Here’s the new mixtape Joell Ortiz recorded while on The 50 Day Tour with Slaughterhouse and Tech N9ne.

Hit the jump for the track list + download link. Shouts to Mike!

Download: Joell Ortiz & Frequency – Road Kill (Mixtape) | Sharebee

Via: Nah Right

As 2009 comes to an end, I’ve decided (like countless others) to commemorate the event by proclaiming my favorites in music, movies and TV.  First up, is music.  Before I start the list, I’d like a chance to defend my choices.  First, I really don’t listen to much “new music” or better stated, “modern music”.  I rarely listen to the radio, and if I do, it’s an oldies station.  When I accidentally hear what’s considered popular today (music in a store or what they use in TV shows), I kind of cringe.  Some examples include Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”, Britney Spear’s “Womanizer”, Pink’s “I’m Gonna Start a Fight”, or anything by Coldplay, or any emo act.  In this blogger’s opinion, it’s rubbish.  Factory-made music for the eager consumer.  But, that’s just what it sounds like to me.  A million fans can’t be wrong, can they?

Secondly, the small amount of “modern music” I do listen to is really only taken up by a small percentage of bands.  I decided when starting the list that I wouldn’t have any repeat offenders, so I found myself scouring my music collection (both CD and mp3) to find my favorite albums made after 1999.  At some points, I felt as if I were reaching, but then I’d discover another album long forgotten and it would take the spot.

Thirdly, this is a list of my “favorites”.  WordPress was free, and I’m allowed to write whatever the hell I want (not like anyone’s paying me what to say), so this is my list.  It’s not a Best Of, or Greatest, it’s Favorite. But, when thinking about it, my favorite translates to what I think were the greatest or best albums of the aughts.  It’s not going to look like a mainstream critic’s list.  It’s not going to look like a Pitchfork or Rolling Stone or Spin list.  The list isn’t self-conscious.  It doesn’t care what the hipsters or scenesters think.  It doesn’t have a reputation to uphold. It is what it is.  So, if you care in the slightest about this blogger’s opinion (and really, why should you?), then unbuckle that seat belt because you’re in for a dangerous ride free of society’s vindication of what’s considered popular.

20.  Tool – 10,000 Days (2006)

Yes, I’m picking 10,000 Days over Lateralus. It was only fair. Lateralus is an album I really don’t listen to all that much. I can’t even find a reason why other than I listen to Aenima more than any other Tool album, but considering the Tool discography after 1999, I listen to 10,000 Days the most. Its two opening songs (“Vicarious”, “Jambi”) match the two opening songs of Aenima (“Stinkfist”, “Eulogy”) as far as album openings go. While Aenima is far more consistent, 10,000 Days still pulls some punches with “The Pot” and “Roseta Stoned”. 10,000 also has its fair share of weird, tripped-out experimental instrumentals, which on most occasions, I skip. But the best songs are really really good. When I saw Tool live in Cincinnati – 2007, they opened with “Jambi” which definitely brought on a new appreciation for the song, and the album as a whole. While Lateralus maybe the better album (will the music gods call shenanigans on me?), I listen to 10,000 Days more, therefore making it my favorite by Tool in the 2000’s.

Best Songs: “Vicarious”, “Jambi”, “The Pot”

19.  David Gilmour – On an Island (2006)

David Gilmour or Roger Waters?  Why does everything in life have to narrow down to a blank or bank?  Elvis or The Beatles….or better yet, Lennon or McCartney?  Jagger or Richards?  Who’s the better band member?  You can only have one favorite, so choose wisely!  Often is the case with Pink Floyd, a band who suffered a terrible break-up splitting the creative forces, and to some extent, the fans.  Are you in the Gilmour Camp or the Waters Camp?  I ask, instead, who cares?

I like both of the chaps.  They’ve both produced some of the best music this side of the moon…or…uh…this side of the wall!  Who cares if they hate each other?  They’re both brilliant musicians.  And it’s actually quite easy to see that Gilmour is the better guitarist while Waters is the better songwriter.  In my opinion, I mean.

So….to segue into the actual point of this list, David Gilmour’s On an Island is a guitar legend’s guitar album, which showcases all of his craft we’ve already come to love.  Some of the songs sound a little like Pink Floyd, but that’s forgiven.  It’s still quite moody and trippy (well, like Floyd), but it is its own, if not only for the title track, which is haunting and beautiful.  The fact that Crosby and Nash (sans Stills) do the backing vocals only adds to the beauty.  If you haven’t heard this album, hear it!

Best Songs: “On an Island”, “Take a Breath”

18.  Jack Johnson – Brushfire Fairytales (2001)

I’m really not sure whether or not it’s cool to like Jack Johnson.  On one end, he makes some fine, folky pop that’s easy to mellow out to.  On the other, his songs can be heard at your local grocery store (always hear his voice at Kroger’s), sometimes on the radio, and most definitely coming out of the cars of the douche bags you went to high school with.  But this is all okay.  I mean, the man did the soundtrack to the Curious George flick!  Well, I haven’t actually heard any of the songs or seen the film, but it’s Curious George!

