Social Club "Misfits" Review

The Yes, No's & Maybe So's of Social Club's "Misfits" Album

First of all, let me start out by saying I was skeptical about this album. Prior to hearing this I heard stuff from them on Alex Faiths album. That is the only time I really heard anything from these two. They impressed me enough to anticipate a release from them. Once I saw the tracklist consisted of 10 songs I was a little worried this would be a flop. So I didn't listen to whatever leaks they put out. I wanted to hear the whole album as if it were fresh and new with no prior knowledge. I must say this exceeded my expectations.

1. Misfits (Intro) [MAYBE SO] - Lack of lyrics kind of bummed me out, but the beat is bangin' and the small amount of vocals you hear is catchy. Pretty funny intro.

2. STRT TRBL [YES] - Dope lyricism right here. I love the beat and the hook is really catchy, simple, and memorable. 

3. Monte Cristo (Fernie's Theme) [YES] - Another dope record right here. Hook is catchy, lyrics are creative, what more could you ask for? At this point of the album I was already sucked in.

4. Glow In The Dark (feat. Gawvi) [YES] - Love the dubstep/electronic feel to it. That's usually not my cup of tea, but I'm feeling it on this record. Another thumbs up from me.

5. S&G (feat. Rey King) [YES] - For my all my Reggaeton Cristiano fans out there, you'll know what I mean when I say I haven't heard from Rey King since the Triple Seven song "Call Me Crazy". I don't know if hes been on anything else. If he has let me know, but anyways this is yet another dope record right here. I like the dark/honest feel to it. That's what I really like about Social Club, their honesty. 

6. Venetian Blinds (feat. Tragic Hero) [NO] - This is the first song I'm not feeling. I can't get into this one. I find myself getting bored throughout the listening.

7. Chocolate Bobka [YES] - This is one of my two favorite songs on here. This has got to be the most face melting song I've heard ALL year. So dope I made it my ringtone! If this track doesn't set you off, I don't know what will!

8. Wolfie Pack (feat. Anthony Rose) [MAYBE SO] - First of all, "The Hangover" sample from the beginning made me laugh. I'm so glad someone finally used it, but unfortunately this isn't one of my favorites. It's a dope record, but it's definitely not on major repeat.

9. Roller Coaster (feat. Butta P & Roslyn) [YES] - This is my other favorite song! I can relate to this one like no joke. The beat is very well done. This an overall dope track right here.

10. Screwed Up Kids [MAYBE SO] - I like the lyricism from most of the artists on here, but sometimes I just get bored with this song. Which is unfortunate seeing the artists who are featured. I still would recommend this song to everyone though. You don't want to miss it.

6 Yes's, 1 No, and 3 Maybe So's gives this project a big YES. I recommend this to anyone who's looking for something new in CHH. Much love to these brothers!

Get the album for free here.

Thi'sl Free From The Trap Review

Quality Over Quantity: Thi'sl Free From The Trap Review

The Yes's Of This Album

-Hard hitting beats with great variety so everyone can enjoy 

-Real in-depth lyrics arguably some of the best we've seen from Thi'sl

-He really knows how to make a "song". Every song is listenable if even you're generally not a fan of the music style.

-The fact that there is 11 songs and it still feels like a lot of music gets a thumbs up from me.

The No's Of This Album

-After seeing multiple interviews I was under the impression this would have an autobiography feel to it. I was kind of disappointed that this wasn't. I guess I have to wait for the book.

-Although I love when Thi'sl goes outside the box I still love that hard hitting gritty style he brings. I wish he did more of that on this album.

-More rappers featured on here would've been nice. I don't mind the singers but he needed more than just one other rapper featured on here. And the song that did have an other rapper(Tedashii) was just average. 

-I know I said "Quality Over Quantity" and I said I like the fact that 11 songs still felt like a lot, but at least 3 more songs would've been nice.

Songs I MUST Mention

-"Baby Mommas & Broken Hearts" & "Motivation" are probably the best Thi'sl songs I've ever heard. I must say they are on super repeat.

