Ghost Stories With Ghostface

It's Halloween and who better to drop a ghoulish ghost story than Wu's Ghostface Killah? After all, his latest album was pretty scarily awful. Although brief, it begins with Ghost in the superspooky state of Vermont and things only escalate from there.

Happy Halloween!!

The Wu Massacre

Wu-Tang members have been busy thus far in 2009. A number of members have released solo efforts (some better than others), a Wu album of sorts was released (which turned out to be a surprising treat), and collaborations happened. Now comes an effort between three of the more higher profile Wu members: Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon. On December 22, the trio will release an album but until then there will be promo videos released leading up to the album's street date. The first video is very much in the vibe of Seven as cops uncover a grisly, dark crime scene. Hard to watch this and not think of Meth's "torture talk" on the Wu-Tang debut back in 1993. December 22: can't wait.

Hoodie Allen - Making Waves

Making Waves is the introduction to New York hip hop duo. And it's a sweet one. While the beats won't drop jaws (fairly simplistic and they sample TLC and Pharcyde among others) their easy-going style is good for casual listening with a chuckle here and there at the rhymes. Topics range from the obvious old school bragging to being stuck in the "friend zone" with the ladies. Overall, it's a fun listen that is the latest in the line of "new rappers going for that old school vibe" style. A solid mixtape.

Hoodie Allen - Making Waves

Basement Jaxx - "My Turn"

The fifth album by Basement Jaxx was another piece of house which takes influence from a number of genres along the way, but always with the thumping bass and dance mentality. it didn't exactly reinvent their sound either. However, just like with any Basement Jaxx album, there are always singles to be found and this one is a catchy, smooth track featuring the vocals of Lightspeed Champion (previously of the dance-punk troupe Test Icicles) who has dumped the punk scene for that of the pop scene. The video for the third single "My Turn" off Scars features bears dancing, hearts, bears smashing things, hearts, trippy visuals, and wardrobe changes. Another eye-feast of a video from the boys of Basement Jaxx and proof that although their overall product may be slipping (their albums), writing a single is no problem.

Lil Wayne - No Ceilings

After a number of pushbacks for his "rock-orientated" album Rebirth (with latest release date now in mid-December), Wayne could not sit back and watch others take over the realm in which he really made his name; the world of the mixtape. The usual Wayne antics are here which means to say that he kind of just says whatever comes into his mind as long as it rhymes with the previous line. While the beats (as usual) as pretty stale (including the umptenth song which utilizes the "D.O.A." beat), Wayne lyrics are the obvious star of this show. And he delivers (especially a surprise for me as I have NEVER (ever ever) been a fan). While this may not be the "official" final cut (October 31 is listed release date), it still has to be a majority of what Wayne plans on offering up to his fans on Halloween. Until Rebirth and his upcoming jail sentence, No Ceilings will successfully keep the music world occupied.

Lil Wayne - No Ceilings

Girls - "Lust For Life"

San Francisco based band the Girls debut album (Album) has been gathering critical praise since it's release the other month. And it, admittedly, is well-deserved. Album catches the hippie spirit of San Fran as well as the 60s psychedelic vibes (talk of drugs and spacey echo effects) all the while keeping things playful (insert Beach Boys-influence comment here) yet insightful (the excellent "Hellhole Ratrace"). The excellent single (and lead track) "Lust For Life" and its accompanying video captures all this during the course of the song's two and a half minutes. While the initial video contains some shots of bongs as well as a nipple slip by a chick in a bathtub, the recently released "more adult" version contains lots of nudity as well as (a now infamous) shot of a dude using another dude as a microphone (use your imagination to figure this one out). Regardless of sexual preferences or prudeness, Album is one of the year's better releases and is definitely worth repeated listens.

