It's Minimal. But the *Parts* are Maximal.
July 5, 2013 4:22 PM Subscribe
Lou Reed Reviews 'Yeezus' for The Talkhouse: "This guy is seriously smart. He keeps unbalancing you. He'll pile on all this sound and then suddenly pull it away, all the way to complete silence, and then there's a scream or a beautiful melody, right there in your face. That's what I call a sucker punch."
Lester Bangs reviews "Metal Machine Music" for CREEM: "I realize that any idiot with the equipment could have made this album, including me, you or Lou. That's one of the main reasons I like it so much. As with the Godz and Tangerine Dream, not only does it bring you closer to the artist, but someday, god willing, I may get to do my own Metal Machine Music. It's all folk music, anyway."
posted by maudlin at 4:31 PM on July 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by maudlin at 4:31 PM on July 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
Lou Reed - gotta love him - will keep on fucking with his audience until he drops.
posted by C.A.S. at 4:35 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by C.A.S. at 4:35 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
(oh, he's a a genius, but he's a creep, too. And I'm sick of hearing about fucking Kanye)
posted by jonmc at 4:36 PM on July 5, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by jonmc at 4:36 PM on July 5, 2013 [9 favorites]
Lou's week still beats your year.
posted by porn in the woods at 4:46 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by porn in the woods at 4:46 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Lyrics are still important to me and that just counts Kanye out. So sad.
posted by unSane at 4:48 PM on July 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by unSane at 4:48 PM on July 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
After listening to the new Jay-Z and then going back to Yeezus, I am struck by how much Magna Carta Holy Grail sounds like yesterday and Yeezus sounds like tomorrow.
(Also, if you're sick of hearing about Kanye, maybe this isn't the right link to click on?)
posted by incessant at 4:52 PM on July 5, 2013 [27 favorites]
(Also, if you're sick of hearing about Kanye, maybe this isn't the right link to click on?)
posted by incessant at 4:52 PM on July 5, 2013 [27 favorites]
some coincidence here - i'm listening to yeezus right now - i like it much better than fantasy - much more focused, much edgier, and very emotional at points
yeah, his lyrics make him sound like an asshole, but he's a talented asshole ...
posted by pyramid termite at 4:53 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
yeah, his lyrics make him sound like an asshole, but he's a talented asshole ...
posted by pyramid termite at 4:53 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
I can't pass up this opportunity to link parody Twitter account @Seinfeld2000's review of Lou Reed's review of Yeezus: WHAT IF @SEINFELD2000 REVIEWED LOU REEDE'S REVIEW OF 'YEEZUS'?
posted by whitecedar at 5:02 PM on July 5, 2013 [11 favorites]
8. "People say this album is minimal. And yeah, it's minimal. But the parts are maximal."(For those unfamiliar with @Seinfeld2000, it's a parody of the inane @SeinfeldToday, which imagens if sienfeld were on modarn tv today. Lately he's even been writing some TV and music reviews, and The Apple Store, a short story about modarn characters Jary, Garge, Elane, and Kragdar.)
To quote Cosmos Krame from 'Sienfeld' - "You just blew my mind." I need you to realy study this sentence and understand how mastefuly Lou Reede hit us with the "one-two" combenatien punch! So first he go's "Poeple say this album is minimal" and its like, "sure im with you Lou." Then he go "And yeah, its minemal," and its like "Im still with you Lou but WHERE are you going w this?" Then he hit you: "But parts are maximal!" And its just like, "Ok i totaly need a klenex now becuase Lou "Five Mic In The Source" Reede just took a turn to the left so sharp that im prety sure I have a nosebleede. Its like WHAT? Dont worry, he backs it up after that by mansplaining that the albem have instrument's on it.
posted by whitecedar at 5:02 PM on July 5, 2013 [11 favorites]
Sorry not to be able to dig it out right now but Butch Vig recently did an interview where he described the process of working with Kanye, and it seemed pretty clear Kanye had next to nothing to do with the way the record sounded.
posted by unSane at 5:03 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by unSane at 5:03 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Sorry not to be able to dig it out right now but Butch Vig recently did an interview where he described the process of working with Kanye, and it seemed pretty clear Kanye had next to nothing to do with the way the record sounded.
Has Butch Vig ever even worked with Kanye? I'm not sure he has any idea what he's talking about. The people who actually worked on Yeezus all seem to believe that Kanye is wholly responsible for his sound, and from everything I know about the man that seems to be the case.
posted by JimBennett at 5:26 PM on July 5, 2013 [8 favorites]
Has Butch Vig ever even worked with Kanye? I'm not sure he has any idea what he's talking about. The people who actually worked on Yeezus all seem to believe that Kanye is wholly responsible for his sound, and from everything I know about the man that seems to be the case.
posted by JimBennett at 5:26 PM on July 5, 2013 [8 favorites]
This website is great. I've been following the press on the Bosnian Rainbows album and I'm psyched to see someone else review it.
Here is my review.
posted by pxe2000 at 5:26 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Here is my review.
posted by pxe2000 at 5:26 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
This is the best music review ever.
posted by mike3k at 5:28 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mike3k at 5:28 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
MCHG is like an exploration of 30 years of rap. He's got references to The Show, old battle rap, Even Bad Girls by MIA. He has Nas taking about mock turtle necks and bucket hats on BBC.
I'm sure there is more I been listening to the Funkmaster Flex mix, just because of how entertaining I find Flex's drops.
You know he is keeping it traditional as soon as he says something like "fuck a SnapBack, I rock throwbacks and fitteds" no Pyrex for Hov.
He's also upped his cocaine reference game "when I was talking instagram..." and "Windows tinted,white girl all up in it, Britney bitch" maybe he's been hanging out with Pusha T.
posted by Ad hominem at 5:32 PM on July 5, 2013
I'm sure there is more I been listening to the Funkmaster Flex mix, just because of how entertaining I find Flex's drops.
You know he is keeping it traditional as soon as he says something like "fuck a SnapBack, I rock throwbacks and fitteds" no Pyrex for Hov.
He's also upped his cocaine reference game "when I was talking instagram..." and "Windows tinted,white girl all up in it, Britney bitch" maybe he's been hanging out with Pusha T.
posted by Ad hominem at 5:32 PM on July 5, 2013
Yeezus is growing on me. I much prefer it to ...Fantasy.
posted by flippant at 5:48 PM on July 5, 2013
posted by flippant at 5:48 PM on July 5, 2013
I'm not sure he has any idea what he's talking about. The people who actually worked on Yeezus
The production story behind Yeezus is crazy. He's got like 5 producers working around the clock. Kanye pretty puch picked Travis Scott up off the street. HudMo ODs at some point. This had to be a shit show. They produce 3 hours of music. Instead of saying "I'm an artist, this is going to be 2 disks" he takes the the shit to Rap Game Dumbledore Rick Rubin and and tells him to just tear everything out.
Next thing we know, Rick Rubin is in the clips for MCHG laying on Hov's couch with his shoes off talking about Picassos. turns out he didn't even work on the album, he was just hanging out.
This dude just did some next level shit with Yeezus and he's like fuck it, lemme go chill with Timbaland,Pharrell, Swizz, and talk about Jay's feelings.
posted by Ad hominem at 5:53 PM on July 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
The production story behind Yeezus is crazy. He's got like 5 producers working around the clock. Kanye pretty puch picked Travis Scott up off the street. HudMo ODs at some point. This had to be a shit show. They produce 3 hours of music. Instead of saying "I'm an artist, this is going to be 2 disks" he takes the the shit to Rap Game Dumbledore Rick Rubin and and tells him to just tear everything out.
