Category Archives: Hip Hop

Check It Out: Maidenstone

21 March, 2016 Brian Mc 1 Comment

This post goes out to everyone who thinks I only ever talk about punk rock.

You know folks, I do like other genres of music and one of them is hip hop.

So let’s talk about hip hop shall we?

One thing I have always liked about hip hop is the beats that fuel the lyrics. I am sure many of you can agree with me that a rap song with terrible beats is nothing to talk about.

Akron, OH’s Maidenstone specialize in beats and unique instrumentals. They are not a rap group, but rather a couple of pals who decided to borrow lyrics from various rappers and supply samples and beats taken from a wide span of musicians and composers. The result is an outstanding mixtape and does not focus on just one genre.

Here, check it out:

<a href="http://maidenstone.bandcamp.com/album/maidenstone">MAIDENSTONE by MAIDENSTONE</a>

Consisting of pals Cory Maiden and TJ Firestone, Maidenstone dropped their hip hop collaborative in December on BandCamp. The best part? It’s free for anyone who wants to hear what they threw together.

I think one thing about Maidenstone is that the samples are well-thought. “Holy Shit Batman” caught my attention thanks to the eccentric samples of Pulp and The Jesus and Mary Chain while “We Are Groot” had some Pet Shop Boys.

“Dark Arts” was insane and I hope to hell Mos Def hears this. Who knows, maybe he will be making a request for Maidenstone to create beats for his next release. That Peer Raben sample was just dark but powerful.

Of course I loved “Son of a Gun”. If anyone knows me, ODB is one of my favorite rappers out there. Add some piano and horns playing track from Perez Prado, and you have yourself a crazy ass track.

Another track I have to make mention of is “Vertical Kryptonite” and not just because Big Boi is on it, but because Maidenstone sampled The Greatest Show on Earth and it fits perfectly.

Sometimes tracks can be recreated in a good way. I am not talking about some shitty Genesis cover by Disturbed. I am talking about taking great songs and putting a new twist. It is kind of like a remix, but to me, this is a little more complex. Seriously, just listen to this. I guarantee you are going to dig some of it.

I also love their puck rock inspired covers to their mixes. Dammit, I just can not stay away from punk references, can I? Oh well. Download this and enjoy. I know I did.

Acoustic, Folk, Hip Hop, Indie, Listing It Up, Music, Pop, Punk, Rock, Solo

BHP Best of 2015

17 December, 2015 Brian Mc 1 Comment

2015 is wrapping up quickly so I felt it was best I get this out of the way before I become too involved with the holiday festivities.

As much as I wish I was more active on this blog, I will admit I am still listening to as much music as possible whenever time admits. I am not giving up just yet folks.

With that said, here are my choice releases for 2015:

BHP Best of 2015

Beach Slang – The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us
-This album was one of my favorite releases of 2015 before it was even released. I knew I was going to adore it before I heard it and I did. This is one of those bands that has really reached back into the 90s with their style and I love everything about it.

Yotam Ben-Horin – Distant Lover
-Yotam blew me away with his latest solo album. This dude rules and is one of my favorite songwriters out there.

Lucero – All A Man Should Do
-I love Lucero. With that said, when I first listened to this album, I was not digging it much. In fact, it was not until my third listen that I realized how solid the album is. I can not stop listening to it. Yeah, it is not like their older material but it still owns.

Baroness – Purple
-This album was literally just released (12/18/2015 for those of you who are wondering). Luckily there is that edit option on there here ol’ blog because this needs to be on my list. This album is perfect, absolutely perfect. After all this band has been through, it is nice to see them return with such force.

John Moreland – High On Tulsa Heat
-John Moreland is incredible. Words can not express my appreciation for this album. Seriously, I can not write anything about this, you will need to listen to it for yourself.

Frank Turner – Positive Songs For Negative People
-I do not think it is possible for Frank Turner to release an album that I do not like. This guy is a modern-day musical hero to me.

Nathanial Rateliff & The Night Sweats – Self-Titled
-This album was a blast to listen to.

