Friday Grab-Bag

"F.A.N.S." -- Tech N9ne (Hip-Hop)

I'm keeping with my "new music can be good music" kick I was on for Hip-Hop Thursday, at least for this song. First time I really heard Tech N9ne was at Rock The Bells in 2009, and his fans scared the shit out of me. I mean, the "technicians" as they call themselves, are the most dedicated fanbase I've seen. And they were crazy enough that I didn't exactly enjoy Tech's Set. However, after listening to his music on my own in a quiet environment helped me realize how dope this guy is. Here's his roughly 1-week-old ode to his fan base, a song he's given away for those that pre-ordered his upcoming album, "All 6's and 7's." Needless to say, I'm anxiously awaiting the album's release and the arrival of my pre-order.

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"Angel Dance" -- Robert Plant (Rock)

Robert Plant's reinvention post-Led Zeppelin has been amazing to watch. First was his delving into old-school blues with a couple different groups. Then was his Country-Folk album with Alison Krauss, that caught everybody off-guard with how well the two worked together- creating one of 2007's best albums. And now, he's leading a new group, Band of Joy, sharing the namesake of his very first band, pre-dating his time with Zeppelin. "Angel Dance," is the first track of off the album sharing the group's name. It has a great sound to it-- something of a southern rock-country-blues mix, and its carried by Plant's still golden vocals.

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"25 Minutes To Go" -- Johnny Cash (Country)

I've been a Cash mood all week-- debating if my favorite live album is his At Folsom Prison, or The Allman Brothers' At Filmore East. Though I never came to a conclusion, it did leave me playing Cash over and over again (as I did the same with Fillmore last week), with my favorite tracks changing constantly. By now, "25 Minutes To Go," and "The Legend of John Henry's Hammer" both have over 20 plays on the Pod and more in iTunes. Nothing beats Johnny's bad-ass-ness, especially live in front of a group of criminals enjoying a few hours of freedom.

Friday Grab-Bag

"Say G & E!" -- Grouch & Eligh of Living Legends.

Another Album I purchased on a whim a couple years ago. I heard a preview of the first single on iTunes and immediately pre-ordered the entire album. Grouch and Eligh are two underground artists (I assume, as I've never met anyone whose heard of this album) who run with the likes of Murs and Aesop Rock as members of Living Legends. Eligh leads the production team, resulting in an album that sounds simply put, beautiful. He and the Grouch are also great lyricists, lying positive rhymes throughout this LP. My fingers are crossed that the duo team up again in the future.

"My Number"-- Tegan & Sara.

Can't say I exactly remember when I first heard Tegan & Sara, but I do remember this is the first song I heard from them (like Say G&E with Grouch&Eligh). Though their music is impressive, they never really topped this one for me- as it remains a personal favorite. Lines like "Its a silly time to learn to swim when you start to drown, its a silly time to learn to swim on the way down," show off the duo's penchant for song writing. The life they give the song coupled with the great writing really does take this track to another level, for me anyways.

"Belle/Banana Pancakes"

Jack Johnson's live album En Concert has only intensified my desire to see him play one day. I love the opening combination of Belle, a song spoken in 5 different languages and backed by romantic sound of the accordion that conjure images of a gondola ride, and Banana Pancakes, the simple and sweet rainy day love song that perfectly captures wide-eyed infatuation. Both originated on the In Between Dreams album that introduced me to Jack some 6 years ago.

Bonus Fact: Belle is supposedly written as an ode to his wife, who can speak the 5 languages featured (Can You Guess them and what order they're in?).

Friday Grab-Bag

"Just Chill (feat. Beanie Sigel & Bun B)" -- Travis Barker (Hip-Hop)

Mr. Barker's solo debut does not disappoint. He manufactured some amazing beats and recruited his friends out of his emcee Rolodex. The whole album bangs. But since I can only share one, I'm going with a couple artists I haven't discussed before- Beans and Bun B. Both are hard, real artists who don't get the recognition I wish they would.

(Side Note- one of my favorite songs to cruise around to as summer comes is Beanie's "Feel It In The Air." Its one of the best hip-hop songs I've ever heard.)

"Next To Me (Wait A Minute Sister)" -- Gavin DeGraw (Rock)

Gavin DeGraw has a great voice. Like- "listen to him cover other artists while surfing Youtube" great. His self-titled album is love-song heavy, and I'm alright with that- his style definitely supports the medium. On this one, he's trying to grab a girl's attention, but she's not even giving him the time of day. I feel ya on this one my brother.

"Don't Know Why"-- Norah Jones (Jazz)

When Norah Jones' debut album "Come Away With Me," dropped, it was an instant classic. And why not? Smooth sound. Great Song-Writing. And Norah Jones' Amazing Talent. It propelled Miss Jones to 8 Grammys, including New Artist, Song, Record and Album. AND it was the last album to ever break Diamond status (thats over 10 Million). Safe to say, she'll keep that accolade for a long time- and possibly forever...

Friday Grab-Bag

"Bastard/Seven"- Tyler the Creator of Odd Future (Hip-Hop).

I was introduced to Odd Future about a week ago, and I saw them give one of the best Late Night performances I've ever seen about a week before that, not knowing who the hell they were. They're crazy. They make Eminem look like Nat King Cole. Their leader is Tyler the Creator, the 19-year-old phenom who produces all of the groups tracks (meaning he does the beat) as well as being their most skilled rapper. I've been playing his "Bastard" album constantly over the past week and I anxiously await his upcoming "Goblin" sophomore album.

"Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll"- The Killers (Alternative).

The Killers' debut "Hot Fuss," man it blew me away. It was great to hear this new band tearing it up out of nowhere (well seemingly-- this was before I knew how to scour the Internet for the latest and greatest). Here's on of my favorite cuts from them- completely raw, completely won me over.

"Try A Little Tenderness" - Otis Redding (R&B/Soul).

Speaking of raw, this is the rawest love song I have ever heard. Otis Redding had one of the greatest voices of his generation, whose life was cut short out of tragedy (like many of our greats have). Its the kind of song you wish you could turn up louder and louder, even when the volume is up all of the way. The emotion he pours into the song is just beautiful, and a must listen for anyone whose only heard Otis's "Sittin' By The Dock Of The Bay."

Friday Grab-Bag

The Friday Grab-Bag is going up a day early because I have a busy Friday tomorrow and might not have the time to do a post. So this is like that expression "Christmas came early," except if your Christmas was really lame and only consisted of hearing 3 new songs...

"Battle Cry" - Joell Ortiz (Hip-Hop)

The Puerto Rican Quarter of the Slaughter recently released a great sophomore album Free Agent that won't get the kind of support it should, but it really is awesome. Joell Ortiz is bring NY Hip-Hop back in a major way. He has charisma, lyrics and flow, three essentials to be a truly great emcee. After seeing him live and through his videos, you get the vibe that he's a hardworking guy with a great attitude, sense of humor and is grateful for all the success he's achieved. Oh, and he's been co-signed by KRS-One, Nas, 50 Cent & Kanye. Kind of a big deal.

"Farmhouse"- Phish (Rock)

I have my sister to thank for introducing me to a great deal of music-- and one of the first groups she showed me was Phish. After listening to the numerous albums she owned, I understood why she traveled to see them perform live. It was real tough to pick just one song from them, but I went with "Farmhouse" mostly because of the catchy melody, slick guitar sound and its a good starting point for people who haven't listened to Phish before. So Jam on...

"Wilco (The Song)"- Wilco (Alternative)

Oh Wilco- you love me and I love you back. Wilco (The Song) from "Wilco (The Album)" by Wilco (The Band)? Brilliant. This album was released just after I graduated high school and I played it in my room a lot that summer (and in my truck when my company didn't complain about not knowing them...). Its such an upbeat track, and the album as a whole takes an optimistic tone about embracing the uncertainties that make up life-- and few times are as uncertain as that first few months after graduation.

Friday Grab-Bag

Heading into the Weekend and I have some tracks for you, as promised...

"All Black Everything"- Lupe Fiasco (Hip-Hop)

LASERS (Love Always Shines Everytime Remember 2 Smile), my most anticipated album, possibly ever, is creeping closer and closer each day. This track, "All Black Everything," is rumored to be Lupe's favorite track off the album, and also his favorite he's ever done. I'm not sure thats true, but I wouldn't be surprised. The lyrics are doper than hell. Just unreal. This is why he's the Beat Rapper Alive, and Top 5 Ever.

"Cause racism has no context

Hip hop ain’t got a section called conscious

Everybody rappin’ like crack never happened

Crips never occurred no Bloods to attack them

Matter of fact no hood to attack in

Somalia is a great place to relax in

Fred Astaire was the first to do a backspin

The Rat Pack was cool group of black men

That inspired five white guys called The Jacksons

Eminem fitted in but then again he inspired a black rapper tryin' to mimic him

And that’s what really rose up out of Michigan,

the sign of white rapper by the name of 50 Cent, ha!"

"Instant Karma!" - John Lennon (Rock)

My favorite fact about this track- On its side of the 45-Single, it says, "Play Loud." On the reverse side, a single by Yoko about the wind, it asks the listener to "Play Soft." Classic Lennon. Guy was miles ahead of everyone else.

"Green Light" - John Legend feat. Andre 3000 (R&B)

This was originally going to be a song from Wake Up!, the album Legend did with the Roots this past year. Odds on favorite was the song I thought should have been the Oscar Winner of Best Original Song, Shine. BUT... Andre 3000 is just too damn cool. And Andre appearances are as rare as they are breathtaking-- so its essential to enjoy them to their fullest. Oh, and John Legend's kind of a good singer...

Friday Grab-Bag

Time for the first Friday Grab-Bag. This post will give you 3 songs of different types of music to help you last through the weekend without me. So without further ado, let's do it to it.

"Give It To Me Right" - Melanie Fiona (R&B)

Where do I start with Melanie? For one, her voice is gorgeous. She has an old R&B feel to her that she embraces, and I love it. She's been my giant crush for a couple weeks now-- there's something about a beautiful, confident woman who can sing and loves Sam Cooke that just makes me melt. Oh, and she's been co-signed by Kanye, who took her on the road as his opening act before she had a record out, and ?uestlove of the Roots, who featured her on their album with John Legend Wake Up, and released a Mixtape of sorts with her (download here: http://bit.ly/i7MvBs).

"Don't Leave Me" - Blink-182 (Rock)

Purely here because I've been playing Enema of the State a lot recently. I love the start to the album-- "I'll be fine, Its not the first, Just like last time, But a little worse." Its a nice little blast from the past for the weekend.

"Not Lost ft. TI" - B.o.B (Hip-Hop)

B.o.B did something Jay-Z fumbled with badly- using/sampling Chris Martin's voice for a hip-hop song. Joe Budden did it beautifully before on "Sidetracked" by sampling Coldplay's Lost. Bobby Ray does just as well by sampling the same song. Its off his latest mixtape No Genre, which is definitely worth a download if you enjoyed his album.

Wild West Wednesday

So, new idea for the MFP. I love 5 things in life- Basketball, Music, Women, Film and Food. I probably know the most about baketball and the least about women. But that's neither hear nor there. I'd like to use the MFP to share my personal tastes in music. And, since my tastes are so wide and varied, I'd like to dedicate each day of the week to a different genre. So my hopeful goal is to post as follows:

Classic Rock Mondays.

Alternative Tuesdays.

Wild West Wednesdays.

Hip-Hop Thursdays.

Friday Grab-Bag.

The rules are very lax as far as what fits where, mostly because its my blog and I can do that.

SO- to kick things off, and seeing that today is Wednesday, I have a country song for you.

"Water," - Brad Paisley, just seems like the right song to start with for the first W.W.W. For one, Brad Paisely is probably my favorite country artist. His last album, American Saturday Night, was the Best Album I heard in 2009- and I never thought I'd say that about an album of country music. Not a skippable song on it, most especially this one right here. The album has its genuine moments of reflection, but this song is just too much fun. Hope you enjoy.