Video: Pendulum - Slam

This is the video I was on about for the song off the Pendulum album (the review is below somewhere). WARNING: This guy's man-tits are huge and it makes this video seriously repulsive, so don't blame me if you throw up a number of times aftewards.

The Kooks - Inside In Inside Out

1. Seaside
2. See The World
3. Sofa Song
4. Eddie's Gun
5. Ooh La
6. You Don't Love Me
7. She Moves in Her Own Way
8. Matchbox
9. Naive
10. I Want You
11. If Only
12. Jackie Big Tits
13. Time Awaits
14. Got No Love
15. Mine
16. California
17. Bus Song

I heard this album when I went to England over the summer and it quickly became one of my favourites. It's an Indie Rock album again (much like Bloc Party - Silent Alarm, again), and the calibre of songs is roughly on par as well. The only thing with this album is that whereas Bloc Party's album was consistently brilliant, for me, The Kooks' album doesn't do the same thing. However, their are a handful of songs that are absolutely amazing. In my opinion these songs are Ooh La, She Moves In Her Own Way, and Naive. If you get lazy and can't be bothered to get the entire album (which I highly recommend you do get by the way), then just ask me for those 3 songs. If you like what you hear, then that's a good indication that you may want to check out A) more Kooks songs and B) more indie music. Enjoy.

Torrents:
- Demonoid (registered only)
- Isohunt

Paul Oakenfold - Bunkka

1. Ready Steady Go
2. Southern Sun
3. Time Of Your Life
4. Hypnotised
5. Zoo York
6. Nixon's Spirit
7. Hold Your Hand
8. Starry Eyed Surprise
9. Get Em Up
10. Motion
11. The Harder They Come

Some of you may have already heard some of the songs off this album already (if you've seen Bourne Identity or Collateral you've definetly heard "Ready, Steady, Go"). However, just in case you were going to die in case you didn't get your hands on the rest of the album, here it is. If you've never heard of Paul Oakenfold he's a world-famous trance DJ. Oh, I just realized he's almost as old as my dad too, well there goes the "coolness" factor. Age aside, some of the albums he's released have been brilliant. This one, for me, was the top of the lot. When I seriously got into trance music about a year back this album was constantly sitting in the car or in the stereo at home. My favourite track out of the entire album has got to be track 1, Ready Steady Go. However, not far below that are a few other tracks I have a liking for, namely Zoo York (a remix of Requiem for a Dream [not the movie, the classical song]), Motion, and The Harder They Come. For anyone looking for a trance-music fix, Paul Oakenfold's Bunkka should definetly feed the habit. Enjoy.

Torrents:
- Demonoid (registered only)
- Torrentspy
- Isohunt

Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory

1. Hello
2. Roll With It
3. Wonderwall
4. Don't Look Back in Anger
5. Hey Now!
6. Interlude
7. Some Might Say
8. Cast No Shadow
9. She's Electric
10. Morning Glory
11. Interlude
12. Champagne Supernova

I'm writing a review of this album in the hope that most of you have listened to it. If you haven't, then you haven't lived yet. This is quite possibly one of the best albums of all time (well, in my opinion, it at least contains some of the best songs of all time), so for those of you who've never checked it out, you desperately need to. Furthermore, if you've never even heard of Oasis, they're a British rock band originating from Manchester (thank God they didn't turn out Man Utd fans though, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this review about them!). To the best of my knowledge they've been around forever, but then again, it's probably not the brightest idea to go with my knowledge, even if it is the best of my knowledge. In all seriousness, they've been around since at least the early-mid 90's. Some personal favourites on this album are Wonderwall, Don't Look Back in Anger, Some Might Say, and Morning Glory. If any of you checked out Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (the review's written below somewhere) and you liked it, chances are pretty high you'll like this too. Of course, as always, if you didn't like it, at least you've given it a shot now. Enjoy.

