Angry Citizen

Most Disappointing Albums of 2006 | MP3

I'm not one to completely trash an album. It has nothing to do with having a disdain for ruffling feathers. It has more to do with my nonexistence in the artist promotion world, a severe lack of funds and eMusic’s limited catalog. (Promoters, send free cd's C/O AngryCitizen) I usually buy music I think I'll enjoy, which decreases an albums chance of making this list. On the rare occasion I'll make the dreaded impulse-buy, which will inevitably produce an album that rockets to the top of this list. Thus, my albums-I-hate list for '06 doesn't run as deep as my hatred for these four...

Bob Dylan - Modern Times

    After five or six spins I needed refuge from Dylan’s meandering six-minute-jams. I initially felt the same about Love and Theft which eventually grew on me. Not only has Modern Times not grown on me, whenever I see the cd I run away. Literally, I head for the hills, a drifter's escape. Aside from Someday Baby and Nettie Moore I can't muster the strength to listen to Workingman's Blues #2, Spirit On the Water, Ain't Talkin', hell, 80% of the album. What am I missing? Seriously, because I know Dylan, his massive catalog is looking right at me giving me the finger, bootlegs and all. Are critics heaping praise on Modern Times because
1) Dylan's backing band is tight, or
2) Are we giving Dylan credit for still making decent music 45 years later?
One and two are not reasons to anoint this album a classic. Somebody get Jan Wenner on the phone so he could explain this one to me.

Swan Lake - Beast Moans
    You would think a band that employs two lead singers who front bands that released albums on my best of '06 list (it's coming soon, I'm slow) could come together and produce a winner. Not the case with Beast Moans. The album reminds me of Ships by The Danielson Familie, minus any enjoyable songs. Krug's quirky intensity and Bejar's charm are completely stripped from this album.  Beast Moans sounds like a steaming pile of guitars, keyboards and yelps mashed together. It's one part coherent, one part disorganized disaster. Some might find that charming, I find it unlistenable. All Fires and Are You Swimming in Her Pools? are enjoyable songs simply because they sound like Sunset Rubdown b-sides. When Beast Moans works you get a haunting and brilliant song like Pleasure Vessel. When it doesn't work, which is often, you get songs like Shooting Rockets and Petersburg, Liberty Theater, 1914. I'm pretty sure Beast Moans is a slow burner, an album that requires extra work, but as of now it does nothing for me.

MP3 Swan Lake - All Fires
MP3 Swan Lake - The Freedom

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (Impulse buy one)
     Can the Grammy's and Rolling Stone magazine be wrong?? I saw Stadium Arcadium and for unexplained reasons something inside me said, “buy it!” So I bought it, impulse-buy style, and then looked at the 28 song bloated double disc set and slightly vomited in my mouth. 28 songs!! My problem with the Peppers lies with lead singer Anthony Kiedis and his lyrical content, or lack thereof. I couldn’t believe Antony Kiedis had 28 song worth of lyrics inside him. He doesn't. Stadium Arcadium is repetitive and of course Kiedis' lyrics don't make a whole lot of sense. There are a few decent songs that faintly remind you of the old Chili Peppers rhythm section. Funky and fun. But at 28 songs, Stadium Arcadium is waaay too long for anyone to sit through . Plus, two hours of lines like (Rain on my frustration / Save my queen / now break this / Wash me down my station / Make more rain forsaken) will make you beg for Modern Times.

Listen to Stadium Arcadium.

The Liars - Drums Not Dead (Impulse buy two)

Just listen.

Slick Rick @ Nokia Theatre 4/22/06

End of Year Cleanup Part 2: This post has been collecting dust in my draft box since April. So I tidied it up a little and now It's time I unleashed it.

