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MUSIC
Xzibit
: Man vs. Machine
Quite simply one of the best rap
albums I have ever heard. I don't think there's a single track on
this one that I don't like. Tracks such as 'Multiply' and
'Enemies' are classic hip-hop moments, and it makes me wonder why
this album, Xzibit's fourth, hasn't sold more copies. I hope
that there is more from this highly influential MC. Great stuff.
Red Hot Chili Peppers : By the Way and Californication
So many things to say about these two. Despite
what some people may think, both these albums are musical
triumphs for the Chilis. Each is ingenius in terms of their
musical and lyrical quality, and each demonstrates the sheer
power of four essential musical influences coming together as one
- Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith. I
recommend, from 'Californication', just about any song cuz 
they're all damn amazing. From 'By the Way', I'd say you
should give 'Don't Forget Me', 'Midnight', 'Cabron' and 'Venice
Queen' a listen, because they are the ones that I found most
enjoyable to listen to.
Dr Evil - Hard Knock Life
The only track I have listened to
from the 'Goldmember' soundtrack, and at only 1:43, this song is
funny as hell. Dr Evil rapping is one of the funniest things you
will ever hear, and I strongly advise you to download it.
tATu - 200 kph in the Wrong Lane
For a music I am naturally inclined to hate, this album is surprisingly good. That may be because it not purely another one of your bog-standard generic pop joints, but this also draws on a number of other genres of music. Apart from 'All the Things She Said' and 'Not Gonna Get Us', there are many other valid tracks on here. I recommend 'Show Me Love', '30 Minutes', 'How Soon Is Now?' and 'Stars' (a fuckin amazing song). The Western editions of the album will also include the original Russian versions of 'All the Things She Said' (Ya Shosla S'Uma) and 'Not Gonna Get Us' (Nas Ne Dogoniat). So, despite the ambiguity concerning their precise sexual orientation, I strongly recommend that you at least give this a listen. Even if it is considered pop music, it is a welcome change from all the monotonous, heterosexual crap that gets spewed out of America's arse.
Jurassic 5 - Power in Numbers
Simply put, this is a fantastic hip-hop album, and it's only their second album release. From the very beginning, with a poignant track called 'Freedom', they begin their cause to enlighten the people of America as to what their definition of hip-hop is, i.e. a form of music designed for expressing emotion. Hailing from L.A., Jurassic 5 are new school bordering on old school, shown most evidently by their innovative use of beatboxes and turntables (which is, in turn, most notably shown on the last track, 'Acetate Prophets'). Composed of two DJs, Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist, and four MCs, Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir and Marc 7even, this is a group whose musical output is to be respected by all. Tracks you must listen to include 'Freedom', 'A Day at the Races', 'What's Golden', 'Thin Line', 'One of Them' and 'Acetate Prophets', but the entire album is all-around good listening.
To be continued whenever the hell I can be arsed.