REVIEW: Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (2012) I haven’t had a chance to listen to this properly yet, so I’m not going to comment on how I think it sounds. Like most of their tracks, they go well with getting you amped to do absolutely anything at anytime of day. I’ve only listened to this so far through fading computer speakers, but I have a feeling I’d be rocking out pretty hard in a bar or my car. What I really like about the album is it starts off with a live track, giving you a feel for what it would sound like live. Why don’t most artists do this? This is a genius move, and I wish more/all rappers would give this a try. It’s so hard to replicate studio sound on stage, especially at a rap concert. If you were given a better idea of how they were going to sound when you saw them live, you might be more inclined to see them perform. The Cool Kids intermixed studio with live performance in their latest video, which seems like a step in the right direction. Artists like The Dave Matthews Band have been releasing live albums for years now, because of how good they play live. I hope more artists will record in the types of venues they perform at, and this will due away with the manufactured studio sensations.
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REVIEW: Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (2012)

I haven’t had a chance to listen to this properly yet, so I’m not going to comment on how I think it sounds. Like most of their tracks, they go well with getting you amped to do absolutely anything at anytime of day. I’ve only listened to this so far through fading computer speakers, but I have a feeling I’d be rocking out pretty hard in a bar or my car.

What I really like about the album is it starts off with a live track, giving you a feel for what it would sound like live. Why don’t most artists do this? This is a genius move, and I wish more/all rappers would give this a try. It’s so hard to replicate studio sound on stage, especially at a rap concert. If you were given a better idea of how they were going to sound when you saw them live, you might be more inclined to see them perform. The Cool Kids intermixed studio with live performance in their latest video, which seems like a step in the right direction. Artists like The Dave Matthews Band have been releasing live albums for years now, because of how good they play live.

I hope more artists will record in the types of venues they perform at, and this will due away with the manufactured studio sensations.

REVIEW: @toddbarry LIVE at Stand Up NY - First off, Fuck you Stand Up NY for only letting Todd perform for about 12-15 minutes. Todd was absolutely hilarious, delivering story after story and delving into them further then most comedians would even dare, to get some of our loudest laughs of the night (Thanks to @ravi_mangla for introducing me to Todd Barry). Todd opened his set with a bit on his time as a UF Gator, transitioning into bartender choices in Missoula, MT, and touched on other subjects like Yelp and Locked Up Abroad. Like Akash (sp?; hilarious MC for the night), Todd intermixed some fantastic crowd work, discovering a member of the crowd worked as a correctional officer in Essex County that currently hosts “Ja Rule”. He also touched on members of the audience who were talking throughout his set, and two blonde women in the front row, dedicating his final joke out to the one who was a psychiatrist. It was a really funny set and it was a shame the entire crowd wasn’t roaring with laughter. A lot of the crowd seemed to be there for Blacktino Comedy Night, like the 40 year old blonde divorcee, who didn’t laugh once during Todd’s set, and her attractive daughter who looked like she was falling asleep. I’m a little disappointed that Stand Up NY sponsored this event as a comedy show that was against cancer, and highlighted Todd Barry. I was hoping to catch at least a 30 minute set, but he still killed his sparse 15. It’s a little unfortunate though, when you have to drop $20 minimum on drinks and pay another $20 for the ticket (although it’s a good cause, my money is pretty thin). Anyway, this post is getting way too fucking long, but I did meet a cool guy on holiday from the U.K. while we were waiting for the show to begin. We both expressed our love for “Peep Show”, “Louie”, “Archer”, “Arrested Development” and the film “Four Lions”. We also had the same favorite American sitcom, “Parks and Recreation”, and we were both thrilled that the brilliant “Community” was slated to come back on the air. I mentioned I enjoyed the British comedic sensibilities a bit more than American and he countered by saying he rather enjoyed the lighter comedies we produce as well. His girlfriend, who texted him looking for the video game “Rock Band” (1 a.m. Manchester time, now back with her friends after a night on the town) and he like to watch Modern Family as well, because it’s a bit light. He left with saying I should check out some of Chris Morris’ work such as “Brass Eye” and “The Day Today” as well as continue watching “Spaced”. Anyway, I hope I can catch Todd Barry again some other time soon and for a little bit longer. (For what it’s worth, Stand Up NY is a very nice club, just a bit overpriced if you don’t read that what you are going to go see is actually the opener for blacktino night)
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REVIEW: @toddbarry LIVE at Stand Up NY - First off, Fuck you Stand Up NY for only letting Todd perform for about 12-15 minutes. Todd was absolutely hilarious, delivering story after story and delving into them further then most comedians would even dare, to get some of our loudest laughs of the night (Thanks to @ravi_mangla for introducing me to Todd Barry).

