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Hey y'all, sorry for the long absence... A new review will be posted soon. We were supposed to post it sometime during the weekend but unfortunately we didn't have time to proofread it. Just keep on the lookout, it'll come in a couple of days

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: Album Reviews

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Good Charlotte - Cardiology Album Review

December 16th 2010 16:04

Released: October 27, 2010

Genre: Pop rock, Pop punk

Length: 46:52

Label: Capitol

Three years after Good Morning Revival, Good Charlotte return with Cardiology, their fifth studio album. Produced by Don Gilmore – the man behind Good Charlotte’s debut album and Good Morning Revival – Cardiology is a return to the fun pop-infused sound of the band’s self-titled debut album and sophomore effort, The Young And The Hopeless

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Cardiology has fifteen tracks, including the short Introduction To Cardiology which is a snippet of the final song and an interlude titled The Fifth Chamber. The album is basically split into two parts: tracks two to eight are uptempo while the rest of the songs are mostly ballads. The first thing that strikes the listener after a full listen is that the doom-and-gloom sound of The Chronicles Of Life And Death is completely gone while the fun and catchiness of Good Charlotte’s first two albums is back along with the party atmosphere of Good Morning Revival.

Cardiology begins with the ubiquitous don’t-give-up song Let The Music Play, although Let The Music Play is closer to “March On” from Good Morning Revival than “Hold On” (The Young And The Hopeless). From then on, it’s fun time with the catchy Counting The Days, Like It’s Her Birthday, Last Night, Sex On The Radio and Alive. Counting The Days’ catchy hook was quite similar to Lostprophets’ work while Like It’s Her Birthday and Last Night felt like a musical continuation of “Dance Floor Anthem.”

The Madden brothers continue their lyrical growth on this album with 1979, There She Goes, and Right Where I Belong all alluding to their past in Maryland in a less awkward manner as their previous albums (I'm looking at you "Predictable").

In the end, Cardiology is a fun album, not a great album but the majority of the songs are catchy and provide an enjoyable listen. Fans of Good Charlotte’s first two albums will definitely enjoy this one as it keeps the fun and positiveness of Good Charlotte and The Young And The Hopeless while adding musical elements from Good Morning Revival that tighten up the whole package.

Final Grade: 3.75/5.

Like It’s Her Birthday Music Video

Full Tracklist:
1. Introduction To Cardiology
2. Let The Music Play
3. Counting The Days
4. Silver Screen Romance
5. Like It’s Her Birthday
6. Last Night
7. Sex On The Radio
8. Alive
9. Standing Ovation
10. Harlow’s Song (Can’t Dream Without You)
11. Interlude: The Fifth Chamber
12. 1979
13. There She Goes
14. Right Where I Belong
15. Cardiology

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: Album Reviews, Pop

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Fashawn - Boy Meets World Album Review

October 25th 2010 03:51

Release date: October 22, 2009

Genre: Underground hip hop

Length: 75:03

Label: One Records

Browsing through a hip hop blog a while ago, I found this relatively unknown rapper named Fashawn. Boy Meets World is his debut album and was entirely produced by Exile. Since I had never heard any of Fashawn’s songs before, I didn’t know what to expect. But as soon as I listened to the first track, I was hooked.

The album starts with an Intro where we can hear Fashawn – I think - speaking on a voice sample. Then the beat comes in. The beat is a sample of "oohhh"s and "aahhh"s with a smooth bassline on the background and a hard-hitting underground Hip Hop drum. Fashawn drops a crazy flow on this beat, his voice and the music perfectly match; nothing like the true essence of hip hop to start the album. This song has no chorus but at the end, it sounds like a chorus with some scratches and voice mixing à la DJ.

Freedom starts with a voice, then the beat just drops, starting with the chorus. Again, a pure hip hop chorus, no commercial stuff. This time you mostly hear the drums, less sample, and some bass is still in the background. Fashawn is rapping like he wants to eat the mic, you can hear the energy in his voice. The sample of this beat is “Slipping Into Darkness” by Carl Bradney. I think Exile did a great job on making this beat. You may think he only looped the first 11 seconds, but trust me, being a producer, I can see that he did a lot more work than that with the sample.

Hey Young World (feat. Aloe Blacc & Devoya) is the album’s third track. The beat of this song is, simply put, on another level. I can't even remember the last time I heard a beat so smooth and sweet. The piano keys are just great. I think it’s a sample; if not, then Exile is an excellent piano player. The drums fit perfectly for the beat. Fashawn has a great voice on the beat. It seems like he knows which mood to take on each type of beat and that makes the album change which makes it easy to listen non-stop. The chorus is just perfect, it can almost make you cry. The voice is so soothing. This track is 11/10.

Stars has a such a good vibe to it, you’ll wish to slow dance to it. The begining of this song where Fashawn sings is just wow. But I think Exile didn't work enough with the drums. The beat is great but it could have been ten times better. The chorus sample is great, great slow voice to make you relax. Fashawn is okay on the mic; “okay” meaning ten times better then MCs nowadays of course.

