2011 - Through My Eyes...

I would love to give the readers of this blog a highly informed and intimately knowledgeable account of the music scene for 2011. However, I find that to be impossible to do fairly, seeing as I couldn't ever come close to listening to all the music released in any year's time. How could I call an album "Album of the Year", if I haven't listened to every album released that year? So this is what I will do; I will review every music purchase I made in 2011. This is much easier to do in the modern music era, because I only buy music from Amazon MP3. So, all I do is pull up my account and go through all my 2011 music buys. For your convenience, I will be abiding by a few rules I thought of to make reading this blog entry less like work. 1) Album reviews will be 4 sentences or less. 2) Reviews of singles will be 2 sentences or less. 3) At the end of each review, I will assign a numerical value to show how strongly I feel about the product. I derive this value from rating each song on a reviewed album on a school of 1 to 100, 1 representing Barbie Girl by Aqua, and 100 representing Michael Jackson's Human Nature. If anyone wants to see my track-by-track numerical breakdown, just mention it in the comment section. So without further ado, Marvin's Musical 2011.

JANUARY

GHOSTFACE KILLAH - APOLLO KIDS (2010)

I forgot I even bought this. Standard fare from a fairly consistant MC. Provides a constant headnod, however it's an unremarkable product. Regression via lack of progression? 81/100

FEBRUARY

THE GO! TEAM - ROLLING BLACKOUTS (2011)

Bought this little number because I was inpressed with their debut album Thunder, Lightning, Strike. Like so many other items I've purchased, I got hip to them from a commercial: the NFL's Play 60 campaign where kids are riding a bus with NFL players. The best way to describe the music is cheerleader chants + eurotechno + britrock + futuristic boom-bap + adrenaline + swagger. Me likey. 85/100

MARCH

RADIOHEAD - AMNESIAC (2001)

One of my old Limewire downloads that I sought to legitimize due to my respect for the artist. I've had this album for years in a degraded form and never actually listened to it. I'm glad I procrastinated on this one, because I doubt I was ready for it when it was originally released. Fucking brilliant, I tell you, FUCKING BRILLIANT. 91/100

RADIOHEAD - KID A (2000)

Another Limewire download rectified. Once I realized the greatness of AMNESIAC, I rushed to get this. Some of it works, some of it doesn't. I like to think of this album as Radiohead's last experiment before perfecting their sound (Kid A was released a year before Amnesiac). 80/100

APRIL

SINGLE: JUSTICE - CIVILIZATION (2011)

From an Adidas commercial. Makes me want to dunk a nuclear warhead into the rings of Saturn. 82/100

LUPE FIASCO - LUPE FIASCO'S FOOD & LIQUOR (2006)

I was in a rut with hip-hop, so I looked for earlier releases that slipped through the cracks in my collection. Quirky, honest, vibrant, and without the traditional trappings of rap i.e. guns, drugs, money and bitches. A truly progressive moment for mainstream hip-hop. Too bad the progress ended here for Lupe. 80/100

PHAROAHE MONCH - WA.R. (WE ARE RENEGADES) (2011)

One of the last doomsday lyricists left, I find it hard to be disappointed with any of his efforts. Like most MC's of his ilk, his music production can be sometimes, well, indulgent. This is as close to "street church" as it gets. 84/100

MADCON - BEGGIN' (2011)

Another Adidas commercial purchase, however through this purchase I discovered the original Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons' version. After hearing Frankie's rendition, I'm ashamed of ever buying this turd. 80/100 before hearing Frankie Valli, 32/100 after

MAY

BEASTIE BOYS - HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART 2 (2011)

This one is difficult. On one hand, I admire what they did here with fusing old school boom-bap with new school production. On the other hand, it just doesn't have the bite that I was expecting. However, "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" with Santigold is THE TRUTH! 69/100

ADELE - 21 (2011)

As you know by now, Adele is supremely talented. This is almost a carbon copy of her debut album, 19. There are some really good moments on here, but it/she is missing something. Just a bit hollow... 84/100

JUNE

COLD - NO ONE (2000)

A guilty pleasure. Sounds like run-of-the-mill woe-is-me rock, but for some reason I feel this one. 75/100

JEAN GRAE - THE ORCHESTRAL FILES (2008)

It doesn't matter how good of an emcee you are, the production is an equally important ingredient to a good product. The music doesn't match her flow. And Jean should NOT be doing love songs. 69/100

BLUE SKY BLACK DEATH - JEAN GRAE: THE EVIL JEANIUS (2008)

I loved the concept here. The execution is more big hit - big miss, though. "Threats" is an amazing song and makes the album worthy of purchase by itself. 76/100

SINGLE: SISTER NANCY - BAM BAM (Single) (2002)

You've heard this song before. If you don't like this, then you're probably whiter than you should be, Poindexter. 100/100

FOO FIGHTERS - WASTING LIGHT (2011)

One of the things I love about the Foo Fighters is that they have an unmistakeable sound. However, on this album I feel there is too much of that sound; no deviation, very little tempo change, and not enough feeling. Everything sounds and feels too controlled and sanitizied. Above average for most anyone else, sub par for the Foo Foo Fighters. 76/100

ADELE - 19 (2008)

Better than her follow-up, 21. She sounds a little more authentic and raw on this one. Why would anyone date this woman when you know she'll eventually dog you in one of her songs? 85/100

JULY

SINGLE: MARTIN SOLVEIG FEATURING DRAGONETTE - HELLO (2010)

