5 comments about Closer.

1. They are calling it Neo-classical. It's the classically trained voice, singing with some "pop" quality, and singing newer compositions including modern instruments.
   
   Josh Groban has a fabulous singing voice, and the selection of songs on this recording is nearly flawless. I love the fact that he is helping to bridge the gap between "pop" and "art" musics.



2. Some night long ago, I was watching television and the commercial for this cd came on - Groban was singing "Oceano" throughout and, simple as that, I was addicted. Though filled with songs that are in Italian, French, and some other languages I can't reasonably understand the lyrics in given my history with language classes, I love the cd.
   Any fan of Groban's will love this CD, and songs like "Remember when it Rained" will draw in a new round of fans.



3. This CD is wonderful. There isn't a song on it that I dislike. Every song is topnotch. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who would like a near heaven experience.



4. Got this CD for my wife for Valentine's day and she absolutely loves it. If you are a Josh Groban fan, this one's for you.



5. 
   Great songs and beautiful music....his voice is full of passion and magic...classic style...It would be even better if it had more selection of English songs in this CD...Can't understand the lyrics of many songs, but I do love his voice and the wonderful music.

5 comments about Mr. A-Z.

1. I saw Jason perform at The Tonight Show and I was hooked. It was a different sound with a good beat. I'm Yours is my intro to Mraz. All the songs are great, memorable, and vocally interesting. I am slowly building my Mraz collection.



2. Play Bella Luna and see how fast your significant other gets in the mood. It worked for me! (The rest of the CD is fantastic as well.)



3. For his sophmoric album, Jason Mraz shines and shows that he is no one hit wonder. The familiar song "Wordplay" will keep you singing. His diversity in the CD allows people who like a variety to respect the musical talent of Jason Mraz. The first 4 song I constantly have on repeat. Jason Mraz is not a new comer, but for people who have heard "I'm Yours", you will not be disappointed with Jason Mraz's earlier works.



4. what an incredible talent. A voice sweet as Karen Carpenter and a range of the gods. The entire album is smart, upbeat and clearly one of the most talented vocalists of my time. Jason will go down in time as a true artist.
   Mobvalley



5. Its such a shame that an artist with as much talent and promise as Jason Mraz put out such a terrible follow up album. I have been listening to and following the career of Mraz far before the release of Waiting for my Rocket, and Mr. Az belongs alongside Hansen albums at the pawn shops waiting for some poor schmuck to buy. The songs fall short of anything substantive and the music is over produced under thought schlock for those girls who used to rock out to New Kids on the Block in their headphones. Overall I wish that I could give zero stars for the utter disappointment and waste of talent, I really hope that he can do a follow up album that showcases his talents and true ability.

5 comments about Crack.

1. this dude got too many classic albums not to get no love out here in this so called music scene...The boy is sick on the track...music for the soul is what it is...I believe uncle Pimp called em country rap tunes..too trill....dueces and treys up....SUC til the casket drop.....TEXAS



2. Mayne, bump what a hata talking bout. The new ro is jamin and definitely throwed in the game mayne.



3. Z-Ro returns with yet another album to add to his long catalog. He has a slew of solo albums and a few group albums; this is the 8th solo album of his I have as well as his album with Lil flip and one A.B.N. album. Of all of those they al get at least 4 stars, with about half getting 4.5 or 5 stars. He is one of the most consistent rappers out, and one of the most consistent that I have ever heard and I have around 900 hip-hop albums. On this one you get 15 songs, you get 4 songs that are ok, and the other 1 are good, a few being real good. Guests rap on 4 songs and do the hook on 1 more so you get a lot of Ro on here. Production is nice as well and handled mostly by Z-Ro himself, as he does 8 of the 15 songs. Mr. Lee does 3 songs, Bigg Tyme, Cory Mo, J Moses and Tone Capone all do a1 song. A nice album to have form one of the top rappers in the game.
   
