More Reasons Why Being Deaf Sucks/Rocks

Tuesday

So Tuesday saw the release of two albums that I really wanted to pick up; Ghostface Killah’s Fishscale and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Show Your Bones. Since I had the day off I decided to actually venture across town and purchase them on the day they debuted.

Fortunately the two places that I buy CD’s from, Hiphopsite.com and Big B’s are right across the street from each other.

Now I buy my Hip Hop from Hiphopsite, because they usually toss something extra in when you cop a new release. For instance when I got J-Dilla’s Donuts I got a 7″ single. I don’t actually own a turntable, but it’s the thought that counts.

Everything else I buy from Big B’s. They’ve got an adequate selection of Music and DVD’s, both new and used. I say adequate because while the price is right, you’re probably only going to find what you’re searching for 70% of the time (I’ve been looking for Sufjan Stevens’ Michigan since 2005, to no avail.)

So I spent some time browsing the used DVD’s (I almost picked up Six Feet Under’s first season for $49.99) but I didn’t really see anything that stood out as “must have.”

I then transitioned to browsing the used CDs. I found a copy of Elliot Smith’s XO and Plans by Death Cab for Cutie (more on that in a future column.)

At this point I should note that the soundtrack to this experience was really rather painful to listen to. It was some wack West Coast Hip Hop. I usually take my headphones out when I’m shopping for Music for two reasons. First, I like to hear what the employees are listening to, or rather what they’ve selected as my shopping soundtrack. Secondly I like to mess with the employee’s heads by knowing the lyrics to songs they, based on my appearance, think I shouldn’t know. It’s always fun to see the look on cashiers face when they ring up my purchases which tend to range from classic Jazz to Alt Country to Underground Hip Hop.

But back to this particular experience; the music was dreadful. I actually wanted to ask the dude working what the &*^% we were listening to. It was garbage like I’ve never heard. I’ve never been more tempted to put the earhphones back in and press “play” more than those 15 minutes.

Anyway, I also copped the soundtracks to both Deadwood and Dave Chappelle’s Block Party two discs I wasn’t even looking for, but figured that I’d give a try. It was a pretty good haul, so I decided to get Show Your Bones and pay for everything.

After searching for way too long, I finally gave up and asked the dude behind the counter where I might find new releases. His reply was “we didn’t get new releases today.”

To call me flabbergasted would be an understatement. I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea that a shop that sold CDs wouldn’t have new albums on a Tuesday. I was honestly troubled. And I can only imagine how my face, full of puzzlement must have looked.

I vaguely recall him commenting that he was waiting for someone to grab the used copy of Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, but apart from that everything else is a blur.

A Tangent

Speaking of Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is it wrong that I copped the soundtrack without seeing the actual film? Should I wait until I see the flick before I listen to the album? Is the soundtrack supposed to accompany and remind me of the film or should I listen to the album and then be awestruck when I actually see the performances.

(It’s dilemmas like this that make my life so unenviable.)

Across the Street

I managed to get safely across the street in my staggered state, and proceeded to get my Hip Hop on.

Now one of the coolest parts of Hiphopsite.com is when you enter the actual store, there’s always something dope playing. Maybe it’s something off of God’s Stepson or perhaps it’s a track off of Step Into the Arena that you haven’t heard in years. Regardless, it’s always a treat to hear what they’re spinning in the store.

Wait, did I say “always?” I meant “usually”, because I stepped into a silent store on Tuesday. There was nothing spinning. It was like Sal’s Famous; there was no rap, no music, no music, no music.

It was damn startling. The silence was actually jarring. I felt incredibly uncomfortable and self-conscious while browsing the racks looking for discs to get. It wasn’t “too quiet” in a sinister “a trap is about to be sprung” sense, but it was still “too quiet” in an off-putting way.

After I picked out what I wanted (and I completely forgot to cop the Alkaholiks final album) I went up to the counter, just as the cashier was about to put some music on. He was torn over where to focus his attention, and I quickly backed away and urged him to put something on. We both agreed that the lack of music was awkward and uncharacteristic for the store.

I made my purchases and then made my way back hope to treat my ears to some joyous sounds.

The Soundgarden

Tom’s new column is a hit. Check it out and see what all the fuss is about.

Jeff shares trauma and news with us and he’s also got an amazing new column feature.

Gloomchen dishes on Angie.

Mike Eagle tackles the racial divide, and disses Summertime, perhaps the greatest seasonal Hip Hop song ever.

Hiphopsite.com

Ian didn’t like Feist’s debut as much as I did. He also gives me hope for seeing P.J. Harvey perform, kind of.

Phil blasts the Black Eyed Peas, promotes both Little Brother and Ghostface Killah and gives you an update on J-Dilla releases.

Five Promos That I Got With My Purchase From Hiphopsite.com

1. Scion CD Sampler V.13 From Across the Pond
2. Stones Throw 2005 Sampler
3. Double F & J-Dilla Present – Welcome to Cali
4. Preemptive Hype Vol. 12
5. 9th Wonder Presents – The Dream Merchant v.2 – The Preview ep