A Few Words About Sunday's Emmys
They pretty much sucked.
(And yes, you out there "Anonymous", you are right about Arrested Development--I'm going to pick up Season 3 today. But note that there are several new series on the schedule or in the works that try to copy some aspect of the AD "formula". We'll see if they get better ratings.)
The 200 Words-or-Less Review: OutKast's "Idlewild" (the album)
Grade: B+
Are OutKast splitting up or aren't they? And why so little relative advance hype for their new album, which may or may not be a soundtrack? (Answer: it's not a soundtrack).
As for whether or not rap's preeminent duo is going the way of Erik B. and Rakim, it's hard to say for sure. The fact that they haven't actually recorded an album together in the studio at the same time since Aquemini doesn't bode well I guess, but then again two of the three albums the group has released since then have been among the best the rap/hip-hop genre has ever produced.
Idlewild isn't at that level (more than half the album apparently consists of leftovers from the Speakerboxx/Love Below sessions), but it's still one of the most interesting releases of the summer. The duo weaves in fragments of the movie's storyline and uses blues and jazz era accents to give the raps a down home, pre-Rap era feel. OutKast continues to be rap's best users of guest stars as Lil' Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Sleepy Brown and Macy Gray all give relaxed performances that only add to, instead of distracting from, the album's material. It's a bit messy and too long to be a masterpiece but Idlewild is definitely worth picking up.
Best tracks for downloading: "Hollywood Divorce", "Idlewild Blue", "PJ & Rooster", "The Mighty O".
R's Five Best Teen Life Movies
Would it be an R Spot without a list? These are the best movies featuring teens or about the lives of teens that I can think of. How about you? What would you nominate?:
1) Say Anything (1989)
2) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
3) Sixteen Candles (1984)
4) The Breakfast Club (1985)
5) Friday Night Lights (2004)
Honorable Mentions: Curly Sue, American Pie
Feel free to check out my latest blog: Reg's Sportsapalooza here. Until next time...
Peace.
2 comments:
Hi, sorry this question isn't relevant to the article.....but I noticed you mentioned in a February 2006 article that you'd become engaged to a beautiful, 35 yr. old computer expert named TRACY PARHAM. That wouldn't be the same beautiful, 35 yr. old computer expert named TRACY PARHAM who went to the University of Redlands...would it???
"The Sure Thing" should be on your list.
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