It made the former N.W.A producer a household name and a larger-than-life myth while launching the stratospheric career of a lanky, unknown MC named Snoop Dogg. The Chronic, which is finally available on all major music streaming platforms as of Monday (4/20, of course), was the rap album that conquered the suburbs and codified the dominant sound of an entire coast. Overall though, it’s a very enjoyable, catchy listen that I will certainly be returning to.It would seem no one told me that “Dre Day” becomes “Fuck Wit Dre Day” when you don’t have to worry about FCC violations. Some tracks in the second half feeling like fillers - safe and well trodden ground. As with a growing list of albums we’ve reviewed, Compton could have done with some pruning. My reservation is, unfortunately, in the length of the album. It’s varied and it makes for an interesting listen for the majority of the duration. From rolling, swooping basslines in “Genocide” to recognisable sections of piano, minimal beat and vocal in “Darkside/Gone” to glitch-inspired, minimal instrumentals that fly around the stereo field in “Deep Water” even the horn section getting an airing in “Talking to My Diary”. The album is filled to the brim with collaborators, and it’s clear that each was given a fair amount of control over the tracks they featured on - Kendrick Lamar applying his signature style that we heard from To Pimp a Butterfly, to Genocide and Snoop Dogg delivering a fierce vocal on “One Shot One Kill”.Īside from the collaborators though, the instrumentation across the album is impressive on its own. Dre’s first album in 16 years and, unsurprisingly, there were a lot of listeners who expecting a lot from Compton. Whether that perception is my problem or the album’s I’m not sure, but it leaves me with a lukewarm appreciation and a limited to desire to revisit it - in spite of its merits. There certainly isn’t a great deal wrong with Compton, it simply lacks that extra electricity. In playing host to a star-studded stream of solid, unspectacular music, a fundamental spark seems lacking. This makes for an interesting cultural product, but also means it lacks the provocative aura that might have made it a great album, rather than a good one. It feels like something to be admired, rather than engaged with. The album’s who’s who of collaborators blows hot and lukewarm - Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg in particular deserve plaudits - and the result of this is an endearing tribute to the creative energies that made the work possible. Dre’s latest concoction rides a peculiar line between celebration and reflection. Not so much concerned with peaks and troughs as with a steady, charismatic drone of all things Compton, Dr. Dre’s send off, it does a fitting job of commemorating a marvelous career.Ĭompton is a polished, lumbering beast of an album. Compton has genuine heart and soul, and if it truly is Dr. The record is built with an endearing sense of togetherness, and pays off as a joyous celebration of Dre’s career, the city of Compton, and the genre of hip-hop in general. Whilst Dre has never been one to stand alone, it’s impressive that Compton manages to retain a sense of identity and personal reflection despite the sparse nature of his own vocal contributions. Truthfully, there’s no dud appearance on the album, and there’s a clear communal spirit here. Kendrick Lamar almost manages to steal the entire show yet again his three spots positioned perfectly on the record to again underline Dre’s ability in showcasing the finest of talents. Long time collaborators Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg are effective beyond the practice of nostalgia, whilst Eminem boasts his imposing technical ability to dramatic effect, for better or worse. Another significant part of Dre’s legacy has risen from the talent that he has so effectively showcased, and Compton only highlights this further with an extended list of guest appearances. Whilst Detox failed to pass the finishing production tests after years of labor, this is a focused and cohesive work that clearly benefitted from the inspiration found during production of Straight Outta Compton.Īs you’d expect, Dre does a fantastic job in setting a tone, taking full advantage of the large, cinematic scope by creating a variety of moods like he has skillfully done for so many years now. Dre’s career in the game, and makes for a rewarding, if unspectacular experience. Referring to it as his ‘grand finale,’ Compton feels like a cinematic celebration of Dr.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |