Kid Cudi Gives Sneak Peak at New Album

     Rapper Kid Cudi will drop his sophomore album  Man Of The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager on September 28.  Let's just hope it isn't as criminally under appreciated as his debut.  Cudi performed one of the new album's songs, "REVOFEV" (apparently stands for Revolution of Evolution) at New York's BAPE, a chain he worked at before becoming a world famous rapper.

Kid Cudi, Vampire Weekend, & Best Coast Contribute to 2010's Converse Hipster Jam

     Two summers ago, Converse commissioned a free promotional download hoping to shift some shoes.  The company is at it again this year with the song "All Summer" featuring Kid Cudi, Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend and Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast.  Basically, it's the ultimate hipster summer jam.

     “When you throw three creative people together it can be tough and nerve-racking to get the artistic gears going,” said Kid Cudi. “But we ended up vibing really well and I was totally pleased with the end result.”

     Listen to the 2008 track, "MY Drive Thru" with Santogold, Julian Casablancas of the Strokes, and Pharrell of N.E.R.D. here, and check out the big headed music video for "All Summer" below.

Since U Been Gone: Music for a Return Missionary

     This Tuesday, my brother Boston gets back from serving a two year mission in Houston, Texas.  During that time, he didn't watch movies, kiss girls, check Facebook, or listen to music.  Instead, he talked to people about Jesus and restored Christianity, selflessly served others, and changed people's lives.  Now that he's back, I feel that it's my duty to help him adjust to post-mission life, and to do that, I made a mix of some of the music he missed in those two years.  Most of the songs are good, some of them are not as good, but I'd like to think that they paint a pretty accurate snapshot of what music was like in the past two years.  Some songs are from Schwarz brother's staples like Kanye, Coldplay, and the Killers and then others are inescapable time stamps of pop culture ("I Gotta Feeling", "Single Ladies", "TiK Tok").  Check out the list after the jump.  Any songs from June 2008-June 2010 that deserved to make the cut but didn't?

17 Tracks Presents the Top 25 Songs of 2009

The 2000s were a decade ripe with fragmentation and it saw old ways of doing things crumble and fail, yet 2009 was full of instances of cultural unity. The Black Eyed Peas dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for six whole months. Michael Jackson's death resulted in wall-to-wall coverage and commemoration that will continue well into next year. The world collectively glared at Kanye, comforted Taylor, and applauded Beyonce following the MTV Video Music Awards. Gagamania swept the globe becoming the biggest pop phenomenon since the teen pop reached its peak at the turn of the century. It was quite the year.


Below are the top 25 songs of 2009. Each song has an embedded video below so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of each song. Most of the videos are provided by Vevo, something that wasn't even available a few short weeks ago when 17 Tracks counted down the top 100 songs of the decade. Basically, its a way for record companies to monetize the vast Internet frontier that is YouTube. The bad thing is you might get commercials prior to watching the video, but just keep watching because it will show up. The good thing is now bloggers everywhere can embed high quality music videos put out by the record labels without them being blocked or getting yanked hours later. I support Vevo.


And with that, I humbly present to you for your consideration, the 17 Tracks Top 25 Songs of 2009. Enjoy.

1. Lady Gaga - "Poker Face"

When Lady Gaga made her debut last year, she seemed destined for indie electro-pop greatness. She would be hailed as the savior of pop on such sites as Popjustice, mentioned on Pitchfork every once in a while, and would develop a cult following among music fans who are obsessed with obscure Scandinavian pop stars. Boy, was I wrong.

Although Lady Gaga ended 2008 as an underground artist, 2009 saw her rocket to a world famous superstar. "Just Dance" became a No. 1 hit in January, but any notion that the singer would be a flash in the pan ended when "Poker Face" followed its predecessor into the penthouse in April.

While "Just Dance" was an amazing pop single (and 17 Track's No. 7 song of 2008), "Poker Face" has quickly become Gaga's signature song. Its grinding synth as suggestive lyrics that use poker as a metaphor for bisexuality cemented her status as one of the 2000s definitive pop stars despite emerging in its final eighteen months.

