A Music Minute

This past week and a half has been huge musically. First, Dr. Dre released two singles, Kush and I Need a Doctor, that are set to be on his much anticipated album, Detox. Dre's rapping isn't, and never has been, anything too spectacular, but, as on I Need a Doctor, look for artists like Eminem and Snoop Dogg to bring lyrical justice to his beats. Secondly, Kanye West came out with his (some would say) "masterpiece," My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. He delivers a gem that is as much notable for its purely musical content as 'Ye's rapping. That being said, he's a nut. The last thing he needs is a wildly successful album to boost his ego. Watch out country music starlets....

Now who likes free music? (I do! I do!) If you're like me, and your quality of life revolves around the availability of good, new music, then you are in for some good times. Three names for you to remember: Machine Gun Kelly, Oncue, KAM Royal. These are three up and comers who have the talent to make big things happen. I'll start with MGK. Ok, Cudi fans take a deep breath.....Machine Gun Kelly is the best rapper to come out of Cleveland......ever. If you take a listen to his fresh sophomore mixtape, Lace Up, you'll realize that that last statement was no stretch. This kid goes harder than anyone else coming up in the game right now. His passion reminds me of a lot of Eminem. This is the kid from Cleveland to keep an eye out for. Oncue came out with a mixtape called Cuey Sings the Blues over the summer (a must have) that seriously put him on the map. Last week he dropped Leftovers, a collection of tracks that didn't make it onto the 'tape. That being said, these songs are every bit as good as the earlier ones, if anything, the gap gave him time to go back and polish them into something better. He fluidly combines solid rapping with a nice singing voice. Stick that with great production and some quality covers and you've got a recipe for success. Last but not least, we have KAM Royal. The least polished production-wise, I think he has the most potential given what I have heard of his lyrics. My favorite song off his first mixtape, Business as Usual, is The Lesson, a song that provides a smooth day-in-the-life profile of the artist. The other songs are along the same lines. The production will only get better, meaning that the only direction for KAM to go is up. Download the three mixtapes below.

One last note. Check out OCD: Moosh and Twist on youtube. These guys have opened for Mac Miller (one of my favorite artists right now) and are primed to release a mixtape in January. My favorite tracks by them are Wake Up, Live it Up, and Since the Beginning. Live it Up

Lace Up- Machine Gun Kelly
Leftovers- Oncue
Business as Usual- KAM Royal

Necking

If you've been following this blog from the beginning, you have heard of Outdoor Technology. They're back today as part of our Ski Season '10/'11 mini-series. I don't know about all of you, but over the years I have gotten tired of the traditional boring, black neckwarmers. During spring skiing, going without is definitely an option, but the stakes are upped a little bit when you're trying to go out on during January when the wind chill drops the temperature to -15. This Cali company has developed a sensible solution: the Arctic Yowie. How it works- it is longer than a normal 'warmer, so you fold up the patterned bit so that it covers up the warm fleece bottom. The result is good looking neck protection without looking like a fool by wearing one of those fake bandanas. If you want to go out on more of a limb fashion wise, wear it as a hat. You'll definitely get some looks. Check out the Arctic Yowie and the rest of the OT gear at their online store. Do so soon, as they are in the middle of some holiday promotions. Fan them on facebook for more info on promo codes etc.

Lookin Pro

So yes these goggles are a bit pricey, but whose to say it isn't worth it for the self-proclaimed "most technologically advanced goggles in the world"? I can neither verify nor deny that claim, but what i can see is that these bad boys will have you looking legit. Enough value cannot be placed on scratch-resistant lenses with UV protection. When the conditions get hairy and visibility goes down, being able to see the terrain is key. Fan RA optics on Facebook, or check out their website here. They also have some quality shades for when you hit the apres ski scene. This is an excellent alternative to Oakley if you want to get avoid the main stream.

Record Snowfall in Lake Tahoe Means Its Time to Gear Up for Ski Season

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm definitely going skiing next week. Wether you're a skier or rider, the look is vital to your ability to ride in style and thus pick up all the hotties in the lodge. In the first part of our mini-series on slope steez, let me introduce you all to Moment Skis. These guys make a little something for everything-from cruising to park to powder. The selection of skis is rather limited, but you need to realize that they are all HANDMADE, in the USA no less. They also make some fresh jackets (see above) and snow pants. Check out your favorite domestic ski makers. Don't worry boarders, we've got some stuff in the vault for you guys too.

