Another quick note

I updated the look of the blog quite a bit.  The old one was a bit too dark and not really what I wanted.  So in case you are wondering why you don't recognize the blog you're currently reading, now you know.

weekly update 1/31/11

OK, I decided that I will do Reviews of albums from time to time and in between so this doesn't just sit here I'll do a quick rundown of what I was listening to for the previous week.  I'm going to try to do this on Sunday nights or Monday mornings.

This week I mainly listened to the Joe Budden album that I already reviewed as well as the latest Roots album, "How I Got Over".  The Roots album is pretty good.  On first listen I was a little so-so about it but it's grown on me with subsequent listens.  It will probably be the next album I review.  Another album I've been listening to a bit is the new CeeLo album, "The Lady Killer".  It is not exactly what I would call a hiphop album.  It most closely resembles neo-soul or something, however it is an amazing album from start to finish.

Deciding on a review style

I've always preferred to write out reviews on a track by track basis however it takes much longer and I don't really know if it's worth the effort.  It seems like I could just highlight a few of the best and worst tracks and give my overall impression and it would be just as informative while considerably cutting down on the time to write it.  What are your thoughts on this?

Joe Budden - Mood Muzik 4: A Turn 4 The Worst

Joey's fourth album in his Mood Muzik series subtitled A Turn 4 The Worst is anything but.  From start to finish this album does not have one bad track if you exclude skits.  Joe has a good mix of tracks ranging in subject from tracks about his family life to his thoughts on the state of music and his place in it.  Lyrically it's a typical album for him, which is a step above many other rappers.  He did step up his choice in production this time around.  I bought the sample version sold directly online so the track listing is a little different from the retail release.

1. Pray For Them - (5) - Possibly my favorite track on the album, a great track to open with.  Both the production and lyrics are on point.

2. Aftermath - (5) - "If I'm to be compared it's only to who I used to be."  A great track about rap and what Joe sees as his place in it and what he's gone through to get there.  The track is framed well by a few samples from Rocky VI.

3. Role Reversal - (4.5) - This song looks at his interactions with his stepson and contrasts that with his relationship with his biological son.  It also compares his own actions with those of his stepson's father.

4. Come Along - (4) - This track has one of my favorite lines on the album but overall is just alright.

5. MOP Salad (skit) - (2) funny the first time through but in general I skip skits

6. Sober Up (Remix) - (4) - Another typical Joey track.  Fellow Slaughterhouse member Crooked I has a short appearance.

7. Food For Thought - (3.5) - A few too many guest appearances bring this track down.  The jazzy production is real nice though.

8. 1000 Faces - (3.5) - A track about falling out with friends/relationships.

9. Inseparable - (4.5) - A very personal track about the people that have been important in his life.

10. Is It The Shoes (skit) - (2) - A killa BH skit.  Better than most of his appearances but still fairly annoying.

11. Remember The Titans - (4) - This track would be better without Loyd banks.  Royce has a nice verse.  Production is decent.

12. Welcome to Real Life - (4) - Each verse tells a story about a different person.  Overall a good track with a fairly positive message.

13. No Idea - (3.5) - This song is a little too slow.  Overall it's almost skippable.  The last verse brings it up a bit though.

14. Black Cloud - (4) - A solid track.

15. Follow My Lead - (5) - A track about god.  The track is well done with a solid guest appearance by Joell Ortiz. 

16. Stuck In The Moment - (4) - decent.

17. If All Else Fails - (4.5) - One of those great hookless tracks that Joe is known for.

Overall this is a solid release with a few standout tracks and no real bad ones.  There are a couple skits which bring it down a bit but all in all it's a great release that can stand up along side Joe's other offerings.  I rate it 4 out of a possible 5.

About this blog

I have been into hiphop for a very long time.  My tastes have varied from some of the most mainstream to the deepest underground.  I decided to start this blog as a way of sharing the music I like with others and possibly expanding what other people listen to.  I also hope that it will help me get back into the habit of buying music on a regular basis.  I'll try to post more current releases, however I'll delve into the classics on occasion when I feel like it.