#honestly i just need that album injected into my veins | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

peachybun-bun · 3 years

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can you do nct for the group thing? i'm actually really wondering what the answers will be

You got it! This is gonna be a long post haha! We are going to do all of NCT so 127/WayV/Dream

my bias + bias wrecker*

M: 127 - Johnny is my bias. I swear I will climb this man like a freaking tree. My main wrecker is 127 currently is Jungwoo. He is coming for blood with this comeback.

WayV - This group is the most difficult for me to always pinpoint bias and bias wrecker. It honestly depends on the comeback and concept. Currently and longest running bias is YangYang. Baby Sheep has me feeling some sort of way. Current bias wrecker is WinWin. He is just so freaking cute and sometimes you just have to agree with everyone and love him. Plus his ear is really fucking cute.

Dream: This group man...they are my babies! My bias is Renjun, this man is so cute, his vocal are fire, he is so damn sassy. Ugh I love him. Bias wrecker currently is Mork Lee. He has been looking too damn good lately.

127: Doyoung and Jaehyun. Wrecker has been Haechan and Johnny. Makes me big mad. HOWEVER, Shotaro/Sungchan hold special places in my heart, okay?

WayV: Kun. It’s that easy. And then Xiaojun is the ultimate wrecker. He’s so damn funny.

Dream: Jaemin. I feel like the man and I are kindred spirits. It’s hard to pick a wrecker, because I really love the rest of them equally. Though, Mark is just... gonna get grounded. But that may just be 127 Mark Lee, not Dream Mark Lee. They’re two different people.

first time i heard of them

M: We were listening to some of their song and probably found them after watching some EXO videos. Honestly it's hard to remember the first time we heard them but I think it might have been Kick It? I know surprising but we haven't been into kpop for years and years.

S: I think it was a Super M video, where we went “Oh, NCT. Oh, 23 members? Nah. I don’t want to go there. Too many.” How naive I was.

when i became a fan

M: Alright so this is kinda of a long story in my head but to make that sort of short. We ult EXO that is the first group we got into heavily and we sort of kept to just them for a while. We decided to branch out and I remember S in particular saying NCT NEVER after we saw how many members there were. We thought we'd never learn their names. Well now I could probably tell you which member from 6 miles away by their eye lashes. It's scary.

S: Oh, yeah. So, maybe I have these backwards. BUT, I did become a fan soon after. I couldn’t help it. They’re just... them. Idiots. All of them. So, naturally, I love them.

favorite (and least favorite) title track

M: I have so many. I love so many songs. Kick It, Turn Back Time, Ridin, Hello Future. I’m not even sure when it comes to what is considered title or b side honestly. S is crazy. Chewing Gum is a damn classic.

S: Title track? There are so many... um... “Turn Back Time” is a favorite. It’s so hard to choose though. Least favorite? “Chewing Gum”, and I’ll fight someone on this. Also, “Superhuman” isn’t my favorite.

favorite (and least favorite) b-side

M: Like I said title and b sides confuse me but I love 119 and Quiet Down, From Home (is this a b side??), Sit Down, ugh just so many. I also don’t really dislike songs.

S: Favorite? “Yestoday” RAPPING AND DOYOUNG VOCALS?! It’s so chill and mellow. Ugh. Inject it into my veins. “Make a Wish” because Jaemin and Shotaro vocals? YUP Least? Ummmm…

favorite (and least favorite) mv

M: My favorite mvs are probably Chain, Gimme Gimme, Ridin, Hello Future, Turn Back Time, Action Figure. Wakey Wakey is also a classic, S is crazy sauce. I don’t have any dislikes.

S: “Simon Says” and “Gimme Gimme” are two favorites. The outfits and aesthetics? Chef’s kiss. And honestly, any WayV video. Least would again be “Superhuman”, I guess? Or “Wakey Wakey”. I just can’t.

favorite (and least favorite) album

M: I like most albums but my favorite album is Hello Future. It’s a no skip album.

S: WayV. All good. And probably Loveholic. And Resonance is great. Don’t really have a least as a whole.

a concept i wished they’d try*

M: Sexy Dream! I need it. They are adults. Allow them their freedom.

S: GIVE DREAM A MORE ADULT CONCEPT PLEASE. They almost had it with Boom/Riding! BUT COME ON.

what i like most about them*

M: I adore them so much I can’t even begin to explain. They are all idiots. They are so individually unique and so funny. Their vocals, rap, and performance are perfect. I could just watch and listen to them for hours. They are such a family all 23 of them and I love seeing that.

S: Idiots. All of them. Honestly, they all have such distinct personalities, and talents, it’s incredible that they are just this huge family and love each other.

#get to know us #kpop ask game #ask game #nct #nct 127 #wayv #nct dream

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longlivethereputation · 5 years

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I SWEAR TAYLOR WRITES FOR WHATS GOING ON IN MY LIFE EVERY TIME LIKE HOW?!

ok here’s a summary:

Taylor Swift (2006) - I was 12 years old. Just starting those confusing pre-teen years where I was like “who am I?” See: The Outside, A Place in this World, Invisible.

Fearless (2008) - I was 14, and had a crush on this guy who didn’t like me back, the usual. And I was entering high school at the time so FIFTEEN killed me cause it was my freshman year, and I also met my first boyfriend when I was 15 the following year so it hit me like a ton of bricks. Also forever & always because I was a dramatic teenager.

Speak Now (2010) - I was 16. I was dating my first love and we were coming into our first whole year of dating. Ours, Sparks Fly, Mine... literally anything Taylor was writing about love I immediately latched onto and related to my first relationship. I needed those love songs.

Red (2012) - I was 18. The break up album of all break up albums. I had just started university and was going through the worst breakup ever. I would pace around my room, cry, scream, and to this day, All Too Well makes me cry. I was depressed and lonely, and this album changed my life. I owe everything to Taylor because if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have gotten through that time. PLUS I met the love of my life (and future husband) and Begin Again and Everything has Changed honestly reflected that so much.

