Metal Leaves Studio

that ECHOecho was going to be strutting their stuff tonight at the Bowery Ballroom- Yeah Sean! more lata...

Imagine that it is after midnight, shadows everywhere, and you are being transported through town on an escalator instead of walking on the sidewalk. Oblisk's music would be the ultimate soundtrack for your journey.

Oblisk officially entered the Detroit music scene in 2004.  The players have changed since its inception, but the vision has remained the same since the beginning: to create a band with a certain musical style.

There is nothing straightforward about Oblisk's music.  The elements can be categorized as experimental/psychedelic/ shoegazing/wall of sound. A dramatic soundscape- focusing heavily on a dense sound that reverberates, where tension is built and then is shattered.

The music transports you wherever you want to go: Imagine flying through a storm on an airplane, riding a train through a desert windstorm, or driving through a blizzard. Listen to the patterns created. Sometimes you can hear something forcing itself through the droning.  Add subdued, sometimes haunting vocals- that is how Oblisk sounds.

Check them out live to create your own sound experience. Oblisk will be on stage tonight at the Lager House in Detroit. Purchase a copy of their latest album Weather Patterns at Candy Colored Dragon. 

Mayer Hawthorne was back in the D., singing to a substantial legion of fans.

Obie Trice's album 'Special Reserve' drops today.  It is like you died and woke up in... Heaven.  Well, Detroit,  in the early 2000s-which could be viewed as Heaven or Hell, depending upon who you are talking to.

When I heard this album I felt like I had been thrown back to the days of driving around Fenkell and Woodmont- shouted at by lookouts, chased by prostitutes, dealers surrounding my car, cops  threatening me with the dogs. 

Why are all the fond memories surfacing? Because  Cheers was the soundtrack that accompanied me throughout these photographic journeys. And Special Reserve is a prequel to Cheers.

Although Special Reserve was released today, it is actually from a decade ago. It was a collab between Obie & MoSS that was created between 1997 and 2000.  Regardless as to when this was recorded, cop this album. [if you can find it] Music is manufactured for the masses, labels think they know what's up,  and musicians pussyfoot around what they are actually thinking. [in regard to lyrics]  

This album does not do that.  It combines vivid storytelling mixed with the stark realism of the streets.  The production is stellar, and adds a symphonic element in contrast with the raw nature of Obie's  grimy truth. 

MoSS used beats that some producers would shy away from. I heard a Beastie Boys sample break through On and On, and a cameo appearance on Roughnecks by  Deuce Wonder lends a haunting Peter Garbiel-esque sound to the song. 

And since this was created well before the newlyweds Mr.Rap and Ms. Rock got into bed with eachother on the Top 40, I have to give props to both MoSS and Obie for having the foresight to combine the two before it was deemed 'acceptable.' 

Dear John- 
I was under the impression that you had left the Chili Peppers years ago.  I guess it's just 'official' now.  Not really much to say about this one.  The band announced that it had found a replacement for John Frusciante.  

This news comes months after Chad Smith mentioned that they were in the midst of recording a new album. So John will be MIA on the latest release, but maybe you can catch him on his next musical endeavor.

Snoop's Malice N WonderLand drops today. Do you really want to know about some gangsta shhhhhh? Then wait until Track Nine. Nice cameo, Terrace!  

Phish didn't pull a 'Springsteen' on the first night of their 2009 Fall Tour. [they didn't really say anything] They also didn't have Bob Seger waiting in the wings, ready to join them onstage for a nostalgic rendition of 'Main Street.' So what did Phish serve up to its hungry Detroit audience? One of their greatest musical performances of the 2thousands.

The lot scene prevailed as it always does, burgeoning wherever it can. It was filled with the obligatory balloons which popped sporadically, causing some to lay low unnecesarily. Patchouli invaded the concrete structures, accompanied by the usual burrito slingers, ticket seekers, and despondent pushers.  

This was a no fanfare kind of show. No flying through the arena on a giant hot dog, although a Coney would have been appropriate, no? Trampolines were m.i.a., as were acrobats repelling down from the rafters, vacuums with the necessary hose attachment, and Vegas showgirls.  The closest thing to  a circus was when Trey summoned J.Lo as he tripped over Mike's bass, laughing along with everyone who noticed.

The feeling of the performance was a throwback from the mid-nineties, reminiscent of Binghampton. The only difference was that Fishman's dress has faded slightly since the old Broome County days.  Mr. Fishman- just how many frocks are in that closet of yours? 

The quattro has definitely been making it to band practice. Everyone knew all the words and every note was hit- one, two sucka! punch. The show was engaging, just some old friends getting together on stage, plotting the next song through sign language and whispering.

The music itself was well-defined, wrapped up, tied in a neat bow, and presented on a silver platter. Fishman came with the solid framework while Mike anchored it down. Page.. Trey...

Happiness seems like the major change that went down within the group. Taking into consideration  that every day can't be sunshine and lollipops, it is a feat to pull off after twenty + years and it is wonderful to see musicians enjoying themselves. [obvious YEM reference]

So now Phish joins the smiling ranks of Jay-Z and Snoop as charismatic entertainers. Sorry everyone else, you lose. Please take note performers: Smiling is the new Frown. And Phish is the fresh catch of the day. [for real]
 

Word hit fast and furious that Obie Trice's album Special Reserve is dropping under the Mossappeal Music label. Trice has teamed up with producer MoSS, whom he has worked with in the past. The release date is slated for December 15th.

This has been on my wait list since '06, actually since '03, when Cheers was the album in heavy rotation in the Trooper II.  Once he severed ties with Shady, he created his own label, Black Market, and was set to release Bottoms Up as his third album.  Not sure what transpired, but that never happened and now this street album has come into play.

Want to know what Detroit is really like? Then listen to Obie Trice's lyrics- he lays it all out- the Good and the Bad, and the Ugly. He has the ability to capture grimy truth in the sincerest way imaginable. Trice is without a doubt one of the realest rappers out there;  he tells the true story of life in the D.  

The needle fell into the grooves of the record and 'It Ain't Me, Babe' came through the speakers scratchy like an Etch-A-Sketch as you shake it. I had discovered my parent's record collection... and Bob Dylan.

So there begins the story of a life-long Dylan affectionado. My parents aided in the process, which was an unexpected move on their part considering they were more Rolling Stones [dad[ and Bob Seger [mom] fans. Bringing doughnuts to me while standing relentless in line at Ticketmaster at four in the a.m., removing me from AP American History [thank you, Mr. Cook] early to drive me across state lines to catch shows, and snapping the picture of me as I posed with Joan Baez. [ok-it's not Dylan, but close enough]

The troubadour himself, Bob Dylan, will be rolling into Detroit tonight for a show at the Fox Theatre. Forget everything you have heard about Dylan's performances, well, don't forget, just ignore.  It's not as garbled as one may expect- although your impression may be skewed by how much you have emotionally invested in Mr. Zimmerman's songs throughout the years.

Definitely don't throw your tickets out the window, but feel free to throw the latest album on the tracks.  Although Dylan can usually do no wrong, sometimes he needs to go down to central booking for ?uestioning; this may be one of those times.