Rojo serious about going pro... seriously.

Click here to watch Enjoi's most hispanic am, Jose Rojo, talk about his devotion to skateboarding and his decision to go pro.

Ghostface Killah Doll

1997 Flashback

Being 12 years old and living in Maine rap music wasn't too common. This song definitely showed me how great hip hop could be.


Luckily my fondness for ska (if you can even call them that) didn't extend past this. Say what you want about how lame horns are, but Dicky Barret had an awesome voice. Sounded like shit in a good way.


Great song, videos got flames and shit. Just listen, I don't need to explain this one.


fuckin gold tanks and mia x. No limit in it's heyday.


Amazing song and Michel Gondry made an amazing video.


Also thankful I didn't delve any further into this genre. But this song was great when I was 12 and hopped up on pixie sticks.

7's of 2007

This year I didn't really pay attention to music. With all the crap on the internet these days it's impossible to try to keep up with whatever is cool this half hour in the blogosphere. That being said, the year had a few great releases from old favorites and a few surprises from artists that I stumbled upon on that same blogosphere.

Albums
1. Kanye West - Graduation
Really not much I can say about this album that hasn't been said. Production is ridiculous, samples are amazing, lyrics are great, art is great. I went into this album completely burnt out on the first 2 singles and was ecstatic about what the rest of it contained. Thoughtful and motivating music with beats to match.
Favorite Track - I wonder

2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
I've never been a Radiohead fan. I liked them but just never got into them too deep. Couldn't pass up a "pay what you want" album. (I didn't pay, sorry radiohead! i will next time!) Again, nothing I can say about this that hasn't been said. Great album, in some ways a great move for the music business.
Favorite Track - Videotape

3. J Dilla - Ruff Draft
I know this is just a 2007 re-release but I had never heard it so I'll count it. This album shows why Dilla was one of the best of all time, able to stand even without the vocals as a great album. With some of Jay's best rhymes and an appearance from fellow Detroitian Guilty Simpson, you won't be upset that the vocals stayed.
Favorite Track - Reckless Driving

4. Wale - 100 Miles and Running
Yes I am putting a mixtape on my top whatever. Came across this and downloaded without having any clue who or what this Wale was. The production on this is very unique and anyone who's favorite MC is Black Thought will probably catch my ear. Great wordplay, great beats, great style, and he's got Mark Ronson's seal of approval.
Favorite Track - Rediscover Me

5. Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature
I got on this album way late this year. I had his previous record and loved it, but never really followed what he was up to and didn't know he had a new one. Simple guitar and a haunting voice that still gives me chills. Beautiful record.
Favorite Track - Cycling Trivialities

6. Madlib - Beat Konducta 3+4
This year the less vocals in music the better. Bollywood samples that I can't understand work fine. Madlib found some real gems in this and as usual everything knocks. This album makes me wish I smoked weed.

7. Little Brother - Much anticipated return from NC's finest. Came back and proved that the duo could stand without 9th Wonder. Even got Lil Wayne on the album on a track I always skip because the LB boys outshine him. Some low points but the highs make the album a success in my eyes.
Favorite Track - Dreams

The Top 5 Biggest Disappointments of 2007

Rarely do you find a blog that rewards mediocrity or downright lack of talent. Well here at The Popsicle we are quite different. In this, now annual, list of the biggest let downs of the year, we explore the albums that were not only over-hyped, but were also over anticipated by us. Be prepared to have your minds blown.

5. Bloc Party- A Weekend in the City

Instead of following up their highly acclaimed release, Silent Alarm, with the same driving force of pure rhythmic chaos from drums underneath guitar riffs that could sink ships, Bloc Party sinks into a malaise that was even considered similar to recent U2 releases. Maybe Kele should have spent more time trying to perfect a great record than beefing with every artist he could get his grubby paws on.

4. Against Me!- New Wave

Yes, it is true that one should not have expected much from these former D.I.Y. punk rockers after their switch to a major label. But, come on! This record was not just a let down, it was a complete travesty! Butch Vig did more to turn Against Me! into a band that sounded more like Nickelback than Tegan Quin could hope to even save. This may not have been that highly anticipated, but it turned out so badly that it just must be mentioned.

3. Bright Eyes- Cassadaga

This must be no surprise to any fan of the indie rock pioneer Conor Oberst. It seems certain that an album may not be all it's cracked up to be when it is filed under Alternative Country (no offense Ryan Adams) but this was just not up to par in the slightest bit. With one track that has even a little prospect of being great and many that sit there like like some boring kid eating lunch by himself, Oberst certainly has redefined himself. Yeah we know you love Neil Young but it may be getting a little too obvious now. Conor Oberst sings "Yeah, I've made love, yeah, I've been fucked, so what?" Well anyone who payed for this album sure got fucked as well.