New Hundreds

As you all should know by now, The Hundreds is a clothing label out of the San Francisco area. I'll let founder Bobby Hundreds do most of the talking
"The past decade saw the rise and saturation of modern street culture, and as the next approaches, I’ve imagined a post-streetwear take on our classic apparel aesthetic. So what you will see over these next seasons, as far as our offerings go, is a certain modern familiarity with bold colors, smart graphics, traditional sportswear, and premium denim, but through a nostalgic lens. So what were once vivid hues have been toned down to classic shades, raw and crispy fleece may have a more comfortable hand-feel, and the washes follow suit. There is an obvious emphasis on worn-in sweatshirts and ready-to-wear jackets, while our trademark plaid flannels have taken a more subtle approach. The idea here is that these are your favorite The Hundreds clothes as you may find them to wear in years’ time. And we certainly hope that is the case."
I dig what they're doing. Check out their new collection here on their website.

New AC Website!

Check out Academy Cotton's revolutionary new website. Go to www.academycottonshop.com and see what its like for yourself. On their new home page you can choose to shop, subscribe to their newsletter, contact them, find them on Facebook, or even get redirected here to The Headless Threadsmen. There is a fall/winter line preview on the new site and you should be able to buy the new stuff by tonight. Also, rumor has it that starting soon you won't have to go through Paypal either, so the entire shopping experience will become that much easier. It's looking like the boys at Academy Cotton really are starting to Turn Up The AC.

Closer Detail on the New Items

Long Sleeve Tee pocket logo

Baby Blue Cardigan logo

Navy Cardigan logo

Rasta Halfzip logo

The Winter 2010 Academy Cotton Line

The new Academy Cotton line is here! Here are some pictures of ALL the new items, which will be up on the website over the weekend. When asked for a comment on the inspiration of this line, founders Jack Blasberg, Blake Chasen, and Leo Brossollet responded in unison: Steeziness.

Five For Friday

A little something here to get your Halloween weekend started off. Remember to tune into Bro Talk on Tuesdays from 8-10 on Colby College Radio. Also, if you haven't yet, take the opportunity to go see The Social Network. Its a great movie about an Exeter entrepreneur who makes it big (sound familiar..?) with Facebook.

It's The Dean's List: I'll be Ok
One of my favorite songs from these guys. Catchy chorus, good rhymes. Get pumped for a sweet show a week from tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0UNzaSTQdg

The Ian Carey Project: Get Shaky
THE GREATEST TECHNO SONG OF ALL TIME. Ari Bental's words. But seriously, this song is dope.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hQ2sFuz4WE&ob=av3e

Mac Miller: Senior Skip Day
I know, this song's been out for a while, but the video is new. I can't get enough of Mac, and can't wait for his next mixtape to come out mid December. Also check out the video for his new song, Live Free.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7NJfuVk9hY

Aer: Water on the Moon
These guys are shades of Slightly Stoopid, but aside from that I've never heard anything like this before. Go to goodmusicallday.com and grab their new mixtape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij5-inFM2cw

Bob Sinclair: Rainbow of Love
Bob Sinclair, the guy brings it every time. Enough said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh0D9p7svH0

Exeter Rap Assoc. Fall Concert

ERA made the announcement about their fall concert this morning. In case you missed it, on Nov. 6 our friends from Split Second will be opening for The Dean's List, a Boston based rap group with some serious talent. TDL's song The People appeared in one of the last Bro Talk Five For Friday. In addition, they have an EP available on iTunes. If you're looking for some free music, ERA has put together a sample mixtape of both groups' music to help promote the show. Grab it here. Props to ERA for making this happen.

The Original Smooth

Nothing says more about a man than the drink he chooses. Well, some things probably do, but a drink is important. So when you feel like a quiet night, the go to drink ought to be "The Original Smooth." Mello Yello is a forgotten soda made by Coca Cola, and it is flawless. Some say it's like Sprite, others say Fresca, but let me tell you that nothing tastes better nor is anything classier than Mello Yello. Buy one and then come thank me.

Real Throwbacks

Having a good collection of Throwback Jerseys can increase your steez exponentially. That's why you have to check out Throwback Jerseys at http://www.throwbackj.com. Their website isn't stylish, but it sure gets the job done. And we're not just talking about throwbacks to the days of the Houston Oilers or the Boston Braves. They've got gear from the Negro League, the WNBA, Minor League Hockey, and so much more.

Loggy!

