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nominated for a gold gramophone
by Sean
Please note: MP3s are only kept online for a short time, and if this entry is from more than a couple of weeks ago, the music probably won't be available to download any more.
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!") 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. Posted by Sean at May 13, 2004 2:50 AMComments
loving the talib kweli! Posted by justin why at May 13, 2004 5:30 AMyeah, it sure sounds ok ... but this beatles track is so obvious... people used to diss pdiddy when he used any hit around... I went to see P:iano here in Montreal based on the excellent track (Tut Tut) you posted a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, I missed their set, but I still picked up their latest CD. What I've noticed so far is that the singing is very subdued. They don't seem to get too excited about, well, making music. I talked to the guy when buying the CD, and he was pretty subdued in person too. In that sense, it doesn't feel like pop at all, but I am enjoying it so far. Young and Sexy were also playing that night, and I did catch them. They had some interesting songs. Posted by Bryan at May 13, 2004 4:03 PMTalib has changed his flow somewhat. I wouldn't have recognized it if you hadn't told me. Lyrically it seems to be the same "babies making babies" "people ain't got money in the city" type of social commentary that we often see. I will admit that the sample -- however easy a target-- is well put together. I don't, however, like the female vocals. Especially the hushed "Superstar" part. Yech. Posted by music robot mark at May 13, 2004 5:27 PMBryan - You're exactly right, which is why the live show was so refreshing. Suddenly the band was engaged, excited, and (!) even rocking out. You'll need to catch them next time! Posted by Sean at May 14, 2004 12:29 PMLoved The Cat Empire (though i hate cats). Anyway, i figured i would drop a line in here saying they have a site as slick and funky as their music (www.thecatempire.com), where they also post some tracks. Posted by stretch at May 15, 2004 8:52 PMWow! The Cat Empire are my new favorite band. After hearing this and looking up a few of their other tracks, I promptly ordered the album. Perfect summertime music. Thanks for mentioning them. Posted by emery at May 17, 2004 1:32 AMThat Cat Empire track is amazing! Wish it hadn't taken me so long to get to it... Posted by Eppy at May 17, 2004 12:39 PMFrom an aussie girl, let me assure you that The Cat Empire are amazing! check out the official fansite at www.thecatempire.info for lots of news, photos and lyrics! Posted by Shakalak at May 31, 2004 5:50 AMi'm really feeling the talib kweli song i cannot see how anyone could think the lyrics are anything below absolute perfection Posted by will at October 21, 2004 5:09 PMtalib kweli is the greatest rapper ever, those lyrics really touched me - i love the metaphor with leaves changing color and then absorbed by the mud lovin it Posted by renee at October 21, 2004 5:11 PMThe Cat Empire boys are the SHIZ-NAT! Check them out sometime in concert if you can! Its fucken worth it! Such sexy, sexy bastardo's!!! Posted by Sally 'n' Sarah at May 24, 2005 2:47 AMPost a comment |
 about said the gramophone
this is a daily sampler of really good songs. all tracks are posted out of love. please go out and buy the records!
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all songs are removed within a week or two of posting. said the gramophone launched in march 2003, and added songs in november of that year. it was one of the world's very first mp3blogs. if you would like to say hello, find out our mailing addresses or invite us to shows, please get in touch: montreal, canada: sean toronto, canada: jordan montreal, canada: dan please don't send us emails with tons of huge attachments; if emailing a bunch of mp3s etc, use a service like MailBigFile. if you are the copyright holder of any song posted here, please contact us if you would like the song taken down early. please do not direct link to any of these tracks. please love and wonder. "and i shall watch the ferry-boats / and they'll get high on a bluer ocean / against tomorrow's sky / and i will never grow so old again." we are a member of MBV.
about the authors
Sean Michaels lives in Montreal, where he is writing a novel. His work also occasionally appears at McSweeney's. Follow him on Twitter or reach him here.
Dan Beirne is an actor and writer living in Montreal. He writes fiction fiction fiction on here. It may feel true, but it is never True. He is most proud of his most recent project The Bitter End. Email him here Jordan Himelfarb lives in Toronto, where he is editor in chief of The Mark. Jordan's posts appear at Said the Gramophone only on the last Wednesday of every month. Email him here. Site design and header typography by Neale McDavitt-Van Fleet. The header graphic is randomized: this one is by . 
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