Controversy - Prince

This is the fourth album by Prince and was released in 1981. This album follows the amazing 1980 Dirty Mind. While it may not be as good as that album the title track alone makes this worth a listen. This was also released in October. The album before and after were also released in October. As you may know Prince recently passed away, I plan on doing a Purple Month sometime next year maybe, but for now this'll have to suffices. Now I'm a huge fan of this guy, his Cream of the crop coming from 1980-1987 (it starts to decline after 1992 a lot). Now I will miss Prince, but not sorely. Why? Well blame it on Bowie, but after he died I said.... When's Prince and Macca and my other heroes gonna die. And when I heard the news I went, that was quicker than I wanted. :( But to honor him I'll review a pretty straightforward less popular, but solid, record.

1. Controversy: This track opens the album. This is an amazing track from every which way. This track features Lisa Coleman as a backing singer. At 7 minutes I have to say, this really doesn't feel like it overstays its welcome. It kicks off with a punch, had a solid groove. The chorus is very catchy, and the Coleman's refrain of the title is great. Oh the track also changes enough, while not a progressive composition, it changes enough to keep me interested. I love the umph that Prince does, which sounds like a sampled voice being played through a drum (essential serving as a bass drum).
2. Sexuality: The definition of Prince's music, at least Pre-2000. Hahahahah, that's a good joke right guys?!?! But more seriously, this was released as a single, but I don't hear it. It's kind of an uninteresting synth funk number that has been done much better by The Purple One himself. It also sounds like a song I could hear being a new wave influenced maybe on a VH1 Classic rewind music video block. This isn't terrible, but I know if I heard it I'd probably just hear it passingly. Like there isn't anything here that really drives me, outside of the review, to revisit this. The only thing that I do smile at is the lyrics that were quoted in Rainbow Children.
3. Do, Me Baby: If I'm correct this was written by André Cymone. This also dates back to 1979, though this is a re-recording from the 1981 sessions. The one thing I have to say about this song, honestly, is damn this is long. Maybe it's a bit too long. This is a sensual song, kinda like International Lover. The only thing is this isn't as good as that track. It's almost as if that was a re-write of this, but done better.
4. Private Joy: This was actually later covered by LaToya Jackson among others. Honestly this is a pretty fun, 80's song. I really can't hate it you know. It's pretty damn fun. While I feel like it might be a bit more fit to someone else, I can't knock it you know. I don't know which I like better, I mean the cover sounds better, but this.... I think his singing is what kind of make this sound like the original of a song that was later covered by someone else and made a hit. A number of song on that list include Since You've Been Gone, I Feel For You, Blinded by the Light, Nothing Compares 2 U, Respect among others. This is still a nice song and worth checking out. I do appreciate the sort of distortion and segue into the next track.
5. Ronnie Talk to Russia: Being Lisa's second track shes on, this is a very short track. Look at it as this albums equivalent of Sister. There is some nice drum work in the beginning, then when the song starts it kind of makes me think of a rocker off The River. I mean it's a fine song, it's sweet and short, not as good as Sister or memorable, but it is what it is you know. Kinda tongue in cheek.
6. Let's Work: Originally titled Let's Rock after a dance the title was changed to make it less timely. This song is kind of simple and these not much to it. This beginning of the song, or refrain  reminds me of Le Freak. The comes the bass line for a few bats before the vocals come in, which I think is the best part of the song. I really like the way he sings and the sort of six syllables or beats he sings and the synth backing him up. This is really a top notch song from this style. And I'm pretty sure it'll make you wanna get up and dance. This also sounds like it's pretty confident and I could almost see it being on par with the next release, if not so new wavy it could also fit on there. It's pretty confident and bold and just straight up great. I also like the synth that works as sort of strings for the track. Nice ;)
7. Annie Christian: The segue into this next track is something else. Its almost if he was aware this is odd and he wanted to get you in the mood right away. Now this isn't odd in a "I can't believe he'd cover this topic". This is odd for the way it sounds. Like I almost feel like it's not shocking, just bizarre. It has this weird feeling to it that makes me think it's supposed to have a deeper meaning to it, but I don't know. There is a really nice guitar through out, and this icy synth that sounds like lazer shots being fired. The more I listen though, the more I love every second of this. And I'm serious about the guitar, we rarely get solos and here is like a 3 minute long one behind the track. Maybe the best way to describe this is he was a Third Days Something, I don't know but some people say that is like a cult. This song has a very cult-esque feeling to it. Almost as if he was brain washed or sung by a robot. The only real logic I can find is maybe it's about the devil, and to back that up the fact Annie Christian Annie Christ sounds like Anti Christ. 
8. Jack U Off: If I'm not mistaken this is the first track Prince misspelled. This track, while classic in its blunt title.... It isn't classic. It kind of has the silly feeling Delirious and a number of tunes here have. This is kind fun, but I'm not sure this fun feeling is right for this song. Maybe for the chorus, but like I don't know. It doesn't leave a good feeling in my ear, or mouth. I've heard far worse song, and loved them, but this just doesn't really work for me if I'm being honest. The best part is may the harmonies, but also I feel like it doesn't work too. There is also a rock and roll feeling to this, but I don't know.

Overall I have to give this a 7.5/10. This album, while less eventful than the previous album or the follow up its kind of important. I once read, and didn't realize, this is the first album with long songs, which Prince would use extensively on his next album (and other albums not necessarily to his benefit). But this really is the middle ground between DM and 1999. Ultimately the title cut and the other two tracks are a good enough reason for me to buy a cassette, Cd, vinyl and 8-track of this album. Now that being said Prince Roger Nelson will be missed but if there's anything we can do its to keep on keeping on. He wasn't one to really back track (well until more recent years) and musicians shouldn't either. So lets keep going and make Prince and the others proud. 

