Sooty's 2011 Year In Review Countdownmania

[Soot and Stars]

#20
Vanessa Carlton-Rabbits On The Run



Hear The Bells


Stealing glances through the key hole
In a brick wall's wooden door
Change are keeping quite secrets
200 year old folklore
And the graveyard on Elizabeth, no one ever goes
Kneeling praying to a gravestone
But the gravestone never tells

Hear the bells
Hear the bells

December crossing on to Chinatown
As the wind starts to cut through
Always, always on the lookout
But the poisons running through you
Stomachaches, try to concentrate
Want the stairs on the third floor
Now I'm asking a witch doctor but the witch doctor won't tell

Hear the bells
Hear the bells
Hear the bells
Hear the bells

Floating on the sea stars are watching me
Current takes me out what will be will be
Floating on the sea stars are watching me
Current takes me out what will be will be

Hear the bells
Hear the bells
Hear the bells
Hear the bells


Vanessa Carlton has truly come into her own in 2011 and probably has the most matured sound out of any of her contemporaries. From the beginning of her career she had the chops to make infectious melodies with a touch of classical piano and brooding harmonies. The early material was often a casualty of a talent beyond her ears and writing wise it verged on cute and precocious. As each album went their was a growth though and this album may be the peak of her career which is no slight. Listening to my top pick there's a subtle enchantment never heard in Vanessas music prior. She's let her voice tell a story and doesn't push her voice to the nasally tendencies prior. Between the echoing hollow vocalization and sparse yet heavy plunking piano notes she sounds like she's singing between worlds like the voice behind the mirror in some children's fantasy movie. The complimentary bass adds a classic rock/jazzy quality to the song and the harmonious vocal addition towards the end adds to the ethereal quality overall. A beautiful gem of a song.


Get Good


Are the echoes coming back to you?
Is wisdom seeing patterns on a loom?
Like a blanket around you
You were weaving colors when I saw you

Put your velvet on the moonlight
Or have you lost your constellation eyes?
Well you could give it time
I wish I could be there
Wish I could make it right

Don't you worry, you'll soon be on the mend
That's no trick, that flicker of radiance
And you'll feel lucky, darling, I'm sure of it
You'll figure it out...and get good again

Na na na na na na,
Na na na na na na na

Stone wall running hills of green
A golden, dusted dandelion scene
A powder soft serene
Oh, it's been so long since powder soft serene
Yeah, it's been so long

Don't you worry, you'll soon be on the mend
That's no trick, that flicker of radiance
You'll feel lucky, darlin', I promise you this
You'll figure it out...and get good again

Na na na na na na, Na na na na na na na

You said you don't know why but you don't feel free
You know it's not true but I know what you mean
I want to thank you for being so good to me
I just wanted you to know

Are the echoes coming back to you?
Is wisdom seeing patterns on a loom?
Like a blanket around you
We'll look out for each other
I'll look out for you
We'll look out for each other

Don't you worry, you'll soon be on the mend
That's no trick, that flicker of radiance
You'll feel lucky, darlin', I'm sure of it
You'll figure it out...and get good again

Well I feel good, I, and again, and again
Well I feel good, I, and get good again

Na na na na na,
Na na na na na

In a dream,
A dandelion field in a dream
A dandelion field in a dream


This is a song with a mellow guitar rhythm that's like a classic rock meets Collective Soul quality. The important element of this song is it's easy groove and subtle delivery. The song still has an understated vocal by Vanessa who's always had a pretty voice adequate enough for singing but hear she learned to be a songwriter first. In this song she makes a somber reflective yet uplifting track.


In The End


And in the end
You begin again
It's the way of all things

Your body's like a wishing well of a million diamonds
Her bones to dust bursting into a million diamonds

And you'll carry on
Cause in the end
It's the way of all things

It will be beautiful

Here's a track that anyone who likes Tori's orchestral more eccentric material should like. This track closes the album on it's most dramatic level which is the dark atmosphere I've always wanted to hear Vanessa embrace. The vocals have this beautiful barely there quality hidden between the waves of music which provides a mysterious quality to the song. Gorgeous!
​

 

[Soot and Stars]

#19
Blindside-With Shivering Hearts We Wait



There Must Be Something In The Wind


There must be something
in the wind
That wants me to die
To leave all this behind
To let go of these chains
and let them fall
It's like I've always known you and
still don't know who you are

