Artist: The Fat Boys Title: “All You Can Eat”Sounds Like: Damn I am hungryby Shannon Elliott
In the history of hip hop there have been few artists that can truly capture the art and perform it well, while still maintaining their street cred. I assure you The Fat Boys are one of these bands. Their smash hit All You Can Eat is filled with talk of tasty treats and awesome beat-boxing. Moreover, who would come up with a better flow than “$3.99 For All You Can Eat”? Well, “Imma stuff my face to a funky beat!” Seriously, it takes mad talent to come up with some really good lyrics like that. So hubba hubba you should check out The Fat Boys.
Artist: Rilo KileyTitle: “Science vs. Romance”Sounds Like: A lonely rant, perfect for Valentine’s Dayby Nicole Givens
All you emo kids out there, this one’s for you. If you’ve yet to hear the amazing sounds of Rilo Kiley, you should definitely check ’em out. They’re filled with sarcasm, brilliant lyrics, and of course, tons of fun. Science vs. Romance is possibly their best song, because of the honesty within the acoustic verses. This track is one of those songs you listen to when you’re feeling lonely, because it reminds you that you’re only really alone in a world of other lonely people. With the world in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, what better a time to be prompted of how much love you’re lacking? So put on your black eye makeup, grab some tissues, and wallow in icy pain while rockin’ out with Rilo Kiley.
Artist: BilalTitle: “For You” Sounds like: Jazz meets Dr. Dre beats.By Sabrina Belara
Put this track on full blast first thing in the morning just as the eye crust gives way to light filtering through the tired blinds. Regardless of what side of the bed you got out of, Bilal’s perfect blend of bass, tempo, and melody will make it the right side. With a semi-raspy voice and a style that has yet to be matched, Bilal successfully flips the beat from hard to sultry. Though semi-incomprehensible at times, this Philly native smoothly delivers jazz anointed in hip hop. If you’re in need of some resuscitation, regardless of the reason, start with track 2 on “1st Born Second.” It’s a guaranteed prescription to get your pulse going, with the only side effect being head bobbing.
Artist : Fiona AppleTitle : “Oh Well”Sounds like : Piano blues and vocal/lyrical resignationby Jonathan Dipratna
I had the worst week two weeks’ ago. I listened to this album because it is so good, but at the time complementary to my mood. My brain was spinning with thoughts of one girl and how everything could be so wrong. This song was the one I would sing the most passionately to. It features lines like: “What you did to me made me see myself somethin’ awful/a voice once stentorian is now again meek and muffled” or the terribly appropriate “What wasted unconditional love.” The twist to the song is after each verse of woe the last line is a barely sung mostly spoken resigned, “Oh well.”
Artist: Funeral DinerSong: “It is Good that We Never Met”Sounds like: being content with a slow demiseby Kyle Chidester
Leading from an atmospheric melody into a crashing cacophony of distorted guitar and soul piercing screams, the band Funeral Diner takes you through the shadowed world of self deprecation. The aching guitar lines jut through the waving keyboards and the hardly decipherable words, “Yes, we do have a death wish. So do your worst,” float to the surface reminding you self destruction ain’t all that bad. So slip into your tightest pair of jeans and plaid shirt, lace up your Chuck Taylor’s, and cry your eyes out in the fetal position, this is screamo at its best.
Artist: K-OsSong: “Crabbuckit”Sounds Like: A jazzy beat with a hip-hop twistby Syed Ali
Toronto-native and underground rapper K-Os continues to catch me off guard with his creative style, unique lyrics and innovative videos. K-Os’ production doesn’t fall off one bit with “Crabbuckit,” a song off of his 2004 album “Joyful Rebellion,” which is a fun song with a retro-style beat and imaginative lyrics. The song is very upbeat and makes you want to get off your butt and bust a move (well, if you can’t dance, you’ll at least nod your head…I hope). I’m sorry if the song neither has a “crunk” beat nor “hyphy” lyrics, but let’s grow up and listen to some real hip-hop. You can’t go wrong with someone who “takes it higher like a bird on a wire.”
Artist: Miri Ben-AriSong: “4 New Tires”Sounds like: We gonna get ready to roll, sonby Mike Whitebear
Normally, when you think of violins you think classical music, which makes you think of counting some sheep. Think again, yo. This violinist is here to bring the beats like you’ve never heard of before when it comes to a violin. Those silky smooth sounds will flow through your ears as you listen to Birdman and Silk the Shocker sing about how they roll.