I got the new Mos Def album tonight, and I must say that I'm VERY disappointed. The first eight tracks are not very good at all, and the whole thing seems to be a paean to guitar-heavy rock and roll (a la the second half of Track 10 on Black on Both Sides). Tracks 9 and 10 on this album are pretty good, but I'm really just sad at how non-hip-hop the whole package seems so far. Maybe there'll be some really good stuff on the last few tracks.

Saul Williams' latest is also very unimpressive, and also very rock-n-roll-centric. It's like each of these guys picked the weakest tracks from their mind-blowing first albums and decided to replicate those less-than-breathtaking qualities on the sophomore effort. It's frustrating; we should call it the Channel Live effect (except at least Channel Live's second album has that really good track on #3).

Is it a coincidence that Mos has spent more time in movie studios than music studios in the last few years? Or that Saul's last book was put out by MTV? Am I being paranoid if I imagine that the machine is eating their work too, that the electrifying energy and digital boom-bap that stunned me so joyously last time has been -- perhaps intentionally -- kept away from their new stuff?

This sucks. Back to Babbletron.

I suppose it could be worse.

TimeWaster™

Leave It To Bush. Hilarious! (A little blue, tho -- proceed with caution, kids.)

Today I'm listening to: Mos Def back when he could do no wrong.