My little brother showed me this guy on youtube and his hilarious "Show Me Your Genitals" video. One thing led to another, and I'm pretty sure I've watched every single video he's uploaded multiple times. He is clever, can write music and sing, and looks like Michael Ian Black. You don't see it? Seriously, he does. Anyways, apparently he recorded an album, so here it is. Or just look him up on youtube (or scroll down), the videos make the songs so much funnier.
This one is for a friend. As with all the hip-hop I've posted thus far, this is an great album by an awesome underground group. Sorry for the hip-hop wankfest recently, I promise I'll post something different next. But, I'm also not sorry because this is a great album, so give it a listen.
Canada has recently proven to be a solid source underground hip-hop, which I most likely probably end up posting a lot of soon enough (Classified, Sweatshop Union, etc). Although this group has been around for a while, they are still relatively unknown, so hopefully I'm introducing you to something new to you. 
So I just got back from the Jam/Jazz day of the annual UCLA Jazz Reggae festival. Overall the concert was just a great time all around. The elements of great music, good food, nice weather, and the fact that admission was free for all students all combined to make the perfect storm of a lazy Sunday afternoon. The IM fields were packed with people (students, hippies, families, rasta-dudes, you name it) which had the potential to be a little too much of a clusterfuck, but for the most part everyone was just sitting on the grass and kicking it. A chill clusterfuck. Not to mention that the whole area was lined with multi-cultural food booths as well as vendors. There was this one guy selling this unreal trippy art that I'm going to go back and buy tomorrow. It was almost like a glorified version of Venice Beach in some respects.
Warning: If you like light-hearted upbeat strumming, soothing vocals, or songs about how much you love your girlfriend, then this album probably is not for you. However, if you can dig hard-hitting, while melodic progressive metal that will make you not only want to bang your head, but also appreciate the musicianship and careful composition of each track at the same time, then give the "Red Album" a listen.
King's X is one of those bands that kind of hit it big, but for one reason or another never really made it over the edge (although I remember seeing them on one of those VH1 greatest lists). Frankly, I don't give a fuck, because they rock and you should listen to them anyways. They have a really unique sound that is hard to describe, but to just to give you a picture, they blend elements of hard rock, progressive rock, funk, grunge and even arguably soul. How? I don't know, just listen to this best of, and maybe you can get a better picture.
I wasn't sure what album to post for this underground hip-hop group based out of DC, because I really like both. This one, though, has the song "And Another One" which is easily my favorite by the artist. What is most interesting in my opinion about RPM, however, is that the emcee Raw Poetic is actually backed by a live 5-piece band *gasp! real instruments?!*. There is a producer too, but every beat is almost exclusively made with guitars, keyboards, bass, and drums, which makes a really unique and cool sound. Unfortunately, with a lot of hip-hop these days, the actual music is lost in favor of catchy hooks and generic beats, however as with any trend, there are always those out there willing to break free. Personally, I have a lot of respect for that.
Sage Francis is another one of those lesser-known thoughtful/intelligent hip-hop artists that I seem to be so drawn to. Like Saul Williams, Sage Francis is also active in the poetry world, through both writing and participating in various slams. I wouldn't really say the two are similar in style though. Actually, for one reason or another, this album reminds me a lot of Slug from Atmosphere's style (maybe that's because they've collaborated before). Regardless, I really like it, and hopefully you will too.
Michael Franti, the Bay Area musician, is easily one of my favorite contemporary musicians. He combines gifted songwriting with high energy and a clear unfaltering purpose. Franti uses his music as a political medium, not to just talk about himself or bitch about his girlfriend. Every year he puts on a free concert in Golden Gate Park called "Power to the Peaceful," which is not only a lot of fun, but also a great cause. I could write about him as a person for a while, but that isn't the intent of this website so I won't--look him up online though, he is a really interesting individual. But if anything, do know know that he is one of those people who has dedicated his life to what he loves, music, and has been able to use that genuine passion to try to make this fucked up world a little bit better. There is something to be said about that, and I think it is something everyone can (and should) respect.