In case you missed it on our facebook page, Loggy, a budding rapper from Berkeley and a standout receiver on their football team, came out with a new song this last week called Free to Be. It's a remix of a song by Phillip Michael and Akon, who are still on the chorus, that packs some serious punch when Loggy jumps on the beat. He kills it (as usual) with his lyricism and flow. All of you should have it by now, but if you don't, it's a must download. Grab it from GoodMusicAllDay.com here.

Five For Friday

By this time you should already know what it is. Five For Friday presented by Bro Talk and Academy Cotton. This week we've got a nice selection of tunes to get the weekend started off right. Don't forget, Bro Talk is back on the air this Tuesday from 8-10 pm on Colby College Radio. To listen in, go to itunes, select Radio, College/University, WMHB. There's no excuse for not listening, you don't even need a radio!
1. Beat Sauce (Duck Sauce vs. Micheal Jackson) – Party Ben
Nice mash up. MJ is a classic, and Duck Sauce's Barbara Streisand is a fun song thats definitely worth checking out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSSUd9zk2MQ
2. Round 2 –The Cataracs
Every bit as good as Like a G6. A little bit of a different feel on this track though, better lyrics here but not quite a banger on the same level.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WBA8PSSwro
3. 1000 Times Right Round – The Hood Internet
The sound quality on the video doesn't do this song justice. If you missed it, check out The Hood Internet's I'm Going In a Beamer Benz or Bentley mashup. These guys are the hottest new mashup group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7P7bQhAgA
4. Say Yeah (DJ Nallen Remix)
Wiz Khalifa. Thats what's up. Check out the kid's new song, Know Your Name. In the meanwhile check out this hot remix of The Thrill with Better Off Alone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKCBjPHCha4
5. We Are the People – The Deans List
Very chilled out song, they do a good remix of one of Empire of the Mind's great songs (check them out). These guys are solid, look out for more of their stuff up here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBL7mzCSzVY

**BONUS**
Two Future Radio Bangers:
We R Who We R – Kesha
What’s My Name – Rhianna f/Drake
We called it. Just sayin.

Even More Split Second

Yesterday, the Prep Boys themselves dropped a new tune on all of us. This one is called Blood Diamond. Great beat, not as Dubstep-y as Innocence. These guys are blowing up all over the place. Check them out on the Campus Gossip or download Blood Diamond on Fresh New Tracks.

The Boys Are Back

This week marks the return of two excellent radio shows: Bro Talk and The OT (Protect Your Ears receives and honorable mention). Broadcasting over the radio to northern New England and to the world over the internet, these shows play the musical gems that commercial DJs miss. In case you're a new comer to the blog, the Bros dish us five quality tracks each week for our Five For Friday (check back tomorrow for the latest edition). Bro Talk is Tuesday nights 8-10. Listen here. The OT is Wednesday from 5-6. Listen here.

New Split Second

On Sunday night, our boys in Split Second announced to coming release of "Skub Til Taget" (push the roof), a Dubstep/House remix EP. With this news they dropped a new song, Innocence. It's a remix of a tight Nero song, so definitely check it out. Grab it here on their band page. Also, if you haven't snagged Polos and Solos or Up Past Lights yet, you're seriously missing out. We'll be back later with more leaks off the EP. Stay steezy

Academy Cotton Boxers Leak

Starting today, Academy Cotton will be leaking images from their upcoming fall line. After the beer pong sweatshirts went off the shelves with a bang, fans have been clamoring for more BP items. After many hours in the lab, the Cotton team has cooked up a pair of BP boxers. Made of the same high-quality PIMA cotton (that good Peruvian stuff) as all their other items, they are dangerously soft; a sure hit for males and females alike. Check back often in the next couple weeks for more leaks leading up to the release of the their biggest line yet.
In case you missed it, you can access the earlier Rasta Half Zip leak here.

Fresh Five for Friday

Our bros from the great northern unknown (Maine) have delivered 5 new jams for the latest installment of the Bro Talk Five for Friday presented by Academy Cotton and the Headless Threadsmen. There are some gems here, a great soundtrack for whatever shenanigans you have planned for the weekend. Hopefully this rain will be gone by tomorrow so you can bump these tunes at your epic tailgates.


