For those of you who haven't seen this suggestion, basically a few different people from a few different places while just review albums that they have recently bought, downloaded or just feel like reviewing, I dunno how long this will last but hopefully this will be helpful to some of you.

Never really done this before so I'll try as best I can...

First up I'll review 'The Optimen presents: Red Tape Renegades'

http://certifiedscribe.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/l_43add444da27d80fcd798f660f858d62.jpg

So first off I don't know if im the best one on the site to give this review, not knowing too much about Optimen, but a little background info ...
These guys formed in 2001, and consist of MCs Sammsonite, Datsun and K-west and DJ Damage..
They are Australian so this is Australian Hip Hop

Back to the album

1) IntREDuction - The Optimen
2) Sound the Horns - The Optimen feat. Pure Product
3) Swamp Gators - Balboa feat. Anonymouz
4) Addicted - Pure Product
5) Hoods Up - Balboa
6) O Dot P Dot - The Optimen
7) That Time - Pure Product
8) Interlude (I Scratch my Mind)
9) Desperate Times, Desperate Measures - The Optimen feat. Kings Konekted
10) Silver Spoon - Balboa feat. Anonymouz
11) Taking It There - Pure Product
12) Puppet on a String - Pure Product
13) Engage (re-Engage Remix) - The Optimen feat. Balboa

Lyrics: Lyrically I think this song is awesome, theres great punchlines, their flow is on point throughout the whole album , of course you would expect this in a professional release but they are well up to standard. 8/10

Replay Value: I left this album on loop for quite a few hours and I still wasn't sick of it, but then I often leave one album on loop for a while, but each time I listen to it I find some lyrics I missed the first time, or some sample that I didn't get.. For me it does have great repeat value but its not something you'd listen to constantly unlike some albums. 9/10

Tracks Skipped: 0, to be honest I don't skip a single track on this album I like them all. 10/10

Beats: Theres a great range of beats on this album which really suit each different artist, theres the darker sort of beats as featured on 'Addicted - Pure Product' which really suits the song lyrically and Pure Product's voice. Then theres the banger of the album, Engage (re-Engage Remix) - The Optimen feat. Balboa. However alot of the other beats are just fillers to me so thats what lets it down. 7.5/10

Production: For me the production is the worst part of the album, thats not saying its bad but I think if it had been a little better the album would have definetely been an Aussie Hip Hop classic. 6/10

Overall: Overall I think this is a solid release and will definetely be purchasing their latest album Boomtown , lots of good tracks, no skips, even a few bangers, definetely a good album to have if your in the mood for listening cos theres some great lyrics in their (especially Addicted) overall I give this album 8.5/10

I'll add a new album in a few days..

Hope you guys found this helpful.

Deff

nice review... i never even heard of them but i might check them out

success

I wanna see Breeze or Draq come through with a Dirty South review... just cuz I'm bout to go to work...

^^You should have people in different Regions Review Albums. and have the UK guys review UK albums if they want to.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009MGOD.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
:

1. Fazers (MF DOOM) (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=WFUEt-m9j9M)
2. Fastlane (Biolante/Kurious) (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=FJpRmnEdnZ)
3. Krazyworld (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=GOcTX1TDSFO)
4. The Final Hour (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=GIwFJzcYHRE)
5. Monster Zero (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=awyT1HaH8SN)
6. Next Levels (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=8na3RrOw9OB)
7. No Snakes Alive (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=_VJkAJGpKBK) 8. Anti-Matter (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=Zv1SPBeIm4N)
9. Take Me to Your Leader (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=nQNHYvjXVB)
10. Lockjaw (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=sauKlYQN8CF)
11. I Wonder (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=D4JrWJuI_QG)
12. One Smart Nigger (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=4InjdLR6qgK)
13. The Fine Print (http://www.google.com/musics?lid=kvvpTLRklZ&aid=bWoNNp1_plG&sid=c2o2FiUDonJ)

This is basically my first MF DOOM album (or is it Monsta Island Czars?) so like Deff said I might not be the best person to review this album, but that doesn't change the fact that I think it's a stellar album after listening the whole way through around 8 times. While the amount of guest artists could've detracted from the release (and in a way they do; MF DOOM can rap circles around 90% of them so it's a shame he was only on about 4 of the tracks) but they also add diversity to the release; you get a lot of different flows & voices which helps keep the album fresh after every listen. And even the worst guest rappers on this release are pretty decent.