HITNRUN Phase Two - Prince

A surprise release, dropped the 12th of December, this follows HITNRUN Phase One released earlier in 2015 (September). If you read that review, I kind of didn't really like that he did what he did there. There were previously released songs, some he remixed that led to results lesser than the original. Overall it was just kind of uninteresting. For all the interesting parts, there weren't as interesting by the end of the song. So here is Phase Two, a sequel and looking from the track listing you can tell. At least going in I know there are a few songs I like. I downloaded the album, and to be honest I didn't expect much from this.

1. Baltimore: A song that I was bummed out wasn't on Phase One. It dropped as a single around the time you'd drop a single from the album for the last one. Like this dropped in May 2015, and the first Phase dropped in September. This song is pretty slick sounding. This is honestly how I feel The Purple One'd sound today. While I'm not crazy about some parts of what he's saying, I do think the sentiment is meant for the right reasons. Getting rid of guns all together solves nothing, bad guys will still get them. If that wirks, how come they found child pornography on Jared's computer? The track seems to be about the shootings and what not as of late. You know that Police bullshit. I'm not saying that the Police are in the right, I think if they were wrong let them hang. I meant it as its bullshit its happening. This is a very well put together song, and is probably how his last three should have sounded. I love those strings at the ending. Great, great, great, great song that melts my fears away. This is easily his best song in the last decade, better than FallInLove2Nite. For whatever reason, I get a Philly Soul feeling to this track. I should note, the original relase didn't have horns or strings. It was re-relased with added strings and horns. I've heard both versions, and this is the superior.
2. RocknRoll Loveaffair: A solid track released as a single in November 2012. This version is the same as that single, well with the exception of added horns. I remembered why I never revisited this track, it sounds like a Revolution track. I mean I could swear that Lisa & Wendy or maybe Susan, spoke something on this track. The horns and strings remind me somewhat of that Under The Cherry Moon soundtrack. I don't think this is a terrific song, not as good as the last, but I do think it's a bit of nostalgia that would be nice to have. It isn't to the point of overkill, but it's nice you know.
3. 2 Y. 2 D.: Not a fan of the title. Why not do it in the fashion of a Prince song and drop the 2-Y-2-D part and just what it stands for, with the obvious 2's. These horns in the beginning are pretty awesome, and that flute. Damn, this reminded me a bit of Roland Kirk or Dolph with that flute. But this song overall would be another snug addition to Parade. This almost reminds me of Boys & Girls. While I do like this, I could totally see me getting bothered by this in years to come.
4. Look At Me, Look At U: This reminds me a ton of 70's soul. There was this record I was listening to and it sounded similar to this, 70's or 80's. I like the woodwinds on this tune and love that piano. The vocals are pretty solid and I think the bass here is nice too. This also has a nice solo in it as it's a very peaceful song. I could see this being on a contemporary Lets Get It On. 
5. Stare: Another single that seemed to drop and was an outtake. It was almost for no reason. It's also one of the few Prince songs still on Spotify.  When I looked into it I guess it was Spotify exclusive until this album. Nice slap bass starting the track out, and this is pretty funky. The horns remind me of some other song a bit. And the horn solo section, or fill rather, remind me of the "solo" in Macho Man.
6. Xtralovable: I had to check one this one. I was not sure if it was a single or not. And guess what, it's from 2011. If you are a nerd and care, this dates back to Vanity 6, written back in 1982 and demoed but scrapped. It was later rerecorded by Andy Allo to promote a tour for Prince. That version had a rap and was recorded and released in 2011, this version present here is from the 2013 release on the 3rdEyeGirl website (they dropped Andy's rap, and added horns). I'd assume with all that background info, I like the track. Why would I go through that for nothing right?
7. Groovy Potential: I believe this was dropped as a free download, if I'm correct, and I think I had it before the release of the record. I'm glad I finally get a chance to hear it. This beginning makes the think of a lullaby. With the soft guitar, and "star dust effects" make me think of that more. I mean this is a solid tune, it's just I don't feel magic. I don't want him to do what he was doing, I just want to feel the magic I felt on album like 1999, Dirty Mind, Purple Rain even Sign "o" the Times. I mean this is pretty nice and good, I just..... I don't know. I do like the jazzy, real horns here. It's like a updated Prince.
8. When She Comes: This title reminds me of The Velvet Underground's 1968 ballad Here She Comes Now. That's neither here nor there, damn I should review that record. Maybe this year... why not. Don't get me wrong, I love jazz.... but at this point..... the appeal this had has now gone.
9. Screwdriver: The last song to be released prior, this is a February 2013 single. Oh, by the way, I'm not really feeling this one. Also I want to hear another copy of this, because it sounds like it was mixed horribly. Like the mixing from the other one. There isn't really much to say, this is rather straight forward. 
10. Black Muse: This is kind of nice, but again, I mean..... I'm not ecstatic about this track. If you want it straight, my favorite part about this is it reminds me of the title Muse 2 the Pharaoh. Also there is hints of songs like Playing in the Sunshine's joy in this tune, but 7 minutes is a bit long for this. I'm completely honest, not digging this.
11. Revelation: At this point, I want to make it 4 times to listen to the entire album. I mean I get this, but this isn't interesting. Part of this reminds me of Blackstar, and I'd much rather listen to that. It would play with sort of smooth jazz vibe. I can't stand smooth jazz. What's with this month. I wanted to finish up some reviews, and most of these have disappointed me. Seriously, I can barley listen to this. I just so badly want to skip................
12. Big City: You really think this is going to fix the album...... make up for this disapoint ment. I'm sorry. It's just, the thing I love about The Purple One is he's fun... this is not.

Overall I have to give this album a 5/10. Out of the 12 tracks, 6 dropped prior to the record. This really functions as that Circle In the Rounds comparison. While it's nice to have tracks that are hard to find in one convenient place, that doesn't make this a good record. I guess, this could also be compared to his Chocolate Invasion and Slaughterhouse albums. I thought this would be a completely different record, but thankfully it came out not as a sequel to PlectrumElectrum, but as what he really would sound like in today's day and age. There were sounds that came from the past, and the Nostalgja is probably nice from fans from when this was coming out originally. I mean I like it, but I hope he does something new I guess. Move forward from this, but it's pretty nice regardless. Also even thought I enjoyed it, I can't really say I had fun listening to it. For whatever reason, when I returned the magic was gone. I don't remember if I mentioned but this took 3 time to listen to this entire record. It wasn't because it was had to do, it was because I wanted to listen to something else...... That isn't good for a Price record.

