Category: Blog

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Classic Album Review

Top Choice: Best Albums of All Time

Being an avid listener of music, I still have a relatively short list of albums that I can truly listen to straight through, again and again, and continue enjoying them the same amount as my first listen. I’ve compiled a list of albums from multiple genres and multiple themes. While they are perhaps not universally loved or recognized, these are the albums I consider to be the best of all time. 

La Maison de Mon Rêve – Cocorosie 

The Casady sisters have created an entire discography of  incredible experimental albums and this one is no exception. This is the single most unique album on this list, with soft vocals and harmonies, narratives that draw you in, and samples of really interesting sounds such as a creaking door or the sound of a shower flowing. 

Blonde – Frank Ocean 

An avant-garde album that is still widely loved by fans of rap, R&B, pop, and so on; this album had to make the list. I listen to this one at least every month and I continue to enjoy each song. The lyrics are beautifully constructed, the album is well produced, and the musical arrangements are languid but memorable. There’s a reason for the acclaim this album received, and if you haven’t listened to it in entirety, you need to ASAP. 

Bitchcraft – Spooky 

I won’t get into too much detail for this one since you can check out my full review of the album, but this is definitely one of my top albums of all time. Each song flows together perfectly, and it’s short enough to listen to and enjoy in a short listening session. 

The College Dropout – Kanye West 

This album is filled with songs that are forgotten or underrated in the first place. The album chronicles West’s early life in his first foray into music produced by a label. The narrative is compelling: it follows his choice to drop out of college to pursue a career in music, his life-altering car crash, and his experience navigating the music industry. 

I’ll likely have a part two for this topic since I’m pretty passionate about certain albums. Hopefully, you’ve been able to learn about a new album or are compelled to check out a classic album. Thanks for reading. 

– Miranda

Categories
Music News and Interviews

Vince Staples and the Vicarious Life of the Hip-Hop Fan

With the proliferation of cameras, satellites and other technologies that collect biometric data, it is easier than ever to track the location and behavioral patterns of individuals. The internet has made it possible for millions of people to spy on each other at will through social media and applications like Google Earth. This is the premise for the music video by rapper Vince Staples.

This video was produced as though we are watching through Google Street view, with some shots being stills and others containing movement. It takes place in “Norfy”, California, which is Vince’s nickname for his hometown of northern Long Beach. The camera follows Vince as he passes by other residents who are seen doing a variety of activities. In the end of the video, it is revealed that a teenager identified as “Lucas” has been watching these events unfold from his computer screen – when his name is called, he quickly closes his laptop and leaves the frame.

There are some details about Lucas that shed some light on the intersection of race, class, and the vicarious life of the hip-hop fan. Lucas is portrayed as a teenage white male; based on his room we might assume he is somewhere in the upper-middle class, and based on the “Free Kodak” poster on his wall we can deduce he is a hip-hop fan. Vince Staples knows his audience quite well – though hip-hop is one of the most diverse genres of music, people like Lucas make up a considerable chunk of its demographic. When a genre of music that is rooted in the struggle of an oppressed people is consumed by those who have not experienced that struggle, it becomes commodified as entertainment.

There is an irony in us watching someone watch someone else. To this end, I think “FUN!” serves as a criticism of not only Lucas, but the viewers themselves. After all, are we not spying on Vince as well?

– DJ Mango

Categories
Playlists

Odd Time Signatures in Popular Music

We are all familiar with the steady 4 beat pulse that permeates much of today’s music. This is called common time or in time signature notation, 4/4. However, not all popular music uses this rhythm – other popular time signatures are ¾, often found in waltzes, and 6/8, often heard in soul music. Some popular songs even use time signatures that are asymmetrical or irregular, or time signatures that change! I’ve put together a playlist of notable songs that employ these odd time signatures.

  1. Tom Sawyer by Rush (Moving Pictures, 1981): Prog rock legends Rush are known for their extensive use of odd time signatures. Tom Sawyer is no different; it features grooves in 4/4 and 7/8.

  2. Nosferatu Man by Slint (Spiderland, 1991):This track by post rock band Slint features sections in 5/4, 6/4 and 4/4.

  3. Money by Pink Floyd (The Dark Side of the Moon, 1973): By far the most popular song on this list, this track’s famous opening riff occurs in 7/4 time with its solo sections in 4/4 time.

  4. Pyramid Song by Radiohead (Amnesiac, 2001): This song by Radiohead is famous for its seemingly nonexistent rhythm – fans can’t seem to reach a consensus on what time signature it is in. Interestingly enough, the song’s rhythm can actually be conceptualized as a heavily syncopated 4/4 groove. Listen for yourself and tell me what you think!

