Today New York State has the highest Medicaid rates of all US States. Reimbursement rates for patients in institutional care was extremely high. Medicaid reimbursement rates for New York State remain at an all time high as of 2018. Medicaid rates for New York State presently account for 15% percent of the national total for the Medicaid program. However Medicaid rates for New York State covers only 8% percent of beneficiaries. New York State’s cost per person enrolled in the Medicaid program is $7,912 dollars per year on an annual basis.
Medicaid spending in New York was at $54.5 billion dollars for the 2013 FFY. Medicaid spending increased by an annual average of 1.3% percent which later on was lead by a 1.6% percent increase in 2014. These Medicaid rates provide coverage to millions of New Yorkers.
In March 23, 2017, New York State had received $59.8 billion dollars in Medicaid expansion. This year New York State plans to receive $60 billion dollars in Medicaid expansion. Much of which comes from federal funding.
New York is resetting its rate setting based structure based on a new waiver system. From now on, funding for Medicaid will be on a state basis. The governor of New York plans to allocate funding for Medicaid to be on a state basis. Currently New York extends Medicaid eligibility to the non-poor or middle class for long-term care. However the government of New York plans to limit Medicaid eligibility to the poor and reduce payment rates to competitive levels.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
History of Cedar Park School in Cedar Park, Texas.
A community school called Cedar Park School was constructed sometime during the 19th century possibly by 1892. Exact date is unknown. The community school and church building were said to have been constructed at the same time according to the Williamson County Historical Commission.
The school was a one-room frame building built on a box frame plan with double front doors at the entrance which were painted white. The school building was painted white as well. The building was said to have 6 windows with 3 of each on both sides. The school classroom was divided with boys sitting on one side of the room and girls on the other.
The Cedar Park School served as a church also called “Cedar Park School/Church”. J. M. McNeeley served as superintendent on Sunday afternoons. This building served as both a church and school.
It is unknown if Cedar Park School was a 1-12 school or a 1-10 school at one point. What is known is that Cedar Park School was a 1-7 school where grades 1 through 7 were taught which was not uncommon during that time period. Usually those students wanting an education past the 7th grade rode the train to Leander for a secondary education at a cost of 5¢ cents per day.
Mr. George Allen became superintendent of Cedar Park School in 1908 during the 1908-1909 school year.
Thomas L. Allen was appointed trustee of the Cedar Park School District in 1920. He also became the trustee for Cedar Park School the same year. At that time the school, Cedar Park School was more than 40 years old and in need of repair. The school was considered obsolete.
During the same year is when Thomas Allen began plans for consolidating Cedar Park with Block House located 2 miles north. A petition led to each of the two schools closing. Block House and Cedar Park consolidated to form the new White Stone School District in 1923. Cedar Park School District was consolidated into Leander Independent School District Leander ISD 1923.
The Cedar Park School more or less sat abandoned sat abandoned for more than 3 decade. This was from 1920 to the 1950s. White Stone School District was consolidated into Leander Independent School District (Leander ISD) in 1952. At one point in time the former Cedar Park School was used as a hay barn. The school district used the school building to store hay. Somehow Cedar Park School eventually fell to the ground and was later demolished due to suburban development.
Cedar Park even had its own school district called Cedar Park School District. Running Brushy School, New Hope School, New Hope High School, Block House, and Bagdad School were a part of the “Cedar Park School District”.
Today the Cedar Park School has faded away with time from peoples memories. The school only exists historical reports from Williamson County Historical Commission.
The school was a one-room frame building built on a box frame plan with double front doors at the entrance which were painted white. The school building was painted white as well. The building was said to have 6 windows with 3 of each on both sides. The school classroom was divided with boys sitting on one side of the room and girls on the other.
The Cedar Park School served as a church also called “Cedar Park School/Church”. J. M. McNeeley served as superintendent on Sunday afternoons. This building served as both a church and school.
