I need some tips on Album Reviews

[Blasphemy]

Well I decided that i wanna review albums (i.e like rate if its good or not and give a brief explanation of each song). But im not really sure how to start or what to do. If someone could give me some tips it would really help.

Email me at pennsburyplaya@yahoo.com if you can help.

Thanks

[cklitsie]

I'm thinking your talking about hip-hop albums, if so I'm advising you not to do this. You gotta have some more hip-hop knowledge (styles, history, background stories) to this and you've given me the impression that you lack that.
No offense, just being honest with you.

[Blasphemy]

Thanks for replying CK. But you know where I can find more "styles, histoy, background stories" somewhere on the internet. Like a link?

[R.J.]

Wikipedia and google are great friends.

[magius]

allmusic.com never hurt either.

[Colin]

www.pitchforkmedia.com
www.allmusic.com
www.artistdirect.com

[Blasphemy]

But im not gonna be doing just rap. Im gonna be doing all types of music.

[Jackal]

And you'll garner no respect, it'll be too superficial.

[Cloudy]

Do you get paid?

[Axel]

I agree with CK, you sound to me like a wigger with rich parents in a nice suburban home.... how much do you actually know about music? It's not something you can "get cultured on" in a day or two.

[Jugs]

wankster is Jewish

[Pera]

wankster how about if you review some albums here and they we will tell you if you suck or if you are good at it?

[Blasphemy]

Axel, No im not RICH. But I do live in a house.

Pera, Ok, I will I'll get the Mobb Deep CD review up by maybe monday or tuesday.

____, No

[Cameron]

I know I'm going to get destroyed for this... but what is the point of reviewing rap? Like I like the drums in this one, the words were nice in this one :S They're all so bloody similar... It's like reviewing different AC/DC songs or something... I dunno, I'm sorry, like "I liked the half-naked girls in this video better than that video"... blech, man I am really not into rap at all. Like, we still listen to elvis or motown or led zeppelin or the beatles on classic rock stations, in 30 years are we going to be listening to classic rap? There's just nothing there... go read some poetry or something, I don't know...

EDIT: I know you will come at me with the whole "we are from the hood and so are they and their words make more sense to us" but seriously they are making millions upon millions of dollars and don't live a hard life anymore.

[Ruff Ryder]

I know I'm going to get destroyed for this... but what is the point of reviewing rap? Like I like the drums in this one, the words were nice in this one :S They're all so bloody similar... It's like reviewing different AC/DC songs or something... I dunno, I'm sorry, like "I liked the half-naked girls in this video better than that video"... blech, man I am really not into rap at all. Like, we still listen to elvis or motown or led zeppelin or the beatles on classic rock stations, in 30 years are we going to be listening to classic rap? There's just nothing there... go read some poetry or something, I don't know...

EDIT: I know you will come at me with the whole "we are from the hood and so are they and their words make more sense to us" but seriously they are making millions upon millions of dollars and don't live a hard life anymore.

Well seriously, you're stereotyping hip hop like most people that dislike it do. Most people that dislike never really actually "listened" to it.

They're not all the same, the messages aren't all the same, the videos aren't all the same. Go watch a video like Thugz Mansion or some Kanye video, then watch a D4L video and tell me that they're the same. That post is just one huuuuuuuuuuge stereotype.

[Cameron]

Heh, stereotype, don't I know about that. Believe me, playing the banjo, I'm immediately entered into the whole redneck hick stereotype... not to mention musical people have no respect for it as an instrument.

I dislike rap because I am a musical person, simple as that. I'm not big on lyrics in any song... and since lyrics are 90% of rap it obviously isn't going to appeal to me straight off. As for videos, I don't really watch music videos so I guess I wasn't really entitled to commenting there. Now yes, I have listened to lot of rap, in fact at one point in my life I had maybe 2 cd's. And no, I'm not going to have a super view of it because I don't listen to all the more in depth stuff, just the commercial public eye stuff (just like the casual gamer will never need a cyberface! ) . But, as a musical person, changes in computer drum loops really don't stand out to me. And I mean "hey shorty, it's your birthday" isn't exactly the pinnacle of lyrics, either. So sorry for stereotyping, but I'm having difficulty finding any examples contrary to what I've said. That's not including those "bands" that try and "blend" rap and something, (butterfly anyone?) . Also, this isn't a cultural thing in any way. Just looking purely at the songs themselves.

