Best Ever Albums

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

Skinny — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 22:15:06 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 03/25/2021 02:15

1994 wins, 7-4.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

Skinny — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 15:16:32 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 03/21/2021 19:16

RoundTheBend wrote:

That's one thing I'm always embarrassed with... should really pick up the habit of reading lyrics more often. And a thing I really respect about BayState.

RTB: This is my favorite song!
BayState: But it's about Nazi's killing gay black socialists
RTB: 😲 😲 😲 🫢 🫢 🫢 🤡 🤡 #-o

I'm really hypocritical when it comes to misogyny in lyrics. I hate it in rock and pop, but can ignore it happily - or even celebrate it, provided it has the requisite comedic flair - in hip-hop and r'n'b. This isn't cool, and I know that. I cannot articulate why this happens. I'm conscious of it, but nothing changes. I wouldn't let that shit slide in real life, but in rap lyrics I find it completely acceptable (bar some notable exceptions). It just doesn't affect my enjoyment of a rap verse or song. That's my bad, and I know it.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

baystateoftheart — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 14:38:24 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 03/21/2021 18:38

RoundTheBend wrote:

🤣

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

RoundTheBend — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 14:15:32 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 03/21/2021 18:15

That's one thing I'm always embarrassed with... should really pick up the habit of reading lyrics more often. And a thing I really respect about BayState.

RTB: This is my favorite song!
BayState: But it's about Nazi's killing gay black socialists
RTB: 😲 😲 😲 🫢 🫢 🫢 🤡 🤡 🤡

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

Skinny — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 11:43:45 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 03/21/2021 15:43

baystateoftheart wrote:

In terms of beat, flow, and the technical/wordplay aspects of lyricism, it's vintage OutKast, and content aside would be a 4 or 4.5. However, lyrically this is probably their most thoroughly misogynist song. Misogyny is the whole concept of the song, punctuated at the end by Big Boi's "use her and abuse her." And there's some pointed homophobia for good measure. By the way, Street Gospel would have been a 3.5 or 4 if it didn't include the three or four most misogynistic tracks. Great beats throughout and quality rapping.

Fair enough.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

baystateoftheart — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 11:12:02 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 03/21/2021 15:12

Skinny wrote:

Really? What is it about 'Jazzy Belle' that you so strongly dislike? Of all those 1997 picks, I'd have figured it was the one that most appealed to you, to be honest.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

Skinny — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 02:59:28 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 03/21/2021 06:59

baystateoftheart wrote:

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik: 4.5/5
Resurrection: 4/5
C.R.E.A.M.: 5/5
Just Another Day: 4/5

1994 Total: 17.5/20

The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation Of Human Consciousness: 3/5
Street Gospel: 2.5/5
Hail Mary: 3.5/5
Jazzy Belle: 1/5

1997 Total: 10/20

A team (obviously) completely oriented to my interests vs. a team that while technically very skillful is more or less oriented to the opposite of my interests.

Really? What is it about 'Jazzy Belle' that you so strongly dislike? Of all those 1997 picks, I'd have figured it was the one that most appealed to you, to be honest.

Anyway, I voted 1997. It had a more consistent singles selection - I tried and tried with 'Just Another Day' but it's merely pleasant - and the best album on the board. Again, further proof that appealing to my tastes in not a votewinner.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

baystateoftheart — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 20:01:13 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 03/21/2021 00:01

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik: 4.5/5
Resurrection: 4/5
C.R.E.A.M.: 5/5
Just Another Day: 4/5

1994 Total: 17.5/20

The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation Of Human Consciousness: 3/5
Street Gospel: 2.5/5
Hail Mary: 3.5/5
Jazzy Belle: 1/5

1997 Total: 10/20

A team (obviously) completely oriented to my interests vs. a team that while technically very skillful is more or less oriented to the opposite of my interests.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

