I've recently joined the crew over at Hip Hop Speakeasy, and this is my second post there. Check it out.
Hip Hop Speakeasy: An Optimist's Most Anticipated Albums of 2012: Yeah, I know it's almost March, and by now you've seen countless blogs' list of all what 2012 will have in store for us hip hop heads. Instead I will be bringing you a list of albums that we might (but let's be honest, this is hip hop, so probably not) get to hear in 2012:
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
2011 End of the Year Wrap-Up: Albums 10-1
10.) Action Bronson & Statik Selektah - Well Done
Bronson's second LP of the year is even better than his debut, as he gets a little more personal and focused over top notch dishes served by Statik Selektah.
9.) Phonte - Charity Starts at Home
The long awaited solo LP from the Little Brother front man does not disappoint with a little help from an old friend, 9th Wonder.
8.) Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Had you told me a year ago that Dave Grohl and company would release one of the best albums of 2011, I would've assumed that Kurt Cobain resurrected. One of the year's most surprising releases, is a fury of big hits and great rock music, done the old fashioned way.
7.) Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4eva
I slept on K.R.I.T.'s 2010 release (mainly due to the influx of shitty mixtape rappers that appear on blogs everyday), but I woke up for this magnificent release. Better late than never.
6.) The Weeknd - House of Balloons
The Weeknd is undoubtedly the year's biggest mystery, but by the end of the year the Toronto crooner found his way onto multiple tracks on one of the year's highest selling albums.
5.) Drake - Take Care
And that album would be Drake's sophomore LP. Drake's tendencies to lust for pole dancers and drinking too much makes for some of the most interesting 80 minutes of music in 2011.
4.) Kendrick Lamar - Section.80
Here's another rapper (like Big K.R.I.T.), who I didn't pay much attention to in the past couple of years despite releasing a few great projects. Section.80 is very moving and introspective, and the best part is there is much room for improvement for one of hip hop's brightest young stars.
Top 3 Preface:
All year there were two albums that were head and shoulders above the rest, and could potentially be considered classics someday. Both of these albums were significant to my year and my life in 2011. When I hear these albums I will always think back to what is what like to being 22-year old college student, being in a long distance relationship with a great girl, working 3rd shift as a janitor, and perhaps getting a little too drunk on the weekends with some great friends.
But in December another album joined those two elite albums, and I knew my top 3 even before making my calculations and ratings. Only one point each separated these three albums:
3.) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
This record will probably be the most memorable album of 2011 for me. Robin Pecknold's songwriting perfectly captures what it's like to be in the quarterlife crisis and have no idea what you're going to do with your life. Just the opening lines to the album alone, perfectly capture what my peers and I went through in 2011: "So now I am older than my mother and father / when they had their daughter / now what does that say about me?"
2.) The Roots - undun
The Roots' first concept album is also one of the band's best. While the narrative isn't the most original story I've ever heard, and the storyline isn't always 100% clear, the music and the lyricism is absolutely flawless.
1.) CunninLynguists - Oneirology
Now if The Roots want to know how to do a concept album, they should be taking notes from these guys. Once again Deacon, Natti and Kno put forth a brilliant piece of music with a cutting edge story line about a troubled man's dreams (or should I say nightmares?). The group effortlessly ties in socially and politically conscious themes into the storyline, and invite big time guest spots from Big K.R.I.T. and Freddie Gibbs. Oneirology proves that one of hip hop's most slept on groups should be mentioned among the greatest of all time (sorry Taylor)!
Bronson's second LP of the year is even better than his debut, as he gets a little more personal and focused over top notch dishes served by Statik Selektah.
9.) Phonte - Charity Starts at Home
The long awaited solo LP from the Little Brother front man does not disappoint with a little help from an old friend, 9th Wonder.
8.) Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Had you told me a year ago that Dave Grohl and company would release one of the best albums of 2011, I would've assumed that Kurt Cobain resurrected. One of the year's most surprising releases, is a fury of big hits and great rock music, done the old fashioned way.