2. Modest Mouse- We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

"Johnny joined Modest Mouse!?!?" No way! It took Modest Mouse several years to churn out an answer to Good News... and with the addition of the legendary Smith's guitarist this is looking to be their most prominent album yet, right? Wrong! Modest Mouse goes all wrong with the radio friendly release that could not have come more ready for mainstream ears. The Moon and Antarctica was used for several commercials, that goes the same for Good News..., but it seems that Isaac and his cronies crafted this work for the sole purpose of commercial use. Sad? Abslolutely. Let down? You bet!

1. The White Stripes- Icky Thump

And now we come to the biggest disappointment of 2007. This may come as a surprise to some loyal Stripes fans, but this was not only a let down, I consider it one of the worst albums of 2007. After the single Icky Thump leaked, many fans had high hopes for a strange, improvised, and over all original release. But at times the album either was too strange (St. Andrew) or too straightforward (You Don't Know What Love Is). The latter track was just drivel. After personally spending day after day scouring the internet for some leaked link and hours downloading said link (in India no less!) I felt cheated. And over all, I felt so let down that I find it hard to listen to the White Stripes to this day.

Andrew Reynolds' Drunk Days

From the vaults of Epicly Later'd. Enjoy The Boss punching people and running through trees with cars.



You can turn it off once he starts talking about rehab.

Video: Girl Talk - Bounce That

This is an unofficial video for Girl Talk's "Bounce That".



Check Girl Talk out in real life on January 29th at Club Downunder.

"Feed the Need"!

Check out Caswell Berry's part from the newest Osiris video.

MJ Nabs Thrasher's Skater of the Year

There has been so much fanfare this year around Koston's Lakai debut that many skateboarders have lost sight of the proverbial "diamonds in the rough". The still active, yet unsponsered, member of our beloved Enjoi crew, Marc Johnson, won higly acclaimed Skater of the Year award over many more exposed skaters (We won't even mention that one kid with his name tattood on his back). I personally chalk this up as a victory for real skateboarders, the one's who still enjoy skateboarding for what it is.

Congratulations Marc!

Stream Ghostface Killah's The Big Doe Rehab

Check it out right here

The Hood Internet's Mixtape Volume Two

Hey Babies. Happy Thanksgiving! The Hood Internet just released their second mixtape for free on their site. I've heard some gems from it already.

Like this...

mp3: MIMS vs. Interpol - There's No MIMS in Threesome

Enjoy your greenbean casseroles.

Smart Dumb Cats

Riley's Ghostface posts recently reminded me of this clip. Definitely a good watch.

Also, World According to Pretty Toney the book drops sometime this month. With companion audio CD of Ghost reading the book. Lolz.

Feeling myself like I've lost my keys

Mark Ronson's new video for 'Valerie' off 2007's 'Version' dropped. I have yet to get version but have greatly enjoyed Marks earlier releases. Off the heels of the 'oh my god' video featuring an animated lily allen, Mark continues the trend of not featuring the female singers in videos, and trades Amy Winehouse for a group of much better looking/less drunk girls, whom he refers to as the "winettes". Great song, simple and well done video. Best of all is the intro performance by the Popsicles favorite D.C. export, Wale.



In other Wale news, he landed the itunes free single of the week with 'Nike Boots'. I'm in love with this track, fire up your itunes and get some legal free music this week and make sure to leave some comments on itunes saying how much you love it. People are giving Wale a lot of flack saying that this is another shoe joint a la 'Air force ones', when the lyrics clearly show otherwise. Wale for prez 08'

New Ghostface and Wu-Tang Clan Mp3's

Check out Spine Magazine for new mp3's from Ghostface Killah's "The Big Dough Rehab" and Wu-Tang Clan's "8 Diagrams". Only listened to Barrell Brothers so far and it's great.

and for the lazy...

mp3: Ghostface Killah - Barrell Brothers (The Big Dough Rehab)

Hassler is Comfy in Nautica

Regretfully we are quite late with this post, but another skater from The Popsicle's favorite skate team, Enjoi, has crossed over the musical threshold. Clark Hassler stars in the video for Panda Bear's "Comfy in Nautica". This is one of my personal favorites from the highly acclaimed album, Person Pitch.

1997 Modest Mouse Documentary

For our ever increasing fanbase:

This is a 1997 documentary of Modest Mouse recording their album, "The Lonesome Crowded West" (one of my favorite albums of all time) and everything that entails. It features interviews with Doug Martsch (Built to Spill), Elliott Smith, and Calvin Johnson (Beat Happening). It's nice to see Isaac Brock in a natural environment, making jokes, choosing beers, and talking about dogs.

Modest Mouse Documentary

mp3: Modest Mouse - Bankrupt On Selling

Free The Need!

