Welcome to the Wacko Monologues first Music Monday. Every day at work, I listen to 6-7 hours worth of music and podcasts. I'm not a selfish man, so I'll be sharing 3-5 great albums to throw you back to the 80s, 90s, or (most likely) 00s. Occasionally, I'll even throw a podcast into the mix, because I'm crazy and I make the rules here! Without further adieu, let's get started.
While years away from being so, Kendrick is well on his way to becoming a legend in the music industry, and his rise to fame started with his first studio album in 2011. When I first heard it, I mistaked it for a mixtape, and maybe at the time it was. But it's clear Kendrick had a cohesive vision from the very beginning.
Set around a campfire, the album allows Kendrick to paint the realities of men and women in the hoods and projects of California. The production value is a new take on the West Coast sound that still sounds fresh today. It could be argued that his use of funk began here. I'm not sure how available it is on streaming services, but there are probably still links to downloaded it as a mixtape unlike Untitled Unmastered.
Breakout Tracks
The Spiteful Chant (feat Schoolboy Q)
Rigamortus
The Archandroid, Janelle Monáe
If hip hop storytelling isn't your jam, then Janelle Monáe has you covered. Though the story of Cindi Mayweather starts with the EP Metropolis (Suite 1), you can easily catch up by listening to 2010's The Archandroid (Suites 2 & 3). The story of an android sharing a forbidden love with a human that causes a revolution throughout the android community is compelling and obviously reminiscent of the black experience in the mid-20th century.
Janelle is easily one of the best singer-songwriters of the decade and her vocals can easily rival any popstar's as she sings melodies inspired by jazz and soul music.
Breakout Tracks
Faster
Say You'll Go
Sir Lucious Left Foot... The Son of Chico Dusty, Big Boi
The year was 2010. It had been seven years since the last Outkast album (four if you count the soundtrack for Idlewid). The world was hungry for more Andre 3000, but he only supplied us with a hot verse or two at best a year. Enters Big Boi to the rescue. Many people, including myself, were wary of a solo album from Big. However, he delivered better than anyone could have expected.
His production sounded like the logical step the next Outkast album would have taken. Big rapped as the legend in the rap game that he was, while inviting younger rappers to both give them shine and to give himself the breaks on songs he was used to. Some might argue this album features the best verses from Yelawolf, T.I, B.o.B. and Gucci Mane. It's the best I've ever liked them.
Breakout Tracks
You Ain't No DJ (feat. Yelawolf)
Shine Blockas (feat. Gucci Mane)
The Fall, Norah Jones
Though her lowest charting album in the US, The Fall is far from a belly flop. It's more of a stumble turned beautiful swan dive. Released in 2009, Ms Jones showcased her alternative folk-blues for the world to listen.
Featuring themes of lost love, contempt, and redemption, she sings as a [insert cliche animal reference] and compels you to wail along with her. It's a melancholy album that will make you feel better by the end of it. Consider it therapy.
Breakout Tracks
I Wouldn't Need You
Back to Manhattan
In Search of, N.E.R.D.
Thinking of himself mostly as a producer, Pharrell found himself singing more and more hooks for artists than he ever anticipated. It wasn't long until he decided to grab his Neptunes partner Chad Hugo and hometown friend Shae Haley to form No-one Every Really Dies.
In 2002, they released their debut album In Search Of, an ode to growing up different in an area that doesn't quite understand you. Pharrell and crew marry soul, pop, rock, and R&B in an unique way that was ahead of their time. Many of the songs are solid bops, even the slower songs. If you jog, I'd recommend this one.
Breakout Tracks
Things Are Getting Better
Provider
That's it for today's installment. As always, feel free to leave comments and recommendations. I love the community that music conservation can breed.
Word.
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