... while you guys are hearing a song for the 100th time & are truly sick of it, I'm just getting into it

I just broke down & bought the latest offerings from Alicia Keys, Beyonce & Kanye West.

I think what made "You Don't Know My Name" grow on me was seeing Mos Def in the video... then having thoughts of Mos Def when hearing the song Much better than her first album (could only listen to 2 songs on that one ). She needs some help in the song writing dept. (Samsonite Man??? ) but they can't all be good - just ask Prince...

Beyonce's is pretty good I guess in an ordinary R&B kind of way, not really the kind of music I listen to (hence the years-long radio boycott). I only bought it b/c seeing her sing Dangerously In Love live (on SNL & the Grammies) is mesmerizing. Unfortunately it's not as good on record, but still a good song. She's so talented, I hope she'll stay away from songs like "Bootylicious" in the future - that's the kinda shit that made me ignore her in the first place.

Barely listened to Kanye, seems to sing a lot about kids & family so far. I like the stuff he has out already so it should be cool.

Better late than never, right? Planning on picking up Nora Jones for background music, lol - how is it? At least I won't be so late for that one...


.
[This message was edited Sat Mar 13 21:54:23 2004 by CalhounSq]

Kanye West's album only dropped like 1 month ago though. I was gonna pass on it, but now I'm reconsidering.

I'm hoping that I will dig his other beats... he gets crazy on some of the double-beat (south rap) programming which doesn't appeal to me... and even the chipmunking sample trend kinda bugs me too, but somehow he does it right (ie. Through The Fire)

WORST chipmunked sample (that kanye west didn't do) is Maestro "Back In The Day"! Has anyone heard that?

I listen to the radio on my way to work. Still, I think I sleep on some stuff. It's like Kanye West came out of nowhere, but I'm sure he's been around for a long time. And Lil' (Little?) John... I've heard the "What's!" and "O-kaayyys" but only recently found out where they came from. I love the White Stripes "Seven Nation Army." I'd hear it on tv during a fashion show, or some entertainment segment, but had no idea who it was.

While I clearly know who the Backstreet Boys and Brittany Spears are, I really don't hear their songs on the stations I regularly listen to. It's sorta the same for videos too. As much as I watch tv, I don't catch a lot of the hot new videos. I'll hear folks talking about a video and see it weeks or months later.

Re: Alicia Keys...has anyone heard the Reggae-sounding remix to "You Don't Know My Name?" I really like it.

I've actually removed the FM button from my stereos. No, really I have. Want proof?

There is no problem with not listening to the radio.

CalhounSq said:

There's this great japanese soft R&B artist called Merzbow, who has gained a lot of attention in smaller circles around the globe for the last few decades. Get that for background music instead, if that's your thing. It's very sensual.

Yall should check out Amp Fiddler and his new cd "Waltz of a ghetto fly".

This guy is gonna be the next big thing in soul - and for a reason.

go here:

http://www.ampfiddler.com

BartvanHeineken said:

His album lacks depth, but some extent it is bearable.
He should get a real band on record though (somebody call ?love),
I just missed him perform a couple of weeks ago, so no word on his live-works.

UptownDeb said:

See that's part of the problem for me - a lot of songs these days (rap songs, that is) seem to be just SCREAMING @ you I can't deal w/ that shit. I'll scan the stations sometimes, hear the same old shit & pop in a cd. I still don't know what all the Lil' John shit is about



Haven't heard it yet but I'd like to

Novabreaker said:

Thanks for the tip But you gotta admit, Nora is perfect for background too. I like to listen to it when I'm cleaning the house

CinisterCee said:

i highly suggest Kanye's album if u in2 Hip Hop. Oh and there arent alot of chimpmunk beats in it. "Through The Fire" is really the only fast sampled one. The rest work perfectly.

CalhounSq said:

Awh! Don't fall for it. I was just jokin' - Merzbow is actually Power Noise.

Novabreaker said:

Oh my

CalhounSq said:

She cracks a pretty funny joke about that in the latest (second) issue of Tracks. Guess it only makes sense that she's heard the "snooze" jokes.

That she can laugh at herself makes her ... well ... even more

CalhounSq said:

Actually, I better label it as just "Noise" than "Power Noise", because "Power Noise" stands mainly for rhythmic noise and Merzbow's stuff is mainly static. No, not that this would interest you especially, but I think I needed to correct my mistake.

But it's nevertheless great hoovering music. You know, mixes well with the hoovering sounds. You won't notice much a difference.

paisleypark4 said:

He also uses Lenny Williams' I Love You' speeded up.

I was on the verge of getting ugly when I 1st heard his Through The Wire joint, the motherfucker is just W-R-O-N-G plain & simple looking at the bright side, Miss thang is getting paid & eknowledged from the youngsters outta that sampled joint. He also butchered one of L-Boogie's songs in "All Come Down" wassup with that? I hate to sound bitchy and all but damn that accident must've beem very effective on his brain-cells to be butchering folks music, no offence tho!

Far as Bey & AK, I went along with the hype and when it ended,,,both sucked. I guess thats what happens when you listen to music without substance.

Norah Jones on the other hand is one of the healers in the music industrey's deep sharp wound. Its pretty cool too that her effort is getting eknowledged commercially and it won't hurt that Arif Mardin's contribution provided tight musicianship too

I have to listen to my co-worker's radio at work during the week, though it's just low enough that I only hear snips and sounds of the songs from her radio station. I swear, I'll hear the same 4 or 5 damn songs at least half a dozen times a night. AT LEAST.

I've started to make up my own titles to these songs, rather than ask who sings them. The top three would be The Yelpy Song, The Needy Song, and The Tinkly Song. I think The Tinky Song is the new Alicia Keys single, but I can't be sure.

paisleypark4 said:

k thanks Isaiah - suggestion totally noted