There are many reasons why MC Hammer’s attempt at a gangsta-rap comeback with The Funky Headhunter failed miserably. For one thing, the man was already overexposed and ridiculed ad nauseum by the time the album dropped. Another point is the pure and simple fact that the whole act seemed (and was) forced; Hammer wasn’t a thug, he was a talented dancer and composer. The first single, “Pumps and a Bump,” featured two music videos, both of which feel artificial compared to the classic Hammer strutting and crabwalking that littered the video for his hit “U Can’t Touch This.”
Of course, by this time, that was 4 or 5 years past, and Hammer was dated. He had to redesign his image to pay for the now-multiplying debt and support his family. He also needed a break back into the spotlight. Death Row and Tupac were huge, so a move to the gangsta genre seemed reasonable. But he didn’t fit in, and everyone knew it.
That’s not to say that Hammer isn’t in top form with “Pumps and a Bump.” Quite the opposite, in fact. Sure, the first video, filmed at Hammer’s stupid-expensive mansion, is overtly sexual and, at times, disgusting. But the second is prime Hammer, making love to the camera with smooth lip-synching charisma and a new badass dance made for the song. The track alone is a bumping club jam that probably would have been a radio hit with any other Death Row labelmate at the time; Hammer’s name had been dragged through the mud too much at this point.
He may have been aimless, lost, and on his way out at this point, but even then, when you let him have the stage, Hammer shined.
I saw these guys open for Ted Leo at CMJ in October, and it was a pretty enjoyable show overall. I remember thinking that there are a lot of bands that are trying this indie-electro/tribal music in the vein of MIA, et al, but few manage to deliver with such irresistible swagger and inescapable melody.
Today the duo releases a new EP titled Settings (pictured above) and they have a slew of SXSW dates planned, so I definitely plan on seeing them again to observe their progression. In the meantime, I’m jamming this track, “Real Life,” featuring a dominant drum beat that feels like it’s about to collapse but keeps coming back on rhythm, speeding up to catch up with the rest of the song. And it succeeds, everytime.
Quick post before going out tonight, last week’s overnight trip home messed up my blog-writing schedule, trying to keep this thing updated as much as possible.
A new feature on the AV Club’s site delves deep into the riches (and utter garbage) that is the compilation series NOW! That’s What I Call Music.
Check out the first post, which describes in detail (on a track-by-track analysis) of the first bestselling album in the series, probably the most pop-sporadic of any of the albums – it covered a larger time period of hits than the albums that were to follow. I mean, where else are you going to find an album that features songs from Radiohead, Backstreet Boys, and Aqua on the same disc?
After that little read (and additional YouTube nostalgia trip) how could you not want to come back for more? I know I’ll return – this is some fine, funny writing about one of my favorite things to read and write about – the pop of the past.
If there was ever a movie undeserving of a Best Picture nomination, it would be The Blind Side. I managed to sit through it, because I usually finish movies and I make it a point to see all the Best Picture nominees before the ceremony (which is this Sunday). But man, that shit was hard work.
One of my favorite bands, the Sacramento-based Deftones, are preparing the release of their sixth full-length album, Diamond Eyes, on May 18. In light of this, I am going back, re-listening to, and analyzing their previous albums to gain a perspective of the band’s past while waiting in anticipation of the band’s future.
In honor of my now-routine Sunday evening activity of playing dominos at Skooners, here is a short post tonight before I go out: The official (unremarkable) music video for one of my favorite tracks of 2009, the Big Pink’s aptly-titled hit “Dominos.”
What can be said about chillwave in its roughly 8-month existence as a subgenre of “indie” rock that hasn’t already been said? The subgenre has been dissected, praised, destroyed, re-praised, mocked, etc. The always tongue-in-cheek, but really not that clever blog Hipster Runoff loves poking fun at Chillwave because it is, in fact, a relevant movement in our current state of music; they’re responsible for the JPEG above. (I would love to delve into how much I dislike the Hipster Runoff blog/radio show/movement, but that is a post for another long day.)
I personally would like to know what’s next for chillwave, if anything. There is a definite sound the subgenre has incorporated and brought to the table; I assume, like most subgenres of rock music, it will die soon. In its wake, however, will come an obviously-influenced new subgenre, incorporating some elements of chillwave with other movements in music today, mainstream or otherwise. Maybe this new subgenre will be more interesting/popular/catchy than chillwave, maybe not. I’m not ready to declare chillwave dead, however. I still think there’s plenty to come, and with artists like Washed Out and Neon Indian receiving an incredible amount of press/praise, I envision the genre growing before burning out.
Many people, however, still don’t know about this exciting new subgenre, which incorporates the now-standard lo-fi aesthetic many indie acts have been using. It also adds the textures of shoegaze, 80’s pop, hip-hop, dreamwave techno, and a lot of sampling. Simple melodies usually carry the songs along in a dreamy fashion; the subgenre has been described as great “summertime music,” however, I don’t feel that is always the case.
As with most research on the Internet, Wikipedia is a good place to start for those interested in discovering this new movement, but I also find this Musical Pairings blog post a concise description of the subgenre. There’s also a pretty nifty mixtape I HIGHLY reccomend downloading to introduce yourself to the sounds of Chillwave, which you’ll discover are varied, yet somewhat intertwined. I would imagine the mixtape would be great for a walk along a beach during a sunset or a drive in the country on a clear night with a full moon.
