"We aint going to the town, we're going to the city"

Recession, credit crunch, John McCain…yeah things are bad. Throw into that mix a huge dollop of encroaching Baltic weather and you’d expect a typically sombre mood seeping from Unserieslinked.

Actually, you’d be dead wrong. The chilly night skies are a welcome arrival. Wrapping up warm, leaving work when it’s dark…ain’t no thing.

In fact, living in a city I’ve realised it heralds the return of something all the more important.

Interpol.

It’s strange but completely obvious why Interpol suit such weather and surroundings. The brooding, dark tones pulsating from their three classic albums go perfectly walking in the cold night flanked by souring architecture.

The band aren’t just another throwaway artist too, they are simply life affirming. Each album conjuring up a very real mental recollection of a period in my life, moving along to the music…each different, all fascinating.

Take their most recent effort "Our Love To Admire". The album genuinely narrates a relationship of the past, with this period of my life condensed into music videos following each song. It’s absolutely perfect in the tone and storyline…maybe I’ll make that movie one day.

It’s a welcome return for Interpol. Genuinely one of my favourite bands of all time, well, from the list of bands that have started and evolved in my lifetime.

It’s also been a season of new music here at Unserieslinked. An inkling towards Lil Wayne, Glasvegas and the Gaslight Anthem, led to a shopping spree which led to weeks of enjoyable listening and eventually to overplay and indifference…but either way, great new artists, fantastic albums.

Lil Wayne is the one to talk about. Obviously. It sure sticks out there.

My knowledge and interest in rap/hip hop is limited but passionate. I do stick out in the crowd, but that’s ok. I know what I like and thanks to quips that Lil Wayne is the successor to Jay-Z AND Michael Phelps talking about how he’d whack on Wayne before winning each of his 8 gold medals…that’s a recommendation and a half for me.

His most recent effort, Tha Cater III is almost a masterpiece. It falls at the usual rap hurdle…too many songs. Why this particular genre of music feels there needs to be at least 15 tracks, I’ll never know, because usually the listener can’t enjoy the whole album in one session and ends up being indifferent/bemused by the remaining 3-4 tracks. Make Tha Cater III 10 tracks, it’s up there with the greats.

The opening six tracks dominates anything I’ve heard for a long time. Equal measure Jay-z, early busta rhymes and outkast, Wayne has created a fascinating mix. The much needed swagger is there, but Wayne knows humour and originality. An important combination for reaching more than the hardcore, while still hitting the top of the charts.

Lollipop is almost, almost a rap ballard. Soothing and mysterious, it comes so close, but the lyrics can't hide what type of music you're listening to: "She she lick me like a lollipop" and "I Let her lick the wrapper". Dirty swine!

While he’s touting himself as the successor to Jay’s crown, Tha Carter isn’t an inauguration. For one Jay-Z is far from retiring (again) and there is space for the two. What it is, if I can use a lame analogy, is similar to Theo Walcott taking over David Beckham’s England no.7 jersey. We all know the skill and promise of Theo, and yes we acknowledge he’s the future. But never write off Beckham, and never expect to hear the end of him…