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ninety-nine out of a hundred

Dec 16

thedailywhat:

Video Game-Themed Vittles of the Day: Katamari Cake Balls — Candy coated cake balls with M&M nubs.

Katamari Damacy party at my place! B.Y.O.Katamari Cake Balls.

[via.]

I want some of this right now.

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Dec 12

KID CUDI | Music

“Kid Cudi is a fascinating rapper, claimed by the backpackers for his work with Kanye Weston 808s & Heartbreak but equally loved by the mash-up club kids who went ape for his “Day N Nite” single, especially in its nu-disco remix from Crookers. His debut album was deep in the category of “much anticipated” as soon as it was announced, but when the promised game changer finally arrived, it became obvious that Cudi had already changed the game, and maybe debut albums aren’t what they used to be. With its narration from Common and a track list broken into five “acts,” Man on the Moon: The End of Day is almost as conceptual as its name implies, kicking off with a spaced-out slow roller coated in strings while Cudi states “Welcome, you’re in my dream now.” You most certainly are. What follows is Pink Floyd-styled story where the real world pain of “Soundtrack 2 My Life” mutates into sci-fi fantasies from the dark side of the moon. Along the way, brilliant samples — like a bit of OMD’s esoteric album Dazzle Ships — and innovative sounds from Cudi and special guestsEmile, Ratatat, and MGMT slowly shuffle the listener through the man’s spliff-fueled exploration of space, a place where the artsy escape ridicule but fall prey to crushing isolation. With its bleeps, the hooky “Day N Nite” belongs, but the follow-up single, “Make Her Say,” is a glorious mix of glitz and vulgarity with Kanye and Cudi twisting a Lady GaGasample from “Poker Face” into “Poke Her Face.” While it lightens the mood just before things turn ponderous, it barely fits. If it wasn’t for the song, it would be as if Cudi launched his career with his own 808s, and therefore anyone looking for a more gripping kickoff should seek out either of his widely available mixtapes (A Kid Named Cudi or Dat Kid from Cleveland). This first official release is a soul searcher and may require more patience than your everyday debut. Still, the chilly, complicated Man on the Moon perfects the futuristic bleak-beat hip-hop Kanye purposed a year earlier, and rewards the listener with every tripped-out return.” -allmusic.com

Similar Artists: Wale, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Wiz Khalifa

Moods: Insular, Sparse, Ambitious, Confident, Detached, Spacey, Dreamy, Searching, Brash, Trippy, Nocturnal

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Dec 06

nickdrake:

Bettie Visits CBGB A Miller & Ringma Collaboration

the first photographs of Bettie with the movers and shakers at CBGB was taken during our very first visit to the club in late 1976. Standing alone by the bar was one of Bettie’s favorite performers, the poet-rocker Patti Smith. At home at CBGB and a wee bit tipsy, Patti was more than happy to oblige our request for a picture with Bettie. Soon we were CBGB regulars, checking out the different bands and slowly adding to our collection of pictures. Although the buzz about CBGB was growing, the place was still a neighborhood bar where future rock legends were just as likely to be hanging out and drinking by the pinball machine as performing on stage. In addition to the musicians, there were music writers, fashion designers, commercial photographers, as well as a small group of artists like us who were part of the Soho and Tribeca art scene. As our “Paparazzi Self-Portraits” morphed into “Bettie Visits CBGB,” we saw our photographs as a reflection of the new aesthetic emerging at CBGB, a contradictory mix of high and low culture energized by fun and humor, the lure of fame and fortune, and a cynical appreciation of the power of a good hype. -98bowery.com

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Dec 02

EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS | Music

“Formed in 2007 by Ima Robot frontman Alex Ebert after a brief period of existential crisis, cultish 11-piece indie rock outfit Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros draw their inspiration from the communal musical communities that peppered Southern California (specifically Laurel Canyon) with their positive vibrations during the ’60s and early ’70s. Employing a unique sound that brings to mind a not so subtle mix of Parliament, Polyphonic Spree, Bob Marley, and the Incredible String Band, the group released its debut EP, Here Comes, in May 2009 followed by the full-length Up from Below in July.” -allmusic

Sounds like: Plants and Animals, The Polyphonic Spree, I’m from Barcelona, Arcade Fire, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci

Moods: Ambitious, Exuberant, Lush, Gleeful, Playful, Cheery, Sprawling, Amiable/Goodnatured, Happy, Complex, Fun, Carefree, Freewheeling, Carefree, Quirky, Whimsical, Elaborate, Literate, Indulgent, Party/Celebratory

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Dec 01

LOCAL NATIVES | Music

Local Natives are a Southern California act preparing to release their full length debut album, “Gorilla Manor” with Frenchkiss Records in February 2010. Upon first listen though, it seems as if there’s no way that can be the case. The songs roll by with the ease, confidence and chemistry of a much more seasoned act. They are currently touring with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Fool’s Gold, and I had the pleasure of meeting them after their Burlington show. While one of the guys walked around burning sage to cleanse any evil spirits in the room, the drummer asked me to take a free pin and told me about their covers of Simon and Garfunkel’s Cecilia and Talking Head’s Warning Sign. Their creative orchestration and energy makes for an unbelievable live show. Buy their CD and see them if you have a chance!

Sounds like: Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, Yeasayer, Broken Social Scene, Freelance Whales

Moods: Earthy, Earnest, Autumnal, Reflective, Exciting, Sophisticated, Wistful, Witty

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