TOP TENSDAY PRESENTS: REESE'S TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2016

TOP TENSDAY PRESENTS: REESE'S TOP TEN RELEASES OF 2016!!!

WHOA! Holy shit! Reese runs a blog? Imagine that wacky ass reality. But know and understand you live in the reality where Reese is a giant procrastinator and manages a poorly run and sadly very seldom updated blog. Cause that is the world we live in, so learn to deal.

This week (errr...month) I have come to bring you kiddies another TOP TENSDAY!!! This go round I bring to you my top ten albums of 2016!!! I sadly rarely listen to new music, so before you have some preconditioned unpopular opinions about my unpopular opinion, just know, NO ONE CARES about your nor my opinion. I'm yelling into the void once again, so if you took time away from your DVRs of The Walking Snoozefest and are actually reading this, I owe you much gratitude. On to the list!!!

(In no particular order mind you)

Honorable Mentions:

Sia - This is Acting

The Weeknd - Starboy

Tove Lo - Lady Wood

1. Knocked Loose - Laugh Tracks

Now I am the worst listener of newer metal/hardcore. I'm stuck in a perpetual loop of 2007 metalcore and deathcore bands and am very proud of this. I'm not into the bandwagon riding of these nu-metal infused metal bands that have popped up over the last couple of years. This release is a nice reminder that heavy ass hardcore influenced music is still coming out these days. And honestly, any motherfucker that can bark on the track not named DMX deserves a nod

1. Frank Ocean - Blond

Now we were forced to wait a very prolonged period of time for the velvety voiced crooner's third album, and let me say, it's not as good as previous releases. Not what you expected me to say, huh? Even with that said, this is a very solid outing. High marks like the spacey White Ferrari, solid single Ivy, almost hip hop like Solo, and Andre 3000 feature showing these piss poor mumble rappers how to actually use the triplet flow they so highly covet on the track Solo (Reprise), made me want to include this album on the list.  For fans of Frank, go peep, if you're new to his sound, go back to Channel Orange or nostalgia/ULTRA for his more classic work.

1. Beyoncé - Lemonade

We can't talk R&B if we don't talk about the mainstream unanimously decided queen of R&B. Of course I'm talking about Bey. I was skeptical at first, but after hearing the funk inspired Don't Hurt Yourself featuring Jack White, the dance anthem of the year in Formation, the tongue in cheek Sorry, Kendrick's awesome verse on Freedom, and other hits like her pair up with The Weeknd on 6 Inch, and reggae influenced Hold Up, I realized this album truly had a lot to offer, so an inclusion to the list is a must.

1. Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book

Is it as good as Acid Rap or #10DAY? No. Is it a little too gospel  and auto tuned? Yes. Are there still some bangers and catchy sing songy parts to keep a Chance fan listening? Of course there are. To the single No Problem and opener featuring everyone's favorite asshole Kanye, this album was a solid release. Now only if his boy Gambino could drop some hot fire...

1. Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love!

SOME NEW HOT FIRE FROM OUR BOY GAMBINO.... oh wait. No hot fire? No bars at all actually? A very well produced album that is a shout out to funk/soul music of old? Oh, so that's what we got. Damn, I was hoping for more Sweatpants/Bonfire/Freaks and Geeks style metaphors, but only received this, WHICH IS A GREAT ALBUM, just not what the fans were truly expecting. Drop a mixtape in 2017 CG, please for the love of God.

1. Regina Spektor - Remember Us To Life

For my next choice I turn to my hands down favorite singer in the form of Russian born, NYC transplanted classically trained pianist, Ms. Spektor. This album is a breath of fresh air, a slight return to her more esoteric style than the straight forward What We Saw From the Cheap Seats and Far (her previous two releases) outings. She will always hold a special place in my heart and this album has been on repeat for the last two weeks. Go pick up Soviet Kitsch or Begin to Hope if you want to hear the amazement that is Regina's older style.

1. Wade Wilson/Base Bronson - Eating Ice Cream With Molly Ringwald

As far as underground hip hop goes, this and another not yet mentioned album topped my list of that genre this year. This is a well produced concept album where we see our two artist take up the personalities of Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson to deliver an amazing piece of music you have to hear for your own to be the judge of. Don't sleep on Trenton, Jersey, or Wade and Base in general, their fire burns bright and isn't dying out anytime soon.

1. Sleigh Bells - Jessica Rabbit

Metal guitar shredding, driving beats and sublime vocals round out the electronica pop duo, Sleigh Bells. They bring an originality and power with their fourth studio album that boasts infectious riffs, catchy and dark lyrics and a well polished production that has kept this album in heavy rotation on my Spotify playlist. The powerful delivery of opening track It's Just Us Now, awesomely crafted chorus in Crucible to the amazing lyrics and production of Rule Number One all are shining elements that stick out on this album. Of all their previous work, I enjoy this album the most, but venture back to their debut, Treats, if the spirit moves you.