1989 (2014) - I was 20. Happily in love, but still going through depression/anxiety, trying to rid myself of the toxic stuff that my ex left behind while holding onto this new relationship that was going so well. I wanted to inject Clean into my veins because of how well it reflected that transformation for me. Some notable songs that helped me fall further in love were This Love, You R In Love, and How You Get The Girl.

Reputation (2017) - I was 23. I didn’t think the “vibe” of this album would fit into my life as well as the others because it was very different, but immediately after I heard songs like “I Did Something Bad” and “End Game” I knew it would. I had so much anxiety over my previous relationship that I was afraid of it coming back to haunt me. But it never did. And I was called “crazy” and “too much” and instead of being afraid of that, I embraced it, and this album.

Lover (2019) - I am 25. Getting married to the absolute love of my life next year. This album is full of love and embracing who you are and the life that you want to lead, and when I heard Lover (the song) I cried, because I knew it would be a song I wanted to play at this wedding. I feel like @taylorswift and I grew up together, went through the same shit together, and now we’ve both found love.

Thank you Taylor ❤️

#taylor swift #taylurking #lover #taylor nation #reputation #speak now #red #1989 #fearless

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callmehawkeye · 6 years

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Watched in 2019

Big Little Lies (Season 1): This is such a solid cast and story, albeit predictable. I loved it as a mini-series and do not understand why it needs a second season; but I’ll be watching regardless.

Taylor Swift Reputation Stadium Tour (2018): IIIIIIIIIII don’t think this setting is the best for Taylor. I go back and forth on her as a person often, but dig over half her catalog. The big theatrical show doesn’t quite suit her particular stage presence. She is great when just talking to the crowd with her guitar or piano. Regardless, she was definitely having fun, it was entertaining enough, and it’s cool she put this up on Netflix so I don’t have to amputate a body part to afford a ticket.

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018): Without a doubt, this is perhaps the most genuine and fulfilling depiction of a (hetero) romantic love story put to film I’ve witnessed in recent memory. The actors and their chemistry were breathtaking.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018): Hands down the best Spider-Man movie to date. Soundtrack was perfection. Story was great. Characters were amazing. I want to protect Miles with my dying breath. Unique animation. Deservedly kicked Disney’s ass this award season.

Bumblebee (2018): Oddly endearing? Easily the best Transformers movie, and the only one I’ll recognize.

A Star is Born (2018): I’m sure I’d like this more if I weren’t a fan of the other 3. Lacked subtlety. Overhyped. It’s fine. The only best part was the rehab scene.

Fyre Fraud (2019): The Hulu documentary about the disastrous Fyre Festival. Superior of the two, in production and scope.

Abducted in Plain Sight (2017): WHAT. THE. FUCK. A must-see for true crime enthusiasts.

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019): This is more or less the same thing if you have already spent a little more time on this case than the average person. Good content for first-timers.

Girlfriends Day (2017): A nice, fast watch to pass the time.

Fyre Festival (2019): The other Fyre Festival documentary. To me, the lesser because it is produced from people who were on the inside. Which you’d think, “Oh so then they’d know.” But their bias and attempts to scrub themselves from the narrative are obvious.

The Favourite (2018): This made my little queer heart so happy. Great characters.

Everybody Knows (2019): A little on the nose in the mystery itself (just watch the actors in the background). But the performances were great. Loved the setting. Appropriate ending. Good job.

Isn’t It Romantic (2019): I loved this. I feel like I’ve written something exactly like this before. Very endearing and satisfying to watch.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019): It felt a little long, unsatisfying at some parts and rushed. But it’s a great bookend to a great series.

They Shall Not Grow Old (2019): Very impressive filmmaking and editing. I loved learning how they accomplished it in the featurette at the end of the screening.

Arctic (2019): Now THIS is how you make a survival movie. 90 minutes. No romance. Brutal reality without becoming melodramatic. Mads Mikkelsen cast in the lead...

Don’t Knock Twice (2016): Pleh. I hated the pacing and editing. Called out the “twist” immediately as a joke because I didn’t expect this movie to be that nuanced (magic done without permission, even with the intent to be good, is bad magic).

Captain Marvel (2019): My god this was so much fun and rejuvenated my interest in the MCU. I’m absolutely dreading Endgame and not for the reasons you think.

Greta (2019): Great performances, absolutely tense, very creepy and fun.

1922 (2017): What a great fucking motif.

Climax (2019): This was quite the sit. A literal 90 minute bad LSD trip from an up-close perspective. God I hated it.

Michael Che Matters (2016): I’ve never seen a standup special start so strong and progressively get weaker like this before...

Us (2019): As I said on Twitter -- it seems to me primarily casual or non-horror fans think Us is the greatest horror film of all time and is going to rejuvenate or “save” the genre. Then primarily veteran fans think it’s weak and vague. I think both viewpoints are shortsighted and formed from either category being stuck in their perspectives. For me, the movie was neither. (I loved it).

The Beach Bum (2019): Another movie I can’t believe I sat all the way through.

Leaving Neverland (2019): I stand with Wade and James.

Queer Eye (Season 3): Who needs antidepressants? Not me!

Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé (2019): Beychella reigns once again!!

Dancing Queen (Season 1): This was very sweet. I never thought I could sit through anything with insufferable dance moms, but Justin/Alyssa makes it so engaging and watchable. Stupid to end on a cliffhanger, however.

Avengers: Endgame (2019): ..............B+ At least it was a million times better than Infinity War. And I had fun.

Booksmart (2019): This hit so close to home. Sure, the coming of age movie is nothing new. But there was something liberating about the characters in this one that were terribly stereotypical and much more relatable. To me, anyway.

