Yelawolf: Radioactive

I was already familiar with the Alabama rapper known as Yelawolf before this album was released. His mixtape, Trunk Muzik, was original and interesting so I was excited to see his first official release (on Shady Records, no less). It dropped in November 2011. 

I had a bad feeling about this CD when I heard the lead single, Hard White (Up In The Club), which I hated through and through, and it turned out to be a sign of things to come. I don't know what I was expecting, but I  wanted the raw, gritty sound that set Yela apart from other rappers. What I got was a slick, overproduced piece of... I don't know. It seems as if Radioactive was worked over in favor of hit records, and it lost whatever was essentially Yelawolf's individuality. His original flow and Southern fried lyrics are still there, and maybe I am being a whiny bitch, but the music itself almost seems second rate. I saw an argument recently that this is Eminem's influence on Radioactive, but I can't buy that since the Bad Meets Evil CD was good all the way through. Maybe this one was just a product of over thinking? It's like they just tried too damn hard. 

I'm not saying this record is completely awful, it's still marginally better that what's currently being marketed as rap these days. There are a few standouts on Radioactive, namely the second single, Let's Roll (featuring Kid Rock). Growing Up In The Gutter is pretty much what I was looking for with this CD, and The Hardest Love Song In The World is also memorable (and mentions Axl Rose). The Eminem feature, Throw It Up, which many people were anticipating, isn't much more than a let down. 

Like I said, this CD is better than most of the 'rap' acts that record companies are shoving down our throats.  And for that, I give Radioactive SEVEN STARS. 

Buy Yelawolf - Radioactive at Amazon.com.

Lamb of God: Resolution

Though most bands like Lamb of God are seriously too heavy for me, I have an affinity for these guys. Maybe it's because they're from Richmond, or maybe it's because my brothers (especially the older one) pretty much threatened me if I didn't listen to them. As with any music, what we don't understand can quickly become favorites if we take the time to appreciate them.

Resolution is Lamb of God's signature music. No departures here, they give us exactly what we ask for and have come to expect. I made a Face Book comment that I hope anyone who had a copy of this CD also had seat belts for their faces, because they were about to get blown off. I've read some other reviews for Resolution that were very negative and all I can say to those people is STFU. I wanted LoG to bring it, and they did.

Though I will admit to often needing the lyrics to figure out what the hell Randy Blythe is singing/screaming/growling, once I've got that down, the music itself begins to take on new meaning. Much like Pantera before them, Lamb of God does good business in making aggressive music. The music itself is a mosh pit junkie's wet dream. For me, the standout songs are Desolation, Ghost Walking and King Me. My one issue with LoG, and most metal bands in general, is that the music does get repetitive. Several songs into the album, I have to put it away for a while, and I'm sure this comes from not being a "true" hardcore metal fan. Opinions are always opinions though.

On a scale of zero to ten stars with zero being the worst, I'm giving Lamb of God's Resolution EIGHT STARS.

Buy Lamb of God: Resolution from Amazon.com.

Sublime: Greatest Hits

I made a comment on an earlier post where I wondered what Sublime would have been if Bradley Nowell hadn't died so young.

Then I got to thinking that a lot of people only know Sublime's two biggest songs, Santeria and What I Got. They were so much more than that.

Sublime's Greatest Hits, released in 1999 (three years after Nowell's death) is almost like a time capsule, a still-relevant time capsule. Their two major hits are there, along with Badfish, 40 Oz to Freedom, Date Rape, and my personal favorite - Smoke Two Joints. These songs really are timeless, and they take me back to drunken parties and driving all night. The music isn't technically genius, and, by themselves, the lyrics aren't the greatest ever. But, when they're put together, they create something that I doubt we'll ever have again. Sublime said what we were thinking, and now new generations of people are able to enjoy the splendor all over again.

Though Sublime has continued their musical journey with a new singer (and some nasty legal problems) as Sublime With Rome, I will be honest in admitting that I've never listened to any of their post-Nowell content. I know it just wouldn't be the same.

On a scale of one to ten with one being the worst, this album gets a SOLID TEN.

Buy Sublime's Greatest Hits (digital only) from Amazon.com.

For further looking Glass pleasure: Sublime Gold for sale.

Nicki Minaj - Black Friday

A relative newcomer to the world of hip-hop is Young Money Entertainment's Nicki Minaj. Her debut full length CD, called Pink Friday, was released in November of 2010 and has since sold over 1.2 million records topping Billboard's Top 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop and Top Rap album charts. Minaj is set to release her second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded in April of this year. She has previously only officially released mix-tapes and features. (A feature, especially when applied to rap or hip-hop, pretty much amounts to a guest appearance.) Since Pink Friday's release, Minaj has become as associated with her wacky, often confusing clothing choices as she is with her music. And let's not forget her ridiculous Twitter war with Lil Kim.

Up All Night Working Playlist

Nobody listens to techno? Bullshit.

Sometimes I write all night. And nothing will get me moving faster than some thumpy, club banging techno shit... even if it is repetitive, or maybe because it's repetitive. Some people would call these songs 'noise.' For me, that's the point. Enjoy. (Links go to YouTube)

New Order - Confusion

Robin Fox - I See Stars (Remix)

Daft Punk - Around the World

Gigi D'Agostino - BlaBlaBla

Zombie Nation - Kernkraft 400 (Raspian Remix)

DJ Aphrodite - Twilight

DJ Icey - Escape

Scooter - Maria (I Like It Loud) 

Paul Van Dyk - Another Way (Club Remix)

Faithless - Insomnia