There are really only two Jack Johnson albums that I listen to.  Aside from the aforementioned Brushfire Fairytales, On and On is frequently in rotation between me and K., the girlfriend.  But Brushfire Fairytales is the better album because it has the better songs, the better melodies, the better “flow”….Ugh…”flow”?  Well, how about the album flows together more than On and On?  Does that make sense?  Not really.

Brushfire Fairytales is a mellow experience from start to finish, and perfect for cruising on a rainy, summer day.  Apparently, it compliments the beach, but I wouldn’t know.

Best Songs:  “Inaudible Melodies”, “Flake”, “Bubble Toes”

17.  Gomez – How We Operate (2006)

What a great band, what with all the singers and the blues/pop sensibilities.  How We Operate operates on many different levels; a brilliant album that can be both cheery and sad.  Not much else to say about it, other than there’s a banjo.  That will be all.

Best songs:  “How We Operate”, “Cry on Demand”

16.  Nine Inch Nails – Year Zero (2007)

Better than NIN’s previous aught-released With Teeth, the concept album Year Zero served well as a template for Trent Reznor to create spooky beats, industrial riffs, and paranoid lyrics.  Say what you will about NIN, but Trent (because well, NIN is Trent) is a studio wizard, a mastermind, who consistently sharpens his craft with each release (except for With Teeth, which was plain average).  Like The Fragile was to The Downward Spiral (which was bloody brilliant, by the way) in the 90’s, Year Zero is to With Teeth.  In 2008, The Slip came out, which was decent, but nowhere near the excellence which was Year Zero, which supposedly, Trent is in talks with HBO about a possible mini-series based on the album.

Sidenote:  You need to see NIN live!  Now!  Oh, you haven’t?  Well, I think you’re shit out of luck, then….apparrently they recently finished their “Goodbye/Farewell Tour”.

Best Songs:  “The Good Soldier”, “Me, I’m Not”, “The Great Destroyer”

15.  Bauhaus - Go Away White (2008)

From out of nowhere came Bauhaus’s first studio album (and proclaimed last album) since 1983.  A lot had happened between ‘83 and ‘08, like the rise of alternative-geniuses Love and Rockets (basically Bauhaus sans front man Peter Murphy) and Peter Murphy’s semi-successful solo career.  Did people forget about Bauhaus?  Probably…

But there were always the fans, holding out in hopes for a new album, and probably more so, a “reunion tour”.  The 2000’s were full of reunions, from the Pixies to Portishead, so why not Bauhaus?

Go Away White is a solid album…but it doesn’t sound too much like Bauhaus’ early 8o’s records.  That’s obvious, though…it’s not the early 80’s anymore.  All 4 musicians have grown and evolved since the early days, and this album focuses on that shift.  To some, it may seem a tad indulgent (like the studio banter in “Mirror Remains”).  It’s good though!  Peter Murphy is at his most Bowie-esque and the band plays a sound similar to Love and Rockets meets Bauhaus.  Now, the tour never did happen (I think they may have played a handful of shows), but the band left us this album.  Some may want to wipe it out of their memory completely and stick with Burning From the Inside as their last album, but Go Away White seems more like the farewell album.  I think the fans were lucky enough to get it, so I don’t feel the need to complain.  Thanks Bauhaus!

Best Songs:  “Too Much 21st Century”, “Mirror Remains”, “Black Stone Heart”

14.  Arcade Fire – Funeral (2004)

Arcade Fire managed to make an album full of depression and despair, but also highly uplifting.  The Canadian mega-band released this, their debut full-length, in 2004 and the rest is history.  Their sophomore effort, almost as good as Funeral, Neon Bible came out in 2007 to mostly positive reviews, and the band has performed with likes of legends such as David Bowie, David Byrne and Bruce Springsteen.  The album was named Funeral after some of the band’s family members passed, and it shows; an album about death, life, and growing up.

Best Songs:  “Neighborhood # 1 (Tunnels)”, “Neighborhood # 3 (Power Out)”, “Rebellion (Lies)”

13.  Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007)

Who is this Spoon band?  They’ve been around since the early 90’s, and up until Ga… had released five studio albums.  I can’t say much for the previous releases because I haven’t heard enough (I have them all on my Ipod, just haven’t really listened much), but the goofily-named Ga is outstanding, a feat of rock and roll with pop sensibilities.  It’s addictive music.  You can’t escape it.  It burrows up inside the deepest regions of your memory and attacks at the most rare moments.  That’s why you need a copy of Ga… in your car, or on your Ipod, because you never know when the Spoon Syndrome will strike!  Now, listening to their previous efforts, they really don’t sound as good as this one.  Maybe this was the album Spoon found their sound, hit their stride, and blew our minds.

