The Black Keys vs. Big Boi: Wick-It the Instigator Can Probably Cook Better than I Can, Too

For the record, I am a good cook. Thing is, I rarely remember food until I'm already starving, so by then it's more of a laboratory situation. Crackers with salad dressing? Done it.  Mustard on toast? Sadly, yes. Popcorn with liquorice?
Yeah... I may or may not actually buy the ingredients for that one, now. Awhile back I got it in my head that savoury yogurt should exist, but as it turns out, the fact that it doesn't has nothing to do with a lack of ingenuity in the yogurt industry and everything to do with the reality that yogurt and condiments should never, ever meet. 


So while mixing two good things together might seem logical, it doesn't always make for a gorgeous lovechild. Sometimes you just get relish curdling tomorrow's breakfast.


Luckily some people know better when it comes to experimentation and you can count Memphis-based Wick-It the Instigator among them. He took two of last year's favourite albums-- Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, and The Black Key's Brothers--and mashed them into The Brothers of Chico Dusty: Big Boi vs. The Black Keys. And it's hard to imagine fans of Big Boi, The Keys, or both not digging it.


It's not unlike The Black Key's Blackrok project, so the idea isn't totally out of left field, but let's give credit where credit is due.--the thing is pretty damn tight. Impressive enough in fact, to have gotten the attention of Big Boi who has plans to work with Wick-It in 2011. So what we have here is less horseradish yogurt and more popquorice/lickorn. Or something you like. Whatever. It's always about you.


The entire album is available for free from bandcamp. Nice.

The Brothers of Chico Dusty (Big Boi vs. The Black Keys) by wick-it

You Can Argue but You Can't Win: Mr Shuffleupagus' Favourite Albums of 2010 (Part Two)

Time for my five favourite records of 2010. I'm telling you, as much fun as it is to do, ranked lists are tough. So feel free to put anything you think I missed or any lists of your own in the comments where I can judge appreciate them.

Or if you hate me personally, just go ahead and put that in the comments. It all brings extra site hits, so I win either way.

If you missed #11-#6 you can find them here. And #5-#1 are:


#5. Local Natives, Gorilla Manor
There is not a track out of place on this album-- it has a distinct, memorable sound and is confident as hell. After all, it takes balls to go toe to toe with Talking Heads, and even more talent to come out ahead.
And those drums, man. Those driving drums make every song impossible to turn off.

#4. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs

Even a couple months ago, I thought this album was only alright and never would have predicted it being on this list. But for reasons beyond me, I kept pressing play and the more I listened to it the more I wanted to listen to it. It's not that it grew on me-- it's more like I began to get it.
And yes, I know that sounds really, really pretentious.

(For personalized video go here. Type in your childhood address, watch, cry, repeat.)

#3.Beach House, Teen Dream
Back in the summer my best friend announced that "this is the most beautiful album of the year."
"It's only August," I said. "Give it a bit."
Goddamn. He was right.

(I put this up, because the "official" video is creepy as fuck.)

#2. The Black Keys, Brothers
It doesn't matter what kind of music you listen to--everyone likes the Black Keys. So if you don't like this album you must be a tone-deaf Nazi. It's the only way.

#1. The Tallest Man on Earth, The Wild Hunt
You know an album is special when you stop a conversation to find out what's playing, which is exactly what I did the first time I heard Kids on the Run. And if I owned this album in a non-digital format, it would be worn out. It's honest without being hokey, upbeat without being inane, spare but not simplistic, wistful not moping, classic not tired...and all in Kristian Matsson's trademark warble that threatens to break your heart. Every. Single. Time.