Jive Babe. Or not.
The sound on my computer is broken, as are my USB powered speakers. But I borrowed my roommates computer just for the sake of watching Mikhael’s new video.
It’s certainly moving away from the twee, cuteness of his previous video for “I Spy,” but it works.
Unlike my computer.
Pretentioustan is #1. Ha.
Blueprint
It’s true, I wanna be like you.
A lot of people have been commenting on the video— “And I had forgotten how fun shrooms were” — which is really too bad, because this song is incredibly catchy.
This track is great, and check out more from the Rhymesayers channel if you’d like to find some of the most poignant rap out there.
Pretentioustan hates doing comparisons. We believe it is one step from crying “copy-cat,” and we don’t like cats.
But the vocals for Sun Country so much reminds me of Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah that I can’t help it.
That said, it has a much calmer feel to it, and I really enjoy the incorporation of the steel guitar. I’ve been hearing a lot of it in folk jams recently, but Sun Country avoids giving their songs too much twang.
“Breakfast In Canton” is probably the best example of that.
They don’t have a lot out at the moment, but so far I’m a fan. Especially with the free downloads they’re offering at their bandcamp page.
And here’s an extra: that Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah song I was referring to.
Upon second listen, they’re really not that similar. I don’t know what I’m on about.
But Pretentioustan never admits its mistakes. Just enjoy it.
Kitty Pryde (and a racism rant)
Okay, so this track is gaining attention at a more than notable rate.
I’m skeptical on whether she’ll make it big, but I’ve already listened to this more times than I’d like to admit.
What’s great about it is that she’s a white, suburban girl and she’s rapping about white, suburban girl stuff. I can’t really relate to that experience, but she’s not trying to access a culture without having the experiential cache, and I love that.
Especially when I know a lot of people who believe they are allowed to use their access to typical rap culture to access the underlying culture of its proponents. In a linguistics class recently, a cursory survey at my largely white school revealed that many feel it is okay to speak “African American Vernacular English,” and the main justification was, “I really love rap and I understand the culture.”
I know I’m breaking from the character I’ve set revolving around Pretentioustan, but I really want to say this: Actually, that’s not fucking okay.
You have no right to claim you understand the experience of marginalized people who are subject to systemic violence. You can sympathize and use your privilege to help the cause, but stop there and it is appreciated.
Now, I’m not saying that being white bars you from participating or from understanding in certain instances. If you were born into a speech community and class that allows for the real experience which allows you to identify yourself as such, then I’m down. But you still need to recognize that your skin color allows you certain privileges, regardless of where you come from.
As a mixed race individual with light skin, with the ability to go to college, so do I.
Secondly, much of the music that is encased in “rap culture” is subject to cultural expectations. That is not an authentic experience, because people still need to sell their music. I’m not saying it is impossible to be genuine, but the violent nature that is often bred into the genre sells, and is sometimes completely fabricated and inaccurate. It is akin to the “But I have a black friend” argument.
One more thing. You cannot use your minority status in one area to identify with other statuses. Being poor does not mean you can identify with what it is to be black and poor. Just like being gay doesn’t mean you can dictate what it means to be bisexual. There is solidarity to find there, but don’t take it too far.
Woah, this got really off-topic, but it’s relevant (at least for me). I’ll get back to the music posts, and I assure you, this will rarely happen.
Have fun Kitty Pryde. And I’m excited to see what else happens with this.
Pretentioustan preaches peace. (And I’m back)
RAC
In Pretentioustan, RAC (otherwise known as the Remix Artist Collective) is a guilty pleasure. Mostly because their remixes are among the best, but “remix” is in their name. However, the state is willing to suspend pretense and fully appreciate the “collective” after they released their first original track.
Sarcasm aside, I’ve been an avid fan of RAC for a long time. I love their work, especially that of Andrew Maury, perhaps because his remix of Jukebox the Ghost’s “Hold It In,” was the first thing I’d heard from them. Have a listen below. And no, you do not need to know the original track to enjoy it.
Anyway, they’ve also done a remix of a Penguin Prison track. So the collaboration on Hollywood shouldn’t be a surprise.
Except, it is a surprise. The above track was never one of my favorites from RAC, but it’s also not surprising that Hollywood is decidedly “poppy.” Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, personally, it sounds a little too clean. Which also isn’t a bad thing, but my favorite tracks from the Collective are their grittiest. Example:
Of course, I should admit that I’m really just holding onto an older image that has been steadily been “remixed” throughout the years. Their music is becoming increasingly sharp. However, it’s resulted in some amazing sounds.
So maybe I should give up and let it happen. Because to be totally honest, I’m really digging “Hollywood,” and excited to see what else they come up with. And they already have significant star power with ties to Death Cab For Cutie, so the collaborations should be stellar.
