New: DJ Khaled featuring Lil Wayne, Usher, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and Drake "Fed Up"

DJ Khaled is perhaps best known for screaming "we the best" at the beginning of various songs, but the truth is whenever his name is on a track its usually a star-studded event. Khaled is preparing to release Victory at the beginning of 2010 and the first single from the album is "Fed Up" which features Usher, Drake, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne. The track is undeniable hot. Check it out. MP3: DJ Khaled featuring Lil Wayne, Usher, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and Drake "Fed Up"

New: Del The Funky Homosapien covers A Tribe Called Quest on "Lyrics To Go 2009"

Del The Funky Homosapien is one of the hardest working men in the business. This year he's released two solo albums Automatik Statik and Funk Man (The Stimulus Package) and a collaborative album with Tame One. Now he's dropping this little nugget for the fans: a cover of the Tribe Called Quest classic "Lyrics To Go". Check out the track and let me know what you think. MP3: Del the Funky Homosapien "Lyrics To Go 2009"

The Original/The Remix: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart "Higher Than The Stars"

Within a year of releasing their debut album, Brooklyn's The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are back with the Higher Than the Stars EP. The EP contains five new tracks, included is the title track "Higher Than the Stars". The track has been given the remix treatment already. The original track is pretty dancy, but Saint Etienne definitely takes the track to the club. Check out the original and the remix and let me know which you prefer. The Original: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart "Higher Than The Stars" The Remix: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart "Higher Than The Stars (Saint Etienne Visits Lord Spank Remix)"

Wale: Attention Deficit

Wale: Attention Deficit Wale's big break was his 2007 mixtape, 100 Miles & Running. His position as America's favorite rapper not to release an album was solidified with the release of 2008's The Mixtape About Nothing. Although Wale got to stardom on his own terms, he finally has to release his debut album. Attention Deficit has all eyes on it, as critics and fans alike wonder if a mixtape rapper can make a smooth transition to major label rapper. Attention Deficit is a mixed bag. The album's lead single "Chillin" features Lady Gaga. The track is clearly a commercial single and Wale caught a lot of flack from his fan base for perceived selling out. Unfortunately, the politics of being on a label like Interscope requires artists to produce hit singles. Whether he's rapping commercially or for underground tracks, Wale is most successful when he is delivering punchlines. He is one of the wittiest rappers out there. There are several times when Wale wanders off this path on Attention Deficit. The awkwardly socially conscious "90210" is about teenage problems like bulimia, drug use, and promiscuous sex. "Contemplate" is basically a song about a jilted lover thinking about his ex which leaves Wale little room to show off his lyrical talent. Overall, its hard not to feel disappointed by Attention Deficit. Wale has admitted that he caved to some label pressures, but that's not the real issue. The issue is Wale is best when he's showing some swagger but his skills as a troubadour are not up to par. Rating: 5.3/10 MP3: Wale featuring K'Naan "TV in the Radio" Buy: iTunes, get the vinyl at Insound

New: Plies featuring Young Jeezy "So Bad"

Plies released two albums last year, so no surprise he took a little break this year. Plies is preparing to release his new mixtape, Street Credentials. "So Bad" is the street single from the mixtape. The track features Young Jeezy. Its a pretty nice track. Check it out. MP3: Plies featuring Young Jeezy "So Bad"

New: The Little Death (Moby side project) "Gather Round"

Moby's beginnings in Darien, CT saw him play in several bands including the hardcore band Vatican Commandos. Moby has been a bit of a jack-of-all-trades in his post-hardcore band, production career. Now Moby is getting back into the band swing of things with the Little Death. The band is Laura Dawn (lead vocals), Moby (bass, guitar), Daron Murphy (guitar, bass, harmonica), and Aaron A. Brooks (drums). The band is self-releasing their debut album. Although the bluesy sound is miles away from Play, the lead single "Gather Round" is pretty good. Check out the track and let me know what you think. MP3: The Little Death "Gather Round"