Here's a track by track analysis...

Fazers - Great beat & great lyrics make a great track. I can't really think of any way the track could've been improved. One of my favorites off the album. 5/5

Fastlane - Another one of my favorites. Some may be turned off by the guitar beat, but imo the beats one of the best on the album. Kurious's lyrics are fire too. 5/5

Krazy World - The beat is again great, but the lyrics don't quite match it. Gigan is overall one of the weaker MCs on the album, but that doesn't mean his verse was bad; just not up to the standard the last two songs set. Also, some have mentioned that his voice becomes ear-grating after a while; I can see how some people think this but I think his voice is fine. 3.5/5

The Final Hour - MF DOOM spits more fire on this track, and I like the beat. The only problem is that it clocks in @ about 40 seconds long. 4/5

Monster Zero - This is the first of 3 skits on the album. This is my favorite by far besides the One Smart Nigger skit; while at times the dialouge from the movie may get a little boring, the great beat keeps you listening. 4/5

Next Levels - Another great beat, but again most of the verses aren't quite up to par, one of them in particular. One of the verses is very good, though. 4/5

No Snakes Alive - Absolutely amazing track. The beat may turn off some at first, but not until they notice that the beat is steadily getting faster; the tempo increases from about 60-100, and all three of the MCs stay on it very well, especially the 3rd guy (the guy right before MF DOOM's 2nd verse). My 3rd favorite track on the album only behind The Fine Print and the next one... 5/5

Anti-Matter - This is easily the best track on the album. The beat is a banger and the lyrics from both MCs (Mr. Fantastik & MF DOOM) are excellent. Both Fantastik's and DOOM's voice fit the beat like a glove, and the chemistry between them is oustanding. 5/5

Take Me To Your Leader - Not much to say about this track.. I didn't like it. 1/5

Lockjaw - The beat is great and the MC (Trunks) is more than up-to-par. Like The Final Hour, though, it's too short. 4/5

I Wonder - At first I didn't like this track (merely decent beat @ decent MC who's voice started to get on my nerves) but it's grown on me over the last couple of days. One of the better guest tracks and while the lyrical content is somewhat played (the "dedication to a dead friend/family member" kind of track) it was executed very well. 4.5/5

One Smart Nigger - The 2nd best skit on the album; it's executed well 3.5/5

The Fine Print - My 2nd favorite song off the album. The beat, while different, fits MF DOOM like a glove, and he rips it to shreds for 3 straight minutes. A lot of clever lines & wordplay on this one, and it's a great closer to a consistently great album. 5/5


Overall, this album ranks at about 4.5/5 for me. Most of the tracks are oustanding, but the skits do the most damage to the rating as you wonder why couldn't MF DOOM have replaced 'em with tracks with him rapping as clearly the best moments on the album are when he's (rapping). Also, some of the guest verses seemed kind of disposable. Still, the good far outweighs the bad, and this is definitely an album worth picking up.


Note: most of the songs are on youtube so if you're interested in it look some of the songs up

^^You should have people in different Regions Review Albums. and have the UK guys review UK albums if they want to.

We do... although it's basically only me and Deff right now, so if anyone feels like being part of the review team then just ask.

Oh ok, I'll think about it.

no your gonna do it MidWest boy..

Haha alright I'll do a few Midwest albums just gimme some time to think of some.

:smh: at my review being ignored by all but slimshady

^Once the thread picks up steam more people will comment


Meh, I might as well comment...

it was great. It was detailed, seemed pretty balanced, gave a clear reason(s) for the rating... the only thing I still have a question about is whether we should agree on a certain review format or does it matter.

:smh: at my review being ignored by all but slimshady

word man... you shoulda titled this thread 50 Cent finally shot and killed...

but for real that review was tight, it made me wanna cop some Aussie shit just to see what y'all sound like...

this is a good idea , but u gota set it out more clearly....people wont wana search through this thread to find reviews, i mean i almost missed the geedorah review......an when itr gets busier. wit like 10 pages it will be well confusin lol

word man... you shoulda titled this thread 50 Cent finally shot and killed...

but for real that review was tight, it made me wanna cop some Aussie shit just to see what y'all sound like...

*blushes*

Thankyou, that was my aim..