Todd opened his set with a bit on his time as a UF Gator, transitioning into bartender choices in Missoula, MT, and touched on other subjects like Yelp and Locked Up Abroad. Like Akash (sp?; hilarious MC for the night), Todd intermixed some fantastic crowd work, discovering a member of the crowd worked as a correctional officer in Essex County that currently hosts “Ja Rule”. He also touched on members of the audience who were talking throughout his set, and two blonde women in the front row, dedicating his final joke out to the one who was a psychiatrist. It was a really funny set and it was a shame the entire crowd wasn’t roaring with laughter. A lot of the crowd seemed to be there for Blacktino Comedy Night, like the 40 year old blonde divorcee, who didn’t laugh once during Todd’s set, and her attractive daughter who looked like she was falling asleep.

I’m a little disappointed that Stand Up NY sponsored this event as a comedy show that was against cancer, and highlighted Todd Barry. I was hoping to catch at least a 30 minute set, but he still killed his sparse 15. It’s a little unfortunate though, when you have to drop $20 minimum on drinks and pay another $20 for the ticket (although it’s a good cause, my money is pretty thin).

Anyway, this post is getting way too fucking long, but I did meet a cool guy on holiday from the U.K. while we were waiting for the show to begin. We both expressed our love for “Peep Show”, “Louie”, “Archer”, “Arrested Development” and the film “Four Lions”. We also had the same favorite American sitcom, “Parks and Recreation”, and we were both thrilled that the brilliant “Community” was slated to come back on the air. I mentioned I enjoyed the British comedic sensibilities a bit more than American and he countered by saying he rather enjoyed the lighter comedies we produce as well. His girlfriend, who texted him looking for the video game “Rock Band” (1 a.m. Manchester time, now back with her friends after a night on the town) and he like to watch Modern Family as well, because it’s a bit light.

He left with saying I should check out some of Chris Morris’ work such as “Brass Eye” and “The Day Today” as well as continue watching “Spaced”.

Anyway, I hope I can catch Todd Barry again some other time soon and for a little bit longer. (For what it’s worth, Stand Up NY is a very nice club, just a bit overpriced if you don’t read that what you are going to go see is actually the opener for blacktino night)

REVIEW: Bo Burnham “Words Words Words” I watched ten minutes of this last night, turned it off and wanted to go find this kid and punch his lights out. This is terrible, don’t watch it. 
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REVIEW: Bo Burnham “Words Words Words”

I watched ten minutes of this last night, turned it off and wanted to go find this kid and punch his lights out. This is terrible, don’t watch it. 

