Kanye West “Graduates”

A J-Rod Original Rap

I had to go adopt

a new vernacular

To talk about Kanye;

he’s spectacular.

Coming through with tracks

About to “graduate,”

His flow is something sick.

No need to player hate.

Flaming Lip-tronix,

Tell me, can you dig?

Like ‘Pac and Johnny Cash

He gone and made it big.

Battled Curtis Jackson

for No. 1 on the charts,

First week a mill in sales

and 50 fell apart.

Now there’s a

whole nation

singing Kanye’s songs

Pick that new s*** up

so you could

sing along.

Sets himself up

as a paperchaser,

But Kanye holds weight,

and his words’ll change ya

… like

“Come home Mona Lisa/

You know you can’t Rome

without Caesar.”

Kanye’s got hooks

that were

built to please ya.

Collab with all stars

like Mos Def and

Mister John Mayer,

He rappin’ to the streets,

And Kanye’s the Mayor

If you could,

would you do me

just one more favor?

Hear out mister West,

because he’s

rap’s new savior.

“Echoes, Silence,

Patience & Grace”

Foo Fighters

After the 2005 release of the epic double album, “In Your Honor,” I figured Dave Grohl and his Foo Fighters would take some time off to stop and smell the roses.

Instead, they’ve toured incessantly, releasing “Skin and Bones,” an amazing live album documenting the band’s most recent acoustic tour with former Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear, as well as the newly released “Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace.”

“ESPG” could not have come at a more perfect time.

With tones, melodies and lyrics suggestive of the changing seasons, the Foo Fighters have crafted a perfect catalogue for the falling leaves and chilling air of the months to come. On the heartbreakingly delicate instrumental track “Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners,” we see Grohl sending an intimate dedication with an amazing story.

There was a miner trapped in a mine collapse in Beaconsfield, Australia; when asked what he wanted sent down, the miner said chief among the provisions was his mp3 player so he could keep his spirits up by listening to the Foo Fighters.

The story touched Grohl’s heart, and he made a promise to write the song for the miners and eventually sit down with the guys for a beer.

As is the norm for Grohl and the Foo, it is impossible to distinguish which song would naturally fit as the lead single because every track is strong, unique and sincere.

Although “The Pretender” and “Long Road To Ruin” are scheduled to be radio staples, tracks like the hilariously named, mainstream-challenging, emo-denigrating “Cheer Up Boys (Your Make Up Is Running),” as well as the more somber “Statues,” provide a variety of moods to compliment the theme of changing seasons in this complex snapshot of the Foo Fighters, capped off with the song “Summer’s End.”

Although the Foo have always been known for their ability to pair rocking out with going acoustic, as was the case with “In Your Honor,” the two are usually kept at a distance. “Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace” is again a breath of fresh air for the Foo Fighters because it seamlessly blends these two up-’til-now distinct sides of their writing. This concept is refreshingly evident in the diverse moods of “Come Alive.”

Although “Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace” is certainly more introspective than past works, the Foo Fighters work hard to retain the same edge and bite that Foo fans are eager for.

As we reach summer’s end and get ready for the changing colors of fall, “Echoes Silence Patience & Grace” provides the perfect background for walks in the park, a night on the town or late nights cramming for midterms.