Album Review: Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience

ALBUM REVIEW: THE 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake.
RELEASED: March 19th 2013

    Justin Timberlake hasn't released an album in 7 years. He made the announcement out of nowhere in January and now here we are in March with a brand new album from JT.How does this album hold up to his past releases? Read on to find out.

The infectious first single Suit and Tie.                                             

     The album was produced exclusively by Justin Timberlake and Timbaland (whose sound really stands out on the album.) The album opens with the song titled Pusher Love Girl and it really sets the tone of the album and lets you know the overall sound that they were going for. The album is a mesh of modern RnB, 70's funk, big band and has a slight influence of Prince on it.
   
  The second track Suit and Tie was a fantastic choice for first single and really is a great song. The only downside is Jay Z's verse. I love Jay Z but this particular verse is just boring and doesn't really fit with the rest of the track, that being said the song is still really good.

These two are going on tour together this summer. 

        Don't Hold The Wall sounds like a missing cut from FutureSex/LoveSounds. It's got this eerie middle eastern flair going on and makes this song stick out like a sore thumb. The hook with Timbaland saying Don't Hold The Wall over and over is annoying but all the parts of this song that are just JT singing are really good. This is probably the weakest track on the album.

   Strawberry Bubblegum on the other hand is far from weak and is really a standout song on the album. It's a slow jam that really showcases Justin's singing skills. It transitions into some very Prince- esque bass lines during a slow instrumental pause. The song does start to feel a bit long after clocking in at 8 minutes. Still a great track.

    The next track Tunnel Vision features some of Timbaland's trademark sounds. It's very trippy sounding and an ok track that has a pretty cool sounding breakdown but eventually just become tired and boring. But then we get to the best part of the album.

This album should come with a disclaimer
WARNING: Justin Timberlake does not take
any responsibility for any pregnancies made
while listening to the 20/20 Experience.

    Spaceship Coupe and the track after it That Girl (which I'll talk about in length in just a moment here) are probably my favorite tracks on the album. The song has this great synth rip and  a fantastically catchy hook. Plus JT does some falsetto on this one and I'm a sucker for some falsetto. It's one of the longer songs that doesn't end up boring me as it goes on. There's a lovely guitar solo a little after the halfway point that really adds to the song.

   That Girl clocks in at 4 minutes and 48 seconds making it the shortest song on the album and the best one at that. This one brings a back up band called the Tennessee Kids (they performed with him on SNL and Jimmy Fallon) into the mix and it really helps the song shine. It just has this great old school feel on it the track just has a ton of soul. And it should be his third single I could see this song blowing up on the charts.

JT and the Tennessee Kids

     The 8th track Let the Groove Get In  is a major throwback to his first album Justified. The song really reminds me of Let Me Love You. It's got some great horns on it and is a fantastic fast paced song with some spanish influence. Again though the length of the song gets to be a bit to much although the outro where the drums fade and a piano comes in is kind of cool sounding. Overall a very fun dance track.

                                                                   The 2nd single Mirrors. 

    Mirrors is the 2nd single and is a really strong song.  It feels very emotional and has a fantastic beat and feels like a perfect melding of the new Justin Timberlake and the old. It's got a really catchy chorus and I'm pretty sure in the next few weeks we won't be able to escape this song on the radio. 

    And lastly we have the closing track Blue Ocean Floor. It's a drastic change of pace from the rest of the album. While the rest of the album is very upbeat this song is a very slow one. Upon my first listen I really didn't like the song. Honestly the beat sounds more like something Diplo would make and less Timbaland.  But after a few listens the song grew on me and I think it was a smart idea with closing with it as putting it in the middle of the album would've slowed down the tempo too much.

RATING:4.5/5

Overall a really solid pop album and I think a monumental one. The album could've used some shortening on a few of the songs but other than that a really great album.And the best part is this is only part one. A part two to the album is coming out in November and you can be sure I'll be buying it.

STANDOUT TRACKS: THAT GIRL, SPACESHIP COUPE, MIRRORS AND STRAWBERRY BUBBLEGUM

                                                               
   

Album Review: A$AP Rocky's Long Live A$AP

LONG LIVE A$AP REVIEW

LiveLoveA$AP was one of the best mix tapes of 2011. Combining east coast sensibilities with southern trill flair add some Clams Casino production and you got a hit. It was an infectious mix tape that helped build the hype for this young emcee. Now fast forward the clock a bit and we now have Long Live A$AP. A$AP Rocky's debut studio album. Does it live up to the hype?