Torrents:
- Isohunt
- Torrentspy
- Demonoid (registered only) [All Oasis Albums]

Immortal Technique - Revolutionary Vol.1

1. Creation & Destruction
2. Dominant Species
3. Positive Balance
4. The Getaway
5. Beef and Broccoli
6. No Me Importa
7. Top of the Food Chain
8. The Poverty of Philosophy
9. Revolutionary
10. Spend Some Time
11. Dance With the Devil
12. The Prophecy
13. Understandy Why
14. No Mercy
15. The Illest
16. Speak Your Mind

It just wouldn't be right to jump into Underground hip-hop without checking out an album from quite possibly the best lyricist alive. Immortal Technique, again and again, proves with his aggressive flow and extremely political content that he is on top of the ladder when it comes to socially-conscious hip-hop. It's probably safe to say that Immortal Technique never took Martin Luther King Jr. too seriously in school (I mean the album name is Revolutionary Vol.1 and it has an album cover of police officers that have been executed against a wall that's inscribed with the insignia of the Soviet Union; it all speaks for itself really). However, before being too quick to judge, he was born in a military hospital in a South American country that was being ravaged by civil war (being largely supported by the US), before moving to Harlem (which probably has it's own share of problems to say the least). Given his upbringing in largely destitute and poverty-stricken situations, it seemed reflection on political circumstances that affect how society runs took it's toll and he began writing socially-conscious material while imprisoned. The result of the work since then has been the creation of Revolutionary Vol.1 and 2, along with a couple of mixtapes and battles. As far as Revolutionary Vol.1 goes, you'll only really appreciate it's value if you, A) listen to it (obviously), and B) check out the lyrics as well (you can see OHHLA for this, see under Links). Seeing how it's the content that really exemplifies this album from the rest, it would have been sufficient to leave it at that. However, the metaphors that are used are at times unbelievable and the creativity with words really gives you a good grasp of how much of a 'lyrical genius' this guy really is. Personal favourites on this album are Creation & Destruction, Dominant Species, Revolutionary, and Dance With the Devil. If you're looking for songs about glorified braces ('grillz'), chrome spinners, and 'pimpin bitches' then I warn you now, you won't like this album. However, if you're tired of the same mind-numbing material and would like to check out something that displays real creativity through rap, then Immortal Technique is the answer. Enjoy.

Torrents:
- Torrentspy
- Isohunt (includes Vol.1 and Vol.2)

Mattafix - Signs of a Struggle

1. Gangster Blues
2. Big City Life
3. Passer By
4. To & Fro
5. Everyone Around You
6. Clear and Present Danger
7. Older
8. I To You
9. Impartial
10. The Means
11. 1130
12. Forgotten
13. 555
14. Cool Down The Place

I don't think there is enough good that can be said about this album. It was recommended to me by none other than Prem a while back and it's been in the car ever since. It consists of 2 people (just in case you can't see that in the album cover), both from the UK. 1 guy does the singing, and the other does the production. Well, that's the biography out the way, so moving on. The music itself is hard to put into a genre (which is the case with a lot of music seeing how organizing into genre's is so person-specific) but according to Wikipedia (thank God for Wikipedia, it really does have everything) it's a mix of hip hop, soul, reggae and some shit called dancehall (I can't say I've heard of that one, but if Wikipedia said it, it's probably true). Genre's aside, this is one of the most refreshing albums out there. The amount of variation from track to track is nothing short of amazing, and just in case the beats weren't different enough, the vocals are mixed up once in a while too; a very nice touch. Personal favourites are Gangster Blues, Big City Life, Impartial, The Means, and 555 (555 is nice because it features the tabla skills of Talvin Singh, and it's always cool to hear a tabla master at work). What's impressive about these 2 artists is the breadth of music from which they get their inspiration. The lead singer being of Caribbean descent, and the producer being of Indian descent, the extent of knowledge they have on the music of different cultures is excellent and this definetly manifests itself throughout the album. For any of you looking for something different and above all, refreshing, you'll need to look no further than Signs of a Struggle. Enjoy.

