Top CDs of 2007

As I look back on the year, I have to say that very few CDs stand out. I'll probably add more as they come to mind, but here's what I got so far. If you don't own these, you're a sucka, as most other music in the rap and R&B genre where snoozable!

K-OS-Atlantis: Hymns for Disco

I got this as a random promo and thought, oh yeah, yet another to add to the pile. One listen and I was hooked, a second listen and I was a fan. A great off-beat rap/disco/dance album with something to offer any hip-hop head. Buy it, love it, tell a friend.

Wyclef Jean-Carnival II: Memoires of an Immigrant

With guest appearances from Paul Simon, T.I. and Chamillionaire, this album is straight dope and can be listened to over and over again. Wyclef came back strong to end the year, even if we never get another Fugees record.

J. Holiday-Back of My Lac

If you checked out my myspace page about mid-year, you know that I was one of the first to have "Bed" as my song. I thought this artist may be a one-hitter, but was pleasantly surprised. One song reminded me of D'Angelo, another Christion, while another Musiq Soulchild. Overall, a great first album for a new artist. Pop it in, sit back, smoke a Phillly or drink a cold glass of milk, and chill with ya boyz or main squeeze.

Witchdoctor-Diary of an American Witchdoctor

Ahh, a second helping of the guy that brought you "Everyday is a holiday, another motherfu--in' dolla day," off the Bulworth Soundtrack and his own easily forgettable album, A S.W.A.T. Healin' Ritual. Not sure what Witchdoctor has been up to til now, but this album is a sweet listen and well-worth the five bucks it's going for on Amazon. Plus, if Adult Swim puts their stamp on it, it can't be all that bad, right?!

Devin the Dude-Waiting to Inhale

I've never been a really big fan of Devin, and always thought he was stronger as a guest appearance than anything else, but even at first-listen, this album had me rolling and may have made me a fan. There's a simple formula to Devin's music, talk about weed and getting high, disrespect women, and don't forget to mention how much meat your packin. Simple, and it works. A great listen for those who aren't offended by the above, and even if you are, you'll probably still chuckle a bit.

Smokeskrene will razz me for not including T.I., but it needs another listen to determine if it's a classic.

A declaration for 2008

I’ve been a really shitty friend, boyfriend, brother, and son over the last six months. With work consuming me even moreso than usual, I’ve become more self-absorbed. In return, sleep, minimal confrontation or opposition, and my “leave me the F-alone” attitude have overtaken me. So, I haven’t been there when I should have, or have been late, I haven’t really taken other people’s feelings into consideration, and have easily been annoyed when bothered. So, I have to say I’m sorry, and hope to change things in the new year.

My plan is to hopefully work less, the addition of an assistant manager should help (fingers- crossed), hold my associates more accountable, because I’m tired of dancing circles around everyone else, even at my tiredest moments, and enjoy time away from work. I might even travel a little to see family and friends, starting with vacation in February and to the Texas Frightmare Weekend in Dallas, woo hoo! I’d also like to spend more time blogging, and watching my mounds of movies, in order to get up more reviews on http://www.sideshowreview.com/, which has been both a revelation and a hinderance.

It has given me a vehicle to express my opinion, bring unheard of movies to my loyal viewers, and has challenged me to be creative and insightful, while staying true to my likes/dislikes. It has hindered me in being able to get several movies watched in one sitting, and has somewhat decreased my pleasure in watching, because I feel obligated to do a review, because 1) I want to continue to establish my credibility through review volume, and 2) if I don’t post a review, I feel like I’m letting down my fans, how few they may be, and also my review partner, Smokeskrene, who has worked diligently in spreading the word, and has also busted his ass too to get reviews up. Now, obviously, the holidays have been an exception for us due to our current career choice and overall holiday busyness, but rest assured, we have plans to devote more quality time to our plight.

So, here’s to a better friend in me, more movie reviews, time spent with yous, and blogging in 2008.

By the way, I did have the sincerest pumpkin carving skills in 2007, that is, according to The Great Pumpkin!

What I didn't get for Christmas

Even though I never had one of my own, this toy was ubercool back in the 80's. Not really for what it could do, but for what I thought/wished it could do. I remember numerous times trying to get Teddy to mouth the words to other songs, but to no avail. But really, how dope would it be to hear/watch teddy rhyming NWA or Eazy-E?