7.) Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4eva
I slept on K.R.I.T.'s 2010 release (mainly due to the influx of shitty mixtape rappers that appear on blogs everyday), but I woke up for this magnificent release. Better late than never.
6.) The Weeknd - House of Balloons
The Weeknd is undoubtedly the year's biggest mystery, but by the end of the year the Toronto crooner found his way onto multiple tracks on one of the year's highest selling albums.
5.) Drake - Take Care
And that album would be Drake's sophomore LP. Drake's tendencies to lust for pole dancers and drinking too much makes for some of the most interesting 80 minutes of music in 2011.
4.) Kendrick Lamar - Section.80
Here's another rapper (like Big K.R.I.T.), who I didn't pay much attention to in the past couple of years despite releasing a few great projects. Section.80 is very moving and introspective, and the best part is there is much room for improvement for one of hip hop's brightest young stars.
Top 3 Preface:
All year there were two albums that were head and shoulders above the rest, and could potentially be considered classics someday. Both of these albums were significant to my year and my life in 2011. When I hear these albums I will always think back to what is what like to being 22-year old college student, being in a long distance relationship with a great girl, working 3rd shift as a janitor, and perhaps getting a little too drunk on the weekends with some great friends.
But in December another album joined those two elite albums, and I knew my top 3 even before making my calculations and ratings. Only one point each separated these three albums:
3.) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
This record will probably be the most memorable album of 2011 for me. Robin Pecknold's songwriting perfectly captures what it's like to be in the quarterlife crisis and have no idea what you're going to do with your life. Just the opening lines to the album alone, perfectly capture what my peers and I went through in 2011: "So now I am older than my mother and father / when they had their daughter / now what does that say about me?"
2.) The Roots - undun
The Roots' first concept album is also one of the band's best. While the narrative isn't the most original story I've ever heard, and the storyline isn't always 100% clear, the music and the lyricism is absolutely flawless.
1.) CunninLynguists - Oneirology
Now if The Roots want to know how to do a concept album, they should be taking notes from these guys. Once again Deacon, Natti and Kno put forth a brilliant piece of music with a cutting edge story line about a troubled man's dreams (or should I say nightmares?). The group effortlessly ties in socially and politically conscious themes into the storyline, and invite big time guest spots from Big K.R.I.T. and Freddie Gibbs. Oneirology proves that one of hip hop's most slept on groups should be mentioned among the greatest of all time (sorry Taylor)!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
2011 End of the Year Wrap-Up: Albums 20-11
20.) The Weeknd - Echoes of Silence
On the final installment of the Toronto crooner's trilogy, The Weeknd improves his songwriting and shows that he is no one trick pony.
19.) Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch the Throne
The epic collaboration falls short of lofty expectations, but still manages to push the hip hop envelope. Talks of a follow up for 2012 are promising, as the final product won't be as rushed.
18.) Asher Roth - Pabts & Jazz
On Pabts & Jazz, Asher flexes his lyrical muscle, and shows that his post-"I Love College" career will be something to follow. This jazzy effort is easily Roth's best work.
17.) Thurz - LA Riots
The other half of UNI drops a politically charged album surrounded around the Rodney King riots.
16.) Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Justin Vernon and company step out of that cabin in Wisconsin are create the anti-"For Emma," with beautiful, lush production and abstract, impressionistic songwriting.
15.) Blue Scholars - Cinemetropolis
Geo and Sabzi's fan-supported, movie-inspired LP, showcases top notch production and socially conscious rhymes.
14.) DJ Quik - The Book of David
The West Coast vet has a late career revival with some excellent post-G-Funk production; a great summer soundtrack.
13.) Saigon - Greatest Story Never Told
The most aptly titled album finally is released, and exceeds expectations.
12.) Adele - 21
The year's best-selling records is also one of the year's best albums.
11.) Atmosphere - The Family Sign
The indie rap vets turns into a quartet, with bluesy guitar-based production and grown man rap songs.
