The fighting is never worth it

The Foreign Exchange feat. Muhsinah - "House Of Cards" from The Foreign Exchange on Vimeo.

Leave It All Behind is already a personal classic. The Foreign Exchange will be here in Seattle September 15th @ Nectar Lounge.

Sweeter Than You

This is a game we play to lose
Yet and still I choose you

Review: The Foreign Exchange - Leave It All Behind

Like I've been mentioning for a couple of weeks now, The Foreign Exchange (Phonte and Nicolay) have released their second LP, Leave It All Behind [buy here]. Although same in tone, it is a departure from Connected in the fact that the majority of this album is R&B-ish, with very few raps (two to be exact).

They released the track "Daykeeper (feat. Musinah)" as a single and I've been addicted to it since. The official video was just released:



From the homie Hyphen:

"If you missed my interview with Tay a few weeks ago, we talked a lot about how part of the beauty of Leave It All Behind is that it’s so open to interpretation. I think the same can be said for this video. One thing’s for sure though, it’s wild how a song like this can really change your mood everytime you hear it.

Peep that interview with Phonte right here and be sure to stay up to date with everything FE on their site."

I love albums that tell stories. That, in my opinion, is a big part of music- creating an soundscape with a concept and telling something beautiful that one can relate to/with.* I prefer to call most "albums" that are all singles + filler "complations".

If you didn't see my original post about this track, I believe it to be a "morning after" ballad where two lovers lay in each others presence enjoying a moment together, wishing it'd stay forever, but know nothing golden can stay. The second song featuring Darien Brockington moves a little faster with a nice flowy guitar riff and Phontes amazing well-placed vocal arrangements. Story-wise looks as if the two are trying to get on that next level of a relationship, but it seems the lady is hesitant and the guy is trying to convince her to listen to her heart and take a chance before it's too late. It ends with one of many transitional beats throughout the album. (I like to think that it's a bunch of time passing.)

Track 3 starts with Tay ad-libbing his side of an argument. It looks like he and his lady are now together, but she's angry at him for something couples argue about and it looks like he's going to be sleeping on the couch. He and D-Brock reassure the miss that it's not that bad and we all have to go through some shit, "it's part of the game". The notorious beat change comes and he wants to let her know that he comes home to her.

Our guy questions the lady if she'll put her trust in him and give him her all. To share both good and bad, because he appreciates her. One of my favorite tracks, "House of Cards" seems like a warning to the listeners: "I've seen the sorrow you were meant for/ Your house of cards is gonna fall," Looks like the dude is scared of something. He's "practiced every word, rehearsed every line", but is still doubtful about the situation. We're all familiar- lying, or even worse, not speaking up in relationships ruin them.

Our nararator ponders his admiration for his lover. It's aptly titled and he questions what could be "Sweeter Than You"? Love is a losing game and although he's been at this point before he still choses to put his feeling on the table. "This is a game we play to lose and still I chose you". Cue another time-passing interlude beat.

The valedition plays. Even after all of the trust the guy put out there, it looks like it wasn't going to work out. "She loves me" is chanted throughout the latter half of the song. Why? Is he trying to reassure himself even though it's not working? Or does he know that regardless of it not working now, she definitely still loves him and maybe, after time, they'll later be together happily ever after? The beat plays out in reverse and fades.

Only after losing something do we realize how important something was to us. "Out of touch, wasiting time, my heart... If this is love" is sung over a very 2-step garage beat. Both the lady and the guy think and wonder through a fluttery soundscape. It's bubbly and the two may be dreaming of trying to get to each other. You might recognize the next one as a slower cover of the Kimberly Brewer jam off of Stevie Wonder's Jungle Fever album. Our lady then sings that her "love is gone with yesterday", but wants the man to know that she still cares (loves?) him, and will keep him in her heart. "Laughing, loving, sharing, caring/ seemed to be made just for us two/ But I kept building this dream world/That I thought was you and I" Seems she has made up her mind. Phonte goes off into a jazz freestyle as Nicolay puts the time signature into double-time. Time passes by again...

