Black Milk - Album of the Year
Fat Beats
4.33/5
No complains from me. The beats are nuts! Album falls a little short of my expectations, but I truly expected five stars and the AOTY... and it still might be the latter (haven't heard half the candidates though). This is a near-classic because of the beats, drums mostly. Drummer Daru Jones drops his busy style that's sure to impress any fans of ?uestlove and Black's decision to incorporate live drums proved to be the most important and telling part of this release.
Lyrically, Black's flow is better and he's coming on point, however, this is the first time his rhymes might take away from one of his albums. Saying that, I don't feel cheated here, this is as musically creative as a hip hop album has gotten for me lately (soon to be topped by Kno or Kanye?). This modified Detroit sound coupled with other producer/rappers releases later this year could ultimately birth a more progressive production in hip hop. I'm excited.
Guestwise, Elzhi and Danny Brown KILL their verses! Consequently, "Deadly Medley" and "Black and Brown" are the best here and gives us hope that "Random Axe" is even better at year's end. AOTY has no true throwaway tracks. Though some of the ideas in the beats and rhymes are recycled within the album, there's something bringing me back to each individual song.
Overall, we didn't get a classic, but another piece added to the résumé of Black's sure-to-be hall of fame career. And as far as hip hop in 2010 goes... this needs be in the discussion for Album of the Year.
Lyrically, Black's flow is better and he's coming on point, however, this is the first time his rhymes might take away from one of his albums. Saying that, I don't feel cheated here, this is as musically creative as a hip hop album has gotten for me lately (soon to be topped by Kno or Kanye?). This modified Detroit sound coupled with other producer/rappers releases later this year could ultimately birth a more progressive production in hip hop. I'm excited.
Guestwise, Elzhi and Danny Brown KILL their verses! Consequently, "Deadly Medley" and "Black and Brown" are the best here and gives us hope that "Random Axe" is even better at year's end. AOTY has no true throwaway tracks. Though some of the ideas in the beats and rhymes are recycled within the album, there's something bringing me back to each individual song.
Overall, we didn't get a classic, but another piece added to the résumé of Black's sure-to-be hall of fame career. And as far as hip hop in 2010 goes... this needs be in the discussion for Album of the Year.
Track Ratings:
***** (classic tracks)
9. Black and Brown (feat. Danny Brown)
5. Deadly Medley (feat. Royce da 5'9" & Elzhi)
8. Round of Applause
****1/2
2. Welcome (Gotta Go)
11. Gospel Psychedelic Rock
9. Black and Brown (feat. Danny Brown)
5. Deadly Medley (feat. Royce da 5'9" & Elzhi)
8. Round of Applause
****1/2
2. Welcome (Gotta Go)
11. Gospel Psychedelic Rock
3. Keep Going
6. Distortion (feat. Melanie Rutherford)
****
10. Warning (Keep Bouncing)
6. Distortion (feat. Melanie Rutherford)
****
10. Warning (Keep Bouncing)
1. 365
12. Closed Chapter (feat. Mr. Porter)
***1/2
7. Over Again (feat. Monica Blaire)
12. Closed Chapter (feat. Mr. Porter)
***1/2
7. Over Again (feat. Monica Blaire)
4. Oh Girl (feat. AB)
Artists > Rappers
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