Easy production software = good

I'm tired of seeing interviews with producers, half of whom I've never heard of, complaining that software makes it too easy for anyone to make beats.

http://www.cratekings.com/play-n-skillz-technology-made-production-too-easy/

Personally, I love it. If you grew up on dusty loops and drums, it's so addictive to throw together a loop and listen to it. So what if you're not a musician.

Stop being a hater.

Michael Jackson vs. auto-tune

After finding out about Michael's death yesterday I decided to turn on the radio on my way home from work, and sure enough our local "urban" station was playing a little Michael Jackson tribute. Very nice. Then they had a commercial break, 6PM rolled around, and the tribute must have been over because T-Pain came on.

That really made me think about how much things have changed since Michael. I went from listening to a guy who could sing so many different ways, so well, to listening to a guy who uses auto-tune to fake-sing. Just amazing.

Mos Def "The Ecstatic"

Just gave it a listen. For me it's probably his most listenable album since "Black On Both Sides" but it suffers from the same problems that I have had with the albums since that one:

1). This does not sound like a cohesive album, it sounds more like a collection of songs he's recorded since "Tru3 Magic".

2). Mos is so good lyrically when he's on-subject, but seems content with making it up as he goes. I had a similar problem with Lil Wayne's much-hyped "The Carter 3". Mos is taleneted enough that he can sometimes get away with doing this, but it's a waste of that talent.

3). Mos seems to love to hear his own voice. Every spare second of the album is filled with adlib singing and rambling. It's a little too much.

4). I would like to hear someone else write and perform hooks for him, for at least a couple songs on an album. Using hooks can be bad if you're lazily writing songs in the same old format, but they can be good when they help organize the song and make the song more enjoyable for the listener.

Even with all that, I'd recommend giving this album a listen. Don't buy without listening though.

The 45 Project

I've been so busy trying to get on other peoples' blogs that I didn't post on my own blog about my newest project. You can download it for free below:





Alex Stange - The 45 Project

I did these beats in early 2007 for a 7" I was going to do with DJ Ian Head, but it never happened. So it's about time to just get these beats out there for the people to hear. Enjoy!

Bicasso & DJ Fresh "Rebel Musiq"

I bought this album the other day because DJ Fresh is my favorite young producer and the ep they put out last year was so good. Unfortunately for me the new songs aren't as good as the ones that were on the ep. Almost all the ep songs are here though, so if you don't have that I'd recommend getting the album.

Unbelievable toys, part 3

This 'My Little Pony' is a unicorn, and I guess with fictional
creatures you get to make up a diet for them, so this one eat
pepperoni pizza. Look, she comes with a pizza. And yes, I checked on
the back, it says it is pepperoni. Finally I have something in common
with unicorns.

Unbelievable toys, part 2

Toy doughnuts, and the package says "smart snacks.". Nice. No one
wants to play with oatmeal I guess.