And I can hear the thunder roaring
from a distance
And it's me on the shoreline
Slowly but surely
you're moving close
And you're pushing the water
Yes you're pushing the water
Please come wash over me

Waves arrive like thunder
I'm not scared to end up under
Wash away my heartache
that's creeping in
I'm not scared to loose my skin

The sky is electric tonight
My savior from myself
is on the move
My long lost love
My redeemer
Come and remind me

The curse is broken
Heavy burdens are lifted off
And my soul is light as a feather
in your storm

Waves arrive like thunder
I'm not scared to end up under
Wash away my heartache that's
creeping in
I'm not scared to loose my skin

I'm waiting for you
I always have
I'm waiting for you
And I always have

I'm waiting for you
I'm waiting for you
I'm waiting for you


This may be my biggest surprise of the year for a band that I was a prior fan of. I didn't even know the c.d. was out or even coming out until rifling through the new release section at Newburies looking for something else. I bought it on a whim since I've had a roller coaster ride between liking and loving these guys. This takes what I loved about their second album, About A Burning Fire, and takes a heavy alternative rock sound and experiments with it. Like that album they learn to temper their screams and let out the music be heavy and the vocalist actually sing which he's actually very good at and has a unique vocal IMO. While the second album went in various directions musically this one experiments with beats that make you move but still can't be mistaken for anything but a rock song. In this song, from the beginning chords you get a great guitar rhythm that builds in a vocal with as elegant a harmony as the graceful music behind it. The beats coming in behind it seg in perfectly and accelerate the song as things get heavier in rhythm rather than volume. The song has one of those beautiful builds as the orchestrated sound goes up a notch. Then the song goes into more digital ground as the guitars just stay there to compliment which is an interesting turnaround from the beginning. Then the drums come in heavy with the harmonies in the background blending beautifully. The last third of the song amps up the electronics and ends on an aggressive note until the very end where it goes out in a beautiful whisper. An epic, amazing song!


Our Love Saves Us


Don't you worry it's fine
Your hand's not letting go of mine
If worse comes to worse
I'll hold tight even if it hurts

And now the ground is shaking
It's trying to tear us down
But we won't be forsaken
Because we know what we've found

Our love saves us
The river runs deep but our spirits grow tall
Our love saves us now
We jump from stone to stone
but you know we won't fall

Do you remember that promise?
Remember when it was new
How deep into you I fell
I believed in us then and I still do
But now the ground is shaking
and we know what we found

Our love saves us
The river runs deep but our spirits grow tall
Our love saves us now
We jump from stone to stone but you know we won't fall
Save us
Save us now
Save us
Save us now

With shivering hearts we wait
We watch the sky
We hesitate
With shivering hearts we wait
I'm still holding on

Our love saves us
The river runs deep but our spirits grow tall
Our love saves us now
We jump from stone to stone but you know we won't fall
Save us
Save us now
Save us
Save us now

Save us
Save us now


This song is stylistically most like the "About A Burning Fire" album which is a good reason to like it as a fan myself. I love it right from the intro and then it starts with an admittedly basic riff with the anthemic ooohs added. The song moves along with the beats in a riff and really kicks in with the actual drums and weaves in between this aggression with the anthemic chorus and dramatic interludes with harmonies. Unlike prior songs the song is about as much about moving the listener literally as uplifting them. Blindside is a Christian rock band like my all time favorites Anberlin in which no matter what religion you are you can connect and feel the emotion of what they are trying to get out.


Monster On The Radio


We hold our flag high with blisters on our hands
We scream our lungs out
Words we don't understand
Hey radio did you play my song?
Did you say my name?
I couldn't hear I might be wrong
I could be wrong

And still we're turning it up

I'll give everything I have and more
To the monster on the radio
A star shines brighter than before
When you're a monster on the radio
And I scream and I fight
and they chew and they spit me out
I'll give everything I have and more
To be a monster on the radio

Frequency unclear
Do I hear myself through the static and noise?
My heart is still beating
But I can't hear it over the sound of my own voice
This is my own voice

And still I'm turning it up

I'll give everything I have and more
To the monster on the radio
A star shines brighter than before
When you're a monster on the radio
And I scream and I fight
and they chew and they spit me out
I'll give everything I have and more
To be a monster on the radio

Frequency unclear
Do I hear myself through the static and noise?