Sidenote:  The best song on the album, “Don’t You Evah”, is actually a cover of a song by a band I’ve never heard of.  Sorry for the disrespect, but I don’t want to ruin Spoon’s version.  It’s that good!

Best Songs:  “Don’t Make Me a Target”, “Don’t You Evah”, “Rhthm & Soul”

12. Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky (2009)

The reason I Told You I Was Freaky outranks FOTC’s self-titled debut is because all of the songs on FOTC had been heard previously as live performances…and the live performances were better.  So that made FOTC a bit disappointing.  But not I Told You I Was Freaky.  It was near perfect.  Of course, you’d have to be a fan of the show to truly appreciate it, but that means absolute zilch to me, since I was.  From the opening parody of rap music (“Hurt Feelings”) to the closing chorus of angels doing it (“Angels”), I Told You I Was Freaky is a delightfully fun and hilarious album.

Best Songs:  “Hurt Feelings”, “We’re Both in Love With a Sexy Lady”, “I Told You I Was Freaky”

11. David Byrne – Look Into the Eyeball (2001)

It’s obvious that David Byrne, nor the rest of the Talking Heads, can ever amount to what they achieved in the late 70’s/early 80’s.  Talking Heads were such an amazing and monumental band that pretty much any band can’t come close to matching what they had in the magical days.  David Byrne can try though, right?

Look Into the Eyeball, in my opinion, is Byrne’s best solo effort.  It’s just a collection of great songs, ranging from funky, catchy, poppy and tragic.  Byrne is at his best when he’s trying to get you to dance, rather than think, and this album proves that.  Byrne’s 2008 collaboration with Brian Eno was good – very good, even, but I choose Look Into the Eyeball as Byrne’s aught-darling.

Best Songs:  “U.B. Jesus”, “Like Humans Do”, “The Accident”

10.  Tom Waits – Real Gone (2004)

Tom Waits continue his role as rural champion (as evidenced on Mule Variations), with Real Gone, an album featuring songs that sound like they could be about barnyard murder mysteries, big city dance moves, and anti-war protests.  This is not the Tom Waits of yore; the drunken bozo who stumbled onto a piano.  This is the modern Tom Waits; a family man who lives in Northern California, and also, makes really good music.  Artists evolve all of the time, and since the 80’s, Tom Waits has been doing it regularly.  While this isn’t his greatest accomplishment, it’s a solid effort that reminds us (the fans) that Tom Waits still has it.  Thank God.

Best Songs:  “Hoist That Rag”, “Sins of My Father”, “Don’t Go Into That Barn”

9.  Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Dig Lazarus Dig!!! (2007)

Dig Lazarus Dig!!! is one of the best from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in years, and towers over their other albums released in the aughts.  Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus was decent, sometimes even great, but some of the songs fell short (mostly on They Lyre… disc).  On Dig Lazarus Dig!!!, Nick Cave and Co. let their colors shine and record a rocking album that seemed to rejuvenate the band’s live show, something I witnessed myself in Chicago in the fall of ‘08.  In other words, they fucking rocked the house.  My girlfriend had the luck to get front row, but a fat fangirl blocked me from moving up, so I had to settle with second row.  Oh well…still an awesome show from a truly awesome and original band, which this album proves.  From the hyper-chant opening of the title track, the psychedelia of “Today’s Lesson” and “Midnight Man”, and the tenderness of the slower songs like “Moonland”, “Hold On To Yourself” and “Jesus of the Moon”, the album just kicks ass.  No other phrase to explain it.

Best Songs:  “Today’s Lesson”, “Hold On To Yourself”, “Midnight Man”

8.  Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf (2002)

This album features Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri, Dave Grohl and Dean Ween!  There are others as well, but I felt the need to list those musicians.  QOTSA is always interesting, mostly due to Josh Homme’s guitar playing and song writing, and on Songs for the Deaf, QOTSA show they’re a true rock band in the age of pop radio.  This album is near perfect and suitable for driving at night.

This was also QOTSA’s most successful album, after scoring a hit with the addictive “No One Knows”.  I also happen to think this is their best album, and they still haven’t topped it.

Best Songs:  “No One Knows”, “A Song for the Dead”, “A Song for the Deaf”

7.  My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges (2008)

Z maybe the better album, but my money goes to Evil Urges, an album that is quite personal to me.  In the summer of ‘08, when the album came out, K. & I took a trip to Gatlinburg and this was our soundtrack.  Then, we had the priviledge of seeing MMJ live in their hometown of Louisville, which was an amazing experience.  So, this album captures a wonderful time in my life, and I relive it each time while listening.

To me, this album is perfect, from the opening title track to the epic closer, “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2″.  Jim James and Co. just let loose, ranging from indie-rock, funky psychedelia and country-tinged alternative.  What a joy to listen to!  And the experiences I’ve had with it make it that much better.