REVIEW - Nick Kroll: Thank You Very Cool (Stand-up Special) After seeing Nick Kroll on the League, John Oliver’s New York Stand-up Show and various sitcoms over the years, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect out of his show, as far as the various characters he would be performing. He opens the show with Bobby Bottleservice, who was a much funnier character than I anticipated. His Jersey/Long Island/Ed Hardy accent is hilarious and the entire opening bit is pretty clever, due to his intentional mispronunciation of words. He then comes out as himself and opens with some broad comedy, with topics such as the DMV, Tupac/Biggie and the airport. The airport bit is extended to cover shopping at the airport and drunk packing, which leads to a hilarious callback. Nick Kroll as Nick Kroll, definitely improves throughout the special and finishes on a strong note with a debate of cats vs. dogs. He does slip some references in the special that I thought were pretty unique, like The String Cheese Incident and also calling the bartender Sidney Poitier (Played by Brandon Johnson, who was also the DJ in Aziz Ansari’s stand-up special) Before the finale, the flamboyant Fabrice Fabrice comes out for a short bit to do a spoken word poem that he “freestyles” based on words from the audience. The other character’s, shown off screen (much like in Zach Galifianakis’ special) are El Chupacabra (a Latin Radio DJ) and one part of an old Jewish man duo, where he is joined by John Mulaney. These bits are pretty funny and do a solid job of tying the special together. It’s a very fun special and the hour run time seemed to go by pretty quickly, and I like how he included Chelsea Peretti and Mindy Kaling in this special, too. I’m looking forward to his upcoming sketch show on Comedy Central, and if you have Netflix, I suggest you give this special a shot.
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REVIEW - Nick Kroll: Thank You Very Cool (Stand-up Special)

After seeing Nick Kroll on the League, John Oliver’s New York Stand-up Show and various sitcoms over the years, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect out of his show, as far as the various characters he would be performing.

He opens the show with Bobby Bottleservice, who was a much funnier character than I anticipated. His Jersey/Long Island/Ed Hardy accent is hilarious and the entire opening bit is pretty clever, due to his intentional mispronunciation of words.

He then comes out as himself and opens with some broad comedy, with topics such as the DMV, Tupac/Biggie and the airport. The airport bit is extended to cover shopping at the airport and drunk packing, which leads to a hilarious callback. Nick Kroll as Nick Kroll, definitely improves throughout the special and finishes on a strong note with a debate of cats vs. dogs. He does slip some references in the special that I thought were pretty unique, like The String Cheese Incident and also calling the bartender Sidney Poitier (Played by Brandon Johnson, who was also the DJ in Aziz Ansari’s stand-up special)

Before the finale, the flamboyant Fabrice Fabrice comes out for a short bit to do a spoken word poem that he “freestyles” based on words from the audience. The other character’s, shown off screen (much like in Zach Galifianakis’ special) are El Chupacabra (a Latin Radio DJ) and one part of an old Jewish man duo, where he is joined by John Mulaney. These bits are pretty funny and do a solid job of tying the special together.

It’s a very fun special and the hour run time seemed to go by pretty quickly, and I like how he included Chelsea Peretti and Mindy Kaling in this special, too. I’m looking forward to his upcoming sketch show on Comedy Central, and if you have Netflix, I suggest you give this special a shot.

REVIEW: Zodiac (Movie) David Fincher has a passion for taking advantage of defenseless people in his flicks. Aside from the opening scene, another that was exceptionally squirmful by a lake, and one with a botched flat tire, this was very good movie focused on the exhaustive length of solving a case. The editing is expertly done, providing hourly time lines at first to move the story along, and eventually stretching those markers to multiple years at a time. One of the best edits shows the transformation of an era in American culture. My favorite shots in the movie were a brief second at the top of the Golden Gate Bridge and behind the cage of a squirrel in a trailer. The real reason this movie excelled was the fact that it maintained the tension through its laborious two and a half hour run time, most notably at the climax of the movie, which will surely make you lose your breath (@ZillaRocca called it). The reason this works particularly well is Fincher’s ability to employ callbacks, like an exceptional stand-up comedian, throughout the film. There are numerous shots and bits of dialogue that reappear, making the detective in all of us happy for picking up on a key piece of information. The climax works particularly well due to this phenomena and thanks to Fincher’s tireless efforts to keep the viewer engaged. The movie takes place over four decades, and there are very few times (I didn’t once) where you’d be inclined to check your watch. Much like AMC’s “The Killing”, which chronicles the death of Rosie Larsen, you are studying the human character of everybody involved with the case, at the expense of no Hollywood magic. I personally thought the first season of The Killing was remarkable, which took place over the first two weeks of the Rosie Larsen’s investigation, with each episode representing one day following the murder. Since the case wasn’t solved in the first season, it was bashed by many fans, including the hypocritical Bill Simmons: His first post, Welcome to Grantland talks about how they wanted to break the mold of the late night talk show with Jimmy Kimmel. They wanted to change the rules and how they did over the course of that first year. His post on the finale of The Killing, 12 days after the Welcome to Grantland post, He says he feels cheated by the show because they didn’t give up the murderer in the first season, like any other detective show would, so he bashes the show and tweets it to his million followers.Translation: Bill Simmon’s thinks it’s really cool when he tries to change the mold, but when somebody does it to him, he throws a real big hissy fit. Anyway, I really appreciate and I think you will too, when a director doesn’t leave anyone behind. I think you’ll really dig this movie and you should definitely check out The Killing, which returns for its second season on AMC, April 1st, 2012.
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REVIEW: Zodiac (Movie)