1. RayRayBeats/Raymond Strife - Gretchen On Acid Telling Her Mom to Shut the Fuck Up

Numero dos of awesome underground unsigned hip hop goes to this beast of an EP. As previous with Base and Wade's release, Capital City (that's Trenton for all you non Jersey folk) is proving once again that when it comes to raw talented music, no city nor state is doing it better. With amazing production highlighting every Trentonians favorite Guatemalan telling a bunch of "maricons" how much he loves them, the amazing Our Name is Ray, and the track whose music video made Reddit lose their minds titled Drum Life, this EP is fire from front to back. Don't sleep on Trenton's music scene, DKFG is on top and not letting up anytime soon.

1. Every Time I Die - Low Teens

The southern rock metalcore maestros that left the muggy FL weather for the chilly Northeast of Buffalo, NY have done it again. After, IMHO, the lackluster From Parts Unknown and Ex-Lives put a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth, this. Is. A. Return. To. Fucking. FORM!  From the pace setting opener of Fear and Trembling all the way to the powerhouse single The Coin Has A Say, ETID has proven they aren't done throwing the fuck down and melting faces, and this 32 year old metal head is as happy as a pig in shit they have decided to come back with a vengeance.

That's it! My top ten list. Please leave comments about how you didn't like my choices and what you think I should've put on here so I can tell you how much I don't care.

This is the Darth Guerrilla, Reese, signing off. Muah!

Guerrillas in the Midst of a Review: Ghost in the Shell

I have very positive vibes for the Ghost in the Shell adaptation. I have felt better about it with each new video they release.

I have come to terms that no adaptation (book, comic, cartoon, anime, video game, etc) will NEVER stay 100% true to its source, big Hollywood doesn't work that way. I more enjoy and look for a devotion to having the same "feel" and look and emotion with solid casting (which I've imagined that Scarlett would be the #1 choice for Motoko for years and honestly, I am ok with that. She's very capable in action roles and has a body type that works) and also the casting of Takeshi Kitano as the Chief is fucking spot on. Perfect casting in equivalence of Patrick Stewart as Prof X.

Ghost in the Shell is a great anime to bring into Hollywood. The series (Stand Alone Complex) works on a level as a procedural police drama, regardless of cyborgs, underlying messages and the standard anime tropes, it is simply a well done cop show a la Law and Order, CSI or NYPD Blue.

Back to casting, I was hoping for Ron Perlman to land the role of Batou, which sadly he did not. I'm willing to give Pilou Asbæk a chance but I don't get the initial father like relationship feel from him partnered with Johansson, he seems a little a green and the older and much more seasoned Perlman I feel would have nailed it, but I can take that in stride.

As long it doesn't have a completely trash screenplay, I feel like this is gonna be a solid movie that can and hopefully will set the tone for more film studios to have faith in anime adaptations.

But that's just my 2 cents.

And we have no one to blame but ourselves...

Here's the rub, kids:

It's not what Trump wants to do in office that makes my blood run cold. It's not his lack of knowledge of politics or foreign policy that has me worried. It's not even his blatant misogyny and racism that trouble me.

There are pockets of supporters of Trump, large numbers even as proven by voter turnout, that are albeists, that are close minded misogynists, that are even outright bigots. There have been chants heard at Trump rallys to the tune of, "WE HATE MUSLIMS, GAYS, AND BLACKS, GIVE US OUR AMERICA BACK!"

These malignant tumors on the American population exists in large numbers and the disgusting platform Trump has run on has made them brazen, given them a leader, and a misguided sense of power and now entitlement with his subsequent win.

I have friends that voted Trump and I'm not gonna begin unfriending or arguing, but know that sentiment is what you backed. That it's ok to treat others as if their basic existence makes them lower than you. That sentiment, that idea, the thought that it is acceptable to treat anyone like less of a human being based on how they were born, that is the source of mine and many others fears.

For the last 8 years we as a people have been trying to fight for progressive change and just like that we have come to a full halt and slammed into reverse. We now are on the cusp of having a president that believes climate change was created by the Chinese. A man that has 76 open lawsuits filed against him as well as being accused of RAPING A MINOR (yet everyone of his supporters are SO QUICK to call Hillary a criminal), a man who plans on making America great yet his own business are majorly outsourced to other countries. A man who openly has put down the handicapped, woman, and a countless number of other races and creeds.

This is what you are supporting, and this is what I am fearing. A group of ignorant volatile bigots finding a common leader to help throw our society back into an age of despair.

