Snaps from Green Street's performance at Gallery Bar

Here are two pics from the event that the people of BeatCakes organized. Green Street rocked Gallery Bar on Thursday 11/19. Video of the performance coming soon, but keep tabs on Green Street's blog to see when the next time the guys are performing in New York again.



Green Street newest album "Chess Moves" its available free for download. Show these guys some support, and spread the word if you like their music.

Battle Studies First Impressions

Just received the leak for the album "Battle Studies", the fourth album release by John Mayer. He tweeted the okay to listen, and I have pre-ordered my copy so I am within my bounds to write.

I was trying to find words to describe this album, and I will have to steal a page from the Rove interview he did in Melbourne a week or so ago, calling it a "confessional". The lyrics for each song definitely play to that theme, and the beats as well as the guitar and songs rarely go to the extremes that Mayer is more than capable of doing. This album is definitely a departure from Continuum, for better or for worse I'm not entirely sure.

Most of the songs have a very slow beat that emulate the feeling you get driving down a California highway during the sunset as you contemplate your future. Songs talk about loneliness, commitment, and personal vindication echo loud in this album.

While the album lacks the big punching hits that were interlaced in Continuum such as "Belief", "Gravity", and "I'm Gonna Find Another You", Mayer tries to bring back some of the old love by doing a cover of Cream's "Crossroads". First heard when he played it live with Clapton in New York about a year or so ago, it is a cover that I feel tones down the pure raw energy and ridiculousness that Cream's original had entitled it to be. It almost seems that Mayer could have definitely let loose on that song but restrained.

While the lack of big guitar jamming hits may turn off some to refer Continuum as Mayer's best release, Mayer's songwriting has definitely taken a new step. Songs that used to be talking about running through high school hallways has evolved to a grown adult dealing with issues in himself that others deal with as well. No matter what celebrity status he gains, the emotions in the lyrics as well as songs can relate to any adult today.

I'd have to say his collaboration with Taylor Swift, "Half of my Heart" is a great song with substance, and an addicting guitar chord with a splash of a nice riff. Much like his previous collaboration with Alicia Keys, Mayer knows how to work both voices into a song. "War of my Life" is another track to note in the album.

In conclusion, Battle Studies is definitely a different direction for Mayer's music. Continuum may have set the benchmark, but Mayer might not have been able to replicate that greatness no matter how much magic potion he had. This one is more personal, more emotional, and much like the album title says its a study and interrogation of his inner self and its shortcomings.

Altogether, 7/10 ranking. Compared to the other albums I'd rank them like this:

Continuum: 9/10
Heavier Things: 6/10
Room for Squares: 5/10

The world needs more of these guys

Just came across this DJ called Nujabes. Straight from Japan, this guy is straight up dope. real nice beats.

Serious Adrenaline Boost

Ever feel tired? Need a pick me up? Need to finish up this paper or run those flight of stairs? Forget coffee listen to this track:

Heat it Up when its Cold Outside

My boys at Green Street Records just release out a new rough draft track that they've been working on. Check the song out:



the boys are spitting fire right now, with their success just getting bigger and bigger. Watch out for these guys, and if they roll through your town come through and show them support.

You can check out Green Street's page here

Quick Update

I find that I have no time to do this. World is being rocked with school, interviews, and any othe random events going on. Interviews are interviews, school is school, and now its getting cold outside.

Sharks aren't playing that well right now, inconsistency is killing us. Going to the Sharks vs Rangers game on Tuesday, contemplating not wearing my Sharks jersey. But I should show my pride, no matter what the scoreboard is.

Went to a Chromeo concert last night with my friend Steph Lo. Never really heard about these guys until a week ago, and these guys bring back the groovy-synth beats of the 80s. Really cool music, was definitely jamming to these guys when I was studying in the library.

Check em out:

Excitement is Overwhelming

Can't wait for the new hockey season to begin. And I'm actually quite happy with how my team drafted this year, going to be a breakout year for Danny Heatley.


Probably have to click on it to view.