Saturday, February 15, 2014

Acid Rain


Chain Smoker


Everything's Good (Good Ass Intro)


Songs of the Day

Late night blogging, cuz that's how I roll.  Got the final three tracks to knock out this evening: "Acid Rain," "Chain Smoker," and "Everything's Good (Good Ass Outro)."
Off the bat, I dig the vibe of "Acid Rain," which I would hoping coming from the track that most closely shares the name of the title.  Nothing's particularly crazy about Chance's flow or lyrics on this track, but the beat definitely let's you groove with him.  I dig the quoting of R. Kelly's melody on "The World's Greatest," took me a second to remember what song he was referencing exactly - a cool groove to go back to.  Solid track.
Honestly, "Chain Smoker" is probably my least favorite track on the album.  Neither the beat or Chance's flow are doing anything for me.  And it's really not all that bad considering that I don't really dislike the track, it's just not up to far with the rest of the album.  I also find the hook annoying, which isn't something that you generally want lol.  Ok track, nothing incredible.
I think my favorite part of "Everything's Good (Good Ass Outro)" is the way that Chance says "Dillaaaaa" in his first line - a good way to start off.  The voicemail in the beginning definitely reminds me of Kendrick's good kid, m.A.A.d city, which is probably some kind of nod.  Dig the jazzy feel to the track, especially with the trumpet and the upright bass.  Going back into the "Good Ass Intro" groove is a nice tie in for the whole shebang.  Solid.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Favorite Song (ft Childish Gambino)


NaNa (ft Action Bronson)


Smoke Again (ft Ab-Soul)


Songs of the Day

Three more tracks up for review today: "Favorite Song," "NaNa," and "Smoke Again."
"Favorite Song" is definitely a good start to the day.  Love the Betty Wright slowed down sample, makes for a super chill beat with a cool reggae feel to it.  I haven't familiarized myself with a lot Childish Gambino's material, so it's dope to hear him on this track.  His flow goes well with Chance's, so it makes for a nice collaboration.  Nothing particularly awesome lyric-wise, but still a fun song to listen to.
"NaNa" goes right along with the chill vibe going on thus far, especially with the Jack Wilkins sample.  I instantly recognized it from Tribe's use of it on "Sucka Nigga" on Midnight Marauders.  It's dope that Chance was able to bring this sample back without it sounding just like Tribe track.  I'm not the biggest fan of Action Bronson's flow on this track, but it's not completely bothersome.  I'd have to hear him on his own material.  I also can't really understand a lot of what Chance is saying on this one, but it's not the worst thing.  The "nanana nanana" hook is amusing, not all that.  Chill song.
Normally the fake horn sound on the "Smoke Again" beat would distract me too much, but luckily the other elements of the groove make up for it.  Being the last track of the day, I was kind of hoping for more of an upbeat track, but in the context of the album it works to keep things chill.  "Let me put my mouth where you potty, boo" isn't exactly the, um, sexiest way to say things...sounds like Ab-Soul is trying to eat her poop, and that's gross.  Safe to say, this isn't my favorite track lyrically (nothing today has been super mind-blowing), but if you're high and tune it out, it's a chill tune to listen to.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Lost


Everybody's Something


Interlude (That's Love)


Songs of the Day

Got tracks 5-7 on deck for today's review: "Lost," "Everybody's Something," and "Interlude (That's Love)."  So far, this album is pretty dope, so I'm glad these tracks follow suit.  "Lost" has a laid back groove to it that allows Chance's flow to really sit in it.  "Her pussy like me/ her heart like 'fuck it'," ugh that's too real though.  I'm definitely getting down with his style.  Now, I'm down that there's a female emcee featured on this, I'm not the biggest fan of Noname Gypsy's flow.  I don't know if I can pin point it exactly, but it just sounds a little lazy or something.  She spits well, just not my favorite tamber.  Regardless, cool tune to chill to. 
I already knew that I was gonna get down with "Everybody's Something" when it opened with some "Fall in Love," but it's produced in a heavier way that makes it its own beat.  Dig.  Something about Chance's flow on this reminds me of early Eminem, which I am certainly down.  Love the hook, "everybody's somebody's everything/ nobody's nothin" :)  Saba's verse is cool, I like his flow.  This one is a cool groove to sit into.  Thumbs up.
Well, "Interlude (That's Love)" is getting listened to just in time for Valentine's Day with all it's lovey-dovey-ness.  I must say, you don't hear too many rappers talking about how love is greater than  drugs, poppin bottles, and all those other flagrant, unrelatable shit you hear about in rap songs these days.  While it fits with the message of the tune, the groove is the tiniest bit corny to me (probably all the major), but I like that it picks up towards the end.  Very sweet.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Songs of the Day

