album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
My Yuletide Picks of 2017
Each year, I deliberately count the days as they gradually morph into weeks and months of seasonal changes. I watch with great anticipation as the calendar eventually progresses towards the beginnings of the holiday season. Like clockwork, new Christmas albums miraculously appear annually. I readily look forward to adding something novel to my holiday music collection, which has gradually, but incessantly, increased per annum. This December is no exception with the following titles earning a permanent place within my musical library.
By Eric Allen8 years ago in Beat
Big Sean & Metro Boomin - 'Double Or Nothing' Review
Social media exploded into a firestorm when Big Sean and Metro Boomin dropped Double Or Nothing. Many have been quick to dismiss this project as “trash,” and quick to label Big Sean as a sub-par rapper. Joe Budden was even quick to assert that this project shouldn’t exist at all.
By Rap Disciple8 years ago in Beat
Miguel- 'War and Leisure' Review
It’s been a long time since Miguel’s first commercial hit, “All I want is You”. His first album, Kaleidoscope Dream, left a sonic footprint on RnB and pop. Since then, he’s had a dilemma: as his artistry continues to evolve, the nostalgia invoked by his debut album continues to overshadow the steps he takes.
By Rap Disciple8 years ago in Beat
Deconstructing the House Of God
I bought the King Diamond album, House Of God, the day it was released in 2000. I was the first one in the piddly town I lived in to buy it. It had a wild story, excellent guitar work, some wild album artwork painted by Thomas Holm (who painted classic Mercyful Fate and King Diamond album covers in the 80’s) and a few new King voices that were never heard before, or ever heard since. I’ve listened to the album a lot, but never really paid attention to hidden meanings the songs might hold. It wasn’t until recently that I was listening to it on Spotify that I realized at least three of the songs reflect how I felt during certain times in my life.
By Nick Falkner8 years ago in Beat
Review: Metro Boomin & Big Sean's 'Double or Nothing'
I'll admit it, this one took me by surprise. I wasn't necessarily shocked that Metro Boomin and Bug Sean would work together, but it was more so the fact that the album seemingly dropped out of nowhere. I was excited to hear what Metro had in store for us this time. After all, just a couple of months ago, he dropped his album Without Warning with21 Savage and Offset. Unlike Metro Boomin, this is Big Sean's latest addition to his growing discography since February's I Decided which featured chart-toppers like "Moves" and "Bounce Back." Becuase of all of this, I couldn't wait to listen to what the pair had in store.
By Kaya Sabir8 years ago in Beat
Most Dangerous Records Ever Released
Most people think about record releases in terms of albums being bought off iTunes, screaming fans, and of course, celebrity frontmen talking about their next epic concert tour. It's classic, and for the most part, that's exactly what major record releases are like.
By Skunk Uzeki8 years ago in Beat
'Double Or Nothing': Review
After finding out last week that Big Sean and Metro Boomin were working together on a project, I did not expect it to be so soon. Today, we were blessed with Double Or Nothing, which is available on iTunes, Spotify, and other digital platforms.
By Natalie Malcolm8 years ago in Beat
'Tell Me You Love Me'
I've been following Demi Lovato since her appearance in Camp Rock in June of 2008. I was a fan from the start, and I've owned every single album, all the way back to Don't Forget. So you can imagine my anticipation when it was announced Demi was releasing her sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me, on September 29th, 2017. I haven't been able to purchase it yet (thanks bills!), but I've been listening the tracks on YouTube, and I can tell you without a doubt:
By Karen Jackson8 years ago in Beat
Readers' Review: Half-A-Mil's 'Courtesy of Half-A-Mil'
If you’ve been paying attention to the West Coast in the past decade, you’d be hip to the thriving beat scene, and if you aren’t, you can’t deny the steady flow of genre-bending, trunk-rattling, hip-hop coming from the West Coast. This is a producers’ market, and an emcee’s playground. Out of this flourishing community comes two of the best, and most prolific creators in California, Hit-Boy and Dom Kennedy. Test my words by looking through the discography of both artists. It’s safe to say Hit-Boy has the sound on lock through the early 2010s, even grabbing a Grammy for “N**gas in Paris,” while Dom Kennedy has been pumping out all kinds of records, effectively running the LA indie scene with an iron fist. Of course, an iron fist dressed in a Gucci oven mitt, because Dom makes what I affectionately call “Barbecue Music.” You know what barbecue music is, that smooth vibe that also keeps the party going at peak pace. If you aren’t catching my drift right now, I’m not sure I want to be at your next cookout.
By Chuck Knight8 years ago in Beat
