Category: Music

The Miracle of Woodstock

Advertisers described it as “an Aquarian Exposition.” The _New York Daily News_’ early coverage headlined it “Hippies Mired in a Sea of Mud.” Today, Wikipedia calls it “one of the greatest and most pivotal moments in popular music history.” Conservapedia … Read More

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Phoenix Falling

I am not entirely sure that Kanye West knows how a phoenix works. He does, however, know how to make a gorgeous, self-indulgent, gorgeously self-indulgent piece of art.

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Squirrelly Flow

Justin Bieber “is white,” and boy does he wants us to know. In case we weren’t already aware of the demographic categories he falls under (Caucasian, pubescent), he is kind enough to remind us at the very end of his … Read More

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Phallus Palace

Examining Die Antwoord’s new video “Evil Boy,” it seems more meaningful and efficient to list all the _non-phallic_ imagery:

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Digesting Digest

Bradford Cox has always reminded me of Bean, that tiny, brainy kid from Orson Scott Card’s _Ender’s Game_ book series. For the non-nerds among you, Bean is the smartest, and smallest, of a group of preadolescents who are trying to … Read More

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The Lady’s a Politician

Philadelphia, PA It’s the middle of the night in a packed venue in downtown Philly. With one high-heeled foot on the piano bench and another on the piano itself, Lady Gaga puts her hand on her heart and rasps into … Read More

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Scan His Rhymes

If great hip-hop artists produce minor hip-hop artists, as RZA brought us Method Man and Biggie Diddy, Gucci Mane may achieve greatness on October 5th, when Waka Flocka Flame attempts to achieve with _Flockaveli_ what OJ Da Juiceman sort-of eventually … Read More

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Buy [Gucci’s] Album

In the video for the first single off his new LP _The Appeal: Georgia’s Most Wanted_, Gucci Mane, sporting space-age bug-eyed sunglasses, a grey keffiyeh and a mink around his head, asks his audience, “Do you know what time it … Read More

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Download G.O.O.D. Fridays

Kanye West divides and provokes and resides like few entertainers suspended in the stratosphere of fame. His skill as a musician is indubitable, but so is his misbehavior. To some, he is a prophet of the heavens, speaking Truth to … Read More

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Bombs and Hookers

“Innovator”—Plains (Link) At first we think it’s a requiem; the minors chords on a solo guitar, “ROOSEVELT DIES SUDDENLY” as the featured headline. The women weep as Truman kisses the Bible, then as shadows descend over the mountains the soldiers … Read More

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Desert Apocalypse

During the monorail ride at the Newark Airport, most of the talk was about how “crazy” the weekend would be at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The lineup was particularly strong this year, boasting Thom Yorke, The xx, … Read More

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Top 30 Albums on WPRB

1. BLACK TAMBOURINE Black Tambourine [Slumberland] 2. FOUR TET There Is Love In You [Domino] 3. PANTHA DU PRINCE Black Noise [Rough Trade] 4. TITUS ANDRONICUS The Monitor [XL] 5. VARIOUS ARTISTS Pomegranates: Persian Pop [B-Music] 6. TED LEO AND … Read More

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