We Came as Romans: To Plant A Seed

We Came as Romans: To Plant A Seed To Plant a Seed is the debut album by Michigan metalcore band, We Came as Romans. The band's humble beginnings and DIY ethics lead to their signing less than a year after self-releasing their debut demo. We Came as Romans is an odd beast. "Broken Statues" contains technically stunning guitar riffs, orchestral strings, and "Bohemian Rhapsody"-esque four part harmonies. The song's vocals are a dynamic contrast between David Stephens roaring screams and Kyle Pavone's whiny singing voice. Other tracks like "Road That Don't End And Views That Never Cease" add some elements of techno or trance to the mix. But the only thing that really seperates We Came as Romans from other metalcore bands like As I Lay Dying is the elements of classical music the band mixes in. "Intentions" contains a breakdown that sounds straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean. Lyrically, the band has been lumped into the Christian hardcore scene even though they veer away from classifying themselves as such. The lyrics are definitely posi but there is no real references to God or Jesus except for one lyric in the track "Dreams" that reads "this is Him speaking through me". So either way its not a huge statement but I'm just glad they aren't singing about heartbreak. Overall, the album feels a little trite to me but I can't help but feel like it has some pretty unique properties to it. Some of the stuff they do sounds straight out of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and that makes them cooler than the average metalcore band in my opinion. Rating: 5.7/10 MP3: We Came as Romans "We Are The Reasons" Buy: iTunes, get the CD at Insound

New: The Bravery "Spectator"

The Bravery are preparing to release their new album, Stir the Blood on December 1st. The album is the follow up to 2007's The Sun and the Moon which received a harsh 1.8 out of 10 from Pitchfork Media. Ouch! "Spectator" is the lead single from Stir the Blood. I think the track sounds suspiciously like a certain MGMT song, let me know what you think. MP3: The Bravery "Spectator"

New: Super Chron Flight Bros featuring Cannibal Ox, Pastense & Johnny Voltik "In My Cypher (remix)"

Super Chron Flight Brothers have been making waves since their 2007 debut album, Emergency Powers. They are preparing to release a new mixtape, Deleted Scene on November 17th. "In My Cypher (Remix)" is the first leak from the mixtape. What makes this track particularly awesome is it features Cannibal Ox. The Harlem duo is perhaps one of the most influential underground rap groups of all time yet the only recorded work we have by them is the classic The Cold Vein, a live album, and a handful of singles. Hearing Vast Aire and Vordul Mega on the same track again is awesome to hear. MP3: Super Chron Flight Bros featuring Cannibal Ox, Pastense & Johnny Voltik "In My Cypher (remix)"

New: Three 6 Mafia Feat Tiesto, Flo-Rida & Sean Kingston "Feel It"

Three 6 Mafia has definitely experimented with hip-house before, but never quite like teaming up with Dutch trance producer Tiesto for their new single "Feel It". Three 6 also welcomes Miami's Flo-Rida and Sean Kingston on the song. The track is the third single from their upcoming album, Laws of Power. The album was slated to be released this Tuesday but was moved back to a January release. MP3: Three 6 Mafia Feat Tiesto, Flo-Rida & Sean Kingston "Feel It"

The Original/The Remix: The Police "Message in a Bottle"

"Message in a Bottle" is pretty much the best Police song ever. The 1979 single has been covered by everyone from Matisyahu to Set Your Goals to Graveworm. I was just went a dubstep remix of the track by Fresh Direct. Fresh Direct flips the track in trance like dance instrumental. The Original: The Police "Message in a Bottle" The Remix: The Police "Message in a Bottle (Fresh Direct Remix)"

New: DV Alias Khryst takes aim at Drake in "Testaman"

It's only been a matter of time before someone released a Drake diss track. I mean Drake went from starring as a wheelchair bound high school student on the after-school-program-esque Degrassi to being Lil Wayne's protege. It's not exactly a school-of-hard-knocks story. On the other hand, the rapper aiming at him, DV Alias Khryst is a no name Brooklyn rapper who hasn't really released anything yet. The track does get in some pretty good shots at Drake. Check out the track and let me know if Drake has something to be worried about. MP3: DV Alias Khryst "Testaman (Drake diss)"