On the final installment of the Toronto crooner's trilogy, The Weeknd improves his songwriting and shows that he is no one trick pony.
19.) Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch the Throne
The epic collaboration falls short of lofty expectations, but still manages to push the hip hop envelope. Talks of a follow up for 2012 are promising, as the final product won't be as rushed.
18.) Asher Roth - Pabts & Jazz
On Pabts & Jazz, Asher flexes his lyrical muscle, and shows that his post-"I Love College" career will be something to follow. This jazzy effort is easily Roth's best work.
17.) Thurz - LA Riots
The other half of UNI drops a politically charged album surrounded around the Rodney King riots.
16.) Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Justin Vernon and company step out of that cabin in Wisconsin are create the anti-"For Emma," with beautiful, lush production and abstract, impressionistic songwriting.
15.) Blue Scholars - Cinemetropolis
Geo and Sabzi's fan-supported, movie-inspired LP, showcases top notch production and socially conscious rhymes.
14.) DJ Quik - The Book of David
The West Coast vet has a late career revival with some excellent post-G-Funk production; a great summer soundtrack.
13.) Saigon - Greatest Story Never Told
The most aptly titled album finally is released, and exceeds expectations.
12.) Adele - 21
The year's best-selling records is also one of the year's best albums.
11.) Atmosphere - The Family Sign
The indie rap vets turns into a quartet, with bluesy guitar-based production and grown man rap songs.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
2011 End of the Year Wrap-Up: Albums 30-21
30.) Raekwon - Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang
Raekwon continues his hot streak with another great album sans RZA.
29.) Blueprint - Adventures in Counter Culture
The Columbus, Ohio native examines American popular cultures, with one of the most original and creative releases of the year.
28.) Blu - No York!
Blu's major label debut that never was, is one of the most polarizing releases of the year, but was also one of the more enjoyable.
27.) Death Cab for Cutie - Codes & Keys
Death Cab's latest is filled with more optimism than previous releases, and more keys.
T-26.) Yuck - Self-titled
Whoops, I accidentally forgot to add the British band Yuck to my Excel project. So I put them tied with The Black Keys as they both had a score of 67. Their grungey debut is a straight 90s throwback from the heavy guitar riffs, to the minimalistic (but effective songwriting), and to the (presumably intentional) shitty mixing.
T-26.) The Black Keys - El Camino
The Keys' latest is their poppiest release yet, but it's also one of their best.
25.) Murs - Love & Rockets Vol. 1
Murs teams up with Ski Beatz for his best release in a few years.
24.) Beirut - The Rip Tide
The baroque pop band drops one of the prettier releases of 2011.
23.) Bright Eyes - The People's Key
On Bright Eyes' rumored-to-be last album, Conor Oberst's songwriting covers religion and aliens, but I assure you it's still pretty awesome.
22.) Evidence - Cats & Dogs
Evidence's long-awaited Rhymesayers debut shows the Dilated Peoples rep at his most personal over incredible production handled mostly by Alchemist.
21.) J-Live - S.P.I.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability)
The underground vet drops some phenomenal boom bap vibes
Raekwon continues his hot streak with another great album sans RZA.
29.) Blueprint - Adventures in Counter Culture
The Columbus, Ohio native examines American popular cultures, with one of the most original and creative releases of the year.
28.) Blu - No York!
Blu's major label debut that never was, is one of the most polarizing releases of the year, but was also one of the more enjoyable.
27.) Death Cab for Cutie - Codes & Keys
Death Cab's latest is filled with more optimism than previous releases, and more keys.
T-26.) Yuck - Self-titled
Whoops, I accidentally forgot to add the British band Yuck to my Excel project. So I put them tied with The Black Keys as they both had a score of 67. Their grungey debut is a straight 90s throwback from the heavy guitar riffs, to the minimalistic (but effective songwriting), and to the (presumably intentional) shitty mixing.
