Apparently December first is the end of the year, so before this list becomes even more useless, I'll put it here. The first question to ask: Was 2015 a great year for music? Answer: Ehhh, sort of. It wasn't as good as some recent years, but the standouts were great. Before you click away, let's count this down.
10. Blind Elephant - GemStones
This album comes from one of the most skilled rappers working today. There are some missteps, but "Circles," "Lyrical Miracle", "Almost Home" and several others are some of the best songs released this year.
9. Drones - Muse
This album moves Muse back in the direction of some of their best work. It's an apocalyptic tale of someone losing their empathy and becoming a human drone controlled by others. They try to break free, and lead a revolt. The closing track tells of how the world and the human race gets destroyed by nuclear war leaving only the destroyer of the world to reminisce. How cheery!
8. I Love You Honeybear - Father John Misty
This album has some of the prettiest sounds of the year, all while the lyrics are full of biting sarcasm and genuine love. "The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apt." sounds like a typical love song, but lists all the loved ones faults and quirks that drive our singer mad. "Of the few main things I hate about her, one's her petty vogue ideas. Somebodies been told too many times she's beyond her years." This album is probably the most quotable of the year.
7. Alone in the Universe - Jeff Lynne's ELO
This was the year's biggest surprise for me. It is extremely refreshing to see Jeff Lynne bring a sense of genuineness and fun that seems to be missing from so many. There's no complex statement on the plight of the human race, it's just a collection of great songs that will stay in your head all day.
6. Carrie and Lowell - Sufjan Stevens
This album was a gut punch for me. It's rare that an album connects so much with me on a personal level. The album is greatly inspired by the death of Sufjan's mother, and the pain and melancholy is palpable.
5. Beat the Champ - The Mountain Goats
The way John Darnielle writes makes his songs sound intensely personal, and somehow universal. The album cements my belief that he is one of today's best songwriters. The way "The Ballad of Bull Ramos" progresses in each verse is a master class on how to write a story in your song. The way the defiant chorus becomes heartbreaking on repeat listens is unbelievable.
4. Blurryface - Twenty-One Pilots
On paper, this album should be a mess. It tries on so many different genres, and tries so hard to be clever with its meta lyrics, it should fall flat on its face, right? Nope. They stuck the landing and made the best pop album of the year. No one had better hooks this year then Twenty-One Pilots.
3. Mutant - Arca
This instrumental album took me on a weird journey through twisted yet beautiful soundscapes. It's a classical suite reimagined through a mad man's brain. This album isn't for everyone, but it is rewarding for those who brave the harsh sounds and find the beauty underneath.
2. Fly Exam - JGivens
JGivens has been killing his features ever since signing with Humble Beast, growing the hype around his label debut. It lived up to my expectations, delivering a two part album exploring the highs and lows of pride. You will find something new with each listen, some new insight, some new incredible analogy or metaphor you missed. What really elevated this project over JGiven's previous releases was how he conveyed his emotions so well. His flow became more emotive then ever, culminating on the unbelievable "Humming Bird Stance."
1. To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar
The album everybody declared album of the year after first listen. This may seem like a boring placement seeing everyone is declaring this album of the year, but it deserves all the acclaim it receives. Kendrick goes farther down into his psyche than ever before, taking us on a journey through his thoughts. Addressing depression and social issues so well, Lamar us truly getting better and better. It also is truly the perfect album for 2015, encapsulating everything about the year.
Alright, so I hope you all hate my list so you comment and drive more traffic here. I mean, what did you think of my list? Agree? Disagree? Let me know! I hope you all had a fantastic year!
Showing posts with label Gemstones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gemstones. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Top Five Christian Hip-Hop Albums of the 2010's
Christian Hip-Hop has improved in recent years with labels like Humble Beast and Collision Records experimenting with their sound instead of trying to hop on a trend that was popular the year before. The recent years have given us some extremely strong offerings in different styles. From the more backpack sounding rap, to more "accessible" rap, we have gotten strong albums in both camps. Before we begin, I have some honorable mentions.
