Atmosphere: God Loves Ugly (2002)

::: So I figured I would do a post about this album for those who might not have heard it before. God Loves Ugly, by Atmosphere, was actually the album that got me into underground hip hop. I first heard Slug and Ant at a tattoo shop, with the now familiar rhymes of a track called "Trailer Park Chicken" playing over the stereo system. I asked the artist who was playing in the background, and he said "Atmosphere, man" like I should have already known. The next day I went out and purchased God Loves Ugly, and from then on I was hooked. But I'm not trying to bore you with consequential details, I am just giving the context in which my eyes were opened to the world of underground, intellectual, and independent hip hop. God Loves Ugly showed me that there was more to rap than the banality of the "gangsta" lifestyle. I had no idea music like this even existed, let alone there was an entire subculture of independent hip hop artists that had been making music for years. Needless to say, I never looked back, and Atmosphere is still one of my favorite duos today. What makes God Loves Ugly so great is that it is a perfect blend of deep, emotional, and introspective lyrics, along with a sufficient amount of hip hop bravado. Slug lays down consistently solid verses about individuality, love/love lost, and social commentary among other things, while ANT creates the perfect setting with great production. God Loves Ugly completely changed the way I viewed hip hop music, and opened my mind to so many other artists and genres as a result. If you haven't heard this album, then stop sleeping.

Girl Talk: Night Ripper (2006)

::: Take every pop, rap, rock, and dance song you've heard in the last 20-30 years, mash them together, and what do you get? Obviously, Night Ripper by Pittsburgh, PA native Girl Talk. This is one of the best party CDs that I have heard in a long time. The album is a chaotic and glitchy hodgepodge of popular music from decades past, along with club rap tunes of more recent years. It is unbelievable to me how flawlessly Girl Talk combines all of the genres into something that actually works. For example, he successfully adapts a verse from "Juicy" by Notorious B.I.G. to the renowned piano of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer." The album is so full of these clever and perfect mishmashes that it would take forever for me to try to recount all of them. But I can almost guarantee that anyone who hears Night Ripper will undoubtedly be impressed by his skill and choice in songs. It is pop/dance/rock/rap/crunk at its finest.

Josh Martinez: Midriff Music (2005)

::: I guess I must be on a Canadian kick these days, because after I wrote my previous post about Classified, I came across another talented artist from up north named Josh Martinez. I really wish I would have heard of this guy earlier, because his album Midriff Music is really an excellent CD. It is one of those albums that just puts you in an upbeat and positive state of mind, like a carefree summer day. He has a distinct, almost raspy voice that works great with his flow style, which is a mixture of both rapping and singing. It is refreshing to hear someone bring a distinguishing style to the mic and combine it with catchy crooning. His subject matter is diverse, with his own views and interpretations on personal life and life in general articulated effortlessly over the boom bap percussion. All of the beats are done by a producer named Samix, who does an awesome job creating the backdrop for Midriff Music. His style is reminiscent of ANT of Atmosphere, and is highlighted on a couple of instrumental tracks throughout the album. The combination of Josh Martinez and Samix makes for a great album that is sure to put any listener in a cheerful and positive mood. Highly recommended.

Myspace Page

Classified: Boy-Cott-In The Industry (2005)

::: There is a common misconception here in the U.S. that hip hop is done best by those within our borders. And while I have agreed with that to a certain extent in the past, it's obvious that hip hop has spread around the world and there are plenty of talented MCs from abroad. Classified, of Canada, is one example of a foreign MC that not only has a dynamic flow but is also a meritorious producer and beatmaker. It's safe to say this his producing skills are good enough that he could easily make a name for himself on beats alone. The first track that I listened to by Classified was one entitled "Beatin It" in which he raps about the beatmaking process, while actually constructing the beat as you listen. It was an idea that really caught my attention and drove me to inquire more about him. I came across Boy-Cott-In The Industry, which is his second major release, and was very impressed. He has a unique view on the state of hip hop and doesn't simply fall back on the typical cliche topics discussed in many hip hop releases. He reflects on the troubles and triumphs of his life on "No Mistakes," reps his home country of Canada in "Meritimes," and displays his lyrical prowess on "Unexplainable Hunger" with Choclair and Royce Da 5'9". To top it off, all of his beats are world-class. Whether it's a high-pitched female vocal sample or catchy piano loop, you always know it's going to bump with Class behind the wheel. If you haven't had the chance to check out Classified, or are unfamiliar with the world of hip hop outside of the U.S., be sure to listen to Boy-Cott-In The Industry.

edIT: Crying Over Pros For No Reason (2004)

::: In one of my previous posts, for Tipper's album, I mentioned that the only person on his level as far as mashing tracks was an artist by the name of edIT. However, to clarify, I'd have to say that edIT is THE master of the mash-up/glitch-hop genre. Alot of the music that he releases is upbeat and chaotic, leaning toward "get the f**k up" party music. I really enjoy the high energy releases, but personally I prefer his 2004 album entitled Crying Over Pros For No Reason. In fact, it is definitely one of the best glitch based albums ever, yes ever, and is probably my favorite within that genre. Crying Over Pros For No Reason is different than his newer releases and mixes in that it is primarily downtempo and melodic. The entire album is heavily influenced by electronica and synthesized instrumentation, but you can sense the underlying hip hop mechanism that drives the sound. Each track is unique, with some sounding ambient and others more dark and foreboding. Amid these canorous harmonies are interspersed blips, glitches, and unique cadences that do not distract the listener, but enhance the auditory experience. edIT is a master at combining these elements, to the extent that the music has such fluidity that it almost feels liquidous. As each new sound is forced upon the listener like an explosion, it quickly fades away as if sucked back into the aqueous sonance. edIT manages to take the erratic, unpredictable nature of glitch infused music and turn it into something both alluring and progressive. If you haven't heard this album, or edIT in general, do yourself a favor and get Crying Over Pros For No Reason. It is truly one of my favorite albums.