Hey radio did you play my song?
Hey radio
Hey radio did you play my song?
Hey radio

I'll give everything I have and more
To the monster on the radio
A star shines brighter than before
When you're a monster on the radio
And I scream and I fight
and they chew and they spit me out
I'll give everything I have and more
To be a monster on the radio

Here's a rock track about a hungry rock band that sounds like a hungry rock band. Here the rock is about at it's most radio friendly rhythm but still sounds uniquely Blindside. This is awesomely aggressive but at the same time an anthemic feel good song like a Smoking In The Boys Room type vibe. The has my favorite beats and rhythms of all the songs and I love when the song pauses to focus on the rhythmic riffs and beats. I'm glad they made it one of their singles as it should get played on rock radio.
​

 

[Soot and Stars]

#18
Childish Gambino-Camp

Freaks and Geeks


[Verse 1]
Alright, Gambino is a mastermind, **** a bitch to pass the time
Mass Appeal, orange rind, smoke your green, I'm spendin' mine
The beat is witches brew, but beware this shit is potent
E.E. cummin' on her face, now that's poetry in motion
Yeah, Gambino make it work, I'm the boss move somethin'
Yeah, this cool ****in' suits me, swag two button
Yeah, these girls be actin' crazy when they're dancin', Black Swan
I ain't ****in' at the club, put your clothes back on
This beat is a disaster, 9/11 this track
Rappers wanna battle me, I have to mail their heads back
And my clique make that dinero, so it's time to meet the ****ers
I am runnin' this bitch, you are just a dog walker
Leavin' with your girl when we last seen each other
You ****in' with the baddest like we tag team Rihanna
Fly girl on her knees, she don't wanna come near me
My dick is too big, there's a big bang theory
Got her picture in my iPhone, what do y'all think?
While y'all n***** masturbate, I'm in that Ariel Pink
If I am just a rapper man, you coulda fooled me
I'm the shit, when these dudes talk, they talkin' bull me

[Verse 2]
Okay, I'm down with the black girls of every single culture
Filipino, Armenian girls on my sofa
Yeah I like a white girl, sometimes we get together
Need a thick chick though, so it's black and yellow, black and yellow
Love is a trip, but ****in' is a sport
Are there Asian girls here? Minority report
Put your team on the map, Blake Griffin on the court
N***** bitin' off my tracks, need a knife and a fork
We the illest, need a nurse, here's the check, grab your purse
Unless we ****in', then I'll pay for all the food on the Earth, man
I got some pussy that was insane, so insane, it's an enemy of Batman
I'm Dominant, n***** call me f***** cause they closeted
I'm hot as shit, comin' outta the backside of a rocket ship
It's Monster shit, you dude's are the opposite of Lochnesses
Respond to this, we can squash the beef right now like sausages
Chillin' with my n-words, say it like a white kid
Yes your booty's big as hers, say that to my white bitch
So she don't get embarrassed, my dick is made of carrots
Bunnies wantin' to be fed and I meant honeys, oh forget it
I have worked all winter, I will not fail summer
In the back of the bush, like Gavin Rossdale's drummer
Yeah, my stinger's in her flower, I hope she lets me pollenate
Workin' hard as shit, yeah this beat is made from concentrate
N**** can't you tell that my sample of Adele
Was so hot, I got these hood n***** blowin' up my cell?
Swag out the ass, I'm the man, **** chico
Took the G out your waffle, all you got left is your ego
Think about it for a second, man we eatin', where's your breakfast?
Man, you hungry have this sandwich, got my wallet, cheese and lettuce
An elephant never forgets, so my dick remembers everything
Green inside your wallet is that pussy open sesame
Runnin' the game, **** am I sayin', runnin' the Earth, give me a month
Told all you n***** I'm in it to win it cause havin' an Emmy just wasn't enough
You get sloppy drunk, I stay whiskey neat
My clique should be cancelled, Freaks and Geeks


This was my favorite rapper of 2011 bar none so fear not rap haters, it's over. Childish Gambino is actually Donald Glover, an actor, standup comedian, sketch artist, writer and rapper. I saw him first in a fairly humorous flick, Mystery Team, and then stumbled upon his rap career with this track I looked up through seeing the Childish Gambino name on I-tunes. I put two and two together to figure out who this was and liked his rap material more than anything else. Listen, you either hate rap or not but if after seeing this video if you think it lacks talent and you, the average Joe can deliver this with rhythm, swagger or any sort of personality then yooooouuuu's caaarrrrazzzzy! Plus, only a few artist like Eminem can deliver the bold raunch and honesty with as much wit and originality lyrically. Great performance and humorous bravado abound!
​

 

[Soot and Stars]

I had to split this into too post do to lyrical content containing too much dialogue for one!