Also, even thought it might seem inappropriate, 

At Home With Screamin' Jay Hawkins

It may have taken forever, but I finally got a 1950's review done :). Up until today I had one for every decade from the 1940's to 2010's, with the exception of the 1950's. I hoped In The Wee Small Hours would be the first, but that will be up soon enough, and I also want to do one for every year starting in at least 1950 maybe 1945 (album's as we know today weren't really released until about the 50's). I don't get why I always ramble, but anyway. Continuing the Halloween theme of my reviews we continue with this the debut album by Screamin' Jay Hawkins and features the original recording of I Put A Spell On You. The thing is there are albums that are titled I Put A Spell On You but those were reissues of the album. This is the original. I'm super glad they finally added to to Spotify after forever and love that they finally did. Also something I want to note, for those who don't know, he was a boxer.

1. Orange-Coloured Sky: This is a cover of the 1950 Nat King Cole track. And this is a pretty great track. I mean it's exciting, up beat and infectious. I mean I kinda wanna get up and dance to this track. Great presence, get vocals with energy. And damn he on this track alone earns the title Screamin' Jay. I listened to the original and this is if Nat chain smoked and did a bunch of upper, and so did the band. Another quick note, when I first heard this I imagined it playing in the movie Elf. 
2. Hong Kong: Only one of a few tracks that are originals. It is also musically similar to the progression of I Put A Spell On You. Except this features, what I assume, is him attempting to fake Chinese. Well at parts of the song, but it's so not even close. I mean I can barley kinda think of that as being even faux-Chinese. Most of it sounds like gibberish. I kinda think this may take another listen or two, but I isn't nearly as good as IPASOY.
3. Temptation: This is a cover of the 1937 Bing Crosby track from the film Going Hollywood. Love the eastern feeling. And his voice adds to it, and makes it more musical. Like I doubt he hits the notes Bing hit, but I feel like this is how a normal person in his vocal range would sing it. I seriously can't find anything wrong with this track. I also love the bass in this track, it really reminds me of something I could hear John Zorn doing in one of his more conventional Book of Angels composition. Actually this could be one of those. I also love the set up this give, it's kinda of a prelude (eastern part) for what is to come in the next review.
4. I Love Paris: This is a Cole Porter track, my favorite of his being Let's Do It. I dig the classic feeling of the track, but I also like the accordion in the beginning. Or at least the accordion-esque instrument. This has a guitar that I could imagine Django playing, but not in his solos. Like in the vamps parts maybe. It's got a swing to it. Also he does the faux Chinese, which I now know isn't because he does it in the Paris song. Again, surprisingly, another solid track.
5. I Put A Spell On You: One of my favorite songs, and the best version of the song. The only other rendition I fancy is the Nina Simone version. But regardless, how the fuck could you not love this track. It's so creepy, and just.... not that this makes sense, but when I hear this original recordings horn and everything verses, I just think of the word Macabre (thought the correct term may be cabaret). Also a fucking great saxophone solo, thought maybe a tad to short. But I mean it's so laid back, it isn't horrifying. I feel like if this was played straight, and made today you'd be shitting your pants. I can't believe I have so little to say about this, but it's also so well known I doubt everything hasn't been said about it.
6. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: A traditional song that is pretty great. I really haven't heard a bad verison of this song I can think of. And taking me completely by surprise, he decided (or the arranger or producer) to go the full out Gospel A Capella route. Though there is an pipe organ in the background. I kinda feel like crying when I listen to this. The only bad part is there are some parts where it's completely silent in between Jay's vocals and the choirs. Or at least you have to really listen (headphones) to hear that it's all together, vs parts just cutting out. And by the way I did cry, well just a bit. This also reminded me of a gospel album I listened to not to long ago. From 1967 The Edwin Hawkin Singers track it's Pray For Peace.
7. Yellow Coat: An original song by Hawkins and Irving Nahan. This is straight up Rhythm and Blues. Like this sounds like it could have been in the Blues Brothers. And I imagine The MG's playing the backing music. Or at least the basis of the MG's. The major difference between the two is, I'll return to this track. Where as for the BBs I don't think I'll listen to them play more than the initial time. 
8. Ol' Man River: This is a cover of the Hammerstein & Kern track from 1927's Showboat. This goes down the sole, piano vocal route. Well mostly, there are bursts of other instrumentation, which are as uppity as Orange-Coloured Sky. Also once the song ends, it goes for a jazz reprise. Like a big band vocal jazz rendition that I could imagine Cab Calloway maybe doing. Althought Cab would sing higher.
9. If You Are But a Dream: This is a track that dates back to 1913 and was originally used as a part of the revival of The Honeymoon Express. Anther track that I kinda am not feeling as much as the earlier track. I think the thing that keeps this track from not working for me is the whole 50's rhythm and blues, doo-wop, I-vi-VI-V style progression. Now I may be wrong in the exact progression [used in the song], but I was talking more about the feeling I get.
10. Give Me My Boots and Saddle: This track is from the 1937 film Boots & Saddles and is originally sung by Gene Autry. And the second this song starts I figured it was a Gene Autry track. It's very country, cowboy, western vibe. Though the guitar is borderline surf feeling, esp during the chorus. I also like that guitar solo. And another solid sax solo. The surf aspect makes me like this, more so than if it wasn't here. 
11. Deep Purple: This is a cover of the standard by Peter DeRose. This is a cover of the song where the British hard rock pioneers of the same name, got their band name. Before that they were named Roundabout. I kinda feel like this would be a good closer to the album. It's got a very sleepy feeling, and the same kinda of nite time feeling that I think of When You Wish Upon A Star. It also has a music box (?) or a harp twinkling. I can't say I love it, but it's still pretty solid.
12. You Made Me Love You: This has a very drive in feeling. The kind I think would be better fit as maybe not the closer. It also has the doo-wop piano. So technically be default I can't hate this song. I can not like it, but I can't hate it. While I don't like this, or think it's anything special first time though I have this feeling. The feeling is I'll be listening to this multiple times after this.

