N.W.A - what were they yellin?

When me and my posse stepped in the house
All the punk-ass niggaz start breakin out
Cause you know, they know whassup
So we started lookin for the bitches with the big butts
Like her, but she keep cryin
"I got a boyfriend" Bitch stop lyin
Dumb-ass hooker ain't nuttin but a dyke
Suddenly I see, some niggaz that I don't like
Walked over to em, and said, "Whassup?"
The first nigga that I saw, hit em in the jaw
Ren started stompin em, and so did E
By that time got rushed by security
Out the door, but we don't quit
Ren said, "Let's start some shit!"
I got a shotgun, and here's the plot
Takin niggaz out with a flurry of buckshots
Boom boom boom, yeah I was gunnin
And then you look, all you see is niggaz runnin
and fallin and yellin and pushin and screamin
and cussin, I stepped back, and I kept bustin
And then I realized it's time for me to go
So I stopped, jumped in the vehicle
It's like this, because of that who-ride
N.W.A. is wanted for a homicide
Cause I'm the type of nigga that's built to last
Fuck wit me, I'll put my foot in your ass
See I don't give a fuck, cause I keep bailin
Yo, what the fuck are they yellin?

The Shins & Nas. Best buds

The Shins new album, Port Of Morrow, is out to purchase. I think it was released today. It might be next week? Either way, ive heard it and will therefor offer my opinion on it...

I may or may not of mentioned in an earlier post that im quite fond of The Shins.
They were the first of there breed - soundtrack friendly gay folk rock - which has inspired the likes of The Fleet Foxes and other softys.
So fair doos.
But its been 5 years since the Shins released an album. Thats a long time to be out of the game.
A long long time.....

5 years. The Stone Roses waited little over 5 years to release there second album and it bombed. Dr Dre has waited over a decade to release his 3rd album, and its already bombed.
They are the only 2 examples I can think of at the minute, but what im gettin at is that the longer you leave something the chances are you have a longer period of time to fuck it up.
And thats what The Shins have done.
The whole album sounds clean, safe, poppy and just a bit crap.
There are some nice little melodies knocking around , which you expect from this band, but they lack the slight edge that was a permanent fixture on past releases.
On there first 3 long players you got the feeling of excitement and adventure, and you were happy to be taken along for the ride. On Port Of Morrow you are bored of the journey after 3 or 4 songs.
The reason for this is unclear but I would suggest the departure of founding band members and using a producer whose best work has come in the form of Lily Allens "The Fear".
And maybe the songs just arent there? Even if all the slick production is stripped away, im not sure that this collection of tunes stands up on its own when put side by side next to there earlier work.
Its an album you find yourself wanting to like but ultimately giving up on it because when you listen to the Shins, it shouldnt be hard work. It should be effortless, easy and just, i dunno, "nice".
Port Of Morrow is like watching an episode of The US Office without Steve Carrell as the lead. Its still almost the same, there are some good moments that keep you watching, but you cant shake the nagging feeling that what your watching/listening to isnt as good as it once was.

I wouldnt say its a bad album, but its far from being good and it will take something quite drastic to make me want to listen to it again anytime soon. It probably deserves another chance to tap into my head, but im not in a giving mood and so The Shins can kindly fuck off for the time being.


I have just read Pitchforks review of this album, and they seemed to really like it. But what struck m about the review was the opening paragraph that listed several major events that have happened in the last 5 years. This particular line was interesting, "Pop music headed out to the club, mainstream hip-hop more or less went bust..."
I would of agreed with them had I not just listened to this, Nas' new tune. Enjoy.

Whats on its way?

2012 you cheeky little fucker, arent you full of suprises?

After the dirge that was 2011 I was hoping for 2012 to offer something...more. And thankfully thats exactly what its doing.

After nearly 2 years of demos, rants, messages, pictures, tweets and even more demos, Anton Newcombe & The Brian Jonestown Massacre have a new album coming out.

"Aufheben" which translates to "lift up" or "abolish" (a far better title and meaning than some previous titles) is due out on May 1st and is the first release in quite some time to feature some origional band members (other than Anton, obviously).
The bands constant line up changes has been well documented, and is now in excess of 50 members to of featured either on record or live.
However, over the last 4-5 years the bands live lineup has consisted of the same 7-8 members including founding members Matt Holywood and joel Gion.
In the studio however, Anton has worked with icelandic and german artists rather than the live outfit he takes on the road.
For this album however we see a return to the studio for Matt Holywood and also Will carruthers (spacemen 3, spiritualized) which has given the new songs a more "Jonestown" feel. It has also fueled speculation amongst fans that some songs from the new album will feature in the live setlist.
Whatever they choose to play live, it will be brilliant to see these guys on the road again.
Last time they played up here, the set was tight as hell and the misbehaviour we have come to expect was down to a minimum; they really felt like a tight nit band, stark contrast to how they were portrayed in the documentary "DIG!".
Now with the knowledge that Anton is working along side Matt & co in the studio again, and producing some of there best stuff for a good 5-10 years, its exciting times ahead for The BJM.



Aswell as that, Spiritualized have returned this year with a new album "Sweet Heart Sweet Light" due out soon (release date was pushed back, I think its due out April?) and a tour to boot.
Death in Vegas are currently on the road, playing Wrexhams Central Station in a matter of weeks.....

The Arctic Monkeys are turning out more and more stuff.... They dont seem to have an off button


Noel Gallagher is still on the road, taking his album all over the feckin place. Unfortunatly he has pushed back the release of his second album featuring The Amorphous Androgynous "based on the success of his first album". That makes no sense to me, but I guess when your Noel Gallagher you can do what you want?
Heres a taster of what that album has to offer. Release it now Noel for fucks sake....


What else.....
Beach Fossils had an EP out back end of last year so a new album should be round the corner.
The Shins defo have a new album on the way. Its been to long. Port Of Morrow (out March 23rd) will be the bands first release since 2007's Wincing The Night Away. New band members and a new label should mean a fresh new start for Zach Braffs best buds and im looking forward to some more soft ass puff rock


Word is MGMT are working on there 3rd album and I for one hope they go even more crazy. Take more acid lads, its good for you.
The Strokes are working on another album, following up last years Angels. I dont know about this to be honest, i cant really be bothered with the Strokes anymore, but they could suprise me.
Oh, and Craig David is in the studio.