Rebirth, my first album review

Rebirth, the album review.


What many would consider an unimaginable next move, has been done. The follow-up to 2008’s Tha Carter III; the best-selling, chart topping, grammy-winning album that many critics believed to be the best album of the year out of any genre, is finally here. Rather than the logical mega-success follow-up album, Lil Wayne has done the unthinkable and released Rebirth, a “rock album,” and I use the term quite loosely. He announced that he would label it “rock” before anyone else could try and put a genre to it. And while it is commendable to persistently explore new avenues, it comes across as a severely misguided attempt. To say the least.

For something that is supposed to be a rock album, it is hard to find very many elements of rock anywhere. Although there are the painfully stereotypical guitar riffs, as well as punk inspired drumming courtesy of Travis Barker, there is nothing truly rock about it. Rebirth has drastic highs and lows, and is best described as an uneven collection; with brief moments of sheer genius and imagination that the world has come to expect from Lil Wayne.; the self-proclaimed “best rapper alive.” And let’s face it, there aren’t many who could argue against that claim.

Mixed with the occasional twinge of teen-angsty lyrics reminiscent of early Blink-182 days, the record fails to fully deliver the hype that was created by the constant pushing back of the release date. True fans will delight in the small glimpses of Lil Wayne’s braggadocious nature and witty wordplay, and find comfort in the sound that makes him have one of the most recognizable voices in hip-hop. One of the standout tracks, “Drop The World”, is an example of the quintessential Lil Wayne monster hit single, of epic proportion when paired with the quick stylings of Eminem. Mr. Carter delivers wisdom in the line “Confidence is a stain they can’t wipe off,” and leaves listeners craving more equally quotable sentiments. His smooth and steadily paced first verse starts off slow, but builds up and smashes with a chorus that yells “Bitch, I’ma pick the world up and I’m gonna drop it on your fucking head.” As if lines like that weren’t enough of an attention grabber, Eminem shows his incredible emcee skills have not diminished, rapping at outstanding speeds and with unbelievable clarity.

Despite the obvious hit status of “Drop The World,” I would argue that “On Fire” stands out from the crowd as the best attempt on the album. Wayne successfully blends the obvious use of a rock band with his ever-impressive rapping chops, as well as the occasional thumping bass. From the first 10 seconds, a teaser of what appears to be some sort of 80’s theme song, it fades into the perfect rock/rap crossbreed. His distinctive voice seems to have found its place on this album, and brings me back to Tha Carter II days. With plenty of guitar parts taking center stage, the song consistently delivers up to the very end.

Other success on the album include: “One Way Trip,” featuring Kevin Rudolf, “Knockout,” a track with Nicki Minaj that will soon be your guilty pleasure, and “Paradice,” the tale of someone who has achieved all of their dreams only to realize it wasn’t all they expected it to be. The lyrical content of this song is a surprising thought coming from a man known for constantly bragging about his extravagant lifestyle, and a comforting bit of humbleness. Despite its high school subject matter, “Prom Queen” provided a good preview of the album when it was released as the first single over a year ago. Everything other than the aforementioned tracks, however, proved to be either full of incoherent, Limp Bizkit style yell-rapping, lacking imagination or creativity, or just plain boring and containing all the expected stereotypical elements of any sub-par rock album.

Even with Rebirth’s crushing lows, it was not a complete failure by any means. With his willingness to devote so much time perfecting a new craft, Lil Wayne has shown why he will continue to be an unstoppable force in the music industry. In a more ideological than critical mindset, Rebirth still comes across as a win. Thanks to his ever impressive productivity rate, the simultaneous release of No Ceilings affirms his sharp rapping skills are still in place and as good as ever, and after his release from jail, I would even look forward to another go at this whole rock album thing. But for now, the world will continue to wait, salivating at the thought of Tha Carter IV, which is scheduled for release next year. Plain and simple, Lil Wayne’s unmatched talent is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Sugar, We're Goin Down...

Warning: this will be a very very long post.

It was 2004, I was 15 years old. I was a sophomore at Trinity High School, in some computer class. Rather than doing my assigned auto-cad assignment, I got distracted by this website called purevolume...and found something I'll never forget. It was a song, titled "Grand Theft Autumn", by a band known as Fall Out Boy. Just from the name of the song...I was hooked. I'm big on wordplay, and was entertained by the title. "Where is your boy tonight, I hope he is a gentleman, maybe he won't find out what I know: You were the last good thing about this part of town." Patrick's voice by itself singing those words, and I had this deep down feeling of a great discovery, something I couldn't quite explain.

