SWIPER, no swiping!

You thought this was dead.... actually I'm pretty much dead. I'm so tired of work, but it's almost done. Anyway, everything is going, or that's the least I can say about things so far. I have good news and bad news. Bad news first (like always).

Super-Ultra-Terribly-Bad News: No SXSW for me. Therefore, no unchaperoned weekend in Austin. I hate the Media Board here, they don't realize how much work Sam, me and the rest of the E-staff put into the station. I literally spend at least 10-13 hours here. So, super bummed out, but I'm trying to get over it. Their excuse is that we're seniors, so we won't be coming back next year to "apply what we learned." Ha, yeah right, everyone knows that SXSW is a dirty, drunken blur filled with awesome music.

Good News: This dreadful year is almost over... and I rediscovered Hip Hop. So good. I think I'm totally over my chanson phase, after a dreadful show (my CDs would not stop skipping). Top Hip Hop albums at the current moment? Oh well, that's difficult, but if I had to say:

1. 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
With the exception of "De La Orgy," which always sort of freaks me out, this album is such a classic for me. I've been listening to it as my 'default' album -- you know, when you're walking around with your iPod and you're like, I should listen to something... Yeah, that one has mine for the past several weeks. It's old-school and has a very innocent charm. I tend to like non-aggressive rap -- one that's not in-your-face as much, but is more subtle about its music. And it flows superbly! It's ill! Stand out tracks: "Tread Water," "Eye Know," "Me, Myself, and I," "Plug Tunin'" (original 12" version)," and "Buddy."

2. Paul's Boutique by the Beastie Boys
Duh! I've been in love with these m-effers for such a long time. I have fond memories of dancing and singing along to "Brass Monkey" -- so much so, that I went out and bought, "Licensed to Ill" (I'm not a big CD person). But soon I realized that this was kind of a "just listening but not really taking in sort of seriously" album. It didn't have much substance in terms of themes and coherence, except that they enjoyed partying. Not to say the album was bad, but perhaps a bit immature for me. But their next album, Paul's Boutique, showed a more savvy side of the Beastie Boys -- they could still talk about partying, girls, or whatever, but they were really maturing musically. What I really love about this album is that it samples different artists very well. The best one is in "The Sound of Science" when they take snippets of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper. The art of sampling is really one that is underappreciated and understated, I think. I mean artists listen to hours of music and pick out parts that they feel fit in best with their own music. Anyway, the sample fits in perfectly and adds so much more meaning to the track. It's really great.

3. The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
And of course, this is a classic hip-hop album from the early 90s. The first time I listened to the album was when I was on the bus on my way to visit Danny. Needless to say, even at 10 in the morning, it was a really entertaining album. I think I listened to it a total of 3 times on the way up there. It creates a really intelligent and unique vintage atmosphere, which you really get immersed into. They pay homage to Jazz with upright basses and interspersed piano bits, but at the same time they don't forget the up and coming genre of hip hop. It is self-aware but not boastful, and Tribe really takes their time in the album to establish themselves. It is a brilliant album, and now that I think about it -- it should probably at the top. My bad. Anyway, it is definitely an album worth purchasing -- it gets better with each listen. Stand outs: "Excursions," "Verses from the Abstract," "Butter," "Rap Promoter," "Jazz (We've Got it)"

And in terms of current music: Listen to the Miniature Tigers (catchy pop-hoooks!), Deerhunter (best album yet!), Shugo Tokumaru, and the new Antony and the Johnsons' EP (Whoa!). I'll post an update on new music later... there is a lot of good stuff out there.

Music is everywhere, and it's wonderful -- if you're looking in the right places.... that is to say, not up Coldplay's butt.