I must have looked like a lunatic listening to “Goodbye Babylon” on the bus this morning. Bobbing my head up and down, playing the air drums, obnoxiously singing the guitar line out loud, way to excited for 8:30AM on a Monday.  To everyone who rode Tránsito La Floresta to work today, I apologize.  But you must understand, the Black Keys will do that do you.  The guitar line in “Goodbye Babylon” hits harder than the Mark McGuire on roids.  Add in the simple beauty of Carney’s drums and you’ve got a Magic Potion.

One of the things I really like about this song is the interplay between guitar and drums. In the chorus they seem to fall out of sync, providing a brief moment of discord, then reunite for a jaw-dropping climax.

I can’t think of many guitar players who play with more feeling and intensity than Auerbach does.  (Well I can think of one who’s certainly his equal, but I’ll save that for a later post.)  Sure there are more technically gifted guitar players out there but technical brilliance doesn’t make the musician–emotion does, and the ability to translate that emotion into the language of music. With Auerbach, it’s like there’s nothing in between what he feels and what he plays. No filter, no artifice, just a one way superhighway from soul to instrument.

Black Keys – Goodbye Babylon

Now this album by The Black Keys had me intrigued from the get-go, as it was a collaboration by a lot of people I like. Last week I gave the album a listen and wrote down what I thought about it.

1. Cootchie (f. Ludacris and ‘Ol Dirty Bastard)- At first I thought this sounded a bit…off, as with the rest of the songs I had already heard before listening to this album, but I then found out this was left out of the ITunes version of the album. Good call, the beat and melody was peculiar and the ODB/Luda combo was a little too faux-bluesy without quite hitting it.
2. On The Vista( f. Mos Def) – Now this song is an opener. Mos isn’t at 100% on this one (it’s mostly repetitive) but it’s a pretty good laid back  song, with the guitar effects working to that effect very well.
3. Hard Times (f. NOE) – First things first: Where did Dame Dash get this Jay-Z sound-alike? it’s kinda eerie. Second, that secondary vocal is pretty annoying, but the overall song is not bad.
4. Dollaz & Sense (feat. Pharoahe Monch & RZA)- The Black Keys sound starts to mesh a bit better on this song. RZA is on point in this one, as is the incomparable Pharoahe Monch.
5. Why Can’t I Forget Him (feat. Nicole Wray)- First off, sick segue from the last song. Second, I’m kind of amazed at how well Wray’s voice fits with the sound of this album.
6. Stay Off The F*%$#n’ Flowers (feat. Raekwon)- It’s pretty amazing what can be done with a tight bass line and a master MC. Love this song.
7. Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) (feat. Jim Jones & Mos Def) – I’m going to say something I thought I’d never say: Jim Jones kills it on this track. He genuinely is really good on this song.
8. Hope You’re Happy (feat. Billy Danze, Nikki Wray & Q-Tip) – Danze and Q-Tip are pretty competent on this track, but after hearing the last one, it just doesn’t measure up.
9. Telling Me Things (feat. RZA) – The claustophobic guitar work along with RZA’s delivery, but it kind of drags on for a bit too much.
10. What You Do To Me (feat. Billy Danze, Jim Jones & Nicole Wray) – Again, Jim Jones swoops in like a hobo and steals the spotlight.
11. Done Did It (feat. Nicole Wray & NOE) – Ok Dame Dash, I get it. You miss Jay-Z. Do you really need to put this vocal doppleganger on another track, especially the last one? Seriously, tell me at the end of this track he’s not trying to sound like Hov. I dare you. Ok rant over. Song is pretty good too.

Overall, the album is a pretty good experimentation. I don’t think it’s gonna resonate with much of the hip-hop crowd, as the Black Keys provide a sound that they really aren’t terribly used to ( and if you say anything about The Roots I’m gonna slap you for being ignorant). Still, I think the guys made some good songs ( numbers 2,4,6, and7) and I hope they do make something great out of this collaboration.

Discussions: Silver | Discussions: Gold | Discussions: Platinum | Audio | Video

Discussions

SILVER

Was The Carter 3 An Elaborate Joke?

A year and a half after it’s release, the success of Lil’ Wayne’s The Carter 3 is starting to come under scrutiny.Was  it the complete package for Weezy or for the industry.

