Do-it-Yourself Music -Music in a Box

They are  coming out of the woodworks. Underground artist, producers and studios. Now don't get me wrong, I am a fan of independent artist doing their own things but some things are just out of hand. Is it because there is a onslaught of new artist good or bad so much so they are floating to the surface. I'm a little particular to what I hear on the radio these days.  Where have all the good music gone.  Truth is I hear better music at the local clubs from the stuff on the radio. That being said not anybody with mike and a computer working in their parents basement should be trying blow up.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for openness and competition in the market place. I love the new technology that's out there now for home recording studio and all. Maybe I'm just particular but I think talent should have something to do with your success. Or is it the world that we live in that's all about marketing and forget skills.

From spoken word, to hip, hop to pop, the days of major labels and distributors are changing when any Tom, Dick and Jane can literally create an album in their pajamas at home. That's not necessarily a good thing. Is it just me?

Nas Untitled - The reviews are in!

Nas album has come in strong and bold. The reviews are in and it's good. Nas has outdone himself is metaphors, prose and delivery. If you haven't gotten yet, what are you waiting for? Still staying true to the core while evolving at the same time. His lyrical prowess come to the forefront in the midst of a diverse full throttle album. The original title had cause some controversy but the full content goes beyond and above the all that. Nas has exceeded critics expectations and that's saying a lot. With track like "hero", "fried chicken" and "black president". If you've never bought a Nas album this is the one to keep in you collection.  It's a keeper.

Beats vs Hooks vs Lyrics vs Flow

There are great lyricist and there are great beats. But what makes a great track? What are the components? Is it something that to nod your head to or does it have to make a statement. How about flow? The cadence, the rhythm and beat can have a profound effect on how we appreciate a piece. From rock to hip-hop, from country to classical, what are you looking for that makes you want to turn that volume up and get absorbed by the music?
What artist embodied the best of some or at least all of these characteristics? What leaves an impression in your ears when you first press play? Is there an artist out there past or present that has mastered the art? Though we can all aggree it's a matter of taste, but I'm convince that there certain fundamental that have to be considered when it comes to good music. So what makes you want set it to repeat 1? What make you say whoa, I got to rewind that or do they just not make music like they use to.

Movies and Music. What Ever Happened to a Good Soundtrack?

Where have all the good movie soundtracks gone? Do you remember the Bodyguard, Saturday Night Fever, The Preacher's Wife, American Gangster and some others that may come to mind. These days good movie soundtracks are few and far between. They just don't make them like they use to at least in my opinion. A good soundtrack not only helps the movie flow better but also leaves a permanent impression in your mind. When was the last good soundtrack you heard? Was it Star Wars, was it the Matrix, or was it Lion King? What was so good about it? I would even go as far to say that a good soundtrack is like another character in the film. When properly done, the film and the music become intertwined and it becomes more than just a movie. It becomes an experience.

If You make it We Will Buy it -Lil Wayne Debut at No.1

With all this hoopla out there over DRM, piracy of music and movies, it seems that customers are having their say. Labels and the movie industry have vehemently blamed illegal downloads and pirates for decrease sales and increase prices. Well current albums sales are proving to the contrary. Lil Wayne busted up the charts last week with the "Carter III" and the reviews are in. The highest weekly sales figure since 2005, Lil Wayne crashes in at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 with "Tha Carter III." With sales just over 1 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. So what happened? Does the Music and Motion pictures industry have to step up their game to get the numbers? Are customers becoming more demanding and raising their standards when it come to media distribution? Is there a thought out there that the industry must earn our money? iTunes and services like iTunes continue to be successful with their distribution model? If they make it will we buy it? Lil Wayne seems to states just that.

Music and Politics

They are coming out of the wood works. New artist, old artist, all want to put their political perspectives to prose. From Nas to Obama Girl, there's quite a few videos and tracks expressing their political view points. From professional to amateurs, every body wants to give their two cents. From Wyclef's "If I was president" to Pink's "Dear Mr. President", some are hits, some are misses and some are just plain sad. I'd love to get an idea about what you all think. Are any of them effective? Have some gone too far? What are some good ones and bad ones? We can expect to get more as the general election approaches.