Alec Ounsworth - Mo Beauty

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah frontman Alec Ounsworth is the latest in 2009 to release a solo album (others have included Interpol's Paul Banks and My Morning Jacket's Jim James while The Strokes' Julian Casablancas is set to release his solo debut next week). Ounsworth's album Mo Beauty is quite a step away from the CYHSY sound (even though his nasally voice carries over to this album). Recorded away from his NYC stomping ground in the south's New Orleans, Ounsworth tries to make an album that embodies the area's history and lifestyle. "Bones to the Grave" attempts to relay some of the trademark "New Orleans oddness" with its use of a carnival-like organ and big band horns appear here and there (most predominantly on "Idiots in the Rain"; but the end result is neither well put together nor memorable to the ears. Elsewhere, acoustic instruments dominate the song as he attempts to establish a kind of southern atmosphere, however, it only exemplifies his inadequacies as a songwriter. And this is the problem that plagues all of Mo Beauty. Ounsworth set out with an obviously optimistic sound/scope but instead is muddled by his average ability as a songwriter. Even though his enlisted a talented group of well-known musicians (Galactic's Stanton Moore and The Meter's George Porter, Jr.) to help fill out his sound, Ounsworth's attempt at a piece of regional music appreciation is merely that, an attempt with a none-too-pleasing end result.

3.2/5.0

Alec Ounsworth - Mo Beauty

Mick Boogie - NBA Live 2010

EA Sports has always been a leader in sporting video games for years now. In fact, they seem to have a stranglehold on the genre. As a result, they are able to license songs that other companies just simply don't have the money (nor the time) to do. Take the latest NBA game; for the soundtrack, Mick Boogie (mixtape master) has compiled an album of talent that showcases rising stars (B.o.B., Mickey Factz), semi-old stars (Dead Prez, Xzibit), and old school stars (De La Soul, Pete Rock). Among the highs and lows (and insistent editing (seems as though half the words in the English language were deemed "dirty" when editing this thing)), are only a few tracks worth checking out. Kind of a letdown when one looks at the tracklist and thinks of what could have been.

Mick Boogie - NBA Live 2010

Gift of Gab, Del the Funky Homosapien, & Brother Ali - "Dreamin'"

Blackalicious' Gift of Gab has for the past decade amazed listeners with his lyrical abilities; not only with his words but also with his amazing rapping speed combined with pristine pronounciation. With his sophomore solo release set to drop next week (November 3), a second single from Escape 2 Mars has been issued. This time Gift gets two excellent underground emcees to help out for the track "Dreamin'." Del the Funky Homosapien has released two average albums this year (he needs to let his dreams of becoming a credible producer go) and the song's other co-star, Brother Ali, has released yet another awesome album in Us which helps to solidify his status as perhaps the best rapper around at the moment. Together the trio have produced a track that showcases three talents that have had and continue to display unbridled lyrical talent.

Young Dro - R.I.P.

As T.I. is a a hiatus (of sorts), his Grand Hustle Records has to be experiencing a lull as he basically is the label. For the past few years, T.I. has taken Young Dro under his wing as his protege in hopes of turning him into a star (even though T.I. is younger than fellow Atlanta resident Dro). This mixtape by Don Cannon (who has helped out with mixtapes by Asher Roth as well as Grand Hustle's B.o.B.) samples some of the moment's hotter songs by Jay-Z and Drake (to name a few) for Dro to discuss his 'hood lifestyle over. Running 29 tracks, Dro's mentality and style becomes tiresome quick; basically, T.I. needs to get back into the studio to reclaim his king of Grand Hustle status. ASAP.

Young Dro - R.I.P.

We Were Once A Fairytale

Spike Jonze and Kanye West have teamed up before for the weird slow-mo music video "Flashing Lights" but here the duo have collaborated on a short film that (just so happens) to coincide with the release of Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are. This piece borrows heavily from the Lynch School of Weird/Surreal Shit as it finds West drunk in a night club (antics ensue) and ends in a bathroom. Along the way there are rodents, roses, and even a pantless West. It's all very, very weird. But considering the sources, not too surprising.

The Drums - Summertime!

After a summer of weekly shows around NYC, the Drums quickly became the latest "next big band from NYC that everyone must checkout and, subsequently, fall in love with." With a simplistic, rhythmic sound that pulls heavily from the late 70s/early 80s post-punk style of bands like Joy Division (and that whole Manchester scene, in general), a little touch of surf rock, and vocals sweet, poppy (simple), and reminenscent of Peter, Bjorn and John (not sure which one though), the Drums is a band that leaves the listener with very little option but to like them. This EP serves as an introduction to a group whose genuine good-times attitude (Summertime! is loaded with aptly fitting summertime-esque tales of love (good and bad) and party vibes) is very contagious, even from the very first listen.

The Drums - Summertime!