“It had nothing to do with the album itself…it had everything to do with all of the features and mixtapes he was doing in the years prior to it.” – Gumz

“Wayne and his camp did enough campaigning for FIVE albums. when the day came it didnt even matter if he was just talking for 10 songs, all the work had been done to the point people were ready to buy it no matter what!” – Von Pea

More

The Dream Cries About Not Getting Album of the year Nomination

The Dream gets pissed about the Grammy’s not nominating his Love vs. Money album for Album of the Year. Even some of his Lesson defenders are shaking their head at this.

“I know clearly MY ALBUM BLONG there period.” – The Dream

“So songs he writes get Grammy’s, but songs he writes and sings don’t… he doesn’t see it?” – FortifiedLive

More

I feel some kinda way about gays protesting Buju and Sizzla

Interesting discussion around the continued protests by gay rights activists against dancehall artists that have refused to back down on their anti-gay stances.

“The same night after I met with them (gay associates), they pepper-sprayed the concert. So what are you trying to tell me?” – Buju Banton

“To have an immoral belief, means you’ve not reasoned it out and that refusal to think is an act of cowardice in itself.” – The Damaja

“Someone needs to speak up about homophobia where ever it exists. How else can we be rid of it?” – SoWhat

More

Marvin Gaye – In Our Lifetime?

Showing the power of the classics, a Lessonhead prepping to purchase Marvin Gaye’s In Our Lifetime? for the first time after being moved by “Funk Me” opened up discussion.

“He was transitioning into ‘Uncle Marvin’ mode which hew was using in full on Midnight Love.” – Dr. Claw

“Whenever Marvin was channeling somebody he would go all out and yeah he was high as the goodyear blimp, but the jams on here are stank.” – mistermaxxx08

“Motown decided to remix it and add “Far Cry” which was an incomplete song and omit “Ego Trippin Out.”  The original version of the album is on the deluxe edition along with the Love Man Sessions. Marvin’s version of the album is a lot looser and moodier than what was released.” – A Sizzle

More

NME – Top 50 of the last decade

Well it looks like Pitchfork may have some competition as the Lesson’s most hated music publication after New Music Express put up their top 50 albums of the last decade.

“It’s a rock mag. They ought to just make a 50 Best Rock Albums list. Putting on two hip hop records is just odd and disrespectful.” – Wrongthink

“Its been so odd that kings of leon and the black keys have been getting the shit end of the stick!” – astralblak

“I lost interest when i saw In Rainbows was so much higher than Kid A.” – woe.is.me

More

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GOLD

Were there any new genres created this decade?

A Lessonhead wondered whether we witnessed the birth of any genre’s in the 2000’s, which of course led to discussion of what actually defines a new genre.

“By its nature, it’s impossible to imagine what a new kind of music would sound like.  But on the other hand, there will always be new creation due to artistry, culture & technology.” – Okaybowler

“IMO thats the way music is going right now, subgenres. That connections are being found between any and everything existing, such as the case of nintendo music and hardcore or indie rock and afro beat.” – Zuma1986

“Why does music have to be groundbreaking [sic]? Why isn’t the evolution of the many pre-existing musical styles enough?” – Small Pro

More

Your Dream Record

The Lesson took to fantasizing about dream album collaborations.  Artists and A&R’s take note.

“Earth, Wind and Fire produced by BLAZE.” – disco dj

“A Jill Scott album produced entirely by 4Hero (or Jazzanova)” – briwil25

“Coultrain & Andre 3000 on some best of both worlds type ish.” – Eddietauf

“Slick Rick produced by Madlib” – dustin

“T-Pain produced / written by Stevie Wonder” – weirdscience

More

Let’s talk about the job of Biggest Band In The World

A Lessonhead ponders why  the title “Biggest Band In The World” has historically been limited to British rock bands?  Are there no American bands that qualify?

“Sadly Green Day are the US’s top contender for the title these days.” – Bombastic

“If Guns N Roses could’ve kept their shit together for just TWO MORE YEARS, though, they woulda made it, because U2 slipped something major in the U.S. with the Popmart tour.” – Invisiblist

“Red Hot Chilli Peppers blew it on two separate occasions.” – Villain

More

R&B – Funk Songs where the drummer killed it

The underrated prowess of the drummers in R&B and funk get their due respect in this list post.

“Flying High – The Commodores” – disco dj

“I Want To Be Free – Ohio Players” – Booty Green

“Michael Bland on Prince’s Shhh” – go mack

“In Time – Sly & The Family Stone” – So What

“Bernard Purdie on Aretha’s Rock Steady” – Ally Al 2003

More

Congratulations to The Foreign Exchange on the Grammy Nomination

After 10 years The Lesson finally performed an official coup of the music industry when a group born in The Lesson, received a Grammy nomination for their song “Daybreak.”

