Kendrick Lamar - Celebration

Domination & Celebration

So the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl! Wow that felt great to type. As I sat in my drunken, stuffed stupor, moments after the final whistle from Super Bowl 48, it had not quite sunk in yet. I mean, how am I supposed to feel? No sports team that I am passionate about (Vancouver Canucks, Seattle Seahawks, Vancouver Whitecaps) has ever won a championship. Well I gotta say it felt fucking amazing! 

This was supposed to be one of the greatest Super Bowls of all time, with the #1 offense of all time facing one of the best defenses in years. All week leading up to the game all the hype was surrounding Peyton Manning and his legacy and the potent Denver receivers and tight ends. Very little attention was paid to the Seahawks. Virtually nothing to quarterback Russell Wilson and the wide receiver core. The only attention we got was in a negative light, that being the antics of one Richard Sherman and the unwillingness of Marshawn Lynch to speak with the media. But this was no worry to the 'hawks; in fact this is exactly what they wanted. This team is full of guys with chips on their shoulders, from coach Pete Carroll never finding true success in the NFL to the countless players who were drafted way later than they should have been. Being a west coast team without a long, storied history, the Seahawks have been quite unknown to the rest of the NFL and its fans. Well, they are sure as fuck known now! Sucks that it had to take a dominating Super Bowl performance to turn heads, bu hey, I ain't complaining. Now the rest of the sporting world HAS taken notice, the Seattle Seahawks are the best team in professional football and will likely remain that way with a great young core all signed and no real salary cap worries just yet.

As for the game itself, boy oh boy did it ever get loud at my house, and fast. Holy shit a safety on the first play! We couldn't believe it and after only one play my poor kitty was freaked hiding under the couch and had to be taken upstairs for the rest of the game lol. This was a very good thing as huge defensive plays from the likes of Cliff Avril, Cam Chancellor, and Malcolm Smith had us rocking in the first half. The offense was clicking too and many skittles were being passed around. Then at half time came shotgun #2 and chili time! After watching Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who were outstanding by the way, I was still in my kitchen grabbing 2nd half food and booze when the kickoff occurred. I quickly ran into view and will always remember standing and yelling Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! with everyone as Percy Harvin returned the kickoff for a brilliant touchdown! Game, Set. Match. At this point I was completely confident that we were going to be World Champions and the party was on. I cracked out my epic Super Bowl dip and some Seahawks cupcakes before the 3rd and final victory shotgun. I partied into the night with my friends and awoke still in slight disbelief and still very drunk.

Last week I made several predictions for the big game and actually fared quite well.

What I got right:

- Seahawks won! Tho my score of 23-20 was certainly off...

- Jermaine Kearse with another HUGE play. He scored Seattle's fourth touchdown in epic style as he alluded 4 tackles and ran it in for a 15 yard score

- Richard Sherman did NOT have an interception but still made some big plays

- Julius Thomas did NOT have a big game and Demaryius Thomas DID (tho not really as that entire team 

shit the bed

- Beast Mode did score TD #1

What I got wrong:

- Knowshon Moreno did not cry during the National Anthem

- The Chili Peppers did not do any classic rock covers (tho they were fucking awesome!)

Not too bad if I do say so myself! Sure hope you enjoyed the game (basically only if you were a Seahawks fan) and not sorry if you didn't lol.

"Celebration" by Kendrick Lamar is from his self-titled 2010 EP. This was his first album using his real name; in previous efforts he used the name K-Dot. This EP is absolutely amazing and I have no clue why it wasn't the one that provided his first big hit and superstardom. Success seemed to somewhat elude Kendrick as even his next album, Section.80, also brilliant, did not take off right away. It wasn't until good kid, M.A.A.D. city that he became a global superstar. So if you like Lamar but only know his more recent, popular work than I strongly recommend checking out the EP. Tracks such as "I Do This", "Pussy and Patron", "Thanksgiving" and "She Needs Me" are just as good, if not better than any of the standout tracks from good kid. "Celebration" is my personal favourite from the EP. With its smooth xylophone beat over soulful backing vocals, Kendrick spits some uplifting verses displaying how he has always been wise beyond his years. It's a great feel good song that perfectly sums up the end of Super Bowl 48 for myself and countless other Seahawks fans.