    On April 22nd, In between deportations, Slick Rick managed to sneak in a show at Nokia Theatre. While his performance wasn’t earth shattering it was still entertaining to see the Ruler do his thing. Over the last few months I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a few classic hip-hop acts. Unlike Rakim who gave the audience a sense that he had something left in the tank, Slick Rick’s performance was a straight up nostalgia show. When he's 83-years-old The Ruler will be grabbing the mic rapping “once upon a time not long ago.” Don’t get me wrong, his performance wasn't embarrassing or sad. On the contrary, he put on a fun show when playing the classics. Every few songs he tried to slip in a new one but nobody wanted to hear it. The universal law of classic musicians performing live applies just as much to hip-hop as any other genre. Case in point. Slick Rick performs Children’s Story: “Oh shit!!!” – Random guy behind me. Slick Rick performs a new song: “Yo, you guys wanna get a drink?” – Random guy to the left of me. Slick Rick performs La Di Da Di: “Slick Rick is the illest son.” - Guy in front of me. Slick Rick performs a new song: “Yo, I gotta make this call.” – Guy next to me who smoked up all night. Aside from audience indifference for his new songs, Slick Rick was just as vocally dexterous and playful live as his is on record. He’s also hilariously bitchy. At one point he yelled at his DJ for playing the wrong track. Rick told him he was out if he screwed up again. Everyone laughed. His DJ screwed up again and Rick was like "I’m replacing you." But he was serious. Everyone was like damn! And the most absurd moment came when he laid down and inexplicably started humping the stage Bobby Brown style. Straight up humping the stage. Imagine a sea of people with a quizzical look on their face. He then got up, laughed, and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “I’m Slick Rick and I can hump this stage.” And check out the pendant hanging off his chain. It almost reaches his knee. I was waiting for him to fall into the first row. There's not much else to say about his performance. He played a relatively short set which included all the classics. He hit all his lines and for a brief minute reminded the crowd of his status as one of the most influential artists in music.

Speaking of influence, Snoop Dogg owes Slick Rick a royalty check for every time he's used the phrase Deeez Nuuuts. While he's at it he should pay him for stealing his flow. Contrary to what you've heard Lick the Balls was the first song played on W Balls, not Tha Shiznit.

MP3 Snoop Dogg - W Balls
MP3 Slick Rick - Lick the Balls
More Photos - Slick Rick @ Nokia Theatre 4/22/06

(Sorry for the grainy photos.)

Where Are They Now? Lost MC's Mix-Tape | MP3

(Quick Aside: Check out my Rakim photos at Fiddle While You Burn and Nahright.)

On his new album, Nas has a song titled Where Are They Now? in which he name checks forgotten MC's. It got me thinking and digging through the crates, err, shoe-boxes for the lost MC’s Nas name drops. Here's what I found without completely ransacking my house. Remember cassette tapes? Most of my cassettes are resting in the crevices of a closet but some have been lost forever, forgotten at a friend's house or pilfered. I’m still waiting for Ray to mail me my Pharcyde cassette. You know the address Ray. Some observations. Not only do I own Mic Geronimo’s 'The Natural' on CD, it’s also one of five hip-hop albums I own on vinyl. When I was fifteen I went through a I-need-to-own-vinyl phase that luckily did not last long. It's Interesting how the fifteen-year-old mind thinks, or at least my fifteen-year-old mind. Eric B. & Rakim? No. RUN DMC? No. Illmatic on wax? Nah. Mic Geronimo? YES!!!! It’s also apparent that I had a fetish for Craig Mack. The original version of Flava in Ya Ear wasn’t enough for me. I had to have the ‘dirty’ remix. I was indulgent like that. But before you chastise me for my indulgent behavior, the remix did have Biggie, Rampage, L.L. Cool J and Busta Ryhmes joining the fray. On a less flavorful point, check out the Kool G. Rap and Masta Ace cassette fold outs, particularly the Kool G. Rap fold out. I forgot how controversial the cover shot of their Live And Let Die album was back in the day. If Kramer ever sees Kool G. Rap in the streets he better run. Click here for a closer look at the album cover. I would have added Big Daddy Kane to the picture but my dad threw all of my Kane tapes in the garbage. My dad felt Kane was half-steppin’ and not worthy enough to be in my record collection. I also had a thing for EPMD’s post EPMD work. No Pressure is a great album. The E Double joined by the Philly Blunt king Keith Murray on Hostile was my jam. And PMD tried really hard. Since they're just so damn fun to listen to, I included two Fu-Schnickens tracks. (no Shaq) And no, we’re not going to discuss why I own a Coolio cassette tape. We're going to end this madness now before I upload more Fu-Schnickens - the song with Shaq. Let's end this thing with a great version of Buck Em Down and the greatest posse cut of all time!

