Pay the chicken back

In the UK they are known as the Bees, but here they go by the moniker, the Band of Bees. Either way, they crafted one of the best songs of the last decade. It's a silly goofy retro-swingin' 60s track that begs you to dance. Try to not get into it. I dare you. You can't do it. And if you can, then you are actually dead. See a physician stat.

"The Chicken Payback" is honest to goodness solid gold. This track gets a 10. Plain and simple.

The Bees- The Chicken Payback

Also, the video... woah. I didn't think the song could get better. It does, check the video:

The Coopers

I have mentioned them before, so I figured I should introduce one of my other favorite UK bands, The Cooper Temple Clause. TCTC are another of the few bands that actually doing something different. They don't sound like Gang of Four. Or the Jam. Or any of the dozen other bands everone seems to be ripping off nowadays. Even the bands they do sound like, are very different. They tackle everything from loud grunge to glitchy IDM to anthemic brit pop and still sound unique. And the live show is not to be missed.

I'd suggest getting both of their records, obtusely titled See This Through And Leave (7) and Kick Up The Fire And Let The Flames Loose (9). They will also have a new record out soon, but from what I have heard they are no longer on RCA in the US so who knows when it will be released here. I'll keep you posted. But here is one old song ("Who Needs...") and a new one from the forthcoming record. The new single is very different for them, but it's growing on me. It gets a 7.5.

TCTC- Damage
TCTC- Who Needs Enemies

JT and Xtina

I figure that since these two have been together since their youth, I might as well post them together here as well. Plus, I figure you need a change of pace from my usual British and/or hiphop posts.

I don't think either Justin nor Christina need intros here. So I will just say I love Christina mainly because I think "Beautiful" is one of the best songs of the last decade and is the closest thing we havd gotten to a great George Michael song since Listen Without Prejudice. As for Justin, as long is he keeps Timbaland at the helm, he cannot fail.

I haven't heard the full new JT. But I'll give this song a 7. As for the Christina, even though I tend to despise double albums, she does nail it, yet again. I don't love every song and I haven't found a "Beautiful" on here, but I still think it's a solid 8. Here's one single and one deeper album cut.

JT- Sexyback
Xtina- Slow Down Baby

Dirty Pretty Things

Dirty Pretty Things are the remains of the Libertines with the former Cooper Temple Clause bassist added. Now I was never a huge Libertines fan, although I did really like the first 4 tracks that leaked back in the day. And I love the Coopers, but Didz, by his own admission, didn't actually do much for the writing process of those records. He's more about personality. So I didn't expect much from this band.
And I feel like I got that: not much. The record is not bad. It's not great. The comment I har the most from people is "It's so British." I don't buy that. The Ordinary Boys, very British. Same for Lily Allen. But for DPT I think it's much more the personality that's British, moreso than the actual music. Buut the single is fun enough and is the most thought out song on the record. So its worth posting, I'd give it a 7. The record, Waterloo To Anywhere gets a 5. Sorry Didz.

Dirty Pretty Things- Bang Bang You're Dead

Ray Cash

Time for another hip hop banger. Ray Cash comes out of Cleveland and has a new record out now called, C.O.D. Cash On Delivery. I may be biased about this track because it feature Texas' own Scarface of Geto Boys fame. But in addition, I happen to love tracks that call out old school ryhmes and artists.
Not only that but the beat is killer and it sticks in your head after 1 listen. It's a total earworm. Add this to that Rick Ross for track your next hip-hop mix. "Bumpin' My Music" gets a 9.

Ray Cash- Bumpin' My Music

Listen up, America! It's the Scissor Sisters!

I still can't for the life of me figure out why Scissor Sisters haven't made it big here. It can't be because they are so gay. That doesn't turn people off anymore. They look great, perform just as good and write great songs that really stick with you. All they need is a great showcase to the rest of the USA, like an awards show or something. Just one chance, that's all they need. It will happen someday, I'm sure of it.

So here's a preview from their next record, Ta Dah. From what I heard at their last show, this is one of the better new songs. But honestly they are all good. So since i give this track an 8.5, I assume the record will be and 8.5 as well. Plus it was co-written by Elton John. That's got to be worth something.

More music when I get some.

Scissor Sisters- I Don't Feel Like Dancing (LINK FIXED)

Rick the Ruler?

I just got this record. I have been dying to hear it and actually haven't even gotten to do that yet. But I know I love this song and you should get it while it's still hot. Once I know more about Rick Ross, I'll add more, but for now, just bang this for the remainder of the summer. This bad bad bangin track gets a 9.

Rick Ross- Hustlin'

Graham sans Blur

Even before he left Blur for good, Graham Coxon had already set forth with a solo career. Those records didn't do much for me, but his last two have been great. Totally recommended. So far, I warmed more quickly to Happiness in Magazines (8 out of 10), but his latest, Love At Illegal Speeds (7 out of 10), still has some really fun songs. With all the fun and variety on his last two records, you really see why he was so important to Blur. Forgive his first few art rock disasters and give Graham a chance.

Graham Coxon- No Good Time
Graham Coxon- I Can't Look At Your Skin

El-P/Def Jux and Juelz/Dipset

I feel like I am not providing enough hip hop for you. So here are two tracks.

The first is a Def Jux track from a few years back. If you don't know, Def Jux is one of the stronger labels of the indie hiphop scene. Although I sometimes tire of El-P's syle, you have to respect the fac that the guy sounds like no one else. This is El at his most anthemic and his catchiest, yet it still represents him perfectly. This track and the record it's from, Collecting The Kid, get 8.5s.

El-P- Jukie Skate Rock

The next track is by Juelz Santana, of Harlem's Diplomats crew. I can't say I love everything they do or even Juelz's stuff for that matter. But maybe it's the sample on this track, or the well executed use of the sample contextually that makes this one so interesting. I'm not sure. But the record doesn't really do this track justice. "Oh Yes" gets a 7.5, What the Game's Been Missing! gets a 5.

Juelz Santana- Oh Yes