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  • “Jockin’ Jay-Z”: Mmm…Not So Much

    I love Jay-Z. There’s a lot to be said for the guy’s business acumen. From releasing his debut in 1996 on an independent label to serving as the president of Def Jam and owning everything from vodka brands to clothing lines, the man has definitely parlayed the little he was given into a hell of a lot.

    Plus, the guy’s talented as shit. Unfortunately, a problem that’s plagued him since the beginning of his career is that he’s like the smart kid in class who is going to get “A”s and “B”s regardless, but doesn’t really apply himself. He doesn’t really challenge himself and the end result is that you end up with a talented kid turning in mediocre work. That’s Jay in a nutshell. For every “99 Problems” or “Kingdom Come” (the song, not the album), there’s something like “Blue Magic” or…well, half of “The Blueprint 2”.

    …and the first leaked track from the upcoming “Blueprint 3” (Jay’s last before he departs Def Jam for Live Nation and a shitload of greeenbacks) is a shining example of a great rapper making shitty records. First off, considering Jay is pushing 40 and sitting in executive suites, it’s time to stop thinking that his art has any sort of resonance with young kids in urban communities. He’s out of touch. It’s time to grow his sound and his lyrics up a little, something that he showed a glimmer of on both “The Black Album” and “Kingdom Come”. I think “Kingdom”‘s relative failure rattled Jay a bit, because he seems to have regressed lyrically. The braggadocio and hustling talk needs to be put to a stop. Period.

    Thankfully, there’s a delightfully minimalist Kanye West beat to keep the song from being completely unlistenable. However, this song does not bode well for Jay’s Def Jam swan song.

  • The Infatueighties Countdown: #98: “Head Over Heels”

    Oh, Roland Orzabal. Not only do you have one of my favorite rock star names, but you have quite the expressive voice. It certainly brought a sense of drama to “Head Over Heels”, the ballad that served as the third Top Ten single from Tears for Fears’ breakthrough album “Songs from the Big Chair” as well as serving as a downtempo change of pace from the pair of upbeat #1s that the band had scored previously. Being 9 when this album was released, I didn’t know about all the psychological mumbo-jumbo behind the album’s title and songs like “Shout”. All I knew was that this song sounded like someone falling in love helplessly. And lo and behold, that’s pretty much what the song is about. Figures that my favorite TFF song would be the one with the simplest meaning.

    Tears for Fears\' 1985 single \"Head Over Heels\"

    I saw Orzabal and his partner Curt Smith perform this acoustically about four years ago at a radio station concert and they still have it. Kudos to Roland for being able to hit those high notes twenty years later, and kudos to both members for writing a song that retains its’ yearning quality whether performed with just two guitars or a wall of synthesizers.

    The video’s set in a library! What 9-year old can’t relate to libraries?!?

  • Kanye West’s “Champion” Video: Kanye The Muppet?

    Yes, Kanye West can be obnoxious. Yes, he can be annoying. But you are in serious denial if you don’t admit that he is one of the most talented, creative and fearless artists in current hip-hop. You know how most artists taste a little success and water their down sound to achieve more of it? Kanye’s done the opposite, as his sound has developed significantly from the familiar sped-up soul samples that created the sound behind 2004’s “The College Dropout”.

    So of course, his latest single, “Champion” uses a sped-up sample, right? Taking a fair chunk of Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne” (and crediting Donald Fagen & Walter Becker as the sole composers of “Champion”), the song works the familiar inspirational vibe that you’re already familiar with from songs like “Touch the Sky”. It’s actually one of the more average songs on the fairly excellent “Graduation” LP.

    However, this video is a riot. Featuring a puppet version of Kanye racing in the Olympics, it’s topically current and inventive enough that it would be enjoyable even if we weren’t right in the middle of the 2008 ceremonies. As obnoxious and self-righteous as many folks take Kanye for, you’ve gotta give the guy props for at least being able to laugh at himself, something you don’t see too much of in modern-day hip hop. This is one of those videos that makes me enjoy the song even more.