David Fincher has a passion for taking advantage of defenseless people in his flicks. Aside from the opening scene, another that was exceptionally squirmful by a lake, and one with a botched flat tire, this was very good movie focused on the exhaustive length of solving a case.

The editing is expertly done, providing hourly time lines at first to move the story along, and eventually stretching those markers to multiple years at a time. One of the best edits shows the transformation of an era in American culture. My favorite shots in the movie were a brief second at the top of the Golden Gate Bridge and behind the cage of a squirrel in a trailer.

The real reason this movie excelled was the fact that it maintained the tension through its laborious two and a half hour run time, most notably at the climax of the movie, which will surely make you lose your breath (@ZillaRocca called it). The reason this works particularly well is Fincher’s ability to employ callbacks, like an exceptional stand-up comedian, throughout the film. There are numerous shots and bits of dialogue that reappear, making the detective in all of us happy for picking up on a key piece of information. The climax works particularly well due to this phenomena and thanks to Fincher’s tireless efforts to keep the viewer engaged.

The movie takes place over four decades, and there are very few times (I didn’t once) where you’d be inclined to check your watch. Much like AMC’s “The Killing”, which chronicles the death of Rosie Larsen, you are studying the human character of everybody involved with the case, at the expense of no Hollywood magic. I personally thought the first season of The Killing was remarkable, which took place over the first two weeks of the Rosie Larsen’s investigation, with each episode representing one day following the murder.

Since the case wasn’t solved in the first season, it was bashed by many fans, including the hypocritical Bill Simmons:

  • His first post, Welcome to Grantland talks about how they wanted to break the mold of the late night talk show with Jimmy Kimmel. They wanted to change the rules and how they did over the course of that first year.
  • His post on the finale of The Killing, 12 days after the Welcome to Grantland post, He says he feels cheated by the show because they didn’t give up the murderer in the first season, like any other detective show would, so he bashes the show and tweets it to his million followers.

    Translation: Bill Simmon’s thinks it’s really cool when he tries to change the mold, but when somebody does it to him, he throws a real big hissy fit.

Anyway, I really appreciate and I think you will too, when a director doesn’t leave anyone behind. I think you’ll really dig this movie and you should definitely check out The Killing, which returns for its second season on AMC, April 1st, 2012.