“From our humble beginnings on these here boards early ‘02, via an INCREDIBLE year of Leaving It All Behind, to 2010 that will see us put the spotlight on several of our family members through our new imprint, The Foreign Exchange Music… it truly is an incredible privilege to be a part of this collective.” – Nicolay

More

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PLATINUM

I don’t want to hear anyone call Rihanna an R&B Singer

With the release of her latest effort Rated R, there was much discussion in The Lesson about whether or not she (still?) qualifies as an R&B singer.

“Its bad enough to call her an R&B singer, but once you spell out the abbreveation, its even worse.” – Funkymusic

“I like her as a package, a concept, a canvas, but humanity has never heard such notes from human vocal chords.” – cheap skeiht killa

“Before Jerry Wexler coined the term ‘Rhythm & Blues’ the R&B charts were called the ‘race music’ charts. So it really never meant anything other than pop music made by blacks.” – bski

“She ruins one of the biggest dubstep tunes of the year on the Madhouse intro.” – SMDtheMC

“This album from a songwriting, production and mixing standpoint is FANTASTIC. I NEVER thought I’d be saying that but it really is put together well. The background vocal production is tight…lots of risks.” – MFAKTR

More

So I was in a rap battle today

A Lessonhead shared a recent encounter during a rap battle. What starts out as a discussion about possible racism falls apart as the ‘cheesy’ details are revealed.

“The real question here is what the fuck were you doing and where the fuck were you to be in a rap battle where the judges are a white girl and a 10 year old white kid with an AC/DC shirt on?” – Anonymous

“This wasn’t a Fight-Klub-I’m-gonna-destroy-this-guy type of shit. I know him from work. We was at the Cheesecake Factory and both of our friends knew we rapped for fun so they coaxed us into battling.” – Riyadh

“This will enter The Lesson’s lexicon.” – Mr. Wednesday

“When someone corny says something about okp not understanding the streets or being in touch with the hood, a simple CHEESECAKE FACTORY response is merited.” – Guinness

More

Jay Electronica vs Lupe Fiasco I & II

What started out as a typical Lesson poll of who’s the better rapper, turned into a proposal for a real battle eliciting a response from one of the parties involved.

“Google some of those references [Jay Electronica] makes in [Exhibit C] and come back and tell us that shit isn’t fuckin fire” – Amritsar

“Exhibit C was incredible, but if that impressed you, Hurt Me Soul should blow you away” – bills

“In an era where the main stars of this genre of music put out so much music that they get over saturated,and make it hard for their fanbase to really appreciate their music,because they are half assing it on more than half of the music….it’s quite refreshing to hear an mc who takes his time,puts seemingly 100 percent effort into every verse written.” – HotepSuns365

“Battle Jay Elect? Who has the foolhardy audacity to utter this? I look at him like a high minded brother from another and when we finally encounter with dual flows overdosed on over-the-counter’s its gone be like Mulder meets the Mothership…” – FNF UP UP AND AWAY

Part I | Part II

Discussions: Silver | Discussions: Gold | Discussions: Platinum | Audio | Video

Audio

The Ocarina of Rhyme

DJ Khalil – Chinatown Wars Beat Tape

RJD2 ft Kenna “Games You can Win”

Lupe Fiasco – Enemy of the State Mixtape

Flying Lotus x Lil Wayne

Daru Jones – Spirit & Soul Sampler

Serial Killaz (Xzibit, B-Real & Young De) “Body Bags”

Lil Wayne “On Fire”

Lyle Horowitz – Auteur

Freddie Gibbs – The Labels Tryin to Kill Me!

Buff1 – It’s A 1derful Life

Discussions: Silver | Discussions: Gold | Discussions: Platinum | Audio | Video

Video

When former Roc-A-Fella co-owner Dame Dash and Jim Jones announced the “Black Roc” project, I was skeptical to say the least. Low and behold, this has definitely gotten off to a great start. It goes without saying that Mos Def is definitely in the upper echelon of emcees. The Black Keys are a Blues/Rock band from Akron Ohio and their sound shines on this track. Jim Jones even came correct on this song and in doing so it has made me look at the Dipset Capo in a new light. There are so many great things that’s born from collaborative efforts such as this one. This is apart of the foundation of music. One can only hope that it inspire rappers all over to at least make the effort to branch out and think different especially when it comes to music. Check this out, I swear you’ll like it.

