Live Shows & Reviews!

LIVE SHOWS:

It doesn't happen very often but when the planets (free time & spare cash) align, I like to check out a live show. Over the past month I've had a chance to see both Sea Wolf and The Walkmen. I recorded a few full songs and posted them on the YouTubes but because I'm a nice guy, I've also embedded them right here into MidPoints. I've got a few more shows lined up so check back for more videos soon. Enjoy!

"Leaves In The River" - Sea Wolf

"You're A Wolf" - Sea Wolf

"The Rat" - The Walkmen

"Another One Goes By" - The Walkmen

"New Country" - The Walkmen

"Woe Is Me" - The Walkmen

"We've Been Had" - The Walkmen

ONE SENTENCE REVIEWS

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles

Rating: 81/100

A promising debut album from a band that cleverly balances pop melodies, dance beats and robot noises not unlike Justice, Cut Copy & Daft Punk, but with there own enjoyably distinctive touches.

High Point Tracks: "Vanished", "Crimewave (Crystal Castles vs HEALTH)", "Knights"

The Roots - How I Got Over

Rating: 80/100

Excluding the final few tracks, How I Got Over is a remarkably thoughtful and cohesive hip-hop experience that emphasizes authentic instrumentation, rhythm and of course, an MC who actually has something to say.

High Point Tracks: "Walk Alone ft. Truck North, P.O.R.N. & Dice Raw", "The Fire ft. John Legend"

Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

Rating: 70/100

Both enjoyable and forgettable, Infinite Arms does little to distinguish itself from any of the bands preceding releases.

High Point Tracks: "Laredo", "Neighbor", "Compliments"

Best Coast - Crazy For You

Rating: 85/100

Filled with irresistible pop melodies, fuzzy guitars and soaring harmonies, Crazy For You is a quick but entrancing journey through the 'highs' and lows of summertime love and heartbreak.

High Point Track: "The End", "Goodbye", "When I'm With You"

Florence + The Machine - Lungs

Rating: 86/100

While the execution isn't always perfect, the debut album from Florence + the Machine is expansive, unapologetic and straight up epic.

High Point Tracks: "Dog Days Are Over", "Cosmic Love", "You've Got The Love"

The Walkmen - Lisbon

Rating: 79/100

Lisbon is a satisfying mix of energetic indie rock and relaxed guitar pop that sounds both comfortingly familiar and enticingly strange.

High Point Track: "Angela Surf City", "Victory", "Torch Song"

Lil Wayne - I Am Not A Human Being

Rating: 77/100

Half of it sounds like a triumph, a quarter of it is unnecessary features and everything else is a mix of useless trash and Planet Weezy weirdness; but all math aside, this is a solid place holder until Tha Carter IV drops.

High Point Tracks: "Right Above It ft. Drake", "I Am Not A Human Being", "What's Wrong With Them ft. Nicki Minaj"

ScatterPoints: Late January/Early February

Welcome back to ScatterPoints! Here's some cool stuff I've found in the world of music over the past few weeks.

DOWNLOADS:

Peter Gabriel - Flume (Bon Iver Cover)

Also, check out the Peter Gabriel cover of Arcade Fire's "My Body Is A Cage here.

VIDEOS:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Skeletons"

Crazy orchestral trailer for the Gorillaz forthcoming Plastic Beach:

Crazy orchestral trailer for the Gorillaz forthcoming Plastic Beach.

ONE-SENTENCE REVIEWS:

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs

Rating: 82/100

Although it lacks the some of the layered complexity present on Animal Collective's last few releases, the mostly acoustic Sung Tongs is a strange and enjoyable journey through the softer side of AC.

High Points Tracks: "Winters Love", "Who Could Win A Rabbit", "Sweet Road"

Beach House - Teen Dream

Rating: 88/100

Teen Dream is a beautiful, haunting, and flawlessly crafted indie pop album that is definitely an early contender for album of the year.

High Point Tracks: "Silver Soul", "Used To Be", "Real Love"

Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind EP

Rating: 83/100

This companion piece to Merriweather Post Pavilion, is yet another catchy, weird, and impressive release from the ol' Animal Collective.

High Point Tracks: "What Would I Want? Sky!", "I Think I Can"

Discovery - LP

Rating: 85/100

Comprised of members of Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend, Discovery offers up a brief but impressive debut with more infectious hooks and synth riffs than you can shake stick at.