Yes and No. The album features similar beats to those that appeared on LiveLoveA$AP. At times this album feels erratic like it doesn't know what direction it wants to go in. Like on the song Wild for The Night which features production from Skillrex. The beat does not work, A$AP Rocky sounds like he's confused about how to rap over this dubstep beat and Skillrex's beat sounds equally confused.

A$AP's flow is effortless even though he isn't saying anything at all. He has no stories to tell, no political statements to make, there really aren't even any good one liners from him. Any track on the album that features other artists he is out shined easily, like on the fantastic posse track 1Train which features Danny Brown, Yelawolf, Action Bronson, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T. and Joey BadA$$.

A$AP raps about money,clothes,women and drugs, and there is nothing wrong with that. Not every album needs to be a world changing album with an overreaching message. But I can't help feeling like there is a smarter more talented rapper inside of A$AP. When I listen to his interviews he seems like a progressive smart man, but when he rhymes all he talks about is swag.

At the end of the day it isn't a terrible album but it says absolutely nothing and if A$AP Rocky wants to live forever he is going to have to expand the topics he raps about.  I give LongLiveA$AP 3 OUTTA 5 Stars.

STAND OUT TRACKS: Goldie, LongLiveA$AP, Fucking Problems and 1Train
RATING: 3 OUTTA 5

Most 30 Anticipated Movies, Albums, And Video Games 2013 Part 3 Video Games

My Ten Most Anticipated Video Games of 2013

Number 10. Injustice: Gods Among Us
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U
Release Date: April 2013

I loved Mortal Kombat 9 it was a brutal fighting game that brought the series back to it's roots while making it a more serious kompetitive (teehee) fighter. Now NetherRealm studios is making a new fighter based on the same engine and game mechanics with DC comic-book characters. The rooster of fighters includes Batman, The Joker, Superman, The Green Lateran  Wonder-Women and more. I can't wait to beat Superman's face to a bloody pulp while screaming "I am the Night!"

Number 9. DeadPool

Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U

Release Date: TBD 2013

Deadpool is a fun comic book character. He's a violent, mouthy, forth wall breaking mercenary and is perfect for a video game. This would probably be higher on my list but licensed games especially Marvel ones tend to be really iffy sometimes. But I can only hope that this game is more than a quick cash in attempt.

Number 8. Star Wars 1313

Platforms: Non have been officially announced but I'm sure it'll be on PS3 Xbox 360 and maybe PC.

Release Date: TBD 2013

Star Wars games are hit or miss with me. This one is going to leave behind the light saber swinging jedi and put you in the shoes of a bounty hunter while navigating through the grimy criminal underbelly of Coruscant known as 1313. The game is going in a mature direction and could possibly be M-Rated. The game play looks like Star Wars answer to the Uncharted series.

Number 7. South Park the Stick of Truth

Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3

Release Date: March 5th 2013

I have always loved South Park. I've also really enjoyed some turn based RPGS. And now those two things are being combined into one game. South Park the Stick of Truth is said to feature game play similar to Paper Mario one of my favorite N64 games. The game looks like it's an episode of South Park which is all the more reason I can't wait to get my hands on it. 

Number 6. Planetary Annihilation

Platforms: PC

Release Date: July 2013

I am a sucker for a good RTS game. And this one looks like it's going to be just that. An intense RTS where you work on conquering planet after planet. Just watch the video below.

Number 5. Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time

Platforms:PC

Release Date: February 5th 2013

The Sly Cooper franchise is one of the finest exclusives that Sony has. And it is just now at the end of the PS3's life cycle making it's jump to HD. I'm sure we can expect some more of that great stealthy platforming game play in this one.

Number 4. Pokemon X and Y

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: October 2013

If anything could get me to buy the 3DS it's this one. Pokemon is finally getting a long overdue graphical re-haul. Not much is known about the game at this time. We know that the graphics have changed and there will be a new generation of pokemon. But no matter what I'm sure this will be a fantastic entry into the addictive franchise. 

Number 3. Bioshock Infinite

Platforms: PC,PS3, Xbox 360

Release Date:March 26th 2013

Bioshock is still to this day one of my favorite games. The setting of Rapture was incredible and really sold the game for me. When Bioshock 2 came out and I found I had seen all there was to see already in the first game. But now here comes Bioshock Infinite leaving behind the ocean for a city in the sky Columbia. The game is bringing back the all the awesome powers and gun play. The plot also looks like it's shaping up to be quite the adventure. 

