the Underground Music: 2011 albums

Showing posts with label 2011 albums. Show all posts

Drake - Take Care Review

So first of all, Drake is Drake. This is his 2nd major release and he has quite a few lesser known releases from a few years ago. Anyone who claims to be a hip hop head and then gets mad that this cd isn't as hip hop as they expected, then what can i tell you? Well, i could tell you that you're simply not a hip hop head. Anyone who knows anything about hip hop can tell you off the bat that yes, Drake can spit, but that isn't his only talent and he isn't interested in making a rap album. Most of his songs feature him singing whether on auto tune or with some other kind of voice enhancement. I've seen him in concert and can tell you that he's not a very good singer without the digital help. But lucky for us, he (like most of today's r&b acts) is smart enough to use these enhancements on the cd. He isn't a thug, he isn't from the streets, and he isn't a battle rapper or a free styler. However, too many people are interested in comparing him based on those attributes instead of just laying back and listening to this cd.

You know who you are so i'll stop there.

As far as this cd goes, it's real addicting, mainly because of the hooks and the beats. The beats are top notch. Production is so solid and goes perfect with Drake. The guest spots for the most part are solid too, except for the last few bars from nicki minaj.

I really like this cd but i'm gonna compare it to his previous works, simply because while Drake has definitely matured in his last couple of cd's, he has a certain sound that sticks with him throughout. And it's easier to compare this cd with his previous cd's instead of comparing him to wu-tang, biggie, or some ridiculous sh* like that.

The Roots - Undun

I've thought back before to mistakes I've made, decisions I've made and how it influenced my life and how it impacted my ending up in the very room I sit right now writing this review. If I had done things differently, would I be here right now? Would I have ended up in another state? Perhaps gone to college, got a helluva job? Met someone, settled down, had kids, and the stereotypical American Dream? Or was I always destined to end up where I'm at now?

I thought about that as I listened to Undun, because it made me wonder whether Redford was doomed from the beginning. Whether his ending was predetermined from jump street and that he realized that and simply embraced what he felt was his destiny. It's definitely an interesting conversation piece, I think. And that, ultimately, is what separates The Roots from your average hip hop artists out there. The Roots stay coming correct with their intelligent and introspective works, while many others tend to focus on more materialistic gains. Unfortunately too many people would rather Watch The Throne, rather than get their heads into some real solid intelligent hip hop music. And that's sad, but unfortunately a part of life. As the album ends, it has it's final piece, a cover of singer Sufjan Stevens' song Redford, split into four "movements", and tell the "beginning" of Stephen's life.

Common - The Dreamer/The Believer Review

I like Common, and I have for a long time, that's why this cd was just "ok" for me. I like his flow, the beats are fine, but there's something missing for me. I think my expectations for his are so high, a conventional album just won't cut it from him anymore. It's very similar to Finding Forever for me. I did not like Universal Mind Control, but liked the idea of stepping outside of his box and trying something new. 5/10

Genre(s): Rap, Pop/Rock, Alternative Rap, Midwest Rap Year: 2011

Anthony Hamilton - Back to Love 2011 Review

I got into Anthony Hamilton with "Ain't Nobody Worryin'," which has made it difficult for follow ups, plus "Comin' From Where I'm From" to live up, but this is an excellent new set. Stronger than "The Point of It All" this record is loaded with medium to strong hooks draped in beautiful harmonies and textures with heartfelt lyrics delivered sincerely and soulfully. Lovin' it. I recommend the Deluxe version; the four additional tracks are as strong as the strongest material on the normal version. 8/10

Genre(s): Rap, R&B, Adult Contemporary R&B

Apparat - The Devil's Walk Review

A really sad and emotional affair. Moments of engrossing instrumentation, but not quite enough to displace the droning and uninteresting sounds when it's off. 7/10

Genre(s): Electronic, Pop/Rock, Club/Dance

Rihanna - Talk That Talk Reviews

Based on 6 critics - Overal Score: 63/ 100

Enough with the chains and whips already. Ever since 2009's Rated R, the relentlessly dark, blood-on-your-hands record she released after being assaulted by her then boyfriend Chris Brown, Rihanna, 23, has equated falling for someone with feeling tortured. On last year's LOUD, she even tried to make pain seem empowering with the hard-pounding single ''S&M.'' But between ''Love the Way You Lie,'' a domestic-violence saga played out with Eminem, and ''Man Down,'' a ragga-tinged murder ballad, she just sounded like she needed a hug. 80/100 Read Full Review ew.com/ew/article/0,,20545856,00.html

Chris Cornell - Songbook Reviews

Based on 2 critics - Overal Score: 80/ 100

The fact that there is no cover of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' is a surprise as this was always covered at Audioslave shows by a solo Cornell, but the collection here is more than enough to show Chris' amazing vocal talent stripped bare. A must for anyone who has or even hasn't heard of him. 90/100
Read Full Review leedsmusicscene.net/article/15732/

Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park Reviews

Based on 5 critics - Overal Score: 57/ 100

It was cool when Miller was wearing snap-backs and sampling Nas, or shouting out Wu-Tang, or rapping over Lord Finesse beats – it sounded good. But Blue Slide Park seems to ditch this approach, while still wearing a snap-back. So now, by some, Mac Miller will likely be labeled by some as a young hipster who is doing Hip-Hop culture wrong. Actually, he’s a real fan of Hip-Hop with under-developed rhymes and mainstream-production problems. Bummer. 65/100 Read Full Review http://allhiphop.com/2011/11/08/album-review-mac-millers-blue-slide-park/

