I've been tracking Ces Cru's gradual ascendence on Kansas City's hip hop scene at There Stands the Glass for over five years. I was happy for the duo when they signed to Strange Music. It's the big break they deserve. So what does Ces Cru rap about about on the new album Constant Energy Struggles? They rap about about the big break they deserve. The dominant subject matter of the album is disappointing. I have limited tolerance for self-absorbed careerist raps. The first five songs on Constant Energy Struggles are about Ces Cru's status in the hip hop community. What a waste. The superlative production and dazzling flows of Godemis and Ubiquitous are markedly superior to most of the competition. I don't need Ces Cru to overstate the obvious. "When Worlds Collide" is representative of the album's best and worst qualities.
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Bobby Rush's outing at the Living Room in Knuckleheads might be my favorite performance of 2013. Here's my review.
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UMKC created a fine tribute to Aaron Markarian, the Conservatory of Music and Dance student who was recently murdered in his off-campus apartment.
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"If You Say So", a song from the Grisly Hand's forthcoming Country Singles album, is RIYL Lone Justice, X, Gram and Emmylou.
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A friend insists that Wavves' Afraid of Heights is "the most important album in fifteen years." Nope. It sounds like a really good album by the Get Up Kids, Green Day or Weezer. And that's good enough for me.
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Fred Eaglesmith chides Johnny (Cash)-come-latelys.
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"So you guys are into jazz?" Wolf continues Tyler, the Creator's ongoing troll.
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Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
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