From JP Art's OTHER channel: Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

*Note, how I came upon this topic in the first place was due to my YouTube browsing, again. I'm subscribed to both JP Art's OTHER channel and his original Patterson Art. He posted a video of his response to this question from a girl building a documentary. Some may consider it lengthy, but it's very interesting and draws you in if you really pay attention.

From Merriam Webster:

vandalism - willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property 

art - (4a definition) the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced

Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

I feel that the majority of you will agree with me in that this is a commonly proposed question amongst art goers and those who see this form of expression as unnecessary and destructive. Personally, I love graffiti though I'm not too good. I'm trying to hone my skills in that regard, but that's for another day. In this video, Jacob makes tons of valid points. One that stood out to me the most is where he mentions the right for the owner or owners of that property or object to enforce their right not to have it tagged or marked with whatever image or distorted lettering that person so chooses. Another logical point he brought to the forefront was that graffiti is at most times solely considered art or vandalism when more often than not it is both.

So if this artful skill is displayed in what is considered or seen to be an inappropriate place then it's not art? If it is the same form of expression displayed in an appropriate area then it is art? Again a very debatable question that will no doubt remain a hot topic and will generate an in depth discussion whenever it arises.

What are your thoughts? Let me know what you think about it. 

Music Is... Cartoons and various animation

Think of your favorite cartoon, your favorite anime or both. Now, what truly makes them come to life? Granted you need great expressions, some detail, a nice plot, theme, atmosphere and good characters. Just think about this though: what are all those qualities worth without the tunes to add that 4th dimension? I mean really, just voices? I don't think any cartoon would be as successful as as it is without the accompaniment music.

The first major line of cartoons that comes to mind is Looney Tunes created by Warner Bros. Cartoons. This is a block that has made itself synonymous with its intro just as much as its outro. All the way from the black and white days to technicolor to far more current methods, Looney Tunes remains a mainstay for using major orchestrated pieces as well as subtleties in their production. My favorite example of this is the one titled "Rabbit Of Seville". Elmer Fudd unknowingly chases Bugs Bunny onto the Barber of Seville opera set and the play begins. Pure classic.

Looking ahead you have Disney-Pixar features like "Toy Story", "Up" and "A Bugs Life". More Warner Bros. with "Animaniacs" and "Pinky and The Brain". Great musical numbers from Dreamworks, including their short films. Great animation like "Transformers", "The Legend Of Zelda","Josie and Pussycats","ThunderCats"; just tons of great stuff. The examples are limitless. Just think of how boring your favorite scene might be without the music to add dramatic effect. Your favorite character's getting ready to handle business and there's no build up. That wouldn't be good.

As the crowd, as the observers we need that music to give us something a little extra, and personally I could never get enough.

Music Is... David Dallas

David Dallas. This man traveled from far south of the equator, haling all the way from New Zealand. Whew, talk about jet lag. Anywayz, as he would describe it (and what makes sense to me), the hip hop scene way down south is just as prominent as it is in the U.S., just a miniature version. You have your underground labels, mainstream radio, major artists and so forth. I don't know how Mr. Dallas here would be categorized in the public's eyes in the thick of it all. If you ask me, he's someone doing what he loves and is very easy listening for my ears. Lets proceed.

Originally planning to major in computer science, he was on a different path altogether. His mindset wasn't completely set on having a career in that field however.

 "from the moment my sister told me you could skip your lectures, hang out in the city and go to the arcade without anyone telling you off – I knew that it was the place I needed to be." 

While in his last year attending Auckland University, he met some people who showed him what the hip hop look was. He noticed them doing their own thing and that inspired him to begin recording and writing his freestyles down. This started with some recording software he downloaded, purchased a mic and got started. The group around him was pretty encouraging. Soon his demos came into the hands of New Zealand producer Forty One and things went from there. Forming a duo named Frontline, they've done some touring, record making and are currently working on his latest album "Something Awesome", and I'm highly looking forward to it.

