Play it by ear...

...this is going to be a post about music, so that was a bad pun. However, it works in so many ways when describing the state of this blog....

What I'm currently listening to (because I have a false sense of self importance and think people give a shit what I listen to):


Album: Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star)
Genre: Hip-Hop
Released: 1998
Standout Songs: Definition, RE: definition, Respiration
My take: It was around 1997-1998 when hip-hop took a terrible turn as far as I was concerned. Biggie and Tupac(who I wasn't really a fan of) were both dead, and this glam, frilly, music took over thanks to the likes of Sean Combs and others. I was completely turned off...stopped listening to the radio, stopped watching MTV for the most part. I wanted nothing to do with mainstream hip-hop. I found wonderful underground music after this...and this was one of the first albums I bought...outstanding piece of work. Both lyricists are hungry and relatively early in their careers, and that combination makes for a great album. If you are a hip-hop fan (and don't like most of what you hear on the radio) it's something you should at least hear.

Album: Silent Alarm (Bloc Party)
Genre: Indie Rock(i think)
Released: 2005
Standout Songs: Like Eating Glass, Banquet
My take: I can't give a full synopsis as I just recently started listening to this...but I like it. It's rock music, but it's not cheesy or overblown in any sense, at least to me. Something I can actually listen to from end to end. I can't explain my affinity for British indie rock music, but this is a good album, just wish I had stumbled upon it sooner.

Album: The Black Album (Jay-Z)
Genre: Hip-Hop
Released: 2003
Standout Songs: What More Can I Say, Threat, PSA
My take: What more can possibly be said about Jay-Z? This isn't his most recent album, however its probably a much better effort. This was the album he went into his "retirement" with and it seemed at the time a good way to go out. Obviously a different person from his first offering in 1996 (Reasonable Doubt), but still just as if not more talented lyrically. The album hits some snags (namely anytime he works with Pharrell of the Neptunes), but it's still solid, and for some reason I find myself listening to it currently.

Album: Corinne Bailey Rae (Corinne Bailey Rae)
Genre: Soul/Jazz/R&B
Released: 2006
Standout Songs: Like A Star, Enchantment
My take: I must have some soft spot for British musicians...or maybe its just soul/jazz music. Whatever it is I happened upon this album last year after watching Vh1 Soul late one evening, and I'm still listening to it. Not sure if its for everyone, but she has a good voice, and her songs are very pleasant. Great to listen to when trying to relax.