High Point Tracks: "Can You Discover", "So Insane", "I Want You Back (Jackson 5 Cover)"

The Fiery Furnaces - Rehearsing My Choir

Rating: 25/100

I like the Fiery Furnaces well enough, but bizarre music and painfully boring spoken word narratives make this album almost entirely unlistenable

High Point Tracks: N/A (It was really that bad)

Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals

Rating 79/100

Its a very top-heavy record beginning with a slew of wild and memorable tracks and ending without much of a bang but this unique debut certainly hints at some greatness to come.

High Point Tracks: "Sunrise", "No Need To Worry", "2080"

Lil Wayne - Rebirth

Rating: 50/100

Oh god, I love me some Lil Wayne but this monstrosity is baaaaaaad and it is only redeemed by that fact that Weezy is a genius, albiet a terribly terribly misguided genius but hey, at least its not Tha Carter IV.

High Point Tracks: "Prom Queen", "Drop the World"

ScatterPoints #2: Late October/Early Novemberish

Here is a breif recap of this past weekish in the world of MidPoints music...

ScatterPoints #2: Late October/Early Novemberish

Welcome back to ScatterPoints! This week I've got some hot new track downloads, music videos and a handful of reviews. Lets go!

DOWNLOAD THIS ISH:

"Mirrors" - Wale ft. Bun B (Produced by Mark Ronson)

Hey Wale, this song is awesome. I've been on a crazy Bun B/UGK kick lately, so way to time your leaks with my mood. Can't wait for your new album!

"Bye Bye Bayou" - LCD Soundsystem (Alan Vega Cover)

Long, bizarre and dancey as shit "Bye Bye Bayou" is typical LCD Soundsystem in the best way possible. New album drops in March of 2010 and it can't come quickly enough.

WATCH THESE VIDEOS:

ONE SENTENCE REVIEWS:

Lil Wayne - No Ceilings

Rating: 77/100

It's been a while since Weezy has released anything really noteworthy and it looks like it could be years before we get Rebirth or Tha Carter IV, but until that day arrives No Ceilings serves as uncharacteristically sleek and focused addition to the Lil Wayne mixtape canon.

High Point Track: "I Gotta Feeling"

Michael Jackson - This Is It (Special Edition)

Rating: 95/100

Contrary to what it would seem This Is It, is NOT the live recordings from the film or the rehearsals but rather just the original recordings of the songs that appear in the film making it essentially another greatest hits collection although the new song "This Is It" and the surprisingly incredible bonus disc demos make this a must-have for serious MJ fans.

High Point Track: "This Is It"

FILM REVIEW:

Michael Jackson's This Is It

So I went and saw This Is It this past weekend and it offered an immensely fascinating look inside the final months of the legendary entertainers life. The film is entirely comprised of rehearsal footage for MJ's 50 show residency at London's O2 Arena and clearly was never meant to be an actual feature length film as much of the footage is lo-fi and incomplete. That being said, the film perfectly illustrates the eccentric genius of Michael Jackson. As I walked out of the film I came to the conclusion that he is essentially a mad scientist; as bizarre and bat-shit crazy as he is meticulous and intelligent. His approach to his music and his show was unlike anything I have ever seen. The film outs Jackson as a perfectionist (to put it lightly) but it simultaneously shows us that the results of his process are truly unparalleled in popular entertainment. In one of the most insightful and intriguing scenes, Jackson discusses his music with the show's sound director and he explains that the music must sound exactly as he wrote it. Rather than updating or reorganizing his timeless compositions, MJ wanted to his show to be a flawless replication of the original recordings; demanding that the audience hear it precisely how they have been listening to it for years (this explains why the This Is It album is the just original recordings). Had the This Is It concert series ever actually made it to the stage, it would have been everything he promised: a show that is entirely dedicated to the fans. Decades after his prime, the man still could dance and sing exactly as he was able to in the 80s and he even looked pretty much the same although I have a sneaking suspicion that he has had some work done. Overall, the film was enormously satisfying and anyone who has ever enjoyed his work would be wise to see what he was planning for his own personal finale. Unfortunately, This Is It ends essentially the same way Jackson's life did: abrupt, unexpected and sadly incomplete.

Drake ft. Eminem, Kanye West, Lil Wayne - Forever

Well isn't this is a MidPoints dream come true. Someone decided to put the four dudes I seem to blog the most about on one insanely hot track. It's just shy of 6 minutes long, giving plenty of time for all four of these guys to do their thing and do it right. Drakegrassi sings the hook and gives us the lead off verse about how awesome he is and how quickly he got to where he is. Not particularly original, but still fun to listen to. But after the three other guys get their shot at a verse, Eminem flat out kills it. Drizzy, Yeezy and Weezy might be good at what they do, but this track reminds us that they all pale in comparison to Em's lyrical and flowdacious prowess. I mean he threatens to literally eat your face. What more could you want?

