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Showing posts with label album review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label album review. Show all posts

Album Review: Welfare Foods (Dana Coppafeel)

Posted by krushez on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 , under , | comments (1)



So here I am with Dana Coppafeel’s new album, Welfare Foods.  Not sure what to expect yet truly excited.  The Rockford, IL bred emcee, who now resides in Milwaukee, WI, first caught my ear with his single, “88,” which is still in heavy rotation courtesy of my media player.  The LP is surprisingly soulful and should satisfy both old-time fans and newcomers. 

The album starts out on the smooth tip with the track “Another One,” which quickly gives way to “Chemistry” featuring Godfree, Signif, and I. Not Poetic.  The emcees come together to flow over a production that borrows from Kem’s “Love Calls.”  And rap about the good kind of friction between love and lust.  There is something about slow melodic jazz-infused hip-hop that tickles the ears.  Both Signif and I. Not Poetic supply the song with the female perspective, and they hold their own on the track with the guys.

Next up is “Damage” featuring Gambit.  The two flow effortlessly back and forth to a Lucci production, and  every now and then you hear Stevie Wonder (no?) crooning in the background of the track as the emcees address the haters.

I decided to like “Blast Off” before I had even heard a verse.  How could anything go wrong over this dark and gritty beat?  Alias, Al Pete, and Coppafeel drop far too many quote-worthy lines to even attempt to write them all down, but I think Dana summarized this track best when he said, “…this is hip-hop, biotch and there aint a doubt...”

Other songs that stand out are “I’m Sick,” “Keep The Motor Runnin’,” (White Russian is the producer on that joint and the beat is simply magnificent!), the title track “Welfare Foods,” where Dana reminisces over the past, “I See Now,” and “Day & Age.” 

Overall, this is a solid collection of songs from a talented artist.  To all my true hip-hop fans and even the young bucks that could stand to learn a thing or two, I strongly suggest you follow the link below immediately and purchase this album.  You won’t be disappointed!  Comments/Thoughts go below.

Dana Coppafeel - Welfare Foods (CD Baby)


Mixtape Review: Yo! MKE Raps

Posted by krushez on Thursday, January 28, 2010 , under , | comments (1)



I’ll be honest – before the other day I don’t think I have ever intentionally listened to a rapper from Milwaukee (well, maybe except for CooCooCal).  But, rapper JC Poppe, and MaadManagement along with HipHopDX came together to change the perception of the masses, (that Milwaukee doesn’t have a hip-hop scene) and I think they may have succeeded.


19 songs deep the compilation features some of the best that Milwaukee has to offer from Streetz N Young Deuces, Scott Knoxx, Speak Easy, Dana Coppafeel, Haz Solo, Dylan Thomas, House of M, and Melissa Czarnik among others.  The whole collection is full of promising emcees, but I’ll highlight the songs I loved and the artists I will endeavor to keep track of in the future and you can agree with me in the comment section below.

At first listen one of the points that comes across more than anything else is the diversity.  JC Poppe does an excellent job at giving the listener a taste of the sound coming out of Milwaukee.  You get a little of the gritty, a look at the lyrical, and surprisingly a bit of funk. The soul-infused intro track, “Punish Me” finds Streetz N Young Deuces rapping over an AdLib production that could have easily stolen the show in less capable hands.  Next up is Scott Knoxx and his song “Lock and Load (Rule #1)” with its infectious hook, and production by Animal House.  On the track Knoxx reflects on the past when his pockets were lighter and crime was the order of the day.

On “88” producer Smoke lays the beat, and then Dana Coppafeel comes in and litters it with dope.  The track is very reminiscent of hip-hop’s better years, and is raw in all the right ways.  Do yourself a favor and play it multiple times, you’ll find something you missed each time.  Another noteworthy track is “Crills”.  Haz Solo is on the soulful song along with Dylan Thomas who both raps and produces.

The laidback “Superman Aint My Name” features witty and often funny lyrics from rap group, House of M, and at the end comes one of the most hilarious skits you have ever heard.   (I’ve listened to it enough times to quote it, but you seriously need to hear this one for yourself.)  JC Poppe brings the funk in the form of the song “Fonky Stuff” with some help from Raze and production by 88 Keys.  Though some may expect this to be an ode to marijuana and while it is referenced in the track, Poppe takes the time to puts other rappers on notice, and Raze keeps it light-hearted and funny.

“Loveless” by the seven piece hip-hop band, Fresh Cut Collective is meant for a live audience.  The group, who may be inevitably compared to The Roots because of their use of live instruments, is wonderfully original.  The track, which is brought to life by the sounds coming from the electric violin and the guitar, isn’t like anything you’ve heard on the radio (or perhaps anywhere else for that matter) and it impels you to join in and become part of what the performance (in your head).