Teenage Bottlerocket – Tales From Wyoming
-Spite losing Brandon recently, Teenage Bottlerocket gained a lot of attention with their power pop punk release. This catchy as hell album guarantees for a good time.

Annabel – Having It All
-This album seriously made me want to be a better person. I find myself listening to this album on the days where I feel like I need a boost in the feelings department.

The Sidekicks – Runners In The Nerved World
-I swear this band matures more and more with every release.

Joey Cape – Stitch Puppy
-This album was so beautiful yet gloomy. Cape has proved himself to me once again that he is one of the best songwriters on the face of this planet.

Purple – (409)
-Purple are fun and encompass rock n roll to the max. I do not even know what that means. This band is all about the fun and released an amazing album full of catchy tracks.

toyGuitar – In This Mess
-If this album happened to fall under your radar, you are totally missing out. Happy-go-lucky-punk-rock-beach-jams should sum up this album.

Success – Radio Recovery
-Success dropped one of the most catchy punk albums of the year. I love these dudes and think everyone needs to check them out. I also love the fact that their album cover pays tribute in a sense to Fifteen.

Refused – Freedom
-The last time these guys released something, it was the late 90s. I never thought they would put something out again, but they mostly regrouped after some touring and dropped this killer album. A lot of people said it was over-produced and forced, but I still like it.

Sam Russo – Greyhound Dreams
-This was an excellent album that I am glad I was able to check out. Sam Russo takes storytelling and songwriting to the best level.

Dr. Dre – Compton
-This was the album I listened to the most this year easily. For over two months, I listened to this album in full every single day. I had a slight obsession with it. The best part about about this is the first time I heard it, I thought to myself that it was not even that good. By the time the album ended, I was hooked. I even listened to it this morning.

Patrick Sweany – Daytime Turned To Nighttime
-This album just makes me want to drink whisky on a porch at night with my close pals. Nice to see Pat continue on with his passion. I sure do miss the days whenI could hit up the Zephyr and see him play.

Johnathan Richman – “O Sun” & “Keith” (7″ Releases)
-I had the privilege to review both of these singles thanks to Blue Arrow Records and all I have to say is that I can not wait for Richman to release his next full-length…

Well folks, that is all I have at this time. I am sure I am missing something and will probably edit this post 7 more times. For any of you paying attention, this blog has been updated just a few times…

Until then, happy holidays to you and yours. I appreciate anyone who has ever taken a moment to check out what I have to share on this site. If it was not for you, I would probably have thrown the towel in a long time ago.

Hip Hop, Music, New Release, Review

Album Review: Doomtree – All Hands

4 February, 2015 Brian Mc Leave a comment

It takes a lot for me to admit I like a modern day hip hop act.

I’m not trying to sound like a jaded hipster supreme or anything, but I just can’t get into a lot of these hip hop acts out there let alone understand what the hell they are talking about.

Maybe it is because I am getting old. Or maybe it is because I prefer 90s hip hop over anything else (Bone Thugs and Wu Tang will always remain my favs).

I can always make exceptions of course.

Doomtree is easily one of those exceptions.
(Note: Run The Jewels is another – but we are not going to talk about them in this post.)

Hailing from Minneapolis, Doomtree is a hip hop collective full of artists who bring different talents together to create a complex and intricate style of hip hop.

I can’t lie, P.O.S. is how I learned of Doomtree. I was introduced to him years ago and even got to shoot some up clone and personal photos him him during a memorable set at a Warped Tour as he performed literally in the middle of the crowd standing upon an equipment case. Anyone who sings Fugazi in the middle of a rap track is ok with me. Not to mention, he was in Wharf Rats too.

Should I even mention that another member in Doomtree, Cecil Otter, was 1/2 behind Wugazi? Do you see why I dig these guys so much? Perhaps I need to calm down. Nah…

I was introduced to Doomtree’s second release No Kings shortly after and was completely blown away. To be honest, I still listen to that album. It is a timeless collection of awesome with plenty of memorable tracks that have not gotten stale by any means not to mention the “Bangarang” video still rules thanks to Har Mar Superstar.

