Music Tuesdays: "The Year of the Dog ... Again"
(Cent 1): DMX makes you feel "Blown Away" ...
In comparing this CD to his last one, The Year of the Dog ... Again feels more complete and has better songs overall. There's no denying DMX's talent (or voice presence) for rapping but it seems as though the beats this time around match that level. The most notable producers, Swizz Beatz and Scott Storch, make up a good portion of the hits on this album but the intensity of quality stays high throughout.
Usually, I have to skip through a couple tracks because they're not catchy enough or are too repetitive to listen to, but all the tracks (excluding track 1 which is the intro and track 14, which is "The Prayer VI") are more than good enough to flow out your speakers.
Last Tuesday, I predicted a 7 out of 10 based solely on, 1) his last album was pretty average by DMX standards (about a 5 out of 10) and, 2) he was due for a decent album. After listening to it for the whole week in my car, I can safely say it deserves an 8 out of 10. All of the tracks are solid; there are good party songs ... there are some emotion enducing songs ... it has at least one song that makes my "I Can Play It All Day and Not Get Tired Of It" list ... and after you listen to it all the way though, it leaves you wanting more. I don't know if I like it more because it X-ceeded X-pectations, but I am impressed and if you're an avid DMX fan there's no reason you shouldn't add this to your collection.
(Cent 2): My Top 5 Songs
Not necessarily in order:
1): (Track 11) "Blown Away" (Featuring Jinx & Janyce) ... Not a party song, but personally my favorite ... I would liken it to X's previous slower melody tracks "Slippin'", "Don't Gotta Go Home" featuring Monica, or "I Miss You" featuring Faith Evans ... just a really good song you can vibe and think with ... is it just me, or is the synthesized-singing chipmunk one of the coolest sounds? (Nice use of the sax, too).
2): (Track 4) "Come Thru (Move)" (Featuring Busta Rhymes) ... Although it sounds pretty similar on a particular sound to Redman's hit "Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get In Da Club)" -- maybe because they're both Def Jam artists? -- this is still a very raw, catchy beat that has none other than Busta himself laying down the second verse ... if there is to be another single coming out on the radio, I would be sure that this would be it.
3): (Track 3) "I Run Ish" (Featuring Big Stan) ... Swizz Beatz has created a killer track with this song, but if you don't like the vulgar word for "poop" shouted out many times during the chorus, then I'd advise the edited version (the version I buy) ... still a hard hitting, get your adrenaline flowing song.
4): (Track 9) "Give 'Em What They Want" ... One of the Storch productions (the other being "Lord Give Me A Sign") ... although the hook might get a tad repetative, the song is still a hit ... it is one of the 'pump you up' songs that DMX is well known for.
5): (Track 12) "Goodbye" ... Another jam that uses a slower melody and makes you really listen to X's words ... I like the chorus and his message.
**Side Note: I try not to review the songs that have been played on the radio (i.e. "We In Here" and "Lord Give Me A Sign") because if you're wanting to buy the album, you already know if you like them or not ... unless they're one of my favorite songs and just can't leave it off My Top 5.
(Cent 1/2): Next Week's Review ...
I don't think there was a new release CD that I felt I should purchase this week (although Cassie and Rick Ross' albums were close), so next week's review will feature an artist that I have bought within the last month or so. Who will it be? Who knows?! I'm tricky like that! (Okay, okay ... I have no idea yet, either). Write in if you would like me to review one (could be old school or recent -- write to HCP2007@gmail.com).
In comparing this CD to his last one, The Year of the Dog ... Again feels more complete and has better songs overall. There's no denying DMX's talent (or voice presence) for rapping but it seems as though the beats this time around match that level. The most notable producers, Swizz Beatz and Scott Storch, make up a good portion of the hits on this album but the intensity of quality stays high throughout.
Usually, I have to skip through a couple tracks because they're not catchy enough or are too repetitive to listen to, but all the tracks (excluding track 1 which is the intro and track 14, which is "The Prayer VI") are more than good enough to flow out your speakers.
Last Tuesday, I predicted a 7 out of 10 based solely on, 1) his last album was pretty average by DMX standards (about a 5 out of 10) and, 2) he was due for a decent album. After listening to it for the whole week in my car, I can safely say it deserves an 8 out of 10. All of the tracks are solid; there are good party songs ... there are some emotion enducing songs ... it has at least one song that makes my "I Can Play It All Day and Not Get Tired Of It" list ... and after you listen to it all the way though, it leaves you wanting more. I don't know if I like it more because it X-ceeded X-pectations, but I am impressed and if you're an avid DMX fan there's no reason you shouldn't add this to your collection.
(Cent 2): My Top 5 Songs
Not necessarily in order:
1): (Track 11) "Blown Away" (Featuring Jinx & Janyce) ... Not a party song, but personally my favorite ... I would liken it to X's previous slower melody tracks "Slippin'", "Don't Gotta Go Home" featuring Monica, or "I Miss You" featuring Faith Evans ... just a really good song you can vibe and think with ... is it just me, or is the synthesized-singing chipmunk one of the coolest sounds? (Nice use of the sax, too).
2): (Track 4) "Come Thru (Move)" (Featuring Busta Rhymes) ... Although it sounds pretty similar on a particular sound to Redman's hit "Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get In Da Club)" -- maybe because they're both Def Jam artists? -- this is still a very raw, catchy beat that has none other than Busta himself laying down the second verse ... if there is to be another single coming out on the radio, I would be sure that this would be it.
3): (Track 3) "I Run Ish" (Featuring Big Stan) ... Swizz Beatz has created a killer track with this song, but if you don't like the vulgar word for "poop" shouted out many times during the chorus, then I'd advise the edited version (the version I buy) ... still a hard hitting, get your adrenaline flowing song.
4): (Track 9) "Give 'Em What They Want" ... One of the Storch productions (the other being "Lord Give Me A Sign") ... although the hook might get a tad repetative, the song is still a hit ... it is one of the 'pump you up' songs that DMX is well known for.
5): (Track 12) "Goodbye" ... Another jam that uses a slower melody and makes you really listen to X's words ... I like the chorus and his message.
**Side Note: I try not to review the songs that have been played on the radio (i.e. "We In Here" and "Lord Give Me A Sign") because if you're wanting to buy the album, you already know if you like them or not ... unless they're one of my favorite songs and just can't leave it off My Top 5.
(Cent 1/2): Next Week's Review ...
I don't think there was a new release CD that I felt I should purchase this week (although Cassie and Rick Ross' albums were close), so next week's review will feature an artist that I have bought within the last month or so. Who will it be? Who knows?! I'm tricky like that! (Okay, okay ... I have no idea yet, either). Write in if you would like me to review one (could be old school or recent -- write to HCP2007@gmail.com).
posted by HCP @ 10:12 AM
1 Comments:
At 10:05 PM,
Anonymous said…
Have you heard Busta Rhymes new Album???? I bought it and it still hasn't left my CD player. Once you hear it all the way through I promise you it will be one of your favs.
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