Overall, this compilation serves its purpose; Milwaukee does indeed rap!  And the listener is rewarded with a list of rappers to be on the lookout for.  Check out the compilation below, and follow the link to the HipHopDX site HERE to download it.





Album Review: It's A Noo Day (Noodle The Innocent Child)

Posted by krushez on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 , under , , | comments (0)



New York rapper, Noodle the Innocent Child, will soon release his debut album, It’s a Noo Day, and despite his name, this young man’s talent is grown, and the lyrical content is far from childish.  You do get a touch of innocence, but it’s more like the purity of something or someone’s that’s fresh/new rather than ignorance’s gullibility.  

We got a chance to listen to the album and listed the top 5 tracks that we loved, below.  Check out our thoughts, buy the album, and then tell us how right we are – all egos need stroking. 

The album starts out with, “It’s a N00 Day”, a track that samples Anthony Newly and Leslie Bricusse’s “Feeling Good”, and moves right into “Celebrate Life” an upbeat track that was meant for the summertime, Ella Lazel does her thing on the chorus as Noodle asks you to take a minute to forget all the troubles and the ills and love what you have. “Ride with Me” displays his ability to ride the beat, he switches it up a couple of times, and never misses over M-Nasty’s addictive beat.  This song deserves at minimum a couple of replays.  

“Time Machine” is admittedly a tad quirky, but it cements what you have been hearing all album long, Noodle truly appreciates hip-hop’s history.  With samples from Nas’ “It Aint Hard To Tell” to Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” the track takes you through the history of hip-hop and its inspiration all the way down to the 60s and the Grandfather of Soul, James Brown.  “914” is an ode to the New York zip code, featuring Cyph-Low, R. Haze, and Young Guito (who before his verse exits says, “Fuck how tough you think you is, you’ll get shot like Pac if you think you Big”, clever, no?).  The album closes on a high note with Domini-produced, “End of the Day”, N00dle reminisces on the days that created him into the emcee who graces our ears.

Fellow Peekskill, New Yorker,M-Nasty produced all of the songs with the exception of New Mill, who produced, “My City”, and Domini who takes over on the “End of Day” track.  

Overall it wasn’t easy to give the top five from this good debut album, and there are plenty more on the 16 track album to talk about.  I hestitate to use the word “real” because of its complete overuse and apparently slack definition, so when I say Noodles is authentic, I mean that he doesn’t follow any particular set mold or ridiculous stereotype.  Throughout the album the only personality he evokes is his own, and the listener reaps the benefits, getting introduced to honesty of the rarest kind.  Take a journey through a day in the life of N00dle, and buy the album.

Peep the first video off the album ("My City") below:





ALBUM REVIEW: Special Reserve (Obie Trice)

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 , under , , , , | comments (1)




Rating: 4.5/5
In his first release since his 2008 departure from Shady Records; Obie Trice drops his 11 track street LP Special Reserve collaborating exclusively with producer MoSS. This album is far from a lyrical let down. Obie is a lyricist true and through. The album has a timelessness to it where you'd never know these songs were recorded from 1997 - 2000. According to Obie in an online interview, "This is some of the music that signed me to Eminem's label." I see why Eminem was so impressed by the MC. This is definitely the epitome of true Detroit hip-hop. Being a native of the West side of Detroit myself, the moment the intro "Welcome" started, I became instantly home sick and longing for a bag of Better Made Hot potato chips and a Faygo Orange pop....real Detroit ish!

Trust me, you don't have to be a Detroiter to feel this one though. You just have to be a fan of real hip-hop. Special Reserve is short on disappointments, even earning an XL rating from XXL Magazine. Obie truly holds his own; with no features outside of the one with Deuce Wonder on "Roughnecks". One of my favorites on the LP is "Got Hungry". The track was produced by Moss and brilliantly scratched by DJ Grouch. With this one, Trice vividly describes the mentality of a "hungry" Detroiter on his daily grind. Another one of my top picks from the album is "Dope, Jobs, Homeless". Here Obie goes into detail with his experience in being homeless, selling drugs and working the typical job. Another top pick is "Cool Cats" where Obie reminds us that he's a "Cool nigga first/ Grimy nigga later." All of these have a ridiculous flow and grime that the MoSS production compliments so well. No need to go track for track here. Special Reserve is jam packed with 11 tracks of real, anti gimmicky music. I do have to admit though, there is one track I'm partial on, "Jack My Dick". It's a comedic take on being fed up with women and their diseases, attitudes and being told he has to wait so he handles business on his own. Not a bad song at all just an ultimate TMI track for me.