Doomtree recently dropped an all new album in January called All Hands. This will be their third official album and was actually recorded far away from civilization and cellphone signals. The result is not surprising, an eyebrow lifting album that easily will gather tons of attention.

“Final Boss” started off things so strong with a incredibly likable track that was full of 8-bit beats. Each of the 5 MCs took a turns rifling off lyrics praising their hometown, recognizing talent, talking video games, and just life. The repeating “get up like I never f*cking got up before and I get it like I never f*cking got it before” seemingly pumped this listener up each time it repeated. I thought it was great that the track just ended with Jake Hanson playing a simple riff on his guitar.

You know, I thought I was impressed with the first track, and suddenly I was treated to “My Own Nation”. Wow. I am not even certain I can describe how much I dug this track. I think you will just need to hear it for yourself (see below). The climax of this track is where things got insane.

“.38 Airweight” brought light of Bernie Goetz, a NYC so-called vigilante douchebag who shot and killed 4 young men almost 30 years ago because he thought he was going to get mugged. This track to me was a callout to all of the senseless violence from yesteryear and today.

“Mini Brute” was a mess of sounds that almost seemed to encompass my entire attention, pulling me away from the lyrics, but I just kept fighting to just absorb the poetry. This track was insane. I wish those jackasses in Akron, OH never broke into my Cavalier and stole my mediocre stereo system in 2004. I really would have loved to have the opportunity to blast this track.

Of course “Cabin Killer” had me hoping for Evil Dead references, but instead I was treated to plenty of head-nodding smooth flows. I wish Cecil and P.O.S. both could have kept going for a tad longer, but I am grateful for the Stay Puft reference.

“Generator” may have been speaking about speeding up, but this song just fell short. I appreciated the Atari Teenage Riot electronic-sounding heavy beats, but overall I was kind of bored.

Thankfully “Off in the Deep” jumped out of that rut and returned to awesomeness. P.O.S. Sims, and Dessa all took turns doing what they do best on this track. I am still trying to figure out if they sampled a song behind the scenes on this track as it sounded so familiar. If not, kudos to Doomtree for creating such a likable sound.

“Marathon” closed things with a punk edge thanks to the repeating hook “when it all boils down there’s nothing but bones left”. Maybe this track was not as heavy as the others, but it was certainly the most well-written, especially the final “hashtag No Kings, crash y’alls server.” What a way to end an album.

I can not tell you the number of times that I have gotten myself so worked up over an album only to hear it with pure disappointment. This is so not the case as All Hands does not disappoint at all.

I think the thing I love most about Doomtree is that nothing seems generic or forced. From the lyricism to the beats in each track, you can hear how genuine the pride is. It is not commercial hop hop by any means and really needs to trump some of that quick-beat, lazy written crap that seems to always grab all the attention.

This act has continued to impress me. I would not be shocked if All Hands took them a step or two closer to the spotlight that they so much deserve.

Acoustic, Alt Rock, Country, Experimental, Folk, Garage, Hardcore, Hip Hop, Indie, Listing It Up, Metal, Music, Pop, Pop Rock, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Rock, Screamo

Best Of / Worst Of / Whatever Of… 2014

3 December, 2014 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Well folks, it’s that time of the year. We are wrapping up 2014.

This means I get to share my top albums of the year (with anyone who has any interest in what I have to say).

There were tons of great releases this year and honestly, I know I passed up a few. In fact I’ve even added a few names to the below list numerous times while pondering what all caught my attention in 2014. (NOTE: I have even added a few more to my list that I overlooked and feel need to be included – perks of running your own blog I suppose.)

I am not putting any limits on my best of list this year as no artist should be left out. I’m am just sharing the albums that really impressed me this past year and maybe even reasons why.

I’m not sorry for how long this post has become. I’m actually quite pleased with what I have come up with. It really proves that 2014 was a great year for music. I’ve also decided to add a list of albums that just did not do it for me.