2. Kasabian - "Underdog"

"Underdog" manages to combine post-punk sensibilities with electro-crunch and a slightly western folk swagger in "Underdog". The results are an anthemic and defiant opener to their horribly titled West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.

3. Girls Aloud - "The Loving Kind"

"The Loving Kind" is Girls Aloud's twentieth and final (so far) top ten single, and one of the best songs they've recorded. A desperate plea for a final shot at love, the track has enough bounce to make it danceable, but enough sophistication to keep it classy.

4. Phoenix - "1901"

I can't hear Phoenix's "1901" without thinking of the Cadillac commercial it soundtracks. "All designed to reignite the soul," the announcer says about 2009 SRX, but it can also be said about the song that features synth reminiscent on 1970s "high-tech" sound effects.

5. Cheryl Cole feat. Will.I.Am - "3 Words"

Former Girls Aloud singer takes a break from her award winning group to make music with Will.I.Am. Earlier this year, that didn't exactly sound like a recipe for success, but both Cheryl Cole and "the new Bob Dylan" proved us wrong with this haunting hypnotic masterpiece.

Cheryl Cole '3 Words' from Tom Lindsay on Vimeo.

6. MPHO - "Box N Locks"

"Box N Locks" was this year's "L.E.S. Artiste", a new wave tune by a female black singer that challenged the idea that she has to make a certain type of music singing, "Supposed to be this ghetto chick making all this urban music...bet you never knew that I could do this too."

7. Kanye West feat. Kid Cudi - "Welcome To Heartbreak"

Kanye West made Taylor Swift cry so he's keeping a low profile for a while. Chris Brown physically assaulted Rihanna and he's got a new album out. Doesn't make much sense, but it also doesn't take away from the greatness of "Welcome To Heartbreak", the thesis for 808s & Heartbreak.

8. Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys - "Empire State of Mind"

Jay-Z has never had a No. 1 single without the help of a leading lady, and even though Hova has lead credits on "Empire State of Mind", it wouldn't have become the smash hit that it is without Alicia Key's and her larger than life hook.

9. Bat For Lashes - "Daniel"

"Daniel" is the most instant track British-Pakistani singer Bat for Lashes has ever recorded. The mystic track channels Stevie Nicks with poetic lyrics about love, loss, and the fictional character Daniel who may or may not be the karate kid.

Daniel from Bat for Lashes on Vimeo.

10. Beyonce - "Diva"

A diva is a female version of a hustler, and "Diva" is a female version of "A Milli", Lil Wayne's freestyle critic charming rap. Beyonce's foray into rapping comes as no surprise considering who her husband is. The track oozes swagger and attitude.

11. Kid Cudi - "Day 'N' Nite"

Kanye West protege Kid Cudi proved he deserved Ye's praise with his debut single. Both the laid back album version and the dancefloor pleasing Crookers remix are steller, telling the tale of "the lonely stoner" and his quest for happiness.

12. Lady Gaga - "Paparazzi"

Lady Gaga capitalized on her two No. 1 hits with "Paparazzi". The insistent beat and obsessive lyrics were set to a stunning music video that clocked in just under eight minutes and provided commentary on the fatal cost of fame. And then you have the blood drenched VMA performance. Lady Gaga was only beginning.

13. La Roux - "Bulletproof"
La Roux lead singer Eleanor Jackson has weird hair and an...interesting...voice. I originally compared it to an electric drill to the head. A few months later, her voice has grown on me, and its definitely not bad enough that you can't enjoy their marvelous "Bulletproof" for three minutes and thirty seconds.

14. Lily Allen - "The Fear"

As a self made Myspace celebrity, British singer Lily Allen has a few things to say about fame. "I want to be rich and I want lots of money, I don't care about clever, I don't care about funny," she sings. Drowning in irony and poking fun at the notion of 15 minutes of fame, the track won over critics' hearts and consumers' wallets in the UK.

Lily Allen - The Fear from Alex Gilbert on Vimeo.

