Jun 21, 2025

302. Eminem - Encore (2004) [June 21st, 2025]

Encore sucks. We all agree on that right? Sure, it's better than Revival, but it's still not great

There are plenty of core reasons for why Encore was once considered the worst record in Em's discography. After 3 classic albums, Eminem decided to drop one of his most confusing projects ever. By now, the excuses are well known by this point: leaks, drugs, beefs, etc. But honestly, none of those reasons really defend this record that well.

"Evil Deeds" has an amazing beat and a good hook, but the verses s---. "Never Enough" is fine, and the vocal effect on "Yellow Brick Road" ruins the track for me. "Like Toy Soldiers" is great, "Mosh" probably singlehandedly ruined John Kerry's chance at the presidency, and "Puke" is meh. I actually warmed up to the stretch between "My 1st Single" and "a--- Like That" this time around, but I think it still hinders the record too much. If Encore was entirely a troll record, I would probably praise it as an Andy Kaufman-esque masterpiece, but the fact that this section is sandwiched between a mostly poor first third, and a good last third, makes it come off even worse. "Mockingbird" and "Encore" are pretty cool, but "Crazy in Love" f---ing SUCKSSSSSSSSSSS.

At least to me, the biggest issue present in Encore is the lack of a singular style. That might seem like an odd issue, but let me explain. There are essentially three different types of songs on Encore:
1. Serious TES-2003 mixtape era style tracks ("Like Toy Soldiers", "Spend Some Time", "Mockingbird")
2. Troll songs ("a--- Like That", "Just Lose It", "Big Weenie")
3. Songs that try to be serious but s--- ("Evil Deeds", "Puke", "Crazy In Love")

In all honesty, if Encore was made up solely off of serious songs, or entirely of troll songs, I would actually enjoy this record quite a bit, but the attempt at mixing these three types of songs into a project comes off terribly. The fact that this record caps off the incredible run Em had up to this point with such a s-----y outcome makes me dislike it even more. Similar to how Revival is basically the s-----y counterpart to 4:44, Encore feels like a neutered counterpart to another Jay-Z classic, The Black Album. Both are "retirement" records that follow up an absolutely incredible run from a top 3 rapper, but sadly, Encore missed the mark by a long shot. I do want to reiterate that there are some pretty dope, and funny tracks on this album, but the mix ultimately ruins the experience. The beats are dope tho!!!

 

Jun 11, 2025

286. Kendrick Lamar - To p---- a Butterfly (2015) [June 11th, 2025]

To p---- a Butterfly has racked up quite the reputation in the decade since its release. Its the #1 rated album on RateYourMusic for God's sake, and while I don't really agree with that placement, I can't deny that it's an incredible project.

To start, TPAB works great as a sonic evolution of the Kendrick we saw on good kid, m.A.A.d. city. On GKMC, Kendrick was hungry, and channeled his past experiences into his lyrics. On TPAB however, Kendrick is fully living in the present, and is keenly aware of the problems that arise from his fame. Fame, discrimination, self hatred/love, and many other topics are present thoughout TPAB, and they're all weaved together incredibly.

"Wesley's Theory" is an incredible album opener, with incredible producton, great bass playing from Thundercat, George Clinton's funky vocals at the end, and Kendrick absolutely tears the track up with his decision to rap through the character of Uncle Sam. "For Free" is a pretty funny interlude, and "King Kunta" is a f---ing b-----r holy s---, that guitar solo at the end is epic. "These Walls" is partly a soulful sex jam, and partly a tale of revenge against Kendrick's enemy and it excels at both. The instrumental part near the end of the track is amazing as well.

"u" has to be one of the most vivid depictions of self loathing that has ever been put to song, and it is truly harrowing. "Alright" is a great protest song, and the "For Sale" interlude is a very groovy introduction to the Lucy character. "How Much a Dollar Cost" is a masterpiece in storytelling, and "The Blacker the Berry" is a fired up attack on white America, and its stellar. The album version of "i" is very fun as well, and "Mortal Man" has to be one of the most important tracks of the past 10 years. Kendrick really managed to weave a nearly two decade-old Pac interview into his project's grand vision, and he pulled it off beautifully.

So yeah, To p---- a Butterfly is great, to nobody's surprise. Over time I have been pretty shocked at the fact that this record has a very mixed reception on this forum, but I still love it personally. i still think it's Kendrick's best.