The Puppini Sisters - Hollywood Reviews

Based on 1 critics - Overal Score: 70/ 100

Described as "the Andrews Sisters on acid," Anglo-Italian vocal trio the Puppini Sisters' sound and style are so steeped in the golden era of the silver screen that it's surprising it's taken this long for the concept of their fourth album, Hollywood, to materialize. 70/100
Read Full Review http://www.allmusic.com/album/hollywood-r2318998/review

Class Actress - Rapprocher Reviews

Based on 7 critics - Overal Score: 71/ 100

Critic	Rating
AllMusic The most impressive thing on Class Actress' debut full-length album Rapprocher is the voice of Elizabeth Harper. Her rich, powerful, not to mention thoroughly enchanting vocals give the retro-synth pop sound a strength and impact that eludes most bands who chart a similar musical course.	90/100
Sputnikmusic Whatever the balance, it most definitely works. The track-list is consistent, the melodies catchy and layered, and the vocals lush and textured. Harper’s voice is silky and poised, adding a wash of warmth to the chilling robo-beats with her memorable and anthemic lines.	90/100

Foreigner - Feels Like The First Time Reviews (Critic Reviews for Foreigner - Feels Like The First Time at Underground Music)

Based on 1 critics - Overal Score: 20/ 100

If only they had skipped the second disc..... which I refer to as "Feels like the Worst Time". The first CD of unplugged treatments of mostly classic foreigner songs is good...some of the arrangements different enough to even be called fresh and sadly the last track ...the Elvis tune "That's All Right" is so good it makes me wish they would have not retreaded Foreigner songs but attacked classic tunes. The third disc...the DVD is not the previous Sound Stage show but a more recent one...that said...its starting to get old...the same set the same licks on the previous Sound Stage, the Ryman Theatre and now this....but its a nice hour and a half. Now together these are worth the 12bucks it will cost you at Walmart. I should add... I like the new singer and band...I'm seeing them in a few weeks in concert.

CD Cover Front

Based on 1 critics - Overal Score: 70/ 100

All Music - 70/100: Guitar Man, George Benson's second offering for Concord stands in contrast to 2009's Songs and Stories, though is not an about face. While the earlier album focused on Benson's proven, decades-long formula for pop and smooth jazz -- a group of of easy grooving tunes featuring his silky voice and shimmering guitar work -- this set focuses (primarily) on Benson as a contemporary jazz guitarist.

Thrice - Major/Minor Review and Yellow Belly Lyrics

I can't think of a reason why Thrice shouldn't be my favorite group in the world right now. Major/Minor leaves next to nothing to be desired in a modern rock record. (Alternative/Indie Rock) Everything that Thrice has done well in the past is present on this disc in droves upon droves. While not being overly progressive in the vein of 'The Alchemy Index' EP's, (atmospheric) and seeming slightly more filled out than the unabashed minimalism of 'Beggars', 'Major/Minor' succeeds at being both raw and sonic and captures the sound of a band that has reached its summit. Lyrically, Dustin Kensrue is without equal.

That's not to say he simply parrots SAT words one after the other but there's a careful, poetic quality (screamo) to his words that seems to extend far beyond his years. As if that weren't enough, (cathartic) Kensrue puts forth a vocal effort that is both singular and powerful. on 'Disarmed' he croons and moves softly through watery moments while on 'Blur' he manages to unleash some of the buzz-saw ferocity that helped put Thrice on the map years ago. While Kensrue is arguably the greatest (confrontational) front man in modern rock, 'Major/Minor' does not solely belong to him. Teppei Teranishi has come a long way from post-hardcore (aggressive) shredding and he drives that point home on gems like (rousing) 'Treading Paper' and 'Call it in the Air'. His playing is calculated & is less about mach 3 soloing than crafting ambient, mood inducing leads.

Bjork - Biophilia CD Covers

"What I always wanted to do was to reconnect musicology with nature," Icelandic composer and performer Björk recently told the New York Times. "I always wanted to make bass lines behave like gravity."

CD Cover Front

Biophilia is the Icelandic singer and composer's most ambitious undertaking in a 20-year career distinguished by continuous innovation and artistic evolution. The album title refers to a love of all living things, and in every aspect of this game-changing multi-media effort, Björk brilliantly connects nature, music, and technology.

In addition to the music itself, this project will offer interactive iPad apps, designed by the industry's most creative minds, that feature games, music, and editorial content-allowing listeners to explore more deeply the concepts and sounds of each of Biophilia's 13 songs.


CD Cover Front

Americana singer/songwriter Annie Crane calls to mind folk legends Joni Mitchell, Gillian Welch and Sandy Denny and is, according to Nashville documentarian and music writer Craig Havighurst, "refashioning folk music in a modernist and urbane guise." She writes of immigrant histories and of personal love. She has toured internationally, spreading her voice and poetry from Copenhagen to Kentucky, from Berlin to New York, and from Paris to Nashville where she shared the stage with folk icon Emmylou Harris at the inaugural Music City Roots' Live from the Loveless Cafe. Based in NYC, Crane has played some of the city's most celebrated venues such as Rockwood Musichall, The Bitter End, Sidewalk Cafe, and The Living Room and has shared the stage with The Bowmans, The Wowz, Jill Andrews of the Everybody Fields, Au Revoir Simone, Jean Ritchie, The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, and Emmylou Harris.

2560x2560 CD Cover Front

Shattering Sea
Lyrics
That is not my blood on the bedroom floor
That is not the glass that I threw before

He gets his power from tide and wave
The grains of sand are my domain
His tempest surged and angry flesh
And through my arms formed a sea of glass