It is certainly a satisfying listen, worthy of a sensible level of recommendation.

In short, it is one of the best albums of the year, and could be one of the best albums of the decade.

His beats are understated but masterful, and so good that they remind you how mediocre most of the stuff you hear is.

The Cool picks up right where "Food & Liquor" left off, once again using his Muslim background and Chi-Town sensibilities to inform his perspective without being rigidly bound by either.

In the end, 8 Diagrams is a very good album that is best appreciated when taken out of the shadow of the Clan's greatest endeavors.

The Solution is an album informed by Sigel's hustles and struggles that still manages to elevate beyond them to offer a broad appeal as the self-described "fat boy on a sucker free diet" puts out the best gangster rap Philadelphia has seen since the heyday of Schoolly D--except that Sig' is on a level now D could never touch.

Those who have slept on Wyclef Jean's catalogue may need to give it another look after listening to Carnival Vol. II.

Even the weaker of Ghost albums tend to be relatively strong compared to some of his peers, both in and outside of the Wu, and The Big Doe Rehab is no exception.

Made is not Scarface's best album, that honor would go to "The Fix" or any of his earlier solos depending on where you stand. Yet, saying this isn't Face's best is no insult. Scarface on his worst day or even in unofficial form (see "My Balls and My Word") is still better than most other rappers on their best day

He may not be the deepest lyricist on earth, and his attempts at bedroom music may fall flat, but he makes a mean soundtrack for a night out.

Balance is the key element that Freeway absolutely nails. Amongst these joints that sound like pure commercial hits, Freeway, drops enough dope introspective material to prove that he is well-rounded.

It is, really and truly, an experience.

Boy tries to stretch his simple repetitive beat production style across an entire album and it fails miserably.

Songs About Girls is an album that theoretically has no end and doesn't need to have one.

Ultimate Victory is everything one could have hoped for as an official sophomore album follow-up to "The Sound of Revenge"--there's no slump here.

It's a solid performance, that is both better and worse than it could have been.

Graduation is neat, tidy, formal, but lacking in personality.

None Shall Pass is a record you can listen to over and over, simply in trying to decipher exactly what's being said, adding almost infinite replay value.

It is more expansive and daring--resulting in more highs and lows than "Arular."

Talib Kweli has made the career-defining work that his fans have been expecting for nearly a decade.

This is the most satisfying P.E. album in over fifteen years, both a throwback to their glory years and a hopeful sign of more great years to come.

'So Far to Go' embodies everything great about Common--his witty delivery, smooth flow, loquacious lyrics and perfect sense of timing --but then the same could be said for virtually any track on Finding Forever.

Thankfully the Bankhead rapper you know and love ain't change a damn thang and while this album may not blow down the doors to the Rap Hall of Fame as the greatest of all-time it offers a comfortable consistancy that should keep it hot in your Hummer all summer long.

Francis is on a level where even next shit is two steps behind.

Considering how tight "Strength & Loyalty" is, it's not likely anybody is going to forget Bone Thugs-N-Harmony any time soon.

With "The Undisputed Truth," Brother Ali improves as a rapper, while sacrificing none of the unique, personal touch that made "Shadows on the Sun" so impressive.

What may be the most shocking about "Shock Value" is how Timbaland continually manages to stay one step ahead of the competition.

[A] fun, rambunctious, guilty pleasure of an album.