Best Songs:  “Evil Urges”, “Sec Walkin”, “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Prt. 2″

6.  Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antarctica (2000)

“Tiny Cities Made of Ashes” alone makes this album one of the best of the aughts.  There’s more though, as Modest Mouse paint their sonic landscape around desolation, loneliness and people.  The arrangements, at times psychedelic, mixed with Isaac Brock’s unique vocals and lyrics all paint the grand picture.  There’s a theme here and it’s cold.  And we meet asshole bosses, zombie consumers, TV junkies, emotional voyeurs and a pack of wild dogs along dead cities and star-lit nights.

This album came out before Modest Mouse would find their slice of mainstream success with the hit single “Float On”, and it kind of represents the end of an era for the band.  After The Moon…, Good News For People Who Love Bad News would come out, and with it, a shift in their sound.  They still remain an excellent band, and one of the better out there today, but their early material was an example of music as poetry; cold and distant, but also beautiful and personal.

Best Songs:  “Tiny Cities Made of Ashes”, “Paper Thin Walls”, “I Came as Rat”

5.  Brian Wilson – Smile (2004)

So, Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys recorded most of this album in the 1960’s, but it was ultimately scrapped and left only to be heard by hardcore fans with bootleg access.  The aughts changed this, as Wilson re-recorded and finally released his masterpiece, Smile.  There’s much to hype up about this album, from the arrangements to the harmonies to the subject matter and to the psychedelic thread keeping it all together.  Brian Wilson may have been a crazy person (literally), but he was also a musical genius, and the Beach Boys without him have suffered miserably.  That’s okay, because this sounds kind of like a Beach Boys album (well, technically…) with Wilson in charge.

Best Songs:  ”Heroes and Villains”, “Surf’s Up”, “Good Vibrations”

4.  Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001/2002)

The drama surrounding the making of this album was enough to warrant a compelling documentary (I Am Trying to Break Your Heart), and that’s the reason the years above are years.  The album was completed and ready for a 2001 release but the label refused to release the damn thing!  Wilco ended up streaming the entire album for free online, and the album would find a new home and release date in 2002.

Enough about the background information;  let’s dive into the music, shall we?  It’s weird, experimental, arty, with a dash of pretension, but also catchy, poppy and extremely infectious.  There’s earth-shattering truth on this album.  There’s pain and pleasure and despair and happiness all rolled into a compact sushi sizable for your stereo.

Sky Blue Sky, Wilco’s 2007 release, also has a personal place in my memories, when I bought it on vacation in the Gulf Shores that same year.  But Yankee Hotel Foxtrot reminds me of all recent and past summers, and of driving around in the sun, listening to “Heavy Metal Drummer”, or even winters, driving around in the snow, listening to “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart”.  Whatever the season, Wilco is there for you…

Best Songs:  ”Jesus, Etc.”, “Heavy Metal Drummer”, “Pot Kettle Black”

3.  Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Once More, With Feeling Soundtrack (2002)

Well, if you’ve seen Buffy’s Season 6 musical episode, Once More, With Feeling, then you know why this soundtrack belongs on the list.  Listening to the album is as much fun as watching it, and sidebar:  seeing it performed by actors (unfortunately not the Whedon originals) is super-fun as well.

There’s even some bonus content here, such as Christophe Beck’s scores for Hush and Restless.  I really wish they would have included Giles’ “Exposition Song” from Restless, but oh well…We also get to hear Whedon and wife’s demo version of “Something to Sing About”.

Not much more to say about OMWF, other than if you’re a fan of Buffy and you don’t have this, what the hell is wrong with you?  From the opening anti-Disney number, “Going Through the Motions”,the Scooby’s group song, “I’ve Got a Theory”, Tara’s love ballad, Spike’s love-rock lament, “Rest in Peace”,  through the Giles/Tara ballad, the demon’s jazzy send-up, and the epic “Walk Through the Fire”, this album/episode is pure gold.  Someone give Mr. Whedon an actual Emmy.  Or a Grammy!  Shit…

Best Songs:  ”Rest in Peace”, “Standing”, “Walk Through the Fire”

2.  Ween – Quebec (2003)

Quebec finds Ween at a more depressing state in their lives, and as they push the boundaries of their previous studio efforts, they also dig deep down in a dark side…a dark brown side.  It’s not all fun and games, though.  Okay, yeah it is.

This is Ween’s darkest hour, but it also has its sunny side, too.  Just look at “Hey There Fancypants” and the album opener “It’s Gonna be a Long Night”.  But between and after these tracks, the songs tell a sad story that really isn’t a story at all.  What’s it all about?  Drug addiction?  Gambling?  Adulthood?  Sexuality?  Failure?  Maybe all…

Quebec ranks so high on my list, first and foremost, because Ween is probably my favorite band.  If this was Best Albums of the 90’s list, I may have picked The Mollusk as Number 1.  And I truly believe Ween is still one of the most interesting bands out there, and Quebec really shows that.