15. Girls Aloud - "Untouchable"
Its a shame that Girls Aloud's 6:44 epic had to be edited for radio. Still, this icy neo-disco track finds the Girls waxing poetic over blissfully pulsing synth. "Without any meaning, we're just skin and bones, like beautiful robots dancing alone." Amen.

Untouchable - Girls Aloud from Mark Adcock on Vimeo.
16. Beyonce - "Halo"

Ryan Tedder has got a lot of flack this year, but can you write songs as good as "Halo", "Apologize", "Bleeding Love", or "Already Gone"? This single was the most beautiful song to pass from Beyonce's lips, especially juxtaposed with her fire breathing Sasha Fierce stuff she did.

17. Shakira feat. Lil Wayne - "Give It Up To Me"

It's a mystery how Shakira's She Wolf never took off with singles like "She Wolf", "Did It Again", and "Give It Up To Me". "Up" features the ubiquitous Lil Wayne and was produced by Timbaland. It should have been a homerun. What does the average American know about good music though anyways?

18. Annie - "Anthonio"

"This may come as a surprise, my baby has your eyes," says Annie to her one time lover over a sophisticated thumping beat. Despite being dropped by her record label, Annie has maintained near universal popularity and acclaim from major music sites and minor blogs alike, and with songs like "Anthonio", it's not hard to hear why.

19. Kasabian - "Fire"

"Fire" is an extremely overused word in the post-punk genre. How else do you show how edgy you are? I'm on fire, you're on fire, sex is on fire. Still, I'll give it to Kasabian for putting the word to good use in their propulsive yet twangy track.

20. Basement Jaxx - "Raindrops"

"Raindrops" made 17 Tracks Summer mix and was then called an Amazonian rainstorm from the future. There's no better way to describe this song which packs primitive beats, colossal synth, and electric guitar into one euphoric track.

21. Lady Gaga - "Bad Romance"

Lady Gaga turned her stage name into a primal chant that has become a catch phrase that you can become a fan of on Facebook, as well as made a music video with a dance that's the closest thing to becoming a cultural phenomenon since "Single Ladies". The dark and danceable beat of "Bad Romance" continued her streak of critic charming hit songs.

22. Rihanna feat. Young Jeezy - "Hard"
Rihanna proves she stronger than before in "Hard". The musical middle finger incorpirates lyrical elements from her recent hit with Jay-Z, "Run This Town", and is the darkest and...well hardest song she's ever recorded.

23. Beyonce - "Sweet Dreams"

Beyonce's first electro-song shares a title with one of the most famous electro-songs ever. That's always a gamble, but B pulls it off, singing about a love that's either, "a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare," that she doesn't want to wake up from.


24. Taylor Swift - "You Belong With Me"
Love rarley seems to work out the way you wish it would. You like someone who likes someone else who likes someone else, and no one's happy. That's why "You Belong With Me" works. That, and its perfect blend of Nashville and Kelly Clarkson which made it a radio smash.


25. Britney Spears - "Circus"
Although it became evident this year that Britney isn't into being a pop star like she used to, when the heavy breathing and guitars kick on in the pre-chorus of "Circus", it's impossible to not be excited. And has she ever had lyrics as thought provoking as, "There's only two types of people in the world: The ones that entertain and the ones that observe"?

Take a look back at: 17 Tracks presents the Top 25 Songs of 2008

The Decade: A Retrospective The Best Songs 100-86

"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"

Beyonce
I Am...Sasha Fierce (2008)

Kanye West wasn't kidding, Beyonce really did make on of the best music videos of all time for "Single Ladies". All it took was a black and white dance video that could easily translate to a dance craze involving only a wrist twist. How could you ignore a fire breathing Sasha Fierce in a song like this? Jay-Z didn't. He liked enough that he did put a ring on it.

"Gotta Have You"
The Weepies
Say I Am You (2006)

The Weepies' simple "Gotta Have You" is a heartfelt plea for love and a convincing argument that America needs to spend more time listening to folk-pop. It's melodic, blissful, and honest. "No amount of coffee, no amount of wine, no amount of whiskey or wine...nothing else will do, I've gotta have you," sings Deb Talan.