(super late) REVIEW: @LemaitreMusic - “The Friendly Sound EP” (2010) I want to give a big shout out to Brett Rosenberg for introducing me to this awesome Norwegian collective. Their name means “The Teacher” in French and they are suitably in the new school of genre-busting thought. When I first pressed play I was tempted to draw comparisons to Ratatat, Skrillex (I don’t know all that much about that type of music) and any of the wildass DJ’s I saw at Sensation White. Then by the time the smash “Blue Shift” clicked on, I had sort of  MGMT feel. There’s really no use drawing comparison,   Lemâitre   has their own sound and I’m excited to see what they do with it in the future. This is a very good 20 minute EP you can play over and over again. You can buy their EP on iTunes, and check out their new single: http://soundcloud.com/serious-url/excuse-me  Their new EP “Relativity I” drops in 9 days, January 20th, 2012. Here’s the teaser video
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(super late) REVIEW: @LemaitreMusic - “The Friendly Sound EP” (2010)

I want to give a big shout out to Brett Rosenberg for introducing me to this awesome Norwegian collective. Their name means “The Teacher” in French and they are suitably in the new school of genre-busting thought.

When I first pressed play I was tempted to draw comparisons to Ratatat, Skrillex (I don’t know all that much about that type of music) and any of the wildass DJ’s I saw at Sensation White. Then by the time the smash “Blue Shift” clicked on, I had sort of  MGMT feel. There’s really no use drawing comparison,   Lemâitre   has their own sound and I’m excited to see what they do with it in the future. This is a very good 20 minute EP you can play over and over again.

You can buy their EP on iTunes, and check out their new single: http://soundcloud.com/serious-url/excuse-me 

Their new EP “Relativity I” drops in 9 days, January 20th, 2012. Here’s the teaser video

(Inexcusably late) REVIEW: Sleigh Bells - Treats (Album 2010) I spent the past half hour or so failing to focus on the task at hand because I was banging my head off the keyboard listening to this album. They seem to be the long-lost party-rock cousins of Rage Against the Machine, with a bit of MIA. It opens up with four straight bangers (the only one I’d heard before was Infinity Guitars). I cannot believe how hard I slept on this album, even though I’d heard about them in the past. I guess that’s what happens when you decide to devote 100% of your eardrums to pre-diagnosed hip hop. This music however, knocks as hard as some of the best hip hop out. I’m extremely jealous of all the Floridians who have the chance to see Diplo and Sleigh Bells in their upcoming takeover tour, but I guess picking up the new album, Reign of Terror, will have to do until I can earn a bloody nose when they come up north. Checkout this teaser video. My guess is your local record store will have a copy or two of this album, and you should definitely pick it up… if not: http://www.amazon.com/Treats/dp/B003P72KGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326225611&sr=8-1 edit: January 11th, 2012 New shows released!Feb. 3—Florida Theater—Gainesville, Florida Feb. 4—The Ritz—Tampa, Florida Feb. 6—Vinyl Music Hall—Pensacola, Florida Feb. 7—The Moon—Tallahassee, Florida Feb. 9—Freebird—Jacksonville, Florida Feb. 10—Firestone—Orlando, Florida Feb. 11—Revolution—Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Feb. 14—Grand Central—Miami, Florida Feb. 16—9:30 Club—Washington, D.C. Feb. 17—Terminal 5—New York, New York Feb. 18—Phoenix—Toronto, Ontario Feb. 21—Music Box—Los Angeles, California Feb. 23—Regency Ballroom—San Francisco, California Feb. 24—Showbox At The Market—Seattle, Washington 
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(Inexcusably late) REVIEW: Sleigh Bells - Treats (Album 2010)

I spent the past half hour or so failing to focus on the task at hand because I was banging my head off the keyboard listening to this album. They seem to be the long-lost party-rock cousins of Rage Against the Machine, with a bit of MIA. It opens up with four straight bangers (the only one I’d heard before was Infinity Guitars). I cannot believe how hard I slept on this album, even though I’d heard about them in the past. I guess that’s what happens when you decide to devote 100% of your eardrums to pre-diagnosed hip hop. This music however, knocks as hard as some of the best hip hop out.

I’m extremely jealous of all the Floridians who have the chance to see Diplo and Sleigh Bells in their upcoming takeover tour, but I guess picking up the new album, Reign of Terror, will have to do until I can earn a bloody nose when they come up north. Checkout this teaser video.

