Song of the Day #18

Pretty obvious. Great song even so. Red Hot Chili Peppers have always been a band I liked, just never got into their full albums. Blah blah blah end blog post.

Red Hot Chili Peppers- "Road Trippin'" from Californication

Song of the Day #17

Look another song from The Muppets! This for me is easily the second best song in the move behind "Life's a Happy Song." You have the lovely Amy Adams and Miss Piggy doing a upbeat 80s style disco duet about having alone time, just feeling and being alone in general. Love it.

Amy Adams and Miss Piggy- "Me Party" from The Muppets Original Soundtrack

"I won't lie, there are times when I wish I was with you

There are days when all this girl can see is a world that's made for two

At times like this I feel all alone and it's like nobody cares

But I only have to my name and darling I'll be there

I'm having a me party

Haven't I seen me here before

A me party

I'm the last one on the dance floor

Me party

A party just for one

Me party

It's a solo Mardi Gras

Having a me party

I'm such great company

A me party

I'll save the last dance for me

What happens at a me party

Stays at a me party"

Song of the Day #16.5

You know what screw it. I've been listening to this all day as well. I didn't wanna spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie yet, but I'll be damned if this isn't an amazing, possibly the best, musical number from The Muppets, or any album/movie this year.

Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Walter feat. Feist and Mickey Rooney- "Life's A Happy Song" from The Muppets Original Soundtrack

"Everything is great everything is grand

I got the whole wide world in the palm of my hand

Everything is perfect its falling into place

I cant seem to wipe this smile off my face

Life's a happy song when theres someone by my side to sing along

When your alone life can be a little rough

It makes you feel like your 3 feet tall

When its just you times can be tough

When there's no one there to catch your fall"

"I've got everything that I need right in front of me

Nothings stopping me nothing that I can't be 

With you right here next to me

You've got everything you need right in front of you

Nothings stopping you, nothing that you can't do you 

Got the world in front of you"

Song of the Day #16

Surprise, surprise, yet ANOTHER song off Childish Gambino's album Camp. This is actually the closer of the album, "That Power", and I've been listening to it more for the story Donald recites at the than the verses it's self though those are pretty great in their own right. The beat in the song and outro is good as well and that doesn't hurt this song in the least either.

Childish Gambino- "That Power" from Camp

"This is on a bus back from camp. I’m thirteen and so are you. Before I left for camp I imagined it would be me and three or four other dudes I hadn't met yet, running around all summer, getting into trouble. It turned out it would be me and just one girl. That’s you. And we’re still at camp as long as we’re on the bus and not at the pickup point where our parents would be waiting for us. We’re still wearing our orange camp t-shirts. We still smell like pine-needles. I like you and you like me and I more-than-like you, but I don’t know if you do or don’t more-than-like me. You’ve never said, so I haven’t been saying anything all summer, content to enjoy the small miracle of a girl choosing to talk to me and choosing to do so again the next day and so on. A girl who’s smart and funny and who, if I say something dumb for a laugh, is willing to say something two or three times as dumb to make me laugh, but who also gets weird and wise sometimes in a way I could never be. A girl who reads books that no one’s assigned to her, whose curly brown hair has a line running through it from where she put a tie to hold it up while it was still wet.

Back in the real world we don’t go to the same school, and unless one of our families moves to a dramatically different neighborhood, we won’t go to the same high school. So, this is kind of it for us. Unless I say something. And it might especially be it for us if I actually do say something. The sun’s gone down and the bus is quiet. A lot of kids are asleep. We’re talking in whispers about a tree we saw at a rest stop that looks like a kid we know. And then I’m like, “Can I tell you something?” And all of a sudden I’m telling you. And I keep telling you and it all comes out of me and it keeps coming and your face is there and gone and there and gone as we pass underneath the orange lamps that line the sides of the highway. And there’s no expression on it. And I think just after a point I’m just talking to lengthen the time where we live in a world where you haven’t said “yes” or “no” yet. And regrettably I end up using the word “destiny.” I don’t remember in what context. Doesn’t really matter. Before long I’m out of stuff to say and you smile and say, “okay.” I don’t know exactly what you mean by it, but it seems vaguely positive and I would leave in order not to spoil the moment, but there’s nowhere to go because we’re are on a bus. So I pretend like I’m asleep and before long, I really am.

