Pharaohe Monch - "Desire"

A little late with this one, but noteworthy enough to throw up here months after the fact. Alt-rap, my love, you never fail to impress. Many will remember the rap group "Organized Konfusion" from the early to mid-nineties, featuring Prince Po and our man Pharaohe Monch, whose solo album headlines my blog today. OK had major underground cred, much akin to Souls of Mischief and A Tribe Called Quest, breaking the mold for hip-hop by injecting social injustice and relevant culture into their lyrics, but eventually broke up to pursue solo careers.



"Desire" is Monch's second solo album after "Internal Affairs," and is one of the catchiest and cleverest beat-CD's I've listened to in a long while. While the first half of the album tends to outweigh the latter, each track is easily discernible from the rest, with topics such as gun control, homeland issues, and, of course, love/sex spun by Monch. Favorite lyric? "My book is the ovary, the pages I lust to turn, the pen is the penis, and when I write the ink's the sperm." Fuck yes.


1. Intro
2. Free
3. Desire
4. Push
5. Welcome To The Terrordome
6. What It Is
7. When The Gun Draws
8. Let's Go
9. Body Baby
10. Bar Tap
11. Hold On
12. So Good
13. Trilogy [Explicit]

The World on Higher Downs - "Land Patterns"

As I've noted before, I really enjoy a nice, slow, ambient album. Well, maybe ambient isn't the right word, but an album with a quiet intensity, songs that push and pull at your heartstrings. Godspeed You! Black Emporer, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, these are the bigguns that everyone can get behind, it's rare that I spend much time listening to any other noise rock/experimental/post rock aside from what I know works. The World on Higher Downs doesn't throw in an intense guitar riff halfway through a track, or any incessant moaning or other vocal irregularity, it's like that California Adventure ride, but a lot more depressing. There's some intensity there, but really this is a soothing album much more akin to The Album Leaf.

1. Euclid
2. Muted Street Song
3. Two Aged Windows
4. Ascension And
5. Her Static Will
6. Waterpath St.
7. Alpine Low
8. Sun Court

Icy Demons - "Tears of a Clone"

It's been a while, so I may be a bit rusty. I haven't really had the chance to listen to much new music, despite the fact that I work in a fucking record store. However, lately I've been trying to keep up, and came across this album while browsing a few blogs. Icy Demons falls under the "experimental" category, and rightly so considering that Man Man's Christopher Powell is crediting inside the album cover. Light and airy, the album has a very nice groove to it, with "This Is It!" as the standout track. Horns, drums, and garbled lyrics, this isn't as blatantly eccentric or energetic as Man Man, but enjoyable nontheless. Cheers.

1. Jump Off
2. Mr. Squeezy
3. This Is It!
4. Bunny's
5. Golden Coin
6. Trial By Lasers
7. Vibes, Sweat, What's That?
8. The Only
9. As It Comes
10. The Flea Garden

Return of the mac.

Hiatus much? Sorry for that, my life hasn't really slowed down much, so time is still short, but I'm going to attempt to throw some updates up now and then. Sorry for the complete lack of interest in this blog on my part.

Soon!

Bloc Party - "Bloc Party EP"

Working two jobs = not much time for web-based activities. But I'm tryin', I'm tryin'.

So here's Bloc Party's early self-titled EP, which honestly is a much more concise and enjoyable listen than any of their full lengths. While Silent Alarm was a decent album, it felt really disjointed and all over the place, somewhat uncomfortable to try and listen to in one sitting. While the EP's six song track list can basically be found on the full length follow-up, it feels like a whole, rather than separate pieces flung together at the last minute. Banquet is the stand out, of course, an insanely catchy dance floor kick. She's Hearing Voices is also a great track, overall I'd say if you've been curious about Bloc Party but didn't want to invest in a full album, the EP is a great substitute.

1. Banquet
2. Staying Fat
3. She's Hearing Voices
4. Marshalls Are Dead, The
5. Answer, The
6. Banquet - (dance remix)

Fantastic Plastic Machine - "Luxury"

So here I am again, back in the saddle. I've finished moving into my new household, the appliances are plugged in, the internet is turned on, and a new zip file is uploading to Mediafire. It's been an extremely hectic and transitional month for me, and things still aren't settled, but I'll try to get an update in now and then.

Like The Go! Team? Then you will enjoy Fantastic Plastic Machine. A dance album with 60's/70's samples and an almost montage vibe coursing throughout all 15 tracks, it's hard not to move a little jive'r when partaking of this Japanese DJ's run-amok sound. He's done some soundtrack work as well, so a few tracks may seem a little familiar, overall an extremely enjoyable album.


1. Theme Of Luxury
2. There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) (Mix For Mirror Ball)
3. Honolulu, Calcutta
4. Electric Lady Land (English Version)
5. He Became A Beatnik
6. Bossa For Jackie (Dedicated To Mrs. Kennedy)
7. You Must Learn All Night Long
8. Lotto
9. Satellite Beats
10. I've Forgotten My Fagotto
11. The Girl Next Green Door
12. Mpf (Mezzo Pianoforte)
13. Mr. Fantasy's Love
14. Electric Lady Land (Japanese Version)
15. Bossa For Jackie (Summer Review EP Version)

Business.