Long Shot (2019): Great music, great relationship, great laughs. This was a fun, solid watch of a romcom.

Hail Satan? (2019): I want to inject this documentary directly into my veins.

Amazing Grace (2019): The live footage of Aretha Franklin recording her Amazing Grace album at the church in Watts.

Meeting Gorbachev (2019): I got to see this documentary at a theater where Wener Herzog himself was hosting a Q&A and introduced this film. Maybe it made me more biased to liking it. But I honestly felt like I learned a lot.

Missing Link (2019): First movie of the year I didn’t complete/walked out of. I let it have an hour. First time I’ve ever been disappointed in Laika. I can’t believe it. It was so dull and I kept waiting for something to happen.

Little (2019): This was sweet. Issa Rae is dipped in gold. BUT it felt like there was an outline, not a script. Lots of dropped threads. And a weirdly out of place, glaring, punching-down trans joke??!

Tolkien (2019): Wow. I really liked this. Great pacing, shifting between time frames. Even better performances and relationships. Made me think of my own fellowship a lot. This is how biopics should be done.

The Biggest Little Farm (2019): WONDERFUL documentary covering the years of building up a sustainable farm from less than scratch.

The Hustle (2019): God, this was a long, humorless sit. At least Anne looked stunning.

The Sun is Also a Star (2019): This isn’t more realistic than romantic comedies, or teen love films. But it’s more enjoyable than most. The leads are great and have electric chemistry. New York is framed beautifully.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019): I am blessed by this Keanu Reevessance.

Fleabag (Season 1): This is probably going to be the best thing I watch this year.

Fleabag (Season 2): Yup. Confirmed. Something very special would need to come along from June to December to change this mindset. I highly recommend this. Watch it. Go in blind. Watch it!!

Pavarotti (2019): I enjoy documentaries where I feel I really learn about the subject. Beautiful music, beautiful memories, beautiful life.

Rocketman (2019): I wish more biopics were like this. It was wonderful and such a grand time.

Lorena (2019): A deep dive into the Bobbitt case, including the woman herself. I have such empathy and love for Lorena. You should watch it and learn about the incident yourself.

The Last Man in San Francisco (2019): Go in blind. Don’t look it up. Just go. it’s the most beautiful film I’ve seen so far this year. I wish there were more male protagonists like this.

Toy Story 4 (2019): I was so skeptical. It more than exceeded my expectations. Just go in prepared to have your heart ripped in two.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019): They’re learning. Out of the newer films, this one has the less amount of people. Now make another film like this, only extend the monster fight scenes. Less. People.

Child’s Play (2019): This was fun. Not much more to say. More Aubrey in things!

Men in Black International (2019): Honestly, this was better than the second or third ones. I legitimately enjoyed myself. It was funny. The cast was charming. The otherworldly aliens were interesting. And I’m so proud of Les Twins.

Grace and Frankie (Season 5) :This is always a good time for me. I love watching this show when I want to take a break from more dedicated watches. I love these actresses with all my heart. June Diane Raphael is goals.

Midsommar (2019): This was such a fun aesthetic to watch. I was so uncomfortable throughout.

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (2019): Ugh, my hearrrrrtt.

Maiden (2019): Documentary about the first all-female crew who competed in the 1985-86 Whitbread Round the World Race. The woman next to me in the theater was the same age as the women featured in old footage and modern day talking head interviews -- and she was just sobbing by the end. Solidarity.

Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein (2019): 30 minutes well spent. Fucking hilarious.

Stranger Things (Season 3): God, what a fun season. I am still Steve.

Queer Eye (Season 4): I need 54 more seasons, kthx.

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019): My absolute favorite battle sequence in a Marvel movie. Such a good time.

Hobbs & Shaw (2019): My first and last Fast movie. Goddamn I was so bored.

Bring the Soul: The Movie (2019): Wow, this was brutal. I get it wasn’t all of the footage, but they seemed to mostly focus on members being sick and injured and miserable. I didn’t understand the love for this movie when all it did was highlight how exhausted the boys are. I suppose it was meant to be inspiring, but I only felt bad for them. I just ranted about them needing a break and thank god they finally have one -- apt timing!

Burn the Stage: The Movie (2018): I went back to the earlier film with the hopes of... Higher hopes. And they were fulfilled. Such cute and uplifting footage.

Blinded by the Light (2019): God I love Springsteen. This movie is a great homage to his music. It’s not a straight-up musical, and that’s lovingly the point. Some things never change.

It: Chapter Two (2019): This was a slog compared to the first part. Much like the miniseries. Much like the book.

Parasite (2019): I, a college student with very little free time -- let alone free time to go to the movies -- saw this in theaters twice. I tried to go a third time but then finals happened. Go see it. Go see it blind. I'm not really doing end-year lists anymore but this is without a doubt my favorite film from 2019.

BTS World Tour: Love Yourself (2019): Most fun I've had in a theater in some time. I feel like I curled up into the tiniest ball at some point out of pure joy that couldn't be contained.

Frozen II (2019): This was quite plot-heavy for a sequel. I loved how many songs they were. It's an acceptable sequel. A lot of weak themes and choices, however, if you think about it for more than a few minutes. Overall delightful.

Jojo Rabbit (2019): Speaking of delightful. Taika Waititi continues to be my favorite living writer-director. This is such a solid portrayal of Nazism without glorifying it. Always go the Mel Brooks route and make it a comedy; they can't turn it around and make the imagery propaganda. I have high hopes for Roman Griffin Davis and his future career.

Knives Out (2019): This was quite fun. I love a good mystery with a large ensemble cast like this. It didn't blow my mind of anything -- I saw every turn coming -- but that's just because I credit it to being such a lonely kid who read so many mystery novels.