I wake up, the bus isn’t moving anymore. The domed lights that line the center aisle are all on. I turn and you’re not there. Then again a lot of kids aren’t in their seats anymore. We’re parked at the pick-up point, which is in the parking lot of a Methodist church. The bus is half empty. You might be in your dad’s car by now, your bags and things piled high in the trunk. The girls in the back of the bus are shrieking and laughing and taking their sweet time disembarking as I swing my legs out into the aisle to get up off the bus, just as one of them reaches my row. It used to be our row, on our way off. It’s Michelle, a girl who got suspended from third grade for a week after throwing rocks at my head. Adolescence is doing her a ton of favors body-wise. She stops and looks down at me. And her head is blasted from behind by the dome light, so I can’t really see her face, but I can see her smile. And she says one word: “destiny.” Then her and the girls clogging the aisles behind her all laugh and then she turns and leads them off the bus. I didn’t know you were friends with them.

I find my dad in the parking lot. He drives me back to our house and camp is over. So is summer, even though there’s two weeks until school starts. This isn’t a story about how girls are evil or how love is bad, this is a story about how I learned something and I’m not saying this thing is true or not, I’m just saying it’s what I learned. I told you something. It was just for you and you told everybody. So I learned cut out the middle man, make it all for everybody, always. Everybody can’t turn around and tell everybody, everybody already knows, I told them. But this means there isn’t a place in my life for you or someone like you. Is it sad? Sure. But it’s a sadness I chose. I wish I could say this was a story about how I got on the bus a boy and got off a man more cynical, hardened, and mature and shit. But that’s not true. The truth is I got on the bus a boy. And I never got off the bus. I still haven’t."

Song of the Day #15 [Happy Thanksgiving]

Kid Cudi. "The Prayer." Simple enough. Solid song for today. Being thankful for living a full life that people will remember (not just for artificial things) and being ready to go if God forbid something bad happens. Just a song about being ready for anything to happen at any time. 

Also I'm posting what I posted on my Facebook/Twitter here, just in-case you read this and aren't friends/following me. "Quick shout out to all the people I've befriended this past year. Especially to those, over the past month and a half, who've hung out and been on Skype with me for hours on end keeping my mind off life. So thankful for you guys being in my life. Also to all the family in my life, it'd be even harder with out all you guys being there when you can for me. Even just talking on FB at times. I love you all. One more! >.< To all the friends in my life, the ones I can physically touch haha. Thanks for being there and just hanging out if I need it. One more thing I'm truly thankful for today." Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Kid Cudi- "The Prayer" from A Kid Named Cudi

"My heart thump not from being nervous

Sometimes I'm thinking God made me special here on purpose

So all the while 'til I'm gone make my words important so

If I slip away, if I die today the last thing you remember won't

Be about some apple bottom jeans with the boots with the fur

Baby how I dream of being free since my birth

Cursed but the demons I confronted would disperse

Have you ever heard of some shit so real

Beyond from the heart, from the soul you can feel

And if I die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take

But please don't cry, just know that I have made these songs for you

And if I die before I wake I pray the lord my soul to take

'Cuz I'm ready for the funeral

My mind runs I can never catch it even if I got a head start

God please help me I am feeling so alone way

I don't need to worry 'cuz I know the world'll feel this nigga

Blessing in disguise but I am not hiding who I am open your eyes bro

If I ever met you, I appreciate the love yo

Girls that I dated, it's ok I am not mad yo

Unless you stabbed me in the heart, no love ho, this shit is so ill

Play it back from the top if you recognize real

And if I die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take

But please don't cry, just know that I have made these songs for you

And if I die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take

'Cuz I'm ready for the funeral

And if I die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take

So please don't cry, just know that I have made these songs for you

And if I die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul take

'Cuz I'm ready for the funeral (I'm ready for the funeral, I'm ready for the funeral)"

Song of the Day #14

Only been up an hour and I know I'll be listening to this on and off all day. I love the lyrics, Donald's flow is great, the chorus is simple but effective, and the beat is very nice. Just a song that resounds with me while being an all around good song.

Childish Gambino- "Be Alone" from EP

"The ride is easy when the dollar’s there to grease the wheels

Now everybody tell me what to do and how to feel

It seems the more I try to connect with the world

I am feeling more alone than I ever have felt before

I wanna pick up the phone, ask my dad how to handle it

But what will happen when my dad’s not there to answer it?

