Charles Hamilton - The Pink Lavalamp
Review: COMING SOON
Peep the interview as well.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Hamiltonization Process Continues...
There's a hell of a large buzz around Charles Hamilton in the internet. Now he dropped an album, yes album, for free to download. It's an album during the time when he was struggling, searching for the right path in his life (drugs, cheating on girlfriend, etc.) Heard the first two songs and they're crazy.
Charles Hamilton - The Pink Lavalamp
Review: COMING SOON
Peep the interview as well.
Charles Hamilton - The Pink Lavalamp
Review: COMING SOON
Peep the interview as well.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Business
EPMD are back with a new record. Really anxious about playing this album, because I don't want to change my mind about the legendary group. Link in comments.
EPMD - We Mean Business
EPMD - We Mean Business
Monday, December 1, 2008
And the albums keep comin'
New shit again.
Common - Universal Mind Control (link in comments)
Rating:
Please note before you read the review that I am not a strict listener. I'm not one of these assholes who require from the artist his prime all the time. I liked "Finding Forever", as well as "Electric Circus" while many said that a complete let down. But this IS FUCKING HORRIBLE. I thought Common would be able to maintain his artism in the mainstream after he dropped "Be". I guess I was wrong. The only song worth listening because the beat somehow matches with the rhymes is "Gladiator". The rest is just... ugh.
Rating: 2/5 (would've been 1 if I weren't a big Common fan)
The Antidotes - The L.A. Lights
RATING:
To put this short. It's an album made by hungry L.A. MCs. It's nothing new, just the good old underground/boom bap hip hop. What's good is that on this album it works, contrary to other projects.
Rating: 3.5/5
Common - Universal Mind Control (link in comments)
Rating:
Please note before you read the review that I am not a strict listener. I'm not one of these assholes who require from the artist his prime all the time. I liked "Finding Forever", as well as "Electric Circus" while many said that a complete let down. But this IS FUCKING HORRIBLE. I thought Common would be able to maintain his artism in the mainstream after he dropped "Be". I guess I was wrong. The only song worth listening because the beat somehow matches with the rhymes is "Gladiator". The rest is just... ugh.
Rating: 2/5 (would've been 1 if I weren't a big Common fan)
The Antidotes - The L.A. Lights
RATING:
To put this short. It's an album made by hungry L.A. MCs. It's nothing new, just the good old underground/boom bap hip hop. What's good is that on this album it works, contrary to other projects.
Rating: 3.5/5
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Catching up
Sorry for the long absence.
Evidence - The Layover EP
Review: Evidence is that west coast dude who you know will drop a decent album. In this case he drops an EP with some surprises. One of them is the hyped track with Blu, will.i.am and Phonte on the same track. Yes, not a normal combination you'd expect. The song works out great, as well as the others on the album.
Rating: 3.5/5
Scarface - Emeritus
Review: The 10th album by Scarface, which he claims to be his last. When you want to end a career with an album, the record has to be at least a good one, so that you don't have fake fans going "yeah, he was good but fell off in the end". Believe me, nobody is going to talk like that about Face. The man is a 20 year veteran, and his music catalogue doesn't have one bad album. If you're looking for the REAL Southern Hip Hop nowadays, this is the album you've been waiting for.
Rating: 4/5
DJ Shadow - The 4-Track Era Bundle (links in comments)
Review: The era before "Endtroducing" of DJ Shadow's life isn't known to anyone. Well, not anymore. We have a four CD set of nothing but DJ Shadow material before 1996. What I found the most attractive was vol. 2 and vol. 3. Vol. 2 is a compilation of remixes by the producer of old school classics from Eric. B & Rakim, Poor Righteous Teachers and more. Vol. 3 contains the guy's unreleased productions, which should have been released because DJ Shadow would've had another classic in his catalogue. For those who liked projects by DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, Vol. 1 and Vol. 4 has unreleased mixes. To put all this in a few words: would be a great present under the christmas tree haha!
Rating: 5/5
Evidence - The Layover EP
Review: Evidence is that west coast dude who you know will drop a decent album. In this case he drops an EP with some surprises. One of them is the hyped track with Blu, will.i.am and Phonte on the same track. Yes, not a normal combination you'd expect. The song works out great, as well as the others on the album.
