Old men and new Songs

After buying my Cebop (see the geek section) last week I was finally able to listen to some of my new albums...and boy doesn't music suck these days.

First off was "Rakim - The Master".... I was expecting some old-school hiphop, fondly remembering the days of Eric B. (Paid in Full)...but this was bland. Rakim used to be a force to be reckoned with, these days he's just hoping to get paid at all...
Cruising back to 1987 can be fun, but not with Rakim on the radio... Save your money (or your download time) and get Paid in Full or Follow the leader instead

Looking for a change of pace I tried "Leonard Cohen - Dear heather"
Now the old (and I mean old, the dude is pushing 70) Canadian bard has never really disappointed, true, his best work was in the 70's....but I'm your man is only 15 years old and was GREAT. Too bad Dear Heather isn't. Hate to say it, but besides a few really good songs (The letters, On that Day) the rest is really mediocre. The Song "Dear Heather" made me reach for the skip button in under 30 seconds. I don't know if the old geezer is having trouble breathing at his old age, but he doesn't even sing anymore..he has a few (excellent) back up singers crooning away while he mumbles his poetry over the backbeat...Give it up Leonard, it's been a long strange trip, but consider retiring with style.

Next up were "Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak" now I loved their debut album, great fusion of 70's rock with some down and out blues. So these guys were in my good book. And I'm glad they were as otherwise I would have tossed this record after the initial listening session. This is NOT the same sound as "Youth And Young Manhood"
The songs are much subtler and therefore take a few listens to appreciate, but the wait is worth it. Aha Shake Heartbreak takes you on an interesting journey, those 70's roots are still there, but more hidden and the boys are keen to show they have been listening to a lot more 80's underground music, Television and even The Velvet Underground are never far away