Pearl Jam - State Of Love And Trust

Let's Go Seahawks!!! Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls we are officially 2 sleeps away from the insanely over-the-top amazing sporting event of the year. On Sunday, February 2 the Denver Broncos will battle my Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl in New York City for football's biggest prize, the Lombardi trophy. The game pits the record-setting #1 offense in the league Broncos against one of the greatest defenses in years Seahawks. Both teams were the #1 seed in their respective conferences and have numerous big-time playmakers on both sides of the ball. It's gonna be one for the ages so make sure that you have plenty of chilled beverages, delicious and fatty snacks and a prime view of that television set so you can take in all the epic action. 

Some Interesting Points on the Big Game

- The Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Russel Wilson is in his 2nd year in the pros and during that time has NEVER lost a game by more that 7 points

- If he should hoist the Lombardi trophy on Sunday he will become ONLY the second black quarterback to do so (Doug Williams did it first for the Redskins back in 1988)

- If the Broncos are victorious then their quarterback Peyton Manning will cement himself as the greatest quarterback of all time. If he loses, well there's always next year but a debate will always exist and he likely will be on the outside looking in

- This will be the first Super Bowl in quite a while to be played outdoors in a cold climate. Earlier in the week the forecast looked terrible and some even suggested that the game be moved. But since then the forecast has improved and it looks like the weather really shouldn't be much of an issue, even though it will be cold

- Seahawks' injury ridden wide receiver Percy Harvin only participated in 33 snaps ALL SEASON but he will suit up on Sunday. The offseason acquisition has the ability to be a game-changer with his big-play potential as a receiver and kick returner and will be a key factor in the hawks' success

The Top 5 Bands/Artists from each City/State:

Seattle

1) Jimi Hendrix

2) Nirvana

3) Pearl Jam

4) Foo Fighters

5) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Honourable mentions: Soundgarden, Heart, Alice In Chains, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, The Cave Singers

Denver

1) Earth, Wind & Fire

2) John Denver

3) OneRepublic

4) The Lumineers

5) The Fray

Honourable mentions: Pretty Lights, DeVotchka, Dead Kennedys, India.Arie, Yonder Mountain String Band

I dunno about the rest of you but I certainly know which city's soundtrack I'll be listening to all weekend!

Pearl Jam are one of my favourite bands. They are also one of the best bands I've seen live (twice). The first time I saw them in 2005 they had been playing for 3 hours when the union lighting guys left, leaving just the house lights on as the band continued to perform 3 more songs. I'll always remember Mike McCready playing the final "Yellow Ledbetter" guitar solo while crouched on his knees at centre stage while the rest of the band lay around him, exhausted. A brilliant end to a brilliant show.

"State Of Love And Trust" is my favourite pump-up song by Pearl Jam. It was released as a single when they put out their first greatest hits 2-disc compilation Rearviewmirror. The band plays at a wicked fast pace as lead singer Eddie Vedder howls and screams over them. I plan on playing this at full volume Sunday afternoon for the mandatory pre-game shotgun and I hope you do too! Time for the Seahawks to claim their first Super Bowl title!

Bold Predictions:

- Seahawks win 23-20

- I called it last game and was right so I'll do it again for this game: Jermaine Kearse will come up with a HUGE play for the Seahawks

- Knowshon Moreno (Denver running back) WILL cry during the National Anthem

- Chili Peppers and Bruno Mars will be awesome and they'll play some classic rock covers (Zeppelin???)

- Richard Sherman will NOT have an interception but will make some key plays

- Julius Thomas (Broncos tight end) will NOT have a big game but Demaryius Thomas WILL (Broncos wide receiver) 

- Beast Mode scores TD #1

Enjoy the game and the greatest Holiday that technically isn't a Holiday!!!