I didn't like Life As A Shorty (feat. J. Mitchell) the first time I listened to it because it has a kind of off-beat drum. But the more you listen to it, the more you see how unique the drum is. Exile did something great with this one. Fashawn raps as if he’s directly talking to you. It reminded me of Illmatic times. The chorus is just great with J. Mitchell singing. You will fall in love with this song after a couple of listens.

Life's As A Shorty Music Video

On to The Ecology. Exile used a sample from “I Can Not See Nobody” by the Bee Gees to make this beat. He took the first thirteen seconds to create this incredible beat. He did some chops on it of course, and it just makes it more intense. Exile never ceases to impress. Fashawn hops on the beat like he was born with it. Those two are just perfect for each other. They could be the next Gangstarr. This song also has no chorus, but trust me, you won't press “next” on this one.

The Ecology Music Video

In Our Way (feat. Evidence), Exile sampled “I'll wait” by The Parliaments. He mostly took the bassline of the song and added a half drum. What I mean by saying half drum is that there are less snare hits but a lot of kicks. I don't think this beat is crazy because I feel as if it’s not finished, something’s missing, maybe those snares... But Fashawn still makes this track great with his incredible flow and lyrics, spitting it like the album came out in the 90's. Love it!

Our Way Music Video

Why is a great track. You can think about life while listening to this song. The beat is of course soulful, and sometimes you can hear a little woman's voice asking "Why." Fashawn comes with some great lyrics to fit the beat, lyrics that fit with the "why" in the beat. This song is nothing less than great.

Samsonite Man features Blu. WOW, just WOW! Exile did an amazing job with the sample - “Don't Think Twice It's All Right” by Billy Paul. The chops are out of this world. This is my favorite song on the album. Basic drums but amazing sampling work. Fashawn again just flows on it like WOW. This song is perfect from the beat, to the flow, the lyrics and the chorus. I love the chorus of this track, so smooth but so many intense feelings at the same time. This song is incredible.

Samsonite Man Music Video

Exile samples Kool & The Gang’s “Father, Father” to make Father’s beat. Don’t get me wrong, the sampling is great, and so is the beat, but the song isn't so great for me. Not that it sucks, but most of the songs on the album are better. Fashawn also spits well on the beat. Nothing to complain about, but nothing to praise either.

Sunny CA (feat. Co$$ & Mistah Fab) is just an amazing track. I can't even describe how great this song is. The beat is so sample but so insane.The bassline is so sample but also so great. You can feel Fashawn on this song with unforgettable lyrics. I don't know who sings on the chorus, but his voice is just great for this song. I would replace him for no one. He basically makes the song for what it is.

Sunny CA Music Video

Bo Jackson (feat. Exile) is probably the worst song on the album, from the beat to the lyrics. The beat is just not as great as the other ones. I was kind of disappointed by Exile on this one. Fashawn has a comedic tone to his voice on this one that I don't really like.

The first time you listen to Lupita, you might not like it because of the Mexican guitars but after listening to the chorus - if you make it to that point without skipping the track - you will get hooked. I only listen to this song for the chorus. The beat is great but not amazing, Fashawn’s flow is perfect for the beat, but the chorus is just something else – almost mainstream-style but with the underground still in it.

On When She Calls, Exile sampled the song “Cosmia” from Joanna Newson. The girl in this song has a weird voice but Exile chose the best line in the track. The first ten seconds are just amazing on the sample, Exile used them wisely. With some great bassline hits here and there and a smooth drum, the beat is complete. Fashawn is great with on the lyrics, flow’s on point. Chorus is so great, the elevation just puts more emotion to the song!

Boy Meets World isn’t Exile’s best track on the album, again due to a lack of snare hits. But the beat is still good. Fashawn just never disappoints even with a pretty sample beat. But the chorus uses the same melody of the sample which makes it sweet.

On to The Score (feat. Planet Asia). Again, this song is not as amazing as the ones before. This is more the “gangster” track of the album for some part, with the dark and grimmy guitar melody. I think the instruments’ separation on this song isn't great. The melody is kind of weird. Planet Asia does a better job than Fashawn on this one as the beat fits him better.

Breathe (feat. Bravo) makes me think of Nas spitting on Illmatic. The flow is kind of quick on this one. The beat is just dope. This is the true philosophical underground/gangster hip hop here. Bravo is dope on this one. Fashawn does his thing. And the chorus is dope; even if it's just the sample put on repeat with this weird voice and some breathing sounds.

The Outer City’s beat isn't too great. It’s the only track I would skip on the album.

I give this album a 10/10. I know I said some songs are not great and that one song is skippable, but the rest of the album is the best recent music I've heard in a long time. I would definitely recommend this album to all the true hip hop heads out there.

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Posted By: Alain - Category: Album Reviews, Rap / Hip Hop

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