My guess is your local record store will have a copy or two of this album, and you should definitely pick it up… if not: http://www.amazon.com/Treats/dp/B003P72KGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326225611&sr=8-1

edit: January 11th, 2012

New shows released!

Feb. 3—Florida Theater—Gainesville, Florida
Feb. 4—The Ritz—Tampa, Florida
Feb. 6—Vinyl Music Hall—Pensacola, Florida
Feb. 7—The Moon—Tallahassee, Florida
Feb. 9—Freebird—Jacksonville, Florida
Feb. 10—Firestone—Orlando, Florida
Feb. 11—Revolution—Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Feb. 14—Grand Central—Miami, Florida
Feb. 16—9:30 Club—Washington, D.C.
Feb. 17—Terminal 5—New York, New York
Feb. 18—Phoenix—Toronto, Ontario
Feb. 21—Music Box—Los Angeles, California
Feb. 23—Regency Ballroom—San Francisco, California
Feb. 24—Showbox At The Market—Seattle, Washington 

REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Series 1 I wasn’t that big a fan of how this whole series started off, but sure enough, by the 7th episodes I saw why everyone was hooked. I enjoyed that in the first episode they opened with the tragedy of the Titanic and that they didn’t come state the name of the ship in any of the dialogue, assuming the viewer to be intelligent. The camera work in the first episode is also very well done and right from the start you can see inklings of relationships that will affect the entire series. There’s definitely intrigue, showing the servant class working within a royal family, however the whole setting and general premise of the first few episodes didn’t really grab me. In fact, I feel as though each episode were better than the last as they moved along (only because you start to understand the characters more). There are very strong performances by all cast members throughout. What makes this truly great TV is the ability of the director to have you feel a different way towards a single character over the course of each of the 7 episodes. This is also one of the first series I’ve seen where a season takes place over a few years, and they achieve this slyly, by establishing the timeline in dialogue when appropriate. Although this isn’t my favorite show on TV, it’s definitely a show that allows you to lose yourself in their world for an hour at a time. I think most people would enjoy it and I would definitely recommend checking it out. It’s available right now on Netflix instant and series two just began on PBS, airing Sunday’s at 9 p.m. EST Oh yeah, look for the jaw-dropping Jessica Brown-Findlay, to take the international screen by storm in 2012 and beyond.
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REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Series 1

I wasn’t that big a fan of how this whole series started off, but sure enough, by the 7th episodes I saw why everyone was hooked. I enjoyed that in the first episode they opened with the tragedy of the Titanic and that they didn’t come state the name of the ship in any of the dialogue, assuming the viewer to be intelligent.

The camera work in the first episode is also very well done and right from the start you can see inklings of relationships that will affect the entire series. There’s definitely intrigue, showing the servant class working within a royal family, however the whole setting and general premise of the first few episodes didn’t really grab me. In fact, I feel as though each episode were better than the last as they moved along (only because you start to understand the characters more).

There are very strong performances by all cast members throughout. What makes this truly great TV is the ability of the director to have you feel a different way towards a single character over the course of each of the 7 episodes.

This is also one of the first series I’ve seen where a season takes place over a few years, and they achieve this slyly, by establishing the timeline in dialogue when appropriate.

Although this isn’t my favorite show on TV, it’s definitely a show that allows you to lose yourself in their world for an hour at a time. I think most people would enjoy it and I would definitely recommend checking it out.

It’s available right now on Netflix instant and series two just began on PBS, airing Sunday’s at 9 p.m. EST

Oh yeah, look for the jaw-dropping Jessica Brown-Findlay, to take the international screen by storm in 2012 and beyond.

REVIEW: Portlandia - Season 1

Like many sketch shows, the first season only happens to be 6 episodes, but Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein do a great job in establishing fun characters. The pilot happens to be the best episode, with an extended hilarious introduction song dedicated to the 90’s and a scene stealing guest spot by Jason Sudeikis. They structure the episodes like HBO’s Mr. Show (featuring Bob Odenkirk, Breaking Bad and David Cross, Arrested Development), having one recurring title sketch throughout the episode. One of my favorite and most ridiculous bits should give you an idea of the type of comedy you’ll be seeing.