And @ Rap is Real, I think we should have a certain format, somethin like a mix between yours and mine, whereas I went for topics, you did each track individually so we'll have to decide which we prefer, ill read your review now.

Great review, I'll probably download it in a bit.

^thanks

Oh, and I just thought of something else... maybe we should put a d/l link at the end of the review?

this is a good idea , but u gota set it out more clearly....people wont wana search through this thread to find reviews, i mean i almost missed the geedorah review......an when itr gets busier. wit like 10 pages it will be well confusin lol

And yeah you got a point... that's why we originally wanted a sub-board for it. But we decided that before that happens we should at least prove we'll be consistent and not give up after a week.

word... we need to have different threads for different albums... we need to review RW shit too...

For those of you who haven't seen this suggestion, basically a few different people from a few different places while just review albums that they have recently bought, downloaded or just feel like reviewing, I dunno how long this will last but hopefully this will be helpful to some of you.

Never really done this before so I'll try as best I can...

First up I'll review 'The Optimen presents: Red Tape Renegades'

http://certifiedscribe.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/l_43add444da27d80fcd798f660f858d62.jpg

So first off I don't know if im the best one on the site to give this review, not knowing too much about Optimen, but a little background info ...
These guys formed in 2001, and consist of MCs Sammsonite, Datsun and K-west and DJ Damage..
They are Australian so this is Australian Hip Hop

Back to the album

1) IntREDuction - The Optimen
2) Sound the Horns - The Optimen feat. Pure Product
3) Swamp Gators - Balboa feat. Anonymouz
4) Addicted - Pure Product
5) Hoods Up - Balboa
6) O Dot P Dot - The Optimen
7) That Time - Pure Product
8) Interlude (I Scratch my Mind)
9) Desperate Times, Desperate Measures - The Optimen feat. Kings Konekted
10) Silver Spoon - Balboa feat. Anonymouz
11) Taking It There - Pure Product
12) Puppet on a String - Pure Product
13) Engage (re-Engage Remix) - The Optimen feat. Balboa

Lyrics: Lyrically I think this song is awesome, theres great punchlines, their flow is on point throughout the whole album , of course you would expect this in a professional release but they are well up to standard. 8/10

Replay Value: I left this album on loop for quite a few hours and I still wasn't sick of it, but then I often leave one album on loop for a while, but each time I listen to it I find some lyrics I missed the first time, or some sample that I didn't get.. For me it does have great repeat value but its not something you'd listen to constantly unlike some albums. 9/10

Tracks Skipped: 0, to be honest I don't skip a single track on this album I like them all. 10/10

Beats: Theres a great range of beats on this album which really suit each different artist, theres the darker sort of beats as featured on 'Addicted - Pure Product' which really suits the song lyrically and Pure Product's voice. Then theres the banger of the album, Engage (re-Engage Remix) - The Optimen feat. Balboa. However alot of the other beats are just fillers to me so thats what lets it down. 7.5/10

Production: For me the production is the worst part of the album, thats not saying its bad but I think if it had been a little better the album would have definetely been an Aussie Hip Hop classic. 6/10

Overall: Overall I think this is a solid release and will definetely be purchasing their latest album Boomtown , lots of good tracks, no skips, even a few bangers, definetely a good album to have if your in the mood for listening cos theres some great lyrics in their (especially Addicted) overall I give this album 8.5/10

I'll add a new album in a few days..

Hope you guys found this helpful.

Deff

nice review... but I prefered Boomtown over Red Tape Renegades

^ Thanks,

I'll be buying Boomtown in two days and then after listening to it a few times I'll put up my review on it in a new forum so watch out for that ;)

Actually I'm going to have to delay my next review, I just remembered this weekend is Mardi Gras and as such every one in the city (not just fags) is going to be getting absolutely wasted and fucked on a variety of drugs so..It's gonna be a few more days...

Try and hold out

p.s anyone from sydney on here goin to mardi gras?

This is one of those albums everyone and their mother has around here, but meh... felt like doing a review on it

http://www.dance-lyrics.com/ama/liquid_swords_b000000ouj.jpg

I don't need to write an intro for this as everyone already knows this... I will write a track-by-track analysis, though...

Liquid Swords - 4.75/5

This is an outstanding track and does justice to the "title track" title. I'd have given it a 5/5 were it not for the obnoxiously long 1:33 minute intro. It's an interesting intro to the album, but couldn't that have been a completely separate intro track to begin with? Aside from that though, it's a flawless track. Great hook, great beat, poetic lyrics as deep as the ocean... everything.