Purplepash — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 21:10:21 GMT

Author: Purplepash

Posted: 03/20/2021 01:10

Totally agree with Hayden about a tie. The two group B matchups were the closest of this round for me. Just giving the edge to 1994 here.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

Hayden — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 21:40:56 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 03/18/2021 01:40

This kinda deserves to be a tie.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

babyBlueSedan — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 21:14:35 GMT

Author: babyBlueSedan

Posted: 03/18/2021 01:14

Ended up going for 1994, with Queen Latifah as the deciding factor. Again I love all of these singles but with another listen I think that's the one that has grown on me the most. Nearly went 1997 since I prefer its Outkast pick but couldn't get past the fact that I do prefer the '94 albums even if I'm not crazy about them.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

RoundTheBend — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 11:16:02 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 03/10/2021 16:16

baystateoftheart wrote:

I'm honored! :D

By the way my opinion didn't change - awesome team baystateoftheart.

LedZep - those singles were fantastic choices... just wish I liked those albums more :(.

But hey my teams probably going to suck hard based on the feedback, so what comes around goes around I suppose - at least your singles are getting awesome praise from me... I ain't got nothing but one album that's "pretty good" 🤣

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

LedZep — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:09:54 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 03/10/2021 10:09

I just wanna say that the almost nonsensical, showy lyrics and raps are the thing that draws me to Jedi Mind Tricks in the first place. I understand why you'd dislike that style but I personally find it refreshing and fun. Very technical rapping has its charms as well. It reminds me of DOOM at times with the way Vinnie's flows and rhymes are a story by themselves. And when it's actually about sci-fi shit, who could resist?

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

cestuneblague — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 00:42:00 GMT

Author: cestuneblague

Posted: 03/10/2021 05:42

Yeah this is a great matchup. Street Gospel is really something, the feeling both Quik and Suga Free are not just in perfect harmony for indiviual beats but with the entire production as well. Even as dark and perhaps sometimes deplorable as the subject matter can get, the funky vibe mixed with the dark humor make for something unique in that odd transitory period that SoCal rap seemed to be in '97. Jedi Mind Tricks is another really fun and even kind of spooky bit of more Y2k-dreading paranoia, although it definitely pales in comparison to SG. The singles are great, both artists really pushing the boundaries of their own music and creating something pretty unique in their already stellar body of work.

Southernplayalistic... was one of the most exciting debuts of any genres in the 90s, even if this was their high-water mark they would probably still have a special place in hip hop history but the fact they managed to keep building & expanding on that sound with subsequent releases is what makes them one of the greatest. And yeah I've always liked Common but never really fallen for his music, this is certainly one of his better ones though even if I'm not quite moved by it as others, still quality regardless. CREAM is again like nearly everything on 36 chambers shouldn't work in theory with far too many moving parts but defies all logic to become something this exciting and borderline trascendent. Just Another Day really does feel perfectly mid-90s with that moody R&B feel interspersed with sharp rapping interludes, Black Reign has defintely been in and out of consideration for my teams (I know they've been a total sausagefest, apologies).

Definitely one of the toughest decisions this round. I think I do prefer Street Gospel a bit to Southernplay, and Common somewhat to Jedi Mind Tricks, and both singles team are stellar with their own different vibe, so... I donno? Will probably wait till last minute to decide

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

babyBlueSedan — Tue, 9 Mar 2021 22:30:57 GMT

Author: babyBlueSedan

Posted: 03/10/2021 03:30

Back when I first got into hip hop I would have been all over this Jedi Mind Tricks album with its sci-fi / metaphysical lyrics. Today I think it's mostly nonsense. It's wordy and flows well but boy does it sound like a lot of astrological mumbo jumbo. I like the beats and it grew on me as it went on but this just isn't in my wheelhouse these days.

