Roddy Bailey aka mcenroe - “Edge Of Town” [video]
Rickety Rod in full effect! First song from Roddy Bailey’s new album, Edge Of Town. Shot using stills at night, 4-8 second exposure, painstaking lip sync. Directed and edited by Rod Bailey. More info at peanutsandcorn.com.
1
June 26, 2008
the video is cool
but that song and the beat are terrible
2
June 26, 2008
reminds me of why?
3
June 27, 2008
mcenroe is one of my alltime fav artists
so i’m hurt deeply hearing wack shit like this from him
4
June 27, 2008
Mcenroe is a genius and the videos really cool, but this song is awful.
5
June 27, 2008
woah. must say i’m quite disapointed in this. it reminds me of that terrible buck 65 song Devils Eyes. Why must once credible Hip Hop artists go so damn emo/hipster/scenester.
6
June 27, 2008
I like this… mcenroe can do whatever the fuck he wants. People should go and re-read his interview on here
7
June 27, 2008
He can do what he wants but it doesn’t mean people have to like it.
It just seems forced/fake to me and it also makes me question his previous releases’s…..just being honest….sometimes I think people hide behind the ‘artist evolution’ front when really they are just trying to appeal to popular trends.
8
June 27, 2008
I hear what you all are saying on two fronts: If someone hip-hop I liked did this, I would probably react the same way. I wont defend the music itself, in that if you dont like it, you dont like it. No worries there. This particular song has more minimal (rinky dink) production than the rest of the record, but its pretty much what I’m going for.
But its not forced or faked. I dont know who will like this, I really dont. I dont know what other music this sounds like and I am not going after some other crowd. I just found that writing raps got really limiting in how I wanted to write songs, how I want to express my fucked up view of the world and how it fits my personality and twisted sense of humor. Sometimes being a big shot ego-centric rapper felt forced or faked to me, this does not.
Hurtbag, I would be very curious to know how this would make you question previous releases? I stand behind everything I have done 100% up to this point and am very proud of the records I have produced, and would be glad to answer those questions regarding previous releases.
So thanks for the feedback. peace
9
June 27, 2008
Just in the sense that it’s such a style switchup. Like when Ice Cube went hollywood - to me it just let some of the air out of his earlier work. It’s just a personal opinion; and that comment was more of a general idea than being personally directed at you.
I mean if you are happy with it that’s all that really matters right?
I have lots of P&C material and I actually think Mcenroe, John Smith and CF Crew at Anasazi’s in Edmonton was the first rap show I went to so it’s all goody.
It just seems like alot of artists are going this route (Why?, Cage, Camu Tao - before he unfortunately passed away, Buck 65) to appeal to that indy rock crowd.
If you aren’t that’s cool, these are just observations.
10
June 27, 2008
Just out of curiosity,
How do you find rap limiting as far as song writing goes?
There’s way more lyrics in a rap song than a song like this - that comment struck me as odd cause one of the main reasons I like rap so much is because it has limitless song style capabilities.
11
June 27, 2008
I hear you on the style switchup. I have felt the same way many times. Buck in particular. But I’m not here saying hip-hop sucks or whatever, or I’m better than hip-hop now, etc. Its just a change.
The funny thing is, when Bird heard an early mix of the album in December, he was like “this really isn’t all that different from what you did before”. And it isn’t in terms of style, tone, themes, production. Its just that I sing, not rap. If you heard “Sleepwalking” on disenfranchised, it could fit on this album.
But disenfranchised is a rap album, and when you rap about what I want to rap about, it comes off as preachy, depressing. Not always but it wears you out.
And I always held the belief that you could say MORE with rap because of what you say, Hurtbag, because there are more lyrics. But that is also limiting. You cant do an 8 line song. This song, “Edge of Town”, has like 12 lines. And I am basically saying “the city is fucked, id rather live in an abandoned building and fuck you all” and thats all I want to say. I couldn’t do it as a rap, I’d go into great detail, ultimately make a silly metaphor or pop culture reference and ruin the vibe. I’m sure someone could do it but its not the same thing. Not to mention the musician in me wanting to explore melody and harmony.
