Lupe Fiasco‘s most recent album, The Cool, dropped Tuesday.
I have to say that I was a bit embarrassed to run out to Fifth Element the second school let out, just to cop the follow up to a somewhat boring and all around Faux-Epic Food and Liquor.
The Cool has gotten good reviews, but if you are thinking of buying the album, know this:
The Cool‘s theme is loose- it is a concept album based around a ‘story’ of the child from his previously released song, He Say/She Say. This being said- the message that Lupe hopes to convey is almost shoved down your throat on every track. The trite nature of his hustla-sarcasm makes this feel like an album for scholars rather than listeners.
Lupe is quoted as saying, “I don’t know how to make a number one record, so I don’t even try.”
Lupe’s talents run beyond preacher- his message runs cold, but The Cool surely doesn’t. The first track is a terrible spoken word intro, and the second track is an unpromising interlude, reminiscent of his Food and Liquor days, entitled Free Chilly, but once the album gets moving, it feels like the most well composed album since… American Gangster.
When listening to the album for the first time, pretend as if you don’t already know what he’s going to say on every track, when his message gets tired, tune it out and ride the ascensions and dissensions of the album.
Best tracks: The Coolest, Go Go Gadget Flow, Gotta Eat, Put you On Game, Fighters, and Dumb it Down.
The Picture Factory is on a mission to find a few interns to work either full or part time in the production office in St. Paul. At this time the position is not a paid position but would be good for anybody looking to gain experience, connections and/or school credits.
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Now I know I haven’t written any movie scripts myself… lately. But I fail to be impressed by Juno, sure I chuckled few times, maybe even slapped a knee or two, but I just don’t see what all the hype’s about.
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“Paper Planes” Original Video (with gun shots) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sei-eEjy4g[/youtube] M.I.A. Performs “Paper Planes” on David Letterman (without gun shots) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jn2nWjPyTc[/youtube] Apparently yesterday MTV removed the gun shots, then removed the entire video from their website. Read more here.
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Whitney Garner, our Teen Programs Intern, permanently solidified her devotion to Kiki Smith‘s Born. Image: Kiki Smith, Born , 2002 bronze Courtesy the artist and PaceWildenstein Gallery, New York Photograph by Kerry Ryan McFate
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As I was sitting contemplating what to listen to I decided to do a quick rundown of my favorite local bands, in hopes that someone will see my list, go out and check something out. So, in no particular order, the artists that exemplify this place I call home: Lifter Puller Prince Word For Word Malachi Constant Atmosphere On the subject of music I saw a BOOST MOBILE commercial with Jermaine Dupri, Young Jeezy, and… Mickey Avalon?! Mr. “My D***” said about three words, but it threw me for loop. Then on a Rhapsody commercial they had The Cool Kids. [...]
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Last Thursday we took a field trip to the Playwright’s Center to watch Danny Hoch‘s one man show “Taking Over.” Hoch touched on the gentrification of his neighborhood, Williamsburg, in New York City. He did this through a series of raw, comical, and very well-acted over the top characters experiencing this event from a multitude of different perspectives. Opening with a slighty-drunk neighborhood meeting, Hoch played a disgruntled boricua who’s family and friends were being pushed out of their homes due to the rising rents or their inability to renew their leases. He yelled at the imaginary meeting, spewing out [...]
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By Design is an intensive teen artist and mentorship program offered in three sessions throughout the year. Students work in the studios of Minnesota Center for Book Arts with professional artists and learn a wide array of techniques and media for working with text and image (drawing, collage, printmaking, comic art, book art, etc.). By Design culminates in a downtown Minneapolis exhibition. Check out the By Design website and download an application. WINTER SESSION: APPLICATIONS DUE JANUARY 18, 2008
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This is by some Japanese design firm called Loworks. I found it when I was looking for a ipod skin. But look in the right hand corner, doesn’t that car look a little like Patrick’s painting? Strange.
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Just wanted to take a moment to plug former WACTACer Dane Johnson’s show. Dane current lives in Seattle, but will be showing here in Minneapolis during the month of December. Check out his work here. NEW WORK BY DANE JOHNSON DECEMBER 8 THROUGH JANUARY 13 DOLCE VITA (on the skyway level next to Macy’s) 811 LaSalle Ave., Suite 213 MPLS MN 55402 OPENING RECEPTION, 4-7 PM DECEMBER 8
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Turns out he’s a real guy. I think he’s inspiring. Here’s the obit. The name: when he was in jail for stealing hubcaps, when he was just a wee lad, he met a man called Awful Knofel. WACTAC connection: Instead of being on WACTAC as a teen he was a great ski jumper in Butte, Montana. WACTAC member Olivia participates in a mundane form of skiing (nordic) and has an American flag jumpsuit. Kanye West connection: Evel Kanyevel music video for Touch the Sky. Get it? And his start: At the tender age of 27 he became the co-owner of [...]
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