Heart Attacks and Mobile Homes

I HATE moving, like most people, and my little heart isn't made for the stress. Once I get out of this apartment, I'll be able to breathe somewhat easier. Mostly because I'll be homeless, with lots of fresh air! While shopping for living quarters, I stumbled upon this Cloud Room, designed by Monica Forster. It is supposed to be used for a meeting room, but hell, I'll take what I can get. Still, at $5000, maybe I'll go the traditional route.

Calling The World!

Hey, speaking of sophomore albums, Rooney's back! Excited?...If not, suck a lemon, if so, suck one just for good measure. Vitamin C is good for you. In any event, Rooney shall be releasing, Calling The World, their second album July 17th, and shall be touring in support of the album from today, till the end of July. You want a track list?

01. Calling The World
02. When Did Your Heart Go Missing?
03. I Should've Been After You
04. Tell Me Soon
05. Don't Come Around Again
06. Are You Afraid?
07. Love Me Or Leave Me
08. Paralyzed
09. What For
10. All In Your Head
11. Believe In Me
12. Help Me Find My Way

How about tour dates?
05/31 - Boca Raton, FL - Mizner Ampitheatre*
06/01 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall*
06/02 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle*
06/05 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre*
06/06 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues*
06/10 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues*
06/11 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant*
06/13 - Detroit, MI - State Theatre*
06/19 - Boston, MA - Avalon*
06/20 - Providence, RI - Living Room
06/21 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom*
06/22 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
06/23 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
06/24 - Richmond, VA - Toad's Place
06/27 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
06/29 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
07/01 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
07/17 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues*
07/19 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre*
07/22 - Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium*
07/24 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom*
07/25 - Euegene, OR - WOW Hall
07/26 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
07/27 - Lake Tahoe, NV - Harvey's*
07/28 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl ( The Palm's)*
* with Fergie

Everybody Plays The Fool

Hizzah! K-Fed is at it again, thank DA LAUD. Janet Charlton's Hollywood gave the hook up with this info, and it makes me excited for the next instalment of pain. Last summer, I was biting my nails for the release of his first album, then upset that I didn't get a chance to see him play CMJ's festival. Thank goodness for second chances. At least there is no fear of the sophomore jinx, and he has no rep to live up to. Unless you count the ability to etch away at the credibility of hip-hop, and found a career on idiocy. He's got that down pat. I'll keep a close eye on this, because I'm sure his adoring fans are foaming to hear more.

Tinseltown to the Boogiedown

I'm always curious to see into the mind of artists. The preceptive nature of the creative faculty has always astounded me. That's why when they have blogs, I tend to gawk at how they feel about things. I personally consider producers to be artists in their own right, not just ancillary components to the creation of music. When I learned that beat king Just Blaze had a blog, best believe I boogied right on over to his, The Megatron Don. He posts on everything you would expect a hip-hop producer to blog about; Blackberrys, fashion, beats, kicks, and hood related items....hrm...just like this blog. rut-rhoo!

Waste Of Paint

I haven't posted anything street art related since last December when I went to 11 Spring St. Wooster has posted a link to The Graffiti Project. This is where popular Brazilian street artist are reworking the outside of a Scottish castle. It's really amazing to see how the work is progressing. It's also very cool to see how graffiti has changed since the 1980's, which was the hey-day of tagging that I relate with most. The most impressive pieces then where subway cars, and now it has progressed to castles.


If more traditional art is more your thang, and you also happen to be in Baden-Baden, Germany, there is to be an exhibition of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Cy Twombly, and Anselm Keifer's work. It is a private collection of collector Erich Marx, which now resides at the Hamburger Bahnhof. Delicious! Though the works live at the Hamburger, the exhibit is at the Frieder Burda Museum, just for clarification. Enjoy yo selves.

Are You That Somebody?