  5. Take Five by The Dave Brubeck Quartet (Time Out, 1959): The best selling jazz single of all time features a memorable piano vamp in 5/4 time.

  6. Never Meant by American Football (American Football, 1999): The subject of many a music meme, this track’s opening riff is most easily described in terms of 6/4 or 12/8 time.

  7. By Fire by Hiatus Kaiyote (Choose Your Weapon, 2015): Like many Hiatus Kaiyote songs, By Fire changes time signatures like nobody’s business. This track alternates between ¾, 2/4, and 4/4 and is tied together by Perrin Moss’ drumming.

That’s all for this playlist! What are some of your favorite songs in odd time signatures?

– DJ Mango

Categories
New Album Review

Album Review: Niagara by redveil

If you listened to redveil’s intricate production and confident delivery you might not guess that he isn’t old enough to vote. As it turns out, the 16-year old rapper is already an industry vet who began releasing mixtapes at the age of 12. His latest release, Niagara, is a display of the talents he has already cultivated, as well as the potential he has as an artist at the beginning of his career.

The album opens with “Campbell”, a brief, two verse affair that showcases redveil’s ability to flow over a soulful sample loop. It serves as an appetizer for what’s to come on the rest of the project. It is followed by “Weight” which features a woozy vocal sample squashed underneath trap drums. Lines like “I remember when I was 11 and watching my blood on the TV get spilled out/Now I got a lil older, no love for the system and I’m reaching back for the grip now/And it’s really f— twelve I done grown in myself to the point I can see that they hate us” paint redveil as a jaded kid forced to grow up too quickly. Another highlight is “Fastlane” which finds veil reflecting on the trials and tribulations of his childhood over a jazzy piano loop.

Written, produced, and recorded (almost) exclusively by redveil in his bedroom, Niagara is a testament to the power of the DIY artist. It has established him as a budding artist who is wise beyond his years and has quite a lot to say. One thing is for sure: I’ll be listening.

Favorite tracks: Weight, 5500, Clench, Fastlane

– DJ Mango

Categories
Miscellaneous

Album Art Gems: Part One

One of my greatest loves, that I really could talk about forever, is album cover designs. Get ready. This is going to be a weekly series of my favorite album covers of all time, simply because there’s too many to fit into only one blog post.

I am a graphic design major and designer for WKNC, so you can imagine that aesthetics is very important to me. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but I think this foolish. Who wants to read a book that’s title is in Comic Sans? Not I.

Album covers help to communicate a lot about an artist and the message behind their music. There is something so beautiful to me about having one type of art inform another, and album art does just that. One of my favorite things to do is peruse Nice Price Records on Hillsborough St. and find a record with the coolest cover I can find. Even if it’s in completely random genre section that I would normally never listen to, this has been a great way to find design inspiration and new music.

Both a mixture of classics and newbies, here’s my top five for this week’s installment of Album Art Gems:

1.     Freetown Sound – Blood Orange

If you’ve read any of my blogs, you know that I am a big Dev Hynes fan. His album covers are always so beautiful, but “Freetown Sound” is the most standout to me. The colors are divine, and it pairs wonderfully with his album’s message to highlight Black relationships and love.

2.     Axis: Bold as Love – Jimi Hendrix

I LOVE JIMI HENDRIX. He was a musical god and his genius on the guitar and as a poet is timeless. I had the “Axis” cover as a poster in my freshman dorm for an entire year. With Eastern philosophy and psychedelics gaining popularity in America right around the time “Axis” was released, the Jimi Hendrix Experience reflected this cultural revolution in this insane album art.

3.     DHL (Single) – Frank Ocean

Frank is known for his simplicity and anonymity. To be entirely honest, I have no idea what’s going on in this cover, but I like it a lot. The type design for DHL is really fun and interesting, along with the colors overall.

4.     Vacation in Hell – Flatbush Zombies

This album cover is mm *chef’s kiss*. FBZ are the dark, expressive rap group we all need right now, yet this cover really contrasts their normal undead vibes. During an interview, they said that this shoot was scheduled on a day when it was completely overcast and rainy. Just when they were about to call it quits as the day was ending, the sun burst through the clouds and they were able to take the perfect shot.

5.     Let it Bleed – The Rolling Stones

Finally, we have a great classic from the Rolling Stones. Like the “DHL” single, I really have no idea what’s happening, but whatever it is, it’s working. If you look closely, the bottom layers of the “cake” seem to be made up of a bike tire, a pancake, a clock, and a film reel canister. The colors and strange simplicity of this cover will always make it one of my favorites. 

Hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I did.

Tune in!