   #1 - 8 (long intro before the song starts)
   #2 - 9 (nice song about a female)
   #3 - 8.5 (f/ Mike D)
   #4 - 7 (f/ Slim thug)
   #5 - 7.5 (f/ Lil Keke)
   #6 - 7.5
   #7 - 7.5
   #8 - 8.5
   #9 - 8
   #10 - 9 (nice beat)
   #11 - 9 (f/ Mya - nice beat)
   #12 - 8.5
   #13 - 8.5 (f/ Paul Wall - good beat)
   #14 - 8.5 (one of the few screwed up songs I like - great beat, over 9 minutes long, no hook)
   #15 - 8.5 (good beat)
   
   Joseph W. McVey -- b. ~1977 -- Houston, TX
   Check all my reviews



4. i just opened dis cd. and was real excited to get it. (aint much else to look forward to in iraq) but was mildly dissapointed. it aint that the songs aint jammin. but from all his other albums (excluding the one before this one) true zro fans know he can do so much better. i love how he be doin them hooks, zro always had the hook game on lock, but its hard to tell where the verse end and the hook begin in this one. i think the people still wanna hear throwed heart felt lyrics, (with some blood sweat and tears in it) and then a cold hook. and yea he do be doin too many cuts from other songs. i can say it was better than POWER. BUT I THINK
   Z-RO NEED TO GET HATED ON SOON. SO DAT BOY CAN GET RUTHLESS AGAIN.



5. Z-Ro's (A.K.A. Joseph Wayne McVey) latest album "Crack" (2008) is a fifteen track release which features guest appearances from Slim Thug, Mike D, Lil Keke, Mya Pimp C & Paul Wall. I have lost count of how many album's Ro has done but think this is his 13th studio album. I have enjoyed a number of Z-Ro's past album's but feel like this one is definetly lacking some elements - one of the major ones being production - this release has very sparse and less then memorable production throughout. One of the few exceptions and my favourite track at the moment is "The Mo City Don" - Z-Ro drops some on point lyrics about the game, singing his own chorus. Elsewhere on this album a lot of the tracks feature the same themes as past Z-Ro releases, but he has done better versions of them, Z-Ro does seem "Tired" and it reflects in a lack of charism. I think dedicated Z-Ro fans will still like this release that said, I would like to see Z-Ro change up and get the production he deserves, deliver some fresh concepts in his lyrics and continue to work on his choruses (one of the few rappers in the game who is good with them).

5 comments about Z.

1. Overall, a great rock album, showcases Jim James' and the bands diversity within the rock genre, Well mastered. Jim James' vocals are lodged in your head and the band has a certain Jam element that I love. The perfect sounds of the keyboards as well as the arrangements and the variety of Jim's vocals make it special. I would give it 4.5 out of 5.



2. There's something that happens to good and interesting bands, well they change. For some bands it just takes sheer boredom, boredom with their signature sound, for some it takes a spirit of creativity and experimentalism, and for some it takes tragedy. Louisville, Kentucky's Jim James, and his fellow daybreak jackets, experience a little bit of turmoil and tragedy leading up to 2005's release of Z, My Morning Jacket's (as best as I can come up with) fourth studio album.
   
   Leading up to Jacket's Z, founding band member, Johnny Quaid (no relation to Dennis), and guitarist departed the band along with the keyboardist Danny Cash. The question is out there, will Quaid and Cash someday become the infamous 5th Beatles? I'll answer that one now, nope, neither one have been associated with the Beatles, only My Morning Jacket so it's kind of an impossibility.
   
   So you didn't come here to read this to listen to my random inane ramblings. You want to know the dish and dirt on Z. Is it any good? Should I bother spending time listening to it and getting to know it? Will I be considered a middle aged hipster if I start claiming allegiance to My Morning Jacket's ever growing legion of loyal fans? The answers my fellow Amazonians are yes, yes, and heck yeah!
   
