THE REPORT: 8/18/23
BEETHOVEN: BACK IN THE CLUB
Kaliii (Feat. DJ Smallz 732) “KToven”
It's been a big classical month here at John’s Music Blog. First, we reported on Scratcha’s attempt at figuring out what the "‘Pulse X’ of classical music" is (apparently it’s the second movement of Vivaldi’s "The Four Seasons"), and now we bring you a month-old “Für Elise” flip, done in the general Jersey club style. It might be the best Ludwig von club version since "A Fifth Of Beethoven."
Blu Anxxiety call themselves a "dark freestyle" band. It’s a bit difficult to imagine this song getting played next to even the most brooding of Shannon cuts, but I see the vision—and I respect it. Cyberpunk made for running through a sewer while wearing a trench coat.
Compton all-timer coming through with a late entry into the Summer ‘23 So-Cal Scrunchface Sweepstakes. Smokey Got Beatz also got hooks, and he does both here. YouTube user thecreeperbeatngu8133: “Fun Fact: That's the Same Impala from the 2Pac/Makaveli ‘To Live and Die In LA’ Video.”
Clown College Graduates “Bad 2 The Bone”
Full-on damaged, deranged take on a Thorogood classic. Sounds like: it’s 3 a.m. at the roadhouse and the band can no longer play their instruments. Sounds like: The Dead C with a porterhouse in one hand and a baked potato in the other. It’s unclear how old the members of Clown College Graduates are.
"One time if your boots get muddy/Two times if your truck ain't clean." Got some Mabson intel on Lakeview, a country-gone-metalcore duo—or is it metalcore-gone-country?—that can open up the fire pit with the best of them. It’s two years old, but I also recommend "Hits Different." I'm going to chug a non-alcoholic beer to that one.
MIX OF THE WEEK: Controlled Death “Demonic Trip Through Hell”
Again: Not a mix, but a full tape from Japanese noise hero Masonna under a different name. If I were forced to explain to someone why I have retained a peripheral interest in noise music for over two decades, I would play them video of a live Masonna set. It's unclear if that would offer any clarity…
RIP Magoo, who I heard rap on the radio and The Box before I ever heard A Tribe Called Quest. RIP Gary Young!
that Kaliii track! damn
This Kaliii song! God DAMN.