Sound Affects

The US Supreme Court has voted to end a de-facto moratorium on federal executions that had prevailed since September, when a challenge to lethal injections was brought to the Court.

The case was brought to the court by two prisoners on death row in Kentucky, arguing that the effects of the lethal three-drug cocktail constituted cruel and unusual punishment. The lethal injection, which replaced hanging, the electric chair and firing squad in 1978 consists of an anesthetic, then a paralysing agent and finally a heart-stopping drug.

The movement against this practice is gaining momentum, especially after recent mis-handled executions in Florida and California, where the prisoners took 30 minutes to die.
What is perhaps most disconcerting about this decision is that 7 of the (supposedly) brightest legal minds in the US thought that the evidence presented by these two inmates failed to show that the lethal injection was unconstitutional. As if killing a human being wasn’t unconstitutional enough.

The US is now the fifth-highest killer of criminals in the world, behind China (470), Iran (317), Saudi Arabia (143) and Pakistan (135). How the US can preach to these nations about democracy and human rights, only to turn around and kill their own citizens is beyond me. It is hypocrisy of the highest degree.

I know all the arguments in favour of the death penalty, but the simple fact is that no society can legislate against murder if they perform it themselves.

Atmosphere are working damn hard to prove that the whole “white rapper” thing didn’t disappear with Eminem. Of course, there’s a few others around making some great stuff (like Aesop Rock), but perhaps none quite as prolific as the Minnesota duo.

Due out in just a couple of days is their 5th album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold. Their last album was a whole 3 years ago, but since then they have also released 4 EPs and a mixtape, Strictly Leakage.

The first single off the new album, Shoulda Known, is a funk-tastic addition to their discography. At times reminiscent of Snoop D-O-Double G, Slug snarls and drawls all over the lyrics, while the music gurgles like there’s a party in 15 feet of mud.

It’s a great song from a terrific group.

I saw Atmosphere in 2006, when ?uestlove from The Roots was playing drums in their touring band, and it was probably the best live hip-hop/rap I’ve ever seen.

Check out the new single and download the Strictly Leakage mixtape here

And, just for you guys, here is a couple of classic tunes from the guys.

Trying To Find A Balance
Sunshine

News just in that Weezer are releasing a new album very soon. Like two of their previous efforts this will also be known eponymously, already officially nicknamed ‘The Red Album’, following on from Green and Blue.

Rivers Cuomo (frontman), known for bringing the crazy, has always been a curious figure. Prior to the recording of the last Weezer effort, Make Believe, completely gave up sex.

Don’t remember the reason for it.

It’s just one of those things you do if you are Rivers Cuomo.

Anyway, the exciting thing is that there is a radio rip of the new single, Pork and Beans already doing the rounds. I’ve only listened to it once so far, so I’ll reserve judgment for now.

But I dig it.

Here it is!

Weezer – Pork and Beans