Whoa. Can you believe we’re already 7 months into 2008? I wanted to do this right after June, but I’ve been busy, ho. Umm, it’s been pretty wild, honestly. I remember December 31st like it was yesterday. I was eating Pizza with Ali at my mom’s house an hour before the ball dropped. We were talking nonsense as usual. Shit’s crazy. Time flies when you get older. You better enjoy it while you’re a kid! Here’s a small recap of things that I thought were worth writing about. I’ll tell you right now, I don’t give a shit about anything but Myself, and music. hahaha. Read, trick.
Work/Life/School – I got fired from my job two weeks into January. That was depressing. Totally out of nowhere too. I was doing well. Hell, I was going great. Maybe it’s cause I was too much. I don’t I fit in a conservative setting, and I know that. I make it hard for old white people to relate to me, and I’m too stubborn to be proper for anyone. After some job searching, I gave up and decided to go back to school. I want my degree. Not only for myself, but I want to make my parents proud. They’re old school and shit. They want to see me walk. Deal. I’ll do that shit. Music industry, here I come.
My parents split not too long ago. I don’t even know how to feel about it to tell you the truth. This is something that should have happened at least 15 years ago. One day while I was on a mini-vacataion, I came home, and my mom straight up said “I’m leaving your dad.” and now she’s gone. I’m not even sad about it. Well, I’m upset that she’s gone and shit, and we’re not a family anymore, but it’s whatever. I’m grown, I understand. I’m gonna live with my dad for a bit, let him get on my nerves, then I’ll find a nice party house to live in. Yay life.
I’m cutting soda out of my diet. Ali told me about how shitty energy drinks are for you, so I cut those out with the quickness, and I haven’t had one in a month. Soda is next. I bought a 24 case of Dr. Pepper like a week ago, and I’ve been drinking them like a madman. I’m on my last two, and I’m sure I’ll finish these tonight and then cut that out. I gotta slim down and get in proper shape. I’m tired of the love handles. Ask ya mama, she’s tired of them too.
Travel – Whoa! I went to Europe with Ali and Muñoz this Spring. It was an epic trip that I will never forget. I spent most of my trip drinking, and falling in love with every woman I encountered. I think all three of us fell in love at least 82 times. Anyway, it was so fun. I smoked pot, I danced, I pissed in a river. Cool shit. The next time I go to Europe, I’m definitely going to stay longer, and visit a lot of other countries. Hopefully it’s with the same two assholes I went with this year.

I also went to Canada. Toronto to be exact. This was a much shorter trip, and I spent way less time drunk..and high. haha. Okay, so I smoked pot again. It was the last time! Anyway. Toronto is a wonderful city, and I would like to spend more time there. Maybe I’m just saying that because the entire time I was there, I was surrounded by many, many beautiful women. Beautiful women that knew my name. There’s a difference. hahaha. I was there on behalf of pornography, and the art of tattooing. A good reason to travel I would think.

Music – 2008’s been okay so far. I’ve bought several CDs, most have been good. Some were just bad. Let’s talk about rock!
Attack & Release by The Black Keys – Whoa, someone tell Dangermouse to stay away from rap forever, and stick to doing this. This album sounds a lot cleaner than Magic Potion’s gritty ass sound, but I’m sure this was a step in the right direction. I heard “Strange Times” more than once on the radio. That’s a win as far as I’m concerned.
The Bedlam in Goliath by The Mars Volta – Ah, they stopped doing hard drugs a while ago, but they continue with the weird shit. This concept was definitely the strangest yet. Supposedly Omar bought Cedric an evil ouija board from Israel while on vacation. Ouija board has magical powers, almost breaks band up, record is born. I can’t imagine how the convo went when they decided to make this album..
Omar: Hey, you know that Ouija board that almost killed us?
Cedric: …
Omar: Let’s make an album about it.
Cedric: ..I’m down. Let me write some weird shit that doesn’t make sense, but totally does when you think about it.
Omar: Cool, let me program some freaky ass sounds into this keyboard. You should check out these riffs I’m writing, they sound like animals dying.
Cedric: Should we tell the other guys?
Omar: No, only tell Thomas. He’s going to have to drum for 3 hours straight at our live shows. By the way, how does this vest from the 1930’s look on me? I couldn’t find the matching top hat.
Thomas: Hey gang..
That’s my attempt at humor. It may sound like I am bashing TMV, but I’m not. I truly enjoyed this album. Maybe not as much as Frances the Mute, but it’s up there. My only beef with it was that although the concept seemed like it would be tighter than ever, everything just seems so unorganized. I had the pleasure of watching these gentlemen perform at UCI in January, and it was definitely one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen in my life. AND I’VE WATCHED DAFT PUNK PERFORM. HOW BOUT THEM APPLEZ?
Runnin’ Wild by Airbourne – Motherfucking kick ass. I like beer, I like cheap sluts, I like throwing punches at nothing, I like kick ass guitar riffs. This album is like all of that rolled into one. Especially the guitar riffs part. This is a must buy if you like whiskey and girls in black.
Gods of the Earth by The Sword – I don’t know my genres anymore. This is either Doom metal, Stoner metal, or Dragonslaying metal. I can never understand what their lead singer is saying, but they make up for that with their bad ass style of play. It’s heavy and dirty, like my nuts.
Let’s talk about rap.
Rising Down by The Roots – Hey look, someone is still making quality hip-hop music out there. I’m going to go ahead and say this is probably my favorite album of 2008 so far. It’s albums like these that make me so happy to be a part of the culture. Black Thought was flawless throughout, as were the rest of them. Go out and get it if you haven’t already
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II by Killer Mike – You don’t know who Killer Mike is. That’s okay, he’s college educated. You kinda forget that this guy was on a major label once, and had an opportunity to go to Bad Boy to get some real good exposure. Oh well, I think it’s working out for him. The album is great. Everyone forgets that Killer Mike is a fucking monsterrrrrrrrr on the mic. His debut was named Monster… Dope beats, dope rhymes, some good stories, great guest spots, quality bangers and some positive messages all throughout this record. It’s hard to find, but if you find it, buy it.
Untitled by Nas – I don’t want to say much cause I’m gonna write about it later. Nas, you got this album out. Please return to doing dope shit. Can you work with Premier while you’re doing that?
Greatest Story Ever Told by David Banner – David Banner says this album is a classic, but I don’t see it. I skipped a few songs between number 2 and 16. They’re just boring. Banner needs to get his shit together, and produce everything himself. Also, how are you going to have T.I. on your album, and not have him rap on it? Eh. I’m mixed about this one. There’s great songs. There’s awful ones. I don’t want to call it a letdown, but I’m not gonna say it’s great, or really good, even. All you need to know is stuntin’ is a habit. So get like me.
II Trill by Bun B – Oh look, the south put out a good album! This is nothing new, haterz. Bun B has been dope for years. I don’t think I wrote a review for this. I don’t want to. It’s a really good album. A lot better than Trill. Take my word for it.
Let’s talk about Other/Misc.!
In Silico by Pendulum – Jesus Christ. I really liked their previous effort, but this album has made me a real fan. It’s such a hard album. It’s become a mandatory part of my freeway driving experience. I like the direction they went on this one. It’s got more of a rock influence, and there’s a lot more vocals too. I ain’t even talking about Tenor Fly. hahahaha. They still keep it D&B even though they changed it up a bit. Truly one of my favorite albums this year. I can’t believe it was out for like two months before I even heard it.
That’s my 08 so far. I’m looking forward to a lot more music, some more trips to Canada, and wherever else. I’m looking forward to school starting in the fall. It’s gonna be great.