If you haven't heard any singles from this record yet, let me fill you in. The main one I'm bobbin my head to is 'Big Time'. What makes this track for me is the horns and the turntable scratch in the background. His flow and tempo alongside the beat is ridiculous. It's so fluid and consistent. Another one to look out for is 'Sideline'- ft. Che Fu. This one (and it could solely be me) sounds like it samples The Spinners 'I'll be Around' only in a different key. Others such as 'Eyes On Success' and 'Caught In A Daze' are sure to grab your attention. Again his delivery is very coherent, an old school feel to it.

I give him an A+ all the way around. Who knows, my opinion could be subject to change, but I don't see that happening in the near future. Definitely give this a chance, your bound to love it. 

 *Not in stock just yet, but you can place an order in advance on amazon.com when available*

His site: http://www.daviddallas.co.nz/ 

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ddotdallas 

Music Is... Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor

Lupe Fiasco's debut studio album on September 19, 2006 felt more as though it was released months before then. If you were anything like me during this time, there was no method I wouldn't use to get my hands on some new music. The way incomplete pieces were being leaked (and still are) on the internet, it's a surprise to me this album didn't sink before it could swim.Though my patience could have stood to be  a little stronger, I'm glad I had the opportunity to here bits and pieces and finally the entire work give or take a year later. "Food & Liquor" truly showcases this man's wherewithal as a great lyricist and songwriter. Listening again, I hear what drew me to this album in first place. However an even closer listen six years down the road and I'm more mindful of the content and story telling technique that he utilizes....Shale we?

First I love how he constantly pays homage to 1st and 15th Studios in Chicago, Illinois. You can't miss it. 'Kick Push' which is practically the anthem tells the story of a guy who falls in love with skateboarding, and follows him as he matures and finds love. One of my favorite tracks 'I Gotcha' lets you know he was birthed in "chi-town" and how things have flipped now that he's acquired a certain status. Those that would discourage him in the past he lets them know that he's doing what they said he couldn't. What seemed lame to them is what propelled him to where he is. Love it. 'Pressure' is highly underrated and to me is a highlight track that puts his skills on the front line. Then you have 'Daydreamin'. Come on, who doesn't like Jill Scott's vocals slaying it on the chorus. She's always a plus. The title of the album comes from the multiple food & liquor stores in Chicago which Lupe described as a sort of tug and war between the good (food) and liquor (evil). The cover is equally as interesting. I learned it was inspired by a skate deck he owns. As you can see he's floating in the air surrounded by various items. A little outward from his right  knee looks like a Nintendo DS. By his left hand could be some sort of organizer or cell phone. Near his upper left shoulder is the Qur'an, a highly regarded part of literature in Muslim culture.

The culmination of these things; the cover, the content, the production and the rhymes make for an impressive first impression. I guess all of us have our "Food & Liquor" struggles. When put to a nice beat, they somehow become more attractive...

Get it

Music Is... Blaqk Audio

Typically the style of music that this duo creates isn't in my repertoire of musical taste. But for the sheere fact they are completely brand new to me, I had to give it a listen anyway and I have to admit I'm a little intrigued by the sound provided. The style here is a techno, electronic, synthesized, dance, heavy bass to the umph degree. These two Davey Havok(left) and Jade Puget are current members of AFI, a California based band formed in 1991. As AFI they have eight studio albums under their belt and from what I can tell have no plans on calling it quits anytime soon. The formation of Blaqk Audio had been in the works for some time now, fermenting in 2001-2002. A few songs had been written for the album "CexCells" such as 'Snuff On Digital' only to go on hiatus until 06' or 07'. After resurfacing to the forefront, the album began to get more studio attention and reached completion on August 14 2007.

"Cex Cells" is a very dance, heavy synth, EBM oriented album. EBM is short for electronic body music, this combination of electric dance music and an industrial sound. One particular track I'm drawn to is 'The Love Letter'. It measures pop-rock and the industrial sound perfectly. In my opinion, each song carry's a somber undertone but balance out nicely. A unique album as far as I'm concerned. Something to check out if you want to branch your taste.