Next thing we know, Rick Rubin is in the clips for MCHG laying on Hov's couch with his shoes off talking about Picassos. turns out he didn't even work on the album, he was just hanging out.
This dude just did some next level shit with Yeezus and he's like fuck it, lemme go chill with Timbaland,Pharrell, Swizz, and talk about Jay's feelings.
posted by Ad hominem at 5:53 PM on July 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
whitecedar: "(For those unfamiliar with @Seinfeld2000, it's a parody of the inane @SeinfeldToday, which imagens if sienfeld were on modarn tv today. Lately he's even been writing some TV and music reviews, and The Apple Store, a short story about modarn characters Jary, Garge, Elane, and Kragdar.)"
Wow. @SeinfeldToday is horrible and trite (much like the show was), but @Seinfeld2000 is amazing.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 6:04 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wow. @SeinfeldToday is horrible and trite (much like the show was), but @Seinfeld2000 is amazing.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 6:04 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
I think it would be awesome if Yeezus was what people are pretending it was. "New Slaves" and, to a lesser degree, "Black Skinhead" led me to expect something new and radically different.
But once you get past those it's a pretty typical Kanye album. And when you get to the end the production is incredibly lazy- the inexplicably-praised "Bound 2" in particular sounds like it was thrown together in an afternoon.
The album has some really interesting stuff on it, but it's certainly not a radical new direction when taken as a whole.
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:06 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
But once you get past those it's a pretty typical Kanye album. And when you get to the end the production is incredibly lazy- the inexplicably-praised "Bound 2" in particular sounds like it was thrown together in an afternoon.
The album has some really interesting stuff on it, but it's certainly not a radical new direction when taken as a whole.
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:06 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Reed just underwent a liver transplant. Good to see he's working. I don't really like him, but he's a giant of classic rock.
posted by thelonius at 6:12 PM on July 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 6:12 PM on July 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
I overheard some people talking about this album earlier and they then started talking about hip hop today in general and they mentioned something or someone called LP. Who what is that? Anyone know?
posted by dobbs at 6:12 PM on July 5, 2013
posted by dobbs at 6:12 PM on July 5, 2013
dobbs: El-P, maybe?. Go check out his collaboration with Killer Mike: Run The Jewels. It is my favorite hip-hop or rap release of the year.
Sorry, Yeezus.
posted by raihan_ at 6:18 PM on July 5, 2013 [12 favorites]
Sorry, Yeezus.
posted by raihan_ at 6:18 PM on July 5, 2013 [12 favorites]
El-p?
posted by Ad hominem at 6:18 PM on July 5, 2013
posted by Ad hominem at 6:18 PM on July 5, 2013
I don't get to say this very much in public so: Fuck Kanye, Fuck Jay-Z, Fuck The Black Eyed Peas. Fuck 50 cent, too. Hip-hop apexed in the late '90's, I won't even click on a Yeezus link, but I'm a go download the new EL-P album and pray for a comeback.
posted by phaedon at 6:34 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by phaedon at 6:34 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Man, it's great to see El-P having a moment (or renaissance, depending on if was actually a moment before). He deserves all the praise and more. Fantastic Damage and I'll Sleep When You're Dead are superb albums, his production for Cannibal Ox was superlative, and DAMN Run the Jewels is one of the best albums, and for sure the best hip-hop album, of the year so far. It's FREE, fools. Why haven't y'all downloaded it yet?
posted by The Michael The at 6:50 PM on July 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by The Michael The at 6:50 PM on July 5, 2013 [6 favorites]
El-P is way more likely, but I'm hoping for my man Large Professor.
(I was really expecting 'Fuck Jay-Z' to be a link to 'Ether.')
posted by box at 6:51 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
(I was really expecting 'Fuck Jay-Z' to be a link to 'Ether.')
posted by box at 6:51 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
I agree, fuck Rappers who pretend to be drug dealers. The shit is drug dealers who pretend to be rappers.
I'm waiting for My Name Is My Name to drop on the 16th so Pusha can show Kanye and Jay how this shit is done.
What watch will Pusha be wearing? Will it be the Hublot, the Chopard with the fishes, or something new? We Can only guess.
He still pushing the SLS? I hope not. 2012 came and went. Fuck paint looking like Breyers, paint like Talenti Gelato, that shit is expensive.
There are also some minor details of his cocaine distribution network he has yet to disclose.
Like when His grandma flew the raw in from the Bahamas , did Pusha chef that too? Or was he on the corner while Malice was in the kitchen. I need to know this shit
posted by Ad hominem at 6:56 PM on July 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
I'm waiting for My Name Is My Name to drop on the 16th so Pusha can show Kanye and Jay how this shit is done.
What watch will Pusha be wearing? Will it be the Hublot, the Chopard with the fishes, or something new? We Can only guess.
He still pushing the SLS? I hope not. 2012 came and went. Fuck paint looking like Breyers, paint like Talenti Gelato, that shit is expensive.
There are also some minor details of his cocaine distribution network he has yet to disclose.
Like when His grandma flew the raw in from the Bahamas , did Pusha chef that too? Or was he on the corner while Malice was in the kitchen. I need to know this shit
posted by Ad hominem at 6:56 PM on July 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
I thought 'Yeezus' was Paula Poundstone's not at all funny nickname for Kanye West that she gave while answering a question on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, and now you're telling me it's the actual name of his album?
posted by RonButNotStupid at 7:02 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by RonButNotStupid at 7:02 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ah, yes. I'm sure it was El-P. I was drunk so didn't make the jump from what my brain heard. Thanks!
posted by dobbs at 7:04 PM on July 5, 2013
posted by dobbs at 7:04 PM on July 5, 2013
I could take Lou Reed more seriously on this were it not for his ongoing insistence that his sing/speak was somehow critical to rap's early development. It's a cute retcon, but it's more self aggrandisement than real history.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:07 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:07 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Here's the best and most detailed review of Yeezus you're likely to run across, a tag-team effort by the Rec Room Therapy crew.
(Full disclosure: one of the reviewers is also one of the hosts of a fantastic hip hop program on the radio station that airs my own show.)
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 7:13 PM on July 5, 2013
(Full disclosure: one of the reviewers is also one of the hosts of a fantastic hip hop program on the radio station that airs my own show.)
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 7:13 PM on July 5, 2013
Lou Reed's sing/speak was critical to rap's early development.
posted by box at 7:17 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 7:17 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Heh heh... NO.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:18 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:18 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
it's like pigmeat markham never recorded ... or woody guthrie or bob dylan for that matter - or the last poets ...
lou reed got a good part of his phrasing from dion anyway ...
posted by pyramid termite at 7:35 PM on July 5, 2013
lou reed got a good part of his phrasing from dion anyway ...
posted by pyramid termite at 7:35 PM on July 5, 2013
You know what? I picked up Yeezus. I've never heard any Kanye West aside from "Good Morning," but for some reason I watched his recent SNL performances of "New Slaves" and "Black Skinhead" and was rather captivated. I like Yeezus. It's not amazing. The song "I'm In It" skeeves me. But when it's good, it's really good. Or at least okay. Not sure I should try more of his stuff or not. Hm.
posted by SansPoint at 7:50 PM on July 5, 2013
posted by SansPoint at 7:50 PM on July 5, 2013
Wow. @SeinfeldToday is horrible and trite (much like the show was), but @Seinfeld2000 is amazing.