I enjoyed Street Gospel a bit more. DJ Quik's beats are phenomenal and I need to listen to more of the albums he produced. Like with Jedi Mind Tricks, the subject matter dragged this one down for me as well. I'll put up with occasional questionable lyrics in hip hop but a whole album that's this mean spirited is just difficult for me to listen to. I get that a lot of it is meant to be humorous, and I do think there are some funny bars like "She used to work down there at the sperm bank until she got fired for drinkin' on the job." But overall it's just not something I want to listen to. Also, it seems a bit inconsistent in its viewpoints. Like can you rap about how you'll never love a woman on an album inspired by heartbreak? I do like the rapping and it works well with the beats but if I ever listen to it again I'd just have to ignore the lyrics.

Given that I previously said I also didn't feel strongly about the 1994 albums, this is probably the match-up with the largest difference in quality between the singles and albums for me. Because all 4 singles are ace. C.R.E.A.M. is obviously a classic, and Jazzy Belle is one of the better songs from an album that's really been growing on me over the years. "Just Another Day" is a fantastic track, with an instrumental that would be a feel good vibe if not for the lyrical content but in turn provides a touching counterpoint to it. But my favorite might actually be "Hail Mary." I've always been frustrated by how ambivalent I am to most of 2Pac's work. He has perhaps the most intimidating, cold blooded voice and flow I have ever heard in rap, and I like a lot of his singles. But the two albums I've heard from him have really suffered from length and sameness problems to the point where that incredible mic presence can't carry him. Of course then a single like this is the perfect showcase for his skills. I haven't actually heard the Makaveli album and should probably get on that.

I really have no idea how I'm going to vote here. I'd probably give 1994 the edge for albums and 1997 the edge for singles, though the album lead is a bit larger. This is probably one I'll have to come back to in a week and see how I'm feeling.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

baystateoftheart — Mon, 8 Mar 2021 23:11:32 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 03/09/2021 04:11

RoundTheBend wrote:

This 94 team might be the best team ever created in this game for me (assuming that opinion doesn't change as I complete listening to the rest of the teams). Well played BayState. Like I'd gladly put this team ahead any of mine (not that they are better "objectively", just it's pretty obvious logic that if I like my team, I'm likely going to like it more than others) except for the Aquemini/Miseducation/Changes/Adrenaline team, but pretty close.

I'm honored! 😁

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

RoundTheBend — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 19:58:22 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 03/01/2021 00:58

This 94 team might be the best team ever created in this game for me (assuming that opinion doesn't change as I complete listening to the rest of the teams). Well played BayState. Like I'd gladly put this team ahead any of mine (not that they are better "objectively", just it's pretty obvious logic that if I like my team, I'm likely going to like it more than others) except for the Aquemini/Miseducation/Changes/Adrenaline team, but pretty close.

1994 (captain: baystateoftheart) (12)
OutKast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (3)
Common Sense - Resurrection (3)
Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. (3)
Queen Latifah - Just Another Day (3)

vs.

1997 (captain: LedZep) (10)
Jedi Mind Tricks - The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness (2)
Suga Free - Street Gospel (2)
Makaveli - Hail Mary (3)
OutKast - Jazzy Belle (3)

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

Skinny — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 14:53:30 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 02/28/2021 19:53

baystateoftheart wrote:

Track four of Street Gospel isn't on streaming, so here it is for your consideration:

Link

Huh, it's on UK Spotify. It's also top 3 from the album, for me.

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

baystateoftheart — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 14:52:29 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 02/28/2021 19:52

Track four of Street Gospel isn't on streaming, so here it is for your consideration:

Link

Re: BYHH GW3: Group B - 1994 vs. 1997

kokkinos — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 06:46:34 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 02/28/2021 11:46

My ranking for the singles:
1st: Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.
This is so good it feels like cheating, nothing to say really.

T-2nd: Makaveli - Hail Mary
A man on a mission.
T-2nd: OutKast - Jazzy Belle
Equally legendary.
4th: Queen Latifah - Just Another Day
It's the competition that makes it look bad, in most matchups it would be much higher.

Singles wise, it has to be the best matchup of the tournament. If the albums were closer it would be a tough decision, but as things stand 1994 emerges as the clear winner. Case closed.