All in all this a great way for Obie to gain some buzz for the upcoming album Bottoms Up. He's definitely got me sold. Put me down for two! Check out the MoSS point of view on working with Obie on this project in the video below. By the way Obie, why did you leave Shady? Hopefully we'll find out on Bottoms Up. Cheers!
Total # of tracks: 11
Total # of tracks worth listening to : 11




Album Preview/Review: Rated R (Rihanna)

Posted by krushez on Saturday, November 21, 2009 , under , | comments (1)






Rating:  4.0/5.0

Despite the fact that its been over 2 years since Rihanna’s third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad was released; the Barbados-beauty has never the spotlight.  In between country hopping with her then-boyfriend Chris Brown to becoming the new celebrity poster child for domestic abuse, fans and others have become victim to the press’ latest obsession.  So, a chance to talk about nothing other than her original claim to fame-her music, is a welcomed change.  Rated R seems to be an extension of Good Girl Gone Bad, but edgier, that album showed the progession of Rihanna, from “sunshine-happy tunes” to urban.   She went from the suburbs to the inner city, and now with Rated R has stayed overnight in the hood (it shows too - with far more foul language than has ever graced any of her other albums).

The album starts out with “Mad House”, a synth-heavy warning telling sensitive listeners who are afraid of the dark to leave now, and telling all the strong to prepare for the ride.  London producers, Chase & Status come together to create magic not only on the intro, but also “Wait Your Turn” and “G4L”, two of the best songs on the album-its seriously hard to go wrong with dub-step.  On the former (“Wait Your Turn”), Rihanna pokes at the up-and-comers who are trying to make it to the top, and in the best “I’m a bad b!tch” fashion tells them the most they can do is wait.  This song is Fire!  On the latter song, “G4L” (Gangsta For Life), Ri-Ri tells of the lengths that true friends are willing to go through for each other, she talks about sweet revenge, and sings, “I’m down for life ….gangsta for life/till the day that I die …we driving by with them headlights off, we know where you stay…”  The song is beautifully dark, and once you get past the somewhat laugh-ability of Rihanna talking about being “gangsta” , its one that will be on repeat. 

“Russian Roulette”, the album’s first single, was met with a luke-warm reception; mostly in part of its departure from Rihanna’s previous sound, but in context with the album, it fits and is an alarming tale of a female too close to the edge. “Hard” featuring Young Jeezy, is set to be the second released single, and comes laced with production from Tricky Stewart and The-Dream.  The song does have a street feel to it, but behind “Wait Your Turn” loses something, listen to it on its own, you’ll like it more.  “Rockstar 101” featuring Guns n’ Roses guitarist-Slash is another winner, so full of bragging and naughty behavior you can almost visualize Rihanna wrapped in leather, middle-fingers in the air. “Rude Boy” is the closest that “happy” gets to this album.  The light dance track will have you singing along and moving your feet in no time.

The album does have some soft points.  “Stupid In Love”, “Fire Bomb”, and “Cold Case Love” all in some way or another talk about aspects of Rihanna’s relationship with Chris Brown and display a mixture of:  a deep sadness matched only by an immense amount of anger and confusion.  “The Last Song” (which is obviously last track on the album) features the guitar licks that play with your strings. 

The only forget-ables come in the form of “Photographs” featuring Will.I.Am, which sounds like a leftover from Black Eyed Peas’ album, The E.N.D., and “Te Amo”, which just doesn’t seem to fit in the darkness and isn’t really cheery.

Overall, Rated R is the best compilation that Rihanna has put together so far in her career.  Proving it true that:  Artists tend to come with their best while at their worst.  This album gives her fans a look at the effect the assault had; how it changed her and made her stronger, and giving them and critics something to look forward to in her next album.

# of songs on the album:  13
# of songs worth listening to:  11

Listen below:  


Album Review: Transition(Ryan Leslie)

Posted by Odell on Thursday, November 12, 2009 , under , | comments (2)




Webster's dictionary defines transition as " a passage from one stage to another" Well in the case of Ryan Leslie Transition is the title of his sophomore album. Yes the Singer,Songwriter,and Producer has graced us with another great studio album.
This album is a true testament to his hard work and dedication for his craft by producing the entire album. This was a true pleasure to listen to eleven tracks with three additional bonus tracks on the deluxe version of the album. The first release is "Your not My girl" an up tempo track where R Les describes a very casual relationship he is having with a young lady that is intimate with no strings attached!