Hey all, just to give a status update, I'll have the internet installed at my new place on Friday, so expect some long overdue updates this weekend. I've started a second job tho at nights, so I'll be somewhat swamped, but we'll see how it goes.

Intermission.

Hey folks, sorry for the lack of updates, things have been movin' and a shakin' over on my end. Over this next week I'll be packing up all my worldly belongings and moving into a new place, so unfortunately updates will probably be nil for a couple more weeks until I get settled and a connection is set up.

I'm pretty excited, and have been trying to pull my shit together for the past couple weeks to make this work. If anyone cares to make a small donation to my relocation fund, my email address through paypal is pictureyourself@hotmail.com.

What? I ain't above donations. Anyhoo, hope to see things getting back to normal in a couple weeks, until this, Desperate Little Dots is in hiatus!

The Legends - "Facts and Figure"

Dance electronica with some catchy pop hooks. Yep yep. The Legends is the brighter, cheerier, dancier cousin of Junior Boys, two bands that have strong lead and backup vocals, catchy synth loops, and a smooth aftertaste. But where the Junior Boys tend to lower the tempo on a lot of their tracks, The Legends is 80's influenced disco dance, blaringly obvious homages to old school electronica groups, and oh so sweet to boot. Definitely hard NOT to enjoy, there are a few tracks that feel like filler, but some of the standout songs include: Play It For Today and Darling. Enjoy.


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Now playing: The Legends - Darling
via FoxyTunes


1. Heart
2. Play It for Today
3. Lucky Star
4. Closer
5. Another Sunday
6. Nothing on TV
7. Disco Sucks
8. Darling
9. Facts and Figures
10. Nobody Twists Your Arm

Yann Tiersen - "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain"

Like many a sappy sucker, I love that quirky little French film Amélie. I was working at Hollywood Video at the time of its release, and I didn't pay it much mind. I enjoy foreign films, but I don't make it a point to watch every single one I come across. Big fan of John Woo's Hong Kong action (Hard Boiled is the shit), but never really spent much time on romance, fantasy, drama, etc. However, working in a video store, you become the audience for every customer who wants to rant about what they've seen as of late. You realize bfairly quickly that most people have TERRIBLE taste in movies, and this is coming from ME, the guy who saw Transformers three times and ranks Hudson Hawk as one of the greatest Bruce Willis performances ever.

So anyways, customers would suggest dozens of horrid flicks daily, but now and then you'd find a kindred spirit, someone who you learn to trust with your viewing hours. I had a few, but the one that handed me a copy of Amélie was a gal named Nancy, who would oddly enough show up EVERYWHERE over the following years. She was a regular customer with her boyfriend, they were two nice punk rock kids who I think later broke up (sadly, although she was very cute). She then worked at a coffee shop next door to the Albertsons I worked at following Hollywood Video, and then at the Tower Records down the street from the Game Crazy I manned. But anyhoo.

Amélie is a beautifully shot, beautifully acted, beautifully scored film that I imagine most everyone has seen by now. The story of an introverted girl in Montemarte, a sort of Bobby's World perspective of how she perceives the world around her. Love, adventure, fantasy, it's all there. And, not to mention, what has to be the HAPPIEST ending ever, I swear to god the last scene of the movie is something that I can only hope to share but a fraction of someday.

So yes, here's the soundtrack to that wonderful piece of film. Very stand-out sound, and a definite theme runs throughout. Enjoy.


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Now playing: the world on higher downs - euclid
via FoxyTunes


1. J'y Suis Jamais Alle
2. Les Jours Tristes (instrumental)
3. La Valse D'Amelie
4. Comtine D'un Autre Ete: L'apres
5. La Noyee
6. L'autre Valse D'Amelie
7. Guilty
8. A Quai
9. Le Moulin
10. Pas Si Simple
11. La Valse D'Amelie (orchestra version)
12. La Valse Des Vieux Os
13. La Dispute
14. Si Tu N'etais Pas La
15. Soir De Fete
16. La Redecouverte
17. Sur Le Fil
18. Le Banquet
19. La Valse D'Amelie (piano version)
20. LaValse Des Monstres

Elf Power - "Nothing's Going To Happen"

Elf Power is an awesome band name, and the real reason I even considered listening to any of their albums. Nothing against them, but how can you resist such a nerdy name? It's like trying to not giggle a little at Goblin Cock (or it's hilarious cover art).

So, Elf Power. First I listened to one of their newer released, "Back To The Web," which wasn't straight rock, or folk, but somewhere in between, somewhat ethereal, sort of nature-esque, but a great listen. Out of curiosity I nabbed an older release, "Nothing's Going To Happen," and was taken aback. Solid alt rock? And covers?!? Fucking amazing. The first half of the album features songs from the bands favorite artists, such as The Flaming Lips, and the second half one of their earlier EP's, Come On. There's some fuzzy guitars and some wailing vocals, but it's a nice change from the high production value of Back To The Web. Enjoy.