 

May 2, 2025

219. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966) [May 2nd, 2025]

Finishing today with another album that is very near and dear to my heart. I think that in a lot of ways, Pet Sounds is the definitive "growing up" album. This whole album just encompasses all the good and sad things about entering adulthood. I should preface this log by saying that despite taking a few music theory classes, I remember absolutely nothing, so that's going to be missing from my review

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" starts the record off with one of the most beautiful love songs that has ever been made. And for the first half record, I'd say that I'm felt with lots of bittersweet joy from these tracks. A song like "That's Not Me" which is basically about a man moving a way because of a "dream", hits very close to home for me. Love is a very common theme on this record, whether it be the sweet romance depicted on "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" or the desperation shown by the narrator in "I'm Waiting For The Day". I think that the instrumental track "Let's Go Away For A While" ends Side A on a very blissful, and emotional note, and it's one of my favorite tracks on here (I know "Sloop John B" is the lack track okay, I just think that LGAFAW works better as the midpoint of the record).

Side B begins with the absolutely beautiful "God Only Knows", and the next couple of tracks are great as well. The love songs definitely begin to become less prevalent during this section, as we also get thinly-veiled LSD references on "I Know There's An Answer" and the absolutely heartbreaking "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". Then, we have the closer, "Caroline, No". This might be one of my favorite closers of all time. The choice to end this record with a melancholic song about a breakup, honestly makes the whole record just feel sad. The record perfectly represents the experience of growing up, and the disillusionment that comes with it. A definitive 10, and a must listen.

 

May 2, 2025

218. Eminem - The Eminem Show (2002) [May 2nd, 2025]

Yo, left, yo, left, yo, left, right, left
Yo, left, yo, left, yo, left, right, left
Yo, left, yo, left, yo, left, right, left
Yo, left, yo, left, yo, left, right, left

Here we are, the moment @Minato has been patiently waiting (pun intended) for. For the record, I do regularly listen to Eminem, its just not very common for me to listen to his full albums frequently. But still, I knew that when an Em album inevitably went on here, it deserved my full attention.

In hip-hop circles, its common to discuss "primes" and how they pair up against other artists. There are lots of famous primes, with some of my favorites being '96 2Pac, '98 DMX, 2001 Hov and 2010 Kanye. Aside from those examples, I think that Eminem from 2002-2003 could legitimately outrap almost any rapper. I know that that's a BIG statement, but its true. And I think that there is no album that reflects Em in his prime, more than The Eminem Show.

I think that "White America" is Em's best opener. To start off an album with a quick intro skit, and having that be followed up by the sounds of soaring planes and Em screaming "AMERICA!!!!!" is simply marvelous. In a lots of ways, TES serves a variety of different concepts for Em. It serves as a victory lap after SSLP and MMLP, a reflection on his current personal struggles, and its his 9/11 album. I could speak all day about how great of a song WA is, but I want to point out a key part of this album, that's one of the main reasons that I love it so much...

The inflections. I know what you're thinking, "What the h--- is an inflection?" To put it simply, the way that Em says every single word sounds f---ing masterful. There's countless example of this, but I'm going to use the following excerpt from "Soldier" to display it:

"I'm a lit fuse
Anything I do b----, it's news
Pistol-whippin' motherfuckin' bouncer 6'2"
Who needs bullets
as soon as I pull it, you sweat bullets"

I legitimately think that outside of '96 Pac, no other rapper has sounded this good. This carries on to "Business", which is one the most fun songs in Em's entire discography. Then we have "Cleaning Out My Closet" which has one of my favorite title drops EVER.

"'Cause I'da killed him; s--- I would've shot Kim and him both
It's my life, I'd like to welcome y'all to "The Eminem Show""

Then we have "Square Dance" which simultaneously serves as a Canibus diss, a commentary on the War on Terror, and a warning to everybody that wants to f--- with Em. It's stellar. Then there's the 3 track run of "The Kiss", "Soldier", and "Say Goodbye Hollywood", which is without a doubt, the best 3 track run in Em's discography. Em's production peaked on this record without a doubt, and these tracks are prime examples. The emotion on these tracks is off the charts man.

Then, there's "Drips". I...actually f--- with the song a lot. It has a decent beat, and Em and Obie do a pretty good job. I do think that it is weird to have it here though. TES mainly revolves around Em's personal issues at the time, so having a song about contracting AIDS is a bit out of place. Then there's "Without Me", which is the song that turned me onto Em in the first place. I think its by far the best out of his big 3 singles, and one of the best hip-hop tracks ever. That saxophone man,

Then, there's "Sing for the Moment". I admit that there have been times where I've gone back and forth on my appreciation for Em's music. Like, do I really love the music, or is it the memories that I have around it that keep me around?. Whenever those thoughts come up, SFTM reminds me about why I fell in love with Em's music in the first place. So much emotion in EVERY SINGLE word. And I honestly struggle to think about any other songs that can properly describe what it means to love music, more than this song.