Best Songs:  ”Zoloft”, “Chocolate Town”, “If You Could Save Yourself (You’d Save Us All)”

1.  Tenacious D – Tenacious D (2001)

Tenacious D is the greatest band in the world, right?  Well, then their album would have to be the Greatest Album in the World, right?

Whether or not the above question is true, the D’s self-titled debut is my favorite album from the aughts, and it’s a satirical exercise in rock and roll music.  And the studio band helps at some points, helping “Wonder Boy” find an identity, “The Road” to sound like arena rock, and Sabbath-like riffing finding a suitable home on “Dio”.

Basically, what it comes down to, is that it’s a fun album, from start to finish.  It brings joy when listened to.  When an album can do that, it’s special, whether or not the word “fuck” is used more than 250 times.  Some people find comfort in rap music.  I’ll stick with The D.

Best Songs:  ”Tribute”, “Explosivo”, “Karate”

Honorable Mentions:  Fantomas – Director’s Cut, MF Doom AKA Viktor Vaughn – Vaudeville Villain, Rob Zombie – The Sinister Urge, Mindless Self Indulgence – You’ll Rebel to Anything, Tech N9ne – Anghellic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aCqh4re5Oo

As of late, rapper Joell Ortiz has been dropping freestyle after freestyle, giving his own adaptations of artist’s recent tracks.

Attacking Beanie Sigel’s “I Go Off,” Eminem’s “Taking My Ball” and even Sade’s “Soldier Of Love,” the Brooklyn Bomber has been in the process of cooking up the Road Kill Mixtape, which is slated to drop Tuesday.

While on tour with Tech N9Ne and Slaughterhouse, the Latin rapper has been grinding out verses whenever the opportunity has presented itself.

With the grand finale being his sophomore album, Free Agent, this will be able to hold most over until February when that project officially drops.

Watch the promo for the upcoming mixtape here:

Whats good yall…This weekend the homie Paul Wall holla @ me with the new single. Now i cant give it out for free now but peep this you can check out the single yourself here click on the link. And show love to my houston fam….Follow him on twitter.com/paulwallbaby

“I’m On Patron”- http://twiturm.com/ease2

For those of you who know me, chances are that you would call bullshit on the fact that I just recently bought Tech N9ne’s 2001 album, Anghellic. For those of you who don’t know me, it’s because I have been all about Tech N9ne since I was in high school. Actually, the first rap concert I ever went to, was to see Tech N9ne perform at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz. After going to a few more of his shows over the past 8 years, I still think he is probably the best hip-hop performer I’ve ever witnessed. I discovered him back in the days when folks got their free music from programs like Napster, Limewire, and Morpheus, because the homie T-Mac made me listen to “Einstein” and “I’m A Playa”. I was skeptical at first because I had seen a bunch of really shitty low budget commercials for Tech’s album, Absolute Power, in which they heavily advertised the lead single, “Slacker”, which in my opinion seemed way too gimmicky and lame to give the man a chance. I don’t know, a self loathing anthem about smoking weed, playing video games, and watching music videos just didn’t do it for me. Yet after being awed by the lighting fast and erratic flow as well as the level of creativity involved in just the two songs T-Mac chose, I immediately went home and downloaded everything I could find (sorry Tech, I never had the money to buy shit back then), and since, he has consistently been in heavy rotation. I think that there was at least a two-year period in my life, in which every time I got excited about anything I would have to slap “I’m a Playa” at full volume. Yet throughout my time as a fan, although I have listened to Anghellic a lot, and had downloaded the vast majority of it’s songs, I never actually owned the album in it’s entirety, nor were the mp3’s in proper order, which in this case is kinda big deal. Thus when I saw it for $2.99, I quickly threw it in my stack of worthwhile purchases and moved on without thinking twice.

I’m going to start by saying that this is one of the most creative hip-hop albums I own. Practically every song has a purpose and an idea behind it, rather than just putting random verses to beats, and Techa Nina manages to get his message across clearly while staying intimately personal, lyrical out the ass, and more unpredictable than the next big California earthquake. Anghellic is broken into three parts, and the idea behind it is that Tech is taking the listener through the Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven that is his life. Yet for those of you who are even just slightly familiar with his music, it will come as no surprise that most of the album focuses on Hell and Purgatory rather than Heaven.