So there you have it. This album is really a hit/miss in my book. I really like it and I sort of dislike it at the same time. Its a dope album and I encourage everyone to get it, but I expected more.

You can get the physical CD or buy it digital by going to http://www.merchline.com/thisl

S.O. – So It Continues Review

          

  The Yes, No’s, & Maybe So’s Of S.O. – So It Continues

       I’ll be doing this review differently than I do my other reviews. With this one I’ll be rating every song with a “Yes” “No or “Maybe So” and give a brief reason why I gave it that rating.

1. So It Continues [MAYBE SO] – I love the beat to this song. I even love the lyrics. It’s just with no chorus it feels like the song just drags out for too long. Definitely listenable but sometimes a bit boring.

2. Lamentations ft. Leah Smith [YES] – I definitely love everything about this song. From the beat to the concept to Leah Smith’s vocals. Simply Amazing.

3. I Can Bear [YES] – This is an A+ song. I mean seriously the brother sampled a Kirk Franklin track! Plus, the hook does something to your soul!

4. Away Soon ft. Sean C. Johnson [YES] - Any song that talks about that eternal promise always gets a thumbs up. Not saying all of them are good musically but this one definitely is. One of my favorites on the album right here.

5. Memoirs (Wish You Were Around) [YES] – I can relate to this song BIG TIME! Everything about this song gives me chills. This one has been on repeat the most so far from the album.

6. Radical ft. J.Williams & Lecrae [MAYBE SO] – Don’t get me wrong I think this is a solid song for the album. But, I do think one of two things could’ve been done to make it better. 1. Give S.O. & Lecrae longer verses or 2. Add a 3rd verse to the song.

7. I Am ft. shai linne [YES] – You don’t even have to ask! Any song with Shai is grade A stuff! Plus, the beat! Its face melting! Wooo!

8. Walk In The Son II [MAYBE SO] – I like the song. But, overall from the way it’s done to where it’s placed on the album just throws me off. The song has probably been skipped the most so far.

9. Tell ‘Em All ft. Andy Mineo [YES] – I’ve been rockin’ with this since the video dropped. Classic collaboration right here. I would’ve enjoyed it more if Andy had a verse.

10. You Know It ft. E Tizz [YES] – Ahh a song about the fellas. Well I must say it’s long overdue! Real creative song right here. S.O. has definitely raised the bar with creativity on this album.

11. Elisabeth’s Interlude [NO] – The one and only NO for the album goes to this song right here. Don’t get me wrong it’s creative but to me it’s too much for me. That’s just my opinion though. Plus, the beat does nothing for me either.

12. Yesterday [YES] – I like this song right here. It’s relatable and soul moving. Great addition to the album.

13. Passion & Purity [YES] – Another relatable song right here. This one right here touched me in a different way. I’m glad this song is out there for listening.

14. The End? [YES] – I struggled with whether I should rate this YES or MAYBE SO. At the end of the day it gets a YES. Although the beat doesn’t really fit well with the rest of the album it still doesn’t feel out of place(if that makes sense to you). It’s also a real creative way to end an album. So thumbs up on that!

With 10 YES’s, 1 NO, & 3 MAYBE SO’s this album gets a definite big YES from me! I encourage you all to get it!

You can get  S.O. – So It Continues by clicking here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/so-it-continues/id568097494

God's Servant "Simple Love" Review

Simple Yet Effective: God's Servant "Simple Love" Review

Don't get me wrong I'm a fan of High Society, the cats at Humble Beast, Lecrae's Church Clothes, etc. But that style of music seems to be too much for me at times. Remember this is MY opinion. When God's Servant released this it was almost an anomalous breath of fresh air. Weird huh? Finally some simple Christ-Centered(not saying the artists I listed above aren't Christ Centered) music! I found myself just in awe of the work God has done in this project.

"This Is Love" "Boy Meets Girl" and "Crown of Thorns" start this album off on a great yet simple note. The simplicity yet complexity of these topics draw me in. The production is solid yet supreme! Never before has an album have a simple yet complex effect on me!  

