 | Tracklist:
1. Street Fighter
2. Strawberry Swing
3. Novacane
4. We All Try
5. Bitches Talkin'
6. Songs for Women
7. Lovecrimes
8. Goldeneye
9. There Will Be Tears
10. Swim Good
11. Dust
12. American Wedding
13. Soul Calibur
14. Nature Feels
Release Date: 02/16/2011 | |
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On 87 Lists
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| Summary: Immaturity in the form of R&B |
9 of 17 thought this review was well written
80/100 - The New York Times
83/100 - Reviler
7.8/10 - Pitchfork
4.5/5 - Hawks
Perhaps I'm missing something – maybe Nostalgia, Ultra has a certain subtlety that my ears fail to discover? Perhaps not.
Frank Ocean – the sexy side of Odd Future – embraces the power of R&B with his debut album Nostalgia, Ultra. Frank is no stranger to the music industry either, co-writing songs for Justin Bieber, John Legend, and Brandy amongst others. With this sort of experience, you would expect a certain lyrical maturity from his work – unfortunately, for the most part, we don't get this. What we do get is a kid stumbling into the occasional heartfelt moment, plagued by a lack of depth – or intelligence for that matter.
There are some aspects to be liked about the album. The well placed use of sampling provides an interesting take on the originals – ”Strawberry Swing” uses Coldplay's track of the same title; “Nature Feels” uses “Electric Feel” by MGMT; and “American Wedding” uses, of all things, The Eagles' “Hotel California”. The interludes are fantastic as well. These short sound clips of Frank switching cassette tapes gives the album a very personal feel – as if this is a mixtape Mr. Ocean made for you. The tracks ”Strawberry Swing” and ”Nature Feels” are clear highlights on Nostalgia, Ultra. "Strawberry Swing” is an incredibly heartfelt recollection of childhood memories while ”Nature Feels” is a clever display of sexual wordplay. The rest of the album fails to follow suit though.
With the album starting strong on ”Strawberry Swing”, it seems ironic that the song ends with the buzzing of a morning alarm. The dream is over. Without the use of samples, the song's instrumentals become quite insipid to say the least. Most appear minimalist - which isn't a bad thing per-say – but really fall flat in the end. The tracks just feel hollow, which in turn accentuates Frank's voice. This would be fine, that is if Frank didn't rape the ability to auto-tune. Sure, his use of auto-tune is subtle when compared to, say, T-Pain. The problem is when you start to hear it on every track, it really wears thin. It's truly tragic that he uses it so often; his voice is nothing short of fantastic when shown in a natural light. Of course it doesn't help Frank's case that his lyrics are quite childish too. Frank attempts at substance on the track ”Swim Good” with the chorus:
”Imma try to swim from something bigger than me
Kick off my shoes and swim good, and swim good
Take off this suit and swim good, and swim good, good”
If you heard someone speaking like that you would probably speculate if they were mentally handicapped. The thing is, if there is a lack of lyrical depth, you would at least expect the artist to rhyme to keep it catchy. Frank rarely does that though, and when he does, it's painfully obvious:
"My friend said it wasn't so bad
you can't miss what you ain't had
well I can - I'm sad
and there will be tears"
Man, if that doesn't make you cry then what will. The album, lyrically speaking, is perfectly summed up by the track ”LoveCrimes” in which Frank draws out the same, boring lines for about 4 minutes:
”Murder
Murder
Murder she wrote
Love crimes
Love crimes"
(repeat x5)
Ultimately there isn't much more to say about this album – especially considering it doesn't say much for itself. The beats are uninspired; the lyrics are downright stupid at times; and Frank kills the one positive – his voice – by auto-tuning it incessantly. If it weren't for the occasional moment (see sampled songs) there wouldn't be anything to discuss at all. R&B should be clever, well produced, and above all things, sexy. Nostalgia, Ultra is most certainly not.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 2
Woah who is this guy hating on Frank Ocean?
Neg.
Digging: Sigur Ros - Valtari Digging: Sigur Ros - Valtari | | | Album Rating: 3.5
lol'd at Hawks' rating being included at the beginning.
I don't see why people have a vendetta against auto-tune when it's used for artistic effect, in my opinion it's applied rather tastefully in this case. If it's used to cover up the fact that somebody is sub-par at singing then it's a different story.