Counterpoint! Seinfeld2000 is completely formulaic in the mold of Crimer, whereas SeinfeldToday manages the sublime feat of carrying through the original Seinfeld's formula in a new setting.
posted by kenko at 8:26 PM on July 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
Counterpoint! Seinfeld2000 is completely formulaic in the mold of Crimer, whereas SeinfeldToday manages the sublime feat of carrying through the original Seinfeld's formula in a new setting.
posted by kenko at 8:26 PM on July 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
and don't say Songs For Drella, because Cale's contributions are the good parts
Also true of the Velvet Underground! You know, when Cale was around at all.
posted by kenko at 8:26 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also true of the Velvet Underground! You know, when Cale was around at all.
posted by kenko at 8:26 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
but the guy hasn't had a good album in forty (40!) years
Magic and Loss was in 1992. Your thesis is invalid.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:28 PM on July 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
Magic and Loss was in 1992. Your thesis is invalid.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:28 PM on July 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
The song "I'm In It" skeeves me. But when it's good, it's really good.
I know it's gross but "I'm In It" is probably my favorite song on the album. For a sex song, it sounds so dark and menacing, and Kanye's lyrics are just like borderline evil? It's hard for me to write about why I think this song works so well but I think he's fully aware how awful he sounds here. That's not an excuse for the sexism, but I do feel like there's some sort of artistic intention here, and musically this song just slays me, with the rasta hook and Justin Vernon cooing over the whole thing.
posted by JimBennett at 8:36 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
I know it's gross but "I'm In It" is probably my favorite song on the album. For a sex song, it sounds so dark and menacing, and Kanye's lyrics are just like borderline evil? It's hard for me to write about why I think this song works so well but I think he's fully aware how awful he sounds here. That's not an excuse for the sexism, but I do feel like there's some sort of artistic intention here, and musically this song just slays me, with the rasta hook and Justin Vernon cooing over the whole thing.
posted by JimBennett at 8:36 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Im In It is Big Man With Gun for me. He is making what is implicit in most rap songs very explicit. I mean as a sex song it really ain't sexy at all, and I don't think it is supposed to be.
It takes a lot for rap fans to stop and think "wow, maybe he went too far" and the "put my fist in her..." line kinda did that. I saw a 500 comment thread on KTT titled "why is Kanye so nasty" and that is a fan site!
"beat the pussy up" is one of the most common euphemisms in rap, and maybe even pop. "Put my my fist in her" is is just a literal interpretation. He is making the relationship between sex,power, and violence explicit.
Its kinda weird people accept phrases like "up in them guts" or Jay-Z's charming "till i need to nut, till I need to beat the guts" but a fist enters the picture and everyone is like "whoa whoa, kanye! That is gross"
posted by Ad hominem at 8:53 PM on July 5, 2013 [15 favorites]
It takes a lot for rap fans to stop and think "wow, maybe he went too far" and the "put my fist in her..." line kinda did that. I saw a 500 comment thread on KTT titled "why is Kanye so nasty" and that is a fan site!
"beat the pussy up" is one of the most common euphemisms in rap, and maybe even pop. "Put my my fist in her" is is just a literal interpretation. He is making the relationship between sex,power, and violence explicit.
Its kinda weird people accept phrases like "up in them guts" or Jay-Z's charming "till i need to nut, till I need to beat the guts" but a fist enters the picture and everyone is like "whoa whoa, kanye! That is gross"
posted by Ad hominem at 8:53 PM on July 5, 2013 [15 favorites]
Ad hominem, I feel like you always express my opinions about Kanye way more eloquently than I can. That's exactly what interests me so much about that song, and the whole album really. The NIN comparisons to Yeezus are spot on, I wonder if Kanye's a fan or if it's total coincidence? Either way they're two of my all time favorite artists.
Can you explain to me what is worthwhile about Magna Carta, Holy Grail? I listen to it and want to like it, I love (most of) the beats, I love (most of) the features, but I feel like Jay has just lost it. His lyrics are boring and cliche and he sounds like he's mumbling half the time, like he just forgot his flow. He's got a few good quips here and there but he sounds like he's on auto-pilot and everyone around him is on their A-Game. Maybe the trashy samsung angle just turned me off, I don't know but it seemed both them and Jay-Z were playing this up as some sort of event album (leaking the lyrics ahead of time song-by-song, the saccharine promotional videos, showcasing the artwork next to the ACTUAL MAGNA CARTA) but it feels incredibly weak to me, especially in the wake of Yeezus. Am I just being a hater?
posted by JimBennett at 9:37 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Can you explain to me what is worthwhile about Magna Carta, Holy Grail? I listen to it and want to like it, I love (most of) the beats, I love (most of) the features, but I feel like Jay has just lost it. His lyrics are boring and cliche and he sounds like he's mumbling half the time, like he just forgot his flow. He's got a few good quips here and there but he sounds like he's on auto-pilot and everyone around him is on their A-Game. Maybe the trashy samsung angle just turned me off, I don't know but it seemed both them and Jay-Z were playing this up as some sort of event album (leaking the lyrics ahead of time song-by-song, the saccharine promotional videos, showcasing the artwork next to the ACTUAL MAGNA CARTA) but it feels incredibly weak to me, especially in the wake of Yeezus. Am I just being a hater?
posted by JimBennett at 9:37 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
but the guy hasn't had a good album in forty (40!) years
Ecstasy (2000) - totally solid
posted by porn in the woods at 9:41 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ecstasy (2000) - totally solid
posted by porn in the woods at 9:41 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm a fan of the 90s era too; East and West just put out so many great albums. The narcissism in this generation of hip hop is so over the top, or maybe I'm just old. The Wu Facebook page recently hinted at a new Method Man and Redman collaboration, does anyone know about it?
posted by Brocktoon at 10:23 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Brocktoon at 10:23 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
item: "I'll be able to take Lou Reed seriously again when he finally takes that wet paper bag off of his face."
here ya go.
posted by symbioid at 10:49 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
here ya go.
posted by symbioid at 10:49 PM on July 5, 2013 [2 favorites]
I didn't know there were NIN comparisons, but listening just now for the first time, my thoughts were, like they often are with NIN...
"Man, this music is pretty sweet... Now if he'd just stop singing (rapping) it'd be ok."
Though, at least on one of the tracks I sampled, I just let the rapping be part of the music and ignore it as rap and tried to appreciate it as part of the sonic texture and it seemed to work. Not sure I could handle a whole album's worth of his voice.
That said, I still think he's better than a lot of rappers out there these days (and that goes for Jay-Z, never got into Jay-Z... he was just a tad after, IMO, rap started to really go to shit)...
Are we just old fuddy duddys for liking the 90s vibe? In particular, I'm really fond of Hiero/SoM... But all that shit - Tribe, Pharcyde... solid classic shit.
El-P and his label are pretty much the only current shit that I still dig. I have to check out that new track, I just hate putting my email address into a form, even if it's someone/something I really appreciate.
posted by symbioid at 10:56 PM on July 5, 2013
"Man, this music is pretty sweet... Now if he'd just stop singing (rapping) it'd be ok."
Though, at least on one of the tracks I sampled, I just let the rapping be part of the music and ignore it as rap and tried to appreciate it as part of the sonic texture and it seemed to work. Not sure I could handle a whole album's worth of his voice.
That said, I still think he's better than a lot of rappers out there these days (and that goes for Jay-Z, never got into Jay-Z... he was just a tad after, IMO, rap started to really go to shit)...
Are we just old fuddy duddys for liking the 90s vibe? In particular, I'm really fond of Hiero/SoM... But all that shit - Tribe, Pharcyde... solid classic shit.
El-P and his label are pretty much the only current shit that I still dig. I have to check out that new track, I just hate putting my email address into a form, even if it's someone/something I really appreciate.
posted by symbioid at 10:56 PM on July 5, 2013
I dont know what to think about MCHG yet.
You could say he is straight up jacking shit from other artists. You could say he is showing he can do their style better than them. You could say he is displaying an impressive range. You could say that complex lyrics and flow has been on the wane for a long time, since southern rappers started dominating the charts and Jay wants to make hits not a rap nerd album.
