Q-Tip - Abstract Innovations

Last year's The Renaissance was easily one of the year's top releases. However, that was not the initial album that Q-Tip wanted to release. The album he wanted was rejected by the record company. This was nothing foreign to Q-Tip. Following his debut Amplified he handed his label Kamaal/The Abstract which they promptly refused to release. Now, after realizing that Q-Tip has a fine taste for more, well, abstract sounds, Battery Records will be releasing Kamaal/The Abstract later this year. Here, however, is the album Q wanted to release that later became The Renaissance (some of the tracks here made it to the final product).

Q-Tip - Abstract Innovations

Paper Route Gangstaz - "Keyshia Cole"

Diplo approved Alabama rap group Paper Route Gangstaz may not be with an official release but they have enough material out there to create a nice little fanbase (and knowing/collaborating with Diplo cannot hurt). Prepping for their debut PRG has released a single that is, well, it's simply a weed song. Lyrics don't extend too far beyond driving around, getting high, and giving cannabis an array of odd nicknames. This viral video is merely a splicing of various pot-toking moments in a wide range of movies/TV. From the obvious (Half Baked, Up In Smoke) to the "well, ok" region (lots of Grandma's Boy clips) to the downright odd (some clip of giant weed plants smoking weed, not sure what it's from), the video makes its point very bluntly.

Super Chron Flight Brothers - Indonesia

The band's name and album's title shall give a hint as to a favorite past-time of these Brooklynites. Indonesia was recently released as a free download by the duo (Billy Woods and Priviledge) so it should not be viewed as an official followup to 2007's killer Emergency Powers. With lyrics that focus on not only the pot but also a conspiracy theorist's approach to just about everything, this is a dense release (El-P fans take heed). But the lyrics found here are undeniably tight and the chilly sci-fi production isn't too shabby either (the Interpol sampled song "The Big East" alone is worth checking out).

Super Chron Flight Brothers - Indonesia

Lushlife - "Dead Presidents"

Thus far in 2009 there have been a number of hip-hop releases worth mentioning but there is one that will go under the radar of far too many: Lushlife's Cassette City. This geeky looking Philly hipster has crafted easily one of the year's better hip-hop albums. This here is just a little example of the talent this cat possess as he plays Jay-Z's awesome track "Dead Presidents" from his debut (with the infamous Nas sample) on the piano and sing. Although the syncing is off there is no doubt that this dork knows how to play the piano (one of many of the instruments he can handle). And check out Cassette City it is a great album that deserves all the attention it can get.

Clutch - Strange Cousins From the West

The members of Clutch are creatures of habit. Their latest release (being number nine) dive right back into the formula which has kept them around for so long (that and their seemingly constant touring). Southern-rock riffs, lyrics about history and odd mythology, as well as distorted guitar solos all equal yet another Clutch album. And that is not a bad thing. They have created a sound that is unquestionably their own. Gone on this album, however, is the addition of keys and a lack of a funk sound. Instead, the members crack up the riff factor (almost ignoring straight power chords for a majority of the album). And in that aspect they have retained their metal roots. Singer Neil Fallon's voice suites the sounds on this album perfectly as the utilize a more bluesy throughout (the opener "Motherless Child"). With Fallon's occasional hard-luck stories ("Let a Poor Man Be" is the prime example of the album's sound) accompanied with the bluesy licks, it's hard to deny the blues influence that has permeated the band's sound in the last few albums. But in the end, it is what it is: a Clutch album. And upon starting it you are whisked away into a dive-bar somewhere in the south where the whiskey is readily available and the air extra smokey. Good times soon follow.

4.0/5.0

Clutch - Strange Cousins From the West

Brother Ali - "Us"

Without question one of the (if not the absolute) best emcees right now (and maybe ever when his career is over), Brother Ali has announced that come September 22, he will be releasing his third LP entitled Us. This little sample is just enough to entice fans of the excellentness that will be this album. Plus, those unfamiliar should do themselves a favor and become familiar. Albino rappers worldwide lookout: the king is back.