2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014

#watch list

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sir-hicks-a-lot · 8 years

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The Definite Top Ten Albums of 2016

10. FaltyDL - Heaven is for Quitters

The latest from FaltyDL aka Andrew Lustman is decidedly less experimental than his last couple of albums, forgoing the more repetitive loops and complicated drum patterns in favor of straight ahead and melodic synthscapes. He even gives smokey vocal downtempo a stab on "Drugs" with singer Rosie Lowe bringing to mind Little Dragon. He can still create densely abstract beats as he does on "Whisper Diving", but even when he drops a short saxophone loop on "Bridge Spot", it fades away before becoming abrasive. Elsewhere he rides the oh-so late '80s Touchstone Pictures logo theme throughout "Future Shock" and it's one of the most awesomely obscure samples in recent memory.

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9. William Tyler - Modern Country

I don't know if the title Modern Country is supposed to be a cheeky rejoinder to what passes for country music today, or if it is a sincere statement of what Tyler believes these instrumental compositions to represent. To me, it's solidly in the alt country vein of bands like Wilco and Megafaun, which is no surprise as members of both bands appear here. At other times, these pastoral soundtracks even conjure images of the acoustic excursions of Led Zeppelin III or Mark Knopfler's fingerpicking style. Regardless of the proper categorization, the folky jams on Modern Country are evocative of American landscape contours and make for a listen that can either engage directly or set the background mood. And the clear highlight of "Gone Clear" shows off Tyler's ability to piece together a multi-part epic that even throws in a classical section and perhaps points the way forward for the next go around.

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8. Ray LaMontagne - Ouroboros

Ray LaMontagne teamed up with the guys from My Morning Jacket for Ouroboros and it makes for a spectacularly psychedelic twist on LaMontagne's usual singer/songwriter fare. The songs are particularly well written and Jim James’ production makes a great match for the spacey themes, creating an all around strong effort. I think there may be some overarching concept album going on as well, but honestly the songs themselves and the expansive production are enough to warrant and reward repeated listens.

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7. Bob Weir - Blue Mountain

My relationship with the Grateful Dead is complicated, for a long time I was a "hater" and to be honest a lot that stemmed from the on-stage histrionics of Bob Weir and his propensity for cowboy songs. So it's pretty ironic that in the year 2016 an album of what are essentially cowboy songs by Weir makes my list. I suppose as we get older our tastes change, but I think it's more than that in this case. Blue Mountain feels like Weir making a bid for a late career statement, in much the same way Dylan did on Time Out of Mind and several times since. And in that respect, it is a remarkable success, these songs build upon the Americana thread that weaves through the Dead's music and even adds a retro-indie rock sensibility via collaboration with younger artists like Josh Ritter and The National's Josh Kaufman. Well done Weir, consider your legacy secured.

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6. Bibio - A Mineral Love

It seems that sometimes albums released earlier in the year get forgotten during the end of the year wrap ups and perhaps that's the case with Bibio's latest that came out last April. For me it was the soundtrack to summer and the sunny compositions on A Mineral Love were the perfect complement to a mid-afternoon drive or evening cookout. Bibio strays even further from his IDM roots with a theme of old school funk and even leaning toward jazz fusion at times. Then there's the straight up 80s style R&B workout "Why So Serious?", which wouldn't be out of place on a Debarge album. The message hits home, don't worry if it's cool or not, just enjoy the good times while you can.

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5. Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love!

I don't think anybody could have predicted that actor turned nerdy rapper Donald Glover would drop the funk explosion that is Awaken, My Love! All across America you can hear confused listeners asking, "Wait, is Troy from Community the next Prince?" A complete throwback to the halcyon days of funk and soul that recalls Parliament Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone and the aforementioned Purple One, there is no rapping to be found here. Instead, it's a blast of psychedelic goodness and exuberance as Glover truly lets his freak flag fly in what is essentially a treatise on pursuing love in all its forms. Such a pleasant surprise of an album is proof you can find fun in the most unexpected of places.

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4. Tycho – Epoch

Scott Hansen aka Tycho has been one of the elite downtempo beat makers since he released the now classic Dive back in 2011. Even then, there were some acoustic flourishes of guitar and other live instrumentation, but on his latest he has made the bold move of injecting the tropes of rock, more specifically the moody dynamics of postrock, more than ever before into his previously mostly electronic music. Clearly the influence of Hansen touring with a band for the last five years heavily influences the proceedings as it feels like the work of musicians playing together live. Taking a more organic approach pays off well, adding new life, heft and even a little menace at times to balance the airy environments of Epoch.

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3. A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here. . . Thank You 4 Your Service

Another shocker, the members of Tribe Called Quest recorded this largely in secret and during the final days of Phife Dawg who passed this last March. After his untimely death, the first Tribe Called Quest in 18 years seemed like an impossibility, and yet here it is. Not only did Tribe unleash this sneak attack on the world, but even more astounding, it stands as their best work since their monumental and genre defining first three albums in the early '90s. Going out with a bang and packed with guest spots from longtime collaborators like Busta Rhymes, relatively new faces like Kenderick Lamar and even throwing a couple curveballs with Elton John on the Benny and Jets invoking "Wall of Sound" and Jack White’s blues inflected guitar showing up multiple times. And although We Got It absolutely stands as a tribute to the memory of Phife, it is also a statement of protest in the face of frayed race relations, xenophobia and a prescient antidote to the coming dark ages of Trumpdom. Tribe has long been the conscience of hip hop as well as one of its most creative purveyors of beats and rhymes. In the year 2016, we needed their return, however brief it may be, more than ever.

