After listening to this and enjoying but not loving his solo debut, I've come to the conclusion that there is something about Big Boi's beat selection that doesn't do it for me. There is this kind of poppy-ness to many of the beats he picks, in addition to some questionable choruses as well. As the ratings and comments of the tracks demonstrate below, I may keep some tracks in the playlist, but on the whole, I'm disappointed by the consistency of this album from one of the artists who got me into the game. When it works it works really well, and you have to appreciate Big Boi for attempting to create diverse music, but many tracks don't cater to my tastes. "I keep it playa while some choose to play it safe," defines some of his musical choices. Best Tracks: The Thickets, Objectum Sexuality, In the A, CPU, Lines, Descending, Gossip 1 Ascending 2 The Thickets (feat. Sleepy Brown) ★★★★☆ A great start to the album. Sleepy Brown reminds us he is still here on the chorus and the production is top-notch. 3 Apple of My Eye ★★★☆ I like the energetic beat and verses, but the chorus lets it down slightly. 4 Objectum Sexuality (feat. Phantogram) ★★★★☆ Electronically funky. This begins the Phantogram collaborations and they are all among the strongest tracks and the brightest moments throughout the album. 5 In the A (feat. T.I. & Ludacris) ★★★★☆ The hardest, straight hip hop tune here. It's nice to hear Luda over a good beat again and I wish Killer Mike was on this instead of 'Thom Pettie'. The beat isn't really original, but it bangs. 6 She Hates Me (feat. Kid Cudi) ★★☆ I've said it many times before that I am starting to bore myself, but I can't stand Cudi. If not for that the song would be good. If you like Cudi you'll like this song which takes it down a few notches from the start of the album. This is where the variation begins between hits and misses. 7 CPU (feat. Phantogram) ★★★★☆ This feels like something that could have been on the synthy Drive OST. 8 Thom Pettie (feat. Little Dragon & Killer Mike) ★★ I don't like this. The beat isn't great and the chorus is bad. "Thom Pettie that Ho" 9 Mama Told Me (feat. Kelly Rowland) ★★★☆ One of the singles. Sounds '80s, is very pop and isn't a bad record. 10 Lines (feat. A$AP Rocky & Phantogram) ★★★★☆ One of the best songs here. Good production and a reasonable hook. Is it just me or does ASAP sound a bit like Big Boi? 11 Shoes For Running (feat. B.o.B & Wavves) ★★ I can't stand the chorus and it's the first thing you hear. 12 Raspberries (feat. Mouche & Scar) ★★☆ Not too exciting. Again the chorus is average. 13 Tremendous Damage (feat. Bosko) ★★★ Very pop, with Big Boi almost singing. Lyrically it's more personal. 14 Descending (feat. Little Dragon) ★★★★☆ Big Boi sings/raps two short verses about his father passing. A sad/vibey kind of track. 15 Higher Res (feat. Jai Paul & Little Dragon) ★☆ Almost sounds like noise. 16 Gossip (feat. UGK & Big K.R.I.T.) ★★★★☆ This is more of the stuff I wanna hear from Big Boi. KRIT is great on this. 17 She Said OK (feat. Theophilus London & Tre Luce) ★★★ X-rated

There is a lot to enjoy on this but there is really nothing I love. Since getting this record I really haven't played anything a lot, and quite a few of the times I have spun the album, have been because of the hype this has received from almost every critic out there. I've always loved Outkast but without Andre 3000, despite being a great rapper, I don't enjoy Big Boi as much, and I have similar thoughts whenever I play Speakerboxxx. The beats seem to try to replicate OutKast's past, with an original funky kind of production OutKast are known for, but again there is nothing I find to be mind-blowing here. Lastly, I don't feel the consistency is here either that is required for the near-universal acclaim being received. The album begins very well and finishes well, but 'Tangerine' to 'Be Still' are all very average tunes. Best Tracks: Daddy Fat Sax, Turns Me On, Shutterbugg, General Patton, Shine Blockas, The Train Pt. 2

It's said that these thirteen tracks that leaked in mid-2008 were going to make up Kell's official 9th album, that ended up becoming 'Untitled'. In terms of overall quality, I've given them almost identical track rating averages, but I'd say the best on this are better than the best on 'Untitled'. 'Hair Braider'-'Screamer' is a great three track run with 'Playas Get Lonely' clearly standing out as well near the conclusion. Aside from them though, there isn't a lot to rush back to and a lot of it is musically similar to stuff he has put out over the past few albums. As 'Untitled' is as well, this is more hit or miss than most R. Kelly albums are. As usual too though, the best are amazing. Best Tracks: Hair Braider, Skin, Screamer, Playas Get Lonely

From my rough rating system: 3-Not bad, some good tracks, but too many irrelevant ones to get high score. That description pretty much sums it up. Best Songs: On My D***, 1 Mo Time, Runnin' My Momma Crazy, Shawty, Friday, Keep It Real, Murkin' Season. As you can see that's quite a few songs I do like a fair bit so I was close to givin' it 3.5 / 5. While not having the greatest flow or voice, Plies keeps it pretty fresh despite only having three guests on the album. Worth a listen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vibe: Plies is an interesting name for a rapper, how did you get that nickname? Plies: Plies is a tool, You can use it to put the squeeze on things, like I'm doing to these niggas in the rap game. I got the squeeze on them real tight, they feeling the pressure, or you can use it to pull things out. I pull out all the bullshit and keep the real you feel me? It also a word you can use in terms of things goin' on in yo life, ya dig. You may hear something I say and say that it plies to me. Plies straight to me. Vibe: I've heard of a tool called a Pliers and the term applies. Plies: You know what I'm trying to say my nigga, just buy my album, I'm from the South my nigga, we don't learn no grammar. My album out August 7, 2007, cop three copies each, it's Christmas in July fo' real, ya dig? — Vibe Magazine website

We all know what Disc I offers, so that isn't even included in my rating. As far as 'Disc II, HIStory Continues' goes, once again I can't complain about what MJ gave us. It's much more personal and irate lyrically than we have seen from his previous albums, with Michael reflecting on what he'd experienced over the previous two years with the allegations, betrayal and lawsuits making for more aggressive music than we'd heard from him. As a fan of hip hop, I like the new themes and musical direction many songs take. Feel-good songs like 'Rock With You', 'The Way You Make Me Feel' and so on don't exist with Michael no doubt being in a different head space. However, as always, there is still variation with a few ballads/softer tunes, some harder pop tracks and one rock track in the theme of 'Give in to Me' or 'Dirty Diana' from previous albums, in this case, it's D.S. which isn't loved by all but is one I've always enjoyed immensely. Like 'Dangerous' was, the first half is no doubt stronger than the second with an array of good songs beginning the album and then ends softly with 'Little Susie' and 'Smile'. Overall, of the fifteen tracks, there is easily enough I enjoy/love to this day to give it a high rating. Best Tracks: They Don't Care About Us, Stranger in Moscow, Earth Song, D.S., Money, You Are Not Alone, Tabloid Junkie