Rehab by Lecrae
This is the first rap album I ever bought. It helped me through a tough time in my life, and I had difficulty not putting it on the list. The reason for this is some inconsistency with the tracks. Some of the tracks stray away from the concept of the album.
Heroes For Sale by Andy Mineo
I love Andy Mineo and I eagerly await his next project. Heroes For Sale is a strong debut album from Mineo, and would have made the list if it were not for the same problem with Rehab. The album strays off of the concept with a couple of 116 anthems.
Crimson Cord by Propaganda
This album was very hard to keep off the list. Propaganda a spoken word poet and a rapper who crafts thought provoking songs almost every time he records a track. The reason this album didn't make the list... Well, because there can only be five. If I had to pick, this would be my number six.
On to the list!
5. Blind Elephant by Gemstones
I know this album only came out recently, but it deserves to be here. It was nice to hear some high quality, varied production along with Gemstone's varied flow and subject matter. "Temple", and "Almost Home" are the best tracks on the album.
4. Circa MMXI: The Collective by High Society Collective
The High Society Collective includes soulful singer JR, multitalented Natalie Lauren (FKA Suzy Rock), politically minded Sho Baraka, and the lyricist Swoope. This quartet put out a great collaboration with this album. They range from politically charged songs like "MAD ABOUT" and "Press on", to tearing apart lesser skilled rappers with the incredible "TGC."
3. Instruments of Mercy by Beautiful Eulogy
Beautiful Eulogy is a trio with Braille and Odd Thomas handling rapping, and Courtland Urbano handling production with the duo. This album is the best theology you will hear in an album, but, that does not compromise the music itself. The music is very well produced with more indie and folky sounding flourishes than you would expect. "Release Me From This Snare", and "Symbols and Signs" are the best tracks on this consistently solid album.
2. Gold Rush: Maybe One Day by Dre Murray
Dre Murray is a phenomenal artist, and one of the most creative guys in the genre. In this album, he explores the "Gold Rush" that everbody chases and feels entitled to. As he says in "Maybe One Day": "I see it and one day I'mma get it, I gotta have it, not sure what it is, but they say that it's magic." Dre always raps in first person, and avoids preaching at you. He follows various people's attempts at attaining their "Gold Rush", whether it is while they are chasing it, attaining it, or on the other side, having lost it all. He includes himself in this on a few tracks. He actually stays on concept throughout the whole album which is a tremendous plus for me.
1. 13th Floor by The Rep
What do I have to do to get more people to listen to this guy? Brandon Kagel, AKA The Rep, is a lyricist, dropping quotable and relatable gems in each song. There's only one song that I don't love, which happens to be the first song, "Picture on the Wall." Everything else is perfect, from his lyricism, to the production from Mustafasasbeats (who needs to get more work), yet it is criminally overlooked. To quote him from the track "Hello, Goodbye": "I feel like a crack house floor, 'cause I've been slept on." This album takes a much darker tone than anything else I've heard in Christian rap, but the gospel is still there. He talks about taboo subjects we would like to keep in the dark, but are essential to think about. The album is also incredibly and painfully personal for The Rep. In the track "Murder", he talks about his mother's suicide. In "'Till it's Over", he talks about his own drug abuse. He has empathy for the rejects and outcasts because he is/was one. To close, I'm going to leave you with a couple quotes from the album.
"They say my songs speak to 'em like I'm preaching sermons
And the pastor at his church sounds like he's speaking German.
But I just wonder if he knows
That I got problems of my own
And I'm following this road
But I ain't perfect neither.
That's why I need God,
His grace keeps me from flippin' out at my wife
And packing my bags at night to leave her.
And trust me, I done thought about it
And not one homey was around that I could call on like 'Dog, I'm drowning.'
They just left me drinking oceans
Trying to swallow mountains
Walking the tightrope during an earthquake I'm all off balance.