It is unknown if Cedar Park School was a 1-12 school or a 1-10 school at one point. What is known is that Cedar Park School was a 1-7 school where grades 1 through 7 were taught which was not uncommon during that time period. Usually those students wanting an education past the 7th grade rode the train to Leander for a secondary education at a cost of 5¢ cents per day.
Mr. George Allen became superintendent of Cedar Park School in 1908 during the 1908-1909 school year.
Thomas L. Allen was appointed trustee of the Cedar Park School District in 1920. He also became the trustee for Cedar Park School the same year. At that time the school, Cedar Park School was more than 40 years old and in need of repair. The school was considered obsolete.
During the same year is when Thomas Allen began plans for consolidating Cedar Park with Block House located 2 miles north. A petition led to each of the two schools closing. Block House and Cedar Park consolidated to form the new White Stone School District in 1923. Cedar Park School District was consolidated into Leander Independent School District Leander ISD 1923.
The Cedar Park School more or less sat abandoned sat abandoned for more than 3 decade. This was from 1920 to the 1950s. White Stone School District was consolidated into Leander Independent School District (Leander ISD) in 1952. At one point in time the former Cedar Park School was used as a hay barn. The school district used the school building to store hay. Somehow Cedar Park School eventually fell to the ground and was later demolished due to suburban development.
Cedar Park even had its own school district called Cedar Park School District. Running Brushy School, New Hope School, New Hope High School, Block House, and Bagdad School were a part of the “Cedar Park School District”.
Today the Cedar Park School has faded away with time from peoples memories. The school only exists historical reports from Williamson County Historical Commission.
History of Burke Junior High School, in Jal, New Mexico revealed.
Burke Junior High School was a junior high school and middle school that operated from 1966 to 1986 in the city of Jal, New Mexico.
The decision to build Burke Junior High School was made in 1963 by board members of the City of Jal in Jal, New Mexico. However the school district and city needed much available land to build a junior high. Land was available on the west side of town. The location of 701 West Wyoming Avenue is where Burke Junior High School was built at. The school property itself was located near the intersection of Continental Drive and West Wyoming Avenue.
Burke Junior High School was built in 1964 as 1 story tall 40,000 square foot building using steel, concrete, and brick. A running track, a football field, and a soccer field were all established during the same year. Both the running track, soccer field, and football field were located less than a block north of the school building.
1966 was the first year Burke Junior High School opened. Burke Junior High School was named after educator J. L. Burke, Jr. Burke Junior High School was a public junior high school that would eventually operate as a public middle school for the school district of Jal, New Mexico.
1968 was the year Burke Junior High School was renamed to Jal Middle School. The building would operate as Jal Middle School from 1968 to 1986 as the Jal Middle School. Despite this school being renamed, Burke Junior High School still showed up on the 1972 USGS map and 1980 USGS map for Jal, New Mexico.
1986 is when Jal Middle School closed. 1986 was the last year the building would ever operate as a school. By 1987 the school was abandoned.
In 2007, the City of Jal claimed ownership of the former Burke Junior High School by buying the property out from the school district. The building has been vacant for a number of years now.
By 2009, Congress person Harry Teague expressed the Burke Junior High School building would need extensive renovation if the building were to be put to use again. By 2009, the school building surely fell into a state of disrepair thus needing much extensive repairs. The building's roof needed to be replaced. Several doors and windows needed replacement. A complete upgrade of plumbing and electrical systems was necessary.
A meeting was held with the United States Congress on July 23, 2009 about how why the buidling would need extensive renovation and how the City of Jal needed EDI (Economic Development Initiative) funds to renovate the former Burke Junior High School building. As a result, EDI funds were allocated to the City of Jal by the US Government. This is what the EDI appropriation funded.
In 2009, The City of Jal had secured a $250,000 grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department to rehabilitate the long-vacant Burke Junior High School. 2009 was the same year that the City of Jal renovated the Burke Junior High School building. However the roof needed to be repaired. Funding for the roof to be reroofed was needed.
During 2010, the building’s roof was reroofed. More EDI funding from the federal government along with state funding came through. Unfortunately the school building remained vacant in spite of renovation.