Nowadays, everybody's a critic. Actually, I'm pretty sure that has always been the case, but in any event, now everyone's criticism is more accessible thanks to...blogging--YAY!! Wired has taken it upon themselves to look into the mp3 blogging phenomena, by interviewing Anthony Volodkin, who is the wizard behind the Hype Machine aka the competition for anyone who wants to run an popular music blog. This machine essentially compiles all the music that's being discussed in blogsville, and is there to hook you up with one stop shopping. There is potential for this to expand to a lucrative area, since you can purchase some of the tunes. This could also create a new alternative to radio stations. Due to the decreasing stretch of rotation, and the mucking up of formats, this could present a better option in getting music. Stop on over for a look-see!

Family Business

I've been meaning to post about this for a while, but kept putting it off or forgetting about it. Kanye isn't the only West kickin knowledge, his moms got game too. She has just release Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar. Oddly enough, I caught wind of this through my mother. Her very good friend, is friends with the Louis Vuitton Mom, and was telling my mother about how awesome this book is. Such a proud brood of mothers! The book is filled with "unreleased pictures & embarrassing anecdotes". Like what, you may wonder? Kanye's teenage love for porn (awkward). My mom is currently in negotiations for her own book, on raising me, a man living in Kanye's shadow. It should be a real page turner.

Toilet Tisha?

While watching Primer Impacto, the univision news program, I saw a feature on awesome ipod speakers. What was the highlight of this feature? A toilet paper holder/speaker set. This is the wave of the future, and opens up a finite realm of possibilities. You could listen to your ipod in the shower with the ghetto blastin toilet tissue dispenser, and if you include the use of podcasts, think of the wealth of knowledge that could be consumed. Thank you Spanish news broadcast, for I cringe at the thought of life without this great potty machine. And thank you iCarta iPod Toilet Paper holder, though I doubt that you are worth $70.

Cartoon Music For Superheroes

I love cartoons. I like (and dream in) claymation. I also like animals and personification. Now there is a TV show that has all of these things!! CBS is going to start airing Creature Comforts, a show first shown in the UK, on June 4th. It comes from the creators of Wallace and Gromit, and that means that somewhere in this series, penguins will be involved. What more do you need? I've seen some clips of the show on political humor also, so this is shaping up to be a very very cool show. Those cheeky brits, and there funny business. First the office, now this. I just pray it doesn't get canceled like all the other shows I fall in love with.

Polar Bears:


Politics:

Anotherloverholenyohead

Today, I have enjoyed the simple things that make me happy. I watched Under the Cherry Moon, and played a ninja turtle's Sewer maze. I then watched some Rob & Big, which may be the only thing I can tolerate on MTV. During the commerical break I saw the most awesome Truth commercial ever. It has Nick Cannon, whom I blame for some of MTV's poor programing, being interviewed by the new Truth dude Derrick. It shows how tobacco companies stereotype African Americans as malt liquor drankin' hoodlums. Ironic, because when I think "habitual illustrator of negative racial stereotypes", I automatically think of Nick Cannon! I hope it makes you smile too.

Can't Tell Me Nothin

The day we have all been waiting for is finally here! Kanye West just released a video for his single, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and that means you can watch and hear Kanye's arrogance! The track is pretty cool, but the viddy just looks like he got left on the set of "Touch The Sky"alone with a camera. That crazy Kanye!

Summer Love Set The Mood

Due to the hectic nature of the past few weeks, I completely forgot about my summer love, summer stage. Summer stage introduced me to so many awesome bands and experiences last summer when I was wondering around New York on my lonesome. The lineup is beyond awesome, and I can't even begin to express how juiced I am to go see as many free shows as possible. If you're making a trip to the city at any point this summer, check out the summer stage line up to see whats good, in the park. You won't be disappointed.