1. Ocean of Love (DJs From Mars Remix) - Darren Baille
BANGER. This song has a great build up, and the beat DROPS at 1:03. Great singing and simple vocals complement the rest of the song nicely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvF1jY00eS4

2. Club Can't Handle Somebody - Mashup Germany
I'm not so much of a Kings of Leon or Flo Rida fan, but together they bring the heat. David Guetta is a genius; if you've been living under a rock for the past couple months you need to give his One Love album a listen (he's on the original Club Can't Handle Me). The Kings of Leon set up Flo Rida's high energy verses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8GrA_xXaQU

3. New New New - Bob Sinclair
Bob Sinclair is great, enough said. He does his thing on this track. If you haven't heard of him before, also be sure to check out World Hold On.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJH-cM3glhc

4. Shine On Low - DJ Phillistine
Ludacris has fallen off a little bit since Release Therapy and The Red Light District and seems to be forcing it a little bit now, but this mashup brings back a fun, party feel to his flow. His rap fits well over the techno. Definitely a great party track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPX5HqFh8rc

5. You Are Not A Robot - Hoodie Allen
Last week we posted about Hoodie's new mixtape, Pep Rally. If you haven't already, you need to download it. The kid has talent. This is one of my favorites off the tape. What happens when sick sampling meets great lyricism? Dope music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve2WTaP3EWc


October is here, and that means that Bro Talk will be back on the air in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for show times and check back next Friday for some more jams.

The Anchorman Mixtape

Do you like music? How about movies? Finely crafted mustaches? If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, we have just the thing for you. In his Anchorman Mixtape, k-os introduces each of his songs with one of Will Farrel's top quotes from the movie, starting each song off on a humorous note before getting down to business. He raps over some interesting electro beats, and the verses flow smoothly into the choruses. One big feature is Drake on Faith. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IX8znQw8-Q. Listen all the way through before making up your mind. There's also a download link after the video.

Undefeated

Undefeated, the popular L.A. store that has expanded all the way to Japan, released a new look book for their fall line, and it's pretty dope. Check it out, as well as their blog, shop locations, billboard project, and more at www.undftd.com. Also, definitely take a look at some of their merchandise on cart.undftd.com. It's not as wide of a selection as at their stores, but you are still sure to find a lot of steezy gear including shoes, tees, and at least one fresh hat (pictured).

Pond Hopping

Earlier this month we did profiles of Bodega and Major, two underground clothing and shoe stores in Boston and and D.C. Today the Threadsmen's French connection wants to introduce Star Cow, a classy grassroots operation in Paris. While you can browse their extensive inventory on their blog, www.starcow.info, if you want to buy you must pay a visit to their store. That being said, it would be well worth the trip. If you want a little imported Euro steez, this is the place to go. They have great sweaters, interesting Vans, and some sweet corduroy jackets. Much like Bodega or Major, you never really know what you're going to get until you get into the store. If you're ever in Paris, be sure to check out this spot (and maybe send a little something back to your favorite bloggers?).

Party Records

This has been an excellent week for free music. Tuesday, Hoodie Allen released his mixtape, Pep Rally  and at 12:01 am this morning, Sam Adams dropped Party Records. Sam breaks away from the pop feel that dominated Boston's Boy and raps over some dance, techno, and dubstep beats. With tracks produced by Rusko, Bassnecter, and Deadmau5 this is a great tape to play at parties. There are a lot of tags though, which is kind of a bummer. I'm not trying to have DJ Whooo Kid yelling every 30 seconds. Pep Rally has a more relaxed feel. Hoodie's lyricism takes center stage as he raps over some mellow beats. Great for chilling or doing homework. All in all, these are two great tapes, be sure to grab them before the weekend.
Speaking of dubstep, here is my favorite video of all time. The song is called Paranoid by Dansette Junior. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8wLLedNa3w

Radness

While the leaves haven't started to change yet, the weather is telling us that fall is here. While this is not typically a season for bright colors, at the Headless Threadsmen, we believe that good steez is always in season. Earlier this week, Warriors of Radness, a California based clothing company released their fall line. They are known for their willingness to experiment with risky designs and color combinations. There is something for everyone in this collection: trench coats, sweatpants, wind breakers, and jackets. Check out their website at http://www.warriorsofradness.com/news. Speaking of new lines, word on the street is that Academy Cotton is about to come out with some news about their Fall/Winter 2011 line. More to come about that. As always, keep it classy.