"Oh The Deep" "SDG" & "Forgiven It All" continue this pace for me. Although after a while SDG really doesn't draw me in as much as the other two. "Witness" kind of slowed down the listening though. Maybe a few more adjustments/additions would've made this song go from good to great.

"All In" & "Delight" are heavy hitters! The guest appearances of Christon Gray & Trip Lee were great additions to these songs. Christon Gray automatically draws you in on "All In" with his natural pure voice & Trip Lee does an impressive job on the banger known as "Delight"

"Eyes On Him" is another song that kind of slowed the listening down for me. Just like "Witness" it could've had one or two things added to make it go from good to great.

"L.L.T.K." & "Lay It Down" are my FAVORITE songs on the whole album! I love the hardcore gritty cypha feel that L.L.T.K. brings. Lay It Down is just an epic masterpiece with an amazing message.

"Worthy Is The Lamb" ends this on a GREAT note. This hard hitting beat with the hook-anticipating verses really set this off as an "Outro". Needless to say this is the song that gives the album total completion. 

Overall this album is a simple yet complex Christ-Centered album. A little different feel compared to the rest of the stuff on LampMode but hey, its all for the good of it! I encourage the readers to get this if you are craving simple Christ-Centered music.

You can  buy  "Simple Love" on iTunes by clicking here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/simple-love/id563001828

5 Reasons You Should Go To The All Honor & All Glory Release Party

5 Reasons You Should Go To The All Honor & All Glory Release Party

1. Diversity

Although its primarily rap music, the diversity with Rev C.L. Thompson hosting it along with DJ Miguel and Tony C. on the drums, the environment will be very energetic and rock-like. The worship on the pre-show and the short devotional will also add to the already diverse environment.

2.Biblical Content

The biblical content that will be given at this event will definitely minister to believers and non-believers. The word will be ministered through the music given.

3.Growth

This will be my 7th performance, Young Praise's uncountable performance(lol) and Ello's first one. Needless to say the growth within all of us will definitely be reflected through us. 

4.Energy

Although I mentioned the energy in the first reason, I had to say it again. Not only do we have a drummer and a DJ but we have Rev. C.L. Thompson hosting it and Young Praise brings an energy like you've never seen before. Not to mention it will be the first time we have the freedom to do whatever we want so its going to be on fire. 

5.The Gospel

The most important part of the release party is the gospel. Rev. C.L. Thompson will be giving a gospel presentation to conclude the show but also the gospel will be in our music. If we didn't bring the gospel it wouldn't be worth coming and that's a fact.

I hope to see you all there come and rock with ya boy!

Dillon Chase "Beautiful Art" Review

True Meaning of Art: Dillon Chase “Beautiful Art” Review:

First of all I was impressed by the style of this EP. If you know Dillon Chase then you know that he really has a southern 808 style. What he has done with “Beautiful Art” really has captivated me. At first, I didn’t even want to get the project since I’m not really the type to BUY an EP. But I did have some extra money so I said “Why Not?”

I was instantly rocked by the first song titled “Beautiful Art”. It seems as if the boom bap style was a long lost family member of Dillon’s and they finally met and instantly developed chemistry. There’s no other way to describe it. Never before have I been so addicted to Dillon Chase’s music…ever.

“Wilderness” & “Make It Right” is really what sold this for me though. When I heard these songs I definitely felt like I made a good purchase. Anatome(the producer Dillon worked with on this whole EP) showed(in my opinion) that he is one of the best producers in the game right now with these joints. Plus, Dillon rocked these joints like it was easy!

“Die-Men” although it’s a catchy song really isn’t one of my favorites. I enjoy the lyricism and the chorus is well done but this is not a song I really thoroughly enjoy. I wouldn’t say this slows down the listening though because it fits in with the EP very well. I don’t see myself skipping over this song anytime soon.

“Play Your Position” and “Seduction” are hands down my favorite songs on the EP. Those songs are serious and relatable.  Words can’t describe the ride Dillon & Anatome take you on when you hear those songs. Just simply breathtaking!