Another standout piece is "Something that I like" featuring Pusha T of the Clipse on this track you get to hear Ryan not just sing but spit a few bars and I love it when Rap and R&B mix together effortlessly and this track has that with Pusha T bringing it home with his trademark flow.The album shows a lot of range also with slow intimate tracks like "Guardian Angel", and "All My Love". For me though some of his best songwriting comes on the piece "Nothing" let me give you a couple of lines

i might forget what city i'm in
might have a mistress and a girlfriend
girlfriend would find out and let me go
then i'd be lost and end up alone
i'm just a wayward son of a preacher
you are a queen that's how i should treat you
lessons in love you are my teacher

Overall It's a great album, one I think you will truly enjoy,I surely have as a matter of fact I plan to pour me a glass of wine and play track #5 "Sunday Night" one of my favorites and my official chill record of the moment!

Stay Up!
Odell S.

Album Review: In Love and War (Amerie)

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 , under | comments (0)




Rating:(3.5/5)
All is fair In Love and War; at least that’s what they say. Amerie’s new album actually seems to be more about her war with love. Her first single "Why R U" describes what the album is about to a tee “loving you is so hard (I keep trying, baby), I just end up with scars (I keep fighting, baby). Loving you is like a battle that I can't afford to lose…” Amerie uses this album to tackle the troubles of love. Many of the songs on the album are about wanting to end a relationship, yet being still attached and hoping for a change. Quite honestly, the album is kind of bi-polar. The songs are either about being deeply in love or having a war with it; however, no where does it seem to intersect. They more or less collide with each other over a mix of hip hop, soul and rock. The first half of the album is full of high-energy material. The second half are where the more subdued ballads are.

At times she’s deeply in love like in the very sexy "Red Eye," where she seductively offers to "Let me blow your mind sky high...so many things that we can try, if you're not scared to fly. I don't gotta be your only girl, I just want to take you around the world..."

Other times, there’s tracks like the angry rock influenced "Higher" which is an up tempo song for the clubs, "You keep taking me higher, just to drop me off. Do you feel like a man? 'cause you got my heart in your hand and you took me as high as you can, higher just to drop me off!" This one has a crazy beat that will have you going, yet hating every dude in the club who reminds you of “him”.

Another good track is actually a heartbreak ballad titled "The Flowers" which is about what a guy could have done to keep her “You should’ve did so much more to show you loved me. I’m wishing you would’ve gave me the flowers/ I’m wishing you would’ve held me for hours.”

One song I can do without is "Swag Back". It may be because I want someone to bury the word swag…somebody…anybody…please! I never want to hear it again. It is way over used. It’s a song about getting over a heartbreak and she finally has her “swag back” and moving on. She even goes as far to drop in a “nobody on the corner got swagger like mine.” Sheesh.

"You're A Star" is the epitome of an album filler. It's a pointless interlude where she spends 1:52 talking about how good her lover makes her feel. Ironically, this comes right after "Swag Back".

Overall, I think the album is decent. I was a little disappointed because I was looking for the “1 Thing” type of song to emerge and it never did. That was an amazing song and I guess hard to duplicate. Overall, I think Amerie will please her current fans and maybe even pull in a few new ones. Hopefully Def Jam will take some of the focus off of Rihanna for two seconds in order to promote this album a little. Can we get another single??
*Side note - I love this album cover!

# of songs on the album: 14
# of songs worth a listen: 10

Album Review: Straight No Chaser (Mr. Hudson)

Posted by krushez on Sunday, October 25, 2009 , under , | comments (0)




(Rating:  4.5/5.0)  Mr. Hudson (formerly known as Mr. Hudson and The Librarians) released their G.O.O.D. Music debut on October 19th in the UK and on December 1st in the US.  Already well-known in the UK, Mr. Hudson came to most American ears via Kanye’s song “Paranoid” from the 808s & Heartbreak Album.

Their sound is made up of a scoop of contemporary R&B, a dollop of pop, and a tablespoon of alternative all served on a plate of hip-hop.  Very much reminiscent of 80’s pop with updated hiphop-ish beats.  For all those urban heads ashamed to admit that they listen to Coldplay, here is a group that you could confess your admiration for without losing too much (if any) street cred.  If you were a fan of their debut album, A Tale Of Two Cities, odds are you won’t like this album much.   Hudson said that his goal was to “make a pop record”, probably in the form of something David Bowe would put his name on.  It isn’t pop by the current definition, but quirky enough to be mistaken as such.

The album starts out on a high note with “Supernova” featuring Kanye West.  The song is catchy and it won’t be long before you start nodding your head to the beat.  I should probably warn you now that it is sometimes hard to discern what exactly Ben Hudson is talking about, but incidentally that won’t make you love the songs any less.  “Knew We Were Trouble”, a song where he talks about an ill-fated relationship definitely helps you see the why people often compare Ben Hudson’s voice to that of Sting’s. 

Kanye’s work as Executive Producer of the album is evident throughout, but especially on the title track, “Straight No Chaser”.  “There Will Be Tears”, the first song released off the album (after this song received a luke-warm reception, “Supernova” was released with a video, making it the first single), is a “chill” track, with a sober message, and is one of the best tracks on the disc.  “Stiff Upper Lip” is another favorite because the message is slightly sad and discusses life’s growing pains, but is sung in this cheery way, that will have you claiming “we’ve never been as f*cked as this” as your new phase.

Men will identify with “Anyone But Him” the last of the 2 Kanye features.  Hudson sings to an ex-girlfriend and wishes that she “get with whole football team” rather than this one particular guy.  “Everything Is Broken” is dope!  Add a feature from Kid Cudi and this one just makes you want to dance. 

I could seriously go on and on telling about each song and why they work, but I won’t.  Overall, the album is great for easy-listening.  Ben Hudson is already being labeled “The White Kanye”, and considering the difference between his past work (it was more folky) and his current, there may be something to that.  With that said, when is the last time Kanye’s made a bad album?  Listen below and comment.

# of Tracks:  13 (14 on UK version)
# of Tracks Worth Listening To:  12







Album Review: D.N.A. (Mario)

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 23, 2009 , under , , , , , , , | comments (1)





(Rating 5.0/5.0)
Ok ladies…..lovin’ you/ lovin’ you/lovin’ you/ when I’m/when I’m lovin’ you/why would you wanna break up...? Yeah ma, I know that’s your future baby daddy’s song and you’re wondering who would leave the young heartthrob. Well guess what? You can have him every time you jump in your ride or scroll through your iPod. Yes it’s true - “Boy Wonder” is back, energized and refreshed! The Grammy Award Nominee has changed his look (sporting the fresh bald head) and copped some hot beats (thanks to Polow the Don and The-Dream). His new genetically sound album D.N.A. has finally dropped; wasting no time climbing the charts and leaving its strands all over the airwaves.
We haven’t heard from the singer/songwriter/actor since he released his third album GO! in 2007 – which contained the hit single “Crying Out for Me”.
Well Mr. Barrett’s fourth release is packed with a few solid punches of its own. The first knock-out single “Loving You” features Gucci Mane and (super-song writer/producer) Sean Garrett. POW!! The ringtone alone has already been downloaded over 500,000 times! Peaking at #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, this is his best single in 5 years. Now that’s a 1 – 2 combo!!
“I Choose you”, the second K.O. punch off the album (my favorite track), has also been getting a lot of play on the 1’s and 2’s.
Mario - who signed with Clive Davis (J Records) at the age of 14 – has come to let us know that he is all grown up now.
An artists’ growth and maturity should be well visible through their music. Progress should be imminent every time they drop something new. Well, M.B. definitely brings the next level of his evolvement to the table with the much awaited release of D.N.A.
Though he covers the usual subjects of love, lust and heartache - he brings a more cultivated approach.
The recording artist shows major signs of bloom on track #12, “The Hardest Moment”, by letting go of the whole “R&B thug” image and sharing a more tender side. Harmonizing against the soft melody of a grand piano, Mario canaries the lyrics, “[…if you feel a tear fallin’ on your lips/then girl that would be mine/see I’m a man that aint afraid to cry...]
He’s somewhat steered away from the usual highly sexual innuendo based songs and has given more to listen to than just “baby making music”.
Bangin’ cuts like “Before She Said Hi” (which features Island Def Jam Artist Big Sean) glorify his distinct up-tempo sound. Bass drums and synthesizers make it well-worth adjusting your EQ for max performance.
This guy has come out swingin’. I can’t even really recall a track that I had to skip. You can pretty much let this one ride on SHUFFLE…REPEAT ALL. The lyrical content and production are perfectly united. This is one the very few LP’s in 2009 that actually lives up to the hype. Mario has given his fans what they demand from an artist of his stature…polished quality music.
This release helps to keep R&B where it should be and not defined by singers who really want to be rappers. Lol.
Mario has truly let us into his progressive world. He metaphorically titled one of the tracks “Soundtrack to My Broken Heart” – that actually best describes the album as a whole.
This is one for the collection. NOT THE BOOTLEG COPY EITHER! Lol. Support a brother! Big-ups Mario! Peace.
# of songs on album: 12
# of songs worth a listen: 12