1 Ashtray (4:15)
2 Ants (4:03)
3 Laundry (5:45)
4 Situps Pullups (5:16)
5 Dex (4:28)
6 Twenty Minutes (4:42)
7 Screening Phone Calls (2:48)
8 Mop Head (3:23)
9 Ltlp (3:15)
10 Mildew (1:03)

Spoonfull: Drawn With An Eraser (2007)

::: When I found out about Spoonfull, I was getting tired of a lot of the hip hop that's been coming out lately. It's not that the artists aren't talented, it's just that the same themes and subject matter are being recycled over and over so that too many rappers sound the same. I stumbled upon Drawn With An Eraser, which is Spoonfull's debut album, and it was like a breath of fresh air. The album covers a wide variety of topics, from relationships to social commentary to typical hip hop bravado, which Spoonfull lays down with the best of them. But it's the way he rhymes and the way he presents these ideas that makes him so great. His flow is distinct and idiosyncratic, and he just has a confidence and swagger on every track. It's one of those albums that gets better each time you hear it. Definitely get this album if you are a fan of underground hip hop, quality content and solid rhymes. Make sure you check out "A Girl Named Crown" on his Myspace page.

1 Drawn With an Eraser
2 You
3 Maple Leaves feat. iii
4 Walk Back
5 Backpacker
6 Hey Friend
7 Rivera Dance
8 Mood Swings With Torrey
9 A Girl Named Crown
10 Photo
11 The Sleepers
12 Lady Liberty ft. Gravity, Hibernation, Nimrod, and K-nice
13 H.O.M.E
14 Unfold
15 You Know The Name

Favorite Tracks: Drawn With An Eraser, You, Backpacker, A Girl Named Crown, Photo, You Know The Name

Lovage: Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By (2001)

::: Just by looking at the title, I'm sure you can guess the overall theme of the album. Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By is produced by the infamous Dan the Automator, under the guise of "Nathaniel Merriweather" with Kid Koala on turntables. The beats sound like typical Dan the Automator (downtempo, lo-fi hip hop), but are crafted to suit the sensual and dirty vocals of Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Peeping Tom) and Jennifer Charles (Elysian Fields). Together they form Lovage, one of my favorite one-album collaborations of all-time. Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By is hard to classify, in that it takes elements from cheesy r&b, hip hop, and lounge music (among other genres). For the most part the album is tongue-in-cheek, but it doesn't come across as a comedy album. I'd say it's part poking fun at lounge music and r&b, and part paying homage to them. Mike Patton's singing is hilarious at times, as he is a bit overly dramatic and cliche, but it fits with the musical style of the album perfectly. Jennifer Charles has probably the sexiest voice I've ever heard. She reminds me of an old-school lounge singer, but more sultry and seductive. Both Mike Patton and Jennifer Charles go a little over the top in their renditions of the genres but it all fits well with the beats of Automator and Kid Koala. So if you like any of the artists involved I'd definitely suggest you check this out. Though it has a sarcastic feel to it, I still think it's a great album. And next time the mood is right, remember the title...

1. Ladies Love Chest Rockwell
2. Pit Stop (Take Me Home)
3. Anger Management
4. Everyone Has A Summer
5. To Catch A Thief
6. Lies And Alibis
7. Herbs, Good Hygiene & Socks
8. Book Of The Month
9. Lifeboat
10. Strangers On A Train
11. Lovage (Love That Lovage, Baby)
12. Sex (I'm A)
13. Koala's Lament
14. Tea Time With Maseo
15. Stroker Ace
16. Archie & Veronica

Devin: The Dude (1998)

::: Back in high school, before I discovered underground hip hop, I listened to a lot of gangsta rap. I had the subs in the trunk, always riding around Wichita bumping as loud as possible. Basically, the harder the bass hit the better. During that period my favorite rapper was Devin the Dude, and he is still one that I listen to today. What makes Devin so dope is the fact that you always know what you are gonna get: weed, beer and bitches. No talk about guns, murder, or selling drugs, just feel good flows about drinkin,' smokin' and gettin' laid. Simple as that. But Devin has a style about him that is totally unique and entertaining. The Dude is his first album, and provides an intro to what makes him who he is. Hailing from Houston, Devin has a southern kind of style that doesn't sound like anyone else I've heard before. And even though he raps about pretty much the same things throughout the album, it doesn't get old. Along with his hilarious rhymes and take on life, he sings as well. All of the choruses are performed by Devin in his distinct southern drawl. So if you are in the mood for a laid back album to smoke or drink to, just pop in The Dude and prepare to bob your head. Check out his album Just Tryin' Ta Live also. If you go to his MySpace page, be sure to listen to "Doobie Ashtray." It's a classic.

Favorites: The Dude, Sticky Green, Do What You Wanna Do, Mo Fa Me, See What I Can Pull, Write or Wrong, Boo Boo'n, and Show 'Em.