Monday Mixtape, Vol. 152

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Morning all. I think the world is reeling a bit with the deaths of Kobe, his daughter, her teammate and father, and another unannounced individual. While this may be a bit coarse, during his playing days, I did not like Kobe as a player or a person, but I, like almost everyone, respected his work ethic and devotion.

He certainly had his weaknesses, and the sexual assault case is the largest unknown, a criminal case which was dropped once the witness / alleged victim did not testify after bringing a civil suit, a case which was settled for a never disclosed amount.

It’s hard to reflect on a person’s life when you don’t know the person at all, yet he/she seemed like such a presence in mine, and all of their blemishes and mistakes are out in the public.

This brings me back to the hardest death I can remember of someone I never deal but genuinely cared about, Mac Miller. Miller pretty much finished the 2nd of what he wanted to be a three album cycle. The last album, never made, was supposed to be a straight rap album, showing the world he still loved to do what made him.

So the second album in this cycle, Circles, was released posthumously two weeks ago. Given how much I loved Swimming, I didn’t think it was possible to be as good or surpass it. But Circles is phenomenal. I need to listen more to make a final judgment as I still think Swimming is better, but time will tell. I’m blown away at the musicianship and the many pieces, sounds of different eras, styles, and ideas that floated through this guy’s head.

Miller was constantly getting better as a musician, and these albums are proof of the leaps and bounds he continued to make. He constantly worked on his craft as a producer, rapper, singer, etc.,, a devotion and love of his craft which sounded similar to Kobe’s. Always get better. RIP to the both of them.

As for the remainder of the mixtape, rapper Theophilus London released a new album which has some great tracks on it, a couple which are produced by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala. The two tracks on here are my two faves.

Have a good week all.

Top 25 Albums of 2019

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My favorite albums of 2019 are here! As happened with the Top 100 Songs of 2019, there really wasn’t a clear cut winner for me. I almost wanted to give it to Vampire Weekend for being so damn consistent, but their album was too long with a few weak tracks that kept them out of the #1 ranking.

After some debate, I realized the album that I enjoyed the most was PUP’s Morbid Stuff. It’s one of those great rock albums, and PUP is such a fun and loud band that loves being loud. They’re the musical man child of Japandroids and New Found Glory. Their live shows must be nuts.

As for the remainder of albums, there’s a number of notables, including my favorite newcomer (for me), Rex Orange County, a singer/songwriter without a great voice or much notable traits that I can point to other than the fact that he sounds like his own. It’s not always about some amazing voice or guitar licks, sometimes it’s just being yourself that makes music so great.

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Monday Mixtape, Vol. 145

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I’m watching the Nats game, and we just blew the lead in the 6th and are now down 5-2 :(

We need some good music to turn that frown upside down!

There are two sides to this week’s mixtape: Side 1 consists of recent rap tracks I’ve been diggin’, including two tracks from Danny Brown’’ new album, uknowwhatimsayin’?, one, “Dirty Laundry,” is produced by the inimitable Q-Tip and the other has Q-Tip rapping on, so this is all win win. Danny Brown is not for everyone, but I was actually just listening to Beastie Boys, and he reminds me a bit of Mike D, no one really sounds like that voice, some may find annoying, but I think his production and songs are interesting. So that’s that.

On Side 1 is also the rapper with the worst name out there, DaBaby. I mean, really? But he just released a new album, and I am enjoying it. Couple of my fave tracks from his album join this mixtape.

Wait…now it’s 7-2. ;(

Side 2 starts with a jam from Pond, that band I really like from Australia (who is not Tame Impala…and not Silverchair), and then two tracks to mellow you out. The first is from Clairo, whose debut album I keep coming back to listen to. I’m not sure what it is about her music and voice, but it’s bringing me back months and months after it’s release. This is the last track on her album, a beautiful ending to a beautiful album.

And finally to end the mixtape, a live track from Jim James and company. Enjoy!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 139

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Whole lotta great stuff starting with the sisters of rock (and you may say pop, but if you haven’t seen them live, they rock), Haim! The beat and the “doo-doo-do-do-doos” have to be a direct homage to this classic:

Anyways, great song. On to Clairo, the next pop sensation. Speaking of beats, I love the drums that groove this song to her sweet siren. Love it.

I heard Bleached on Sirius XMU, and I thought this song was a catchy, 80s-ish track with a beach vibe. Different meld of sounds. The chorus crushes.

Surfer Blood must be doing a covers album because I’ve heard a few, and I thought this cover of “I Melt With You” by Modern English. I actually always thought this song was by The Cure! Whoops.

And a little rap for those who need an inkling. I have to say Anderson Paak has blown up. He’s on every rap track now, and you can see why because he' kills this one. I will take credit for talking about that guy way early. My first mention of him was back on February 1, 2016! It was only 103 Monday Mixtapes ago, Volume 36! Pretty wild. (I’m patting myself on the shoulder btw).

So Morabeza Tobacco are really out there, but it’s chill synth and I think I dig it. Wonder what you think? Too weird, maybe.

Happy Monday all!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 133

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We’re stating the mixtape with a track from a rapper, Denzel Curry, whose new album, ZUU, is a contender for rap album of the year, and one of my favorite albums I’ve listened to all year. The production is unique, raw, and Denzel Curry brings a heavyweight punch to certain tracks while displaying his verbal dexterity on others. If you dig the songs on here, check the album out.

Speaking of favorite albums of the year, I have another album, a COMPLETE 180 from Denzel Curry, the mellow and delicate Faye Webster. She instantly reminded me of Natalie Prass with a touch of country (thanks to that slide-guitar featured throughout), and my wife thought she sounded like a chill Gwen Stefani, which I thought was an apt comparison.

Webster’s Atlanta Millionaires Club (Yeah, I’m not sure about the album name OR THE ALBUM COVER…) is a true album, it flows completely from the front to the back, recounting a romance with “Jonny” that didn’t work out. Love it.

Palace continue to release great singles,  and I’m hoping a new album is in the mix. Clairo is a new pop artist, whenyoung reminds me of the music woman-child of Best Coast and Florence & The Machine, and finally, Bon Iver released a new track, which sounds like a combination of all three of his albums. It’s got electronics (22, A Million), a catchy chorus (For Emma, Forever Ago), and a subdued rhythm (Bon Iver). I’m digging it.

Have a great week!