All The Shine


[Verse 1]
What the **** do y’all n***** really want?
I went with realness instead
But all the real n***** I know either crazy or dead
Yeah, I dropped the free EP for these other kids to feel a lot
N***** keep asking on whether this dude’s for real or not
I’m not trying to come hard, I’m trying to come me
That’s why these older songs that I used to make I’d release free
What’s the point of rap if you can’t be yourself, huh?
That’s why I come first like my cell phone
I’m a role model, I am not these other guys
I rap about my dick and talk about what girls is fly
I know it’s dumb, that’s the ****ing reason I’m doing it
So why does everyone have a problem with talking stupid shit?
Or is it real shit?
‘Cause sometimes that stupid shit is real shit
Like when you make out with your best friend’s baby sis
You know the one with short hair you used to babysit?
See, that’s not even right
You with a different girl like each and every ****ing night
And kiss her while she’s sleeping and sneak out the front to catch a flight
That’s not life, dude
It's just making up for ****s I missed in high school
I keep it wrapped until I meet the right one
’Cause I ain’t Mumford, I ain’t tryin’ to have sons
All I wanted was some more like Ashton
I ain’t the coolest but I know I got passion
I got passion!

[Hook]
I really wanna do right and it doesn’t matter
We’ve got all the shine we need to find
I really wanna do right and it doesn’t matter
We’ve got all the shine we need to find
“Baby, I’m okay.” She said, “Why you gotta act so strange?”
I said, “Baby, I’m okay.” She said, “Why you gotta act so strange?”
I said, “Baby, I’m okay.” She said, “Why you gotta act so strange?”
“Baby, I’m okay.” She said, “Why you gotta act so strange?”

[Verse 2]
Am I serious? I don’t even know
Are you hearing this? This shit is laughable
I ain’t trying, I’m doing, these other rappers are foolish
I got fame, my A&R’s a computer
Is there room in the game for a lame who rhymes?
Who wears short-shorts and makes jokes sometimes?
My n**** like, “I’d get you MTV if I could, man
But Pitchfork only likes rappers who crazy or hood, man”
So, I guess we gon' see
I ain’t Curren$y, but if there ain’t money in my name please murder me
Sometimes I feel like I ain't supposed to be here
Sometimes I wake up, I don't want to be here
My mom loved to text me Psalm verses
She don’t look at me like I’m the same person
I used to be the sweet one, but things change
And I don’t want them missing a son like Bon’s last name
And all my uncles alcoholics, shame on me
I drink whiskey till I’m grounded, no TV
I wanna go inside the club with no gold piece
And walk in with No I.D. and no I.D
No matter how far the hood seems
We all still got hood dreams
I always wanted to get picked on the cool team
But alone is exactly how I should be

[Hook]


I could have easily picked the more polished studio version of this song but I much prefer this as it displays the actual instrumental roots to the song and the laid back almost spoken word vibe of the track. It also shows the personality of Donald and the real genuineness of his delivery. It always shows that he's got a very solid singing voice which is very rare for a rap artist. I love the laid back lounge vibe of the song and the relaxed delivery. The song has a level of emotion that is also lacking in a lot of rap. To me this stands out as a level of authenticity in rap most don't know about. Despite the lewd sense of humor Donald has it's an awesome stroke of genius he can fit it into a song about family, struggle and poignant reflection to come off as sincere.



Heartbeat


[Hook x2]
I wanted you to know
That I am ready to go, heartbeat
A heartbeat
I wanted you to know
Whenever you are around, can't speak
I can't speak

[Verse 1]
I know what your boy like
Skinny tie and a cuff tight
He go and make breakfast
You walk around naked
I might just text you
Turn your phone over, when it's all over
No settling down, my text go to your screen
You know better than that
I come around when you least expect me
I'm sitting at the bar when your glass is empty
You thinking that the songs coming on to tempt me
I need to be alone like the way you left me
You start calling, you start crying
I come over, I'm inside you
I can't find you
The girl that I once had
But the sex that we have, isn't half bad
The text say that "It's not fair"
That's code for "He's not here"
And I'mma flirt with this new girl
And I'mma call if it don't work
So we **** till we come to conclusions
All the things that we thought we was losing
I'm ghost and you know this
That's why we broke up in the first place
Cause

[Hook x2]

