Category Archives: Matt

Passion Pit has always astounded me with their unabashed, catchy synth-pop. I like “Manners” for the same reason I liked “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix:” While each song can be too consistent with each other, it still manages to work and feel fresh even though track 3 is the same as track 2.

“Manners” is hard for me to talk about. There isn’t a lot I can say about it besides that it makes me want to… dance? I don’t know — each song is full of hooks carefully constructed to keep you around. As a song goes on you can’t help but make it to the end every time because it wont let you go away. For one minute the synth and the bass are creating a tastefully addictive melody that entrances you. Soon, before you get the chance to get bored of the sound, it flips right into a new hook further pulling you in. It’s pop music. It’s not complicated. But it’s tricking you into thinking that it is.

There’s no shame in how dance-y this album is. It’s fun to listen to. It’s one of those albums that I like to listen to when I want to stop thinking hard about stuff. Turn your brain off and fall into the sweet bliss that is the sound of “Manners.” In a world where everything has to be artsy, or have some kind of meaning, Passion Pit is mindless enjoyment. Sure, I think Michael Angelakos (Lead Singer) is saying something in his songs – I think “The Reeling” is about homelessness. But, frankly, I’m more mystified by the sound of his voice to pay that much attention to the words.

That’s another thing that I love about “Manners.” Angelakos’ voice, while at first can be jarring, works with the style they have going on. His falsetto technique matches itself well with the overly-happy bliss-pop. It’s the same as the upbeat sound that accompanies it — all working together in harmony with one goal in mind: To make you happy. It’s just too bad Angelakos can’t actually keep up his vocal technique in their live shows.

A lot of people I know have only listened to “Sleepyhead.” And I have to say to anyone who hasn’t gone beyond that, you’re missing out. If you like “Sleepyhead” to any degree, I guarantee that you’ll love every single track on “Manners.” The album is full of songs that trump “Sleepyhead” in so many ways. Songs like “Eyes As Candles” or “Little Secrets.” In comparison “Sleepyhead” is the worst song on the album, which is saying a lot because it’s still an amazing track.

WINNER: “Manners” by Passion Pit

WHY: It’s simple, and that’s probably why it’s so refreshing. Pure audio bliss.

One thing that always deters me from listening to certain hip-hop or rap songs is that they can sound too artificial. If you’ve listened to enough mainstream stuff, then you’re probably familiar with what I’m talking about. You know, loops and beats made in Fruity Loops or Garageband, all that bullshit. We’ve heard it so many times before. And, believe me, it’s really fucking boring.

P.O.S is the remedy for that. This album is infected with his hardcore punk rock background. Every song is complete and utter chaos. Live drums, distorted guitars, and a loud black man screaming into your headphones. There’s a sense of rawness that moves throughout the entire album. P.O.S doesn’t like to do second takes. Fuck no. If someone messes up a line, he’s not going to do what normal people do and re-record it. He’s leaving that shit in. Some tracks will start off with P.O.S talking to some people in the studio, or clearing his throat. Sometimes he’ll stop a verse and begin to laugh uncontrollably. All of this adds to that “we don’t give a fuck” punk lifestyle that P.O.S is known for.

“Get Smokes,” possibly the best song on “Never Better”, exemplifies that idea. The song starts as what can only be described as a noisy blur. The distorted guitars are blending together to the point where they’re indistinguishable from each other, there’s a crazy-ass spring sound on top of that. Plus, horns (you always need horns). All of them mashing together, kicking you in the fucking face, calling you a pansy, and giving you the name “Abygale”. It’s abuse, but you’re going to love it.

“Never Better,” and P.O.S as a whole, is truly “rap to skateboard to.” It’s an album that bridges the gap between genres to make a beautiful fusion of rhyme and rock. I’m not even sure that made any sense. That’s how awesome this album is, god damn it.

WINNER: “Never Better” by P.O.S

WHY: For showing Matt the fist, knocking him on his ass, and making him like it.

Childish Gambino is the rap name actor/writer/comedian Donald Glover works under. Before I get into this review, I want to preface that I love Donald Glover. He’s the new thing in comedy. Dude’s got a future. In comedy. Music? Well, that’s a different story.

“Culdesac” is what you’d expect from a rap album influenced by most mainstream artists. It’s filled with incessant loops, usually features soulful backup vocals, and has songs with titles like “I Got This Money.” The actual instrumentation of these songs is pretty good. The backing band that Donald has working with him isn’t really the issue here.

See, my main problem with “Culdesac” lies with Donald himself. He started off doing short comedy skits for youtube with his troupe Derrick Comedy. It wasn’t too long until we started seeing Donald’s name and face on such shows as “Community” and “30 Rock”. This guy got famous quick. And he worked his ass off to do so. And, god damn it, is he ever proud of him self. So proud, in fact, that he’s going to rap about how fucking awesome he is at you for an entire album.

Yes, most of the songs in “Culdesac” are of the same theme: “Yo, I worked so hard to get here, and now all these people are up in my business.” “I’m so talented in so many fields. I’m so awesome.” And even though I love Donald, I can only take so much of his self congratulatory nature. An entire album is about too much for me to handle.

For a guy who is such a talented comedian, I would think he’d try a different angle with his songwriting. Maybe try a more Beastie Boys approach and have fun with it. Don’t take yourself so seriously. But, alas, we get the same old drivel we do from other rappers. A guy and a mic rapping about how hard it is to be successful and how everyone around him doubted his future. Alright, we get it. It’s hard being you. Who gives a fuck?

I like the rap genre, as far as to say it’s my favourite style of music to listen to. But the problem I’ve always had with most rappers is the subject matter they choose to talk about. Donald has some skills. Boy knows how to spit rhymes. He’s got a good handle on the wordplay, and has a surprisingly good voice, singing wise and rapping. I just wish he’d be more creative.

WINNER: MATT

WHY: Because while fellating yourself into a microphone may be fun for you, it’s tiresome for the rest of us. And kinda gross. Stop it.