Watch the Throne - Jay-Z & Kanye West

Noteworthy

This effort by two of the biggest names in rap music today took the world of music by storm as suddenly as it was released. Although Jay-Z and Kanye West have had a rich history of collaborating since Jay-Z's groundbreaking Blueprint album, many thought these two artists' egos could barely fit into a cramped recording studio for longer than three minutes. But after months of speculation, there were rumblings in the music community last winter. This album finally had come together, and the two MCs were in the process of scrutinizing every piece of material.

Although it helps by having Kanye, imho one of the best producers of hip-hop in the game today, oversee a crops of engineers that includes The Neptunes, The RZA and Swizz Beats to create the musical backdrop behind the lyrics, there is only so much this can do to mask the fact that this whole album is not the masterpiece that it was thought to be. I will try to give you a little bit of dialogue that may help illustrate my point:

- Hey! There's something on your shirt.

- Do you think I'm going to fall for that?

- Seriously. You got something on your shirt.

- Really? ... Aw, fuck, dude. The nose thing? What are we, third graders? I should have seen that coming. Why did I fall for that?

- Because you're dumb as shit. I can get you every time.

Familiar? Like the gullible idiot I am, I blindly thought, "OK. If two prideful guys like Jay-Z and Kanye West are going through the trouble of putting out a collaborative album, they really have no choice but to take the attention of themselves individually and work together to put out some sincere and forthright music." What happens throughout, however, is a call and repeat of humble brags as the each rapper does his best to explain how talented, charismatic and influential he is while trying his best not to step on the other's Air Force Ones.

This is the irony that surrounds the whole album, even in the title. Watch the Throne implies a singular entity to which all others must respect: the best rapper alive. Singular. Why is this the best title for collaborative effort. The irony and lack of cohesion does not stop at the title.

In most of the songs, not much is novel and not much can be taken as truth. "New Day," a heartfelt song of emotional purging and morality directed to both rappers' unborn sons that is produced by the RZA, is the strongest song on the album by far. The song describes how both the rappers feel fame has lead to making multiple mistakes, but how those mistakes were made under the best intentions in forging a better life. However, the following track, the '80s throwback-inspired "There's My Bitch," Kanye makes a glorified dis to the conventions of monogamy, seems to automatically nullify what he said in the previous song.

Jay-Z's doesn't come out as a philosopher either. In "Murder to Excellence," Jay-Z relates the struggle of black life, but in earlier tracks, for example "No Church in the Wild," he still clings to the fact that dealing drugs is the best way for African American males to reach the apex of wealth and potential.

If there is any argument for profundity, it lies in the rappers' struggle to live with bestowed fame and maturity while yearning for a chance to return to a more independent anonymity without the curse of media attention.

But something struck me that caused me to question a lot of the messages presented in this work. The strange and omnipresent circus-like outro on many of the tracks seemed to play up that this was all a mirage. It is hard for the listener not to become distracted by this, as it plays on many of the albums more candid and mature tracks. It's almost as if it was put there to suggest this is only a canned sincerity, and everything that was said was merely an act.

That being said, the album's greatest strength is its superior musical value. Every song sounds dynamic and seems to fit in its own place perfectly. "Otis" is a great example of one of many melodic gambles that work in emulating a Motown sound. There are many who don't know who James Brown even is today. I'm going to guess fewer know who Otis Redding is. However, Jay-Z and Kanye are able to use the voices of these late R&B masters as unlikely samples to create one of the album's first singles. The songs can trigger easily identifiable emotions. "Lift Off" sounds like something out of an epic last boss battle of a video game, while "I Can't Stop" sounds like a new take on the electronic music that is continuing to nudge its way into modern pop music. Unfortunately, hip-hop in today's conventions still celebrates the lyricism of the MC first and any musical-production accomplishment as a secondary force.

This is in no way a bad album. For an anticipated album such as this, I only left expecting more. In terms of rapping, it sounds a lot like the stuff you've heard before and does nothing to advance the genre. Aside for a few tracks, most of the album's lyrics remain cliche and do not expand the catalogs of these established artists. Like many works from this era, the whole is not as good as its individual parts. However, the music alone makes it a great way to get pumped up for a night on the town or for a trip to the gym. Check it out and see what you think.

For Your Consideration: "Lift Off," "Otis," "New Day"

For Next Time: Tha Carter IV - Lil Wayne or I'm with You - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Let's Get Busy

Oh. Hey. Wut up. Haven't seen you for a while. I've wanted to get the blog going again, but, like I said a few times before, the world of music has become such a desolate wasteland that I can;t bring myself to write anything.

To bring you up to speed, I just graduated college, and nothing is more life-affirming than returning home after more-or-less four years of independence. I'm not blaming anybody — I pretty much counted on the fact that I would be making less than $10K my first year out of college regardless of Baracky Obs's economic management or mismanagement (whichever you prefer ... this isn't a political blog).

So in between crying over my journalism degree and smelling my finger, as you can see to your left, I've been bartending and following up on any leads for a real job. Musically, I've been catching up on the classics. Take a look at http://www.acclaimedmusic.net to see what I mean.

So, with little options elsewhere, I hope to find some fulfillment in writing by returning here.

Looking back, I thought about how I could make things easier and more enjoyable than just doing the standard album-rating format that you can get anywhere else. Surprisingly, an improvement has shown itself through a new limitation to how I hear new music. Now, I don't pretend to be a saint by using iTunes or supporting my local record store exclusively. In my point of view, if an artist has earned my respect, I will buy a new album unconditionally. But until that time, I'm going to find a way to hear material without incurring too much of a cost, which leads me to my dilemma.

I recently received an e-mail from the Comcast Corp. saying my family's account was being monitored for illegal downloading. I don't know if this is B.S. or what have you, but I must be careful as long as I'm at home. This may mean a slower writing turnaround as I need to find a way to listen to music somewhere online or to get some money to purchase a new album.

But here's the good news! There will be a much simpler ratings system. Money's tight everywhere, regardless of where, when or how you work. This means there's less money for frivolous and extravagant things like an iTunes shopping spree. Reviewers make their living by giving out gold stars (Rolling Stone) or belaboring over an elaborate ratings system (Pitchfork). But what does that all mean to you, the consumer? Hopefully I have an answer. Pay attention to the new ratings and compare to my old criteria:

Buy It - This album is great, and the artist has earned your $. This probably fits within the 5 to high-4 rating.

Noteworthy - This album is OK, but it's not spectacular or memorable. You probably want to check it out by getting a listen before you give over any hard-earned cash. Low 4 to 3 rating.

Cuts Only - Most of this album is pretty bad, but it may have a good single or two. 2 area.

Trash It - Need I say more? 1 to 0 rating.

In terms of writing style, I want reading this to be fun. In the past, I was trying to be overly clever. That kind of writing makes it more about how I can legitimize myself as a writer. In the end, it makes it less enjoyable for the reader. You probably skip over such garbage in the magazine or newspaper anyway. I now promise to give you the facts in a matter-of-fact way. For example, if a lyric needs to be mentioned, I'll mention it, but I'm not going to be Freud and dissect every little word. I want this to be legible and entertaining, not a thesis paper.

I hope to update this blog frequently and regularly in the future. Continue to follow me if you're interested.

For Next Time: Watch the Throne - Jay Z and Kanye West