[Verse 2]
It's late night Thursday
I know that you heard me
But you don't want the same thing
Well two can play that game
So I'm chilling with my girlfriend
But she not my real girlfriend
She got a key to my place but
She's not my real girlfriend
Stupid, so dummy
Say the wrong thing and wrong girls come runnin'
I'm paranoid that these girls want something from me
And it's hard to make a dime go one hundred
And my dude freakin' out over a worse fate
She on time, but she late for they first date
Cause he went and tried out all new condoms
Slipped off in a threesome, good problems?
Right? Wrong
Askin' him if she gonna play games
With the super smash brothers, but none of them you
I miss the sex when you kiss whenever you through
Sixty-nine is the only dinner for two
I was wrong, but would you have listened to you?
Uh, you were crazy
I got a heart, but the artichoke
Is the only thing girls want when you in that smoke and light

[Hook x2]

[Verse 3]
So we're done? This the real shit?
We used to hold hands like field trips
I'm a jerk, but your dude is a real dick
I read his post on your wall and I feel sick
He ain't cool, he ball and all that
But he just a fake n**** who blog in all caps
You couldn't wait to date
I'm going straight for your thighs like the cake you ate
I give a **** about the n***** that you say you ate
You know that I’m the best when I’m a-fake-tionate
I'm the best that you had, face it
J and Keyshia are related, racist
I give you money, then you burn me, then you made off
She ain't a killer, but she'd ****ing blow your head off
I know he wondering, "What the **** you hiding?"
That we dated like raps about Bin Laden
Ayo, **** this
Are we dating? Are we ****ing?
Are we best friends? Are we something in between that?
I wish we never ****ed, and I mean that

But not really, you say the nastiest shit in bed and it’s ****in’ awesome

This is the club song of the album and emulates the style of my favorite current rapper Kanye which is fine with me because both rappers share qualities I love in a rapper. Not much to say other than the musicality of the melody with the aggression and paranoia are great in track that makes you move. ​

 

[Soot and Stars]

#17
Beth Hart/Joe Bonamassa-Don't Explain



I'd Rather Go Blind


Something told me that it was over, baby, yeah
When I saw you
When I saw you and that girl
And y'all was talking

Something deep down
Something deep down in my soul said
"Go on, go on and cry, girl"
When I saw you, when I saw you with that same person
And y'all was walking around

And I'd rather
I'd rather be a blind girl, baby, yeah, yeah
Than to see you walk away, walk away from me, baby
Don't leave me, I don't wanna see you go

'Cause you see, I love you so much
And I don't wanna watch you leave me
Don't wanna watch you leave me, baby
And another thing is, one more thing is
I just don't, I just don't wanna be free
Scared to be by myself

I was just, I was just sitting here thinking
About your sweet kiss and your, your warm embrace
Hmm, your warm embrace
Hmm, yo, yo, warm, warm embrace

When I look down in the glass that I held to my lips
And I saw the reflection of the tears rolling down my face
That's when I knew I love you and I couldn't do without you
And I'd rather be a blind girl

Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, babe, no, babe, oh, oh
Oh babe, all day sitting up
Sitting up thinking about you

Myself, I don't wanna see you leave
Please don't go
Oh, babe, no, babe, oh, babe
I'd rather be a blind girl

Something told me that it was over, baby
When I saw you
When I saw you and that girl
And y'all was talking

Something deep down in my soul said
"Go on, go on and cry, girl"
When I saw you, when I saw you and that girl
And y'all was walking by

And I'd rather go blind, I'd rather go blind
I'd rather go blind, babe
Than to see you walk away, walk away
Don't walk away 'cause I'd rather go blind



First off this is a covers album and I know I did a covers list already. I don't give a shit though as not only did I hear this after that list was made but this transcends that whole list. These covers are amazing and the best reworking of standards I've ever heard period. I've always been a huge fan of Beth Hart but never thought her studio work portrayed the amazing soulfulness and raw beauty of her vocal. That was something I saw in her live work. Before this album I'd only heard of Joe Bonamassa. All I can say is this album was a double whammy in the sense that not only has Bonamassa brought out something incredible in Beth but also made me enjoy a modern blues guitarist for the first time. This cover of Etta James is a mass addiction for me. I mean Damn!!! Beth is flawless hear and draws the blues out of this soul track and performs with a gritty emotion that Janis would envy. The blues guitar tells the story masterfully hear as well and with an equally great voice. You could not draw a single drop more out of this song than Beth and Joe did. They own this IMO!