T-26.) The Black Keys - El Camino
The Keys' latest is their poppiest release yet, but it's also one of their best.
25.) Murs - Love & Rockets Vol. 1
Murs teams up with Ski Beatz for his best release in a few years.
24.) Beirut - The Rip Tide
The baroque pop band drops one of the prettier releases of 2011.
23.) Bright Eyes - The People's Key
On Bright Eyes' rumored-to-be last album, Conor Oberst's songwriting covers religion and aliens, but I assure you it's still pretty awesome.
22.) Evidence - Cats & Dogs
Evidence's long-awaited Rhymesayers debut shows the Dilated Peoples rep at his most personal over incredible production handled mostly by Alchemist.
21.) J-Live - S.P.I.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability)
The underground vet drops some phenomenal boom bap vibes
2011 End of the Year Wrap-Up: Albums 40-31
First of all here is my criteria/rating scale:
I have taken categories and gave each of the 127 giving them each a rating of 1-10, here are the categories
- Replay Value - How often did I feel compelled to go back and listen to this album throughout the year?
- Vocal Performance - For hip hop albums this included flows, rhyme schemes, cadences, etc. For rock albums melodies, quality of vocals, harmonies, etc.
- Production - How good were the beats/ music.
- Subject Matter - Lyrical content, song topics
- Songwriting - Ability to structure a good song, includes quality of choruses/hooks and bridges
- Cohesion - How well did the album flow? Did it sound like one piece of music, or just a bunch of random track?
- Originality - How original or creative was the album?
- Gut feeling - My initial instinct on what I thought the album should rand 1-10
In addition, I also added a "Fillers" category, which took off a negative point for every song I rated 2 or less stars in my iTunes.
I also had a category called "The Big 300" which awarded a bonus point to an album for every track that was picked as the best 300 songs of 2011.
40.) Pac Div - The Div
Finally after years of sitting on Warner Brother's shelf, the Cali trio unleashed their debut album to world, and it's the group's best work.
39.) Grieves & Budo - Together/Apart
On Grieves' Rhymesayers debut he didn't quite show as much artistic growth as I had hoped for, but his 3rd full-length has plenty of great tracks and phenomenal production from Budo.
38.) The Antlers - Burst Apart
The Antlers follow up their groundbreaking, Hospice album with the beautiful Burst Apart. A few steps back in storytelling, but a few steps forward in musicianship.
37.) Young Jeezy - Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition
Jeezy fights off career obscurity by sticking to the basics.
36.) Yonas Michael - Lost in Hollywood
The former UNI emcee's solo debut is a genre bending, rough around the edges journey through L.A.
35.) Apathy - Honkey Kong
The Connecticut emcee pokes fun at his whiteness, while lyrically beasting over top notch production from the likes of DJ Premier and Evidence.
34.) Action Bronson - Dr. Lecter
The Ghostface-sounding rapper drops his delectable rhymes over some great break beats.
33.) Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day in Hell
The Gary, Indiana rapper drops his first project since joining forces with Young Jeezy, and it shows the promise of the new marriage.
32.) Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Chris Martin and company dabble in narratives, electronics and Rihanna, and the results are shockingly good.
31.) Killer Mike - Pl3dge
Killer Mike's 3rd installment of his Pledge Allegiance with the Grind series is among his best and most political work, and the ATLien is finally getting the credit he deserves.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
2011 End of the Year Wrap-Up: Top 10 WORST albums of 2011
Okay you've seen the Honorable Mentions list by now, well here's the ten bottom feeders of 2011. Now this list is a tad biased because I don't really care to listen to albums I know I'm not going to like. Most of these albums were projects I was selected to review for Okayplayer or the BG News over the past year.
So are these the worst releases of 2011? No. But they are the worst albums I listened to last year.
Tyler your album was pretty shitty, but not nearly as bad as these albums.
