David Byrne and St. Vincent "Love This Giant"

If you would like to know how to make an enriching and invigorating collaboration album between a well known elder statesman and his apprentice, I mean that in the most respectful way possible, then you may want to try this. If you adore brassy arrangements with a side of intelligence and integrity, then you may Love This Giant.

Taproot "Plead The Fifth"

                                                                                                                                                                                                This band often has some surprisingly beautiful harmonies, that can easily wither because they are occasionally suffocated by a dense and aggressive sound. The funny thing is that this Taproot system allows those melodies to breathe. So, did they commit murder? I Plead The Fifth.  

Meek Mill "Dreams and Nightmares"

       In the eponymous opener, it’s apparent this song includes both “Dreams and Nightmares.” The song only progresses until the end, but he delivers the beginning like a dream, and then sounds like a p***** off Big Sean in the second half. For those who don’t know, that’s neither a diss or compliment; just an observation, but it sounds right though. Whether for the love of money, or “In God We Trust,” when it comes to choice, I choose the latter because good is hardly the outcome when it comes to lust. Meek and Kirko Bangz are both “Young and Gettin’ It” while “N***** claiming my flows, I should put these n***** on maury/And I ain’t claiming these hoes, got these haters looking all salty.”  I’m aware that my lines and observances are prone to being faulty. The next song is no joke; a document of what the loss of a father figure can do to a family. The music-box assited beat recalls earlier memories, while every line was a tear that became a warning to his father’s murderer; simply saying I will rip you to shreds. After the last song left him “Traumatized,” he is prepared to “…ball hard like Lebron James/and Rozay D-wade n****” and when he says it, you best “Believe It.” Rozay stays for the encore feature before the closing of these “Maybach Curtains.” The subtle horns, Nas verse, another chorus of Legend, and what’s left of the arrangement is the product of triumph.                           If the album was all Dreams and Nightmares, it is predominately the former; while some of the content may be borne of the latter, the verses hardly ever falter. For compelling story telling, I recommend the aforementioned track four, “Tony Story (P. 2),” or even listen to some Groban while wearing “Polos & Shell Tops.” I wasn’t really fond of track three, but if you want some that are better, one features Louie V (“Rich and Famous”). If that isn’t your style, the next one is worthwhile; it features Rozay, Trey Songz and Wale. Seriously, I cannot even describe why I like “Young Kingz” so much, but I’m inclined to say it's the percussion and the track’s buoyancy.  As for the track with Drake? “Amen!” The instrumentals remind me of a Sean track, and the chorus is something great to laugh at, while the verses fail to fall back! One of the most memorable for me happens to be “Who You’re Around,” and that is not only for the words of wisdom but that hook brought to you by Mary J Blige.

planningtorock "W"

They are either planning to rock the W or an ambitious audition for a showcase at Shea’s ready for rollcall; it’s not Broadway, but it is thrillingly theatrical.

Ed Sheeran "A+"

How many artists can not only cause a stir with the tweenage, teenage, and young adult crowd while also earning respect, and performing with Sir Elton John? Not many! Ed Sheeran is one of those artists, and for his proper debut he earns an A+ for effort, and the quality is not that far behind. 

Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr.Rager

The chronicles documenting life of the man on the moon return featuring The Legend of Mr. Rager. The first audio file is either inspired by a certain graphic novel series, or superficially appears that way in the title. it’s not about a pilgrim trying to live in the modern world, but a Mescudi (who’s a man) coping with the spotlight after rising from the underground. It may be "Scott Mescudi Vs. The World," but he has some help from Cee-Lo, along with earnest and honest lyrics, and a sound preparing us for the other side. There is no revolution without some sort of evolution, and listening to this little sounds like it is exactly that. The strings are air tight, almost like they know the drill, and the piano prefers to miss a whole mess of sit-ups instead of the beat. I cannot help but think of The Beatles listening to this “REVOFEV.”                                                                   You know how some people just love to do the opposite of what they’re told, so when you say “Don’t Play This Song” they probably will. Besides, there is the  the whole lyrical aspect and the fact that Mary J Blige sings backing vocals in this one.                                                                                                                                             How is everybody? Still Here? “We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up).” Well, usually most people probably leave saying what I write has no value, and refuse to finish, so I would be surprised if I had more people reading this. This next song can absolutely be enjoyed, even if you don’t smoke “Marijuana,” but some may say that the effects this song has on your spirit may even levitate your soul. We all know his love for it, but maybe it was loyalty because it “always had my back, hey” Cudi declares. I have to say that the second verse is more insightful to his past.                                                                                                                                                       When some musicians write songs they almost adopt an alter ego, but “d*** you must understand when I speak about a song, it’s how I really am/Yeah this is how I really think” with a “Mojo So Dope.”                           I didn’t realize how much of an adult alternative style the hook has, or the instrumentals in general; there is this subtle bass, but I think of Keane’s breakout 2005 hit, and for that you wanna “Erase Me.” Kanye is in the script, and he doesn’t really disappoint, but “all good things must come to an end.” Thankfully, the album is not yet over.                                                                                                                                                                           “No matter the phase, my name is engraved/In the minds of the young/To be living 'til their grave” is  the best this song has to offer because cudder is too busy “Wild’n Cuz I’m Young.”                                                    The next song starts a triple whammy of some of my favorite songs. Good, because I’m definitely in the “The Mood” for more. I was going to pretend I was clever, but living with a "MANIAC" is no joke, so I decided to leave that one alone. The feature (Cage) and sample (St. Vincent "The Strangers") really add something to the whole context of the song, and the accompanying video takes it even further.                                                          Many people want to escape their lives and enter a different world/dimension or state of being, and that’s why some drink, or smoke kush; which seem to be the most effective at entering different mind states. Then, there are video games, movies, books, and anything else you can think of that will do something similar. Which is basically what the song was about, but instead of escaping his life he wanted to escape his tragic and destructive mind state plagued by “Mr. Rager.”  Mary J returns for another duet with the cudster to  immerse themselves in "These Worries," including  situations  that are common once fame comes calling: “I’m tired of muf***** sayin that they worry about me/when in fact they probably never gave f*** about me.”It sounds like Mr. Solo Dolo strikes again, and the menace rages on.                                                                This may be “The End,” but the album is not finished yet. I originally thought this was about his experimentation with cocaine, but marijuana sounds more accurate considering the lines before: “...I am so damn comfortable I never want to leave it/The feeling is something like a spiritual healer/That could end me, I think that's the part I find intriguing, I'm fiending.” I believe it is strategically placed to illustrate his revival after his trials, and survival in spite of it; because he came close, but he’s still here.  While we came for Cudi, the verses from GLC and Chip tha Ripper are not to be ignored, because they are poignant; props to Nicole Wray for the hook, but that is what confuses me as to its context.                                                                               I should have known "All Along" that Cudi would not disappoint. As for the "Ghost," it is just one of many "inhabitants"  that is "Trapped in My Mind." We have all been there at least once, but seriously I'm aware that you would prefer not to waste any more time than you already have, so take care

Sense Itself : "Destroyed" (Part Six)

The music really seems to correlate with this water theme, and now fishes seem to arrive at certain times in tune; all different types including ones I have never seen before. It sounds like it would be perfect for a waterfall somewhere in Asia? Possibly? Remember, please, that I am a little groggy. I don't know if listening to this while "Washing" clothes or dishes would make it any more interesting. I still try to breathe. I need to start swimming to the surface! I try, but it seems really tedious and draining; I felt that I had swam a mile, and yet I'm still in the same spot. Now my mouth starts to open and I cough under water; the water enters my lungs as this drum machine beat and violin start playing. It's getting worse (my strife, not the sound). As the rest of the orchestra follows the lead of the piano, I fall into the big sleep and slowly my spirit starts to ascend as I fall into sweet sounds and 'Sweet Dreams.'                                                                                                                                   We're back to the 'Broken Places (Full Length Version)' which appears on a screen like a video game; the music sounds like it could score the title screen, or that interim prompt. Should I continue? Of course, I want to make sure that person is okay, so I hit yes. Even if I have to listen to two different versions of two songs I had already heard earlier again. Let's just say it's a little 'Slow' coming back to life. Shouldn't it be like a video game? Like BAM! Probably not; it sounds nice, but the time can be cut in half and it won't really affect the song in any way since it is basically the same. Did I hit the continue button? Looks like it. Hey do you see a progress bar? Would you be able to tell me how-- "WHAT THE F--- IS THIS A------ WRITING?! THIS IS LAME" Ok, fine you don't have to tell me; wait a second. I wake up, and am in the bed, and I realize that it was really me that was mauled by that suicidal somnambulist.