Say Anything: Say Anything

Say Anything: Say Anything When your first label release is as career defining as Say Anything's ...Is a Real Boy, its hard to follow it up with anything decent. Say Anything followed up with In Defense of the Genre, a massive two-cd blunder. They attempt to regain their ...Is a Real Boy on their new self-titled album. No one will argue Max Bemis' ability to write catchy songs, but what made ...Is a Real Boy so great was his ability to mix in time and tempo changes seemingly effortlessly so they could be digested by a mainstream audience. The self-titled album doesn't quite deliver the tempo changes but it does deliver incredibly catchy songs. The lead single "Hate Everyone" is much like ...Is a Real Boy's closing track, "Admit It!!!". The song is basically about everything and everyone Max Bemis hates which includes Kanye West, Brandon Flowers of the Killers, and of course his ex-girlfriend. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the song is its vocal lines incredible resemblance to The Clash's "Rudie Can't Fail". Perhaps the most disturbing part of the album is Max Bemis' inability to go an entire song without name-checking some celebrity. On "Do Better", Bemis spews "Life is not a spark in space/ An episode of Will & Grace/ Controversial yet mundane/ Debra's messing with your brain". Get it, he even makes a play on words on Debra Messing's name. On "Crush'd", the most inane love song on the album, Bemis describes his crush as "Bjork with better fashion sense". Thess types of pop cultural references make the album feel a little goofy and definitely having a finite time of relevance. Overall, the album is definitely a step in the right direction from In Defense of the Genre. The catchiness is there and there are more real tangible emotions being expressed in this music. But Bemis' song writing has lost some of its timelessness. ...Is a Real Boy feels as relevant today as it did five years ago when it was release; Say Anything feels as though its catchiness will transcend but not much of its lyrical content. Rating: 6.5/10 MP3: Say Anything "Less Cute" Buy: iTunes, get the CD at Insound

The Prairie Cartel: Where Did All My People Go

The Prairie Cartel: Where Did All My People Go Scott Lucas is perhaps best known for his work with 90's modern rock hit makers, Local H. It's been over a decade since Local H has been relevant so to hear Scott Lucas return with a new group is a little surprising. The Prairie Cartel's debut album, Where Did All My People Go is about as far away from Local H as possible. The music of the Prairie Cartel is rock-tinged dance music. Musically, they remind me of a mix between CSS and the Prodigy with the ubiquitous New Order influence present. From the get-go the band lets the listener know that its party time. "Keep Everybody Warm" has a bit of a Chemical Brothers vibe to it. It's by far the most electronica track on the album, but its definitely a mood setter. The mood continues with "Homicide" which has all the panache LCD Soundsystem's "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" and "Just Like Chemicals" which sounds like a techno remix of Black Sabbath's "Crazy Train". Like most electronica albums, there is a problem with song length on the album. No track on the album clocks in at under four minutes; most tracks break the five minute barrier. Luckily, only one track is longer than six minutes. But besides the occasionally too long repetitive song, the album has no other major flaws. The music is catchy and edgy, just what you want out of most electronica albums. Rating: 7.6/10 MP3: The Prairie Cartel "Keep Everybody Warm" Buy: iTunes, get the CD from Insound

Blockhead: The Music Scene

Blockhead: The Music Scene New York City-based producer, Blockhead releases his fourth solo album, The Music Scene. Much like his last two records, The Music Scene is completely instrumental. Blockhead is perhaps best known for his work with Aesop Rock. He produced the Aesop Rock classic "Daylight" which is somewhat representative of his work. There are definite pathos in each Blockhead track. The album's opening track "It's Raining Clouds" features the same kind of flute that's heard on "Daylight" but it also adds sitar which makes the track feel more worldly. The other side of the coin is tracks like "The Prettiest Sea Slug". The track feels more like music you'd hear in the elevator of the W Hotel than something you really want to jam to in your car. "Pity Party" reminds me of some of the less dancy songs Moby had on Play. It's really hard to make an engaging instrumental album. Blockhead does a pretty decent jobs but there are definitely songs that feel like clunkers. Awkward time changes and evolutions are supposed to make the tracks feel more interesting but in the end make them feel a little contrived. The album ends up being just mediocre. Rating: 5.3/10 MP3: Blockhead "Which One Of You Jerks Drank My Arnold Palmer" taken down by request Buy: iTunes

Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love: Feels, Feathers, Bog and Bees

Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love: Feels, Feathers, Bog and Bees All the way from the U.K. comes the third album by Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love. Feels, Feathers, Bog and Bees was released October 27th through Other Electricities. The album was produced by Adem Ilhan from the band Fridge. While the album contains more electronic sounds than their previous two, and is a bit louder, Feels, Feathers, Bog and Bees still has a soft, folksy feel to it. "Document 19" starts off with a waltz beat. A violin plays the same chord over and over accompanied by an accoustic guitar. Only later does an electric guitar come in to give the song more volume and substance. Like the rest of the album, this song builds around harmonies, particularly with the vocals. On the track "Blackbird 1", the band reminds me of Remy Zero, particularly with the vocals. Yet, with two other tracks, "Blackbird 2" and "Blackbird 3", the album loses some luster. The three songs are very similar, akin to being three movements of one symphonic piece. This "haven't I heard this song all ready" feeling starts to take over on the album. "Friend to Mine" is a short song with a mixture of accoustic plucking and distorted electric guitar. The kicker to the song is the distortion of the vocals only slightly in a love song hidden behind a bit of a harder sound. The rest of the album comes off as sounding unoriginal in terms of copying itself. The songs start to sound very similar. And if this is loud and electronic, it makes me wonder what they were doing on their previous albums. The songs are arranged nicely, and the harmonies work. But who wants to buy an album that feels like 13 tracks of pretty much the same few songs? Rating: 4.9/10 MP3: Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love "Friend to Mine" Buy: iTunes

