This week's review blog is late as fuck. Sue me. I've still yet to write about the Patriots preseason games on Armchair Linebacker or even post my movie review of "District 9" on Nerd With Swag as well. I'm behind on a gang of posts and I'll be spending this entire week doing overtime making up posts that I never did this August. What makes it even crazier that I'm approaching my 3rd anniversary of blogging in a few days. Enough of this bullshit, let's get to the reason you're even reading this in the first place, shall we?
This week I'll be reviewing four new projects that recently hit the 'net/bloggerverse and/or will be landing on store shelves soon in the following order: 14KT "Nowalataz", Big Twins "The Project Kid", Little Dragon "Machine Dreams"and Tinchy Stryder "Catch 22". For those of you new to this blog, I don’t rate albums on a scale or assign them a numerical value out of 5 or 10, instead I merely answer the all important question of “Is it worth buying or not?”. Here's how my recently revised "Cop It Or Not" ratings system breaks down below:
Opinions be damned. This particular project has no redeeming qualities whatsoever and should come with a Surgeon General's warning and/or a biohazard sticker. It should only be handled by hazmat teams or bomb/demolitions squads. To quote Common & Canibus, this album is your worst nightmare squared.
Oh No! This CD is a drink coaster/table balancer/doorstop/gerbil/hamster room divider/frisbee/discus/makeshift shield/last ditch choice for a visor/alternate shuriken choice. Sell this shit to whoever is dumb enough to buy it from you.
Maeby (Maybe)! Depending on your own set of personal preferences you might like this joint. Give it a listen first to see if it's in your lane or not.
Mos Def! Cop the album when it drops...'Nuff said.
Fuck this fucking shit © Hex Murda
Best Joints: Verbal Intercourse '06, The Name Game, Cherish, T&A, Gee Whiz, My Heart & I, Needing To Win (0-16), The Meaning, Sweet Tee Ish, Slave 2 Dope, I Still Buy Vinyl, Hello, Whatever U Want, Sunrise '06, True, Whiteout and Black-N-Gold
Hot Garbage: N/A
Dart's Take: This shit is completely ridiculous! 16 tracks of pure instrumental heat plus a bonus track co produced by Black Milk. This gets an easy mos def. Download it HERE right now!
Best Joints: Smart Niggaz, When I Say G, Get 'Em, Trip Thru The PJ's, Bacon And Cheese, Wanna Be Down, The Project Kid, How I Feel, Just Don't Give A Fuck, Can't Call It, Drop 'Em Off, When I Walk Away, Number One & Thunn Street's instrumentals
Hot Garbage: All the bars that Big Twins spit...
Dart's Take: If you're not too particular about hearing tight bars over top notch production then this album is for you. I was iffy on the Superstar Quamallah & Blaq Poet albums because I'd much rather hear the instrumentals and this project is no different. The production team Sid Roams, The Alchemist, Jake One & Havoc crafted some gems...if Nas spit over some of these jawns maybe the "Nigger" album wouldn't have been such a feat to listen to more than once. In any event, I give "The Project Kid" a maybe...and the instrumental version a mos def.
Best Joints: A New, Thunder Love, Never Never, Runabout, Swimming, Blinking Pigs, Come Home and Fortune
Hot Garbage: Looking Glass, My Step and Feather,
Dart's Take: Yeah...I'm a huge fan of Yukimi Nagano's and I loved Little Dragon's debut album. I've been playing it for years. I was not ready for the 180ยบ change in their sound at all. They've gone to more of a computer/Electro/synth pop sound reminiscent of the 80's on the project. At it's best? It sounds like catchy Prince B sides or British synth pop classics (Runabout, Swimming, Blinking Pigs, Come Home & Fortune) the rest? Meh.
Maybe I'm just too stuck on their debut album and I expected to hear more stuff like "Turn Left", "No Love", "Recommendation" or "Constant Surprises"? I hope it grows on me down the line. I didn't find any songs I even wanted to replay until I got to "Runabout" and "Swimming"...those are the 7th & 8th songs on the album, mind you. I can't do better then a maybe at present.