Performances include:
Apostle of Hustle
Joss Stone
Common
Television
Wyclef Jean
The Decemberists
Grizzly Bear
Neko Case
Brazilian Girls
Fab 5 Freddy

No One Belongs Here More Than You

The Fader, and er'ebody else are pretty pumped over the author Miranda July. I haven't read her work, so I'll reserve judgement till I can make my way toward her writings. However, if you are kickin around NYC today and find yourself near the public Library, then stop by and give her a listen. She shall be having a good ole fashion reading at 7 this evening. You can let me know how it goes.

What I have noticed, is that she looks exactly like Elijah Wood as Frodo. That's pretty much the real reason for this post. Weird.

Alkada Jada?

In case you have yet to notice, I have changed the way I post. Instead of long posts, filled to the brim with info, I've opted to just do lots of little posts, that are easier to search for via labels and titles. This means instead of one post every few days, over night I have jumped to lots of posts in an evening. I'm just tryin to help you get your grade reading levels up. So, you're welcome.

Last night, I hit a download payload. It was glorious. Brooklyn Vegan's "hip-hop round up" provided me with some awesome things, including, but not limited to: A Jadakiss mix tape that's pretty decent with very little DJ-background noise, a new L.Boogie (Lauryn Hill) single, and four tracks off an unreleased Rah Digga Album. I'm so pleased, and you will be too! Move on it quick, before the links are all dried up.

Enjoy!

Vexed

It's tough being an indie artist. Especially when you have hype in some places, but no record sales to back up that hype. Tis a sad, sad ting. Ask Dizzee Rascal, who will only be releasing his album Maths & English as a download, state side. Bloggers love him, pitchfork gives him praise, but sound scan doesn't even know who he is. Its a true shame.
Don't fret! You can grab the album from the internets on the 5th of June, and Amazon UK can hook up the CD or vinyl if you're really jonesing for it. Dizzee is supposed to work with UGK & Lily Allen in the future, so hopefully that will help the kid out too [ Source-Angry Ape].

You're The One For Me, Fatty

I'm really pretty pumped for the new Simpsons movie. I've been telling myself that the reason all the most recent episodes suck so badly, is because they are saving all the good jokes for this movie that has been in the works since...well, episodes started getting crappy. The track listing for the movie's soundtrack has been released, and I'm so dumbfounded, I'm just going to post it, and let you all "lol" in the privacy of your own home, without any further commentary from me.

Simpson's Movie track list:

U Can't Shine Like Me- Lil' Romeo
If You Let Me Go - Jay-Z featuring Omarion
So Emotional - 1 Chance
High Away from You - Lifehouse
I Don't Wanna Understand - Jennifer Lopez featuring Three 6 Mafia
I Believe You - Lyfe Jennings
The Way You Roll With Me - T.I.
Dancing Machine - Maroon 5 featuring Lil' Flip
Simpson - Beanie Sigel featuring Jazze Pha
Since You Get Off The Computer - Fall Out Boy
Back Again - Kai featuring Akon
I Will Kill You - Panic! at the Disco
You Gave My Heart - Keyshia Cole featuring Ludacris
The World Is Yours - N.W.A.
In the Rain - Young Jeezy featuring Lil' Wayne
Lockdown - Joe Budden featuring The Game and Mike Jones
Roll Tide - Ja Rule featuring Lloyd and Nelly
I'm Your Mama - Chris Brown featuring Nas
Go to Bed - David Banner
I Don't Wanna Your Stupid Of Me - Ben Folds
Get Off The Porch - Obie Trice featuring 50 Cent and Eminem

...Fall Out Boy & 50 Cent, together at last!

Gravel Pit

Today I went on a little Jersey adventure. I jumped from Newark, to West Orange, to Hamilton, then stopped in Mt. Laurel to go shopping with my moms. While driving around, listening to Amy Winehouse, she commented on how Amy looks like a sickly crackhead. I chuckled, but added that this gangly, beehive-havin crackhead has an awesome voice, and money in the bank, which puts her in a class of her own. Then I come home to discover that another distinguishing aspect of this "rock" princess is that she may, or may not be the next Bond girll (GASP). Just the mention of this is as a possibility is pretty upsetting, but perhaps Marge Simpson could play her side kick, with matching Uzis hidden in their lengthy tresses?

