Pop Culture

Going into Funny People, I had the same eager excitement and anticipation that I had for many of Judd Apatow’s other projects, such as 40 Year Old Virgin, Anchorman, Knocked Up, Superbad, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  Unfortunately, I did not leave the theater with the same enjoyment that I did for the previously mentioned flicks.  Read more... (585 words, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)

In this installment of Album of the Week, I’m taking a look back at a relatively recent release, Aesop Rock’s 5^th full length studio album, None Shall Pass (2007).  Aesop Rock is a member of the record label Definitive Jux, and has been a critically acclaimed pioneer of the underground hip-hop movement since he burst on the scene with Music for Earthworms in 1997.  If you haven’t heard much about this artist, his style is very unique, he combines a high-paced flow with an array of articulate, almost poetic bars, the combination of which creates some very dense verses, making it difficult to catch everything the first time around.  Some view this as a downfall, citing the music isn’t very accessible; however, I find that this style generates significant replay ability.  None Shall Pass is no exception to Aesop’s standard, and is a lyrical thrill ride from front to back.  Read more... (492 words, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)

I’m still dwelling in the underground of hip-hop for this installment of Album of the Week, Cunninlynguists 3^rd studio album, A Piece of Strange (2005).  First off, if you haven’t heard of this group, you’re really missing out; they have a very distinctive style that rarely misses on any track they put together.  The group mainly consists of the producer Kno and the lyrical talents of Deacon (although they usually are officially listed with three members, with Mr. SOS in the mix for the first two albums, and Natti contributing on the later two so far).  Although I am a huge fan of this group in general, A Piece of Strange stands out as their best complete effort so far; every component of the album fit together seamlessly, making for an exceptional listen from front to back.  Read more... (484 words, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

For this segment of Album of the Week we’re brushing the dust off of an underground classic here with Cannibal Ox’s The Cold Vein (2001).  For those that don’t follow the underground scene, Cannibal Ox is a rap duo hailing from Harlem, New York, consisting of Vast Aire and Vordul Mega.  Unfortunately, this is the only full-length studio album from the group, and the solo careers for each were not nearly as potent; however, lightning was definitely trapped in a bottle in this effort.  Read more... (484 words, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

To start off our Thursday Theater segment, I thought we would take a look at a classic that pretty much was the catalyst of a long line of comedy films in this decade; Anchorman.  Read more... (365 words, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

This segment of the website is devoted to giving you some quick thoughts about the music I’ve been listening to lately.  Right now, I have been into a lot of hip hop so if you’re into that, you’ll enjoy this segment.  First up, Outkast’s sophomore effort ATLiens.  Read more... (290 words, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)

Before I left town 2 weeks ago, I happened to catch Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen with MadVillain. Now let me preface this review by saying two things: 1.) I really like movies so it’s hard for me to find a movie that I legitimately don’t like, 2.) I read all the reviews on RottenTomatoes before I went to see the movie (I always end up half ruining movies for myself by reading all the spoilers and reviews before I go to a movie).  Read more... (523 words, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

When I asked the Factorback to give me an idea for my first piece/assignment, the first words out of his proverbial mouth (or text in this case) were “do a piece on MJ”.  Now as a self-proclaimed fanatic of 80’s pop, and specifically the King’s work, I felt that there was no way that I could properly describe the experience and phenomenon that was Michael Jackson, and looking at his life’s work and now the fiasco surrounding his death, I don’t think there is a way to comprehend the effect that MJ had not only on the last 25 years, but even now after death.  Read more... (827 words, estimated 3:18 mins reading time)

If you like hip hop, you have to check out J. Cole’s The Warm Up. It is categorized as a mixtape (which you can download free of charge and legally via zShare, illRoots.com, etcetera), but it sounds like an album.  Read more... (330 words, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)