album reviews

Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.

The 10 R&B Albums of 2017 You Must Have in Your Library
In a year where “Bodak Yellow” and “Despacito” battled at the top of the charts, EDM’s rise in popularity is at fever pitch, and “pop” is now defined by angsty hip-hop artists such as Lil Uzi Vert. It’s easy to have missed some amazing R&B albums the past year. Some say the genre died years ago with singers going to more “popular” sounds and even rapping.
By Chauncey Balsom8 years ago in Beat
Botanist—'Collective: The Shape of He to Come' Album Review
Botanist is a five piece post-black metal band from San Francisco, California. They have been a band since 2009 and have released five albums and three EP’s before this album was crafted. One of the things that makes this band stand out from the rest is the fact they do not use guitars as the lead instrument. Instead, they use a hammered dulcimer which gives it a very melodic, if not slightly hypnotic, approach to this interesting take on metal. A word to the reader, I must say that there are a few tracks that I would not say transcends metal, but you could not even call metal. Now onward to the oddly unique album!
By Rip Mitchell8 years ago in Beat
Recapping 2017: Standout Debuts, Pt. VI
CyHi The Prynce, Kelela, Roy Woods and more - here are all the standout debuts of this year... part six that is. And yes, this is the last installment of this series. Don't forget to check out part five.
By Sadé Sanchez8 years ago in Beat
Eminem - 'Encore'
Opening Opinion 8/10 Okay, so this is an in depth review of Em’s fourth album, Encore…sadly I have a bootlegged copy with no skits, so I won’t talk about those. Encore is known as being Em’s worst album...and, in my opinion, that is true. Let’s get into it…
By Matthew Sullivan8 years ago in Beat
A Review of Taylor Swift's 'Reputation'
Taylor Swift's sixth studio album Reputation has broken multiple records, including the record for fastest-selling album to hit No. 1 on iTunes (it took only six minutes!), the top-selling album of 2017, the best opening week of any album this year, and even Taylor's previous record for most presales (it sold over double the amount of presales for "1989"). In addition, Reputation also caused Taylor to become the first ever artist to debut four albums with at least one million copies sold in the first week. With its success, it's no secret Reputation has landed quite the reputation with her fans and it's even less of a surprise that every single on the album is absolute gold. In honor of the greatness that is Reputation, I've decided to review each song in order of my most played favorites to least played favorites. My best friend and I stayed up and listened to each song at midnight on release day while reading the lyrics and discussing each song in detail so this is a mixture of my initial reactions and my thoughts upon further reflection!
By S Grace8 years ago in Beat
7 Artists & 7 Songs of 2017
PSA: This article is strictly based on my opinion and experience of 2017. Some of these artists may not be NEW to the scene, but they are to me. They have all release SOMETHING new in 2017.
By Berlin Brooklyn8 years ago in Beat
A Flicker of Hope in the Music Industry for Niall Horan
Niall Horan, self-declared "slept-on" member of global sensation One Direction, has just released his new album "Flicker" to the world. It is therefore my personal belief that Horan has outdone himself with this record, setting his sight on being the chart-topper of this month. Despite the varying paths the members of One Direction have set off in the past year, Horan has managed to display a low profile, much unlike his peers Louis Tomlinson – whom immediately was on the music industry's radar with his collaboration with DJ Steve Aoki. Next was rocker Harry Styles, whom released his self-titled album after a whirlwind initial single - 'Sign of the Times' was released, showcasing Styles' talent for not only pop music, but classic rock, especially after he names different influences, such as Pink Floyd. Liam Payne released 'Strip That Down' - both a lyrical and melodic disappointment, but we won't mention that tragedy now – and finally, Niall Horan was next (and last) in the running.
By Megan Beth8 years ago in Beat
Kanye West 'Late Registration'
Opening Opinion: 9.25 I was very very excited to buy this album when it first came out. I’m pretty sure everyone was wondering could Kanye hit a home run again. And the answer is a resounding yes; even though his lyrics aren’t improved from College Dropout. The beats are also different. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but this album has a glossier sound than his debut album.
By Matthew Sullivan8 years ago in Beat
Eminem 'The Marshall Mathers' LP
Opening Opinion, 9.75/10 Ah the legendary MMLP 1, also known as Eminem’s magnum opus. It is really really awesome, but its not really a flawless album. I actually didn’t hear this cd until 2002. My parents actually wouldn’t let me hear the whole thing. My Dad gave me a SSLP and MMLP approved songs cd which was the tracks deemed “not too explicit.” I can't blame my dad for doing that cause the early Eminem albums weren’t for kids.
By Matthew Sullivan8 years ago in Beat
From Worst to Best: T.I.
10) No Mercy (69) No Mercy is his worst album by far. It has decent production but he comes off as lazy and uninspired. It's like he wants you to feel sorry for him and that’s just not kingly at all. There are some gems though, like “That’s All She Wrote” and “Amazing”. This album was originally titled King Uncaged…thank God he changed it. Top Tracks: Welcome to The World, No Mercy, Amazing, That’s All She Wrote.
By Matthew Sullivan8 years ago in Beat
2017 Top 10 Albums from a Guy with Bad Taste in Music
10. Pyrrhic Victory by Zao First of all this isn't even an album, it's an EP and it shouldn't even be on this list. I'm clearly just a fanboy who needs to make an excuse to get one of his favorite band's music on his list.
By Christopher Sarda8 years ago in Beat
10 of the Greatest Rock Albums Ever Made. Top Story - December 2017.
I have to confess, as a card-carrying member of Generation X and as someone who was in the stands when some of the greatest rock albums ever made were actually released, I have spent an inordinate number of hours in the midst of “greatest rock albums ever made” conversations. I’ve grown up reading list after list, too; everything from the first-ever Rolling Stone 100 Greatest Albums of All Time to The Observer’s 100 Greatest British Albums. I’ve devoured countless books about music, including my bible, The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock n’ Roll. I’ve perused myriad issues of Mojo and Q, as well as Creem when it reemerged while I was in college. So I’ve had a chance to vet the opinions of a great many outstanding critics while constructing my own edifice. Where has it gotten me? Down a rabbit hole where you drown in classic rock and die with your motorcycle boots on.
By David Porter8 years ago in Beat