It has been awhile since I have even considered writing in this blog. Today though, I have magically found some inspiration for writing. What has been on my mind is music, as always. As most of you know I am a guitarist. This gives me an advantage in listening to music. I listen to it as a whole then dissect it from there. I listen to every instrument and evaluate where the actual talent lies.
I want to start and name my top 3 favorite new albums,
1. Random Access Memories- Daft Punk
2. Indicud-KiD CuDi
3. iTunes Session- Gary Clark Jr.
Before I go through and review these, keep in mind that I am trying to keep this current and not all focused on Hip-Hop. Also there are many singles out there that I thoroughly enjoy, but this is albums, not singles.
Daft Punk-Random Access Memories
To begin I want to examine what Daft Punk has done, they essentially made electronic music popular and have done it without showing their faces. The public knows Daft Punk as a French duo that produces stellar electronic and while wearing helmets. The helmets conceal their identities which makes them basically anonymous. Recently, I read an article in Rolling Stone that said the duo can walk around in public and blend in as regular people. This is a great advantage, which leads me to believe why their music is still so excellent and wholesome.
Anyway, onto their album, it is a classic. I like to think of it as disco of our age. The tracks that stand out to me the most are "Get Lucky" "Loose Yourself to Dance" and "Give Life Back to Music." With a little help from Pharrell, Daft Punk created some great music. Over the past few years music like this has been becoming increasing popular, albums like The Strokes Angles and MGMT's Congratulations are very similar to Daft Punks style. DP incorporates synthesizers, guitar and beats to come together and make this terrific album. Check out Random Access Memories if you have not already.
KiD CuDi- Indicud
A lot of people will not agree with this one for many reasons. Fundamentally it is not the best album out there I will admit, but for Cudi fans it is fantastic. I started listening to Cudi right after Cudderisback came out and i was hooked. For awhile he was my favorite rapper. He has flow and is very lyrical. Cudi was dropped from Kanye West's GOOD Music label to split and form his own label with Cleveland native King Chip (formerly Chip Tha Ripper). This new album Indicud was his first solo work on his label. Some of the guests on the album include A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, King Chip, MGMT, and RZA. What makes this album really appeal to me is that Cudi produced all of it himself, everything from making the beats to finalizing record contracts. It is great to see Cudi back in action and off cocaine (he had a coke issue for several years and produced some shitty music). Key tracks on the album include "Brothers" "Solo Dolo part II" "Immortal"and "Just What I Am."
Gary Clark Jr- iTunes Session
Now I know what most people are thinking now "Who is Gary Clark Jr?" to answer that is simple, he is the savior of the blues. The blues has been quiet for a long time and Clark is here to revive it. ITunes Session is a live recording of Clark shredding all over originals and some covers. He plays like a mixture of Jimi Hendrix, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughn. He hits every note like it could be the last time he plays and that is what separates him from other current guitarists. He also has lived a life of the blues which makes his songs from the soul. That is something that is not very prevalent in these days. Young and on the grind is the best way to describe Clark. Key tracks on the album include "If Trouble was Money," "Ain't Messin 'Round" and "Oh Pretty Woman." If you have not heard of Gary Clark Jr you need to check him out.
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