Today as of 2018, the City of Jal owns the Burke Junior High School building. Still, the fact remains that the building has now been vacant for a number of years.
The City of Jal hopes to lease the building to tenants in order to attract industry or business to town. Having a tenant in the building will create jobs in Jal and will increase the town's tax base with renovation of this building.
Burke Junior High School is located at 701 West Wyoming Avenue, New Mexico, US 88252.
The decision to build Burke Junior High School was made in 1963 by board members of the City of Jal in Jal, New Mexico. However the school district and city needed much available land to build a junior high. Land was available on the west side of town. The location of 701 West Wyoming Avenue is where Burke Junior High School was built at. The school property itself was located near the intersection of Continental Drive and West Wyoming Avenue.
Burke Junior High School was built in 1964 as 1 story tall 40,000 square foot building using steel, concrete, and brick. A running track, a football field, and a soccer field were all established during the same year. Both the running track, soccer field, and football field were located less than a block north of the school building.
1966 was the first year Burke Junior High School opened. Burke Junior High School was named after educator J. L. Burke, Jr. Burke Junior High School was a public junior high school that would eventually operate as a public middle school for the school district of Jal, New Mexico.
1968 was the year Burke Junior High School was renamed to Jal Middle School. The building would operate as Jal Middle School from 1968 to 1986 as the Jal Middle School. Despite this school being renamed, Burke Junior High School still showed up on the 1972 USGS map and 1980 USGS map for Jal, New Mexico.
1986 is when Jal Middle School closed. 1986 was the last year the building would ever operate as a school. By 1987 the school was abandoned.
In 2007, the City of Jal claimed ownership of the former Burke Junior High School by buying the property out from the school district. The building has been vacant for a number of years now.
By 2009, Congress person Harry Teague expressed the Burke Junior High School building would need extensive renovation if the building were to be put to use again. By 2009, the school building surely fell into a state of disrepair thus needing much extensive repairs. The building's roof needed to be replaced. Several doors and windows needed replacement. A complete upgrade of plumbing and electrical systems was necessary.
A meeting was held with the United States Congress on July 23, 2009 about how why the buidling would need extensive renovation and how the City of Jal needed EDI (Economic Development Initiative) funds to renovate the former Burke Junior High School building. As a result, EDI funds were allocated to the City of Jal by the US Government. This is what the EDI appropriation funded.
In 2009, The City of Jal had secured a $250,000 grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department to rehabilitate the long-vacant Burke Junior High School. 2009 was the same year that the City of Jal renovated the Burke Junior High School building. However the roof needed to be repaired. Funding for the roof to be reroofed was needed.
During 2010, the building’s roof was reroofed. More EDI funding from the federal government along with state funding came through. Unfortunately the school building remained vacant in spite of renovation.
Today as of 2018, the City of Jal owns the Burke Junior High School building. Still, the fact remains that the building has now been vacant for a number of years.
The City of Jal hopes to lease the building to tenants in order to attract industry or business to town. Having a tenant in the building will create jobs in Jal and will increase the town's tax base with renovation of this building.
Burke Junior High School is located at 701 West Wyoming Avenue, New Mexico, US 88252.
History of Pilot Knob School long forgotten revisited.
Pilot Knob School began in 1892 subsequently situated 1 ¼ miles south of the Pilot Knob settlement and Colton settlement located southeast of Austin, Texas way out in the country located at the present intersection of FM 1625 & McKenzie Road.
The settlement of Pilot Knob had its own school district called Pilot Knob School District also known as School District No. 67 aka School District #67 from 1892 to 1956 before being consolidated into Colorado Common School District (now Del Valle ISD). The school district went under names such as School District 67, District #67, and District No. 67.
Pilot Knob School was named after a volcano that is located on top of a hill. Several volcanoes were active at this location some 3,000 years ago. Pilot Knob believed to be settled on top of the remains of a cretaceous volcano. This cretaceous volcano serves as a geological feature in the nearby area.
The Pilot Knob Schoolhouse building was built as an L-shaped building similar in the form to a house of a private residence in 1892 on two acres of land. The Pilot Knob School was built as from an L-shape building plan similar to the former Lamar School in Del Valle, Texas. This L-shaped building was a school that was served inside a single story structure unit. The building would later turn into a C-shape building. Sanitary needs were met with outhouses.
The first school term for Pilot Knob School was 1892-1893 with a small student population of 15 students. Mrs. McKuen was the first teacher to teach at Pilot Knob School. 1893 is when 20 students attended this school. Enrollment grew within the first year.
Pilot Knob School was a “white school” that served only white students. There were no “negro schools” that served African American students until the 1930s. African American students attended the “negro schools” in the following school districts of Elroy Common School District transfer, Colorado Common School District, or Creedmoor Common School District.
These students came from various rural areas, subdivisions, and neighborhoods in Travis County, Del Valle, and of course, Austin. However most students who attended Pilot Knob School were either from Austin, Del Valle, or Creedmoor.
Pilot Knob School was a 1-6 school serving grades 1 through 6. There were no junior high schools/middle schools or high schools in the Pilot Knob School District. Senior high schools were not available in this school district.
For those students who wanted to complete their junior high school education and high school education past the 6th grade had to go into town in Austin or transfer to other school districts. Once students graduated Pilot Knob School, students would either transfer either to the Elroy Common School District, the Colorado Common School District, or transfer to the Creedmoor Common School District.
Population figures of 2 teachers and 99 students were reported in 1907. The school boasted a student population of 100 students in 1908. The 1907-1908 school semester faced growth in enrollment. 1907 and 1908 were the peak years for this school. 1908 is when Pilot Knob School became Pilot Knob White School serving white students only or those students whom were Caucasian.
The cost per year was $346 with an average of $11.53 per student per year in 1934. The 1934-1935 school semester has 41 students. Two teachers taught six grades for 120 days and got paid for six months. The school period was later extended to 8 months.
In 1936, Former pupil Joe Sassman became a school teacher and principal at Pilot Knob School. John D. Foster served as vice principal while Joe Sassman served as principal. When Joe Sassman served as a school teacher to fill in for a teacher who was absent, John D. Foster would serve as the school’s principal for that time. Miss Nan Gilbert taught at the school from the mid 1934 to 1956. Miss Nan Gilbert was a well known notable teacher to have taught as Pilot Knob School.
Students who wanted to complete their junior high school education or high school education past the 7th grade had to go into town or transfer to other school districts.
Miss Minnie C. Overton also served as school principal for Pilot Knob School from the late 1930s to 1956. Mrs. Joe Sassman and Mrs. J. D. Foster served on the PTA.
1940 is when Pilot Knob School became Pilot Knob Elementary School. Pilot Knob Elementary School served grades 1 through 6 from 1940 to 1956.
The Pilot Knob school is underwent repairs in 1940 and again in 1950. The repairs were modest in nature. Not too many were made though. Indoor plumbing was never added or equipped with this school. Outhouses still remained in use. An outhouse was added southeast of the school building. The school had no indoor toilet or electricity.
In 1956, Pilot Knob School District was consolidated into Colorado Common School District (now Del Valle Independent School District) due to dwindling tax revenue from decreasing property taxes, lack of funding, and lack of enrollment. It was mainly due to decreasing property taxes that rural school districts such as Pilot Knob, Creedmoor, Dry Creek, Niederwald, and Maha were consolidated into bigger school districts such as Del Valle ISD and Austin ISD.
Pilot Knob School was shut down in 1957. Pilot Knob School District was already shut down by then. From 1957 to 1972, the school building was used to store hay. The school sat abandoned for a period of time. That is until 1973 when the school was demolished. The Pilot Knob School campus and land property was vacant from 1973 to 1995.
In 1995, building contractors and landscaping companies paved over the former Pilot Knob School campus for a bus barn to be surveyed and laid out. Land was resurfaced and flattened the same year. This Del Valle ISD bus barn would become known as the “McKenzie Yard”. The “McKenzie Yard” serves as a parking lot for the Del Valle ISD buses. Several portables and trailers have been hauled onto the property. Trailers are now on this property.
Pilot Knob School campus now operates as a bus barn for Del Valle ISD with a chain link fence that surrounds the property and is off limits to the public. McKenzie Yard is a Del Valle ISD bus barn. This parcel of land is owned by Del Valle ISD.
Today there are no indications visible of proof that the school was built here. There are no remains left of the school. No visible remains are evident for proving that the school existed. Remnants of the school have been paved over. A parking lot for the Del Valle ISD buses is currently over the former remnants of Pilot Knob School. The original location for the Pilot Knob School was at Austin, Texas, US 78744.
Notable teachers to have taught at this school were John D. Foster, E. C. Kieke, Nan Gilbert, and Joe Sassman. Former pupil Joe Sassman became a school teacher and principal at Pilot Knob School. Miss Nan Gilbert was a well known notable teacher to have taught as Pilot Knob School.
Notable students who attended this school were Wilroy Kieke of the well known Kieke familiy, Mildred Sassman, Theo Smith, school teacher Marietta Cowan, Lois Kieke, and Joe Sassman just to name a few. Joe Sassman Sr. also received his education at Pilot Knob School along with his wife and relatives that lived in the area.
The settlement of Pilot Knob had its own school district called Pilot Knob School District also known as School District No. 67 aka School District #67 from 1892 to 1956 before being consolidated into Colorado Common School District (now Del Valle ISD). The school district went under names such as School District 67, District #67, and District No. 67.
Pilot Knob School was named after a volcano that is located on top of a hill. Several volcanoes were active at this location some 3,000 years ago. Pilot Knob believed to be settled on top of the remains of a cretaceous volcano. This cretaceous volcano serves as a geological feature in the nearby area.
The Pilot Knob Schoolhouse building was built as an L-shaped building similar in the form to a house of a private residence in 1892 on two acres of land. The Pilot Knob School was built as from an L-shape building plan similar to the former Lamar School in Del Valle, Texas. This L-shaped building was a school that was served inside a single story structure unit. The building would later turn into a C-shape building. Sanitary needs were met with outhouses.
The first school term for Pilot Knob School was 1892-1893 with a small student population of 15 students. Mrs. McKuen was the first teacher to teach at Pilot Knob School. 1893 is when 20 students attended this school. Enrollment grew within the first year.
Pilot Knob School was a “white school” that served only white students. There were no “negro schools” that served African American students until the 1930s. African American students attended the “negro schools” in the following school districts of Elroy Common School District transfer, Colorado Common School District, or Creedmoor Common School District.
These students came from various rural areas, subdivisions, and neighborhoods in Travis County, Del Valle, and of course, Austin. However most students who attended Pilot Knob School were either from Austin, Del Valle, or Creedmoor.
Pilot Knob School was a 1-6 school serving grades 1 through 6. There were no junior high schools/middle schools or high schools in the Pilot Knob School District. Senior high schools were not available in this school district.
For those students who wanted to complete their junior high school education and high school education past the 6th grade had to go into town in Austin or transfer to other school districts. Once students graduated Pilot Knob School, students would either transfer either to the Elroy Common School District, the Colorado Common School District, or transfer to the Creedmoor Common School District.
Population figures of 2 teachers and 99 students were reported in 1907. The school boasted a student population of 100 students in 1908. The 1907-1908 school semester faced growth in enrollment. 1907 and 1908 were the peak years for this school. 1908 is when Pilot Knob School became Pilot Knob White School serving white students only or those students whom were Caucasian.
The cost per year was $346 with an average of $11.53 per student per year in 1934. The 1934-1935 school semester has 41 students. Two teachers taught six grades for 120 days and got paid for six months. The school period was later extended to 8 months.
In 1936, Former pupil Joe Sassman became a school teacher and principal at Pilot Knob School. John D. Foster served as vice principal while Joe Sassman served as principal. When Joe Sassman served as a school teacher to fill in for a teacher who was absent, John D. Foster would serve as the school’s principal for that time. Miss Nan Gilbert taught at the school from the mid 1934 to 1956. Miss Nan Gilbert was a well known notable teacher to have taught as Pilot Knob School.
Students who wanted to complete their junior high school education or high school education past the 7th grade had to go into town or transfer to other school districts.
Miss Minnie C. Overton also served as school principal for Pilot Knob School from the late 1930s to 1956. Mrs. Joe Sassman and Mrs. J. D. Foster served on the PTA.
1940 is when Pilot Knob School became Pilot Knob Elementary School. Pilot Knob Elementary School served grades 1 through 6 from 1940 to 1956.
The Pilot Knob school is underwent repairs in 1940 and again in 1950. The repairs were modest in nature. Not too many were made though. Indoor plumbing was never added or equipped with this school. Outhouses still remained in use. An outhouse was added southeast of the school building. The school had no indoor toilet or electricity.
In 1956, Pilot Knob School District was consolidated into Colorado Common School District (now Del Valle Independent School District) due to dwindling tax revenue from decreasing property taxes, lack of funding, and lack of enrollment. It was mainly due to decreasing property taxes that rural school districts such as Pilot Knob, Creedmoor, Dry Creek, Niederwald, and Maha were consolidated into bigger school districts such as Del Valle ISD and Austin ISD.
Pilot Knob School was shut down in 1957. Pilot Knob School District was already shut down by then. From 1957 to 1972, the school building was used to store hay. The school sat abandoned for a period of time. That is until 1973 when the school was demolished. The Pilot Knob School campus and land property was vacant from 1973 to 1995.
In 1995, building contractors and landscaping companies paved over the former Pilot Knob School campus for a bus barn to be surveyed and laid out. Land was resurfaced and flattened the same year. This Del Valle ISD bus barn would become known as the “McKenzie Yard”. The “McKenzie Yard” serves as a parking lot for the Del Valle ISD buses. Several portables and trailers have been hauled onto the property. Trailers are now on this property.
Pilot Knob School campus now operates as a bus barn for Del Valle ISD with a chain link fence that surrounds the property and is off limits to the public. McKenzie Yard is a Del Valle ISD bus barn. This parcel of land is owned by Del Valle ISD.
Today there are no indications visible of proof that the school was built here. There are no remains left of the school. No visible remains are evident for proving that the school existed. Remnants of the school have been paved over. A parking lot for the Del Valle ISD buses is currently over the former remnants of Pilot Knob School. The original location for the Pilot Knob School was at Austin, Texas, US 78744.
Notable teachers to have taught at this school were John D. Foster, E. C. Kieke, Nan Gilbert, and Joe Sassman. Former pupil Joe Sassman became a school teacher and principal at Pilot Knob School. Miss Nan Gilbert was a well known notable teacher to have taught as Pilot Knob School.
Notable students who attended this school were Wilroy Kieke of the well known Kieke familiy, Mildred Sassman, Theo Smith, school teacher Marietta Cowan, Lois Kieke, and Joe Sassman just to name a few. Joe Sassman Sr. also received his education at Pilot Knob School along with his wife and relatives that lived in the area.
Mixerr Album Reviews #1,415
This is Michael Mixerr. Today I will review Gorillaz - Humanz.
After a 6 to 7 year long hiatus, the virtual band Gorillaz is back with a new funky quirky futuristic sounding album ahead of the times. However the Gorillaz band seems to have strayed away from their original rock roots and electronic rock by having dabbled into experimenting with electronic music altogether. This Gorillaz album has more of an electronic music sound than any of their other albums as it seems the band has strayed away from their rock roots. The album suits the digital era in a witty way. The album does have its unusual wild odd moments. But nevertheless, this Gorillaz album undoubtedly is going to become a bestseller online and offline.
Those who are longtime hardcore Gorillaz fans are going to be disappointed with thee band as they strayed far away from their rock roots. Most of the songs on this Gorillaz album is inaudible. Their vocabulary is rather lagging. For some reason the band has chosen usage of small simple words. Several songs here turns into directionless muttering inaudible to the ears. For example the Saturn Barz song. Sleeping Power, We Got The Power, and Andromeda are the only good songs of this album. To sum it all up, the Gorillaz are not the same band they once were from decades ago. Their ideas and album concepts have changed over the years. The album is lackluster at best.
