Check out My Gravel Pit, Then Oogle Michael Cera

Hands down the best album release of this week is Wu Tang's newest album, 8 Diagrams. I already told you guys the first single, "The Heart Gently Weeps" is pure audio orgasm; better than getting felt up for the first time in the backseat of your boyfriends Pinto. The eight of course refers the Wu member count - down one since the passing of Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004. Lydia has always had her favorites: Ghostface Killah, Raekwon the Chef, Inspectah Deck, and an on and off love affair with the genius of RZA. The first two I respect as solo artists, as both have successfully translated the genius of the Wu into stand-alone efforts worth critical acclaim. In terms of the group, I can't get enough of Deck - always the standout lyricist with a heavy repertoire of metaphors to make his relaxed stylings go down even smoother. RZA deserves a respect and fear all his own. The producer extraordinaire has not only done wonders for the group's albums like Wu Tang Forever, but hes most recently dipped his talents into major motion picture score composition. Lydia absolutely adores the work he did on the fan-favorite flick Kill Bill. And yet, I remain terrfied of his reputation for involvement with the Gambino crime family, once headed by John Gotti, and the inspiration for FBI investigations and a general terror among fans. Some people get off on it, but organized crime is simply too messy for me. Jimmy Hoffa, I'm still looking for you.

I definitely give my go-ahead to purchase this notable album. I think you'll see a flickers of classic Wu, reminiscent of days when Flo-Rida didn't ride to the top of the charts with a shitty song called "Low." Of course, the album is not without its flaws. Several of the old-school Wu aspects are still sorely lacking, including the creepy sci-fi vibes thematic of past tracks, and the stellar collaboration chemistry between Ghost and RZA. I mentioned last week that GF's new album was somewhat of a disappointment - the rapper seems to have sacrificed his place on the 8 (hes only in 3 tracks) to concentrate on his latest, rather mediocre solo effort, The Big Doe Rehab. The magic of RZA and Ghost together is necessary. I would have preferred they collabed on one, outstanding album rather than one great album and another sub-par one for release.

I still recommend catching the group live if you can. Here are the relevant tour dates - snag tix if you're lucky.

Sun, 12/23/07 09:00 PM	House of Blues Sunset Strip Hollywood, CA	Wu Tang Clan	Find Tickets »
Sun, 12/30/07 08:00 PM	Showbox SoDo Seattle, WA	Wu Tang Clan	Find Tickets »
Thu, 01/03/08 07:00 PM	House of Blues Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV	Wu Tang Clan

Other great albums this week include the lovable, and irresistibly sweet soundtrack to the motion picture Juno. I'm so upset I didn't plug this film sooner, as it has been sitting on my list of movies I'd actually sacrifice ten dollars to see for quite some time now. Michael Cera has been charming me since his turn on Arrested Development, seemingly always typecast as the awkward ______ (fill in the blank). And Ellen Page, the lead, has definitely left an impression on my psyche since seeing her terrorize a pedophile in the insanely dark comedy(?) Hard Candy. The official tagline for the movie is "A comedy about growing up... and the bumps along the way." The bump for Page's character Juno, turns out to be an unplanned teenage pregnancy. The film is a heartwarming exploration of Juno's relationships with the baby's father (Cera), her own family, and her subsequent decision to give the baby up for adoption. A special bonus for all you cult AD fans like me, is a little on-screen reunion between Jason Bateman and Michael Cera - this time in quite a different capacity than Bluth father and son. The film also stars the hilarious Rainn Wilson; may the Dwight fan in all of us rejoice. Me lovey the comedy! Go see it.



The Juno soundtrack includes tracks from favorite contemporary bands such as Belle & Sebastian, Sonic Youth, and The Moldy Peaches, as well as old favorites by The Kinks and The Velvet Underground. Could it get any better? Well, yes it can! Cera and Page have one folkish duet on the record entitled "Anyone Else But You," and we love it! We want to ball it up and put it in our pocket and sleep with it under our pillow each night. Many people don't know this, but Cera is actually quite a talented musician. He and a friend have a band called 'The Long Goodbye' and despite the low-quality of the lone leaked track, you can tell the boy's got the chops to make it as an indie rocker.

Belle & Sebastian - Piazza, New York Catcher

Sonic Youth - Superstar

The Kinks - A Well Respected Man

The Long Goodbye - Leading Man

Other notable releases this week:

• Boys Noize - Lava Lava EP
• Damian Rice - Live from Union Chapel
• Robbers on High Street - Seasons Greetings (Single)
• The White Stripes - Conquest EP
  

In the interest of further procrastination I seem to have become obsessed with HBO's Flight of the Conchords. Usually I think I'm ahead of the curve on TV and music, but this time I've jumped on board the phenomenon a little late. Sorry Jemaine and Bret. Heres a bonus track from their EP entitled The Distant Future and a sweet video to turn that finals-induced frown upside down. Hilarious.

