Turn it up: The Dismemberment Plan, “Emergency and I” (re-release) Barsuk.
While the Backstreet Boys and *N Sync were fighting for a spot in your Discman, The Dismemberment Plan was busy creating an album that would define a generation of 20-somethings who didn’t quite fit in.
With lyrics exploring the mundane of life in “Spider in the Snow,” or feeling meek about social situations in “You Are Invited,” the D-Plan’s “Emergency and I” spawned a fan base bigger than anyone could’ve imagined in 1999. Re-released on vinyl this month on Barsuk records, “Emergency and I” is still just as catchy, smart and relevant as it was a decade ago. And yes, it sounds better on vinyl.
Turn it down: Kanye West and Jay-Z, “H.A.M.” (single) Rock-a-fella.
Who would have thought the guy responsible for November’s brilliant “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” would follow up with a dud like “H.A.M.”? The first single from Kanye and Jay-Z’s upcoming collaboration album, “Watch the Throne,” is full of problems.
Yawn-inspiring loops and production make H.A.M. (“hard as a motherf****er,” in case you were wondering) a rough five minutes to get through. The lyrics are laughable – when was the last time you heard “homage” rhymed with “garments?” For two guys battling over who is the greatest, you would think they would put more effort into the first single from WTT. Yeah, on paper a Jay-Z and Kanye album sounds awesome, but for now, Jay-Z and West just sound like they’re hoping their names will do the work for them.