But I'm convinced that he was there when no one was
Satan gives the evil stare but Romans one says I am not ashamed,
And I am not ashamed.
So even when it's all over, I still overcome." -"Prison in My Head"
"I used to hide my face in the dark
Because I hate what I saw,
But still had all of God's promises taped to my door.
And then I'd look up to heaven
And say to the Lord with tears on my cheek:
'You said to praise you so I'm raising my arms!'
But inside I feel like I hate you,
What's taking so long?
You just left me surrounded by these angels with horns." -"Conversations"
I hope you enjoyed this list. If you are interested in checking out the music talked about, three of the albums mentioned (Crimson Cord, Instruments of Mercy, and Circa MMXI: The Collective) are available (legally!) for free at noisetrade.com. I believe the rest of the albums are on Spotify. Anyway, if you have an opinion on the list, or want to share your own list, please do! Have an excellent day.
Rehab by Lecrae
This is the first rap album I ever bought. It helped me through a tough time in my life, and I had difficulty not putting it on the list. The reason for this is some inconsistency with the tracks. Some of the tracks stray away from the concept of the album.
Heroes For Sale by Andy Mineo
I love Andy Mineo and I eagerly await his next project. Heroes For Sale is a strong debut album from Mineo, and would have made the list if it were not for the same problem with Rehab. The album strays off of the concept with a couple of 116 anthems.
Crimson Cord by Propaganda
This album was very hard to keep off the list. Propaganda a spoken word poet and a rapper who crafts thought provoking songs almost every time he records a track. The reason this album didn't make the list... Well, because there can only be five. If I had to pick, this would be my number six.
On to the list!
5. Blind Elephant by Gemstones
I know this album only came out recently, but it deserves to be here. It was nice to hear some high quality, varied production along with Gemstone's varied flow and subject matter. "Temple", and "Almost Home" are the best tracks on the album.
4. Circa MMXI: The Collective by High Society Collective
The High Society Collective includes soulful singer JR, multitalented Natalie Lauren (FKA Suzy Rock), politically minded Sho Baraka, and the lyricist Swoope. This quartet put out a great collaboration with this album. They range from politically charged songs like "MAD ABOUT" and "Press on", to tearing apart lesser skilled rappers with the incredible "TGC."
3. Instruments of Mercy by Beautiful Eulogy
Beautiful Eulogy is a trio with Braille and Odd Thomas handling rapping, and Courtland Urbano handling production with the duo. This album is the best theology you will hear in an album, but, that does not compromise the music itself. The music is very well produced with more indie and folky sounding flourishes than you would expect. "Release Me From This Snare", and "Symbols and Signs" are the best tracks on this consistently solid album.
2. Gold Rush: Maybe One Day by Dre Murray
Dre Murray is a phenomenal artist, and one of the most creative guys in the genre. In this album, he explores the "Gold Rush" that everbody chases and feels entitled to. As he says in "Maybe One Day": "I see it and one day I'mma get it, I gotta have it, not sure what it is, but they say that it's magic." Dre always raps in first person, and avoids preaching at you. He follows various people's attempts at attaining their "Gold Rush", whether it is while they are chasing it, attaining it, or on the other side, having lost it all. He includes himself in this on a few tracks. He actually stays on concept throughout the whole album which is a tremendous plus for me.
1. 13th Floor by The Rep
What do I have to do to get more people to listen to this guy? Brandon Kagel, AKA The Rep, is a lyricist, dropping quotable and relatable gems in each song. There's only one song that I don't love, which happens to be the first song, "Picture on the Wall." Everything else is perfect, from his lyricism, to the production from Mustafasasbeats (who needs to get more work), yet it is criminally overlooked. To quote him from the track "Hello, Goodbye": "I feel like a crack house floor, 'cause I've been slept on." This album takes a much darker tone than anything else I've heard in Christian rap, but the gospel is still there. He talks about taboo subjects we would like to keep in the dark, but are essential to think about. The album is also incredibly and painfully personal for The Rep. In the track "Murder", he talks about his mother's suicide. In "'Till it's Over", he talks about his own drug abuse. He has empathy for the rejects and outcasts because he is/was one. To close, I'm going to leave you with a couple quotes from the album.
