Sunday, January 20, 2013

Mixtape Review: F.A.R (Fuck A Record Deal)


Reviewed by: Quake
 
 
 
F.A.R (Fuck A Record Deal)
 
 
Mike G & LX Fuck A Record Deal (FAR): Inglewood natives from music group Turnt up ent. are giving us a promotional mix tape displaying what is next for them in their musical journey. I really enjoyed it even though I'm not a big fan of ratchet music. It seems like this duo's focus is aiming towards the clubs, house parties, kickbacks, anything of that nature. So if this is not your taste maybe it's not worth a listen for you. But if the ratchet in you is overwhelming? Try this record out and exercise your inner ratchet lol.
 
"F.A.R Intro": In a musical land where intro's are no longer alive and present in records. I really appreciate a nice intro. It builds the albums general meaning and animates the vocalists giving them another dimension to their character. Very creative title and meaningful introduction into their work. LX plays a label exec who tries to tell the hip hop duo to conform to popular trends.
 
"Shorty Want A Nigga": Very ratchet sample of a girl wishing for her definition of a real nigga.
 
"She ain't coming back": Love the written work on this one. More so the subject I like in particular. The recording sounded lower on this one. It's not a professional mix but it's decent enough to get the general gist of the track.
 
"Poppin While She Poppin": All around great ratchet track. It did it's job. It had the signature ratchet claps that you would expect. It had a catchy hook. And if I was a club goer I would be on the dance floor when this comes on. So nice work done here.
 
"Get it": Love this track when it isn't on a speaker with a subwoofer. That horrible bass in the background is absolutely terrible. Whoever produced this track should of threw that cheap ass bass in the recycle bin where it belongs. But without that horrible bass this is a great beat. And MikeG and LX made a pretty cool song worth a playback.
 
"Ganja": Everything seems so cohesive in this track. From the recording, to the written work. I really enjoyed it. Especially since I am a big fan of Ganja lmao.
 
"Hate Us": A nice attempt in trying to spit some substance in a pretty much ratchet mix tape lol. But it wasn't that bad at all. If the recording was done professionally it would sound pretty good. LX character doesn't demand a solid lyrical ability. So I wouldn't demand him to spit a Nas verse. As long as he can convey the emotion of the song.
 
Synopsis: Well if you known these guys like I've known them. You would be blown away by this record. They literally weren't even worth a listen back then. MikeG and LX have came a long way in their journey. While sitting there during a in studio listening session I was truly blown away. And I am proud to say that this promotional mix tape has been on playback with me a couple times. So if you're planning any functions, parties, kickbacks, download a copy of their record. Especially if you're from Inglewood!
 
 


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Mixtape Review: Blizz Wellz - Elevator Music

Reviewed by: Quake




Album - Elevator Music

http://blizzwellz.bandcamp.com/

"Paint your Walls" (Single)

http://blizzwellz.bandcamp.com/track/paint-your-walls-ft-dijon


Blizz Wellz: (Elevator Music): Blizz Wellz is an artist representing Long Beach, CA. He is rather interesting. I love his presentation. But I feel this current project is aiming at what is commercial and popular. Which isn't a bad thing. But it shouldn't be your focal point. Blizz is a cool character and pretty solid lyricist. But I'm afraid that's where it ends. Blizz is missing the unique factor in his story telling and character development.

"Red Cups": All around great track. The recording is nice to the ears. And the hook is rather catchy. And in today's musical climate. It doesn't help to add a catchy hook every now and then to your album. I love the work done here.

"Paint your Walls": I love instrumentals which are atmospheric. It helps, especially with my blood pressure lol. And this song which is produced by Swiff D is pretty much on playback with me. Blizz is well on point with his lyricism. Staying on subject with the general hook/chorus of the song. The meaning is general and mainstream. Nice overall work on a commercial level. Blizz said he wrote the track during the time YG's single "Beat the pussy up," and Tyga's "Make it Nasty" was bubbling up in the clubs and radio stations. He said he wanted to make a song which wasn't as ratchet but displayed the dynamics of an undefined intimate relationship between a man and a woman.

"Money Hit The Floor" ft YG Hootie: One of the lows of this album. I cannot stand the sample used in the background. And the hook is lazy and cliche'.

"Alchy Memoirs" ft. M. Deshun: Great song that develops Blizz's character more. A little more in depth into his personal life and thoughts. Much respected single in a album full of fluff if you tell me. I want to know what makes Blizz, Blizz. This single opens up the character Blizz to more meaning.. And I appreciate that.

Synopsis: In a world full of money, cars, clothes, hoes, and the other cliche's. Blizz is a great all around rapper. But what disappoints me about his character is that it's been done before. This album is great but I've heard pretty much more than 90% of this material already. Blizz is missing a key piece in his character development as an all around artist. He has everything a rapper needs in order to generate attention. Only downside is that the general content he displays in his work has been done before by many personalities. The question is what makes him any more different than the others who displayed such lyricism and songs of his content? I don't know maybe I'm just a horrible critic. So I suggest you click the link and download the album and listen for yourself.

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Mixtape Review: Noah Massin's - Different Species

Reviewed by: Quake



Noah Massin's mixtape - Different Species

http://noahmasinthemonster.bandcamp.com/album/different-species

"Far Away" (Single)

https://soundcloud.com/garrett-brown/untitled-2

"Patient 1" : Song is mainly displaying the general subject of this album. The psychotic approach is taken. Recording is below standard, unmixed, and unprofessional. I would consider this raw material that should only be heard in the ears of the artist ONLY. Production is subpar but has potential. Very melancholy approach with the strings in the background. Which sets the approach of the rapper admitting that he needs shock therapy. The background bass doesn't seem to match with the overall instrumental. The drumming pattern could use a lot of work as well. But with major changes the production can be salvageable. Not really sure about the rhyming though. The production and rappers flow isn't cohesive.

"Yonkers" (Freestyle): Using the instrumental which was featured on rapper (Tyler the Creator's album) "Goblin" Noah Massin displays his rhyming scheme on this instrumental. From the first track I kind of knew the rappers major influence is Odd future and the unorthodox character that group represents. Broken home is trying to produce a generic copy of that groups content.

"One more time": Using one of my favorite Dance/Electronic bands song. Daft Punk's "One more time" sample is a very great choice of use in hip hop. And I've always looked at that as a target song to sample. It seems like someone out there is picking my brain. As enthused as I am about the sample. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about the lyrical ability portrayed by Noah Massin. It seems like in this one he attempts to sing a melodic vocal. Kind of like Drake increments in his records. It fails horribly and I just wished he would recognize that without auto tune. You cannot sing!

"Beyond Beautiful": Nice laid back elevator instrumental. Dreadful mix down on the vocals. Massin's flow is not as cohesive as I expect. Judging from elite lyricist perspectives. The song is featuring Broken Home's group mate Snap Jack.

"Tiger Uppercut": So this song is basically addressing exactly what I'm doing here, dissecting their work. I can't hate their confidence. But I can also have my opinion on their material. And it isn't really my kind of taste.

"Far Away" ft Maya: One of the only highs of this mix tape. Noah actually shows potential with his flow on this single. With some more polishing I would be blown away. But from what I heard from the general mix tape? This is a diamond in the rough. This is only judging from what I would expect from him just listening to the previous songs. He said he wrote the whole song including the hook. Which I was defiantly blown away by. What I even more appreciated is that he actually found a singer who can hold a decent note on a bad recording.

Synopsis: I'm not fond of the listening experience of this album. The recording was done with a freeware application called Audicity. Poorly mixed vocals and poorly written work overall. But the artist in everyone can conjure up a decent track every once in a while. "Far away" is one of those songs that shows potential. If Noah Massin can steadily grow as a lyricist he might be able to pull off a successful listening experience.