This one is upon request. G. Love is one of those artists whose name gets thrown around with Jack Johnson because they consistently tour/work together and are without question friends. In fact, on this album there is an early version of Jack Johnson's "Rodeo Clowns" However, just as Jack Johnson is from Hawaii and G. Love is from Phillidelphia, their music is actually quite different. G. Love's music has a laidback and bluesy sound with combined with a clear hip-hop influence that makes his style unmistakable.
Meet Bret and Jemaine, New Zealand's fourth most popular folk-parody duo "Flight of the Conchords." You might recognize Bret (or probably not) as one of the elfs from Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings movies. Seriously look. You also might recognize Jemaine (or also probably not) as the Outback Steakhouse commercial guy, even though he's actually a kiwi. Well, they are both not only absolutely hilarious, but also great musicians with awesome songs.
Budgie is easily one of the most underrated bands of all time. They are actually considered to be a HUGE influence on most of the big heavy metal and progressive rock bands that you could probably name. For one, I know that Metallica has released some covers of a few of their songs, including the classic "Breadfan" which can be found on this album. "Never Turn Your Back On A Friend" is probably one of their most well known releases, and when you listen to it, try to appreciate that it was released in 1973, which was very early for this sound.
Saul Williams presents, to those who opt to listen, a fluid fusion of spoken word poetry and alternative hip-hop. If you aren't into lyrically powerful and thoughtful music, then this definitely isn't for you. Saul Williams goes against the grain of rapping about fancy cars, money, and pussy, and instead uses his music as a medium for art with a message. His style is unique and profound, and every line he effortlessly spits constructs some sort of message that makes you think. Also, just as a fun fact, Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails) actually produces a lot of his beats, but not sure about on this album.
Continuing the trend I seem to have been setting lately, Throwback is another one of the Dispatch-esque jam bands that you can't help but feel good when you listen. If you can't already tell, I like a lot of this kind of music. Not sure why, I think I'm just always impressed when bands are able to forge their sound without relying on studio effects or heavily distorted guitars. There is a sort of raw honest power that you can definitely hear when you listen to it.
Generally, I hate the grunge movement. They brought the death of heavy metal, and frankly, I find Kurt Cobain to be an extremely overrated musician. Sure, he could write catchy songs, but he was a sloppy guitarist, and I guarantee you that if he was still alive he wouldn't be considered nearly as lengendary. Sorry if this opinion pisses you off, but this is a fucking blog and I can say what I want. On the other hand, Dave Grohl on the other hand is pretty cool, but that is irrelevant.
Dispatch is one of those definitive politically-conscious jam bands that I believe almost everyone should be able to appreciate. Their live stuff is awesome, and you should check it out, but for this post, I wanted to put up one of their less known albums "Who Are We Living For?" Not to say that this album isn't popular, but it is definitely less mainstream, because for change they plug in their instruments on many of the tracks which digresses from their typical feel-good acoustic vibe, and it just has a bit of a different sound.
This is easily one of my favorite albums of all time. Red Sparowes is a progressive post-rock experience forged as a side project by members of Isis, Halifax Pier, Angel Hair and Pleasure Forever. Their sound can be classified as post-rock (like Explosions In The Sky), because their songs are extremely long and instrumental, starting on the mellow side building and progressing towards a crashing and powerful climax. You have to be patient with this kind of music, it is hard to get used to at first, but once you can appreciate it, it all becomes worth it.
New Ben Harper album, "White Lies for Dark Times" in case you're interested. Not a whole lot I can really say about him here that you probably don't already know, except on this album it is Ben Harper and "Relentless 7" not the "Innocent Criminals" or the "Blind Boys of Alabama." Enjoy.
Got another awesome, but more mellow and acoustic-oriented jam-band here that you may or may not know about. Think Dispatch crossed with maybe Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews...you get it. If you like any of these bands, check out this album, and if you like it definitely download their newest album "Changes in the Weather." Oh, and Tool fans, listen to track 11 "Feet On The Ground" and tell me you can't hear the influence.
