Aug 17, 2015

I'm going back in on it and giving it a second full listen.
I'll post my thoughts song-by-song.

 

Aug 17, 2015

***---Intermission---***
Sorry I'm not replying to any of the comments on here, I'm trying to keep my mind on track during this.
I should probably say that I'm also not trying to paint myself as a critic with this, they're just my thoughts on it. (Edit: This might be exactly what a critic is, I just don't think I'm putting in enough thought into this to be considered a critic, UDigg?)
tbh, so far, I enjoy listening to this A LOT more than the first time awhile back...however, it hasn't gained any more replay value, yet.

 

Aug 17, 2015

***Overall***
Wow. What a difference that made.

I think it really helps knowing what I was getting into this time around. When I first listened to this I was hoping for 'Radioactive (Remix)' or 'It's Alive' Kendrick and that's obviously not what showed up. That had me salty from the start so it kind of ruined my initial experience.

This time around, I thought it was great. I found myself enjoying a majority of the album and actually being impressed by a lot of the beats / overall sound of the music (something I didn't expect to say).

Still wouldn't bump it in the whip, still didn't gain much replay value, BUT, my respect for the project has increased a ton!

TL ; DR ...8.9 / 10. It's a beautiful piece of art with minimal replay value.

 

Aug 17, 2015

How Much A Dollar Cost
This is smoother than I remember.
Reminds me of Sing About Me, kind of, not quite as good, but kind of. (I rank Sing About Me as one of Kendrick's top tracks)
This singing is smooth, too. I don't know why I wouldn't like this one the first time around...

Wow, I would listen to this track again...there's something I didn't expect to say!

 

Aug 17, 2015

His rapping on momma is severely underrated by everyone

 

Aug 17, 2015

U is amazing

It gets even better once you read the backstory about kendricks boy who died while he was on your/Kendrick couldn't even visit him before he passed away (only got to FaceTime or something) etc

 

Aug 17, 2015

You Ain't Gotta Lie
It's going to sound hypocritical, but Kendrick's voice doesn't bother me here. It meshes great with the beat.
This beat is so relaxing. I want to listen to this again next time I smoke, I bet it makes for a good time.
Whoa, that drop off before the (2nd?) verse & pick up :sheeeeesh:

Why did I ever dislike this album?

 

Aug 17, 2015

AHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

Aug 17, 2015

Alright

 

Aug 17, 2015

These Walls
Very funky vibe, I'll let the last track slide if this is good.
Whoa, I like this. This is better than what I first remembered. Maybe this second chance will be beneficial after all...
Kendrick flows nice, I like the beat noises.
s--- reminds me of the sounds on Wave Race 64.
'I beg to differ' flow sounded clunky to me
The end of this is pretty cool, I guess.
This song just gained a new fan.

 

Aug 17, 2015

The Blacker The Berry
Same situation here as the one with King Kunta, def not my 2nd listen.
I've always liked this track, going to listen to it again, though.

One of my favorites from the album.

 

Aug 17, 2015

Complexion
Smooth.
I don't think I really 'listened' to this album the first time, because this is so nice.
If this keeps up throughout the end of the album, my thoughts will drastically change from my first 1.5 listens.
Rapsody is great. She's perfect for this album, tbh. (her Jedi Code track )

d---, very nice track.

 

Aug 17, 2015

Wesley's Theory:
During my first listen, this song was one of my favorites. Such a funky start.
I don't mind some busy beats, but there a ton of noises going on here. The fact that I like it even after all these noises got mashed together probably speaks a lot about the production.
What's up, this is Dre.
This flow is nice 'wear these gay-tors'

I still dig it.

 

Aug 18, 2015

SUCCESS! Glad you acknowledge that it's a good album.

 

Aug 17, 2015

Mortal Man
Really hoping I like this more than I initially did.
Nice feel. Surprisingly now wow'ing me, though...
I just got the urge to hear an August Alsina hook on here (I'm gonna catch s--- for this one, lmao)
Oh d---, that Billie Jean line
I'm not in the mood for 6 minutes of Kendrick & Tupac talking.

I was hoping to like this song more, but I didn't really...one of those where I'm not sure what's wrong with it, but I'm not feeling drawn to it.

 

Aug 17, 2015

For Sale?
My lack of remembering most of these makes this feel almost like a 1st impressions thread.
This sounds fun.
All this breathing makes me uncomfortable.
Super spacey. Love the beat. His voice is weird to me, though. 'Luchey'

Smooth track. Heavenly sound? I think that's a good word for that.

 

Aug 17, 2015

***----Intermission----***
I like it more now than I did the first time. It probably helps knowing what I'm getting myself into.
At this point, I think I might actually like this album when this is done.

 

Aug 17, 2015

King Kunta
I should almost skip this because I've listened to this a ton, but I'm doing the album in full, so yea.
Still a funky jam. Can't argue with this one.
3 tracks in, I was sure nothing could possibly go wrong.

 

Aug 18, 2015

I think I looked up something like "Kendrick Lamar forum" and found it. I needed an active place to discuss his music, as the places I used to were in the music section of a basketball or sneaker forum. Definitely glad to be here though, love the community so far