I didn't know if I've heard the whole album I been listening to
Funkmaster reflex mix.
I don't think this is a sit an ponder album, this is a get turnt up album, so Flex shouting and playing the same verse over and over works really well.
Some tracks are very old school, like shit we heard on the radio as a kid, and some of it us undeniably infuanced by regional rap.
I don't think I have the depth of knowledge of more recent rap and southern rap to correctly identify all of the more recent influences. Someone more knowledgeable than me could probably pinpoint all the influences. I'm not going to let that stop me from talking on the intent though.
Versus, my favorite song so far could be a KRS-1 track. If you played "you are nowhere in my rear mirr-are" and asked me who wrote it I would say KRS. The "ha ha ha ha ha" laugh at the end is straight KRS, he did that on like every diss track.
I swear all the "6 minute" stuff is a reference to The Show. This is going to drive people nuts because Doug E Fresh says that song is about a battle between god and Satan. Jay only referenced the Satan part.
He is affecting a southern rap accent on quite a few songs. "ow cheer" for "out here"? Damn Jay, we don't talk like that in New York.
His choppy delivery on La Familia is totally a thing. He is like somewhere between 2 chains and Riff Raff on that track. At least he's not doing stuccato "drinka lotta codine.. Sellit toda dope fiens...pullup in a new rari.....wokeup in a Bu gatti" stuff people are doing.
Tom Ford, the "flow so speshuuulllll, dis my Wayne perry floowwwww, y'all don't know Wayne perry doooeee" sounds like, dunno ASAP rocky on Peso maybe. He is so turnt up he doesn't even care about the beat anymore
Overall I dont think any of it is objectively worse. Just different from 90s boom bap where precision and technique is valued above all else. Rappers tend to emphasize making interesting sounds now. I predict we will come full circle to scat singing before long.
I think some of his lyrics are funny as hell. His anthem is "I dont drop Molly I rock Tom ford. International bring back the concord." yeah, kids will Sing along to that all right. I think he knows how dumb that sounds.
Miley Cyrus twerking? Damn jay, way to stay in top of the news. That happened like a week ago and he already has it in a song.
He also mentions Versache a couple times. He is getting dangerously close to "versache versache I just won a Grammy" territory. He might catch a beef with Drake or Riff. That would be funny.
Also, splashing Opus? He now pours out $600 bottles of wine for his dead homies.
I also like the concept than money is so meaningless to him he only cares about Picassos and he has a Basquiat in his kitchen.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:10 PM on July 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
You could say he is straight up jacking shit from other artists. You could say he is showing he can do their style better than them. You could say he is displaying an impressive range. You could say that complex lyrics and flow has been on the wane for a long time, since southern rappers started dominating the charts and Jay wants to make hits not a rap nerd album.
I didn't know if I've heard the whole album I been listening to
Funkmaster reflex mix.
I don't think this is a sit an ponder album, this is a get turnt up album, so Flex shouting and playing the same verse over and over works really well.
Some tracks are very old school, like shit we heard on the radio as a kid, and some of it us undeniably infuanced by regional rap.
I don't think I have the depth of knowledge of more recent rap and southern rap to correctly identify all of the more recent influences. Someone more knowledgeable than me could probably pinpoint all the influences. I'm not going to let that stop me from talking on the intent though.
Versus, my favorite song so far could be a KRS-1 track. If you played "you are nowhere in my rear mirr-are" and asked me who wrote it I would say KRS. The "ha ha ha ha ha" laugh at the end is straight KRS, he did that on like every diss track.
I swear all the "6 minute" stuff is a reference to The Show. This is going to drive people nuts because Doug E Fresh says that song is about a battle between god and Satan. Jay only referenced the Satan part.
He is affecting a southern rap accent on quite a few songs. "ow cheer" for "out here"? Damn Jay, we don't talk like that in New York.
His choppy delivery on La Familia is totally a thing. He is like somewhere between 2 chains and Riff Raff on that track. At least he's not doing stuccato "drinka lotta codine.. Sellit toda dope fiens...pullup in a new rari.....wokeup in a Bu gatti" stuff people are doing.
Tom Ford, the "flow so speshuuulllll, dis my Wayne perry floowwwww, y'all don't know Wayne perry doooeee" sounds like, dunno ASAP rocky on Peso maybe. He is so turnt up he doesn't even care about the beat anymore
Overall I dont think any of it is objectively worse. Just different from 90s boom bap where precision and technique is valued above all else. Rappers tend to emphasize making interesting sounds now. I predict we will come full circle to scat singing before long.
I think some of his lyrics are funny as hell. His anthem is "I dont drop Molly I rock Tom ford. International bring back the concord." yeah, kids will Sing along to that all right. I think he knows how dumb that sounds.
Miley Cyrus twerking? Damn jay, way to stay in top of the news. That happened like a week ago and he already has it in a song.
He also mentions Versache a couple times. He is getting dangerously close to "versache versache I just won a Grammy" territory. He might catch a beef with Drake or Riff. That would be funny.
Also, splashing Opus? He now pours out $600 bottles of wine for his dead homies.
I also like the concept than money is so meaningless to him he only cares about Picassos and he has a Basquiat in his kitchen.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:10 PM on July 5, 2013 [4 favorites]
Are we just old fuddy duddys for liking the 90s vibe? In particular, I'm really fond of Hiero/SoM... But all that shit - Tribe, Pharcyde... solid classic shit.
Joey Bada$$ has a new mixtape.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:12 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Joey Bada$$ has a new mixtape.
posted by Ad hominem at 11:12 PM on July 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
For those unfamiliar with @Seinfeld2000, it's a parody of the inane @SeinfeldToday, which imagens if sienfeld were on modarn tv today.I feel like I could have gone the rest of my life being unfamiliar with @Seinfeld2000
posted by delmoi at 11:35 PM on July 5, 2013 [3 favorites]
Are we just old fuddy duddys for liking the 90s vibe?
Maybe not, but it sure is the path of least resistance. We will prefer the music of our late teens (/early twenties), unless we deny the seduction of nostalgia. just like we WILL be like our parents, unless we actively try not to. Judging music objectively is hard, because the rules keep changing. But (and IMO this goes for lou reed here), it is admirable.
posted by coaster at 1:13 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Maybe not, but it sure is the path of least resistance. We will prefer the music of our late teens (/early twenties), unless we deny the seduction of nostalgia. just like we WILL be like our parents, unless we actively try not to. Judging music objectively is hard, because the rules keep changing. But (and IMO this goes for lou reed here), it is admirable.
posted by coaster at 1:13 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm only about halfway through MCHG because my walkin' headphones bit the dust a couple of days ago (1 year warranty my ass), and I've probably listened through Yeezus 3 or 4 times but: Yeezus feels inferior to MBDTF, musically too but especially lyrically. MCHG feels like... somewhere in the territory between Kingdom Come and the Black Album. Better than the former, worse than the latter. Jay still has his unshakable charisma, lyrically (esp. the reference to Cassius getting the shakes, which was certainly a stop-and-rewind did he just say that moment), and somehow Yeezus has lost its way in that regard. As much as the music is interesting, there hasn't yet been a moment where lyrically the joy of miracle whips has struck me. If someone has found the track containing that gem, kindly point me to it.
posted by axiom at 1:32 AM on July 6, 2013
posted by axiom at 1:32 AM on July 6, 2013
Fuck Kanye, Fuck Jay-Z, Fuck The Black Eyed Peas. Fuck 50 cent, too. Hip-hop apexed in the late '90's
I, also, think music peaked when I was 20.