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Now playing: Elf Power - Hot Love
via FoxyTunes


1. Nothing's Going To Happen
2. Why Can't I Touch It
3. Shadows In Vain
4. Weird On The Avenue
5. Pay To Cum
6. Hybrid Moments
7. Never Talking To You Again
8. I Walked With The Zombie
9. Unforced Peace
10. I Love The Living You
11. Upside Down
12. Hot Love
13. Cotton Crown
14. You Make Me Die
15. Felt Good To Burn
16. Listening To The Higson's

Longwave - "The Strangest Things"

This is a classic, at least by my standards. I picked up a lot of early stuff from my friend and roommate Nic, he was sort of my music transition assistant back in the day. Longwave was one of the bands he'd throw on his speakers now and then, catchy indie pop with some fuzzy effects and a tone that dips a little below cheery every now and then. Favorite tracks on this album include: Everywhere You Turn, Meet Me At The Bottom.

Also, there's a link at the bottom of the page for totallyfuzzy.blogspot.com, a blog that documents updates from various music blogs on the internet. I've thrown mine up there a few times, a lot of visitors originate from there, but if you haven't checked out the site, do so now, you will find whatever you're looking for (usually).




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Now playing: Panda Bear - Comfy In Nautica
via FoxyTunes


1. Wake Me When It's Over
2. Everywhere You Turn
3. Pool Song
4. I Know It's Coming Someday
5. Meet Me At The Bottom
6. Can't Feel A Thing
7. Tidal Wave
8. The Ghosts Around You
9. All Sewn Up
10. Exit
11. Strangest Things
12. Day Sleeper

Cut Chemist - "The Litmus Test"

So here's that Cut Chemist bit I mentioned earlier. You can hear some samples from the J5 LP in there as well, but these tracks can hardly be considered songs, as much don't reach over 2 minutes. This album is barely above half an hour long, and is over too quickly. Honestly, this collection of snippets frustrates the fuck out of me, as I want something a little denser, longer lasting with great flavor.

Oh well, it's good in the sense that if you don't have a lot of time to tune in, the hooks nab fairly quickly, but are over just as fast. He's releasing a solo CD sometime this year apparently, so look out for that too.



1. This is
2. Intro
3. Bunkys Pick
4. Quality Intro
5. Contact
6. Jayou
7. Break
8. Eye On The Gold Chain
9. Swing Set
10. S.N.T.
11. Lesson 6
12. Layerd Laird
13. Lesson 6
14. Day At The Races
15. Chemical Calisthentics
16. Open Clothes
17. Thin Line
18. Quality Control

Jurassic 5 - "Jurassic 5 LP"

Yeah, I'm sucking at updates. Just been out of sorts lately, a transitional period you might say. Might be moving at the end of the month into a new place, so trying to see what's up with that. Also, got some major fines and bills lately, which are throwing me for a loop, and my car is having a tough time (once more). I haven't really listened to anything new lately either, I've been out of the music loop.

However, someone threw on some Cut Chemist at work the other day, and I went on a Jurassic 5 spree. The CC album was terribly short, 30 minutes maybe, hardly a decent listen. However, Jurassic 5's first full length (available within), makes up for the lack of listening power from Cut's solo bit. It's sad the group is breaking up, but people move on, and they gave us some good alt. hip hop. Listen if you haven't.


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Now playing: Cut Chemist - Untitled XIV
via FoxyTunes

1. In the Flesh
2. Quality Control Pt. 2
3. Jayou
4. Lesson 6: The Lecture
5. Concrete Schoolyard
6. Setup
7. Action Satisfaction
8. Sausage Gut
9. Improvise
10. Blacktop Beat
11. Without a Doubt
12. Lesson 6 (Reprise)
13. Action Satisfaction [Dub]

T.I. - "King"

This is compliments of my little brother Nick, who came through and delivered me T.I.'s "King" album a few days ago. For some reason I just couldn't track this one down anywhere, and only had a handful of tracks to get down to. Well, thankfully, I can now blast the entire album out my '99 Hyundai while drinking Gatorade, rollin' down street corners. This is pretty straight rap, but so fucking dance-able. I had actually heard the track "Top Back" on the videogame "Def Jam ICON," a fighting game featuring a number of hip hop artists beating the shit out of each other, but what made it different from the competition was that the entire environment moved and gyrated with the music, which was pretty impressive to watch.

Favorite tracks from this album: Top Back, What You Know, King Back, Ride Wit Me. Mmm, bass. This is along album, so it's in two files.

FILE #1
FILE #2



1. King Back
2. Front Back
3. What You Know
4. I'm Talkin' To You
5. Live In The Sky
6. Ride Wit Me
7. The Breakup
8. Why You Wanna
9. Get It
10. Top Back
11. I'm Straight
12. Undertaker
13. Stand Up Guy
14. You Know Who
15. Goodlife
16. Hello
17. Told You So
18. Bankhead