Saturday, March 10, 2012
Final Grade: B+
This is most definitely a solid album. It got a lot of hype, which I think may have been a tad too hype, but it deserved hype nonetheless. I am so happy to see that this album is doing very well on the charts, because it is so time for this quality of music to be featured in the mainstream. For me, the first half of the album definitely outweighs the second - kinda sucked since the first half had me thinking Glasper was about to start the revolution - but it still works with the album. "Move Love (ft KING)" is my favorite song, "Why Do We Try" is my least (cmon Glasper...that was whack). Glasper asked my brother, Taylor, to remix one of these songs, and I'm so excited to hear that whenever it's ready! This album may not revolutionize music for the time being, but I think it might get the wheels turning.
Letter to Hermione (ft Bilal): I am so happy that Bilal is featured on his own track on this album - he deserves it. His voice is so eerie and mysterious - it never fails to intrigue me! I like the simplicity of this groove, definitely lets Bilal shine. This is also coming out of that slump that happened with the last set of songs. Love the flute. Dig the drummer boy sound to the drums (thanks snare). Something nice to sit back and relax to.
Smells Like Teen Spirit: Man, this is a pretty fucking cool cover. I would have never thought that the Experiment would cover Nirvana, but music's versatility is what makes it so great! The fact that this is a Nirvana song kind of creeps up on you, which I like. You're listening to the tune, and then after a minute goes by, you're like "wait a second...why do I know this song?" Love that the Experiment managed to make it their own. Very cool that the vocals are done with a voice box - adds a cool, more soulful texture to it. Like how laid back it is - definitely suave. Dig the pick up at the end. I'm gonna post a live version of this song where they open with "Twice" by Little Dragon - so killin. Dig it, especially for being the only tune with no listed feature. The ending female vocal sounds like Lalah Hathaway...hmmm
A Love Supreme (Bonus Track): This sounds like a jam, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what it was. It's a nice way to feature the Experiment at the end of the album, but it doesn't blow me out of the water or anything. I would have preferred it ended on "Smells Like Teen Spirit," because that would be a solid ending. I guess it technically is, as this is a bonus track, but I'm sure the majority of listeners will be ending on this one and not the previous. I would have preferred this in the middle somewhere.
Smells Like Teen Spirit: Man, this is a pretty fucking cool cover. I would have never thought that the Experiment would cover Nirvana, but music's versatility is what makes it so great! The fact that this is a Nirvana song kind of creeps up on you, which I like. You're listening to the tune, and then after a minute goes by, you're like "wait a second...why do I know this song?" Love that the Experiment managed to make it their own. Very cool that the vocals are done with a voice box - adds a cool, more soulful texture to it. Like how laid back it is - definitely suave. Dig the pick up at the end. I'm gonna post a live version of this song where they open with "Twice" by Little Dragon - so killin. Dig it, especially for being the only tune with no listed feature. The ending female vocal sounds like Lalah Hathaway...hmmm
A Love Supreme (Bonus Track): This sounds like a jam, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what it was. It's a nice way to feature the Experiment at the end of the album, but it doesn't blow me out of the water or anything. I would have preferred it ended on "Smells Like Teen Spirit," because that would be a solid ending. I guess it technically is, as this is a bonus track, but I'm sure the majority of listeners will be ending on this one and not the previous. I would have preferred this in the middle somewhere.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Songs of the Day
The Consequence of Jealousy (ft Meshell Ndegeocello): For me, this is where the album starts to taper a little bit. I like the song, especially what Meshell brings to it, but I feel like the groove is lacking something. It's also slightly predictable - I feel like I hear Meshell sing this tone of music a lot, and it would have been nice to hear a little variation. The slower tempo is nice, and has a sexy feel to it, but I almost find it too slow. Really dig the subtle harmonies Meshell gives. And at a little over six minutes, it's a tad long. It's a good track, but in comparison to some of the others before this, it's a little lackluster.
Why Do We Try (ft Stokley Williams): Unfortunately, this is my least favorite track on the album. The groove is cool, nothing to write home about, but it's got a good backbeat to it. My problem is Stokley Williams, he is not doing anything for me on this track - in fact, he's kind of ruining it for me. Am I the only one who thinks he sounds flat practically the whole time? He's just riiiight under the pitch, and I find it pretty abrasive, which just makes the length of this tune (6:32) irritating. The vocal effect at the end doesn't help either. Missed the mark on this one, Glasper.
Black Radio (ft yasiin bey): Oh hey yasiin...you sure do sound like Mos Def...oh wait... For any of yall that don't already know, Mos changed his name this year to yasiin bey (I guess in all lowercase), so don't get confused. I do love his tone, and it's always lovely hearing his addition to any tune. Dig that it starts out with just him and drums - makes yasiin a nice focal point. Nice, smooth lead in with the rest of the instrumentation. This groove kind of sounds like the rest of them though...there's nothing super special about it, not much variety. I like the builds that go on, but it's not my favorite from Glasper or yasiin. Not the best song day, especially for being the title track...
Why Do We Try (ft Stokley Williams): Unfortunately, this is my least favorite track on the album. The groove is cool, nothing to write home about, but it's got a good backbeat to it. My problem is Stokley Williams, he is not doing anything for me on this track - in fact, he's kind of ruining it for me. Am I the only one who thinks he sounds flat practically the whole time? He's just riiiight under the pitch, and I find it pretty abrasive, which just makes the length of this tune (6:32) irritating. The vocal effect at the end doesn't help either. Missed the mark on this one, Glasper.
Black Radio (ft yasiin bey): Oh hey yasiin...you sure do sound like Mos Def...oh wait... For any of yall that don't already know, Mos changed his name this year to yasiin bey (I guess in all lowercase), so don't get confused. I do love his tone, and it's always lovely hearing his addition to any tune. Dig that it starts out with just him and drums - makes yasiin a nice focal point. Nice, smooth lead in with the rest of the instrumentation. This groove kind of sounds like the rest of them though...there's nothing super special about it, not much variety. I like the builds that go on, but it's not my favorite from Glasper or yasiin. Not the best song day, especially for being the title track...
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