Woy's Album Reviews.

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#13

The Greatest Story Never Told - Saigon

Release Date: February 15, 2011
Score: 4.17/5
Rankings: #6 retail album, #9 hip-hop release
Best Songs: It's Alright (ft. Marsha Ambrosius), Bring Me Down Pt. 2, Come On Baby (ft. Swizz Beatz & Jay-Z)
Metacritic Score: 89/100​

The Lowdown: After years in the making, Saigon's debut album The Greatest Story Never Told was finally released in February, much to the delight of hip-hop fans everywhere. A worry of it sounding possibly outdated was quickly diminished with an excellent effort by Just Blaze, who had a comeback of his own in 2011. Saigon glides through each track with conscious lyrics, keeping true to the album's loose concept of a man in jail wondering how exactly he found himself in this situation. And with a Metacritic score of 89 (only behind Phonte's Charity Starts at Home for the top spot in 2011 hip-hop), most people are thankful that Saigon's story was finally told.<hr>

 

1.) Station Identification (ft. Fatman Scoop) | 2.5 - 3
2.) The Invitation (ft. Q-Tip & Fatman Scoop) | 3.75 - 4
3.) Come On Baby (ft. Swizz Beatz & Jay-Z) | 4.75 - 5
- I first heard this beat on Asher Roth's most recent mixtape...fail on my part.
4.) War | 3 - 3.75
5.) Bring Me Down Pt. 2 | 5
- Hook of 2011 so far.
6.) Enemies | 4 - 4.75
7.) Friends | 4.25 - 5
8.) The Greatest Story Never Told | 4.5 - 5
9.) Clap (ft. Faith Evans) | 4.25 - 5
- Love the Reverend's outro.
10.) Preacher (ft. Lee Fields & The Expressions) | 3 - 3.75
11.) It's Alright (ft. Marsha Ambrosius) | 5
- Marsha Ambrosius kills the hook with her beautiful voice, Kanye comes through with an outstanding beat and although the song is six minutes flat, it's worth every single second of your listening time.
12.) Believe It | 4.5 - 5
- Corny joke in the outro by Just Blaze.
13.) Give It To Me (ft. Raheem DeVaughn) | 3 - 3.5
14.) What The Lovers Do (ft. Devin The Dude) | 4.75 - 5
- Devin is perfect for the hook.
15.) Better Way (ft. Layzie Bone) | 3 - 3.75
16.) Oh Yeah (Our Babies) | 4 - 4.25
17.) And The Winner Is... (ft. Bun B) | 3 - 3.5
- Not sure why they used live verses, takes too much away from the potential of the song.
18.) Too Long (ft. Black Thought) | 4.5 - 5

Overall: 4.17/5 [previous rating 4.08/5]

Brief Notes:
- A little too long in some spots, but this album was deserving of the hype its gotten over the past few years. Just Blaze and Saigon is an awesome producer/rapper combination.

[Update (1/3/2012): This is an album that might be forgotten on most top album lists just because it came out early in the year. Went back to it for my Top 15 list of 2011 and it sounds even better than ever in some spots. It's Alright is too awesome.]

 

[BrntO4Life]

You gonna review T.I., Raekwon, and Kool A.D.'s mixtapes that dropped this week?

 

[Woy]

You gonna review T.I., Raekwon, and Kool A.D.'s mixtapes that dropped this week?

Possibly, but it won't happen until after I'm done with this list. Putting all my focus into this for the next few days.

 

[BigBucs]

Imma punch u in the teef if Cold day In Hell doesnt crack top 5, your review of it wasnt that great.

 

[MvP]

I knew all three of those would be in your top list. I gotta check out that Jhene Aiko album.

 

[Woy]

Three more coming tonight.

