PRINCE Feature - THE TAO OF PRINCE

By Royal Appointments.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Godzilla didn't have s### on this!

Monday the 17th of May, 2014. The morning after. The morning after a night like no other. When purple hit the Northern Soul of Manchester's Oasis like a 'HIT N RUN', as the late, great Prince and his powerful girl group 3RDEYEGIRL united the city in its most awesome arena. There was never going to be a come down when the elevator took everyone going crazy this high on back-to-back nights in the city Beckham and Best built. But what could top this? Eyejustknewordscouldntdoitjusticeeveninhissignaturestyle2nite. And sitting there in the middle of a few days later. Writing a review of the Summer blockbuster 'Godzilla' movie starring Bryan Cranston for all of ten minutes. Whilst waiting for a text from my girlfriend at the time, my phone buzzed. It was an e-mail. One asking me about my review. No...not of the Japanese kaiju with electric breath, but my review of the monster show of all sold out shows, Prince's gig. By royal appointment an e-mail with a subject, 'photo swap + clearance' made it's way through like Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan and Dave Chappelle (more on him later)."Hi there", it began like me speaking to women (before said girlfriend, may I add for disclaimer posterity). Oh, oh...was I in trouble? Copyright trouble?! "Hope all is well" (well that depends). "Thank you so much for the Prince review" (oh...you're welcome). Who is this I thought? "I wondered if you'd be able to swap the current photo used on your review with the one attached" (erm...sure. You sure you don't want to sue me?)? A beautiful confetti of purple and dove white ticker tape with the force of the Purple Yoda's hand out like Baby Grogu. Thanks Anna! But that wasn't it. "Prince's office" (PRINCE'S OFFICE!?!). "Prince's office loved the review and wanted to ask your permission (MY PERMISSION?!) to use snippets from the review, of course with a credit"(wait...what?! Credit? F### a credit! This is amazing! Of course).

Prince's office?

PRINCE'S OFFICE?!

Does that mean?

Could he have?

No.

Surely not!

Nah!

NO!

Wait!

Little did I think I'd ever get the chance to see Prince live. Little did I know the man that seemed as ageless and forever as he still is now would pass two years later. How could I even begin to believe his eyes might have met my words?

How about another bedtime story?

King James' Lakers aren't the only royalty to come out of Minneapolis wearing purple. A Queen once came to my home here in the blue of Yokohama, Japan in Prince Paisley...and that was all she wrote.

The King dressing as Prince for Halloween. Those 'Purple Rain' Minnesota Timberwolves uniforms.

Spike Lee showing up at the Oscars suited and booted in purple like him, with the symbol shoes to match. His 'She's Gotta Have It' Prince tribute episode.

The 'Empire' one complete with a 'Raspberry Valet'.

So much love.

Yesterday if coronavirus hadn't taken everything already in the terrible 2020, we lost the great Larry King. A true pioneer and King of Late Night television (sorry Jimmy...Kimmel and Fallon (your time's about to come). So today I finally watched the classic 'Larry King Live' interview with the then symbolic, Artist Formerly Known As Prince in 1999 of all years whilst writing this. Party like that! Larry King was as New York as the steam from corner stand hot dogs or manhole covers. And nothing compares to how much he was as legendary to this city as the same Sinatra they were also paying tribute to on the anniversary of his passing. Not even beginning to realize in just over two decades we'd be mourning their last night too. The two flirted up a storm. Larry decked out in his traditional spectacle of bifocals, braces and Sipowicz shirts with the sleeves rolled up like cufflinks were going out of business. Prince in 'Rave2TheJoy' era black, with the hair and beard to match. Platinum symbol hanging on a chain of a man who no longer had to write "SLAVE" on his face in black marker. At one point the veteran reliable King like LeBron forgot a question. "What was the question?" he asked the purple one. "I just asked the question. I forgot the question!" "You were just saying how much you loved live television", Prince in subtle tongue in cheek soft speaking quipped. We and he almost missed that. But when we cottoned on we marvelled at the stark genius. Even the man who went by a logo when he wasn't called a Prince knew how to be as playful as the cough (don't do that today) at the start of the 'Raspberry Beret' video and not take us or himself too seriously. One man who did take Mr. Rogers seriously was Mr. King. The same Larry who once famously larked at a boasting DJ Khaled of "We The Best" and cullingus avoidance fame, "how did you gain all the weight"!? The host was gracious to Prince's name change and symbolic power, even when some were not. He asked his trademark personal questions that didn't probe, but instead offered perspective. As Prince himself said about the personal life of fellow greatest of all-time, Michael Jordan and whether he gets along with his wife, kids, "I want to know how he gets along with that rim." Larry even brought out the symbol for the viewers at home on the bottom of the screen. After all Jerry, this is still CNN.

Arsenio. Hall was as 80's as 'Purple Rain' or the 'Coming To America' (get ready for the return) movie starring Eddie Murphy he buddy played in that went decade toe-to-toe with Rogers Nelson's movie to his magnum opus of the same name. 'Purple' being to Prince's reign what 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was to the majesty of Freddie Mercury and Queen. In both Prince and Arsenio's grand return they talk about old times (so much so Prince "uh-uh" mockingly pretends to leave when he thinks too much is about to be shed like Apollonia), no phones, social media ("I want to have PRINCESTAGRAM" (we do too)) and even offers relationship advice by breaking up with a guys girl on live TV ("this is what it sounds like when Steven breaks up with you"). He just broke out cryin' doves on her. This is even better than people using Cameo to have ring announcer Bruce Buffer call-time on a relationship or colder than Sugar Ray's ("who said Sugar Gay?") Mark McGrath admitting this wasn't the best time to break up with someone's boyfriend whilst he's doing his thesus ("she wants to be friends right now bro"). Aint no halo hangin' on the corner of that four post bed.

Classic interviews like the time he got a little tired on a morning show and took a small cracker out his velvet breast pocket for a little sustenance.

Or the time on Leno when he asked Mel Gibson if he wanted to catch a film after the show. How about 'The Passion'?

Speaking of living rooms, Prince once announced his 'HIT N RUN' tour live from the one of U.K soul sensation Lianne La Havas, whose vocal interludes even appeared on those tour accompanying albums. The best of British probably couldn't believe her luck, but have you heard her music? Hit Spotify on her cover of Radiohead's 'Weird Fishes' and the 'Out Of Your Mind' interlude before and tell me tomorrow you weren't streaming them for the rest of this night.