For My Friends


One of us has to say he's sorry, yeah
Or we will never be friends again
Let's have a drink and talk it over
I wanna keep you for my date

We're here today and gone tomorrow, oh
None of us knows when life will end
I said some things that caused you sorrow
I wanna keep you for my friend

A-ha, oh ha
A-ha, oh ho
Yeah
Oh ho

One of us has to say he's sorry
Or we will never be friends again
Let's have a little drink and talk it over, oh
I wanna keep you for my friend

We're here today and gone tomorrow, oh
None of us knows when life will end
I said some nasty things that caused you sorrow
But I wanna keep you for my friend, hey

Aha, oh ho
Aha, oh ho
Oh
Oh ho



Listen, Bill Withers is the ****ing man. These guys covered Bill Withers and made a funked up cover that I can groove with hardcore. This couldn't have gone wrong and it didn't. I LOVE the guitars here and Beth edged out round one but round two goes to Joe in the props department. Beth delivers as well though with this highly energetic number.


Ain't No Way


Ain't no way for me to love you
If you won't let me
It ain't no way for me to give you all you need
If you won't let me give all of me

I know that a woman's duty
Is to help and love a man
And that's the way it was planned

Oh, how can I, how can I, how can I
Give you all those things I can
If you're tying both of my hands
It ain't no way, ain't no way

Just ain't no way, baby
Ain't no way, baby
It ain't no way for me to love you
If you won't let me

Stop trying to be
Someone you're not
Hard, cold and cruel is a man
Who paid too much for what he got

And if you need me
Like you say, say, yeah, you do
Oh, then babe, babe, baby
Don't you know that I need you? oh

It ain't no way
I tell you that it ain't no way
It ain't no way, it ain't no way, baby, no
Just ain't no way, sure ain't no way, baby

It ain't no way for me to love you
If you won't let me
If you won't let me, no way

If you won't let me
No way


Here's a change in pace as Beth proves she can deliver a tenderness in her soulful range. This cover of an Aretha Franklin song is a beautiful soul turned blues number. Beth is so fragile here and I love this tone of her voice for a change. She tells the story of the song great as Joe comes in at a more subtle manner well as he delivers well structured blues licks against the lush orchestrated background music. By the time Beth says she needs you you feel it and you believe it. Genius!
​

 

[Tray73]

I like the way you are doing your top twenty, gives those of us a chance to explore the artist a little more if one of the songs takes our fancy and it's a group/artist new to us. Of the ones posted in your last updates, Blindside appeals to me the most, and puts me in mind of another band you introduced me to, Anberlin.

Beth Hart - what a voice she has

 

[Soot and Stars]

I like the way you are doing your top twenty, gives those of us a chance to explore the artist a little more if one of the songs takes our fancy and it's a group/artist new to us. Of the ones posted in your last updates, Blindside appeals to me the most, and puts me in mind of another band you introduced me to, Anberlin.

Beth Hart - what a voice she has

Tray, thank you and I'm glad you liked the format. I figured top 20 should be more of an artist spotlight since that emphasizes the effect it had on me during the year and posting the wrong song could sway people away from a great artist due to an indulgent pick on my part. This way it gives them three shots. I figured Blindside would fall into your favor most which is great. The blues fans would grab onto Beth, The closet hip-hop fans should love Gambino as a find and anyone who likes 70's singer songwriters should be shocked as Hell as Vanessa Carltons current sound. I don't expect everyone to like my taste but I do believe I have something for everyone here if they are brave enough to explore!

 

[ILoveJimmyPage]

Soots, I'm a little late but I thought I'd say I have yet to check out Watch the Throne. I don't know... I appreciate Kanye on his own and have enjoyed Jay-Z since I was like 12, but collectively? I don't know. Seems like too much ego for one album.

 

[Soot and Stars]

Soots, I'm a little late but I thought I'd say I have yet to check out Watch the Throne. I don't know... I appreciate Kanye on his own and have enjoyed Jay-Z since I was like 12, but collectively? I don't know. Seems like too much ego for one album.

Good news babe is it sounds like a Kanye album and Jay-Z just happens to be rapping on it! Hey babe, you should listen to the Childish Gambino rapper. He's very Kanye like but a better rhymer IMO and there's something very unique about him. You are like the only hip-hop fan here! I'd LOVE your opinion!

 

[ILoveJimmyPage]

I'd do that but I may be stoned to death!