September 8, 2009
The Blueprint 3 Before I get to reviewing BP3 I just want to take this time to apologize to my loyal readers for stepping back for a minute. I was on a road trip for the past four days to La Belle Province and did not have an opportunity to blog. I know some of you are like crack fiends for this blog so here’s a fix to keep you twitching. As a preamble to this I should say that I have only listened to Blueprint 3 a few times and was not fully focused on it either time. I listened while playing videogames (Bigs 2, cop that shit) and while driving in a 1998 Honda Civic (Not exactly a quiet ride) I don’t know how the rest of you listen to your favourite music (“Or just skim through it?”) but I like to sit in a dark room with headphones on and listen to the album all the way through. In this case I have not yet done that. My opinion of Blueprint 3 as of right now is good but not great. American Gangster is a much stronger album in my opinon although BP3 does have its moments. The main problem is that Jay is still relying on producers who were megastars 5 years ago but have fallen off considerably since that time. The Timbaland beats literally sound like ones that Nelly Furtado passed on and Swizz Beatz phoned in his song. Kanye has a few good beats on the album but other than that the production is fairly weak. The first 5-6 songs are great but after that the album sails off into mediocrity with a few exceptions (A Star is Born and Young Forever). Jay’s lyrics are still sharp but his flow sounds a little choppy on some of the beats. Despite this he is still one of the wittiest rappers in the game and the song Empire State of Mind is so soulful it almost hurts when Alicia comes in on the chorus. 3.5 Stars out of 5. Top Songs: Empire State of Mind, What We Talking About, D.O.A. Worst Songs: On to the Next One (Guantamo might have a new soundtrack) I will get back to you with the most quotable line on the album.

The Blueprint 3

Before I get to reviewing BP3 I just want to take this time to apologize to my loyal readers for stepping back for a minute. I was on a road trip for the past four days to La Belle Province and did not have an opportunity to blog. I know some of you are like crack fiends for this blog so here’s a fix to keep you twitching.

As a preamble to this I should say that I have only listened to Blueprint 3 a few times and was not fully focused on it either time. I listened while playing videogames (Bigs 2, cop that shit) and while driving in a 1998 Honda Civic (Not exactly a quiet ride) I don’t know how the rest of you listen to your favourite music (“Or just skim through it?”) but I like to sit in a dark room with headphones on and listen to the album all the way through. In this case I have not yet done that.

My opinion of Blueprint 3 as of right now is good but not great. American Gangster is a much stronger album in my opinon although BP3 does have its moments. The main problem is that Jay is still relying on producers who were megastars 5 years ago but have fallen off considerably since that time. The Timbaland beats literally sound like ones that Nelly Furtado passed on and Swizz Beatz phoned in his song. Kanye has a few good beats on the album but other than that the production is fairly weak.

The first 5-6 songs are great but after that the album sails off into mediocrity with a few exceptions (A Star is Born and Young Forever). Jay’s lyrics are still sharp but his flow sounds a little choppy on some of the beats. Despite this he is still one of the wittiest rappers in the game and the song Empire State of Mind is so soulful it almost hurts when Alicia comes in on the chorus.

3.5 Stars out of 5.

Top Songs: Empire State of Mind, What We Talking About, D.O.A.

Worst Songs: On to the Next One (Guantamo might have a new soundtrack)

I will get back to you with the most quotable line on the album.

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