– DJ butter

Categories
Playlists

8 Great Songs That Make You Feel Like the Main Character in a Movie

Deliver Album Cover The Mamas and The Papas

Has this ever happened to you? 

You, walking down the street: “Wow what a perfect day. I’m seeing all my friends and doing all my favorite things. You know what would make this day even better? Some music playing in the background that fit every action I was doing as if I were in a movie.” 

Well now, thanks to the power of Playlists, I bring you 10 songs that make you feel like you’re in a movie. 

1. Peace Blossom Boogy by the Babe Rainbow 
Turn on the lights, pan the cameras, and play this song. Here we find you, the main character, driving your convertible with the top down along an unadulterated stretch of beach road. Dressed in bright colors, the sun reflects off of your yellow sunglasses as the wind rolls through your hair. A great introduction scene like none other. 

2. Chapstick (Demo) by Hippo Campus 
You know those summer days when you’re with a few close friends, you’ve got no worries, and you feel like things could stay that way forever? Well boy have I got a song for you. 

3. Dedicated To the One I Love By The Mamas and The Papas
This one is for Quarantined Lovers, separated by a pandemic that has forced them to be apart from one another. The screen would split between the two, each in their different rooms, trying to distract themselves from thinking about each other.

4. Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan 
This song is perfect for a day when you’re just running around with a million things on your mind, you have a million things to do, and there’s more caffeine running through your body than blood. It’s one of those songs that says get out of my way, I don’t have time for chit chat, there are things to be done. 

5. European Vegas by Mac Demarco 
To set the scene: you’re sitting at a bar, late at night, drink in hand. You’re nicely dressed but in a bit of a distressed state. This would be the part of a movie where the main character has had enough. Maybe they risked something and lost it all, or maybe they just had their heart broken. But whatever the case, they’ve somehow found themselves in this dimly lit, antiquated bar, thinking about all the mistakes they’ve made. 

6. Weak Hearts by Felly 
Perfect for a time in your life when you, the main character, are going through some major changes and you’ve finally come far enough to look back on how you’ve changed and the decisions you’ve made. You can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

7. Heroes by David Bowie 
This song would totally be in the climax of the movie, where the main character realizes their true potential and finally faces whatever was troubling them. 

8. Ooh La La by Faces
This would be a great ending scene song. Similar to driving through a pretty place and looking back on a long week, the main character looks back on everything that has happened throughout the movie and realizes how they have grown. 

Well there you have it, eight great songs perfect for their respective situations, that really make you feel like the main character in a movie. 

See ya next time, 
DJ Chippypants

Categories
Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Charts 9/8

Artist Record Label
1 SO THIS IS SUFFERING “Moonlight Serenade” [Single] Self-Released
2 NECROT Mortal Tankcrimes
3 OBSCURE OF ACACIA Eclipse. Self-Released
4 ODIOUS MORTEM Synesthesia WillowTip
5I NVENT, ANIMATE Greyview Tragic Hero
6 FIT FOR A KINGAnnihilation [EP] Solid State
7 POLARIS The Death Of Me SharpTone
8 ENTERPRISE EARTH Foundation of Bones [EP] Entertainment One
9 UPON A BURNING BODY Built From War [EP] Seek & Strike
10 PIG DESTROYER The Octagonal Stairway [EP] Relapse

Categories
Weekly Charts

Daytime Charts 9/8

Artist Record Label
1 BULLY SUGAREGG Sub Pop
2 BARTEES STRANGE Live Forever [Advance Tracks] Memory
3 LOMELDA Hannah Double Double Whammy
4 FONTAINES DC A Hero’s Death Partisan
5 LIME CORDIALE 14 Steps To A Better You Chugg/London Cowboys
6 GIRL FRIDAY Androgynous Mary Hardly Art
7 ILLUMINATI HOTTIES FREE I.H.: This Is Not The One You’ve Been Waiting For Self-Released
8 BETHS, THE Jump Rope Gazers Carpark
9 NYALLAH Reflections [EP] Self-Released
10 SONNIKU, LIZ, SOPHIE “Sweat (Sophie Remix)” [Single] Bella Union
11 HOLY MOTORS Horse [Advance Tracks] Wharf Cat
12 DOUBLE GRAVE Goodbye Nowhere! Forged Artifacts
13 DEATON CHRIS ANTHONY BO Y Self-Released
14 CHILDISH MAJOR “Feelings Hurt” [Single] RCA
15 JERRY WEST “Who Is U” [Single] Self-Released
16 FKA TWIGS Magdalene Young Turks/Beggars
17 TORO Y MOI Soul Trash Carpark
18 CLOUDY NUEVE “Hostage” [Single] Self-Released
19 DAPHNI Sizzling [EP] Phonica
20J AYDA G Both Of Us/Are You Down [EP] Ninja Tune
21 DIVINE INTERFACE Seeking Arrangements 2MR
22 TY BRI “Too Bad” [Single] Def Jam
23 LOX CHATTERBOX How To Live Forever Illuminati Killers
24 CUTTAMAN 100GRAN “45” [Single] Polished Gods
25 SHYGIRL “BB” [Single] NUXXE
26 FRANK OCEAN “In My Room” [Single] Blonded
27 CHESTER WATSON “Chessmaster” [Single] Warner Classics
28 FOGGIERAW “I Gotta Ball” [Single] Diff Sound
29 PAT JUNIOR I Thought I Knew Be Absxlute
30 KENNEDY ONE Metropolis [EP] Self-Released