   Some people would say that My Morning Jacket became the next Wilco with the release of Z. Well, that would be shorting MMJ methinks. They are this eclectic amalgam whose music is very hard to pigeonhole. The musicality is off the charts. The first track, Wordless Chorus, has this 70's easy funk R&B groove going on. Track 2, Dondante, hits you with James' ghost-like high wail. There's something ethereal about his voice as it climbs into the high registers. Gideon, track 4, is a little musical masterpiece including symphonic arrangements with beating on a tymphonic drum I believe.
   
   Track 7, Anytime, is the radio friendly indie superhit that comes off as My Morning Jacket doing a riff on Pela riffing on Arcade Fire who in turn is really riffing on My Morning Jacket. Complicated, I know, but follow me here. My Morning Jacket is a sound all its own, in a class all its own.
   
   I don't doubt we'll be hearing much from them in the future as they forever evolve. I haven't dug into their 2008 release Evil Urges, which oddly enough I couldn't find on Amazon just now to stick in a link for youse guys. Evil Urges...ohh there it is...so sorry 'bout that. You won't want to miss a minute of Z, MMJ's real and they mean it. --mmw



3. i was very pleased by the work that My Morning Jacket put out on this album. they are awesome thought, so i wasnt surprised! off the record would have to be one of my favorites on this one ; )



4. For fans of MMJ, this album is a continuation of an impressive, enjoyable body of work from these Kentuckians. The reverb on the vocals really make the album for me. I'm looking forward to their new album coming out!



5. ...he would have made a record that sounded like this. for me, Z holds the title belt for best record of 2005. James took a pretty big gamble w/ the spacey atmosphere on this one, and it payed off in spades, creating an utterly original sound that catapulted them from being a super-tight jam band to one of the most unique and exciting american bands out there right now. from beginning to end, there's not a single sub-par track. "what a wonderful man" sounds like "clouds taste metallic" era flaming lips, and "gideon" is the perfect vehicle for james' reverb-drenched vocals. my favorite song is "lay low;" it's one of those jams that keep making you push the repeat button. i couldn't imagine anyone w/ a modicum of good taste not enjoying Z.

5 comments about American Gangster.

1. This CD was outstanding Jay-Z really pull out all the punches when he recorded this one



2. Shawn Carter is back with another excellent album as usual.
   Tha gangsta image goes perfectly with Jay-Z's thug style.
   I ain't got nuthin' more to say but "BUY URGENTLY THIS ALBUM IF YOU'RE A TRUE JAY-Z FAN. Jay-z comes always with fresh music and great inspiration and he never disapoint his fans. Listen to this album.¨
   Peace Jay-Z and thanks for your great music.



3. Yeah some good producers on this one but 2 much mainstream for me. Maybe for you 2! =)



4. Jay-Z's american gangster really prove that he still has the fire inside to make a great album . I had picked up kingdom come and was very dissapointed in it but this effort appears to put J back as one of the top men in the rap game while many gush over lil Wayne he does'nt not compare to Jay-Z . I think Jwent back to his roots to deliever this powerful album .



5. I am a very harsh critic of Hip Hop, but I will have to say Jigga came through with this one. I just love this album. Its like you can never get tired of listening to it. Once again Jay-Z continues to prove why he is the Greatest rapper of all-time...ever to do it..

5 comments about The Blueprint.

1. If I was in a bad mood i might have given it 3 stars, but its really not that bad. Compared to ALOT of rap Jay-Z is very good, but held up against his previous this doesn't hold up to me. His lyrics aren't as tight, and really, many his themes and ideas have become recycled. But of course, why stop if you can continue making money? right?
   
   One thing Jay-Z did with this album is hook a lot of new rap fans and brought them into the game. That is why it's considered a classic by so many. Me... not really. His style is too cocky and too pop for me. He still has his roots deeply in hustling and street life, but he comes across very arrogant and as an over achiever. I won't complain about Jay-Z making money, cuz his is a philanthropist, but i definitely question who a lot of his fans are. Too many D-riders, just because somebody is famous and MTV tells you they're hot. DON"T LISTEN TO THE MEDIA, make up you're mind on your own. Just because you listen to this music doesn't mean you have good taste in rap. Too many people just buy whatever is popular, and hardly take the time to truly listen to the lyrics deeply enough.
   
