Oasis

Sometimes, one song can really boost your spirits.  Not that my spirits necessarily needed a boost, but Oasis sure did the trick.  I am sitting here in the library and I decided to rock out to my Pandora player.  Low and behold, Oasis’ Wonderwall came on.  What a tune.  I have not listened to this song in ages.  Sure brings back a lot of memories: Bloomfield, freshman year, trying to expand my musical horizons.

Pandora is making my night right now.  Also, tonight I sent off my first three entries for the ABC-CLIO’s Encyclopedia of Film and Culture (I think that is the title).  I hope the editor likes them…

Some more reading and then I am getting out of the library.  Nine hours is just about enough.

Kanye West: What Happened Dude?

This post will be short because I am busy and do not have the time necessary to go knee-deep, but will attempt some coherence now.  One of my friends suggested I do a review of Kanye West’s track, Last Call on The College Dropout. I like this idea and plan to review that soon.  However, once re-listening to his previous three records, The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation I have come to one conclusion.  In comparing those three records to his most recent 808s and Heartbreak, I think Kanye has missed his previous marks of greatness and is trying way too hard.

Some of the rhymes on his first three albums are a strange mix of audaciousness, cockiness, and social awareness.  His beats and samples were also well-placed and firmly established in those first three efforts.  After giving 808s time I feel like he trying too hard to be some version of himself that he either thinks he should be, or thinks the rap game wants him to be. Usually a visionary, this record is forced and also uses that T-Pain esque voice machine and I have to tell you, the novelty wore off of that years ago. Before I roll-out, I am going to throw down some classic rhymes from his first three records to remind everyone how mighty Kanye West once was.  Quick disclaimer, I still think Kanye is a lyrical and musical genius, it’s just that as of late, he trying to be this mad scientist of rap and he needs to take a deep breath and relax.

Jesus Walks-The College Dropout
So here go my single dog radio needs this
They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus
That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes
But if I talk about God my record won’t get played Huh?
Well let this take away from my spins
Which will probably take away from my ends

Heard Em’ Say

The devil is alive I feel him breathin’,
Claimin’ money is the key so keep on dreamin’,
And put them lottery tickets just to tease us,
My aunt Pam can’t put those cigarettes down,
Now my lil cousin smokin those cigarettes now,
His job trying to claim that he too niggerish now,
Is it cuz his skin blacker than licorice now?
I can’t figure it out…
Im Stickin around….

Stronger
Awesome, the Christian and Christian Dior
Damn, they don’t make ‘em like this anymore
I ask ’cause I’m not sure
Do anybody make real s#&% anymore?
Bow in the presence of greatness
’cause right now thou has forsaken us
You should be honored by my lateness
That I would even show up to this fake s#&%