Blu- No York! Review
First off, this review is tricky. Honestly, I don’t even know if this is the real album after Blu threw out copies during his performance at Rock the Bells. May I add that this is his major label debut?
This album has been placed under the microscope nonetheless.
Initially I had no clue what to expect with this album No York! which is his slang for “west coast state of mind”. And if you’re a Blu fan, I’m also telling you to erase whatever expect, because this sounds NOTHING like the classic, Below the Heavens, in both a good and bad way.
This album is very experimental. Think Electric Circus, The Ecstatic, and even The Love Below. I would go as far as to say maybe TOO experimental. There’s a majority of this album that sounds like well…noise. The reason for this is his use of unconventional production from producers such as Dela!, samiyam, and Flying Lotus.
Also, Blu is well known for the depth of his lyricism and content. And a lot of his verse on this album sounds like…noise. Ex: “porn on a Tuesday, porn on a Thursday, woody on my birthday”. Yes, many verses are filled with meaningless phrases such as this. The only way I can rationalize this is that he was using the electric feel of the album to evoke emotions rather than having the focus be his lyrics as usual. Either way, the fact that I have no clue what his motive was isn’t a good.
Another head-scratcher about this album is the features. The opener of the album features U-God of Wu-Tang. Yes, U-God. Many other guest features are very forgettable.
This album does have glimpses of brilliance though. The second song “Everything’s OK” sets the tone for the album with it’s electric instrumental and Jack Davey handling the chorus. “Down to Earth” is also the Blu you’re used to and the single “My Sunshine” is undoubtedly the best song of the album.
While it may seem like I’m totally bashing this album, I really do appreciate it. This album is the manifestation of everything Blu is, and who knows exactly who he is? This project has high replay value for an inquisitive mind. I know it really made me dig below the surface and ask myself “wtf is he trying to do?”. Honestly, every time I’ve listened I’ve heard something new, which is why I keep revisiting.
Curious? Listen here.
With that said, Final Grade: 3.25/5
high replay value? happy you put that extra excerpt in there. this is barely listenable.
September 15, 2011 at 9:49 pm
“…high replay value for an inquisitive mind. I know it really made me dig below the surface and ask myself “wtf is he trying to do?”.
September 15, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Now this was a pretty fair review. I like how you did the review within the context and donated some notable “experimental album” references because in actuality, those listed albums were still of good quality, they just weren’t highly favored. I agree that this was a very very ecclectic approach…very unorthodox compared to his previous ish. I will admit that some of the verses had me a bit confused. Had me convinced that Lil Wayne was his ghostwriter in some places because alot of the bars were a barrage of rhetoric. I can’t say that I was disappointed, but I definitely can’t say that I was inspired either. No artist should have to be chained to a certain expectation of material. Musicians should also compose material that depicts growth. You have to really pick and choose with this album here. He’s definitely represented the west in a wildly artistic way…..”Never be the Same” and “Down to Earth” are cool. “My Sunshine” is pretty solid. Conceptually, I guess I expected more.
Nice review.
October 1, 2011 at 4:25 pm