   Overall, it is the production that makes the Blueprint good. The beats by Kanye, Just Blaze and Bink are excellent. Lyrically, Jay-Z has gotten weaker, and that's not why this album is so popular. A lot of this CD is so hyped up and over-rated. Still makes for good listening though ;]
   
   Also***** it should be noted that even though Eminem's verse is much better than Jay's on Renegade, it was originally not a Jay-Z song. It was for Royce Da 59. Eminem had already written lyrics. And of course, Eminem is just a better lyricist than most rappers.



2. All Jay Z, no filler. That's exactly what you get when listen to the Blueprint. This is Jigga's best album, beaten out only by Reasonable Doubt. It has hits singles such as "Izzo", "Girls, Girls, Girls", and "Song Cry", as well other tracks such as "Takeover", the famous diss aimed at Nas, and "Renegade", with a guest appearance from Eminem. The Blueprint also has two of the best producers in all of hip hop here, Kanye West and Just Blaze. This album not only solidified Jay Z as the King of New York, but also put Kanye West on the map as one of the hottest producers around. In short, The Blueprint is an all time classic.



3. In several of the songs, Hova says "Jewels" and it's often mistaken as "Jews." Big difference. H to the Izzo.



4. If yall enjoyed this album as much as I did then you will most likely find the album No Mercy No fear by 50 Cent and Whoo Kid. It's off the chain.



5. BOTTOM LINE:
   
   Looking back to 1995, this has become my 2nd favorite Jay-Z album. Very close to 'Reasonable Doubt' (but 'RD' has more sentimental value). This is Jigga's perfect balance of street and commercial. holla.

5 comments about Halloween.

1. If it is the original music from the Masters that you are looking for, then this is not it for you. The style is bland and I wished that it had kick, as the original interpretations do. I would not suggest this. I wished that I had read reviews before purchasing this.



2. I loved it, made Halloween more enjoyable,I look forward to using it again next year.



3. I found this to be a really good CD. AS a huge fan of Halloween I wanted something I could play at work w/o totally freaking out my co-workers. It has the perfect amount of scare quality. Of course, I am a huge Steamroller fan!



4. I only know M.S. from his Christmas music and I have to say that I enjoyed his take on Halloween tunes. If you liked his Christmas stuff needless to say you'll enjoy their all hallow's eve music.



5. Let me start by saying I've never listened to Steamroller before picking this up. I am a big fan of Halloween and have quite a collection of music/sound fx so naturally, this was a must buy when I saw it.
   Strictly from a Halloween fan's point of view, I can't recommend this except maybe for a kids party. The synth on the tracks really removes any spookiness from the tunes and makes them fall short of Halloween-worthiness. Tocatta and Hall of the Mountain King are some of my absolute favorite classical pieces and here they are given a royal treatment...if they were produced on a Commodore 64, or Casio keyboard for you younger folk.
   The FX disc isn't horrible, but it's below the average generic sound fx you find in the bargain bin. Again, not much scary except for the fact that I spent money on this.
   If possible, check it out before you buy.

5 comments about Reasonable Doubt.

1. i'm not a jay-z fan, but i like this album. lyrically he's one of the best in the business. too bad they don't make them like this anymore.



2. If you don't have this one you should get it. This is HOVA in his raw'est form, and if you are a fan of pure hip hop before the dirty south mess'ed it up then you must get this cd.



3. BOTTOM LINE:
   
   Flows so futuristic, that it took nearly a decade for others to catch on and push this past platinum status. So far ahead of its time in terms of lyrics, content, flow and delivery - that The Source had to apologize years later and give it 5 Mics! Songs like 'Dead Presidents', 'Brooklyn's Finest' and 'Can't Knock the Hustle' are now considered all-time anthems.
   
   That pretty much says it all.
   