I try to clear my mind of thoughts that only slow me down

Like when these niggas call me “faggot” and “we homies now”

But we are not homies, I just keep you around

‘Cause all your talkin’ is the noise I need to kill the sound

Of all these voices tellin’ me no one can help me out

We are alone I’m just the only one to figure out

I don’t wanna be alone

I don’t wanna be alone

I don’t wanna be alone

I don’t wanna be alone

I don’t wanna be alone

I don’t wanna be alone

‘Cause ya know, somewhere inside

I cannot find

The feeling I got from you

No, somewhere inside

I cannot find

The feeling I got from you"

Song of the Day #13.5

With long days like today I'm bound to have more than one song stuck in my head and that's what happened. Earlier today I was listening to the radio, God I know the radio, and Katy Perry's new single hit. I'll admit I'm a KP fan, but mostly for her singles. Her albums lack something for me personally, but her singles are always the best of the bunch. No different with this one, "The One That Got Away." Nice lyrics, sung well, melody and music itself good. Just a song that I've come to like as of today. Also the music video for this is superb..just saying.

Katy Perry- "The One That Got Away" from Teenage Dream

"In another life

I would make you stay

So I don't have to say

You were the one that got away

The one that got away"

Song of the Day #13

As I'm typing this in the good ole Windows notepad while the internet is being a piece of shit at school, I occurs to me why I picked this Childish Gambino song as my song of the day. Ever since my dad passed away I'm feeling as if I've fallen into depression. Sleeping too much, loneliness, sadness, terrible thoughts, etc. I've built a cocoon around casting, football talk on Sundays/Mondays (and now Thursday's) and playing Minecraft and the like with everyone. While these times are helping me coupe, there's few genuine moments of joy and happiness in my life anymore. Not saying that if I've been hanging out with you lately it's for the worst, here's a quick that you to EVERYONE who's been there the past month and a half now. But this song, and I have no clue why, every time it comes on since I've gotten Camp, has made me smile, happy and go wow. Music is such a powerful thing. It's doesn't even have to be a song about anything going on, but can make you feel good.

Childish Gambino- "Kids (Keep Up)" from Camp

"If we were kids I wouldn’t act like this but we not"

"If we were kids

I'd want to give you everything that you would want

Those other boys

They gave you toys, but all they wanna do is

Keep up

Keep up, keep up, keep up

That's all I want, keep up

Keep up with me, keep up

Keep up

Keep up, keep up, keep up

That's all I want, keep up

Keep up with me, keep up"

Song of the Day #12.5

Woke up, hopped in the shower, this popped on my shuffle, and I've been listening to it on repeat ever since. The perfect morning song. Upbeat, Talib Kweli raps perfectly, the beat is awesome, and the chorus' words and message are amazing for ANYONES lives. Going good or bad right now, this song could or is for you. (12.5 cause I pre-posted a Song(s) of the Day #12 yesterday cause I'm still bumpin those Drake songs from Take Care)

Talib Kweli- "Get By" from Quality

"[Chorus: Background singers]

This morning, I woke up

Feeling brand new and I jumped up

Feeling my highs, and my lows

In my soul, and my goals

Just to stop smokin, and stop drinkin

And I've been thinkin - I've got my reasons

Just to get (by), just to get (by)

Just to get (by), just to get (by)

[Talib: repeat 2x - with background singers]

Yoyoyo, yo

Some people cry, and some people try

Just to get by, for a piece of the pie

You love to eat and get high

We decieve when we lie, and we keepin it fly

Yoyoyo, yo

When, the people decide, to keep a disguise

Can't see they eyes, see the evil inside

But there's people you find

Strong or feeble in mind, I stay readin' the signs"

Song(s) of the Day #12

This is a highly preemptive song of the day post, well mostly cause today isn't tomorrow. Today I finally got through two listens of Drake's new album Take Care. Yet another great rap album not only from this week (Childish Gambino, Camp) but from 2011 as a whole. Drake, to me has improved in one area on this album to make it far better than Thank Me Later, he stuck to what he's good at. RnB beats/singing and slower, almost methodical choruses and verses. Not to mention when you put Andre 3000 on a verse, you're gonna grab my attention. Did I mention I LOVE these beats? Cause I do.

Drake feat Chantal Kreviazuk- "Over My Dead Body" from Take Care

Drake feat. Lil Wanye and Andre 3000- "The Real Her" from Take Care

"Shower her with dollar tips

Shawty went and bought a whip

Guarantee the city remember your whole name

You throw the ho a scholarship

All of them ain't all equipped

And this saddens me, I see the pecking order

Quote-unquote "bad bitches" work the whole floor

Those that get laughed at sit off in the corner

Like a lab rat nobody want her

Niggas that are married don't wanna go home

We look up to them, they wish they were us

They want some new trim

We lust for some trust

Now the both of us are colorblind

Cause the other side looks greener

Which leaves your turf in the Boise state

Can't see her play or the team, cuz

Everybody has an addiction; mine happens to be you

And those who say they don't

Souls will later on say to them "that ain't true"

All of them will have an opinion

But y'all know what you can do with them

But if you unsure, I'll take you on tour

To a place I can stick that in

Well, sitting here sad as hell

Listening to Adele, I feel you baby

Someone like you, more like someone unlike you

Or someone that's familiar maybe

And I can tell that she wants a baby

And I can yell "Girl, that shit crazy!"

