audio review : a DM Records compilation : This Is Jungle [ Volume One ]

audio review : a DM Records compilation : This Is Jungle [ Volume One ]

This Is Jungle music. Well, mostly. Walking On Da Moon and Raindance aren’t really, so their inclusion goes against the concept of the album; a DM Records compilation of “15 jungle hits” you never heard of. Most are lackluster; they’re also too similar to be by various artists; but there are salvageables, namely Burning The Bridges, which sounds more like a demo than a finished song, and Wicked Selection.

my rating : 2 of 5

1995

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Best Of Bass Explosion

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Best Of Bass Explosion

This is a compilation of the Bass Explosion compilations. If that sounds like a stupid idea, it is, especially given the lazy playlist, which simply omits songs from the series; no reordering or anything. The sets aren’t even equally featured. There are 8 songs from 1, 9 from 2, 5 from 3 and only 3 from 4. Space Bass Traveler, Tones, Damaging Bass and Bass In Your Face are the Best of the bunch.

my rating : 2 of 5

1998

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion [ Volume 4 ]

audio review : audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion [ Volume 4 ]

Bass 305’s Techno Bass, albeit mistitled, is on Volume Three. It’s inclusion here is either a careless mistake or an artistic calamity. The fact that the album isn’t mastered; some songs are significantly louder than others; and the “4” breaks the nonnumerical tradition of the previous ones suggest the former.

Still this is the best Explosion since Volume 1. That is to say it’s not bad. It’s not good neither; Bass Syndicate is still awful; but there are good songs. The manic loop (chorus) on Bass Alliance’s Damaging Bass encourages “prolonged listening”. Other highlights include Bass In Your Face, Cyber Travel and Virtual Bass.

my rating : 3 of 5

1996

audio review : Best Of Bass Explosion

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion [ Volume Three ]

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion [ Volume Three ]

Bass Explosion USA should’ve been left as a lone compilation. Volume Three, though it has the best cover artwork in the series, is about as bad as Two. The Bass Syndicate tracks are awful and most of the “never released” ones should’ve stayed that way. Nothing new from Bass 305 this time, so the best songs are the ones from their last two albums. Into The Future and Does Life Exist are god tier.

my rating : 2 of 5

1995

audio review : Bass Explosion [ Volume 4 ]
audio review : Best Of Bass Explosion

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion USA [ Volume Two ]

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion USA [ Volume Two ]

The best thing about this compilation is that included in its “12 new unreleased tracks” are two by Bass 305. Fire And Rain is nice, but Tones; perhaps a sequel to Pure Tone; ranks among their best yet. The set’s major flaws include one from the previous Bass Explosion; vocal songs among a set of instrumentals; and the Finale to the Bass Bombers album, which makes no sense here.

my rating : 2 of 5

1995

audio review : Bass Explosion [ Volume Three ]
audio review : Bass Explosion [ Volume 4 ]
audio review : Best Of Bass Explosion

audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion USA [ Volume One ]

audio review : audio review : audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion USA [ Volume One ]

Woofer Wrecker is an appropriate way to begin this album; a DM Records compilation of “20 booming hi-tech digital bass tracks from the world’s best acts!” That last bit contradicts the USA theme and My Boomin Is A Boomin; one vocal track amid instrumentals; should’ve been omitted, but it’s a decent set. The best songs include Space Bass Traveler, Bach 305 and Musik Of The Future.

my rating : 3 of 5

1994

audio review : Bass Explosion USA [ Volume Two ]
audio review : Bass Explosion [ Volume Three ]
audio review : Bass Explosion [ Volume 4 ]
audio review : Best Of Bass Explosion

audio review : Based On A True Story [ Season 1 ] ( album ) … Will Smith

audio review : Based On A True Story [ Season 1 ] ( album ) ... Will Smith

Will Smith had what one might call a squeaky-clean image for a long time. It wasn’t until the slap heard around the world that he became somewhat infamous. Instead of ignoring the scandal, he addresses it at the very start of this album; his first in twenty years; which is a bold move. That he handles it with comedy, in the style he became popular for in the first place, makes it a smart one.

He should’ve stuck with humor for the rest of the set. It’s his most admirable trait. When he’s just rapping or trying to be a positive role model; he actually takes on the role of a church Reverend here, oddly enough; things aren’t as interesting. He’s not “wack”; never was; but some of these songs come close. The best include Work Of Art with Jaden Smith and Tantrum with Joyner Lucas.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

Bang : Rainbow Unicorn

Bang : Rainbow Unicorn

The Rainbow Unicorn concept seems to have nothing to do with the taste. This Bang supposedly has “a spectacular collection of fruity flavors”, but it goes down like another standard energy drink to me. That isn’t a bad thing; it’s sweet despite having “zero sugar”; but there’s nothing magical about it neither.

my rating : 3 of 5

Bang : Wyldin Watermelon

Bang : Wyldin Watermelon

The Wyldin stylization is silly. “Wild” would’ve sufficed. Not that there’s anything crazy about this energy/sports drink, which offers 300 milligrams of caffeine. “Enjoy summer all year long with the refreshing taste of watermelon!”, the promo reads, and the taste, though carbonated, is akin to the fruit.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Wet ( song ) … YFN Lucci ( featuring Latto )

YFN Lucci’s hook is slick enough over this bedroom beat, but it’s Latto who steals the scene, à la Roxy Reynolds on Gorilla Zoe’s Talk Back, with a raunchy verse about her “leaking” Wet pussy. “After I’m done, he gon need a mop,” she says, “Treat me like a lady; fuck me like a thot.” She goes on to compare the sound to someone stirring a pot of macaroni and cheese.

my rating : 4 of 5

2020

audio review : Mayhem ( album ) … Lady Gaga

audio review : Mayhem ( album ) ... Lady Gaga

There are hints of Mayhem; some of these (gay) club beats get quite tumultuous; but this album is mostly a controlled affair. That is to say it sounds just like another Lady Gaga album, whatever that’s worth these days. It’s about on par with Chromatica; more interesting than Joanne but not as fun as Artpop. Garden Of Eden sounds like an outtake from the latter. The Swiftesque How Bad Do U Want Me is another highlight.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025