Maybe this song isn’t the best example of the record as a whole, but the vibe is there. This song is really synthetic sounding and minimal, others are fuller with big drums and rhythms. But the tone is right on, these simple, dark little pop songs that have been so fun to write. I also picked it because it had the fewest lines to lip sync!
I’m not turning my back on hip-hop, I will keep producing my friends Smitty, Pip, Yy, Gruf, Bird, Ness. Open to new artists too, I love to produce records. Would like to produce bands and other singers. Just loving music again.
Thanks for the dialog.
12
June 27, 2008
Word up, that makes sense. I guess I just assumed you were on the tip that Buck and Cage were saying things like they don’t like rap and don’t like rapping over sampled beats.
Plus you get marks in my books for the ‘going against the grain like bad religion’ line.
13
June 27, 2008
Rap is changing. Get over it. There is a huge back catalog of shit to listen to if you cant.
14
June 27, 2008
If I was in a metal band and decided to release a country album out of the blue that doesn’t mean the metal genre is changing you dumbass.
15
June 27, 2008
I like it
16
June 27, 2008
but then again i haven’t been listening to much rap these days
17
June 27, 2008
I kind of like this. would be better if he rapped on the end though. the beat is really great.
big muck sounds like someone who doesn’t go to rap shows just complains about rap on the internet.
18
June 28, 2008
i liked it too but then again like shocks, havent been listening to a heck of a lot of rap these days really
19
June 28, 2008
I’m not a big fan of the song, but all my favorite artists have released stuff I didn’t like at some point. Roddy has the best attitude towards it, he knows some people will hate it - some people will like it. Only pop stars release stuff hoping to please everyone.
20
June 28, 2008
on second listen i don’t like this song at all but i’m glad mcenroe is back making music.
21
June 28, 2008
dope video, very well executed (if only I could say the same about the song – sorry mcenroe).
22
June 28, 2008
It’s all just opinions. I personally relate and appreciate the ‘classic’ mcenroe approach for the same reasons he is moving in new directions.
I miss Fermented Reptile so fucking much.
I’m exscited to check the new album!
23
June 28, 2008
Me too. Dude’s been working on this for ages, so I’m anxious to see the results.
24
June 28, 2008
i like the song. at first i didnt. but i know what mcenroe is saying. with rap it seems you have to expand on a thought so much to make a whole song. this kind of reminded me of elliot smith. that might be a bad comparison but whatever.
i think the reason people arent feeling it in general is because people have been waiting for another disenfranchised style LP for so long.. either way i will buy this when it comes out.
25
June 28, 2008
certainly not what i would have expected, but i like it. i like the video too…
26
June 29, 2008
i think i like mcenroe singing better then rapping. the drums/percussion are cool… instrumentation is minimal and nice.. the keyboards can sound a touch enya though.
like he said, its really not a far off stretch from what he was evolving into anyway… it doesn’t sound forced
video was neat.
interested in hearing this whole album
27
June 29, 2008
damn. not feeling this at all. :(
28
June 29, 2008
video is cool.
beat is best described by mcenroe himself : “rinky dink”
raps are….not there.
i’m not down with singing.
29
June 29, 2008
“raps are….not there.”
Not trying to be an asshole, but I think that’s the whole point.
30
June 29, 2008
i don’t mind singing, but only if the singing is good
i’m not big into art fag shit.
31
June 29, 2008
I’ve already seen this a few times, had a minute to think about it, etc. Like it or not, I don’t think you could have a more honest artistic expression from the homie at this point. Even before we did “Get It Done” together, this was the shit Roddy was on. You gotta break some eggs to make a sandwich or whatever. People move on, it happens…
And Heywood, why don’t you throw the word f_g around a little more and go burn a cross on someone’s lawn while you’re at it? Small town toyboy hick motherfucker. Listening to tough guy music doesn’t make you a tough guy, rap promoter.