Iggy Pop - Preliminaires

Best known for his stint with The Stooges, insane stage antics, and shirtless, well-defined bod (which has grown leathery with time), Iggy Pop has been an icon for thirty-odd years. If there were ever someone who could rock at the drop of a dime, it's Iggy. But then we have his latest effort Preliminaires. And from the opening track, you are left wondering if you grabbed the right cd or did you accidently snatch your copy of crappy, 60s French pop. The opening track is a jazz-inspired piece of French pop (complete with Iggy in French!). Although the French-sounding trend does not dominate the album (there is a duet with Iggy and some chick whispering in French), his crooning, baritone vocals do. And crooning is not Iggy's niche. This album is Iggy's attempt to show the masses he is not merely a rocker but can make music outside his comfort zone. Preliminaires is his project that shows he can but there is one problem: it's just not that good. He runs the spectrum on this album from the aforementioned French pop numbers (which bookend the album) to New Orleans jazz (one of the better tracks in "King of the Dogs") to lo-fi ("He's Dead/She's Alive") and even dabbling in a little spoken word with the man's-best-friend/what-is-love song "A Machine For Loving." While the lyrics are completely Iggy, the soundscape in which they are added (sans "Nice To Be Dead") and his wannabe crooner vocals are not. As an artist, it is important to try new things; the problem with that is failing. And unfortunately this attempt by Iggy to step outside his realm is, simply put, a failure.

2.7/5.0

Iggy Pop - Preliminaires

Pill - "Trap Goin' Ham"

OK. So my whiteness kicked in immediately in trying to decipher what the title of this song means. After a few wikipedia and urban dictionary searches I think I know but not going to say so in fear of getting it way wrong and further solidifying my "white man status." Not the greatest song (does have a sweet Beastie Boys sample) the video, however, is awesome. Check it out and also read about the video shoot. It's ridiculous.

http://mauricegarland.blogspot.com/2009/06/pill-trap-goin-ham-video-shoot-photos.html

Dethklok

One of the greatest "visual bands" of all time, Dethklok (of the Adult Swim show Metalocalypse) released their first album back in 2007. And here I have included the bonus disc that came with the deluxe editions (complete with their excellent coffee jingle). A second album has been completed and a release date for September revealed with a tour to be followed. Although mocking the genre, Brendon Small (show creator and leader of the band) knows how to write great riffs and metal songs in general. Fans of the show and/or the genre need apply.

Dethklok - Bonus CD

Clipse - "Kinda Like a Big Deal"

Hell Hath No Fury is a classic. Twenty years from now it will be an album that will regularly come up in conversations about greatest hip hop albums of all time. Now, three years down the road, the duo Clipse is prepping their third album (although they have been releasing mixtapes regularly via The Re-Up Gang) and if this single is any kind of example of what the album will be like then they are lining themselves to release another classic. Kanye drops by for a verse on this one and the trio (over a killer beat) absolutely slay the track. Til the Casket Drops: cannot wait.

Wiz Khalifa - Flight School

After two years of never releasing a release for Warner Bros., Pittsburgh's Wiz Khalifa opted to leave the record company earlier this month. Because of numerous delays, this major label debut was never dropped. Although still without a date, that has not stopped Wiz from releasing new material. Issued through Rostrum Records (who has released previous Wiz mixtapes), Flight School is a mixtape that showcases Wiz's lyrics as well as his penchant for Auto-Tune vocals and slow, bass heavy beats. A little long on length (and complete with interludes), this mixtape is a nice introduction to thus unfamiliar with (arguably) Pittsburgh's finest.

Wiz Khalifa - Flight School

Krizz Kaliko - "Misunderstood"

Ah, the hype-man. Flavor Flav paved the way for semi-talented-individuals-with-supremely-talented-friends-dudes who want to get their name out there. Krizz Kaliko might be better known as the hype-man for the twisted (minded and tounged) Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne but he is also a solo artist himself (thanks to N9ne). This funky single has a downright soulful groove that interweaves Kaliko's rapid wordplay with its excellent production. The video (playing on the hilarious concept of the deranged undertaker) has Kaliko playing the righteous bandleader as well as the aforementioned deranged undertaker while doing his thing over a groove that Andre 3000 would have to tip his fedora to. Results: excellent track and a, well, a music video.