Saturn Barz has an industrial techno sound. Lyrics in this Gorillaz song are inaudible. The only understandable verse is "all my life". Their vocabulary used here is terrible. In all honesty, the auto tune is way too much. It seems that this albums budget had gone to the Saturn Barz music video and song. Gorillaz and their record company promoted Saturn Barz more so than any other song off the Humanz album.
Sleeping Powder is Rehash revisited as Sleeping Powder has the same hazy offbeat humor as Rehash from their debut album. Sleeping Powder is 2D's solo song. The electric harpsichord at the beginning fits in perfectly smooth with this song. Acoustic arrangements are perfect. An electric swing is added to the mix. Overall Sleeping Powder is a good song.
Andromeda seems to have incorporated the sound of dance music. The dance song is rather upbeat. The song itself seems to be a Gorillaz posse cut for this album. Nevertheless Andromeda has a positive vibe to it.
Carnival is an Anthony Hamilton inspired track. His work and sound are all over it. The sound is so esoteric and upbeat compared to some of the other tracks on the Humanz album.
We Got The Power is an upbeat song that seems to be revisiting 19/2000 from their debut album. We Got The Power seems to revisit the songs Re-Hash, 19/2000, and 5/4 in particular. The song has the same hazy goofy humor as the songs Re-Hash and 19/2000.
I rate this album, Humanz, 2/5**.
After a 6 to 7 year long hiatus, the virtual band Gorillaz is back with a new funky quirky futuristic sounding album ahead of the times. However the Gorillaz band seems to have strayed away from their original rock roots and electronic rock by having dabbled into experimenting with electronic music altogether. This Gorillaz album has more of an electronic music sound than any of their other albums as it seems the band has strayed away from their rock roots. The album suits the digital era in a witty way. The album does have its unusual wild odd moments. But nevertheless, this Gorillaz album undoubtedly is going to become a bestseller online and offline.
Those who are longtime hardcore Gorillaz fans are going to be disappointed with thee band as they strayed far away from their rock roots. Most of the songs on this Gorillaz album is inaudible. Their vocabulary is rather lagging. For some reason the band has chosen usage of small simple words. Several songs here turns into directionless muttering inaudible to the ears. For example the Saturn Barz song. Sleeping Power, We Got The Power, and Andromeda are the only good songs of this album. To sum it all up, the Gorillaz are not the same band they once were from decades ago. Their ideas and album concepts have changed over the years. The album is lackluster at best.
Saturn Barz has an industrial techno sound. Lyrics in this Gorillaz song are inaudible. The only understandable verse is "all my life". Their vocabulary used here is terrible. In all honesty, the auto tune is way too much. It seems that this albums budget had gone to the Saturn Barz music video and song. Gorillaz and their record company promoted Saturn Barz more so than any other song off the Humanz album.
Sleeping Powder is Rehash revisited as Sleeping Powder has the same hazy offbeat humor as Rehash from their debut album. Sleeping Powder is 2D's solo song. The electric harpsichord at the beginning fits in perfectly smooth with this song. Acoustic arrangements are perfect. An electric swing is added to the mix. Overall Sleeping Powder is a good song.
Andromeda seems to have incorporated the sound of dance music. The dance song is rather upbeat. The song itself seems to be a Gorillaz posse cut for this album. Nevertheless Andromeda has a positive vibe to it.
Carnival is an Anthony Hamilton inspired track. His work and sound are all over it. The sound is so esoteric and upbeat compared to some of the other tracks on the Humanz album.
We Got The Power is an upbeat song that seems to be revisiting 19/2000 from their debut album. We Got The Power seems to revisit the songs Re-Hash, 19/2000, and 5/4 in particular. The song has the same hazy goofy humor as the songs Re-Hash and 19/2000.
I rate this album, Humanz, 2/5**.
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