Wow, long time no post. Honestly, this blog is so under used. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I just randomly caught this video clip from Shad on Alt TV. It's called The Old Prince Still Lives at Home. Check it:
Dude's really got some old school flavor, but it sounds fresh. Really tight.
Check some other vids on Youtube. And check out his myspace for a free download.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Monday, September 01, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Moonlight Dancing
If you haven't already heard the song, jump on over to PNC's blog (*brand new* ;)) and check out the video for Moonlight.
First off, let me say I'm a big PNC fan. I love his flow, his lyrical ability, and the dude has put out some really solid videos for his singles (though I really wish there was a video for Bomb! One of my favourite tracks). The dude is one of New Zealand's greatest MCs (I'm not going to make a list or anything... or am I?). But even the greatest among us have slipped a few times, and in my opinion (let me stress that I'm just a fat lazy guy with an opinion, so take it for what you will) Moonlight is one of those slips for PNC (and just a slight slip at that).
I'll start with the music. Official, who produced the beat for another of PNC's singles (Just Roll), again is responsible for the beat on Moonlight. Now, I love the beat. There's nothing wrong with the beat. It gives the song an ethereal feel, and it suits the title. The problem with the music comes in at the chorus.
As someone with a myspace account, like everyone else I get random friend requests from music artists who don't quite have the exposure some other artists have. And so it is for that reason I am familiar with Zeisha Fremaux. She's the chick who appears in the chorus. She is one of the problems I personally have with the song. While she has a good voice in that she can sing in tune, and has reasonable tonality, it's just not popping. You can hear in the first few times she sings the chorus that they've either had someone come in and do bg vocals for her as well (or she came in after someone already laid some down), or they messed with her voice a bit and used it as a double for her to add a bit of depth. The only times I enjoy the chorus is when her voice is replaced with a synthesizer. Honestly, I think it would make the track just that much better if they went back and replaced all the choruses with the synthesized version.
See, now that wasn't so bad. I think that's my only real criticism of the music, and it wasn't even PNC's fault :D
Now for the video. Jonathan Gerard takes on the role of director for Moonlight. A member of the Fish'n'Clips team, he's directed a few NZ music videos by bands such as Pluto and The Mint Chicks. I'm not really familiar with his other work, but Moonlight isn't his strongest attempt. (Again, let me frame this by saying this is only my personal opinion.)
The video just isn't that interesting. PNC in a couple different outfits in front of a couple different backgrounds with a couple dancers and some tags? I realise he was probably trying to take a minimalist approach to convey the ethereal, floating feel of the song, but I guess it wasn't quite minimalist enough.
So, to break it down a bit. Why does PNC need to change outfits? There's no reason that I can gather from the song itself. But I suppose this question is connected to the background changes. I just don't see the point. It doesn't seem to connect anything. In fact, in a video that is so minimalist, the changes are distracting and feel disjointed.
I understand the reason for the dancers. The chorus references dancing, and so, we have dancers. I even like the effect used on the dancers. What makes the dancers a bad choice, in my opinion, is the way they're used. They appear sporadically, are dancing in a way that doesn't seem to mirror the song, and unlike PNC and Zeisha actually look at the camera. Like the outfit and background changes, the dancers only serve to make the video feel even more disconnected.
Then there's Zeisha. Unfortunately, direction is her problem. It's obvious she's been told to look at something away from the camera and keep her eye on it, and been told to dance and use her arms. It just looks so... contrived, and so laboured. PNC has the advantage of glasses, whereas Zeisha remains so focussed on this thing off camera that it just makes you think "I wonder what she's looking at?" Like I said, this isn't her problem, Gerard was just unable to think of something less distracting for her.
Another thing is that Zeisha is only placed in the chorus (obviously because she sings it), but is seen at almost no other time, and is never doing anything but that dancing on the spot. Perhaps if she had been imagined as a character for PNC to interact with, she would have fit in better in the video, and perhaps would have made the video as a whole a lot better.
