Ear Time: Public Enemy (East coast hip-hop, political hip-hop)

Public Enemy

On to hip-hop!  East coast hip-hop to be exact and Public Enemy to be even more explicit.  Flava Flav and Chuck D, the MC’s of the political and conscious and hardcore hip-hop group from New York.  Personally, I prefer east coast hip-hop during this era of hip-hop compared to the gangster rap of the west coast coming from N.W.A..  I believe Public Enemy to be one of the best hip-hop groups based on their profound impact on the lineage of hip-hop music in addition to the thought provoking lyricism.  Public Enemy doesn’t just push the boundaries of the genre lyrically and compositionally, but also politically and emotionally, by vividly conveying in impoverished landscapes of the Bronx and Harlem New York.  For anyone interested in provocative, and historically essential hip-hop music give Public Enemy some ear time.

Ear Time: Tom Waits (singer, songwriter)

Tom Waits

Tom Waits is a singer/songwriter, containing elements of blues-rock; jazz and most importantly beat poetry.  I would consider Tom Waits to be one of the best American lyricist in the 20^th century.  Personally, I think Tom Waits has one of the best and most verse discographies of music in the past 50 years.  Tom Waits' career dates back to the 70’s and is consistently engaging through to the early 2000’s.  Heartbreak and Vine is not only my favourite album by Tom Waits, but it also kicks off the start of a decade, with its release in 1980.  Additional standout albums from the ‘80s by Tom Waits are Swordfishtrombone (1983), and Frank’s Wild Years (1987).  Wait’s most critically acclaimed album Rain Dogs also came out in the ‘80s, 1985 to be exact. Similarly, Tom Waits’ immaculate catalogue is equally full of compassionate and masterful songwriting; albums such as Closing Time (1973), Heart of Saturday Night (1974), Small Change (1976), Foreign Affairs (1977) and Blue Valentine (1978).  And let’s not forget Tom Waits’ beautiful and often comical live album Nighthawks at the Diner in 1975.  Now it might seem that I’m just listing off nearly ever album in his discography, but there is reason to, Tom Waits is a brilliant artist, and yes I whole heartily recommend the aforementioned albums.  Not to be outdone, on the cusp of the 2000’s Tom Waits released Mule Variations, which, I sound like a broken record (hopefully not a broken Tom Waits record, that would be sad) when I say Mule Variations and his early 2000’s work: Blood Money and Alice are worth some ear time.  Tom Waits sound is soaked bourbon and surrounded in a think stench of cigarettes.  Waits' nearly cut-throat and brutally honest lyricism will crush any essence of innocence you have about the world.  Tom Waits’ songs are at times visceral and heart retching and at times, lighthearted and loving however all are wonderfully composed and embody poetic exactitude.  Honestly, you cannot go wrong with Tom Waits he is a living legend and one of my favourite artists of all time.

Ear Time: Iron Maiden (heavy metal, NWOBHM)

Iron Maiden

Let’s switch gears a bit and get into the early conception of metal music.  Nu-metal and metal-core are modern and cleanly produced sub-genres of metal, but for those who want to get to the roots of heavy metal, look no further than Iron Maiden.  Releasing seven albums in eight years across the 80’s Iron Maiden became a power house in metal music, and rightfully so.  A few standout albums, yes entire albums, are Number of the Beast (1982), Powerslave (1984), and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988).  Iron Maidens sound was pivotal during the new-wave-of-British-heavy-metal movement during the ‘80s.  Steve Harris is the prominent contributor when composing much of Iron Maiden’s early works.  The commanding vocals on songs such as Run To The Hills, Number of the Beast, and Children of the Damned are essential to Maiden’s sound and personally I feel they are the best, and without a doubt my favourite heavy metal act of this era.