In an unprecedented move, Osiris will release over 300,000 copies of the new video "Feed the Need" through various distribution channels throughout the world, increasing brand awareness among both hard-core and mainstream target segments. Osiris has partnered with Thrasher Magazine in the US, as well as Canadian skate magazine, SBC, and UK magazine, Sidewalk Surfer, to polybag a copy of the video in upcoming issues of each magazine. In addition to this, they will include copies with decks purchased from several companies.

The premiere of the video attracted some savory as well as unsavory characters.


Mustache...?


Come on Caswell, we thought you were better than this.


NICE HAIRCUT LOU!

New Wu-Tang Clan Mixtape

To tide fans over until December, Wu-Tang Clan has released a mixtape. You can download it for free at loud.com (search through it)

here's a little sample

mp3: Wu-Tang Clan - Break That Break ft. ODB

also check out the Girl Talk tour dates here. Note what it says for January 29th.

WALE

Riley and I have been loving Wale since his mixtape this summer, and lately he has been dropping some good remixes. First he had the audacity to smear hip hop all over the indie-dance hit of the summer, Justice's "D.A.N.C.E.", then he stuck himself with 2 rocafella legends, Jay-Z and Freeway, on his "Big Spender" remix. Eli Escobar and Doug Grayson took a track by two artists I love that you probably hate, "Kiss Kiss" by Chris Brown featuring Teddy Penderazzdown. The guys flipped it into some Baltimore style club joint and Wale makes an R&B track his own.



And the man just snagged the cover of Urb Magazine, and stuck Justice in the background. Props!

Can - Sing Swan Song

Kanye West is known (to me) for picking some really great samples for his albums. I just found out that the song "Drunk And Hot Girls" samples Can's "Sing Swan Song". The original song is amazing and it's a shame that it turned into one of the most embarrassing songs on "Graduation" about trying to get drunk girls home or something. Here is the original song though for you to listen to without Kanye and Mos Def singing over it.

mp3: Can - Sing Swan Song

and Paste Magazine is doing that Radiohead thing and letting you pay what you want. Grab a year's subscription for what you think it's worth. Right here.

Ghostface Killah - "Celebrate"

This is the first single from Ghostface Killah's upcoming album "The Big Dough Rehab". It's great to hear Ghostface rap over anything but it helps that it's a great sample. He just wants to celebrate.

mp3: Ghostface Killah - Celebrate

Circa team hits up Florida skateshops

As part of their "Tour De Smash", Tony Tave, Sierra Fellers, Abdias Rivera, Windsor James, Dennis Durrant and Julian Davidson of the C1RCA team, will be appearing at several skateshops in Florida. These youngsters will be trekking around the sunshine state from November 1st to November 12th. Check them out at any of these dates and places:

11/01 - Outer Limitz-Northside location River City Marketplace, 13221 City Station Drive #133, Jacksonville, FL 32218

11/02 - Galactic G 334 E. Harvard St, Orlando, FL 32804

11/03 - Westside Skate Shop 39332 US Hwy 19N Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

11/09 - MIA 1850 NW 84th Ave, Suite 108, Doral, FL 33126

11/10 - Shred Shed 3073 Forest Hills Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

11/11- 24/7 Skateshop 1700 W. New Haven Ave, #509, Melbourne, FL 32904

Mentioned

Stereogum posted something about Indie Rock T-Shirts and one of mine was used for this. The "I'm Clever" t-shirt stolen from "Bort". This is my 15 seconds of fame and I want to soak it up. Also, I think they should make a shirt that says "Half Japanese Girls Do It To Me Everytime".

Kanye West - The Graduate

This guy, Kanye West, released a mixtape recently entitled "The Graduate". It is available for free right here. I have listened to it a little bit so far and it is worth it for this song alone.

mp3: Kanye West - Get Em High (ATRAK REMIX)

The Knife's "Heartbeats" is sampled here for our pleasure.

Black Lips Diploed

Hey there! Vice has an mp3 of the Black Lips song "Veni Vidi Vici" getting remixed by Diplo. You'll love it!

mp3: Black Lips - Veni Vidi Vici (Diplo Remix)

B-Ball Zombie War

I'm a little behind, but I just starting listening to Peanut Butter Wolf's compilation B-Ball Zombie War. It is great from what I've heard. Here is a little sample of what you could be listening to now. It's an equal opportunity song.

Mp3: CX KIDTRONIK feat. TCHAKA DIALLO - Big Girl, Skinny Girl

Clues News Part Two

This man, cowbellanarchy, has Alden Penner's band Clues' first performance at Pop Montreal. Check it out below.




This has been brought to my attention by
The Secret Unicorns Forum

Heard Somebody Say

From Gigwise, Devendra Banhart has been making mix CDs for Lindsay Lohan in rehab. "She totally dug them."

via largehearted boy

Also, check out Pitchfork for a video of Girl Talk performing "Knife" with Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear.