As the rest of the world laughs at us, all I can do is remind us all is that we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Purely A Matter Of Relevance: THAT SINKING FEELING (A song for the panic and anxiety stricken)

So I've lost another amazing person last week, and instead of wasting time lamenting and being upset, they will shine through me and my art. Today, I bring you lyrics from one of my favorite tracks from Beyond Dishonor's Generations EP; That Sinking Feeling. This song touches on the anxiety and panic that can cripple us in a state of fear.

So pour one out for my brothers Matt V and Matt E, and read ahead and o can only hope my words inspire someone else to go forth into the world and create something magical.

That Sinking Feeling

Remember when your dream meant something, and then you woke up and realized it was all for naught?  So plan your next gig, your next adventure, your next orgasm... just so you know you are filling the void between the now and your endless slumber.  So smile, you could be dead already... only if you were so lucky.  But here you are now forced to exist.

Failure's not an option it's a fucking ultimatum.

There is no other choice, think about it, you didn't even choose to be born.

The panic sets in, the walls of you're psyche come crashing down... just close your eyes, and hope that ends as quickly as it started.

You can't lose control, you never had it to begin with.

We cannot escape ourselves, and I know I alone feel this torment.  The reminder this life is not yours to rule, and I know we cannot escape ourselves, I alone feel this torment.

So stop trying, and start living, because since you were born your body has been busy dying.  We cannot escape ourselves...  The reminder this life is not yours to rule, we cannot escape ourselves, and I alone feel this torment.

PURELY A MATTER OF RELEVANCE - I'M SO COOL AND I NEED TO MAKE A STATUS UPDATE TO REMIND THE WORLD HOW COOL I AM

Are you the guy who hates sports and finds it necessary to make status updates to remind everyone how much you don't care football season started?

You're the worst people.

Are you the guy who's too mature for Pokemon Go and finds it necessary to tell everyone how much of an adult you are because you don't play?

You sound like a fascist and a real fun person to be around at a party. Standing in a corner drinking an over priced and underwhelming craft beer telling anyone who will listen about the new pomade you bought for your Hitler Youth haircut.

Are you the guy who doesn't watch popular TV shows and find it necessary to remind us via social media how cool you are because "you don't follow trends."

You literally should've just made a status update that says, "I'm whiny and I need to remind everyone how much of a curmudgeon I am daily to validate my otherwise meaningless existence."

It's not that I hate you "keyboard cool guys," but let me be the one to point of how much of an actual loser you sound like when you need social media to tell the world how much of a cool guy you are. Hell, I'm no saint. I write a blog no one cares about and I try week in and week out I have talent and that my opinion is somehow more relevant than yours.

It's not. I just make it seem cooler with the use of adjectives and $0.50 words left over from high school vocabulary books. Truth be told, we're all a bunch of nerds and losers hoping that someone out there can relate.

We're all just vacant minds looking for like minded tenants to come in and stay awhile.

The thought that makes me cringe is that those cool guy culprits subconsciously are hoping that someone is as big as tool as them and will smash their like button.

Spend some more time sharing some dank memes and less time reminding me that you've never watched the Walking Dead.

Cool, you've never watched a tv show, let me go bake you a cake and style in some icing on top that reads "NO ONE CARES."

Go back under your rock of obscurity, please, my news feed needs more room for my crushes to post selfies that I can creep on. I'm the guy that has a poorly managed and even more poorly written blog, and this was purely a matter of relevance.

PURELY A MATTER OF RELEVANCE - The Problems We All Have

I've been gone a long time, kids. Like a ghost stalking the hallways of a dusty asylum, I have stayed amongst you crazies quietly from ethereal sideline.

Put me on coach, I'm ready to play. Centerfield? Fuck that, I can't run that fast or jump that high. I'm more of a middle reliever. I'm here to help carry you through to those long innings of life with some insightful humor and an inquisitive philosophy on life.

I haven't been posting from the blog because every moment I have spent writing has been spent honing and perfecting my stand up comedy routine. The blog has been a platform for me to use as a jumping point to get into doing live comedy. It will all culminate on my birthday, October 1st, where I will be roasted by my peers and perform for the first time to a live crowd. If you can attend, I highly recommend you do as to not miss the guaranteed hilarity of either a successful performance or the bombing of lifetime.

For those not lucky enough to attend such a debacle, I present to you with this week's Purely a Matter of Relevance, a written tidbit of what you will have to look forward to from my performance. Please, read and laugh (or don't lol) and leave your irrelevant opinion in the comments section of a small slice of my irrelevant comedic view of the world. Enjoy!


Problems we all have 'em, its great

My problems are my problems and no one can ever truly understand how the can infect and degrade and warp our minds. Our fragile little minds, weak fragile underachieving mass, only working at 10% of its capacity like a fucking Kardashian with cerebral palsy.