Best Joints: Take Off, Spotlight, Stryderman, First Place, Pit Stop, Tryna Be Me, We Got Dem and Catch 22
Hot Garbage: I'm Landing, Take Me Back, Number 1, Shake Me, Warning, Halo, Never Leave You, You're Not Alone, Preview and Express Urself
Dart's Take: I'm rooting for Tinchy Stryder more than you will ever understand. I've heard recently that he has the #2 selling album in the UK right now. Congratulations to him. I remember him spittin' from the old days and he's come from that to "Star In The Hood" to "Stryderman" to moving units. However, it's come at the expense of the Grime aesthetic. It's become far too poppy, club oriented, Electro oriented and spins conscious. Hence the title of the LP.
I love Grime. I hate the fact that in order for my favorite Grime artists to make any headway in this game and get wider audiences in Europe and ensure they have tours and sell units/gain success the music ends up sounding like this. Bashy's album was able walk that fine line but not make me hate it. The Newham Generals & Wiley were able to do the same (barely). The Streets went another way focusing on real life shit. I'm not digging what I'm hearing from Dizzee Rascal, either. I give this album an oh no but I'm still proud of Tinchy's success nonetheless. You deserve it.
Late Passes (For Doz Dat Slept):
Projects I'm Looking Forward To Reviewing Once They Leak...I Mean Drop in 2009:
Rhymefest-El CheJay Electronica-Act II: Patents Of Nobility
Jay Electronica-Abracadabra: Let There Be Light
Royce Da 5'9"-Street Hop
Big Boi-Sir Luscious Leftfoot, Son Of Chico Dusty
Pac Div-Grown Kid's Syndrome
Magnif & J Dilla-Detroit Royalty
Blu-God Is Good
Drake- Thank Me Later
Sean Price, Guilty Simpson & Black Milk-Random Axe
Alchemist & Oh No are Gangrene
Ghostface Killah-Wizard Of Poetry
Eternia & MoSS- At Last
B.O.B.-The Adventures Of B.O.B.
Billy Danze-Behind Gatez
Masta Ace & Ed O.G. (A&E)-Arts & Entertainment
AG & O.C.-Oasis: Together Brothers
Baatin-Titus
Phat Kat and Elzhi are Cold Steel
The Beatnuts-The Planet Of The Crates
Ski Beatz-Half Man, Half Amazing
Evidence-Cats & Dogs
Statik Selektah-The Hangover
It's the live guy minus the glasses!
One.
Opinions be damned. This particular project has no redeeming qualities whatsoever and should come with a Surgeon General's warning and/or a biohazard sticker. It should only be handled by hazmat teams or bomb/demolitions squads. To quote Common & Canibus, this album is your worst nightmare squared.
Oh No! This CD is a drink coaster/table balancer/doorstop/gerbil/hamster room divider/frisbee/discus/makeshift shield/last ditch choice for a visor/alternate shuriken choice. Sell this shit to whoever is dumb enough to buy it from you.
Maeby (Maybe)! Depending on your own set of personal preferences you might like this joint. Give it a listen first to see if it's in your lane or not.
Mos Def! Cop the album when it drops...'Nuff said.Fuck this fucking shit © Hex Murda
Best Joints: Verbal Intercourse '06, The Name Game, Cherish, T&A, Gee Whiz, My Heart & I, Needing To Win (0-16), The Meaning, Sweet Tee Ish, Slave 2 Dope, I Still Buy Vinyl, Hello, Whatever U Want, Sunrise '06, True, Whiteout and Black-N-GoldHot Garbage: N/A
Dart's Take: This shit is completely ridiculous! 16 tracks of pure instrumental heat plus a bonus track co produced by Black Milk. This gets an easy mos def. Download it HERE right now!
Best Joints: Smart Niggaz, When I Say G, Get 'Em, Trip Thru The PJ's, Bacon And Cheese, Wanna Be Down, The Project Kid, How I Feel, Just Don't Give A Fuck, Can't Call It, Drop 'Em Off, When I Walk Away, Number One & Thunn Street's instrumentalsHot Garbage: All the bars that Big Twins spit...
