Review: Common- “Announcement” (feat. Pharrell)
I was surprised to discover a new release by Common in just under a year after his Finding Forever release; better yet a re-teaming between Com and Pharrell. Oohwee!
Now I’ll give a head nod to “Announcement” as it’s grown on me after giving it a few more listens and seeing the video. Don’t get me wrong, it ain’t bad, and I dig the Com/Pharrell reunion. But musically leaves off where Jay-Z’s “Blue Magic” left off. And lyrically, nothing really really stood out to me. But… =C 2 “Universal Mind Control (UMC)” with it’s electro-funk vibe caught me right away. This jam hit me in the right spot from the start. It’s a good party rocking jam by Com, which is what I think he was missing on his last effort. Plus Com’s delivery is buttery smooth on top of the track. Like Com says, “Get it. Get-get it!”
“Announcement” Video from earlier post
This is the best version of “Universal Mind Control” I found.
Album Review: Lyrics Born “Everywhere at Once”
So let me preface my words with this — I’ve come to expect both brilliance and excellence from Hip Hop’s Lyrics Born (aka “LB”). Just check his discography, both solo-wise and with Latyrx, and you’ll see what I mean, I’m sure. 
With that said, Everywhere At Once does not disappoint. Upon my initial listen I noticed two things right away. The first is that LB’s recent years of touring with a live band has definitely helped sharpen his artistry, as well as better refine his unique sound. Also, you get a taste of his “Variety Show” mix tape series as he employs some mixing techniques to seamlessly blend some of the transitions between songs.
At first I must admit that I was a little thrown off with a more pop-friendly sound on some of his tracks. “Top Shelf” features an Akon-esque hook and “Do You Buy It?” is reminiscent of Gwen Stefani’s “What Are You Waiting For?”. But with that said that’s not at all to say he doesn’t come correct with his fonkay bad self lyrically or musically! LB represents that Bay Area funk most definitely! Just check the sincere difference of perspectives between man and woman on “Differences,” the thick funk-laden track, “Cakewalk,” and LB’s lead single, “I Like It, I Love It.”
As previously illustrated, LB chooses some good lyrical content, further expanding on several personal levels with topics of self-confidence (”Don’t Change” and “Cakewalk”), finding purpose in life (”The World Is Calling”), and the loss of a beloved friend (”Whispers”).But that doesn’t mean that this album is purely intellectual. Rather it is a well packaged vibrant party. Matter of fact, it’s like having an intimate party with a small group of friends, where there’s enough synergy to make it hype, but yet stimulating enough that there’s depth to the time spent together. And that’s what you get with LB’s Everywhere At Once!
Royal Flush by BIG BOI feat. Chef Raekwon & Andre 3000
I must say, I was delighted to discover this promotional single at a local record shop. [I won't tell you where, because I can't reveal too many secrets...] Upon my surprise finding of “Royal Flush,” I began to imagine something hype, reminiscent of the Outkast collabo with Raekwon roughly 10+ years ago on “Skew It On The Bar-B.”
To my finding, the song didn’t live up to my expectation for two reasons. Reason one is partially due to the laid back funk groove that exemplifies the “Outkast sound”–a dominate bass guitar groove, coupled with some guitar and drums. Don’t get me wrong, I love the “Outkast sound,” and love the fact that they use real musicians to play the instruments desired for each of their tracks. And=2 0″Royal…” basically picks up where their Idlewild adventure left off. But upon my discovery of this single, as mentioned before, I flashed back to “Skew It On the BBQ” and expected some high energy song.
Instead, and this reason two, I was left feeling a bit under served by both Big Boi & Raekwon on the lyrical tip. Now Andre’s incredibly long verse makes the song’s structure operate like an obtuse triangle, which in itself fits his persona. And honestly, Andre’s verse was the most entertaining and meaningful to me as a listener, whereas the other two said very little that connected or inspired me.
Overall, perhaps this lead single to big Boi’s future full length album Sir Lucius Left Foot will act as a false start and he’ll come back with something more memorable. Nonetheless, I have to give them the benefit of the doubt and say I can’t wait to hear his future release.
Lil Wayne- The Carter III
7 out of 10
Wait Wait before you old schoolers start hatin’ give this album a moment of your time. I grew up during the Biggie, 2-Pac era. At first this album appeared to fit in with the terrible rap that has been plaguing the mainstream lately. I thought Lil Wayne’s flow style was ridiculous and schizophrenic. It is…but there is an art to his style in my opinion. He is very dynamic with his voice and will act the scene he is rhyming about. There are a lot of bitches n hoes type lyrics but he will occasionally lay down some witty lines. Some of his vocal rhythms are dope and some are really sloppy but his style is fresh and I give him credit for that. I now there are others that do it like him but he has it down better then most others like him.