Anything, literally anything can break the mind, words can crush them. Destroy them. You're driving around having a good day and you hear a lyric from song that can fuck your whole day up.

When Jessie Spano got addicted to speed on a very special episode of Saved By The Bell, I was crushed! that shit fucked me up. A death of my favorite character on Walking Dead or Game of Thrones fucks my whole week up. I sulk around my house, devastated, calling out sick, "Like, fuck man, I'm sorry. Yeah I'm not gonna make it in. Yeah man, my brother Tyrese died, yeah I know just like T-Dog, I know it's fucked up, I know I missed last week cause my cousin Jon Snow got stabbed, it's dangerous out here, I just can't I'm sorry."

It's sad how weak our fragile little minds actually are.

And we're the only animals like this! Could you imagine a bear going through anxiety and depression? Not cause his girl left him for some other bear, cause that was months ago, she left and took half the honey, the divorce was hard on the cubs. But could you imagine him sad cause he saw something that reminded him of her.  This majestic creature, not leaving the cave for a week, sitting around in sweatpants watching daytime television, depressed about life? He finally gets up the strength to go outside, he ends up walking around the woods with his boy, lamenting haha.

"See this tree, man? This was her tree. After Stacy would shit, she rub her ass on this tree right here, you see that man? You see those stains, I can't, I can't do this, fuck man, I'm a mess."

DIPLOMA?! Who gives a shit? by Contract Killa Guerrilla

Diploma? Who Gives A Shit?

I know its late but who really cares anyway, just shut up and listen ladies and gentleman.

Its recently just passed that time of the year where seniors that either have been model students or skated along by the skin of their teeth and kindness of a few teachers have walked across the stage and received that much coveted piece of paper which is supposed to be the golden ticket to life but I really sit here and wonder to myself, what does it even matter?

As I work all day long I pass house after house that have these signs that always spouts sayings like “Here Lives A Ewing High Grad” or “2016 Lawrenceville Graduate” and anything far and wide in between. I see these signs and all I really think is how thoroughly unimpressed I am and granted me being unimpressed isn’t personal, it’s the collective feeling that I’m just putting out there for the early acknowledgement that the world is just unimpressed to put it nicely. The fact that you or someone you know graduated high school really doesn’t do anythingbeneficial for anyone aside from you and that’s only because your emotionally involved and therefore have a bias, to the rest of the country and world no one gives a shit if you got your diploma….actually scratch that because the only time anyone else gives a damn if you have a diploma is when you don’t have one which then your less than shit for not being able to get that same pointless piece of paper. Back in about any of the older generations if you had your diploma then you were set and really a leg up on about 30%-75% of your peers (obviously depending on your era) due to the fact of poverty, social and economic class, general circumstance but here in this current day and age the demand for higher qualifications has made the diploma worth less than the ink and paper its used to make because even in the older days if you didn’t have a diploma and high school education you would still be alright because most often than not you had picked up a solid trade in order to pull a good living wage to provide for your family along with the fact that the cost of living (and anything else) was way cheaper but nowadays the price of everything has doubled, tripled, quadrupled, quintupled and on and on and on blah, blah, blah but yet I still don’t even get to the point that matters. 

In this country in order to just survive you need have finished grad school just to be safe, I would’ve settled for an Associate’sdegree but with the way of the world becoming that much harder always that won’t even cut it. Bachelors is basically the new value of what the high school diploma use to be and that’s a tougher pill to swallow when you realize that if you fuck up once your screwed because there’s less leniency than there was before and less value in what you’re learning now. As of 2014 the united states education system was ranked 36th in the world when we use to be in the top 5. With an ever decreasing value in the system and the harder penalty on you for not to have the NOT value (jeez it’s about as bad as the credited value of the dollar anymore but hell at least knowledge lasts and is passed down and even still I can say money still makes the world go round). 

Far be it from me to take bitterness for the world and sprinkle that in everyone’s coffee but when I see the struggle of people trying to make ends meet because they don’t have the right pieces of paper saying they are worth more than they earn it makes me tired and all about the world and its status and with the choices of whose going to start WW3 Trump or Hilary I really just want to go to sleep forever but that’s not a beneficial way to live so really I will just continue with how life is because that change isn’t something I can facilitate so hey little Johnny & Suzy congrats on your diploma, high school was really just a popularity contest and a fashion show for you because shit if my diploma meant little then your diploma means jack now and for the future but wait you can grab some solace in the fact that every graduating class after you the value depreciates like a new car driven off the lot, lets throw a bitter party as we work our 3 jobs to not get by really :D meh who needs a merc for some odd jobs?

Stay tuned next week y’all and keep one in the chamber for me fam,

Contract Killa Guerilla aka K. Maryland