#1. Arcade Fire - Reflektor

Full Album

Arcade Fire - Porno

After much anticipation here it is, the best album of 2013! In fact it is actually a double-album so you're getting great bang for your buck on this one today. After taking the world by storm in 2010 with the Grammy Award-Winning The Suburbs the Montreal indie rockers decided to take a few years off. During that time husband and wife Win Butler, vocals and guitar, and Regine Chassagne, vocals, keyboards, accordion, etc. had a baby and the band decided to not release anything new until Regine was comfortably off maternity leave. In their absence they left many fans waiting for and wondering about a return. The wait was definitely worth it as Arcade Fire stormed back with over 100 minutes of brand new music that completely changed their sound, yet was so obviously still them.

Arcade Fire are quite possibly the coolest band on planet earth and here's why: during recording sessions in New York City the band was hard at work on lead single "Reflektor" when David Motherfuckin' Bowie decided to drop by for some tea. He listened to what they were working on and dug it so much that he asked if he could participate on the track. So just before the 5 minute mark you can hear the backing vocals from a living rock n' roll legend. And, no, he isn't even credited on the song, solidifying the coolness. So something like this, along with the fact that they have updated and improved their sound for each successive album, made numerous award-winning music videos, are one of the best live acts in the world (#4 according to Rolling Stone Magazine), value family, and are Canadian, simply cements them as the coolest band on earth.

Reflektor opens with the title track, a seven minute epic that rumbles along with frantic energy, claiming new instruments at every break until it erupts with an explosion of horns and piano. Immediately the presence of producer James Murphy (frontman of LCD Soundsystem and disco-funk DJ extraordinaire) is apparent as Arcade Fire's anthemic rock sound is upgraded and given a sonic boost of horns and percussion, making it extremely danceable. Up next is "We Exist" in which the bouncy bass line resembles a great 80's movie made in the 21st Century and "Flashbulb Eyes", a bombastic, dark tale of losing part of your soul to the camera flash that reaches a blaring climax before fading to the sounds of party-goers. This begins the centrepiece of the album, "Here Comes The Night Time", a song that begins with a blitzkreig of percussion, guitar and horns that will get even the laziest, soberest person off their ass and into full party mode. It then completely breaks down into full chillout mode as Caribbean beach sounds and percussion take over, reflecting the Haitian background of Chassagne and an inspirational trip she and Win took there last year. The first disc closes with straightforward rockers "Normal Person" and "Joan of Arc" and the bouncy "You Already Know" which I foresee being a hit this year.

The second disc begins with "Here Comes The Night Time II", a quiet, slowed down version of the disc 1 counterpart. Instead of the frantic, party energy it sounds almost as though Butler laments this version of the night time. Other standouts from this side include the heavy guitar beat and dual vocals from Regine and Win on "It's Never Over (Of Orpheus)", the perfect indie-pop melody of second single "The Afterlife" and today's chosen song "Porno" with its very 80's vibe and haunting chorus. A plethora of instruments grace "Porno", from the synth beat to the string breakdown to the epic sax solo near the end. Also the fan made video found above is quite well done and the lyrics are there as an added bonus.

Once again Arcade Fire have stepped up to the plate and knocked a grand slam out of the park; it seems that they can do no wrong. It is true that they did receive some criticism from fans that wanted to hear The Suburbs again but I feel that changing your sound and style is what artists do. Plus had they just made another similar album that would've been too easy and they would've received criticism anyways. I strongly recommend that you catch these guys live if you can. As of right now they are not playing in Vancouver this year, but they are at The Gorge Amphitheater, quite possibly the best venue in the world, in August. Also I have a feeling that they are going to headline Squamish Valley Music Festival this year, which occurs right after the Gorge show, so fingers crossed for that (lineup announced Jan. 29).

So with another year in the books here are some other albums that I have to acknowledge as honourable mentions: Kanye West - Yeezus, Queens of the Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork, Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City (Rolling Stone Magazine's #1), Atoms For Peace - Amok, Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg, Washed Out - Paracosm, Jay-Z - Magna Carta Holy Grail, Shad - Flying Colours, Beyonce - BEYONCE, and Hallow Moon - Hallow Moon. I hope you enjoyed reading and listening to them as much as I did. Cheers!

#2. A$AP Rocky - LONG.LIVE.A$AP

Full Album

A$AP Rocky - 1 Train (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T.)

