Week 6: Writing About Seven Albums a Week (FEB 5 — FEB 11)

Lupe Fiasco — Food & Liquor

Short Review: This is the audacious debut from the Chicago emcee. After this revisit, I can see why some people refer to Lupe as the Kendrick Lamar of the 2000s. The rapper had no issue delivering conscious messages within radio-ready records. The classic “Kick, Push” still sounds as great as ever.

I love the addictive bass in “Pressure.” The hook “The Instrumental” is so damn 2000s. I wouldn't have minded a Linkin Park and Lupe collab. This album has aged gracefully since I listened to it in the early streaming era.

The Beach Boys — Surf’s Up

This album was made because they thought their image was too clean. By the time of this decision, The Beach Boys did not know that their music would be remembered for centuries. Brian Wilson, the lead singer, said, “the clean American thing has hurt us. And we’re really not getting any kind of airplay today.” I’m guessing their prep boy image hindered them as pop music as a whole started to have more of an edge.

Surf’s Up is the group’s 17th album. It was not even a full decade in their career. Many sites label the album as psychedelic or progressive pop. This was likely a time when these two genres meant nearly the same thing. I am also assuming that this is as psychedelic as a Beach Boys album could get. The psychedelia is the strongest on “Feel Flows,” the most beautiful arrangement on the LP. Wilson’s vocals are affected heavily, but it never feels too much. The woodwind solo mid-track certainly took me somewhere.

The Beach Boys did an impressive job of crafting interesting prog pop without ending up unrecognizable. “Til I Die” is smartly attached to their coastal brand. The harmonies are utterly gorgeous. The composition strongly relies on these vocals as steady piano trails. Another well-organized track is the title track which comes at the end. The track is a three-parter. The changes between sections are abrupt. There’s an interesting narrative here.

The writing of this track is pure poetry. The third section even borrows a line from a William Wordsworth poem. The lyrics of the song are so abstract that you won't truly understand the narrative by solely listening. The message comes through in the part, however. Throughout the hardships of life, never lose hope, and let your inward child guide you.

System of a Down — Toxicity

This whole album is a fucking rush. Some songs blend in together a little too well. Still, it does the all gas no brakes thing nicely. I appreciate how obvious they make their political messages too. Musically, the drums are the true highlight. I’ll definitely be revisiting this throughout the rest of the year. I think my favorite track on here is “Aerials.”

PinkPantheress — To Hell With It

Great rhythms within these songs. I like the overall youthful playfulness within the vocals. Most of these tracks are pretty danceable as well. I can't wait to hear what she does next as this project just feels like a sample.

Barry White — Stone Gon’

Mr. White was definitely blessed with a golden voice. It wouldn’t surprise me if Stone Gon’ was the quintessential love-making album for boomers across the world. It would appear that I only felt the goldenness of White’s voice when his speaking. I think his lack of range as a vocalist really isn’t enough for me. at certain points. There’s an obvious amount of love placed within these songs, though.

Rich Kidz — Everybody Eat Bread

I revisited this album just to reminisce. This era of Atlanta rap kind of feels like a blur. Atlanta was going through a strange transitionary period before Migos took off. Rich Kidz and Travis Porter were groups that were at the forefront. Come to think of it Migos have those groups to thank for their success. They didn't steal their style or anything, it's just that there are a few groups before them that they should thank for providing them their momentum. Although Travis Porter had garnered more commercial success, Rich Kidz had a more caring approach to their craft. They had their handful of swag rap and ignorant bangers, but the essence of “Feel This Flow” doesn't just come out of nowhere. “Nun Else To Do” has aged like fine wine, by the way.

Speaker Knockerz — Finesse Father

A pioneer that was taken away from us too soon. I remember how his music permeated even the suburban areas of Georgia even as a rapper from South Carolina. “Lonely,” which is not on this mixtape, was unavoidable in school back then. On Finesse Father, Speaker Knockerz showcased his true potential and how he has affected rap music since his passing.

Rappers have been trying to emulate the entertaining storytelling“Rico,” parts 1–3, for years now. Few have succeeded, such as the late King Von, but many cannot outshine the creativity that Knockerz conveyed to her. He had such a recognizable and harsh auto-tune vocal too. It’s a crime how NAV took his sound and ran with it.