Tyler, the Creator's Goblin just missed the bottom 10 albums of the year, but I felt like he needed to be mentioned because: A. He had so much hype built around his album and it was a total bust. B. I actually paid for the album (unlike the rest of the albums/mixtapes on this list).
Most of these albums I expected to suck (ie: DJ Khaled, Game, Wiz), some I suspected would suck but was curious anyways (MGK, Childish Gambino, Lou Reed & Metallica), and there was one album that broke my heart so badly when I heard it, I didn't speak for weeks (Lupe Fiasco).
Now we here at BRL have been huge Lupe fans from the start, and when Lasers got pushed back time and time again, we totally supported him and rooted for him. Finally the album dropped, and it was pretty evident, Lupe's heart was not into it. Lupe promises to get back to his roots with his next LP, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, but if the success of Lasers and his mediocre Friend of the People mixtape is any indication, the Lupe of old is long gone.
So are these the worst releases of 2011? No. But they are the worst albums I listened to last year.
Tyler your album was pretty shitty, but not nearly as bad as these albums.
First of all here is my criteria/rating scale:
I have taken categories and gave each of the 127 giving them each a rating of 1-10, here are the categories
- Replay Value - How often did I feel compelled to go back and listen to this album throughout the year?
- Vocal Performance - For hip hop albums this included flows, rhyme schemes, cadences, etc. For rock albums melodies, quality of vocals, harmonies, etc.
- Production - How good were the beats/ music.
- Subject Matter - Lyrical content, song topics
- Songwriting - Ability to structure a good song, includes quality of choruses/hooks and bridges
- Cohesion - How well did the album flow? Did it sound like one piece of music, or just a bunch of random track?
- Originality - How original or creative was the album?
- Gut feeling - My initial instinct on what I thought the album should rand 1-10
In addition, I also added a "Fillers" category, which took off a negative point for every song I rated 2 or less stars in my iTunes.
I also had a category called "The Big 300" which awarded a bonus point to an album for every track that was picked as the best 300 songs of 2011.
| 10. Machine Gun Kelly | Rage Pack |
| 09. G Huff & Vice | Where Do We Go From Here |
| 08. Mac Lethal | North Korean BBQ |
| 07. Y-Love | See Me |
| 06. Game | Red Album |
| 05. Childish Gambino | Camp |
| 04. Lou Reed & Metallica | Lulu |
| 03. Lupe Fiasco | Lasers |
| 02. Wiz Khalifa | Rolling Papers |
| 01. DJ Khaled | We the Best Forever |
Tyler, the Creator's Goblin just missed the bottom 10 albums of the year, but I felt like he needed to be mentioned because: A. He had so much hype built around his album and it was a total bust. B. I actually paid for the album (unlike the rest of the albums/mixtapes on this list).
Most of these albums I expected to suck (ie: DJ Khaled, Game, Wiz), some I suspected would suck but was curious anyways (MGK, Childish Gambino, Lou Reed & Metallica), and there was one album that broke my heart so badly when I heard it, I didn't speak for weeks (Lupe Fiasco).
Now we here at BRL have been huge Lupe fans from the start, and when Lasers got pushed back time and time again, we totally supported him and rooted for him. Finally the album dropped, and it was pretty evident, Lupe's heart was not into it. Lupe promises to get back to his roots with his next LP, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, but if the success of Lasers and his mediocre Friend of the People mixtape is any indication, the Lupe of old is long gone.
2011 End of the Year Wrap-Up: Honorable Mentions
Yeah yeah I know it's mid-February, but as a full-time student, part time janitor and full-time baller, it's extremely hard to find the time to finish up a list of 127 Albums, EPs, and mixtapes I listened to last year.
Now after my extremely thorough rating system has been completed (at the end of January, but haven't had time to post it), I will post the lists.
Sorry Daedelus, your album was pretty cool, but you just missed our top 40.
Now after my extremely thorough rating system has been completed (at the end of January, but haven't had time to post it), I will post the lists.