The #2 album of the year actually came out almost an entire year ago, on January 4, 2013. Often these early releases are forgotten and I almost missed it myself and had to double check the release date. But there it was at the bottom of my iTunes for the year, and as soon as I saw it I knew it had to be in the top 5.

A$AP Rocky, aka Rakim Mayers, was born in 1988 in Harlem, New York City. He started out as a member of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob and then released a critically acclaimed mixtape LIVE.LOVE.A$AP in 2011 and then this, LONG.LIVE.A$AP, his debut album in 2013. His debut mixtape is solid and has several amazing tracks including the anthemic "Palace", the xylophonic "Peso" and the bluesy "Trilla" but I feel it loses focus in parts, favoring heavy bass over slick production. But then for LONG.LIVE.A$AP the rapper became much more focused on production, and backed by the major label power from Sony, was able to get A-list guest artists and production help. 

The album opens with the thunderous boom of "Long Live A$AP", where Rocky raps about where he thought he'd end up (prison, on drugs etc.) and then where he actually has (Bentleys, stacks of money, etc.) which is basically the complete opposite. The production is sparse yet glossy and the hook reels you in, providing an excellent snapshot of what this album is going to be about. Up next is the brilliant "Goldie", a track that makes one feel like a total boss/badass at the same time. Beneath the pulsating beat lies a sinister reverberating chant that illuminates the boss/badass mood. Other highlights include the top 40 smash "Fuckin' Problems" which features Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and the ridiculously catchy shout-along hook from 2 Chainz, "Wild For The Night" which features production from EDM Megastar Skrillex and is a song that truly makes you want to go fucking bonkers for the night, and "Fashion Killa", an ode to Rocky's love for stylish clothing with lush production from Rocky himself. 

Today's chosen song "1 Train" features six of the biggest names in the game: Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, & Big K.R.I.T. It is an American hip-hop summit as these rappers come from all corners of the country, from LA to New York and Detroit to Mississippi. 20 years ago, a time that many would consider to be the artistic peak of rap music, something like this could never exist as the two coasts and various other regions were too busy beefing and fighting with one another to even consider collaborating. I mean 2Pac, from Compton, California, the same city as Kendrick Lamar, and The Notorious B.I.G., from NYC, the same as Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson and A$AP himself, were the two biggest names in the game yet would never ever consider working with each other. In fact their rivalry ended with each man being sent to his grave way too early. But back to "1 Train". This track has a continuous, haunting string beat courtesy of producer Hit-Boy. I love Danny Brown's verse but my favourite has got to be Big K.R.I.T. who closes out the track with some emotional and prophesizing spitting.

I also can't ignore some of the tracks that close the album as well as the bonus tracks. "Phoenix", produced by the one and only Danger Mouse, is almost more indie rock than hip-hop with its laid back vibe and sung chorus. Then there's "Suddenly", a haunting ode to early sixties gospel and soul records. And finally the bonus track "I Come Apart" features Florence Welch (of Florence + The Machine) bringing down the house as usual with a killer hook and Rocky rhyming over the percussion heavy beat that sounds vaguely like Kanye's "Runaway".

Overall this is an awesome album by the young Rocky. I cannot wait to hear what he has in store for us next. This is also the top hip-hop album to grace my list. Yeezus was awesome as a whole but not enough great individual tracks imo. Stay tuned for #1

#3. Bombino - Nomad

Bombino - Azamane Tiliade

Well it's December and that means time to reflect on the past year in music. This year saw highly anticipated releases from household names such as Kanye West and Justin Timberlake, brilliant introductions from the likes of Jake Bugg and Chance the Rapper, and grizzled vets proving they still have what it takes to compete in the music biz in 2013 including David Bowie and Paul McCartney. All of these albums were great but they still could not make the cut (you'll see some in the honourable mentions section to come). So without further adieu I shall continue Some Strange Storm's Top 5 Albums of 2013.

