Album Review: Snoop Dogg, Clipse, Timbaland

So today I'll be reviewing a few of the newly released Hip Hop albums, and sorry I didn't listen to Gucci Mane's "The State vs. Radric Davis" even though I actually really like the first two singles from that album "Wasted" and "Spotlight" featuring Usher. Maybe this weekend I'll download it, but for now I want to talk about some of the more Established names in the Hip Hop industry. Starting out with one of the most well known names and a true Hip Hop Legend Snoop Dogg and his 10th studio album "Malice N Wonderland" which hit stores December 8th. Snoop is definitely a staple of the genre, and he's actually managed to be rather consistent over the past 16 years but he seems not so interested in wow'ing his listeners with anything groundbreaking or innovative, and this album is a testament to that. Snoop's aim seems to be divided on each release, about half of the songs are genuine "Thug" anthems, and the other half would be him flowing effortlessly over the sound of the moment or smoothed out R&B sounds. So on "Malice" he'll go from the heavy bass and abrasive lyricism of "That's Tha Homie" or the albums best cut "Upside Down" which are ready-made for cars with huge woofers and rims. Than he'll switch it up with "Different Languages" and "Luv Drunk" featuring Jazmine Sullivan and The-Dream respectively (The-Dream shows up on two cuts, "Luv Drunk" and the albums first single "Gangsta Luv", and they are two of the better songs on the album) which are ready-made for radio play. What's awesome about this album is that he keeps it simple and short. Unlike last years "Ego Trippin" or 2006's "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" which were solid albums but were brought down because they were so long, "Malice" is a solid and cohesive album that never feels overlong, and the Neptunes produced "Special" is the perfect closer for another really solid outing from Uncle Snoop.

Clipse also released their third studio album "Til the Casket Drops" on December 8th, and the Neptunes protegee's also keep it short and sweet however the result is less effective. Just like their other two studio albums, this one is produced predominantly by The Neptunes and that might be it's downfall. There's not one song I can call out as being bad, with bad lyrics or a bad track because there's really nothing wrong with the album on the whole. It does all flow well together and you never want to turn it off or skip past anything while listening, but there's just nothing that grabs you. I think that's because The Neptunes tracks that were provided are a little too mellow for their own good, at times it feels like one long song. Mind you, I've only listened to the album once and maybe can go for another one person listening party. And if I can call out a few of the tracks that I rated higher were the end tracks "Life Change" and "Champion", one of it's leaked singles "I'm Good" is also one you might want to check out.

The one album of all the three that I have been listening to the most is Timbaland's "Shock Value II" (also released December 8th), however much like 2007's "Shock Value" this album is so NOT Hip Hop. In fact this one is even less Hip Hop than the previous outing which at least included a few collaborations with Missy Elliott, 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. "Shock Value II" is strictly a POP album where as "Shock Value" was a little grittier and leaned more toward the Rock/Alternative side. With collaborations with Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Nickleback, Daughtry, Nelly Furtado and The Fray to name a few "II" can't be classified as anything other than Pop. Surprisingly Timbaland does a very good job with this, it's the perfect album to end 2009 because it draws from the popular sounds of this past year. And that's not to say there isn't anything original on this album. "Undertow" with The Fray and Esthero is easily the best track on the album, a smooth ballad that benefits from the extra electronic glitches he includes. "Lose Control" featuring Jo Jo and "Carry Out" featuring Justin Timberlake are perfect songs for the car during the summer. "Can You Feel It" and "If We Ever Meet Again" featuring Katy Perry are perfection when it comes to dance rythms, and even when he gets with Disney Queen Miley Cyrus the result is alot more inventive and edgy than you'd imagine it would be. Though two songs I generally skip over, this is one album that doesn't take any wrong turns. I could sometimes do without him trying to sing, if he had just produced this album and left all the vocals to more talented guys it would have been an A+, but still if his voice didn't annoy you in "Shock Value" than you'll be more than ready for the sequel. (And this is important, you should buy the Deluxe version that features an excellent collaboration with Daughtry "Long Way Down" and three other worthwhile tracks that shouldn't be missed)

Top 25 All-Time Favourite Artists (10-6)

6. Bob Marley/The Wailers

Last year, I got really into discovering the legacy of Bob Marley and The Wailers. And much like The Beatles, I love Marley not only for the amazing music but also for having a very inspirational career. There are the undeniable Reggae classics like "Jammin" "Is This Love" "Turn Your Lights Down Low" and (my favourite) "Waiting in Vain", and aside from the singles Marley delivered some truly amazing albums in "Natty Dread" "Burnin" and the epic "Exodus". What I think is amazing about his career is that for one, he basically carried the whole Reggae genre on his shoulders and introduced it to the masses in the U.S. and Worldwide which in turn inspired dozens of artists in very different genres. Though he did have his fun songs, Marley also was very politically driven and used his music to let the world hear the voice of the oppressed in Jamaica, which actually translated quite well in the U.S. during the 1970's. And I think the most admirable thing about Marley's too short career was that he used his music to make a change. He used his music, his image, his celebrity and fame, and his power to make positive changes in his community. In videos and in different biographies, it seemed like he actually put his community above himself and was never really selfish or let his success go to his head and make him forget about what's really important. A truly inspirational genius.

myTop 3 Favourite Bob Marley/The Wailers albums: 1. Exodus (1977), 2. Kaya (1978), 3. Rastaman Vibration (1976)

7. Stevie Wonder

You don't even really have to dig too deep into Stevie's musical catalogue to know that this man is incredibly talented. His lyrics are beyond amazing, and of course he has a great voice. One of the highest regarded musicians of all time, with all the gold award trophies to prove it. If you do happen to dig deeper, which I did last year, you will realize that Stevie is one of the more diverse artists in our history. Of course he was part of the Motown machine in the 1960's, he truly emerged in the 1970's. And listening to any of those albums, "Music on My Mind" "Innervisions" "Songs in the Key of Life", you will see he never boxed himself into one genre. He experimented with Country, Reggae, Pop, Funk, R&B even Rap in the early 80's. A risk taker who loves music, and has contributed some of the most well crafted music of all time.

myTop 3 Favourite Stevie Wonder albums: 1. Hotter than July (1980), 2. Innervisions (1973), 3. Where I'm Coming From (1971)

8. Kanye West

This guy is well on his way to topping my list if he keeps going the way he's been the last four albums. I think I can personally relate to his music more than any other artist on this list. I love the fact that he's not the stereotypical Rapper of today, he's Himself and not scared of it. He wasn't scared to rhyme about working at the Gap on his first album instead of pretending he was a drug dealer or something like that. Things like that make me respect him on a personal level, and his music and how it just keeps getting better and better each album makes me respect him on that artistic level. He... like Prince... is always forward thinking, original and creative, gives you something outside of the norm but is still accessible to the masses. Genius!

myTop 3 Favourite Kanye West albums: 1. Late Registration (2005), 2. Graduation (2007), 3. 808's & Heartbreak (2008)

9. Missy Elliott/Timbaland (tie)

Don't really know what I can say that hasn't already been said about these two. They are just so far left and do their Own thing, and always have. The most unique, creative hip hop artists since they both were introduced on the scene. Admittedly, they both have fallen off considerably. Timbaland mainly because he keeps producing the same types of tracks over and over. And Missy only because she's been gone so long. I still will love them for the great music they gave me from 1996-2002ish...

myTop 3 Favourite Missy Elliott/Timbaland albums: 1. Da Real World (1999), 2. Shock Value (2007), 3. MissE... So Addictive (2001)

10. OutKast

I honestly don't know where to start when it comes to talking about these ATLiens Outkast. Who really knows what's going on with them at the present moment, but they have consistently produced some of the best Hip Hop albums of all time. In fact if you ask me, "Aquemini" and "The Love Below/Speakerboxxx" are two (or three) of the best albums Period. Simply put, they have had an incredible career. The two very different personalities of Big Boi and Andre 3000 work well on their own (as best evidenced in the aforementioned double album, and even on their most recent and underrated "Idlewild" album) but are just as good and sometimes better together. And what seemingly might be taken as gimmickry (Andre 3000's bizarre fashion sense, Big Boi's obsession with booty in his videos) to hide minimal talents, is completely not the case with this duo because from their beginning they proved they have the skills in both delivery and their writing and production. I hope there is at least one last album from the pair, and i'd have no doubt that it would be another classic.

myTop 3 Favourite Outkast albums: 1. Aquemini (1998), 2. Speakerboxx/The Love Below (2003), 3. Stankonia (2000)