Official album review thread (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Bozi
- Start date
The Enemy-We'll live and die in these towns
brilliant debut album from the youngsters from Coventry. lead singer Tom Clarke's voice is very reminicent of Joe Strummer at times especially on next single "we'll live and die in these towns" stand out tracks are the phenominal "away from here" and "had enough" but there is a well constructed album with 11 superb tracks. one of the best debuts in recent times
8.5 out of 10
brilliant debut album from the youngsters from Coventry. lead singer Tom Clarke's voice is very reminicent of Joe Strummer at times especially on next single "we'll live and die in these towns" stand out tracks are the phenominal "away from here" and "had enough" but there is a well constructed album with 11 superb tracks. one of the best debuts in recent times
8.5 out of 10
Robert Plant & Allison Kraus - Raising Sand
Simply unbelieveable!! A magical combination of two completelly different worlds, Plant's ruggish, grunty, old rock 'n roll voice coupled with Allison's soft and gentle country voice. A fabulous album, you simply have no idea what to expect from such a combination and the result is really amazing. An easy listening, melodic and completelly relaxing album.
10/10
Simply unbelieveable!! A magical combination of two completelly different worlds, Plant's ruggish, grunty, old rock 'n roll voice coupled with Allison's soft and gentle country voice. A fabulous album, you simply have no idea what to expect from such a combination and the result is really amazing. An easy listening, melodic and completelly relaxing album.
10/10
Ian Brown-The World Is Yours
King monkey has done it again, people are always asking why the Stone Roses do not reform, here is why! Ian Brown has continually bettered his songwriting skills and the heavy dub sound over lazy guitars sound better than ever here. definately his strongest album to date
9 out of 10
King monkey has done it again, people are always asking why the Stone Roses do not reform, here is why! Ian Brown has continually bettered his songwriting skills and the heavy dub sound over lazy guitars sound better than ever here. definately his strongest album to date
9 out of 10
i downloaded the album yesterday, Aggro is greatness
int:..***..
int:..***..
Stereophonics-Pull the pin
a triumphant return to form for the welsh rockers, reminiscent of word gets around, the phonics debut album, this offering sees a return to kelly jones more reflective writing style. Daisy Lane,drowning and Stone are just 3 of the highlights in this, which goes a long way to making up for the dissapointment of their previous album. not as good as word gets around, or the brilliant you gotta go there to come back, but this is a solid album that hints they may be back to their best.
8 out of 10
a triumphant return to form for the welsh rockers, reminiscent of word gets around, the phonics debut album, this offering sees a return to kelly jones more reflective writing style. Daisy Lane,drowning and Stone are just 3 of the highlights in this, which goes a long way to making up for the dissapointment of their previous album. not as good as word gets around, or the brilliant you gotta go there to come back, but this is a solid album that hints they may be back to their best.
8 out of 10
Kings Of Leon-Only By The Night
ok so here goes,it does not happen often but...... I WAS WRONG there i admit it,i was absolutely way off the mark and that is never easy for anyone to say. after the first listen i was left decidedly underwhelmed by this album, as a fan of KOL from the first album i had been disappointed in their change of direction on "because of the times" not that it was a bad album,simply because they had ditched the hillbilly-blues-rock and majorly overproduced the album. the raw edge had gone and though the first 2 albums sound like they could have been made in someones garage,it perfectly suited their sound.
on first listen the same problem of over-production seemed to be prevalent,needless to say i was none too enamored with it........
however...
i agve it a second play, then a third and i was in love with this album! a storming opening sees 4 absolutely tremendous songs in "closer", the driving "crawl",big hit "sex on Fire" and potential hit "need somebody" it does go a little flat in the middle but the last 3 tracks are fantastic as well"i want you" is very good,"be somebody" is an absolutely epic song and album closer "cold desert" a personal favourite.
