Anthony Hamilton
“Ain’t Nobody Worryin’ “
(Three out of four “volume settings”)
Hamilton possesses a honey-dipped voice and a personal style that gives each syllable a thrilling intimacy on this album, which drops Tuesday. A man who’s likely to notice the looks and accent of a girl with “Southern Stuff,” he actually values–gasp!–a woman’s mind as much as her behind. Hamilton’s music incorporates hip-hop, gospel, old-school funk, even a dash of dancehall with the upbeat “Everybody.” Even his Prince-esque excesses–most evident in the epic, dark funk of “Preacher’s Daughter”–don’t derail him. In fact, there’s a visceral satisfaction to getting through that song and on to the serenity of the gentle “Pass Me Over.”
[ NATALIE NICHOLS, L.A. TIMES ]Ludacris and DTP
“Ludacris Presents: Disturbing Tha Peace”
(Three out of four “volume settings”)
Ludacris is all over this new disc out Tuesday–clowning, picking up women and doing what has made him a hip-hop titan. But his Disturbing Tha Peace posse holds its own. Shareefa makes a promising debut with “I’ll Be Around,” as does Lazyeye on the rocking “Blood in the Air.” “Two Miles an Hour,” with Playaz Circle, is another stand-out track waiting to be a single. A posse is only as good as its leader, though. When Ludacris boasts, “A song’s worth a million once I lend my voice to it,” in “That’s My [bleep],” he’s probably right.
[ GLENN GAMBOA, NEWSDAY ]Lil’ Wayne
“Tha Carter II”
(Three out of four “volume settings”)
Lil’ Wayne has constructed a stark fifth album that highlights his aspirations to be respected as a premier rap lyricist. The boast-heavy “Fireman,” complete with blaring sirens, wild keyboards and driving drums, is among his most memorable songs. With a choice Isley Brothers sample of “The Lay Away” backing him on the soulful “Receipt,” Wayne details a love he has a hard time acknowledging in person. He then uses a mournful, blues-inspired track to salute his poetic acumen with the lyrics-as-weapons metaphor in “Shooter” and rides a reggae beat on “Mo Fire.” Lil’ Wayne seems to be settling into an assured groove.
[ SOREN BAKER, L.A. TIMES ]Fort Minor
“The Rising Tied”
(Three out of four “volume settings”)
In Linkin Park, Mike Shinoda builds the tension with a rap verse, then tosses it to singer Chester Bennington for the vein-popping catharsis. Here’s a whole album of Shinoda’s rap without the rock, an unfettered indulgence of his fascination with hip-hop. Shinoda offers sober vignettes about people scraping for survival as well as celebrations of the underdog. As a rapper, Shinoda sounds like a suburban b-boy, amiable and sensitive but not charismatic or colorful. “The Rising Tied” gets its vocal heft and energy from guests such as Common, Black Thought and John Legend. Shinoda’s real appeal is pure puppy dog.
[ RICHARD CROMERLIN, L.A. TIMES ]Talib Kweli
“Right About Now …”
(Three out of four “volume settings”)
On his third album, Talib Kweli extends his impressive credentials with another strong batch of songs that are as entertaining as they are thought-provoking. “Drugs, Basketball & Rap” takes sensationalist rappers to task for their shallow boasts about violence and drugs, while “Supreme, Supreme” features Kweli and Mos Def trading verses about the power of owning one’s life. “Ms. Hill” is an impassioned letter in which he offers to help the reclusive Lauryn Hill navigate the music industry. By expressing his admiration for her meaningful material, Kweli shows why his music is just as significant.
[ SOREN BAKER, L.A. TIMES ]