Best Albums Of 2014:

Tim Barry – Lost & Rootless
-I just listened to this album in full this morning and instantly had to add it to my list. This is the best thing he has ever done in my opinion. Music writing doesn’t get more real than this.

Mastodon – One More Time Round The Sun
-This album blew me away and continued to do so over the course of the year. I really was not sure what to expect after hearing The Hunter, but they managed to keep their style and improve it resulting in one of my favorite albums of 2014.

Cheap Girls – Famous Graves
-I love everything about this band. I think the best part is that they are just all quality dudes who are extra loaded on talent. I really need to snag a copy of this album on vinyl. If you have not heard of this band, you need to change that. This album was perfect.

Ryan Adams – S/T
-This album was thoroughly enjoyed by this music lover many times. I can’t say I’ve been into all of his past material, but as of late I am finding myself becoming a bigger fan.

United Nations – The Next Four Years
-It was only a matter of time before U.N. released new material. This super-group of musicians really outdid themselves with their sophomore release. In fact, I favor this release more and more with each listen.

Murder City Devils – The White Ghost Has Blood On Its Hands Again
-I never thought the day would come when MCD came out with new material. After seeing them in 2011 at Fun Fun Fun Fest, I knew it was only time before they recorded new material. The result was yet another classic album full of plenty of jams that I’ve listened to over and over without growing tired of one bit. I just wish it were a little longer.

Xerxes – Collision Blonde
-This band slays. So much. I was not ready initially when I checked this album out and was literally just taken by surprise. Best feeling ever.

Chris Stowe – Hollow
-This heartfelt album tops my list when it comes to one man and his guitar. When I say heartfelt I mean sad but with true emotion. He is the emo of emo and a class act dude as well. This album really impressed me.

Chuck Ragan – Till Midnight
-This album was intensified so much more thanks to his special pals he recruited to play with him throughout the album. As big of a fan of Hot Water Music as I am, I can honestly say I am a bigger fan of his solo material.

Banner Pilot – Souvenir
-It’s Banner Pilot. Enough said. This band never disappoints.

Cory Branan – The No Hit Wonder
-If you have not heard this album yet, stop reading right now and find it. This was one of my favorite releases of the year. Amazing songwriter.

Chris Cresswell – One Week
-Intense album by a guy who usually is known to scream loud in the Flatliners. Subtle tracks with Joey Cape helping along made for such a beautiful release. I love that this was recorded at Cape’s house in just one week.

The Afghan Whigs – Do To The Beast
-No lie, I was nervous about this album when I heard it was going to be released. I am not sure why. Lucky for me, it was solid from start to finish.

The Black Keys – Turn Blue
-This album was a little more Broken Bells sounding than I was hoping for thanks to Danger Mouse’s touch, but overall it still ruled. I have found myself listening to it a lot again after taking a few months off. It is still catchy as hell and those guitar jams are still amazing.

Mariachi El Bronx – III
-How can you not like this album? It is so good. I loved how it just was not even so much a concept anymore as much as just a new direction for a talented group of dudes.

Swingin Utters – Fistfull Of Hollow
-This band refuses to slow it down. This is their 3rd release in 3 years and is the best stuff I have heard by them in a long long time.

Needles//Pins – Shamebirds
-DIY punk garage rock excellence is the best way I can describe this album. I can not even tell you how many times I have listened to this release over and over. If you dig the Ramones, I guarantee Needles//Pins are right up your alley.

J Mascis – Several Shades Of Why
-I have few heroes in my life. Mascis is one of them. This may be the most amazing thing I have ever heard him do aside from that Mazzy Star cover he recently performed.

Baby Ghosts – Maybe Ghosts
-Pop-indie-garage-rock-fun-fueled-goodness. I may be falling out of the scene these days and miss out on a lot of the DIY music that completely rules, but I can honestly say I am glad I did not miss out on this album.

The Menzingers – Rented World
–Chamberlain Waits will always be my favorite release by The Menzingers, but this album is a very close second. Very close…

Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues
-I know this album got a lot of attention due to Tom exiting and Laura entering, but aside from that, this album is just sick. I hated to see such a revolving door of members in the band over the years, but they still have managed to keep it together and produced an intense album.