Kings of Leon could be about to conquer the world
9 out of 10
ok so here goes,it does not happen often but...... I WAS WRONG there i admit it,i was absolutely way off the mark and that is never easy for anyone to say. after the first listen i was left decidedly underwhelmed by this album, as a fan of KOL from the first album i had been disappointed in their change of direction on "because of the times" not that it was a bad album,simply because they had ditched the hillbilly-blues-rock and majorly overproduced the album. the raw edge had gone and though the first 2 albums sound like they could have been made in someones garage,it perfectly suited their sound.
on first listen the same problem of over-production seemed to be prevalent,needless to say i was none too enamored with it........
however...
i agve it a second play, then a third and i was in love with this album! a storming opening sees 4 absolutely tremendous songs in "closer", the driving "crawl",big hit "sex on Fire" and potential hit "need somebody" it does go a little flat in the middle but the last 3 tracks are fantastic as well"i want you" is very good,"be somebody" is an absolutely epic song and album closer "cold desert" a personal favourite.
Kings of Leon could be about to conquer the world
9 out of 10
Cliff had a crazy year, Gun Charges + House arrest and with that came with many people doubting his credentials, soon after Tip announces he's going to write (hence: 'Paper Trail') his new album, something we haven't seen since 'I'm Serious', now were in September 2008 waiting for the 2 time Grammy winner's 6th album.
1. "56 Barz"
The opening track of Paper Trail, I couldn't find the producer of this but I'm guessing DJ Toomp purely because it sounds like a Toomp beat. Cliff kills his 56 Bars.
Rating: 7.5/10
2. "I'm Illy"
After the strong opening track, immediately I thought to myself: "This has gotta be the A Milli competition track" except on Paper Trail, another Toomp beat. "Yeahhhh, its the King, BITCH!"
Rating: 8/10
3. "Ready for Whatever"
When, I first heard this one, I was expecting a "What You Know", "Whatever You Like"'esque track, but its different from that, he talks about the lawsuit, and publicity, deep track, his point is he's ready for whatever. Fo'real...
Rating: 8.3/10
4. "On Top of the World Feat. Ludacris & B.O.B."
FIRE! Another colabo with Luda & T.I. the beat goes hard, brought back back by popular demand as he says. I was feeling how he picked B.O.B for the hook, he's gonna be big in the future, watch that space.
Rating: 9/10
5. "Live Your Life" Feat. Rihanna
Before the VMA's my opinion on this track was it's aiight, but I wouldn't consider it single material. But after the live performance that shit sounded wayyy better, Rihanna does the hook well and her verse for the album is aiight too. The sample of this track made me laugh, you'll know what I'm talking about when you hear the seperate one, lol.
Rating: 9/10
6. "Whatever You Like"
Everyone has heard this track by now, #1 on Billboard and its just pure fiyah! Hahaha AJ, word Jim Jonsin is on the beat again with this one..
Rating: 9.5/10
7. "No Matter What"
I heard this track on May 26th, 2008, I was skeptical at first wasn't feelin it, but it gradually grew on me. And, damn was he right when he says: "I ain't dead, I ain't done." on the hook, if you need further evidence please listen to: Paper Trail.
Rating: 7.9/10
8. "My Life, Your Entertainment"
This one is repedemption for Usher mayne, Here I Stand didn't do as well as he probably wanted it to do, but his colab with Tip on this one is really good, he fits the hook/theme of this track. Pay attention for Drumma Boy's drum-rolls throughout the track, dope.
Rating: 8/10
9. "Porn Star"
You can make out what this joint's about by the title, but you can check Cliff's flow on this is really smooth. Is that Usher or Bobby Valentino on the hook?
Rating: 8.3
10. "Swing Ya Rag Feat. Swizz Beatz"
Swizzy! You gotta dig the T.I. & Swizzy compliation, alright ok, I don't dance either so this works for me, lol. Swizzy on the hook, and expect a video real soon...
Rating: 8.6
11. "What Up, What's Haapnin'"
The 'What Up, What's Happnin' Music Video just came out a few days before I'm writing this review right now, its shot in Bankhead (You should make the connection right about NOW!) You got it, R.I.P Shawty Lo after that vid, one of my favorite joints of the album.