Overall I have to give this album a 8/10. Taking me by surprise, this is fucking great. Easily one of the best albums I've heard from the 50's. The album seems to kinda slow down in it's quality after what I am figuring is the first side. But regardless of it's downsides, check this bitch out it worth the listen. I could see this possibly being, at some point a 7 or 7.5 but I also can see it growing on me too. So only time will tell. Something I've learned over the years is if an artist is good, and you love a song on an album, usually there's another (at the very least) good song on that album. And while I have proof that isn't necessarily true, read some of my reviews, I still believe it. This album is a perfect example if that. Another strong point is the LP doesn't really repeat itself, outside of Hong Kong. All the tracks are different enough to get thumbs up, and it certainly is in no way a boring album. 

Thursday - The Weeknd

This is the second mixtape release by The Weeknd. Now I was timid to listen to this, because I just felt like this one wouldn't be very good. I don't know why, but that's what I felt. I do like that the cover is very colorful. It is kind of friendly and welcoming. I feel very IDK on the way that this thing might be. I have listened to Lonely Star a couple times, I'm not crazy about it, and The Birds Part 1, which I like a lot. This was released in August 18th, 2011. I started this review on May 2nd, 2012.

1. Lonely Star: This sounds like it would be a better quality version of a song that I would have heard on House of Balloons. I don't exactly how to feel about this song. I feel like this would be a song where I could listen to it if I was going to listen to the mix-tape front to back. And at the end of the song he says the days of the week. I don't think that that's a good way to start off a mix-tape.
2. Life Of The Party: This song is just talking about, pretty much, how high he is. And is trying to convince a girl to join him. It's either that or she is high and she could be "tripping out" while they talk to her. The song actually does give you that feel of a song that would be a song where they tried to convince a girl to do drugs in some movie. The beat in this song feels "evil". Like I could picture, in a way, a part in a movie like Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite from the movie Across the Universe. I actually liked that movie and that was kind of an introduction to The Beatles for me. I'm not comparing it to that, but I'm giving an idea of what it is kind of like. The "tripping out" idea that I had kind of reminds me of Alice In Wonderland. This isn't amazing, but it's still a good song.
3. Thursday: This has that House of Balloons vibe to it. I don't think that it is that terrible. Like this could be a rerecorded, better quality,  leftover that didn't make the cut for House of Balloons. Beside the idea of the better quality to it, it still reminds me of a song off House of Balloons. This song seems like it could grow on me if I give it a couple more listens.
4. The Zone: This has this, I might be crazy but, reggae vibe to the beat. [:( ] Please don't kill me if I'm wrong. That's just what I got out of this song the first time through. Also the chorus/hook is "I'ma gonna touch you". So the ideas that come to mind are, is he talking advantage of her, is this "touch" mutual. I don't know, but I do like this song. It could have been on the last mix tape. I know I've made a million comparisons to House of Balloons but that is the only other mix-tape I've heard front to back. I have heard all of Echoes of Silence but in all in order. Also I guess Drake is on this song. I think that his rap is actually pretty cool. I like The Weeknd on the song Crew Love off Drake's 2011 album Take Care. I didn't like Drake's part on that song though.
5. The Birds Part 1: This song is awesome, the beginning is kind of a build up. I don't think that it is a good build up though. It's not until the other instruments come in that it is cool sounding. This is a classic Weeknd song. I really love this song and the more I hear it is gets a little better. The instruments in the beats are sick. It feels like this song is a march and that he is singing this in with a marching band, but a cool one. I could see this being played at a big arena. I don't get the arena feel is exactly reached, but I could see this being a song that is played at an arena.  Thus far this is my favorite song on this mix-tape. There is like an outro where it is just Abel backing vocals and an acoustic guitar. I think that that's a really sweet ending.{9/10}
6. The Birds Part 2: The song starts out with a girl making sounds. Not sex noises but like giggles. The guitar that is in the instrumentation kind of reminds me of Bang Bang by the one and only Nancy Sinatra. The song progressively builds up, adding more instruments and horns and move backing vocals. I defiantly see this being a part 2 to The Birds. There is a really high pitched voice buried in the mix for like a chorus, kind of like the Beach House samples on House of Balloons. You can hear him light up a joint in this song. This thing is actually growing a little more on me. He uses a some of the lyrics from High for This in this song.
7. Gone: This kind of reminds me of the second part of The Party & The After Party. It also kind of reminds me of The Knowing. I feel like thoses songs are either fillers, or it's supposed to be like this is his high. The one thing I wish though was that it wasn't 8 minutes. This is the longest song to date that he has done. It's actually like of like a flip flop The Party & The After Party. The difference though about it is that it would be like The After Party & The Party. This could have been on House of Balloons.
8. Rolling Stone: This has this Spanish guitar intro to it. There are also bongos and stuff in it. This is actually the songs that I needed after Gone. This song also has theses like beads in that backgrounds that make it sound a little like rain drops. The beads kind of remind me of something a little kid would make in kindergarten with the paper towel roll and the rubber bands and raw noodles inside it. I really like this song, but I feel like 4 minutes is a little long. There is this distortion that comes in at the last like 30 seconds and ends the song.
9. Heaven Or Las Vegas: What I wanted was a The Knowing feeling to it. This song has this epic ending type of feel to it. It's either that or the fact that this is over. For some reason this song makes me want to relisten to this thing. Kind of like a repeat you know.

