It’s nutty. This was the first decade where I was an adult through the entire thing, thus it’s the first decade where I’ve really been able to have an opinion about the “best of the decade” topics. It’s a weird feeling; it’s excitement coupled with obligation. ... »»
I think that I'm on the cusp of jumping onto a bandwagon and I don't know if I'm powerful enough to prevent it from happening. ... »»
2008 was a nutty year. ... Local record stores moved closer to extinction, rap continued its descent into inanity and BET is still the most depressing channel. ... But why dwell on the negative? Here are my picks for the best albums of 2008, in alphabetical order, as always. ... »»
So it's that time of year again; time for my annual column to "no one knows whom." It's a tradition. Every year I put it out there and lay it all on the line... OK, I lay most of it on the line. But that's really just for self-preservation. ... »»
Yup, I'm sort of all over the place this week, so I've decided to put together a column with a sort of throwback vibe. »»
I'm really down about being broke.
I mean, I'm sure that most broke folks are down about being broke, so my feelings are nothing new. That said, I kinda had plans for artists that I was going dive headfirst into, and because of my lack of disposable income, those plans are currently on hold.
For instance, I recently became a fan of Iron & Wine and I was planning on pick up Sam's entire catalogue. The Shepherd's Dog is what won me over first. Then I picked up Our Endless Numbered Days, and I was convinced this was an artist that I wanted to get into. And then the money ran out.
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In the first part of this feature, I pointed out a group of hip-hop artists who were unfairly snubbed from Entertainment Weekly's recent "New Classics" list. But rappers weren't the only only artists who were inexplicably left off of the list, as I'll be venturing outside the genre for round of snubs.
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Lately when it comes to music I've been digging two things; one of them is demos.
My interest in demos is nothing new. A couple of years ago, I listened to nothing but Elliot Smith demos for a solid two weeks. It wasn't my happiest period, but I was way mellow.
And about six months ago I was all about rap demo tapes. Listening to what got Nas and Gravediggaz signed reminded me of why I was a fan all those years ago.
But lately I'm more interested in demos from alternative artists. You can't go wrong with Ryan Adams, who's got more demos than albums. But he's sort of too easy. He's what I fall back on when I hit a wall in my searches.
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