Tuesdays

Soo for a seemingly innocuous day, today was actually a really important day for music. At least for me cause A bunch of dope albums dropped. I was just listening to a few of them and I thought- why not start a new music Tuesdays series....So here we go!
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Probably my favorite release of the day was the Black Keys' Brothers. 
I've been posting a lot about them lately cause they're just ridiculously-fantastic cool, and this Cd doesn't disappoint in the least. I don't have their whole catalogue but this has got to be their best album ever cause if it gets any better my head will literally explode!
To Hiphoppers they are of 'Blacroc' fame, but they've been making music for a while and have a KILLER live show {just a guitarist and drummer and they murder!}
But yeah it's an amazing Blues/Classic Rock/Old R&B/HipHop Album so pick it up!
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The Black Keys - She's Long Gone

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Next is Nas and Damien's Distant Relatives which I've also been talking about for a minute.
If for nothing else, this album is dope for the ideas that it represents. It's a little disappointing that it probably won't get recognized for what it is, especially among the African Diaspora, but eff it, it should change at least a mind or two and that makes it worth it.
A lot of people have been saying sketchy stuff about it but in my opinion, although it has slim room for improvement, it's really enjoyable and def lives up to what it's supposed to be.
My favorite song is prob 'Friends' but since I posted that already, we can settle for 'Tribal War' ft K'naan. Dope shit. Africa Unite!
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Nas, Damien Marley, and Knaan - Tribal War

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I have to say, Talib and Hi-tek's Revolutions Per Minute is the disappointment I was expecting it to be. Not that it's bad, don't get me wrong--by today's standards it is a soaring phoenix swooping in save us all from the murky waters of top40 hell--BUUUT, for what these two are capable of, it feels a little redundant, unplanned and hastily made. I dunno maybe it's just me, but I also predicted this outcome based off the singles they released for it.
It's good though-- really feeling a few tracks on here. I would say 3 Sleeping Monkeys out of 5 { I may have just come up with a ratings system lol}
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Reflection Eternal - Ballad of the Black Gold

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Janelle Monet put out her sophomore effort The Archandroid. This one is important because it's the first thing she's put out since garnering a slightly bigger spotlight for herself. It's conceptual but not quite on the same level as her first album which actually makes it really ill {concept albums should come later in one's career}
Reminds me alot of Speakerboxx/The Love Below--Actually it's kinda like the halfway point between The Beatles, Andre 3000 and Lauryn Hill which is a mix good enough to please any being on this planet. The more I listen to it the more I fall in love which is the def the mark of a good album. DEFINATELY check it out! Easily five Sleeping Monkeys, easily.
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Janelle Monet - Faster

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And finally, the Sleigh Bells also put out their debut album Treats recently-I know it wasn't today but whatever, it was a couple days ago and still counts.
Aside from being a complete assault on your ears {which I think is a good thing in their case} I feel like there's a really cool fusion of Hip-Hop and Rock going on here which I def appreciate. A slight bit of intoxication, a dark room, and strobe lights to accompany this album would encompass a very cool, trippy experience. Check em out!
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Sleigh Bells - A/B Machines

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