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Here is the full B.o.B. review!
The Adventures of Bobby Ray
April 27th 2010
Grand Hustle Records
1. Don't Let Me Fall
Great introduction to the record. Really showcases the many talent of B.o.B. This is a self-produced track that gives a preview of what to expect from this album. B.o.B. switches from rapid fire raps to a slower more polished flow in this song as well throughout the entire album. The production on this track is outstanding. The mix of acoustic guitars and electric back beat is perfect and there is no distortion in the sound, which is hard to do. B.o.B. plays most of the guitar on this album, and although it is mostly basic three chord progressions, its nice to see a rapper have more hands on activity with the beat.
2. Nothing on You feat. Bruno Mars
First single with a video. The so called "love song" on the record where the lyrics tell the story of B.o.B.'s travels and that no girl can ever compare to the one at home. Bruno Mars sings one hell of a hook on this song and makes a name for himself. Bruno is releasing a mini-mix tape in the next few weeks. Expect 4-6 good tracks whenever it is released. I think one or two of the songs is bouncing around Hype Machine already.
This is not your typical "featuring" song. Bruno not only sings on the hook, but chips in with different hype lines as well as singing through the pre-chorus. Usually the feat. symbol represents someone singing a chorus and thats it. This is not the case. Bruno is a firm fixture in this song and probably a million ring tones cause the chorus is catchy as fuck. Can I say fuck? CATCHY AS FUCK!
3. Past My Shades feat. Lupe Fiasco
The first crack in the record. This song is terribly repetitive and borderline annoying. This shouldn't have even made the album. B.o.B. is barely present as he only holds 8 bars in the entire song. Lupe has 20 bars, which comes off slightly awkward and a tad long. The verse is sick, great flow, but the line of can't see past my shades, past my shades, past my shades just ruined the song for me.
I am a firm believer that if you cannot fill a CD with good material, push the CD back and work on it more. This CD could probably have a little more done to it, which would include removing this song.
4. Airplanes feat. Hayley Williams
Don't get your hopes up, this isn't the version with Eminem that has been making the internet rounds. In saying that, I don't know why this song is even on the album. It sounds like a demo for the real deal (which appears at track 12). The song has a great beat which includes a triple kick drum. Fully produced and a great song on its own, but when you know that another version of this song is on the album, featuring one of the greatest rapper of our generation, why the fuck would we listen to this song.
Hayley sings like a champ and has a subtle breakdown in the bridge that shows off her vocal powers. Not as spectacular as her breakdown on All I Wanted off the new Paramore CD, but still impressive nonetheless.
5. Bet I feat. T.I. and Tre
Easily my favorite track on the album. Let me start by saying that this song has an unreal beat. When the third verse comes around, don't bother listening to Tre's verse, but focus on the beat. So good, so filthy, just perfect. This is one of the first project's for T.I. after his incarceration and he takes the ball and runs with it. "Give me 15 minutes and a bag of bud, I bet I bust!" Great chorus. This is the tribute to weed song on the album and makes some of the space reference make sense throughout the album. It even includes the trademark Lil Wayne Bic Flick and pull.
B.o.B. puts out a crazy verse only to have it destroyed by T.I. This is the risk of having superstars on your debut album, they bring press but embarrass you on your own songs. T.I. was just astonishing and reminiscent of early, angry, aggressive T.I. The best line of the song comes from T.I. when he spits..."Atlanta didn't we have more blocks than Mutombo Dikembe"
Listen to this song. Its awesome
6. Ghosts in the Machine
Another self-produced track which starts out with a piano ballad entrance mixed in with an electronic back beat. The first minute of the song builds up the beat, but the explosion never really comes. There is a breakdown at the 1:05 mark but should have been much bigger. Although this song is about ghosts and the shell of one's self and what not, I really wanted a big beat breakdown and never received it. I'm not sure if I am extra critical because it is self-produced, but this track needs a little more substance. Maybe mixtape quality material.
7. The Kids feat. Janelle Monae
What jumped out at me was the bass line. Not the pounding chest pumping bass line, but an actually bass guitar plays the melody in this song. Gives the track a fuller vibe and is well put together with the backbeat. This song also references outer-space and the B.o.B. is from another planet. I am starting to think that these are drug references but I am not sure.
Janelles verse makes this song. Soft and sultry but yet so good. Not something you would expect to hear as a verse on a rap record. I was surprised Monae got a full verse to sing.
B.o.B. on the other hand isn't outstanding on this track. Could have used more involvement, or a different rhythm. It's an ok song, but could have been altered.
8. Magic feat. Rivers Cuomo
Rivers presents a sing-a-long chorus and pre-chorus that has the power to be stuck in your head all day. B.o.B. raps as if he is a magician and his words are his show. "Pick a vers, any verse I'll hypnotize you with every word." In this case, its true. This is a great song and a great collaboration. I wouldn't be surprised if this was released to be the 3rd or 4th single from this CD.
I am starting to fear that a lot of the songs sound alike. This song features the same line repeated over and over. The same gimmick used in Past My Shades and Lovelier Than You. Short simple verses put together with one catchy repeated line.
9. Fame
B.o.B DOMINATES this track! This song has brought me back, but makes me wish he has split this song up and spread the wealth across some of the weaker songs on the record. The beat is great, B.o.B. takes on this track alone and every line hits hard and wants you coming back for more.
" But everybody can't be a G, O to the D, And everybody can't B, O to the B"
10. Lovelier Than You
Slower R&B style track that has more vocals than rapping. Driven by a quiet acoustic guitar B.o.B. showcases his singing skills before rapping in the bridge. But once again, one line is repeated several times and just ruins the song for me. Just seems like this song is another filler tune. Oh well.
11. 5th Dimension
Decent beat and good consistent solid verses from B.o.B. on this one. Talk about the cosmic highway and taking a trip on it has cemented the idea that B.o.B. is a stoner and every reference to aliens or other planets or cosmic highways is all just referring to the crazy trip his is on. Being blitzed out of your mind is the only way to enjoy Past My Shades.
T.I. again doesn't disappoint on this track, but I think its too little to late.
12. Airplanes Part Two feat. Hayley Williams and Eminem
Usually I hate the idea of having the same song on the record twice. This isn't a special occasion, I still hate the idea. This makes the first version look like a demo. B.o.B. fires off two new spectacular verses, possibly the best verses he has on the album. But the real gem here is the verse from Eminem.
Em's verse is angry, aggressive and gives off a fuck you attitude. Eminem encapsulates his entire life in this verse calling out his mom and dad, and pondering the question what would be different if he hadn't rapped. Easily the most outstanding verse Eminem has laid down in years.
I would really have liked if this song was at the number 4 spot, and the first version was removed, but thats why I write blogs and not cheques.
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