Girl Gonz Wild

Internet Findings

The A.V. Club has Panda Bear's ipod shuffling.

The new Hype Machine is up.

Youth in Revolt Movie 2009.

New Wu-Tang Clan - The Heart Gently Weeps via The Beeb Blog

and Clipse gives us Kanye West - Flashing Lights (Remix)

We are getting our best of 2007 list ready. I think I'm going to have to sacrifice some Pitchfork points this year. Also, we need some space for Black Lips.

Way to go with Vitamin Water, Danny!

Here at The Popsicle, we tend to lean towards Glacéau's Vitamin Water when it comes to our flavored water needs. And we are happy to report that so does two-time skater of the year Danny Way. Way has started to appear in Vitamin Water advertisements and contrary to what haters may think, he sure deserves it. We hope Vitamin Water will keep Danny, who has suffered through more than SEVEN surgeries while at the same time setting numerous big air records, healthy enough to one day ollie the Atlantic Ocean.

REAL TALK

This is too funny not to post.

via TSS

Blue Magic Video

Video is pretty basic, production is pretty basic other than those mortal kombat synths. But you can't really argue with new Jay-Z. Looks like Jay followed Kanye's lead and is dropping some cash on art in addition to chains and rolls royce's.

and here's Jerry Hsu's Top 5 for Crailtap. He wants to get his act together!!!

Also, I will give someone 50 dollars if they give me the correct order of Lakai riders. Don't forget to enter the contest.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

I'm Andy and I guess I will be periodically guest blogging for the popsicle. I'll probably post a lot of music videos and hippie propaganda.



It seems lately that bands are all about new ways to promote and distribute their music, this is definitely an interesting one. Tapping into the viral/mysterious/what the hell was that realm of the web, Arcade Fire's backwards url'ed promo is like a music video where you decide what random things happen at what times. The design of the site is sparse, asking you only to watch, then either view the credits or replay. Not pushing anything, just something to enjoy. Give it a try yourself.

via cliptip

Zach Condon enjoys Big "Joe Red"

Okay, Okay, The Popsicle hasn't been too accepting of the relatively new, Enjoi team rider Jose Rojo, but after watching the extras in Enjoi's breakthrough movie, Bag of Suck, it's evident that he didn't get the best parts put into his section of the movie. I guess we aren't the only ones realizing Jose's true potential; Zach Condon of Beirut recently approached Rojo as if he were an adoring fan and invited him out to party (we all know how crazy Beirut can get at parties). It's great to learn that our favorite skateboarders have good music taste and great musicians appreciate skateboarding. See Jose's conversation about it here.

Girl Talk Loves Taco Bell

According to Pitchfork, Girl Talk's Gregg Gillis has won 500 dollars worth of Taco Bell from a contest of theirs. Read the story and then grab a brand new Girl Talk song here from the Illegal Art Sampler.

Cole and Bradford BFF

This month's Fader magazine has an interesting interview with Deerhunter's Bradford Cox conducted by Black Lip's Cole Alexander. See if you can download the new issue here. Full post coming soon. There are some interesting things that come to light between the two Atlanta residents.

Juno Trailer

While we're still cummimg all over Michael Cera we might as well mention him as the impregnating protagonist of "Juno". A movie starring Arrested Development's Jason Bateman also.



the song in the trailer
Mp3: The Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You

via Who Killed The Mixtape

Black Lips on Conan O'Brien

Black Lips performed on Conan last night. You'll be very excited after you've watched it.


and on another late night show. Justice on Jimmy Kimmel with Rick James and Rod Stewart (look-a-likes)

Clark and Michael

Michael Cera fans should be catching up with the best show on the internet in its entirety.

clark and michael

If that's not enough Cera for you, check out the goldenfiddle post about his new movie.

Lakai - Fully Flared

We've waited long enough. The first video from Lakai is being released on November 16th. Featuring new footage from Marc Johnson, Mike Carroll, Eric Koston, and many more.

Check out the trailer below.

PRO SPOTLIGHT: Corey Duffel

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Clues News

The two of us here at The Popsicle are big fans of the sludge-crust band, The Unicorns. Alden Penner, formerly of The Unicorns, is working with a new band called Clues. They have released an album sampler of what I'm sure is going to be an amazing album. Pick it up at
Mp3:Clues Album Sampler

"I've never had a shaved head in my entire life!"

Check out the Enjoi team in the video of the year: "Bag of Suck". With Jerry Hsu winning best video part and guys like Caswell Berry and Louie Barletta with amazing parts as well, this video is a clear cut winner. Dead Prez, Sonic Youth, and even Rod Stewart help make the soundtrack work well with each skater's part.(The downside is that Jose Rojo's part was a bit of a disappointment... but who are we to judge?)


Also, if you're into Spoon and Seth Rogan, you should make sure to scour Youtube for videos of this past weekend's SNL.