CD Review: Mary J Blige - Stronger With Each Tear

This is another very solid album from the great Mary J Blige.
She has grown so much as an artists and it has been a blast watching her grow.

The production is top-notch, much like the fine work on 'Growing Pains'. As always, Mary's voice is magnificent, even on material that is slightly less satisfactory than previous albums.
It's amazing when you can grow with an artist and this album shows her growth. Being there, in that place in your life when they first began. I've been a fan of Mary's all her career. This is Grammy award material!

9 out of 10 stars

CD Review: Young Money - We are Young Money

This is a pretty good first CD by Young Money. It is a nice attempt at showcasing the skills of each artist. Too many of the male artists sound alike but Nicki Manaj is pretty original with her flow. She almost sounds like a white girl rapping.

LiL' Wayne is on the album almost every song. The production is good with many unknown producers which is actually refreshing. I am not sure how each artist would do with a solo album but Drake, Lil' Wayne, Nicki Manaj and jae Millz have the best chance of doing well solo. There are almost too many artists on Young Money at the moment!

All in all a solid CD.

7 out of 10 stars

CD Review: Snoop Dogg - Malice N Wonderland

Snoop Dogg is one of the most underrated hip hop legends that we have. With a career spanning nearly two decades, a multitude of albums and a plethora of hits through every era since the early 90's, Snoop is rarely mentioned as one of the best to ever do it and that's a shame.

After releasing arguably his worst album last year (or was it two years ago???) in the thoroughly disappointing Ego Trippin, it seems as if the infamous Snoop Dogg has found his mojo again with Malice N Wonderland. The gangsta has returned. No more questionable attempts at singing country or just overwhelmingly bad songs. The melodic flow over gangsta beats oozing with the signature laid back Snoop personality is here. Not since Rhythm & Gangsta has it all blended together so perfectly.

Buy This CD!

8 out of 10 stars

CD Review: Timbaland - Shock Value 2

I have always been a fan of Timbaland. He is so original with his production, He is often copied and he has a huge grip on popular music today.
His new CD is no exception. The track list includes 17 tracks and guest appearances including Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Katy Perry, Chris Daughtry, Drake and even Miley Cyrus. The Justin Timberlake track "Carry Out" is a the lead single, although this is one of the worst tracks on the CD, I can only hope that Justin starts to get back to the old type of music he made with Timbaland.
From what I have read of this CD, many critics are slamming it and saying it is his worst CD yet. I think it is a good project and it just shows that Timbaland is branching out from Hip-Hop and R&B. If you are a true fan of Timbaland, then you will like this CD.

7 out of 10 stars