Schwerve's Magnum Opus: Top 1000 Songs and 100 Albums of The Decade (2007)
Disclaimer: Years are fairly arbitrary time periods. The only thing that makes a decade is the human conditions' odometer fetish. Unfortunately, like you, I'm human as well and fall prey to these tendencies. I can't claim to know everything, I'm just an educated observer; and here are my educated observations. They are not perfect and neither you nor I will completely agree with them in a years time, but that is the fun of lists.
This is my last list that falls under the category of music dork, prior to 2005 I'd call myself music-dork-in-training and from here on I move to music uber-nerd. I actually still have the copy of the top 25 list I made in 2007, and I have to say, at least for the top spots, not much has changed. Although since then the Les Savy Fav and Beirut albums have really grown on me. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the Of Montreal album, which I think already sounds dated.
Make sure to check out, Leslie Fiest doing 1,2,3,4 on sesame street, Radiohead - House of Cards for its brilliant video, which you can download and actually play in 3-D, Cheeseburger - Tiger, cause they don't make that kind of straight up sloppy rock n' roll anymore, and the amazing take away show version of Beirut - Nantes.
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The Best of Chicago '09... Preview
Lupe Fiasco once said, "Really love my city, and I hope that G-D bless it." And bless he did, uh, musically at least. While Chicago got dissed from the Olympic Committee, saw their parking meters jacked, and all around sports failures, at least the arts and culture scene put forth something to be proud of. To celebrate the year that was in music, fashion, and culture, we put together a survey to highlight the best of Chicago 2009. We invited a wide variety of our friends, colleagues, and associates to tell us their favorite artists, release, DJs, clubs, clothing brands etc from '09, and before we publish the list, we want to give you an opportunity to get in on the action. The categories are below, and if you'd like to chip in your two cents, all you need to do is send your answers to RubyHornet@Gmail.com. The final list will be released later this week, so get cracking.
Also big shouts to everyone who returned their survey.
Nefew: "What U Talk About" Video
"I don't care about the money, I seek emcees."
I have a soft spot for those "bring it back to the essence" type of songs, and Swiss-American act, Nefew brings forth such a vibe on their re-released "What U Talk About". After handling things in Europre, the duo is setting their sites on the U.S., and this is a solid introduction. Check out the video below.
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Flow Official: "Down This Road" featuring !MayDay!
"We just do it with a classic touch, they say I don't brag enough."
Flow Official links up with !MayDay! for "Down This Road" a soulful musical journey that will have you asking for a return trip. The song appears on Flow's latest album, Architects. Listen and download it below.
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Dan Black: "Symphonies" (Hot City Remix)
Dan Black's "Symphonies" is somewhat similar to Miike Snow's "Animal" and The Ting Tings' "Great DJ". I say that because "Symphonies" continues to see new life via new remixes, even though the song's original release was not anytime in the recent past. Having said that, here's another remix of Dan Black's most recognizable joint, this one done by Hot City. You can listen and grab it here via RCRDLBL.
The Eddie Bauer Heritage Collection
Please believe that one of my mom's favorite charge cards was the Eddie Bauer card. My back to school and winter break wardrobe were both heavily Eddie Bauer'ed out as a kid, and I definitely had the tan EB backpack. Well, Eddie Bauer has just launched its Heritage Collection, adding new sensibilities to their classic pieces. You can check out the full collection right here, which includes some very stylish outerwear pieces.
Pennjamin Banneker: Hello World Mixtape
I'm going to be completely honest here... Benjamin Banneker is way too overlooked, and any emcee naming themselves Pennjamin Banneker can at least get one post... Let that be a lesson kids, a clever name can open doors. Anyway, the Project Fr3sh emcee introduces himself via Hello World, a new mixtape you can download here.
Crucial Conflict Named "Could Be Contenders" By I.E.
You can add another magazine cover to Crucial Conflict's resume, however, this one is somewhat bittersweet for ColdHard and co... In their January issue, Illinois Entertainer highlighted 18 Chicago bands that never quite got the shine they once seemed destined for. Included in the group are acts such as Eleventh Dream Day, Aluminum Group, Hum, and yes, The Flict.
I.E. writes:
"Crucial Conflict never got their "Slow Jamz." While Twista's toil in a blizzard of broken music-industry promises was repaid handsomely, these West Siders lit up the joint with "Hay" in '96, but haven't been able to do much since. Partly undercut by Bone Thugs comparisons and alone with their "rodeo" palette of sounds, their second album passed without notice and they spoen the next decade in limbo. Even 2008's Planet Crucon failed to make much of a comeback, idling on Amazon.com with a scant three reviews."
In the same issue, Hey Champ is named of one 10 Chicago acts to watch in 2010. So, props to them...