808’s & Heartbreak

In comparison, would a song or an entire album be a painting? Would a single track be more of a section of a painting? Would a single line be a brush stroke? I’m not sure. I think so, I think an entire album could be considered a painting. Nonetheless, I raise this question to talk about Kanye West’s new album, 808’s & Heartbreak. He’s been getting a lot of crap for using the auto-tune so much. I gotta admit, that maybe in a few months after I’ve been able to listen to the album several times, I too might get tired of the auto tune. Let’s ask ourselves this though, did anyone get pissed at Van Gogh for painting in the same style over and over again? Maybe, but the overall impression that lasts is, genius. 

I’m streaming the new Kanye right now over at myspace and so far I think it’s going to be a great album. Kanye has stuck to a particular style for the most part but this new album is fairly different. It’s almost an R&B album. The first track I’m loving. Love Lockdown and Heartbreak I’ve also fallen in love with. The songs have these great musical buildups that I think Kanye does really well. 

I also think that with a slower mode of music it’s going to allow Kanye to focus on the lyrics a little more. Every Kanye song seems to have some sort of weird lyrical rhyme or metaphor that when you hear it you’re like, “WTF?” This may not be true, as I haven’t heard the entire thing, but we can hope. 

Kanye’s definitely one of the most creative mainstream artists out there. I appreciate his work and him as a person whether I completely agree with him or not, chances are I do agree with him on most things but that’s just me. 

From a production aspect, this cd is on point. It’s a different set of instruments across the board it seems but Kanye kills with his production. The African drum beats and whatnot, I’m loving them. 

Please check out 808’s & Heartbreak.

Keep Walking

Love this new Johnnie Walker spot. Maybe it’s called 100 Years of Walking, but it’s great. This and another ad are currently running and I find them inspiring. It shows things like first flight, first man in space, and the falling of the Berlin Wall. Check it out, love it and Walk Responsibly.

 

Chrome

So I just found out today that about 2 and a half months ago, Google released a web browser for Windows users called Chrome. Who the heck knew this was coming out? Certainly not me, probably because I’m a Mac user but still. I want to know something about this browser, is it any good? Does it come loaded with lots of Google unnecessary widgets just like internet explorer is so apt to have things loaded on it? Somebody tell me something.

A Surprise in The Mail Box

Today I got home, checked the mail and had this wonderful letter from my niece. The following images are what was contained inside the colorful envelope.

 

Think she’s got a career ahead of her? Haha. Adorable kid that she is. I’m excited to start getting mail from my nephew too!

Rap Up in Time for the Holidays

Lately I’ve been listening to a ton of hip-hop/gangster rap. Not sure why, but man, it’s been great. I’ll list a few tracks towards the end here that have been on my playlist. I’ll leave it to you to go find the songs. First, let me say that rap has a place in music. I grew up with it and have listened to it since I was about 10 or 12. My tastes lately have gone to the more hip hop side of the tracks but I think each side has a good side. One of my favorite groups is 3-6 Mafia. It’s a shame that lyrically they don’t say much besides, “i’m gonna have sex, snort some blow, smoke some weed, and pop some pills.” They’re incredibly talented musicians but just don’t carry much real and worthy content in their music. My newest favorite is Talib Kweli. This guy’s got it all, production, content, lyrics, he’s got it all. Another one to go with him is Jean Grae. If you don’t know Jean Grae you should. Her new album Jeanius is incredible. Production done by 9th Wonder with a few guests and it kills. With that, here’s a few tracks I’ve been digging recently.

Talib Kweli: Listen

Jean Grae: My Story

Jean Grae: This World

Jean Grae: American Pimp

Three Six Mafia (ft.Pimp C & Project Pat): I Got (ft.Pimp C & Project Pat)

Young Jeezy (ft. Kanye West): Put On

The Game (ft. Lil Wayne): My Life

Three Six Mafia: Side to Side

Jaylib (ft. Talib Kweli): Raw Sh*t

Lil Wayne: Let the Beat Build

TI: What Up, What’s Happenin

if there’s one black man white people trust more than bill cosby, it’s colin powell

Ok ok, I know the title may sound racist but I can’t help think that it’s somewhat true. Most white people, especially those in the uneducated conservative South, think that the things Bill Cosby has said about the African-American community are quality words and have endorsed the words and efforts of Colin Powell right alongside Bill. I love both of these guys, supporting African-American art, actors, entertainment, etc. has always been a strong point of Bill Cosby. Just go to Wikipedia, click through some links and read all about the Cosby show and the symbolism involved. People like Dave Chapelle and Mos Def have picked up where The Cos left off and driven this effort of involvement into the 21st century. What does all of this have to do with Colin Powell? On Sunday during a Meet The Press interview with Tom Brokaw, Mr. Powell endorsed Barack Obama as his vote for the Presidential candidate. 

