[:: J. COLE THREAD | DREAMVILLE's ROTD3 ALBUM OUT NOW!! ::]

[ace rawstein]

been vibin to the album at work all morning... has def grown on me since first listen.

Ill say this about Cole...he is his own man(for better or worse). This doesnt sound like anybody else music that is out right now.

I dig and enjoy the records with the 2 popular samples but I kinda dont understand the why? anybody else feel that way?

oh and "She Knows" has to be the 3rd single!

 

[finallyfamous]

People wait like they think its cool

Cole doesn't even know any of you so who cares.

 

[peekthasneaks]

@ the art of storytelling sample. ONe of my favorite Outkast records.

 

[harlemtothebronx]

People wait like they think its cool

Cole doesn't even know any of you so who cares.

That's not the point. For me personally, nothing matched picking up a CD on the release date, popping it in, and letting it play through for the first time. The Internet changed that, but I prefer it over listening to a rip a couple weeks early.

 

[suberzat1]

That's not the point. For me personally, nothing matched picking up a CD on the release date, popping it in, and letting it play through for the first time. The Internet changed that, but I prefer it over listening to a rip a couple weeks early.

listen to a rip version vs a cdq version is not going to change my opinion on an album. When i pick the album up ill just delete the rip one and upload the cd.

 

[jthagreat]

I started reading that summary and got to the 3rd track and quit.

I just want to be surprised w no expectations so imma chill. He did alot to be very secretive this whole time so imma just ride the wave and catch the album in its entirety when it's available.

I wonder if he had a different plan for releasing the tracklist. Can't really read into his tweet but it didn't seem that enthused too me... More like a, "whatever, here it is."

i did the same thing

 

[shoeking2101]

After listening to the album for most of yesterday and this morning, It's a really good album IMO. The rapping really shines on this album. The production is dope too, but outside of Power Trip, Crooked Smile, and maybe Born Sinner the beats are really catered towards "Rappity Rap" which isn't a bad thing.

But I would definitely say Friday Night Lights and even the Warm Up are better. Those projects are the epitomy of balance. IMO it seems as if cole lost that. It's a very delicate balance that right now only Drake and Kendrick have. Being able to produce great harmonies, melodies, pleasing sounds to the ear without sacrificing your lyricism and raps.

It's like Cole made sideline story which had work out, can't get enough, Nobody's perfect, Lost ones, & Lights Please, In The Morning & even Nothing last forever. All records with great, catchy hooks. Cole caught flack for Sideline Story though, saying it was too single driven and he wasn't really rapping. He even said it himself, he knew Sideline Story wasn't a classic. So what does he do? Completely disregards the catchy hooks and melodies on Sideline Story and makes Born Sinner. Great raps, but there are virtually no really catchy hooks and melodies that grab you. And that's what makes Kendrick so good. He can make a project with great hooks and melodies, without sacrificing the raps. Cole can too, but he doesn't on Born Sinner.

I love the album, but I can see where people would say it gets boring after awhile. The beats are great but they are definitely catered for someone to just rap, especially the first half. The Balance that we saw with Warm Up, and Friday Night Lights isn't there to me anymore. He's either Can't Get Enough or Villuminati and he's more Villuminati on this album.

Again, if you enjoy hearing someone just flat out spit, you'll enjoy this album. If you enjoy harmonies, melodies, and catchy hooks you will think this is boring. I love the raps, just wished there was more "Power Trip" like songs on there, structure wise.

 

[al audi]

Shoeking, good review. Thanks.

 

[harlemtothebronx]

That's not the point. For me personally, nothing matched picking up a CD on the release date, popping it in, and letting it play through for the first time. The Internet changed that, but I prefer it over listening to a rip a couple weeks early.

listen to a rip version vs a cdq version is not going to change my opinion on an album. When i pick the album up ill just delete the rip one and upload the cd.

That's fine. I'm just explaining why I prefer to wait until I can purchase the hard copy in the store. It doesn't have anything to do with me thinking it makes me cool or that Cole knows who I am.

 

[shoeking2101]

^No Problem G.

It's like Cole set out to prove that he wasn't "Can't Get Enough" and "Work Out" and that he could spit like GKMC, but totally forgot about his catchiness. Cole "The Backpacker" is in full effect on this one. Way more Nas than Jay-Z/Drake on this one. The Beats do get kind of boring and don't listen to these pundits who are sucking up Cole right now.