Weird how everyone thinks that.
posted by empath at 1:43 AM on July 6, 2013 [10 favorites]
I, also, think music peaked when I was 20.
Weird how everyone thinks that.
posted by empath at 1:43 AM on July 6, 2013 [10 favorites]
I like some of the lines on Yeeuz. "slightly scratched your corolla, ok I smashed your corolla" I even like "don't judge them joe brown"
The lyrics themselves are very straightforward. No miracle whip wordplay .No rap genius fodder. They are like slightly clever pop lyrics.
I dunno I sometimes think when he said it was Minimalist, he meant the lyrics. He said J-kwon tipsy was he favorite track of all time, and there is zero subtext in those lyrics.
I been listening to I Can Do Dat by lil flip pretty much on repeat. I missed a lot of swishahouse stuff. That has got to have the simplest lyrics ever.
Regarding new rap,
I like all the autotune pullup in a new rari type shit but that isn't the only thing out. Go listen to Kendrick Lamar.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:53 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
The lyrics themselves are very straightforward. No miracle whip wordplay .No rap genius fodder. They are like slightly clever pop lyrics.
I dunno I sometimes think when he said it was Minimalist, he meant the lyrics. He said J-kwon tipsy was he favorite track of all time, and there is zero subtext in those lyrics.
I been listening to I Can Do Dat by lil flip pretty much on repeat. I missed a lot of swishahouse stuff. That has got to have the simplest lyrics ever.
Regarding new rap,
I like all the autotune pullup in a new rari type shit but that isn't the only thing out. Go listen to Kendrick Lamar.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:53 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
"beat the pussy up" is one of the most common euphemisms in rap, and maybe even pop.
That's OK then.
posted by colie at 2:00 AM on July 6, 2013
That's OK then.
posted by colie at 2:00 AM on July 6, 2013
At first, West says "I can hold my liquor" and then he says "I can't hold my liquor." This is classic — classic manic-depressive, going back and forth.
When The Guardian reprinted this article the general opinion of commenters was that Reed was taking the piss.
posted by colie at 2:02 AM on July 6, 2013
When The Guardian reprinted this article the general opinion of commenters was that Reed was taking the piss.
posted by colie at 2:02 AM on July 6, 2013
did someone say versace? welllllll here:
versaceversaceversaceversace louie louie fendi fendi prada (soundcloud link. short clip. maybe you'll be amused.)
;)
feels weird to write, but drake might be the next kingmaker in the genre. think of how hard future blew up after that "tony montana" remix. maybe migos is next (unlikely, but still worth considering)... ha.
posted by raihan_ at 2:10 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
versaceversaceversaceversace louie louie fendi fendi prada (soundcloud link. short clip. maybe you'll be amused.)
;)
feels weird to write, but drake might be the next kingmaker in the genre. think of how hard future blew up after that "tony montana" remix. maybe migos is next (unlikely, but still worth considering)... ha.
posted by raihan_ at 2:10 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
did someone say versace? welllllll here:
That needs to be a ringtone
Good for Drake. You may think he didn't face hardship but when he lived at home he fought with his mom every Monday and his uncle was a total dick about him borrowing the car.
posted by Ad hominem at 2:17 AM on July 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
That needs to be a ringtone
Good for Drake. You may think he didn't face hardship but when he lived at home he fought with his mom every Monday and his uncle was a total dick about him borrowing the car.
posted by Ad hominem at 2:17 AM on July 6, 2013 [4 favorites]
just enabled DLs on that track, ad hominem :) feel free to share/repost/reblog whatever.
posted by raihan_ at 2:23 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by raihan_ at 2:23 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Lou's week still beats your year.
If that's so, then why is he such a miserable fucker?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 2:23 AM on July 6, 2013
If that's so, then why is he such a miserable fucker?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 2:23 AM on July 6, 2013
Hello Metafilter,
Let me first say I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.
And also that any thread about Yeezus needs a mention of Saul William's The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust (I don't even rate it as Mr. William's best work)
Not that Yeezus is a bad album. I just don't feel it deserves the hype it's getting.
As someone said up thread, lyrics are important and IMHO Kanye is sorely lacking in that department.
Or perhaps I just haven't haven't forgiven that Happy Gilmore inspired "We eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast.. Y'all eat pieces of shit!?" line in Jesus walks.
posted by we are the music makers at 4:58 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Let me first say I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.
And also that any thread about Yeezus needs a mention of Saul William's The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust (I don't even rate it as Mr. William's best work)
Not that Yeezus is a bad album. I just don't feel it deserves the hype it's getting.
As someone said up thread, lyrics are important and IMHO Kanye is sorely lacking in that department.
Or perhaps I just haven't haven't forgiven that Happy Gilmore inspired "We eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast.. Y'all eat pieces of shit!?" line in Jesus walks.
posted by we are the music makers at 4:58 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I honestly don't know why Reed is all, 'i can't imagine writing some of these lyrics down' and is then all yaaaaaay about Yeezus.
I mean, compare Reed's Magic and Loss, which, ok, some of y'all hated it, but I think those lyrics are amazing.
I can't stop listening to Yeezus, but like others, I have to stop thinking about the lyrics.
Also, I don't know if Reed is just trolling or what with the line that Kanye could "kill Taylor Swift" and then he wouldn't be popular anymore. um, well, Kanye might be popular but he'd be in JAIL I mean what
posted by angrycat at 5:39 AM on July 6, 2013
I mean, compare Reed's Magic and Loss, which, ok, some of y'all hated it, but I think those lyrics are amazing.
I can't stop listening to Yeezus, but like others, I have to stop thinking about the lyrics.
Also, I don't know if Reed is just trolling or what with the line that Kanye could "kill Taylor Swift" and then he wouldn't be popular anymore. um, well, Kanye might be popular but he'd be in JAIL I mean what
posted by angrycat at 5:39 AM on July 6, 2013
I apologize for paraphrasing Dennis from It's Always Sunny.. but, let me tell you something. Hip-hop hasn’t even begun to peak. And when it does peak, you’ll know. Because it's going to peak so hard, that everybody in Philadelphia will feel it.
I love 90s hip-hop, but there is a mind boggling amount of good stuff coming out on a monthly basis, almost all of it free, so it's hard not to see this as a second golden age. If you don't believe me, just ask Ad hominem for some recs!
posted by Lorin at 7:58 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I love 90s hip-hop, but there is a mind boggling amount of good stuff coming out on a monthly basis, almost all of it free, so it's hard not to see this as a second golden age. If you don't believe me, just ask Ad hominem for some recs!
posted by Lorin at 7:58 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Here's a mixtape from Kyle Rapps that I've been thoroughly enjoying, but having come out on June 17th it may already be played out. Note that every release on this site is available as a FLAC download for the mere cost of an email address.
posted by Lorin at 8:16 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Lorin at 8:16 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I don't really like him, but he's a giant of classic rock.
I know you must mean classic in the real sense but has the VU or Lou Reed outside of maybe Walk on the Wildside or Perfect Day ever been part of the standard classic rock station mix of Led Zeppelin, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Van Halen, Neil Young and sometimes the Doors?
the guy hasn't had a good album in forty (40!) years
Neither have you or I or many critics. Even if he had produced masterpieces why his opinion (or anyone else's) of other work is at all relevant to anyone other than say bands who were inspired by him (he loves the Strokes) is a mystery to me. Plenty of great artists love horrible as well as great stuff.
That said, I really enjoyed Lou's work with Gorillaz combining Lou's 80s style with Damon Albarn's typical genius. But it may be complete nonsense to others. That's how music often works.
Weird how everyone thinks that.
