Though his singles may not rule radio, as far as full-lengths go, this is how it should be done. [Sep 2004, p.233]

It feels somehow safe and experimental, foundational and radical. [Jan 2007, p.110]

Sure, King's occasional lack of originality and sometimes sluggish wordplay could be cited. But that, of course, would only amount to throwing rocks at the throne. [May 2006, p.136]

Frustratingly uneven. [Dec 2006, p.165]

While there's something joyful in the cacophony, the songs remain window dressing on the spectacle. [Oct 2007, p.94]

Diplo and Switch clearly cherish the glitches and low-tech glory of vintage Jamaican music. But they’re much better off when re-imagining as opposed to indulging in tongue-in-cheek mimicry.

Even cameos by today's hottest rappers can't shake Blige's nostalgic flair. [Mar 2006, p.186]

Ultimately, the moments of bare beauty on such tracks as "Your Cloud" and "Crazy" set Amos apart as a true original. [Dec 2002]

!!! certainly have talent and energy, but not the heart to self-edit. [Apr 2007, p.130]

He's largely a victim of his own goodwill, sounding consistently exuberant, even when the message--'Politik Kills,' say--seems to beg for more. [Nov 2007, p.98]

Way, way better than just "OK." [Apr 2005, p.168]

The album's most compelling moments recall the Doggfather's early days. [Jan 2003, p.125]

Five albums in, the Keys' reference points stay the same--Hendrix, Zeppelin, White Stripes--as their sound, now produced by Gnarls Barkley's Danger Mouse, grows even bigger. [May 2008, p.74]

Good is comparable in spirit to the everything-is-in-play feel of Clash albums like Sandinista!. [Feb 2007, p.128]

The finished product has glorious results. [May 2008, p.69]

With Kiss of Death, Jada's well on his way to achieving hip hop immortality. [Jul 2004, p.136]

Cole's ability to belt to her heart's content saves the album from its inconsistent production. [Jul 2005, p.137]

Mobb Deep's Prodigy has embraced the chaos, pain and disarray that's cursed much of his life and used to power an angry, pained, and ironically vital album, H.N.I.C. Part 2. Prodigy's physical self may be incarcerated, but his music has never sounded freer. [Apr 2008]

While k-os's antimaterialist ranting can wear thin at times, Joyful Rebellion builds and improves on the rich, organic, live sound that made his debut, Exit, such a left-field hit. [Nov 2004, p.162]

There are crackles of life in his leaden thug poetry. [Apr 2007, p.128]

Here the production of Chicago post-rock maven John McEntire distends their horns... and fractures their beats. [Apr 2007, p.132]

With a vicarious and melodious debut, it's clear that hip-hop's hopeful hasn't shied from his balancing act.

With Xzibit coming with nothing but raw and uncensored lyrics, Restless is not for those with tender ears. Formerly one of hip hop's most underrated artists, it's gonna be hard to continue to sleep on him after this album. Xzibit is finally poised to get the credit he deserves.

Though age has dirtied up Green's once angelic tenor, all it takes is a swaying guitar-organ, cooing harmonies, surging horns, and rapturous lyrics to conjure up his ol' black magic. [Jan 2004, p.122]

If there’s something the gifted singer-songwriter might want to learn, though, it’s the art of writing more memorable song lyrics.

The Eminem Show is a brilliant piece of theater and a guilty pleasure. [Aug 2002, p.155]

In 2008 Kanye struggled through tragedy so great that it forced him to go left. And ironically, at his darkest hour, Kanye has created his greatest album to date.

Recalls the early '90s work of A Tribe Called Quest. [Sep 2002, p.244]