After Damon Dash began listening to The Black Keys, who he says became his favorite band, he reached out to the musicians to meet in person. Dash suggested that they enter the studio with Jim Jones, with whom Dash has recently partnered to form Splash Records^[3]. While recording, Mos Def interrupted the session, and ended up recording with them as well^[2]. With new artists being called in to work on the album, it was completed after eleven days recording. Included in the project will be vocals from deceased rapper and former Roc-A-Fella Records artist Ol’ Dirty Bastard, tapes which were signed over to his brief Roc4Life venture under Def Jam with the intention of an eventual album release. In order to release Blakroc, Dash has formed an independent record label in conjunction with the band^[2]. The first single for the album, “Hoochie Coo”, features a singing duet between The Black Keys’ guitarist Dan Auerbach and Mos Def, with rap verses from Jim Jones; it was released on September 14th, 2009. – Wikepedia

I like going to concerts alone every once-in-while.  Don’t get me wrong, having someone to share your mutual appreciation (or obsession) with is a great thing but if the situation arises where I must go it alone, I’m just saying I don’t hate it.

For one, it’s a lot easier to secure a front row position when you don’t have to worry about anyone but yourself. And equally as important, you can pull out all of the moves and obnoxious screaming you want and not have to worry about embarrassing your concert buddy.

I ramble on about this 1) to raise awareness of the awesomeness of the solo concert experience and 2) to describe my own Dan Auerbach concert experience (embarrassing moves and all).

If you caught my earlier posts on the Best of 09 (So Far), you’d know that Mr. Auerbach easily made the top of that list with his solo effort Keep It Hid, which was released in February of this year.

I’m gonna keep this as brief as possible, since I think the videos speak for themselves. Dan Auerbach puts on an amazing show. In fact, he’s the epitome of what a concert experience should be: He played all the songs from his album, making sure everyone got to hear his/her favorite and took us from extremely high highs with songs like “My Last Mistake” to beautifully low lows like “When the Night Comes” all while being frightfully ill with the flu!

I traveled from Charlotte to Chapel Hill to catch this concert and I could not be more grateful that DA was such a trooper and stuck it out through the concert even though he was visibly sick. Unlike the rock star persona he has with his band the Black Keys, Dan had to forgo cheap beer and liquor for hot cups of tea in between songs. I know, I know…If you are asking yourself right now if it’s possible for this man to be any more awesome, the answer is of course “no”.

It was honestly very difficult to hear his vocals on several songs, but I’m not sure if that was a technical issue with Cat’s Cradle or if it was a result of the flu. Whatever the case, the crowd filled in the vocals when necessary and the band deafened us with their amazing performances. And considering DA played all the instruments while recording the album, the band but insane amounts of energy into making the music sound even better than the original songs.

Sick or not, you would have been hard pressed to find moments where Dan faltered much. You’ve got to respect an artist that loves the fans enough to come out and give it everything he’s got, even if it wasn’t 100 percent.

I’d love to see the band again when everyone is on the top of their game, but if this is the only impression I am to be left with, I wouldn’t mind a bit. Excellent songs, excellent music, excellent band and excellent musician.

Check out some of my video from the show here:

The Blakroc project that Hip Hop impresario Damon Dash helmed is pretty impressive. Putting to work blues rockers The Black Keys to lay down the heavy duty riffs and licks was a pretty genius idea. The list of guests is just as impressive with contributions from the versatile list of artists like Raekwon, RZA and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the Wu-Tang Clan; Jim Jones; Mos Def; singer Nicole Wray; Pharoahe Monch; Ludacris; Billy Danze; and Q-Tip.

The first video What You Do To Me features Jim Jones, Billy Danze and soulstress Nicole Wray. Hefty…

Make sure to check out Mr. Jim Jones in a Metropark exclusive Two In The Shirt Flawless Tee in Turquoise:

Still available at Metropark HERE

Cop the record from the Blakroc Site. It’s really good. Plus you can check out some awesome webisodes about the making of the record. Webisode numero uno, the Blakroc Sessions:

Any one else up for some some good old fashioned hard grooving bassless garage blues rock?

Your Thoughts?

Yeah. It’s a year late. So shoot me.

