 | Word Staff Pick
Blackalicious
Nia
Some people say that hip hop artists don't make great albums, that the genre really only produces singles. They're wrong. Blackalicious come from the same San Francisco scene that bought us DJ Shadow, and Nia is strong from start to finish, a post-gangsta selection of earthy, funky productions featuring the best rapper in the business, baritone tongue-twister Gift of Gab. A to G best showcases his extraordinary skills, while Trouble (Eve Of Destruction) may be the greatest combination of poetry and bassline ever committed to tape. They even sample The Move. (Fraser Lewry) | |  | Word Reader Pick
Jenny Lewis
Acid Tongue
Jenny Lewis’ second solo album is pleasant enough, sounding nothing like either her last album or her work with Rilo Kiley. It largely lacks the warmth and sweetness of Rabbit Fur Coat, although the title track would have fit pretty well on that album and is the one song that really sticks on a first listen. If anything, there’s a bit too much going on; but when it works, it works beautifully. (Lucas Hare) |