New Split Second Featuring Loggy

This song dropped a few days ago. When we saw that Split Second and Loggy had collaborated on this track, we had to post it. They sample Foster The People's "Pumped Up Kicks", and the product is really chilled out and fun. J Jaxx, Xcel, and Loggy deliver the goods on their verses. Look for more from these guys in the near future. Follow the link below to download.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ndqgs2tvlffjvkq

Outdoor Technology

In one of our first posts, we featured Outdoor Technology's Triangle Speakers. This past week we picked up a pair of their Tyvek Wallets, and we have been extremely pleased with them. Not only are they waterproof and extremely durable, but every time you take it out people comment. Every time. Unlike leather wallets, they don't stain when wet and even though they are made of recycled paper, they are impossible to tear. They come in five different varieties and are a steal at $5.95. Cop one at http://shops.hookit.com/outdoortechnology/ViewProduct/TyvekWallet™/14.aspx . Check back later in the fall for more on these guys. Keep it steezy.

The Final Day of the Incredible Back to School Sale

Do you want to look classy in the classroom? If you answered yes to that question, you have one final day to take advantage of Academy Cotton's Incredible Back to School Sale. If you go onto http://www.shop.academycottonshop.com/Incredible-Hulk-00004.htm within the next 24 hours and enter the promo code acs-20, you can grab The Incredible Hulk (green half zip) for 20% off. You don't want to miss out on this deal. Let's turn up the AC.

It's That Day Again: Bro Talk's 5 For Friday

From the great northern unknown that is Maine, the men of Bro Talk have delivered some fresh new tracks. We have some big names on this list as well as some budding talent from overseas. There are a couple great chilling songs here mixed in with some bangers. Without further ado, Academy Cotton and The Headless Threadsmen are proud to present the second installment of The Bro Talk 5 For Friday.


1. Runaway Love (remix ft. Raekwon and Kanye West)- Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber isn't usually someone I listen to, but this track is a major exception. Kanye and Raekwon sound great over the Wu Tang beat, and Justin adds a nice R&B feel to the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huj1r7j37Sk
2. Shirt Off- Young Ivy
Why this little dude got his shirt off again? This is Maddox's theme song. A new Swedish rapper puts fun lyrics over a fun beat for a great dance track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E-EdfPOMM8
3. Good Life- Chiddy Bang
New Chiddy track fresh out the oven. Keep an eye out for their coming album, it should be tight. We havn't heard anything bad from these guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw47Gvx-HQQ
4. Kickstarts - Example
Heres a hot euro club track for you. The video is every bit as good as the song. Keep an eye on these guys. Shout out to Bermuda Girl for hitting me up with this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9yGcKlYAiw
5. Alors On Danse - Kanye West & Gilbere Forte' feat. Stromae
Absolute Banger. Kanye kills it. Enough said.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORqMkdP8TLo
Thats all for this week. Be sure to check back next Friday for more from the Bro Talk gents. Also, check out http://www.shop.academycottonshop.com/ for Academy Cotton's back to school sale. Use the promo code acs-20 to get 20% off The Incredible Hulk (green halfzip).

Uncharted Horizons

notice the horizontal cords

Previously on the Threadsmen we have featured companies that put out of the box designs in the pockets of their pants (Bonobos, Liquid Flow). Cordarounds takes this idea a step farther. This company is known primarily for their horizontal cords and the patterns in the pockets, however, at first glance, one of the coolest aspects of these duds escape most people. The patterns are not only in the pockets-they line the entirety of the pants' interior! If you are considering grabbing a pair, think about getting them a bit long so that you can roll up the cuffs and show of the inside. Another one of their innovations is their Bike-to-Work pants. These pants have similar in-pocket and lining designs, but they glow in the dark! If you frequently bike in the dark and don't want to wear those nerdy reflective strips all over your body, these are the pants for you.

Golf

It's official: Tiger Woods is on the US Ryder Cup team. Personally, I think that Corey Pavin made a major mistake (feel free to sound off on the pick in the comments), but this post will be dedicated to golf course style. Back in the eighties, golf courses across America were a breading ground for radical fashion ideas. Red, white, and blue argyle pants? Yup. Blue and white checks? Got 'em. Polka dots the size of soft balls? You bet. Today, country clubs have made golfer steez boring. Luckily for all of us, Loudmouth Golf Pants and Bubba Watson are crusading to make golf fun again. Bubba rocks his signature visor, swings a driver with a pink shaft, lets the flow rage, and loves the bright pants. Loudmouth Golf Pants are bringing back the bright colors and crazy patterns in order to make pants that "go straight from the fairway to the party". Unfortunately, the pants aren't available in extra long sizes or else they would be flying off the shelves in the days before the NBA draft. (more on NBA draft night steez later).