More Reasons Why Being Deaf Sucks/Rocks – My Week in Music

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Musically speaking, I’ve had a pretty interesting week. What’s really nutty is that the week in question is actually the seven days between columns. It’s sort of a weird coincidence that it all happened between columns.

So it began on Saturday, when I went to The Sound Garden on a mission for music. Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend a ton of time there because I went before work; however, I did get some quality time in.

When I left, I had a few seasons of shows on DVD and nine albums.

The Dead Weather – Horehound
I gave it a cursory listen and I wasn’t offended. Clearly I’m going to have to really listen to the whole thing again before I create a serious opinion, but I can sort of see why it’s gotten good press.

Santogold – Santogold
I really wish I’d picked this up last year when it was new. I can see why everyone was raving about it. It’s quite the infectious collection of songs, and it’s certainly a nice go-to album.

Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
I picked this up because they had a song on a Paste magazine sampler. I dug it, so I looked them up. It’s interesting. I don’t hate it, but I don’t know if I love it. It’s another one that I’m going to have to devote some time to.

J Dilla – Jay Stay Paid
Out of all of his posthumous releases, this one seems like the biggest cash grab. I love Dilla and I’ll probably always buy his albums, but this one left me wanting. That’s just my initial reaction; it may change as time goes on.

Madlib – WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip
This is another album I wish I’d picked up last year. As a fan of The Beat Generation series, I’m happy to add it to my collection. And I’m that much closer to jumping headfirst into Madlib.

Method Man/Redman – Blackout 2
This album doesn’t feel current, but I can’t tell if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. I can’t tell if it’s stale or a throwback.

Foo Fighters – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
I’m almost 100% sure that I’ve already owned this album. What’s worse is that I’m not sure whether I liked it the first time, so buying it twice is sort of regrettable.

The Sa-Ra Creative Partners – Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love
This album makes me sad that Sa-Ra’s proper debut, Black Fuzz was never released. I love the sound and vibe that Sa-Ra cultivates. I really wish they’d take off as producers.

Streets Is Watching Soundtrack
I picked this up because it’s Jay’s only “album” that I didn’t have. And it’s nutty to listen to this… All of the Roc affiliates who never amounted to anything… The original “Murder Inc.”… This is almost comedy.

So after that I got to reading. Two of the magazines that I got this week (Entertainment Weekly and Paste) were way into The Beatles. Almost too much into The Beatles.

I can’t front; when I heard about The Beatles getting the remastered-boxed-set treatment, I was tempted. Honestly, if I had the extra $500 I’d have copped both the stereo and mono mixes. I’m not a huge fan of The Beatles, but I’ve really only heard their singles and I’m sort of curious as to whether or not my mind would be blown by the entire catalogue.

I’ve got a cousin who loves The Beatles, and he’s younger than I am. So I’d really like to be able to converse with him on their entire body of work.

But I’m tired of The Beatles. I’m tired of how precious they are with their catalogue. I’m tired of them being lauded as “the greatest.” If there hadn’t been such a media blitz I might have really splurged on one of the boxed sets, or their Rock Band. But I’m not really interested in being told what great is—I’d prefer to discover it myself.

And then just today I went back to The Sound Garden. There were three other albums I wanted to pick up. Fortunately I was able to get all three.

Amy Winehouse – Frank
I meant to pick this up on Saturday, but I was overwhelmed. I’ve listened to the album and I’m still impressed. It makes me that much sadder that she’s such a trainwreck of a human being. Now I’m starting on the bonus disc.

Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
First off, let me say that my Jay-Z album cover theory was flawed. I guess technically it’s still sound, since, while you can’t see his eyes on the cover of The Blueprint 3, you can’t see him at all, so it’s sort of outside the scope of my theory.

Anyway, I’m sort of disappointed. And seriously, Jay lost me the first time around with the corny sample on “The City Is Mine”, so “Young Forever” is probably worthy of another timeout.

Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt II
Haven’t actually heard it yet. But I’m torn. Truth be told, I haven’t picked up a Rae album since the original, so his plan to lure me back worked. But I’m really worried about what it says about Rae’s creativity, or lack thereof. I think this album is either going to be awesome or awful, with no middle ground.

And there you have it. That’s my week in music.