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2. David Bowie – Blackstar

What more can be said of David Bowie that has not already been written? He was truly a singular talent, a force in the world that we perhaps took for granted and just assumed would always be with us. His absence has left a hole in the fabric of spacetime that cannot be filled. His mode of expression and innovative spirit was so unique, that the mere thought of another arriving to take his place is preposterous. It’s fitting then, that his farewell was like none other. Dropping Blackstar on us like a bomb, it is an emphatic statement that Bowie was artistically vital right up to his last day on this earth. It’s almost as if his years of inactivity and somewhat underwhelming albums before 2013’s The Next Day were all part of a long game to make his swan song all the more dramatically brilliant. Blackstar is a dark, dense and unflinching examination of mortality and yet somehow is still hopeful. Yes, it’s an album that directly addresses the death of its creator, but it transforms that death into a new birth and beginning. Bowie was already immortal decades ago, by turning his last days into art, he stunned us once again.

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1. Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

Sometimes the universe just lines up in ways that provide the undeniable evidence of a pattern underneath everything. Even though it’s always there, we are lucky to only get a few brief glimpses of the hidden structures that connect us and affect the events of our lives. In 2016, I endured the most challenging ordeal of my life in the form of triple bypass surgery and the subsequent recovery. Getting home from the hospital should have been an occasion for celebration, as it was all I could think about during the longest nine days imaginable, most of which I spent confined to a hospital bed. Instead, I found the reality of the remainder of my existence waiting for me outside the hospital walls. A new normal of medications and limitations, many of which were temporary, but others which I would carry permanently. Mental scars in addition to the physical ones that I now bore. It was in this moment that I received a gift, a new work from a band I have loved for almost 20 years now, since the landmark OK Computer exploded the conventions of rock n' roll itself. The day after I came home from the hospital, the universe reached out to me and gave me this album, perhaps Radiohead’s most emotional, and one in which lead singer Thom Yorke sublimated his own struggles with a divorce into music with a level of artistry that few can achieve. It was a message personally to me, and yet also designed for anyone else receptive to it. To say it helped me through those difficult days is an understatement. It truly was a lifeline, sustaining me and giving me the strength to keep persevering in the face of extreme distress. The gift of A Moon Shape Pool can be summed up in the parting line of its final song, “Don’t leave, don’t leave”. To which I can only respond by saying, I am still here and thank you.

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sheilacwall · 5 years

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Album Review | Little Brother – May The Lord Watch

This album was released on August 20th this year. Honestly, this is one of the best things that’s happened in 2019. Earlier this year, Rapper Big Pooh & Phonte reunited for the first time in almost a decade for a borderline impromptu performance at the Art of Cool festival in my hometown of Durham, North Carolina. Or maybe it was late last year. I’m almost positive it was this year though. It doesn’t matter. Anyway, I was super excited when this news came out because I’m obviously a huge fan of the duo. Perhaps I’m a little biased since they’re from my hometown, but I genuinely think their music is amazing. I also feel like they’re super underrated. It annoys the s*** outta me that people act like Outkast is the only good Southern rap group. Not only do I like every Little Brother album more than almost every Outkast album, but I even like the solo work from Phonte & Pooh more than almost every Outkast album. That’s beside the point though. This album was announced less than 24 hours before it dropped, and I was shocked in the best way possible when I found out about it. I really should’ve seen it coming. There were a lot of signs hinting towards another project. I guess I just didn’t expect them to release it so soon. Real quick, I wanna give a shoutout to Holland Randolph Gallagher. He’s the producer of a web series called Hype that takes place in Durham, and he’s been working with Phonte on it. He also put together this short film documenting the Little Brother reunion.

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It came out a little over a week before the album dropped. It’s a really entertaining video, and it’s cool seeing areas I used to frequent as a little kid in it. Little Brother really put Durham on the map for Hip Hop, and not a lot of other artists have been making noise in the city, so I’m not used to seeing this much attention around it. In fact, Durham has really been a very small, kind of obscure city for most of my life. If you’re not from NC you most likely haven’t even heard of it. There’s been a s*** ton of gentrification in recent years though, and it’s becoming a really popular place for white hipsters. It looks almost completely different from how it was when I was younger, and they kinda explored that in the Hype web series. Some of the dialogue in the series is a little awkward, and you’re not gonna be getting Oscar-worthy performances, but overall it’s an entertaining watch. Anyway, I saw that some people were kinda disappointed that 9th Wonder wasn’t involved in the composition of this record, and to an extent I understand why. However, he had very little involvement on the previous two records from Little Brother, so I really didn’t mind his absence at all personally. It’s not like Little Brother’s work took a severe drop in quality when 9th Wonder left. Their later albums are just as good in my opinion. Anyway, let me stop dickin’ around and tell y’all why this is one of the best albums I’ve heard all decade.

1. The Feel produced by Khrysis

The album immediately injects nostalgia directly into my veins with a callback to the U.B.N. Network from The Minstrel Show. “U Black N***** Network: Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill.” The album really feels like a love letter to North Carolina. The production from Khrysis is absolutely amazing too. This beat alone is better than any instrumental that appeared on that first Jericho Jackson album. I seriously hope the next Jericho Jackson project has production this good. I love this piano-driven beat. Really, there’s not a single aspect of this song that I don’t love. The first verse from Phonte is spectacular, and I love the hook. I really don’t know how Phonte could’ve started this project off any better. When he said “flexin’ on an old bike; I never forgot how to ride,” I literally yelled out “YES!” the first time I heard it. The uncredited female vocals sound fantastic on the hook by the way. I’m not sure who they belong to, but I know that Bobby McFerrin’s daughter, Madison McFerrin, is featured on track 5. Maybe she did all the uncredited vocals for this project. Anyway, the second verse from Big Pooh was awesome too. I love the way he ended it. When he said “another one!” I… Well… My reaction was pretty much the same as it was when I heard that Phonte line that I just quoted. This song is amazing. Get used to reading that because I’m gonna be writing those words a lot in this review. I have zero nitpicks. This s*** is dope af.