In more cheery news, Kanye is so down with Madonna, that he snagged Jamie King to help out with his Glow in The Dark Tour. King has also worked with Prince, Shakira, Britney Spears and Mariah Carey. If we see Kanye with an argyle leotard, we'll be lucky if college is the only think Mr. West drops out of. Even still, it should be a pretty good look. Kanye goes on to tell MTV of all the cool things destined to go down in an interview, but if you just have to hear it from the bear's mouth, he did a little clip with MTV too.

Childs' Play

After a rousing game of soccer, I've come back to blog on all things competitive. If you know anything about me, you'll know I'm not much for practical jokes, or causing trouble, but I do enjoy watching rival rappers come to fisticuffs. Harlem darling, Cam'ron is in the midst of such a fiasco with the prince of prettend hardcore, 50 Cent. Here we see Killa Cam at the edge of his skivvies, tellin game whats' really good. I love summer beef. The video is pretty self explanatory. Now we just have to wait for Curtis to respond!

Cam'ron say wha?:

Robots, Monsters, and Teeth

I like pet monsters (not of the one eyed variety...sickos) and I like robots a ton, too. I also enjoy teeth. Both of the musical, and the chewing variety. Today I stumbled upon these three things in relatively quick succession.

First I discovered that the Teeth are Spin.com's artist of the day. Ive been hopeful that the Teeth's new album, You're My Lover Now would help them gain the same acclaim that We All Belong helped Dr. Dog reach. It seems though, that unlike Dr. Dog, The Teeth's production process isn't as crisp over all, and that really doesn't help convey how awesome the Teeth are. Their stage presences is so awesome, its hard to funnel that into the tangibility of a CD. Atmosphere is a difficult thing to capture.

In addition to teeth, there are monsters and robots. Together, in art form! Artist Joe Alterio is raising money for AIDS by customizing artwork. Prices max at $40 bucks for a 6'' x 6'' piece of monster or robot by themselves ($25) or together ($40). Just hit up his monster page for more details.








Here is the new video from the teeth, called "Yellow":

Lonely Love

It's time to get to know the author. I write you all, semi-consistently, from a Dell inspiron 5100, who was born the summer of 2003. It once ran Windows XP as it's OS (operating system) but since windows blows, I jumped ship, and now run ubuntu. Ubuntu is a Linux based os that doesn't cause nearly as much trouble as pesky Microsoft. It's also relatively easy to modify. For example, I haven't been able to play m4a formatted jams. Which has been driving me crazy, in terms of grabbing tracks from various sources. Today, I fixed that problem. The future is now.

What I'm really excited for, is my upgrade to Unbutu Studio (It's web page is a little unstable thus far, but just keep refreshing, and that link should wow you). It has interesting applications for music, art, and video. This could pump my workspace up significantly, and hopefully maximize the progress on some "side projects" I have in the queue. I don't really expect you guys to get too gassed off of this, but I know a few of you are really creative people, with ideas oozing out of your...um...ears. So hopefully, this helps you, so you don't have to get bent over by those folks who make you pay for cool software.

One problem though. It may seriously screw up my computer for a little, but that's only wireless card trouble, and its still a pretty big MAYBE. So, this being said, it does take some concentration. It's not exactly rocket science, but its not like stuffing play-dough in a square peg either. Check it out, and perhaps, you too will make the change.

If I never blog again, its cuz my computer died, so wait before you make the change to see how things work out to take my word...

Can You See Me?

Sometimes, when I get angry, or feel frustrated, like after being made a fool of, and being forced to end some friendships (this is all hypothetical, of course), I like to go for car rides to help ease my mind. Recently, due to the absence of a working car, and skyrocketing gas prices, I've taken up bike riding. Especially with "No Gas Day" being tomorrow, May 15th, I feel more obligated to find alternate ways of relief.