"Fit But You Know It"

The Streets

A Grand Don't Come For Free (2004)

Most British singers are indistinguishable from American ones, but with British rapper the Streets, nothing could be further from the truth. Inspired by former S Club 7 beauty Rachel Stevens, Mike Skinner describes a “fit” (British slang for “hot”) woman as he talks in a strong cockney accent over a snappy but simple rock beat providing hilarious lines about tan lines and queues.

"I'd Rather Dance With You"

Kings of Convenience
Riot on an Empty Street (2004)

This quirky number from indie duo Kings of Convenience (who hail from Bergen, Norway, also home to electro-pop singer Annie) recounts the all too familiar experience of dancing with a girl who wants to talk. Will they ever learn to just let their hips do the talking? The delicate strings and piano are a perfect match for the groups’ calming vocals.

"Love Story"
Taylor Swift

Fearless (2008)

Taylor Swift didn’t break any new ground with “Love Story”. It’s the tried and true model of boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, girl’s dad doesn’t approve, and boy convinces girl’s dad to let him marry her. Swift’s simple lyrics and heartfelt vocals provided the soundtrack millions of teenage girls’ first relationships as she sang, “Romeo save me, they’re trying to tell me how to feel. This love is difficult but it’s real."

"Pork and Beans"

Weezer
Weezer (2008)

Weezer’s commentary on life in the late 00s made us nostalgic for this decade before we even got over 80s nostalgia. Written in response to their record label asking for a hit single, Weezer delivered although they had their tongue planted firmly in their cheeks as they mocked Timbaland, bathroom mirror pics, and the whole idea of writing records for the radio. And the video? Instant classic.

"One Word"

Kelly Osbourne
Sleeping in the Nothing (2005)

Kelly Osbourne seems like the last person who would have a number one dance record in the country, but thanks to writing and production from heralded songwriter Linda Perry, she did. “One Word” is a slice of futuristic new-wave pop, complete with French dialogue to set the mood and Osbourne gently cooing about the one mysterious word that can change the future.
"Faint"
Linkin Park
Meteora (2003)

Don’t turn your back on Linkin Park because they won’t be ignored. As the kings of nu-metal, LP rammed rap together with metal to create inventive music you could feel like a B.A.M.F. listening too. “Faint” is a stirring declaration of war made up of screeching samples, hard hitting hip-hop beats, and heavy guitar. Sticking it to the man never sounded this good.

"Gimme More"
Britney Spears

Blackout (2007)

“Gimme More” perfectly captures Britney Spears' darkest days. From the immortal opening, “It’s Britney bitch” to the last blip of the minimalist synth, the song portrays an insatiable appetite for hedonistic self destruction. Her panting “gimme”’s are looped and followed by a host of robotic voices demanding “more” mirroring the bizarre relationship Spears had with the blog fueled tabloid industry.

"Me and Mia"
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Shake the Streets (2004)

When coming up with ideas for songs, I doubt eating disorders is ever at the top of the list. In fact, Leo and the Pharmacists might be the only band to ever do it. Referencing Mia (bulima) and Ann and Anna (anorexia), Leo both empowers and rocks as he sings about fighting for self control despite “bourgeois social angels telling you you’ve got to change”.

"Sound of the Undergroud"
Girls Aloud
Sound of the Underground (2003)

Reality television has largely failed to produce any great songs but “Sound of the Underground” is an exception. The pulsating track employs surf guitar and a neo drum and bass beat to annihilate any preconceived notions of what kind of music reality pop stars are allowed to make. In fact, the Aloud’s debut single makes pop out to be the most exciting, underground, electric, and overpowering medium known to mankind.

"Supermassive Black Hole"

Muse
Black Holes and Revelations (2006)

Supermassive black holes are black holes with the highest classification of mass and Muse’s song of the same name is probably one of their heaviest songs. A dance rock song that borrows from Kanye West and Prince just as much as it does from Radiohead, it was so good that it ended up on the soundtrack to a very popular vampire movie. That marked the first and last time millions of pink iPod nanos had a Muse song on them.

"Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex."

Rachel Stevens
Funky Dory (2003)

Originally an imagined response to Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River”, “Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex.” was given to former S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens after Britney Spears wrote her own retort (“Everytime”). In the end, everyone won. Stevens’ sexy performance is a perfect complement to the juxtaposed acoustic guitars and brazen synth buzz. Sweet dreams indeed.

"Seven Nation Army"
The White Stripes
Elephant (2003)

There is no mistaking the baseline and thumping drums of "Seven Nation Army". Its role as the flagship garage rock revival song of the decade means it still gets plenty of spins and plenty of artists clammering to cover it. The song never gets too wild and out of control, but it still packs enough punch that the queen of England, the hounds of hell, or even a seven nation army can hold it down.

"Apologize"

Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
Shock Value (2007)

All Timbaland did was add some percussion and his trademark "eh" but somehow he got the lead in the featuring credit. Not fair, but it's too late to apologize. Singer and songwriter Ryan Tedder has gotten his fair share of bad press for recycling songs but "Apologize" was the cream of the crop, lamenting late requests for forgiveness and the pain of having to move on even though you don't want to.

Album Review: Kid Cudi "Man on the Moon: The End of Day"

Kid Cudi first came to my attention with the highly infectious Crooker's remix of his debut single, "Day N Nite". A few months later, the rapper made waves on the blogosphere when he sampled a stripped down version of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" on the track "Make Her Say" featuring Kanye West and Common.

It wasn't until his third single dropped, the indie crossover track "Pursuit of Happiness" featuring MGMT, that I decided to look more closely at this Kanye West protege. Cudi's Man on the Moon: The End of Day is a hip-hop masterpiece, a College Dropout for 2009.

Divided into five acts, Cudi follows the trials and travails of the mysterious man on the moon. Whoever the man on the moon is (during opening track "In My Dreams", it sure sounds a hell of a lot like Barack Obama, but that's the only place on the album it does), he leads a depressing life. The aforementioned "Day N Night" is about a sleepless stoner and "Pursuit of Happiness" is a dead end with Cudi regretting drinking and smoking so much.

Sonically, the album is a mixture of hip-hop, indie rock, and electronica that are melded together to create an ambient and original sound. Courting so many different listeners can be a dangerous challenge but Cudi pulls it off.

"Alive" showcases Cudi's most laid back slurred raps, probably the funnest moment on the entire album. "I watch the sun collapse and tuck up in a clizzoud, I am the lone wolf I go where I wanna," he garbles at 2:51. Closing track "Up Up & Away" is another highlight, an optimistic close and happy ending for the man on the moon. The guitar heavy pop song is a carefree roll-your-windows-down life affirming anthem as Cudi raps, "'Cause in the end they'll judge me anyway so whatever."

We have judged Cudi, and you just made one of the best albums of the year

Rating: 9/10

Must Download: Click to preview
"Day N Nite"
"Pursuit of Happiness" feat. MGMT
"Up Up & Away"

Kid Cudi is the Bomb

Kid Cudi (pronounced Cuddy despite there only being one consonant between the 'u' and the 'i') first came to our attention on Kanye's 808s & Heartbreak. Cudi was featured on "Welcome To The Heartbreak" as well being a co-writer on "Heartless" and "Paranoid". His debut single "Day 'N' Night" was a smash, crashing into the Hot 100 at No. 3. His third single from his forthcoming album Man on The Moon: The End of Day is entitled "Pursuit of Happiness" and it features back-up vocals from indie darlings MGMT.

I'm expecting amazing things from Kid Cudi. He's proven a tremendous songwriter and is emerging as the leader of a new pack of rappers (Drake, Wale) at this decade's end. The debut album is set to drop September 15, just a week after Jay-Z's The Blueprint III is released. Comparing "Day 'N' Night" and "Pursuit of Happiness" with the gimmicky "D.O.A." and "Run This Town", Cudi looks like he'll top Hova himself.