 

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#12

Cole World: The Sideline Story - J. Cole

Release Date: September 27, 2011
Score: 4.20/5
Rankings: #5 retail album, #8 hip-hop release
Best Songs: Lost Ones, Sideline Story, Breakdown
Metacritic Score: 75/100​

The Lowdown: Like Saigon's album, some people wondered if this would ever come out. After the success of Cole's second mixtape, The Warm Up, a release date of October 24th was set...in 2010. Obviously, we know that never happened but just 11 months later, Cole World: The Sideline Story was finally released to the masses. The 16-track debut contains songs that were highly anticipated from the beginning ("Lost Ones", "Never Told"), ones remastered from previous mixtapes ("Lights, Please", "In The Morning") and new ones that show not only Cole's talent, but the progression in his rapping and production styles. A brief two-song stretch derails the album slightly, but standout tracks such as the aforementioned "Lost Ones" along with "Sideline Story" and "Breakdown" pick it right back up. It might not be the classic hip-hop heads predicted, but it's still a really good album nonetheless.<hr>

 

1.) Intro | 3 - 3.5
2.) Dollar and a Dream III | 4 - 4.5
- Love the production, but can't get over the "can't outfart me" line.
3.) Can't Get Enough (ft. Trey Songz) | 4 - 4.75
- 2011 version of Big Pimpin'.
4.) Lights, Please | 5
5.) Interlude | 3 - 3.75
6.) Sideline Story | 5
- Gives me a Pac vibe.
7.) Mr. Nice Watch (ft. Jay-Z) | 3 - 3.5
- Hated it at first, but now it's okay. Hook is catchy and Hov wrecks it.
8.) Cole World | 2 - 2.75
9.) In The Morning (ft. Drake) | 4.75 - 5
10.) Lost Ones | 5
- Absolutely lived up to the hype. So happy I waited to listen to this.
11.) Nobody's Perfect (ft. Missy Elliott) | 4
- Listen to this song in the car sometime. That bass really surprises you.
12.) Never Told | 3.75 - 4
13.) Rise and Shine | 5
- Those horns!
14.) God's Gift | 4.5 - 5
15.) Breakdown | 5
16.) Work Out | 3.75 - 4
- I'm a sucker for that Paula Abdul sample. Sue me.

Overall: 4.20/5

Brief Notes:
- There's a part of me that's satisfied with Cole's debut and part of me that's disappointed. Tracks like "Cole World", "Work Out" and "Mr. Nice Watch" should never have been on here especially with all the awesome free tracks that were included on his mix-tapes. Still, I can't be disappointed with a great album that I went out and bought and listen to daily. Cole really improved his production tip on here compared to Friday Night Lights, although the beats to "Rise and Shine" and "God's Gift" sound a bit similar.

 

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#11

Thursday - The Weeknd

Release Date: August 18, 2011
Score: 4.28/5
Rankings: #5 mixtape, #4 R&B release
Best Songs: The Zone, Rolling Stone, The Birds Part 1
Metacritic Score: 80/100​

The Lowdown: Thursday is truly a cinematic experience. From its beginning "Lonely Star", The Weeknd breaks down his experience with the opposite sex in mulitple ways. It showcases the process of getting her to commit to his lifestyle in "Life of the Party", pleading to her to not get too attached in "The Birds Part 1" and revealing himself in his most vulnerable state with "Rolling Stone". Compared to the other two tapes of the trilogy, this moreso is well-received because of the atmospheric vibe it gives off. It might not have the peaks of House of Balloons, nor the edginess of Echoes of Silence, but Thursday can easily be mentioned as one of the best projects in 2011 R&B.<hr>

 

1.) Lonely Star | 4 - 4.5
2.) Life of the Party | 3.75 - 4
3.) Thursday | 4 - 4.75
4.) The Zone (ft. Drake) | 5
- Drake's verse is too good.
5.) The Birds Part 1 | 4.75 - 5
6.) The Birds Part 2 | 4
7.) Gone | 4 - 4.25
8.) Rolling Stone | 5
- Beautiful.
9.) Heaven or Las Vegas | 3

Overall: 4.28/5 [previous rating 4.49/5]

Brief Notes:
- More complete than House of Balloons although the latter has better highlight tracks ("What You Need", "Wicked Games"). The way this unfolds like a story is awesome.

[Updated (1/4/2012): Fell a bit victim to the hype. Still an excellent tape and the story beneath the tracks is refreshing as hell, but from a quality standpoint, it's behind the other two parts of the trilogy.]