"They say my songs speak to 'em like I'm preaching sermons
And the pastor at his church sounds like he's speaking German.
But I just wonder if he knows
That I got problems of my own
And I'm following this road
But I ain't perfect neither.
That's why I need God,
His grace keeps me from flippin' out at my wife
And packing my bags at night to leave her.
And trust me, I done thought about it
And not one homey was around that I could call on like 'Dog, I'm drowning.'
They just left me drinking oceans
Trying to swallow mountains
Walking the tightrope during an earthquake I'm all off balance.
But I'm convinced that he was there when no one was
Satan gives the evil stare but Romans one says I am not ashamed,
And I am not ashamed.
So even when it's all over, I still overcome." -"Prison in My Head"
"I used to hide my face in the dark
Because I hate what I saw,
But still had all of God's promises taped to my door.
And then I'd look up to heaven
And say to the Lord with tears on my cheek:
'You said to praise you so I'm raising my arms!'
But inside I feel like I hate you,
What's taking so long?
You just left me surrounded by these angels with horns." -"Conversations"
I hope you enjoyed this list. If you are interested in checking out the music talked about, three of the albums mentioned (Crimson Cord, Instruments of Mercy, and Circa MMXI: The Collective) are available (legally!) for free at noisetrade.com. I believe the rest of the albums are on Spotify. Anyway, if you have an opinion on the list, or want to share your own list, please do! Have an excellent day.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Album Review: "Blind Elephant" by Gemstones
If you've followed my blog, you'll know I called Gemstones the best Christian rapper. (Or rapper who is a Christian, whatever floats your boat.) Obviously, I was hyped for this album. For those of you who don't know, Demarco Castle, a.k.a Gemstones, has been around for while. He used to be on Lupe Fiasco's label, releasing multiple solid mixtapes. Gemstones, due to some personal reasons including the death of a close friend, stepped away from the music industry. He returned with two more mixtapes, shifting the focus of his subject matter more towards God. If you want to check out his mixtapes, I suggest Untamed Beast, and Elephant in the Room.
Anyway, onto Blind Elephant. The album has been delayed twice, which caused me some concern. Was it worth the wait? In my opinion, yes. Gemstones delivers again! The album opens with "Quick Go In", which serves as an introduction for those unfamiliar with Gemstones' lyrical genius. Next, "Believe" showcases Gemstones' singing ability.
To address those who fear the album being too judgmental, Gemstones does a great job of not excluding himself in the critiques. The best example of this is on "Temple." The song starts with a verse about Gemstones walking into Church, feeling saved, then falling into bad habits the very next day. Opening the song like that lends the rest of the song a togetherness of sorts. In other words, we're all in the same boat, let's try to figure it out together.
I do have some nitpicks about the album. The smallest one being on "Lyrical Miracle." When the producer says their name at the end of the track, it kills what momentum it picked up for me. I had a couple nitpicks with the lyrics at some points. Throughout three quarters of the album, there is some of the best lyricism of the year, which really is what this album is all about. In spite of that, I was taken off guard on "New World" when he talks about the Illuminati, and "Reptilians are real although though I've never seen 'em shift, I got a friend who did." This took me right out of the song, with the shame being it's probably the best produced song on the album.
Those were just small problems I had, and it doesn't take away from the rest of the album. The best tracks will probably make a showing on my year end lists. If you're a fan of Christian hip-hop, this is a must have. If you normally don't listen to Christian Hip-hop, I strongly suggest you check it out anyway. This album is really close to To Pimp a Butterfly in the competition for my favorite rap albums of the year. In terms of Christian rap albums, this is the best album since last years slept on 13th Floor by the extremely underrated The Rep.
I give Blind Elephant a 9/10, and a definite recommendation. When you give it a listen, let me know what you think.