Number 2. The Last of US

Platforms: PS3

Release Date: May 7th

I only bought a PS3 hoping that Kingdom Hearts 3 would come out sometime this century. But instead I've been graced with wonderful exclusive after exclusive  Now here comes The Last of Us, Naughty Dog's next project that puts players in the role of Joel a man with somewhat of a questionable past who is protecting a young girl named Ellie as they navigate through post apocalyptic America. That description alone was enough to have me intrigued. But then Naughty Dog showed some never before seen footage at E3 and I was absolutely convinced that I needed this game. Seriously watch the whole video below it's intense. The violence is intense and so realistic. It's disgusting and puts a bit of a knot in my stomach. And that's why I know I need to play this game. I need to have this interactive cinematic experience. 

Number 1: GTA V

Platforms: PS3 and Xbox 360

Release Date: Spring 2013

I really, really, love Grand Theft Auto. I know this game will be fantastic. I wouldn't have to know a single thing about this game and I would have bought it because I have that much faith in Rockstar. The info that is out there about the game is just astounding. A world that's supposed to be the biggest world Rockstar has made to date.  Three protagonist that you can play as, you can even switch who you're playing as outside of missions with a single push of a button. There's also going to be more wild life. Grand Theft Auto is the only franchise that can get me this excited just at the mere rumor that there may be cows in the game.

My Top 30 Most Anticipated Movies, Albums and Video Games Part 2 Albums.

Top Ten Most Anticipated Albums.

Number 10.  Black Sabbath- 13

I often times forget about how much metal I used to listen to. I still do from time to time but I have to be in the right mindset for most bands. But not Black Sabbath. Anytime I'm flipping from station to station and I hear a Black Sabbath song I stop and I jam out. When I heard the original line up was getting back together to record there first album in three decades I got excited  Even though the band is up there in age now I can't help but think that they are going to make one awesome comeback album.

Number 9. Justin Timberlake's return.

I don't care what anybody says or thinks Justified and FutureSex/Lovesounds are the two best pop albums of the 2000s. That's right I said it. And now he's coming back to make a new album and I know it's going to be an infectious super catchy pop album.This album would've been higher up on my list but it's been announced Timbaland is exclusively producing it. Which is fine by me but that means there won't be any production by the Neptunes which means no songs that sound like Senorita. But I digress, nobody does it like JT.

Number 8. Pusha T- My Name is My Name

Pusha T has been rapping for a long ass time. Whether with Clipse or on other artist's tracks as a feature. And Pusha has never had a solo album. That is until this year. The man has talent there is no doubt about it and I eagerly look forward to his solo album.

Number 7. Mastodon-6th Album

As I've stated earlier I love metal music. But I love this metal band more than a lot of other metal bands. This progressive metal group is headed back to the studio and plan to have another hard hitting album out later this year. From there twitter page Mastodon mentioned that they're recording a song for Pixar's Monster's University. 2013 looks like it's going to be a helluva year for Mastodon.

Number 6. Wu Tang- Reunion.

It's been stated several times in the last year that the Wu are going to do a reunion tour and record a new album in 2013. I think that's all I need to say about this because we all know the Wu Tang Clan ain't nothin' to fuck with.

Number 5. Anything Joey Bad$$ makes this year.

Joey Bad$$ is only 18 but I've got him pinned to grow into something quite amazing. Last year alone he released two very awesome mixtapes and I cannot imagine that in 2013 the throwback kid is going to slowdown any. He recently teamed up with DJ Premire (the producer behind Moment of Truth) to record a track called Unorthodox. I'm sure Joey's got all sorts of projects lined up for the coming year and I plan on absorbing all of them. 

Number 4. Earl Sweatshirt- Doris

Earl Sweatshirt has been praised by so many hip hop fans and bloggers in the world. But ever since his return from Samoa the rapper has been getting alot flack from the web. People criticizing his more monotone flow and calling the rapper lazy. If people would take a second and listen to the lyrics they would realize Earl's wordplay and assonance is just as strong as ever. Maybe it's the fact that he's matured and is no longer rapping about rape and murder that has everybody mad. But I really enjoyed his verse on Frank Ocean's Super Rich Kids. And his first single off of Doris titled Chum is awesome.

Number 3. Tyler The Creator- Wolf

It was originally supposed to come out some time around the end of 2013. But the follow up to Goblin has been delayed with no official release date as of yet. Tyler has stated that it's going to be quite different from the previous two albums. Stating he's going to focus more on the production side of things this time around. His twitter has revealed that he's been working with Pharrell Williams and bizarrely Miley Cyrus. If that doesn't at least peak your curiosity a little bit then I don't know what will. 

And the winner of the most bizarre hip hop related photo of 2012 is.....

