listened to the songs with gucci mane and lady gaga and really liked both of them, i'll probably look
this one up

good review, although i think gucci mane's brrr-ing was one of the high points - at least of that song

Sobhi,

Once again, an elegantly written review. Haven't listened to anything but snippets for this album so far, but I enjoyed his last two mixtapes, so I'm really anticipating this one. So you dint like back to the feature?! I thought that was a great one (9th is a personal fave prod.), especially the collabs. My one major complaint with him, albeit an attribute I enjoy, is his pop-culture influence. This is one of many reasons why I love "Us" so much: it has a timelessness to it, whereas I feel Wale is too topical. However, his playfulness and humor is nothing to frown at.

I will write my vitriolic rebuke after listening to the album fully, so be patient!

Oh, and regarding great debuts, please check out Fashawn's debut album - very curious on your opinion there ( I love it, so I'm guessing you'll think its decent.....maybe)

Your invisible-heckler-painintheass-dedicated reader.

P.S. "Us" still outshines most of the albums this year. And the Fresh Air show in LA was AMAZING.

Chillin' is meant for my friends and I to club to on the way to Iceberg.

wat

Album Rating: 3.5

I appreciate that there are some people that read my reviews SlyJak, ha. To address some of your points, yes I did like Back to the Feature (a 3/5)... my rating scale is probably a bit different from yours/ most people's by half a point (lower). For me, a classic record happens only every now and then (maybe once a year) and ratings .5 points lower happen with multiplied frequency, accordingly. So, a 3/5 is considered solid, but nothing absolutely essential; whereas a 3.5/5 and higher will typically make my year end list.



I did like Fashawn's debut, but not as much as others (3/5 from me)... I felt the beats were a bit too derivative and that he should have involved more progressive left-coast producers. See, I'm more of a fan of electro-heavy productions for new releases -- it's really hard for me to appreciate a record that comes out in 2009 that doesn't take heed to the new wave of production trends. This is why I didn't dig Us or Fashawn that much.



Brother Ali is definitely awesome live... I love how his head lights up like a red christmas bulb. You should check out the newest Felt record (Slug/Murs/Aes Rock on beats), might be a 4/5 for me.

Therein lies the difference: I am very much a reactionary regarding production. I LOVE sampled beats, especially the sample first approach, a la J Dilla. Exile is one of my favorite current produces; his rough, diced samples, courtesy of the MPC, are delicious to me. Hyphy, electro-styled beats are just not that apetizing. I'm not totally against this style, I just tend to find it interminable. As you said, different strokes.

But really, this says a lot about your love for OBFCL2 (mutual), which is very traditional in its production: Raekwon's story telling is so stellar - in fact, visual - it creates a cinematic experience, which overcomes the derivative production style. Soundaboutright?

I must concede that Brother Ali's rhyme scheme, as of late, has become more as you say "static", or simplified (a,a,a,b,b,b). This is why I cannot say that "Us" is perfect. I too continue to enjoy his complex, circuital rhyming on previous albums. At first I hoped this was indicative of his desire to make "Us" a more soulful, direct listening experience, but then I heard him on BK One's Album (which is great, btw), and this same approach was used. He may not be as hungry, but he is definitely still complex, even on the new album. In fact, I was so knocked for a loop by your review that I analyzed the sh*$ out of the lyrics - I believe you were exaggerating a bit with this description (regardless of the 16 bar format); I would say about half of the tracks follow this format; many of the songs remain complex in other, less noticeable ways, such as alliteration, alternating rhymes, and internal rhyming.

But most of all, Us is his most soulful, emotive album. Ultimately, either your emotional moved, or just annoyed by arrogant, didactic, and preachy words. This is why, to me, it is a great success: emotional resonance. And, he still is one bad mufu#$a!

Oh yeah, and I'll be getting the Felt 3, even though Aesops style isn't my cup o tea. I've heard some of the samples, and it sounds awesome, but I'm a little skeptical (Ants production on Felt 2 stands for itself)

Album Rating: 3.5

dilla is my favorite producer btw.

Yeah: J Dilla, Illmind, Pete Rock, Oddisee, 9th wonder, Thes One, Dre, Exile... and the tradition goes on. Dont even get me started on Donuts

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah. What I'm saying in terms of electro-influenced is basically the Detroit sound that Dilla started... ie, taking soul samples, etc and updating them with club style beats.

this album is damn good

Album Rating: 3.0

Like whenever i look up, I'm expecting the light

I'm abusing the sunshine so I'm technically blind.

Album Rating: 3.0

the best thing about this album is Lady GaGa. Some pretty tight beats but by the end of the album I kinda zoned out.

Album Rating: 2.5

It's not "end of year" its not "great" ...it's an average debut from a good rapper. The formula for this album, you can see right through it... right to the Lady Gaga, Gucci Mane, and the appearance of a C- neptunes songs about girls. If he would have stayed true to his style, this could have turned out MUCH better.

yo damn dawg

heard mirrors today, song is sick

Album Rating: 3.5

Digging "Mirrors" although it does get repetitive, Bun B shiines

bun b has been on two of this year's best hip hop tracks, 'city lights' by meth and red anyone?

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah, I like this. It's a solid 3.5.



He does try to compromise a little, but I think he finds a pretty good balance. Plus, it's understandable in trying to expose his work to a large audience.



I prefer the more accessible tracks obviously; Chillin, World Tour, Beautiful Bliss & 90210.

Album Rating: 3.5

chillin has such an amazing beat