I got to do a little driving the past couple days, and I been snappin my neck to this right here. Its density fills up the car, and the beat is so heavy, it makes me want to just... slow my roll and let the windows down.

If you like it, the rest of the album is pretty great too. I secretly think dubstep can be a little (a lot) monotonous, but this dude is a real hard worker. He mixes tempos and moods wisely and layers every song with so many ideas that they kinda sound different every time you hear them. There's also a jazzy undercurrent to his music that gives it a little soul and balances an otherwise abrasive, unnatural sound.

"BP, Big Pimpin, Big Problem, Bad President, Billionaire Pirate, Boiling Point..."



Thx to future New Orleanian JP for the tip!

Music to my ears. Sweet, sweet music.

It worked on Tuesday, so I'm bringin it back. I don't want to jinx anything, but I think we're gonna be chanting "We Love It!" in a few hours.

In case you haven't had the distinct pleasure, they play this after Laker (and Dodger) wins, and everyone joins in on the chorus. Tell ya what, there's nothing more fun than yelling "We Love It!" at the top of your cerveza-soaked lungs.

By the way, I'd never seen this video, and frankly, I couldn't love it more. Say what you will about LA, but the place bleeds personality. I really do love it.

Now let's go get a trophy.



And at the risk of single-handedly causing us to lose, I had to share this:

"LA Lakers! Fast break makers!
Kings of the court shake and bake all takers!
Back to back is a bad ass fact,
a claim that remains in-tact!"

I'm trying to muster up as much positive energy for the game tonight as I possibly can. I thought this might help.

Let's go boys!!!

"I live by the ocean.

And during the night,
I dive into it,
down to the bottom,
underneath all currents,
and drop my anchor.

And this is where i'm staying.

This is my home."

- 'The Anchor Song'

As a sort of follow-up to my Lady Gaga-Madonna post, I offer you a different kind of pop star, Ms. Janelle Monáe.

I don't really know where to start, so I'll let the videos speak for themselves. You'll see the moves, the ambition, the style, the looks, and yes, the completely ridiculous story lines. She just released The Archandroid, part two in a sci-fi concept album trifecta about a kind of droid messiah from the future. And with a perfectly straight face. Do you really need to know more!?

Well, there's more than meets the eye - the album itself is wildly ambitious and mostly successful. 'Tis nary a music genre that can't be found somewhere in its 18-song arc. The obvious comparison, in a lot of ways really, is Andre 3000, although I wouldn't dare put her in that category yet. Regardless, she's obviously a student of music, and that's what I think separates her most. That, or the shoes.

From her debut, Metropolis: The Chase Suite...



And the new single...



Other miscellaneous thoughts:

1) Ahhhh! She gives me the goosebumps.
2) $20 for the first person that shows me a serviceable Tightrope.
3) A couple years ago, I was flying in the seat next to a guy who is something like a co-manager of the arts collective (Wondaland) with which Monáe has been running. And not only did he wax poetic about her talent, but he insisted she's exceptionally nice and humble. There's really nothing not to love.

No need for introductions at this point, so just FYI, Grizzly Bear re-released a 7-song EP called Sorry for the Delay. I think it was their first release - just Ed Droste (the big-nosed, heavenly-voiced one) - and contrary to what you might assume about a re-released, home recorded, limited-edition, vinyl mini-debut... it's pretty dope. Same concept as Horn of Plenty, but even more stripped down.

MGMT's story is all backwards. Usually, Band puts out pretty good debut, works the hype machine into a frenzy, and then drops a creatively compromised sophomore effort because Band members either want to capitalize on the moment or just can't hear themselves thinking over all the buzz. Widespread criticism ensues, and everyone pretends they never liked 'em in the first place.

These dudes were buzzing before they even did anything and debuted with a weak, trendy album that randomly had two (admittedly irresistible) dance floor hits, sending the long-haired, teen-aged masses into fever pitch. Except they returned with a left field, psychedelic experiment with an alarmingly uncool cover and without a single radio-friendly song. And it's actually pretty good! Ummmm.

My favorite track, a 12-minute spaceship ride with all kinds of twists and turns... (in 2 parts)...