Thankfully this is not true. Always looking for music either new or that I haven't heard before and so many people I know are like this, particularly with the accessibility of music these days. I find it interesting if you say don't take a liking to Emerson, Lake and Palmer you're told to "respect your elders" and yet many elders don't give any respect to newer music, much of which is spectacularly good.
posted by juiceCake at 8:39 AM on July 6, 2013
I know you must mean classic in the real sense but has the VU or Lou Reed outside of maybe Walk on the Wildside or Perfect Day ever been part of the standard classic rock station mix of Led Zeppelin, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Van Halen, Neil Young and sometimes the Doors?
the guy hasn't had a good album in forty (40!) years
Neither have you or I or many critics. Even if he had produced masterpieces why his opinion (or anyone else's) of other work is at all relevant to anyone other than say bands who were inspired by him (he loves the Strokes) is a mystery to me. Plenty of great artists love horrible as well as great stuff.
That said, I really enjoyed Lou's work with Gorillaz combining Lou's 80s style with Damon Albarn's typical genius. But it may be complete nonsense to others. That's how music often works.
Weird how everyone thinks that.
Thankfully this is not true. Always looking for music either new or that I haven't heard before and so many people I know are like this, particularly with the accessibility of music these days. I find it interesting if you say don't take a liking to Emerson, Lake and Palmer you're told to "respect your elders" and yet many elders don't give any respect to newer music, much of which is spectacularly good.
posted by juiceCake at 8:39 AM on July 6, 2013
I find it interesting if you say don't take a liking to Emerson, Lake and Palmer you're told to "respect your elders"
WTF are you talking about?
posted by unSane at 9:11 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
WTF are you talking about?
posted by unSane at 9:11 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
As opposed to EL-P.
(I don't know if that was a deliberate "misunderstanding", but I must admit I entertained the same thought for a bit.)
posted by Grangousier at 9:39 AM on July 6, 2013
(I don't know if that was a deliberate "misunderstanding", but I must admit I entertained the same thought for a bit.)
posted by Grangousier at 9:39 AM on July 6, 2013
Here's a profile of WondaGirl, the 16 year-old girl who produced "Crown" on MCHG.
posted by chrchr at 9:59 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by chrchr at 9:59 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
I just literally do not get it about Kanye. He always sounds behind the beat, his lyrics are terrible, and the face that he is always the most impressed with himself in the room just bugs the shit out of me.
All this hype about him is really making me feel old, like I'm missing something everyone else sees.
posted by nevercalm at 10:00 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
All this hype about him is really making me feel old, like I'm missing something everyone else sees.
posted by nevercalm at 10:00 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Great review of Lulu with this choice bit:
There is a famous saying in downtown New York which goes: if you are a Lou Reed fan you must be ready to go all the way. Yes, he is going to take you to places that you have never dreamed of, even in your worst nightmares. If you are a Lou Reed fan you go through shit, shit records, shit playing, shit covers, shit lyrics... He takes you psychologically to the wild side even if you might be comfortably playing the record in your cosy home with a cup of tea. He is going to make you reconsider your values of judgement to the core and beyond.
posted by porn in the woods at 10:21 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
There is a famous saying in downtown New York which goes: if you are a Lou Reed fan you must be ready to go all the way. Yes, he is going to take you to places that you have never dreamed of, even in your worst nightmares. If you are a Lou Reed fan you go through shit, shit records, shit playing, shit covers, shit lyrics... He takes you psychologically to the wild side even if you might be comfortably playing the record in your cosy home with a cup of tea. He is going to make you reconsider your values of judgement to the core and beyond.
posted by porn in the woods at 10:21 AM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
i once heard a very well-known and well-respected hip-hop DJ say "i have played bits and pieces of kanye's tracks, because he's musically amazing... but i have never played out a whole verse because he is a whack rapper."
not entirely mad at that. no one has to be good at everything, after all. i like how kanye's production on yeezus has influenced his other recent productions, like this john legend track that features kimbra.
hip-hop hasn't even started yet. were people hating on rock in the 50s? yes absolutely but it's still moved forward in new and interesting ways. there hasn't been a radiohead of rap yet.
i can't wait to see where it'll go. if you're thinking on the same wavelength, i feel that FWMJ's recent blog post nails the sentiment:
not entirely mad at that. no one has to be good at everything, after all. i like how kanye's production on yeezus has influenced his other recent productions, like this john legend track that features kimbra.
hip-hop hasn't even started yet. were people hating on rock in the 50s? yes absolutely but it's still moved forward in new and interesting ways. there hasn't been a radiohead of rap yet.
i can't wait to see where it'll go. if you're thinking on the same wavelength, i feel that FWMJ's recent blog post nails the sentiment:
i wish there were channels/lanes for new artists to come up without some old cat that refuses to go away finding a way to get paid off em [...] fuck #newrules, we need #newblood. and not just blood transfusionsposted by raihan_ at 10:44 AM on July 6, 2013
And also that any thread about Yeezus needs a mention of Saul William's The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust (I don't even rate it as Mr. William's best work)
Or, say, Dälek.
posted by kenko at 11:39 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Or, say, Dälek.
posted by kenko at 11:39 AM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
WTF are you talking about?
The times in my life when I've been told I should respect my elders if I don't care for say, Emerson Lake and Palmer.
posted by juiceCake at 1:20 PM on July 6, 2013
The times in my life when I've been told I should respect my elders if I don't care for say, Emerson Lake and Palmer.
posted by juiceCake at 1:20 PM on July 6, 2013
I just literally do not get it about Kanye. He always sounds behind the beat, his lyrics are terrible, and the face that he is always the most impressed with himself in the room just bugs the shit out of me.
I'm not getting how people are seeing this guy's face when listening to the music and what room does one see when listening to music? Ego and musicians stretches way back...
posted by juiceCake at 1:23 PM on July 6, 2013
I'm not getting how people are seeing this guy's face when listening to the music and what room does one see when listening to music? Ego and musicians stretches way back...
posted by juiceCake at 1:23 PM on July 6, 2013
Kanye is a bad rapper like Bob Dylan is a bad singer.
posted by Apropos of Something at 2:44 PM on July 6, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Apropos of Something at 2:44 PM on July 6, 2013 [6 favorites]
The times in my life when I've been told I should respect my elders if I don't care for say, Emerson Lake and Palmer.
You need better elders, my friend.
posted by unSane at 2:57 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
You need better elders, my friend.
posted by unSane at 2:57 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Damn you guys are harsh. He's no King Push but he's pretty good Murder to Excellence. It's like you forgot about two things, Gorgeous
posted by Ad hominem at 3:36 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 3:36 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
How can anyone not like Otis talking about his other Benz and his other other Benz.
posted by Ad hominem at 4:01 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 4:01 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Ad, let the haters hate. Not everybody is willing to make themselves emotionally available to king kong. I saw Emerson lake and Palmer mentioned at one point.
I am also looking forward to MNIMN, we should work together to do a post about it when it drops, hopefully showing people how they can get inspiration from king push overlord coke boy T. Not that they can relate; that's for the few and far between.
As for the rest of you diabolical saltines, being unable to love something which others can and appreciate is nothing to be blithely proud of. Yeezus will always be waiting for you to come around. It is worthy of love and attention. I hear something new and amazing in it every time I listen. For example, today I noticed that the panting after the screams at the end of track 2 are autotuned to anticipate the melody which follows. Yeezus has enriched me.
posted by Teakettle at 4:29 PM on July 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
I am also looking forward to MNIMN, we should work together to do a post about it when it drops, hopefully showing people how they can get inspiration from king push overlord coke boy T. Not that they can relate; that's for the few and far between.