Rating: 3.5/5
Scarface - Emeritus
Review: The 10th album by Scarface, which he claims to be his last. When you want to end a career with an album, the record has to be at least a good one, so that you don't have fake fans going "yeah, he was good but fell off in the end". Believe me, nobody is going to talk like that about Face. The man is a 20 year veteran, and his music catalogue doesn't have one bad album. If you're looking for the REAL Southern Hip Hop nowadays, this is the album you've been waiting for.
Rating: 4/5
DJ Shadow - The 4-Track Era Bundle (links in comments)
Review: The era before "Endtroducing" of DJ Shadow's life isn't known to anyone. Well, not anymore. We have a four CD set of nothing but DJ Shadow material before 1996. What I found the most attractive was vol. 2 and vol. 3. Vol. 2 is a compilation of remixes by the producer of old school classics from Eric. B & Rakim, Poor Righteous Teachers and more. Vol. 3 contains the guy's unreleased productions, which should have been released because DJ Shadow would've had another classic in his catalogue. For those who liked projects by DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, Vol. 1 and Vol. 4 has unreleased mixes. To put all this in a few words: would be a great present under the christmas tree haha!
Rating: 5/5
Monday, November 10, 2008
New Shit
Links in comments.
D.I.T.C. - The Movement
Review:
When I think of D.I.T.C. it think of O.C., A.G., Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Big L, Fat Joe, Diamond D. What we have here is O.C and A.G. only (not that I expected Big L to be on the album hehe). This kind of destroys the reputation of the supergroup, but at the same time is a little teaser tp the O.C. and A.G. collabo, because these songs were really good.
Rating: 3/5
88 Keys - Death Of Adam
Review:
It looks like this: the album has advantages and disadvantages. Starting with the pluses. Well, it's a concept album, and I am a big fan of such efforts. It's a story about a guy who meats a chick, gets burnt, has a kid, and the sad story goes on. That's the problem. When I think of "concept album" I think of something much more creative than making a story about Adam who chose the wrong girl to ... you know. Then there's 88 Keys. As a rapper he just sounds too much like Kanye West. I actually did not recognize Kanye when he kicked a verse on that "Viagra" song. 88 Keys also raps like Mr. West, and by that I mean he is bad, simply. However, the beats are really good, which is probably why 88 Keys is more of a producer than an MC. We have a few guests Bilal - whose singing I am a fan of, Phonte - whose rapping I am a fan of, and some other guests I simply forgot, and don't want to check the tracklist. On the whole - nothing special, but still an album to keep, because something light and not requiring much thinking is sometimes needed by everyone.
Rating: 3.25/5
Blue Sky Black Death - Burning Lights
Review:
Completely different from their last release this year, more going into pop. Still, I enjoyed listening to this.
Rating: 3.5/5
D.I.T.C. - The Movement
Review:
When I think of D.I.T.C. it think of O.C., A.G., Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Big L, Fat Joe, Diamond D. What we have here is O.C and A.G. only (not that I expected Big L to be on the album hehe). This kind of destroys the reputation of the supergroup, but at the same time is a little teaser tp the O.C. and A.G. collabo, because these songs were really good.
Rating: 3/5
88 Keys - Death Of Adam
Review:
It looks like this: the album has advantages and disadvantages. Starting with the pluses. Well, it's a concept album, and I am a big fan of such efforts. It's a story about a guy who meats a chick, gets burnt, has a kid, and the sad story goes on. That's the problem. When I think of "concept album" I think of something much more creative than making a story about Adam who chose the wrong girl to ... you know. Then there's 88 Keys. As a rapper he just sounds too much like Kanye West. I actually did not recognize Kanye when he kicked a verse on that "Viagra" song. 88 Keys also raps like Mr. West, and by that I mean he is bad, simply. However, the beats are really good, which is probably why 88 Keys is more of a producer than an MC. We have a few guests Bilal - whose singing I am a fan of, Phonte - whose rapping I am a fan of, and some other guests I simply forgot, and don't want to check the tracklist. On the whole - nothing special, but still an album to keep, because something light and not requiring much thinking is sometimes needed by everyone.
Rating: 3.25/5
Blue Sky Black Death - Burning Lights
Review:
Completely different from their last release this year, more going into pop. Still, I enjoyed listening to this.
Rating: 3.5/5
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Panacea - A Mind On A Ship Through Time
Yeah, I know. You just gotta listen to THIS.
Panacea - A Mind On A Ship Through Time
Review: COMING SOON
Panacea - A Mind On A Ship Through Time
Review: COMING SOON
Friday, October 31, 2008
Royce Da 5'9" - The Album
Looks nice.