Oh what the hell? Nope, can't be lazy

Please be careful: bitches got the rabies"

-Andre 3000

Song of the Day #11

Lupe Fiasco feat. MDMA- "Beautiful Lasers (2 Ways)" from L.A.S.E.R.S

[Hook: MDMA]

There's only 2 ways out of here

You're way too late, you'll be trapped here forever

There's only 2 ways out of here

One's through the door, the other's through me

[Verse 1: Lupe Fiasco]

Sometimes living in a world like this

It's pretty hard not to go insane

Not pretty if you don't comply

Pretty easy if you don't complain

Stand there like you don't feel pain

No tears in the face of defeat

Pretend til the end that you don't fear change

Don't admit that your faith is weak

Don't say that you feel like dying

Life's hard then it feels like diamonds

Your home's just far too gone

Much too late to even feel like trying

Can't understand what I'm saying

Can't figure out what I'm implying

If you feel you don't wanna be alive

You feel just how I am

I'm on the dark side

And you can't come find him

How when it's light all around you

Yeah, But it's dark all inside him

No winners when it's me against me

One of us just ain't gonna survive

My heart been broke for a while

Your's been the one keepin' me alive

[Hook: MDMA]

There's only 2 ways out of here

You're way too late, you'll be trapped here forever

There's only 2 ways out of here

One's through the door, the other's through me

[Verse 2: Lupe Fiasco]

This world is such a fucked up place

My mind's such a fucked up shape

Everything down here sucks

Maybe what's up there is great

We all gotta go one day

I just wanna cut to the chase

I wanna stop these nightmares

I just wanna touch your face

All you see is all my feats

All I see is all my flaws

All I hear is all my demons

Even through your applause

All you see is all my flights

Well all I see is all my falls

All you see is all my rights

All I see is all my wrongs

Door, keep telling me to fight

Gun on my table telling me to come on

Telling me to to put him inside my hand

Then put it up right next to my dome

Door keep telling me to find a reason

Anything to keep me from squeezing

Simplest things, yea you really like summer

You really like music, you really like reading

Love!

I can't win if it's me against me

One of us ain't gonna survive

And my heart been broke for a while

Yours been the one keepin' me alive

Yours been the one keepin' me alive

Yours been the one keepin' me alive

[Hook: MDMA]

There's only 2 ways out of here

You're way too late, you'll be trapped here forever

There's only 2 ways out of here

One's through the door, the other's through me

Song(s) of the Day #10

So on my way to school and in first period I listened to Childish Gambino's first official album release, Camp. With me being a pretty big Donald Glover fan, of course I loved it. On the way home I stopped at Target to grab the physical copy of the album ($8, not too shabby). But after the first three listens yesterday there were two songs (so far) that got stuck in my head. These are those two songs. On the album they're starting off the meat of the album itself. The beats are nice (especially the background to "Letter Home" which I already adore), the lyrics are real, and the rapping is on point. Not much more you can ask for me music-wise. *Nods head to the beats*

"You're the only girl that I have ever wanted

Every other girl is trying to be you

My mama says that I should write you letters

But I think you're with other dudes

Take my hand, you'll like it

You don't even have to call

Yes I've had some alcohol, I'm sorry

Take my hand

You don't even have to call

You're somewhere out there after all

You're all I ever wanted

You're all I ever wanted

You're all I ever wanted"

"She ain't a killer, but she'd fucking blow your head off

I know he wondering, "What the fuck you hiding?"

That we dated like raps about Bin Laden

Ayo, fuck this

Are we dating? Are we fucking?

Are we best friends? Are we something in between that?"

