Music

Is Hip Hop dead? Has the genre once considered ‘Black CNN’ (yea boyee) become a bloated money machine? With copious amounts of ‘Lil rappers who imitate their way up the chart, commoditizing the lifestyle through clothing apparel and ringtones, it’s hard to see the innovation Hip Hop once projected. If this is true, what’s the next Hip Hop? If we add up a few clues, could we be heading towards a renaissance of…Metal?

Entertain me for a second.

First it starts with The Osbournes TV Show (Ozzy Osbourne / Black Sabbath) and The Gene Simmons Show (KISS) as a peak into the lives of the aging rocker elite. Mostly to juxtapose the hardcore legacy against the comedic everyday life of both men and their families. Next, make a few documentaries like ‘Heavy Metal Parking Lot‘ and ‘A Headbanger’s Journey‘ to pick up the journalistic slack. Then take Metal’s number one fanboy, Jack Black (of Tenacious D), and make him a movie star. Black goes on to star as a teacher who uses rock’n'roll as his main teaching aid in ‘School of Rock’, which will no doubt create a new legion of headbangers and rockers. Now, head down to your local stadium night club to witness classic metal bands on their reunion tours. Not convinced yet, take a look at the insane amount sub-genres Metal has spawned in the last 30 years. Then, find the youngest kid you know and ask them what Guitar Hero and Rock Band are. While we’re on the subject of videogames, keep an eye out for ‘Brutal legend‘, an upcoming action title where the main character is a roadie. Don’t think any of this speaks to your inner metal? Then you probably might need to watch an episode of Metalocalypse, an animated series that follows the fictitious Death metal band - Deathclock (warning: not for the soft). Metal may not have taken over the radio (I don’t believe it ever did) but there is evidence that it exists by proxy through Alice Cooper. If this isn’t enough proof that power chords have found a way back into our hearts, what would it take? A Led Zeppelin reunion? Oh wait.

While going back through the stacks last week, I was reminded of my obsession with Windham Hill Records. An indie label started by musician Will Ackerman, Windham Hill sat somewhere between Jazz and Classical music. Often noted as the starting point of the ‘New Age’ genre of music, the label was a breath of fresh air from the rock and electronic stuff of the time. Windham Hill had attracted an incredible range of musicians who went on to be house hold names, most notably George Winston. Another part of the labels attractiveness was the minimalistic album covers and simple typography, similar in execution to German Jazz label - ECM. What made Windham Hill so accessible was a consistent release of compilations called ’samplers’ sold at low prices ready for the glove box of your mom’s volvo. The label has since been sold and has faded into obscurity, much of the music from the early releases are re-purposed and sold as Christmas albums. If your in need for some soft moments in your life, go look for the samplers, preferably in the 80’s (’81 is a particularly amazing find). That’ll give you the road map to the rest of the artists.

The impending death of the virgin spirit, indeed, Mr. Ackerman.

Seriously, that whole bullets vs. brains hip-hop chart showdown is why I walked away from hip-hop in the first place. Albums like this lure me back. Percee P with Madlib on the boards. Man, it took a minute.

So strong is the bond between music legend Elvis Presley and his fans that many say he has never really gone. When good things do go away it’s hard to let go, most of us find a way to cope with the loss…others build a robot likeness. Some clever minds have assembled a talking, singing bust of The King, and it will blow your mind make you happy again. Take a look at the picture above cause it’s the last time he’ll be dead after you’ve witnessed Wowwee Alive Elvis.

Watch a video of Elvis as he attempts to speak some of his most memorable lines. Included with a microphone remote control, Elvis is equipped with a motion sensor and upgradeable memory cartridge. Watch Elvis’s expression as the external iPod connection is demonstrated (someone doesn’t like salsa). A fantastic gift for Elvis fans, I would place him at the entrance of the home arcade of my mind.

Tanguy Ukulele Orchestra is one man’s love for his Uke and classic video game tunes. Check out ‘Zelda Aloha Metal‘ and ‘Snake Eater’ (Yes! Solid Snake for Prez. See below).