01. Promise Land (prod. by Nottz) 03:21
02. Heat To The Streets (feat. Kid Vishis) (prod. by Green Lantern) 02:35
03. Give Up Your Guns (feat. Talib Kweli) (prod. by DJ Which) 04:57
04. J Ro vs. Mike B (Skit) 00:55
05. We Deep (feat. Trick Trick) (prod. by Denaun Porter) 03:45
06. Rewind (prod. by Carlos Broady) 03:26
07. Gun Music (prod. by Green Lantern) 04:33
08. Bad Guy (prod. by Green Lantern) 03:01
09. Let’s Talk (feat. & prod. by Black Milk) 04:55
10. We Everywhere (feat. Kid Vishis) (prod. by Pip) 03:24
11. Been Shotown (prod. by Green Lantern) 03:23
12. Angel (prod. by Carlos Broady) 03:59
13. On The Low (prod. by 9th Wonder) 04:16
(It says "Mixed By DJ Green Lantern", but that's straight bull)
Review:
Another album leaked by HHB from Royce Da 5'9" in the same year!! I would be pissed. Moving on to the album - it's a mixture of songs from The Bar Exam II and some others that were unheard. Royce comes out fine, like always. It's usually the production that hurts the quality of his albums. No Preemo this time, but there are other dudes who bring in something nice. Contrary to "Politics as Usual", Nottz does a nice beat that opens the album. Then there's Black Milk, 9th Wonder and Green Lantern who satisfied my ear. Rest of the producers I don't know of - some come correct, others fail. But on the whole this is a really nice album, if it's ever going to be one heheh.
Rating: 3.8/5
01. Promise Land (prod. by Nottz) 03:21
02. Heat To The Streets (feat. Kid Vishis) (prod. by Green Lantern) 02:35
03. Give Up Your Guns (feat. Talib Kweli) (prod. by DJ Which) 04:57
04. J Ro vs. Mike B (Skit) 00:55
05. We Deep (feat. Trick Trick) (prod. by Denaun Porter) 03:45
06. Rewind (prod. by Carlos Broady) 03:26
07. Gun Music (prod. by Green Lantern) 04:33
08. Bad Guy (prod. by Green Lantern) 03:01
09. Let’s Talk (feat. & prod. by Black Milk) 04:55
10. We Everywhere (feat. Kid Vishis) (prod. by Pip) 03:24
11. Been Shotown (prod. by Green Lantern) 03:23
12. Angel (prod. by Carlos Broady) 03:59
13. On The Low (prod. by 9th Wonder) 04:16
(It says "Mixed By DJ Green Lantern", but that's straight bull)
Review:
Another album leaked by HHB from Royce Da 5'9" in the same year!! I would be pissed. Moving on to the album - it's a mixture of songs from The Bar Exam II and some others that were unheard. Royce comes out fine, like always. It's usually the production that hurts the quality of his albums. No Preemo this time, but there are other dudes who bring in something nice. Contrary to "Politics as Usual", Nottz does a nice beat that opens the album. Then there's Black Milk, 9th Wonder and Green Lantern who satisfied my ear. Rest of the producers I don't know of - some come correct, others fail. But on the whole this is a really nice album, if it's ever going to be one heheh.
Rating: 3.8/5
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Good News
Good News people. I took the shit to sleep and came up with an idea. On my blog here you will be able to see what kind of albums have come out and their reviews. I have an acount on HipHopGiant.net, so the download links will be available in the thread I just made here. I'll post the link permanently in "Other Blogs".
Once that is taken care of, let's continue with the show.
Joe Budden - Halfway House
Review:
Just as I suspected. Joe Budden is the type of rapper who let's out mixtapes on which you see he has got potential. He gets you hyped and all that, but once an official album drops... you're like
"What The Hell?". I just don't get it. Even the beats are generic and plain, worse than on Mood Muzik 3 and 2. Shouldn't that be the other way around? And when it comes to lyrics he sounds like a blunt Jay-Z, not a conscious rapper (what he made appearances of in MM3 and MM2).
Rating: 2.8/5
Once that is taken care of, let's continue with the show.
Joe Budden - Halfway House
Review:
Just as I suspected. Joe Budden is the type of rapper who let's out mixtapes on which you see he has got potential. He gets you hyped and all that, but once an official album drops... you're like
"What The Hell?". I just don't get it. Even the beats are generic and plain, worse than on Mood Muzik 3 and 2. Shouldn't that be the other way around? And when it comes to lyrics he sounds like a blunt Jay-Z, not a conscious rapper (what he made appearances of in MM3 and MM2).
