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!