Disclaimer:Yes we've been really slacking on our review game, and its caused us to miss a bunch of albums (Jay Rock's Follow Me Home, Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV, Danny Brown's XXX, Median's The Sender, The Game's The R.E.D Album). What can I say? Just been busy making moves man. We're trying our best to get back on our feet though.
Its been a pretty long time coming for J. Cole. Signing to Jay-Z's Roc Nation and releasing three critically acclaimed mixtapes (The Come Up, The Warm Up, Friday Night Lights) have allowed Cole to be seen as the next big thing in hip-hop. The only thing that was really holding him back was an actual album, which brings us to this review. "Cole World: The Sideline Story" is finally here.
The album's "Intro" opens the album up with Cole having a conversation about the day he was signed to Roc Nation. He then spits a few lines over a gentle piano section. It's basically just the starting point. We're then thrust into part three of the "Dollar And A Dream" series. Cole gives us some of his deep thoughts, as well as some bragging and shit talking. Long story short, this is a really good opener. The second single, "Can't Get Enough" with Trey Songz has such a beachy vibe, and I see it really blowing up. What I love about it is it's very poppy and commercial, but J. Cole doesn't compromise his artistic integrity. Despite the fact I feel like Trey Songz is good on or off the song, I still think the song is gold.
Cole decided to re-master the "Lights Please" track from his "Warm Up" mixtape, and I must say it sounds better as far as sound is concerned. Besides that, it's basically the same song, but it's a great track either way. The album takes a break, and J. Cole finishes his story about the day he was signed in the "Interlude". It turns out that he was actually arrested that night, but it was a pretty easy night in jail.The listener's almost immediately thrown into the next track, "Sideline Story". This is quite possibly my favorite song on the album. It's the tale of being the underdog that finally made it off the sideline (pun intended). He also mentions everyone's feelings on Jay not really giving him that much of a push. The album has a very smooth vibe so far, and it feels ruined by "Mr. Nice Watch". Not to say it's a bad song. cause it is hot, but it doesn't fit with the previous or future songs in regards to sound. Jay doesn't really come that hard on this one either, but I digress.
"Cole World" is kind of like your banger track. There's no subject matter or thoughts, it's just some hard rhymes and metaphors over a bouncy beat. This one will hit hard in people's ride. It's good to see a equal amount of content. The smooth style of the album is back once again on the "Friday Night Lights" song, "In The Morning". I don't blame Cole because he and the songs feature, Drake made a very sensual song about love making. It seems like the next song is like the aftermath and consequence of "In The Morning". "Lost Ones" is the tale of a couple that's pregnant. The male doesn't want to have the baby because he knows he won't be able to provide for it, while the female is adamant about giving birth and feels like the baby's father lied to her. J. Cole does a really good job at conveying both of the character's thoughts and this is definitely one of the best songs on the album. Missy Elliot comes along to sing the hook on "Nobody's Perfect". This is such a chill song, and it's a little refreshing to hear someone besides Cole do the hook. This album still hasn't had a weak track and it's on a role.
On "Never Told", the topic of cheating is touched on very well. It's tells the usual end result of what happens to people that creep on their spouse. I can honestly say J. Cole has some of the best storytelling ability in the industry right now. After three songs that made you think, "Rise And Shine" reverts back to the styles that were seen earlier on the album. An excerpt from an old Jay-Z interview is played before the song about him finding a rapper that's going to blow up on his label. As we know, J. Cole turned out to be that artist. More Heavy rhymes and thoughts are what we get on the said song. Even though I like the song, alot of it reminds me of "Before I'm Gone" from "Friday Night Lights". Maybe it's the same sample? Anyway, "God's Gift" follows and it's a little similar to its former track, I just like it a little more. Something about the song has a real determined vibe and it fits. The albums last song is pretty personal. "Breakdown" is about Cole's feelings on being a fatherless child and having a drug addicted mother. He did a good job at closing it out with substance.
The Real Deal: J. Cole has a classic album on his hands. "The Sideline Story" is a very strong piece of work, especially seeing that this is his first album. There really isn't a song that's "bad", some just don't fit well into the style and theme of the album. The other downside is a good portion of the tracks on the album have been either leaked or released, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's great material. The CD is as thought-provoking as it is mindless. This is definitely one of the best albums of the year,and it's going to be remembered in years to come. Nice work.
Rating: 4/5
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