[Spoilers] I watched the first 5 seasons as they aired, and then lost touch with the show and TV in general. Hearing the movie was coming out to wrap it all up after the unexpected cancellation at the end of season 7, once I had some time I binge watched season 6-7 in a few days. I don't remember a lot about the specific of the early seasons, but man-alive, I don't know when Ray finds time to sleep. In season 6 and 7, Connor aside who only returns to let us know he is joining the marines, everything that could happen to anyone Ray knows does. Lots of coincidence with perfectly timed life saving phone calls too. One thing I do recall about season 5, was that I found the constant presence of Abby after her death to make the show a bit slower than it needed to be.
I've seen this described as 'if GTA was a show' and I had that thought too. He has main-quests then side-quests and everyone needs his help. If you like Sopranos or vigilante media, this is worth checking out. Ray gives off Batman vibes at times. Hopefully the movie can give it a fitting ending.
Nas raps amazingly well with intelligent lyricism-you'd go in expecting that-and overall, I enjoy the production more than KDI and KDII, but it does have similar issues to the aforementioned albums. While they are good, there aren't enough amazing beats, and more-so, I don't find the hooks to be memorable.
Best Tracks: Speechless, Meet Joe Black, 40-16 Building, Wave Gods, The Truth, Dedicated
One of his more consistent projects that is easy to listen to from front to back, perhaps helped by its short running time, but the high moments are sparse. The best beats just aren't as grand or bangin' as he's has before. The beat for 'Wiggle' is actually hard as, but the content and hook lets it down. 'Richer Than I Ever Been' is the best banger here, but the off beat keys bother me a bit. I think I mentioned this is a previous review of one of his albums, but at times his flow annoys me. That quick bar, pause, and repeat. It grates at times.
Best Tracks: Little Havana, Made It Out Alive, Richer Than I Ever Been
I like enough of this album. The only thing is there are occasions where I like the second part of the song/the prelude more than the beginning, so you have to skip half the track. It should've been put together differently. There's nothing I love with a passion, but there are a number of good songs in the middle of the album with catchy melodies. It's too inconsistent for a higher rating from me though.
Best Tracks: SexyBack, My Love, Lovestoned, What Goes Around...
Feedback is J5's fourth album. They are a group of five, which is a modification from their past LP's where they had six due to Cut Chemist (who handled a lot of the production of their older albums) leaving the group to concentrate on a solo career. Would it affect them? This was the question.
Yes is the answer. While J5 still maintain a different sound to most rap groups/artists around, Feedback is certainly more of a commercial/radio-friendly sounding album and has less of an underground/alternative hip-hop theme than their previous releases. Whether that’s a bad thing depends on what type of music you enjoy.
The main problem I find with this is there are a few songs that remind me of the Black Eyed Peas, including the Scott Storch produced 'Brown Girl' and 'Baby Please'. While they are as poppy as it gets, the album maintains this poppy undertone for much of the album, that wasn't present on their previous albums. Overall, it's far from horrible, but it just doesn't really work.
Hopefully, if J5 ever come together again for another album, they go back to their roots and what sounds best.
Best Tracks: Back 4 U, Where We At, Future Sound, Red Hot, End Up Like This