New: The Game "Big Money"

All right, I tried to post this track on Sunday. Unfortunately, I messed up the link so I'm trying this again. I've been really digging this track so hopefully you will too. MP3: The Game "Big Money"

New: Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy "Hard"

For the second single from her upcoming album Rated R, Rihanna reteams up with "Umbrella" writer/producer The-Dream for "Hard". Like "Umbrella", "Hard" features a high profile rapper except instead of Jay-Z it's Young Jeezy. Rated R comes out November 20th. MP3: Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy "Hard"

Weezer: Raditude

Weezer: Raditude When Weezer revealed that their seventh studio album would be titled Raditude, it crushed any hope that Weezer was going to reel in the outlandishness that has marred their production in the latter half of this decade. But while Raditude will win no awards for modesty, it wouldn't take much to top their 2008 self-title output or 2005's Make Believe. I came into this album not expecting much, perhaps that's why I was so pleasantly surprised. The songwriting is not that of the Blue Album and certainly not Pinkerton, but its probably akin to the Green Album or Maladroit. The album's lead single "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" is a fun danceable rock song about awkward lust. The acoustic guitar riff the song is based around is catchy and the arena rock chorus is emblematic of what Weezer has become. The lyrics are nothing to write home about but they are less cringe-inducing than "We Are All On Drugs". The much publicized Lil Wayne collaboration for "Can't Stop Partying" is not nearly as bad as some internet music websites have made it seem. Lil Wayne's verse is probably the weakest part of the song; it's reminscent of KRS-One contributing a verse to R.E.M.'s "Radio Song". That's not to say there aren't some incredible ridiculous moments on Raditude that make the listener scratch their head. The Slumdog Millionaire inspired "Love Is The Answer" is a combination of two things I never thought I would see together: Bollywood and Weezer. The result is a near unlistenable mess. "In The Mall" is also an incredibly weak track but it becomes a little more clear why when you find out Patrick Wilson actually wrote the track. With how bad Weezer's last two records have been, its impossible not to call Raditude a triumph despite its weaknesses. It's is obvious not a return to 90's form but Weezer definitely applies the hard rock/glam rock experiments of Maladroit to the poppiness of the green album to create something actually enjoyable to listen to. Rating: 7.3/10 MP3: Weezer "Let It All Hang Out" Buy: iTunes, get the vinyl at Insound

Mulatu Astatke: New York - Addis - London - The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975

Mulatu Astatke: New York - Addis - London - The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975 Mulatu Astatke is pretty much the father of Ethiopian jazz. Mixing traditional African music with bebop jazz and Latin influence, Astatke essentially invented a new genre of music. New York - Addis - London compiles his work after training in London, New York City, and Boston but before teaming up with Duke Ellington. The wide influences of Ethio-jazz is felt almost immediately in this compilation. The opening track "Yekermo Sew" sounds like a Charlie Parker with the addition of an electric guitar solo. "I Faram Gami I Faram" has a very Latin sounding piano line backed by African percussion and xylophone. "Yegelle Tezeta" is almost unclassifiable but will sound familiar to some people as the theme from the Bill Murray movie Broken Flowers. "Emnete" sounds like the kind of jazz track that could easily be flipped into a hip hop beat; the tracks strong drums and catchy horn lines make it one of the most memorable tracks on the album. The only tracks I wasn't overly fond of were the vocal tracks. "Fikriratchin" features female vocalist MEnelik Wossenatchew; although the track has a really saxophone solo, it overall feels a little out of place on the largely instrumental album. In the end, I'm not sure how many StGA reader are versed in Ethio-jazz or even interested in it but we try to be esoteric in what we review. This would obviously be a great starting point for anyone interested in world jazz. New York - Addis - London really shows off Astatke's virtuosity and arrangement abilities in a cohesive manner. Rating: 7.8/10 MP3: Mulatu Astatke "Emnete" Buy: iTunes, get the CD at Insound