1. Metallica – Death Magnetic – Melts faces.
2. Girl Talk – Feed The Animals – Make sure and get the real one, not the fake one that’s floating around. The fake one is poop. Follow the link for the right download.
3. Ida Maria – Fortress ‘Round My Heart - Norwegian pop punk. Imagine Bjork + Sex Pistols.
4. TRV$DJAM – Fix Your Face - Just a great DJ dance mix… accompanied by Green Day’s drummer. Follow link for free download of Fix Your Face one and two.
5. The Black Keys – Attack & Release – More classic rock, less blues, than their earlier releases, but still very good. A band matures… I’m so proud!
6. The Presets – Apocalypso - Is it heavy metal? Is it trance? Is it new wave? Is it emo? I can’t tell.
7. Steve Aoki – Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles – Just another DJ dance mix.
8. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend - I listened to this CD about a million times without even realizing it.
9. Portishead – Third - uhhh… IT’S FUCKING PORTISHEAD!!!?
10. Alejandro Escovedo – Real Animal - Standard rock and roll fare, but you can only listen to so much Tom Petty, sometimes you gotta change it up.

Name Check Central:
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
Steinski – What Does It All Mean?
TV On The Radio – Dear Science
Blitzen Trapper – Furr
Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue
Fur Bearing Animals – Fur Bearing Animals
Drive By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
Calexico – Carried To Dust
Morcheeba – Dive Deep
Sam Phillips – Don’t Do Anything
Jim – Jamie Lidell
Cat Power – Jukebox
Gnarls Barkley – The Odd Couple
The Knux – Remind Me in 3 Days
Ghostland Observatory – Robotique Majestique
Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree
The Courteeners – St. Jude

Cipher Launch date 07.12.09, so we got sneakers or stiched up and ready to ship out this week. Check the website www.cipherism.com or follow our fan page on facebook.

Its a good time for us to be making and promoting our brand. We have people writing on their blogs, distributors in Europe coming down town Sheung Wan (Hong Kong) to check out our office and ofcourse Kenshin in New York trying to push kilos. Kenshin, being Collin Thompson’s (founder of C I P H E R) good friend keeps us posted with his news and the more important things – All that MATTERS (ROCKSMITH)

RockSmith has obviously had a busy year, creating mad crazy videos for the festive season and filming young pioneers on the streets of NYC. Big ups for the video, love the track and the theme !

But This is the album on my wish list this year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BLAKROC

has been hyped up for a while now but it’s dropped and i have seen bits and parts of the trailer but I’m saving up my pennies this week ! This is the uncut master piece which puts authentic Hip Hop artists with The Black Keys, who produce the vicious Blues Rock sound. A truly unique collaboration which has made this passion project a sure shot for success.

Surface To Air has either conceived or been a part of some of the most creative projects you’ve no doubt come across in the past few years. In the late 90’s Surface To Air consisted of a group of friends in Paris who wanted to work on projects they liked and since then, the team has grown into a multidisciplinary company spanning across creative domains such as fashion, graphics, photography, design, music, and films. They are part creative agency, part clothing label and part studio. Past projects have included but are not limited to music videos for Justice and Chromeo, art directing the Blason shoot for Pharrell’s line of jewelery for Louis Vuitton, commercials for Diesel, Sony and Louis Vuitton and more recently, launching UNIQLO in France and a capsule collection with Kings of Leon. And we’re just getting to the clothing side of things.

Via Highsnobiety

I agree with the guy who said the thing about the albums — I’m such a one-hit ho now! Entire albums? That’s a commitment! But in the spirit of lists, I give you my top 5 favorites, kind of. I agree with some of the ones other people posted, but since have opted for some of my other favorites just to mix it up. I can’t even get into honorable mentions or we’ll be here all day; I will try to append those later.

Topping my list (in no particular order):

PJ Harvey: Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
I am SO glad this just made it into the ’00s (‘00 to be exact). Granted, it’s a little more puff and fluff than some of her other albums, but as a whole, it’s one that I can actually listen to the entire thing and not get bored.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Fever to Tell

The Black Keys: Magic Potion
Call it home-town pride or the fact that I’m still a little shocked every time I hear Dan’s voice — it does not align with my high school impression of him whatsoever — but I think they’re a great band. Actually, the hardest decision for me here was which album I was going to select. It was really a toss up between “Rubber City,” “Thickfreakness” and “Magic Potion.”

Wu-Tang Clan: Chamber Music
Really, just great, beginning to end. The album as a whole hits all the right peaks and valleys and is perfectly paced.

Neko Case: Middle Cyclone
This tornado loves you? It sure does.