Sorry Daedelus, your album was pretty cool, but you just missed our top 40.
First of all here is my criteria/rating scale:
I have taken categories and gave each of the 127 giving them each a rating of 1-10, here are the categories
- Replay Value - How often did I feel compelled to go back and listen to this album throughout the year?
- Vocal Performance - For hip hop albums this included flows, rhyme schemes, cadences, etc. For rock albums melodies, quality of vocals, harmonies, etc.
- Production - How good were the beats/ music.
- Subject Matter - Lyrical content, song topics
- Songwriting - Ability to structure a good song, includes quality of choruses/hooks and bridges
- Cohesion - How well did the album flow? Did it sound like one piece of music, or just a bunch of random track?
- Originality - How original or creative was the album?
- Gut feeling - My initial instinct on what I thought the album should rand 1-10
In addition, I also added a "Fillers" category, which took off a negative point for every song I rated 2 or less stars in my iTunes.
I also had a category called "The Big 300" which awarded a bonus point to an album for every track that was picked as the best 300 songs of 2011.
Now without further adieu, I bring you the honorable mentions list. This list includes every album that didn't quite crack my top-40, but still gathered a rating of 45 or higher (the highest rated album was 84, and the lowest was 21).
| Daedelus | Bespoke |
| Imaginary Cities | Temporary Resident |
| The Weeknd | Thursday |
| Apollo Brown | Clouds |
| Frank Ocean | Nostalgia/Ultra |
| Blu | Jesus |
| Common | The Dreamer/The Believer |
| Freddie Gibbs | Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | I'm With You |
| MarQ Spekt & Kno | MacheteVision |
| Reks | Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme |
| The Cool Kids | When Fish Ride Bicycles |
| The Decemberists | The King is Dead |
| Kooks | Junk of the Heart |
| Ryshon Jones | Friday |
| St. Vincent | Strange Mercy |
| Wilco | The Whole Love |
| Bamboo Bros | American Jibaro |
| Danny Brown | XXX |
| Freeway | Statik-Free |
| My Morning Jacket | Circuital |
| Random Axe | Random Axe |
| Amy Winehouse | Lioness |
| Blu & Exile | Give Me My Flowers While I can Still Smell Them |
| Mac Miller | Blue Slide Park |
| MED | Classic |
| Danger Mouse | Rome |
| Feist | Metals |
| Chip Tha Ripper | Gift Raps |
| Patrick Stump | Soul Punk |
| Stalley | Lincoln Way Nights |
| Murs | Varsity Blues 2 |
| Iron & Wine | Kiss Each Other Clean |
| Corinne Bailey Rae | The Love EP |
| J. Cole | Cole World |
| Jill Scott | The Light of the Sun |
| Wu-Tang Clan | Legendary Weapons |
| 9th Wonder | The Wonder Years |
| Royce Da 5'9" | Success is Certain |
| Schoolboy Q | Setbacks |
| XV | Zero Heroes |
| Black Rob | Game Tested, Streets Approved |
| Florence + The Machine | Ceremonials |
| Gil Scott-Herron & Jamie xx | We're New Here |
| Hail Mary Mallon | Are You Gonna Eat That? |
| Pharoahe Monch | W.A.R. |
| Radiohead | King of Limbs |
| Freestyle Fellowship | The Promise |
| Gillian Welch | The Harrow & The Harvest |
| Beyonce | 4 |
| Incubus | If Not Now, When? |
| Lyle Horowitz | Smiles of a Summer Night |
| Co$$ | Before I Awoke |
| FlamesYall | InternationYall |
| Grynch | Timeless |
| Mayer Hawthorne | Impressions |
| Rapper Big Pooh | Dirty Pretty Things |
| Bad Meets Evil | Hell: The Sequel |
| David Dallas | The Rose Tint |
| Money Making Jam Boys | The Prestigue |
| B.o.B | EPIC |
| Lupe Fiasco | Friend of the People |
| Nappy Roots | Nappy Dot Org |
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