Speaking of late nights, Jimmy Fallon live via satellite on a socially distant Graham Norton show retold the same 'Forrest Gump' epic ping pong story he told Jamie Foxx after the comedian quipped that the purple ones voice is sexier in real life (and if you think that's crazy check what happened when he looked into this "deers" eyes on the 'I Might Need Security' stand-up show). Legend has it Fallon was tipped before a Prince performance on his show that The Artist loves a bit of table tennis. So out came the toy court, but TAFKAP didn't even look at it like it was an ex. Was this a joke? Not as big as this one sounds...but have you watched 'New Girl'? Weeks later Jimmy got a call whilst out for dinner. Was everything ok? "I've gotta go...Prince wants to play me in ping pong!" Best excuse ever. Jim gets to this warehouse of a place. "Erm I'm here for...". "Prince?!" "Erm...yeah!" He gets inside and there he is. Crushed velvet holding a paddle. "You ready for this?" Prince says ready to unleash a spanking. A floundering Fallon can't tell whether what's tapping is the ball or the diminutive dynamo's heels. Either way it's "game point" and a Serena like serve that hit the corner of the table at the perfect point game set and matches like purple slacks, as Jimmy hits the deck to retrieve the bouncing ball that's traditionally all over the place like Uber Eats deliveries. He looks up. Prince is gone like Batman. But then The Roots and Late Night house drummer Questlove see's the 'Partyman' who wrote an entire 'Batman' soundtrack for Jack Nicholson outside in a limo. "What happened?" the most famous afro this side of Dr. J asks. As the window winds down like Grey Poupon, Prince simply replies..."ask your boy!!"

Window rolls up.

Game...blouses.

Pops retelling that story to me last week inspired this very article so, Dear Dad...thank you.

On the Comedy Central classic 'Chappelle Show', the late, great Charlie Murphy once tells of a time him and his brother Eddie went to the club and ran into Prince. Prince wanted to take them back to Paisley Park and play them some cuts. So Eddie assembled his crew and met him outside. Later on this bored a lollipop sucking Prince. So he challenged the Murphy's to a game of basketball. Hilarious laughter ensued. "How about you and your friends versus me and The Revolution" he coaxed. More classic cackles. Out they come..."wearing the same s### that they had on in the club". You can only guess what came next. "How about we make this the shirts versus the blouses?" Big mistake Charlie Murphy. Time to purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka, because Prince just ice grilled you. "Good. Good." In your face Charlie Murphy. Game...the guy with no hands on the rim who will come down when he wants to. After serving Charlie and his crew of flunkies, Prince served them pancakes...pancakes. It sounds too much like a bit, but that 'Real Hollywood Story' is as true as Charlie Murphy's Rick James s###. Cocaine's a hell of a drug. Now how do you like those grapes?

Prince even had the last laugh later putting Dave Chappelle's mock likeness of him on the cover of his 'Breakfast Can Wait' single...complete with pancakes for that extra syrup.

Speaking of clubs, R&B singing and dancing redefinition before '8701' ushered that all in like it was his way, Ginuwine was once in the spot. There was a tap on his shoulder. G turned 'round, looked down and there was Prince. "You know I don't normally like people covering my records (referring to 'The Bachelor' with all the roses' 1996 Timbaland produced 'When Doves Cry' rework even more refreshing than the 'Romeo + Juliet' one by Quindon Tarver that took 'em to church)." "But I liked yours". The highest of praise Gin turned to his friends to tell them to get a load of this. He turned back around. All that was left was smoke...and it probably didn't belong to the nightclub.

Mariah Carey and Dru Hill's 'Butterfly' version of 'The Beautiful Ones' honey. Sinead O'Connor. So many have made their mark, but nothing, not even a single tear compares to the real thing like the purple one playing on his love sign equivalent Kate Bush's 'Red Shoes'. It's not just another 'Manic Monday' for your bangles. Alicia Keys however, about to be Oprah rich with her diamond debut, 'Songs In A Minor' had a version of 'How Come You Don't Me Anymore' that just had to be dialled into. She had mastered everything on that record except ask the Prince's permission. So looking for royal decree she called HIM up. As she tells it in her amazing 'More Myself' autobiography that is truly a New York 'Journey' like yellow cabs or steel subways he was gracious, kind, offering advice and his blessing...on one condition. She took his stage too and performed it at Paisley. This was no place for pips. Gladys Knight brought the house down before her. Then it was Alicia's turn to take it to the keys and show us who she was like her third album. Prince only had one condition...no cussing. This was a religious house. One Miss Keys brought down too like Gladys' 'License To Kill'. Like a fellow New York Beastie Boys, 'License To Ill', Alicia was bugging. She had sealed the deal and her fate as the next great. Coming off stage a smiling Prince took one look at her and that was all she needed to know, "you gonna have to put a dollar in my curse jar".

Prince's Paisley vault may have been distastefully raided days after he died, but here's one thing they won't get their hands on. Prince and guitar hero Lenny Kravitz once recorded an album together and you just know those tracks were slammin'. On completion Prince looked at Lenny as serious as the day he was born and simply said, "this is just for us"!

Damn!

Fun Lovin' Criminal as New York as a soprano Huey Morgan tried to bum rush a Prince show in Manhattan. He couldn't get in. He went round the back. A young glass collector looking for a break let him in. That glass collectors name was Lenny.

You want to talk about live shows? How about his purple touchdown at the Superbowl? Complete with doves flying like running backs? Even covering the Foo Fighters for the best of them before bandana crowd throwing and raining his greatest mic stand dropping performance of 'Purple Rain' down on the crowd, whilst IT ACTUALLY RAINED!

Haily proud Mary. 

Perfect. Just like his reaction to the crowd participation when he asked them if he could get a little more.

How's this for more? Brit Awards surprise performer. Chris Evans (no, not that one Captain, but the former 'TFI Friday' host who once had Bon Jovi blow torch autograph his desk) only had to say one word ladies and gentlemen..."Prince". Before the Musicology who was charging fans at the time £31.21 a show after the name of his latest album (aren't you glad it wasn't called 9985?) beautifully bloomed into a refreshing rendition of 'Te Amo Corazon' that had so many people falling in love, Cupid could take a day off. And then there was more purple as Joss Stone and KT Tunstall couldn't contain themselves as Sheila E beat the rain out of the drums.

Even unplugged for MTV (of course with a purple acoustic) he played up and with the crowd. Shaking his head and "uh-uh" reacting like he didn't like the taste restarting 'Cream' until all those young cats from the kitten video generation, lapping it up, got it. Throwing his rings into the crowd before he began...probably because they got in the way of the music. You know they were worth a few bob. The kind that didn't turn your finger green, but purple.

And then there was the time Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne, the late, great Tom Petty and Dhani Harrison all honoured his late, great father George with their live rendition of The Beatles 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. Well there was no supressed tears as an out of nowhere Prince made his guitar cry like Wyclef talking about Carlos Santana, Maria. So much so there wasn't a dry eye or closed mouth in the house as Prince was feeling it and showing everyone up with his solo. Even Prince's face contoured like zero gravity. They couldn't keep up with their acoustics and they looked pissed singing the same line again as they didn't know when to come back in like arguments in the kitchen. Especially when Prince did a 'Smooth Criminal' in reverse, leaning back like Fat Joe so far whilst playing his security had to keep him up and from involuntary crowd-surfing. The young Dhani was loving it and then the Travelling Wilbury and heartbreaking Tom had to crack a smile. Prince seeing that, tongue in cheek just teased him more. Nodding at him in recognition that this was all fun and games with the greats for one of the fab. The song ended even though in the end no one wanted it to do. Prince tossed his guitar in the air and just left the stage like smoke from the ashes he just left in his wake. The guitar never came down. It's probably still up there in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame heavens. We have a theory who caught it.