Got the first four tracks on deck for review this lovely evening: "Good Ass Intro," "Pusha Man," "Cocoa Butter Kisses," and "Juice."  I must say, "Good Ass Intro" is aptly named!  Definitely a dope way to start the album.  I love the combination of the church choir feel that continues to pile style on top of style - layers are cool.  And when the drums drop and horns come in - me gusta mucho!  Chance's flow/sound is something that comes off as harsh (somewhat of a Lil Wayne tamber), but it takes about point five seconds to get over - he uses the melody of his flow to smooth it out.  There are about a million people featured on this track, and I wish they were easier to decipher from one another, 'cause it would be cool to give credit exactly where credit is due.  But to BJ The Chicago Kid, Lili K., Kiara Lanier, Peter Cottontale, Will for the O'mys, & JP Floydd for Kids These Days, yall helped create a funky opener.  
Thankfully, "Good Ass Intro" wasn't just a fluke, "Pusha Man" falls right into the goodness.  The beat for this track is dope, different from other hip hop tracks.  And even though he's saying shit like "she has blisters on her knees," you know, because she wants the d, he somehow manages to produce it in a way that still keeps you interested in the song.  Nice lil fake-out end to come back with a new track, of which has an equally cool, if not cooler beat.  I like how spacey and out there is sounds (definitely would go well with a certain substance teehee).  "Somebody will steal daddy's role-y, and call it neighborhood watch" - so dope.  Chance's unique flow really makes you get into his tracks - I dig it. 
"Cocoa Butter Kisses" picks up on the church grind that "Intro" started with - a good feel to get back on.  Again, it's contrasted with some heavier drums, which I find to be a cool juxtaposition.  I would just like to say that I am down with any rapper that's gonna reference the Rugrats, that's just too cool.  I love the imagery of "I miss my cocoa butter kisses" - it evokes the very image.  And Twistaaaaaa!  Where have you been, my dude??  So dope to hear this (fast) rapper back on something, and of course he does not disappoint. 
I was excited to get another listen to "Juice," it definitely had me from the start.  The simplicity of this beat really intrigues me, definitely on some "less is more" shit.  OMFG I'm just realizing the sample is "Jealous Guy" by Donny Hathaway off of Donny Hathaway Live, which I not only reviewed, but it's my favorite track on the album!  Ugh, my love for this song just increased for much!  The whole thing has this swinging/swaying kind of feel going on that makes it super easy to listen to and just get lost in.  Completely understandable as to why this was the single.  Too many lines to isolate.  I dig this so hard.

Album Factoids

Acid Rap

Released: April 30, 2013 (smh, I'm late)
Genre: Rap
Label: Self-released (I think this is a first for the blog!)
Producer: Petter Cottontale, Cam, Stefan Ponce, Ceej for Two9, Nosaj Thing, Nate Fox, DJ Ozone, Ludwig Gorransen, brandUn DeShay, Blended Babies, Jake One


Week 89: Chance the Rapper

So, I am determined to finish this blog before I graduate college, and considering I have 12 weeks and 12 albums left, it's looking like I need to get back on my ass!  Aight, anyway, for week 89 (really, it's like week 300 at this point) I've decided to finally check out Chance the Rapper.  I've been hearing dope shit about Acid Rap, and I watched the "Juicy" video yesterday and figured it was about damn time I really look this dude up.  I know, I know, I'm late, I guess I was still on a Kendrick high.  Time for some new rap in my life (in addition to, not in replace of), it's about time.

This Week's Album...




















Dope artwork!