Tech N9ne – It’s Alive (Produced by Icy Roc Kraven)

I often compare the average rap listener’s opinion of Tech to my own opinion of Eminem. The man is undeniably gifted and unique, but it’s hard to get into his music due to the subject matter. If you’re someone who has stayed away from the N9ne due to his constant use of religious and occult imagery, as well as the overall dark tone of his music, the beginning of this album most likely will be pretty difficult for you to make it through. The use of distorted guitars in “Tormented”, backwards drums in “Sinister Tech”, and the theme from Halloween on “Psycho Bitch” will all make you feel stronger about your opinion that he is too close to the hip-hop equivalent of heavy metal. At the same time, the first music I really listened to was punk and heavy metal, so I actually enjoy the fact that there is a talented rapper with those types of influences. Yet even if you hate that shit, there are still 2 songs in the Hell portion of Anghellic that I would strongly recommend. On “Real Killer” Tech spits over a string heavy beat reminiscent of the theme music for some daytime court show, provided by King Tech of the Wake Up Show, the only quality hip-hop radio show that I know of. In it, he raps about his experiences with abortions. Like a real killer, at first, the idea of it is sickening and the act is extremely difficult to go through with, but with each repetition it becomes something that is easier and easier to handle. On “Cursed”, Nina weaves a story about his life long obsession with a beautiful, powerful, money hungry, unfaithful, nympho, and it’s not until the end of the track that he let’s you know that it’s all been one big metaphor for his relationship with the rap game. While “Real Killer” addresses an often untouched subject in a thoughtful and creative manner, “Cursed” combines two played out subjects in a way that makes them both sound fresh and interesting.

Tech N9ne – This Ring (Produced by Icy Roc Kraven)

Yet if Hell is just way to demonic and unhappy for your tastes, don’t give up on the album, just skip forward to Purgatory. The second half of the CD is much more light-hearted and party oriented. It’s starts off with the classic “It’s Alive”, which is one of the few songs on the album where rather than have a strong overriding concept, Tech decided he would just lyrically decimate the track. The energy is infectious, and the way he constantly switches up the flow in so many unique and different ways puts him in a league of his own. “Who You Came to See” is another party song that I constantly knocked in high school, but the highlight of the entire album is “This Ring”. While I was pretty wasted at every Tech N9ne show I’ve been too, I have vivid memories of him performing this song. I remember being fucking dumb founded that he could deliver the lyrics so flawlessly in a live setting, and at the same time everyone around me going nuts over the way the beat pounded through the speakers. I can only describe it as beautiful chaos. The song itself is a personal reflection about how he thought getting married would force him to be a more faithful and responsible person for the ones he loves, only to find out that his persona as Tech N9ne is too powerful, and will not let that be the case. The song is one of those rare gems where the beat is all you could ask for, and the rapper is able to be clearly express his intimate and extremely insightful point of view while utilizing a vast array of flows and ridiculous word play. It’s definitely my favorite song from Tech, and in general one my favorite hip-hop songs of all time.

Tech N9ne – Twisted (Produced by Don Juan)

Despite all of the love I’ve been giving this album, I have to admit I have some complaints as well. Most importantly, it’s 22 tracks deep, and even though there is only 2 or 3 songs that I feel detract from the listening experience, such as “Breathe”, it’s still just way too long. Additionally, even with the extreme length of the disc, there is only one song in the Heaven portion of the album. “Twisted” features the legendary Roger Troutman on talk box, and is one of Tech’s only laid back songs. Overall it’s for sure a highlight, and it sucks that he hasn’t really ever tried to develop this part of his repertoire. Finally, Anghellic definitely lacks some universality, but at the same time, I strongly feel that not all music is meant to be enjoyed by absolutely everyone who hears it. There is such thing as personal taste.

Even after writing for way too long, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of all the things I want to say about this album. If nothing else you have to be impressed by Tech N9ne’s vision. From the overall composition of the record, to the concepts of each song, to the endless different rhyme patterns, to the use of vocal transformers, it is clear that he had a unique and unparalleled idea about how his music should sound, and he successfully turned that idea into a cohesive album from start to finish. Listening to Anghellic may not turn you into his biggest fan, but I promise that after hearing it, there is no way you can deny his place as one of the illest and most creative MC’s to ever touch the mic.

Official music video for Tech N9ne’s “LOW” from his album “K.O.D.” In Stores Now. Executive Producer: Travis O’Guin. Director: Dan Gedman.

Thanks to our biffles over at MTV, I was able to go to the MTVu’s Woodie awards. What’s a woodie? Oh, please. Don’t act like you don’t know. The Woodie Awards is only the coolest, most underrated award show ever. Blending alternative music with rap, bringing Death Cab and Rick Ross together, MTVu brings my favorite coffee shop jams and booty shaking music together and rewards them with an awkward wooden statue.

Did I mention that the entire venue was crammed with kegs, Solo cups and celebs? Imagine a frat party. With Zooey Deschanel and Mary Louise Parker. Only the music doesn’t suck. And instead of your bestie making out with the make-shift bartender? A very sloppy David Cross is macking it with Amber Tamblyn.

The show airs tonight at 10PM on MTVu. And everyone who appreciates really good music (and booze) just needs to watch. Here’s a little taste of the going-ons:

- Me and my roommate – aka my assistant/Red Bull Vodka (more on that later) runner for the night – arrive and get placed in prime seating, inches away from the celebs and, more importantly, the open bar. We are closely behind some Real World d-bag who is waving to everyone in general admission. Bro, you are not famous. Sit down. Shut up.