Some people, Rush Limbaugh, think this is a totally race related issue and I whole-heartedly disagree. As Mr. Powell said, If this had been an issue of race I would have endorsed Obama months ago, but it’s not. However, I think that many of the people who have typically listened to Rush Limbaugh and valued his vicodin induced conservative opinion have also valued Colin Powell’s opinion, hopefully more than Rush. (this is a big opinion that i have based on nothing factual, only the little that I know about Rush and General Powell) 

For undecided voters, even conservative voters who are uneasy about John McCain, to hear about the Powell endorsement must have been a big relief. Powell’s endorsement shows the general American public that Senator Obama is in fact not a scary terrorist muslim. In fact he does have solid economic policies and solid opinions on matters and is not quick to jump to decisions without putting appropriate thought into the issue first. 

Mr. Powell stated that part of the reason he endorses Obama is because of the slanderous campaign the McCain campaign has started to run and the indecisiveness of the McCain campaign concerning the economy. Honestly, I cannot see a problem with the redistribution of wealth. Who needs more than $250,000 to live in a year? I understand that in certain areas of the country, be them pro or anti American (by the way which parts of the country are those?), the costs of living are higher. But really, $250,000 a year, if you’re making that much money you should not be complaining about anything, unless you’re just a really unhappy person. If you cannot, absolutely cannot make your life work off of $250,000 a year, then start selling some of the useless crap you’ve accumulated. 

If this is a Socialist idea then go Socialism. I agree with the critics who say this isn’t necessarily a Socialist idea but a good economic idea. And you know what else, if we are however many trillions of dollars in debt, if i have to pay higher taxes, then I do think it is patriotic. Where else is this money going to come from if there’s not a redistribution of wealth, if there aren’t higher taxes, if there aren’t tax breaks being cut from huge industries who do not need them? I guess we can just keep borrowing forever until we’re a broke nation and become the place where no one wants to be.

As for Mos Def, Dave Chapelle and all other great citizens like you, keep pushing us.

*all of the references are to wikipedia, which isn’t necessarily a legit website for research but a great place to start and also very good for video/music information.

Monday Morning Earl Grey

Isn’t it a little weird and somewhat creepy how an entire city can seem to rest? On Saturday I got up around 2 or so, went to Walgreens and it seemed that Searcy was still asleep. I didn’t feel that bad about waking up late if the city hadn’t even awoke yet. However, I knew where everyone was, they were at Larry Killough’s memorial service. It’s crazy how one man can affect so many people. 

Now I’ve moved to Little Rock. Staying here with some friends hoping that the freelance thing works out and I can get my own place and start paying back student loans again. I finally got Weezer’s Pinkerton again. It’s been about 4 years or so since I’ve owned it and glad for it to be back in my life. Pinkerton was the first Weezer album I ever heard and by far my favorite. 

I don’t really know what to do with my life right now because I could essentially do anything. I’ve got an offer to move to Portland, Vancouver, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Dallas. Eh who knows, as long as I’m designing, listening to music, trying to make music and am happy then that’s all i can really ask for. Oh and I guess food and a place to live with a few clothes to wear is good too.

Hospital Training Day

Today I started my new job. It was orientation day and I swear they just repeated the same thing over and over again. After the fried food lunch, where I only ate french fries, hush puppies and fried apple pies, i developed heart burn and a serious case of the sleepies. Try staying awake to a video about fire safety. The big event of the day was seeing the MRI safety video, it was incredible! Those magnets are ridiculous. The video was sweet because it showed just how destructive the machine can be when used without safe precautions. I also got another free lance job, submitted an invoice to an ad agency where I freelanced and got some good coffee. 

Dressy clothes for the dress worthy

I don’t wear dresses but I wish I could. I swear girls get better dress clothes than dudes. I went into JCPenney today, maybe that was my first mistake, looking for dress shirts for a new job I have. This new job means no jeans, tshirts, etc. The standard corporate world design. White shirt, black or khaki pants and a colorful metrosexual tie. Apparently the subculture I’ve surrounded myself in for the past 4 years of my college life has turned me off to dress clothes altogether. I don’t quite hate them but I am particularly particular about them. Wandering around JCPenney just made me frustrated and question the idea of dressing for a corporate world. The new job is at a hospital which means no jeans, socks with my shoes and a button up or polo daily. In a world where I’m used to wearing t-shirts with huge colorfully screened ink on them, this does not fit well for me! I guess I’ll just struggle through this, buy some more kickin’ white shoes, eat some cake, buy some nice fitting pants and suck it up for a couple of years until I pay off that $60,000 school loan. And so it goes.