Aug 18, 2024

@AOTWClub

@Yeez can make his pick today for next weeks Album

Only 5 reviews in for Iron Maiden, starting to think the Death of Slim Shady was also the Death of album of the Week Club.

I'll tally up Iron Maiden this week on Tuesday or Wednesday

 

Aug 16, 2024

@AOTWClub @icecube

Laugh Now, Cry Later has scored a 6.5 overall, reviews for the album were all over the map.

One of the lower rated albums but still a solid album choice

 

Aug 11, 2024

The scores aren't meant to be competitive. They're just there to reflect the overall appreciation for each album.

 

Aug 11, 2024

@AOTWClub @Wreckless has Chosen Iron Maiden- Seventh son of a Seventh Son



Stepdad enjoyer: 7.5/10
Ripperroo: 8/10
Justin Trudeau: 7/10
Yeez: 9/10
Jankland: 7.3/10
DiggleDogg69: 8.5/10

47.3/60 = 7.8

I will tally up Ice cube- Laugh Now, Cry Later on Tuesday, get your reviews in

 

Aug 11, 2024

Album of the week:


Seventh Son of a Seventh Son marks the end of Iron Maiden’s golden era. It’s a culmination of their creative peak. The album takes a more progressive approach compared to their earlier, straightforward heavy metal sound. It’s a concept album that delves into themes of prophecy, mysticism, and supernatural events.

Enjoy

@AOTWClub

 

Aug 8, 2024

Ice Cube- Laugh Now, Cry Later

Favorite songs: Why We Thugs, Smoke Some Weed, Go To Church, Growin Up, Doin What It Pose 2 Do

There's a good amount to like about this album, I like a lot of the production, I love Cubes voice and how he sounds on pretty much any beat and it has a few bangers on it.

The album starts out great, why we Thugs and smoke some weed are songs I've bumped for years.

Theres also one big issue I have with this album...

For some reason I can't hold my attention to Cube for a full album, I've never been able too. He's one of those artists I respect and always check out his s--- but I prefer listening to a few songs and moving on. I don't even have a reason why I feel this way? Sorry @icecube !!!

I still think this album is fairly solid and I'd never complain about it being put on by anyone, so I'm gonna give it a

6.5/10

@AOTWClub

 

Aug 8, 2024

@AOTWClub

Laugh Now, Cry Later is an interesting one for me, I really like a big chunk of the production and Cube sounds great.

Although the rhymes are pretty basic. It still starts off strong with Why We Thugs and Smoke Some Weed. There's some lines in stuff like Child Support that sorta made me double take at first but it's still decent.

As the album goes on I feel like it gets weaker with highlights still sprinkled throughout, I feel like a decent amount of these tracks could have been shorter or cut completely for a more smooth listening experience.I almost convinced myself that i really dislike the album by the end when the weakest songs start playing back to back and they're all like 4 to 5mins long lol.

I also feel like it needs to be said how perfect Cube and Snoops voices are for rap, it's actually insane.

Favorite songs: Why We Thugs, Smoke Some Weed, Go To Church, Doin What It Pose 2Do

TL;DR: There's some highs on here that are enjoyable but as a full album experience it leaves a bit to be desired personally

RATING: 6/10

 

Aug 7, 2024

Ice Cube - Laugh Now, Cry Later

Fav songs - Doin' What It 'Pose 2Do, Go to Church, Chrome & Paint, You Gotta Lotta That

OVERALL RATING: 7/10

Classic West Coast vibes here. You can put it on in the background and vibe or even dance to it. It has some decent lyricism as well although at times the rhyme schemes felt a bit too basic but that was only a minor thing here and there. I didn’t connect with the album that much so I can’t really give it a higher score than this but it’s a good album for sure.

My favorite part of the album was Ice Cube’s chemistry with Snoop Dogg, I feel like those were some of the best songs. The skits were entertaining and didn’t really take away from the album like a lot of skits do. I appreciate some of the deeper messages sprinkled in occasionally. With a whopping 21 tracks, this was a way easier listen than I thought it would be. @AOTWClub

 

Aug 7, 2024

@AOTWClub New Week, New Leader!!!

