New Release Tuesday (Monday actually)

Alright y'all, as most of you already know Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch The Throne album dropped exclusively on iTunes on Monday at midnight. There are two versions, the regular for $11.99 and the Deluxe Edition for $14.99. Since I had an iTunes gift card, I splurged and got the Deluxe Edition, even though I already had two of the four bonus tracks. I've listened to the album in its entirety once and my first reaction is it's good, but not great.

Both Jay and Kanye have put out far better music than this before. I do need to give it more than one listen to really come up with a conclusion, but I can tell you that Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, The Black Album, The College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy all grabbed me on my first listen and this didn't even come close. Some of the songs were really kind of bad.

I hope to actually get a review of the album up, even though I've been awful at getting reviews in, but I think this album is big enough to give a true review. I will tell you this, if you do buy the Deluxe Edition, don't be alarmed by the 3 minutes of silence before track 13 "Illest Motherf*cker Alive," it is supposed to be there. Don't ask me why, as it's the most obnoxious and ignorant thing you'll find and it actually breaks up the flow of your listening pleasure, but for whatever reason some asshole thought it would be a good idea to stick 3 minutes of absolute silence in before the song begins. Seriously, stop this stupid bullshit. I hate skits and interludes, I hate that albums have to have an intro and outro and I hate dickhead moves like 3 minutes of silence before a song starts! It's not like it's a hidden track that you have to wait to unlock. No, it's track No. 13!!! Sorry, I had to vent about this. When I do review the album, I may knock it down a few points because of this.

There are some high points on the album such as "Otis," "New Day," "Welcome To The Jungle," and "Murder To Excellence," but again I have to digest the album a few more times to really be able to give an accurate review.

Also dropping yesterday via iTunes was Royce 5'9's Success Is Certain. I have heard several tracks off that disc as well and all are fire. Eminem, DJ Premier, Kid Vicious, Joe Budden, Nottz, Adonis and Travis Barker are among the collaborators on the album. Em brings the hook for "Writer's Block" (great song title!!!) and Premo brings an absolute banger on "Second Place," showing why Royce and Premier make an incredible duo when they work together. The album is also available with a Deluxe Edition on iTunes which includes the DJ Premier remix of "Writer's Block," so check that out as well. I will be giving this album my full attention once I've given Watch The Throne a few more spins.