Track Listing

  Stiff Kittens

Between Breaths (an XX perspective)

Snuff on Digital

Bitter for Sweet

Where Would You Like Them Left?

The Fear of Being Found

On a Friday

The Love Letter

Semiotic Love

Cities of Night
Again, Again and Again

Wake Up, Open the Door and Escape to the Sea

Get it

Blaqk Audio: http://www.blaqkaudio.com/splash/ 

AFI: http://www.afireinside.net/ 

Music Is... Rob Dyrdek: Fantasy Factory (Theme Song)

If you love this show the way I do...Wait. Let me at the very least explain what the show is about before I go head first into what I gotta say. Basically it centers around professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his team or entourage, including is cousin Drama as they go about handling business and having fun at the same time. There's "blobbing", foam pits, skating (of course) and him venturing into various endeavors and fantasies and as I mentioned at the forefront: FUN. So as I was saying, if you love this show the way I do then it's understandable as to why I chose it for this post.

Between nearly every segment and clip there's music, usually hip-hop, used to segue into the next topic or continue into a different scene for the same subject. I love that. I love how music really ups the ante for the show. The Intro. Again, I love that music. The band who created the theme music, "Fantasy" is Steel Panther, a group formed in 2000.Goodness. The intensity behind this song simply rocks. It describes the show in its entirety. You gotta love it.

Steel Panther: http://www.steelpantherrocks.com/

Rob Dyrdek: http://www.dyrdek.com/# 

Music Is... The Jam Session

Though I have never been to a single solitary concert in my life, that has no negative effect on my love for jam sessions. I feel these to be one of the coolest musical improvisations ever.

Wait, lets get an official definition here from our friends at Merriam-Webster: JAM SESSION: an often impromptu performance by a group especially of jazz musicians that is characterized by improvisation  

Technically speaking, thats what they are, but these times are a great opportunity to transition into something familiar as well as create something original. As I mentioned, I've never gone to a concert but when I think of jamming that's the first thing that comes to mind. Granted I YouTube many concert snippets. However I love to here what these individuals come up with ya know, how they think on the fly. It's the good stuff. 

Music Is... Primus: Sailing The Seas Of Cheese

*Note: The main reason I wanted to make sure to find a particularly clear and large image of this album cover was so you could see the funky collage going on here.

Released May 17, 1991, Sailing The Seas of Cheese has to contain the most disorganized organized, un-categorized music I've ever heard in my life. When I first heard 'Jerry Was A Race Car Driver' back in 98' or 99' I could have easily told you that the CD it was derived from was rock. No. Yes. I don't know. From reviews I've read, they seem to have my same likeness of opinion in that it's a cacophony of various genres slammed together in one huge musical wreck. I mean that in the absolute best way possible. This is a good wreck. This album is money, easily. Through their individuality, each track remains something funky and eclectic. The excellent guitar playing, drum-lines, and bass mix well with this sort of grunge, poke fun at humor that draws you in and makes you laugh.

Take the interlude 'Sathington Waltz'. It's a short 1:40-42 second piece that sounds like a drunken, cluttered mess but it's great. 'Tommy The Cat', what can I say? This details the life of a male "I got it goin' on" cat who finds himself irresistible to a feline making  a B-line down O'malley's Alley towards him. The voice of the story tellers hear sound like they've been hyped up on a years worth of pure caffeine but it works well with the tempo and intensity. I think my favorite part of this song is towards the end when the phrase "Say baby do you wanna lay down with me, say baby do you wanna lay down by my side" is repeated multiple times. 'Sgt. Baker begins with a slumbering jazzy bass line that makes you feel like your being dragged out of bag and then kicks into high gear with a nice uptempo pattern.

Typically I don't down any artists or band and in this case I truly have no reason to. Everything is synchronized to perfection, well as close as you can get. There are filler tracks here. In a kooky, off-kilter way, it all meshes very well. Primus, it wasn't "luck", it was carefully crafted in your "cheesy" hands.

Get it