2. A Word from the President

It wouldn’t be a Little Brother album without these comical skits that have insanely high production value. I usually feel like skits are a waste of time, but that was never the case with Little Brother’s albums. They were always entertaining, and the skits on this album are no different. This skit in particular is an announcement of the death of Percy Miracles, who was a character from Little Brother’s earlier work. The president of U.B.N., Peter Rosenberg, announced that his memorial services will be broadcasted live from the Clifton Powell Center for the Performing Arts in Ahoskie, NC. The “long-awaited reunion concert from Little Brother” is supposed to have occurred at this memorial service. Even if you don’t give a s*** about what Peter Rosenberg is saying, it’s still an entertaining skit because the music in the background sounds great. It transitions into the following track really well too.

3. Everything produced by Khrysis

This song has another incredible beat. It’s honestly one of my favorite beats on the whole project. It sounds amazing. It kinda gives me the same feeling that Fear by Drake gave me, and I personally think that’s the best beat Drake has ever rapped over. The first verse from Phonte is amazing too. The way he expresses what’s on his mind just seems so effortless. I love how Pooh comes in right behind him too. They’re kinda describing the process of mending a damaged relationship. I really don’t know who this female vocalist is, but she sounds angelic on this chorus. After the first recital of the hook, the structure of the first verse is repeated, but in opposite order, so Big Pooh goes first, and then Phonte finishes it off. The chemistry these dudes have is just perfect. This is another flawless song for me. Just from these first two songs on this album, I’m already struggling to choose a favorite track. I’ve been listening to this album for days, and I still haven’t chosen a favorite song. They’re all amazing to me, and this one is obviously no exception. It’s dope af.

4. Right on Time produced by Nottz

So, these days when I listen to an album, I’ll write little notes about each track in the “comments” box in iTunes. After a few tracks I just stopped taking notes for this album because I was pretty much saying the same thing for every song, and that’s probably how this whole review is gonna seem to be honest. The production is incredible, and Pooh & ‘Te are rapping at top condition. I really love how they brought back this U.B.N. theme for this album. The first verse from Pooh is really awesome. He was rapping about how these days he’s driving for Uber, and how it’s bittersweet when people don’t recognize who he is. It’s a great verse, and Phonte’s singing on the hook is glorious. I love the way Phonte was flowing on the second verse too. This song is amazing. I have no issues with it at all. This s*** is dope af.

5. Black Magic (Make It Better) featuring Madison McFerrin produced by Focus…

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This song has yet another phenomenal instrumental. The way it starts is really similar to the intro of DNA by Danny Brown. I kinda wanna say that this song has some of the best rapping on the album, but I feel like I want to say that about every track. Every song has top tier rapping. That ASCAP line from Phonte was fire. I f****** love this hook too. This is one of the best hooks on the album in my opinion. Well, it’s hard to say since there aren’t really any hooks that I don’t love on this project. I’m sorry if this review ends up sounding redundant. I’ve noticed that when I have literally zero gripes at all, there’s not really much for me to say. I think this s*** is perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s dope af.

6. Life After Blackface

This skit is amazing. Y’all remember that white dude Joe Scudda who was featured on Lovin’ It from The Minstrel Show? He was performing in blackface to fit in with Phonte & Pooh. This skit is all about how he regained his whiteness. The way this skit ends with Phonte singing “It’s so good to be a white man again!” is hilarious. Seriously, the skits on this album are genuinely funny. Y’all don’t understand how f****** rare it is for me to actually enjoy a skit on an album this much. I literally never listen to the skits. I play this entire album without skipping them though because they’re just as enjoyable as the music itself. I love this s***.

7. Goodmorning Sunshine produced by Focus…

This song has yet another phenomenal instrumental. Every producer on this project really came through. These beats are fantastic. The first verse from Pooh is awesome too.

I was taught men ain’t really supposed to have no feelings But Lil Wayne said I shouldn’t have no ceilings I was raised on Rap music, I’ma need some healing

The way Phonte came in right behind him was fantastic too. Everything about the way they’re rapping together is just awesome. That hard drive line that Phonte had was great.

Punch up the data, man; it’s rather tough To stand strong if you ain’t man enough I’m just out here bein’ happy, baby; why they mad at us? Work ethic and a hard drive, now back it up Wait, back it up

I also love how they keep using “BLACKNESS” as an ad-lib any time one of them says something that’s typically associated with black American culture. Phonte’s singing on the hook is f****** incredible too. I love that hook so much. The very minimal record scratches that come in after each line sound great. Phonte’s verses are so well written too. Pooh rapped his a** off on that last verse as well.

I’m addicted to her She my down a** offensive-slur Inexpensive furs Louis Vuitton, that’s picture perfect

It’s a beautifully written song. I generally don’t f*** with love songs like this unless they’re really well written. They really pulled it off. Little Brother has always been good at this kind of track though. This s*** is dope af.

8. Dyana Change My Life

This is another hilarious skit. It’s basically a commercial for a fake soap-opera. It sounds like a commercial I’d hear on the radio in a Grand Theft Auto game. That’s a good thing by the way. One of my favorite aspects of the GTA games is the hilarious radio content. The voice acting is perfect too. I love this s***.

9. What I Came For produced by Khrysis

Once again, the production here is marvelous. The first verse from Big Pooh on this song is great, and this track has one of the smoothest hooks on the whole project. It sounds like sugar in the form of music. Not in a bad way though. Phonte f****** murdered that second verse too. The way he was rhyming was insane. It’s such a great dedication to NC too. That’s definitely one of the better verses on the whole project.

Man, life is marvelous Word to Paul Wall, I’m with all the shits No matter how narrow the margin is For the art of it, not the artifice Gotta stay forthright ‘Cause 2020 ain’t s*** without foresight County boy: Wake, Durham, Guilford, and Forsyth Where you can hear some Bill Withers under porch lights

Man, I really wish I could just quote the entire verse. His flow is fantastic. The Fortnite line was great, and I loved that Eddie Griffin bar too.

