twisted_harmonix
09-15-2005, 10:38 AM
scale:
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#### = haaaaa
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CASUAL presents: Smash Rockwell
Cas has a lotta potential as an emcee. He's got it all, its just a matter of piecing it all together at the same time. On Smash Rockwell, he's able to do that on a few tracks but most come up short. His formula just isn't perfected yet, he's tryin to be an underground emcee with mainstream appeal and it just leads to an awkwardly flowin sound that is stuck in a dichotomy of styles. But when it comes together right, the result is absolute dopeness, as showcased by the standout track "in the whip", a brilliantly produced track in which cas flows effortlessly. And the guest spots dont dissapoint. Too Short, Richie Rich, and a couple others come in for a dope oaktown anthem. E-40 spits some tight flows, and of course SOM comes in for a track. But like I said, theres too many times where hes just tryin to appeal to the masses with hooks and instrumentals that sound too much like all the played out shit on the radio, and that doesn't really mesh well with Casual's raw flow. Just like He Think He Raw, this one has about 5 really good tracks mixed in with ok tracks. But for those tracks alone, its probably worth the dough. And like all Casual shit, its bound to grow on you. <###>
KANYE WEST - Late Registration
Sounds like all the 2nd-string tracks that weren't used on Dropout got thrown onto this CD. The production doesn't match up to Dropout (although its still kanye so you know its still tight) and lyrically its pretty much pathetic. The standout track is "Drive Slow" with Paul Wall, which has the tightest production on the record and the flows are sick. Everytime I pop this cd in, I skip directly to this track. It may sound familiar (see: 2pac's "Shorty wanna be a thug" and D-12's old underground track "No ones iller")... a simple, dope baseline laced with those chiming keyboard instrumental sounds and the Hank Crawford "wildflower" horn sample. Kanye flipped it nicely. I'm also feelin the remix of "Diamonds are forever" as well as the collabs with Common and Nas. But in general, Kanye just doesn't have the mic skills to make this album hot... and the skits are bad enough to make you cringe. Dropout was good Kanye, but you had your fun and now its time to get back behind the boards and stick to what you do best before you embarrass yourself. <##>
And after first listen (reviews to come soon)...
DJ QUIK - Trauma <####>
JIM JONES - Harlem: Diary of a Summer <###>
LITTLE BROTHER - <####>
##### = ohhhhhh
#### = haaaaa
### = ahhhh
## = ehhh
# = pfff (not to be confused with piff)
CASUAL presents: Smash Rockwell
Cas has a lotta potential as an emcee. He's got it all, its just a matter of piecing it all together at the same time. On Smash Rockwell, he's able to do that on a few tracks but most come up short. His formula just isn't perfected yet, he's tryin to be an underground emcee with mainstream appeal and it just leads to an awkwardly flowin sound that is stuck in a dichotomy of styles. But when it comes together right, the result is absolute dopeness, as showcased by the standout track "in the whip", a brilliantly produced track in which cas flows effortlessly. And the guest spots dont dissapoint. Too Short, Richie Rich, and a couple others come in for a dope oaktown anthem. E-40 spits some tight flows, and of course SOM comes in for a track. But like I said, theres too many times where hes just tryin to appeal to the masses with hooks and instrumentals that sound too much like all the played out shit on the radio, and that doesn't really mesh well with Casual's raw flow. Just like He Think He Raw, this one has about 5 really good tracks mixed in with ok tracks. But for those tracks alone, its probably worth the dough. And like all Casual shit, its bound to grow on you. <###>
KANYE WEST - Late Registration
Sounds like all the 2nd-string tracks that weren't used on Dropout got thrown onto this CD. The production doesn't match up to Dropout (although its still kanye so you know its still tight) and lyrically its pretty much pathetic. The standout track is "Drive Slow" with Paul Wall, which has the tightest production on the record and the flows are sick. Everytime I pop this cd in, I skip directly to this track. It may sound familiar (see: 2pac's "Shorty wanna be a thug" and D-12's old underground track "No ones iller")... a simple, dope baseline laced with those chiming keyboard instrumental sounds and the Hank Crawford "wildflower" horn sample. Kanye flipped it nicely. I'm also feelin the remix of "Diamonds are forever" as well as the collabs with Common and Nas. But in general, Kanye just doesn't have the mic skills to make this album hot... and the skits are bad enough to make you cringe. Dropout was good Kanye, but you had your fun and now its time to get back behind the boards and stick to what you do best before you embarrass yourself. <##>
And after first listen (reviews to come soon)...
DJ QUIK - Trauma <####>
JIM JONES - Harlem: Diary of a Summer <###>
LITTLE BROTHER - <####>