Ever since Nidzumi was sold I’ve had a lot more free time. While as much as I would like to convince myself that Football Manager is a worthy way to burn that time, it’s probably not. So, call it a summer project with long term ambitions but I’ve recently launched my next project.

You see, ever since Nidzumi was sold and subsequently closed (apparently) I’ve been listening to more music. It’s been great really. The only problem is, and I’m trying not to sound like one of those people, that not many people are aware of the cliché-free hip-hop I’ve been listening to. Now I’m going to stop there because we’re entering pretentious music listener territory, which is the opposite of what I wanted to achieve with the site. So instead of rambling on I’ll let you visit Lesson Six.

I haven’t done of these in a while and I’ve accumulated a motley crew of new artists to share, so lets waste no time. First up is emerging Canadian rapper, Shad. It’s not your typical hip hop but that’s probably why it’s so much better than the usual stuff I find. He’s just released a new album called TSOL, which is worth checking out although it isn’t on iTunes yet. In the meantime give The Old Prince a listen, it’s different but better for it.

Previous UGHHR: Iller Than Theirs – Junk Science – Dumbfoundead

Haven’t done of one these in a while and just discovered the interesting world of Dumbfoundead. I’m not sure if this one is a keeper as my first impressions of his album weren’t so great but the track above and I Need a Dollar are top draw if you ask me. Worth a listen.

Previous UGHHR: Iller Than Theirs – Junk Science

While it wasn’t exactly a new years resolution, it was as close to one as I was ever going to get. For those late to the blog or those who can’t remember, I’m basically buying my entire music library. It was something that would bring one of two outcomes, bankruptcy or a smaller library; the latter won. I’ve deleted nearly two thirds of my music.

Other than a few dated albums that I don’t really listen to any more, the main reason for a deletion was quality over quantity. For example, LCD Soundsystem’s first album has a selection of sixteen tracks with many of them being quite throwaway. I like to get value for money but I’d rather add ten great tracks to my library rather than twenty tracks with a load of filler.

It’s honestly led me to just delete albums rather than buy them. Which is quite frankly, a shame.

Come on, it’s like the most epic song ever. Easily the best song from Age of Empires at least, maybe not ever. Admittedly the midi version sounds better than this weirdly produced one but you get the jist.

More recommendations as my last one was quite well received. Junk Science this time, they brought an album out in 2007 called Grandad’s Nerve Tonic but have a new one coming in a few months – which I just found out about.

Previous UGHHR: Iller Than Theirs

I know I have a few followers of this blog who stay up on their underground hip-hop, so I’ll start to share a few names. It’s quite difficult to find a bunch of artists within this scene as they get little to no attention from mainstream media because their songs aren’t about bitches, guns, bling and the rest of what is commercial rap.

Anyway, rant over. This weeks – I’m probably not going to do this weekly by the way – recommendation is Iller Than Theirs. You should check out the song above and their self-title album, the latter of which starts incredibly well.

I know I shouldn’t do this but it’s late and I still haven’t posted anything for today.

Today, or more like last week but it went live today so I won’t spoil the illusion, I wrote my 10 random iPod tracks for Electro-Candy. I know I should be posting something original here but I rarely write for other sites and have a lot of work on.

Work that includes writing about the excellent, Heavy Rain. In the meantime though you should all check it that out. The article not Heavy Rain, although you can do that as well… yeah, do both.

I’ve spent most of today listening to The Alan Price Set, specifically Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Bear. If you haven’t heard of this song click the video above. Actually go do it now before reading the rest of this post.

Good right? Granted, it isn’t a song about how in-love someone is or how upset someone is, it’s about some bloke and his dancing bear – real life stuff. I wish I could find some more music like this, any recommendations? In return, I had a quick listen to some of the other Alan Price Set and compiled a compilation. See if you can get your hands on the following…

1. Simon Smith and The Amazing Dancing Bear
2. Take Me Home
3. Critic’s Choice
4. Tickle Me
5. Don’t Stop The Carnivale
6. Don’t Do That Again
7. My Old Kentucky Home
8. Shame
9. The Time Has Come
10. The House That Jack Built

Search for them, listen to them, hopefully enjoy them.

I used to think that, and this was my way of justifying the fact that I never bought music, I’ll support bands and music through ticket sales. In theory that makes sense and cleared my guilty conscience of any wrongdoing but in practise, it didn’t. Despite enjoying music nearly everyday, I’ve only been to a handful of gigs.

A Red Hot Chilli Peppers gig that seemingly everyone went to, two Maximo Park gigs with Art Brut and Good Shoes as excellent support acts and one Futureheads gig with Field Music providing more than worthy support. Unless there is one I’m missing or forgetting about, that’s the lot. See, I have only been to a handful of gigs, you can literally count them on one hand.

I don’t know why I don’t like gigs, but it’s probably something to do with the fact that they are the worst places to listen to music. Everyone is just drunk and is trying to push you over and you can never really hear anything right. Maybe, I do know why I don’t like gigs. I can kind of see the appeal but I’d rather listen to something on my turntable and drink tea or something…

I’m starting to sound like an old man here, so I’ll stop.