There are particles of beauty to be found here, where the music suddenly makes a drastic change for the better, but they never last long enough. The BASS chorus, for example, is exhilarating; Conquer The World and Revolution also have interesting highlights; but like a UFO in the distance, those moments are fleeting. The album is mostly banal techno/Hip-Hop-inspired beats with corny vocal samples.
my rating : 3 of 5
1993
This Prime Energy Drink is “naturally flavored” with Orange Mango, though juice from neither fruit can be found on the ingredients list, and that overall taste is the best part. The fizz of carbonation is the worst. The caffeine count is 200 milligrams and there are 300 milligrams of electrolytes.
my rating : 3 of 5
“When you are presented with one pure Tone,” the audiologist says, “you hear one pure Tone.” He may be stating the obvious, but his return as a sample signature of Bass 305 is very much welcomed. Whether or not this is meant as a sequel to Pure Tone from their Future album, it “sounds” even better; thanks in part to its pretty pianos and stutter snares.
my rating : 4 of 5
1995
![audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion USA [ Volume Two ]](https://marcellee.com/posts/132348.jpg "audio review : a DM Records compilation : Bass Explosion USA [ Volume Two ]")
Strawberries and Watermelons are among the best-tasting fruits. A beverage based on a blend of the two should be a pleasure to consume. A sip of this Prime suggests that would be the case if not for the fizz; an inherent flaw of carbonated Energy Drinks.
my rating : 3 of 5
This “rich, creamy and perfectly sweet eggnog is a delicious indulgence for the holiday season.” That’s according to TG Lee. It is indeed good and sweet, but it would be richer and creamier (better) if it were made with whole instead of nonfat milk. The best way to consume it is with a mouthful of graham crackers.
my rating : 4 of 5
“There’s no one like him,” Joe Rogan says of Jiří Procházka after this bout, “The guy thrives on chaos like no one else I think I’ve seen.” Indeed after clearly losing two rounds in what is mostly a technical striking match, he demonstrates just that in the third by dropping the formalities and initiating an all-out brawl. The “very very intelligent” Khalil Rountree tries to oblige and gets knocked senseless.
my rating : 4 of 5
2025
This album isn’t as entertaining as the title and cover image suggest. Taylor Swift has the looks; I’d purchase a ticket to see her dance around a stage half-naked; but she lacks the musical talent to justify her nearly unparalleled superstardom. Her voice sounds fine; it’s the humdrum melodies it carries that nearly ruin the Show.
“Boring Barbie” is a fitting insult, but these cringey lyrics; she namedrops “50 Cent” on Ruin The Friendship and brags about her big “dick”, in a phonetically awkward way, on Father Figure; don’t help matters. For someone more rich and famous than Elizabeth Taylor ever was, Swift’s Life, as presented, is rather lackluster.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
This is “pesticide-free” lettuce “grown in a clean greenhouse” and stored with “long-lasting freshness”. That helps make it one of the healthiest food products you, or your pet rabbit, can eat. Romaine is also one of the tastier vegetables, which isn’t saying much since vegetables are generally yucky.
my rating : 3 of 5
The title suggests a New Year’s Eve celebration as Mariah Carey, playing her rich vain self, taunts her ex-beau. “I don’t need no closure over you,” she says before letting him know he’s already been replaced. It’s easily one of her better songs thanks mostly to its tasteful (Tinashe-like) chorus, though, at just two and a half minutes long, the party ends a bit early.
my rating : 4 of 5
2025
“The DIVA” is back for what it’s worth. The first song, on which she brags about her “Harry Winston diamonds” and “Hermès bathrobe”, implies a lot of money. Her legendary status as a songstress; very few have more successful careers; suggests its well-earned. The aesthetic quality of her music is, of course, another story.
In that regard, Mariah Carey has been middling for decades. Type Dangerous is fun. Confetti And Champagne has a tasteful (Tinashe-like) chorus going for it. The title song; the lyrics of which seem to go from romance to gospel, which is quite odd; sounds good before the coda. Most of the others are unsurprisingly mediocre.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
Drinking Tropical Punch should be a breezy delight. What dampers the experience in the case of this and most Energy Drinks is the carbonation. It’s not too strong in the sense of causing pain, but the heavy fizz is a major distraction. The caffeine count is 200 milligrams.
my rating : 3 of 5
Posthumous releases are generally a bad idea, but this album was apparently almost finished when Chino XL died. He killed himself, which makes one wonder if his Darkness is meant as a sort of suicide note. There are certainly enough references to suggest so.
XL, like Canibus during his 2000 peak, is best when he’s rapping because he’s one of “the greatest lyricists of all time”. Things only falter during the breaks. On Lumps Of Silver, for example, he makes the mistake of singing in the same melody as the guitar riff.
Or was that bit added after his death? That’s always a question with these posthumous releases, but there are some savers nevertheless. They include Words In The Color, which conjures Biggie’s Suicidal Thoughts, Sermon In Crimson and Blue Obsidian.
my rating : 3 of 5
2024