Category Archives: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Album reviews.

Diplomatic Dopeness :: Tee-Double’s ‘Ambassador Status’ EP

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Nobody should ever doubt the work that Austin hip-hop legend Tee-Double puts in to represent hip-hop culture in general, and the hometown specifically.  A string of albums both on labels and independently released, a marketing group and several outreach groups/conferences have all originated in the brain of Tee-Double… dude has his own day, for Christ-sake.  The Ambassador Status EP is both a continuation in his progression and a giant leap forward.  Period point-blank, this is a dope project on all fronts.  This is collectively some of the best production I’ve heard from Tee, and as always, the lyrics are on point, but there is a unified focus on this entire project that I either have not recognized on prior projects, or was not present.  There is literally no reason why you should not support this project.

-chief

Naturally Progressive :: Mindz Of A Different Kind Visualizes ‘Astrophyziks’

I recently checked out Mindz of a Different Kind‘s latest release, Foursight, and as always, I was highly impressed with their work.  I’ve seen a handful of their videos in the past, and they’ve always been dope, with that old school Rap City aesthetic that got me into wanting to make music videos and films in the first place.  But man oh man, they’re coming out swinging with the visual elements this round.  DVZN Media got the call for the single Astrophysikz, and it’s ill as hell.  As my last video showed, I’m a huge fan of the pirate broadcast aesthetic, and the geniuses at DVZN Media nailed it.  Add some real raps over solid production, and you’ve got a winner.

-chief

Banded Bangers :: KDEATH Drops ‘S T R E S S’

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KDeath of the formidable Minneapolis-based outfit Moodie Black is a busy man.. constantly, there is creative output coming from that direction.  S T R E S S serves as a shelter for a number of singles and unaccounted for songs that have shown up in the live performances and the Soundcloud page.  Weekend, a personal favorite of mine, finds it’s way on here.. props to Belly Belt for the assist on that track as well.  Check it out for sure.

-chief

Divine Vision :: MDK (Mindz Of A Different Kind) Drop ‘Foursight’

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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… Austin hip-hop crew Mindz Of A Different Kind is the real deal.  MDK brings that crew element to our hip hop scene that seems to be sorely missing from the masses… they are a diverse mixture, each with a unique style, and yet the come forward with a unified voice.  Foursight is the follow up to 2013’s Butter & Water, and the work that has been put in over those few years is evident.  Guest appearances Abstract Rude and Myka 9 (and guest production by Blueprint) is just icing on the cake.  Don’t front… support these cats.

-chief

Jeffy’s Playhouse :: Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice On The Jeffrey Garcia Show

Fellow San Marcos resident and San Marcos Cinema Club member Jeffrey Garcia is known for his wonderful show that he produces for the Jeffy’s Playhouse YouTube channel.  For episode 4 of season 2, I paid a visit and performed New Zulu Zandu off of my latest album, Transition Man.  Check it out!

-cheif

Live Direction :: Butcher Bear & The Blades Say ‘Tell Me The Difference’

Butcher Bear & The Blades are certainly a talented collective, and they make live versions of some of the most amazingly unique music their is.  It’s hard to put the experience in words, but Ghostcow Films do a great job of visually interpreting their recent experience at The Sidewinder in this video.  Enjoy!

-chief

Double Dosages :: Dopeness At The (in)Sect Records Bandcamp Page

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[A super-dope podcast from Reaganometry]


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[The No Worlds LP on cassette by Vegetable Kingdom]

-chief

Rising Tide :: Deville San Ramos Drops ‘Full Sail’ EP

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After some time cutting their teeth on the live scene, the acoustic outfit Deville San Ramos is moving towards building the catalog.  The wonderful Full Sail EP is the first foray into the world of recording for the band, and it’s very very good.  The only negative about it at this point is that it’s not an LP, and we’ll have to wait for more.

-chief

Dig It :: ‘Unit – E’ Now Available From Feral The Earthworm

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There really aren’t any Austin wordsmiths out there quite like Feral the Earthworm.  From his first days at Austin Mic Exchange, this fellow has approached hip-hop with such a fierce dedication to wordplay and honesty that it can be downright moving to witness.  Unit – E finds Feral letting it all hang out.. recounting moments of the past few years that have shaped him into the man he is today.  Definitely worth your time.

-chief

Creative Chaos :: Butcher Bear and 7LayerOscillator’s ‘(1) Out For Living (0)’ (Singled Out For Living Infinite)

In all seriousness, Butcher Bear dropped a classic in 2015 with This Is How The Game Gets You Played.  I would be saying that even if I wasn’t on the album, simply due to the remainder of the supporting cast this album has.  (1) Out For Living (0) finds Butch on the breaks and 7LayerOscillator dropping his trademark symbolic knowledge.  ManOfTheDown and Night Visuals stepped in on the visual assist, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a trippy journey.  Enjoy!

-chief