Overall I have to give this mixtape a 9/10. This album gives me this kind of theme to it. The same thing about House of Balloons. But the thing on this one was the shit went down on Thursday. On House of Balloons it could have gone down on any day of the week. I overall liked House of Balloons more than I did this one, though this has potential. The thing about Abel is that these songs are good, but they are best, at least for me, front to back, and need multiple listens.

channel ORANGE - Frank Ocean

SHIT, I wasn't home at all Sunday until about 8:30pm and I got home from a weekend. So that's why I didn't have a review go up. Well today I'm going to do one, and I will do one everyday until the 22nd, because I missed that on day. This is a review of the debut album by Frank Ocean of OFWGKTA. He recently came out as bisexual, which I don't think ends the world, but I am curious to what Tyler has to say about it. Anyway, this is was released by Def Jam Recordings, and it has a few features on it. John Mayer, Andrè  3000. It also features Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, The Creator both from OFWGKTA. Frank also collaborated with a couple producers on this, and also songwriters. In the songwriting credits the name that appears most is Frank's but the second most is James Ryan Ho, better known as Malay. He helped write 11 of the 18 tracks on this album. I was actually surprised to see that 1 or 2 of the tracks didn't even feature Frank's name in the songwriting credits.Well anyway, I was excited to hear this, until I forgot about it, then I heard about it again and lost track of time and tada its on iTunes. And honestly I didn't care for it first time through. But I heard it twice so yeah.

1. Start: This is the intro, it kind of gives me a vibe of Nostalgia, Ultra. Like the intro to that.
2. Thinkin Bout You: This song isn't that bad of a song, and a good start. I think that this is a pretty cool song to. I honestly think that this beat and the vibe of it is smooth. The high pitch vocals kind of remind me of Marvin Gaye, but he can't sing as good as Marvin.
3. Fertilizer: This is just an interlude. This is only 40 seconds long. The concept about it reminds me a little of The Who's 1967 third album The Who Sell Out. The way they had like "commercials" in the album.
4. Sierra Leone: This song is ok. I don't think that it's that amazing. This reminds me of the atmosphere on Echoes of Silence and Houses of Balloons. When the strings come in it kind of sounds like Marvin Gaye's 1971 Whats Going On's title track.
5. Sweet Life: I could care less for the lyrics in the song. The music in it is pretty and kind of jazzy, but I don't care for the lyrics. I like the concept, again, but not some of them. I think that it would be more accurate to say certain lyrics. But that's how I felt with American Wedding off his mixtape. This is really a R&B song though. There is this piano sounds on it that reminds me of part of the song Bitches Brew off the 1970 album of the same name by Miles Davis.
6. Not Just Money: This song sets up the theme of the next song. It has people talking
7. Super Rich Kids: Though Earl is on this song, I think that this song is pretty solid. I like the concept and idea, but I don't like parts of the song. The chorus of this song just irritated me. I was pretty turned off first listen. But second time though it grew on me. I like Earl's verse to. This is a slow, stomping, beated song. I feel like it is perfect where it is. I honestly feel like Tyler, The Creator produced this song.
8. Pilot Jones: This song reminds me a little of Houses of Balloons. But not as good as the mix tape.
9. Crack Rock: I don't care for this song that much either. I think it's ok, but it doesn't keep my intrest. I don't like the chorus.  I kind of feel like BADBADNOTGOOD might of helped with the beat on this song.
10. Pyramids: This is a really cool song. Probably my favorite song on the album. I think that the instrumentation on this is really cool. The lyrics talk about Egypt, Cleopatra, prostitution and other stuff to. I love the feeling I get when I hear this song This song starts out with this feeling of "epicness". Kind of like this is going to be a long trip. When Frank's voice comes in I think that is is pretty. I think that the song doesn't necessarily have to be so long, but what ever. The first instrumental break is very pretty and cool sounding. It sounds like synths engulf the song. The synths kind of reminds me a little of the final section of MGMT's 12:10 epic Siberian Breaks, off 2010's Congratulations. A part of the keys to remind me a little of I Found A Whistle, which is on the same MGMT album as Siberian Breaks. I do really like this song, but I kind of think that around 5:30 is where the song gets kind of old. I don't think it has to be a 9:54. If the song wasn't kind of boring in the middle of it, then it would be different. But I do think that this is still a really good song. I couldn't though, picture it shorter than 10 minutes. I feel like the song kind of goes into too much repetition, like seiously. The ending also kind of reminds me of the Siberian Breaks. Actually I'd be shocked if they didn't sample that song.
11. Lost: This song is ok, but it's not as good as the last song. Usually, for me, after an epic it's hard to live up to the greatness of the big song. Well I think it's fine, but its not that mind blowing.
12. White: I like this song, it's an instrumental, but it's a good break form the album.
13. Monks: I feel like the title Monks gives a prelude, though it's over 3 minutes long, to the next idea on the album. I like that this also starts out with a church organ intro to it. This is kind of a song that I could be seen being played, with different lyrics, at a church of African Americans. But not the entire song, just certain parts.
14. Bad Religion: I liked this song. I think that the intro to this song fits the song and idea. The whole religious feeling that is going on fits perfect. This really is a very good religious song about his true feelings about religion and beliefs. I respect that he does that, and that he is willing to share it. After listening to this, I don't know how many times, I finally understand the song. It mentions he has problems with religion because it forbids him from loving his "man". Though, from what I understand, he isn't in a relationship with. Like if he wanted to it couldn't happen.
15. Pink Matter: This song has Andrè 3000 on it, and first time through, it was one of my favorite tracks on it. This song is ok for Ocean's part, but Andre makes it. I think that this kind of reminds me a little of The Weeknd. Specifically more of a The Birds Part 2 off his 2nd mixtape Thursday. Then when Andre comes in it kind of reminds me a little of the way Same Old Song off Echoes of Silence ends with the guys voice at the ending. But it also sounds pretty cool.
16. Forrest Gump: Honestly, the way this song starts out, I could see this being more Bad Religion. This is a pretty sounding song. I honestly don't know if this is about him loving another man, or about the character, or a tribute to him. This is a pretty song though. I actually like this song. I think that it's a better song on this, and one of my favorite songs on this.
17. End: I wish that Forrest Gump and End flowed together better. This is a cool sounding song. But I am not huge on the underwater feeling. I do kind of like it, but I wish it wasn't that way. I could care less about the sounds around it. This song kind of reminds me of Nostalgia, Ultra. in the way that is kind of has sounds

Overall I give this a 8/10. I couldn't say what I thought first time through. I kind of got a feeling of The Weeknd's third mixtape Echoes of Silence. Which bugs me because I feel like he is trying to be more like him. Just the way some of the beats on some of the songs are. Like Sierra Leone and Thinkin Bout You. There is other stuff going on, but The main beat. I do think that this is kind of like Whats Going On, in way of this is his. It's a sweet thing and I think that you may enjoy it. I feel like my feeling contridict at times, but like his last mixtape, some tracks grow on me, some don't.

21 - Adele

This is the big album from last year from Adele, or as I call her Addle. This is her second album, and it's named after her age. Now at first I didn't really like Rolling in the Deep that much. But it eventually grew on me. I don't think that I need to explain that she's from England and that her first album was 19 and released in 2009. So two years later, 19+2= Her new album 21. I remember hearing Chasing Pavement when it first came out, and I wanted to murder her, not seriously, but you know. I thought that was one of the most obnoxious songs I'd heard at that point in my life. I heard it when she was on SNL. Well I have had this review sitting in the backburner but now here it is, Adele's 2011 Grammy Award Winning 21. FYI I am working on Sgt. Pepper's to upload at the end of the month, kind of like last month's Let it Be.

1. Rolling in the Deep: This was the first big song. This was also a different musical direction from her first album. The guitar in the beginning of this song sounds really cool. I like this song, and I was surprised that I actually liked this song. This song has everything that I feel it needed to be a good song, an awesome voice and singing, cool instrumentation, and the choir in the background makes it sound cool. The one thing I don't like is that this is probably the only time a songs is like this on this album. Stylistically, not exciting.
2. Rumour Has It: This sounds a shit load like Amy Winehouse. I'm not even kidding. If you have ever heard one of her songs, beside Rehab, then you can see the similarity. There is obviously not as much unperfectedness. This sounds like a cleaner verison of a song by her. I don't know how to explain that anymore. I think that the breakdown or bridge is really cool with the piano and the strings, but the chorus drives me nuts.
3. Turning Tables: This song is a piano driven song, with her vocals. This song kind of feels like most of the other songs on this album. That's exactly what a pop hit needs, consistentness. I haven't heard all of these songs in order, so that how I know the sound by the third track.
4. Don't You Remember: This has a southern arpeggio sounding vibe that I am picking up. I can't recall any other song that quite songs like this, so that excited me a little. By the end of the song this was not exciting to me.
5. Set Fire To The Rain: I really, like Rolling in the Deep, like the way she sings this song. The piano and vocals and instrumentation is exciting, the only other time on this album that excites me is Rolling in the Deep. This song doesn't sound like any other song on this album. So that's a good thing. The piano arpeggios make this song sound really cool. It also builds, which makes it good.
6. He Won't Go: This song has a feeling that I could picture in a part in a movie where they are walking in a fancy club. This song has strings added in the chorus and it actually kind of reminds me a little, just the strings in the chorus and how they sound, of Sucre in the was that the strings sound in the chorus. This also sounds like a song that would be a hit. I don't like it all that much, but I could see this being a hit song if it was in a soundtrack. There is a part where it sounds like its strings, her voice, and a harp and that sounds pretty. Nothing that moving, but it's not terrible.
7. Take It All: This is a piano songs that I thought of, first came to mind, the intro to Sir Elton John's 1972 hit Rocket Man off the album of the same year Honky Château. This song is basically just her singing along to a piano. The thing though, that keeps it from having more of an Elton feeling is, she doesn't play piano. This is another good song, just not a song that I'm crazy or impressed with.
8. I'll Be Waiting: This song didn't really impress me that much either. I think that it's beginning to become overkill.
9. One And Only: This song in'st terrible, but it's like doo wap vibe instrumentally. Now I think that this also has a Bob Dylan and The Band vibe, but I don't like her voice along with those insturmentation. This is a pretty cool sounding song, but I don't like it that much.
10. Lovesong: My Mom has this CD. And the songwriter credits for this song is a shit load longer than any other track. This has 6, and every other track has two. It's also the only track without Adele in the songwriting credit. This song has a jazz house feel. I don't really know if you'd describe it as jazz, but I feel like it's kind of jazzy. I think that this is a relaxing song to lead into the last song.
11. Someone Like You: This is probably the biggest song off this. This is a very pretty song. I don't think that Adele is amazing, but I do think that this song is a good song. The vocals on this song are beautiful. I don't LOVE this song, but it's one hell of one. I think that she did a good job on this on.

Overall I give this Grammy album a 8/10, but if it was how I enjoyed it, it would be a 6/10. I don't think that it's the greatest album of 2011, but I can tell when someone has a good album. I like it more than Foster the Fuckers. So yeah...

Nostalgia, Ultra - Frank Ocean

This is the only, at least to my knowledge, mix tape released sole by a member of the hip-hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. This guy is the member who sings and sings pretty good. I guess that Kanye heard this mixtape and ended up collaborating with Frank and Frank met Beyonce and Jay-Z. I'ma let you finish but I think that this looks like it might be a good listen. I already heard American Wedding and Swim Good and that's it so far.

1. Street Fighter: The beginning of this song is sounds. It is just the sound of him moving tapes around and playing them.
2. Strawberry Swing: This song is upbeat and pretty good. It doesn't sound like Frank is offbeat on this song. It is also a very pretty sample going on in the background. It irritates me that Frank could have been more on beat with American Wedding because he is right on with this. I love that song, actually more than this one, but I don't think its good how he did it. The sample is a Coldplay sample and the song ends with a sample of the song where Chris Martian sings. That fades out while an alarm clock fades in. The song ends him turning the alarm clock. {8/10}
3. Novacane: This song is a song that I could see someone dancing to. Like a '90s song, not so much the lyrics, but more the song. This song is a pretty good song. This song is also intresting, by that I mean it made me want to listen to the whole song. I think that this song also reminds me of that rapist Michael Jackson. That effects the enjoyment of the song a little. But I can over look that. There is this almost over powering feel that makes me want get Straight Up with the one and only Paula. I guess this song is about a girl who wants to get throught dental school so she becomes a porn star. And the singer is in love with the girl and she goes to drugs, and because he loves her he does it to. {7.6/10}
4. We All Try: This song is a pretty cool sample. This is like his political song, I guess. He mentions he believes "that marriage isn't between a man & woman, but between love and love". I kind of disagree, but what ever. I still like this song a lot. This song is pretty solid and his vocals actually work with the entire song and it sounds good. This is one of the good songs on this album, by that it's not put together poorly. 
5. Bitches Talkin': This song is another "cassette change" song. But it does contain a Radiohead sample. And there "Bitches Talkin'" in the background.
6. Songs For Women: This song sounds like a '70s, I want to get laid song. By that I mean this is what you would play if you want to get laid. This has that old school '70s R&B vibe to it. This songs title even hits at that theme. This song is actually good, and pretty neat. I don't think this is the best song, but it is one of the better songs. I also really think that the "do, do, do, do" beat in the background sounds pretty cool.
7. Lovecrimes: This song has this classic rock/jazz feel to it. The piano actually reminds me of Van Halen's song Right Now off For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, released in 1991. It also gives me this Peter Colins/Genesis feel to it. And a little African influenced music. There is a voice sample in the background that is buried and he is on beat with this one. Towards the end of the song it slows down and it is a pretty cool idea. The way the song went was that it reminds me of a vinyl record that fades out.
8. Goldeneye: This is a "Cassette Change" song.
9. There will be Tears: This song has this type of dubstep beat. Not like the ones that The Weeknd uses, like actual dubstep. It's not extreme, but it's more powerful in the song. This song is kind of  uplifting, and it has a good vibe to it. I could see this song being on the radio. There is enough autotune and it's upbeat enough so yeah. This is a pretty cool song. I'm not in love with it but its pretty chill {7/10}
10. Swim Good: This was the first solo song I heard by Frank Ocean. I liked it the first time I heard it and it has only grown on me. This song is probably the second most emotional song in this mixtape for me. I think that it's neat that he is going to drive in the lake/river/ocean because of a girl left him. He mentions he is dressed for a funeral. That is a pretty good image of what is going to happen. I like when people make songs about suicide, but do it with taste. It obviously depends on the style, but if Frank had one and it said "I want to slit my fucking troat, chop off my cock" that'd be a little extreme of his type of music. This song is also pretty upbeat for a song about suicide. I also love that seagull ocean sound at the end, like he drove into the ocean.
11. Dust: This song is pretty cool. I think that this song is a more "normal" song. This has more of a radio R&B, Hip-hop, Rap sound. This reminds me very much so of something that I would hear if the radio was on a pop station.
12. American Wedding: This song. I think that this is my favorite on on the Mixtape. The thing about it is that it is Hotel California without vocal track and Frank's vocals instead. This is my favorite song for the fact that it is awesome. I love the way it sounds and the feel I get from it. The new lyrics give this song a new perspective to it for me. I think this song helped revive Hotel California, the song, for me. The song is really good but there are down sides. The vocals are off a little. Like the singing doen't sound like it's on temp. The lyrics aren't that good either. They don't go with the flow of the song. Look at this "it's an american wedding they don't mean too much but we were so in love, we had an american wedding, now what's mine is yours, thats american law". That doesn't work, at all. I love you Frank but don't do this to me. PLEASE! It hurts my belief that you might have a really good album coming out this year. Another things is that this really hurts trying to sing along with it, after you learn to get over the offbeat vocals. I would give this a 10/10 but because of all the negatives it gets this. {9.3/10}
13. Soul Calibur: This is the same like mix tape song switch as some of the other songs. This one has a couple seconds of MGMT's song Future Reflections off their 2007 digital, 2008 physical, full length debut Oracular Spectacular.
14. Nature Feels.: This song has a MGMT sample, and guess which one it is. It's Electric Feel, that makes sense after you see the title of the song. This song has so much potential, he's fucking sampling MGMT's song Electric Feel. But he doesn't pull it off. After many listens I still can't really get into this song. It seriously bums me out that it's like he gave two shits. This is worse than, offbeat, than American Wedding. The lyrics are ok, but the way he performs this is just.... god awful. The only good part where it flows is on the chorus. The breakdown of the song he also flows a decently. And it think that it's better that he used the outro of the song to end it until he took the tape out {7/10}

Over all I'd have to give this mixtape a 7.8/10. It was not as good as I wanted it to be. There are its moments where it is awesome, but there are downsides. This could of been so much better, and so much potential. I think that I really want to hear another solo mixtape from Frank. Either that or maybe a full lenght album or something. And also I think that he should rap more, he was very suprising on Oldie. But from my gathered thoughts I believe this isn't a mixtape set up like an album/ep. No it's just a compilation of songs he recorded. But the over all theme I get from this is that its a guy who wakes up and is singing along with his favorite songs and changing some in the process. I have no idea if thats right, but that how it seems to me. And it also seems better in my opinion if you look at it like that. Hopefully this bitch will grow on me. :(

Martina Matwiejczuk-Extended Play

OK heres the problem. My keypad on my computer stopped working. So I have to do this from my iTouch. So I apologies for that and hopefully ill do the The Beatles and Frank Zappa tomorrow. Now on to the reason I am reviewing this Ep. This is an artist that I found out about via FrostClick. I know someone who has the last name Matwiejczuk from school, so I decided to see if that was some type of relation to her. Well there is no relation and I decided to check into this Ep. And the girl looks attractive so I was pretty excited to listen to this. So I don't really know what to expect going into this.

1. Give Me A Reason: This gives me this '90s electronic feel to it. It kind of reminds me of the music I used to hear when I was like 5, in like 2000. I think that her voice is pretty cool. This then goes into an electronic beat that reminds me of '90s hip-hop. This would be a good song to have on a work out mixtape. I could see this being a song by No Way Josie
. Probably not my best review
2. Kilimanjaro: This name makes me think of Africa. This has an African style beat to it. At least that is what it reminds me of. This song is actually pretty good once it sinks in. {7/10}
3. At Night: This song has a dub step beat in the beginning. This song reminds me of Lady Gaga. The way she sings is like her. This has autotune on it. It also reminds me of ET by Katy Scary. Her voice also kind of reminds me of The Weeknd. That is actually kind of funny, but not. This is a really cool song {8/10}
4. Searcher: I'm not as big on this song as I am on all the other songs. I don't really know for sure why I think that way. But it's probably because I think that it is... I don't exactly know? But I don't hate it {7/10}
5. Black is White: This song is probably my least favorite. I don't like this one much. I also don't really like how she sings this either.

Over all this Ep gets an 7.8/10. I didn't really have any certain expectation on this album. I wanted it to be good, but I didn't really think that it would be that amazing. This is like a not as good verison of No Way Josie! but without dub step. After listening to this and contemplating it, I think that this could grow on me. But for now I have to stay with the review I have given it.

House of Balloons - The Weeknd

This album is crazy. I first listened to the whole entire thing through, except track 7-9 last night while I was laying in bed. This morning I was playing those songs while I was getting dressed for school. I was going to listen to it front to back while I walked home but my mom picked me up and I was mad. That completely defeated the purpose of that. But this is my review for it. I hope you listen to it and or like my review.

1. High For This: I don't usually like this type of music but there is something about this. His voice is very pretty. I think that the sample in this song adds to it. The backing drum machine or sample makes it seem like its his heartbeat . At about 2:30 he begins to go into like a bridge, so to say, and It is my favorite part of the entire song. This is my favorite song on the album and I love this song
2. What You Need: The way this song is set up is something I could picture Marvin Gaye having made this song. The vocals somewhat remind me of a higher pitched Marvin. I love that this song has a head bop beat to it. This is defiantly a really good song. The lyrics are a little more as
3. House Of Balloons/Glass Table Girls: This song is another good one.  the second part of this song has a type of dub step backing to it. That still is awesome but the flow between the transition between the two is pretty cool. Lyrically as part of the second part of the songs makes me think that he is at a party and they are all doing substances.
4. The Morning: There is a pretty, what seems to be, guitar solo in the beginning. It sounds like something that would be in a song like this. This song makes me feel like you would get laid to this song. And the lyrics mention money and like in the morning after a big party. This for some reason has a feel of one that relaxes. It almost makes me fall asleep, in a good way. The melody and beat are that chill that it sets that feel of this song. This is another song that would get you laid if you were having a baby.
5. Wicked Games: I like the beginning of this song. It has a guitar part, but everything stops. And then the entire song. This song talks about strippers/prostitutes and drugs. The feel of this song is so sweet. I want this to be like a song to play for your girl but when it comes to lines like the chorus, its hard for it to still be a love song. This entire song though is mind blowing. I love this song so much I don't know how to explain it. After hearing this song, I have grown to love it even more. This song is amazing, and better than any other song on the album. When I make that first baby this will be the song that will be playing, on a loop if needed.
6. The Party & The After Party: Lots of the songs sound the same to an extent. But they don't after you listen to the album more than twice. The more you listen to them you learn that. This song is the one where I originally began ''doubting'' that this would be an amazing album. I love how in this song  there is an inhale sound instead of actually saying that they do the drugs, That just emplies it. And also what's with the organ type sounding instrument through the first part of this song. At about 3:20 everything except the vocals and guitar are silent for about 20 seconds. This song has a certain atmosphere to it, along with the rest of the songs. This song is very good to. I kind of think the part at around 5:15 where he says you weird makes me laugh. The ending of the song has a train sound or something that segues into the next track.
7. Coming Down: This is the track where he like talks about how money is gonna change him or vice versa. The thing that sucked about this song it that it took me 3 listens to figure out what to say about this song. This song continues the flow of the smooth and sweet, just like before. I think this song could be a MTV music video for this.
8. Loft Music: This song's samples are a lot different that the rest of the album. His voices are a lot more blunt and you hear it more that before. This song is like what seems to be the climax of this partying that has been going on throughout this whole entire album. That sounds weird for me to say but that's what I picture in my head. I like how this song has a looped sounding ending to it.
9. The Knowing: This song makes me feel like this is a new beginning to the album. or the new beginning to the sunny day. This is obviously supposed to be like a morning after type track. I really think that this is a good ending to the mix tape. I feel like it is bitter sweet in that fact that it isn't really sweet but it somewhat feels it. There is like a backing vocals that make this feel like it is the end. And the way this track ends with a fade of a sound makes it sound pretty cool and gives it a done effect.

Overall I give this an 9/10. I liked this a lot and it only was more and more as I listened to it. The lyrics to this album are very dirty and he swears constantly. I think that kind of adds to the songs, in a way. It's very odd to think that he could swear so much and make that sound romantic. This album has parts that remind me of Michael Jackson and also Marvin Gaye. I can't stand the Man in the Mirror but Marvin is someone who I can handle. I changed it to a 10/10 on March 6th, 2012. The original rating was 9.5. I changed the score in 2015 to a 9. That's proably what I"m feeling now. The extra names over there in the link thing are people who contributed to production Doc McKinney, Illangelo, Zodiac, Cirkut.