 

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#10

Elmatic - Elzhi

Release Date: May 10, 2011
Score: 4.31/5
Rankings: #4 mixtape, #7 hip-hop release
Best Songs: Memory Lane, Life's A Bitch (ft. Royce da 5'9 & Stokley Williams), Detroit State of Mind
Metacritic Score: N/A​

The Lowdown: Remember Fashawn's Ode to Illmatic? Well if you don't, you didn't miss much. Fashawn tried to pay tribute to Nas's classic Illmatic in 2010 and although it did have some solid rapping, it didn't do the original justice and was considered a failure in many eyes. So when Elzhi said he'd try to pay tribute to (possibly) the greatest hip-hop album in history, there was some cautiousness within hip-hop fans. However, with a smooth flow, clever lyrics and a live band that recreated the original beats, Elmatic didn't just turn into a successful tribute disc, but it became one of the most impressive hip-hop releases of 2011.<hr>

 

1.) Genesis | 3.5 - 4
2.) Detroit State of Mind | 4.5 - 5
3.) Halftime | 4
4.) Memory Lane | 5
5.) The World Is Yours / Represent Intro | 4 - 4.5
- The piano outro is just a thing of beauty.
6.) Represent | 4.5 - 5
7.) Life's A Bitch (ft. Royce da 5'9 & Stokley Williams) | 4.75 - 5
- Another awesome outro.
8.) One Love | 4 - 4.25
9.) It's Ain't Hard to Tell | 4 - 4.75
10.) Pete Rock Shout | 3 - 3.5

Overall: 4.31/5

Brief Notes:
- Elzhi recaptures most of the magic of Illmatic with his own rendition, Elmatic, but it's not completely the same. His effort is much better than Fashawn's attempt last year and creates one of the best projects of 2011, but I just can't see myself listening to this like other albums I've rated highly (nostalgia, ULTRA and Return of 4eva) just because I still rather listen to the original.
- The live bands are amazing. That needed it's own line.

 

[Woy]

Three more albums coming tonight.

 

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#9

The Great Debater - Skyzoo

Release Date: June 7, 2011
Score: 4.32/5
Rankings: #3 mixtape, #6 hip-hop release
Best Songs: The Definitive Prayer, Could've Struck The Lotto, Designer Drugs
Metacritic Score: N/A​

The Lowdown: Skyzoo might not be a prominent name around casual circles, but for the people who follow the genre a little more closely, they know him as one of the best New York area rappers currently. He's the definition of a lyricist and this 16-track tape brings forth that element over some smooth production that can grab your attention if you're somehow not feeling the words.<hr>

 

1.) Complicated Rhythm | 4
2.) Rap Like Me | 3.5 - 4
3.) Written In The Drums | 4 - 4.5
4.) Designer Drugs | 4.75 - 5
5.) Parade Me | 4 - 4.25
6.) We Here | 4
- I love the part where the beat drops and then just as he says "horns" at the end of the verse, the beat picks up again.
7.) Atypical | 4.25 - 5
- This beat is on some Egyptian influence. I'm waiting for a damn snake to slowly come out of a barrel. *laughs*
8.) Expensive Habits (ft. Jesse Boykins III) | 4 - 4.75
- *downloads latest Jesse Boykins III project*
9.) Until It All Goes (ft. Manhattan) | 4 - 4.25
10.) Test Drive | 4.25 - 5
11.) Inheritance | 3 - 3.5
12.) Get Him To The Greek | 4.5 - 5
13.) Could've Struck The Lotto | 4.75 - 5
14.) For The Awake (ft. King Mez) | 3.75 - 4
15.) For The Sleepers | 4.25 - 5
16.) The Definitive Prayer | 5

Overall: 4.32/5

Brief Notes:
- Lyricism at its finest.

 

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#8

Return of 4eva - Big K.R.I.T.

Release Date: March 28, 2011
Score: 4.33/5
Rankings: #2 free album, #5 hip-hop release
Best Songs: Dreamin', The Vent, Country Shit (Remix) (ft. Ludacris & Bun B)
Metacritic Score: N/A​

The Lowdown: A rap star was born last year with the release of K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, but maybe just as good is the second free album of Big K.R.I.T.'s in Return of 4eva. Like the previous project, this is long in length (21 tracks) but excels in consistency, conscious rhymes and near flawless production. There's a lot of variety throughout the free album as well, from songs honoring his deceased grandmother in "The Vent" to a classic southern banger with superstars Bun B and Ludacris assisting the young talent in "Country Shit (Remix)". Although there's no metacritic rating, ask anyone who has listened to this and I guarantee they'll all give a positive response.<hr>

 

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!