7 Seconds- Leave A Light On
-I am a huge fan of 7 Seconds and am ok with that. To see them regroup and drop an all new release made this aging punk rocker very happy. This album was tougher and harder than some of their past releases and did not sound forced one bit. This album was probably the best punk record I listened to all year. Suddenly getting old doesn’t seem so bad.

Sage Francis – Copper Gold
-Sage returned and delivered. I can still recall the day this album dropped and how excited I got. I was live tweeting my feelings for all to read, including Sage himself. I was having a fanboy moment.

Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels II
-EL-P and Killer Mike dropped the surprise album of the year and pretty much gave it away for free. This should be at the very top of my list as I can not stop listening to it. I was lucky enough, thanks to a good pal, to obtain a physical copy that I know I will spin over and over.

Tilts – Cuatro Hombres
-This band is the definition of rock music or at least what I think it should sound like. Remember when Queens of the Stone age were cool? Tilts are better.

Pup – Pup
-This is the one album I sat on for too long in 2014. I am glad for whatever reason I decided to check it out. This is one notable debut.

Restorations – LP3
-Take all of the music I was into in the 90s, and I guarantee you this album would have fit in perfectly. This is one of the best bands out there. I know they have a good fan base already, but I seriously think that not enough people are aware of how talented this band really is.

Best of EPs of 2014:

Beach Slang – Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken?
-Without a doubt, this is the greatest band out there right now and they have yet to release a full length. They are not young kids and are perfectly ok with that. They are just here for the tunes and these tunes are exceptional.

Beach Slang – Cheap Thrills On A Dead End Street
-So gooooooooooooood. Yes. I adore them. Deal.

Low Culture / Iron Chic – Split
-2 of my favorite bands on one EP. Nothing tops that, except maybe pizza or tacos.

Low Culture & Needles//Pins – Split
-Garage rock maximus. Both bands are incredible and it only made sense for them to release a split together.

Ryan Adams – 1984
-Surprise release of the year. I loved what he did on this EP and wished it were a full length. Adams really is a man of many talents when it comes to music and I have a fonder appreciation for him now. 1984 carried quality similarities to so many SST and Discord bands.

The Public – Shibuya Crossing
-These guys could be the next big thing to come from Cleveland if they keep it up. Dead serious.

Remainders – Fine Exits
-These guys could be the next big thing to come from Pittsburgh if they keep it up. Dead serious. (yes, I did that on purpose)

Signals Midwest – Wherever I Might Land
-Hearing these dudes cover Iron Chic’s “Time Keeps Slipping Into The (Cosmic) Future” pretty much made my year. This was a download only release, but I hope that I can find a bag of money so that this can be pressed on vinyl. I would need to title it SGNLS MDWST though as all the cool bands lose the vowels.

The One That Got Away In 2014:

Of Us Giants – Nova Scotia
-Seriously, what the hell was up with this band? They started 2014 off in a good good way with their debut and disbanded before even hitting the road to tour. It seemed almost as if they worked harder selling their merch to their adoring fans making up for lost product over keeping it together as a band. I am sure they had their reasons, but Novia Scotia was a solid release and I really thought Of Us Giants was going to make it big.

Whatever Of 2014…

Death Grips – The Powers That B
-I liked this album. A lot. I did not like how this band went out. Kind of pompous if you ask me. Luckily, most folk moved on with their lives.

Rancid – Honor Is All We Know
-I honestly hate that I am admitting this, but I only liked about 45% of Rancid’s latest offering. I even listened to it again today and felt the same. I just was not been overly impressed with the entire album and I really wanted to be. There were a couple instant classics in there but some of the tracks just didn’t hit me well. Rancid will always be one of my Top 5 bands. Don’t you worry boys. I still love ya.

Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt
-I tried, I really did, to enjoy this album but just could not get into it at all. At first I thought I appreciated the lyrics and just needed to get into the music, but in reality I think the Gaslight fanboy in me was just in shock on what I was hearing. It was just too chilled out for me. I will give it a chance again soon.