Big Krit scored an 8/10 overall and is now In first place

@DiggleDogg69 nice pick

 

Aug 5, 2024

Big K.R.I.T - 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time

Standouts: Big Bank, Subenstein, 1999, Ride Wit Me, Get Away, Mixed Messages, Keep The Devil Off

Skips: Big K.R.I.T, Miss Georgia Fornia (Most of disc 2 tbh)

Best Features: T.I., UGK

Score: 7/10

Final Thoughts (Skit): WELCOME TO THE SOUTH!!!
I enjoyed this s---.
Lemme start by saying that the first disc is fire, it's b-----r after b-----r and it's gonna be a nice "chore soundtrack" while I fold clothes like a fa---- for example, HOWEVER, the second disc drags it down a bunch, f--- disc 2, it's not that it's s--- and even some of the standouts are from it but it had no business being on the same project as disc 1, I'm not even sure I'd even enjoy it as a standalone project tbh, all of it feels pretty forgettable and "run of the mill" if that makes sense, unfortunately it kept it from being a solid 8 or 9 since I feel like it's overstaying its welcome by that point.

(it's that friend who never partied on his teens so as an adult he wants to still drink and do crazy s--- at 6 am but you're ready to leave so you're like:
"let's bounce, man, I'm done"
and he's all like: "nah, man, what are you an old man? c'mon the night's young"
and you're like: "man, I can't be partying this late anymore, hangover and sleep deprivation are gonna f--- me up"
and he starts calling you a p---- and an old f-- so now while being tired, half-buzzed and pissed off you tell him to shut the f--- up and he's so drunk he feels some type of way about you talking to him like that so he pushes you and you respond with a punch which devoles into a fight so bad that you end up losing a friend because of some stupid s--- like that, it ain't worth it, man, that friend should've stayed home just like disc 2 is what I'm trying to say, you gotta know when the party's over)
Southern Rap >>>

@AOTWClub

 

Aug 4, 2024

How am I surprised that Ice Cube would pick an Ice Cube album lol

 

Aug 1, 2024

Big K.R.I.T. - 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time

Favorite tracks: Big K.R.I.T., Confetti, Big Bank, Subenstein,1999, Layup, Get Away, Mixed Messages, Keep the devil Off, Miss Georgia Fornia, Price of Fame, Drinking Sessions

Skips: none unless you wanna count the interludes but even those were kinda humorous and add some personality to the album

OVERALL RATING: 9/10

Thoughts:

Krit is great at balancing the conscious messages with absolute bangers. I gave this album more listens than probably all the other albums we’ve listened to so far (except for my pick). The second disc grew on me a lot, although I still think the first disc is better. I prefer the southern rap bangers, although that second disc has some nice introspection that the album needed. The jazzy, folky, gospel type s--- really complements that introspection. There’s some relatable stuff on that second disc.

There’s some lines on this album I’d like to highlight. “Drinking Sessions” in particular has some amazing lines. I think the best line on the album is:

“Everybody trying to die young but who gon' talk about life?”

And these lines from the song really hit hard too:

“I ain't promotin' no violence, it's people out here been wildin'
So much that you can get gunned down just for being happy and smilin'
Ain't no hotline worth dialin' to say the world needs help
We too busy fillin' our needs that we might k--- us ourselves”

It’s songs like this and “Price of Fame” that really got me thinking about my own life, and that’s special to me because it’s not often that albums make me do that anymore since I’m so numb to it all. These lines on “The Light” are too poignant to pass up:

“Because my dreams are dreams, don't make them less real
Nightmares are still the same thing”

I love this album! I have no complaints other than the second half feeling weaker to me. This is the second project I’ve heard from Krit, I need to check out more of his stuff! @AOTWClub

 

Jul 31, 2024

BIG KRIT- 4eva is a mighty long time review

Favorite Tracks: Big Bank, Subenstein, 1999, Ride wit me, Keep the Devil Off,

Really really like this album, but I actually prefer "Cadillactica" over this album.