George.

Now he can hand it back to him as they jam together up there in them clouds. Harps all around. 

So many artist inspired. So many words to write we could never tire.

Right before he passed Prince talked about how much he was waiting in anticipation for the conclusion to neo-soul icon Maxwell's 'BlackSummersNIGHT' trilogy, wondering what the hold up was. We are too Prince. But know when it comes to it, he'll do it for you.

Before Wesley Snipes in the before tax evasion days, Prince almost starred in the epic dance off for Michael Jackson's 'Bad' 'hood Westside Story like video. Why didn't he? Have you heard the opening lyrics? Like Prince told Trevor Nelson, "my butt is nobody's."

M.J. may be the King of Pop, but Prince is Prince.

Now who's bad?

Want more stories for the Bill Murray or Keanu Reeves Rolling Stone like legendary Tao? As soon as we know, you will too.

Like J.K Rowling's 'Detention With Delores' in Harry Potter's 'The Order Of The Phoenix'.

Watch this space for the next chapter.

Everyone's got a Prince story. Even me.

Seeing the Tokyo Shibuya skyline for the first time to his 'Sign 'O' The Times'. Really hearing 'Little Red Corvette' like it was the first time in a Times Square souvenir shop under the bright lights of the worlds biggest city. Just something else. Just like this one-of-a-kind man.

Chris Tucker directing rush hour traffic in LA whilst iPod singing along to 'Do Me Baby' for his third go round with Jackie Chan.

My friend getting a noise complaint in university after singin' 'Doves' on repeat...and you wonder why we're friends?!

The girl I served in HMV (long live the record shop) with purple hair and the 'Rain' record to match who was doing her dissertation on you know who.

But hear this like this is what it sounds like... 

Last Christmas my heart (my Mother...maybe I'm just like her (I wish)) gave me Prince's autobiography 'The Beautiful Ones' as the perfect present from the perfect person. Further reading from co-author Dan Piepenbring revealed that Prince scoured many amateur blogs (HELLO!) and the like looking for the love of real and raw writing from hungry 'scribes starting out. Could this be further rhyme to the reason?

DID PRINCE ROGERS NELSON ACTUALLY READ MY MOTHERF(hold up Alicia...I need to add a quarter to the swear jar) REVIEW?!

The fact that I will never ever know makes the story that much sweeter.

And like smoke, Prince perfect.

Peace.

REVIEW: THE KILLS - LITTLE BASTARDS

 

4/5

Don't Let The Bastards (2020) Get You Down.

Never mind the bastards, bollocks, 2020, all that shit. Truth be told we'll never forget it, but that doesn't mean we have to drag it over the coals, or walk it back. It's time to leave it where it lies, as we try to pick up the pieces left by politicians outside of New Zealand that couldn't seem to get their act together as we still fight this deadly disease. COVID-19 and presidential. Leave these bastards standing as on our own two we won't let them grind us down with Sex Pistols, 'God Save The Queen' swagger punks. The one thing we will take with us from last year are the 'Little Bastards'. The late December rarities album from The Kills that we are late to getting round to in review lost in our tape deck shuffle and yearly Spotify streams (we're in Haim's top percentage for the album of the year of 'Women In Music'). The one thing we owe to take into 2021 from the pond to pond, English/American rock duo of the U.S. singer Alison "VV" Mossheart and U.K. guitarist Jamie "Hotel" Hince. The Kills. The most underrated, indie band killers and killing it like Brandon Flowers and them 'Imploding The Mirage' on 'My Own Souls Warning'. But this is The Kills, the original band of the vocalist of Jack White's other supergroup to go with The Raconteurs and of course The White Stripes, The Dead Weather that have been kept on your mean side since 2003 or a 'Midnight Boom'. The last time this dynamite like 'Treat Me Like Your Mother' TNT duo had a record out it was the other worst year of the decade or all-time, when we lost Bowie, Prince and Ali and gained nothing but Brexit and Trump. But out the 'Ash and Ice' of 2016 came a classic like the black and white 'Blood Pressures' and all those 'Satellites' and 'Last Goodbye's'. From 'Doing It To Death' like "double sixing it night after night," to the 'Echo Home', it was another classic after another four years of 'Pressure' and now after almost another half decade to properly begin this new one. Its time to let the 'Bastards' play.

'Superpowerless' like the opening track...yeah that's how we've all felt this year. "Take a drink of my red wine" they sing to begin this Polaroid look of a photo booth of remastered memories. "'Til you're drunk/' Til you're high/'Til you're fake/'Til youre crushed/'Til you're red/' Til you're superpowerless," quarantined at home, locked down with a social distance from everybody and everything except our vices, this decades back track may aswell be the anthem of 2020. But No! It's '21 and over now. And 'Passion Is Accurate' for the anthem of the future that starts slow but moves in "mathematician fashion". Before 'Kiss The Wrong Side' locks the guitar in the right one for some raw riffs of punk power. "Things may turn around "VV" reassures us on the demo of 'Raise Me' with "Hotel's" background, "pledging allegiance." Hince's haunting guitar doesn't wince on a 'Night Train' to where you wish all music sounded like these days as Mossheart like a clash or crush of velvet underground's and pure nirvana, sings for the new sonic youth, "All my lovers take the train/All my lovers, all my love/All my lovers take the train/All my lovers, all my love" to "sleep tight" with "no pain" on this original midnight boom, before the 'Half Of Us' takes us away. All before "London Hates You" like Seven Sisters. Or Paris, New York (Brooklyn too), LA, Detroit, Moscow, Rio, Georgia, Berlin, San Francisco and every city in-between for a track set to be loved the world over. So "muscle on" Hummingbird. 'I Call It Art' Alison sings on the next track that is pure that. We do too. Call it love, or hate all you want. 

