ALBUM REVIEW: Indicud by Kid Cudi

THE NUTSHELL:
Scott Mescudi delivers his 3rd full length LP since The Man on The Moon installments.



TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:



1. The Resurrection of Scott Mescudi Track Rating: 4/10
Remarks: The drama involved in just the music and the beats are compelling. The horror that comes with it is unique and has it's on flavour to it. However, I have heard better intros, and this ushering in the next track is just insignificant.

2. Unf**kwittable Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: This song isn't really giving Kid a great image. It's too whiny in the middle. The beat and backdrop sounds intolerable. Doesn't really send his message through well. Bad execution.

3. Just What I Am feat King Chip Track Rating: 3/10
Remarks: Kid Cudi has a good flow here during his rap verses. Sadly, that's about it. This song is about getting high. Nothing too different from what Kid has done before. Doesn't really cut it.

4. Young Lady feat Father John Misty Track Rating: 2/10
Remarks: I never heard 'Jesus Christ' said so many times in a song and its not even a good thing. The start had a really good flow. It just loses grip from then on.

5. King Wizard Track Rating: 2/10
Remarks: Started of sounding a bit like Kanye West's 'POWER' but lack execution. Lazy beats. Sloppy rhymes. An annoying hook.

6. Immortal Track Rating: 4/10
Remarks: Never knew Kid to have this much soul. It's hard to come up with a conclusion to Kid Cudi's style. It's a skippable track nevertheless, but still better than anything else here so far.

7. Solo Dolo, Part II feat Kendrick Lamar Track Rating: 5/10
Remarks: Kendrick's verse is just off the hook here. Extremely clean flow. He save this track, really.

8. Girls feat Too Short Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: Extremely repetitive and really unpleasant flow. Lyrics get extremely shallow at certain points too.

9. New York City Rage Fest Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: A song with no words and a bad unprogressive beat.

10. Red Eye feat Haim Track Rating: 4/10
Remarks: Haim sounds good here. Not much of Cudi though. Loving the 'Last Night' beat to it. But still. Just below average.

11. Mad Solar Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: Not sure whether Cudi is going though a writers block but this stuff is elementary even for his level. The flow is terrible and the hook is inaccessible 

12. Beez feat RZA Track Rating: 4/10
Remarks: To be honest, I never really heard of RZA, but his verse is tight and believable. Kid just took it away from him with his sleazy hook.

13. Brothers feat King Chip & A$AP Rocky Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: Even A$AP's verse can't save this (to be fair it wasn't really that good either). The message Kid is trying to eject is acceptable, sadly the music is not.

14. Burn Baby Burn Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: Skip. Bragging sessions.

15. Lord of the Sad and Lonely Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: This doesn't even sound like Kid. I sense a bit of desperation at this point. Lyrics are quite disturbing when you look at it. Doesn't really mean it's anything different.

16. Cold Blooded Track Rating: 4/10
Remarks: Actually digging this quite a bit. The hook is dope. Cudi's verse is not even relevant. The beat is tight though.

17. Afterwards (Bring Yo Friends) feat Michael Bolton & King Chip Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: This song is 9 and a half minutes too long for something that is not even acceptable to be a track. 

18. The Flight of the Moon Man Track Rating: 2/10
Remarks: Just an outro.



ALBUM SCORE: 



OVERALL: 2/10

ALBUM REVIEW: Demi By Demi Lovato

THE NUTSHELL:
Disney star turned recording artist. Not the best, but way inferior than Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Debby Ryan in terms of musicality.

Side note: Albums and would now be given an overall score over 10 rather than 5.


TRACK BY TRACK RATING:


1. Heart Attack Track Rating: 7/10
Remarks: It's okay, I guess. Not really different from anything she did before (from what has been released to radio). Nothing to fancy.

2. Made in the USA Track Rating: 6/10
Remarks: Again, nothing to different from anything I've heard from any pop artist on the radio. Nothing much to say other than it's extremely radio friendly.

3. Without the Love Track Rating: 4/10
Remarks: Teens would probably love this track. Lack originality, content and substance. Song has a good flow though. Just too common.

4. Neon Lights Track Rating: 5/10
Remarks: Really on the fence. Love the Calvin Harris/Zedd-esque drop t this. Hate its premature lyrics and the hook before the chorus that is a copycat to 'We Found Love'.

5. Two Pieces Track Rating: 3/10
Remarks: Never liked fairy tale themed tracks. Girls would maybe dig this though. I just find it irritating. The verse and hook is unbelievably irrelevant to each other. Would skip.