[Its_asdf]

No one cares about a redneck hick's opinion. Just kidding, I'm just too lazy to strain my eyes to read that blasted orange text.

Anyway, like CK said, if you're planning on making any reviews of any kind, try to get a grasp for the culture or background on that topic.

[Colin]

Cameron, I love rap, but I don't listen to the radio or watch videos on Much. And why not? Because it's a crappy representation of what it really is. Even the commercial guy that so many people love in Kanye isn't even very good in comparison to so many others. There's nothing wrong with disliking rap, but there is something wrong with knocking it down without knowing anything about it. I can understand why you wouldn't like it that much if you don't care for lyrics too.

And in terms of listening to older music. I listen to some of the very first hip-hop recordings by Kurtis Blow and Afrikaa Bambaataa relatively often. Albums from 1980 and 1982 respectively. And two of my favourite albums are from 1987. For a music form that wasn't recorded until about 1975-76 at the earliest that's pretty good.

[Cable]

Cam, my tastes in music are very similar to yours (as we both know ), and I completely agree with your comments, save for one thing. Mainstream rap or hip-hop is crap IMO, but the independant artists make music that I enjoy. From a fellow Canadian, I've been listening to CBC Radio 3's weekly Podcast - which I've told Colin about; how is it Colin? - and I like the hip-hop they play. It's not beat-heavy, or mindless lyrics about sex or whatever, it's musical.

Now you're making me look for an example ...

Okay, K'Naan is a good example. His song Strugglin' was on Podcast #31. I decided that I'd give the hip-hop they play a chance, for the first time, and I surprisingly liked it. Check out some of his songs, and then other artists, if you want. I think you'll be surprised at the Canadian talent.

A bonus is that the Podcast has different types of music, and I'm almost certain that you'll like most of it.
http://radio3.cbc.ca/

[Matthew]

From a fellow Canadian

"Oh Canada.."

[Blasphemy]

I know alot of people say that hip-hip is crap and shit and all that and I understand why people can call it that. But they just dont listen to it good. They hear a couple of songs on the radio being played and think "holy shit they talkin bout' pussies!" and start thinkin that every single rapper does that. But unfortunatly no. IMO the best rap is the gangsta ones that talk about there life and what they been through.

Also, famouse rappers such as Eminem. He doesnt talk about sex that often or guns or popping a cap in someones ass. So I suggest everyone who says rap is crap to actually listen to the lyrics and understand the music.

[Matthew]

Also, famouse rappers such as Eminem. He doesnt talk about sex that often or guns or popping a cap in someones ass. So I suggest everyone who says rap is crap to actually listen to the lyrics and understand the music.

Lol yeah, he raps about what a burden it is to have fans and how he wishes he could kill his mother and the mother of his child. I have no idea why people cant relate to him

[peaches]

Wankster, hip hop guru. Tell me, if theyre so 'gangsta' talking bout popping caps in peoples asses, why are they rapping about it instead of actually doing it?

[Blasphemy]

Yes, I know he says all that shit. Hes a lil' fucked up in the head and I have no clue why would he rap and actually kinda show off his family and wife.

But if someone hates rap with curses and/or sexual terms then I suggest you to listen to some good old Metallica.

Peachy, I dunno why but I would take a guess on it. I think that they just dont wanna get caught by the cops or somethin and get life or even death. Since they worked hard to get a major deal. Also, some rappers are pussies and only talk shit and saying stuff about guns cause they dont know what else to rap about. That kind of rap SUCKS.

[Matthew]

I suggest you dont tell me what i should or shouldnt listen to just becuase i can legitimately question the motives behind it.