Then there's the tags. The problem with the tags is that there's not enough of them, and they're too static. Some of them are just thrown on the screen and do nothing more than take up space, but some of them are given movement and really emphasise the lyric (for example, "Boom"). Now, the reason why I said there's not enough of them is because a whole video could be made from just these tags alone. Give them some movement, make them come alive, and you could have a great video. But the way they're done here just seems like they were thrown in.
Just as an aside, watch the end of this video (from 2.05min onwards) featuring none other than PNC to see a really creative use of words in a music video. Sure, it's not the same feel, but it gives you an idea.
Okay, so there we have it. My review of the new single and video for PNC, Moonlight. And let me just end it by saying I'm just one guy, and my opinion means squat. I don't mean for PNC, Jonathan Gerard, Zeisha Fremaux or anyone involved in the project to feel bad about it. The fact that you guys made the song and the video is proof enough of your talent and abilities. This is just one guy's opinion, who has no influence whatsoever, and who you'll probably never meet. But then again, if on the off chance you happen to read this and do take my opinion to heart, and can see my point of view on things and understand my criticisms, then I'm glad I was able to help :D
Peace.
First off, let me say I'm a big PNC fan. I love his flow, his lyrical ability, and the dude has put out some really solid videos for his singles (though I really wish there was a video for Bomb! One of my favourite tracks). The dude is one of New Zealand's greatest MCs (I'm not going to make a list or anything... or am I?). But even the greatest among us have slipped a few times, and in my opinion (let me stress that I'm just a fat lazy guy with an opinion, so take it for what you will) Moonlight is one of those slips for PNC (and just a slight slip at that).
I'll start with the music. Official, who produced the beat for another of PNC's singles (Just Roll), again is responsible for the beat on Moonlight. Now, I love the beat. There's nothing wrong with the beat. It gives the song an ethereal feel, and it suits the title. The problem with the music comes in at the chorus.
As someone with a myspace account, like everyone else I get random friend requests from music artists who don't quite have the exposure some other artists have. And so it is for that reason I am familiar with Zeisha Fremaux. She's the chick who appears in the chorus. She is one of the problems I personally have with the song. While she has a good voice in that she can sing in tune, and has reasonable tonality, it's just not popping. You can hear in the first few times she sings the chorus that they've either had someone come in and do bg vocals for her as well (or she came in after someone already laid some down), or they messed with her voice a bit and used it as a double for her to add a bit of depth. The only times I enjoy the chorus is when her voice is replaced with a synthesizer. Honestly, I think it would make the track just that much better if they went back and replaced all the choruses with the synthesized version.
See, now that wasn't so bad. I think that's my only real criticism of the music, and it wasn't even PNC's fault :D
Now for the video. Jonathan Gerard takes on the role of director for Moonlight. A member of the Fish'n'Clips team, he's directed a few NZ music videos by bands such as Pluto and The Mint Chicks. I'm not really familiar with his other work, but Moonlight isn't his strongest attempt. (Again, let me frame this by saying this is only my personal opinion.)
The video just isn't that interesting. PNC in a couple different outfits in front of a couple different backgrounds with a couple dancers and some tags? I realise he was probably trying to take a minimalist approach to convey the ethereal, floating feel of the song, but I guess it wasn't quite minimalist enough.
So, to break it down a bit. Why does PNC need to change outfits? There's no reason that I can gather from the song itself. But I suppose this question is connected to the background changes. I just don't see the point. It doesn't seem to connect anything. In fact, in a video that is so minimalist, the changes are distracting and feel disjointed.
I understand the reason for the dancers. The chorus references dancing, and so, we have dancers. I even like the effect used on the dancers. What makes the dancers a bad choice, in my opinion, is the way they're used. They appear sporadically, are dancing in a way that doesn't seem to mirror the song, and unlike PNC and Zeisha actually look at the camera. Like the outfit and background changes, the dancers only serve to make the video feel even more disconnected.