Krit has that perfect southern sound, flows easily over some banging beats especially on the first disc. The first disc also has southern legends T.I., Bun B and p---- C(RIP), all 3 are artists I absolutely love. 1999 to me is smooth af, and reminds me of Krits version of "slow motion" by Juvenile and is actually kinda catchy. The one thing I've always found with Krit over some other southern rappers is he's fairly good lyrically.

I forgot how much I preferred Disc 1 over Disc 2, Keep the Devil off sounds like a kanye esque track (when he was good actually good) so it's one of my favorite tracks on the album.

Anyways this album to me is fairly solid, but way too long, had he cut 6-8 tracks off Here he could have a classic album.

Disc 1: 8.5/10
Disc 2: 5.5/10

Overall Rating: 7/10

 

Jul 31, 2024

@AOTWClub we have a new leader

Hermit & The Recluse has taken over the lead with a 7.85/10 just nudging Isaiah Rashad out if first place.

Don't forget to review @DiggleDogg69's pick for this week Big Krit- 4eva is a mighty long time

@Ordinary Joel great pick for your week!!

 

Jul 29, 2024

Heart is beaming at the positive reception to Orpheus vs the Sirens!

Spread the word about my boy Ka, his scriptures need to be passed on en masse!

 

Jul 28, 2024

hargydon’s Review of Orpheus vs. The Sirens

Wow. This collaborative album by Ka & Animoss, really showcases the talents of both but also why time & time again in-house producing is the best way to make music. When people talk about how hard it is to come up with fresh subject matter, rappers like Ka prove that you can really incorporate any concept into your artistic world if you’re bold & talented enough to pull it off. Boy did he pull it off. The profound exploration of Greek mythology interwoven with Ka’s introspective lyricism with a modern tinge & Animoss’s tasteful, minimalist, haunting production leaving space for Ka to deliver his slick spoken poetry is incredible. The fusion of Greek mythology with modern-day narratives is genius to me. & the wordplay man, the wordplay!

Music like this: the Ka’s, the Billy Woods’, the Milo’s are not ones I tend to spin often, or put in playlist rotation, & that can at times push people to look at this style of rap in a negative light. But not all music is intended to be played over & over again, at parties, in the whip etc. This type of music is what I will put on when I’m in a specific space, where I can’t be distracted, & I have total undivided attention to appreciate & indulge in the craftsmanship. It’s deep, it requires patience & a curiosity to penetrate into the world that’s being portrayed, it’s an exercise akin to reading a fiction book. You can’t passively engage with it.

After multiple listens, I know there’s more to this album that I will discover, & yet even before then, I still find it difficult to find flaws, it’s a seamless execution from top to bottom. So this will not only be my highest score yet, but a perfect one too.

Spoiler: Highlights:

It's hard to love, and if only God could judge, who needs juries?

Should discover y'all brothers instead of throwin' signs that divide you
It ain't never s---t you, just headed to you with nines
It's the Hydra

Blocks of outlaws, but all we watch out for is the Sirens

I'm here writing this priceless, they just reportin' they worth

In the land of kings I'm your ace in the hole
Preoccupied with skin then you're vacant in soul

Nothing sweet I couldn't eat from them unsavoury roles/rolls

We lick shots for tonguelash

Mentally jogging my memory is the only way I run a jewel
My sense is true in principle I could run a school

They hold a grudge for my melanin
On the strength of my dubs, I get love as a skeleton
My crust wasn’t upper, so a sucker I never been
The good said it I'm hood medic rushing you medicine

Was bestseller before I read a book

The hardest hitters was the father figures
Praying you learn from they burn was all scarred with triggers

