Not Meme-y Enough
Yes, that's my cat.
Anupa at Not Nerdy Enough called me out to respond to a meme...and I'm actually going to play along. I know, I'm shocked too. But don't think this is a motivational tactic that's going to work with any regularity...
Anyway, the task is to list 7 songs you're feeling right now. That doesn't really mesh with the way I listen to music. I don't listen to the radio & I'm not searching for new shit online, so I'm essentially clueless as to what the new & fresh singles, leaks, and trends are. Seriously, check my last.fm charts...it's entire albums with random tracks that were or are contestants for mix CD inclusion. So my 7 track list is simply a handful of songs from recent album purchases that stood out in a positive way and made me listen to them more than other tracks from that same album.
In no particular order:
Gnarls Barkley - Who's Gonna Save My Soul
Wasn't sure where they were going to go with the second Gnarls album, but I think I like it better than the first. This song is a pretty big reason...love the string loop coupled with Cee-Lo's plaintive vocals.
Blu & Exile - The World Is (Below The Heavens)
Wasn't easy picking out one track from this album...but this song just wouldn't be denied. It's catchy as all hell...infectiously positive and uplifting without being preachy. Absolutely beautiful.
Erykah Badu – The Healer
Musically & lyrically hypnotic, I can listen to this over and over and over. Love the sentiment- hip-hop at it's best really is a healing force. You're not going to lose points with a Dilla dedication either. Got to see Erykah in concert for the first time last month, and this was one of the tracks she started out with- very powerful performed live.
Nicolay & Kay - The Gunshot (ft Chip Fu)
I haven't found Nicolay's post-Foreign Exchange output anywhere nearly as impressive as that album. But the Nicolay & Kay collab is pretty solid, and this is definitely the standout track in my eyes. The beat demands head nodding, the layer of hums and chants works perfectly, and the hook's great too. And hell, it's fucking Chip Fu making his second random guest appearance of 2008. I was inspired enough to search out used copies of the two Fu-Schnickens albums...
Pete Rock - The Best Secret (ft Lords of the Underground)
Pete Rock's NY's Finest album has the other Chip Fu guest appearance. For this one though, I'll go with another early 90's throwback, LOTUG. They sound quite a bit different from their heyday, but the snide comments about current day rappers are actually kinda humorous. The real star is the delicious throwback beat.
The Roots – Singing Man (ft Porn, Truck North & Dice Raw)
I like Rising Down quite a bit, but a lot of it blends together. "Singing Man"definitely stands apart, though. Between the eerie loops and vibes, the chorus you just don't know what to do with, & the faded vocals and echos of the third verse, it's very sonically unsettling and challenging.
Kidz In The Hall - Drivin' Down The Block (Low End Theory) (ft Masta Ace)
My car was in the shop for the past three weeks due to mishaps getting the parts it needed. I finally got it back this past Friday, and my Amazon order containing this album arrived that same day. So this weekend I had some time to drive around and check out my batch of new music. When this track came on, it just commanded my attention. It reminds me of a Clipse song, and I really like the constant mention of "Low End Theory tape". Of course, the fact that I was actually drivin' down the block for the first time in weeks probably contributed something to it leaving a mark on me.
You know what though? I'm not done. I've got another 7 for you...I thought it'd be fun to share a bit more of my tastes that fall outside of hip-hop. So here are 7 not necessarily recent, not really hip-hop tracks that I listen to fairly often...
