athorton

    46 items
    Review

    Santigold - Master Of My Make Believe

    Santigold's wide range of tastes is still a key element, but this time around, she's able to blend them all together in a way that's far more coherent.

    13 
    Review

    Bassnectar - Vava Voom

    Diverse but focused, "Vava Voom" is a solid example of what both Bassnectar and the electro genre are capable of.

    22 
    Review

    Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

    Even more so than with most albums, how listeners feel about "Roman Reloaded" will be heavily influenced by what context they place Nicki Minaj in as an artist.

    332 
    Review

    Teyana Taylor - The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor (Mixtape Review)

    Teyana Taylor is definitely talented on some level, but it's a little early in her career to release an album of standards.

    11 
    Review

    Action Bronson x Party Supplies - Blue Chips

    Bronson is back with "Blue Chips," yet another high-quality mixtape to add to an already impressive body of work.

    40 
    Editorial

    The Closing Of Megaupload & The Industry's Conflicted View Of Digital Distribution Services

    Several Hip Hop artists and industry experts weigh in on how the early 2012 closing of Megaupload was ordered by some of the same people who use it most frequently, and just who and what was hurt.

    34 
    Review

    Estelle - All Of Me

    On "All of Me," Estelle wisely retains the personality and spirit that contributed to her successful first and second albums, but doesn't dwell on the past.

    13 
    Review

    Young Buck - Live Loyal Die Rich (Mixtape Review)

    While "Live Loyal Die Rich" has some issues as a whole, Young Buck still seems to be in fighting shape and anxious to make a comeback in earnest.

    59 
    Review

    T-Pain - rEVOLVEr

    While "rEVOLVEr" is a reminder that T-Pain is more than just another of his own imitators, understand that this is still a T-Pain album.

    49 
    Review

    Drake - Take Care

    "Take Care" is largely built out of the same materials as "Thank Me Later" and the album is overall more about refining his formula than expanding it.

    817 
    Review

    Pusha T - Fear Of God Part 2: Let Us Pray

    "Fear of God II: Let Us Pray" may not be what Pusha T's fans have been waiting for, but manages to be a decent hold-over until that true debut actually comes.

    65 
    Review

    Styles P - Master of Ceremonies

    While it feels like "Master of Ceremonies" could have been more, it's a solid effort worth checking out both for fans of Styles and New York rap in general.

    93 
    Review

    Bronze Nazareth - School For the Blindman

    While Nazareth doesn't go out of his way to emulate early classics, "School for the Blindman" does a suitable job feeling like a legitimate Wu release.

    77 
    Review

    Consequence - Movies On Demand 3 (Mixtape Review)

    Consequence was already established before he joined G.O.O.D. Music and if "MOD3" is any indication, he'll be able to pick up where he left off fairly easily.

    13 
    Review

    Wu-Tang Clan - Legendary Weapons

    Legendary Weapons won't do any additional damage to the Wu legacy, but fans waiting for a true return to the 36 Chambers are going to have to keep waiting.

    145 
    Review

    The Cool Kids - When Fish Ride Bicycles

    If The Cool Kids are trying to leave the past behind, their "debut" does indicate promise for their future.

    36 
    Review

    Beyonce - 4

    "4" does belong in the infamous "transitional" category as a result, but that transition goes smoothly for her even if parts of that audience may find it rough.

    122 
    Review

    Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce Da 5'9") - Hell: The Sequel

    They may have gone through Hell separately but it's Hip-Hop Heaven when they're together.

    496 
    Review

    Jadakiss - I Love You: A Dedication to My Fans

    No one is likely to confuse I Love You with a real album given its reused tracks and limited scope, but it's still better than The Last Kiss in many respects.

    21 
    Review

    Maybach Music Group - Self Made Vol. 1

    Self Made Vol. 1 isn't bad, but it still comes off more like a mixtape hosted by Best Buy than a true official album.

    146 
    Review

    Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Rome

    The downside to choosing such a specific inspiration for an entire album is that Rome eventually hits a wall where its success becomes its flaw.

    15