Not to say that Cole isn't worth the gassing, but these pundits don't stand on their own. They just go with whoever has the juice and whoever the people running with, and the people are running with Cole right now. Make your own conclusion with the music. IMO the beats sounds very similar, and at times stale and boring, showcasing his rapping ability albeit on beats that sound the same. Miss America sounds like Villuminati which sounds like Land of the Snakes which sounds like Mo Money which sounds like Rich ****** which sounds like Trouble. Srs.

 

[certifiedsw]

Born Sinner is really more of the same from what we've heard from him in the past so the album is nothing mindblowing, but it's still solid. I think Shoeking put it perfectly when he said if you enjoy someone spitting you're going to really enjoy it but if you're more of a hook/melody person you're going to think it's boring.


I could really do without the interludes and skits. 13 tracks would've been a perfect length for this. I also think that he should've put "Kenny Lofton" on the album, that song was flames x 100000. Definitely could've swapped that track with "Trouble".

 

[currensy]

I Let Nas Down, Power Trip, and Born Sinner are my favorites.
Subject to change

 

[currensy]

I Let Nas Down, Power Trip, and Born Sinner are my favorites.
Subject to change

 

[delete]

J. Cole is exactly the same with Nas, both have lyrics that are out of this world but their beats lack that punch. album is good for what it's worth, dope lyricism with good storytelling.

 

[shoeking2101]

J. Cole is exactly the same with Nas, both have lyrics that are out of this world but their beats lack that punch. album is good for what it's worth, dope lyricism with good storytelling.

100% correct. Even more apparent on this album

 

[mjhead23]

Ok I'm done giving Cole a pass. He needs outside production. I listened to the live stream. Maybe I need to listen again. But the production was bad to me. Not listening again til I have a copy.

 

[bballkid11]

I actually am digging Trouble!

 

[yallayalla]

mystic brew. electric relaxation. forbidden fruit.

 

[pscham81]

This album is supremely dull. Hurry up and let Yeezus leak already.

 

[licensed to ball]

Appreciate ShoeKings objective reviews even though I havent even listened yet.
I guess i know what im in for. ShoeKing your reviews was probably the most concise, specific, objective and informative review ive seen without giving too much away.

+1.

I hope that i find the songs more catchy than you though, because im a sucker for good melodies and hooks so if thats true im gonna be a little dissapointed.
We shall see though...

I'll probably give it a listen when a high quality version drops... ive alread pre-ordered multiple copies.

 

[loveslt]

Billboard reviews Born Sinner : "Easily the best Hip-Hop album of 2013"

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1566294/j-cole-born-sinner-track-by-track-review

 

[Jumanji]

not feeling the born sinner track at all. Ending the album on that leaves a bad taste in my mouth

 

[licensed to ball]

Billboard reviews Born Sinner : "Easily the best Hip-Hop album of 2013"

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1566294/j-cole-born-sinner-track-by-track-review

 

[bballkid11]

Billboard reviews Born Sinner : "Easily the best Hip-Hop album of 2013"

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1566294/j-cole-born-sinner-track-by-track-review

That's what I'm talking about!!!
I love this album!

If you a club banger person or just look for beats it's not for you!! But I listen deep to the stories and breakdowns of cole speaking about his life story such as the struggle, monogamy , trying to stay faithful strong and live up to expectations in a industry where you can't make everyone happy!!!

Born Sinner copped 3X

 

[flatbushfiyah23]

Born Sinner is really more of the same from what we've heard from him in the past so the album is nothing mindblowing, but it's still solid. I think Shoeking put it perfectly when he said if you enjoy someone spitting you're going to really enjoy it but if you're more of a hook/melody person you're going to think it's boring.


I could really do without the interludes and skits. 13 tracks would've been a perfect length for this. I also think that he should've put "Kenny Lofton" on the album, that song was flames x 100000. Definitely could've swapped that track with "Trouble".

I am in agreement with you and shoeking in a ton of your analysis of the album. Especially regarding the interludes and skits. 12-14 tracks with just songs would have been perfect for this album. When you take out the skits/interludes it is a much stronger project. I wish rappers would realize that quality is more important than quantity many times. If I could I would eliminate all the skits/interludes along with She Knows and I think you have a very strong album (even with Power Trip which I don't like).

With that being said I listened to the album 2 more times and I may have been a bit too harsh in my initial review. I like the project much more now. First of all I actually listened to it on my home theater system and in my cars. So hearing it on good speakers made me appreciate the production on the standout tracks a bit more. I still think there are some songs where I do not like the hook or the production but two songs that I had listed as average really grew on me (Rich N***** & Trouble). Overall I would give it a 3.75/5 rating....good album. Not great put pretty good.