This Bang; a stylistic revamp of their original Piña Colada; will inevitably be compared to Chocolata. The Whole Lotta bit fits this one better though; because the rhyme makes more sense, not because it’s any more flavorful. The rumless coconut/pineapple taste is more akin to Champagne.
my rating : 3 of 5
This “limited edition” (fall) Ice Cream, deemed French because it’s made with “twice as many egg yolks as standard ice cream”, is surprisingly delicious at the start. That assumes your first spoonful doesn’t include any Cranberry; the main ingredient it would be better without. This could be a Crumble classic, in other words, if it were swirled with a better-tasting fruit like strawberries or peaches.
my rating : 4 of 5
Big Daddy starts the new (1990) decade with a Taste Of Chocolate; his third album in as many years. It’s Hard Being The Kane, he claims, as if having “girls in more areas than a Sky Pager” is a lifestyle most guys can sympathize with. Mr Pitiful is his response to Biz Markie’s Vapors.
The raps are smooth, often clever and occasionally brilliant. At one point he speaks of a kid who “smelled like he washed in Oil Of Oh Shit.” The beats are funky. The songs falter mainly at the breaks where, for some unknown reason, guest Barry White never actually sings.
my rating : 3 of 5
1990
This Mayonnaise is not only Real; apparently there are enough fakes out there to warrant the distinction; it’s also “smooth and creamy” as advertised. If you’ve tasted better, and you probably have, it’s because there’s “no sugar added”. The ingredients list is, in fact, surprisingly simple and healthy.
my rating : 4 of 5
If you bite into one of these Pork Sticks expecting it to taste like a crispy strip of Bacon, you’re in for a disappointment. Still they’re tasty enough for what they are; one of the healthier meat snacks on (in) the market. Unlike most others, there are “0 total sugars” despite leaving the empty tube casings smelling like a hearty bowl of barbeque baked beans.
my rating : 4 of 5
I don’t think Robin Williams, despite being a comedy icon, was funny in the least, so the worst parts of this documentary for me are the career highlights; clips from his shows, movies and interviews. It gets interesting when it delves into the details of the underlining theme; the Lewy body dementia that ultimately led to his suicide; via anecdotal accounts from his wife and friends.
my rating : 3 of 5
2020
The Prince Of Darkness seduced the ladies on his previous album. This one is for waxing the ass of competitive rappers. “I’m making the nonbelievers believe what I’m dishing up,” he proclaims, sometimes straddling the line between clever and corny, “and people that’s still fans will be air conditioners.”
The best songs are the first two and last two, or last two before the Nuff Respect bonus Remix, along with the sole romancer; a Very Special duet with Salt N Pepa’s DJ Spinderella. Stop Shammin, the beat of which is produced by Easy Mo Bee, is another highlight, though the breaks get clamored with noisy samples.
my rating : 3 of 5
1993
![audio review : TP3 [ Reloaded ] ... R Kelly](https://marcellee.com/posts/122763.jpg)
TP doesn’t really stand for 12 Play anymore. The charm of the original album is that there are only 12 songs. This one has 19, or 15 if you don’t count the Trapped In The Closet sequels. The inclusion of five Chapters instead of limiting it to one song, or perhaps hiding the set as bonus tracks, makes for an incredibly awkward playlist.
After being Saved by Jesus and doing a club dance called the backslide, R Kelly is nonetheless Reloaded. He’s Kickin It With Your Girlfriend, Touchin on her body, about to Hit It Til The Mornin. This is the worst TP in the trilogy, thanks in part to that messy Closet, but at least it sticks to raunchy romance, which fits the theme.
my rating : 3 of 5
2005
The fact that this cereal doesn’t come with an actual Hot Wheels car, as a throwback to the days of getting free prizes inside the box, is a missed opportunity if not a damn shame. Still it’s fun enough to eat. The taste of the tires is akin to lemon Trix, but of course the marshmallows, which are also skimped on, are the best part.
my rating : 4 of 5
This Southern Comfort Egg Nog isn’t just a major improvement over the original (Traditional) version, it also ranks among the best beverages I ever tasted. The infusion of Vanilla Spice consumed cold with a mouthful of unchewed graham crackers; forget the whiskey and “cinnamon stick”; makes for a drinking experience that is truly delectable.
my rating : 5 of 5
You’re supposed to mix this with Southern Comfort whiskey, “pour in glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick”. I prefer to drink it from the carton as is, stone cold, with graham crackers or shortbread cookies. The texture is “creamy & rich” as advertised. The taste, while not “delicious”, is rather pleasant.
my rating : 4 of 5
It would make more sense for the concept if Burning Sun and Sunriser were switched around, but at least they have proper titles. Most of the others; not the songs but their titles; sound like they’re still in the demo stage. It’s also odd how the album starts with the longest songs, leaving what’s supposed to be the second half considerably shorter than the first.
Technical gripes aside, there is decent music to be heard. Deep Forest; now a pseudonym for Éric Mouquet; may no longer hold the mystique of its 1990s heyday, but this project fares well enough. Nothing matches Sweet Lullaby or Lament; the vocals here are limited to short bits; but Allison is pretty and Who Did That has the potential to be a (dance) club favorite.
my rating : 3 of 5
2023