It's here that I would like to take a brief time out and say what a superbly awesome album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back was. Rap music has never been the same. Without it and without Public Enemy, my blog would have no name because there would not have been a Terminator X. He wanted to call himself "DJ Mellow Dick". Thank goodness Chuck D talked him out of that one. As Chuck recalls, "I gave him the name Terminator X, which meant that he was about terminating all the nonsense, and then the X symbolized the unknown, a terminating of things we think we believe, that we don't really know about." Yeah. What Chuck said.
What was Chuck saying? I think he pretty much summed it up on "Don't Believe the Hype". He's talking about education, about facts. He's talking about making up your own mind, gathering the information yourself and making an informed decision. Erase what you think might be true. Seek the truth yourself. I know many have heard him, but I wonder how many folks were really listening to Chuck.
Personally, I have always shied away from hype. When I start to hear too much about a movie, a book or music I almost automatically lose interest in it. There's no way it could be as good as everyone is saying. I have vowed never to watch Avatar. Besides the fact that I feel like I'm being swindled out of $15 because I'm forced to view it in a 3D theater to get the full effect, I can't stand how everyone is pouring over it. It can't be that good, it doesn't matter how much you say it. However, there are a few albums out there that I can't seem to get away from. I've finally decided that I can no longer ignore all the hype. I will reserve judgement until I've been able to listen thoroughly, of course.
Everyone I know on Facebook is raving about Joanna Newsom's new triple LP, Have One on Me and she's getting just as much love from the press. I'll be honest, I'm skeptical. I have a copy of her previous release, Y's and I'm just not that into it. Maybe I'm missing something, but I find it kind of boring. She sings, she plays the harp. All of her songs are like ten minutes long. I'm not sure I get how three discs of that can be so amazing, but I can't stand hearing about it any more. I have to check it out for myself. I downloaded it last night. I'm listening right now.
The new Gorillaz release, Plastic Beach has been met with the not-so-surprising warmth Damon Albarn's projects usually receive. I'll be honest folks, just about everything he does I find underwhelming. Blur? Meh. Although 2003's Think Tank was excellent. The Good, The Bad and The Queen? So very boring. That was supposed to be a super group with members of The Clash, The Verve and famed Fela Kuti percussionist Tony Allen. I'm sorry, it was forgettable. The first two Gorillaz albums have been fun, but nothing remarkable. Word is Plastic Beach is much more cohesive. The little I've heard sounds pretty great. The first single, "Stylo" is fun. I heard "Empire Ants" this morning and it's just about perfect. Plus, any song with both De La Soul and Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals guest starring has got to be good ("Superfast Jellyfish). I'm willing to keep giving Albarn a try.
Dr. Dog is local legend, one that I have sort of been avoiding for my entire tenure in Philly. I've had two of their albums for a long time now (Easy Beat and We All Belong) and have yet to spend much time with either of them. I keep seeing their name, hearing good things. It's time I gave We All Belong a good listen.
I'm terminating any predispositions and will attempt to listen with new ears. Chuck D would be proud, I think.
(Start with "Easy". It's the first track on the first disc. It's...easy)
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