Then there's Zeisha. Unfortunately, direction is her problem. It's obvious she's been told to look at something away from the camera and keep her eye on it, and been told to dance and use her arms. It just looks so... contrived, and so laboured. PNC has the advantage of glasses, whereas Zeisha remains so focussed on this thing off camera that it just makes you think "I wonder what she's looking at?" Like I said, this isn't her problem, Gerard was just unable to think of something less distracting for her.
Another thing is that Zeisha is only placed in the chorus (obviously because she sings it), but is seen at almost no other time, and is never doing anything but that dancing on the spot. Perhaps if she had been imagined as a character for PNC to interact with, she would have fit in better in the video, and perhaps would have made the video as a whole a lot better.
Then there's the tags. The problem with the tags is that there's not enough of them, and they're too static. Some of them are just thrown on the screen and do nothing more than take up space, but some of them are given movement and really emphasise the lyric (for example, "Boom"). Now, the reason why I said there's not enough of them is because a whole video could be made from just these tags alone. Give them some movement, make them come alive, and you could have a great video. But the way they're done here just seems like they were thrown in.
Just as an aside, watch the end of this video (from 2.05min onwards) featuring none other than PNC to see a really creative use of words in a music video. Sure, it's not the same feel, but it gives you an idea.
Okay, so there we have it. My review of the new single and video for PNC, Moonlight. And let me just end it by saying I'm just one guy, and my opinion means squat. I don't mean for PNC, Jonathan Gerard, Zeisha Fremaux or anyone involved in the project to feel bad about it. The fact that you guys made the song and the video is proof enough of your talent and abilities. This is just one guy's opinion, who has no influence whatsoever, and who you'll probably never meet. But then again, if on the off chance you happen to read this and do take my opinion to heart, and can see my point of view on things and understand my criticisms, then I'm glad I was able to help :D
Peace.
Monday, February 18, 2008
D.Dallas Mixtape - Final Track
I mentioned a little while back about the David Dallas mixtape, The Artist Formerly Known As, and how it was being released a track at a time over on his blog. Well now it has come to an end. The final track, Get Out The Way, is actually an exclusive single from David Dallas's upcoming album Something Awesome, and judging from this track it's safe to predict the album will be Something Awesome (sorry that was cheesy, but listen to the track and tell me that ain't hot!).
In all seriousness, this track is unbelievably hot. The beat is crazy, D.Dallas's flow is crazy, the chorus is catchy. It's just an incredibly good track. Go to D.Dallas's blog to download the track, or if you're lazy, stream it below. This is something you NEED to do. Hurry up.
In all seriousness, this track is unbelievably hot. The beat is crazy, D.Dallas's flow is crazy, the chorus is catchy. It's just an incredibly good track. Go to D.Dallas's blog to download the track, or if you're lazy, stream it below. This is something you NEED to do. Hurry up.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Just a test
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Sunday, February 03, 2008
On a Sunday Afternoon
Keeping with the music kick for a bit, I just came across this oldie. I remember listening to this with the cuzzies back when I was a kid. Cruising up north to see the whanau (family) in the back of the van. Stopping off to get some fish and chips for lunch. Some good times.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
David Dallas' New Mixtape
Not much to post about this week, but this is awesome. If you happen to be Kiwi or Aussie and enjoy hip hop, then it's highly likely that you've heard of David Dallas, a.k.a Con Psy, front man of Frontline. He's got a new mixtape out that he's releasing a track a day over at his site, DavidDallas.co.nz. So check it out, it's pretty cool.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
It's All About the Music
As the title alludes, this post will be all about music. My music, in fact. This is like a "centralising" post. Er, that doesn't sound quite right. Just basically putting everything in one post, kind of thing. Plus 3 new (kind of) songs!
Okay, so the new stuff first!
