so as I said earlier in this thread, and like how I did last year, I can't get in every album I like on this list.
Some albums just come out too late to really be considered to get on the top 40. I think if an album comes in the month of December, then it's too late to include it on because it's still fresh in your mind and you are still bumping it. Who knows how you will feel a few months from now and if you will still enjoy the album as much as you are now. So here's a bunch of albums that have come out this month that I have really enjoyed. Some albums i'm kinda bummed they didn't get released earlier while others I may not even be listening to a month from now.
so here it is:
Albums of 2007 That Missed The Cutoff
Ghostface Killah - The Big Doe Rehab
Release Date: December 4th, 2007
Another year, another great Ghostface Killah album. GFK really has to be the most consistent artist in hip-hop. He has never put out a bad album.
never. The Big Doe Rehab continues that streak with tons of soulful production. Probably his most soulful since 2001's Bulletproof Wallets. Sean C & LV of the Hitmen do a lot of the production on here, while the rest is either handled by unknowns or GFK himself which is quite the change of pace from Fishscale's star-studded production lineup. However, The Big Doe Rehab features a lot of Wu-Tang members: Raekwon on four songs, Method Man on two, U-God on one, and Masta Killa on one as well. Ghostface doesn't reinvent himself or try anything way out there on this album, it's just everything you have come to expect from a Ghostface Killah album and it delivers hugely.
Best Songs as of right now:
1.Yolanda's House feat. Raekwon and Method Man
2.Killa Lipstick feat. Method Man and Masta Killa
3.Walk Around
Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
Release Date: December 11th, 2007
Ah, yes the ever controversial 8 Diagrams. Raekwon and Ghostface have said their feelings on the album all over the press saying they don't like it. I, however, think it's very awesome. Yeah, it's quite a different album, and takes a while for you to digest it all, but it's very strong. The RZA experiments quite a bit with his production and the whole tone of the album is very gloomy. Funny that Raekwon complains about it, because he sounds very at home on the album. This is the type of production that suits him. Ghostface Killah as well has some great verses throughout with his standout being "The Heart Gently Weeps", which is classic Ghostface storytelling. Really, all of Wu-Tang gets a chance to shine on 8 Diagrams. Method Man completely murders everything he's on, U-God actually delivers some great verses, Inspectah Deck continues being the Wu's secret weapon, and pretty much everyone does a great job on it.
I have a good feeling that 8 Diagrams will be looked years from now as an ahead of it's time classic. RZA tries some really out there things on here, and proves that he's really 10 steps ahead of pretty much every hip-hop producer out there today.
Best Songs as of right now:
1.Stick Me For My Riches feat. Gerald Alston
2.Take It Back
3.Windmill
Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's The Cool
Release Date: December 18th, 2007
This album will be needing a lot of listens to really fully understand. I am, of course, a big Lupe fan so i'm always looking forward to what he puts out next. The whole Fiascogate thing made me dislike him as a person, but his music is still great. Is it better then Food N Liquor? I think it's too early to tell, but honestly I don't think it is. The production mainly supplied by FNF producer Soundtrakk is pretty weak, and some songs are missing the oomph that FNL had. I also think it's a bit too long, but besides all that It's great! He's trying out some new things, and songs like "Go Go Gadget Flow" show the reason why we all loved Lupe in the first place: he's a damn good rapper.
It's funny though, I have to mention that one of the best songs on the album and next single "Paris, Tokyo" is quite hilarious. For Lupe to act all like "Oh I have never heard Midnight Maruders and am not interested in hearing it!" and then put out a song like this that completely bites them and the production sound is just ironic as ****. There's also a bit of the Pharcyde in "Paris, Tokyo" another group i'm sure he would claim he's too "gangsta" to enjoy. Regardless of Lupe being a dumbass in real life, it's a very strong album. His next album LUPend is said to be his final album, and I hope he gets more help with outside producers like on Food N Liquor instead of just relying on Soundtrakk.
Best Songs as of right now:
1.Hip-Hop Saved My Life feat. Nikki Jean
2.Paris, Tokyo
3.Gotta Eat
#10 album up tonight. be on the look out!
I've never been a gigantic fan of Spoon, but I can see why people would like them. I should check out that Dino Jr. album, judging by that writeup, and UGK...well, it's UGK. You can never go wrong with that. 
