MUSIC
Blur - ThinkTank
Back in the day listening to Blur, I always thought, "man this is just too British;" whatever that means. Although that might make sense to some or none of you, in the past Blur was a VERY British rock band. Because front man Damon Albarn has been in cahoots with electronic/DJ gods Del, Dan and Koala, his musical bounds have exploded. With ThinkTank you get everything you love from the sweet British rock to the funkiness of the Gorillaz. Although tensions within the making of the record created negative criticism from media critics, I see ThinkTank as Albarn's exploration of his musical talents and a good and necessary step for any talented musician.
—Brent Stevens
KJHK DJ
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays
Grade: B
Josh Rouse - 1972
To start, 1972 is one of the best pop records of the year, hands down, and I will argue this to my death. So many artists go for that one hit - the flashy single that will drive eager young radio listeners to their concerts. Josh Rouse is an artist with a history of evolution in his songwriting. Progressing from the labels of alt-country and lo-fi his latest release, 1972 blows the roof off with funky pop and jazzy hooks. From the first song you
expect Rouse to taper off, but every song hits with equal pop perfection. If you think I am lying, pick up the record, you won't be let down with a double disc DVD featuring live footage and interviews. Moral of this story: Listen to Josh Rouse or you will be missing out on your next favorite artist.
—Brent Stevens
KJHK DJ
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays
Grade: A+
Luke Vibert - YosepH
If heavy 303 analogue synth accompanied with moving basslines is your electronic music ideal, Luke Vibert has just the album for you. Vibert's newest creation, YosepH, is an experiment of sorts, allowing Vibert to recreate some of his favorite early electronica and letting him
reminisce about days gone by.
From the pressing drum and bass of Plug, to the instrumental hip-hop/downbeat style of Wagon Christ, Vibert has always been a master of many styles. Throughout the years, he has taken on these various aliases to create different styles of electronic music. Earlier this year, he developed the alias Amen Andrews, and produced several jungle albums. And now, he uses his own name to take his listeners back to the early '90s and a movement known as Chicago acid
First off, the album is very well produced. The songs all flow into each other, and there is a great sense of unity to the album, which keeps the listener from skipping between tracks. This album should really be considered as a whole production and listened to from beginning to end. Vibert still experiments with odd sounds, clicks and bleeps on this album, but he also combines elements (like the 303) that give the disc an old-school feeling.
Though listening to this disc repeatedly could get annoying (because of the repetitiveness of some songs), there are standout tracks on the album that can really be appreciated. The single on the album, "I Love Acid," is a tribute to the acid scene, and claims, "I love acid, for the way it makes me move...I love acid. It's the sound you can't improve." Other standout tracks include the super-synthy, but piano-laden "Stan D'infamy," the more mellow, yet still upbeat "Slowfast" and synth melody, but background ambient "Liptones".
Vibert has definitely proven his "303 romance" with YosepH. Maybe his fans can find the passion too.
Josh Rouse will bring his pop perfection to the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., at 7 p.m. Friday. 22 jayplay
—Elizabeth Marvel
KJHK DJ
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays
Grade: B-
Paris - Sonic Jihad
On the mic, Paris is a pre-Lethal Injection Ice Cube – a wiser Dead Prez. Ideologically, he's a 1967 anti-Vietnam war Martin Luther King who doesn't mind what he deems as a necessary fight. With his empire that rose from his own determination, Paris is the mythological American dream. Ironically, on Sonic Jihad, with his caustic assessments of the deteriorating, elitist and racist state of American society and his insightful critiques of the Bush administration, he may be nothing short of a nightmare to the
white establishment. Fortunately, for those who love hip hop, his message one of socially nurtured anger is the reason why hip hop emerged in the 1970s, and Sonic Jihad is a prime example of why hip hop is still socially relevant today.
Cornelius Minor, II Host of "Voice Activated" 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays Grade: C+
Ryan Francesconi's latest release, on his partially owned label Odd Shaped Case Records, is an epic journey through sound. It is an integration of mundane string and percussion instruments, and various sound manipulation programs of his own design. It is not just ambient music to sleep to; it is the embodiment of pure emotion. Some of the tracks on the album are so painfully beautiful, it is a wonder how so many emotions can be evoked without the use of words. The third track is particularly heart wrenching.
Ryan Francesconi - Interno
This is not a catchy album, nor is it something that is likely to be on your favorite mainstream radio station. It's not likely to make you bob your head or tap your foot, but you might cry.
Take this album on a drive through the country. Everything will seem more beautiful.
Collin LaJoie KJHK DJ 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesdays Grade: A
thursday. november 6, 2003