32
June 29, 2008
art fag shit hahaha
im not into the internet message board fag shit. queerjablome
33
June 29, 2008
bird quit crying lots of people use the term art fag and it has nothing to do with a persons sexuality.
i understand you have to stick up for mcenrore, but weak personal attacks are ridiculous.
p.s tough music??
i listen to rap, and last i checked this was a rap message board.
34
June 29, 2008
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=art+fag
35
June 29, 2008
your vancoo homiez are all a bunch of gay bashers. Go tell them to STFU instead of one post from homey on here. Fag. You even say gay in a derogatory way in your raps so STFU.
36
June 29, 2008
I dig both the song and video.
37
June 30, 2008
your vancoo homiez are all a bunch of gay bashers. Go tell them to STFU instead of one post from homey on here. Fag. You even say gay in a derogatory way in your raps so STFU.
^^^^^^^^^
you really lost me???
my vancouver homies????
last i checked i wasn’t a rapper????
forgot to take your happy pills???
38
June 30, 2008
All this arguing only proves how powerful of a song it really is. Haha.
39
June 30, 2008
Pretty sure that comment was addressed to me, Jablome.
Bird In The Hand, I don’t know you. I’d be surprised if you knew any of my “Vancoo homies”.
If you did, you’d know I happily tell them to STFU on the regular. On a variety of subjects. They can confirm this for you if you doubt it.
If I’ve said anything in the past in my music that you’ve taken to be homophobic, you’ve misheard, misinterpreted or taken my lyrics out of context. I could be wrong though. You probably know my material better than I do.
Heywood, the comment jumped out at me. It reminded me of some high school jock shit. Considering we all have worked together here and there, I found it petty. There’s a good chunk of criticism above your post that I have no problem with. Lots of it is from people I know.
Unlike them, you talk like some anonymous dude leaving a youtube comment.
40
June 30, 2008
Love the song Rod. The video is crazy!! great work all around. Im pumped for the new lp.
It never crossed my mind that this was a “Change” in style, or a ploy to appeal to other crowds. Although, I hope everyone from everywhere enjoys it. I think thats the aim when releasing a record.
41
June 30, 2008
bird i never meant my comment as an attack or “high school jock shit”
as i stated above, there are various meanings behind the term art fag.
most of which have nothing to do with a persons sexual orientation.
maybe i should have chosen my words more carefully??
but that was the best term to get my point across.
hope this clears things up. heywood
42
June 30, 2008
I’ll go back and listen later maybe i’ll like it again.
this is the most hype around a song since the pete rock and run dmc.
43
July 1, 2008
the song is good and so is the video.
44
July 1, 2008
Good job Rod. I really like the song, the beat is sick.
45
July 1, 2008
you know what on second though it’s all good if mcenroe wants to switch his style up. there’s no need in rapping if it feels forced and i respect that he came on here and addressed the negative comments in a constructive manner, that’s dope. i think i get a better idea of why some rappers choose to go this rout but to me i just don’t get it or like it. maybe it’s cause i can never see myself getting bored with rapping…. to me the limitations are non existant and i find new ways to rap/flow all the time, new styles to flip and new subjects to rap about which always keeps it interesting. i just don’t get how someone who excels at rapping could get sick of it but just like anything else, the right thing to do if your heart ain’t in it is to find something else that drives you and if this is what drives and inspires mcenroe these days well i guess we should all just be happy that he(as such an influential figure in canadian rap) has found a way to stay motivated to make music even if many of us don’t like it. at the same time though we certainly have the right to criticize anything made public, such as this video, especially if it comes from an artists we all have listened to and enjoyed at some point in the past. i mean imagine if, seemingly out of nowhere (to everyone that isn’t personal friends of them), a group like Slayer decided switch up and make dance/pop music…people who grew up loving the style that got them where they are today in terms of popularity would be losing their minds and filling every forum known to man with negative criticism. so in a sense if mcenroe or any other artist switched their style up (i know it’s been said that this was a gradual change but to old school roddy fans, who ain’t personal friends, this came out of nowhere) they gotta know that they’ll alienate a good portion of their former fan base and will most definetly receive plenty of criticism for changing from a style that people grew to love and got used to to something that many hip hop such as myself, who for the most part only like rap, do not like at all. That being said, mcenroe couldn’t have taken the criticism better and i’m glad he responded because at least i can respect the new approach now even if it’s not something I’ll listen to.
