There’s no rapper Bigger And Deffer than LL Cool J on the grandiloquent title song. It starts the album with such a bang that the following “love” ode (Kandy) comes across as rather anticlimactic, especially considering the fact that J and his boys are Bad at hooks. The best songs are the ones without one; namely The Breakthrough, The Do Wop and My Rhyme Ain’t Done. I Need Love is another standout.
my rating : 3 of 5
1987
The best part of this Chicken Pot Pie is the “flaky crust”, which Banquet promotes as being “made from scratch”. Microwave or conventional oven, you’ll never get it to look as good as the picture on the box, which omits the top slit and cooking container, but it makes; rather two or three make; for a hearty homestyle meal.
my rating : 4 of 5
This Kraft Original is, as far as my childhood is concerned, the quintessential Mac And Cheese. The cooking instructions say to add margarine or butter; an optional tip that makes it even tastier than it already is; but you can ignore the milk bit as it’s better less creamy. Eat with bacon or sausage for the full effect.
my rating : 4 of 5
The “flavor profile” of this Monster Energy drink is listed as “light citrus and berry”, but it’s the latter that stands out. The taste is, as the name suggests, akin to Blueberries, which typically grow in the summer and spring. The concept, in contrast, has more to do with winter “snow trips” to “mountain towns” like Aspen and Chamonix.
my rating : 3 of 5
This album is executively produced by Pharell, Timbaland and Swizz, so perhaps it’s no surprise the best thing about it are the beats, most of which have enough bass to blow your woofers (up) like the blurry cover image. Busta also holds it down with the Rhymes; guest rappers include YGs Kodak Black and Coi Leray; but Blockbusta would be better without the blatant song samples and annoying Tigger duet at the end.
my rating : 3 of 5
2023
This Chocolate version is an alternative to Little Debbie’s plain Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream. I prefer the latter, but they both serve as tasty treats. The Chocolate here tastes like fudge or hot cocoa, which makes for an especially yummy experience when you melt it down to a goo.
my rating : 4 of 5
![Java Monster : Cold Brew [ Sweet Black ]](https://marcellee.com/posts/123698.jpg)
This Cold Brew Java Monster; an energy drink made with “nitro infused coffee”; is Sweet, yes, but it’s only “subtly sweet”. That leaves not much to distract from the relatively “bold” flavor of coffee; somewhat of a disappointment for those of us who drink it for the caffeine and don’t like the taste.
my rating : 3 of 5
The bridge is tranquil and drumless, but, with a title like Gravity and all its spatial implications, I’d imagine the whole song would sound like that. Perhaps it’s a good thing it doesn’t. The Machinedrum (and-bass) breakdown at 2:13 is the best part. This is also one of Tinashe’s better songs, albeit one that continues her fixation with the cliché concept of romance, in the way of vocal melody.
my rating : 4 of 5
2023
At just under two minutes long, this may be more of an album (mixtape) interlude than an actual song. Either way it serves as one of Erykah Badu’s best. I’ll Call U Back, the busy party prepper says to someone on the phone over a lush soundscape produced by Zach Witness. If there’s a flaw, it’s that the beeps go on a bit too long at the end.
my rating : 4 of 5
2015
New Amerykah Part Three was supposed to come out in 2012, but Erykah Badu has apparently abandoned that series, which would be okay if this were her next album. Instead we waited nearly six years for a mixtape. The title comes from Tyrone and the concept is based on, meaning literally every track has to do with, phones. Why phones? That’s a good question. Why a whole mixtape about a song she made nearly two decades ago is a better one.
Telephone is one of her best songs and a portion of it is Screw Mixed here, but it just makes you want to listen to the original; the same with her version of New Edition’s Telephone Man and Drake’s Hotline Bling. That’s not to say Badu’s renditions don’t improve on them; I like her soulful quirky style; it’s just disappointing to hear so many covers. The rest of the tape sounds like demo bits from what could be another good album. I’ll Call U Back is especially groovy.
my rating : 4 of 5
2015
Drake’s third Scary Hours is, with its six songs, more of a traditional EP than the previous two. What’s odd is how its release is, at least initially, attached to a special Edition of his newest album; For All The Dogs; as opposed to standing on its own. The music itself makes more sense.
The rapper comes out throwing bombs on Red Button, which marks the tone for a set of new songs; these aren’t Dogs leftovers; that, for the most part, avoid the genre’s biggest flaw. There are hooks, and they’re expectingly weak, but they’re sparse enough not to ruin the project.
my rating : 4 of 5
2023
An album of lullabies? Why not? It seems Kenny G stopped making regular (nonconceptual) albums years ago. Entering the genre of baby sleep music also serves as an unintentional quip at critics who complain that his music is boring. He should’ve used a different title though. Innocence brings to mind that song from The Moment.
There are only seven originals here. The rest are covers; the worst thing about the set. Mixing them, as opposed to just making a full-on cover album, is even more of a misstep. Still the project ultimately serves its purpose. I’d prefer a lead piano, even guitar, over a sax, but; screw the kids; it’s pleasant and serene enough to put me to sleep.
my rating : 3 of 5
2023