Dart's Take: If you're not too particular about hearing tight bars over top notch production then this album is for you. I was iffy on the Superstar Quamallah & Blaq Poet albums because I'd much rather hear the instrumentals and this project is no different. The production team Sid Roams, The Alchemist, Jake One & Havoc crafted some gems...if Nas spit over some of these jawns maybe the "Nigger" album wouldn't have been such a feat to listen to more than once. In any event, I give "The Project Kid" a maybe...and the instrumental version a mos def.
Best Joints: A New, Thunder Love, Never Never, Runabout, Swimming, Blinking Pigs, Come Home and FortuneHot Garbage: Looking Glass, My Step and Feather,
Dart's Take: Yeah...I'm a huge fan of Yukimi Nagano's and I loved Little Dragon's debut album. I've been playing it for years. I was not ready for the 180ยบ change in their sound at all. They've gone to more of a computer/Electro/synth pop sound reminiscent of the 80's on the project. At it's best? It sounds like catchy Prince B sides or British synth pop classics (Runabout, Swimming, Blinking Pigs, Come Home & Fortune) the rest? Meh.
Maybe I'm just too stuck on their debut album and I expected to hear more stuff like "Turn Left", "No Love", "Recommendation" or "Constant Surprises"? I hope it grows on me down the line. I didn't find any songs I even wanted to replay until I got to "Runabout" and "Swimming"...those are the 7th & 8th songs on the album, mind you. I can't do better then a maybe at present.
Best Joints: Take Off, Spotlight, Stryderman, First Place, Pit Stop, Tryna Be Me, We Got Dem and Catch 22Hot Garbage: I'm Landing, Take Me Back, Number 1, Shake Me, Warning, Halo, Never Leave You, You're Not Alone, Preview and Express Urself
Dart's Take: I'm rooting for Tinchy Stryder more than you will ever understand. I've heard recently that he has the #2 selling album in the UK right now. Congratulations to him. I remember him spittin' from the old days and he's come from that to "Star In The Hood" to "Stryderman" to moving units. However, it's come at the expense of the Grime aesthetic. It's become far too poppy, club oriented, Electro oriented and spins conscious. Hence the title of the LP.
I love Grime. I hate the fact that in order for my favorite Grime artists to make any headway in this game and get wider audiences in Europe and ensure they have tours and sell units/gain success the music ends up sounding like this. Bashy's album was able walk that fine line but not make me hate it. The Newham Generals & Wiley were able to do the same (barely). The Streets went another way focusing on real life shit. I'm not digging what I'm hearing from Dizzee Rascal, either. I give this album an oh no but I'm still proud of Tinchy's success nonetheless. You deserve it.
Late Passes (For Doz Dat Slept):
Projects I'm Looking Forward To Reviewing Once They Leak...I Mean Drop in 2009:
Rhymefest-El Che
Jay Electronica-Abracadabra: Let There Be Light
Royce Da 5'9"-Street Hop
Big Boi-Sir Luscious Leftfoot, Son Of Chico Dusty
Pac Div-Grown Kid's Syndrome
Magnif & J Dilla-Detroit Royalty
Blu-God Is Good
Drake- Thank Me Later
Sean Price, Guilty Simpson & Black Milk-Random Axe
Alchemist & Oh No are Gangrene
Ghostface Killah-Wizard Of Poetry
Eternia & MoSS- At Last
B.O.B.-The Adventures Of B.O.B.
Billy Danze-Behind Gatez
Masta Ace & Ed O.G. (A&E)-Arts & Entertainment
AG & O.C.-Oasis: Together Brothers
Baatin-Titus
Phat Kat and Elzhi are Cold Steel
The Beatnuts-The Planet Of The Crates
Ski Beatz-Half Man, Half Amazing
Evidence-Cats & Dogs
Statik Selektah-The Hangover
It's the live guy minus the glasses!One.
2 comments:
Dart,
I thought you loved Nas' last album? Nice blog as usual, 14kt is an exceptional young beatmaker.
Quick question for you or anyone here, any ideas of who exactly produced the Che Grand album? Can't find production credits.
Thanks for any help.
Dart,
fyi - rateyourmusic.com now has movies also. I think you would find the free RYM site very useful in tracking your music album & movie ratings
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