Rating: 2.8/5
Monday, October 27, 2008
FUCK
As you probably noticed some of the posts have started disappearing. This is not my fault, Blogspot is taking it down. So download everything if you think something is nice on my blog. From now on there'll be only reviews.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Sadistik - The Balancing Act
I haven't heard anything of this group, but I am 99% sure that Slug is rapping! Plus there's a guest appearance by Vast Aire and that song is just amazing. A complete mystery. If you know something do help out because this album is incredible.
Found some info on the album and artist:
"The groundbreaking new artist Sadistik is quickly raising eyebrows with his debut solo album “The Balancing Act.” At only 22 years old he has developed a sound that is truly unique as he seamlessly blends his signature of deeply poetic lyrics with brooding, symphonic soundscapes filled with beauteous live instrumentation. In addition to his own innovative rhyming style, Sadistik collaborated with the likes of underground hip-hop icons Mac Lethal of Rhymesayers Entertainment and Vast Aire from the highly regarded duo of Cannibal Ox. Sadistik can be found doing shows around his home state of Washington performing his shockingly energetic live shows. While he writes all of his own music, his biggest inspirations range the musical spectrum from Sage Francis all the way to Radiohead. And although traces of these influences can be found in Sadistik’s music, one thing is for certain: he has created a sound that is truly his own."
From Last.fm
Review:
What do I especially love in hip hop? Is that some albums push the boundaries that much, that after listening to them you feel as if you just had the world's strongest drug in your veins. This is how I felt after listening to this album. It's definitely dark, but the intelligent lyricism we have here is just... I am at a loss for words. I'd say Top 3 this year definitely.
Rating: 5/5 (not 6/5, becuase I still think he sounds like Slug)
Found some info on the album and artist:
"The groundbreaking new artist Sadistik is quickly raising eyebrows with his debut solo album “The Balancing Act.” At only 22 years old he has developed a sound that is truly unique as he seamlessly blends his signature of deeply poetic lyrics with brooding, symphonic soundscapes filled with beauteous live instrumentation. In addition to his own innovative rhyming style, Sadistik collaborated with the likes of underground hip-hop icons Mac Lethal of Rhymesayers Entertainment and Vast Aire from the highly regarded duo of Cannibal Ox. Sadistik can be found doing shows around his home state of Washington performing his shockingly energetic live shows. While he writes all of his own music, his biggest inspirations range the musical spectrum from Sage Francis all the way to Radiohead. And although traces of these influences can be found in Sadistik’s music, one thing is for certain: he has created a sound that is truly his own."
From Last.fm
Review:
What do I especially love in hip hop? Is that some albums push the boundaries that much, that after listening to them you feel as if you just had the world's strongest drug in your veins. This is how I felt after listening to this album. It's definitely dark, but the intelligent lyricism we have here is just... I am at a loss for words. I'd say Top 3 this year definitely.
Rating: 5/5 (not 6/5, becuase I still think he sounds like Slug)
Illa J - Yancey Boys
For those who don't know, this is Dilla's brother rapping on unreleased Dilla beats from the 90s. Kind of a Midwest Hip Hop weekend hehe. This is on Delicious Vinyl so hopefully the link will last longer.
Review:
J Dilla should've let his little brother sing on "Welcome 2 Detroit" and other good albums of his, becuase they would turn into classics. I really like the style of this album. Illa J sings for most of the record, and since these are soulful 90s Dilla beats, it fits perfectly. It's definitely a really pleasant surprise, because I thought this project would not be successful. Yet the album lacks the "something" that would make it a classic. But it proves that J Dilla made beautiful music and he is everything but overrated (I wrote this because I heard such opinions).
Rating: 4.5/5
Review:
J Dilla should've let his little brother sing on "Welcome 2 Detroit" and other good albums of his, becuase they would turn into classics. I really like the style of this album. Illa J sings for most of the record, and since these are soulful 90s Dilla beats, it fits perfectly. It's definitely a really pleasant surprise, because I thought this project would not be successful. Yet the album lacks the "something" that would make it a classic. But it proves that J Dilla made beautiful music and he is everything but overrated (I wrote this because I heard such opinions).
Rating: 4.5/5
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Black Milk - Tronic
YEEEAH BABY! Let's hope he's not rapping on this one hehe.