'Forty Four' keeps us going like we wish 44 did (the only 45 we know is number 23's brief jersey change). "I'm so mad this morning" they declare on this track as blusey as the deadest weather you've seen all decade, until the drumsticks leave it all on the skins. Getting the guns out they hit an XFM session for 'Love Is A Deserter' with "one eye on the sun" and "one eye in the night" and just that static studio sound that's as raw and real as dust on a groove. But it's 'The Search Of Cherry Red' that revs up a "lipstick trebles under boomlights" track worthy of scoring something cinematic, theatrical, or drive-in. Worthy of a 'Magazine' cover, "in Hollywood I got the phone call". We're hit with a beautiful vocal distort under the 'Blue Moon' that you'd love to wake up to under China blue as you "hear the thunder of life driving by" on this road. The runaway in bluegrass 'Jewel Thief' experiments with real rock and roll traditions for this Englishman from Buckinghamshire and Floridian. You could never dream up a diverse duo that's so dynamic together in your wildest, but through the 'Baby's Eyes' you can see and hear it. Even in demo form, it demonstrates greatness worthy of the record, or the cutting room floor cleaning up when it's comes to what you should stream through your weeping speakers right now. This retrospect of life shows the B-side wins again. But it's their rockin' cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' 'I Put A Spell On You' that like Creedence Clearwater or her White brothers take on Dolly's 'Jolene' is the real classic revival and one of the reasons this band that should be one of the biggest in the world is famous. 'Run Home' slow like the way the future starts, because this 'Weed Killer' won't kill your high, but maybe the lows of yesteryear. And in 'The Void' of it all, or "flying too close to the sun", this is where musical earthquakes come from. This band is part of the seismic shift that made independent rock music from the United Kingdom to the States as Beatle born real like a Rolling Stone in all its killing strokes, like black Dead Weather leather or a rebel motorcycle club in all its stripes. The atmospheric 'Sugar Baby' will sweeten this deal in closing too. Before whatever comes next this year. Sure it's been a while since we've had a brand new Kill or album and as we dig through these crates of vinyl we're really scratching for one now. But until then here's 20 tracks that feel like their own album in themselves because they really do make one here to tide you over. This rarities album from The Kills is a gem set to make a killing. No joke. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Passion Is Accurate', 'London Hates You', 'I Put A Spell On You'. 

REVIEW: EMINEM : MUSIC TO BE MURDERED BY (SIDE B)

5/5

Psycho II. 

Dear Slim, thank you for giving us a music project. 2020 needed this. All the Stan's needed this.

Where to begin? From the sample of Alfred Hitchcock, to the last track of the B-Side taking me back to some old school Shady with a Dre on the boards type track. Probably on my 60th play through from start to finish and it's safe to say he is the Rap God for a reason. I mean once again he does what only Eminem can. Which is sandwich rhyme schemes and punch lines that will leave you laughing or thinking, "did he really just say that"? I mean I'm not the only Stan that literally think's "damn there is no one on his level". Some in his eye come close like in the track 'Favourite Bitch', were he gives a shout out to J. Cole and Lil' Wayne, which was amazing to hear because second to Marshall, J. Cole hits that silver spot in my top five of all-time. From that track its on to the DJ Premier feature in 'Book Of Rhymes', which has got to be one of my favourites off the album.

Ok Fan Boy calm down and let the Poet start speaking my views. Matter of fact you can fall off the deep end.

There is a reason artists don't come at Marshall and if they do well....look at MGK. I mean he has had to change genres to pop punk after he tried to go at the the Rap God and just like the 'Killshot' that took him out this B-Side of 'Music To Be Murdered By' is stacked with that many lethal bars. Anybody would be stupid to go at him, but to be honest that's not why he has done it. You can tell by the style of tracks that Eminem is just doing what he does best and well letting his alter-ego Slim Shady take the reins.

In what is the lead track 'Gnat', he effortlessly takes a run at breaking his own records with the fast flow. Granted it’s not like 'Godzilla' or 'Rap God', but his flow acrobatics are just as effortless. Some that truly have you listening and  picturing a mic drop once the final bar is spat.

Notably tracks that stand out for me from a production stand point include 'Guns Blazing', which sounds like it’s got Dre not just featuring with a verse, but on the boards to. It even makes me think that they could have been tracks that were recorded for the infamous 'Detox' project. Next up I have the track 'Higher'. The beat takes me back to old school Shady Aftermath days.

Hey I completely agree.....

Shut up Fan Boy no one asked you. Poet's talking. Now let me round this up while you get to walking...

Now when it come to the lines that made me want to quit music all together (with Gods bars that most of them) these off of the track 'Favourite Bitch's' first verse really made me say, "f### it. I'm done. Game over!"

"And I know nothing is funny 'bout the Manchester bombing/But we got something in common (What?), both of us are alarming/Foul, disgusting, and awful (Yeah), so repugnant and ugly (Yup)/I could give the Boston Marathon a run for its money”

I mean the above makes you say, "s### did he say that!" Then when it all clicks at what he structured for that last bar of that, combined with the fact it’s no holds barred in terms of subject matter, there is only one thing that comes to mind......Slim Shady. DAN STOCKER and the REAL POET. 

REVIEW: PAUL MCCARTNEY - MCCARTNEY III

4/5

Live And Let It Snow... 

"Simply...having...a wonderful Christmas time." That's what we all wish we could be doing right now, but instead locked down in quarantine we are just standing in our "living" rooms. Staring at four walls like a Willie Nelson hello, or through the frosted glass out to the snow outside. Wishing we could play like kids with a fever. Coronavirus has crucified the calender, but this is the time of year to stay safe at home with the one you hold dear. After all four wise men once said, 'All You Need Is Love'. You can get by with a little help from these friends. Two dearly departed may be like the stars; above, but one of the greats and the guy who isn't even the best drummer in the Fab Four (we're playing Ringo...you're as much a legend as the rest of your band on the run) are still here. Mac is back. You can imagine Sir Paul McCartney standing at the rooftop of his apartment like we all are now. Just watching the world go by. A rooftop reunion reminiscent of Apple Studios in London's Savile Row. Where tailor made for a surprise The Beatles put on one last open air live concert before they let it be. Or it could be Liverpool. Because this legend has never forgot where he's come from. Like another local lad here in Japan ("from Liverpool to Tokyo, what a way to go" like John and Yoko Ono and seeing their 'Double Fantasy' again) a train ride from the big city in Yokohama, the same time it took him to get to the Lime Street station from his seaside Southport hometown. Or the Cavern of car pooling with James Corden. Paul looks to his left. "By George where is he?" He looks to his right. His right hand man. "Have you seen my good friend John" like Marvin? He looks to the wings. He looks straight ahead, down below were crowds on their lunch gathered during the middle of just another day in 1969. "Where is everyone?"

Macca, Maggie and Mando. This big Friday sees the release of the best young artist of our generation, Maggie Rogers' 'Notes From The Archive'. A retrospect of her salad days, 2011-2016 recordings before she hit it big like the Pharrell peak of 'Alaska'. Taking it back but also heading forwards in light speed because this is the way, we also have the concluding episode of Star Wars' out of this world successful series 'The Mandalorian' for Disney + and all you Baby Yoda fans. And Denzel Washington hopping August Wilson's staged 'Fences' again with an Oscar winning Viola Davis for the late, great Chadwick Boseman playing it one last time. But the real conclusion comes with, 'McCartney III', where the Godfather of rock and roll jets to the end of his epic trilogy. Mac's solo act has always been critic as criminals, cruelly underrated. Just like his beautiful ballad of 'My Love' and heart. The same can be said for this trilogy and concluding album. Par exemple. There's nothing in his career (including The Beatles), or music right now that sounds like his inspired 'Long Tailed Winter Bird' into as Macca flies from his last stop at the epic 'Egypt Station'. Right as we find ourselves like him, coming out this terrible year with the fresh 'Find My Way'. "You never used to be/Afraid of days like these/But now you're overwhelmed/By your anxieties" he sings in solidarity to a coronavirus crippled planet in a pandemic, fighting for our lives and souls as we've lost so many. Marching in movements like 'Black Lives Matter' whilst blue powers that be are still choking us by the collar. He continues his barefooted 'Abbey Road' zebra crossing walk on 'Pretty Boys' and the warning to 'Women and Wives' in this year of a locked down, quarantined war zone that may even be our own homes. "Hear me, women and wives/Hear me, husbands and lovers/What we do with our lives/Seems to matter to others/Some of them may follow/Roads that we run down/Chasing tomorrow." It's a chorus we should all chorally respond to and sing along like a 'Hey Jude', "na, na-na-na, na." Right now paying heed like we did to any Lennon and McCartney songwriting partnership lyrical lament that told us things like "all we need is...(do you really need me to remind you?). A duo so dynamic, everyone from Sinatra and Martin, to De Niro and Pacino, or even Shaq and the late, great Kobe were compared to them. 