The fight goes on; the nights is long & regimented So I can go on a run that’s unprecedented Them bars is comedy, king; n****, you Eddie Griffin Two pools & a sip; now here’s to better livin’

Again, I have no f****** clue how I’m gonna choose a favorite song. I wish I knew who this uncredited female vocalist was. She sounds great. Overall, this is yet another amazing song that I have no gripes with. The record scratches at the end of the song were great too. This s*** is dope af.

10. Inside the Producer’s Studio

This is another fantastic skit in which ?uestlove interviews Roy Lee, who, as you may remember from his skit on The Listening, is the fictional producer played by Phonte. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that ?uestlove made an appearance on this album, but I wasn’t expecting it at all, despite his appearance in the documentary that I mentioned in the preamble. I’m not gonna say exactly what happened in this interview, but it’s very entertaining, just like all of the other skits.

11. Sittin’ Alone produced by Nottz

The way the previous track transitions into this one is very clever. Again, this production is f****** phenomenal. It sounds cheerful, yet somber at the same time. It’s one of those beats that sounds really happy, but it’s the kind of happy that you really need when you’re feeling depressed in order to lift your mood. It kinda puts me in the same mood as Family Business by Kanye West. I definitely like this song more than that one though. This first verse from Big Pooh is super relatable too.

My new normal ain’t normal at all Scrolling through my contacts, like “who can I call?” Now I’m on Instagram, “damn, they havin’ a ball.” That was me once upon a time back in my prime; now I’m happy to fall Fast asleep; sound of rain on repeat Instead of counting sheep I’m counting all the likes from the newest post Then the toast with the magnum bottles Then the picture with the IG models Wide awake, rockin’ envy goggles

He’s basically expressing the whole “fomo” idea in a verse. Not only can I relate to the verse in that aspect, but I also have literally been falling asleep to the sound of rain the past few days. I just feel like that verse is so well written. People always praise Phonte, but I don’t know why they act like Pooh isn’t a great rapper in his own right. I guess he’s seen as the Big Boi to Phonte’s Andre. I like Pooh way more than Big Boi though, especially when it comes to their solo discographies. Anyway, the sample that Nottz flipped for the hook sounds really great. The second verse from Phonte is awesome too.

My mans hit me up and said “tonight, dog, we celebratin’ My son is goin’ to college.” I said congratulations He said “nah, you don’t get it; it’s two graduations Him from high school & me from child support payments” (BLACKNESS)

Man, in terms of the content alone, this might actually be my favorite song on the whole album. I f****** love this s***. Once again, there’s an uncredited female vocalist who sounds great. F***, man. F***. This s*** is incredible. It’s dope af.

12. Picture This produced by Black Milk

This is another amazing song. The beat from Black Milk is gorgeous, and Phonte’s singing, my n****? That s*** is f****** incredible. I swear to god, I have no f****** clue how I’m gonna choose a favorite song. I don’t use this term often because I think it’s corny as hell, but I really don’t know how to describe this song without saying “eargasmic.” This s*** is amazing. The first verse from Pooh in which he recounts his pre-Little Brother history is great. Phonte killed it too. He ended his verse with what’s already become the most quoted line on the whole album.

So fresh, so independent So free, so me while you in your feelings I needed shelter and I couldn’t find the antidote So god gave me the words to let me pen a ceiling

I’m tellin’ y’all, man. These n***** don’t play. People need to start recognizing these dudes as the legends they are. They’re the best rappers from North Carolina. I know these mainstream listeners love DaBaby & J. Cole, but there are a s*** ton of NC rappers that are better rappers than them, and Little Brother are at the top of that list. Also, the skit at the end of this song made me so f****** happy. It’s a parody of Bill O’Reilly’s infamous “DO IT LIVE” meltdown that he had when he was on Inside Edition. That dude has to be one of the biggest f****** idiots in the country. How the f*** does a grown man not know what “to play us out” means, especially given the context? Dude is a f****** idiot. Anyway, if I haven’t already made it clear enough, this song is dope af.

13. N***** Hollering

As the title of this track indicates, it’s a bunch of n***** hollering and arguing about basketball in what I assume is a barbershop because where else do n***** congregate and have these types of discussions? The best line is from the dude who said that Bill Russell singlehandedly defeated the Lakers and racism at the same time. This is yet another fantastic skit. I swear, U.B.N. is such a brilliant theme for an album. I love it.

14. All in a Day produced by King Karnov

This King Karnov guy may seem unfamiliar to some of you, but he actually has placements with a lot of very esteemed artists such as Anderson .Paak & Busta Rhymes. He had placements on the previous Little Brother album, as well as Phonte’s amazing solo album from last year. According to his website, he even worked on Dr. Dre’s Detox, which we’ll never hear. Even if Detox does come out some day, it probably won’t feature the songs that King Karnov helped produce. Anyway, his beat on this track is f****** extraordinary. It’s definitely one of my favorite beats on the album. Jesus f****** Christ man. I’m really not gonna be able to choose a favorite song. The uncredited female vocalist returns for this song, and she sounds great. The way Pooh starts the first verse is so dope. He killed that s***.

Y’all can Cirque du Soleil all day Word to Yahweh, I’m good on whatever y’all say So whenever y’all play my quotes jot their notes, examine the things I wrote Just get the story right; I brought my lunch pail to work every day You decide to walk away, that’s when they wanna sing your praises Like (BLACKNESS), “we always loved that n****” And the next week nobody remembers; it’s like that

The second verse from Phonte was fantastic too. Should I quote that Spotify bar he had, or do y’all already know it? I feel like that’s another one of the most quoted lines on the album. F*** it; I’ll write it just in case y’all aren’t aware of it.

