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Celeb News: 'Watch the Throne' review thread (78 on Metacritic)
Member Since: 9/7/2010
Posts: 28,471
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'Watch the Throne' review thread (78 on Metacritic)
By Steve Jones, USA TODAY
4/4
Quote:
As soon as Jay-Z and Kanye West announced they were naming their joint album project Watch the Throne, it was clear that the superstar rappers were aiming to raise the creative bar for themselves and hip-hop in general. They've realized those ambitions on Throne (**** out of four), a potent set of tracks that finds them stepping up their games and stepping out of their comfort zones.
While both display their characteristic swagger and dabble in materialism, they also ruminate on religion, poverty, crime, loss and the price of success. Their chemistry — born of a decade-long association — allows each to carve out his own stylistic space, with Jay-Z coolly delivering his incisive lyrical darts, while the more emotional West thrives on adrenaline-fueled punchlines.
Throne, which has been anticipated for nearly a year, became available exclusively on iTunes Monday. (The CD will be in stores Friday.)
West oversaw production of the album, which has a broad sonic palette thanks to the contributions of RZA, Swizz Beatz, Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Q-Tip and others.
The percussive drive of album opener No Church in the Wild underpins Jay-Z's contemplation of the relevance of the clergy and ancient philosophers to someone who makes his living on the streets, while R&B star Frank Ocean questions, "What is a God to a non-believer?" That song's edginess gives way to a swirl of synthesizers on the epic anthem Lift Off, which features Beyoncé. Two songs later, the rappers wallow in luxury on the humorous Otis, built on soul great Redding's Try a Little Tenderness.
They veer back to more serious themes with the introspective New Day. Both wonder how they would raise the sons that neither of them have. Reflecting on his own controversies, West says, "I just want 'em to have an easy life / Not like Yeezy life / Just want 'em to be someone people like / Don't want 'em to be hated all the time, judged." Jay-Z expresses concern about the inevitable media attention any child he and Beyoncé might have would attract: "Sorry, Junior, I already ruined ya / 'Cause you ain't even alive, paparazzi pursuin' ya."
Welcome to the Jungle finds Jay-Z lamenting personal losses and overcoming his struggles ("I look in the mirror, my only opponent"). Murder to Excellence delineates the homicide rate in urban communities, but is hopeful that the senseless violence can be stemmed by more achievement. On an equally potent Made in America, the two talk about their rises to fame, while acknowledging those who helped and inspired them.
They've also clearly inspired each other. Star collaborations don't always work out as well in practice as they do on paper (see: Jay-Z and R. Kelly). But in this case, they've created an artistic Throne that other rappers can aspire to.
>> Download:No Church in the Wild, Who Gon Stop Me, New Day, Welcome to the Jungle, Murder to Excellence
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http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/r...c-review_n.htm
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Member Since: 6/17/2009
Posts: 3,311
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I think this album will have 90 or higher! 
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Member Since: 7/22/2010
Posts: 14,605
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the epic anthem Lift Off, which features Beyoncé
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Member Since: 9/13/2010
Posts: 288
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Member Since: 11/15/2009
Posts: 16,903
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How can you review an album after only 14 hours? They've probably only listened to it three/four times at most 
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Member Since: 1/13/2010
Posts: 5,334
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Quote:
Originally posted by @michael.
How can you review an album after only 14 hours? They've probably only listened to it three/four times at most |
Agreed
I foresee a low 80 score for this album
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Member Since: 9/25/2001
Posts: 26,816
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Album of the Year nomination, here we come!!!
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Member Since: 2/16/2010
Posts: 69,775
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/8/2006
Posts: 42,086
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I see an Universal acclaim score. Critics love Kanye and Jay-Z and the album is incredible
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Member Since: 11/17/2010
Posts: 12,926
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This album ***** on any other release this year so I expect nothing lower than an 80. 
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Member Since: 10/29/2010
Posts: 29,249
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Billboard: Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Watch the Throne': Track-by-Track Review
by Erika Ramirez, N.Y. | August 08, 2011 1:50 EDT
One year after the idea was conceived, Kanye West and Jay-Z deliver one of the year's most anticipated albums, "Watch the Throne," today (August 8). At 12 a.m. EST, hip-hop fans turned to iTunes, instead of a Hulkshare page, to download The Throne's collaborative album.
Within an hour, lyrics of "Watch the Throne" flooded timelines and song titles ("Murder of Excellence," "New Day," "Lift Off," and "Made in America") began to trend worldwide. Not only did Kanye and Jay-Z fight and win against the big leak, but they brought a nostalgic vibe by keeping fans waiting to press download.
'Watch The Throne': Jay-Z and Kanye West's 10 Best Collaborations
From the Mercer Hotel in NYC to Australia, Kanye West and Jay-Z lace filthy rhymes over sumptuous soundscapes, this time as one, calling forth producers such as Swizz Beatz, RZA, Hit-Boy, No I.D. and the vocal prowess of Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, La Roux and more.