6. Nightingale Track Rating: 3/10
Remarks: Read 'Two Pieces' remark. At least the chorus is relevant to the song.

7. In Case Track Rating: 7/10 
Remarks: I like this. Really, it has substance, it is deeper than surfaced pop songs. Quite inspiring really. Sounds like a young Christina Aguilera at certain parts. Good.

8. Really Don't Care feat Cher Lloyd Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: Very irritating. Cher Lloyd's verse doesn't help at all, if anything, makes the song unbearable. 

9. Fire Starter Track Rating: 4/10
Remarks: Skyscraper Part 2.

10. Something That We're Not Track Rating: 1/10
Remarks: Sounds like a very cheesy self absorbed girl's favourite song. Really shallow.

11. Never Been Hurt Track Rating: 3/10
Remarks: Auto-tune is very obvious and ineffective, doesn't do much favours to this song. Mediocre.

12. Shouldn't Come Back Track Rating: 10/10 *ALBUM'S TRACK TO REMEMBER
Remarks: Love the acoustic feel and nostalgic elements to this track. Not really groundbreaking lyricism but everything fits well. I think it would sound better on Leona Lewis. I can really feel this so much for her and her feud with her father. This is by a country mile the best track of the album.

13. Warrior Track Rating: 7/10
Remarks: Something inspiring for teens. Has a 'Beautiful' by Christina Aguilera feel to it but not as well executed. Decent.

ALBUM SCORE:


OVERALL: 5/10

My Blog Has A New Look!! (and other lame things you won't give a shit about)

So, as you noticed (or not, most probably not, who are we kidding, you didn't), I have changed my blog's look! Can't really get the highlights out of the few post I made #too lazy to do it Album reviews are doing well I guess, getting more views than any other post I normally make. Might get a few poems done. As you guys don't already know, YES, I DO POETRY and it's not gay!!!! maybe a little Anyways, I am contemplating reviewing three different albums. One of my mates told me to review Night Visions by Imagine Dragons, but that album is bloody old, my girlfriend asked me to review #3 by The Script and that is probably as ancient as the Imagine Dragons one. There is a fair chance I will review Demi Lovato's latest effort, but truth is I don't really care much for that much bubblegum-mushy pop. So yea, you can help me by making up my mind or don't. See ya! 





                           

Monthly: Top 10 Songs of May

1. Blue Ocean Floor by Justin Timberlake
2. Beyond by Daft Punk
3. Don't Lie by Vampire Weekend
4. Neon Cathedral by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat Allen Stone
5. Twenty Eight by The Weeknd
6. Save Rock and Roll by Fall Out Boy
7. Wild by Royal Teeth 
8. We Come Running by Youngblood Hawke
9. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
10. Step by Vampire Weekend 

ALBUM REVIEW: Random Access Memories by Daft Punk

THE NUTSHELL:

The most unique electronic house music duo returns to inject a sense of nostalgia to fans. This album is heavily conceptual to exactly that. My verdict, that's exactly what we need in music right now.

TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:

1. Give Life Back To Music Track Rating: 5/5

Remark: Loving this. Great execution. Well mastered. Deep love for that clean guitar strings. Really much Daft Punk's interpretation of what is current and accessible. They're right!

2. The Game of Love Track Rating: 5/5

Remark: Despite the usage of the lyric "This is the game of love", I'm really amused and astonished by Daft Punk's ability to cater, musically, to the needs of the title. The music by itself (excluding vocals), in a way, speaks directly to the message of they were trying to lay out. That mellow feel really compliments the experience that this duo is trying to deliver.

3. Giorgio by Moroder Track Rating: 5/5

Remark: The story, the extravagant use of synthesizers, the significance. Brilliant. Not going to oversell it.

4. Within Track Rating: 5/5

Remark: At this point, it's safe to say that this is a well composed and really conceptual album. This track just delivers in concept through this album. Slight feel of nostalgia and it is probably the most witty track of the album.

5. Instant Crush feat Julian Casablancas Track Rating: 5/5

Remark: It has this 'Last Christmas' feel to it, which many might hate, but I freaking love. The strings are spot on as usual. It delivers in a way that it truly grasps an access memory. Julian's verses in this is extremely compelling too.

6. Lose Yourself to Dance feat Pharrell Williams Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remark: This is a really feel good track and extremely smooth as hell. This is exactly what was needed in JT's 'The 20/20 Experience'. An old-school theme that has an interesting Michael Jackson-esque twist to it.

