"Jake tries desperately to get rich"
*It's Always Sunny theme plays*

Jokes aside, this record is just a collection of generic and highly repetitive pop songs. It seems like Jake throws everything at the wall in the hope something eeks its way onto the airwaves. Unfortunately for him, even the catchiest songs on this record will put you to sleep.

Billie returns with a more mature but decidedly less catchy sophomore effort. The album's production by older brother FINEAS is immaculate, keeping pace with all of the record's genre-hopping from electro-pop, to bossa nova, to hymnal music and more. Not all of the risks pay off but the duo's ambition is admiral.

The opening track "Getting Older" perfectly sets the tone of the album with Billie's signature whisper delivered over naked synths, immediately making the record feel more ... read more

The stripped-down acoustic sound of this album is the the main story here, lending to the overarching sleepy sun-kissed aesthetic. I was looking forward to seeing more unique acoustic elements to flesh out the sound but the record largely sticks with the same lone backing guitar throughout. With such little instrumentation, it leaves the door open for Lorde's lyrics and vocal melodies to take center stage. Unfortunately, this leads to mixed results.

Songs often feel rushed and incomplete, ... read more

3 Favorite Tracks:
Things Done Changed
Juicy
Suicidal Thoughts

3 Favorite Tracks:
Electric Relaxation
Award Tour
We Can Get Down

3 Favorite Tracks:
Method Man
Da Mystery of Chessboxin'
C.R.E.A.M.

It's cool to see the striking similarity in flow and general attitude between Snoop and Slick Rick. Unfortunately I think Slick is the superior lyricist in almost every way. The most impressive thing about this album is the lush production by Dr.Dre which sounds years ahead of it's time. The skits aren't particularly interesting or funny but they were still relatively novel back then.

3 Favorite Tracks:
Lodi Dodi
Who Am I (What's My Name?)
Gin N Juice

I was never the biggest fan of G-Funk and this record is packed with filler tracks (most gangsta rap albums in the 90s were). I recognize the historical importance though.

3 Favorite Tracks:
Nuthin' But A "G" Thang
The Day The Niggaz Took Over
Let Me Ride

3 Favorite Tracks:
Jazz
Buggin' Out
What?

Fairly dense record both lyrically and sonically. Gonna have to listen several times to give a proper score.

3 Favorite Tracks:
Eye Know
Buddy
Pot Holes In My Lawn

3 Favorite Tracks:
Children's Story
Indian Girl (An Indian Story)
Treat Her Like A Prostitute

3 Favorite Tracks:
Fuck Tha Police
Express Yourself
Parental Discretion Iz Advised

3 Favorite Tracks:
Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos
Don't Believe the Hype
Rebel Without A Pause

This record's mix of punk and hip-hop was ingenious at the time but, man, I just can't ignore how grating the vocals are. I've tried so many times to get this to click but it never does. I usually don't have an issue with whiny punk vocals when they're being drowned out by power chords, but when they're front and center like this it's rough. I understand the historical significance though. Without this, we wouldn't have legendary acts like Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit.

I went into my deep dive on classic rap with the expectation that most pre-Illmatic albums will sound outdated and won't resonate with me. While that's not entirely untrue here, this record was still able to prove to me why it's an essential listen. It's easy to see why this album was so influential in shaping the sound of hip-hop with it's sparse beats and tight production. Unfortunately, the repetitiveness of the flow is often too grating for me to really enjoy (true for most 80s rap).

3 ... read more

3 Favorite Tracks:
m.A.A.d city
The Art of Peer Pressure
Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst

3 Favorite Tracks:
Mural
Little Death
They.Resurrect.Over.New

A lot of foundational art in any medium is doomed with being labeled simplistic by those consuming it years down the line. In other words: "you had to be there", and I wasn't. I don't know how to balance this importance vs. enjoyment battle in my rating so I'll just leave it at a neutral 70.

'Wake Up' slaps though.

I have the same feelings for every Beach House album I've listened to. There are tracks that seem to transcend music into something almost spiritual, and then there are tracks that wander aimlessly almost like an extended interlude until the next song that really "hits". It's all very pretty, but the best tracks will have you forget the ones that are more-or-less background music.

3 Favorite Tracks:
10 Mile Stereo
Zebra
Silver Soul