Music: Grieves & Budo - 88 Keys & Counting

          I picked up 88 Keys & Counting because I saw Budo's name on it.  I had no idea who Grieves was at the time, but after listening to it I went out and bought Irreversible. (His first album and marked my calender for Together/Apart release too.)  For the past month Gwenevieve is the first song I put on when I get in my car.  The album is mostly about lost love and loneliness. (I like that emo shit, if you haven't noticed.)
          The title refers to the number of keys on a piano/keyboard adding that they are counting more.  (Like saying it's something you've never heard before.)  I love these kind of projects, where the album is composed  completely by one artist and one producer.  It makes for a more personal record (regardless of the subject matter) and this is no exception.  88 Keys & Counting lets you look at the world through the eyes of someone fighting off their inner demons.  Though dark and depressing, hope can still be found.


Gems (Top Three)


1.)Gwenevieve - Track #7
In this song Grieves describes a girl who is giving up on happiness.  She really believes it wasn't meant for her and becomes numb to the world.  He's bothered by her outlook on life.  He asks himself whether he should passively dismiss it with a smile or help her with her burden.  He points out that she is the reason things are the way they are.  Her negative outlook keeps people at bay, truly keeping her away from happiness.  Though not directly stated in the song, the message I got from it is that we are in control of our lives and life is what you make it.  What will you make yours?

2.)Nature Vs. Nurture - Track #9
The title says it all.  Nature Vs. Nurture is the question that asks; what makes us - Us?  I think Grieves uses it to ask; what broke us?  I'm not sure if he means depression or insanity, but either way there's no true answer.  No real cause or culprit that can be blamed and avoided.  There's no moment when you become depress or insane.  It's like a seed that slowly grows till it becomes this truth you can't argue with but can't accept.

3.)Dead In The Water - Track #5
Here he talks to an ex girlfriend after the relationship has ended.  Hurt by how things turned out he asks; "what did you want from me?"  The question, if considered implies he didn't want this.  He wanted things to be better.  It further suggest that she only wanted to hurt him.  This (for me) is confirmed when he tells her at the end of each verse; "You got a problem."  In hindsight he sees all the things she done, though he describes them through metaphors that clearly portrayed her intentions.  In the last line he says.  "I hope you find what your looking for and leave."  Which to me is kind of like saying this will never make you happy but don't look to me when you realize that.

-Don't Just Be A Robot, Be Happy

Music: Macklemore - The Language Of My World

          The Language Of My World is thought by most Macklemore fans to be his first release (it isn't).  This album is hip-hop at it's purest.  Out of the nineteen tracks (the Intro doesn't count) there are ten that I consider unskipable.  I expect less than a 4th of songs from albums to be gems. The other nine are good, but not my cup of tea.  With that said it was really difficult for me to pick three to share with you.  I was almost tempted to add a bonus. 
            He's a Seattle-based emcee.  His style is very different from the East, West, and South coast (even though Seattle is in the West). Here he covers topics such as: homelessness, racism, the war in Iraq, class-ism, drug use, love, and the immaturity we had as high school students.  The beats on this album were amazing.  I'm not sure who all the producer are, but I've been following Budo, who (did The Magic - Track #13) has a uqnie style of his own.  Overall, it's a very well thought out effort from Macklemore, who seems to be (like wine) getting better with time.  If you like The Roots, Mos Def, Common or early Kanye then you've got to check out this album.

Gems (Top Three)

1.) Hold Your Head Up Ft. Xperiance - Track #6

It's (as the title suggests) about staying positive, no matter how grim things are.  It focuses on how relationships grow apart and the strength needed to accept that.  Macklemore puts pure hearted poetry (it's more then rap) to a mellow semi-jazz beat, an immaculate combination. The chorus is sung by Xperiance, who's voice sounds like someone who just realize how to deal with the pain and is passing that along to you. Definitely good cruise music. Life goes on is the message here, but it won't be understood until you've lived it or until you've lost some friends for no reason at all.

2.) Contradiction - Track #17

It's about being aware of being a hypocrite, but trying not to be.  I find it very interesting how he developed this concept.  In the first verse he holds a conversation with a female fan who's calling him out on his shit.  The second verse is traditional to a point, that he's speaking directly to you, but you can argue that he's still talking to her.  We're not perfect and most of us talk a big talk, but actions speak louder then words. There's a fine line between saying it and living it, Which side are you on?

3.) As Soon As I Wake Up By Step Cousins (Macklemore & Xperience) - Track #19
This is a great feel good song.  Both artist go back and forth spitting poems full of pure positivity.  The song doesn't have a focal point, instead it branches out treading lightly in each verse.  It never loses momentum or that "make you smile" energy.  The beat is very light (innocent in a sense) complementing the verses flawlessly.  By the end, you can't help but have a better outlook on life.

-Don't Just Be A Robot, Be Happy