This is the debut of Lyrical Lively; a 74-year-old rapper. That sentence sounds ridiculous, but give it a chance. The beats are much better than you’d expect. The first three songs are actually Good; perhaps more uplifting and certainly more accessible than the Christian God the reverend promotes obsessively. That’s more than I can say for most rap albums, gospel or otherwise.
my rating : 3 of 5
2014
It may indeed be The Age Of Disclosure. Our leaders have never been so forthright about the possible existence of space aliens. It’s nonetheless a slow leak, so we have to settle for documentaries like this in which people talk about the evidence we’re not yet allowed to see.
“It was the size of a Super Walmart”, Airman Mario Woods says of a UFO or, as this presentation insists, “UAP” he claims to have witnessed. Those accounts are the most interesting parts, but there aren’t enough. Too much time is spent on the lack of government transparency.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
The overarching theme of this album has to do with Dave’s death. His absence is acknowledged from the opening roll call. Hearing him rap on the same virtual tribute project as if he’s still a living member of De La Soul makes for an awkward listening experience, especially when the inferior demo-like quality of his verse (Package) suggests obvious posthumous shenanigans.
Not that there aren’t hints of the good old days. Prince Paul; the only producer they ever need; is sadly missing in action, but Will Be is nostalgic fun while it lasts. Patty Cake, led by a gorgeous organ loop, could’ve been a lot sweeter with a better chorus. Perhaps the same can be said for Truth; a throwback to when the rappers were more playful with their vocal delivery.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
They call this Original, but it has a citrus (orangey/lemony) flavor that makes it taste a little more refreshing than expected. It’s not quite good, thanks to the fizzy carbonation, but it’s one of the better plain Energy Drinks. The caffeine count is 200 milligrams.
my rating : 3 of 5
The best thing about this story is the initial premise. A class of elementary school kids go missing after running away from home at “2:17 in the morning”. Once that mystery is solved and its supernatural origins are revealed, you’re left wishing you were watching something more serious than a horror flick with comedic undertones.
That’s not to say it isn’t interesting enough to keep watching, but some of it “doesn’t make any sense at all”. The plot; sliced into nonlinear chapters based on each main character; never really comes together in the end. The whole point of Gladys’ Weapons, in fact, let alone the significance of “2:17”, is basically left to your imagination.
my rating : 3 of 5
2025
The bag describes this Popcorn as “deliciously Popped” and “perfectly seasoned”, but neither are true. If the adverbs were switched around, it might be perfectly Popped; you won’t find any leftover kernels; but you can barely taste the White Cheddar. It tastes almost like regular salted Popcorn, which is just okay.
my rating : 3 of 5
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
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 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 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