Your Favorite Album of the Year So Far?
When life gives you lemons, just listen to Atmosphere
It’s been a an exciting first quarter and I’d like to know what you’ve been digging so far.
Not much out there in terms of quality, but we’ve seen some decent rap releases.
Obviously, Atmosphere’s When Life Gives You Lemons… gets the vote for longest rap album title of the decade. It’s also the year’s best release so far, in my opinion. Lemons reminds me of Brother Ali’s Undisputable Truth, in the sense that Ali’s album also won my heart around the same time last year (Undisputable Truth dropped on April 10, 2007). Moreso, Ant and Ali share a distinct, preacher-like eloquence that always seems to enhance their ability to draw your attention and hold it for 45 minutes. Not to mention that Ant produced both albums. There’s a bit of contrast though. Whereas Truth was dark and broody, with “Take Me Home” offering the only true bit of elation, Lemons is brimming with Slug’s newfound optimism.
Other Favorites…
Estelle - Shine
eMC - The Show
AZ - Undeniable
Guilty Simpson - Ode to the Ghetto
Little Vic - Each Dawn I Die
Akrobatik - Absolute Value
J Live - Then What Happened?
Buckshot & 9th Wonder - The Formula
Bun B - II Trill
This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 pm and is filed under atmosphere.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
| 1. |
cb4kickindownyadoor Says:
EMC - The Show; hands down in my books.
|
| 2. |
ZAMORA San Antonio Says:
this might be wack.. but im digging that estelle album… right now… production is topps..
|
| 3. |
Rizoh Says:
Estelle album is actually 2nd on my list of favorites right now.
|
| 4. |
ian Says:
Gucci Mane - ‘Back to the Traphouse.’ The only hip hop album I’ve been listening to recently. Dude is totally underrated. Recommended for Jeezy and T.I. fans.
|
| 5. |
Pwelbs Says:
Atmosphere is album of the year.
|
| 6. |
R.E. Says:
I’m still listening to that Blu & Exile album. I was late on it so I’m still playing catch up. I haven’t heard anyone of the albums on your list, Riz.
|
| 7. |
Chris Says:
I’m still feeling that Gnarls Barkley album.
|
| 8. |
Trent from Beats and Rants Says:
Man, I must be alone with this . . .
But I really enjoyed Snoop Dogg’s Ego Trippin’ LP. I think its the best, so far.
I also liked Black Spade’s To Serve with Love. I don’t think its a classic or the greatest rap album ever. But you mentioned Atmosphere’s LP brims with “newfound optimism,” and I have to say so does Black Spade’s disc.
Akrobatic’s Absolute Value is also a great LP.
I’m little disappointed with the 9th Wonder/Buckshot joint. It’s not a bad collection, but it didn’t rock my ears upon first listen.
|
| 9. |
esbee Says:
I will say Nicolay & Kay’s Time:Line so far is one of the best released thus far…
|
| 10. |
Someone Says:
So far nothing has moved me except for Estelle - Shine. I’m definitely gonna check out that Atmosphere though.
|
| 11. |
Rollingroth Says:
Not having heard The Roots’ album yet, Atmosphere certainly gets my vote
|
| 12. |
madrinkandmy2step Says:
eleventh hour by del. people hate on it but the bottom line is that del is a creative genius
|
| 13. |
David Says:
Nicolay and Kay’s Time:line and the Jazz Liberatorz Clin d’oeil are two of my favorites so far. I’m looking forward to The Roots and J-Live coming up
|
| 14. |
abc Says:
prodigy - hnic2
golly it’s gully
|
| 15. |
J-Mass Says:
EMC - THE SHOW
Best album of the last 5 years.
|
| 16. |
Ivan Says:
I guess this list just goes to show how low our standards have dropped over the years…
|
| 17. |
DCDRO Says:
that chaundon albu is pretty fire too
|
| 18. |
B3N // 003 Says:
GREAT CHOICE! Atmosphere is tops. I have been slogging along, waiting for “Lemons,” with his array of EPs and his wonderful Christmas gift, “Strictly Leakage.” Check out the fantastic website associated with “Lemons”: http://www.paintthatshitgold.com. And how!
And Ivan, how “low” have our standards dropped? Estelle is hot, Buckshot + 9th is hot, and Atmo is bonfire hot. Akro is nice, too. I must admit, however, that AZ’s new joint isn’t quite up to his usual lyrical prowess. Still ill, but not quite as much as A.W.O.L.
Cheers!
|
| 19. |
kk Says:
AZ - UNDENIABLE
|
| 20. |
Swag Diesel Says:
How ’bout Torae’s Daily Conversation?
|
| 21. |
John Says:
Gnarls Barkley…
|
| 22. |
Renato Pagnani Says:
AFTERPARTY BABIES, by Cadence Weapon.
Y’all should put away the futons.
|
| 23. |
Real Says:
Dappa - You Got Me: The Preview
Listen to a nice track floating on the net, turn out to be a solid album
|
| 24. |
khal Says:
that guilty simpson is smooth. i like presto’s state of the art. i cant think of much else off the top of the head…
|
| 25. |
HipHopConsensus.com Says:
Akrobatik - Absolute Value
8thW1 - Love, Money and Music
Archetype - Unfolding
Artofficial - Fist Fights and Foot Races
EMC - The Show
|
| 26. |
Rick. Says:
Atmosphere is the only cd I’ve purchased since Kanye’s last joint.
|
| 27. |
GONE2HDUB Says:
LITTLE VIC iS 08 tops!!!
|
| 28. |
J to the AAP Says:
Bun didn’t officially drop yet, did he? So if you include you can do so with The Roots too. Nothing touching that one yet.
|
| 29. |
Rizoh Says:
I hadn’t heard Rising Down when I threw that list up.
|
| 30. |
Plush Says:
No mention to EB’s “New Amerykah?” That album is dope!
Anyone peep Rising Down yet?
|
| 31. |
dubbnasty Says:
the roots rising down.
?uestlove and the guys do it yet again.
|
| 32. |
Gill Says:
When life gives you lemons isnt only the best album this year so far, it might just be better than any album last year…
Competiting with Getback & American Gangster
|
| 33. |
Atmosphere Make[s] History with ‘Lemons’ | The Rap Up Says:
[…] I praised Atmosphere’s When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Sh*t Gold as the year’s best rap album, hardly did I expect anyone to agree with me. I was simply following my conviction. If anything, I […]
|