Committed living in these hard bars, I'm doing years

From birth too down to earth, ain't a fan of disguise
To me it's vogue being rogue when the standard is lies
Left the field, dressed to k---, nothing I wore peaceful
Most these f---s is ducks, don't let em all geese you
Hemorrhaging for the genuine never side with the fake
In my end days pray I save more lives than I take

Mourned and cried on the Wrong Side of the hardest Track
Discover they supply you lies, I'm more Artifact

Hope you find me timely, when you need it
They rappers bad for the hatchlings, I'm tryna supersede it
What stalked this lion, brought the iron, they was too anaemic

Knew some crews who only left funerals in they wake

If love is the message, then the message was late
'Cause by and large buying firearms, investing in hate
Was born where a wrong turn on this difficult pavement
Can be the difference if you live in riches or a vagrant
All fight this poor righteous, only wicked get the payment
And listen, you’re amiss if you think this is entertainment

Off innovation often mistaken as Orpheus
That man sing that he ran thing but couldn't walk with us

Explain how I'm 'posed to be tame when came from wild homes
Every inch of my coarse course didn't garner no milestones
Those in fashion raps with passion like hostile poems
Walked by buildings of crack, could've been tracked by Dow Jones
Move quiet, so admired when tools fire loud tones
There's boys to avoid getting knocked down stockpiled chromes

Apparently we ain't family, you can't relate

Get hands on Canons for your picture, you could pose a threat

Across the board, if I'm forced to draw, we both lose
On his block he's clocking alarming numbers, don't snooze

It's clear I greet the air sweet, I'm the salt to the earth

@AOTWClub

Rating: 10 OUT OF 10!

 

Jul 27, 2024

Hermit and the Recluse - Orpheus vs. the Sirens


Standouts: Sirens,Fate,Atlas, Argo
Skips: (I wouldn't say there are skips but there are songs that I wouldn't go back to, not because I dislike them but because they're redundant)
Score: 6/10
Final Thoughts (Skit): For such a short project it does feel redundant and repetitive at times but I appreciate the concept and its execution (I love greek mythology), I love the pen game but some songs feel very interchangeable ngl both in topics and production, does this mean I didn't enjoy it? of course not, I do like it but it's not something I see myself going back to in full, probably just the standouts
It did make me curious to check out more of Ka's s---

@AOTWClub

 

Jul 26, 2024

Hermit and the Recluse - Orpheus vs. the Sirens

review

9/10

favorite tracks: sirens,orpheus, argo, golden fleece, The punishment of sisyphus

least favorite: N/A

This album introduced me to Ka and I have been a fan ever since. Loved his albums Honor Killed the Samurai, the Night’s Gambit and especially this one which I consider his magnum opus. There is a lot to be said about the synergy he found with Animoss on this thing; sonically this is one of the most gorgeous sounding underground hiphop albums of all time to me. Despite the music on this thing being so well produced and lush, I can understand why someone wouldn’t like Ka’s style. This slow, spoken-word approach he has can get a bit tiring at times, especially since he packs so much content and motifs into his bars, still, I will say that his music clicked for me immediately on my first listen a few years ago. Ka is a different beast, not many MCs who sound like him and manage to display actual intellect without sounding like corny preachermen. The reason why this album was such a hit for me could also be the fact that I work in the field of history and archeology and spent thousands of hours reading into the themes he showcases on this body of work. It is the perfect amalgamation of my passion for mythology, my professional career and my love for hiphop, it fuses all of these different fields and elements of my own life and does it incredibly well, as cheesy as that may sound. His approach to developing these mythological motifs is super well executed too; he isn’t being overly dramatic or reaching in order to make these ancient Greek heroes and events fit his personal narrative. All in all, his performance is masterful; even more so when paired with Animoss who reached into his most off kilter protools folder and pulled out a f---ing Harp. Although taking Ka at face value and trying to rate his music using the standards of other, more ‘traditional’ hip-hop albums is impossible, one must still admire the niche he’s found for himself and the way he paved his way to developing an impressive discography with barely any duds.

Won't peep weakness though my scars show
Disappear in history or be hero on that Argo

Chef’s kiss