Various Artists-West Coast Lyricist Lounge
1. Lets Make Moves- Furious- This is an excellent track to start of the album. The production was done very professionally, has some horns in the backround and some solid base. The lyrics are HARD, I’m feelin Furious to the fullest. The flow is kind of slow but goes nicely with the beat . Only complaint is that the song is short but its dope.
2. Warriors Dance- Zion I feat. Pep Love- Another song with excellent production. There is a nice female type whine or voicebox that fits in nicely. The flows are typical Zion I Hip Hop style and Pep Love comes nice as well. But unlike a lot of the Zion I and LLCrew (and other related artists) production this beat has a radio/dance appeal and could pop in a club. Nice change.
3. How it Goes- Chino XL feat. Saafir- Chino XL and Saafir go back and fourth over a laidback hip hop beats. Both of these guys are quite talented lyrically. “This is how is goes down in the town of West Oakland keeping hoes smoking, this game will never change, in Jersey freaks touch concrete…” they rap on the chorus. Another dope track.
4. Super Educated pt. 2- Arcee feat. Encore- This track is the first one on the album that sounds a little like your typical hip hop beat, but the beat compliments Acree and Encore well. However, the word “typical” is what comes to mind when I hear this track, because it doesn’t bring anything outstanding beatwise or lyrically. Acree and Encore have lyrics, but their delivery is nothing special and very reminicest of that shit you turn off after the Xzibit track on the Wake Up Show.
5. Let’s Rally- The Grouch- Another tight cut. The beat is pretty basic but it doesn’t really get boring, and the Grouch always brings a different type of subject matter to the table. He also seems to have changed his flow to match the beat a little better (one criticism of the Grouch is his delivery ain’t good).
6. Ventalation- Groundbreaks- the track starts out with an interesting movie quote or something and then moves to a hard, face paced beat led with a violin and some handclaps. Groundbreaks come pretty hard and the track is definitely fun to listen too, unlike a lot of groups who have artists who all sound similar these guys all have their own style and delivery which makes an unpredictable track.
7. Megalo Maniac- Motion Man feat. Kutmaster Kurt- This track is another more typical hip hop beat and it has someone saying something that I cant really understand in the back round but some cool scratches. The lyrics are above average but flow is too standard. More of a filler track.
8. The Buzz- Ammbush feat. A-Plus and Zion I- This also has typical hip hop beat but uses a reggae drum which intrigued me. The flows are dope, good lyrics and similies and metaphors. Not a stand out track but good.
9. Blackfoot Allstars- This track heads back towards a more radio style beat that the first few tracks had. There is a nice sample when the chorus hits that gets your attention, as well as a tight ass chorus. Lyrics are great and flow is on point. Another excellent track.
10. Plastic Man- Felonious- Felonious has pretty good lyrics, but the beat is pretty repetitive. It showcases his flow and skillz but it doesn’t do much in terms of knock and production…
11. Luckys Back- Mystik Journymen feat. Luckyiam PSC- This song is pretty tight. I like the beat and the lyrics are dope. My only beef is with the chorus which is basically “Lucky is in the House.” That’s great Lucky is in the house, I knew that shit when I bought the CD mothafucka! But lyrics are tight, and this is far from a skipper.
12. Nothin has Changed- King T feat. Kool G Rap and Tray D- This is a dope song especially if you are feelin that Alkaholik type shit. It sounds like King T disses Snoop dog or someone named BG? Cant tell. Anyways another good track.
13. Act Like You Know Me- Shade Shiest, Fabolous, Knocturnal- The beat is slammin on this one and ghetto F A Beezy rips this one just like the 40 track. Here’s a hint for Shiest though: don’t put two rappers on your album that can blow you away on the same track. Shiest comes cool but Knoc comes dope as fuck I can’t wait for his solo. At the end Knoc is bitchin’ “Why you put my last they never play the last verse on the radio” haha I’d be bitchin’ too.