Lost MC's MP3 Mix-Tape

1) Black Sheep - Without A Doubt
2) Craig Mack - Flava In Ya Ear
3) Kool G. Rap & D.J. Polo - Ill Street Blues
4) Fu-Schnickens - Break Down
5) Ill and Al Scratch - I'll Take Her
6) Mic Geronimo - Sh*ts Real
7) Erick Sermon f/ Keith Murray - Hostile
8) Coolio - Fantastic Voyage
9) PMD - Steppin' Through Hardcore
10) Erick Sermon - Hittin' Switches
11) Fu-Schnickens - Ring The Alarm (Remix)
12) PMD - I Saw It Cummin'
13) Craig Mack f/ Biggie, Rampage, L.L. Cool J and Busta Ryhmes - Flava in Ya Ear (Dirty Remix)
14) Masta Ace - Born To Roll
15) Black Moon - Buck Em Down (Da Beatminerz Remix)
16) Juice Crew - The Symphony

Rakim Live @ BB Kings 11/25/06 | MP3

Follow the Leader

Rakim is a hip-hop legend, a monument, the entire genre to some. When fans mention Rakim it’s in a reverential tone, always in the past tense, as if Rakim no longer exists. Rakim is often referred to as one of the greatest if not the greatest lyricist of all time. The debate as to who’s number one can go on forever but Rakim’s legend can never be denied. As I walked into BB Kings I didn’t know what to expect. Rakim has been something of a recluse over the last six or seven years. A few concerts here and there. A few aborted albums and rumored label signings, but not much production. So what kind of Rakim was I going to see? Would he reassert his greatness? Would this be a full fledged nostalgia show with no hint of a comeback? Would he even be on point?

Here I go again, ready to flow again, better hope my mic don’t blow again

Standing around and waiting is par for the course at a hip-hip show and this was no different. Rakim made us wait until 2:45 in the morning. As each successive minute passed the crowd became restless, but a sense of what will be floated through the air. If there's anyone who can make you wait and you can't complain about it, it’s Rakim. When Rakim finally made his grand entrance he crossed the stage like a prize fighter walking into the ring for a championship bout. (Click here to see the video of his grand entrance) I was right up front, first row, six inches from Rakim and my first impression of him was his size. Damn he's small. In my mind his lyrics have inflated him to at least six-foot-eight. Later on he backed up his small stature by informing us that he wont be jumping into the crowd because he's a small dude. My next thought was, damn, there’s Rakim six inches away from me, the legend. Unreasonable expectations are what Rakim lives with. But the bottom line, and this is no exaggeration, Rakim melted the microphone leaving it sore. He had complete control, his flow was spot on and he delivered a greatest hits set with a few new songs sprinkled in.

MC Means Move the Crowd

Speaking of crowd control, Rakim had it covered from step one. He stalked the stage like a bull, fully aware of his lyrical power and legendary status. He made the crowd beg for his hits, which they willingly did. When Rakim quieted down, the crowd followed suit waiting for Rakim to speak. As the show carried on Rakim became more comfortable, even changing his sneakers mid-set. The crowd caught the bug, loosened up, and from then on it was a full fledged love fest. Rakim signed autographs and even gave me pound. He could have asked everyone very nicely to hand over their wallets and people would have obliged.

I'm Asiatic, and blazin microphones a habit, At least once durin the course of a day, it's automatic

Rakim hit us with one hit, and the rest just kept on coming. The show hit its apex when Rakim performed Paid in Full, I Got Soul and I Ain’t No Joke in order with no breaks in between. It was a classic overload which some people couldn’t handle. During Paid in Full the audience shouted out every word and was transported back to ‘87 and it felt damn good. I went into the show hoping to hear Run For Cover or Mahogany. Run For Cover was a no-go but Ra delivered a smooth version of Mahogany. The  crowd took great delight in singing the "she rub me on my chest and call me Mr. sexy" line. Rakim played a few new songs that sounded, well, like Rakim. Nothing new, his flow is the same and he's still dropping metaphors and similes like its nobody‘s business.  His new single, It’s Nothing, serves to remind everyone that writing hits and being number 1, well, It's Nothing.

I circulate, and remain to rotate, Seven days a week at a quake or a slow rate, Be prepared whenever I come, Competition is none

Rakim talked about being away from hip-hop for a minute and then acknowledged he’s been away a looooong time. Considering Rakim is only one year older then Jay Z, where has he been? He really had no explanation as to his whereabouts. He made sure to remind everyone that his new single will be coming out in January and his new album in February. As for Eric B., he was nowhere to be found and Rakim didn’t try to hide his absence. He made It crystal clear that he doesn’t roll with Eric B. anymore by stating, "I don't roll with Eric B. no more." Furthermore, if a lyric called for an Eric B shout-out, Ra would substitute Eric. B’s name for either his name or Kid Capri. The only down side to the concert, besides its start time, was its flow. Rakim took his time between songs talking to the crowd killing any chance of building momentum. Overall, Rakim delivered the goods and I walked out of BB Kings feeling hopeful that he’ll enter the ring again on some level and reassert his legacy.