Besides, Pretentioustan is not conceited enough to hinder progress.
Wait, that’s not pretentious enough is it? Bummer. Oh well.
Today, the Maps & Atlases album “Beware and Be Grateful” has already become ten days old. So you may be wondering how this review merits enough pretense to be posted here. Well, after ten days there are already enough reviews of this excellent album, but I think I’m just pretentious enough to believe that my own take is necessary. Here I go.
Their newest album, their second full-length, has proved the group’s consistency. To be honest, it feels like the tracks could have come from a deluxe edition of “Perch Patchwork.” Except, this should not at all be interpreted in their detriment.
The sophomore effort flop is a stereotype that is justified with a bevy of evidence. Many artists trying to perfectly recapture what they had on their first album often fail. Then there are albums that veer so far off-course from what they originally had that it, regardless of how good the music is, tastes somewhat bitter. And sometimes it’s just plain awful.
Of course, there is more than enough evidence to reassure me that sophomore albums are something to look forward to. Evolution of musicality is always something to be appreciated. Example: Slow Club’s second album “Paradise.”
However, this is not what Maps & Atlases have done. They perfectly capture everything they had in their first album, keep it just as catchy, and add increasingly bluesy guitar riffs. This preservation effort may not have the charm and surprise of their first album, but it really solidifies them as a “band.” Halfway through the album, I realized that I hadn’t thought of Maps & Atlases as a classic band, but “Beware and Be Grateful” really emphasized a sort of cohesion that subconsciously affected my perception of their music.
Of course, perhaps I have done a disservice by posting their song “Silver Self.” I listened through the album a couple of times and chose the song I thought felt exhibited the most disparity from their previous work. So here’s another track that really gets at what I’m talking about.
All in all, this isn’t an album that will charm new listeners. This isn’t to say that they won’t. They may decide to alter their marketing strategy or the great state of Pretentioustan may bump the group to fame. Who knows?
As for marketing, I believe that the preview for “Beware and Be Grateful” was incredibly intriguing. Of course, it didn’t focus much on the music, but it was certainly artful. And if they’re not evolving musically, why not let their image do the evolving for them? Of course, the preview certainly reminds us that Maps & Atlases are just as much interested in their poetry as they are in their sound.
And that is how they evolve isn’t it? They are maturing, not in sound, but in what the sound is hosting. The tracks “Remote and Dark Years” and “Important” took me to more somber places than their first album ever did.
Pretentioustan weeps.
Marina and the Diamonds
Seeing as she’s already gotten a lot of attention, it wouldn’t be pretentious enough to blog about Marina and the Diamonds, so I’m going to wait until April 30th, the release of her album “Electra Heart” to do so.
But here’s a video of her song “Primadonna,” to tide you over before the wave of patent, Pretentioustan exhibitionism.
But to prepare you, I’ll talk a little bit about this song.
I think it really captures the best of her album “The Family Jewels,” and progresses into very marketable pop, but in a good way. It’s got the progression of “I am Not a Robot,” the grit of “Mowgli’s Road,” and the attitude of “Obsessions.” But let’s hope her next album is as varied as her previous one. Though, with the song “Lies,” I doubt we’ll be hoping in vain.
Pretentioustan does not hope in vain.
I’m sick and stuck inside, so I decided to finally turn this place into a music blog.
Say hello to my very first post. Anyway, here we go.
This is a preview of Dog and Panther’s upcoming album “White is a Color.” The only information given about its release is the number 2012, so sometime this year. But no one knows when!
Of course, this might be a good thing, seeing as Azaelia Banks has delayed the release of her EP, yet again. At least they don’t run the risk of disappointing their fans.
Anyway, I’m super stoked for this upcoming album, and while previews can chafe, I’ve always been a fan of Dog and Panther’s unorthodox “instruments” and mixing style.
Here’s another great video from their first album “What Happened,” released in 2010, that really gets at what they’re about.
I just hope they don’t get known for such gimmicks, as they really do make excellent music.
There are bands that get away with excellent musicality and mediocre song-writing, but Dog and Panther makes sure everything is cohesively crisp, quirky and meaningful. Their lyrics do not escape intense scrutiny, and it really shows. This band really cares, but does it in a way that doesn’t make them seem overly serious. They’re trying, but not too hard. It’s quirky and fun! But don’t be surprised when you’re struck by an unsuspected lyrical punch to your more somber of emotions.
Funnily enough, I discovered Dog and Panther during a lonely winter and a bout with the flu, much as I’m doing now. I’m pretty sure they’re not related, so don’t let my frailty scare you away.
Enjoy!