Time to roll the dice again on its black balled knife edge. 'Lavatory Lil' could Cavern Club find its way on the 'Rubber Soul' treadmarks of any old record from Paul's big three in the Fab Four. But it's the eight minute wonder of a 'Deep Deep Feeling' that really take us higher than a 'Yellow Submarine' trip acid hit. And deeper and darker too. As the living colours like Mr. Mustard are replaced with lyrics that resonate with bite like, "You know that deep, deep feeling/When you love someone so much, you feel your heart's gonna burst/The feeling goes from best to worst/You feel your heart is gonna burst/Here in my heart, I feel a deep devotion/It almost hurts, it's such a deep emotion." He laments on a track that in the sitar studios, George Harrison would really think is something. Then slipping into 'Slidin'' like familiar footwear this Beatle rocks like a Rolling Stone or the cover he shared with the 'Folklore' of Taylor Swift before she 'Evermore' surprised us with another album out of the blue and woods again. Then the man who has been interviewed recently from everyone from super Beastie Boy, Chili Pepper and Cash producer, Rick Rubin to amazing actor and marvellous musician too, Idris Elba for the BBC spins some of his own folky tales for 'The Kiss Of Venus'. All before he 'Seizes The Day' for another Beatlemania classic of "Yankee toes and Eskimos" and more simple trademark and traditional messages that hold your hand as Mother Mary sings to me as he tells us in this show that, "it's still alright to be nice" in a world of woe gone trumped up and fake tan or sour orange bad. Taking us 'Deep Down' on some orchestrated organ that will have us tapping our feet in church as we count our blessings and sins like the tipping point of a balancing scale. Don't lose your footing this year, because this man's worn through these type of shoes. Giving Ed Sullivan, hordes of screaming teenagers and America hope after they lost JFK. Now a living legend like Dylan still working on his songbook like Springsteen or a 'Letter To You' is the only boss we need as we fire the apprentice. Reprising the 'Winter Bird' for the classic closer of this trilogy 'When Winter Comes' like a game of thrones. In what would have been the year of his dear John's 80th, this man keep it 100 and hits his biggest solo percentage. Sounding as much as a Beatle as he does his own artist. As familiar as some songs do stranger. 'McCartney III' is an offer you can't refuse. Now Macca looks over his shoulder, behind his back to see the man whose still got his. The little drummer boy. Merry Christmas. "Ding, dong, ding dong". "The moon is right. The spirits up. We're here tonight". And believe me, "that's enough". Have a wonderful one. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Long Tailed Winter Bird', 'Deep Deep Feeling', 'Seize The Day'. 

REVIEW: MAGGIE ROGERS - NOTES FROM THE ARCHIVE: RECORDINGS 2011-2016

 

4/5

Maggie's Farm.

What's a year for 'Women In Music' without the one with the best album of last year like this calendars Haim? Maggie's back in town, but this is something you may have heard in a past life. Ever since Pharrell took a trip to N.Y.U. and was moved to disbelief and choked back tears on hearing 'Alaska', Maggie has been on the top of a music mountain. You can tell just in how she holds her stage. From her charming shyness on her first 'Tiny Desk Concert' for NPR (Lizzy Goodman's 'Meet Me In The Bathroom' dog earred book that the once aspiring journalist, Maggie interview editing poured over for hours, lost in transcription, Easter Egg resting on the desk amongst other tidbits), to how she 'Fallingwater' floats in her beautiful ballet like the paint strokes from her traditional shawls and wraps (her superhero cape) like the iconic artwork of her first classic album. A set that featured 'Alaska', 'Burning', 'Overnight', 'The Knife' and so many singles and classics as she more than gave a little, leaving the 'Light On'. "Standing in the open light, within' the swelter of the night", like our favourite, 'Say It'. I can't tell you how I couldn't help but fall in love the first time I heard it through my headphones coming into play as Spotify shuffled into this new artist after Leon Bridges latest album for-like him-another who would instantly become one of my favourites like Springsteen, Ben Harper, Norah Jones, or the late, great purple one, formerly of this world, the artist we will always know as Prince. And of course for a local lad from a train ride from Liverpool myself, The Beatles. But in a big week to end a locked down year, quarantined in the studio, trying to make sense or 2020. One that sees Macca conclude his trilogy with 'McCartney III' and Mando complete his second season with Baby Yoda (I'm sorry, but it will always be Baby Yoda) on Disney + for Star Wars' 'The Mandalorian'. Even in this week with spin-off a from the biggest band and movie franchise of all-time. Not to mention the late, great Chadwick Boseman's last dance as executive producer Denzel Washington and Best Actress Viola Davis take to the 'Fences' of August Wilson's stage again for 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. It's Maggie reissuing and releasing some B-sides with, 'Notes From The Archive: Recordings 2011-2016' that really hits from the cutting room floor. This is the way. Just when you thought the singer who recently duetted with 'The Punisher' of another album of the year, Phoebe Bridgers on an 'Iris' Goo Goo Dolls cover to rock the vote, hanging out of the car window like Heath Ledger's Joker with the knives out on a Captain America sweater for the stunning, Summer like single, 'Love You For A Long Time' was going to lead to a new album like that tweet she reposted (it will). Maggie 'Echo' takes it back for the 'Better' like the 'Color Songs' that went 'On + On' for the treasure of the 'Now That The Light Is Fading' EP. These are the 'Dog Years'. Count your time in it this Christmas, because this is a gift. Like the balm stuck at home this year of the wooden box, personal letter and field notes gift set some (I wish, but thank you for sharing my review of your first classic album Maggie. You have no idea how much my phone blew up with retweets...thats how big of a star you were in that moment and still are in your legacy) have been already sent for this collection. Take notes of your past life for the record. Because if you've had a bad week (or let's face it year) this one that loves you will sing you to sleep. 

