Category: reviews with a 3 of 5 rating

audio review : Street Light [ First Edition ] ( album ) … KRS-One

audio review : Street Light [ First Edition ] ( album ) ... KRS-One

This seems more like a mixtape-like side project than a proper album. As far as I know, it could be. The First Edition subtitle certainly suggests so. If it isn’t, it’s the third KRS-One album in a row with the same song on it. Invader is included on Now Hear This from 2015 and The World Is Mind from 2017. The decision to include it here, albiet a 2019 version, is baffling.

It’s still one of the best songs though, thanks in part to a groovy Mad Lion beat, though I would’ve given it a Mexican vibe to fit the concept. Forever Hip Hop gets it right. The other best songs are the ones KRS-One’s wife G Simone sings the chorus on; Ride, Miracle and God. Perhaps he should’ve let her sing every hook. Most of the others are defective.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

video review : Michael Page versus Richard Kiely at Bellator 227

video review : Michael Page versus Richard Kiely at Bellator 227

Dan Miragliotta acts like a sensitive bitch here. He docks a point from Michael Page for taunting Richard Kiely; fighters are supposed to show “respect” while trying to knock each other unconscious; but that’s just Page’s style. It’s part of what makes his fights entertaining. Not that the point matters in the end. The bout doesn’t go pass the first round.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

audio review : Songs For You ( album ) … Tinashe

audio review : Songs For You ( album ) ... Tinashe

Tinashe considers Janet Jackson one of her major influences; you can hear it in her music; so I guess the title of this album is in homage to All For You. Unlike that album, this one begins and ends with romantic dedications, so the You is apparently a boyfriend.

She croons for him on Remember When. Feelings is from the canceled Nashe project from last year, along with Link Up and Cash Race. She should’ve released that set, which focused on her ratchet side, before this one. Its cuts seem somewhat out of place here.

The chorus on Life’s Too Short irks, but Touch And Go sounds good, despite an early 6lack verse. The album needs more grooves like that. Nightride remains Tinashe’s best. That album is about on par with All For You. Songs For You is about on par with Joyride.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

At The Ruthless Billionaire’s Command ( book ) … Carole Mortimer

At The Ruthless Billionaire's Command ( book ) ... Carole Mortimer

Neither Billionaire Gregorio De La Cruz nor the woman he’s enthralled with; a defiant beauty named Lia; are particularly likeable. He’s too pushy. He pursues her like a stalker even as his advances are angrily rejected. She’s too gullible. She eventually gives in and blames him for her caving to her own lustful temptations.

It’s up to the plot of the novel, Presented by Harlequin via Carole Mortimer, to keep the pages turning. That it does, if barely so, from the prologue, which takes place at Lia’s father’s burial; crime and corruption are underlining themes in this story; to the fairy tale epilogue, the latter bit of which is too mawkish for my tastes.

my rating : 3 of 5

2017

audio review : Courage ( album ) … Céline Dion

audio review : Courage ( album ) ... Céline Dion

She’s standing dangerously close to fire on the cover photo, but I don’t know what’s so Courageous about Céline Dion on this album. Perhaps it’s because she’s Flying On her Own to trancey house music. There are some uplifting vocals near the end of that song. She dabbles in other music styles here and there; How Did You Get Here may as well refer to the 1950s doo-wop era; but never sways far from her croon comfort zone.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

video review : Jan Błachowicz versus Luke Rockhold at UFC 239

video review : Jan Błachowicz versus Luke Rockhold at UFC 239

From the looks of it, Luke lives up to his name in this Light Heavyweight debut. He’s 205 pounds of Rockhard muscle compared to his opponent, but that extra weight seems to slow his defenses. Jan Błachowicz lands several strikes during the first couple of Rounds before dropping him with a surprise left-hand bomb to the chin.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

video review : Misha Cirkunov versus Johnny Walker at UFC 235

video review : Misha Cirkunov versus Johnny Walker at UFC 235

Johnny Walker looks like a peak Anderson Silva in this UFC 235 fight, which isn’t much of a fight. Misha Cirkunov throws a left hook out of range, then a left kick. Walker returns with multiple fakes, then boom; a flying knee to the chin. Fight’s over.

What’s unusual about this bout is what happens immediately after. Walker does a miltary salute, presumably to himself, purposely falls facedown on the floor, attempts to do one of his signature dance moves and injures himself in the process.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

audio review : Jesus Is King ( album ) … Kanye West

audio review : Jesus Is King ( album ) ... Kanye West

Kanye West really only has four proper albums; the first three, which could be referred to as the College trilogy, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which could be considered his magnum opus. The others come across as oddball concept albums. This Jesus set is no exception.

It’s the Kanye West gospel album, though, at a mere 27 minutes, it’s barely an album at all. Ye, his previous release, is the same way; a short set with short songs. The former “short” bit is forgivable. Songs matter more than albums, which are basically just a way to group songs. It’s the latter that irks.

These songs aren’t bad; Hands On and Closed On Sunday actually sound good; but they’re held back by time restraints. Imagine if On God ended with an uplifting choir chorus or if the one on Selah played again after the second verse. This is like the rough demo version of a good Kanye West album.

His voice is grating on God Is and Use This Gospel is led by what sounds like the noise my car makes when I open the door with the key in the ACC position, but it’s cool to hear Kenny G on a rap album and Water sounds like an updated version of the Endolude from MC Eiht’s We Come Strapped.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

audio review : Jesus Is Born ( album ) … Sunday Service

video review : Nate Diaz versus Anthony Pettis at UFC 241

video review : Nate Diaz versus Anthony Pettis at UFC 241

Despite Jon Anik’s claim that Nate Diaz is “supremely conditioned as usual”, he seems a little rusty to me. Anthony Pettis, who lands some solid head shots in Round 1, looks better on the feet. Still Diaz manages to outfight him, mostly due to his constant pressure.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

video review : UFC 241

video review : Locke

video review : Locke

Ivan Locke is a concrete foreman, husband and father who needs to get his priorities in order. The whole movie consists of him driving his BMW, talking to people via Bluetooth and those conversations drive the narrative interestingly enough. It’s his reason for the trip under the circumstances presented that border absurdity.

my rating : 3 of 5

2013

audio review : Gangsta Bizness ( album ) … MC Eiht + Tha Chill

audio review : Gangsta Bizness ( album ) ... MC Eiht + Tha Chill

It’s Gangsta Bizness as usual. The question is whether or not this is a Compton’s Most Wanted album. There’s the CMW graffiti on the cover and there are plenty of references on the songs, but lead members (MC) Eiht and (Tha) Chill are the ones featured.

The first couple of songs sound good. If they were an EP with Everything Wanted; it’s the beats that bang the most; the whole set would. As is, there are too many clunkers, including Late Nite (Latenite) Hype 5. I never even knew there was a 4.

my rating : 3 of 5

2019

Lucky Charms Frosted Flakes

Lucky Charms Frosted Flakes

At first glance, you would think this is a blend of Lucky Charms and Frosted Flakes; the latter of which I consider one of the best cereals ever. It isn’t until you pour a bowl and look that you realize there’s something wrong.

The problem isn’t the missing toasted oats from Lucky Charms; they’re nasty anyway; it’s that these aren’t Frosted Flakes. They’re a cheap off-brand-like imitation. That’s why you don’t see Tony The Tiger on the box.

General Mills doesn’t even make Frosted Flakes. Kellogg does. The name apparently isn’t trademarked. I feel hoodwinked. Not that the two cereals would go well together. Not every cereal tastes better with marshmallows.

my rating : 3 of 5