I'll start off by saying that I am a huge Wale head, and have been listening to him ever since he really burst onto the mixtape scene back around 06'-07'. So im comparing this album to all of his previous mixtapes and Attention Deficit.
1. Don't Hold the Applause - Good typical Wale beat, it is not the best song on the album in my opinion, but I do think that it is a solid intro song. The hook however is not a typical Wale hook.
2. Double M Genius - For being self proclaimed "humble", he says his own name a lot. Like 132 times it feels like. This song is average.
3. Miami Nights - I really like this song. It has a good beat. Definitely a typical Wale beat. When i first heard it, I was not feelin it too much, but it has really grown on me. I always like these types of old school kind of beats that Wale raps on.
4. Legendary - This is the type of song you can bang driving down the road, and it makes you feel bad ass. I'll fux with this one for a long time. However im not sure why he says "F money, F fame" on the hook, when he's said for a long time that he just wants to be successful and famous.
5. Lotus Flower Bomb - Well... this song is definitely for the females out there, which every rapper should have a song for on albums. Whenever I listen to this, I feel like I need to go and fight someone for no reason just to get the masculinity back. But looking at it from a gender neutral point of view, it's a good song, and if im in the mood I'll def jam this one.
6. Chain Music - One of my favorite on the album. Great beat, great flow, addicting hook. This will be on my iPod for a long time.
7. Focused - This song has Kid Cudi on the hook, and I do like it, but the hook is weird. I feel like Cudi could have done better on it. But Wale's verses are good.
8. Sabotage - This is another female song, but I like it actually. He actually records this song right after he got into a fight with his girlfriend, and I assume they broke up. His voice is hoarse on it the entire time, which i think is kinda cool, cause its real. They didn't spend the time editing it to make it sound "perfect." It's a cool change to his normal voice. Also is just a good song lyric wise anyway. Def one of my favorites.
9. White Linen - Mehhh, it's average. Not really sure why, but it does not catch my ear like most of his songs do. No memorable lines I could quote right now.
10. Slight Work - Most people don't like this one because it's his most "mainstream" commercial type song. You know, with the catchy hook, and not so good verses. Except I think the lyrics are pretty good, not his best, but still good. I like it overall, the beat is unique I think. Definitely could see this getting lots of radio time.
11. Ambition - Features the entire MMG clique basically, it's one of the better songs. Everyone's verse is solid, except Rick Ross (who is never good anyway), and good beat. Another one of those songs you could bang while driving down the street.
12. Illest B**** - I'm pretty sure this song is dedicated to his sister. It's a poem more than anything, which is what I love about Wale. He's more of a poet than a rapper, and he shows that in this song.
13. No Days Off - Only skippable song on the album. Don't like it plain and simple.
14. DC or Nothing - Song dedicated to his hometown of DC. It's a motivational song, that kinda tells you Wale's story of where he grew up and his career in music.
15. That Way - This song has been out for awhile. Was on some of his previous mixtapes. Never liked it.
16. Bait - Been one of my favorite Wale songs for a while now. Still is.
I'm giving this album 4 out of 5 stars. I know Wale's potential, and I feel like this album is just average compared to all of his mixtapes. I can't really compare it to Attention Deficit b/c they are wayyy different in styles. However, the reason i gave it 4 stars is because it's much better than the majority of albums rappers are putting out these days. If you are a new Wale listener though, it's definitely a 5 star. I recommend it weather you are a Old Wale head, or New Wale head.
[This message has been edited by AustinAg11 (edited 11/1/2011 5:51p).]
1. Don't Hold the Applause - Good typical Wale beat, it is not the best song on the album in my opinion, but I do think that it is a solid intro song. The hook however is not a typical Wale hook.
2. Double M Genius - For being self proclaimed "humble", he says his own name a lot. Like 132 times it feels like. This song is average.
3. Miami Nights - I really like this song. It has a good beat. Definitely a typical Wale beat. When i first heard it, I was not feelin it too much, but it has really grown on me. I always like these types of old school kind of beats that Wale raps on.
4. Legendary - This is the type of song you can bang driving down the road, and it makes you feel bad ass. I'll fux with this one for a long time. However im not sure why he says "F money, F fame" on the hook, when he's said for a long time that he just wants to be successful and famous.
5. Lotus Flower Bomb - Well... this song is definitely for the females out there, which every rapper should have a song for on albums. Whenever I listen to this, I feel like I need to go and fight someone for no reason just to get the masculinity back. But looking at it from a gender neutral point of view, it's a good song, and if im in the mood I'll def jam this one.
6. Chain Music - One of my favorite on the album. Great beat, great flow, addicting hook. This will be on my iPod for a long time.
7. Focused - This song has Kid Cudi on the hook, and I do like it, but the hook is weird. I feel like Cudi could have done better on it. But Wale's verses are good.
8. Sabotage - This is another female song, but I like it actually. He actually records this song right after he got into a fight with his girlfriend, and I assume they broke up. His voice is hoarse on it the entire time, which i think is kinda cool, cause its real. They didn't spend the time editing it to make it sound "perfect." It's a cool change to his normal voice. Also is just a good song lyric wise anyway. Def one of my favorites.
9. White Linen - Mehhh, it's average. Not really sure why, but it does not catch my ear like most of his songs do. No memorable lines I could quote right now.
10. Slight Work - Most people don't like this one because it's his most "mainstream" commercial type song. You know, with the catchy hook, and not so good verses. Except I think the lyrics are pretty good, not his best, but still good. I like it overall, the beat is unique I think. Definitely could see this getting lots of radio time.
11. Ambition - Features the entire MMG clique basically, it's one of the better songs. Everyone's verse is solid, except Rick Ross (who is never good anyway), and good beat. Another one of those songs you could bang while driving down the street.
12. Illest B**** - I'm pretty sure this song is dedicated to his sister. It's a poem more than anything, which is what I love about Wale. He's more of a poet than a rapper, and he shows that in this song.
13. No Days Off - Only skippable song on the album. Don't like it plain and simple.
14. DC or Nothing - Song dedicated to his hometown of DC. It's a motivational song, that kinda tells you Wale's story of where he grew up and his career in music.
15. That Way - This song has been out for awhile. Was on some of his previous mixtapes. Never liked it.
16. Bait - Been one of my favorite Wale songs for a while now. Still is.
I'm giving this album 4 out of 5 stars. I know Wale's potential, and I feel like this album is just average compared to all of his mixtapes. I can't really compare it to Attention Deficit b/c they are wayyy different in styles. However, the reason i gave it 4 stars is because it's much better than the majority of albums rappers are putting out these days. If you are a new Wale listener though, it's definitely a 5 star. I recommend it weather you are a Old Wale head, or New Wale head.
[This message has been edited by AustinAg11 (edited 11/1/2011 5:51p).]