This all happened before anyone I knew had even heard of the band, with the exception of my friend Jackie who was with me on finding bands before anyone else. I think my early discovery of this band is why I never developed the anti-fall out boy-syndrome that so many people caught. Say what you will, call them: talentless, horrible live, emo, punk, pop, fake, swooshy haired, ironic, attention whores, whatever. I care less about the image of FOB, and their current hairstyles, and more about their music.

Fall Out Boy became my guilty pleasure. The kind of band that I knew wasn't a bunch of musical geniuses, or that I couldn't defend to the death like I can for Lil Wayne. I just downright enjoyed listening to what they had to say, liked dancing around in my car with Crystal and Jackie like little girls...and I didn't care. I CAN argue that Patrick Stump's voice is like nothing I've ever heard before, hell even my uber musician dad agrees with that. And I CAN argue that their lyrics are some of the most clever, and catchiest, I've ever heard. The things these boys had to say, were what every kid my age was feeling at some point or another in their life. I can relate to 99% of their songs personally, and with some research, I'm sure everyone could claim the same.

From Under the Cork Tree and Dreaming, their first main stream success CD, is just plain excellent. There are only a handful of cds that I can name off the top of my head where I every single song is excellent: Incubus, SCIENCE. The Killers, Hot Fuss. John Mayer, Heavier Things. And, Fall Out Boy, From Under the Cork Tree and Dreaming. Every single song is quotable and catchy and wonderful.
"We're only liars, but we're the best. Besides we've got such good fashion sense."
"I used to waste my time dreaming of being alive, now I only waste it dreaming of you."
"And oh the way your makeup stains my pillowcase, like I'll never be the same."
"Why don't you show me a little bit of spine that you've been saving for his mattress."
"I'm just a notch on your bedpost, but you're just a line in a song."
"Can I lay in your bed all day? I'll be your best kept secret and your biggest mistake. The hand behind this pen relives a failure everyday."
"So wear me like a locket around your throat. I'll weigh you down, I'll watch you choke. You look so good in blue."
"I want to be known for my hits not just my misses"
"Trying to forget everything that isn't you, cuz I don't do too well on my own."
"The best part of 'Believe' is the 'lie'. I hope you sing along and steal a line"
"I'm sorry my conscience called in sick again, and I've got arrogance down to a science. I'm the first kid to write of hearts, lies, and friends."
Even one of my personal favorite lines from any song ever, comes from a song on that cd with the line: "If you are the shores, I am the waves begging for big moons."

After that cd, they came out with Infinity On High, which I personally loved because Patrick got to show everyone just how incredible and unique his voice really is. Along with great new lyrics, the music became more grown up, and not so poppy. Many hardcore fans of the band didn't like the disc because they said FOB was selling out, or becoming mainstream. Whatever. It's called growth. And I loved every song on that cd too.

Fall Out Boy kept consistently putting out songs that I enjoyed hearing, with witty lyrics and catchy music. Just when I thought I couldn't love them anymore, their newest cd titled Folie A Deux, featured a song called "Tiffany Blews" with...prepare yourself...LIL WAYNE SINGING ON THE TRACK. He may have also produced it. It was a glorious musical moment in my life.

In my opinion, Fall Out Boy began it all. The new generation of pop punk bands...they were the blink-182 of this day and age. All American Rejects, All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Cute is What We Aim For, Cobra Starship, Forever the Sickest Kids, etc etc etc. They all launched to fame because of Fall Out Boy's success. None of them will have the impact that FOB did. The words of Pete sang by Patrick touched many young people's lives. It saddens me that they will be remembered by the masses for things like "Thnks 4 th Mmrs" and "Dance Dance", and Pete's hairstyle and nudie pics online. But their fans will always love them and be grateful for the wonderful memories associated with the band. So, thanks Fall Out Boy, for the music, the memories, the soundtrack to my teenage years.

The First Entry

Let's be honest. I was prompted to start up a blog because I found out Fall Out Boy separated, and wanted to talk about it. It then dawned on me that I have much to talk about, so it wouldn't be too nerdy of me to start one of these things, with the promise that I will only have one or two entries about FOB. I have tons to say, and don't always have an outlet to say them.

So voila.