How good is that intro song! Here’s the full version.

Season 1 is now available on Netflix Instant, with a marathon tomorrow on IFC from 7:00-10:00 p.m. EST
Season 2 starts tomorrow on IFC (Friday, January 6th at 10:00 p.m. EST)

REVIEW: Mental Illness Happy Hour @mentalpod + @Mike_Eagle WOW! I’ve been intensively listening to podcasts since @ravi_mangla got me hooked on them this past summer, with my main addiction being the @wtfpod with Marc Maron. Something about the one on one interview, or even the group interviews, personal and truthful discussions were something that really stuck with me. Mike Eagle also released one of my favorite projects of the year, and happened to be featured on this podcast with the wonderful Paul Gilmartin. They enjoy a long conversation covering everything from growing up in Chicago, family life, the loss of motivation in middle school, a “fear off” and delve into the hip-hop culture. That’s barely scratching the surface, but all I can say is this was one of the most engaging podcast discussions I’ve heard, and I’ll definitely be subscribing to the Mental Illness Pod on iTunes. Check it out here: http://mentalpod.com/Mike-Eagle-podcast Buy some Mike Eagle: http://mikeeagle.net/albums/ Subscribe on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900
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REVIEW: Mental Illness Happy Hour @mentalpod + @Mike_Eagle

WOW! I’ve been intensively listening to podcasts since @ravi_mangla got me hooked on them this past summer, with my main addiction being the @wtfpod with Marc Maron. Something about the one on one interview, or even the group interviews, personal and truthful discussions were something that really stuck with me.

Mike Eagle also released one of my favorite projects of the year, and happened to be featured on this podcast with the wonderful Paul Gilmartin. They enjoy a long conversation covering everything from growing up in Chicago, family life, the loss of motivation in middle school, a “fear off” and delve into the hip-hop culture. That’s barely scratching the surface, but all I can say is this was one of the most engaging podcast discussions I’ve heard, and I’ll definitely be subscribing to the Mental Illness Pod on iTunes.

Check it out here: http://mentalpod.com/Mike-Eagle-podcast 
Buy some Mike Eagle: http://mikeeagle.net/albums/ 
Subscribe on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900

Eat Your Hate Elsewhere: A Review

I love music.  I love music because when you press play, you are entering another’s world.  You are taken into the world of an artist who has spent their time crafting an album release for you to hear.  Because of this, I do not feel it is fair to judge their piece against anything else.  It is their art, I’ll let it be. This isn’t a sport, people.  Music, and art for that matter, is not a competition.

I also don’t feel it is fair to judge the artist against their previous work, but rather, believe in progression.

With that being said, a review(observations+notes) on “Watch The Throne” (spoilers?):

WTT

No Church in the Wild (feat. Frank Ocean)

  • 88-Keys production storms in with Frank Ocean kicking off the album! Very powerful opener.  
  • “Lies on the lips of a priest / Thanksgiving disguised as a feast” - Jay-Z
  • Also, I love the way the song wraps up.

Lift Off (feat. Beyoncé)

  • A very triumphant start, with another singer kicking things off.  Kanye takes the lead on this one.  This feels like a top 40 song.

Ni**as In Paris

  • Ooooh there’s that Kanye sample. 
  • This beat has me doing things I’d probably stop doing if somebody came in the room right now. 
  • “The Nets could go 0-82 and I look at you like this sh*t “- Jay-z (yeah, Prokhorov?).
  • “Psycho, I’m liable to be go Michael, / Take your pick / Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6” - Jay-Z.
  • “That sh*t crazy (x6)… pronounced that sh*t cray” - Kanye West
  • “Prince William ain’t do it right if you ask me, / Cause if I was him I would have married Kate & Ashley” - Kanye West
  • Will Ferrell audio clip!

