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Monthly Archives: April 2011
Tamar-kali’s “Pearl” needs some wisdom.
Tamar-kali’s “Pearl,” featuring rapper Jean Grae, is a cacophony of discordant sounds that may make the dance floor but not my iTunes repertory.
The song is interesting for its Hendrix-like guitar riffs but terrible for them too, especially in conjunction with the fast-paced percussion and some sort of metal clanging in the background. Kali’s lyrics are lost among these musical beats, indiscernible, but her low drone is not, especially when she rises to a scream. Grae’s rap is much the same.
Both voices and the music are nauseatingly unsettling. Perhaps some pearls of musical wisdom might do them some good.
Posted in Music, music reviews
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What’s a Tamar-kali?

A Picture From The Couch Sessions
Just saying Tamar-kali gives me headache. Her song “Pearl,” which feature Jean Grae is actually a single on her album, “Bottom Black.” Even Jean Grae could not save this song. She was actually forgettable, which is suprising considering her collaborations with other artist such as: Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco and Chrisette Michele. The video features a lot of close-ups, a train, and a sofa on top of a roof. The video did n othing for me except give me a headache.
Posted in Independent Film
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Kali’s Goddess Power
Tamar-Kali, who is named after the fierce Hindu goddess, is following suit in her song “Pearl.” Her deep and dark voice matches well with the hard-hitting beat and bass-line and distortion of the guitars. The song is forceful and strong, especially when it Tamar-Kali crescendos by the end. With the addition of Jean Grae, the remix is as good as the original.
Posted in Independent Film
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Maybe the Original is Better?
Tamar Kali’s music video for Pearl Remix is nothing less but strange. Not only did my ears bleed from the horrible song but the concept of the video, which follows the lives of 3 or 4 women (I lost track) experiencing different life altering experiences before attending a party on a Brooklyn Rooftop and jamming out to Kali’s song. Kali has an amazingly strong voice but I couldn’t understand anything she was saying, and the main message of the video doesn’t seem to match up with the song or really make any sense. Overall, though this was my first time hearing anything by Kali, I would not recommend her music or her music videos to anyone.
Posted in Independent Film
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This Oyster Can Keep Its “Pearl”
The beats of “Pearl Remix” create the image of a club scene filled with flashy strobe lights and hundreds of sweaty people rubbing up against each other. Although It would have been much better without Tamar-kali singing. Without her voice it is a song that you probably hear at a beach party, with her it sounds like an older woman screaming at a bunch of kids to get off her lawn.
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Tamar-kali–“Pearl” featuring Jean Grae
The singer is very talented and the vocals in her song are powerful. However, I wasn’t too crazy about the music video. It lacked creativity and substance. It was essentially about a bunch of girls getting ready and going to a party. If I heard the song alone I probably would have liked it better, but after hearing it along with the video I’m not a fan and it’s definitely not worthy of my ipod.
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Lotus Flower Opens Up a Psychedelic World
Radiohead’s laidback ambient single, “Lotus Flower” is an infectious journey though a psychedelic realm. Maracas and layers of different sound effects coupled with Thom York’s falsetto crooning create a depth unique and true to the band’s former songs. York writhes throughout an empty studio like Charlie Chaplin on Ecstacy in the minimalist music video for the single. But is there any other way to move to a song this catchy and bizarre?
Posted in Independent Film
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Tamar-Kali, who?
I’m pretty open to music. I’d like to think I have a very diverse taste in music, however, damn. When I first heard Tamar-Kali’s “Pearl Remix,” I had to fight the urge to put my hands over my ears. The video itself was interesting, following the lives of women going about their daily lives before they all end up at the same party. The beat was hard to follow and all over the place, and even Tamar-Kali’s voice didn’t make up for the lack of harmony in the song. Then I was really confused when some random chick started randomly rapping and bumpin’ along to the music. I really tried to focus on the lyrics, but spent most of the music video trying to contain my laughter. Sorry Tamar-Kali, I’m not impressed.
Posted in Independent Film
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Bass Overpowers Pearl
The bass pumping beat and screeching guitars of Tamar Kali’s “Pearl” remix featuring Jean Grae features strong and powerful vocals to a danceable beat. What the songs is about, however, I couldn’t tell you. Tamar Kali’s evocative voice sounds great, but the beat is too strong to make out any of the lyrics. Jean Grae’s unfortunately brief appearance on the song made me want to hear more of her quick-spitting lines.
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Pearl remix leaves viewers flustered.
Tamar Kali’s Pearl (remix), is one of loud confusion. Literally. Kali’s loud voice combined with unknown lyrics only leaves one to rely on the video for understanding. What seems like a quest to find freedom and true beauty in women through “naturalness” and a collection of body piercing, it is still a work left up in the air in meaning. Different, maybe. Trying too hard, more likely.
Posted in Music
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