album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Ryan Reviews: It Was Written (1996) by Nas
As the second generation of Queensbridge hip hop came to fruition in the first half of the 90s, the leader of that new generation, Nas, gave the world an absolute gift in 1994, dropping his debut album Illmatic. Needless to say, after how influential Illmatic was from the get-go, Nas created a high standard for himself, but was able to capitalize off of Illmatic’s success and, two years later, came back with one of the better sophomore albums in hip hop history. On July 2, 1996, It Was Written was released, like its predecessor, on Columbia Records. And while it isn’t quite on the same overall level as Illmatic, it’s a fantastic follow-up for which Nas deserves eternal credit.
By Ryan Moore4 years ago in Beat
Olivia Rodrigo Driving Home 2 U
I just watched Olivia Rodrigo’s Driving home 2 U and it was excellent. It was great seeing her process. I am writing this the day of the Grammys. I am hoping at the end of this I can say she has won a lot of Grammys and maybe even the Big Four.
By Jeremy White4 years ago in Beat
Frenetic Nostalgic Angst in OPN's "Garden of Delete."
In my experience, many of my peers, all in the tail-end of the millennial generation, have a special appreciation for the shining synth and electronic basis of various film scores. The likes of films such as Drive and It Follows are often more renowned for their soundtracks and original scores more so than their direction and content.
By J.C. Traverse4 years ago in Beat
Mainstream Sellout Album Reaction - In Writing
MAINSTREAM SELLOUT LIVE WRITING [ADDED AT THE END: I thought I was writing on a blank Word document but it turns out I had started what is written below. I’m leaving it for two reasons. One is I was thinking about how MGK says in Downfalls High that there are no happy endings so I wrote this paragraph with no thought as to what I would do with it. The second reason is that I like it and it fits the style of the rest of the writing so maybe reading it first will help you wade into a somewhat confusing style that’s maybe a little unusual or maybe somebody else did it first because what didn’t somebody else do first, am I right? And also, it’s relevant to what happens later.
By Shelly Slade4 years ago in Beat
3.15.20 by Childish Gambino | Album Review. Top Story - March 2022.
While the cover and song titles may be minimalist, the production of 3.15.20 was not. It seems fitting that what may be the last ode for the moniker Childish Gambino, was likely his best and most addicting work, while being the least recognizable. The album cover, simply a white square (a predecessor to Kanye's Donda cover) and the timestamp song titles (besides two) really made this album almost inaccessible to some as it's almost impossible to point out a song off the top of your head unless you're intimately familiar with it. Only the second and third song of the album are devoid of this fate. However, under its forgettable shell is a masterpiece, laden with funky electronic eclecticism and soulful renditions of existentialism and other social commentaries.
By Josh Herring4 years ago in Beat
Marillion - An hour before it's dark
After having the proper time to digest this content in orderly fashion, I think it's time for me to let my review of this album come out. This time I want to do something different, why don't we go track by track and then I'll give you my final thoughts on this work?
By Giovanni Profeta4 years ago in Beat
'American Standard'
On February 28, 2020, just prior to a global pandemic coming to these shores, James Taylor finally followed up 2015's Before This World. But in this century songwriting had not come easily to James; in fact, he had to lock himself away to come up with the original material featured on the 2015 album. So not surprisingly, James had found a project here for which he didn't need to apply his songwriting skills
By Sean Callaghan4 years ago in Beat
A Review of Jacqueline Loor’s First Album: Show Them
A Review Of Jacqueline Loor’s First Album I recently interviewed Jacqueline Loor to talk about her music, creative process, and plans for the future. I was honored to meet her, even if just through a Zoom call. Her perspectives on life, art, and family were enlightening to me.
By Andrea Lawrence4 years ago in Beat
'Before This World'
In the 11 years following October Road, James Taylor's songwriting output pretty much came to a halt. Fearing that he had lost his creative edge, he convinced his family, friends and manager to let him cut off all communication for the year of 2013 to focus on writing a new album. To accomplish this, he rented a waterfront apartment in Newport, Rhode Island, where in September of that year he began composing the new songs that would become Before This World.
By Sean Callaghan4 years ago in Beat
A Look at Four Categories of the 2022 Grammy Awards. Top Story - March 2022.
In this study I will take a look at four categories of the 2022 Grammy Awards I will be looking at the album nominations in the Americana, Country, Vocal Jazz, and Album of the Year categories.
By Rick Henry Christopher 4 years ago in Beat