In 2013 I discovered Bombino, aka Omara Moctar, a singer and insanely gifted blues guitarist from Niger. I wrote about him earlier this year in July. He has a crazy history of exile, executions, and the struggle for peace and I strongly recommend that you quickly check it out here:
http://somestrangestorm.blogspot.ca/2013_07_01_archive.html

Nomad is an album that commands multiple listenings. Produced by Black Keys guitarist and lead singer Dan Auerbach the album is deeply rooted in the blues and Dan gives it an electric, sonic boost. The album opens with "Amidinine", a catchy track with blazing guitar and sing-along chorus. Things tone down a bit with the chill "Ahulakamine Hulan" before kicking into another high gear for today's tune "Azamane Tiliade". This is one of those songs that instantly pumps you up. Although you can't understand a word he's saying, unless you are fluent in the Tamashek language of the nomadic Tuareg people, you know that this is a political song. Bombino sings with an intense fury that is echoed by his guitar shredding. Whenever I'm pissed off about something I turn to this track for inspiration in my writing. A brilliant song that you must check out as well as the psychedelic video that features Auerbach.

Other album highlights include the instrumental "Niamey Jam" with its buzzing organ part and choppy guitar, "Her Tenere" which must be a love song as Bombino sings with romantic passion, and the closer "Tamiditine" which is an incredibly peaceful statement song. You can hear the sadness in Bombino's voice but lurking close behind is hope; a hope for peace and happiness to his people. A brilliant desert blues song.

I won't be able to make another post til after Christmas so I'll say Merry Christmas! Be safe this holiday season and just "enjoy getting drunk and stoned with your friends and family, because that is really what Christmas is all about." - Ricky

Stay tuned for #2

TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2013

#4. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

Full Album

Daft Punk - Beyond

Well it's December and that means time to reflect on the past year in music. This year saw highly anticipated releases from household names such as Kanye West and Justin Timberlake, brilliant introductions from the likes of Jake Bugg and Chance the Rapper, and grizzled vets proving they still have what it takes to compete in the music biz in 2013 including David Bowie and Paul McCartney. All of these albums were great but they still could not make the cut (you'll see some in the honourable mentions section to come). So without further adieu I shall continue Some Strange Storm's Top 5 Albums of 2013.

With the recent surge of EDM (Electronic Dance Music for those unaware), especially and finally in the USA, the undisputed Kings, Godfathers, Legends, whatever you want to call them, of the genre had been absent for quite some time prior to this year. In late 2010 the duo of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter released their first new material in over five years causing widespread hysteria in the music world. Turns out they were only releasing an original score for the Disney film Tron: Legacy which really only contained one EDM/Daft Punk song, the futuristic party-starter "Derezzed". Then three years later, in Spring 2013, word finally got out that the duo was releasing an LP of all new, original material and the industry went berserk. A 30 second teaser trailer which was played during the Coachella music festival and during an episode of SNL showed the robot-masked Daft Punk alongside R&B crooner/producer Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, guitarist and producer extraordinaire of the disco group Chic. I vividly remember being shown this while at a hostel in Thailand and it got me extremely excited for the album and that particular single, "Get Lucky", to come.

The album begins with the proclamation "Give Life Back To Music" which features fantastic orchestration paired with the instantly recognizable riffing of Nile Rodgers; a sound that thankfully graces much of the album. This is quite the statement from a group that basically created the EDM genre through blips and bleeps of computers and synths. Yet here they are ready to move past it, bringing back live instruments and production to a genre that has been loathed by many as being too artificial. Basically they're proving that they can make an incredible EDM album without computers and are moving forward, ahead of the competition. Following the opener is the 9 minute epic "Giorgio by Moroder" which features a spoken word intro by Giorgio himself as he tells of his beginnings in the discotheques in Berlin in the early 1970's. The song then goes through a whirlwind of buzzing synths and spacey beats before crashing down with gorgeous strings.

There isn't a single throwaway track on the album but other standouts include "Instant Crush" featuring Julian Casablancas of The Strokes on lead, auto-tuned vocals over a laid back groove, another epic in "Touch" which showcases the voice and songwriting of Paul Williams and includes a brilliant middle frame of exuberant horns and strings, and "Lose Yourself To Dance" and "Get Lucky" which feature vocals by Pharrell Williams and guitar from Nile Rodgers. The latter is the definition of a perfect pop/dance song. Rolling Stone named it their song of the year and by now you have heard it a million times and may be sick of it but hopefully, like me, you still can't get enough of it and turn it up every time it's on.