Anyway, onto Blind Elephant. The album has been delayed twice, which caused me some concern. Was it worth the wait? In my opinion, yes. Gemstones delivers again! The album opens with "Quick Go In", which serves as an introduction for those unfamiliar with Gemstones' lyrical genius. Next, "Believe" showcases Gemstones' singing ability.
To address those who fear the album being too judgmental, Gemstones does a great job of not excluding himself in the critiques. The best example of this is on "Temple." The song starts with a verse about Gemstones walking into Church, feeling saved, then falling into bad habits the very next day. Opening the song like that lends the rest of the song a togetherness of sorts. In other words, we're all in the same boat, let's try to figure it out together.
I do have some nitpicks about the album. The smallest one being on "Lyrical Miracle." When the producer says their name at the end of the track, it kills what momentum it picked up for me. I had a couple nitpicks with the lyrics at some points. Throughout three quarters of the album, there is some of the best lyricism of the year, which really is what this album is all about. In spite of that, I was taken off guard on "New World" when he talks about the Illuminati, and "Reptilians are real although though I've never seen 'em shift, I got a friend who did." This took me right out of the song, with the shame being it's probably the best produced song on the album.
Those were just small problems I had, and it doesn't take away from the rest of the album. The best tracks will probably make a showing on my year end lists. If you're a fan of Christian hip-hop, this is a must have. If you normally don't listen to Christian Hip-hop, I strongly suggest you check it out anyway. This album is really close to To Pimp a Butterfly in the competition for my favorite rap albums of the year. In terms of Christian rap albums, this is the best album since last years slept on 13th Floor by the extremely underrated The Rep.
I give Blind Elephant a 9/10, and a definite recommendation. When you give it a listen, let me know what you think.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Top Three Christian Rappers
I completely understand if you rolled your eyes so quickly after reading the title that your eyes are stuck staring at the inside of your skull. Navigating religious music in general is a difficult thing. Almost two-thirds of the Christian music you find just chants: "JESUS! JESUS! WE LOVE JESUS!" Without much substance. (If you're looking for reformed theology in your rap, Beautiful Eulogy is your best bet) There are artists that deserve your time even if you don't agree with their views. Anyway, let's get going.
THREE: SWOOPE
Swoope released an acclaimed (in the Christian community) album with "Wake Up" which I found overrated. I was left wondering what people saw in him, but then he released "Sinema" this year, one of my most listened to albums. Swoope brings mad lyrics to the table. In fact, these three all deliver great lyrics. LISTEN TO: "Before Goodnight"http://youtu.be/1Hf4BvKJOgs
TWO: THE REP
Brandon Kagel, a.k.a. The Rep, is the most underrated rapper I've seen. Even in the Christian community. When he is on, he can stand toe to toe with anyone in the game. He released the best Christian hip-hop album -screw it, one of the best albums of this year Yet I can't find any review online. LISTEN TO: "Alcoholic",http://youtu.be/7JJ-GeKrqZk "Murder", http://youtu.be/uc_GirO2L_o "'Till It's Over", http://youtu.be/O2TUZ4Hp2oU "Prison in my Head"http://youtu.be/u0pNCLlPfg4 "Imagine It", http://youtu.be/LysUVROa9S4
ONE: GEMSTONES
Gemstones hasn't released a full album yet. He's released numerous mixtapes, both before and after his conversion. All of them are excellent. This man has lyrics on lyrics on lyrics, and the best pipes in the game. LISTEN TO: "Fire in my Heart",http://youtu.be/Dq_EjCU2eB4 "Circles",http://youtu.be/yrsYIxsT_OU "My Hood", http://youtu.be/djf1mTkKCbI "God is my Rock",http://youtu.be/40bs0SHATgk "Round and Round", "Don't Like",http://youtu.be/AUirubRe7aQ really, just anything. Especially from and post "Elephant in the Room."
I hope you found a new artist you liked from this list. I'll be releasing a Best Albums and Songs of 2014 later this month, so keep your eye out for it.
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