References:
- Wikipedia (see, I cite my sources too, just to keep the English professors happy)

Torrents:
- Demonoid (registered only)
- Torrentspy
- Isohunt

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm

1. Like Eating Grass
2. Helicopter
3. Positive Tension
4. Banquet
5. Blue Light
6. She's Hearing Voices
7. This Modern Love
8. Pioneers
9. Price of Gas
10. So Here We Are
11. Luno
12. Plans
13. Compliment

This is one of those rare albums where finding a single great track is extremely difficult, only because all of them are amazing. Bloc Party are an indie rock band (I'm just gonna assume they meant to name that after me but made a typo) from the UK (I think from Essex to be exact but I'm not sure, Prem can probably help us out on that). For those of you who have never really given this type of music a go I highly recommend you do, it's great to just throw on once in a while. It's especially good if you like to wave your arms around like an idiot acting as if you know how to play the guitar (I don't speak from experience ... I swear). This album isn't particularly new, in fact the next album is meant to be released soon, and I'll be sure to keep you all posted on that when it is released. However, it's age (about 2-3 years old I think) shouldn't put you off it, it's some of the best indie rock music around. It might also be interesting to note to some of you (and I mean those of you who have always had the impression that all types of rock music are white-people only genres), that the lead singer for Bloc Party is black (or African-British... I'm not even sure what the politically correct term is anymore). Usually I would have recommended this album a few months ago because it's great to throw on when the sun's shining away, however, here in Canada it seems the sun shines in October too so I suppose it's not too late yet. Like I said before, those of you who've never even given this genre a try, definetly need to check out this album. Then, if you decide you don't like it, at least you can say you've given it a try. Enjoy.

Torrents:
- Demonoid (registered only)
- Torrentspy

CD of Enlightenment II Coming Soon!

I've started thinking what songs to put on the next CD of Enlightenment (COE) and so far I've narrowed it down to:

• Brother Ali - Star Quality
• Brother Ali - Pay Them Back
• Common - Testify
• Common - Chi City
• Dead Prez - We Want Freedom
• Dead Prez - Happiness
• Eminem - Stan
• Gangstarr - Above the Clouds
• Gangstarr - Royalty
• Gangstarr - What I'm Here 4
• Gangstarr - Nice Girl, Wrong Place
• Gangstarr - Peace of Mine
• AZ - I'm Back
• AZ - Hustler
• Immortal Technique - The Rebel
• Immortal Technique - Revolutionary
• Immortal Technique - Point of No Return
• Immortal Technique - Industrial Revolution
• Jedi Mind Tricks - Saviorself
• Jedi Mind Tricks - The Philosophy of Horror
• Jedi Mind Tricks - As It Was In The Beginning
• Jedi Mind Tricks - The Apostles Creed
• Jedi Mind Tricks - The Deer Hunter
• Jedi Mind Tricks - Uncommon Valor
• Jedi Mind Tricks - Razorblade Salvation
• K-os - Heaven Only Knows
• Mos Def - Speed Law
• Mos Def - Mr.Nigga
• Mos Def - Hip Hop
• Mos Def - Champion Requiem
  
• Mos Def - Zimzallabim
• Andre Nickatina - Ayo
• Blade - Escape
• Blade - Third Eye
• Dilated Peoples - Worst Comes to Worst
• E-Life - K.I.T.A
• Layzie Bone - Listen
• LOX - Recognize
• Mista Cane - Choices
• Nas - Affirmative Action
• Nas - The Second Coming
• Ras Kass - Amerikkkame
  
• Ras Kass - Conceited Bastard
• Ras Kass - Get At Me
• Ras Kass - Interview With a Vampire
• Nas - Dance
• Nas - The Message
• Ras Kass - Disenchated Hero
• Talib Kweli - Get By
• Talib Kweli - The Proud
• Talib Kweli - Memories Live
• Talib Kweli - Good Morning
• Talib Kweli - Rush
• Nas - One Mic

Obviously, narrowing that down to 18-odd songs will take time. That, combined with the fact that I'm still waiting for Blade's newest track to be released before I get this out means I really can't say when this'll be out. But know that i've at least started thinking about it.

Indy
(P.S - Feel free to add suggestions that you'd like to see on the CD, or any from the list that you'd rather not see make it.)

