via//chicago

via//chicago@random

Pretty simple... five songs from iTunes shuffle and a few random thoughts on each.

UGK f. Big Daddy Kane & Kool G Rap - "Next Up" (taken from Underground Kingz)
Another strong track on the surprisingly solid comeback album of sorts. This one features a pair of old school rhyme spitters and production by the legendary Marley Marl, keeping the second disc of this lengthy double-album from weighing things down. It's sort of amazing to realize just how fresh these old dudes can sound in new surroundings.

Naledge - "Fuck the World" (taken from Will Rap For Food: The Mixtape)
Decent little track from this Chicago native's mixtape from a few years back. It's unlikely that this college grad will ever blow up like Kanye, but he definitely has a decent enough flow and charisma to boot. Another in the line of Chicago's recent rap talents, check out the Kidz in the Hall mixtape on Rawkus for more hotness.

Broken Social Scene - "Canada Vs. America" (taken from EP To Be You and Me)
Another noisy BSS epic, unfortunately squirreled away on the limited bonus EP that came with copies of the Canadian collective's self-titled second album. Lots of swirling guitars and squirming feedback, just the way I like 'em.

Neil Young - "Ambulance Blues" (taken from On The Beach)
Oh man, one of my most favorite Neil Young tracks ever. Of course, that may not be saying much, because last time I checked my list of "favorite Neil Young tracks ever" had about sixty-seven songs on it. Neil is just that damn good, you know? This is a deliberately paced dirge, full of plaintive harmonica wails and some outstanding bass work. Plus, one of my favorite Neil lines ever... "And there ain't nothin' like a friend, who can tell you you're just pissin' in the wind". A classic song on a classic album from a classic artist.

Billy Corgan - "The CameraEye" (taken from TheFutureEmbrace)
So we go from a classic song from a classic album by one of my favorite artists to a crappy song from a crappy album by another one of my favorite artists. I've tried and tried to pull something out of Corgan's ill-advised electronic-tinged solo album, but its a difficult, thankless task. Depeche Mode did this kind of thing earlier and much, much better.