It looks like they are back together and the troubles they went through developed their relationship into something strong. They've been guided together again, their paths joined as one. Phonte starts the track laughing and Musinah goes into how it feels so new and so fresh and so exciting. D-Brock sums the song up with his verse:

I like the place you take me
A place of love and safety
Your love's all I wanna know
Darling you're such a blessing
A love refreshing
You're the one I've waited for


Phonte ends the track with a dope rhyme and Musinah sings some ad-libs that, when mixed with the music, give this song a very "hopeful" feel. There's another interlude instrumental, meaning more time has passed. The man now sings a song to their child. We romance the idea that life is supposed to be nice and easy and fun, but it's obviously not. We deal with hardships and things that dissapoint us, but make us stronger and provide us things to learn from. A quote I've posted before brings it all around for me:

"The iron ore feels its self needlessly tortured as it goes through the furnace. The tempered blade looks back and knows better."

We learn from experience. We learn a lot more quickly when we're burned in the process. The dude and the lady went through hard times, but returned to their feet over time and stronger than ever. We don't all get there, but it's goal we can and should shoot for.

Nicolay pulls off some great stuff on the album. The entire album can be considered R&B, but listening to it leads you to hear some downbeat, jazz, hip hop, electronic, UK garage, and soul. Leave It All Behind hit #6 R&B record on iTunes and #1 record on Amazon the first week it was released. There was a crazy reception to the album. Phonte said on the Gordon Gartrell Radio podcast [Episode 10]: "Damn, like all these years of rapping and an R&B album be my #1 shit."

This album is attached to me emotionally already. Not only is the music beautiful, but the lyrics are wonderful. Tay is defintely a talented music with his vocal arrangements throughout the album. I RECOMMEND YOU BUY THIS NOW and get a physical copy. You'll get that instrumental disc and the linear notes.

Ok, I realize that this was little review, more interpretation, but dammit- this is my blog.

* Another reason I love music is because it usually speaks to me and my soul. The events that I interpret happening on this album ring eerily true to situations I've been going though recently as well. This is art imitating life at it's finest. Not to mention I love the actual music and it puts me in the perfect somber mood.

"Valediction"

Valediction - an expression used to say farewell (goodbye), especially at the end of a letter. The word comes from the Latin valedicere, meaning "to say goodbye".

The word valediction is often used loosely in English to refer to a complimentary closing, which is a courteous formula used to end a letter. This is normally a formulaic phrase preceding the writer's signature that expresses the writer's loyalty or best wishes to the recipient.

With that definition in mind, check out this track and its lyrics.

The Foreign Exchange - Valediction

No need to remove your coat
No need to take off your shoes
Usually you could stay but not today, not today

This place is no longer yours
and I left your things right by the door
Please don't be that way, not today, not today no

Our love is such a rush
but inside it's slowly killing me
Nothing for me to say but not today, not today no

So we must say goodbyes
to all of the pain and the lies
Nothing's been more true than these words to you

I've been changed and rearranged and
it's not like it was before
And when the sun shines I'll show her why
she can't keep me anymore

She loves me
She loves me
She loves me
She loves me ...

-----

Expect my full review of The Foreign Exchange's latest release, Leave It All Behind, sometime this week.

"Take Off the Blues" (feat. D. Brock) // The Foreign Exchange

You might as well..

After all is said and done you're next to me
And when the sun goes you're feeling things you've never felt before
Nothing left to say to ease your fears
But I know just what to do
Let me take good care of you

Kick off your shoes, take off the blues and come to me
So much to do, so much is meant for you to see
You might as well come a little closer
Girl don't make me wait too long for you

After all is said and done (said and done)
And there's nothing left to share (left to share)
It's the morning after
I watch you lying there (just wanna watch you lying there)
Always told me "you should not give into love"
But saying no is so hard to do
Cuz when the feeling's right you might as well

Just want your attention
Excuse my intentions
Keep your feelings intact
(Don't want to hurt nobody, let me say it again)
There's no need to mention
For this I've been wishing for
There's no turning back
Lady please take my hand (Let's dance)

Kick off your shoes, take off the blues and come to me
So much to do, so much is meant for you to see
You might as well come a little closer
Girl don't make me wait too long for you

Come closer babe..

