OK, I’ll admit it. I don’t hate Asher Roth. At the very least, I give him props for not trying to be something he isn’t (hear that, 2009-era Eminem?). Maybe it’s because I hang out with a bunch of college kids, but “I Love College” touched my guilty-pleasure nerve and led “Asleep in the Bread Aisle” into my record collection. The album’s not great (although I wouldn’t call it my most regrettable music purchase of 2009), but Asher makes a pretty decent bid to avoid one-hit-wonderdom with his new single “Be By Myself”, which features the Round Mound of Rap, Cee-Lo Green. Man, despite the fact that this is nominally Asher’s video, don’t you wanna hear Cee-Lo rap again? (yeah, we know he can sing, but he can rhyme better…seriously…he might be the most underrated emcee *ever*).
Anyhow, check out the video and let us know what you think…
If you’ve been following our Twitter page lately, you’ve noticed that I’ve been wondering who the hell buys Rick Ross albums. ‘Cause I know folks who like all kinds of music, and not one person I talk to on a regular basis will admit to owning one of the dude’s records. But someone’s buying ’em right? For the third consecutive album, Rick Ross has debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album chart. “Deeper Than Rap” opens with 158,000 units, significantly ahead of the “Hannah Montana” soundtrack, which is #2 with 104K.
If you are a Rick Ross fan, please step to the plate and let us know why you buy his records. Seriously. I won’t even laugh at you or question your musical taste in public.
Then again, maybe he just has a lot of buddies at the corrections facility he was working in.
There are two other debuts in the Top 10 this week. Depeche Mode is one of those bands that just never goes out of style (not to mention the fact that they should be in the R&R Hall of Fame), and they take the #3 spot on this week’s chart with “Sounds of the Universe”. Meanwhile, suburban rapper Asher Roth enters at #5 with “Asleep in the Bread Aisle”, an album that features my current guilty pleasure, “I Love College”.
The Top 200’s biggest percentage increase this week goes to Jack Johnson, whose year old “Sleep Through the Static” moves to #170 on a 53% increase. Not far behind him is “Dancing with the Stars” performer Robin Thicke, whose “Something Else” jumps over the 400K mark on a 48% increase down at #180. The biggest drop comes from alt-rock band Silversun Pickups, who slide 7-33 on a 68% decrease to 14,000 units.
Next week, it’s all but given that Bob Dylan will debut at the top of the charts for the second consecutive time. Better him than Rick Ross. And that will lead to a very interesting May, during which Eminem and Green Day will challenge U2 for the year’s biggest first-week total. Stay tuned!
This week’s Top 20 Albums:
1) “Deeper Than Rap” Rick Ross
2) “Hannah Montana Soundtrack” Various Artists
3) “Sounds of the Universe” Depeche Mode
4) “Unstoppable” Rascal Flatts
5) “Asleep in the Bread Aisle” Asher Roth
6) “Twilight Soundtrack” Various Artists
7) “The Fame” Lady GaGa
8) “Forever in a Day” Day26
9) “Now That’s What I Call Music 30” Various Artists
Who the hell are Tinted Windows, you ask? Well, they’re the latest pop/rock supergroup to form, consisting of Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick, James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins/A Perfect Circle (was he in Zwan too?), Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger and…wait for it…Taylor Hanson. Nope, I’m not kidding.
Anyway, as a super-fan of Fountains of Wayne and someone who appreciates if not loves the other three bands, I’m pretty excited about this record. With Adam and Bun E. on board, there’ll definitely be some cool power-pop action here. Hopefully, Tinted Windows will end my streak of buying mediocre albums that’s lasted me all of 2009 so far.
Here’s what else you’ll find in stores this week.
Rick Ross “Deeper Than Rap”-Do you think the knowledge of Rick Ross’s stint as a corrections officer will hurt the sales of his third album? Probably not, because most gangsta rap is fake anyway, as are most of the people who listen to it (wannabes of the world, unite!). It’s completely unclear why someone as talented as John Legend would align themselves with this fool, but there he is on the album’s first single, “Magnificent”. Needless to say, if you go anywhere this record, I’ll be forced to make fun of your musical tastes for the duration of our friendship. And this is coming from a guy who freely admits to liking New Kids on the Block.
Cage the Elephant “Cage the Elephant”-Like Kings of Leon? Well, you’ll fucking love Cage the Elephant. These dudes were born in Bowling Green, KY and raised in a religious hippie commune. What is it about these cults (let’s call a spade a spade here) that produces good bands? Anyway, this album was released in the U.K. last year and their current single “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked”, is already in the Top 20 of Billboard’s Modern Rock charts.
Depeche Mode “Sounds of the Universe”- If this was 1994, I’d be in front of the record store now to buy the new DM CD. (actually, that’s a lie. I worked in a record store in 1994, so I would have either bought it after I got to work or would have gotten a promotional copy, but saying that I would’ve been in a record store just sounds better). However, in 2009, I’m just not so sure. I mean, I still love the band, but I love them more as a relic from my teenage years than as a still-relevant band. The last album of theirs I bought was Songs of Faith & Devotion, and I’m on the fence here. If you buy it, leave a comment and let me know how it is, k?
Pet Shop Boys “Yes”-Another band that I would have been much more excited about if this was 1994. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have quietly inched up to their 25th year as a performing duo. Hell, who’d have thought PSB would still be around when “West End Girls” came out in ’86? I haven’t heard much about this one, but if you’re buying this album, I’d imagine you already know what you’re getting, yes? Here’s some classic Pet Shop Boys for ya.
Bonus Release: Asher Roth “Asleep in the Bread Aisle”-Here’s another white rapper, so the Eminem comparisons are inevitable. For what it’s worth, I like “I Love College”, but not sure if I like it enough to buy a whole album of the guy’s. Sounds a little novelty-ish to me. I saw this guy on MTV2 a couple weeks ago (or maybe it was MTV Hits…it’s the one that actually plays videos), and Asher was guest hosting. Seemed like a pretty nice guy, except that he had an unnecessary blac-cent. I honestly hate when white folks adopt traditionally black mannerisms and speaking styles. Well, I guess I can tolerate it if you grew up in a particular environment, but this guy’s name is Asher Roth. Ain’t one ounce of hood in this character.
For a more exhaustive list of this week’s releases, you know what to do. Click here.
Who the hell are Tinted Windows, you ask? Well, they’re the latest pop/rock supergroup to form, consisting of Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick, James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins/A Perfect Circle (was he in Zwan too?), Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger and…wait for it…Taylor Hanson. Nope, I’m not kidding.