46
July 1, 2008
^^^^^
Agreed, Do whatever makes you happy. I just don’t understand how you can sing a song over a electro beat and it’s considered rap. This song isn’t really a rap song, hes not rapping, he’s singing. Maybe if it were being marketed as a pop album people would be a little more forgiving considering how dope the P&C legacy was/is and the high expectations that come along with being held in such high regard.
47
July 1, 2008
Royal-T - great points. It isn’t a rap song, and just because I used to make rap songs (and may again in the future) doesn’t mean that anyone that likes my raps has to like this. they dont. I definitely opened myself up to criticism by making it, and especially by posting it here, a rap website. Its all good.
The slayer point is also a good one, although a little more extreme that this. about 2 years ago I made a bunch of beats, and instead of raps popping in my head, melodies did, and i went with it.
plusthemic - this isn’t a rap song, and its not a rap album. it wont be marketed as a rap album. its kind of here more as a curiosity to people who know me. one thing i am struggling with is what to label it as, genre wise, when i market it (post-rap?). Its also why I am calling myself Roddy Bailey, it wouldn’t be right to call myself mcenroe as that is my rap name and this is not rap.
48
July 1, 2008
^^
I usually don’t like to say anything when it comes to artists I respect (especially online) I wasn’t sure if this song was supposed to be some sort of pretentious commentary against tradional rap because that seems to be a current trend lately but now hearing what your actual intentions are with your musical direction than than rock on — Obviously you respect hip hop enough to not do something like that, you are mcenroe for fuck sakes .. Ayways you’ll do pretty good with music like this people really like this kind of stuff nowadays.
respect to you and the rest of the fam, P&C will always be one the illest.
49
July 1, 2008
Sleepwalking was my favorite song on Disenfrancised; however, I am not really feeling this.
I guess that means I’ll be checking for the album.
50
July 2, 2008
I feel sorry for people who only like rap.
51
July 2, 2008
^^^
I feel sorry for you because you probably wear girls jeans and listen to Arcade Fire.
52
July 2, 2008
no way this is more hype than return of the king!
53
July 2, 2008
I like it
54
July 2, 2008
haha yo pussthemic, do you go around cruising websites lookin to start shit with everyone that has an opinion..
i also feel sorry for people who only listen to rap.
just because i listen to other music doesnt mean im down with the arcade fire and tight jeans..
i think it makes sense to try and listen to as much music as possible, especially because rap is influenced by so many other genres.
wheres would we be without soul, jazz, blues and all that ?
55
July 2, 2008
I love arcade fire. and you guys are all fags. all of you.
this vid is sick. the song’s kinda growing on me.
56
July 2, 2008
Why are you assuming that I only listen to rap?
57
July 2, 2008
So just because somebody doesn’t like this that automatically makes them ignorant to all other forms of music?
I listen to all types of shit from old country, to mid 90’s punk, even the odd death metal band has some good shit on the go, old blues and rock. There are great artists in all genres - the thing is, any other form of ‘music’ actually takes practice and some form of musical knowledge.
The ability to play an instrument, read music, understanding of song structure and even vocal training.
I could easily see somebody in a band working hard on making new songs, learning solo’s, practicing live shows etc…not seeing this as having any musical merit.
58
July 2, 2008
still feel the same way about it.
arcade fire is dope.
59
July 2, 2008
The way I see it, mcenroe has always done things a little differently so I’m not surprised to hear him experimenting with new ideas. We liked disenfranchised because it was unique. So is this.
What city is this shot?
60
July 2, 2008
I only Like Rap and only listen to rap! What ever happened to only likeing Rap?
Anyways I like the song and the video. In my books it is rap because that is what Rod has his roots in and is what he makes. Sometimes it just comes out sounding like this. I mean you can debate genres all you want but in my opinion it is rap maybe too left field for some.