Duel of the Iron Mic - 4.5/5


Were it not for Mastah Killah's merely okay verse, this would be my favorite track off the album. Why did he get a verse over Raekwon, Method Man or ODB? Hell, GZA could've done a lot more with the extra space... still, though, there was one big, big reason why this was still a great guest track: Inspectah Deck killed it with a mere 7 bars. So good, in fact, that I need to post them.


"Adults kill for drugs plus the young bucks bust
Duckin handcuffs, throats get cut when dough rush
Out of town foes look shook but still pose
We move lioke real pros through the streets we stroll
Bullet holes lace the windows in one-six oh
So control the avenues that's the dream that's sold
Bulding lobbies are graveyards for small-timers
Bitches caught in airports, keys in they vaginas
No peace, yo the police mad corrupt
You get bagged up, dependin if you're passin the cut
Plus shorty's not a shorty no more, he's livin heartless
Regardless of the charges, claims to be the hardest
individual, critical thoughts, criminal minded
Blinded by illusion, findin it confusin"

The best guest appearance and some of the best lyrics on the album next to Method Man's appearance on Shadowboxin & Ghostface and RZA on 4th Chamber. Not surprising, though; this is Rebel "C.R.E.A.M." INS we're talking about.

Besides that, though, the beat was one of the best on the album; bangin. GZA's lucky he was in the same boat as RZA. Another interesting fact is that ODB did the hook.


Livin In the World Today - 4.25/5


It's a good song, but a good song is an average on on LS. Probably my least favorite song on the album. The lyrics are fire as usual, but the beat & hook were average in contrast to the rest of the album.


Gold - 4.75/5


Dope song. Hook's good, beat's a banger and the lyrics are fresh from hell. I don't know if its just me, but GZA's delivery seemed to be especially on-point on this song.


Cold World - 5/5


Yeah, yeah, this is the joint "everyone likes". Who gives a damn? There's a reason why everyone likes it... it's one of GZA's best tracks, period. It really showcases his (and Inspectah's) storytelling ability; it's almost like he decided to make a track to try to beat Kool G Rap at their own game like Nas did with NY State of Mind. In fact, that's the best track I can think of comparing this one to; detailed to the goddamned brim yet completely understandable; no comprehension is lost through the mix.

The beat is the best on the album (bar B.I.B.L.E, but that's not actually a track on this album). It's beautiful, harrowing, and really does succeed at conveying a "cold world". RZA really shows his merits as a producer on this one.


Labels - 5/5


Did GZA really just make a song about... record labels?! He sure did, and the whole joint is crazy. He namedrops almost every single record company under the sun, including Cold Chillin, the label that pretty much shafted GZA & RZA when they first started. Thus the line "Cause I smother you COLD CHILLIN' motherfuckers". The beat is dope too. All in all, it's the best track on the album, perhaps only equaled and/or surpassed by Cold World, 4th Chamber & Liquid Swords.

4th Chamber - 5/5


This is my favorite track off the album besides Cold World, LS & Labels. It's another collab track, but this time not a single one of the spots is wasted. Ghostface & RZA especially rip the track to shreds. To quote two of their bars (one from each):

"Yo, Wu whole platoon is filled with rac-coons
Corner sittin wine niggas sippin Apple Boone, this ain't no white cartoon"

-Ghostface

"Rollin with the Lands, the tribe's a hundred and forty four thousand chosen
Protons Electrons Always Cause Explosions"

-RZA

For those of you who didn't catch that last line from RZA, he basically said PEACE.

GZA's verse was great too. Killah Priest was the weakest one on the track, but he was still dope; THAT should tell you the pedigree of the verses on this one. This is the best verse on the album second only to Cold World.



Shadowboxin' - 4.75/5

2nd best collab track on the album (4th Chamber takes that) and another outstanding track on the album. Method Man really brought that hot shit to this track... beat's yet another banger. GZA impresses as usual.



Hell's Windstaff/Killah Hills 10304 - 4/5


This in my opinion is the weakest track on liquid swords. The intro goes on for about 2:30... far too long and I end up getting bored listening to it. The actual lyrics, however, are to die for... most of the clan spits on this, but as usual GZA and inspectah spit some of the best on the album.