   A+ another hiphop Essential



4. nowadays jay-z has established himself as very mainstream rapper. But I know a lot of people who listen to jay and haven't even heard of this album. 'Big Pimpin' 'Hard Knock Life' '99 problems' are all OK songs, but this album is where he really shines. to really understand an artist you have to dig deep and go beyond their famous hits. this was way back when jay-z was fresh in the game. a lot can change in a rapper over the course of 10 years.
   
   this album flows like no other jay-z album. the beats and the lyrics go together perfectly. the hooks are better than any of his other albums. all the songs have a unique feel. this is old, authentic hip-hop from '96. probably the best song is 'Coming of Age'. jay raps with young memphis bleek and schools him on the world of crime and drugs. bleek is jay's protege is this song. they go back and forth rapping off each other. jay and memphis bleek are one of the best rap combo's i think, and this is their first song together. everything about it is tight. other great songs on here are: 'Politics As Usual' 'Feelin It' 'Friend or Foe' 'D'evils' etc.
   
   HOWEVER: if u are into jay-z and only listen to his popular new stuff this may not be for you. it's old and sounds dated (that doesn't bother me, but some people don't like it). but still, this is one of the only true good jay-z albums and it remains that way



5. this is undoubtly the best rap album ever....jay z at his rawest and his best.

5 comments about On Earth As It Is In Heaven (Limited Edition Remaster).

1. this is the greatest cd of all time. too bad this band was so far ahead of it's time



2. I was excited to see that my favorite Angel album was finally being re-released and as an added bonus remastered. Having listened to it several times I dare say the remastering is poor. You cannot hear any cymbals. The added text in the liner notes plus Frank's comments are a nice addition. Aside from the remastering a welcome additon. Why Angel was not bigger is ashame as they were fantastic musicians and wonderful showmen.



3. I'm not sure why this CD has been out-of-print (and extremely EXPENSIVE to find) for the last decade and a half. I've waited for this one so I could FINALLY complete my ANGEL collection. I can't say if it's "the best" overall album in their catalog, but a strong argument can certainly be made for it.
   
   ANGEL had many fine moments on each album they recorded. ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN is certainly not the more progressive rock that the first two albums ("Angel" and "Helluva Band") were. And it isn't quite as pop-rock leaning as "Sinful" (1979). It's somewhere in between. But, no matter, it's an excellent album of straight-ahead rock that explodes out of the gait from the opening drums of "Can You Feel It," and stays on track until the closing notes of the heavily keyboard/orchestrated ballad "Just A Dream."
   
   What's in between are some of the bands finest moments. This includes "Cast The First Stone," "White Lightning," "Telephone Exchange," and "That Magic Touch." In fact, the crunchy riffs at the beginning of "Cast..." are some of the heaviest guitarist Punky Meadows ever laid down. "That Magic Touch" is simply infectious to sing along with, and should have been a huge hit for them. One of my favorites for sure.
   
   ANGEL never made "the big time" as they certainly deserved to do. How such a talented band didn't when so many lesser-talented acts did (and do) is a mystery to me. Thankfully, we old enough to remember them, have the magic that lies within their music. ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN is an excellent piece of rock 'n roll that's time has once again come to shine it's Heavenly light on us all!
   
   Check out the rest of the ANGEL catalog:
   
   "Angel" (1975)
   "Helluva Band" (1976)
   "On Earth As It Is In Heaven" (1977)
   "White Hot" (1977)
   "Sinful" (1979)
   "Live Without A Net" (1980)
   "An Anthology" (1992)



4. On their third Casablanca album, Angel transitioned from proggy swords and sandals band to arena rockers with a taste for Kiss-Pop-rock. "On Earth as it is in Heaven" introduced the infamous reversible Angel logo (the origins of which are given in the new liner notes) and gave greater focus to the band's all-white androgynous image. It became Angel's first album to crack the top 100 and served up their first hot 100 single with "That Magic Touch."
   