Bonus Track - Flight of the Conchords - If You're Into It

Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros Video - Episode Three

We're All a Bunch of Sellouts.... Ain't That Living

Nothing gets me in the holiday spirit like American capitalism at work. All those crafty marketing ploys by big business to get me to lower my inhibitions and flip out the old wallet. Works every time you sneaky sons of bitches! Lydia is highly anticipating the release of Morgan Spurlock's new commentary on capitalism, "What Would Jesus Buy," the same man who made us all scared to lay down 1.99 for a Big Mac after his documentary "Super Size Me" hit theaters.


I still can't get over the story about a grandmother who spit on a store employee after she was informed that there were no more Playstation 3s left to purchase for her SIX-YEAR OLD grandson. Thats right lady, you start your grandchild off on Metal Gear Solid before he learns to ride a bike, or God forbid, read. Like I always say, if they're old enough to tie their shoes they're old enough to engage in simulated violence. Kids under 10 do stage the best coupes.

In honor of the American tradition of buying our friends love with expensive gadgetry and gift cards, I've compiled a list of the best advertisement tracks in recent years. I'm nothing if not a patriot. Go USA. We're all a bunch of sell-outs and ain't it grand! So heres a pretty comprehensive list of my favorite Judas-kiss artists, and the companies who added just the right amount of zeroes to their checks to make these guys go corporate.

Bishop Allen - Click, Click, Click, Click
Sony

Simone White - The Beep Beep Song
Audi R8

Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats
Sony Bravia Bouncy Balls


The Rolling Stones - Shes a Rainbow
Sony Bravia Bunnies

Bloc Party - So Here We Are
Saturn

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Volkswagon

The Go! Team - We Just Won't Be Defeated
Target

David Bowie -Suffragette City
XBox 360

Postal Service - Such Great Heights
UPS (Get it...)

Regina Spektor - Better
XM Satellite Radio

The Chemical Brothers - Galvanize
(Sigh) Budweiser

Cansei De Ser Sexy (CSS) - Music is My Hot Hot Sex
iPod


Megan Wyler - I Walk the Line
Levis Jeans

Atlantic Starr - Secret Lovers
T-Mobile Top Five


Donnie Darko - Mad World
Gears of War Video Game

Bitter:Sweet - Dirty Laundry
Victoria's Secret

Justice - Phantom Pt. 2
Telus


Herbie Hancock - Rockit
Visa

Holiday Commercials

Badly Drawn Boy - I Love NYE
Starbucks Holiday

The Weepies - All That I Want
JC Penny Perfect Gift

John Lennon - Real Love
JC Penny

Jim Noir - My Patch
Target Holiday

Landon Pigg - Falling in Love in a Coffeeshop
Zales

Aren't you just inspired by all the materialism in the air? I know I am.

I apologize for no album reviews yesterday, but pickings were so slim this week that I couldn't even waste my time on listening to the loads of crap music released. I was highly anticipating Ghostface Killah's newest album, The Big Doe Rehab, and although I'm perfectly satisfied with the production and consider it the best new release this week, I was sorely disappointed after the lovable flows of Fishscale and More Fish. Wu Tang will forever be seared into my audio recall, and theres not much room for the Clan to go wrong in my mind. However, I hold Ghostface, RZA, and the rest to such high standards. After hearing the originality of the gang on both group and solo records its hard to settle for anything less than the creativity of beats I've spun before. And in this case, GF dropped the ball a little. Its hard when you raise the bar so high initially. Thats why I always aim low - less chance of disappointment. My bro was lucky enough to see Ghostface in Seattle only a couple weeks ago - I'm still hoping for some awesome concert pics to post!

Wu-Tangs new single ft. Eryka Badu - The Heart Gently Weeps - is the shit though. I suggest holding off on buying the single and springing for the full album purchase when The 8 Diagrams is released on the 11th; Followed by Lupe Fiascos' long-awaited sophomore follow-up, The Cool on the 18th. Although I don't consider myself a huge fan of hip-hop, recent years have def seen a return to the roots of genre, sparking me to take a deeper interest in some of the up and coming stars who have more to say about politics, society, and the idiosyncrasies in popular culture than the mainstream figures who continue to demean women and brag about wealth.

Bonus Track: Lupe Fiasco - Dumb it Down

The Mars Volta also has a crazy new single out called Wax Simulacra. Me likey a lot. This song is a solid investment and one hell of a mind f.

Those are sadly the highlights of the week. If you're bored check out some tracks from The Cribs newest album, Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever, surely one of my favorites this year. Then head on over to your local shopping outlet and drop money like its coked-out Kate Moss from her high-end ad campaigns. Tis the season to empty that bank account!

The Cribs - Men's Needs
The Cribs - Girls Like Mystery

Stay tuned for some NEW NEW Radiohead to be posted later today. The tracks from the second In Rainbows CD have finally been leaked on to several prominent music blogs and Lydia is in possession of the musical amazingness! Also, a very stupendous Chrismukkahwanza Mix is in the works, and this week's TV music wrap-up should be pretty juicy.

Love you all... but only if you buy me gifts this Christmas.