I think the most important thing here is the amount of people that care about this! It is nice to see people still care about music period! I look forward to hearing the record!
61
July 3, 2008
Yeah chaps I am floored by 60 responses on a thread, positive or negative. Thanks to everybody for taking the time to check it out.
I did a myspace with a few more tracks to be checked out, so feel free. Three other songs from the album are there, not the final mix but will give you an idea of what the record is all about. http://www.myspace.com/heyroddybailey
62
July 3, 2008
Video is pretty dope, i think the track is cool too.
63
July 3, 2008
I completely understand what R. Bailey is saying when it comes to not feeling as though rap is enough when it comes to self expression. Rap is the shit. It’s the one music that I can say introduced me to a world of different music. It is my single most influential music when it comes to me making music or doing art. But when on stage or in the studio if I only rap I feel like I am suppressing little pieces of my soul. I believe that we’re all mostly in this to be sincere when presenting our audio pictures to people. So suppressing aspects of ourselves seems counter productive. We’ve sat down Roddy… needless to say rock on. I wish you much success. Who gives two shits whether I like it, feel indifferent to it or don’t like it. However, i understand what your longtime fans are saying in terms of being exposed to this new ish for the first time. If this is you, this is you. Do you……..still one of my favorite people to argue with.
Song structure, the appreciation & examination of such and such pop song, we’ll talk about that ish again. ez.
64
July 5, 2008
I didn’t love the track per se, but it wasn’t due to style or hip-hop standards and it also wasn’t because it was wack. I could easily enjoy this style of music (in addition to being rap hero of the galaxy) and it’s executed totally competently, it just didn’t connect with me. There’s something I don’t like about the specific synths used and that’s on me.
On the other hand, I’m entranced by the video and RIVETED by the conversation here, because this is one of those cases where the ideas and motivations say more (to me) than the work of art itself.
As a guy who’s always been in bands and messed with real music (ha ha) in addition to rap, one thing I know all too well is that it is A MILLION TIMES HARDER to condense a thought into a few words than it is to grind it to death and talk circles around it for five minutes at double-time. When this song is placed for me in the context of an artist trying to find that voice, to deal with his ideas succinctly and with lucidity, I’m way more interested. Maybe it’s just because I can relate to that endeavour, and maybe other listeners can’t be expected to be interested in the same things, but…
even though I don’t feel like bumping this song, I appreciate it and I’m glad I checked it out.
And this video is fantastic and I don’t think that’s getting enough mention without someone saying “…but…” after it. Although the lipsynch is obviously the most effort-intensive part, the bits at the end with traffic going by are surreal to look at because they somehow convey the feeling of a still image in motion - I guess because a frame rate that low and an exposure time that long are almost never paired with sharp focus and high resolution in moving images?
I could watch that for a long time in a row.
65
July 5, 2008
thought it was all rad. change is hard for everyone. If you’re having a problem with the song only imagine what mcenroe went thru!
66
October 18, 2008
[…] video for the title track from this album sparked up some interesting replies when we posted it back in June, and now the […]
67
October 19, 2008
l like the video, the track will most likely grow on me after a couple of listens.
Peoples who argue with birdapres are dead to me.
P&C are sick.
If you can’t deal with experimentation and/or a new path, you suck at life, barring a severe mental dissorder.
68
October 19, 2008
l like the video, the track will most likely grow on me after a couple of listens.
Peoples who argue with birdapres are dead to me.
P&C are sick.
If you can’t deal with experimentation and/or a new path, you suck at life, barring a severe mental dissorder.
^^^^
everyone is ALLOWED their opinion
and wow i’m dead to an anonymous message board poster
i’m really hurt by your comment.
69
October 19, 2008
gee, i wonder who’s anonymous.
70
October 19, 2008
Nice drums, cool video
71
October 19, 2008
gee, i wonder who’s anonymous.
^^^^
uhhh you are???
72
October 20, 2008
i’ve been a fan of mcenroe’s beats for awhile.
this is song is rad.