I'm starting realize how much I like techno-dance-dubstep-electronica music... sometimes. 92/100

AUGUST

ICE CUBE - AMERIKKKA'S MOST WANTED (1990)

For some reason I never transfered this from CD to mp3, and I eventually lost it. That gave me a great opportunity to examine it from a fresh perspective. The verdict? It still kicks ass. 90/100

ONEREPUBLIC - WAKING UP (2009)

I bought this because I was late to the party with All The Right Moves. I liked some of the stuff I've heard from them on the radio, so I thought it was safe. This album reminds me of Muse's sound. Minus originality, musicianship, scale, theatrics, song writing, and wow factor. 74/100

ROYCE DA 5'9" - SUCCESS IS CERTAIN (2011)

I thoroughly enjoyed this album. My problem with Royce in the past has been with his production, not his lyrics. I guess being down with Marshall again can afford you better producers. My favorites off this are easily Where My Money and Security. 84/100

JAY ROCK - FOLLOW ME HOME (2011)

This was my first ever experience with Jay Rock, and I am now a fan. There are some real genuine moments on here, and for the first time in a long time I found a traditional west coast hip-hop record that didn't sound tired and dated. The production matches the lyricist in both depth and complexity. I will buy more of Jay Rock in the future. 82/100

SEPTEMBER

SINGLE: LITTLE DRAGON - RITUAL UNION (2011)

I want to LOVE this artist so bad, but there is just something missing... 94/100

GIRLS LOVE SHOES - STARS (2010)

Yet another tv commercial-influenced buy. Quirky electronic girl pop that is no longer so quirky. This sounds like they want mainstream appeal, but are probably better suited for indie appeal if they added a little more grit. The single Stars, however, is the bee's knees. 80/100

SIA - WE ARE BORN (2010)

I love this artist. You probably know her as Christina Aguilera's crazy friend on the singing competition show The Voice, but I've known her for a while as the vocal muscle behind Zero 7's first 3 albums. My first listen through of this and I thought it was so-so. Now I'm blown away. 88/100

OCTOBER

PHONTE - CHARITY STARTS AT HOME (2011)

Well crafted solo project from the better half of the rap group Little Brother. The only thing that keeps this title down are some of the singing portions, as Phonte is no Stevie Wonder. But the production is tight, and he is, without a doubt, a top ten lyricist at this moment. 84/100

9TH WONDER - THE WONDER YEARS (2011)

Another stellar mixtape from my favorite producer. There is such understated class in these tracks, that it almost feels formal. The album excels with it's r&b songs, but the hip-hop is good, too. 9th does it again. 90/100

CAMP LO - UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT (1999)

Repurchase for a lost album. On this album, Sonny Chiba and Ceechi Suede are the best I've ever heard at turning your flow into an instrument. I can't tell what they're saying, and I don't care! 86/100

JAY Z + KANYE WEST - WATCH THE THRONE (2011)

On first listen, I didn't like this. But I have to be honest, now I really like it. The production is top notch, and Jay Z sticks his foot in the lyrics. OTIS! 86/100

NOVEMBER

SINGLE: ELTON JOHN - BENNY AND THE JETS (1973)

I was going to own this at some point in my life. 100/100

GOAPELE - BREAK OF DAWN (2011)

BEAUTIFUL album. This is the direction that r&b should be moving in. A step beyond neo-soul, this is a mash of 21st century funk and 80's soul songwriting. And not one lewd allusion to sex. 89/100

PHANTOGRAM - NIGHTLIFE (2011)

A solid, if unremarkable, follow-up EP to their Eyelid Movies, it starts strong but ends on a whimper. Think of a more confident and skillful Hooverphonic (of 2Wicky fame). This EP set me back 4.99. I would have gladly paid 14.99 for the song Don't Move by itself. 82/100

SINGLE: XV - AWESOME (2011)

Regretted bying this hip-hop title the second I downloaded it. 84/100

DECEMBER

THE ROOTS - UNDUN (2011)

I don't know if my friend Otis got in my head when we had a passionate discussion about The Roots, but I'm starting to agree with him on one thing; Black Thought is an average emcee at best. A good listen through and it's apparent what's holding this concept album back from being an unforgettable classic; the lack of complexity in Black Thought's rhymes and the emotionless delivery he employs on every album. An album tackling the serious subject matter that this one does deserves much better. However, the rest of the band comes close to saving the day. 83/100

AMY WINEHOUSE - LIONESS: HIDDEN TREASURES (2011)

This treasure trove of b-sides, remixes and unreleased covers is a must have. Her passing was as tragic as it was expected. But it wasn't until I heard this album that I actually missed her. Do you have to be a tortured soul to be this good? 90/100

COMMON - THE DREAMER, THE BELIEVE (2011)

For me, this is on par with his 6th album, Be. Beats are tight, rhymes are tight, and his flow is on point. Only problem is, the song Blue Sky is the lone track that could be considered stellar. Everything else is just really, really good. 89/100

SINGLE: RADIOHEAD - THE DAILY MAIL/STAIRCASE

Haunting and dramatic, an exceptional companion piece to The King of Limbs. 93/100

ROBIN THICKE - LOVE AFTER WAR

A welcome return to the singer/songwriter role for Mr. Thicke. It's still a lot of hit and miss, and I think there are too many love songs that dilute the power of the album. But, at least it's better than Sex Therapy. MILES better. 84/100