30 Minutes or Less [A Fat Jesus Movie Review]

Ahhh comedies. Over the past 6 years they've consumed my life. From juggernaut ones from Apatow like Knocked Up, to lesser known ones like The Foot Fist Way, to cult classics like Clerks and The Big Lewboski. I'm a comedy connoisseur you could say. So after lasts month's array of horror movies, from now on when you see a movie review on here it's more than likely gonna be a comedy. This is no different. 30 Minutes or Less follows the story of Nick and Chet. Nick is a slacker pizza delivery man, and Chet is his best friend who is recently getting promoted in his teaching profession. Meanwhile two guys, Dwayne and Travis, one of which's dad struck it big with the lottery, are planning on hiring a hit-man to kill him to get the rest of the money. They plot a plan to kidnap someone, strap a bomb to their chest, and make them rob a bank. The poor soul turns out to be Nick and he's forced to ask his best friend Chet to help him rob the bank, lest he blow up. This, for me, has two of the funniest actors of the last three years in Aziz Ansari and Danny McBride. Jesse Eisenberg is very underrated as a comedic actor and while I haven't given Swardson too much of a chance he was solid in this. Especially in the scenes where he's given an extended back and forth with McBride. There is lulls in this movie and some unfunny parts, but as a whole you'll be laughing a lot (at least I did, but I'm pretty easy to please comedy-wise). Aziz and Eisenberg (like Swardson/McBride) work very well off of each other. There's social and current age humor, the cruder low brow parts are done well, there's even psychical humor (quite a bit actually). Wasn't looking for Oscar caliber acting in this film, just jokes, one liners, and good comedy. For the most part, I found it. Never felt long, I was laughing a lot, and made me feel quite good and upbeat afterward. Really all I can ask for in a film.

Song of the Day #9

I already know what's going to be playing all morning for me. It's a great upbeat track, a bonus one no less that's getting radio play, from J. Cole's Cole World: The Sideline Story called "Work Out." He samples Kanye West's "New Workout Plan" beat, which I love, his rapping is on point, and I love the chorus and ending of this song. Not to mention it's upbeat and catchy.

"Hey, we got a good thing

Don't know if I'm a see you again, see you again

But is that a good thing?

Cause girl I can't be your man, no ma'am

I know what's on your brain

You're probably hoping it never would end

Like is it the real thing or is just a one night stand

Well then

Straight up now tell me do you really wanna love me forever?

Oh, oh, oh

Or is it just a hit and run

Well, Straight up I tell ya I just really wanna cut when were together

Oh, oh, oh

Come here girl let's get it on"

Song of the Day #8

"I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold

I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good."

I'm getting into these song of the day posts, but I'm still not sure it'll be an everyday thing. But for now since I'm not in the mood for really listening to too many new albums/music over a weeks period of time I like these. After yet another awful day where I found out my grandma isn't doing well and inadvertently (maybe at this point it's some flaw in me though) being a major dick to people only trying to help I turned to what may be Kid Cudi's best track. "Pursuit of Happiness" is a hopeful song. No matter what happens in life you need to chase happiness and even if you stumble keep trying to get there. Aside from the meanings and stuff, this is just a good song. The chill beat, Cudi's nice rapping, a feature from Ratatat, and MGMT  providing chords. Just amazing.

"Tell me what you know about dreamin’ dreamin’

you don't really know about nothin’ nothin’

tell me what you know about them night terrors every night

5 am, cold sweats wakin’ up to the skies

tell me what you know about dreams, dreams

tell me what you know about night terrors, nothin’

you don't really care about the trials of tomorrow

rather lay awake in a bed full of sorrow"

Song of the Day #7

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a Bruno Mars fan. His music is pretty simple pop/RnB (even with all the layers going on), his lines are (at times) far too lovey dovey, but man can he sing. Had this been a day where I wasn't working on stuff "The Lazy Song" would've been on repeat, but for some reason this song, "Talking to the Moon", took over. There's so much hope and yet so much sadness in the lyrics. Almost a contradiction of emotion if you will. Also I've always liked the serene and peaceful tones in this song. Just one of those days where in the back of your mind you're missing so many people and hope they can somehow sense you're hurting. Happy 11/11/11 everyone.

"Talking to the moon

Trying to get to you

In hopes you're on the other side

Talking to me too

Or am I a fool

Who sits alone

Talking to the moon"

Song(s) of the Day #6

Aside from the verses in yet another Kid Cudi song I've been running these two song all day. No real emotional connection or anything. These are just damn good songs. It's no lie that I'm a Kid Cudi fan, and if you don't know I'm also a big Nicki Minaj fan. With the exception of Jean Grae, I believe she's the best female rapper going right now (and that has happened in the last half a decade to be honest). Also (big surprise) Kanye West is featured on both of these songs. He always complements Cudi well when they hook-up on a song (and they do it often) and Nicki let's him go FUCKING OFF when she featured him on Pink Friday. 