The track I chose for today is "Beyond", co-written with Paul Williams. This is classic Daft Punk that uses auto-tuned robot vocals over a killer groove but also reflects their new live instrumentation with flourishes of orchestra strings and beautiful pedal steel guitar fills. I struggled to choose just one song from this excellent album and didn't want to use my personal favourite track "Get Lucky" since unless you live at the North Pole you have most definitely heard it many times before. Daft Punk decided to come back into the music world just when EDM was getting its most attention, putting a ton of pressure on the masters to come through with a hit. Well they certainly delivered, in fact they went above and beyond the call. Now if only they could do an epic world tour and finally start headlining all of those festivals that they are consistently rumoured to be at. I know I'll be there.

Stay tuned for #3

TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2013

#5. Danny Brown - Old

Full Album

Danny Brown - Lonely

Well it's December and that means time to reflect on the past year in music. This year saw highly anticipated releases from household names such as Kanye West and Justin Timberlake, brilliant introductions from the likes of Jake Bugg and Chance the Rapper, and grizzled vets proving they still have what it takes to compete in the music biz in 2013 including David Bowie and Paul McCartney. All of these albums were great but they still could not make the cut (you'll see some in the honourable mentions section to come). So without further adieu I begin Some Strange Storm's Top 5 Albums of 2013.

Old finds Danny Brown at an introspective point in his career. The rapper is known for his crazy antics and wild partying which are illuminated on tracks such as "Blunt After Blunt" and "Die Like a Rockstar" from his 2012 LP XXX. On Old Danny takes a more serious look at his life and questions what he is doing. On "Clean Up" he raps about being in "hotel rooms crushing pills and menus / daughter sending me messages saying 'Daddy, I miss you' / but in this condition I don't think she need to see me." This brutal honesty proves that Danny can be an intelligent rapper and that he understands the consequences of his lifestyle. This sentiment is echoed during the hook when he proclaims "it's time for me to clean it up / I came too far to fuck it up." It's refreshing to hear an artist admit that their lifestyle is damaging to themselves as well as family and friends.

The album is split into two halves, side A and side B, with side A being more focused on introspection and personal feelings. In the opener "Side A (Old)" he laments how fans and critics want the 'old' hair-braided and dope selling Danny Brown back, telling the listener that this album is going to be different and you're gonna have to deal with it. Highlights of side A include "25 Bucks" which features vocals and production from Montreal duo Purity Ring and is about how Danny and his parents grew up without much money, the ridiculously awesome hook of "like open wide ho" from "Dope Fiend Rental" which features ScHoolboy Q, and the aforementioned "Clean Up" with its deep lyrics and excellent, haunting production.

But the brightest light of this half has to be today's song "Lonely". This song finds Brown opting to rap in a deeper voice, foregoing his higher pitched, unique style. What this does is allows the listener to really listen to his lyrics as he tells of his past and how he's lonely "'cause don't nobody really know [him]." A funny voice also states in French in the intro "well, maybe the bird / the bird sleeping inside of each of us / will rise up", alluding to his desire to change. This deeper style of rapping is brilliantly complimented with the production; gorgeous chiming guitars over a solid back beat and piano flourish plus the gospel break in the middle make for a truly beautiful song.

Side B definitely begins to stray back to Danny Brown's wild, party side as the production gets heavier and angrier. I like to compare this half to Kanye West's brilliant Yeezus which I call his angry workout album. I personally don't like this half as much and it is the main reason why it is #5 and not higher (had the album just consisted of side A it would rank as high as #2 on my list). Highlights include "Dubstep" featuring Scruffizer and some womp womp production, the after party/sesh anthem "Kush Coma" featuring A$AP Rocky and some great spaced out vocals, and the lush closer "Float On" featuring the beautiful vocals of British chanteuse Charlie XCX.

So Danny Brown's style and sound change definitely worked and I can't wait to hear what he has to come in the future. Stay tuned for #4...