This Week In Song #2

No need for an intro this time, if you read my last one, it's all about good songs and what I've been listening to all week. The two of you reading this wants songs, so here we go.

Throwback of the Week

Jay-Z- "Heart of the City"

Now every week I'm going to starting picking a song that is at least 10 years old, that I've been jamming to. This week it's "Heart of the City" and I chose it cause I decided to listen to Jay-Z's The Blueprint...about 4 times. Now arguably there are better songs on what I've always called Jay's best album (such as "Renegade", "Girls, Girls, Girls", "Izzo (H.O.V.A)", "Hola Hovito" and "U Don't Know"). But this one has always been a dark horse for me. The lyrics are on point, as always, the beat and sample are just beautiful.

Killswitch Engage- The End of Heartache

Now I know Killswitch Engage because I'm a wrestling fan and more importantly been a CM Punk fan since he first entered the WWE. So since 2006 I've had "This Fire Burns" on my play lists, but I never listened to a full album. Thanks to me taking requests from friends (shout out to Eddie_Ruckus) on albums I've finally listened to one, The End of Heartache. All I can say is that I like them a lot, I'm not an expert or very knowledgeable about metalcore, but if they all sound like this it's a genre I need to listen more of. The hard riffs, lyrics, and even slow down parts (and couple of interlude-like tracks) made this a very fun album to listen to. I'll admit the songs sort-of ran together for me, but once I get a few more listens in, that should fade. KSE, I like 'em more now.

Simple Plan- Get Your Heart On!

Now I'm pretty sure this is the first full, pure, pop punk album, I've ever listened to. It started off quite strong. Relate-able lyrics, some nice riffs and a couple of good guests. But once I hit "Anywhere But Here" it started to decline in musical value to me. All the songs either experimented with things or became hugely generic and boring. And not to be nit-picky but "Summer Paradise" doesn't belong on the main album cause it's just BAM, too different, outta nowhere. Otherwise it's not something I completely disliked and I'd be open to other albums like this. Now I'm not saying I'm turning into a pop punk fan, or I'm going to bump this driving around. But I will say it is a shame "Jet Lag" (which I linked to above) won't be a top 10 pop hit. Great start, bad finish, ok overall. Thanks for the album recommendation _maggikins_.

Say Anything- In Defense of the Genre

Did not know this was a double-disc album when I was recommended, by the awesome Michael_Ryne, and downloaded it, nor that it would be different from other pop punk albums. But there's that point where being overly different ant doing it over and over AND over hurts the album as a whole. Now there is twinges of folkish piano and even hip-hop, as well as other genres mixed in. Sometimes it works, like in the song I linked above, "That Is Why". But most times it just failed to impress me. Not saying that the pop-punk lyrics and music fails, actually those are the better parts in all this. Cause at the core,they're pop punk. Again the problem is, as with most double-disc albms, it that THERE ARE A TON of songs and with most of them sounding somewhat the same it takes a toll to find good songs/lyrics/spots. That being said, I wanna go back and listen to ...Is A Real Boy, cause right now this is too much Say Anything for a non-Say Anything fan.


Lupe Fiasco ft. Jill Scott- "Daydreamin'"

All that needs to be said is that I think Lupe Fiasco is in his lyrical prime here, Jill Scott's voice is so vibrant and beautiful, and the sample of I Monster's "Daydream" is apparent and so very powerful. Just listen, this great music.

Kendrick Lamar- Section.80

Finally a hip-hop album on this week haha. It's classified as a mixtape, but it feels like a studio album to me. And as Kendrick Lamar's first big release, Section.80, couldn't have sounded better to me. From the start the beats engage you. From head boppin' beats, to experimental stuff ("Ab-Souls-Outro" which I linked above, is fucking amazing), to melodic beats that make you feel relaxed, it's all here. Also I'm not a huge fan of rappers who over use rapping about women and drugs, but this works for Kendrick as the most beat accompany the drug/sex themes.  But along those lines he also delves into real life, with conscious hip-hop twinges. Religion, politics, and anything aren't off limits, yet the lyrics don't distract you from the music you're listening to. Also his timing and flow are good. He can slow it down for melodic beats or go absolutely nuts (like in "Rigamortus" which I linked above). All in all I can say I'm a fan now, and I can't wait for Good Kid in a Mad City to drop next year.