Otis feat. Otis Redding

  • I love the way the beat drops
  • I agree, it sounds soulful, Jay
  • Who’s about to buy a Hublot?
  • “I’m ‘bout to call the paparazzi on myself” - Jay-Z

Sidebar: I’m really looking forward to listening to all the originals that have sampled.

Gotta Have It

  • Kanye kicks it off, kinda wish he would rap like this…
  • This beat IS INSANE.  I AM CONVULSING
  • This back and forth is awesome, playing off each others bars
  • Kanye West: “Ain’t that like Lebron James?” Jay-Z: “Ain’t that just like D. Wade? Wait.”  AHHHHH
  • Really love the beat in this song, the lyrics are very “hip pop referential”
  • “I wish I could give you this feelin’ / I’m planking on a million / I’m riding through yo hood / You can bank I ain’t got no ceiling” - Jay-Z

New Day

  • Autotune… but the RZA had his hands on this one.
  • “Just want ‘em to be someone people like / Don’t want ‘em to be hated all the time judged / Don’t be like your daddy that would never budge” - Kanye West 
  • “Took me 26 years to find my path / My only job is cut the time in half”
    “And if the day comes I only see him on the weekend / I just pray we was in love on the night that we conceived him” 
    “Promise to never leave him even if his mama tweakin’ / Cause my dad left me and I promise never repeat him” - Jay-Z
  • Damn, Jay.

That’s My B**ch

  • “I mean Marilyn Monroe, she’s quite nice / But why all the pretty icons always all-white?”
    “Bring Halle, Bring Penelope and Selma in it” - Jay-Z

Welcome To The Jungle

  • Jay and Kanye going back and forth again, amazing.
  • Great Michael Jackson shoutout - Jay
  • Love the way the song (the beat) finishes

Who Gon Stop Me

  • Dubstep and the Holocaust, how’s that for an opener?
  • I wonder how much State Farm paid for that name drop. Capitalism!
  • “Heard Yeezy was racist / Well, I guess that’s on one basis / I only like green faces” - Kanye West
  • Damn, I really thought Jay had a Parks and Rec reference… looks like he just repeated “Like nope” twice.

Murder To Excellence

  • “No shop class but half the school got a tool”
    “41 souls murdered in 50 hours”
    “314 soldiers died in Iraq / 509 died in Chicago” - Kanye West
  • “Only spot a few blacks the higher I go / What’s up to Will / Shoutout to O / That ain’t enough / We gon need a million more” - Jay-Z

Made In America feat. Frank Ocean

  • Frank kicks it off again!
  • “She said you going to school I’ll give you a summer / Then she met NO ID and gave me his number / Ten years later she driving a Hummer”
    “And I’m rappin’ on the beat they was supposed to buy / I guess I’m getting high off my own supply” - Kanye West
  • “Our apple pie was supplied through Arm & Hammer / Straight out the kitchen, shh don’t wake Nana” - Jay-Z
  • We made it in America / Yes we did” - Frank Ocean 
  • Great song, produced by Shama “Sak Pase” Joseph of the Jugganauts

Why I Love You feat. Mr. Hudson

  • From the second Mr. Hudson comes in, I know this song will be an absolute club banger.
  • This chorus is incredibly catchy, the crystal ball is showing many drunk crooners a little after midnight
  • P-p-p-paranoia

A good few minutes go by… hidden tracks.. this might be where the standard album ends. 

Closing thoughts: 

Very entertained.  I wasn’t dissapointed and I don’t think there was too much hype.  It’s incredible how much hype they generated and also the fact that there was no leak.  Hopefully this will start a trend (and also fewer mixtapes).  

Jay killed it.

The production was on point, I am excited to research the samples.

It’s available on iTunes now, go buy it.  I went with the Deluxe Edition and I recommend you do the same. “The Joy” feat. Curtis Mayfield and produced by Pete Rock is on there (my favorite track on the whole album)

Enjoy!