 | Tracklist:
1. Primo
2. Gun Sounds
3. Brain
4. Loaded
5. Hell
6. Dead Deputy
7. Right Here
8. Loco
9. Stripclub
10.Fuck The Police
11. Chordaroy
12. Rico
13. Gram
14. Circus
15. Based
| Ranking: #141 for 2010 | |
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On 52 Lists
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| Summary: Odd Future's dynamic duo release the hip-hop record of 2010. |
7 of 7 thought this review was well written
It's been a lackluster year in hip-hop for me. Sure, there have been a few gems glowing out of the murky depths of mediocrity; Big Boi's official first solo album and Dark Time Sunshine's Vessel come to mind, but there hasn't been any hint of consistency in the genre in 2010, a year that has been solid in music throughout the genre landscape. We're still itching with anticipation for Kanye West's new album, as well as T.I.'s, but both mainstream and underground have not offered much in terms of groundbreaking or memorable hip-hop albums for the last 10 months. Leave it to Odd Future, L.A.'s answer to the average work coming out of the west coast for what seems like ages, to release a record that frankly shatters the rest of the hip-hop world in 2010. Hodgy Beats and Left Brain, or MellowHype, are one-part charismatic rapper and one-part eclectic and modern producer that put all their eggs into one basket for BLACKENEDWHITE. A rap album for hip-hop purists and someone just looking for an album to "bump" in their speakers, BLACKENEDWHITE harkens back a few months to Sir Luscious Left Foot in that it's an extremely fun and confident listen that takes little to no effort to enjoy, but has enough nuances and brilliant beats to make any hip-hop afficionado jump for joy and light a spliff in approval. Monstrous beats layered with sparkling sounds and gritty bass propel Hodgy's half-sarcastic, half-angered lyrics that don't invigorate any thoughts of originality (drugs, money, and bitches seem to be at the helm of the subject matter here), however his flow and knack for changing up speeds and ideas is a refreshing listen.
While Odd Future has been quite busy as of late, releasing mastermind Tyler, The Creator's debut Bastard and Domo's ode to weed in Rolling Papers in the span of 9 months, neither quite comes close to reaching the confidence and creativity of BLACKENEDWHITE. The album reeks of swag, as Hodgy and Left Brain feed off each other's most convinced ideas and lift each other up to heights previously unknown to either of them. Wherever Hodgy spits a knock-out line, Left Brain is right behind him with a sudden swirl of piano keys or an infectious bass pound. The two seem more like an unstoppable force than ever before; Hodgy allows Left to experiment more with his creative juices and let the beats take a more assertive role in the record as opposed to past Odd Future releases. Take lead track "Primo", where Left's spastic beat is layered with depressive keyboards that gives off an incredible sense of density, as Hodgy raps about grams, kilos, and being up in the clouds. The album is also not without its fair share of hooks; the gat blast samples in "Gun Sounds" as Hodgy officially sets it off with "Where the fuck is MellowHype?"; the distorted chorus of "Man, when it came to school, I got bad grades / now when it came to the law, I didn't know how to behave / but with music, music I'm on the honor roll / we on a roll" in the slow dive into piano-led euphoria of "Brain" (which does feature an outstanding verse by Domo); the old-school sounding "Hell" that has a sung chorus of "You'll never have time, time"brimming with life. Either way, BLACKENEDWHITE stays inventive and stimulating throughout, throwing beat after heavy beat, relishing in its own arrogance.
The cohesive BLACKENEDWHITE proves that Odd Future are now hitting their stride, and have finally come up with their prized possession; a record that exemplifies all the courage and swag these west-coast revivalists have shown throughout the years, even without their founder Tyler, The Creator at the forefront. Hodgy and Left Brain have teamed up to take all that was good in Odd Future's past releases and add their own spins to it, creating a record that is undeniably Odd Future's, and yet feels like Hodgy and Left's masterpiece alone.
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Solid review. Maybe cut up the first section into several smaller paragraphs, though?
Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
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this sounds great, great review as usual pos'd
Digging: Dead Congregation - Graves of the Archangels Digging: Dead Congregation - Graves of the Archangels
| | | Album Rating: 4
I'll read the review in a bit but I already created an album page for this with the album art and everything. :P
Digging: Solar Deity - In The Name Of Satan Digging: Solar Deity - In The Name Of Satan | | | Album Rating: 3.5
hmmmmm youve got me interested.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Actually there's 3 albums now. :o
Ummmmm, mods?
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Why is this in the database twice? Was just gonna chuck some artwork on when I saw its already here
Nevermind, already answered
Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin
| | | Album Rating: 4
Just read the whole thing. Double pos dude, great review!
Nice conclusion.
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will get.
sweet review bud. pos
Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
This is by far the rap album to beat of 2010 as far as I'm concerned. Everyone should listen to this as it's Top 10 / AOTY material without a doubt. Best production and great lyricism / flows from Hodgy Beats, who proves himself to be one of the best MCs in Odd Future. I don't agree it's pound-for-pound as original/interesting lyrically as Bastard was, but it's a close 2nd place as OF's best release yet IMO.
Awesome review dude but I noticed a mistake: Bastard was completely written/produced/composed/recorded by Tyler, so Left Brain had nothing to do with that album. Primo, Right Here, Fuck The Police, Chordaroy and especially Gram (which has possibly the most epic beat of 2010) are my favorite tracks, but there truly isn't a weak track whatsoever. If this album doesn't blow up OF into major territory there's no justice in hip-hop. Going to see MellowHype, Tyler and Mike G on 11/7 in NYC XD XD XD
Digging: Hot Water Music - Exister Digging: Hot Water Music - Exister | | |
Releasing this on Halloween was a good idea; BLACKENEDWHITE is a dimly-lit soundtrack for chilling with your boys on the most fun of holidays, cruising around in the dark, watching all the ghouls and ghosts, and thinking about stealing their candy.
review was very good, but that passage just brought lulz.
guess i better check this out.
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Bastard and Rolling Papers were released nine months apart not six
and this is pretty much the worse thing ever written in a review:
"Releasing this on Halloween was a good idea; BLACKENEDWHITE is a dimly-lit soundtrack for chilling with your boys on the most fun of holidays, cruising around in the dark, watching all the ghouls and ghosts, and thinking about stealing their candy."
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also, you mention the beats on Tyler's record being overshadowed by his 'profoundness' which doesn't make any sense at all
| | | Album Rating: 4
good review homie, this sounds like something I need to check out
Digging: Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music Digging: Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music | | |
"Maybe cut up the first section into several smaller paragraphs, though?"
Not a bad suggestion. Other than that, review is excellent as always, pos.
Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
this is os fucking good, review and music-wise
i pretty much like everything Oddfuture
Digging: Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music | | |
Never heard this guy, but he sounds clever and interesting.
Digging: Kottonmouth Kings - High Society Digging: Kottonmouth Kings - High Society
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
i pos'd
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
my favorite is Earl because he reminds me of Slimshady LP-era Eminem.
Eminem sounds like hes doing Slimshady-type stuff again on Nicki Minaj-Romans Revenge
| | | Album Rating: 4
Yeah, more people definitely need to hear this.
I'm surprised at how much better Hodgy Beats has gotten at rapping. And Left Brain's beats sound more...I don't know, refined? Whatever, this is really good.
Digging: Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne Digging: Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne | | | Album Rating: 4.5
i need to try and find this so bad
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