CD Review: R Kelly - Untitled

R Kelley is back with yet another CD.
No one writes pop songs about sex better than R. Kelly. Maybe practice really does make perfect. Most of the album is typical Kelly. The only downside is when he croons too much and too long about nothing. His story telling way of signing is a little too much sometimes. Kelly fares better when he steps up the tempo, as on new-jack stomper “Supaman High,” Usheresque 
club rave-up “I Love the DJ,” and disco-boogie squiggle “Be My #2,” even if 
none feel exactly organic to his style.


7 out of 10 stars

CD Review: Rihanna - Rated R

This is an album that grows on you. Upon first listening to it, I definitely felt somewhat let down by 'Rated R'. The music is not as catchy; nothing leaps out as a Billboard hit like her signature songs "S.O.S" or "Umbrella". In fact, Rihanna ditches the pop/dance track and takes on a hip-hop/rock vibe instead.
If you're expecting another "Umbrella" or "Disturbia", you may be disappointed as the album is rather dark, atmospheric, and more experimental than its predecessor. It may not sell as well as "Good girl gone bad", but it is certainly a stronger album.
It's a challenging CD, to be sure, as is the packaging. But as a whole, it's probably one of the stronger pop records to come along in a while. I think many of her original fans will not like this CD. These fans need to expand their mind and enjoy this wonderful CD.

9 out of 10 stars

CD Review - 50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct

50 Cent delivered real big on this project being his 4th effort. BISD is one of the best albums this year. The set comes with the CD and a DVD movie. It has street bangers that will make you wanna do things yourself, including dance records like "Could've Been You" & "Get It Hot". The stand out records are "So Disrespectful", "Crime Wave", & "Physco". Also has a slow song that is crazy like "Do You Think About Me"!

As for the movie, it's a really well-written, entertaining piece of low-budget pulp. 50 (or Curtis Jackson) as he credits himself, stars as Clarence, a street basketball star whose hoop dreams deflate when he rips up his knee. When his mother is killed in the crossfire by a local gangster, he exacts revenge and is soon hired by Clifton Powell to as a professional hit man.

While Before I Self Destruct is not on the level of something you'd pay to see in the movie theater, the production value, acting and writing is strong for this kind of movie. Clearly, 50 has done his research as far as following the plot mechanisms of gangster and Yakuza flicks. He also keeps the story moving, avoiding indulgence. This easily could've been an extended music video--an ad for the accompanying CD. With the exception of once scene, most of the music is used in the background. Credit NYC film vet J Jesses Smith (co-director) for helping to keep the production tight.

8 out of 10 stars