Chesstown King's Reviews and Thoughts

will.i.am’s latest isn’t a good album. The beats aren’t even all that to help the listen. There are some highlights here, but just like 2 Chainz album last year, an allstar cast isn’t enough to get this album a 7/10 from me. However I know that Will was going for a pop sound, especially when you recruit Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus. There are other guests as well, but this album just sounds half assed. Well to be honest this isn't a good album, but its not horrible either. I give it a 6.75/10

This is a very laid back sounding, interesting mixtape. Chance shows lyrical creativity combined with goofiness. This album is just very well executed. I really felt the production on the album equaled   and fit perfectly with Chance’s raps. There is a great level of cohesiveness on this album, even if some songs weren’t all that. Overall I think the future is bright for the young rapper(he’s younger than me!)   I feel this album is a solid 9/10, but in real terms its close to 9.25 lol

Wale busts on the scene again with a “Gift” for rap. It seems like Wale has finally figured out his sound for the most part. Yes this album is better than most of Rick Ross’s albums. The album gets off to a decent start, and things only get better. Wale hasn’t really improved lyrically since 2011’s Ambition, but the production is better, as are the song’s concepts. Both versions of Bad are included, but I like the Rihanna version more. Wale also has Meek Mill, Ne-Yo, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, and Nicki Minaj. Juicy J is also up here, and of course there’s Rick Ross. So whats the final verdict? Its Wale’s best album to date. Its more interesting and catchy than his previous two albums.    Verdict 9/10

808’s and Heartbreak   Kanye West   In Depth Review Opening Opinion: 8/10   This isn’t Kanye’s best album, in fact the others are so good it’s his worst. However, this album is ambitious and creative. I didn’t like the Auto-tune sound at first, but this sound really helped him make his next album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy so great.               The album starts off with a very very slow and laid back song, “Say You Will”.   The song is good but pretty long. After hearing it, you know exactly what kind of album you’re in for. After all Kanye’s mother had just died and he had broken up with his girlfriend at the time. These Heartbreaks translated directly into his music.   On the positive side this album has some really good beats.               The next song, “Welcome to Heartbreak” is kind of like th...

Graduation   Kanye West   In Depth Review     Opening Opinion: 9.5               My hype for this album was very high. It’s kind of a hard feeling to describe. I had heard enough singles form the album to know that it was dope. However what wasn’t apparent to me is this going to be his best album, or not. Graduation certainly lives up to that hype….and it’s my favorite rap album ever.               The first 3 songs are all pretty different. “Champion” has a great sample, and Kanye shows improved lyrical ability on this song, as well as the whole album. “Good Morning”, the first track is a great opener. It’s laid back, but incredibly effective. There’s a Jay-z quote at the end of it. Stronger samples the Daft Punk song “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”. The song isn’t that great lyrically, but the way it flows tog...

10)Lauryn Hill-The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill: Its no doubt that this album is a classic. U may wonder why it’s so far back. Well technically it’s not; it made my top ten. Some consider this a rap album, but its really not. The songs are an incredible mix of mostly singing and potent rapping.   9)Janelle Monae-The ArchAndroid: Janelle is an incredibly talented artist. This album is a concept album, and its executed extremely well. Just about every song is very entertaining. Some of songs really blend together. She also raps here and there too. The production is also good, with some super futuristic beats.   8)Frank Ocean-channel Orange : Frank Ocean’s debut album is a new favorite of mine. The album has incredible cohesion between the songs. “Thinkin About You” is great, but I really like “Pyramids” and “Lost”. Ocean paints vivid pictures with his lyrics, and his vocals are no joke either. It also surprised me that Tyler, the creator, did not show up on any so...

Let the countdown continue 20)Amerie-Because I Love It: This album was barely released in the United States. However its still one of the best R&B albums ever made. The production is generally mid-tempo which fits Amerie’s style well. “Losing U” might be the best song here, but there are a lot of good ones.   19)Mariah Carey-The Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel: I feel this album was tainted by the (obvious) beef with Eminem. However this remains one of Mariah’s strongest albums. I picked this over The Emancipation of Mimi cause on that album she introduced a new sound, on this album she perfected it.s   18)Usher-Lookin 4 Myself: This is Usher’s best album since Confessions(which most likely is on this list). Every song is good, even if some are a little similar in the beginning. I really like this album cause it seems like Usher is in top form(still).   17) Toni Braxton-Secrets: Secrets is a terrific album full of groundbreaking R&B songs. “Un-B...