Reviewing an album is certainly a labor of love, and a perfect balance between the number of author's listens. One listen is certainly not enough, yet too many spins can leave you reviewing an album looking like a groupie.
That being said, After two listens -Track 7 & Track 15 save the album and remain my favorites. Aka: Swizz Beatz and Mr. Hudson (His abum drops in October, should be redik.) As I said, I only listened to the album twice through and these are the two non singles that grabbed me. Nothing else jumped out at me immediately. (The Alicia Keys track is nice. Trouble is it's already played out for me. Being that it was on repeat last weekend at the labor day party. Same with the rest of the radio singles. Hot 97 killed D.O.A. in June when they played it ALL DAY LONG on release day.)
My beef with the first listen is I feel like Jay keeps telling me the same stories. Which is understandable since he's the only rapper in the game with tenure, we're already going to know that; Yes you sold drugs, yeah you missed your dad. It leaves you to wonder if anything else interesting happened to him since the last album? Besides getting older & counting his money? I guess the duet with B attributes to that but still.. At first listen it was lacking.. Ultimately that's the result of too much hype. It is proving to be a grower though as you listen closer to his stylistic approaches..
Should be said that Swizz's one song on BP3 is the most unique beat on the record, (Sound familiar? It samples Justice's D.A.N.C.E.) it instantly had me moving. Homeboy easily makes the best beats in hip hop for me right now. His track on this album reminds me of the Dr.Dre beat in "Trouble" on Kingdom Come in that it stands out against every other beat on the album in a cocky fashion.
Hopefully it doesn't remain a 3 single album for me. I'm sure it will be hov's 11th #1 album no matter, so early congrats on that. Which means he will pass Elvis on number 1 albums and is now only under the Beatles who have 19 #1 albums. MAJOR accomplishment for hip hop, and for Mr. Carter. Really doesn't matter what anyone thinks once that happens.
Best tracks on the album regardless:
Jay-Z Feat. Swizz Beatz - On To The Next One
Jay-Z Feat. Mr Hudson - Young Forever
