Justin Hunter Scott

Leisure

A man to man with Girl Talk

Known for mash-ups that combine small parts of many popular songs, Gregg Gillis is a rising star in the world of dance music. He’s also coming to Georgetown Saturday night, and we caught up with him for a quick interview in advance of the show.

By November 15, 2007

Leisure

Critical Voices: Jay-Z, American Gangster

Jay-Z has come out of retirement for a second time with American Gangster, an album inspired by the movie of the same name. And unlike on Kingdom Come, he has something to say this time. In fact, this is the first set of songs in which returns to his roots. By revisiting his life on the streets over a set of heavy, moody beats, American Gangster is Jay-Z’s grittiest album since his debut.

By November 1, 2007

Leisure

Gangster tears shit up

Already being hailed as the black Godfather and the Harlem Scarface, many critics have essentially taken for granted that American Gangster must be judged against the classics of its genre. I was less sure that it couldn’t be judged on its own merits, though, and I feared that stacking it up against The Godfather and other greats would inevitably make it seem disappointing in comparison. Surprisingly, despite its length and its failure to truly innovate, it holds its own among the heavyweights of the gangster film canon and is a contender for the best movie of 2007.

By November 1, 2007

Leisure

The Horror!

With Halloween coming up, what better way to get ready than by watching some great horror movies? Here are some choices that will have you shaking in your boots:

By October 25, 2007

Leisure

Critical Voices: Akron/Family, Love is Simple

Akron/Family burst onto the music scene in 2005 with their promising self-titled debut and a fantastic split EP with the Angels of Light. With 2006’s Meek Warrior, however, they seemed to run out of energy even as they piled on the ideas. Thankfully, Love is Simple is exciting and lively, and its fusion of straightforward rock, tribal freak-outs and dense soundscapes makes it Akron/Family’s best release yet.

By September 20, 2007

Leisure

Critical Voices: Kanye West, Graduation

Kanye West’s third album, Graduation, is a blessing in a year that has been abysmal for hip-hop. While Kanye is still a relatively weak MC, Graduation is an original, entertaining and tight album, and though it lacks any true club-bangers, it’s still the best hip-hop album of 2007.

By September 13, 2007

Leisure

Critical Voices: M.I.A., Kala

It’s no surprise that M.I.A. opens her second album, Kala, with the assertion that “I’m comin’ back with power, power”—her brash, confident attitude, is what made her debut Arular a hit. Pairing astoundingly ferocious political raps with a collection of grimy, highly danceable beats made her as intriguing as any new artist in recent memory. On Kala, Sri Lanka’s brightest star mostly duplicates the magic of her debut with a few duds that keep it from greatness.

By August 24, 2007

Leisure

Critical Voices

Timbaland, Timbaland presents Shock Value, Interscope There’s been massive hype surrounding the release of Timbaland presents… Shock Value, and understandably so. The producer was on fire in 2006, crowning Justin Timberlake as king of pop with FutureSex/LoveSounds and morphing Nelly Furtado into a sexy dance-floor queen with erotic beats on Loose. But, even though Shock Value is loaded with similar flourishes, it is weighed down by stale vocal collaborations.

By March 29, 2007

Leisure

Of Montreal rocks

Of Montreal, the critically acclaimed psych-pop band out of Athens, Georgia, returns to the Washington D.C. area for spring break. Fronted by Kevin Barnes, the group released their well-received eighth album, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, on Feb. 23. Guitarist Bryan Poole detailed the band’s updated sound on the new record.

By February 22, 2007

Leisure

Critical Voices: Bloc Party, A Weekend in the City, Wichita

LOVES IT

Despite what detractors may say, “Hunting for Witches” is hardly the sole highlight of A Weekend in the City, Bloc Party’s lastest release.

By February 8, 2007