Woy's Album Reviews.

[BrntO4Life]

Woy, did you ever hear about the collaboration between Big K.R.I.T. and Grillade? It's called The Wuz Here Sessions.

If not, check this out:
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19087511?portrait=0&color=880bd6" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>

DL Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?pz9cy2qt4tk1zee

 

[Woy]

I heard about it, but I never heard it. Good looks on the link.

K.R.I.T.'s album was my second favorite last year.

 

[Woy]

I was just inspired to do a review for Frank Ocean's album. It'll be up today, possibly soon.

 

[BrntO4Life]

I was just inspired to do a review for Frank Ocean's album. It'll be up today, possibly soon.

Odd Future: Soulja Woy Review Them All!

 

[Woy]

Nostalgia, Ultra - Frank Ocean

The group OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All) is blowing up in the hip-hop community. After ringleader Tyler, The Creator and Hodgy Beats took the stage at the Jimmy Fallon show and delievered an exciting performance, the group has been getting a lot more buzz and even received some praise from artists like Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco and ?uestlove.

Most of their music has dark and disturbing subject matter, reminisicent to Slim Shady Eminem. Tyler and Earl Sweatshirt play the psycho killer/rapist card more than anyone else in the group, while Hodgy Beats and Domo Genesis don't go as far. However, a lot of groups have their one "black sheep" and Odd Future is no different, with R&B artist Frank Ocean.

Before downloading Frank Ocean's free debut album Nostalgia, Ultra, I only knew of him from a few hooks off of MellowHype's (Hodgy Beats and producer Left Brain) BLACKENEDWHITE album. I couldn't get a good read on his talent with two sample sizes and frankly, I felt that he seemed a little out of place there. But as my interest of the group in general grew, I decided to give Ocean's album a download and went into my first listening session with no expectations.

Then one listen turned to two, two turned to three and so on. In one day, I've listened to this album front to back seven times and wished I would have downloaded it as soon as it came out. It's left me shocked, awed and a little confused as I wonder how someone like Ocean would find himself in a group like Odd Future. The "black sheep" produced one of the best releases I've heard so far in this early year.

The album starts with the sound of someone changing tapes, which leads into the first song, "Strawberry Swing". A lot of people will immediately recognize this as a Coldplay song; which I didn't at first, because I'm admittedly not a Coldplay fan. Ocean sings about the good times he's had in his life and feels like they'll come to an end soon with the eventual destruction of the world. Honestly, if the show Laguna Beach was still on TV, I'd say this would be a shoe-in for the soundtrack.

"Novacane" is not only a drug dentists use during operation to numb the pain, but it's also the second full song from the album. The woman Ocean has sexual relations with gets him into smoking and he compares their love to the drug. "We All Try", which is probably my second favorite song from the album, is about what Ocean believes and don't believes in. I feel like his vocals are at his peak on this song, especially at the beginnings of the first and second verses.

After another interlude, the next song comes up. "Songs For Women" is about his relationship with one woman and how she never recognized his vocal talents. People around him would ask him if he sang songs to get women, but he's saying throughout the song that it doesn't work. "Lovecrimes" is an up-beat track that is about the sexual relations Ocean and his woman have.

Another change of the tapes commences, before the "There Will Be Tears" comes through your speakers. Beginning with a sample from Mr. Hudson's track with the same name, the beat then speeds up while Ocean reminisces on how his father was never in his life and how it affected him worse than other people he knew that went through the same thing.

"Swim Good" is about Ocean attempting suicide by driving his car into the ocean after his woman left him, while "Dust" is a shorter track about him wiping away his memories (or them turning into dust) about a past relationship. The latter is the only song I'm not feeling that much through a few listens, but that is followed up by the best one on the album.

It's hard enough to sing karaoke to The Eagles' classic song, "Hotel California". But to compose your own song to the same beat and for it to sound incredible? That's tough. Nonetheless, Ocean does it with "American Wedding". The theme of the song is about a teenage relationship that ends up in marriage, followed up eventually by divorce. He says that most relationships end up like this nowadays in America, which is absolutely the truth; too many couples rush into marriage and it almost never works out due to various reasons.

One more interlude come and goes, then the final track plays. "Nature Feels" is probably the most relatable song to the rest of Odd Future's work, at least from a subject matter standpoint, but it's not even that "bad". Sex in the wild is the theme, as Ocean compares himself both to Adam from the Bible and a caveman. The song and album then finally ends the way it started; by the sounds of someone changing a tape out.

Nostalgia, Ultra, like I mentioned earlier, is one of the best releases of this early year. The production throughout the album is both great and at times very recognizable, and although Ocean still has a way to go to be a premiere vocalist (he's a good singer, but can expand on his range), the singing itself is very good as well. It's definitely different from the killing cops and raping women subject matter Odd Future is known for, but this "black sheep" stands out among his peers both from that standpoint and a talent standpoint.

1.) Street Fighter | 2.75 - 3
2.) Strawberry Swing | 4 - 4.75
3.) Novacane | 4.5 - 5
4.) We All Try | 4.75 - 5
5.) Bitches Talkin' | 3
6.) Songs For Women | 4 - 4.5
7.) Lovecrimes | 4 - 4.5
8.) Goldeneye | 2.5 - 3
9.) There Will Be Tears | 3.75 - 4
10.) Swim Good | 4.25 - 5
11.) Dust | 3
12.) American Wedding | 5
13.) Soul Calibur | 2.5 - 3
14.) Nature Feels | 4 - 4.25

Overall: 3.89/5

<hr>RYM Review (updated 5/11/2011):

1.) Street Fighter | 3 - 3.75
2.) Strawberry Swing | 4.5 - 5
- I can imagine this song playing during the ending scene of a Laguna Beach episode.
3.) Novacane | 5
4.) We All Try | 5
- Once you get to this song you'll be wondering, how the hell did Frank Ocean get into Odd Future?
5.) Bitches Talkin' | 4 - 4.5
6.) Songs For Women | 5
7.) Lovecrimes | 4
8.) Goldeneye | 3 - 3.75
9.) There Will Be Tears | 4 - 4.5
- Crazy Mr. Hudson sample.
10.) Swim Good | 4.75 - 5
11.) Dust | 4.25 - 5
12.) American Wedding | 5
- Wow.
13.) Soul Calibur | 3 - 3.75
14.) Nature Feels | 4.75 - 5

Overall: 4.41/5 [previous ratings 4.13/5 and 4.30/5]

Brief Notes:
- I don't really have one word that I can describe how this album sounds, besides good. This came as a huge surprise because when I first heard of a R&B singer in the Odd Future gang, I expected the worst. However, his subject matter is nothing like his friends' music and instead is more like a typical R&B artist's. "Nature Feels" is probably the best song you could listen to if you want the psycho killer material, but even that is relatively calm.
- "American Wedding" is absolutely incredible and is an early song of the year candidate. It's hard enough singing over the instrumental of "Hotel California" but Ocean does it more than justice, singing about couples getting married too long and facing the eventual divorce that is all too common in our country. I think I've played the song front to back at least 15 times since I copped the album yesterday.

[Updated (3/30/2011): Legit album of the year candidate.]
[Updated (5/11/2011): It's incredible how much better this sounds blaring out the car during the summer. Definitely fits that season's vibe.]

 

[Woy]

I'm planning on reviewing LASERS in the near future.

 

[Maestro]

Hey have you listned to "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def? I just bought it last week from Borders(their closing and everything was 20-40% off so i started my CD collection.

 

[Woy]

I have, but it's been a while and I don't have it on my laptop now with it crashing a few months ago.

 

[Maestro]

I have, but it's been a while and I don't have it on my laptop now with it crashing a few months ago.

How was it?

 

[Woy]

Pretty good from what I can remember, but I need to listen to it again soon.

 

[Rivers17ncsu]

did you ever review Free Agent by Ortiz? I know its leaked for awhile now, but didn't officially come out til a week ago

 

[Woy]

Not yet. I gave it a listen when it first leaked and I still have it on my iTunes, but I need to start bumping it more before I give it ratings and such.

 

[Rivers17ncsu]

oh alright. I just got it today and was planning on listening to it. was wondering what you thought

 

[Woy]

I think I liked it when I first listened to it, but it wasn't incredible/classic/etc. But like I said, I need to give in a few more spins soon.

 

[Woy]

Woy's Word: LASERS review.

Before I dive into this review, let me state something. I am not, nor have ever been a Lupe Fiasco fan. I enjoy a few songs of his and respect his actual skills as a rapper, but to me he just doesn't make very enjoyable music. I've listened to both his albums before copping his third release, LASERS, and although I was impressed with the rhymes and lyrics throughout those CDs, I could always point out a flaw or two in the actual song which severely affected by enjoyability.

With all of that being said, I did make the decision to review this album a few months ago while the drama between Lupe and Atlantic Records was a major headline in hip-hop. I blocked out my bias and went into this album with a clear mind, in hopes of finally enjoying Lupe, not only as a rapper, but as an overall artist.

What I got in return was an abortion of a product. Garbage hooks, extremely weak production; most of this album was just a worse version of what I've heard from Lupe over the last few years. There were exceptions and I will get to them, but you can tell that Atlantic Records did have their hands in the creation of the final project.

However, not everything should be blamed on the record label; Lupe definitely deserves part of the backlash. An album I want to use in comparison is one that was delayed five years before its release last month; The Greatest Story Never Told by Saigon. Although I haven't officially did a track-by-track review of it yet, it's second on my list of hip-hop/R&B albums this year so far behind Frank Ocean's Nostalgia, ULTRA.

In Saigon's case, his former record label (which ironically was Atlantic Records) didn't want to release his debut major release because not enough of the songs were commercial. Instead of giving into the masses at the label, Saigon eventually got his release, found a different label that would release his album and it has gained plenty of praise throughout the hip-hop community. Obviously the circumstances are different in regards to Lupe's fanbase and the demand of LASERS, but there's no saying he could have held out for a release so he could release the album in its own way.

The problem with Lupe is that he should have known what he was going into when signing with a major record label. With his old label, 1st and 15th Entertainment, he had the freedom to do whatever because not only was he the co-founder, but he was the main attraction. On Atlantic, he wasn't going to be the top dog ever, which would allow the leniency he wanted for his music. He's the one who put himself in this position, especially with all the speaking out against the label that he did. I'm happy he stood up for himself, but you know with all the negative comments he made towards the label would end up affecting his music in the end. The victim card he's pulling in every article now is pretty annoying though.

Anyways, this is an album review and not a rant about Lupe Fiasco, so let's get to reviewing LASERS, shall we?

"Letting Go" leads off the adventure and it's a decent song, but what knocks it down is the distortion effect in his verses. Lupe said in an interview that the label wanted him to be Kanye, but he couldn't and it showed because this is nothing like Kanye's distortion effect on "Gorgeous". It's actually pretty tough to hear at times, even with good headphones. Sarah Green should have gotten the hook duties, not Lupe.

"Words I Never Said" has a clear message and good hook, making it one of the best songs from the album. The production by Alex Da Kid is mediocre at best and he continues to show me his deficiencies as a producer, but luckily the verses make up for it, especially the shorter third one. I am a fan of Skylar Gray's hooks, but not to the point where I would willingly check out her albums.

"Till I Get There" is simply just okay. The simple beat just doesn't work for me in terms to Lupe's rapping but for an other artist, I think it would be better suited. The lyrics are nothing special though. "I Don't Wanna Care Right Now" is an absolute abortion and is coming to a Jersey Shore soundtrack near you. Everything just sucks about it.

"Out Of My Head" is a song that Lupe actually wanted for the album, as he teams up with record labelmate Trey Songz. This, like "Till I Get There", is simply just okay, but gets a notch up because of Trey Songz's hook. The lyrics aren't special and frankly I find it weird hearing Lupe rapping about women. "The Show Goes On" was the first single and I hated it at first, but it has slightly grown on me. The "Float On" sample is an okay touch, I guess.

"Beautiful Lasers (2Ways)" would be the best song on the album, if it weren't for another horrendous hook. I like the lyrics to the actual hook, but the group or person MDMA just sounds terrible and makes it tough to listen closely to the actual words. This song documents Lupe's suicidal thoughts while going through the process of making this album, which I actually didn't know about before listening.

"Coming Up" is catchy, has a good MDMA hook for once and is a decent song overall. What I want to briefly touch on after listening to all of MDMA's hooks is that I really miss Matthew Santos in these spots. One of my favorite Lupe songs, "Shining Down" (which is a bonus track on the album, but I don't review bonus tracks), is brought to a higher pinnacle because of Santos' hook. "State Run Radio" has another horrible hook and is more bashing of the media and the government.

I'm feeling Lupe's verses on "Break The Chain" even though they're not the most lyrical, but the hook is just...I shouldn't even have to say it. And who is this Sway character; the guy from MTV? "All Black Everything" has some good production and even a good hook, but honestly by now I'm tired of the government bashing and history lessons. It seems like he's doing this on every other song and frankly (not trying to be racist), the subject matter isn't going to hit me like it would an African-American listener. I completely respect their heritage and everything they've gone through, but in a song it's just not an enjoyable listen.

Atlantic Records does something right in the last song, "Never Forget You", a somber closing track dedicated to his father. Lupe reminisces on his time growing up, while John Legend delivers a powerful hook and wins the irrelevant award for best guest spot on the album. The production is again shaky, but the rest of the song makes up for it.

LASERS is not a good album and it definitely doesn't live up to the hype it was getting, but like a lot of mediocre projects you can find some gems here and there. Songs like "Letting Go", "Words I Never Said", "Out Of My Head", "Beautiful Lasers (2Ways)" and "Never Forget You" are going to be played by me a bit in the near future, but the overall LP itself is just very forgettable.

1.) Letting Go (ft. Sarah Green) | 3 - 3.75
2.) Words I Never Said (ft. Skylar Grey) | 4
3.) Till I Get There | 3 - 3.25
4.) I Don't Wanna Care Right Now (ft. MDMA) | .25 - 1
5.) Out Of My Head (ft. Trey Songz) | 3 - 3.75
6.) The Show Goes On | 2 - 2.5
7.) Beautiful Lasers (2Ways) (ft. MDMA) | 4 - 4.75
8.) Coming Up (ft. MDMA) | 3 - 3.5
9.) State Run Radio (ft. Matt Mahaffey) | 1.5 - 2
10.) Break The Chain (ft. Eric Turner & Sway) | 2 - 2.25
11.) All Black Everything | 2.25 - 3
12.) Never Forget You (ft. John Legend) | 4.5 - 5

Overall: 2.97/5

<hr>RYM Review (updated 3/24/2011):

1.) Letting Go (ft. Sarah Green) | 2.25 - 3
2.) Words I Never Said (ft. Skylar Grey) | 3.5 - 4
- Third verse is awesome.
3.) Till I Get There | 2 - 2.25
4.) I Don't Wanna Care Right Now (ft. MDMA) | .25 - 1
5.) Out Of My Head (ft. Trey Songz) | 3
- Probably a little biased here because Trey's on the track. Sounds more of a Trey song though than a Lupe one.
6.) The Show Goes On | 1.75 - 2
- Hated this song when it first came out, but it has grew on me a little bit.
7.) Beautiful Lasers (2Ways) (ft. MDMA) | 4
- Great song that suffers from another meh hook.
8.) Coming Up (ft. MDMA) | 2 - 2.5
9.) State Run Radio (ft. Matt Mahaffey) | .75 - 1
10.) Break The Chain (ft. Eric Turner & Sway) | 1 - 1.25
11.) All Black Everything | 2 - 2.25
- A rare good hook, but this sounds more like a history lesson or political ad than a rap song.
12.) Never Forget You (ft. John Legend) | 4 - 4.5

