When I first heard Kendrick through the phenomenal first single off this album, "Swimming Pools (Drank)", I was immediately hooked. Based on that song, I was expecting the album to have a very modernized hip-hop sound, but to my surprise a lot of the tracks are throwbacks, with classic production gracing many of the album cuts. The real beauty of 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' can be found in the overall picture, nearly all of the songs carry a story from K Dot while gangbanging in Compton and on his come-up in the music scene. Most of the tracks feature skits in the forms of telephone calls from Kendrick's concerned parents, shootings, and Kendrick on his shenanigans looking for Sherane, who quickly appears to far more trouble than she is worth. "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst", one of the best songs on the album, clocks in at 12 minutes and the whole time Kendrick is flexing his amazing lyricism and story telling. The only thing I can say about the album negatively is that there aren't very many fun, lighthearted songs, most of the album is strictly substance. The deluxe tracks disappointed me as well, non of them hit as hard or leave a trace of the impact that the standard tracks do. That said, 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' is my favorite rap album of the year and I can't wait to see what else Kendrick has to share in the future.
The Essential tracks: "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe", "Backseat Freestyle", "Money Trees", "Swimming Pools (Drank)", "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst"
I didn't even like Fun. at all when I first heard this song but on that initial listen I knew this song would do wonders. "Some Nights" has a magical, upbeat feeling to it and even though I have no idea what it's talking about the lyrics are deeper than they would appear to be. The song is just so easy to sing along to and get stuck in your head, I'm glad that they netted this second hit and weren't stuck with the one hit wonder status.
22.
Let's Go (feat. Ne-Yo) - Calvin Harris
Although many people disliked this song for whatever reason, I think it's amazing and like all Harris' songs it builds itself nicely. The production is ACE and works so well in the summer. "Let's Go" is also a workout JAM and is sure to get people moving. Ne-Yo does great with the vocals of the song as well. It's a bit "plain" but it's still that bop so whatevs.
21.
Pound the Alarm - Nicki Minaj
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE "Pound the Alarm" but there is no denying that it sounds just like "Starships" with a slightly better breakdown, albeit tired. This song could have been released by anyone but Nicki did but her little stamp on it. Definitely shouldn't have been the second single. You know I love the Kid but sometimes I wish she would have left these cookie cutter pop songs behind, no matter how hard they bop or how good they are. At least she learned from them!
Pound The Alarm SH*TS. It did just a little
better in my countdown, I love it so much
I definitely agree it wasn't a good single choice.
Whip It was such a better choice
Let's Go is also a bop, but I do not like Some Nights
I don't dislike "Let's go" at all, but that's my least favorite single by him (and many Calvin fans agree with me).
The production is not bad... but it's really meh... his older work was a lot better, and original
That was exactly what happened to me with Frank Ocean.