One more reason I like The Carter III:
The production is off the chain! Hip Hop producers (those who drop the beats) step up your game! Please! This to me is a step towards better produced beats. You can tell that there is an actual professional keys player on a lot of the tracks (Ludas Charles I believe is the cat). I think there are a lot of beat droppers who don’t realize how much better tracks will get when you allow professional musicians to play on them where they should. There are some samples on this disc but samples do not dominate the tracks which is great. There are real guitars, hot 808 ATL style beats, and a variety of fresh synth sounds. Some tracks have dense arrangements and some have thick ones. Some are bad ass and some are a little more vulnerable. Well crafted for sure.
The reason I gave him a 7 is mainly because I felt like he had very little to say that is useful or inspiring. I think Lil Wayne’s style and those that are similar show a new generational addition to hip hop. I don’t think what we are used to stylistically is going away but the new hip hop generation is also going to dig this.
9th Wonder & Buckshot- The Formula
6 out of 10
I could see some people digging this album but it is very neutral for me.
It’s the Formula. Unfortunately, although the beats are hot they feel formulaic. A well chosen sample with a machine drum style beat laid over it. It’s not bad but it’s not very innovative and gets old. 9th wonder has a great sense of the hook and that is the focal point of his arrangements. He definitely is a great beat dropper but I wouldn’t have him produce a whole album just a single.
“You think the worlds against you because you don’t make dollars but you don’t make sense dude.”- Good message in some of the lyrics but for the most part I found myself drifting away from listening to the words.
The vocal production is clean and well mixed which can be rare in hip hop and overall the mix and mastering serve the tracks as opposed to getting in the way.
In Conclusion
If you like the vinyl sampled string section with an 808 over it then buy this. Otherwise maybe download a few tracks after previewing them on iTunes.
The Roots- Rising Down
8 out of 10
In General
This album is one of those rare gems where most of the tracks are ones I would want to listen to over and over again. The album is very well crafted. Each track carries something unique in arrangement, rhythms, harmonies and melodies. This album also features a lot of different MCs and singers, which helps keep each track fresh. The album starts with Mos Def dropping some ill rhymes on Rising Down. We also hear from East Coast legends Common and Talib Kweli on two different tracks.
This to me is what any album should look like; songs that work very well together but are different from each other in choice of rhythms, instruments and vocal styles.
Production Quality
Some great sounds for sure. The drums are fresh thanks to Questlove and his mastery of percussion and rhythm. There are some great beats, sounds and rhythms. It all ranges from raw to super clean. The mix up of live drums to programmed drums is perfect. 75 Bars is a great example of raw and live drums. The vocals are distorted in contrast to vocal sounds in the song Criminal. Criminal has a great drum and bass groove. The acoustic guitars bounce loosely through the precision of the rhythm section and the chord progression they carry works so well with the tension of the topic and rhyming intensity. Great Track.
This is the geek in me but I have issues with the mastering of the album. It sounds harsh in the top end (around 5kHz). You may think this isn’t a big deal but ear fatigue kicks in after a few listens and will cause a person to turn the record off. This is a big problem for me especially since I love this record.
Lyrically
A great MC needs great rhythm, great word choice, the ability to rhyme about relevant topics besides his/her rims, a good sense of performance intensity and the right intonation that fits everything mentioned. Black Thought and most of the featured MCs have a really good grasp on all if not most of these concepts.
Conclusion
Get it.
Lifesavas- Gutterfly
8 out of 10
In General
Welcome to Razorblade City in living color. The album is themed after a blaxpolatation film and has 70s sounding beats mixed in with modern style production. There are some great grooves like Track 4: “No Surprise.” Its got a great bass line and hot backbeat. The rapping on that track is a great example of their versatility as MCs. Versatile has definitely earned that name. Shine Language is off the chain! They can loop that beat for an hour and I’d still be bouncing. Dead One’s is also a great track. The vocal melody in the chorus is very catchy and the horn line is a pretty unique pairing to the melody.
Production Quality
The mixes aren’t great on some of these tracks. Their earlier album had a better sound and the overall mix seemed better to me. I now they were going for that vintage sound but the mix could have been crafted a little better.
There are some great harmonies and vocal parts on this album. Night Out is a great example. It starts with some thick harmonies and then goes on to tell a story of police discrimination. His word choice is great on this track
The beats on most tracks were definitely hot. Some other tracks that have hot beats besides the ones mentioned above are “The Squeeze”, “Night Out” and “Celebrate.” Celebrate is a great way to finish an album and I love how drops in with a “Hello World.”
Conclusion
You should definitely pick up this record and if you haven’t gotten Spirit In The Stone (one of my favorite records and a 9 out of 10) get that as well.
New Releases (click on songs to listen)- Top iTunes Songs
- 1. Just a Dream - Nelly
- 2. Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna) - Eminem
- 3. Magic (feat. Rivers Cuomo) - B.o.B
- 4. Club Can't Handle Me (feat. David Guetta) [From "Step Up 3D"] - Flo Rida
- 5. Right Above It (feat. Drake) - Lil Wayne
- 6. No Hands (feat. Roscoe Dash and Wale) - Waka Flocka Flame
- 7. Not Afraid - Eminem