Streamed your little album; s*** was inconsistent Meh… Spotty fire

Bruh, I’m not gonna be able to choose a favorite song. I’m just not. F***, man. This s*** is incredible.

15. Work Through Me produced by Blaaq Gold & Focus…

This track is a really stellar finale for the album. Once again, the production is wonderful. The beat actually kinda reminds me of Free Baby by Mr. Carmack. The way Pooh & ‘Te are trading verses on this one is f****** awesome. When these n***** said “WONDER TWINS: ACTIVATE” at the same time, maaaan…

I wish y’all could’ve seen my reaction the first time I heard that s***. They f****** rapped their asses off on this s***, man. I was super excited when I caught that reference from Phonte about Company Flow’s Mr. Len.

It’s showtime when my Company Flow just like Mr. Len Throw me off my game; I just smile, tell ’em “do your best” Scratch that, go fish, n****, bouillabaisse

It’s f****** perfect. I love this s*** so much. I can’t praise it enough. It’s a genuinely beautiful end to the album. I f****** love it. It’s amazing.

This album is incredible. This is easily the best album I’ve heard this year, and it’s honestly one of the best albums I’ve heard period. I don’t have any gripes with a single track on this thing. It’s literally perfect to me. The beats are incredible. The verses are amazing. The hooks are superb. These are some of the best skits I’ve ever heard on an album. I saw someone say that there were too many skits, but it really wouldn’t be a proper Little Brother album without them. They’ve always had great skits. I’ve also seen people say that this isn’t a true Little Brother album since 9th Wonder wasn’t involved, and, to put it bluntly, I think that’s bullshit. To me Little Brother is a duo. Yes, 9th Wonder produced their two classic records, but it’s not like they didn’t continue as a group without him. Saying Pooh & Phonte rapping without 9th Wonder isn’t a true reunion would be like saying an album by Slug & Ant without Spawn isn’t a true Atmosphere album. It’s bullshit. Would it have been cool to see a placement from 9th Wonder? Of course. It’s not like the production isn’t amazing without him though. He’s an amazing producer, but they frankly don’t need him if they’re getting beats like this from other people. 9th Wonder isn’t the only person who can make amazing beats for them. This record is flawless to me as it is. Literally every second of the album is entertaining. The sequencing is perfect. It’s emotional, nostalgic, and even humorous. I couldn’t have asked for a better product. I love Little Brother, and I was excited for this project, but I certainly was not expecting it to be this good. I forget which one of them said this—it might have been Pooh—but they wrote the entire album together, and you can really tell. They didn’t just email verses back and forth. This is a true collaborative effort, and the chemistry between these two is undeniable. Oh, by the way… I know I kinda brought up Outkast and threw them under the bus a couple times, and I really hope nobody gets upset about that. I obviously really like Outkast. I may not love them as much as most other Hip Hop fans do, but by no means do I think they’re wack. I just prefer a lot of other artists and it gets on my nerves that people act like they’re the only talented Southern group. This is a Little Brother review though, so maybe I shouldn’t have brought Outkast up.

Anyway, if it wasn’t clear enough, I think this is the best possible work of art Little Brother could’ve possibly released after all these years. I couldn’t imagine myself enjoying an album more than I enjoy this one. It’s like they never left. I always choose a favorite and least favorite song when I write reviews, but honestly you shouldn’t take it too seriously here because I genuinely love every single track on the project. I’ve literally been listening to this m*********** multiple times a day since it came out. This album is a masterpiece to me.

FAVORITE SONG: ALL IN A DAY LEAST FAVORITE SONG: RIGHT ON TIME

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sheilacwall · 5 years

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Album Review | Little Brother – May The Lord Watch

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1. The Feel produced by Khrysis

2. A Word from the President

3. Everything produced by Khrysis

4. Right on Time produced by Nottz

5. Black Magic (Make It Better) featuring Madison McFerrin produced by Focus…

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6. Life After Blackface

7. Goodmorning Sunshine produced by Focus…

This song has yet another phenomenal instrumental. Every producer on this project really came through. These beats are fantastic. The first verse from Pooh is awesome too.

I was taught men ain’t really supposed to have no feelings But Lil Wayne said I shouldn’t have no ceilings I was raised on Rap music, I’ma need some healing

The way Phonte came in right behind him was fantastic too. Everything about the way they’re rapping together is just awesome. That hard drive line that Phonte had was great.

I’m addicted to her She my down a** offensive-slur Inexpensive furs Louis Vuitton, that’s picture perfect

8. Dyana Change My Life

9. What I Came For produced by Khrysis

Man, I really wish I could just quote the entire verse. His flow is fantastic. The Fortnite line was great, and I loved that Eddie Griffin bar too.

The fight goes on; the nights is long & regimented So I can go on a run that’s unprecedented Them bars is comedy, king; n****, you Eddie Griffin Two pools & a sip; now here’s to better livin’

10. Inside the Producer’s Studio

11. Sittin’ Alone produced by Nottz

12. Picture This produced by Black Milk

So fresh, so independent So free, so me while you in your feelings I needed shelter and I couldn’t find the antidote So god gave me the words to let me pen a ceiling

13. N***** Hollering

14. All in a Day produced by King Karnov

Streamed your little album; s*** was inconsistent Meh… Spotty fire

Bruh, I’m not gonna be able to choose a favorite song. I’m just not. F***, man. This s*** is incredible.

15. Work Through Me produced by Blaaq Gold & Focus…

It’s showtime when my Company Flow just like Mr. Len Throw me off my game; I just smile, tell ’em “do your best” Scratch that, go fish, n****, bouillabaisse

It’s f****** perfect. I love this s*** so much. I can’t praise it enough. It’s a genuinely beautiful end to the album. I f****** love it. It’s amazing.

FAVORITE SONG: ALL IN A DAY LEAST FAVORITE SONG: RIGHT ON TIME

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