- Pete Wentz in all his mangs (man bangs) glory gets on stage to kick off the Woodies, red Solo cup in hand and gives a big cheers to all the names here. Cam’ron’s here? What!

- Matt and Kim start the awards with a nearly nude performance. Loving it.

-  Is this a hipster event? There are Ray-Bans everywhere.

- Is David Cross REALLY dating Amber Tamblyn. Oh, they’re making out. Gross. Tobias Funke, you cupid.

- 3!Oh!3! Presents an award, in full-on Gaga attire. Loving them.

- I am so excited for the Death Cab performance, I can barely contain myself. My roommate has become besties with the keg pumper and keeps getting yelled at by the surprisingly dour MTV security.

- Tech N9ne! Seriously, what other MTV show gives you Passion Pit and TechN9ne in the same time frame? Beautiful.

- Passion Pit: Amazing performance. Red bull vodkas, delicious. Even tastier when they’re free.

- Who is this Alexa Chung person and why is she at every event I go to for MTV?

- P.O.S. rocks out right in the crowd.

- Death Cab was phenomenal live. Especially “Sound of Settling.” They’re so good. SO good.

- Cam’ron spotted with huge posse. Now about to perform. Must. Hang. Out. With. Him.

- Leighton & Cyndi Lauper present Woodie of the Year… fingers crossed for Silversun Pickups. My bets are on Kings of Leon.

- Kings of Leon it is. SHOULD I PULL A KANYE?

- No. Too drunk and too far. I need pizza. All this kegger-ness is making me hungry. My roommate is being belligerent and yelling at hipsters. Mary Louise Parker is wasted with all of us. Dead Weather is performing. Hello, Jack White. Okay Time to go home.

- Oh, but not without being hit on by some dude claiming to be in Cam’ron’s posse. I dole out a fake number and exit stage right. PEACE OUT!

Seriously, mix up some cocktails and tune into the Woodies tonight. This is a show not to be missed.

#1 indie guy…if they lying they flying..

Released: April 28, 2009

Label: Strange Music Records

Length: 75:35

Tracklist:
01. Sickology 101 Ft. Chino XL And Crooked I
02. Midwest Choppers Ft. Krayzie Bone And K-Dean
03. Ghetto Love Ft. Krizz Kaliko And Kutt Calhoun
04. Poh Me Anutha Ft. Potluck And Kutt Calhoun
05. We Kixin It Ft. Ron Ron And The Popper
06. Nothin Ft. The Boy Boy Young Mess (Messy Marv) And Big Scoob
07. Let Me In Ft. Cash Image And D Loc The Chop
08. In The Air Ft. Craig Smith And Nesto
09. Blown Away
10. Party And Bullshit Ft. Big Ben And Shadow
11. Grammys (Skit)
12. Sorry N Shit Ft. 57th Street Rogue Dog Villains
13. Dysfunctional Ft. Big Scoob And Krizz Kaliko
14. Far Away Ft. Krizz Kaliko
15. Spelling Bee (Skit) Ft. Rob Rebeck
16. Creepin Ft. B.G., Bulletwound And Paul Mussan
17. Red Nose
18. Areola Ft. 816 Boys (Bonus)

This Album is a pretty good listen. I can’t say it swept me off my feet, but all in all it is recommendable. Tech N9ne has not lost any of his talent or flair over the past years, and this album fills in the Gaps he has left with older ones. Even People who are not the biggest Tech N9ne fans will probably enjoy listening to it, because Tech N9ne goes into every imaginable Hip Hop Style.

For fans of Fast Rap there is a Song called “the midwest choppers part 2″ feat. Krayzie Bone (Bone Thugs n Harmony) and K-dean, but also every other taste should probably be covered with this album.

My Favorites: Midest Choppers part 2, Dysfunctional, Red Nose

My Rating: 3 / 5

Another week and some more numbers.  This week is pretty blah if you ask me.  Michael Jackson reached gold status, Jay-Z is still moving more than most people’s first weeks and Tech N9ne is still holding it down for KC, MO.  Check the top.

And the bottom.

What’s going on with Triple C’s?  I thought Rick Ross was the BAWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSE!!!!!!!

Swollen Members and Tech N9ne awww shiit, Love it!

In this week’s Sales Wrap, Michael Jackson returns to become the king once again, Jay-Z holds down Top 10 and new releases from Tech N9ne, Z-Ro, Triple C’s and more debut on the charts.

Proving his memory still carries on, the late Michael Jackson’s This Is It soundtrack managed to debut at No. 1 this week. According to Nielsen Soundscan, the iconic singer’s compilation disc moved 373,800 records after seven days in stores.