 

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#7

Take Care - Drake

Release Date: November 15, 2011
Score: 4.34/5
Rankings: #4 retail album, #4 hip-hop release
Best Songs: The Ride (ft. The Weeknd), Look What You've Done, Doing It Wrong (ft. Stevie Wonder)
Metacritic Score: 81/100​

The Lowdown: Thank Me Later was an act of foreshadowing. Drake's freshman effort originally sounded like some good songs mixed with the typical Young Money-fed pop rap we're accustomed to, and in turn that resulted in an album that fell well short of expectations. However, revisiting it earlier in 2011 resulted in a more refreshing experience and a sudden admiration for how his experiences related with my own life. He might not be the most talented lyricst, but somehow you could relate with what his overall message was. Take Care is not necessarily the same album with much better execution, but in all honestly it might actually be just that. You can call him out for being soft, but I guarantee you relate to him more than your favorite rapper or at least more than you'd like to admit. And for that, I'd like to thank him now.<hr>

 

1.) Over My Dead Body | 4
2.) Shot For Me | 4 - 4.25
3.) Headlines | 4 - 4.5
- Abel with some hidden background vocals on 1:41 - 1:50.
4.) Crew Love (ft. The Weeknd) | 4.75 - 5
5.) Take Care (ft. Rihanna) | 3.5 - 4
6.) Marvin's Room / Buried Alive (Interlude) (ft. Kendrick Lamar) | 4.75 - 5
- Kendrick's verse can be taken in the point of view of the boyfiend in Marvin's Room. It's nice, but not needed though.
7.) Underground Kings | 4.5 - 5
8.) We'll Be Fine (ft. Birdman) | 2.75 - 3
- Not a fan of the beat.
9.) Make Me Proud (ft. Nicki Minaj) | 3 - 3.5
10.) Lord Knows (ft. Rick Ross) | 4.5 - 5
- "Know that I don't make music for niggas who don't get pussy/So those are the ones I count on to diss me or overlook me". Oh, and J-J-J-JUST BLAZE!
11.) Cameras / Good Ones Go (Interlude) | 4.25 - 5
- Would be higher if it was just Good Ones Go. Might be the best part of the entire album.
12.) Doing It Wrong (ft. Stevie Wonder) | 5
- Or maybe Stevie Wonder's harmonica solo is the best part of the album.
13.) The Real Her (ft. Lil' Wayne & Andre 3000) | 4.5 - 5
14.) HYFR (Hell Ya Fuckin' Right) (ft. Lil' Wayne) | 3
- Not as horrible as the title might suggest, but it sticks out like a sore thumb during this incredible ending stretch.
15.) Look What You've Done | 5
- Or maybe the phone call by his grandmother is the best part of the album.
16.) Practice | 4.75 - 5
- Clever remake, perfect for late-night activities.
17.) The Ride (ft. The Weeknd) | 5
- Abel sounds like a dream here.

Overall: 4.34/5

Brief Notes:
- This is not a rap album; let's get that out of the way right now. What this is, however, is an album that should be appreciated for its honesty and atmospheric feel. Drake addresses mostly relationships through the duration and although the casual music fan might feel like Drake comes across as whiny, you can absolutely put yourself in similar shoes (not the exact same shoes, because chances are you're not a mid-20s music star) and relate to what he's saying about women. As a college student who's been in a few relationships the past few years, I can see or have done some of the things Drake mentions throughout the album (i.e. the entire "Marvin's Room" concept).
- "Cameras" and "Practice" might be better on the chopped & screwed version of this, as crazy as that sounds.
- I'm still going to write a full review for this at some point and will edit it in when I do - just wanted to get something posted for the gradebook.

 

[Woy]

More coming tonight.