Incomplete and out of order set-list
Paid in Full
I Ain't No Joke
I Know You Got Soul
Follow the leader
Juice (Know The Ledge)
In the Ghetto
Don't Sweat the Technique
It’s Nothing
My Melody?
Mahogany
Microphone fiend
Eric B. Is President

More Concert Photos: Rakim @ BB Kings 11/25/06
More Concert Photos: Styles P @ BB Kings 11/25/06
Video: Styles P performing Wild Out @ BB Kings 11/25/06
MP3 Eric B. & Rakim - Run For Cover

Rakim @ BB Kings 11/25/06 Follow the Leader

Rakim @ BB Kings 11/25/06 Paid In Full


Rakim @ BB Kings 11/25/06 Microphone Fiend

Nas - Hip Hop is Dead | MP3

Photo courtesy of Runs With Scissors

Before I dig into this review let's get one thing out of the way early on - this album is NOT Illmatic. So let's leave the Illmatic baggage at the door and judge this one on its merits.

Nas is back with his eight studio album titled Hip-Hop is Dead and similar to his past work it has its share of highs and lows. The first song that grabbed me is Who Killed It, which utilizes the same beat as I Ain’t No Joke minus the horn blasts. Nas slips into a old-school-film-noir-accent and delivers a sly, witty, intricate crime story starring Nas as the lead detective trying to solve the murder of hip-hop.

(Look here see / I know You Got Soul, you're trying to hide it / How did you kill a man out in cypress? / One eyed Charlie / He only hangs with the criminal minded / Says you guys did it Doggy Style is he lyin'?/ She says "walk this way, ill tell you a Children's Story / We hit the bodega, got her a few 40s / We jumped in my ride / We drove and she cried / Twisted off the cap there and opened her mouth wide / Swallowed it / Whole Bottles half empty / Drinks like a fish, now she's past tipsy / The truth came out as we got to her suave house / Chopped and screwed her mouth and sat me on the couch / I said its gettin' late, c'mon give it to me straight / Who's ya sponsor lady? / She says "Bill Gates" / Whattya born, 77? 78? / She says "nah it goes way to an earlier date" / slave times / Claims the slaves said rhymes / But she fell in love with some fella named Clive / Who? / Clive Campbell from Sedgwick Ave / The Bronx / Now she shows me the cash / I said who's Clive?, don't play wit me skirt! / She said Clive Campbell.....he's Kool Herc / Ahaaa Ahaaaaa!!!!)

The more I ruminate over Who Killed It the more its genius stands out. Nas is one of the few artists that can pen and deliver a song which reinforces his power while simultaneously reminding us of what good hip-hop should sound like. If Nas didn't raise the bar so high we wouldn't have the opportunity to lament the moments where he can't hit that bar. Moments like Who Killed aren't fully sustained on HHID. The album plays uneven and my major gripe is with the beats. They're not bad or cringe inducing but they’re run-of-the-mill beats we've all heard. Some sound dated. See Money Over Bullshit. Also, am I the only person not feeling the Kanye produced tracks? All beats aside, the lion's share of HHID is top notch. On Where Are They Now? Nas takes us on a journey through the history of hip-hop name dropping mc's of old that have either faded or disappeared and asks, where are they now? I've often wondered the same thing about various hip-hop artists but some I've forgotten and would like to keep that way. Is Nas really yearning to hear the Fu-Schnickens!?!? Unlike others, I can get past the recycled beat used for the title track Hip Hop is Dead. The song works because Nas' delivery is inspired, not forced, giving the track a vitality and earnestness that's occasionally missing on his later work. Black Republican featuring Jay Z is a tight little number once you get passed any unreasonable expectations. Each man held their own so I‘m calling a draw. One of the best songs on the album, Can't Forget About You, samples Nat King Cole and presents Nas settling into his elder statesman status. (“There comes a day in your life/ when you wanna kick back / straw hat on the porch when you’re old perhaps/ wanna gather your thoughts / have a cold one, brag  / to your grand kids on how life is golden.”) Hustlers is a charged collaboration with the Game who delivers a verse stroking Nas' ego. Rounding out the highlights is Hold Down The Block, a typical Nas track serving up a driving beat coupled with a gritty street tale. Overall HHID is uneven but the highs make up for the lows putting it a small notch below Stillmatic. Like most of Nas' post Illmatic work HHID could have been edited down a song or three and spiffed up with a few more fresh beats. Illmatic expectations are a bitch but Nas didn't miss the mark by much.

