the411online.com: $10 reviews (3 stars)

$10 reviews (3 stars)

September 20, 2009

Review: KRS-ONE and BUCKSHOT, Survival Skills

I was far from a comic-book junkie while growing up, but one series that instantly comes to mind as a favorite was "Marvel Team-Up," when one legendary character (usually Spider-Man) would pair with another hero to take on a villain for a standalone issue. The unlikely pairings created a little added buzz when compared to the regularly scheduled program, and therefore were more likely to attract a casual fan like me.

KRS-One and Buckshot were wise to follow the same formula, perhaps injecting a boost of attention that otherwise would not have been afforded to a solo release by each MC. The title track is the leadoff hitter, and wastes no time establishing just how good the combination of these two lyrical legends can be. KRS' opening line sends a warning shot across the bow of the current hitmakers: "Small-time rappers ain't as dope as us / When you hear rappers in the club, you hope it's us." Just as refreshing is the turntable work on the hook courtesy of DJ Revolution.

KRS and Buck keep one foot on the neck of the copycats with their own personal attack on auto-tune, transforming into a "Robot" to take down those who "can't sing or rap these days" without covering their weak skills with a vocoder, all while still paying tribute to Roger Troutman, Afrika Bambaataa and others.

A parade of standout guests add to the party at that point, from the predictable (Mary J. Blige) and the welcome (Talib Kweli, backed by more scratching) to the longtime collaborators (Heltah Skeltah and Smif N Wessun).

However, when Pharoahe Monch walks out the door after "One Shot," it feels like a lot of the energy goes with him as the album fades a bit toward the end. Or maybe it just seems that way. No matter, the album is worth a look if only for the all-star collabo. In the end, the superheroes usually win. Click here to find out how to buy this album.

-- Mason Storm

Sep 20, 2009 4:43:00 PM | $10 reviews (3 stars), Buckshot, KRS-One, Reviews

June 14, 2009

Review: DJ QUIK & KURUPT, BlaQKout

Consider this a poor man's Oh My God. The pairing of DJ Quik, who doesn't get enough credit for his production skills, and Kurupt, who's paid tribute to Rakim on many occasions, should ellict that kind of a reaction, even though they've never reached the same heights in their respective fields -- and it isn't nearly as unexpected. But at least this one exists.

Among Kurupt's first lines is "How can you go wrong?" Twice, in fact. And it's a fair question, though they do manage to veer off course at times. One would be the unfortunately named "Cream N Ya Panties," which seemingly duplicates the opening title track's background screeches without duplicating the success of the original Quik sex-driven track, "Black P----." It at least should have been pushed back futher on the album to make it less obvious.

But those low moments are few and far between and the majority of the album is a solid listen, even if it's not stellar. The standout is "9x's Outta 10" with its simple, repetitive vibe, but "Ohh!" and the Moroccan-themed "Hey Playa!" also make an impact with their exclamations. "Do You Know?" also offers a "Back To Life" sample not to be questioned.

"F--- Y'all" takes the same concept as the Black Sheep interlude from 1991 and extends it into a full song. The highlight in the guest department is none other than Yo-Yo, who might have been a late addition as "Whatcha Wan Do" appears again without her as a bonus track.

The album gets lost again toward the end with "Exodus," a mess of an interlude, and "Jupiter's Critic & the Mind of Mars," which is one part '80s music, one part space odyssey and five parts trip, that only can be explained with a simple Quik lyric at the center: "I smoke a lot of weed." Thankfully, "The Appeal" grounds the starship before the album lands.

As Kurupt says early on, "This is one of those things when you put it together you make gumbo." There are a lot of flavors to digest here, but if they keep cooking together they'll get the perfect recipe before long. Click here to find out how to buy this album.

-- Mason Storm

Jun 14, 2009 4:17:00 PM | $10 reviews (3 stars), DJ Quik, Kurupt, Reviews

December 15, 2008

Review: COMMON, Universal Mind Control

The late MC Breed told The 411 Online in 1995 that after a successful album, he celebrated by taking risks on the next one. If the public rejected it, he'd go back to the tried-and-true and hope to "open their minds" again on the one after that. It seems Common yearns to do the same thing. Electric Circus was proof of that. Common rallied from that setback and reached the peak of his career so far by teaming up with fellow Chicagoan Kanye West on the next two albums, with one unanimous classic and one split decision. But even if all critics don't agree with our high assessment of Finding Forever, it still was his first No. 1 album. So maybe Common should have kept the Kanye formula for one more album.

Instead, he enlists the Neptunes, who make their presence known right away on the Afrika Bambaataa-influenced title track. In that respect it fits right in with Kanye's effort to bring the '80s back. And it appears we might have a movement. But not so fast. Common's got sex on the brain, as evidenced by the escapade outlined on the next track, "Punch Drunk Love." (Is Serena to blame?) After all of the slow jams that closed his last album, it should come as no surprise that it led to all this fornication. But it's a little jarring coming from Common, especially when he's stomping all over the song that made him on "Announcement" ("I still love her, she's just eatin' a d--- / when it come to hip-hop it's just me and my b----") or whispering the chorus of "Sex 4 Suga" like the Ying Yang Twins. Along the same lines, "Make My Day" sounded a lot like Gnarls Barkley, but thankfully it's because the actual Cee-Lo is in the house. That doesn't save lyrics like "her ass cracked a smile," though.

We wanted to give Common the benefit of the doubt, so we delayed our review, especially after he responded to early critics by saying it was a "fun" album and that he'd give it an "11 out of 10." But no, we're not missing something. We won't be giving this much time outside of a few tracks -- "Universal Mind Control" and perhaps "Changes" and "Inhale," which seemed to bring the album back to life late before getting derailed again by another twist of the '80s. On "What A World," a retro rock hook is supplemented by a really basic, almost Sugar Hill Gang rhyme scheme. Then "Everywhere" closes the disc with what feels like '80s pop. If only they had stuck with Common's commercial co-star and his "Planet Rock," he and the Neptunes might have delivered a decent concept album, but it just isn't working as it is. Hopefully, Common can forgive us for joining the chorus or criticism. After all, we've been good to him. Click here to find out how to buy this album.

-- Mason Storm

Around the Way
allmusic: 2.5
Entertainment Weekly: C
HipHopDX: 2.5
Rolling Stone: 3