Review:
The album starts with a song that got me going "What the hell is this? Where are the hard Black Milkish drums?". And then Black answered my question with one of the dopest drum hitting songs I have heard for a long time. His rapping has become better, but I still would rather have a Royce or Elzhi collabo with Black's mouth shut. Although the Royce collabo here didn't work out as well as the other songs. What's also important is that Black Milk took his beat making to the next level. Now when you listen to his beats you don't say "Hey, Dilla!". You say "Good hip hop from the midwest". One step down is a gay commercial attempt on the song "Without U". The rest is just straight fire, especially that crazy collabo between Sean Price, Pharaohe Monch and DJ Premier.
Rating: 4.5/5
Review:
The album starts with a song that got me going "What the hell is this? Where are the hard Black Milkish drums?". And then Black answered my question with one of the dopest drum hitting songs I have heard for a long time. His rapping has become better, but I still would rather have a Royce or Elzhi collabo with Black's mouth shut. Although the Royce collabo here didn't work out as well as the other songs. What's also important is that Black Milk took his beat making to the next level. Now when you listen to his beats you don't say "Hey, Dilla!". You say "Good hip hop from the midwest". One step down is a gay commercial attempt on the song "Without U". The rest is just straight fire, especially that crazy collabo between Sean Price, Pharaohe Monch and DJ Premier.
Rating: 4.5/5
Monday, October 20, 2008
New Shit
New DJ Babu material. Another producer album. No review for this album, cause I don't even bother checking it out.
Review:
When it comes to these guys I knew it was going to be a good album. It does lack good beats in some songs, but the lyricism and delivery is always on point and above average.
Rating: 4/5
Review:
When it comes to these guys I knew it was going to be a good album. It does lack good beats in some songs, but the lyricism and delivery is always on point and above average.
Rating: 4/5
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Lost Linx
Thursday, October 16, 2008
New Shit
Review:
Stick 2 The Script indeed. This is exactly the same formula as "Spell My Name Right". He hooked up with a lot of dope rappers, and with a lot of crappy ones, produces everything and an album came out. If we selected the coolest songs from his last album, combined it with the coolest ones from this album, we would have a classic. Unfotunately, this is just as his previous effort, a cool release, but not breathtaking.
Rating: 3.75/5
Review:
When you hear "Big Shug" you know it is nothing special. When you hear "new DJ Premier beats" you just have to hear them, no matter what. So basically, this album is interesting from the production and guest (Blaq Poet, Freddie Foxxx, Termanology, etc.) point of view. But Big Shug will never be more than a Gang Starr Foundation member.
Rating: 2.9/5
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Madlib - Beat Konducta Vol. 6: Dil Withers Suite
Get it before the devil takes it down.
Review: COMING SOON
Review: COMING SOON
Monday, October 13, 2008
New Shit
The second half of the year is just crazy. Two free projects from amazing producers.
Count Bass D - Robbed Without A Pistol
Review: COMING SOON
Black Milk - Music Of The Color Purple
Review: COMING SOON
Count Bass D - Robbed Without A Pistol
Review: COMING SOON
Black Milk - Music Of The Color Purple
Review: COMING SOON
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Wu-Tang Clan - Soundtracks From The Shaolin Temple
Wu-Tang Clan and Killa Beez members, production by Hi-Tek, etc. Should be good.
Review:
I don't know what to say really. It's a good compilation with nice songs. The only problem is, that 90% of the tracklist has been put out on different albums and heard by many people already. So basically, if you don't own the new Wu-Tang releases, and are looking for a nice compilation of the coolest songs, this is what you're looking for. Others reasons are just not possible.
Rating: 2.5/5
PS
New shit on Classic Hip Hop Addiction
Review:
I don't know what to say really. It's a good compilation with nice songs. The only problem is, that 90% of the tracklist has been put out on different albums and heard by many people already. So basically, if you don't own the new Wu-Tang releases, and are looking for a nice compilation of the coolest songs, this is what you're looking for. Others reasons are just not possible.
Rating: 2.5/5
PS
New shit on Classic Hip Hop Addiction
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Jake One - White Van Music
A little, should I say, apology from me for all the wrong links below. This is a 2CD version of the "White Van Music" album with the second CD being only beats!!! I find that perfect because some MCs didn't manage to stand up to the beats. EDIT: Oh yeah - it's dirty. No bullshit, cause I'm listening to it right now.
Jake One - White Van Music
Jake One - White Van Music
Friday, October 3, 2008
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