Ear Time: The Cure (post-punk, gothic-rock)

The Cure

To kick it off, British post-punk, gothic rock band, The Cure.  Robert Smith is the front man of the band.  Their sound expands a spectrum of dark, gothic, disturbed lyricism on one end of the spectrum as well as a more caring and accessible sound on the other.  My personal favorite album of theirs is Disintegration which came out in 1989, Last Dance and Lovesong are stand out tracks for me.  Those more familiar with contemporary music may recognize Lovesong as an Adele cover.  Pornography was an album of theirs that came out in 1982, and while it wasn’t their first album to be released it is what that got me addicted to their post-punk/electronic sound.  Their sound on this album is reminiscent of what would later become a staple of Depeche Mode’s with their album Violator that came out in 1990.   Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is an example of the diversity Robert Smith has as a lyricist and the band compositionally.  This album came out in 1987 and features a much more accessible sound for The Cure.  I’m sure many have heard Just Like Heaven.  Fast forward to 2000, The Cure’s sound progressed to a slightly more rocky sound.  Their album Bloodflowers is worth a listen as the album kicks off with some very memorable songs.

Review: RHA MA750i

RHA MA750i.  What is there to say about the MA750i from British company RHA, well, I think they are the best IEM (in-ear monitors) for under $130.  I would go as far to say these will be the only IEMs I will recommend.  An honorable mention is deserving to the Shure SE-215 which can be found for $99 and do offer a detachable cable (which is not present on the MA750’s).  I believe the SE 215s are the cheapest IEM to offer that feature.  The importance of a detachable cable, especially for IEMs is that they are generally the first portion of the headphone to break (assuming you are listening at a comfortable volumes).  However the MA750’s trump the SE215’s in sound quality as well having a 3-year warranty.   But enough about the comparisons, let’s get to the main attraction, what is it about the RHA MA750?

Firstly, the accessories.  For IEMs it is especially important that a good carrying case is provided, and I highly recommend you use it at all times when the IEMs are not in use.  Avoid the temptation to stuff them into your pocket that will shorten its life cycle.  The case provided with the MA750i is of nice leather that has a rubberized feel to it.  The zipper is sturdy, and the case was large enough to put portable music player inside (an iPod Classic).  On the inside of the carrying case there are small felt pockets to store the IEMs as well as addition ear tips.  There are also a wide arrange of ear tips of both a silicon and memory foam variety.  There are 10 different tips in total, 2 of which are large foam tips.  If your ears don’t find a perfect fit… you might need surgery, I don’t know what to tell you.  Personally, I found the foam tips to be completely useless, but a small double flanged tip fit snug in my left ear while the small rounded tip fit my right ear perfectly.

Onto build quality.  For around $130 you get a well-constructed pair of IEMs.  Starting with the cable, the MA750i model includes a three-button in-line microphone control, which works with iOS devices, however the “play” and “pause” buttons will function on an Android device.  There is a MA750 model (note, no “i”) which does not have the microphone add-on and is subsequently slightly cheaper.  The headphone jack is a straight, but slim 3.5mm connector and will likely fit in most phone or portable players’ case.  Slightly further up from the jack the IEM’s have a coiled spring to relief tension which ads some protection and longevity to the headphone jack.  The ear buds themselves are an around the ear design which helps with reducing cable noise when walking around.  The drivers for this headphone are encased in an aluminum shell where minor scratches and fingerprints are exceptionally noticeable.

Lastly, the sound quality.  For the price these sound amazing.  They sound so good I am reluctant to recommend anything else in the IEM department.  The sound signature is slightly warm, meaning an increased bass response, however the mid range is wonderfully detailed and the treble, while present rolls off a little early.  The aluminum casing for the drivers does not negatively alter the sound.  It is common for metal bodies to result in a ‘tinny’ sound, often present in other, more inexpensive solutions (the JVC HA-FX300 come to mind).  Generally, when I listen to a good pair of headphones I will say any genre of music will sound good on them and that is the case with the RHA MA750i.  However, I found synth pop music such as Depeche Mode as well as country rock artist, Alison Krauss to sound exceptionally good on these IEMs. 

One final note, with whatever pair of IEMs you are looking to buy, or currently own, I highly recommend an accompanying pair of Comply memory foam ear tips.  They make various sizes, styles, and colours which fit a high majority of IEMs on the market.