(gza)

" So get your egg crashed, by my Hellz Wind Staff
While the feature broadcast is splashed to tell the news
like Kaity Chung, how the bullet collapsed his lung
His father watched the horror as he swallowed his tongue
Another youth dead, before the age of twenty-one
Left his son to grow, in the ghettoes of the slums
With a shot that go, for twisted metal for cash flow
React slow nigga and get, P.L.O.
By the lone gunner, who took revenge for his brother
who got slain last summer by a cocaine runner
A new year is dawning, new crews is forming
Rival gangs warring blood steadily pouring"

(inspectah)

"What you know about this, specialist armed dangerous
Hit you close range with this madness
Unique design shine like a deep dish
The beat kick technique split all your weak shit
Yes, the rhythm, the Rebel
Alone in my level heat it up past the boiling point of metal
Living legend, veteran known to set trend
Lethal weapon, step through your section
with the Force like Luke Skywalker
Rhyme author, orchestrate mind torture
Live performer, bit the mic sayanora
Borderline to insane, I rain firewater
Tape recorder, can't be saved by a court order
I got my sword cross your throat you joke"





Investigative Reports - 4.5/5


Dope track. Good hook, great lyrics, great beat. Not my favorite, but an excellent track nonetheless.


Swordsmen - 5/5


This is easily one of my favorites off the album. While it isn't on the same tier as Cold World, LS, Labels or 4th Chamber, the beat is... out of this world, to say the least. The lyrics are golden as usual, and... I dunno. I just can't stop listening to this song, but I always make sure I learn to the aforemented 3 before I turn this up. Still a excellent track; also one of the more slept-on on this album.


I Gotcha Back - 4.5/5


Another great track and a good ending for the album. Beat's dope, hook's straight & the lyrics are good, but the delivery is what elevates them to great.


Now, there *is* another track on this album... technically. The track itself though (B.I.B.L.E.) is actually a Killah Priest track off his album "Heavy Mental" another classic. Still, it fits in with the album very well and it's also a 5/5 track, beatwise, hookwise and lyric wise.


Overall:


61/65 or about 93%; A- to A

but that's not factoring in how consistant it is for none of the songs to dip below 4/5... that imo raises it to A+ status.

Simply put, this album is a masterpiece. An extraordinary accomplishment for any emcee, and it just adds to the rep of the Wu Tang. Wu Tang Ain't Nuthin To Fuck Wit' indeed.

lol this kinda failed

I don't think Liquid Swords was all that great, I felt it had a boring Vibe to me.

^I disagree, but I can see how you could think that... while I love all the beats I can see how they could leave something to be desired.

Yea don't get me wrong I love GZA and he is a great Rapper but this Album let me down. It basically didn't catch my Ear I had to force myself to listen to it. I shouldn't have to do that if its a great Album then it shoulda caught my ears when I first Pressed play on my Zune, but it didn't Im not saying its a bad album but I honestly can't see why people say it is the greatest Album of all time.

How about having a sub-section in Hip Hop Discussion and people can freely post their reviews and it will be easy for people to find also?

cool reviews! yeah i think Liquid Swords is overrated, it bored me....

Im gonna review P.O.S this afternoon, propped for the thread, great idea.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41X4SJJZAGL._SL500_AA240_.jpg (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/B0000A5BV4/sr=8-2/qid=1207923791/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=229816&s=music&qid=1207923791&sr=8-2)
Some Of My Best Freinds Are Dj's - Kid Koala


General Review:
If you are into old school rap, scratching, then this cd is for you. The beats are too sick, espically the beats, theres no real skipable tracks in my opinion, it just sounds like one continous long track. Production wise, i dont really think theres many albums that top this cd.

Replay Value:
I wouldnt play this all the time, because its all instrumental, but if im in the mood for some old school break beats and scratching, im heading straight for this. This would be great when your high aswell, tons of bass and scratches.

Production:
10/10

How about having a sub-section in Hip Hop Discussion and people can freely post their reviews and it will be easy for people to find also?


That's what we requested originally, but we didn't get that...

That's what we requested originally, but we didn't get that...

I know if we had a sub-section I'd post reviews in it...

Requesting Sub-Section and I will do at least 1 review a week

Requesting Sub-Section and I will do at least 1 review a week

Same here.

gonna review buff 1 later...