   The change is evident from the first pulsing song. "Can You Feel It" pounds away with Mickie Jones drums and then Punky Meadows' multi-tracked guitar blasts. This is a song made specifically for the stage, announcing a band that was there to kick some butt. Producer Eddie Kramer (who had pushed KISS in this direction) tightened up the sounds and added the arena sized punch, but also got the band to emphasize their hooks. "White Lightning" brought in some funk and the acoustic guitar sounds in "Telephone Exchange" shows the influence of Boston's pervasive success. Or think of Starz' Violation and Styx's Pieces of Eight from around the same period.
   
   All roots were not abandoned, though. Both "Cast The First Stone" and "Just a Dream" could have found space on Angel or Helluva Band's Styx/Kansas brand of rock. They close out the album as a nod to Angel's pivoting from their first album to the unabashed power-pop that showed on the glammy Sinful swansong.
   
   In addition to the remastering, this 1977 album has a great essay from Rockcrit Dave Reynolds and song-by-song breakdown from lead vocalist Frank DiMino. There are a couple bonus photographs (but no bonus tracks). In my opinion, "On Earth as it is in Heaven" was the best Angel album, and it finally gets the treatment it deserves.



5. This is Angel's third album, on a remastered CD. This marked a major change in direction for the band. On their first two albums, Angel played progressive metal, with swords-and-sorcery flavored lyrics. In fact, they were one of the forerunners in this genre, and somewhat ahead of their time. On this album, however, they reverted to playing more commercial hard rock. The effect was rather like Kiss with high range vocals. This CD is not bad by any means, but the band's earlier work was more innovative. Listeners who enjoy this band may also be interested in The Angel Collection, on Universal Imports.

5 comments about The Black Album.

1. I have to admit when I first heard this album I was blown away. I still have my same copy with the black disc. I will say that this album is a more commercial version of Reasonable Doubt. Even though it has a more commercial feel to it, its still an excellent album. This was slated to be Jay-Z's last album so I guess he wanted to go out with a bang and The Black Album does just that. It's similar to Reasonable Doubt in that he has some very personal songs on it like December 4th (great song) and Lucifer (a personal favorite of mine). However, it still shows Jay-Z's evolution as a more mainstream rap artist. This could be good or bad depending on what type of hip hop fan you are. Personally, I don't really care for commercial rap artists but I make an exception for Jay-Z. I really didn't know what to expect when I got this album because by the time it came out, Jay-Z had drifted so far from his original sound. It's also similar to Reasonable Doubt in that it is consistent. I didn't need to skip any tracks. I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that Reasonable Doubt was going to be his only "great" album. The rest were hit and miss with a few nice tracks here and there but not classic material. Another good album by Jay-Z was the Blueprint but The Black Album surpasses that one. Yes I said it, The Black Album is better than The Blueprint. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Blueprint too but if you're really honest with yourself you will agree with me. If not we just have to agree to disagree. Either way, The Black Album is the commercial counterpart to the classic Reasonable Doubt and it's worth owning. In my opinion, he should have ended it with this album. The only thee albums necessary to own by Jay-Z are this one, Blueprint and his best album, Reasonable Doubt. The rest were just so so. All in all, The Black Album is not quite a 5 star album (a la Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt and Ready To Die) but it definitely shouldn't get any less than 4 stars. Peace.



2. I'm not reviewing this album because I never heard it. I do know that I loathe this rapper and all the tadpoles that follow him. If this moron has so much money, then why do I see Bono in Africa helping black people? Why do I see Brad Pitt helping black people in New Orleans? Does Jay-Z like black people? What do you think is more important to Jay-Z, helping poor starving oppressed black people in the world or buying a new Aston Martin? Don't bother answering. We all know the answer. One day black america will wake up....one day.



3. I don't want to sound like a hater i mean i am giving the album 5 stars but I used to use this album to go to sleep, maybe thats why when i put this in my car I get really drowzy and actually almost fall asleep. You get producers like kanye west who does 2 tracks, the neptunes who also does 2 tracks, timbaland, eminem, dj quick, and some others like rick rubin who did surprise in the production of 99 problems. the album is good, features no one except for pharrel in "change clothes". he should have maybe done a track with beyonce or kanye west or someone else.
   
