The album is soulful, accessible, and devoid of the ignorance and shallowness that are trademarks of mainstream hip-hop.

At his best on "Evolve or Be Extinct", though, he reaches a pleasing mixture of understated beats and slice-of-life rhymes that are occasionally profound. At his worst, songs like "Scar" have neither beats nor rhymes I ever want to hear again.

Live Love A$AP is compelling but wildly uneven in execution.

Thanks in large part to the beats and the guest appearances, and in small part to Jeezy's frank delivery and raspy voice, it leans more toward the former [enjoyable] than the latter [obnoxious], leading me to give this album a cautious thumbs up.

Ultimately I have two complaints about Blue Slide Park which in the grand scheme of things may be minor.

Radioactive is a mixed bag that has some outstanding tracks, while others fail from a lack of execution particularly in the production and hook department.

If one can express disappointment in undun, it's that it sets out to tell a story and tells it well, but delivers a short story or a novella where fans of The Roots would have undoubtedly preferred a full length novel.

If you want the T-Pain you know and love rEVOLVEr delivers that in spades--but he doesn't really EVOLVE at all.

There are some other strong tracks on this album, including Santigold's guest spot on "Car Song," and "Energy," which sounds like a lost Talking Heads song. There are also several that are either forgettable or downright bad.

Overall, it's hard to find much fault with The Wonder Years, and it's remarkable how cohesive it feels given that it's a compilation album.

Well Done is a shining example of what collaborative albums should be.

Even though "Volcanic Sunlight" sounds explosive and blinding, it turns out to be quite warm and inviting...It's a pleasant if at times uneven experience.

It's wholly derivative, self-pitying emo rap that owes everything in its essence to Drake, Weezy, Cudi, and Kanye. That said, Glover is an incredibly compelling and talented rapper.

"Occasion" is an abomination by all standards, but that it comes from such a respected entity as Kidz in the Hall makes it even more inexcusable.

This is a truly throwaway fast food album. You will enjoy it for a while, and in a year, I guarantee that you will not be listening to it, save for a few songs (such as "Legendary" and "Ambition").

He's never too sappy, too apologetic, or too mean-spirited.

But make no mistake, it's an album that displays growth, maturity and improvement in almost every respect - he's certainly becoming a versatile and engaging artist.

The fans who ride for Ev won't be disappointed by Cats & Dogs. He continues to show that love for hip-hop on tracks.

He's clearly fought his corner admirably, because he's achieved it--it's an album that creates a particular mood, and vehemently sticks to it, even bending the will of the traditional rap joints in the process.

XXX is another excellent release from the man who is one of the best rappers out there, proving that you can be lyrical and street at the same time, and that hip-hop doesn't have to be one dimensional.

He's versatile enough in writing ability to cover any topic from somber to silly, he's clever enough to make what he has to say worth rewinding to catch, and he's not that bad behind the boards as a producer either

This is an overall above average album that needed a little more of something--a little more 9th Wonder, a little more swagger, a little more about the world of today--and possibly just a little less angst.

It's a solid debut with some fantastic moments.

He has created a haunting, unique, and well-realized artistic statement that is the perfect soundtrack for the early hours of the morning.

Cole World does end up as a good debut.

Ed Sheeran is an impressive talent, but his juvenile lyrics and lightweight sensibility make him a tough sell to any one old enough to drink.

Overall, Wretch 32 gives us a fresh take on a common story.

All in all, the flow is the same, the beats are a little different, and the person is a little more scarred and a little more wise than we last saw him.