Oh, 'James'. Like an old lover or friend, this feels so fondly familiar. "Maybe you're in love or hung up on another/Maybe you found a far prettier lover/Maybe you'll paint her a picture like you did for me/You color your world with that Neverland smile/But it goes dark in pieces every once in a while/And on my birthday I told you, "Dont worry, there'll be other days/Oh James/Oh James", she sings in the 'Blood Ballet' (we need a reissue of this album) of a former Spotify viral chart sensation and easily one of her best songs for the record...or any record. Say it. And how about the actual 'Blood Ballet' itself as this song is counted in and Maggie dances around acoustics singing, "Tell me how you are/And I'll write a song for every feeling I can't name/Like we were dancing in a f###### blood ballet/It was a massacre", for this album title track in raw retrograde? As soon as this 'Archive' opens up like a Prince vault the treasures spill out in 'Celadon & Gold' for the sound of this singer, formerly knowingly like an indie darling, as tracks like the beautiful 'Together' bind. On 'Steady Now' she keeps going like a raconteur. Before giving us 'One More Afternoon' with grunge guitars that sound like Seattle or early Chili Peppers out in California. But it's the banjos of 'Resonant Body' that really have a resonance like a shiver down your spine as this is her signature sound. "Drum on my ribcage" she tells you, "for my disonant tones" as she goes back into hers in all its beauty, "freckles and old scars". And if you thought that was beauty, check out the reflection of pure 'Symmetry', chord-for-chord on the perfect piano. "We don't have to talk/Leave your words in the city with your heavy thoughts" she says as the Steinway is the only way. Depths of darkness that aren't downcast if you leave the light on like the shadows of this albums artwork, because this is the most personal, perfect portrait of an artist who takes us there in a quarantined, 'I Know Alone' world that's been wearing masks for years, as we scroll through our phones. 

'Little Joys' can be found here like the gems of these tracks. But to get 'On The Page' of one of Maggie's earliest records is to get to the heart of who this artist really is and what these past recording releases are all about. And in the same time we finally see some 'Early Years (1963-1967)' archives from the Volume 1 of icon Joni Mitchell, this singer who was oft-compared and called an electric version before she made her own name creates her own legend with her own scrap book crate of musical memory. Rogers singing on the backstage steps with tiles as acoustics to her guitar, telling her muse, "So hold me/Sing me to sleep/On the crest of a late breaking wave/And write me/Into your thoughts/I'll be safe with the words on the page" shows us even back then she was writing classic choruses and lines that will last longer in legacy than this streaming moment right now. Pure warmth like 'James'  and his "ooh, ooh, ooh" harmonies, or the comfortable sweater in the desert of the singles original artwork. Getting together with Del Water Gap on a 'New Song' the chemistry is set as her beautiful banjos meet his atmospheric acoustic as she sings, "lovely, tearing me down with your cheekbones/They're warm, but they hit me like sharp stones." Showing yet like time-and-time, "still smelling your scent" again that no one can write about the joys of falling in love without a parachute like her as she webs lyrics together in a beautiful vocabulary. It's what we all need right now in a time of love and life were relationships these days are swiping away at trying to find what's right from all we've left behind. "Everybody's waiting for their one and only/And now and always" she adds on 'Anybody' on another amazing song and reason this collection was curated. Because how has this not been on an official record until now? Just like her signature, generational classic 'Kids Like Us' on more banjo sessions than you could shake some bluegrass at. But nothing howls with such cinematic depth or platinum foreshadowing as when she let's the 'Wolves' out, 'waking with the sun" on an 'Light On' road trip into the wild. "Gearing for the road", "running and never coming back", with the warmth of the "Autumn harvest moon" as her company in this 'Echo' and extended play. The journey is complete by 'Satellite', but Maggie Rogers' one is far from as the pianos play on and again like Sam with stirring strings. The old saying goes that "you can't tell where you're going, if you don't know where you came from" and now we know exactly where Maggie is coming from we can look to 2021 with the clarity and clearness of when the rain is gone. Now we can't wait to hear what comes in the future life. Say it. Tell it. Hear it. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'James', 'New Song (Feat. Del Water Gap)', 'Symmetry'. 

REVIEW: TAYLOR SWIFT - EVERMORE

 

4/5

Evergreen. 

Out of the woods no more, Taylor Swift isn't even in the clear with her second surprise release of the year and her third album in 15 months my 'Lover'. Following the 'Folklore', the evoking 'Evermore' see's Taylor remade and releasing swiftly once again. Surprising like Ariane Grande, as we still can't work out who's the biggest artist (not female artist...but, ARTIST) in the world. Her, her (H.E.R.) or the 'Rain On Me' reign of star reborn, Lady Gaga in her own quarantined world at a social distance of 'Chromatica' this year. And let's not forget about the 'Lemonade' of Beyonce (her sister Solange), or the work, work, work of Ri, Ri. But notoriously dropping like bird excrement with another B.I.G. album in the same string vain of folk to the hardcore debuting DMX of 1998 (releasing both 'It's Dark And Hell Is Hot' and 'Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood' in the same year with no quarantine), Swift sings with the big three sisters of Haim (whilst 'Punisher', Phoebe Bridgers collaborates with the 'Red Eye' or Rager Cudi) who in their 'Part III' had and still has (even with those two) the best album of this year of 'Women In Music'. "Este's a friend of mine/We meet up every Tuesday night for dinner and a glass of wine/Este's been losin' sleep/Her husband's actin' different, and it smells like infidelity/She says, "That ain't my merlot on his mouth/That ain't my jewelry on our joint account"/No, there ain't no doubt/I think I'm gonna call him out", Taylor tells it before Este doesn't show up at everyone's favourite Olive Garden. "Does anyone have eyes on Este", Haim's official band Twitter posted today in reaction to this faux true crime story of their sister confronting a cheating lover and ending up in a coffin, as the 'Red' singer and those 'Days Are Gone' remaining sisters vow a blood soaked revenge on a country classic storytelling track that echoes the misty haunting vocals of Norah Jones' 'Miriam' (the anti-'Jolene'). A legend whose had her own legacy making run of 12 months with her own supergroup Puss N Boots' second album and Christmas EP, not to mention her 'Pick Me Up Off The Floor', back to basics solo. Its no longer three for those 'Man From The Magazine' singers battling c###s. "Good thing my daddy made me get a boating license when I was fifteen/And I've cleaned enough houses/To know how to cover up a scene/Good thing Este's sister's gonna swear she was with me," Taylor concludes as Danielle Haim replies, "she was with me, dude" with Swift "not lettin' up to the day I die" turning into the day, "he died". Now we just can't wait for the blood soaked paddle video. Yeah there's no longer three, because Taylor Swift says, "she's the fourth Haim sister now" like a Brie Larson skit on this track from the sister album to 'Folklore', 'Evermore'. No woman, no cry. 'No Body, No Crime'. Mind hunter's will try and figure out if this is real like Van Damme doing the splits between two Volvo's. "I think he did it, but I just can't prove it" (her man, not Jean Claude) sings the chorus in curiosity "killed the" harmony. "He did it" from the siblings haunting in the vocal background. But for the record, I'll tell you one thing that is true. I'd never treat Este this way. Just sayin'. 

