract from the album, but this unlikely pairing of rap music and cartoons brings a playfulness that is rather refreshing. The second half of the disc isn't quite as strong as the first, but, overall this disc is a quality production that's unique enough to stand out from anything that resembles it.
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Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere2007-04-18T23:10:14Z2006-06-10T01:29:51Ztag:www.leonland.com,2006:/music//3.2562006-06-10T01:29:51Z
Gnarls Barkley
St. Elsewhere
2006
****Leonleonbarnard+leonland@gmail.comArtist: Gnarls Barkley Title: St. Elsewhere Year: 2006 Rating: **** Notes: Another funky release from Danger Mouse (producer of "The Grey Album"; this time collaborating with Cee-Lo Green of Goodie Mob), this disc grabbed me with its genre-busting sounds. I was surprised at the track-to-track variety on first listen, which made it difficult to get into. At times, I think they're having a bit too much fun not being tied to any specific sound, free-wheeling and experimenting at the expense of listening enjoyment. But, when it works, it really works. Songs like "Smiley Faces", "Crazy", and "The Last Time" are varied and fun, and can be listened to over and over again without getting stale. I think that in most cases I'll be playing individual tracks on this disc, rather than listening to it straight through.