As for the rest of you diabolical saltines, being unable to love something which others can and appreciate is nothing to be blithely proud of. Yeezus will always be waiting for you to come around. It is worthy of love and attention. I hear something new and amazing in it every time I listen. For example, today I noticed that the panting after the screams at the end of track 2 are autotuned to anticipate the melody which follows. Yeezus has enriched me.
posted by Teakettle at 4:29 PM on July 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
part of the standard classic rock station mix of Led Zeppelin, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Van Halen, Neil Young and sometimes the Doors?
WNEW-FM would play the Rock & Roll Animal version of Sweet Jane (my fave recording of his) all the time when I was a teenager (1980's).
posted by jonmc at 4:43 PM on July 6, 2013
WNEW-FM would play the Rock & Roll Animal version of Sweet Jane (my fave recording of his) all the time when I was a teenager (1980's).
posted by jonmc at 4:43 PM on July 6, 2013
diabolical saltines
I'm hyperventilating over here.
posted by Ad hominem at 4:45 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm hyperventilating over here.
posted by Ad hominem at 4:45 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Jonmc, I had that version on a CD in high school, it is awesome. I can remember the entire guitar duet in my head even now.
posted by Teakettle at 4:53 PM on July 6, 2013
posted by Teakettle at 4:53 PM on July 6, 2013
Damn I'm still laughing
Diabolical saltines.
I got nothing left to say. Run up on Yeezy the wrong way and Teakettle might murk you. Don't fuck around and make someone start catching flags.
posted by Ad hominem at 5:07 PM on July 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
Diabolical saltines.
I got nothing left to say. Run up on Yeezy the wrong way and Teakettle might murk you. Don't fuck around and make someone start catching flags.
posted by Ad hominem at 5:07 PM on July 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
Have my dogs land on your house on some snoopy shit.
posted by Teakettle at 5:11 PM on July 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Teakettle at 5:11 PM on July 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
I've heard of Lou Reed, but who's this other guy you're all talking about? I jest. I have a vague idea who Kanye West is. But one great thing about living outside the US mediablob is being able to ignore the Kanyes and Karshashians and all the other Kultural Krap without even half trying.
but the guy hasn't had a good album in forty (40!) years
New York, which is the only Lou Reed album I've ever loved, was what? 1989? But your favorite etc etc applies, as usual.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:17 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
but the guy hasn't had a good album in forty (40!) years
New York, which is the only Lou Reed album I've ever loved, was what? 1989? But your favorite etc etc applies, as usual.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:17 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Hudson Mohawke > Sterling Morrison
posted by Teakettle at 5:46 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Teakettle at 5:46 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
it is literally impossible for anything to be > Sterling Morrison.
so ya might want to reconsider your postulates there
posted by hap_hazard at 6:04 PM on July 6, 2013
so ya might want to reconsider your postulates there
posted by hap_hazard at 6:04 PM on July 6, 2013
Hudson is kinda mad none of his tracks made it on MCHG, called the album lazy. Mike Dean had to tweet at him to STFU or he is going to get shut out of WTT 2.
It's kinda strange that Dean got so mad at New York rappers trying to appropriate H-Town sound and now when him and J-Roc are producing for Jay-Z he is cool with it.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:07 PM on July 6, 2013
It's kinda strange that Dean got so mad at New York rappers trying to appropriate H-Town sound and now when him and J-Roc are producing for Jay-Z he is cool with it.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:07 PM on July 6, 2013
Hudson should be somewhat vindicated by mchg being straight ass. Then again, Just Blaze never suffered from being on Memphis Bleek's debut.
posted by Teakettle at 6:10 PM on July 6, 2013
posted by Teakettle at 6:10 PM on July 6, 2013
I still don't know if it's straight ass or not. People are not being kind to it. I want to give Hov the benefit of the doubt and say he's confused by the state of rap. Why should he knock himself out if people want "she got a big booty so I call her big booty" I think Jay is reacting to trends now instead of setting them.
He's like 43 and got almost warren buffet money now, minus a couple commas. What's he going to rap about.
He needs to pull a Rocky and go back to his roots, he needs a Burgess Meredith to yell at him that he lost his heart.
Unfortunately he's always been a New York rapper so he can't rap about being tormented by fame and wealth like Kaye can. He just has to double down and rap about buying islands or whatever.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:28 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
He's like 43 and got almost warren buffet money now, minus a couple commas. What's he going to rap about.
He needs to pull a Rocky and go back to his roots, he needs a Burgess Meredith to yell at him that he lost his heart.
Unfortunately he's always been a New York rapper so he can't rap about being tormented by fame and wealth like Kaye can. He just has to double down and rap about buying islands or whatever.
posted by Ad hominem at 6:28 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
guys can i join this epic MNIMN post please.
here's my offering: http://instagram.com/p/bDJjezucbM/
posted by raihan_ at 6:37 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
here's my offering: http://instagram.com/p/bDJjezucbM/
posted by raihan_ at 6:37 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jay doesn't seem to value anything other than the traditional markings of white wealth. Rolex to Audemars. How long until he rocks a Patek? Basquiat to Picasso. All that proves is that he doesn't like paintings. Koons balloons. Who is this rich guy he's imitating?
Jay-Z's pretty great when he's rapping about what's really on his mind but I don't need to hear about him buying cool stuff over a cool beat he bought. Jay used to produce culture, now he just spends money on it to take credit. Kanye is making him look real lame these days.
posted by Teakettle at 6:48 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Jay-Z's pretty great when he's rapping about what's really on his mind but I don't need to hear about him buying cool stuff over a cool beat he bought. Jay used to produce culture, now he just spends money on it to take credit. Kanye is making him look real lame these days.
posted by Teakettle at 6:48 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Nothing new there--Jay was rhyming about the Robb Report (pka Twentieth Century Confederates) back in 1998.
posted by box at 6:54 PM on July 6, 2013
posted by box at 6:54 PM on July 6, 2013
Ever since I heard the freestyle where he says "So independent I might buy Koch" I been wondering if he is a plutocrat looking to buy in.
Then Sometimes I think he has some methodology we just can't understand. Like, here I am with my 500 million appropriating your shit. I got your Picassos now motherfuckers, what are you going to do about it. I beat you at your own game.
posted by Ad hominem at 7:03 PM on July 6, 2013
Then Sometimes I think he has some methodology we just can't understand. Like, here I am with my 500 million appropriating your shit. I got your Picassos now motherfuckers, what are you going to do about it. I beat you at your own game.
posted by Ad hominem at 7:03 PM on July 6, 2013
He's just as empty as the people he imitates. He seeks the approval of people who seek approval. Jay is capable of emotionally honest music, this is ass. This is will.I.am shit. It is not G.
posted by Teakettle at 7:09 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Teakettle at 7:09 PM on July 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Koch, or Koch?
I always assumed he meant Koch industries. I guess a record label is more realistic, though disappointing.
I always pictured him sitting and the head of Kanye's marble conference table he had shipped to Koch HQ, kicking back in his versache leather chair, lighting an illegal cohiba robusto with a million dollar bill and saying "about those Picassos, they're all mine now"
I guess I gotta accept Jayhova isn't infalible.
posted by Ad hominem at 7:25 PM on July 6, 2013
I always assumed he meant Koch industries. I guess a record label is more realistic, though disappointing.
