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# = artist count as of 3/3/10
http://www.last.fm/user/Reternal 437 late add: Oak27
vs.
http://www.last.fm/user/Agency4 831 late add: Agency
http://www.last.fm/user/amprince 1,162 late add: amplifya7
vs.
http://www.last.fm/user/igotsoul 1,429 late add: FunkSoulBrother
http://www.last.fm/user/bravebeats 1,474 late add: bravebeats
vs.
http://www.last.fm/user/chillhood 2,274 late add: 3d1gg4
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Oak27 vs. Agency
Oak27
Lupe Fiasco Hurt Me Soul
I thought Lupe deserved better beats on F&L to match his lyrics and flows. I've come to look at him as like Nas and not expect the best production and allow him to dominate average, serviceable, often understated beats. This beat is fine though. This isn't my favorite song on the album, but I like it a lot, and I really like the frank, personal lyrics. The way he changes the words to the chorus has always been funny to me, in both the sense of ha ha and that's odd. Anyway, as usual with Lupe, lots of food for thought here. 9/10
Wale Triumph
Dave Sitek on the beat! I expected big things from these collaborations and still feel cheated that they substitutes Saul Williams' verse(s) on another song for K'naan, but anyway, "Triumph" nicely sets up a better album than what Wale actually released. The music is good, but Wale isn't really there yet as a great or even a very good rapper. I am pulling for him, as a local, to realize his potential. 6/10
Avg. 7.5/10
Agency
Mos Def Workers Comp
I love this album, but this is one of my least favorite songs on it. Mos sounds obnoxious in the first few bars, but the lyrics and then the singing redeem the song. Still, this is Mos just fucking around, but it sounds so good, right? 7/10
MF DOOM One Beer
I remember when this song first came out, I believe on a 7" without this outro, and all the DOOM fanboys were talking about how much better it is than the Jaylib version. I disagree. Dilla slaughtered this Madlib beat, and that's all I think about when I hear DOOM mumble his way through this awesome beat. The lyrics are cool though, and it's not a bad DOOM flow by his own standards, it just doesn't compare so well to the original. All things considered, 6/10.
Avg. 6.5/10
Oak27 wins and will face inpulse in Round 2.
The poster formerly known as amplifya vs. right about now, the FunkSoulBrother
amplifya7
Stereolab Rainbo Conversation
Ah the smooth sounds of '60s/'70s exotica. It's so hard to grade Stereolab in a competition like this because, although I'm a long-time fan, so many of their songs sound the same. Umm... this is cool. Makes me want to relax in that space thingy in Woody Allen's Sleeper. Not top tier for the 'Lab, but maybe my favorites aren't others'? Generous 7/10.
M83 Birds
I caught an interlude from a great album. Unfortunately, it's not the most musical interlude and really doesn't stand alone, but I do get the point of it and like its sound. Rules are rules though, and no one's above 'em. 3/10
Avg. 5/10
FunkSoulBrother
Baron Zen Burn Rubber (Dam Funk Remix)
Being a joke artist, Baron Zen has parlayed his status as former roommate of Stones Throw label owner Peanut Butter Wolf into a surprisingly long career for himself. It's amazing to think about all the talents who've remixed his novelty music, this being no exception. I've heard better Dam-Funk, but this is fun enough. Really right down the middle, 5/10.
Art of Fresh Back to the Earth
Never heard of these guys. They remind me of Black Eyed Peas with a more underground "future soul"/"nu-jazz" influence... so basically BEP if they took the direction of some of Will.I.Am's Songs About Girls album, right down to some wack or at least cheesy lyrics and flows. I can't really award high points here even though it's really inoffensive and easy to listen to. The best part is when the guitar lick and live drums come in toward the end, as it shows they're serious about their music. I'd listen to more from them, but still, 4/10.
Avg. 4.5/10
amplifya barely squeaks by to get to Round 2.
bravebeats vs. 3d1gg4
bravebeats
Spoon Who Makes Your Money
I'm not big on Spoon, and this song isn't as good as I thought it would be from what I read a few weeks ago, but it's OK and has a nice groove to it. It's not much of a *song* though IMO, more like a sketch. 4/10
Sonnymoon Bungee
I guess when Potholes endorses someone it's not just an empty endorsement or quid pro quo. This song isn't as good as the other two I've heard, but it's kewl. I wish this duo luck. I like the phat synth bass line and find the cursing cute. Ironically, this self-released song, which is also more of a stretched out idea than a fully fleshed out work, is more complete than the famous, popular, veteran band Spoon's song. 5/10
Avg. 4.5/10
3d1gg4
Strong Arm Steady Chants
Another interlude, this one musical compared to the M83 one above. Still, not incredible or anything, just cool sounding. 5/10
Lootpack Innersoul
Some of these user stations are funny because, whether they end up being the first 2 songs or not, they go from Dilla to Dilla, Doom to Doom, and here it's Madlib to Madlib. This is an actual song, unlike the above, and I like the blunted beat and raps. I recognize a sample deep in the background, too. Nice scratches. Overall good music. 7/10
Avg. 6/10
3d1gg4 becomes the truly final winner of Round 1 and will face amplifya in Round 2.
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