December Decadence

Because December is a decadent month. You sit around a table with the richest gourmet food you can cook, and stuff your face until you're stupefied with food, or you go shopping at stores with great discounts and come home with a full car. As long as you don't get food poisoning, or broke, there's nothing wrong with a little indulgence.
For me, my source of decadence (besides chocolate) is music. These six songs are only pieces of my indulgence for the month. Allow them to tickle your fancy.

Mack Wilds---The Sober Up

You remember this guy--he played Michael on The Wire and Dixon on 90210, as well as Ray-Gun in the George Lucas film, Red Tails. Now, Tristan Wilds is coming out as MACK Wilds, the singer slash rapper, with his first album, "New York: A Love Story."  This particular song, "The Sober Up," is part of the December Decadence list because of its smooth pads over a shuffling beat reminiscent of early 90's sampled beats. The lyrics are about a man drinking too much and calling someone he knows he shouldn't. "Wishing you would fly my way...."  

Flying Lotus---Do The Astral Plane

There's something about Flying Lotus...I love almost everything they do, and I could listen to them in any season at any time. This song is no exception, but it's a deliciously winter-night jam. Picture this pumping out of wide stereos in the nighttime! Imagine the holiday lights in the city twinkling with every downbeat Is it not the perfect combination?

Joey Bada$$---Two Lips (Produced by J Dilla)

(sigh) J Dilla and his beats. Already a gem for the ear. Now partner a J Dilla beat up with a verse by the lyrically blessed Joey Bada$$. The 18 year old has an introspective rhyme that flows easily over the jazzy chords and muffled percussion, creating a cool and calm atmosphere--as in, "relax in your armchair with a robe on in the candle light"atmosphere. Whoa, whoa, hey, hey, indeed.

Ingrid Michaelson---The Hat

This is actually the saddest happy song on this list. Ingrid Michaelson describes a love that she experienced, where she reminisces on the good times they spent, and in fact can't remember why she left him. Now the holidays roll around, and she knows he's out there with someone else, while she still thinks of him wistfully, summing up her feelings with the chorus, "I should tell you that you were my first love."

Gregory And The Hawk---Isabelle

Okay, this is the saddest sad song on this list. Or ever in life. This is in fact one of the popular singles from the one-woman act, Gregory and the Hawk. The exact premise of the song is always up for discussion, unless you can find a video where the writer specifically states the meaning, but however you interpret it, it's a slow lamenting tune, and perfect for the late evening. 

If by chance I don't post again til January, allow me to say: 2013, it's been real.

-CDM

My Proverbial Turkey Part 2 (the start of december)

First and foremost, Rest In Peace to the beloved "Fast And Furious" star, Paul Walker, who was killed in a car crash yesterday at only 40 years old. My heart goes out to his family and friends, especially his daughter. It's a sad shock that serves to remind us how fleeting this life is and how important it is to cherish people while they are still here. You will always be remembered.

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I just realized it a bit ironic that I call this segment a proverbial turkey, given that I am a vegetarian. (recovering pescetarian. I've been weaning off fish for months.) But I suppose the joy of having a nice roast turkey, besides the holiday tradition aspect, is the fact that you're looking to stuff yourself with goodness until you can't take anymore.
I feel the same way with music.
As it is now December, I will be stuffing myself with all kinds of artistic flavors, in all aspects, until the 31st when I can't take it anymore.

M.I.A. : Matangi

MUST find out what kind of effects that is. 

This album was M.I.A.'s experiment of "making songs about nothing that sound like something." When I read that, and then listened to the album, I understood it. She's always been in the electronic/pop lane production-wise, while her lyrics were politically charged, marrying her message. This album follows that idea but with a different formula--structuring the lyrics to sound like the party chanting we all hear in the nightclubs, while maintaining the politically charged message underneath. My personal favorites include "Bad Girls," "Y.A.L.A.", "Matangi," "Bring The Noize," and "Lights."

Aloe Blacc : Wake Me Up EP

He's a dancer!

I've known about Aloe Blacc since "What Now"from the Stones Throw & Adult Swim Present: Chrome Children  compilation album back in 2006. He's been around for a minute, putting out decent jams, and now he's finally got a breakthrough with "Wake Me Up," the remix of which made the pop charts fast. This EP will therefore be getting considerable exposure, which I'm happy about, because his voice, unique and distinctive, is worth listening to. I particularly like "Wake Me Up (Acoustic)" and "Ticking Bomb."

Coldplay : Atlas (From the Catching Fire Motion Picture Soundtrack)

I don't know what that knitted thing is, but I want it. 

At the very start of the end credits to "Catching Fire," these haunted piano chords start playing, and Chris Martin's brooding voice starts depicting a scene of revolution and war....but beautifully. I'm sorry, this just rocks. This is the "Safe And Sound" of the Catching Fire soundtrack. It's memorable, it's beautifully composed, and it's congruent with the theme of the movie itself.

Solange (ft. Kendrick Lamar) : Looks Good With Trouble

.....okay...blue.

I was going to say 'I don't know what it is about this song", but I actually do. It's the breezy pad and the muted toms reminiscent of the 80's in its prime. It's the catchy-as-hell hook that's rhythmic and sensual in its delivery. It's Kendrick's addition to an already dope song, making it doper. It's a sly ode to being bad and feeling good. What was once a minute long segment in her previous EP has been transformed into a full song, and I for one adore it.

Take a listen to some of these recent gems. Tell the CDM-ster what you think! Enjoy your week!

-CDM