I always pictured him sitting and the head of Kanye's marble conference table he had shipped to Koch HQ, kicking back in his versache leather chair, lighting an illegal cohiba robusto with a million dollar bill and saying "about those Picassos, they're all mine now"
I guess I gotta accept Jayhova isn't infalible.
posted by Ad hominem at 7:25 PM on July 6, 2013
Tae bo hoe.
posted by Teakettle at 7:31 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Teakettle at 7:31 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Damn Why did you have to bring that up. I bet Hov is still crying into his pillow over that.
posted by Ad hominem at 7:40 PM on July 6, 2013
posted by Ad hominem at 7:40 PM on July 6, 2013
the other day i was listening to kday and a guy actually called in to request "ether".
no one wants to listen to "ether" in their car with the windows rolled down on a nice summer day... it's like watching steve nash sink free throws on a technical all night when you could be watching the harlem globetrotters.
and feel free to call me out on this, but as stacked as "BBC" is... it's hella boring.
i'm so excited for "old" ... danny over a rustie beat (3 of them, to be exact?)? lawdhavemercy.
y'all heard danny go in on this track by the bug? MMPH.
posted by raihan_ at 7:58 PM on July 6, 2013
no one wants to listen to "ether" in their car with the windows rolled down on a nice summer day... it's like watching steve nash sink free throws on a technical all night when you could be watching the harlem globetrotters.
and feel free to call me out on this, but as stacked as "BBC" is... it's hella boring.
i'm so excited for "old" ... danny over a rustie beat (3 of them, to be exact?)? lawdhavemercy.
y'all heard danny go in on this track by the bug? MMPH.
posted by raihan_ at 7:58 PM on July 6, 2013
(and don't get me wrong, i love ether, but it is a rawwww diss track that basically has no place being on the radio)
posted by raihan_ at 7:59 PM on July 6, 2013
posted by raihan_ at 7:59 PM on July 6, 2013
I love the line eating on a Adderall. Its like he sets the table, lights candles and shit but all he has is a pill on his plate.
"Danny, we are ordering Chinese, you want anything" "nah, I had a big lunch, Adderall"
"Adderall for dinner again? I had Adderall last night"
I hope we get some more Adderall songs from Danny.
posted by Ad hominem at 8:25 PM on July 6, 2013
"Danny, we are ordering Chinese, you want anything" "nah, I had a big lunch, Adderall"
"Adderall for dinner again? I had Adderall last night"
I hope we get some more Adderall songs from Danny.
posted by Ad hominem at 8:25 PM on July 6, 2013
I disagree. Hearing Jay have his nuts cut off is like 'can I kick it' for my anger. Hawaiian shirts. Rock fellas. Cool breezes. Girls on bikes. Alpine blasting.
posted by Teakettle at 8:26 PM on July 6, 2013
posted by Teakettle at 8:26 PM on July 6, 2013
I love these hip hop threads after mom and dad go to bed.
posted by Teakettle at 8:31 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Teakettle at 8:31 PM on July 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
would you call into a radio station to request "ether"? i'd rather listen to "ugly people be quiet", to be honest.
posted by raihan_ at 9:06 PM on July 6, 2013
posted by raihan_ at 9:06 PM on July 6, 2013
Radio station requests are an odd concept nowadays anyway.
If it was a jukebox, I'd put on Ghoulish before I put in Ether. Ghoulish is nonsensical enough you can laugh. Ether might start an argument.
I was in the bar the other day trying to play Intro off Lord Willin and some kid came up behind me and kept asking what clipse tracks they had and demanding Numbers on the Boards. I kept telling him the jukebox didn't have it so I put on Millions. Even though I waited till after the Pub Quiz people left I gotta watch out what I play. I already had to get rap songs unblocked once because some people complain and some people get riled up.
We used to try to put the craziest shit they had until one day an older regular got fed up over hearing that "torture motherfucker.." skit off 36 chambers and started flinging glasses against the wall.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:28 PM on July 6, 2013
If it was a jukebox, I'd put on Ghoulish before I put in Ether. Ghoulish is nonsensical enough you can laugh. Ether might start an argument.
I was in the bar the other day trying to play Intro off Lord Willin and some kid came up behind me and kept asking what clipse tracks they had and demanding Numbers on the Boards. I kept telling him the jukebox didn't have it so I put on Millions. Even though I waited till after the Pub Quiz people left I gotta watch out what I play. I already had to get rap songs unblocked once because some people complain and some people get riled up.
We used to try to put the craziest shit they had until one day an older regular got fed up over hearing that "torture motherfucker.." skit off 36 chambers and started flinging glasses against the wall.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:28 PM on July 6, 2013
LUXURY! We used to hang out at a bar that had like zero hip-hop (and like multiple Kenny Chesney, apparently super-lame gangsters controlled the jukebox trade in St Paul) but when they got "Velvet Underground Greatest Hits'' for some reason we started playing Sister Ray just to try to get all the way through it before somebody hit the kill-switch. I think our record time was 11 minutes.
Don't remember anyone getting violent, but did it used to upset the children on Dollar Burger Night :(
posted by hap_hazard at 11:41 PM on July 6, 2013
Don't remember anyone getting violent, but did it used to upset the children on Dollar Burger Night :(
posted by hap_hazard at 11:41 PM on July 6, 2013
Now juke boxes will download almost anything but most bars even in New York block rap. People can put on all the Limp Bizkit and Sweet Home Alamama they want though Drives me crazy.
posted by Ad hominem at 12:33 AM on July 7, 2013
posted by Ad hominem at 12:33 AM on July 7, 2013
i am going to cunt punt every fucking saltine
(not really it was just a line I wanted to trot out)
posted by angrycat at 6:15 AM on July 7, 2013
(not really it was just a line I wanted to trot out)
posted by angrycat at 6:15 AM on July 7, 2013
You need better elders, my friend.
Hardly. Like most I have a mix of good and bad elders, same agers, and young. I don't need any better than I have.
posted by juiceCake at 3:37 PM on July 7, 2013
Hardly. Like most I have a mix of good and bad elders, same agers, and young. I don't need any better than I have.
posted by juiceCake at 3:37 PM on July 7, 2013
Lookin at my Gucci it's about that time Schoolly D in 1985
posted by Ad hominem at 4:24 PM on July 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 4:24 PM on July 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
"beat the pussy up" is one of the most common euphemisms in rap, and maybe even pop.
I'm sure I'm not alone wishing in the barbershop quartet community would dial back its overreliance on this "euphemism."
posted by hell toupee at 7:00 AM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm sure I'm not alone wishing in the barbershop quartet community would dial back its overreliance on this "euphemism."
posted by hell toupee at 7:00 AM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
5.8 from pitchfork
So Miley Cyrus twerking is a metaphor for the global drug trade? I don't know what to make of that.
I think Jay gotta get back in the kitchen. I think Gucci is his Burgess Meredith after he called him out in trap house 3
posted by Ad hominem at 9:44 AM on July 8, 2013
So Miley Cyrus twerking is a metaphor for the global drug trade? I don't know what to make of that.
I think Jay gotta get back in the kitchen. I think Gucci is his Burgess Meredith after he called him out in trap house 3
posted by Ad hominem at 9:44 AM on July 8, 2013
Lookin at my Gucci it's about that time - Schoolly D in 1985
Oh yeah. That made me go look for facts about Schoolly D, and I was not disappointed in them-
Schoolly D, inventor of gangsta rap and also snowboarding.
posted by hap_hazard at 12:16 PM on July 8, 2013
Oh yeah. That made me go look for facts about Schoolly D, and I was not disappointed in them-
Schoolly D, inventor of gangsta rap and also snowboarding.
posted by hap_hazard at 12:16 PM on July 8, 2013
Filthy Light Thief did a Parkside Killers FPP.
posted by Ad hominem at 3:50 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 3:50 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Right, I just heard Black Skinhead (via this not at all official video) and I really, really like it.
posted by maudlin at 9:17 AM on July 15, 2013
posted by maudlin at 9:17 AM on July 15, 2013
« Older Hello Again Goodbye Horses | Audio recordings of 1964 interviews with Civil... Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by jonmc at 4:30 PM on July 5, 2013 [3 favorites]