   
   1. Interlude N/R
   
   2. December 4th 3/5 kinda corny but not bad
   
   3. What More Can I Say 5/5 hot track. "Im not a biter im a writer, i say a BIG verse im only binging up my brother im big enough to do it."
   
   4. Encore 5/5 another hot track exepct for the long pause in the middle of the track where a guy is urging people to scream HOVA well the song is "ENCORE" but after replaying it.... it gets anoying maybe they should have saved it for the end.
   
   5. Change Clothes 4/5 i don't know why he would choose this song as his 3rd single when there are better choises.
   
   6. Dirt Off Your Shoulder 5/5 2nd single in the album. timbaland gives him a beat that is just bananas.
   
   7. Threat 4/5 funny small skit in the beginnig but dope.
   
   8. Moment Of Clarity 4/5 ahh the eminem produced track good song overall. hot hook going over his albums.
   
   9. 99 Problems 5/5 good single tells a small story in the second verse.
   
   10. Interlude 4/5 hot lil freestyle
   
   11. Justify My Thug 4/5 not bad but not great
   
   12. Lucifer 3/5 really anoying hook imo.
   
   13. Allure 4/5 by this time im usually asleep. so can't talk much about it.
   
   14. My 1st Song 5/5 ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............
   
   awwwhhhh.... lol just kidding.
   
   what i can tell you is the alot of rappers hav sampled jay-Z from this album and have created hits.
   
   1 Cassidy- "Im a Hustla" (sampled from the 3rd verse in "Dirt Off Your Shoulder")
   
   2 T.I.- "Bring Em' Out" (sampled from the 1st verse in "What More Can I Say")
   
   3. Juvenile- "Way I Be Leaning" (This guy choped and screwed jay's voice for the song so it would sound more southern but I know tthe rhyme is from the second verse of "Dirt of your shoulder")
   
   Im sure there is more but i can't remember now. aight 1.



4. At first I wasn't feeling this CD so much but after 4-5 spins I realized this was a really nice album. IMO it's behind Blueprint, Vol. 1, and Vol. 2 for the best Jay-z albums. Alot of people don't agree with me on Vol. 1 but it was a great CD(besides "I Know What Girls Want" & "Sunshine") It was before he went materialistic and commercial.



5. As this is the only Jay-Z album I own, I can't rank it against his others as many reviewers have done. I confess that I bought it for 99 Problems and Dirt Off Your Shoulder so I'd have some of the more accessible MTV-branded "hip-hop" to add to my party mixes. They're funny songs that everyone knows and it doesn't kill me to have them in my repertiore.
   There is certainly no shortage of self-adulation and overproduction here that have become the unfortunate hallmarks of Jay-Z tracks. That said, there is also evidence that he knows what real hip-hop is all about, he just chooses to go a different route (which kinda hurts more than the ignorance of garbage rappers).
   The best and most fun song on the album, and the lone track that earns its three stars, is Moment of Clarity where he does take hip-hop back to the battle rap, and he is the king of using backhanded compliments to ellicit a response. He specifically calls out two of hip-hop's greats (who I'm sure he properly respects) with the lines "If skills sold, truth be told, I'd probably be lyrically Talib Kweli. Truthfully I want to rhyme like Common Sense, but I did five mil, I ain't been rhymin like Common Sense..." Kweli and Common come back at him on Ghetto Show (from Kweli's excellent The Beautiful Struggle) with "If lyrics sold, then truth be told, I'd probably be just as rich and famous as Jay-Z. Truthfully I want to rhyme like Common Sense, next best thing I'll do a record with Common Sense." It's just too much fun to imagine behind the scenes of that good-natured (read: no gun references or idle death threats) throwdown. I love it and am grateful to Jigga for laying it down. Surely Kweli and Common are, too.