Number 2. Queens of the Stone Age- 6th Album

Songs For the Deaf is one of my favorite albums of all time. I think it might be Dave Grohl's drumming or just how fierce the guitars sound sometimes. So when I discovered Queens of the Stone Age were heading back into the studio and with Dave Grohl on the drums again I almost peed my pants with excitement.  Plus Trent Reznor has announced that he's collaborated with the band on the album. This is going to be an awesome rock album. There is no doubt in my mind about that.

Number 1. Kid Cudi- IndiCud

Anyone who knows me probably isn't surprised by this choice. The Man on The Moon is going to make his return in 2013 and he has said he plans to make this album his version of Dr. Dre's 2001. So far the guest artists that have been announced are fucking awesome he's got a large variety of people confirmed to be on the album like Kendrick Lamar, Ratatat, Pusha T, Kanye West and more. With a maximum of 17 uptempo songs coming out this year. I'm tempted to freeze myself until the album is released. 

My Top 30 Most Anticipated, Movies, Albums and Video Games of 2013. Part 1 Movies

Top Ten Most Anticipated Movies.

Number 10.  Iron Man 3.

I loved the first Iron Man. I found the 2nd one to be a bit bloated with all the subplots and all the little Avengers hints they had to throw into the film. Now that the Avengers has come out and was awesome I'm really hoping they can just let Iron Man have his movie without all the obnoxious mentions of S.H.I.E.L.D(We get it Marvel your making a cinematic Marvel Universe). Plus the trailer below is just awesome.

Number 9. Anchorman: The Legend Continues.

Every generation has it's Blazing Saddles, Airplane, The Naked Gun, ETC movie. It's a movie that's just packed to the brim with ridiculous jokes that you didn't catch the first time. This generations iteration of this kind of film is Anchorman. It's not often that I actually feel excitement for a comedy sequel. The first one had everything a man could want in a film. Poop jokes, an insane fight scene between news teams and a man riding a bear. 

Number 8. This Is The End.

So you take a bunch of the most popular comedic actors currently working and you throw them in the apocalypse playing themselves and you have This is The End. They've also thrown in actress Emma Watson. You can expect a bunch of dick jokes and homoerotic situations from this one.

Number 7. The Evil Dead

Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead is one of my favorite horror movies of all time. When I first heard there was going to be a remake I was a little bit upset and concerned. But after seeing the first red band trailer for it I got excited.  Sam Raimi handpicked the director remaking it and Raimi is producing. It looks like quite the graphic update of the original and that excites me.

WARNING: Not for the faint of heart this trailer is brutal.

Number 6. Monsters University 

Monster's Inc. is easily my 2nd favorite Pixar flick, just above up and just below the Incredibles. So when Pixar announced a prequel to Monsters Inc. Needless to say I was excited  This film is going to show us the origin of Mike and Sully's relationship starting at Monster University.

Number 5. Kick- Ass 2.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the first Kick-Ass. It was a great action flick with some dark humor added into it for good measure. Now the 2nd one is almost here and it's going to throw Jim Carey into the mix. That's enough alone to have me excited. 

Number 4. Man Of Steel

I have to be honest I've never been a huge Superman fan. The only DC character I'm an avid fan of would be Batman. So when Man Of Steel was announced I really didn't care..... That is until I saw the trailer. WOW! Now that's a movie I want to see. The trailer was so simple. It was emotional and it really set the tone without giving away to many plot details.

Number 3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

When Peter Jackson first announced he was going to split The Hobbit into two parts and then later on announced he was going to split it into three parts I was a tad skeptical. The Hobbit is the shortest of the Lord of the Rings series how he is he going to stretch it out. While now that part one is out and I've seen it I can safely put my faith in The Hobbit series of films being satisfying adaptions of the book. I really enjoyed the character arc he set up in the first film and I am anxiously awaiting part 2 this December. 

Number 2. Sin City A Dame to Kill For

Where do I begin with this one. I loved the first Sin City. And this movie has lingered in development hell for years. Now that it actually looks like it could come to life I'm excited especially when Joseph Gordon Levitt has been added to the cast list. 

Number 1. Elysium

District 9 was my favorite film in 2009. It's one of my favorite science fiction films. It was smart without being pretentious and it had great action without dumbing down the film. Now director Neil Blomkamp is about to return with a different science fiction flick called Elysium. Here's a quick plot summary. In the future two classes of people exist, the super wealthy they live on a planet called Elysium and the super poor that live on an overpopulated crappy Earth. Often times people from Earth try to get into Elysium unsuccessfully. Eventually Matt Damon's character gets caught up in a mission to get into Elysium to save his life and possibly unite the two classes. That concept has me super pumped for this flick and that's why it's my most anticipated film of 2013. 

UP NEXT: My Top Ten Most An Anticipated Albums of 2013