it’s been a good minute since i’ve done an album review. i’ve been doing a bunch of other non-music related shit for school lately cause there haven’t been albums i’ve been wanting to review. aka i’ve been too lazy.

anyway, this is kiss’ third album, and last in the trilogy of albums that will contain the word ‘kiss’ in it. go figure. hit the jump for the review.

coming soon:

a. young love – one of us (plus an interview with dan keyes VERY soon.)
b. kevin devine – brother’s blood…maybe.
c. manchester orchestra – mean everything to nothing
d. rick ross – deeper than rap
e. suggestions?

-grizzly

Artist: Jadakiss
Album: The Last Kiss
Record Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records
Release Date: April 7, 2009

Jadakiss has always been the front runner of Yonkers hip-hop group D-Block, formerly known as Bad Boy Records’ The Lox. While other members Styles P and Sheek Louch have released notable and commendable albums in their own right, they’ve remained especially low key on the mainstream radar. Jadakiss has been known to crossover and push the boundaries of his own style, not limiting himself to the gritty and typical New York sound.

With The Last Kiss, his third solo studio album, Jadakiss pulled out all of the stops, enlisting help from the a-list of hip-hop producers and artists around, similar to his previous release, Kiss of Death. “Pain and Torture” does a good job of setting off the album with the New York bravado and intensity that Jadakiss has been known for. Surely, the rest will follow suit.

There is a fair share of anthems on The Last Kiss. “Stress Ya” showcases famed producer Pharrell Williams lending his vocal skills and production talents, and “Grind Hard” finds Jadakiss collaborating with longtime friend Mary J Blige. These are just a few of the big names on the album. From Young Jeezy on “Something Else” to cameo king Lil Wayne’s verse on “Death Wish,” The Last Kiss is the East Coast’s answer The Game’s 2008 release, LAX.

There are several collaborations on The Last Kiss worthy of a mention. “Come and Get Me” and “One More Step” both feature members of D-Block, and are a good preview of what’s to come with the group’s upcoming 2009 release, Prepare for Glory. Also worth mentioning is “Cartel Gathering,” a song that plays more like a rap cipher and features Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, two of Wu-Tang’s finest. However, the album’s obvious standout is “Letter to B.I.G.,” a tribute to his former colleague and friend, in which he brings Chris Wallace’s former widow, Faith Evans, on the track.

An album with 18 songs is bound to have some throwaways. Swizz Beatz usually has a high standard of production, but his beat on “Who’s Real” is completely contrived from the rest of his discography. Not to mention, the hook on this song is embarrassing lyrics “If you’re real and you know it, clap your hands,” reads like something from kindergarten, not a hip-hop song. “Rockin With The Best” is also derivative of every boast track ever made, while “Smoking Gun” and “I Tried” are quick prompts to press the next button.

The Nas featured “What If” also falls flat. The song plays like a more historically relevant version of “Why?” from his 2004 album Kiss of Death. Considering that this song that should have been an album highlight, it’s disappointing to find it come up short.

To be short, The Last Kiss is a great collection of songs. Aside from the filler, the album is cohesive and plays very smoothly. For the classic Jadakiss sound, look to The Champ is Here pt. II and Kiss My Ass, two mixtapes that were released prior to The Last Kiss. Many argue that his mixtapes come a lot stronger, and it’s hard to disagree with that statement. After all, he’s always been a man of the streets.

Grade: C-

jadakiss on myspace.

stream the last kiss here.

official videos:

can’t stop me:

by my side f. ne-yo:

-grizzly