7. Touch feat Paul Williams Track Rating: 5/5

Remark: Trust me, do not listen to this track without continously listening 6 tracks before this for you will not get anything that is going on. Daft Punk's execution to this particular track is really genius. It was made to digest everything you have been listening to up to this point. It takes you through a journey where you wouldn't really know how to feel at all. Groundbreaking stuff.

8. Get Lucky feat Pharrell Williams Track Rating: 5/5

Remark: The first single of the album. Really gave everyone a good share amount of information of what this album would be. As far as I'm concern, that is not even a slightly bad thing.

9. Beyond Track Rating: 5/5 *ALBUM'S TRACK TO REMEMBER

Remark: No one would really get this, apart from the instrumentals being exquisite, the lyrics are beautiful. It gives me a flashback of times where things were simpler (that's what I felt, okay. It has nothing to do with the song) It sounds corny of me to say that, but yeah, it is what it is.

10. Motherboard Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: Love how this song progresses. It has a kind of exotic minor beat to it as the track comes to a close which I really dig. Sounds like a part of the the "Tron: Legacy OST" with a RAM twist to it. 

11. Fragments of Time feat Todd Edwards Track Rating: 4/5

Remarks: I find it strange that this would be on this LP. Seems a bit out of place. Good track though but quite disappointed as it feels a bit disengaged with the flow of this album

12. Doin' It Right feat Panda Bear Track Rating: 5/5 

Remarks: The heavy voice filter used is extremely productive. This song has an extremely cool flow to it as it progresses. 

The bass is unlike the other tracks, much more heavier but clean. 

13. Contact Track Rating: 5/5

Remarks: This track is out of this world (literally). Astronauts, killer drum beats, an adrenaline rush, an execution to die for. What more can you ask for? Pure magic. Brilliant closing track. 

ALBUM SCORE:

OVERALL: 5/5

So guys, let me know what you think. Feedback! And what should I review next. Thanks =)

Idle

Confusion shivers through the rigid heart,

Knowing only fear fills the vacancy within,

Being idle was the only thing that set you apart,

Treating mobility as nothing but a sin.

Failure may not seem as distant as success,

Still intrepidity is yet to be obsolete,   

As young blood taunts the sight of progress,

They are blinded by the comfort of defeat.

Limitations eclipse the righteous potential,

Feuding with the anxiety of being naught,

End the tyranny against your own credential,

For you deserve to obtain what you already sought. 

a poem by Mervyn Richard

Inspired by Johnnie Walker's Keep Walking

Album's That Defined My Middle/High School Years

I was just thinking about high school (2007-2011) and all the ridiculous moments I had. Music remain awesome though. Missed all those music and awkward and confusing times that I was going through and everyone around that age would have (you know that adolescent time? 13-16 years old). I miss those 'emo' songs that were playing on the radio and everyone was jamming to it! HAHA.. So well, I came up with 10 albums that really grasp those years (did it in chart and position form as usual =P) Well, I was really experimenting music at that time and some of the albums here aren't particularly good but it really had me at a special place at that time. Here you guys go!


10. Modern Minds and Pastimes

Why?: This LP had so much nostalgia to it and face it, The Click Five were huge a few years ago. 

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-Mary Jane

-Flipside 

-Empty

-Happy Birthday

9. Recovery by Eminem

Why?: 2010 was very awkward for me. The amount of weirdness that was attached to it was enormous. I was still a good year though. This album reminds me of that so much. I even remembered when and where I first heard this album. It just captivated me that year and why not? It's Eminem.

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-No Love

-Space Bound

-Love The Way You Lie

8. Boys Like Girls (self-titled)

Why?: Most of you may find it gay but this album really got me. Boys Like Girls were pretty popular amongst the girls but I find them amusing too. Remind me of the times where I used to sing The Great Escape through the corridors of school on my way to the toilet =P

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-Thunder
-The Great Escape
-Holiday


7. How To Save A Life by The Fray

Why?: WHY NOT? This a great album regardless what anyone says. I have fond memories of this album and how much the title track really got me singing and feeling things I don't even understand at that time.

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-Look After You

-Over My Head

-How To Save A Life

6. The Rising Tied by Fort Minor

Why?: I remember listening to this when I was 11. Found out that profanity doesn't really shock me anymore. It carried on till I was 13-14 (That's when Linkin Park finally came back from hiatus)

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-Remember the Name

-Where'd You Go

-Cigarettes

-Kenji

-The Hard Way

-Be Somebody

5. FutureSex/LoveSounds by Justin Timberlake

Why?: This LP made me as confident as hell as I turned 14. For some reason, this made me jump and also showed me how to be more sophisticated? I'm not sure. Just remember singing a few songs here with my friends back in school. Damn, the good times.

