Sorry things have been so quiet around here. It was a busy week for me personally, and there was not much noteworthy music to blog about. However, over the weekend I stumbled upon interesting covers from Vampire Weekend and Major Lazer, as well as a great Nas/Dilla mash up album. Without further adu:

Vampire Weekend – Ruby Soho (Rancid cover)
I still havn’t been able to get into Vampire Weekend’s new album. I love their debut, and I’m intrigued by the idea of them embracing their ska influence more on the new record, but it just hasn’t hooked me yet. When I heard they did a cover of Rancid’s classic Ruby Soho, I was sure this was going to do it for me. Boy was I wrong. Instead of emphasizing the few similarities of the two bands, VW goes in the complete opposite direction and flips the track in an ugly way.

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Major Lazer – Halo (Beyonce cover)
While Elephant Man emotes more soul here than Beyonce has ever been capable of, this is still a horrendous cover of a terrible song. Autotune + gimmicks does not a hit single make.

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Nas + J. Dilla – Dillmatic
I’ve never been a huge fan, but Nasty Nas is a serious MC with a number of classics under his belt. While Dilla produced beats for nearly all of Nas’s contemporaries, the two sadly never got the chance to work together. Squeek Boogie’s mashing of Nas’s best material over Dilla beats workings surprisingly well, and on the anniversary of Jay’s passing, serves as a nice reminder of how talented and versatile the musician was.
Download here.

2009 was good to my record collection. A dozen or more albums released last year, mostly from have held a lasting spot on my ipod. It’s rare that more than a handful of albums make the cut, so that’s rather exceptional. This year looks to be even more promising, with some of my favorite artists releasing new material. Here’s a look at what I’m excited for in 2010.

Kidz In The Hall: Land of Make Believe - Feb 23 2010

KITH’s The In Crowd was one of my favorite albums of 2008, and still holds a spot on the ipod. The video for Drivin’ Down The Block, a parody of the 1980 Kurt Russel film ‘Used Cars’ debuted at #6 on TRL (back when that still mattered) and earned them strong support from MTV. Naledge is maturing into a noteworthy MC and Double-O has always been nice with the beats. While I’m not a big fan of the first single (Flickin’), I have big hopes for this record.

Kidz In The Hall “Driving Down The Block”

Gorillaz: Plastic Beach -- March 8 2010

Damon Albarn and friends have made two stellar albums under the Gorillaz banner. While the first two albums were shepherded by Dan the Automator and Danger Mouse (respectively), it appears as if Albarn is sole driving force behind this third album. As usual, a slew of guest stars will be along for the ride, including returning contributors De La Soul and newcomers Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Barry Gibb, Lou Reed and The Horrors.

Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc”

Interpol: Untitled - March 2010

While I loved Interpol’s sophomore album ‘Antics’, it paled in comparison to their debut ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’. Dripping with more bass and reverb than a King Tubby dub, the tone of the album perfectly captured the dark, brooding atmosphere of a night out in a big city. Unsatisfied with their follow up efforts, the band has promised a return to the sublime soundscape that we fell in love with.

Interpol “Obstacle”

The Roots: How I Got Over -- TBD 2010

Known for touring over 300 days a year, The Legendary Roots Crew have been serving as Jimmy Fallon’s late night band for almost a year now, and they have been using the down time to polish their 11th studio album, How I Got Over. They previewed the title track on Fallon’s show over the summer and the multiple false endings nearly brought the house down. Check out the video below and see for yourself. Already pushed back twice, the album is expected to drop sometime this spring.

The Roots “How I Got Over”

Lil Wayne: Tha Carter IV -- TBD 2010

I tried to hang on to my Lil Wayne hate as long as I could, but by the time Tha Carter 3 went nuclear, I had to give it to him. While I prefer Wayne’s frequent remix performances [see: the Blame It On The Alcohol rmx], his recent verse on Young Money’s Pass The Dutch has me excited for his next proper album. While not much is known about The Carter IV besides a vague 2010 release date, expect it to drop around summertime, along with The Rebirth, Wayne’s [leaked] rock-flavored experiment.

Young Money “Pass That Dutch”

Santigold [Santogold] -- TBD 201?