14. Ready 2 Rock With Us- Rasco feat. Kurtmaster Kurt- Another violin led track that is dope as fuck. Kurtmaster comes tight and makes up for a mediocre song earlier, and all I can say about Rasco is that I can’t wait for another album because he is hard as fuck.
15. It’s Time- D Tension feat. Encore- This is a very upbeat beat with a guitar sound that fits real well. These folks flow tight and got pretty good lyrics. There is a lady in the chorus that sounds A LOT like the chick on track 7 which kinda pisses me off but she sounds a lot better on this one so…I guess its all good. Another dope track.
16. Don’t Stop- The Cuf- This beat is hip hop but has a little beat of that Outkast “BOB” feel in that the drums are very fast paced and repetitive. The Cuf flows pretty tight and there are some cool sound effects. Not a standout track but good.
17. The Biz- Mistah Fab- Some folks were critical of Fab saying he could only battle and his album was too radio. Well here’s the start of this track: “What would you do if your hood was turn out/Parents burnt out/ sleepin on burnt couch/lights turnt out/PG and E bill to high/ papa shermed out/brotha locked in jail for life/mama thinking she gonna owe bills for life…1000 cans aint gonna do you too good/ search 3 days for aluminum/ bottles of glass/ just to get one hit from that bottle of glass/ young peppers step up on the throttle and smashed/ little kids died havin fun ran into another auto and crashed…” This cat is real talented, and this track is one of the standouts on a well put together albums. When you are putting FAB up against artists like Chino XL, Knocturnal, Rascoe, Fabolous and others and he flows like this he is making a name for himself.
Overall this is an excellent album, short of the classic level based on a couple of hip hop filler tracks. A well collaborated venture with big and small named artists which allows both of them to show their talent and will help cats like F.A.B. blow up on a more national level. I recommend this to any Living Legends fans, East coast hip hop fans, Wake Up Show fans, fans of L.A. gangsta rap, but in general I think everyone will feel this album at least to a satisfactory standard level. I also found it cheap $13.99 and not on sale at Tower Records so I urge anyone looking to hear a new sound to check this one out its worth your money.
Overall- 8/10
1. Lets Make Moves- Furious- This is an excellent track to start of the album. The production was done very professionally, has some horns in the backround and some solid base. The lyrics are HARD, I’m feelin Furious to the fullest. The flow is kind of slow but goes nicely with the beat . Only complaint is that the song is short but its dope.
2. Warriors Dance- Zion I feat. Pep Love- Another song with excellent production. There is a nice female type whine or voicebox that fits in nicely. The flows are typical Zion I Hip Hop style and Pep Love comes nice as well. But unlike a lot of the Zion I and LLCrew (and other related artists) production this beat has a radio/dance appeal and could pop in a club. Nice change.
3. How it Goes- Chino XL feat. Saafir- Chino XL and Saafir go back and fourth over a laidback hip hop beats. Both of these guys are quite talented lyrically. “This is how is goes down in the town of West Oakland keeping hoes smoking, this game will never change, in Jersey freaks touch concrete…” they rap on the chorus. Another dope track.
4. Super Educated pt. 2- Arcee feat. Encore- This track is the first one on the album that sounds a little like your typical hip hop beat, but the beat compliments Acree and Encore well. However, the word “typical” is what comes to mind when I hear this track, because it doesn’t bring anything outstanding beatwise or lyrically. Acree and Encore have lyrics, but their delivery is nothing special and very reminicest of that shit you turn off after the Xzibit track on the Wake Up Show.
5. Let’s Rally- The Grouch- Another tight cut. The beat is pretty basic but it doesn’t really get boring, and the Grouch always brings a different type of subject matter to the table. He also seems to have changed his flow to match the beat a little better (one criticism of the Grouch is his delivery ain’t good).
6. Ventalation- Groundbreaks- the track starts out with an interesting movie quote or something and then moves to a hard, face paced beat led with a violin and some handclaps. Groundbreaks come pretty hard and the track is definitely fun to listen too, unlike a lot of groups who have artists who all sound similar these guys all have their own style and delivery which makes an unpredictable track.
