Minneapolis / St. Paul Music Blog

From the City Pages:
-- We All Have Hooks for Hands support The Shape of Energy
"Seven Sioux Falls friends go on tour."
-- Peter Miller collects abstract sounds for We Are the Willows project
"A Collection of Sounds... poses heartfelt but often answerless questions."
-- Desdamona Inkling Review
-- The Songs We Can't Escape feat. Tape Deck Mountain, Timber Timbre, the Beets, Nancy Garcia & A Tiny Window.

Slideshows:
-- Wolfmother and Heartless Bastards at The State Theatre
-- Club shots: DJ Colette & Chuck Love at The Lounge
-- Uptown Bar demolition photos
-- FELT Photopoll: Who's on your wishlist for a FELT 4 tribute?
-- Dinosaur Jr. at First Avenue a mixed bag

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M.anifest's 2007 debut Manifestations was a bright surprise in an already-rich year for local hip-hop, a Native Tongues-via-Ghana joint that kick-started the MC's reputation as one of the Twin Cities' most vital new artists. The chance to hear a full-length followup has been one of the top priorities for local and national underground hip hop heads, and while M.anifest's been busy with a number of collaborations since his debut -- like his "S&M" teamup with Minneapolis-gone-Brooklyn R&B singer Sarah White, and the crew effort A.R.M., consisting of himself, the Ugandan-born MC Krukid and Brooklyn producer Budo -- he pulled a neat reversal on his birthday: his fans are the ones getting a present.

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"What do you wanna see?"

"I dunno. What do you wanna see?"

Don't let this happen to you! Here are our weekend recommendations of the area's best movies.

OPENING
THE MESSENGER: A moving and nuanced drama about a wounded Iraq War hero (Ben Foster) and a struggling Army lifer (Woody Harrelson) who are assigned to deliver the worst news to fallen soldiers' next of kin. (area theaters)
City Pages: "The top-notch script is loaded with authentic compassion and charm--even unlikely sucker punches of humor. Harrelson, never over the top, nails a showy role."
Star Tribune: 4 stars Pioneer Press: 3.5 stars RottenTomatoes.com: 89% positive

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Local hip hop act Ruthless recently disbanded and its self-run St. Paul label, Loonatix Productions, has closed its doors.  However, the group released a farewell album that is currently available, Serial MCs Volume 3, and two of its members - Professor Fresh and MC Rentz - will be competing in the Hip Hop Battle of the Bands at the Rock in Maplewood tonight. 

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Radio K: Singles chart for the week of 11/16/2009

1) The King Khan & BBQ Show "I'll Be Loving You"

2) Julian Casablancas "11th Dimension"


3) El Perro Del Mar "Change of Heart"


4) Sunset "Bones"


5) BK-One with Benzilla "Mega"


6) A Sunny Day in Glasgow "Shy"


7) Kings of Convenience "Boat Behind"


[For a comprehensive chart of the week's top album as well as additional information on the station, please visit Radio K.]

​(Photo by elgin.jessica)

Don't panic! There are plenty of other things to do besides seeing Twilight this weekend. Save your money for the dogs. Check out our free list after the jump.

All Photos by Warren Wills

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Photo by Robras

​ ​Do you know what I've been thinking about lately?

Television icon Chuck Woolery, formerly of the smash dating show Love Connection.

Now, if you're under the age of 30, chances are you may not know who C-Dub is and what he's all about (that is, of course, unless you're a 27-year-old dude who was raised on TV in the eighties). Love Connection is, by all accounts, the OG of reality dating shows.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20

First Avenue Main Room

Brother Ali
Evidence
Toki Wright
BK One

18+. 8:00 P.M. $15.00. First Avenue Main Room, 701 First Avenue North, Minneapolis; 612.338.8388.

7th Street Entry

Birthday Suits
Ouija Radio
The Heiz
Strange Lights

18+. 9:00 P.M. $6.00. 7th Street Entry, 701 First Avenue North, Minneapolis; 612.338.8388.

"Striking though his categorical attributes might be, what makes Minnesota's best-known white albino Muslim rapper great is the swinging, preacherly sonorousness of his voice and how he puts it to intimate use when talking about "us"--as in, whoever is identifying with what he's saying." Read the rest of the City Pages show preview here.

[Performing with Evidence, Toki Wright, and BK One | 18+ | $15 | all ages.]