While she has yet to announce a new album this year, Santigold has promised to release something, whether it’s an EP or just a track or two. Any new music from her would be welcome, as the only recent music she put out were collaborations with N.E.R.D. and Major Lazer. Both were fun tracks, but nothing like her amazing 2008 debut.

Santogold “Creator”

Best of 2009 pt. 2

Blk Jks – After Robots
Infusing blues, dub, jazz and prog with African rhythms, Blk Jks sound like nothing else. Intense and overwhelming, this is a debut album that sounds like a band who has earned their spot.
Molalatladi:

The XX – XX
The first time I heard The XX, I was overwhelmed with a case of déjà vu. Then I realized I’ve been hearing no fewer than four of these songs ["Basic Space", "Crystalised", "Islands", "Infinity"] all over KCRW for the last two months. Sparse, delicate and infectiously catchy, they reinforce the idea that what you don’t play is just as important as what you do.
Crystalised:

The Heavy – The House that Dirt Built
If you like Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, but prefer your funk with more testosterone, then this album is for you. Funky and soulful in all the right places, this album makes you want to dance all night and then drive home real fast.
How Do You Like Me Now

Blakroc – s/t
This is the sound of hip-hop all grown up. Thank the Black Keys for pushing the genre forward while keeping its roots.
What You Do To Me:

White Denim – Fits
Any description of this band fail to do them justice: Lo-fi polyrhymic jams that explore various genres like Latin and dub, with an obvious Hendrix influence. It doesn’t sound nearly as appealing as the music is, so just listen.
Say What You Want: [No Video: Click here to listen]

Best of 2009 pt. 1

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – s/t
These Chicago based brothers are signed to Damon Albarn’s (Blur, The Gorillaz) Honest Jon’s Records. I’m a sucker for a good brass band and these guys knock harder than the entire Alabama State Million Dollar Marching Band. If you need further convincing, check out the video for ‘War’.
War:

Alvin Band – Mantis Preying
While on a short break recording with his other band, Miniature Tigers, Rick Alvin Schaier locked himself in a bathroom to record Mantis Preying, with nothing but his voice and a microphone. The layered stacks of vocals and mouth-percussion sound like The Beach Boys sampled by Timbaland, and the final product is one of the most creative records of the year. While the interpolation of Phantom of the Opera melodies makes Mystery of the Yellow Room worth checking out for it’s batshit insane quality, Temple Pressure is the standout track on the album.
Temple Pressure:

Floating Action –s/t
After dropping two albums under his own name, Seth Kaufman released his latest project under the Floating Action title. The sound swings wildly from Motown inspired rock to reggae tinged slow jams, but the low-fi, throw back vibe holds the album together. Similar to his earlier work, the album features Kaufman performing 90% of the instruments himself, but his touring band helps to take the music to another level entirely. Here they are performing To Connect.
To Connect:

Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I know this record is on every other best of ’09 list, but I couldn’t exclude it. It hasn’t left my playlist since April, and there are only a few records that last that long. The remix album that followed this was nice, and after diving into their back catalog, I’m excited to hear what comes next. Watch them live on Letterman and try not to fall in love.
1901 – Live on Letterman:

Nico Vega – s/t
I’ve seen Nico Vega three times in 2009, and they never fail to rock my face off. While the drums and guitar set up makes them look like a Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover band, Aja Volkman makes Karen O look like Miley Cirus and the noise they make is wholly their own.
Million Years:

Them Crooked Vultures – s/t
Josh Homme + Dave Grohl + John Paul *fucking* Jones…I don’t know what else needs to be said.
Elephants – live:

Now that you’ve heard Shooter Jennings’ new single – Wake Up! – it’s time to check out Black Ribbons: The Game!

Shooter has launched an online scavenger hunt to find Will O’ The Wisp, a radio DJ and voice of an underground resistance movement. Fans are tasked with tracking down Will to hear his final message – before the government gets to him first! The game starts here: http://shooterjennings.com/game/beginning.html

About Black Ribbons The Game:

The Game invites intrepid players to enter the Resistance Headquarters and find Will O’ The Wisp before his last broadcast to the conscious masses. The game starts 3 days before the last broadcast and players will earn points with the facility with which they figure out the clues and find the answers to reach Will.