Lost in the woods no more, but found like "building a sill" in this time were clocks on the four walls have slowed. Taylor made the record of the year when she collaborated with the Justin Vernon of those Bon Iver folk for the 'Exile' from this terrible 2020. Since then she has been Rolling Stone songwriter cover rubbing shoulders with Beatles on the eve of 'McCartney III' (do you think she told Macca she had something else coming?), looking like she's about to complete her own classic trilogy this calendar, dressed to shoot first in Han Solo boots, cargo pants, coat and shirt for this photo shoot. As classic as her Justin Timberlake 'Man Of The Woods' lumberjack pattern coat for the back of this iconic front cover, for a woman between the 'Gladiator' barley who won't turn her back on this year even if we all want to. Reuniting already with Iver for a bon title track that's just the most compelling closer that has us wanting to run deeper into these trees. "Gray November/I've been down since July/Motion capture/Put me in a bad light/I replay my footsteps on each stepping stone/Trying to find the one where I went wrong/Writing letters/Addressed to the fire," Swift sings in this blank space calendar of a diary entry. Before Vernon's verse replies, "Cannot think of all the cost/And the things that will be lost/Oh, can we just get a pause?/To be certain, we'll be tall again/Whether weather be the frost/Or the violence of the dog days/I'm on waves, out being tossed/Is there a line that I could just go cross?" The former Kanye collaborator, permanently on team Taylor like he doesn't need no liquor. Like frequent collaborations let's hope there's more thread to this 'Cardigan' like a Weezer 'Sweater Song' for the one album in the same day release of Kid Cudi's (who must be kicking himself like Kanye) 'Man On The Moon III' surprise album announced at the top of the week, one chosen one that will have you zoning at 4am in the morning like the 'Blue' of KATIE realizing you just missed your chance to watch this week's episode of 'The Mandalorian' that brought back Boba, let alone Baby Yoda. We hope this is the way. 

'Coney Island' like a Wonder Wheel in Starbury's part of New York, "sitting on a bench wondering where did my baby go", trying to win an arcade ring with the fire of the Brooklyn formed, Cincinatti, Ohio made, all-American band The National that worked on her last album, Taylor collaborates on another classic in this instant in a time that could change your world any second in these 12 months, "over and over". "The fast time, the bright lights, the merry go/Sorry for not making you my centerfold" they sing in separating union. "Were you standing in the hallway/With a big cake, happy birthday/Did I paint your bluest skies the darkest grey", National treasure Matt Beringer asks as "and the winner is", Taylor Swift remembers, "when I walked up to the podium I think that I forgot to say your name" (It's Tim). Fans will debate for the ages as which was the better Taylor Swift album this year. 'Folklore' or 'Evermore'. The opening, weeping 'Willow', classic like a Warwick Davis movie, or Buffy character is as warm and good as the old 'Cardigan'. Whilst 'Champagne Problems' could give her the billboard and broadsheet 'Repuation' of the Tay, Tay that said 'Look What You Made Me Do'. As she bad blood could rap battle with any trumped up dropout or even a Champagne Papi. But from '1989' to the candy dreamworld we lived in a million miles away last year, Taylor reverses her fortune like her 13 favourite number this Friday on her 31st birthday with this album. Hitting the 'Gold Rush' like California here in the heartland of real America. 'Happiness' looks like it could be back in style again for the "Midnight" singer who shows you all her, "hiding spots". On testament tracks like 'Dorothea', an ode to a friend like the story of 'The Last Great American Dynasty'. Or 'Cowboy Like Me', with the country singer stepping back to the barn dance even though, "dancing is a dangerous game", especially in a time were we can't get close in a new age were we created cancel culture and then saw everything around us get cancelled in turn. To cut a 'Long Story Short' this is going to be on repeat like, "tried to pick my battles, until the battle picked me". Still, "if the shoe fits, walk in it 'til your high heels break". Because by the mesmerizing 'Marjorie' these letters to you from Swift are compellingly character named like Springsteen songs for her 'Nebraska' and 'Devils and Dust' in the same year. But before this all gets deluxe on the penultimate closer, 'Closure', this artist doesn't need someone else's brush to paint her perfect picture. "I know it's over/I don't need your closure" she concludes...and we concur. Sometimes, "seeing the shape of your name/Just spells out pain." Times change. It only seems like yesterday-not a half decade ago-when late Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant presented Taylor Swift at her concert with a STAPLES Centre banner for most sold out shows that went up in the purple and gold rafters with all those championships before even his 8 or 24 made it up there. But ever since that dark January when we lost the Black Mamba and Mambacita and gained nothing but corona and time, the world has never and never will be the same. But like writing 'Dear Basketball' or saying goodbye to Hollywood like another famous blonde microphone fiend, with cinemas closed and ball games spiked, we're thankful we had New Music Friday to tide us over like Spotify wrapped this yuletide moment. One that Taylor had remade as 'New Album Surprise Friday' to end the biggest weeks of this year. 'Tis The Damn Season' and we now know how to 'Tolerate It' in this advent of December 25th with the holy and the 'Ivy', "in from the snow" with an "incandescent glow". Now what an early Christmas present a fortnight and change before St. Nick and two weeks after the 'Plastic Hearts' of Miley. This is anything but that time we opened up iTunes to discover a U2 album downloading uninvitingly. Do we ever want Taylor Swift to stop surprising us with gift baskets of albums under the tree this Christmas? Never more! Have yourself a merry one. Forever. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Willow', 'No Body, No Crime (Feat. Haim)', 'Evermore (Feat. Bon Iver)'. 

REVIEW: KID CUDI - MAN ON THE MOON III: THE CHOSEN

 

4/5

Kids See Astronauts. 

If you still believe they put a man on the moon, then Kid Cudi has an album for you. Andy Kaufman in a wrestling match, Jim Carrey, R.E.M or the Rager. Scott Mescudi is back with the third act. 'Man On The Moon III: The Chosen'. The last one to complete the epic trilogy from the "lonely stoner" who has been with us 'Day N Nite' ever since his breakout debut mixtape, 'A Kid Named Cudi' came out. All before his decade and a year ago 'Man On The Moon: The End Of Day' album introduced by Chicago's own Common in nuanced narration after Cudi was signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Guesting on the 808's of 'Welcome To Heartbreak' and the late night 'Creepers' of a 'Cruel Summer' compilation album from Yeezus and his followers before Mr. West and Mr. Mescudi saw ghosts with the kids for a collabo album that went deeper and darker than just watching the throne in all its gold. The first trip to the moon was a classic as Cudi was on a 'Pursuit Of Happyness' like Will Smith, sampling Lady Gaga like he made her say and popping bottles with Drake before the Canadian rapper of all people took shots at the emotion of his depression (not cool). Still, Scott survived all that (and depression itself) and bounced back with his second album and the 'Man On The Moon II' sequel for 'The Legend Of Mr. Rager' in 2010. Its been 10 years since then. Since classics like the rocky 'Erase Me' with Kanye and frets even Lil' Wayne's rock God alter-ego, 'Rebirth' couldn't touch. What more could you expect from a man who formed a rock act (WZRD) with super producer Dot Da Genius who executive's here? Still, the man who has worked with everyone from Big Boi (on 'Sir Lucious Left Foot's' lovely 'She Hate Me'), the group with the album of the year, Haim (on a rocked out 'Red Eye') and Michael 'F######' Bolton (for some real steel bars) has released a flurry of albums since then. The incendiary, 'Indicud', his out of this world, 'Satellite Flight: The Journey To Mother Moon', a 'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven' in this matrix and his last project, 'Passion, Pain and Demon' Slayin' in the same 2016 as Kids See Ghosts after an incredible half decade of work. Cudi still has been putting it in though. Working on his craft...and his self. The cult, sci-fi, neo-psychedelic, trip hop rapper has also moved into direction, including other producer and executive ventures. He even acted in this years new 'Bill and Ted' reunion movie like 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' that faced the end of the world like this terrible 2020 as on a truly bogus journey and excellent adventure he faced the music. 

