A$AP Rocky/Action Bronson
Hip-hop's razor
For six highly listenable, casually unmatched tracks, every beat hooks without being obvious enough about it‑-in a telling segue, a track that rides a Clams Casino glitch precedes a track that rides a Clams Casino Santigold cameo. Skillfully but never dazzlingly, congenially but never charismatically, with entertainment value added by a screwed- and-chopped alter ego, Rocky raps over the music without saying a damn thing older, meaner, and sharper rappers haven't said before. Then, bang, three dynamite songs, starting with an attention grabber bearing the asterisks-in-original title and literal message "F**kin' Problems," followed by a f**k-you banger from the Skrillex songbook and the terrific virtual-posse "1 Train": hello goodbye to Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, and Big K.R.I.T. Then, aww, three tracks that could be more obvious by half. B PLUS
Action Bronson: Blue Chips (free download)
As previously and probably hereafter, I always eat up the food stuff and occasionally retch at the sex stuff, with the "Thug Love Story 2012"/"Hookers at the Point" pairing the test case. Sexist though both are, I'm a fan because like Ghostface's "Wildflower" they come down on the right side of that razor-thin exposure-exploitation dividing line. But where with Eminem's "Kim" I'll argue that case ad nauseum, here no one is obliged to differentiate between those tracks and the one where he makes the "joke"-I-hope-he-claims about sharing a hooker with his three-year-old son‑-sometimes dumb is just evil, end of story. What nobody should try and deny is this album's accelerating momentum and unstinting silliness‑-not only does he call the itty-bitty that needs "the surgery" his "pee-pee," he rhymes it with "TV," "CD," "3-D," and "Fiji." Yummiest food-sex confluence: cunnilingus as razorback clams with bucatini. B PLUS
Thank you for coming out to see Wussy. It was a pleasure meeting some of you and seeing some familiar faces. I can pass on the sentiment from the band and myself; we felt it was one of the best performances Wussy has given. It was a great show. Exciting as it was their first headlining Saturday night gig in NYC. LCC and Wussy did benefit from the club kids that were there for other areas of the bar. I sold many tshirts and cds to those kids that accidentally fell for Wussy. That is a wonderful thing. New York audience is made of awesome. I didn't think the dub-step crowd would be into this sort of RocknRoll. However, it does confirm that Wussy appeals to all walks of life and age ranges. Definitely one of the youngest crowds we've ever had.
Before we left on tour, Wussy finished up recording a few songs to be released for Record Store Day. Keep your peepers out for that! I can confirm they are writing new material for a new album. Due to this, we will not be living on the road like we did in 2012. We will do a handful of small runs while they get the new material recorded.
A few insights to the band for you. 1. Wussy never performs a song the same way twice. 2. Chuck loves using a beer bottle or can as abslide during the chaotic mess of Rigor Mortis and its wonderful! 3. They never know which songs they'll perform until a few minutes before they walk on stage.
On another note: Philly was a fantastic show despite the odd write up by a youngin'.
Thanks again for being awesome EWers!
Venomous Valdez
Tour Manager/Booking Agent
Wussy
The Sundresses
Dave/Not MM. Here in Melbourne we have sweletered through 9 straight days of max 32C+ plus unusually humid- a new record for autumn or even summer. We often get a 35C+ day in summer, but is usually followed by a cool change down to 22C for a few days- but not this year. That's enough of my meteorological input.
However, hope it holds out for Bruce and the E Streeters at Hanging Rock on 31 March.
I occupy a sparsely inhabited territory in that I half-despise Daylight Saving Time. Lovely in the Spring when it makes the sun last until a more decent hour. Dreadful in the Fall when it makes days already getting too dark too soon even more Stygian. Back in my smoldering youth I would forgive the autumn switch because I got to hang out in the favorite watering hole an extra hour.
Thanks Cam, I will do my best here.
My current favorites are Pink and Bruce Springsteen. I'm not really a hip hop fan, but I do like Macklemore. Mr. Springsteen is in Sydney for 4 shows next week but I'm to broke to go. I need to borrow more Lucinda Williams cd's from my uncle. I'm learning "Lake Charles" for next open mic night.
Wish I could be more helpful with local stuff. Steve Smyth is a big deal here in Jervis Bay but not really my thing. More to my taste is two Brisbane girls called Love Like Hate. Their debut EP and the song "21" might be worth checking out.
about the blogger
Starting in 1967, Robert Christgau has covered popular music for The Village Voice, Esquire, Blender, Playboy, Rolling Stone, and many other publications. He teaches in New York University's Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, maintains a comprehensive website at robertchristgau.com, and has published five books based on his journalism. He has written for MSN Music since 2006.
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