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-What Goes Around...

-LoveStoned

-My Love

-Summer Love

4. Spirit by Leona Lewis

Why?: Oh, Leona <3.... Leona was probably my first crush (BLUSH). Anyway, This album was totally awesome and it was probably the most talked about of '08, I got no objections with that. I remember how much I used to listen to her. She was awesome.............

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-Bleeding Love
-Better In Time
-Run
-Footprints In The Sand
-Yesterday
-I Will Be


3. Dreaming Out Loud by OneRepublic

Why?: Have you ever listen to an album and you just know this is exactly what you need at the time. Like, this just cleanses you. I remember bugging my dad for so long to take me to Borders just to buy this LP. Had some awesome 'in the zone' times to this album.

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-Say (All I Need)
-Mercy
-Apologize
-Dreaming Out Loud
-Stop & Stare



2. Minutes to Midnight by Linkin Park

Why?: For people that know me, you will be surprised not to find this at number 1. This is probably the only thing I've talked about in 2007 and 2008. Critics find this album underwhelming, I find this album pure genius. I remember when I first bought this album and was going through the booklet for weeks. I was so damn excited about this album. So close to number 1 though. So close.......

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-What I've Done

-Hands Held High

-Leave Out All The Rest

-Bleed It Out

-Valentine's Day

-Shadow of the Day

1. The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance

Why?: When I heard that My Chemical Romance broke up, in my heart, part of my life just tore apart. This album wasn't just a list of tracks that was handpicked by the band or what not, it was a idea, a concept. So was My Chemical Romance in a way. This album made me believe that someone somewhere has the exact same mindset as I did when I spinned this LP in my Discman. This defined those years I had. In a huge way, this album defines me.

Tracks that make me feel 'Oh, how the years have gone by':

-Disenchanted

-I Don't Love You

-Welcome to the Black Parade

-Teenagers

-Famous Last Words

-Cancer

-Mama

-Sleep

ALBUM REVIEW: The 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake

THE NUTSHELL: 
Boy band heartthrob gone solo artist to silver screen ace and now back to the recording studio. First LP since the stereo pumping 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' in 2006. *a freaking 7 year hiatus, damn!*



TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:



1. Pusher Love Girl Track Rating: 2/5
Remarks: Justin's falsetto is as clean as a whistle on this track. Doesn't really say much or carry much weight. Just a song you would skip, really. The interlude is pretty flat and unprogressive. Skip.

2. Suit & Tie feat Jay Z Track Rating: 2/5
Remarks: I must confess, I sing this song often. Most of the time as a mockery. Jay's verse is lazy as hell. The song by itself is pretty overplayed for god knows what reason. The interludes in 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' were way more comprehensive as a track compared to this.

3. Don't Hold The Wall Track Rating: 3/5
Remarks: Freaking loving the Persian/Indian/Arabic backdrop on this track. The lyrics are cocky as hell which sometimes is not particularly a bad thing, but it is for this effort. Sounds like a mash up of 'Bounce' and 'Bombay' from Timbaland's first installment of 'Shock Value'. Probably liking this track is based on perception. On the fence.

4. Strawberry Bubblegum Track Rating: 1/5
Remarks: That low bass-ed voice in the backdrop, that irritating beeps, that shallow lyrics. Damn. I have no clue why they drag this song 8 freaking minutes long.

5. Tunnel Vision Track Rating: 2/5
Remarks: Don't really dig this track that much. It's engineered well I guess with Justin's signature snares at all the right places. I feel he's trying really hard to be somewhat sophisticated but it doesn't really turn out that way. Not really sure about this one too. Not favouring it very much. 

6. Spaceship Coupe Track Rating: 1.5/5
Remarks: At this point of the album, a song like 'Summer Love' or maybe even 'What Goes Around' would be really great to catapult this project to a steady position. It just keeps going downhill. All this 'aphrodisiac' tracks may sound romantic to some but its just bloody cheesy. The sound of a women panting and screaming at one point of this song is just irritating rather than mood setting. 

7. That Girl Track Rating: 3.5/5
Remarks: The Temptations in the year 2010. That's what this sounds like. Awesome feel to it,just a feel good track that would probably grasp the more mature audience and why not? A pretty decent piece. The best I heard so far from this album in terms of progression and something less tacky.

8. Let The Groove In Track Rating: 1/5
Remarks: This is desperation here. That's all I can say. Sloppy. Forgettable. Insignificant. Skip.

