Talib Kweli ft. Michelle Williams - "Lonely People". Talib must have had a fine time trying to get this past the sample clearance people. His saddened but sanctimonious raps would have been ok, but I'm not so sure about whole minutes from the instrumental track of "Eleanor Rigby," not to mention, uh, Macca's forlorn chorus. Which is sort of too bad, because while this isn't a spectacular track, its heart is in the right place, and above and beyond the appreciable "Michelle" synchronicity, Miss Williams is a fine partner for Paul's melancholy. Kanye owes George Martin some thanks, certainly, but his production is simple and effective: the slow drums give a threatening undercurrent to the slicing strings, a good match for Talib's berating verses. I'm told that the album version of "Lonely People" swaps Ray Charles in for Mr McCartney. Which is fine, I guess, but a whole lot more conventional. [via guerilla]
Also - I would like to thank whatever it is that is motivating this recent spate of hip-hop Beatles love. They are two things that I enjoy, and I like that they are getting together. (Without sucking.)
The Cat Empire - "All That Talking". Laura passed me word about these fine Australians, and here they are with a smoky cheshire-grinning bit of cabaret. This is a brilliant track - each of its sections is realized with aplomb, with alleyway style. Felix speak-sings like an ozzie Jean Leloup, the rhodes pumps, a trumpet mournfully toodles - then there's the unflappable piano solo, Glenn Gould after a night with Picasso, and ("divine!")
the tremendously wonderful, full-bodied brass blast. If only Ottawa was this cool.
Saw P:ano tonight, found them very nice. Was completely blown away by the grandness of their songs-with-guitar, though. (NB: These songs-with-guitar have not been released.) As a gauzy folk band they're good, but as an indie pop band P:ano rule - I want more boy-girl homophony! more songs about being evil! more fun! They're like Yo La Tengo pop-songs without the old person hangups; The Archies after a Fiery Furnaces concert, only macabre and baroque. Wonderful.
Liked "Holiday Road"? John points us to the John Hughes MusicBlog.
Oh yeah - download an unreleased version of College Dropout: early demos and some things that didn't make the final release. (recommended: the slippery track 10.) won't be available for long, i bet.