"I mean this with no disrespect Kidi, but we only have four and a half minutes," Keanu Reeves told Cudder in the most classic line of the nostalgic movie. The same can be almost said for the time we have left in this year we want to see the back of like the one walking away. But still with almost less than half of four weeks left on the calendar, Kid Cudi releases a play for album of the year and the best in his classic catalogue, let alone his magnum opus trilogy as the next gens Lord of the Rings. With this and 'Face The Music' this Kid could be having a year like the 56 Keanu did last year, killing the competition with his pencil like John Wick in a time of parabellum. This is how to make it in this year's America. "Look what I have created...I have made fire" a Tom Hanks sample from the time he rubbed two sticks together alone with a volleyball on 'Cast Away' says at the end of '4 Da Kidz' like Wu Tang as Kid creates like the album artwork of 'Indicud'. Take note like the Utah Jazz. His voice is like a musical instrument. Bringing so much talent on board his rocket ship, but taking off all on his own. With Part III and the sisters of Haim celebrating this year of 'Women In Music' by collaborating 'Everymore' with Taylor Swift on a not out of the woods superstar singers second surprise album and the terrific track of murder mystery, 'No Body, No Crime', Cudi brings the artist with the second best album of the year on board. As 'Punisher' Phoebe Bridgers gives pleasure to all the pain in this skull and crossbones year with, 'Lovin' Me'. As the chosen one raps, "Please, Lord, hear me now, hope you’re listening/It’s been centuries, it’s what it seems to me/I’ve been on this road, my eyes glistenin’", next to Bridgers', "I’ve been going, going in circles/Reoccurring dreams, talkin’ in my sleep/Then I’m floatin’ up to the surface/I can finally breathe, I could do anything/And I don’t know why/It’s alright, and it’s not at the same time/Then I look up at a blue sky/And I know", before they come together like a Beatle for the classic chorus. Continuing the classic collaborations, he gets grimey with Brit Skepta and homegrown Pop Smoke as they 'Show Out' louder than Scott's weed. All before tripping with Trippie Red, lyrical jousting on these 'Rockstar Knight's' for this night's tale. But still nothing sounds as good or as outstandingly original and in our socially anxious corner like when K Pop juggernaut and rapping BTS just 'Be', as this man's snare and lyrical glare like when he raps as alone as Macualay, going 'Solo Dolo' again for 'Part III'. 

The moonbeam levels on this one. This is a bigger hit than 'The Scott's' for your billboard number one. Or 'The Adventures Of Moon Man and Slim Shady' with Eminem when this album was first lyrically teased. As like Marshall Mathers going to 'Stan' battle with his bleached blonde alter-ego, these four acts are all about Scott Mescudi waging war with Mr. Rager for his soul. Peace and happiness and all. Just like the flesh and blood of the albums amazing artwork is vibrant, out of this world capillary colours as Sam Spratt makes the paint splat. In Act 1 this 'Return 2 Madness' makes for a 'Beautiful Trip' and inspired intro before we drink to 'Tequila Problems' and lyrical shots...at his own alter. Living for 'Another Day' this multi-talented and faceted rapper raps, "Oh no, hit 'em out and I'm rippin', rippin' in it (Yeah)/And I'm comin' full blown to the tombstone (Yeah)/How I'm livin', gotta push it, gotta set the tone (Yeah)/It ain't nothin' to me, baby, say I'm livin' long (Livin' long)". Before 'She Knows This' sounds like another classic we can't wait for our playlists to get to know. 'Dive' takes us even deeper before the darkness of Act II shows us everything that's been 'Damaged' by 'The Rager, The Menace' like the Lakers changing of the guard, Dennis Schröder. Imagining like John Lennon a 'Heaven On Earth' amongst all the brimstone of this hell, Rager rages, "Heaven on earth, I am curious/Yeah, I'm livin' until I'm gone (Right?)/The stronger, the men catch us on the throne (Right?)", but will you show sympathy for the devil like a Rolling Stone before the 16 plat, double Grammy winners third act? Because this ones for all the 'Sad People' with a 'Heart Of Rose Gold' like the time he faced himself in the mirrors of a toilet cubicle after a drunken pursuit, soaked in the misspelled happiness of glitter. On a flashback to 'Elsie's Baby Boy' he gives us his 'Brenda's Got A Baby'. Then marking 'Sept. 16' in a year we're everyday is the same he stares into 'The Void', quarantine rapping, "Oh man, oh man, takin' me home/When you awake in bed and I'm alone/In my memory/Runnin' through my brain and I'm searchin' for you, you know/In my memory". Before locking us down with, "Heyo, need to free my mind, ah yeah, this a little ritual of mine/As I head home, head up high, get some, hello, sailing by/Now we say open the day, let it out alive/Let go, they say I survive, if you say so, please don't lie/My days are low, I give it a try/Seen new things in my soul when I'm just sittin' in my room all alone/This is as real as I'll ever be", bars as he gets to know himself better in all this worse like everyone else at a social distance. But it's the final act of 'Powers' going fourth where this cult hero really gets his cape, making sure no one else will stand on it for a man who made his own way to the moon, shooting without hanging on to anyone's coatatils. Not even a King who walks with Jesus and runs next to Trump. Stepping with us and Mr. Rager for one last dance like Wade or Batman and The Joker in 'The Pale Moonlight'. Four acts deserves another part of this series right? "To be continued" a voice whispers into our earwormed headphones like a shout at the end of 'Lord I Know' and another neon heaven in space sent album in this year of our not so great depression. We hope it will be. The soundtrack to his life keeps scoring. When it comes to genre bending on an interstellar, intergalactic (the epic 'Entergalatic' comes next, next year to enter 2021) scale in a year of new, best yet albums from Jay Electronica, Childish Gambino, Nas, Common, Busta Rhymes and Big Sean, this kid is a beast boy like Adam Yauch. That's one small step for rap... TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Tequila Shots', 'Elsie's Baby Boy (Flashback)', 'Lovin' Me (Feat. Phoebe Bridgers)'.