Review Summary: When you listen to this, you'll be saying "Life Is Good".
Critical Responses:
Allmusic: 3.5/5
The A.V Club: A-
Entertainment Weekly: B-
The Independent: 4/5
NME: 8/10
The Observer: 4/5
Pitchfork: 8.3/10
Rolling Stone: 3.5/5
Slant: 4.5/5
Spin: 7/10
This album is by Nas. When I heard that Nas was coming out with a new album, the thought that popped into my head was "This is going to be amazing". When I saw the cover, I was expecting Nas to make an album completely about his (bad) divorce with Kelis (watch Nas's Behind the Music to see how bad it was). I was right about one of those predictions (it was that this was going to be amazing). When I saw the reviews, I saw that people gave this MONSTER reviews. I also saw that too many people said that this is classic. Although this album is amazing, it is not (and probably never will be) a classic. What it also is not, is a return to form, because some of his earlier albums (bar Nastradamus) are surefire classics. Now for the track by track review.
1. No Introduction: A great opener, with a piano instrumental, to introduce the album, and Nas spitting some dope verses. Great song. 4/5
2. Loco-Motive: An excellent song to open this excellent album. This song opens with haunting female vocals, that sound really well done. This song has Nas spitting some dope verses, over phenomenal Large Professor production. Classic song. 5/5
3. A Queens Story: This song has Nas telling a story of a drug dealing. Classic song. This song samples, "Peter Piper" by Run-D.M.C, and another song. 5/5
4. Accident Murderers: This song features Rick Ross, and has Nas and Rick Ross rhyming about, basically what the title implies. Rick Ross provides an amazing verse. Classic song. This song samples, "The Bridge" by MC Shan, and another song. 5/5
5. Daughters: This song has Nas rhyming about his love for his daughter, and their ups and downs. Classic song. 5/5
6. Reach Out: This song features Mary J Blige, who provides a good vocal performance. Great song. 4/5
7. World's An Addiction: This song features Anthony Hamilton, who provides an amazing singing performance. Great song. 4.5/5
8. Summer On Smash: "Summer On Smash" makes me want to buy a copy of this, and "Smash" it. This really is that bad. This atrocious song is out of place on this album, and out of place on this Earth. This song features Miguel and Swizz Beats, who each do a horrible job. Sorry Nas, but this your worst song ever, and is awful. 1/5
9. You Wouldn't Understand: This song features Victoria Monet, who does an excellent job. Great song. This song samples, "Eric B Is President" by Eric B and Rakim, and another song. 4/5
10. Back When: This song is a great song. This song samples, "Live Routine", "The Bridge" by MC Shan, and other songs. 4/5
11. The Don: This song has Nas spitting some dope verses, over a dope beat by the late, great Heavy D. Great song. 4/5
12. Stay: This is a really well sounding song, which has nice Jazz samples. Great song. 4/5
13. Cherry Wine: This song features Amy Winehouse, who does an amazing vocal performance. Classic song. 5/5
14. Bye Baby: This song has Nas rhyming about his relationship with Kelis. This song gets really personal, and goes into why he got with her, and why he broke up with her. This is a great way to close out the album. Classic song. 5/5
Overall I give this 4/5, 8/10, 80/100, and my grade for it is "B-". If you were expecting a whole album about the divorce like I was, than you expected wrong, because this goes into many different territories. If you're a Nas fan, definitely listen to it, if you're not a fan of Nas, still listen to it, it's really good.
3 Best Songs:
1. Loco-Motive
2. Bye Baby
3. Daughters
3 Weakest Songs:
1. Summer On Smash
2. Reach Out
3. Back When
