Category: reviews with a 3 of 5 rating

audio review : Here For It All ( album ) … Mariah Carey

audio review : Here For It All ( album ) ... Mariah Carey

“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

Prime Energy Drink : Tropical Punch

Prime Energy Drink : Tropical Punch

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

audio review : Darkness And Other Colors ( album ) … Chino XL ( posthumous )

audio review : Darkness And Other Colors ( album ) ... Chino XL ( posthumous )

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

Monster Energy : Ultra Fantasy Ruby Red

Monster Energy : Ultra Fantasy Ruby Red

This “may be the best tasting Ultra yet!” according to the can, but that’s not much of a promotion. Carbonated Energy drinks are inherently flawed and this Monster is no exception. It does have a relatively pleasant “citrus taste”; it’s based on the Ruby Red grapefruit; but the bubbly sting, however mild, takes you out of the Fantasy.

my rating : 3 of 5

G Fuel Energy Drink : Dream Demon

G Fuel Energy Drink : Dream Demon

What A Nightmare On Elm Street has to do with beverages may be initially confusing, but consuming an Energy Drink to stay awake does make for a clever connection. Too bad the name seems to negate that fact by putting the emphasis on the Dream Demon Freddy Krueger himself. Don’t Sleep would’ve been better. The indistinct flavor is described as “tart fruit punch”.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Man Up ( album ) … Ice Cube

audio review : Man Up ( album ) ... Ice Cube

This is apparently a sequel to Man Down; the album Ice Cube put out less than a year ago. It’s about on par, but these beats; easily the best parts of the set; bang even more consistently, at least before it takes a clumsy turn near the end. Highlights this time around include Guess What, Ratchet Ass Mouth and a grumpy old Scarface on Act My Age.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

Pen And Gear Kids’ Scissors

Pen And Gear Kids' Scissors

The fact that these are sold as Kids’ Scissors makes the neon colors; they’re available in purple, pink, green and blue; more forgivable than they otherwise would’ve been. I’d prefer plain black handles, but they get the job done when it comes to cutting everything from paper to grown-up beard hair.

my rating : 3 of 5

3D Energy Drink : Watermelon Grape

3D Energy Drink : Watermelon Grape

Watermelon and Grape are generally two of the best natural/artificial fruit flavors, so this combination is a welcomed addition to the growing list of 3D Energy Drinks. The underlining taste is about as good as you’d expect. It’s the carbonation, not so much the sting but the fizziness, that dampers the experience.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Sons Of The P ( album ) … Digital Underground

audio review : Sons Of The P ( album ) ... Digital Underground

This album, coming after the EP Release, is the official follow-up to Sex Packets. It’s not as addictive or imaginative, but there are some Parliament/Funkadelic-inspired beats to groove to. Highlights include Tales Of The Funky and Kiss You Back, but the best song is Family Of The Underground; an affiliate collaboration led by what sounds like a gorgeous organ riff.

my rating : 3 of 5

1991

audio review : a Mathematics compilation : Black Samson [ The Bastard Swordsman ]

audio review : a Mathematics compilation : Black Samson [ The Bastard Swordsman ]

The cover art suggests this is a Blaxploitation movie “starring” Mathematics; he produces the music for every track; but it’s also a Wu-Tang compilation of sorts. Every member is featured. It could almost be their new album. The best songs are the first three; Mandingo, Roar Of The Lion and Claudine. The plot starts to go astray from there.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

audio review : Motel Du Cap ( album ) … Good Charlotte

audio review : Motel Du Cap ( album ) ... Good Charlotte

A stay at Motel Du Cap is somewhat of a pleasant experience. There aren’t any fancy amenities like banger beats or killer choruses, despite lead singer Joel Madden putting in what seems like a considerable amount of effort to achieve the latter, but it’s decent enough for a three-star inn. The better songs include Bodies and Stepper.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

Castleberry’s Shredded Pork Chili With Pinto Beans

Castleberry's Shredded Pork Chili With Pinto Beans

You’ll probably be grossed out, thinking this Shredded Pork Chili is spoiled, when you first open a can and take a whiff. The sweet odor suggests it’s well past the expiration date, but the “pineapple flavors” are to blame. Whoever thought it was a good idea to add fruit to Chili should be run over by a food truck. Still it tastes better than you might expect, especially when eaten with bread.

my rating : 3 of 5