[Dr. Spaceman]

Originally posted by Sam's Town

I've only seen some of Colbert's stuff recently
Can someone fill me in on this thing with The Decemberists?

It's f----ing hillarious what I've seen, but how did it all start?

In late November 2006, the band announced its intentions to give fans the opportunity to create a music video using footage of the band in front of a green screen. The move came under criticism by Stephen Colbert's host persona on his Comedy Central program on November 29, 2006. Colbert's on-screen character claimed he developed the concept of a "green screen challenge" on his show earlier in the year and that the band was simply ripping off his idea. He then challenged his viewers to a "second green screen challenge" by adding him to the video for "O Valencia!"

The Decemberists countered by accusing Colbert of stealing from an on-stage lightsaber fight the band engaged in during a show in San Francisco on September 12th, 2005, several months prior to the original Green Screen Challenge. ""We already played out the lightsaber thing months earlier, live and on stage-- sans animation, stunt double and fancy green screen-- with pure rock, sweat and C batteries" Some fans have also countered that the band shot the video in mid July, a month before Colbert's challenge was issued in August.

The Decemberists continued by encouraging their fans to edit them defeating Stephen Colbert in their video. They also challenged Stephen to a guitar solo competition. On December 7, 2006, Stephen Colbert accepted the challenge, saying the Decemberists, "may be thieves, but they're not cowards." Colbert went on to boast that he would "crush the Decemberists just like Czar Nicholas I crushed the 19th century revolutionary movement in Russia, who they also ripped off!" "They have trespassed upon my kingdom of shred, and lo, will I smite them."

On December 20, lead guitarist Chris Funk competed on the show with Stephen Colbert. Stephen Colbert could not compete due to a (patently fake) hand injury sustained after playing only a few notes. Begging "Father Christmas" to send him a guitar hero as a Christmas miracle, Peter Frampton appeared and competed in Stephen's place. In a 1-1 tie (NY governor-elect Eliot Spitzer recused himself), Colbert/Frampton was voted the winner by audience vote, although Colbert did insist on 'polite applause' when it was the Decemberists' turn for voting. When asked for his assessment, Dr. Henry Kissinger declared, "Tonight, the American people won."

Colbert's prize was The Decemberists' CD The Crane Wife, and went on to say "The Decemberists, these guys rock!" to show that this event was all in good fun.

[Daniel]

ok, I might recognize I dont know too much about that, but I heard about it from The Decemberist page.

[chevellerolet]

Haha I love Dateline and how to catch a predator.

Why are ya here?
I just wanted to be her friend...I didnt want her to be alone

[Dr. Spaceman]

here we go folks.... the moment of truth


#1
















01.J Dilla-Donuts

now let me make this clear. this is NOT #1 because he died this year. yes, it's insanely sad that the world lost one of the greatest hip-hop producers in the history of the genre this year, but that's not why it's #1. this is #1 because it is the biggest trip i've had with an album all year.

this album was made while Dilla was on his hospital bed for Lupus. it's just incredible how this was made when he was in such bad shape. this is insanely groundbreaking stuff. the way he chops up samples leaves you in shock, and it's just nuts to think about how he could do these things.

each 31 songs (only one of them goes over 2 minutes) tells a story without anyone rapping over it. it's just breathtaking music. each track different from the last.

this is the definite album by one of hip-hop's greatest souls, and it's a shame that just 3 days after the album hit stores he passed away. as shown with this album, his best material was just about to begin.

luckily lots of artists have paid tribute to DIlla this year with rapping over these amazing beats. Black Thought on "Workinonit", Ghostface Killah turned "One For Ghost" into "Whip You With A Strap", and "Hi" into "Beauty Jackson" for his Fishscale classic, The Roots did a tribute track to him using "Time: The Donut of the Heart", and countless other examples. this album will be the gift that keeps on giving years from now. either by people still rapping over some of the greatest beats ever made, or by people just discovering this ahead-of-it's-time gem.

I wouldn't of thought a year ago today that an instrumental album would have moved me so much, let alone be my favorite album of the year, but it was the album that continued to get better and better over time. it's the perfect album to put on either if you're driving, to chill to, or anything. of the 3 albums i've put at #1 over the past few years (U2-How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, Beck-Guero), this is the album i'll keep going back to and it won't grow tired or stale. it'll just continue to inspire me.

Best Songs
All of them.
I really can not choose between all of these 31 classics. just put on the album, and let it play. it might take a while to get into, but once you do, you'll never look back

so there it is, folks. my #1 album. if you haven't heard it, then please check it out. download it, and if you enjoy it please buy it. support the J Dilla Foundation, and support great independent labels like Stones Throw who put this out.


i'll continue posting here with some new lists over the next few days. so continue to post and leave your comments here.

coming up tomorrow is one album this year I got into way too late.

[TC]

Good choice, I know how much you came to appreciate J Dilla over the year, thanks to the trusty ol' Benjammin' program

[MC Steven]

guess i need to check out your #1 to rate it.

[Arith]

I never heard this album, I'm going to have to check it out

[Ace Reject]

They like it.

[XplicitNG]

Wow I thought I was the only one who heard about him. Great choice, his stuff is just amazing. I still need to check out the whole album though.

[Calvin McHobbes]

wait wrong JD

must listen

[Big Dreams]

Thanks Ben for reppin the D

[I Got Soul]

Not too familiar with that one Ben - but the list overall was so kick ass.
And anticipating the album you'll be mentioning tomorrow!

[Dr. Spaceman]

now time for the album I got into way too late to put on this list. i'll give it the #0 spot.


00.The Hold Steady-Boys And Girls In America

holy ****, where have I been without this album and this band? I have seen this album getting showered in praise at the end of the year, but I ignored it. well, finally yesterday I had enough of seeing about it, and just downloaded it. and my gosh, what a ****in amazing album this is.

lots of people compare this album (and the band) to Born to Run era Bruce Springsteen, and you can defintely see it. it's just amazing rock music. the highpoint of it is the incredible lyrics that tell more a story then I have heard in any rock album to come out this year. they are just so sweeping, and so big. just feel good music. I haven't tried it yet, but I know this album would be amazing for a car ride.

since I downloaded it last night (don't worry. i'll be buying it on my next trip to the music store) , I played it around 4 times last night, and around 3 times today. I seriously just can't get enough of it. trying to understand more of the story with each new listen, hearing things I didn't hear at first. it's just what music is supposed to be about. I am deeply dissapointed I didn't listen to it when it came out else this would be a sure fire Top 10 album on the top 40 list.

I suggest not just the rock fans, but anyone who just likes really great music to seek this album out. you'll be glad you did.

Best Songs as of now. since my favorite songs over time could most likely change
1.Chips Ahoy!
2.You Can Make Him Like You
3.Southtown Girls (really hard to narrow it down to 3)

so woo. there will be top TV shows and top movie lists up in the coming days. so be on the look out for those!

[TC]

well well... i just listened to this album, and it seems you're right

can't wait for #-1!

[Calvin McHobbes]

I wonder where Usher will end up on Benjis 2007 list

[I Got Soul]

The Hold Steady are very, very good.
Nice recognition.

[Red]

#-1. Genius.

I bow down to you, Ben, and your musical prowess, though Lupe being only #4 was truly shocking at first glance.

[Daniel]

Good job Mr BEn. You've done a nice work reviewing music/tv/videos this year. I enjoy reading what you have to say.