Weezer – Everything Will Be Ok In The End
-No it won’t. Two songs in on this album and I turned it off. Sorry guys, I’ll stick to your older albums. I could not get into this at all.

Damon Albarn – Everyday Robots
-I love Blur and the Gorillaz. I can not say the same for this album. It is different and just not what I was expecting. I appreciate anyone who does their own thing, I just can’t say I will like it.

Pixies – Indie Cindy
-I did not have the highest expectations for this release. Maybe it was due to Frank Black saying that “there’s been a shift in the lineup, big woop-dee-doo…as far as we’re concerned it ain’t that big of a deal.” Yes it is Frank. It sure was a big deal. It was a Kim Deal. You should have quit when she did and stated something else.

Wu Tang Clan –A Better Tomorrow
-I hate to have anything negative about Wu Tang Clan, but after hearing “Ruckus In B Minor”, I thought this album was going to be the greatest thing in 2014. Sadly the single was the strongest track on the album with a couple of other tracks that came close. Do not get me wrong, this was a good album but I was hoping for way more hip-hop and less R&B.

Masked Intruder – M.I.
-Sorry dudes…your first album was so much better than your follow-up. I dug it for maybe a week and just lost interest. It is not terrible by any means. My review was sincere and I initially liked it but not for long. I know not everyone will agree with me on this. The band has major talent. Perhaps I am old and just don’t get it. Get off my yard!

Worst Albums Of 2014:

U2 – Songs Of Innocence
-Jerks. Rolling Stone was paid off. Apple was paid off. This album was not that good and I am still pissed that the Apple sponsored commercial had so many punk rock heroes in it. I am entitled to my opinion. Nothing like jumping on Google to learn how to remove an album from my iTunes that I never wanted.

The Flaming Lips – With A Little Help From My Fwends
-No. Just….no. Maybe if I was on a lot of drugs and was just an eccentric individual I might get it. My ears were bleeding with this. Quit trying so hard and bring back Yoshimi. I know some people adored it. I did not. These Beatles covers were terrible.

I hope you all enjoyed this list/rant/babble. I know I had a good time putting it all together. Seeing how awesome 2014 was with music, I can not wait for 2015 to start.

Happy holidays suckers!

Alt Rock, Austin, Festival, Folk, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Good Times, Grunge, Hardcore, Hip Hop, Indie, Live Shows, Metal, Music, Music News, Pop, Pop Rock, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Ragtime, Rap, Rock, Solo, The Awesome

Fun Fun Fun Fest 2012 Lineup Announced!

12 July, 2012 Brian Mc 1 Comment

Since 2006, Fun Fun Fun Fest has been nothing short of fun x 3. Every year, the music/art/food festival seems to turn it up a notch, so much, that last year I actually decided enough is enough and headed to Austin, TX, to check it out. The result, minus Danzig acting like a little bitch, was a killer weekend with friends fueled by amazing bands. In other words, I had fun. A ton of fun.

The festival was well organized, and all three days of music was well worth the $200 or so bucks I dropped on a wristband. By the want of the fest last year, I told myself and my friends I wanted to return the following year.

This year, the good people at FFF Fest have outdone themselves. Not only did they get RUN-DMC to reform, but they also had put together almost a dream lineup for this music lover. Refused, De La Soul, Seaweed, The Promise Ring, Bob Mould, Lucero, Lagwagon, Braid, OFF!, Against Me!, F’d Up, Superchunk, Minus The Bear…I can keep going…P.I.L., Explosions In The Sky, X, Turbonegro…

Seriously, check out all who will be playing this year:

This does not even include the FFFEST Nites, the nightly free (with wristband) concerts around the city.

I am planning on returning to Auditorium Shores in November to take in this festival. Since I have moved, I have not seen one live band due to a lack of venues, but this festival will make up for it. Not to mention Austin is one of my favorite cities and I am now only a 6 hour drive away…

For more info, visit FUNFUNFUNFEST.COM