Download this ish. Now!

Thanks again to my buddy Kia for the tip.

New Drake Mixtape!

Apparently Drake is literally young money.

Heeeeeeeeey MidPeople*, everyones favorite Canadian child actor and Lil Wayne protege just released a new mixtape with The Empire. Haven't had too much time to go all the way through the album (I've been busy with Relapse), but from what I have heard Friends With Money: The Drought Is Over is another solid effort from Drizzy. A few of the songs from So Far Gone appear on this release but I can't complain because I can't get enough of "Uptown". He could put that song on every mixtape for the rest of his career and I'd probably be fine with it. Friends With Money: The Drought Is Over has some pretty ballsy moves like sampling Dr. Dre's classic "Still Dre" but the kids got good taste, that much is for sure. Enjoy the jamz. Let me know what you think.

Grab it here thanks to Dat Piff.

*I'm trying to come up with a name for the readers of this blog. MidPeople is lame, Ill be your best friend if you come up with something more clever.

Drake - So Far Gone Mixtape

So I don't do a whole lot of 'next big thing' posts, but this guy may be 'the next big thing'. This mixtape dropped early last month but I wasn't able to find it until a few days ago, and after hearing the hype, listening to the tape, believing the hype, I have decided it's my turn to perpetuate the hype. First and foremost, this is probably the most polished sounding mixtape I've ever heard. Although it is a rap album it's packed with R&B, indie pop and electronic influences. It sounds like Drake heard Kanye's 808s & Heartbreak and instead of dismissing it (as so many have) he decided to use it's aesthetic to start reconstructing how we define hip hop music. Drake even raps over the lead of track of 808s, "Say You Will". But at the same time, it isn't all doom, gloom and heartbreak. Although the first handful of tracks move a little slower and somber, by the time the tape is finished Drake has proven himself to be a dynamic new voice within the hip-hop community with a knock out combination of hip-hop egotism, heartfelt honesty and innovative, poetic lyricism. And oh yeah, the boy can sing too. So Far Gone features a really solid, if not puzzling guest list with mixtape essentials like Lil Wayne and Trey Songz as well as indie popsters Peter Bjorn & John and the artist formerly known as Santogold. Enough rambling. This mixtape is brilliant. Anyone who appreciates hip-hop, indie and electronic music should take notice of this album. This shit is, for lack of a better term, fresh.

Download Drake's So Far Gone mixtape.

Shout out to my buddy Kia for the tip!

Lil Wayne's "Prom Queen" Music Video

Ok, so I know that this puts me in the minority, but I'll say it: I like Lil Wayne's "Prom Queen". I know it's weird, I know he can't sing, and I know the lyrics are ridiculous but that's why I like listening to Lil Wayne. Also, "Prom Queen" is disturbingly catchy. Anyhow, the official music video was just released and it features a nerded out Weezy in a John Hughesian high school. "Prom Queen" is the lead single off of Lil Wayne's forthcoming rock(?) album Rebirth, due May 19th. Rebirth, which is rumored to have collaborations with Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne(?) was originally scheduled to be released on April 7th but was recently pushed back. Let's hope that this isn't a repeat of the seemingly endless delays that preceded last year's Tha Carter III.

The Grammy's

Last night's Grammy performances were impressive, to say the least.  If you didn't have a chance to catch it, here is what you missed:

KANYE WEST, JAY-Z, LIL WAYNE, TI, and MIA - SWAGGER LIKE US

Swagger Like Us indeed.  It's just Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and a super pregnant M.I.A.  I'm still in shock.  For the most part, I just can't believe all of five(!!!) of them were on the same stage at the same time.  I suppose it makes sense.  I mean they are all there, right?  Why not get five of the biggest musicians in the world to perform one of the biggest songs of the year?  The plan was so simple, I didn't even expect it.  Once that curtain roles up and The Rap pack appear, one fact becomes incredibly clear: this is going to be good.  And good it was.  

RADIOHEAD - 15 STEP

Radiohead (ya know, the best band in the world) also showed up and with the help the USC marching band to play the In Rainbows lead off track "15 Step".  Although the absence of Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway is curious, the marching band gives this already brilliant track a very cool feel.  I could write pages about the injustices of In Rainbows not winning album of the year, but I don't have the time and I assume you don't have the patience. Instead, use your time effectively and watch this.

There was other stuff, but these two were my favorite.  For more performances check out Pitchfork's video recap.

Lil Wayne ft. Pharrell

I may use this picture for every Lil Wayne until this scene actually occurs. 

I call this event the The Waynepocolipse.

