Arto Saari Gets Abducted

Arto doesn't have to look forward to any anal probes or seed-stealing after being picked up by Alien Workshop. He joins an elite crew and leaves behind a fledgling Flip gang after many years he spent with them. Look forward to some new, excellent Arto art from the designers at A. W. who have been pioneers in the art of skateboard graphics. In other news, Jerry Hsu has joined the prolific team that C.C.S. has. All is well in the world of skateboarding!

Reviewin'

Lots of good music came out this Tuesday.

The Roots - Rising Down
3.5 Pops

The Roots dropped their 8th studio album on Tuesday. Continuing with the darker themes and mood of Game Theory, the synth heavy album features guest spots from favorites like peedi peedi and Popsicle golden boy Wale. Luckily they dropped the Fall Out Boy ridden "Birthday Girl". I feel that the album is a good step for the boys from Philly. Dark and socially conscious, without it feeling forced.

Here is "Rising Up" featuring Wale and Chrisette Michele.



Santogold - Santogold
4 Pops
I had avoided the hype on this album and only heard 2 songs before it's release, "LES Artistes" and "You'll find a way". The prior definitely jumped out at me and I knew this album would be special. As soon as I got through that song, the first on the album, I found out the version of "You'll find a way" that I had was a remix, and the album version is a ska influenced rendition that couldn't be further away from what I had heard. I was pleasantly surprised and my expectations for the album shifted. Santi's debut jumps through influences, touching on dub, new wave, hip hop and pop sounds without ever feeling jarring. Her vocals range from yelps to smooth pop singing. A talented singer with a diverse backdrop to shine on. Great album.

Here is the first single, LES Artistes




Blue Sky Black Death - Late Night Cinema
4 Pops
Production duo Kingston and Young God are back with an album showcasing their instrumental prowess. 2006's A Heap of Broken Images was what hooked me, with the instrumental disc outshining the main disc with appearances from rappers. This album stands alone and continues with a similar sound and feel. A bit less dark, but the production is top-notch. Rich, atmospheric, often haunting instrumental hip hop. The sound is different from most well-known producers, relying less on obvious sampling and creating smooth, flowing music where the mood often shifts dramatically throughout the song. Unlike most instrumental hip hop releases which are either beats wishing for an MC or the instrumental accompaniment to an album, BSBD's production is moving and rich enough that there isn't even room for vocals. I've only had time to listen to this album a couple of times, but I suspect that like Heap of Broken Images, the appeal will last for years as I discover more and more nuances of their rich soundscapes.

3 songs from the album on their myspace.

Starin' Like A Goat

I had higher hopes for Spanky and The Boss. 2 popsicle sticks down.

The song in the background to this little clip has potential though.

Jay Reatard Makes Boy Get New Shirt, Face

That's all I will be thinking about when I listen to "My Shadow" from now on.

Different angle below. Up close shirt mutilation.

Musings

This is the first time I've watched an entire feature on Pitchfork TV. First of all I'm glad to see that the little kid from A Christmas Story is still relatively famous. I never knew he was British and named Jamie Lidell. After watching this squirmingly unfunny interview all the way through can you really justify trusting this person's music? I'm glad to see that Abebe kind of plays along with the rambling, bearded giggling of Lidell and feigns amusement. If someone was trying that hard to entertain you, wouldn't you laugh along as well? Soon though, it's going to be hard justifying Pitchfork as a reliable critic if the HQ is going bananas for this dork.

Here's the interview:

Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell

I believe this guy is faking what his voice sounds like but don't hold that against him. Listen to the first song when he says, "an address that you know...she heard it on cassette. The first song is average. I saw these shitheads in concert and they didn't even play the song "we've got our tracks covered/thanks to your older brother". "In A Cave" has a catchy little thing it does "all my hair grows in/ wrinkles leave my skin" you'll hear it. This is up there with their better songs. The next one sucks. "Juno" is about that the movie i think, trying to grab some of that money.(kind of dates the song, guys) I think "Tessellate" is going to be the new single, it blows dick too. "The Harrowing..." something sounds different, maybe try out that one if you want to hear something sound different by them. The rest all sounds the same. This sounds like something Pitchfork would like though.(Edit - Nope)

Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward

This is the sophomore(?) album from Nashville highschoolers. They talk about pizza and slumber parties. The first song, "Black Hole" contains the lyrics "eating pizza is really great/so is destroying everything you hate." If you like eating pizza this song is for you. The second song blows. They don't mention pizza once. "Becky" is a pretty good song. It talks about signing yearbooks and "talking shit" but it's catchy enough to ignore all of that. "Food Fight!" talks about partying also. I didn't listen to much else but I assume it sucks. It's a good album to have on if you are having a pizza party though.