LIAB

The stress I have at the moment is manifesting itself into an physical sickness. This is boo boo. The only time I really ever get ill is when I'm down emotionally. Makes you realize how strong the mind/body connection is.

Anyway, my saving salvation was some Q.T. w/ some certain people. First, my homeboys (see: brothers) kept me busy and kicked me in the ass to get me busy again. A MILLION THANKS to Dan. I really needed Friday morning to add build some morale and, most importantly, reinstate some hope that was running on fumes. Marc, thanks for helping me see the other options and to stay focused. Joe, thanks for keeping shit fun. Your "fuck all" attitude makes me stronger when you're around. Mikey- you've always got my back whenever I need it or not, thanks for making me feel invincible. The second group of people are acquaintances. Believe it or not, y'all make me happy. I've always felt like the small fish in the big pond. I've lived in the city now for over 3 years and I've wanted to reach out because I absolutely love meeting new people, but I've been lazy and probably haven't had the proper outlets (still- no excuses). Regardless, when I can be in environments where I can be comfortable (anywhere but work, I can't be in "professional" mood) I have the most fun. Big up to the Ashworth Estate and all the people who live/hangout/party there. Thirdly, quality time getting some fresh gear is always fun. I got those Boba Fett dunk sb's and a dope Boba Fett tee, among some other stuff.

dope kids, dope kicks

So this coming week my focus has got to be on more time management. A lot of things need to be done so that I get out of this slump. I'm glad that I'm "down here" at the bottom- it means the only other way is up now (=

This almost made me tear up when I first heard it. I did the whole 'turn down the lights and lay in bed' as the album plays thing. The lyrics and subject matter are very familiar. I present to you my current theme song:

"Leave It All Behind" - The Foreign Exchange
Hey baby boy lying sound asleep
I hope you dream of lullabies and clowns
The more you open your eyes the harder to believe
So here's a song for you when you are down

Cause only heaven knows what to make of these changing times
Before tonight let's just leave it all behind
I know this world is so cold but don't let teardrops change your mind
So for tonight let's just leave it all behind

Hey baby boy lying sound asleep
They say a child like you's one of a kind (God will guide us)
We dream of life playing in the sun
So please don't ever be afraid to shine

Cause only heaven knows what to make of these changing times
Before tonight let's just leave it all behind
I know this world is so cold but don't let teardrops change your mind
So for tonight let's just leave it all behind

I suggest you pick this album up this Tuesday if you haven't purchased it on iTunes already.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring..

Tune of the Week

The Foreign Exchange - Daykeeper (feat. Muhsinah) [free download here]


Those who loved the hip hop/R&B/electronica of FE's last album Connected will surely be dissapointed as Phonte and Nicolay have taken their new LP Leave It All Behind to an soul/jazz/downtempo level. I hear that Phonte raps three verses on the entire album which only features include Darien Brockington, Musinah and Yahzarah- all singers (Zo! along did some keyboard work). Phonte is an underappreciated talent, both as a lyricist and a vocalist. If you're not familiar, check out any Little Brother album and Zo! and Tigallo Love the 80's

"Daykeeper" starts with some eerie, drawn-out hollow notes, followed by a little vocal soundbite. Nicolay's keyboard (folk guitar, anyone?) kicks in playing the riff that, along with the drum pattern, make the skeleton of the song. Tay begins telling us about his lover and how she 'watches over him' as the sun rises. The layered ooh's and ahh's add somber, relaxed emotion to the track, when along comes the lovely Musinah reinforcing that she does, in fact, look upon her man. This is a tale of the perfect "morning after", where you and your lover are so into each other that neither of you want to leave that moment, just watching each other eye-to-eye, laying in peace.

As soon as it hits the 3:00 minute mark, the drums change up and the piano hits some stronger chords. Musinah breaks it down, confessing her feelings asking Tay to stay, hoping that the morning (and moment) will stay as well. She says she'll "love and protect" him as long as he remains, but Phonte knows that something this perfect can't last forever.


Leave It All Behind will see a digital release on October 7th, 2008- a week before the physical double-cd (album and instrumentals) is released on October 14th, 2008.


[Purchase on Amazon]
[Purchase on UGHH]