It's been a while since I've posted any new Lil Wayne stuff.  A month and a half is a very long time when it's Lil Wayne.  "Yes" featuring Pharrell has a wavy low synth sound that bounces it's way through the track, with Weezy going crazy on the beat.  I'm hoping that this leak precedes a new mixtape because it seems like it's been forever since this gem dropped.

Download the Yes ft. Pharrell mp3

(Thanks again to PMA)

Lil Wayne Never Sleeps

If he did, there is no chance in hell that his output would be as insanely prolific as it is. Last week he brought us the Dedication 3 mixtape. This week we get The Drought Is Over Part 6: The Reincarnation mixtape. I just started listening to it and I already like it better than Dedication 3, but who knows what next week will bring. The mixtape starts with the infamous interview where Weezy explains that his next studio album will be called Tha Carter III, but will have none of the same songs as what we know now as Tha Carter III. He explains that he wants everyone to like Tha Carter IV and what he is working now simply isn't what Tha Carter IV is supposed to be...I guess. Best rapper alive? Sure. Easy to decipher? Not so much.

Ok, I'm a few more songs in. This shit is awesome, you gotta check it out.

Even if you aren't a Lil Wayne fan, you have to admit that is the single greatest album cover of all time. Lil Wayne has wings. And a baby. And a river of blood.

Download The Drought is Over Part Six: The Reincarnation.


BONUS: I have no idea what this song is from. It was labeled as being part of TDIOP6:TR but it certainly isn't on the mixtape. It's called Hot Revolver and he sings some Green Day lyrics and I have no idea what is going on, but it's really cool. Download it here.

Who The F!@# Is Kevin Rudolf?

He is the latest artist to sign to Cash Money Records and he continues to team up with some of the biggest names in rap. First it was Lil Wayne and now it's Nas. I can't quite wrap my brain around his stuff. Love it? Yes. Understand it? No. It's like alt rock. Except it's dancier. So like Fall Out Boy/Panic At The Disco. But not. It's club anthem dancey, like Rihanna/Lady GaGa. But it has guitar solos. And rap. I have no idea what's going on, but I like it. Check out the mp3: NYC featuring Nas.

Dedication 3

Lil Wayne with DJ Drama. just released his first mixtape since the release of Tha Carter III. I'll be real honest, I was not impressed by Dedication 3 at all. I thought it relied to heavily on other rappers and not enough on Lil Wayne himself. My first impression was actually that the skits where Weezy just talks were the best parts of the mixtape. Luckily, I took the time to go back and listen again. I was wrong. Dedication 3 is great. It takes about five tracks to really hit it's stride, but once it does it's smooth sailing for the rest of the album. The skits get funnier. The beats/samples get better. DJ Drama continues to refer to himself as "Barack Odrama". Wayne goes crazier. He say's it best himself:

"You get money and you get crazy. I get crazy and I get money."

Download it for free here.

A Milli: Live with The Roots!

Lil Wayne and The Roots.

?uestlove plays drums AND does all of the "A Milli"s.  

Enough said.

Download the mp3.

Dead & Gone (T.I. STRIKES AGAIN!!!)

T.I. is unstoppable.  I never thought I wouldconsider myself a T.I. fan but the dude has released and/or leaked four songs in the past few weeks and I haven't heard one I didn't like.  I'll admit I was dissapointed by what should have been the collaboration of the century, Swagga Like Us.  Any song that features Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne AND a sample of M.I.A.'s insanely cool Paper Planes should be, mathmatically speaking, the best song ever.  Instead, Swagga Like Us is decent at best.  Enjoyable, sure, but not the world ending collaboration it should have been.  Then I heard the undeniably fun Whatever You Like.  This song is everything pop-rap-excessess should be.  Within hours of my first listen of the track, the phrase 'whatever you like' was solidified as more than just a  song title, but rather a whole new paradigm, nay, a lifestyle.  Then another collaboration! But instead of the best rappers in the business, T.I. called upon the top pop singer in the industry: Rihanna.  Sampling O-Zone's Dragostea Din Tei (made famous by the Numa Numa dude), Livin' Your Life is another guarunteed chart topper.  Soaring choruses from Rihanna and some pretty respectable verses from T.I. make Livin' Your Life a bonafied anthem.  But did T.I. stop there?  Is there anything left to prove?  Apparently, there is, because today yet another track surfaced this time featuring the greatest pop musician of our generation: Justin Timberlake.  Dead & Gone is awesome.  I'm tired of writing about T.I. and frankly, amazed that I had this much to say about a guy I never gave any serious credit to just weeks ago.  Check the song out, and when T.I. takes over the world, remember that I told you so.