Nicki Minaj feat Kanye West- "Blazin'" from Pink Friday

Kid Cudi fest. Kanye West- "Erase Me" from Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Ranger

"It's like I'm her new nightmare

She ain't escaping

It makes me feel a bit complete

yeah

Knowing someone you love

Don't feel the same way about ya

Memories, they soon delete

hmmmmmmm"

This Week In Song #7

This week in song is going to be an album review. Cause I've fallen back into listening to one particular thing for days upon days. The last time I wrote a real album review was last year for Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (My top album of 2010, 5/5, highly innovative, epic new sounding beats, amazing guests, rapping on point. Just everything perfect.). People say that mainstream modern rap and hip-hop is bad, unworthy, and will never live up to the 90s and early 2000s rap. To an extent they could be right. Rap in the 90s was new, fresh, and the in thing. Now it seems that everyone and their mothers are doing raps, rhymes, and the like in all genres of music. And when an artist does release a hip-hop album it's cliche, generic sounding, and just all around bad. People also have different tastes in their listening of rap music. The lyrics and delivery in a song could be sub-par or even just terrible, but a great beat can make the song great. It's also true for the flip-side, the most lyrically minded technical rapper can have the shittiest beat and it ruin the song. It all depends on musical tastes in the end when you listen to this genre. Sure people say that Eminem, Rick Ross, Lil Wanye and the like are the top tier of mainstream rap. Sure album sales and popularity-wise. But when it comes to lyrics, guests, and beats, it doesn't get better than production and rapping by Kanye West and Jay-Z. Kanye has always had the knack for sliding the "sex, cars, hoes" aspect of rap into his songs so that it doesn't make it seem like it's the focal point. All while keeping the almost "conscious" and controversial side of his lyrics intact. Not to mention his production, always amazing. IMO the innovator of sampling songs to put over beats, he can always find a way to make a beat sound smooth and awesome. Jay-Z has been a juggernaut in this genre since the mid-90s. He worked during Notorious BIG/Tupac era, and he is one of the rappers, that kept the genre "alive" in the early 2000s when it was hard to find ANYTHING worthwhile. Jay has the "east coast swag" as you could call it. His production is always good, and his rapping is so fine tuned it's amazing to listen to him on tracks. One of those people who has truly perfected their craft. 

Now after this long winded intro, that possibly sounded like I was dick-riding Kanye and Jay haha, we can get to why I love this album. Simple answer, this is like MBDTF Part 2. Well that's the review. Just kidding. Right out of the gate with "No Church In The Wild", it's a one, two, three punch of a slowed down beat and solid Kanye/Jay verses with a powerful chorus sung by Frank Ocean. I'll say this now so I son't have to repeat it throughout all this, but I love all the beats on this album. So if you don't see mention it for a particular song, don't fret, I still enjoyed it. Right into what I call the "All of the Lights" of Watch the Throne. A grandiose song, filled with big sounds and a big voice in Beyonce. It took me like 10 listens to get into this song, but it finally came around to me. Now is where, for me, the meat of the album starts. Great rapping, great lyrics, great beats and just a great 15 minutes of listening when we hit "Niggas in Paris", "Otis", "Gotta Have It", "New Day", and "That's My Bitch". The beat for "Gotta Have It" may still be my favorite beat on this album. We also get a glimpse of real soulful beats and lyrics (which we'll still encounter later) with "New Day." This area of the album is what you'll listen A LOT to when you first get it. At least that's what I did. Now we onto the end section of the album. The lyrics in all these songs are real. You can hear and feel the pain and emotion in the lyrics. Whether it's with a souped up "Welcome to the Jungle" beat with Swizz Beatz in the background or it's amazingly sung chorus in "Murder to Excellence", you're going to find an emotional edge. The lyrics are real too, it's not fake, it's from the heart, real experiences, and things they went through in life. I love it when rappers keep quality and technique with realness. "Welcome to the Jungle", "Who Gon Stop Me", "Murder to Excellence", "Made in America", and "Why I Love You" is this third level of this album and the prefect way to end it. Now I could go on and keep praising this album with it's bonus tracks, but i'll stop it here, with the main album. I will say though that "Illest Motherfucker Alive" and "Primetime" are amazing tracks and I'm glad they made it to even the bonus tracks of the deluxe edition. All in all this is a damn good album. As if you couldn't tell from the constant praise throughout. If I have to say one more thing though I'll say this. When I'm listening to album, whether it's the 1st or 50th time, when it doesn't feel like I'm wasting time, or checking track times, and just enjoying the music, then it's going to be an album I adore. First listen through, I was pissed when it ended, I wanted more. I love this album and it'll probably end up album of the year for me. Get this, you can hate (or whatever) modern rap and hip-hop all you want. But this is another one of the albums done right.