 

[FedEx227]

Just noticed your Dreamer and Believe review, you don't like Lovin' I Lost? That's one of my favorite tracks on the album.

 

[Woy]

Just noticed your Dreamer and Believe review, you don't like Lovin' I Lost? That's one of my favorite tracks on the album.

I just feel like it and Raw (How You Like It) don't fit in that area of the album, especially between Gold and Cloth, which are two of my higher rated songs on there.

 

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#6

The Dreamer, The Believer - Common

Release Date: December 20, 2011
Score: 4.35/5
Rankings: #3 retail album, #3 hip-hop release
Best Songs: Celebrate, Blue Sky, Gold
Metacritic Score: 74/100​

The Lowdown: After the singles "Ghetto Dreams", "Blue Sky" and "Celebrate", there were great expectations for Common's ninth album. The Dreamer, The Believer lives up to these expectations, even though the aforementioned tracks make up three of the four best tracks on the album. This has the consistency that wasn't seen on Common's previous effort, Universal Mind Control, which was just bad all around. There's a two-song stretch that kind of throws off the flow of the album, but the rest showcases the lyrics we love Common for and some absolutely superb beats by No ID.<hr>

 

1.) The Dreamer (ft. Maya Angelou) | 3.75 - 4
2.) Ghetto Dreams (ft. Nas) | 4.5 - 5
- If that Nas/Common album sounds like this, we could have something special.
3.) Blue Sky | 5
4.) So Sweet | 4 - 4.75
- Still don't understand the shots at Drake.
5.) Gold | 4.75 - 5
6.) Lovin' I Lost | 3.25 - 4
7.) Raw (How You Like It) | 3 - 3.5
8.) Cloth | 4.5 - 5
- James Fauntleroy sounds like a dream here.
9.) Celebrate | 5
- Sounds like a 2011 version of Kanye West's "Family Business". Just gives off the same vibe.
10.) Windows | 4 - 4.75
11.) The Believer (ft. John Legend) | 4.25 - 5
12.) Pops Belief | 3.5 - 4

Overall: 4.35/5

Brief Notes:
- This isn't "Be" but it doesn't have to be. Every previously released track before the album was available was great and the more you listen to this, the more other songs like "Cloth" and "Gold" stand out. It's a pretty complete album and a lot of the credit should be given to No I.D. for killing it on the production tip once again. He should be mentioned in every Producer of the Year discussion after his strong 2011.
- James Fauntleroy is used all through this album similar to how The Weeknd was incorporated into Drake's "Take Care" and Frank Ocean on "Watch The Throne". And with three of the most well-received albums in this genre operating under a similar, yet broad formula with their guest appearance, it'll be interesting to see if this expands in 2012.

 

[Yawkey Way]

MORE MORE MORE

 

[Woy]

WOY'S TOP 15 PROJECTS OF 2011<hr>#5

nostalgia, Ultra. - Frank Ocean

Release Date: February 18, 2011
Score: 4.41/5
Rankings: #1 free album, #3 R&B release
Best Songs: Novacane, Songs For Women, American Wedding
Metacritic Score: 80/100​

The Lowdown: In the latter end of February, an unknown R&B artist who went by the name Frank Ocean released a free album called nostalgia, Ultra.. Over time we began to find out more about Ocean; from his original name of Lonny Breaux and how he was signed to Def Jam already to his hand in writing songs for big names such as John Legend and Brandy. His popularity skyrocketed throughout the year thanks to the success of this free album and ultimately landed him a spot on the most anticipated release of 2011, Watch The Throne. nostalgia, Ultra. is a 14-track project that features original tracks such as "Novacane" and "Swim Good" and covers of The Eagles' "Hotel California" ("American Wedding"), Coldplay's "Strawberry Swing" (same name) and MGMT's "Electric Feel" ("Nature Feels"). Throughout the album, Ocean tackles mostly thoughts and stories of his past and does it in a beautiful voice that will grab your attention the first second you hear it. It was an early leader in my Album of the Year race and although it will not hold that prestigous (or irrelevant) title, it still was as satisfying listen as they come, from day one to right now.<hr>

 

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]

Misogi, you're a whore.

I'm posting one more tonight, then the last three within the next few days.