Digging: Purplene - Purplene Digging: Purplene - Purplene | | | Album Rating: 2
I don't see why people have a vendetta against auto-tune when it's used for artistic effect, in
my opinion it's applied rather tastefully in this case. If it's used to cover up the fact that
somebody is sub-par at singing then it's a different story. Problem is he has a great voice and
hides it beneath auto-tune. I really felt it detracted from the album's merit. On the other hand, if
someone can't sing, I'd prefer them to use auto-tune. I would much rather hear auto-tune than a shitty
voice.
| | | Album Rating: 3
80/100 - The New York Times
83/100 - Reviler
7.8/10 - Pitchfork
4.5/5 - Hawks
hahahahahahahaha, best intro ever
excellent review. I still haven't gotten around to hearing this, although I've heard a few of the tracks.
Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned | | | Album Rating: 2
I still haven't gotten around to hearing this, although I've heard a few of the tracks. For some strange reason, people are drooling over this album. Give it a spin - the sampled tracks are a pretty good listen.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Love the intro, well-written as well. I've yet to listen to this though, not sure if I will.
pos
Digging: El-P - Fantastic Damage Digging: El-P - Fantastic Damage | | |
...
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Digging: Bjork - Vespertine
| | | Album Rating: 4
pretentious
Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala | | | Album Rating: 2
pretentious My dream is to become a Pitchfork writer. Seriously though, the lyrics say
it all.
| | | Album Rating: 4
pretentisosuidaioxzzzzz
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
No mention of Novacane?? Best track on the album and the lyrics aren't bad either. Guess you were pretty focused on the bashing
Digging: El-P - Cancer For Cure Digging: El-P - Cancer For Cure | | | Album Rating: 4
'If you heard someone speaking like that you would probably speculate if they were mentally handicapped.'
You're an idiot.
RATINGS:
4.5/5
Radiohead OK Computer
'Rain Down, Rain Down, Come On Rain Down On Me
From A Great Height, From A Great Height, Height
Rain Down, Rain Down, Come On Rain Down On Me
From A Great Height, From A Great Height, Height'
WHAT KIND OF A RETARD TALKS LIKE THIS? 0/5
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At least Yorke used proper english.
Haven't heard the album so can't really make that much of a judgement. I find focusing on lyrical content can be a
pretty cheap way of attacking an album, but, besides that, this review was entertaining as hell to read, and generally
well done. And I don't see anyone beating that intro today. POS'd
Digging: Josh Garrels - Love and War and The Sea In Between Digging: Josh Garrels - Love and War and The Sea In Between
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Haha an honest review. album is prett good.
Digging: Death Grips - The Money Store Digging: Death Grips - The Money Store | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Hahaha lancebramsay has obviously never listened to an R&B record before.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
You could possibly be overthinking this one. It's a fun summer album to chill to that's all
| | | Album Rating: 4
please never begin your review speaking about how other publications (or hawks lolz) think something is good when you don't.
no one gives a shit what other people think when they're reading your review; we're reading because we care what you think. Even using it as a point of argument is a bit shaky as then you're arguing more so that your opinion is different than more respected sources (sans Hawks lolz). Leave that type of banter for comments; it looks unprofessional.
also I don't know wtf you're going on about with the lyrics please listen to "Novocaine," "There Will Be Tears," "American Wedding" and "Songs For Women" and explain to me how they're not mature.
If you heard someone speaking like that you would probably speculate if they were mentally handicapped. The thing is, if there is a lack of lyrical depth, you would at least expect the artist to rhyme to keep it catchy. Frank rarely does that though, and when he does, it's painfully obvious:
"My friend said it wasn't so bad
you can't miss what you ain't had
well I can - I'm sad
and there will be tears"
there is massive lyrical depth here (in the song) and no need to rhyme. Also when the fuck did rhyming "solve" anything musically?
Review is well written but a lot of your arguments are pretty weightless. I understand it is all opinion but you could back up your gripes better dude.
Digging: Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Who the fuck is this kid? Lol and obviously more people agree with me than you.
Digging: Steamy Ray Vaughan - A Little Bit of Rattlesnake Digging: Steamy Ray Vaughan - A Little Bit of Rattlesnake | | |
hawks dont even start dude u got slammed
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I'm not starting anything haha. It's cool.
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