Tuesday Stroll

The Elite Five

2. The Go! Team: Proof of Youth

I’m surprised there wasn’t more talk about this album. No one seems to really be singing their praises for this one as was done for Thunder Lightning Strike. Hopefully all the music critics have just been sleeping in late and it’s not because this album isn’t good, because I really want this album to be sweet.

3. Kanye West: Graduation

I had a little chuckle to myself when I found out that the guy who declared that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people,” is releasing an album on September 11th. I’m sure there’s absolutely NO connection what so ever and that this was just the week where there wouldn’t be much competition within its genre, but I still had that little chuckle. Also, I’m a little worried with this title of ‘Graduation’, if this is the end of his college-themed album titles, then what will his next one be? ‘Trying to score a decent job with no workplace experience’ or ‘University transfer credit drama’ are two pretty good ideas I think.

4. Good Life: Help Wanted Nights

With last year’s strong reception towards Cursive’s Happy Hollow, and the near-phenominal work on Album of the Year, Tim Kasher is in a pretty good place. AotY and the previous Lovers Need Lawyers EP showed a strong progression in Kasher’s understanding of how The Good Life, as a band, should operate compared to Cursive, so I would expect this to be a less overtly angry and more reflective album. Expect much more Bukowski-esque tales of ruining relationships and breaking hearts after run ins with whiskey and broads.

5. Pinback: Autumn of the Seraphs

: I have never really gotten into Pinback, but based by the fervent zeal shown by some of my friends for this band, I would assume that they are pretty good. It’s been picking up a lot of good reviews (but you should know that the final word is never said until we review it!) so if you like Pinback, then give it a go. And hey, while you’re at the record store picking this album up, you should pick up a copy of that Animal Collective album too, obviously.

Remember Me?

6. Botch: We Are the Romans

Yeah, I know that this is a re-release, but if you’re into Dillinger Escape Plan, These Arms Are Snakes, The Locust, or even Minus the Bear, then this is essential. This is essentially Genesis and maybe some of Revelations and Corinthians for those bands.

Not My Bag - Maybe Yours?

7. 50 Cent: Curtis and 50 Cent

I mention these titles for only two reasons: First, it causes me a great deal of frustration that 50 cent is so hostile towards people pronouncing his name as “fifty” instead of “fiddy”. I think it’s about time for the English language to fight back finally against mainstream hip-hop’s constant rapes. The number 50 is pronounced as “fifty” and if you want to be referred to as something else, don’t use that symbol. If I wanted my rap name to be ‘Can Opener’ and I used the symbol @#$ to signify that, I would have no right to be mad when people call me “And Pound Dollar Sign” instead of “Can Opener”. I hate you 50 Cent and I’m glad that the chump-iest picture of you was chosen for the cover art on this album (Curtis). Oh yeah, that was point #2, you look like a chump on that album cover.