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I've also included the album art for this by Riccardo Tisci. Loved all the album art and styles Kanye put out with MBDTF and I'm glad he has this artistic sight. I like all these pictures and have even contemplated getting a tattoo of the angel in the last picture (My personal favorite). If you enjoy art, you may enjoy these that were included with the album.

The Smackdown Lowdown 11/4/11

Do we really need an intro from a random show in limbo before Survivor Series? The Rock is "back" on Raw, CM Punk is No.1 Contender for Alberto Del Rio's WWE Championship and we're going to see what becomes of Mark Henry and the World Heavyweight Championship here on Smackdown. I hear there's a Street Fight between the Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. So let's give ya the lowdown on Smackdown!

Randy Orton beat Cody Rhodes (Interconteninal Champion) via pinfall in Street Fight: 8/10 or 4/5 Stars

I like this little feud. Both men have been working well with each other and it has produced a couple good matches and great promos out of Rhodes. By this point this is a 30 minutes awesome-fest. It's not technical, but it's taken 3 commercial breaks to fit this very good street fight into the show. End match, Orton hits Rhodes with the mask and rolls into the snap powerslam. Orton sets up for the RKO, Rhodes pushes off and hits the Beautiful Disaster for a long two. Rhodes goes for the Cross Rhodes, Orton spins out and tries  to hit the second rope DDT. Rhodes slips out to the floor and they brawl at ringside until Orton hits a DDT off the barricade  Orton throws Rhodes back in the ring and blasts him with a RKO for the pinfall in this near 30 minutes match. Afterward, Randy is leaving ringside and notices a paper bag on the floor. He picks it up, goes back into the ring and proceeded to place the paper bag on Cody Rhodes' head.

We get the Raw Rebound as we go to commercial break, showing more Triple H and Kevin Nash stuff. I really didn't pay attention to this on Raw or in the Rebound just now.

We get welcomed back by Matt Striker saying that he'll have an interview with the World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry later.

Ted DiBiase beat Tyson Kidd via pinfall in a singles match: 2/10 or 1/5 Stars

DiBiase has always had potentinal and I've always said WWE needs to do more with him. Tyson Kidd, I think, is a stud in the making someday. This is a little more than a squash, but one none the less. DiBiase ends the match with Dream Street after a couple minutes.

Matt Striker is in the back with Mark Henry. Henry starts talking about giving the Big Show plenty of chances, for something, he trails off when he sees Daniel Bryan standing at the Kraft Food service in the back. He tell Bryan he better not be thinking about cashing in on him. Bryans says he's still cashing in a Wrestlemania. Henry then says he can wait till the second coming, but he won't beat him. Henry then says he's going to Teddy to make a match between the two.

Alicia Fox beat Natayla via pinfall in a singles match: 2/10 or 1/5 Stars

End match Nattie puts on a Boston crab. Alicia gets out and hits a wobbly insiguri, and the a somersault leg drop for the one, two, three. Nothing really to say....

Big Show comes out to the ring. As he does they show Mark Henry and Big Show breaking the ring at Vengeance and he says they have unfinished business. Shows says that every week Henry doesn't respond that mama said to knock you out. Christian's music hits and he comes out to the ring. Christian said that the "mama said knock you out" line was as big as it was gonna get. Big Show agrees and starts to leave, But Christian ponders why Show thinks he should get one more match. After a huge spiel by Christian, the Big Show starts to scratch his chin. Christian calls him out on trying to knock him the fuck out, but instead of punching him in the face he gives him a chokeslam as we go to commercial.

Christian vs Sheamus in a single match: Never Started

As Sheamus is coming down to the ring Christian is still reeling form the chokeslam and says that he can't compete. Wade Barrett's music hits. As he walks down to the ring he says Christian is in no condition to compete that he has a suitable replacement, him.

Wade Barrett beat Sheamus via pinfall in a singles match: 6/10 or 3/5 Stars

Barrett steps in the ring and the match immediately begins. I like all these guy out here at ringside too.  Barrett throws a bunch of knee lifts as Sheamus is in the ropes and big boots Sheamus out of the ring as we go to commercial break. End match Sheamus hits a flurry of offense. Sheamus is going for the Celtic Cross and Christian hops on the apron, distracting Sheamus.  Barrett then rolls up Sheamus into a schoolboy for the 1-2-3. After the match Christian spears Sheamus before leaving with Barrett to the back. 

As we come back Sheamus is giving a beat down to Christian in the back. Sheamus is then hit form behind by Barrett and they brawl until being broken up by security.

Daniel Bryan is getting ready in the back and Big Show walks up. Bryan says he's got it, but Big Show insists on being in his corner with his match against Mark Henry.