"Superman" is fine. The outro is a bit too long imo. "When the Music Stops" is a great posse cut, but I gotta give a special shout out to Mr. Porter for the following:

"And you fall out the car and try to crawl with one arm
I'm 'bout to lose it all in a pool of alcohol
If my funeral's tomorrow
Wonder would they even call? When the music stops

Then we have the album's only miss, "Say What You Say". SWYS is boring. Its by far the worst Em & Dre track up to this point, and it just feels lackluster compared to the rest of the record. It's followed up by two of the best tracks in Em's discography however. "'Til I Collapse" needs no introduction. It's the ultimate hype track ever, and Nate KILLS the hook man. Then we have "My Dad's Gone Crazy" which starts out as a fun little track, and ends with one of the best closers to a rap song that I've ever heard:

"And that's pretty much the gist of it, Parents are pissed, but the kids love
it
Nine millimeter, heater stashed, in two-seaters with meat cleavers
I don't blame you, I wouldn't let Hailie listen to me neither"

If it weren't for "Drips" and SWYS, I would say that The Eminem Show is a perfect album. It showcases Em's best lyricism, production, and sound, and in terms of full albums, there's nothing like it. An incredible record nonetheless, and I will likely continue loving it for decades to come. Not sure about what Em is cooking up for next time, but I always have hope that he can someday reach these heights again.

Sidenote: "Stimulate" is one of Em's best tracks, and he 100% should've cut SWYS in order to include it;

 

May 1, 2025

Checking out a couple albums tomorrow, and I think one of them is going to make @Minato very happy...

 

Apr 29, 2025

215. Joey Bada$$ - 1999 (2012) [April 29th, 2025]

1999 holds a strange place when it compared to early 2010's rap projects. Records like Live.Love.A$AP, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Take Care etc. are still commonly talked about and revered today because of how they pioneered the greater hip-hop sound. 1999 does the opposite, as it very clearly harkens back to an earlier 90's-2000's era of primarily boom bap beats and atmosphere. While this definitely serves as one of the projects strong points, I do think that it might've hurt Joey's mainstream-appeal, but I'll go into that later.

Rap-wise, Joey and the rest of Pro Era are great on this record. STEEZ absolutely shines on "Survival Tactics" and tracks like "Snakes" and "Suspect" contain some incredible verses from everybody involved. 1999 also shines in its production. Seriously, Statik Selektah, MF DOOM, J DILLA!!!! This project has an incredible atmosphere, and its a great throwback to the 90's era of hip-hop...

...but I feel like being a great throwback to the 90's era of hip-hop might've slightly hurt Joey's career. I started feeling this way after he dropped "The Ruler's Back" last year, but despite being an absolutely killer MC, it feels like Joey's at a strange place compared to other rappers. Artists like Kendrick, Rocky, Danny etc. feel like they've made a much greater impact, even though Joey's been around for about the same amount of time. I probably could've worded this better, but despite Joey's strange place in modern hip-hop, I still think that 1999 is a great project, and a must-listen when it comes to the early 2010's era of hip-hop

 

Apr 21, 2025

Rap God? d---, you're right, its about time I check out a NAV record

 

Apr 21, 2025

189. Dr. Dre - The Chronic (1992) [April 21st, 2025]

The album that pioneered, and shot G-Funk through the mainstream. The Chronic holds a very special place in Dre's greater discography. The sound is much funkier than his Ruthless Records era prod, but it still isn't "futuristic" like 2001.

In a lot of ways, The Chronic feels much more like a blueprint for an entire subgenre, than a full on solo album. Basically all of Snoop's appearances are great, and the rest of the Death Row roster does a great job as well. I gotta give special shout outs to Kurupt and RBX, who absolutely k--- tracks like "The Day The Niggaz Took Over" and my favorite track on the record, "Stranded on Death Row."

I also have to single out "Lil Ghetto Boy" which is by far the saddest track on the record. The whole track feels very juxtaposed with the rest of the record, which is especially notable since it comes right before "A n----- Witta Gun".

There are very few negatives with this album thankfully. I do think that it is strange that the entire project ends with Jewell rapping about how great she is at sucking d----s, but its nothing too major. Overall, The Chronic is a defining hip-hop record, and there's no denying that its one of the most influential albums ever/

 

Apr 13, 2025

My spellcheck is so bad that "yet" turned into "yeat" istg

 

Apr 2, 2025

129. GZA - Liquid Swords (1995) [April 2nd, 2025]

OB4CL has always been my favorite Wu solo album from the 36 Chambers - WTF era, but recently, Liquid Swords has been catching up!!! RZA's production is top notch as always, and GZA is f---ing AWESOME. Classic song after classic song. "Liquid Swords" "Living In The World Today" "4th Chamber" "Shadowboxin" dear God. Gotta give a quick shout out to Killah Priest's "B.I.B.L.E.", which has some of my favorite opening lines to any rap song ever.

"Knowledge this wisdom, this goes back when I was 12
I loved doing right but I was trapped in h---"