Buy Hip-Hip is dead here and here. Check out Nas on Myspace here. And if you haven't already purchased tickets to his December 22 concert at Nokia theatre, sorry, it's sold out. UPDATE: Nas just added another show at Webster Hall. Click here for tickets.

MP3 Nas f/ Jay-Z - Black Republican
MP3 Nas - Doo Rags

End of the Year Clean Up Part 1 - Wu Tang Clan @ Webster Hall 08/06

There's only so much time in the day and certain things fall through the cracks here at Angry Citizen. Concert reviews, ideas, critiques all sitting in my draft box never to be completed. Of course it gnaws at the completist in me, therefore, over the next few weeks I'm going to tie up some loose ends and cleanse myself of everything I wanted to write about and share in 2006. Here's part one of my end of the year clean up.

Yesterday, I was digging through my photos and stumbled upon a new folder of Wu Tang Clan photos I shot at their Webster Hall shows last August. I didn't realize how snap happy I was during both shows and how much the Wu inspired me. I've pulled out a few photos worth looking at.

The first photo is of U-God staying true to his alias, Golden Arms. Is that a diamond encrusted W? I know U-God didn't sell that many copies of Mr. Xcitement. Maybe he burned through his Forever royalty check? Moving on, U-God was on point during both concerts but was always rushing the front of the stage like an eager beaver trying to get as much attention as possible. All insecurities aside, hearing U-God live reminded me of all his witty and above average rhymes littered throughout the Wu Tang catalog. Check out his opening verse on Iron God Chamber off Masta Killa's new album. Towards the end of the show U-God and Rza embraced so we can all rest easy tonight.

The next picture is of Rza's special guest from System of a Down, Shavo Odadjian. As Shavo played his bass Rza couldn't stop smiling and dreaming of the possibilities. He seemed proud and excited to have someone on stage playing an instrument. Even Raekwon was intrigued, feeling every base line. On the other hand Ghost wasn't trying to hear it. At one point Ghost told him to get out the way.

The next shot, which is one of my favorites, stars Shavo and Inspectah Deck. The Inspectah Deck really is like "that dude that will sit back and watch you play yourself and all that, see you sit there, know you're lying and take you to court." Watch your back Shavo.

The next and last photo is of Raekwon. I have a lot of Raekwon photos because he's the easiest member of Wu Tang to shoot. He performs on a lot of songs which means he's always front and center. Moreover, the guy doesn't move on stage which makes it easier to get close-ups. Conversely, Ghostface is the hardest guy to shoot because he doesn't stand still and when he does stand still he's either hunched over or swaying. Here are a few more Raekwon photos, one, two, three.

Check out the rest of my Wu Tang photos and shots from other hip-hop shows.

Wu Tang Clan @ Webster Hall 8/17/06
Wu Tang Clan @ Webster Hall 8/18/06
Wu Tang Clan @ Webster Hall 8/17-8/18 Concert Review
Ghostface Killah @ Nokia Theatre 4/22/06
Slick Rick @ Nokia Theatre 4/22/06
Rakim @ BB Kings 11/25/06
The Roots @ Webster Hall 8/14/06

Time Magazine: Top 100 Albums | Papoose 50 Shots MP3

The Rakim concert recap is in the works, so chill. I'm trying to get it just right. In the mean time, enjoy the pictures I took of Rakim as he was standing six inches away from me. I'm also cooking up my top 10 albums of 2006. It's going to be a barn burner, so stay tuned for that. Now it's time to fire off a quick wtf over Time magazine's top 100 albums of all time, which was broken down by decade. How in the world is Eminem on this list and not Tupac? Secondly, I'm sick of College Dropout getting classic status when it doesn’t deserve it. Third, Kid A is good, not great. It's just another example of hype pushing an album to classic status. Finally, Hole should not be on this list. And where in the world is the WU?????
Here's a link to the list.

On a more somber and angry note, Papoose, has a new song floating around called 50 shots, a response to the police shooting in Queens last week. The song is surprisingly good as well as painstakingly accurate and detailed considering its quick turnaround time. I saw Papoose open up for Ghostface and Slick Rick earlier in the year and I liked what he brought to the table. He's a raw and lyrically driven artist, which made it challenging for an audience that wasn’t completely familiar with his material. That being said, he won everyone over rather quickly, and delivered a couple of “oh shit” verses. Download 50 shots now...

MP3 Papoose - 50 shots

Papoose live @ Nokia Theatre 4/22/06