Man on the Moon: The End of Day

Kid Cudi came into the scene with his trip-hop anthem Day N' Night back in 2007. Fast forward to 2009 and Cudi has built quite a reputation having co-wrote songs on both Kanye West's 808 and Heartbreak and Jay-Z's Blueprint 3. For Cudi's debut he recruits Ratatat, MGMT, Kanye West, and Common along side new fellow new comers Chip Da Ripper and Billy Craven to build his spacey, introspective debut album.

Cudi samples folk and hard rock with distorted electronic finesse that creates an electronic production that breathes fresh air into hip-hop. If anything Kid Cudi's Man on the Moon is a beautifully arranged and produced album. Dark, moody, and experimental the 25 year old Cudi has grown a lot production wise sense his "A Kid Named Cudi" mixtape. When he doesn't use any samples he more than compensates with the minimalist electronic production that Kanye West has popularized. Like Mos Def, T.I., Lil Wayne, or Ant (from Atmosphere), Kid Cudi uses his voice as an instrument as he harmonizes and sings along side his beats to create one of the more organic sounding hip-hop albums (a daring feat considering his strong electronic influence).

Kid Cudi isn't trying to be the best rapper alive, he's perfectly content with his lyrics even if at times you do wish for a little more. While he doesn't have a childlike flow or simple abc123 lyrics, at times his production would really shine with maybe a more lyrical rapper to mold a story with his beautiful production. Yet, Cudi can get away with the less is more mantra. Kid Cudi for the most parts raps about his life as a young adult confused alone, yet still enjoys himself, but once the marijuana smoke clears he's back to being confused but a little more confident in his own journey of self-discovery.

While the albums does have it's share of missteps like the Lady Gaga sampled "Make Her Say Poke her Face" sounds off with the rest of the album. Same can be said about "Hyyerr" Feat. Chip Da Ripper another ode to the ladies sounds off too, as it sounds better placed on a Piles or Lil Wayne album. Not saying Kid Cudi can't make love (or love making) songs, as Enter Galactic (Love Connection) is one of Kid Cudi shining moments.

Cudi's debut is a sold album with some minor missteps, but his production is amazing. It's no wonder Kanye West and Jay-Z have both had songs written and produced by him. His production and song writing really shines on "Soundtrack 2 My Life", "Day N' Night", and "Enter Galactic (Love Connection)".

"In The Market For Food."

My family and I just moved and of course along with moving came stress, and clutter, and short fuses. How far did we move exactly? Oh, just to the other side of town. Maybe a mile, at most. But relentless of the distance our experience goes to prove that moving is never fun.

My new house is a culinary failure at first glance considering the kitchen is half the size of our old one (a cutting board takes up all our counter space). It wasn't until I ventured down the street from the new place and stumbled on a local market. I had passed by this place thousands of times but never once had I stopped to take a look and explore. And explore really is the perfect word because there was an overflow of local produce to be discovered.
This brings me to my point. Local markets really are the best place to buy your food. I understand they may not have specialty foods for the most experimental cooks or the guilty-pleasure hostess cupcakes for those starved of childhood comforts. Overall though, your local market really is a place to behold.
I was making a squash casserole and flew down to my local market to grab some Yellow Summer Squash. Not only was the squash quite tasty; it was cheaper than the supermarket and organically grown. Most of the produce at my local market is from small, somewhat close farms which translates to more money into the local economy. It also means produce that is not genetically modified or showered in pesticides in order to retain it's unnaturally bright color and flawless shape. Your body will thank you later.
And don't think that local markets are just for produce. I snagged myself a bag of tortilla chips, and some pretty delicious goat cheese while wandering the food stands, which makes grumpy Kelly a happy camper. And if my local market has the power to relieve me of my post-moving stress disorder, I'm sure it can work wonders in your life.

Click here to help you find local markets where you live.

Incoming!

Here are a few records to look out for in the next month or so:


Brand New - Daisy (TODAY)

Amazingly good alternative rock. Can go from tense and enchanting to loud and crazy in a heartbeat. Definitely one of my favorite artists of all time.

Owen - New Leaves (TODAY)

Owen is an acoustic artist who lightly brushes his songs with some electronic backgrounds. The effect is extraordinary and very relaxing. The man behind this is the same guy behind the bands American Football and Cap'n Jazz.

AFI - Crash Love (September 29th)

These punk rockers have changed a lot since the 90's. Lets hope this album doesn't dissapoint.

Say Anything - Say Anything (Oct. 13th)

I can't tell you how excited for this release I am. The new single 'Hate Everyone' gives a very promising hope that this album will rule.

When To Walk Out of the Cinema

This past weekend was an awful one in cinema. I walked out of two films, Bright Star and The Informant. I have never walked out of a cinema in my life. Well there was one time when I tried to see The Unborn in Union City with my cousin. It was way too ghetto for my taste, so we upped and left. But that was before the film started. This is different.

