So I haven’t really taken the time to review many albums or tracks lately. So what I’m going to do in this lovely post is review as many as quickly and throughly as possible! That’s right it’s an extravaganza! Keep on reading for the fun!

First up…
Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics

Everybody knows she’s one of the best singers out right now, regardless of race, color, or cleavage. She belts out all of her tunes and does it well (admittedly it can become a bit grating) and on this 2 CD set you see why her career didn’t go down hill like Britney’s. The first CD is filled with hot tracks, namely “Back in the Day” and “Makes Me Wanna Pray” with a definite honorable mention to her “Thank You” track dedicated to her fans that winds down the 1st disc. The 2nd disc is apparently produce by Linda Perry (no real idea who she is) and has that old timey feel that Christina’s “Ain’t No Other Man” video has. Not my thing, but decent none the less.
For both discs together, with the 1st disc being my fave I’ll give it a 4.5 / 5.

Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor

So hipsters, hip-hop heads and everybody else first heard “Kick Push” and they were all about it because it was something new and cool. I even was diggin’ it at a point in time. Upon listening to the “new” version of Food and Liquor you’ll first notice all of the production and great beats. Sometimes you won’t know what the hell he’s going on about or even care, but the beats will be stuck in your head; and sometimes just maybe you’ll remember some of the lyrics (probably not). It’s a decent CD even though “Kick Push 2” and the track with Jay-Z weren’t that great it’s still an album worth listening to.
Gets a 3.8 / 5 from me.

John Legend - Once Again

What person during 2004 or 2005 wasn’t singing “Ordinary People” over and over again? If you say you weren’t, you’re either a liar or didn’t listen to the radio. With his new album and the lead single “Save Room” John Legend is back, from the beginning to end it sums up relationship(s) that we’ve all been privileged and unfortunate to be in. With “Heaven” you get that feeling of lost love right after a break up all the way to “Another Again” to getting back with that ex that is no good for you.
I’ll give it a well deserved 4.3 / 5. Go pick it up.

Ruben Studdard - The Return

The Velvet Teddy Bear is back with a new album. Hooray. It’s okay. Not great, sometimes not even that good. But I like “Change Me”, the intro track “The Return (of the Velvet Teddy Bear)” is actually kinda weak but is a decent enough intro.
Quick review for a not-so-memorable album, I give it a 2.5 / 5.

John Mayer - Continuum

Has to be one of my Top 10 for 2006. John Mayer has always been my favorite white boy since “3×5” and “83” so it was a no brainer I was going to like his new effort. With him saying that this is the album where he was free to be himself, it shows because it’s definitely not similar to any of his previous efforts. It has a feeling of being more personal while still involving you in each song. Every track is good but “Vultures” has to be my favorite.
Gets a 4.8 / 5 from me. Definitely get this album.

Lloyd Banks - Rotten Apple

First the guy was the cookie monster, now he’s apparently toned it down or lost some of that testosterone. One way or another his voice isn’t the same as it was on The Hunger For More, kinda sounds like that kid who wants his voice to be deeper so he tries real hard. Anyways, the opening track, “Rotten Apple” with 50 Cent and Prodigy is pretty weak all around so we’re not off to a good start. One song that stands out on this album is “Get Clapped” and thankfully Mobb Deep (more Prodigy then Havoc) redeem themselves somewhat for signing to G-Unit. It’s got a decent feel to it.

Album still sucks though.

Ends up being a 2.2 / 5 (subject to change)

Other Album Ratings

Hoobastank - Every Man For Himself         3.5/ 5
Evanescence - The Open Door         3.5 / 5
Fergie - The Dutchess          2 / 5
Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds          4 / 5