Rating: 8.6/10
12. "Every Chance I Get"
This joint's aiight Tip talks about and compares his life to ours, Grand Hustle, and shows the different side/darker side of Paper Trail, imo.
Rating: 7/10
13. "Swagga Like Us Feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne"
The shit. The epic track of the album, iRemember when I first saw the features, producer of the track I thought something wasn't right, pure fire. I hear Jay-Z's going to 'jock' this track for Blueprint 3, anyways even if does still dosen't change this being dope. Too bad some people "Spoilt the cake before it came out" I would have waited for the album to hear this trakc, would have sounded wayyy doper. Sample of MIA's infamous 'Paper Planes'.
Rating: 8.7/10
14. "Slide Show Feat. John Legend"
The beat off this track is pretty mellow and sweet, and the track fits John Legend's persona with him on the hook, gives the album a different dimesion.
Rating: 8.7
15. "You Ain't Missin' Nothin"
Here Tip continues the theme from the previous track, with a jazz beat, Tip talks about his advice to y'all and talks about some moments in his life.
Rating: 7.5/10
16. "Dead & Gone Feat. Justin Timberlake"
As y'all know 99% percent of the times when Timbo and Jutin link up its a dope track, iTend to think this track is getting back at T.I. for the feature off 'My Love' iActually even prefer Tip's verse on this to the one on 'My Love' its really dope, Timbo kills the beat, the perfect ending to this album.
Rating: 9.2/10
Extra Notes:
Album of the year of far, I bet Kanye would have something to say about that with '808's & Heartbreak' but till then you can listen to this fire. King is back, homie, that official. And this review wasn't biased what-so-ever as T.I. actually isn't even in my Top 5 rappers but that just goes to show how good this album actually was. I'm going to buy this album, September 30th or whenever iCan, you should too. I would have replaced 'You Ain't Missin Nothin' with 'Like I Do with The-Dream' And 'Beat Pound' had to be on the album, those should've been on.
Paper Trail Overall: 8.9/10
I wrote this review a while earlier, decided to post it for Bozi's thread.
Coldplay ~ Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Back in 2001 (I think) I first heard Coldplay’s “Yellow” and then ran out to get their first album Parachutes. And while I don’t think any of their other albums are as good as that debut, they are pleasant and decently. That being said, Coldplay has still managed to become international mega-stars with an easy Brit-pop sound that seemingly pleases everyone. Everyone.
It makes sense because I’ve always thought that Coldplay and the under-appreciated band Travis had a lot in common. Slightly U2-inspired bands that sorta rock and have a knack for melody. I’ve also thought of Coldplay as the safe and easy-listening answer to Radiohead; an English band that most likely won’t offend your ears, ever. So true.
Coldplay’s new album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends is basically more of the same, but tweaked a just enough that critics and fans are calling this the band’s most “experimental” album to date. It is better than the snooze fest that was X&Y, but experimental it ain’t. Viva La Vida is (however) a pretty solid album that has grown on me the more I’ve listened and is easily their best since Parachutes. Fuck it, I’ll just say I like this album for what it is; pleasant rock music.
Back in 2001 (I think) I first heard Coldplay’s “Yellow” and then ran out to get their first album Parachutes. And while I don’t think any of their other albums are as good as that debut, they are pleasant and decently. That being said, Coldplay has still managed to become international mega-stars with an easy Brit-pop sound that seemingly pleases everyone. Everyone.
It makes sense because I’ve always thought that Coldplay and the under-appreciated band Travis had a lot in common. Slightly U2-inspired bands that sorta rock and have a knack for melody. I’ve also thought of Coldplay as the safe and easy-listening answer to Radiohead; an English band that most likely won’t offend your ears, ever. So true.
Coldplay’s new album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends is basically more of the same, but tweaked a just enough that critics and fans are calling this the band’s most “experimental” album to date. It is better than the snooze fest that was X&Y, but experimental it ain’t. Viva La Vida is (however) a pretty solid album that has grown on me the more I’ve listened and is easily their best since Parachutes. Fuck it, I’ll just say I like this album for what it is; pleasant rock music.