Bright Star: This is a period film, so put your walking shoes on. This film was very confusing. I had no clue why the characters behaved the way they did. For those of you who have never heard of this (I'm assuming there are a good number of you) Bright Star is a very indie film based on the relationship between regency era pet John Keats and his lover, this girl named Fanny. Throughout the film, romantic gestures where made, I think. I think they sort of liked each other, and sort of hated each other at the same time. I think. I did grow bored of the plot, the on-and-off-letter-exchanging-emotional roller coaster of the film made me sleepy. I was thinking, 'Gosh, I wish i was doing something right now'. Apparently, my friends all thought the same thing, too, so we stood up and left the Metreon. You know when to leave a film when it's about to reach the climax and you still don't care.

The Informant: We saw this film because there was nothing else to see. I wanted to see 9, but someone in our party had seen it already. So we saw the informant. There was no fantasy aspect in this film, so I was already half way out the door. Not that I can't enjoy a reasonably realistic film, but there was no part about this film that I was particularly interested in, so, for personal reasons, I did not enjoy this film. Part of the time, I did not understand it. Perhaps this is a film meant for adults. It is rated R, but I did not see anything suggestive, which leads me to believe that only adults can enjoy this film. You know when to leave a film when you are looking at the empty seats around you more than the screen.

GF & BF Of The Week 9.20.09

GF
Keke Palmer
Age: 15
Heritage: African-American
Passions: Acting, Singing, and Dancing
About Keke: The extremely cute Keke Palmer is only 15 now but is quickly on her way to being one of Hollywood’s most notable starlets. With a show on Nickelodeon and a budding career in music she is on top of her business. This Junior A – Lister would be a great girlfriend because she is talented, driven, and sassy. Watch out gentlemen I think Keke is the type to call you on any crap, definitely girlfriend material. “ Keke don’t date older men and misbehave in Hollywood.”


BF
David Henrie
Age 20
Heritage: Caucasian-American
Passions: Acting
About David: David is most famous for his role on Disney’s The Wizard’s of Waverly Place but we also remember David from That’s So Raven. On wizards he plays Justin Russo aka Selena Gomez’s older brother. He also has a role on CBS’s How I Met Your Mother. David is one of Hollywood’s young quiet bachelors which we like. He is 20 with a stable job in LA so definitely dateable. “ I wonder when we will see him with Miley Cyrus!”

FAME

In Theater 9.25.09

MIKA: The Boy Who Knew Too Much

New Album Out Today
Check Back For A Review
On 9.27.09

Comments

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- Style: For Boys

SP: 9.20.09

From Last Weeks Article.
“We don’t need girls to tell us what to wear and when to wear it, and any girl who says she doesn’t like a boy with style is lying (I will tell you why in the next article).”
This Week.
I have some girlfriends that say,” I don’t want a boy with style, I just don’t” Direct Quote. “ I don’t care what you say chicadita, You want a boy with a style, you just don’t want him to look better than you and hog your mirror in the morning.” The thing is boys, most girls don’t know what they want and can’t even pinpoint what they like. There are two types of girls who don’t care, #1 She likes a Bicep Boy: A Boy who’s biceps are equivalent to a blazer or cardigan and can wear a T- Shirt and look picture perfect, #2 She is a little insecure and has to call a boy a homosexual when he has style because he has better facial features and if he has style he looks hotter than she does. We can’t help these girls; all we can do is shut up the lies by telling the truth with a good closet and date ready cologne. Find a girl with pride that likes a sharp guy. Don’t be jealous ladies, just appreciate a dude’s effort as he appreciates yours, and if he is a gentlemen he will always appreciate your effort.

Look At: Ray Ban Sunglasses, I can’t tell you how much a good pair of sunglasses can do for you, and Ray Ban offers styles most people can pull off. You will most likely look sharp and you can use it as the garnish to finish any great outfit. You can probably find a really good sale on the famous style if you look around. The Wayfarer style that is signature to Ray Ban is their most popular right now and come in a variety of colors and frame textures. There are also a bunch of knock offs but go for those too if you can’t afford the real thing. Remember: Personal Style is associated with a sense of self worth, so own your look and don’t get discouraged by haters.

by David Michael

Quick Grooming Tip #3

Muscle Therapy

So I know this is not a classic grooming tip but you can put it in your bag of tricks. If you have a really rough workout and your muscles are sore that is caused by our friend Inflammation and Swelling. We usually use ice packs and things of that nature to take down the swelling and ease our discomfort but the Rosemary: A Popular kitchen staple can do the same trick and its something new.
Take a couple of sprigs of Rosemary and let them chill out in a pot of simmering water, as if you are making Rosemary tea. Take the pot off let it cool for a little bit. Soak a towel in the Rosemary infused water and then drape the towel over the inflamed area. The heat from the steam will relax your muscles and aid your recovery and the Rosemary is acting as an anti - inflammatory to take down your swelling. " So save the Frozen Peas for dinner and run to your herb garden for a new girlfriend named Rosemary."