Which "Watch the Throne" track finds Kanye West and Jay-Z at the top of their game? Here's our Twitter-length track-by-track review of each song.
You be the judge: What do you think of Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" album? Tweet us your own review at @billboarddotcom (using hashtag #bbwtt). The best tweets will be posted on Billboard.com in the coming days.
Jay-Z and Kanye West: A Bromance Timeline
1. "No Church in the Wild:" The Throne give a taste of sex, drugs & hip-hop. "Last night was mad real," Kanye raps. The-Dream sneaks in mid-way with auto-tuned vocals.
2. "Lift Off:" Although it feels misplaced in between tracks 1 and 3, the "stadium status" track is one to look forward to in seeing performed on the WTT tour.
Kanye West & Jay-Z Hold 'Watch the Throne' Listening Party at Planetarium
3. "Ni**gas in Paris:" Kanye steals the show on the Hit-Boy produced club anthem. A snippet of Will Ferrell's line from "Blades of Glory" is tucked in between.
4. "Otis:" Jay-Z & Kanye West spit dirty rhymes on champagne living, a theme through out the album ("Ni**as in Paris"), over an Otis Redding classic.
5. "Gotta Have It:" The Neptunes revamp James Brown's "People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul" for Throne to brag on and shout out hometowns. "Racks" reference.
6. "New Day:" The Throne rhyme what they will and will not do to better raise their unborn sons. Ye recalls his doings and Jay won't let history repeat itself.
7. "That's My B**ch:" Similar to the leaked version, only Jay adds brown skinned actresses into the mix. Ye: "About to go dumb, how come? yeah, that's my b**ch."
8. "Welcome to the Jungle:" Kanye and Jay-Z shed light to the darkness of their lifestyle. Swizz Beatz production reminds me of Diddy's "All About the Benjamins."
9. "Who Gon Stop Me:" The Throne throw the middle finger to haters and hardships of the past. "Til I die/ I'mma f***in ball," West raps. Perfect song for wildin'.
10. "Murder to Excellence:" The Throne speak on black on black murder. Ye' compares Chi-town's murder rate to Iraq's. "Cause ain't nothin on the news but the blues."
11. "Made in America:" Frank Ocean's soulful vocals that soothe start and close the cut. Jay and Kanye rhyme on their "come up" over Shame "Sak Pase" Joseph beat.
12. "Why I Love You:" Jay-Z goes off on those who, though once close, turned away or against him. "But I'm bullet proof, b**ch you can't get nothin' past me." #shots
http://www.billboard.com/column/the-...05308022.story
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Member Since: 12/28/2010
Posts: 26,529
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good review
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Member Since: 12/22/2009
Posts: 23,538
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Awesome reviews! But i feel like the music industry is to scared of Kanye and Jay z to spill the true t, or give a negative review. Hahaha
Is there as standout track that may possibly impact in pop?
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Member Since: 7/12/2010
Posts: 9,704
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Yass get those grammy's
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Member Since: 5/7/2009
Posts: 53,753
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Quote:
Originally posted by chris1991
Awesome reviews! But i feel like the music industry is to scared of Kanye and Jay z to spill the true t, or give a negative review. Hahaha
Is there as standout track that may possibly impact in pop?
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like how the media tried to drag kanye after the vmas
boy bye
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Member Since: 5/7/2009
Posts: 53,753
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Quote:
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2. "Lift Off:" Although it feels misplaced in between tracks 1 and 3, the "stadium status" track is one to look forward to in seeing performed on the WTT tour.
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the epic anthem Lift Off, which features Beyoncé
amen
the grammys are gonna love it 
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Member Since: 1/13/2010
Posts: 5,334
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Quote:
Originally posted by chris1991
Awesome reviews! But i feel like the music industry is to scared of Kanye and Jay z to spill the true t, or give a negative review. Hahaha
Is there as standout track that may possibly impact in pop?
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Maybe Lift Off, at a huge stretch. Almost all could do really well on rhythmic and urban though
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Member Since: 9/6/2006
Posts: 15,696
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kisuke
like how the media tried to drag kanye after the vmas
boy bye
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They learned to never try n bring a good man down cuz now he's owning like nobody's business.
Quote:
Originally posted by Kisuke
the epic anthem Lift Off, which features Beyoncé
amen
the grammys are gonna love it |
I'm gettin Lighters teas sis. They will be forced to release it cuz the public will eat up n they will shoot that video n get dem Grammys.
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Member Since: 1/8/2011
Posts: 27,650
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Quote:
Originally posted by chris1991
Awesome reviews! But i feel like the music industry is to scared of Kanye and Jay z to spill the true t, or give a negative review. Hahaha
Is there as standout track that may possibly impact in pop?
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Lift Off 
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Member Since: 1/8/2011
Posts: 27,650
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