Wyclef Jean - The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book
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Free Music Notes for The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book
Free Music Review: EXCELLENT PRODUCTION........ LAZY LYRICS......
Hit: 3 Stars
Excellent production with lazy lyrics makes this overhyped album average. With guest such as Kenny Rogers, Mary J, and the Rock you are gonna have a platinum record. I am probably one of the few who likes yet, dislikes the album. From what I have seen, is that the reviewers eiter loved it or hated it. I hate many commercial artist such as Eminem and Dmx, etc., but I have to admit I have given this average album more than average time played in my cd player. Like I said the production is near perfect. Wyclef is getting lazy though. I used to respect Wyclef for his creativity and lyrical talents. Now he is just like the rest. Uncreative and lazy. A couple of tracks are classics though for sure. Runaway feat. Earth Wind and Fire is a true classic now and forever. Unsampled and original I love this track. The Cypha is a nice track with a little more lyrical standpoints. Wyclef has changed his style with every album, but I would have to say this is his best production wise, but I feel he didnt have a lot to do with the outcome of this album, like I said he seems lazy. Simple lyrics dont offer anything creative and original, so that is why I only gave this album 3 stars. This is on the other hand one of the very very very few, commercial albums that got a lot of play from my cd player. Wyclef should get his Camp back together to make another classic, but I can just about guarantee, Pras ,Lauren, and Clef wont simply cause they have so much $$$$$ and they dont feel the need to. If you like to hear a good beat and really dont care too much for the lyrics (85% of people who claim to be into hip-hop) this is the album for you get it, if you are deep into this hip-hop culture I would't suggest you pick this one up.Josh Warren ~ hip-hop analyst
Free Music Review: Completely Insane
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is certainly an acquired taste - that probably explains why there are some 5 star reviews and some 1 star reviews and not much in between. In my opinion, however, it is a taste well worth acquiring.Wyclef is a musical visionary. Somehow he's been able to get Kenny Rogers to blend his singing with Monch's rapping - and it even works! If you think that's the end of it, you're wrong. Clef brings Earth Wind and Fire back into the act along with his proteges in G & B and turns that track into gold. What's more, he even gets The Rock to contribute "vocals" to another surprise hit and then records a reggae track with Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour. The entire beauty of this CD doesn't reveal itself for a while, some tracks require several listens before you understand them but eventually the listener will realise that this is great music.
In fact, the point of this album is that it wasn't written for the legions of hip-hop fans who fall for Nelly and co. This is a perfect album for those who actually want the lyrics to mean things and for the artist to be hyperactively creative.
Is this even a hip-hop album? Certainly some of the tracks are hip-hop jams (the first dub plate for example) but Wyclef has cross-referenced almost any genre you'd care to name. There are elements of Marley-style reggae, folk, soul, ska and many other genres - making this album a great way to convert fans of those genres to hip-hop.
Wyclef's rapping may not be the most incredibly talented around but he has talent in many other genres. Be it singing, playing guitar or any other instrument, Wyclef seems to have mastered the art.
Best tracks? How about "all of the album". There's no way to compare across this album - they're all pinnacles of something. This is the album to get if you like something different and intelligent. I played some of this at a party once and all we could talk about for ages afterwards was how amazing the album is.
In short - this one comes HIGHLY recommended. If there were 6 stars, I'd give them.
Free Music Review: One of the top 5 disappointments of 2000
Hit: 1 Stars
After all of the hype, the near perfect reviews in the pop culture magazines, and based on Wyclef's previous efforts, this record should have been incredible. It really wasn't. Wyclef's heavy reliance on what some call "innovation" are simply gimmicks to make up for the cheesy rhymes and shoddy production. Wyclef tried to leave for the plane that true hip-hop innovators such as Kool Keith, Prince Paul, and Outkast exist; but he crash landed on grim candyland of cross-marketing record executives and unimaginitive, tired beats. I would urge anyone to listen to the album, either to see the sad demise of a once great MC or to have a good laugh.Free Music Review: This is one great record.
Hit: 5 Stars
From start to finish this is a pretty good album. He really showcases his talent on this album. Where Fugees at is a catchy, yet non-outstanding song, that answers the question "Where the Fugees At?!" The Dub plates are great-pure fun. Whitney Houston sings "If tomorrow was judgement day, and i'm standing on the front line, and the Lord asked me what i did with my life, I would say/ Wyclef killed the sound man". Every song is very different, but the best song is definately "911", a beatiful heart spoken ballad with Mary J. Blige which adds major flavor to the song. There's a song about the people in the strip joint, a song about drugs, you'll find everything on this cd. This album does have some standout tracks, while some arent that great. Anyway, this is the best hip hop record i've heard since...well...The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill. Anyway, i reccomend this to any Hip Hop fan hands down, but it has many other elements that will appeal to people as myself. He can rap, sing, and produce. And he does a very good job of it.Free Music Review: tight!
Hit: 4 Stars
However tight this album may be it would be tighter as a fugees album. The album was great & I will rate each song. 2. Where fugees at? 3 of 5 The first time you hear it its great! Beats off the hook, nice lyrics. It gets old. 3. Rogers-Monche Dub plate 5 of 5 Oh my gosh! When I first got this album, before I listened to it I thought it sould suck. Never judge a song by who's in it. Somehow he makes it work. 4. Thug angles 2 of 5 I don't really like it, probably because it drags on for a grueling 6 1/2 minutes. But the first time (and the second) I heard the chanting at the end it scared the hell out of me. 5. It doesn't Matter 5 of 5 Take out the Rock and this track would be perfectamundo. But that funky ska beat! 6. 911 4 of 5 It would be typical R&B ballad fare but Wyclef & Mary J work it. 7. Pullin' me in 2 of 5 What can I say. Would be good but when put in with the rest of this album it just isn't par. 8. Da cypha 1 of 5 Nice double meaning name but ditto. 9. Runaway 4 of 5 EARTH! WIND! & FIRE! I feel this song. EW&F make this song plus The Product G&B also helps it along. 11. Perfect Gentleman 4 of 5 ditto where fugees at?, 12. Low Income 5 of 5 This is my favorite cut. It has the best beat, best hook 'To all my people who don't wanna go to work/Thank goooood it's friday', and some of the best lyrics. 13. Whitney Houston dub 2 of 5 This song doesn't have any of the creative spirit the other dub plate has. 14. However You want It 5 of 5 This song gets no respect. I went to his site and voted for my fave song (Low Income). I saw the results and two of the skits were above it. In fact only the Bus Search skit was below it. This song is my second favorite because of the TIGHT beat. 15. Hollywood to Hollyhood 2 of 5 I hate the beat. 16. Diallo 3 of 5 Thanks for doing a song about that. nice reggae song. 17. Something about Mary 4 of 5 For a song about dope it just wasn't dope. Fastforward a few minutes in for the ride of your life. 19. Wish you were hear 3 of 5 A Pink Floyd cover? He does it well. Check out my Tribe Anthology review coming soon.