Stream Atmosphere's New Record In Its Entirety (Plus Atmosphere Karaoke and Paint It Gold #8)

Download: Atmosphere - "Shoulda Known"

As the old aphorism goes, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold. Or rather, that's how the old aphorism goes if you happen to be Slug and Ant, the Minneapolis-based rap duo known professionally as Atmosphere. You yourselves can find out whether or not the duo has made good on its unique brand of inspirational quoteage by streaming their new album in its entirety over at its MySpace Page.

Those wanting to hear the new songs in a live setting as well. In addition to kicking off their tour supporting Gold with two shows in the Windy City, Slug and Ant will also be headlining the Soundset Festival, an all-day hip-hop extravaganza featuring many of Rhymesayers's best players. However, if you think that you can rap just as well as Slug can, then you are in luck. How does Atmosphere karaoke sound to you? Check it out, via the duo's MySpace blog:

atmosphere karaoke.

on this upcoming string of release parties,
"when life gives you lemons, you paint your city gold,"
atmosphere, abstract rude, and dj rare groove will be doing sets,
and doing our bestest to make you smile.

but I am pleased to announce that before any of us play our music,
dj rare groove and myself will be personally hosting some "atmosphere karaoke."
a handful of you will be pulled up on stage to attempt to perform your
favorite atmosphere songs (while trying to keep your face straight).

this is not the normal tv screen karaoke where you get to see the words. atmosphere karaoke means you need to know the words to the songs you're performing. you sign up, tell us which song you're going to rap, dj rare groove drops the instrumental and you perform your favorite atmosphere song.

we will have a sign up sheet at the merch table.
along with a list of various songs for you to choose from.
each one of you that gets chosen will walk away with a free copy of
the new atmosphere album, "when life gives you lemons, you paint that shit gold."

Can it get any better? Actually, yes. Here is what in all likelihood be the last episode (since the record drops on Tuesday and everything) of the 'Sphere's YouTube series "Paint It Gold":



When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold comes out on Tuesday.

Atmosphere MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

New Atmosphere - "Guarantees" (Plus Episode 6 of "Paint It Gold")

(Atmosphere - "Guarantees")


(Paint it Gold Episode 6)

While we were joshin' it up with tales of carnage, accidentally record records, mixed-gendered Canadian soccer teams, and additions to the Oxford English Dictionary, MPLS rap-duo Atmos-following-the-phere released not one, but two videos. The first is for what is presumably the second single off their forthcoming record, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold. The song is called "Guarantees" and, like first single "Shoulda Known", it's a cautionary tale about the darker side of life, but whereas "Shoulda Known" seemed to be more of a fictional account of chemical excess, "Guarantees" is ripped right out of the pages of Slug's life.

Also, that's not the only way the two tracks differ. While "Shoulda Known" was a departure from previous efforts because of its G-funk sliding synth-bass hook and Slug's nasal-heavy delivery (making him sound much like Snoop Dogg), "Guarantees" is just a rap and a guitar. But, contrary Idolator's somehow-both-accurate-and-bogus analysis of the track, this shouldn't be taken as Atmosphere's rap-rock song.

Indeed, there's not nearly enough bombast or mysogyny for it to qualify it as "rap-rock". Rather, it's a stripped down, plantive lament about everyday struggles, and one that just happens to be set to guitar. The video itself is pretty simple too: Just Slug, who's looking more and more like Johnny Depp, rappin' about his struggles with his family and job. Despite so many details from his life, this track seems to ordinary for it to stand out upon first listen.

With that out of the way, "Guarantees" shouldn't stop the considerable momentum building up to the release of Gold, the duo's sixth effort. Watch it at the top of the post.

On a lighter note, the duo released part 6 of their YouTube Series "Paint it Gold", which you can also watch at the top of the post.

When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold is out on April 22nd.

Atmosphere Myspace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Atmosphere's "Paint It Gold" Part 5: The Dream Child

Speaking of videos of Minnesotan hip-hop acts shooting the shit, here's episode 5 of Atmosphere's YouTube series "Paint it Gold". We're starting to get into slasher movie territory here, folks.

The series, which takes its name from the duo's upcoming album When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, is an attempt to directly answer fan-submitted questions (and we all know that Slug loves to answer questions from strangers) about their new album, or whatever else may pop into their fans' little heads. Email the question, along with your name and address to paintitgold@hotmail.com. Each time a video is posted, one questioner (totally sic) will receive a copy of their new record, the title of which is...ah, dammit, it was right on the tip of my tongue? Something about fruits and life lessons?

Oh that's right! When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold is out April 22nd on Rhymesayers.

Atmosphere MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Atmosphere Paints It Gold for a Fourth Time

Behold! The fourth episode of Atmosphere's YouTube series Paint it Gold. Did your question get answered? Only one way to find out.

When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold is out on April 22nd.

Atmosphere MySpace page

(Jonathan Graef)

Episode 3 of Atmosphere's YouTube Series "Paint It Gold"

(Jonathan Graef)

Episode 2 of Atmosphere's YouTube Series Paint it Gold

Was your question answered this week by MPLS rap-duo Atmosphere? Find out by watching the video at the top of the post.

When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold is out on April 22nd.

(Jonathan Graef)