The Flobots: Best Hip Hop I’ve Heard in a While
May 27, 2008 by Ryan
It’s sad but hip hop sucks right now.
I haven’t listened to a hip hop station in years! No one flows anymore, it’s basically one catchy phrase repeated to death. Last time I listened to hip hop radio I heard one song that was actually good, but it ended up being Nas’ Hip Hop is Dead.
It’s sad but the best hip hop I’ve heard in years is from a predominantly white group from Denver, Colorado! If you haven’t heard their single Handlebars, here’s a live performance on Last Call with Carson Daly. My wife watched this with me and she said, “They’re kinda intense!” To their credit, unlike most rap, they sound as good or better live than their radio single. Finally, a song I am motivated to learn all the lyrics like Warren G’s Regulators, Outkast’s Bombs Over Baghdad, or the Beastie Boys’ Paul Revere.
Their newest album reminds me of a jazz version of Rage Against the Machine. Yeah, jazz. They have a trumpet player and a female violinist (awesome)! And like Rage, they are political, so they might run contrary to your political views. If you want to hear some good music (and you’re secure in your political stance), check out the Flobots.
The Best Thing About Kobe
May 24, 2008 by Ryan
He’s the best player in the world. He is the current MVP. He can “manage the game [and] can get off at any time…” Doesn’t matter who guards him (even the defensive specialist dirtiest player in the league, Bruce Bowen). Doesn’t matter how many people guard him. In my opinion, he’s just as good as Jordan and maybe even better! (Debate for another post)
But that’s not the best thing about Kobe.
To explain, let me refer to a baseball movie, Fever Pitch. In the movie, the Sox just lost the game that put them down 0-3 in the playoffs and Jimmy Fallon and his buddies are at a bar. They are mourning their teams situation, thoroughly depressed. They look over and see several of the Sox players “eating”. How can they be eating like it’s just another game?! Jimmy Fallon has a revelation that these players have “perspective”. It’s just a game…blah blah blah.
My point. As a fan, I don’t want perspective! I want my teams to win! Every game! Every championship! Every year! Which brings me to the best thing about Kobe. He wants to win as much as I do! He wants to win every game. And no other player can also deliver like he does! But when he loses, you know he’s just as disappointed as you are as a fan with “no perspective”. And that’s just it. You can put your loyalty, love, fanaticism on Kobe and never be let down. You may lose every now and then, but you know that Kobe gave everything and is just as pissed as you are.
On the court he’s the real life superhero you fantasize being. I wish I could fly. He can. I wish I could hit every impossible shot with a sick move and a hand right in my face. He does every game! You want to vicariously be the best in the world? Become a fan of Kobe Bryant!