Grammy-winning rapper Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 took a slight six-position dip but managed to land at No. 10 with 40,700. After two months on store shelves, Hovi’s 11th number one album has sold 1,200,100 pieces to date.

Pop group Black Eyed Peas‘ E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) fell out of the Top 10 moving downward seven slots to No. 13 with 30,200. With 21 weeks to their names, the group’s latest offering has secured 1,300,000 sold discs.

Rap veteran Tech N9ne’s K.O.D. debuted onto the charts this week securing a spot at No. 14. Tech’s new album was able to push out 29,900 records after seven days in stores.

R&B singer Brian McKnight made his return to store shelves as Evolution Of A Man opened at No. 20. Headed into just his second week, the singer’s latest effort has generated 24,400 sold discs.

Award-winning singer Whitney Houston’s I Look To You dropped ten spots to No. 30 with 15,200. After nine weeks in the books, the singer’s comeback album rests at 765,500 secured units.

Renowned singer Mariah Carey’s Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel took a slight hit dropping 17 slots to No. 31 with 14,900. Nick Cannon’s wife has been able to move 290,400 records after five weeks in stores.

Young Money’s Drake has taken a hit, too, as So Far Gone dropped 14 positions to No. 37 with 13,300. After seven weeks, the rap newcomer’s retail re-release rests at 210,700.

Rick Ross and Triple C’s Custom Cars & Cycles got off to a rough start this week debuting at No. 44. With seven days in the books, the group’s debut Def Jam release has sold 12,100 records.

Singer Trey Songz’s Ready evens things out in Top 50 by dropping 12 slots to No. 49 with 11,300. After nine weeks on the charts, the singer’s new album has moved 294,200 pieces.

The late Michael Jackson compilation disc, Selections From Michael Jackson, also debuted onto the charts at No. 91 with 6,100 sold records in its first week.

Canadian hip-hop group Swollen Members‘ Armed To The Teeth debuted at No. 146 this week moving a total of 3,500 records after seven days on store shelves.

Texas rapper Z-Ro’s Cocaine also debuted onto the charts landing at No. 147 with 3,500 pieces to his name heading into week two.

Tech N9ne scares me. When he raps I feel like he is robbing me or pointing a gun at me or something.

I know where you live motherfucker

Ok, this is actually funny

Drink Caribou Lou…

Tech N9ne – Leave me alone, single van de K.O.D album dat nu verkrijgbaar is!

Een andere kant van Tech N9ne, wat rustiger en wijzer om het maar even zo te zeggen.

Strange Music – Tech N9ne – Leave Me Alone From Album K.O.D.

The signing at FYE in Tempe. They sign babies!!!

STRANGE MUSIC once again brings you one of the most anticipated tours of the year… October 2009, we proudly present the “K.O.D. TOUR 2009”!!!

The “K.O.D. TOUR 2009” will bring together some of the most unique forces in independent Hip Hop. TECH N9NE pairs up for this outing with his STRANGE MUSIC cohorts, KRIZZ KALIKO, KUTT CALHOUN & BIG SCOOB.

Also joining this unique tour will be the collective known as SLAUGHTERHOUSE- CROOKED I, JOE BUDDEN, JOEL ORTIZ & ROYCE 5′9″ along with STEVIE STONE, GLASSES MALONE AND K-OTIX in HOUSTON- NOV 3RD.

Purchase your tickets here: www.warehouselive.com

Tech N9ne – K.O.D.

Strange Music Records

Dropping: October 27, 2009

Tracklist:

01. Show Me A God [Prod. Matic Lee]
02. The Warning
03. Demons [Feat. Three 6 Mafia] [Prod. Matic Lee]
04. Blackened the Sun
05. Strange Music Box [Feat. Krizz Kaliko & Brotha Lynch Hung] [Prod. YoungFyre, Karbon]
06. Sundae
07. Check Yo Temperature [Feat. T-Nutty & Sundae] [Feat. YoungFyre]
08. B. Boy [Feat. Kutt Calhoun, Skatterman, Big Scoob & Bump Knuckles] [Prod. YoungFyre, Karbon]
09. Hunterish [Feat. Krizz Kaliko and Irv Da Phenom] [Feat. YoungFyre]
10. The Pick Up
11. In the Trunk
12. Pinocchiho
13. Horns [Feat. Prozak And King Gordy]
14. Interview With Jason Whitlock
15. It Was Accident [Feat. Alan Wayne]
16. Shadows On the Road
17. Low
18. Messages
19. Killing You
20. Leave Me Alone [Prod. YoungFyre, Karbon]
21. Prayer – By brother K.T.
22. K.O.D. [Feat. Mackenzie O'Guin] [Feat. YoungFyre]
23. The Martini [Feat. Krizz Kaliko]
24. F.U.N (Fuck You Niggas) [Prod. YoungFyre, Karbon]
25. Like I Died

Tech is sick, and is new single, Leave Me Alone, is insane.

More Info Coming Soon…