Not as raw as he used to be but still abrasive
November 16, 2008
Let's face it- Ice Cube's cultural relevance has waned. While hood ills grip urban America just as they did 20 years ago, Ice Cube's poetic hatred has lost some of its fire. In "Raw Footage," Cube continually makes excuses for urban ills, blaming society, the white man, prisons, etc. He's just lobbing darts as the oppressor's dartboard, and while he's right to a point, he doesn't seem as hard on the hood for reveling and glorifying the poison that keeps the vicious cycle oiled (though "Hood Mentality" is a notable exception). Otherwise, he just raps about defending his livelihood and how other MCs can't touch his "pyroclastic flow."
Of course, this is THE Ice Cube, and he's as smooth and lyrical as ever, and his wordsmithing is in fine form. He's also experimenting with new beats, injecting a few Dirty South- tinged hooks (a trend that began with LNCL's "Go to Church"). He's also lathered on a generous helping of So Cal swagger and cool grooves that seem made to bounce to in your lowrider.
Yet there's something missing, and it's the dark, savage attitude that characterized his earlier work when he was young, angry, and had a genuine machine to rage against. Now, after staggering success and numerous Hollywood hits (including several Disney productions!?!), his flow seems less venomous and somewhat hypocritical. There are some positive messages and true connection to the hood in "Raw Footage," but Cube has to try harder these days to be taken seriously, and it shows. 3 1/5 stars.
5 star album
November 10, 2008
This album was really good have always like Ice cube's stuff no matter what....still a big fan! Also recently checked out some new stuff from Lil Keke "Seven 13 Hustlaz" that joint is also another hott album from an older generation...pick it up!
Casi un clasico!!!
October 13, 2008
Muy interesante propuesta de ICE, alejandose de los ritmos de Death Certificate y parecidos. Vale la mucho la pena. Ritmo piroplastico
solid lyrics, weak sound, emotionally weak
October 9, 2008
The lyrics are still solid, but the sound is--thin. The anger and energy of the early albums is missing and the production sounds hasty and weak. Even a bunch of studio session musicians would have been an improvement. Sure rap depends primarily on the lyrics, but if the sound is boring, who's listening? The riffs are generic and it sounds like 1980s synth a lot of the time.
Another exceptional album from the Don Mega Cube.
October 6, 2008
Ice Cube has done it again. Its sad that such an amazing album will never be appreciated by anyone due to the lack of airtime this phenomenal album will recieve. It doesn't matter though, because all truly good albums will stand the test of time.
As for the album breakdown, there are too many gems to name. His analysis of the Gangster Rap movement in the song stand tall was brilliant! Ice Cube's ability to challenge white people, black people, and America is truly amazing. Pne of the most intelligent albums to be released since Nas's last opus.