We get another Raw Rebound, this time we go over The Muppets taking over Raw on Monday. I liked it. I love The Muppets comedy and style, and they had some great moments in my humble opinion.

More Brodus Clay promos and he's finally re-debuting on Raw this Monday. Let's hope he eats Hornswoggle on-air.

Sin Cara beat Epico via DQ in a singles match: 2/10 or 1/5 Stars

Epico, new guy, I guess. And he can throw suplexes! Dear Lord, back suplexes, Germans, etc. Epico then slaps on the Gory Special wow! End match, Sin Cara is going to the top rope for the swanton bomb. Huncio pushes him off the top rope for the DQ. Afterward Huncio and Epico give SinCara a beatdown. (This was very badly written, but I don't wanna rewrite, so live with it.)

Mark Henry (World Heavyweight Champion) beat Daniel Bryan (Mr. Money in the Bank) w/Big Show via DQ in a singles match: 3/10 or 1.5/5 Stars

 This was basically a main event squash match. But Bryan did get offense in, sleepers, a guillotine or two, and the that awesome flurry of kicks. End match Bryan was getting pummeled by Henry in the corner. After a running clothesline on Bryan, Big Show comes into the ring and KNOCKS Henry THE FUCK OUT. About as much as I expected from this to be honest.

After the match Big Show urges Daniel Bryan to cash in his Money in the Bank cause Henry was KO'd. Bryan climbs back in the ring and goes to hit Henry with the briefcase before cashing in. Instead he takes The Worlds Strongest Slam. Big Show the jumps in the ring and Henry blats him with the briefcase and hits another Worlds Strongest Slam on Big Show. At this point Teddy Long comes out and announces that at Survivor Series it will be the rematch of Big Show vs Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Smackdown Rating: 7/10 or 3.5/5 Stars

Last Week: 7/10 or 3.5/5 Stars

Yet ANOTHER another solid week for Smackdown. The promos  that were done were good. There was a ton of in-ring action. Sheamus and Barrett put on a good match and the 30 minute Street Fight between Rhodes and Orton to start the show was amazing. Watch that match if you watch any wrestling this week. I think we're moving nicely to Survivor Series as well. When there's not only two week between PPVs, there's time to build good story-lines and not seem like a bunch of morons without any wrestling sense.

That's it for The Smackdown Lowdown. As always suggest to me stuff you'd like me to write on. Also if you wanna add me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter, please do so. Really I don't mind.

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Song of the Day #5

Not much to say. Song's been on my mind a ton the past month and the lyrics resonate with me. So here's the lyrics and the song.

Jay-Z and Kanye West feat. Swizz Beatz- "Welcome to the Jungle" from Watch the Throne

"(Swizz)
Welcome to the jungle
Welcome to the jungle well (x2)

(Kanye West)

I asked her where she wanna be when she 25.
She turned around and looked at me and said “alive”

(Swizz)

Welcome to the jungle, welcome to the jungle well

(Jay-Z)

Black Axl Rose, Move halfs and wholes
Come down to the jungle, Just ask for Hov
Move blocks and squares, Move apples and pears
Work pots and pans, Just to cop me some Airs
My uncle died, My Daddy did too
Paralyzed by the pain, I can barely move
My nephew gone, My heart is torn
Sometimes I look to the sky, Ask why I was born
My faith in God, Every day is hard
Every night is worse, That’s why I pray so hard

(Kanye West)

Why I pray so hard, This is crazy God
Just when I thought I had everything, I lost it all
So que sera, Get a case of Syrah
Let it chase the pain, Before it goes too far

(Jay-Z)

My dreams is big, Reality set in
Let off a clip from a automatic weapon,
Through shots in the door, it died in Vegas
Though it fought so hard, I knew it wouldn’t make it
I’m a tortured soul, I live in disguise
Rest in peace to the leader of the Jackson 5
I died in my sleep, I’m still Big Pimpin
I ball at the mall, Beginning of the ending
Where the fuck is the sun?
It’s been a while, Momma, look at ya son
What happened to my smile?
My tears is tatted My rag in my pocket
I’m just looking for love, I know somebody got it
Champagne for the pain, Weed for the low
God damn I’m so high, Where the fuck did I go?
I’m losing myself, I’m stuck in the moment
I look in the mirror, My only opponent
Where the f*ck is the press? Where the fuck is the Pres?
Either they know or don’t care I’m fucking depressed
No crying in public, Just lying to judges
Risking my life, I’m already dying, so fuck it well

(Swizz)

Welcome to the jungle, welcome to the jungle well
Goddammit!"