9. Mirrors Track Rating: 4/5 (Radio Edit/Standard Version) - 3.5 (Deluxe Edition/Full Length)
Remarks: It's irritating that a decent song would be dragged 8 minutes. The interlude is unbearable  The beat isn't all that bad. The repetative chanting of "You are, you are the love of my life" is extremely unnecessary. The lyrics on this track really symbolize maturity that Justin can really project. Makes me a bit frustrated though knowing he could deliver but didn't

10. Blue Ocean Floor Track Rating: 5/5 *ALBUMS TRACK TO REMEMBER
Remarks: Just loving this track. Very well written. Mellow and romantic feel to it. It's simplicity is so refreshing. Justin's vocals are exquisite. It tells a story which I am drawn to unlike the first 8 tracks. 

11. Dress On Track Rating: 2/5 (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
Remarks: Not feeling it. I mean, it's not really that bad. The track's just so bland and predictable. Timbaland's verse could not save it for me. Decent predictable beat at the end, reminiscent of 'LoveStoned'. That's about it.

12. Body Count Track Rating: 1/5 (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
Remarks: This is not a bonus track. The word 'bonus' and this track do not stir well. So repetitive. It is something that would be meant for 'Justified' and still wouldn't be good enough. A wasted track space.




ALBUM SCORE:


OVERALL: 2/5


So guys, let me know what you think. Feedback! And what should I review next. Thanks =)

ALBUM REVIEW: Modern Vampires of the City by Vampire Weekend

THE NUTSHELL:

Vampire Weekend's 3rd full length LP since their brilliant 'Contra'. Is this any better?

TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:

1. Obvious Bicycle Track Rating: 5/5

Remarks: From the starting few seconds of this song, I have alredy knew this is a far run away from 'Contra'. As bad as that sounds, it is actually brilliant. This track in particular really shows Vampire Weekend's growth of maturity since their last LP and it is a well pu together piece that really draws you in to the album. 

2. Unbelievers Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: This track is really inspiring actually, with a twist of really good music. Ezra sings about equality amongst the people that is religous and not and how both are sinners but one is not more superior than the other. Great piece.

3. Step Track Rating: 5/5

Remarks: The second single that was dropped by Vampire Weekend in March and has been one of my favourite songs of this year since then. Great ballad, really. Nothing like what the band has done before. It's new. It's enlightening  It's conventional. It's good.

4. Diane Young Track Rating: 4/5

Remarks: Di-ane Young, dying young. I didn't really get the song till I actually got that. Great feel good song with a particularly fierce execution. A bit witty with a slight taste of snobbiness. Exhilarating.

5. Don't Lie Track Rating: 5/5 *ALBUM'S TRACK TO REMEMBER

Remarks: Seriously, this is pure magic to me when I listened to it. The moment when Ezra reached his lower register in the second verse, I actually felt how far Vampire Weekend has pushed themselves in this track. Sounds crazy, but I got a weird taste of The Beatles from this and I am loving every second of this 3 minute and a half piece.

6. Hannah Hunt Track Rating: 5/5

Remarks: "Though we live on the US dollar, You and me, we got our own sense of time." This song probably carries the most signifigance to Ezra having trying to perfect this song since the production of Vampire Weekend's first LP. Lyrically condensed. One of the tear jerkers of the album alongside 'Step'.

7. Everlasting Arms Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: A hint of 'Contra'. Could easily be the B-side of 'Bryn'. Sounds like a tamer well put together of Fun.'s 'Some Nights'. 

8. Finger Back Track Rating: 4/5

Remarks: The attitude of 'A-Punk' is back in a more sophisticated manner. Like what Vampire Weekend do best, use the most positive sound to the most negative meaning. This is the embodiment of exactly that.

9. Worship You Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: The verse got me stunned, the progression drew me in, the climax rejuvenated me. That might be an over-exaggeration, but nevertheless, a real great accessible alternative to modern day music.

10. Ya Hey Track Rating: 3.5/5

Remarks: Wasn't really jumping about for this track. Reminded me a lot of 'The Kids Don't Stand a Chance' but not as good. Quite depressing really. Just decent.

11. Hudson Track Rating: 3.5/5

Remarks: I really love the haunting sound to this track. Sound very much unlike anything Vampire Weekend has done. However, it gets boring towards the end.

12. Young Lion Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: This track gave me a good farewell to the album. Love the harmonies and that quirky piano playing. Just pretty. Vampire Weekend chose simplicity as their outro and executed it to perfection. 

ALBUM SCORE:

OVERALL: 4.5/5

So guys, let me know what you think. Feedback! And what should I review next. Thanks =)