TOP ADDS

1 THIBAULT Or Not Thibault [Advance Tracks] Chapter
2 LAWN Johnny Muscle Beach
3 SONG SUNG This Ascension Is Ours Night Time Stories
4 COREY FLOOD Hanging Garden Fire Talk
5 FATHER JOHN MISTY “To S” b/w “To R” [Single] Sub Pop
6 LOMELDA Hannah Double Double Whammy
7 ARLO PARKS “Hurt” [Single] Transgressive
8 ADRIANNE LENKER “anything” [Single] 4AD/Beggars Group
9 FRANCIS OF DELIRIUM “Equality Song” [Single] Dalliance
10 GINGER ROOT “Le Chateau” [Single] Acrophase

Categories
Non-Music News

Black Lives Matter and Police Reform Podcasts Part 2

In the face of the continued push toward police reform based on further violence against the Black community by law enforcement officers, it is important we are all continuing to educate ourselves about the issues and how we can advocate for others. In July I published a blog post with a list of podcasts that are great educational resources, and I wanted to create a continuation including more great podcasts I’ve discovered since. I hope you check these out and enjoy them. 

Radical Imagination

This show, hosted by Angela Glover Blackwell, consists of “stories and solutions that are fueling change.” The podcast covers a wide variety of interesting and important topics but especially relating to the movement is episodes like “Police Abolition” and “Reparations” which focus on police misconduct and the possibility of reparations for Black Americans. 

Code Switch by NPR 

A podcast all about race and racism and how these impact society. It’s also hosted by journalists of color. I recommend “Why Now, White People?” and “Anger: The Black Woman’s ‘Superpower’”, both episodes are really well-done. All in all this is a great podcast to dive into racial issues, politics, and culture. 

What’s Left

This podcast focuses on political theory, philosophy, and current events from a typically left perspective, but is well-rounded in terms of its partisanship. I recommend the episodes “Abolish the Police” and “Police Brutality & State Violence.” 

Stay In Your Lane: The Podcast 

This podcast focuses on a different perspective, giving conversational-style entertainment about news and pop culture from the perspective of Black British women. 

These podcasts are available on Spotify and other podcast platforms. Happy listening! 

– Miranda 

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Artist of the Week: City and Colour

The first time I heard of City and Colour was on an episode of One Tree Hill where he played. It was the episode where Clay took Quinn out on a date and surprised her with a private show by City and Colour. How romantic!! I would love to have a private show by Dying Fetus, that would give me butterflies. Now, One Tree Hill is one of my favorite TV shows and I really enjoyed the sound of City and Colour because it was very soothing and I love music that is created with an acoustic guitar. It gives the music an authentic and pure sound to me. His songs are very emotional, passionate, and calming. I feel relaxed when I listen to his music. Simply put, City and Colour is a breath of fresh air.

City and Colour is the Canadian musician Dallas Michael John Albert Green. He is also known as a singer and rhythm guitarist for post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. In 2005, he dubuted his first full-length album, Sometimes, which became platinum in 2006. The name City and Colour comes from Green’s own name: Dallas (a city) and Green (a color). Green first got started with City and Colour by releasing songs on the internet for listeners to download and then compiled some songs in order to make his first album. Green has stated that the best type of music for him is sad music, he believes that this is the type of music he can escape to and the idea of sad music that people can identify with. A lot of the songs that Green writes about are from his own experiences and writing music is how he copes with it.


Discography:

Sometimes (2005)

Bring Me Your Love (2008)

Little Hell (2011)

The Hurry and the Harm (2013)

If I Should Go Before You (2015)

A Pill for Loneliness (2019)


Favorite Songs:

Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, Northern Wind, Sensible Heart, Sleeping Sickness and Hello, Im Delaware.

What are some of your favorite City and Colour songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW