Michael Jackson- Xscape (2014)

Why did I review the album?  MJ is my favorite artist

Did I like it? Yes

Will I listen again? Yes, I’ll replay this one for years

This album is the most intriguing one I’ve listened to in a while. The regular version has 8 tracks produced mainly by Timberland (there are others, but he is the headlining producer). The deluxe version features the original version of the song plus an additional version of Love Never Felt So Good featuring Justin Timberlake.

 The reason that I like this album has nothing to do with music. Forgive the example, but it bears relevance. I once read a book by Brandon Sanderson. He released the book for free on his website, Along with the final edition of the book he also allowed readers to download several drafts that led to the final edition.  Through releasing several copies of the book in its various stages of drafting, the reader gets a process of writing a book. Although not completely the same (because Timberland is not MJ) we are offered the same opportunity with this album. I see the first tracks as covers of the originals (technically they are reworked) performed by MJ. We are given a chance to see how different artist would attack the same content which is fun. Additionally we are exposed to the idea that the sound of music changes over time. The MJ songs were recorded anywhere from 89-03 while the standard edition ranges from 13-14. How much of the changes were based off Timberlands own feel with music and how much did the time of recording affect the overall product? I don’t think we’ll ever find out exactly, but it was fun to ponder these ideas while listening.

For me, classic albums need to have at least two tracks that transcend time, or speak to issues of the time period. This album doesn’t quite have that. It’s missing the Thriller, Man in the Mirror, You are Not Alone, and songs of that ilk. If I were generous, I could say that Do You Know Where Your Children Are and Slave to the Rhythm fit the requirements, but I think I’d be giving the songs a BIT too much credit. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the album and recommend it 

My Favs

3. Loving You

2.  A Place With No Name

1. Xscape

Overall Rating: 87 with a recommendation to Buy

Daley- Days+Nights (2014)

Why did I review the album? My sister told me about Daley about a year ago, but I never took her advice and listened. Then I heard Those Who Wait and couldn’t get my hands on enough of Daley’s music.

Did I like it? Yes

Will I listen again?  I will revisit this albums many times

I’ve said many times that my favorite genre is 90’s R&B. But, as time passed people grew tired of R&B and rap (and pop) has taken its place. I believe the main reason for this is that R&B is traditionally slow and to some, a bit boring.

Well, Daley should change that perception with this album. It uses lively beats to speed the pace of the songs, but uses his delivery and voice to balance the fast pace, merging traditional 90’s R&B delivery with modern up- tempo beats that are prevalent today.

The album sports some variety as well. Its backbone deals in relationships, but also ponders what, if anything, can we do to help someone that cannot help themselves (She Fades). Alone Together changes the pace of the album.  

At 12 songs, it’s a bit shorter than I’d prefer, but what is provided is golden.

The crowning achievement of this album is its ability to use up-tempo beats and merge it with soulful singing and content.

My Favs

3. Blame the World

2. Time Travel

1. Alone Together

Overall Rating: 83 with a recommendation to Buy

Pusha T- My Name is My Name (2013)

Why did I review the album? My roommate recommended it to me

Did I like it? Yes

Will I listen again? Yes

Generally, I don’t like album about drugs because it seems like the easy route that rappers automatically return to for content. And, anyone that has ever smoked weed or dealt a small amount can use the name drug dealer and technically not have told a lie. The rappers that smoke religiously (Currency, Wiz Khalifa and others), It’s hard for me to like them because I don’t understand most of the references they allude to and I don’t understand that lifestyle (I do not smoke). But this album is the exception

I’m not sure who creates beats for Pusha T, but the beats on this album are cleverly constructed. There’s usually a beat that serves as the foundation. It usually melts into the background nicely because there is a secondary instrument that takes the forefront that is very distinguishable.  The two beats are basic which allow for his lyrics to take center stage.

This album’s backbone deals with drugs, but deviates enough to give the album variety and depth. Drugs is a common subject among rappers, but Pusha's delivery is not. Its amazing beats make the album a joy to listen to and Pusha T delivers bar after bar of genius lyrics which have double meanings in most cases.

For me, the album's crowning achievement is its ability to discuss drugs without feeling fake, to challenge without confronting, and to boast without insulting.

My Favs

3. Nostalgia

2. On the Boards

1. King Push 

Overall Rating: 86 with a recommendation to Buy

Justin Timberlake- Future Sex Love Sounds (2006)

Why did I review the album? Justified impressed me, so I decided to try this one

Did I like it? Yes

Will I listen again? Yes

My experience with this album is a bit odd. The only way I can explain it is by comparing J. Cole mixtapes. I had a conversation with my sister about her favorite J.Cole album/mixtape (we are both avid J. Cole fans). I said Warm Up, but she believed Friday Night Lights is superior (I now believe FNL is better). At the time the reason why I believed that is because The Warm Up had eight 5 star songs on it and the rest of the songs were good to very good. On FNL there were only 3 five star songs but another eleven received 4 stars. So while both are great and Warm up had many that I consider all-time favorites I respect the solidity of FNL more.

So in this case Justified is FNL and FSLS is the Warm up 

                                                                                                                                                   Justified                                                                  FSLS

5 stars awarded   5                                          5 stars awarded     7

4 stars awarded   5                                          4 stars awarded     2

3 stars awarded   3                                          3 stats awarded     4

The album covers all bases. From fun songs like SexyBack and Pose to serious cuts like Until the End of Time and Lost My Way. A few features to keep the sound fresh, but hosts plenty solo efforts to remind everyone JT can entertain on his own.The subject matter varies from eternal love and betrayal to drug addiction and a search for God. There's something in here for everyone.
Overall Score: 90, with a Buy recommendation 

Justin Timberlake- Justified (2002)

Why did I review this album? I've had this album for like 6-8 months and I was tired of looking at it, so... here it goes

Did I like this album? Yes

Will I listen again? Already have

 I didn't know what to expect from this because I knew it was his first album and would be completely different from the 20/20 experience albums. 

Well... I LOVE this. I have to say though, if I had listened to this at the time it came out I may not love this album as much as I do. This album is like an in between. It has remnants of 90's R&B but it also has flashes of the new direction that music was going in the early 2000's. Since its 2014 I could actually appreciate this where I may not have in 03. That mix of R&B and early 2000's vibe give the album variety that you do not usually see in debut albums and JT executes them all very well. Also because I haven't heard most of these songs in six or seven years they essentially had the feeling of a new song, so I didn't have the antipathy that I normally do towards singles. 

If there is one thing wrong with the album, it’s the track listing. The three singles are in the first four songs. If he spread them out it would have been better because instead of having two average songs (10 & 11) you can spread it so that it doesn't make the album seem top heavy. It's not, but when you place the only two average songs next to great songs it certainty feels that way. 

For a first album he seems really comfortable with his style. Most people are still experimenting with it the first time, but he's not like that. He knows what he likes to do and is comfortable enough to tweak it and take risks with it. 

If anyone knows the reason that singles appear in the first half of albums (almost exclusively) let me know. Is it something I’m imagining or is there an actual reason?

The slower tracks may scare away some listeners, but there are enough upbeat tracks to give the album balance.

Most people say FutureSex/Love Sounds is his best album and it may be, but it’s going to be hard to top this one.

My Favs

3. Like I Love You

2. Never Again

1.Senorita

Overall Score: 90 with a Buy recommendation