7. Megalo Maniac- Motion Man feat. Kutmaster Kurt- This track is another more typical hip hop beat and it has someone saying something that I cant really understand in the back round but some cool scratches. The lyrics are above average but flow is too standard. More of a filler track.
8. The Buzz- Ammbush feat. A-Plus and Zion I- This also has typical hip hop beat but uses a reggae drum which intrigued me. The flows are dope, good lyrics and similies and metaphors. Not a stand out track but good.
9. Blackfoot Allstars- This track heads back towards a more radio style beat that the first few tracks had. There is a nice sample when the chorus hits that gets your attention, as well as a tight ass chorus. Lyrics are great and flow is on point. Another excellent track.
10. Plastic Man- Felonious- Felonious has pretty good lyrics, but the beat is pretty repetitive. It showcases his flow and skillz but it doesn’t do much in terms of knock and production…
11. Luckys Back- Mystik Journymen feat. Luckyiam PSC- This song is pretty tight. I like the beat and the lyrics are dope. My only beef is with the chorus which is basically “Lucky is in the House.” That’s great Lucky is in the house, I knew that shit when I bought the CD mothafucka! But lyrics are tight, and this is far from a skipper.
12. Nothin has Changed- King T feat. Kool G Rap and Tray D- This is a dope song especially if you are feelin that Alkaholik type shit. It sounds like King T disses Snoop dog or someone named BG? Cant tell. Anyways another good track.
13. Act Like You Know Me- Shade Shiest, Fabolous, Knocturnal- The beat is slammin on this one and ghetto F A Beezy rips this one just like the 40 track. Here’s a hint for Shiest though: don’t put two rappers on your album that can blow you away on the same track. Shiest comes cool but Knoc comes dope as fuck I can’t wait for his solo. At the end Knoc is bitchin’ “Why you put my last they never play the last verse on the radio” haha I’d be bitchin’ too.
14. Ready 2 Rock With Us- Rasco feat. Kurtmaster Kurt- Another violin led track that is dope as fuck. Kurtmaster comes tight and makes up for a mediocre song earlier, and all I can say about Rasco is that I can’t wait for another album because he is hard as fuck.
15. It’s Time- D Tension feat. Encore- This is a very upbeat beat with a guitar sound that fits real well. These folks flow tight and got pretty good lyrics. There is a lady in the chorus that sounds A LOT like the chick on track 7 which kinda pisses me off but she sounds a lot better on this one so…I guess its all good. Another dope track.
16. Don’t Stop- The Cuf- This beat is hip hop but has a little beat of that Outkast “BOB” feel in that the drums are very fast paced and repetitive. The Cuf flows pretty tight and there are some cool sound effects. Not a standout track but good.
17. The Biz- Mistah Fab- Some folks were critical of Fab saying he could only battle and his album was too radio. Well here’s the start of this track: “What would you do if your hood was turn out/Parents burnt out/ sleepin on burnt couch/lights turnt out/PG and E bill to high/ papa shermed out/brotha locked in jail for life/mama thinking she gonna owe bills for life…1000 cans aint gonna do you too good/ search 3 days for aluminum/ bottles of glass/ just to get one hit from that bottle of glass/ young peppers step up on the throttle and smashed/ little kids died havin fun ran into another auto and crashed…” This cat is real talented, and this track is one of the standouts on a well put together albums. When you are putting FAB up against artists like Chino XL, Knocturnal, Rascoe, Fabolous and others and he flows like this he is making a name for himself.
Overall this is an excellent album, short of the classic level based on a couple of hip hop filler tracks. A well collaborated venture with big and small named artists which allows both of them to show their talent and will help cats like F.A.B. blow up on a more national level. I recommend this to any Living Legends fans, East coast hip hop fans, Wake Up Show fans, fans of L.A. gangsta rap, but in general I think everyone will feel this album at least to a satisfactory standard level. I also found it cheap $13.99 and not on sale at Tower Records so I urge anyone looking to hear a new sound to check this one out its worth your money.
Overall- 8/10