Tuesday, December 8, 2009

In Stores Today: December 8, 2009


B.G. - Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood
Check out our 'First Peek'
"Meh. Worth a download, but I wouldn't recommend a purchase."

Chris Brown - Graffiti
Let it be known that ever since the Chris Brown/Rihanna incident in February -- which, might I add, I had an intuition would come to pass -- I have only featured one Chris Brown song on this site. Well, technically it wasn't a Chris Brown song at all. It was that Michael Jackson tribute track which just so happened to feature CB on the hook. I included it on our Michael Jackson Dedication edition of The Tape Deck. And that was all the CB you've heard or seen ever since. Domestic violence is no joke, nor have I ever claimed it to be one. Admittedly, I haven't listened to one sliver of one second of this album so I can't tell you whether it's good or not. It's difficult for me to listen to Chris Brown after what he did. I'm particularly peeved at the fact that he'd release his album so soon after Rihanna's new album. It seems like a money-grubbing ploy of sorts to me, so that just adds further insult to injury. But going off topic here, I'm also peeved that SoulBounce and Mdotwrites have seemingly excommunicated me for crude remarks I've made. Given the fact that I'm not a shock jock blogger like others, it may have come as a surprise to some that I have a dark sense of humor. But I never "made light" of the Rihanna/Chris Brown situation by holding a chauvinistic stance on the matter (as some have alleged). The folks who really read my blog should know me a bit better by now. Still, if you bear a grudge in your heart, this is my final apology. Back to the music: I'd like to see this album heavily boycotted - and not by being bootlegged. I mean do what I'm doing: don't even listen to it. I hope Graffiti doesn't even go gold goes wood toothpick.

Clipse - Til the Casket Drops
Check out our 'First Peek'
In his review of Til the Casket Drops, Dom Corleone pointed out that while there are several heavy rotation-worthy tracks on the album, the filler joints take away from the full replay value. He's right about that. There are strokes of brilliance on here (Clipse + Cam was a godsend), but at the end of the day I'd have to say it's the least impressive of their three albums. The only tracks that will remain in my iPod after it's all said and done are "Freedom", "Popular Demand (Popeye's)", "Kinda Like a Big Deal", "Counseling", "Footsteps" and "Life Change". Still, this is a statement album of sorts that's worth checking out.

DJ Spinna - The Boogie Back
This album's been making the rounds for a minute already, but it's only just been released on wax and plastic. Spinna cooks up a great disco playlist and I definitely recommend the minimum of a download for this one. But I'd also like to take this time to let you know about Sonic Smash, released earlier in the year. Dart Adams put me onto this overlooked gem and I feel it's only right to carry on the torch. Check out both of these albums, no doubt, but peep Sonic Smash first. Just my thoughts (C) Hov.

Grouch - Three Eyes Off the Time
Check out our 'First Peek'
The Grouch's latest offering is a semi-experimental, celebratory romp with lofty production by DJ Fresh. The problem is it's way too short and there doesn't seem to be much fluidity or even a concept here. I definitely wouldn't say this is the best album of the week. But it's the album to buy if you want to support independent hip hop.

Gucci Mane - The State vs. Radric Davis
"Meh. Worth a download, but I wouldn't recommend a purchase." (In case you didn't already notice this, yes, I relegate both Gucci and B.Gizzle alike.)

LL Cool J - All World 2
I'll keep this as simple as possible: If you want a sequel to an LL greatest hits album then go for it. I'll pass it. The tracklisting is actually pretty damn good, but I've got all this shit already. You should too if you knew... (C) Big.

Snoop Dogg - Malice N Wonderland
Check out our 'First Peek'
Hands down, this is Tha Doggfather's most radio-ready album released to date. The music ain't that bad except it's way too poppy for my ears. I'm always eager to hear Snoop kick some ol' early '90's gangsta shit all over again, but this ain't it. Gully tracks like "1800", "2 Minute Warning" and "Secrets" are my twist. But feature joints with The-Dream, R. Kelly and Soulja Boy of all people impurify what coulda, shoulda been.

Timbaland - Shock Value 2
Check out our 'First Peek'
I shit all over Timbo's first Shock Value album back in 2007 in my review at About.com. Not only did I give the album 2 stars, but I also predicted the pathetically crappy singles that were soon to follow. Bottom line: I nailed it. The only thing different about Shock Value 2 is that it's not-so-surprisingly worse. And the sad part is that with the features he's got on the album (Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry), he's destined to sell pretty well. I guess that's his #1 priority. Like the old saying goes: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I'd modify that for Timbo's newfound wackness by saying that if it ain't fixable, stop breaking it over and over again! Shock Value 2 is an embarrassment to the concept of music and an affront to sound waves. Really.

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