Until now. I was looking around on uncrate.com and found that the KTM X-Bow is to be released in 2008, and its the coolest looking thing on earth. I feel like if Mario had this, I would never lose. I'm keeping this as my only post today, because with my approaching birthday, I want to keep my blatant hits obvious enough to catch your attentions.

Hippa To Da Hoppa

Every day, I wake up with a song in my head. Without fail, my first conscious thoughts are lyrical, and depending on the feel of the song, I will either be in a good mood, or rather melancholy. Today, I woke with Ol' Dirty Bastard on my mind, which means good things!! Since I'm so chipper, I'm going to just dedicate today to music posts and save everythang else til either tomorrow, or til something crazy happens.

The Fader has a 30 second clip of a new Kanye Song. I have a personal feud with Kanye relating to my emanate musical and fashion supremacy, and the obstacle he creates. However, I have respect for him, and don't hate on his success and the quality of his work. The clip is pretty awesome, so that suggests good things about his new album that should drop the 18th of September. He interviews with MTV to give you all the details I'm sure you're longing for.

Across the pond, Dizzee Rascal is gearing up for his new release. The single "Pussyhole" is pretty great. If the title doesn't scream grime, then I'm not sure what does. Here is his interview with the BCC, and download the homage to ace of base by Dizzee.

In news that isn't that majorly important, Hot Hot Heat tells cmj that they will soon release a follow up to elevator. Add on top of that, Emily Haines, who I am in love with...but don't tell Feist, is releasing some extra cuts from her Knifes Don't Have You're Back album. Add on top of that, Metric is not only in the demo stages of a new release, but will also release their previously lost debut Grow Up And Blow Away. Aesop Rock is also supposed to release an album soon, so that should get us all sort of pumped fo summa! That's interesting, right?

Finally, in old school classic music news. For those of you have committed the egregious act of not having any Beatles music in your digital libraries, Sir Paul McCartney has come to your aid! He tells us that the Beatles catalogue will soon be available on itunes.Don't thank him too much...he is the reason it hasn't be available on there in the first place. Sweet Victory for all.

Once Again, Back is The Incredible

Life has been a pretty hectic clusterfuck the past few weeks, but now I'm back to bask in your collective adoration, and provide you with all the random information that I'm attracted to and think you should get a heads up on. You're welcome in advance.

With the summer months quickly approaching, my usual wardrobe of jeans and shirt may soon be compromised. Mostly because of global warming. Its already so hot, and my milk chocolate complexion may not be ready for such a quick transition beneath a wall of heat trapping denim. I really detest shorts. I just don't have the leg muscles for them. Ive tried to venture into the capri, but that may be more trouble then their worth. This summer, I've decided that I'm going to attempt to make the seersucker less pretentious than it has been historically. I don't own a yacht, and I would most likely try to skateboard in them. Tommy Lee has the right idea, in this GQ photo, but even this is a tad too dressy. Who would ever have thought "Tommy Lee" and "too dressy" would happen in the same sentence!

As just a quick jaunt into the "This was the worst business decision ever" area, Walmart is down with Nazi Fashion. I'm tempted to make jokes about what Walmart will be "rolling back" next, but perhaps that is in poor taste? This video, first posted on fashion indie, is here for your viddying pleasure:



Lupe Fiascio, although perhaps not down with my seersucker idea, is still Hip-hops resident skater. The Fader just posted his newest Mp3 "Bottom, Top." It's pretty bad ass, and deserves a listen. Once The Cool drops, I will hopefully be amazed by his ability to release a sophomore album that is better than his last, and with relatively quick turnaround. I hope...

Lastly, Gym Class Heroes just released a new video for "Shoot Down The Stars." I can't not post it, so to end my return to the interwebs, I shall leave you with that!





It's good to be back friends!