I guess we are going to keep showing these videos till there are no more to show!!! How many of you picked up the album last Friday?

As its finally Black Friday, one of the most anticipated collab albums (as least to me) has finally been released. The album features The Black Keys at the helm and contains guest appearances by Mos Def, Jim Jones, Q-Tip, Ludacris, Raekwon, and many other notables. You can go and purchase it here.

Alright, this shit is growing on me.

http://www.blakroc.com/

Oh my god, they even have a Blakroc Chevy Camaro.

I suppose you’re all wondering what the new COEN BROTHERS film is like? Well I went to see it this evening, and I’m gonna say this: it’s very different from their usual films, it’s more of a deep, philosophical comedy drama. Some (denser) audience members may leave feeling cheated, or fail to be entertained, but by the ending, I found the film to be very clever, and begin to make perfect sense upon reflection; when I left the cinema. Just go and see it, if you’re intelligent, and want to be entertained. It’s about as challenging to watch as Charlie Kaufman’s latest, I’d say, but possibly a little less complicated. But c’mon, it’s a Coens film, who’s not gonna go see it?

Yes. Yes you should. I’m serious.

Anyway, back to music. I’ve been listening to a bit of a mix lately; about half electronic, half other music? Well whatever, but I’ve bumped into a few incredible tracks from all different corners. Such as this – Erol Alkan’s latest signing, German dude BORIS DLUGOSCH, who has released possibly one of the biggest bangers of this year, immediately rivalling everyone from Jack Beats to Crookers, and mainly due to its simple formula of chopped up beats, wiping synths and high pitched groans, as well as steady popping bass.

“Bangkok” (Original Mix) – Boris Dlugosch (zshare)

Also from Germany is minimal techno duo AKA AKA, who sample some crazy stuff (including Batman & Robin), but in this track utilise a bit of didgeridoo in place of the usual repetitive electronic percussion, which I thought was pretty raaaaaaaaaad:

“Woody Woodpecker” – Aka Aka (zshare) [hi-qual/large file]

A while ago I found these two Portuguese guys called OCTA PUSH, who are incredible. They’ve pretty much popped out of nowhere, and they mix all kinds of styles together to form some kind of supersound. I can’t really explain it, but it’s very accessible. This is their signature track, I think, and it’s pretty sumptuous when you first hear it smother your ear-holes…

“Kolokani” – Octa Push (zshare)

So THE BLACK KEYS decided to go hip-hop for their newest stuff, and collaborated with a ton of rappers and vocalists, including one of my favourites, Mos Def. But the track I’m gonna show you features RZA of Wu-Tang fame, and Pharoahe Monch of “shut the fuck up” fame. It holds a significant amount of soul, psychedelia, and swagger. Raw:

“Dollaz & Sense” (ft. RZA & Pharoahe Monch) – Blakroc (zshare)

I saw TURBO FRUITS a while back when whiting out at a festival, and I remember them playing pretty well for a Be Your Own Pet spinoff. I actually bought their debut album, despite it not seeming fully thought-out. This new stuff shows a stronger side to them, with a balls-out Black Lips-style tightness. This is how mainstream rock music should sound nowadays, brilliant production too. Apparently they’re soundtracking the new Drew Barrymore film though…ugh…

“International Language of Love” – Turbo Fruits (zshare)

INVASION are insane. I first read them described as “wizard metal”, and straight away got on that shit. First listen sounds like Death From Above 1979 with crazy soulish vocals. And I’m happy to say it all sounds that good! It’s pretty spacey, you should check out their videos actually, I’ll post one now just to keep you entertained – watch their other videos though, they’re really cool 90’s video montage-based! Can you handle:

“Alchemy” – Invasion (zshare)

[BONUS COVERT DUBSTEP SKILLZ: "Dublicker" - Unknown Artist vs Aphex Twin (zshare)]

I sooooo wish i could have been apart of this…

Here are a few albums that were all huge for me these 10 years. These are more personal favorites, albums that influenced my overall musical taste since college.

5. Yo La Tengo: And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out

4. The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

3. The Black Keys: Rubber Factory

2. The Books: Lost and Safe


1. Andrew Bird: Weather Systems

…and some honorable mentions

Sufjan Stevens: Illinoise
Okkervil River: Don’t Fall in Love with Everyone You See
Radiohead: Hail to the Thief
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion
Fela Kuti: The Best of Fela Kuti
Lyrics Born: Same !@#$ Different Day
Yo La Tengo: Popular Songs