album review: little jackie, the stoop

normally i send album reviews to soundsxp.com, but they don't review hip hop or r&b. so, friends, here it is, my latest obsession, little jackie.

LITTLE JACKIE, THE STOOP

S-Curve Records

Take hip-hop themes of poverty, racism, and sexuality. Sprinkle on pop rhythms. Add old-school R&B backbeats and silvery vocals. Blend til smooth. 

This is the winning recipe behind Little Jackie, the refreshing combo of singer Imani Coppola and programmer Adam Pallin. Proving that you attract more flies with honey than vinegar, Little Jackie’s debut album The Stoop masks sharp-tongued lyrics with sweet, easygoing melodies.

The title track invites the listener to Little Jackie’s corner of Brooklyn, which “ain’t no Beverly Hills.” But this isn’t some angry polemic of life in the ghetto; instead, we’re treated to a celebration of a brownstone paradise, where piano and trumpet create a danceable groove, and Coppola’s vampish voice assures us “it ain’t all hard up in the hood… sittin’ on the front stoop, it’s all good.” 

That “all good” mentality prevails throughout the eleven tracks on the album, led by Coppola’s provocatively femme attitude on the mic. Songs like “The World Should Revolve Around Me” and “Guys Like When Girls Kiss” are cheeky, seductive, and instantly endearing.

With its genre-bending and -blending, Little Jackie offers something for everyone. Coppola sings that “there’s only one of me in the galaxy,” and The Stoop is certainly a strong argument in her favor.

kk recommends.

1. VODKA GIMLETS

i first tried one of these at the ivy, where they make it all fancy with mint leaves, like a mojito. but it's actually quite good in the classic way, sort of spritzy and fresh. another way to enjoy a nice ketel.

2. PASTA WITH GOAT CHEESE

this is a surprisingly easy way to prepare a semi-fancy meal, courtesy of real simple. i'm learning that goat cheese is a great thing to pick up at the market, it spreads easy, tastes good, and seems classy.

3. IRVINE MINI

normally i am not a proponent of anything in irvine, but i have to say that the service at this dealership is top-notch. the customer lounge offers a tv, wi-fi, cheesy oc magazines, coffee, water, and tea. and when they wash your car, they clean the inside!!! this was amazing to me. fucking irvine pricks. they probably expect all this shit.

4. SO MUCH GOOD NEW MUSIC

colin meloy, death cab, m83, elbow, she&him, the ting tings, rjd2, the republic tigers, pela, cut copy, MGMT, ladytron, errors, the list goes on and on...

5. IPHONE WEB APPS

i especially endorse the following: cinema, wikipedia, facebook and inetflix. but i am too lazy to provide links.

6. IPHONE SCREEN COVERS

you can protect the beauty of your iphone without a clunky cover.  i have to admit i have a clunky cover for the back, but for the front, these covers keep your fingerprints off the touch screen and supposedly make the touch screen work better. 

ok this was a lame list but i was bored at work for a minute and i thought i had more to recommend. now even i have lost interest.

death cab for cutie, narrow stairs

please take a gander at my album review of the new death cab album, which hits stores tomorrow.

and please offer your criticisms of my criticism!

blog, 2.0

so this is the new iteration of my blog. no more myspace silliness for me. well, of course that isn’t entirely true. myspace silliness certainly still has its place. i was actually going to use iweb for this at first, since i had more control over its design and what not, but there aren't any comments, and what the hell fun is that??

anyway, hopefully not much else has changed with this blog. i’m even thinking about moving some of my better entries over to this new home. i will still be featuring “kk recommends,” ny times editorials that even i’m too cheap to pay for but still have access to, stupid musings and whining, and, of course, lame attempts at self-actualization.

with any luck nothing i publish here will get me fired or put me on any government watch lists. but, if it does, fuckit.

while i'm here, let me recommend some new music that i've gotten my little hands and ears on:

1. HER SPACE HOLIDAY: THE YOUNG MACHINES REMIXED
i actually like the remixes better than the album. with heavy hitters like album leaf, dntel, and nobody stepping in, the songs can't help but be improved. my personal favorite track is the arab strap remix of "something to do with my hands." it's kinda dirrty, but that's probably why i loooooove it.

2. MIKA: LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION
so this is an indie [ maybe not so indie ] darling, but you can't help but bob your head. it's loveable, fun, bubble gum pop with highlights including lyrics like, "big girl, you are beautiful" and "am i too dirty, am i too flirty?" i mean, cmon, that's brilliant.

3. DAVE FISCHOFF: THE CRAWL
for those more mellow moments.

4. DEAN & BRITTA: BACK NUMBERS
in searching for the album artwork, i learned from wikipedia that dean and britta are the couple behind luna and galaxie 500, which, had i been more in the know would have lent much credibility. but i like it even without that little detail.

5. DIRTY ON PURPOSE: HALLELUJAH SIRENS
i've given it one listen and liked it immediately.

6. THE MOST SERENE REPUBLIC: PHAGES
a good follow-up to underwater cinema. haven't fallen AS in love with it yet, but i'm giving our relationship time to grow.

7. PANDA BEAR: PERSON PITCH
i actually like these guys for more than their name. no, really, i do.

8. SOFTLIGHTES: SAY NO TO BEING COOL SAY YES TO BEING HAPPY
good advice for all.

well, that's plenty for now. i've downloaded much more, believe me, but this should keep anyone who is reading this busy enough for now.