This first song expresses my hip hop side. Everyone has their own views about hip hop and rap, so I won't get into that. I just like hip hop. And I've tried a few times to create beats, and raps, though I've usually been unsuccessful with both. I don't rap in this, so be thankful :D This is just a beat I made when I got inspired by the sample that you hear in the song. I was playing a flash game, and when you went into this place, it had this Jewish sounding song in the background. I recorded it, chopped it up, grabbed a drum loop, synced up the sample with the drums, and this is what came out. I remember it being really hard to get the sample to sync. I had no idea what the bpm was, and I have no sequencer or anything, so I had to get creative in chopping the sample to sync it up. Anyway, here it is (I call it Jewish Hip Hop :D):
This next one is the original Lost Experience song. I mentioned before about an orangutan named Joop, and the song I wrote about him. Well this is it. The thing to remember about all the Lost Experience songs, they were written to be funny, in both a subtle and an obvious way. Kind of making fun of their genres, of things written before them that may sound similar. For example, this is a protest song about experiments done on a fictional animal. Cheesy talking at the end of the song :D Anyway, here it is, Hold On Joop:
And this is the second Lost Experience song, and last of the new stuff. This is a love song to the protagonist, Rachel Blake. I believe at the time of Hold On Joop, we hadn't seen who our heroine was, but eventually she was revealed to be Jamie Silberhartz (who is a bit of a hottie), and a lot of guys developed geek crushes on Rachel. This was a tribute to that, and really to all geek crushes on fictional characters. This is one of my favourite songs as it contains one of my best solos (in my humble opinion ;)). It comes inbetween the second and third verses, and is pretty understated. It's just a short little thing, but whenever I hear it, it just makes me feel good that I wrote that. Cheesy talking at both the beginning and end of the song. Anyway, here it is, Song for Rachel:
Fragmented Games. Posted in the previous post. Third Lost Experience song.
Acoustical Niceness. Originally posted here.
And then we have Something (with lead guitar) that I posted about here.
Okay, so the new stuff first!
This first song expresses my hip hop side. Everyone has their own views about hip hop and rap, so I won't get into that. I just like hip hop. And I've tried a few times to create beats, and raps, though I've usually been unsuccessful with both. I don't rap in this, so be thankful :D This is just a beat I made when I got inspired by the sample that you hear in the song. I was playing a flash game, and when you went into this place, it had this Jewish sounding song in the background. I recorded it, chopped it up, grabbed a drum loop, synced up the sample with the drums, and this is what came out. I remember it being really hard to get the sample to sync. I had no idea what the bpm was, and I have no sequencer or anything, so I had to get creative in chopping the sample to sync it up. Anyway, here it is (I call it Jewish Hip Hop :D):
This next one is the original Lost Experience song. I mentioned before about an orangutan named Joop, and the song I wrote about him. Well this is it. The thing to remember about all the Lost Experience songs, they were written to be funny, in both a subtle and an obvious way. Kind of making fun of their genres, of things written before them that may sound similar. For example, this is a protest song about experiments done on a fictional animal. Cheesy talking at the end of the song :D Anyway, here it is, Hold On Joop:
And this is the second Lost Experience song, and last of the new stuff. This is a love song to the protagonist, Rachel Blake. I believe at the time of Hold On Joop, we hadn't seen who our heroine was, but eventually she was revealed to be Jamie Silberhartz (who is a bit of a hottie), and a lot of guys developed geek crushes on Rachel. This was a tribute to that, and really to all geek crushes on fictional characters. This is one of my favourite songs as it contains one of my best solos (in my humble opinion ;)). It comes inbetween the second and third verses, and is pretty understated. It's just a short little thing, but whenever I hear it, it just makes me feel good that I wrote that. Cheesy talking at both the beginning and end of the song. Anyway, here it is, Song for Rachel:
Fragmented Games. Posted in the previous post. Third Lost Experience song.
Acoustical Niceness. Originally posted here.
And then we have Something (with lead guitar) that I posted about here.
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