Overall: 2.39/5 [previous rating 2.97/5]

Brief Notes:
- Bad hooks and bad production, plus a less-focused effort from the rapper himself. Most of my thoughts will go into my actual review, I just needed to add something here.

[Updated (3/24/2011): This was worse than I thought. If it weren't for the second single, "Beautiful Lasers" and the album closer, this might all be in my recycle bin.]

 

[KNUBB]

I respectfully disagree, but good work lil niglet

 

[Cody]

I respectfully disagree, but good work lil niglet

'Nough said

 

[KNUBB]

'Nough said

:smug:

 

[BrntO4Life]

Woy, I've got a recommendation. Right before Odd Future blew up, there was another group getting a lot of attention who I find really interesting.

Called Main Attrakionz, they have a mixtape called "808s and Dark Grapes" I'd like for you to check out. Very different from Odd Future and don't have the shock value, so they lost attention fast, but I enjoy this mixtape quite a bit.

Link:

 

http://limelinx.com/files/d2cd711f79d58db85cbf1067bebb9796

 

[Woy]

1.) R4 Intro | 4 - 4.75
2.) Rise and Shine | 4.5 - 5
3.) R4 Theme Song | 4.75 - 5
4.) Dreamin' | 5
5.) Rotation | 4 - 4.5
6.) My Sub | 3 - 3.5
7.) Sookie Now (ft. David Banner) | 4.75 - 5
- The transition into this song is perfect. The hook gets me hyped and I always wanted a Banner/K.R.I.T. collab.
8.) American Rapstar | 4.75 - 5
9.) Highs & Lows | 4.5 - 5
10.) Shake It (ft. Joi) | 3 - 3.25
11.) Made Alot (ft. Big Sant) | 2.75 - 3
12.) Lions and Lambs | 4 - 4.75
13.) King's Blues | 4 - 4.5
14.) Time Machine (ft. Chamillionaire) | 4.5 - 5
- More collaborations between K.R.I.T. and Chamillionaire, please.
15.) Get Right | 3
16.) Amtrak | 3 - 3.25
17.) Player's Ballad (ft. Raheem DeVaughn) | 4.25 - 5
18.) Another N.I.G.G.E.R.| 5
19.) Free My Soul | 4.75 - 5
20.) The Vent | 5
21.) Country Shit (Remix) (ft. Ludacris & Bun B) | 5
- I liked the original version a good bit, but this remix is unreal. Luda finishes his verse perfectly to set up the awesome hook.

Overall: 4.33/5

Brief Notes:
- Do you know how hard it is to follow up a classic debut with even just a solid sophomore effort? So many rappers fail to do this, but yet K.R.I.T. succeeds with this album. It doesn't have the consistency that Krit Wuz Here has, but the stretch from "Another N.I.G.G.E.R." to "Country Shit (Remix)" at the end of the album might be better than Krit Wuz Here's best four song stretch.
- This might be a controversial view, but I feel like Big K.R.I.T. is the best producer for his own songs. Kanye West is still the best rapper/producer out there today, but all of K.R.I.T.'s beats fit him perfectly and are just easy to fall in love with. He's been blessed in both areas and I can't wait to see even more progression going into future albums.
- The only flaw I can say about this (and it's a slight one) is some of the hooks. "My Sub" is a great example of what I'm talking about. However, if you hate the hook "Sookie Now", then I might need to slap you in the face. That gets me hyped in the same way "O Lets Do It" by Waka Flocka Flame does. AWWWWWWWWWW SOOKIE SOOKIE NOW!