Jedi Mind Tricks - Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell

1. Intro
2. Put Em In The Grave
3. Suicide
4. Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story
5. A Blood Red Path
6. When All Light Dies
7. Serenity in Murder
8. Pariah Demise (interlude)
9. Heavy Metal Kings
10. Shadow Business
11. Triumph & Agony (interlude)
12. Razorblade Salvation
13. Outlive the War
14. Gutta Music
15. Temples of Ice (interlude)
16. Black Winter Day

"Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell" is the latest installment of the somewhat hit-or-miss Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) series. Usually with JMT you had this relationship between amazing beats (provided by DJ Stoupe) and at-times amazing, but mainly controversial and angry lyrics from Vinnie Paz (formerly Ikon the Verbal Hologram). This album, however, is different in that Vinnie Paz seems to have become slightly less angry and spends less time screaming about converting all of us infidels to Islam (I'm not joking here, some of the raps off his other albums were just hilarious, if it was up to him all of those who aren't Muslim would have had our balls cut off ages ago). In that sense this album is a leap forward. Like most of the JMT albums there are always the few songs that strike out straight away. In my opinion this album has but two. They are track 4 (Uncommon Valor), which has quite possibly the best-ever rap verse on a hip-hop track when R.A. Rugged Man starts rapping in the first person about his father who served in Vietnam, and the other is track 12 (Razorblade Salvation). Track 12 isn't anything special insofar as lyrical flow goes but the content suggests a huge change in Paz's outlook on things where he describes the differences in perspective he's made. The beat is also very catchy and the vocals over the hook are quite a nice touch considering JMT have never done that before as far as I can remember. All-in-all, if you're tired of the 50-cent crap and need some real hip hop, this is a good place to start. Feel free to drop a comment if you want recommendations on more underground hip hop.

Torrents:
- Demonoid (registered only)
- Torrentspy
- Mybittorrent.com

Bajofondo Tango Club - Bajofondo Tango Club

1. Monserrat
2. En Mi/Soledad
3. Los Tangueros
4. Mi Corazon
5. Maroma
6. Perfume
7. Vacio
8. Esperandote
9. Naranjo En Flor
10. Bruma
11. Exodo II
12. Duro Y Parejo
13. Forma
14. El Sonido De La Milonga
15. Av. De Mayo
16. Ese Cielo Azul

I dug this album out after recently checking out a ton of Latin music. This one struck me because, A) tango is always interesting and, B) the music remains traditional but has its own spin on things with the dj doing a great job with the blending. Without putting the rest of the compilation down, track 9 (Naranjo En Flor) is absolutely amazing, I'd recommend everyone to give that one a go (and feel free to ask me for it if you like). The first track is also impressive (Monserrat), being a little more 'energetic' than the extremely chilled-out ninth track. Another thing that makes this album stand out is its diversity in sound. Even though it remains a tango-esque album the production is such that you have your chilled, slower tracks along with your electrifying, dancy (dancy's actually a word, no lie) tracks. It's this diversity that makes it more impressive because, let's face it, unless your a skilled tango dancer or enthusiast it would all get slightly repetitive after a while. Enjoy.

Torrents:
- Demonoid (registered only)
- Torrentspy

Pendulum - Hold Your Colour

1. Prelude
2. Slam
3. Plasticworld
4. Fasten Your Seatbelt
5. Through The Loop
6. Sounds of Life
7. Girl in the Fire
8. Tarantula
9. Out Here
10. Hold Your Colour
11. The Terminal
12. Streamline
13. Another Planet
14. Still Grey

A great drum and bass album for anyone into this sort of music. I can't say I'm too fond of most of the other albums this Australian trio has put out (most of them being Garage-oriented), this one is a diamond. It starts off with a solid track like Slam (which became somewhat of a hit in the UK - especially seeing how the music video consisted of some random fat guy in the middle of the street dancing to the track with his tits shaking about) and has other great personal favourites such as Girl in the Fire, Hold Your Colour, and Still Grey. Like I said earlier, it's a great album for people into this sort of music but for those not familiar with it (or just dislike it entirely), this may not be the album for you. However, those of you that are looking for some high-energy music to just throw in the car and have convulsions over whilst driving will thorougly enjoy.

Torrents:
- Demonoid (registered only)
- Torrentspy

Welcome to Enlightenment Music

I just created this as a place to put album reviews up for all of you to check out. If you end up liking them, great, if not, then keep it to yourself.

Indy