It’s funny how an EP that I didn’t want to get at first ended up being one of my favorite projects of the year. If there is one thing I can say about this project is that’s it’s definitely “Art”. Dillon Chase made a swerve on his style and ended up being a great move. I hope this Dillon Chase doesn’t go anywhere anytime soon.

You can purchase Beautiful Art here: ->  http://ow.ly/eLNuk

Breaking Down:My Protector (Ft. Ello)

BREAKING DOWN:MY PROTECTOR (FT. ELLO)

Story Behind It:

When I first got saved back in 2008 I had just moved from a bad neighborhood to the suburbs. I had spent a few years living there with my family. It was nice and quiet, no one bothered you, every one knew each other it was a great comfortable environment. One day we were told to move out(long story) so we did move out but it was to the suburbs again.

We only spent a good nine months there until we decided to move out once again. We moved to pretty much the border of the city that I lived in before I got saved. It was good/bad so I see that God was breaking me out of that "environment" that I got used to slowly. We spent a year there but towards the end of that year I was always praying for the Lord's sovereign protection over my family. This is something I didn't pray often and I didn't know why but every time one of them so much as stepped out for a quick errand I would pray this.

When we finally did move out, It was due to unfortunate circumstances...Our house burned down. So the Lord was gracious enough to wake me up and see the fire. Long story short we ended up at a hotel safe and sound. But that's when I first saw that these prayers were not in vain the Lord was really putting these prayers on my heart. 

We then ended up getting a house back into the city I lived in when I was not saved. I still pray for protection over my family due to the neighborhood we live in. This is really what inspired the song "My Protector". I now know that the Lord is protecting me and my family at all times.

Meaning Behind It:

The Lord led me to write this song to celebrate my protection. We shouldn't ever think that the Lord is not protecting us in times of danger. He is with us all day and every day! This is the love he has for his creation!

The Lord is my light and my salvation—

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

    of whom shall I be afraid? 

-Psalms 27:1

3 Fun Facts:

-The vocals of this song were originally recorded to a different beat by "ALLROUNDA PRODUCTIONS". After a while I realized it wasn't working so I made a new beat to the original vocals.

-This song was supposed to be on a duo project that me & Ello we're working on but we scrapped the project. I still loved this song so I put it on "All Honor & All Glory"

-Yes that is me singing on the chorus. Its not the best singing I know, but me & my team agreed that it complimented the beat.

Listen & Download:

You can listen to "My Protector" by clicking the Play button below:

You can also download the mixtape "All Honor & All Glory" by clicking here.

Top 5 Songs On Lecrae's Gravity(In My Opinion)

The Top 5 Songs On Lecrae's Gravity(In My Opinion):

5.Lord Have Mercy (Feat. Tedashii)

Ahh this song always gets me pumped up. The hard 808's, the chopped and screwed chorus, and most importantly the delivery that Lecrae & Tedashii bring on this makes it no less than excellent. I couldn't think of a better song to rival Kanye West's "Mercy"(Although that was not Lecrae's intentions whatsoever) 

Notable Lines:

"I was Tarzan raised by gorillas and a beast/ High on them trees when I gorilla the beat"

"Jesus turned me round so fast that you would swear I was dizzy"

"Turn up boy, Turn up Boy, Turn Up Boy!, TURN UP!"

4.Confe$$ions

This is a very important song on the album to me. A lot of reviewers seems to detest this song saying that it slows down the listening but I don't think so at all. This fits the concept of "Gravity" very well. Being held down by the idea of money buying you happiness and having money means you're "Living The Life". This is one of my personal favorites and it deserves a top 5 spot.

Notable Lines:

"Ever see every sea on your own personal yacht? Take a jog around your block that you bought from selling your stock? Not"

"They don't believe in karma but they believe in commas."

"It all falls down even if you got you're cake up"

3.Walk With Me (Feat. Novel)

Sampled beat, hard hitting drums, amazing lyrics and amazing singer. All this adds up to one heck of a song. This song does wonders to my soul. Every time I play it its hard to skip over. This song is a bonafide classic and its replay value will last a long, long time.

Notable Lines:

"Ahh I'm on a mission they probably think I'm missing some screws but its these 3 nails that keep me driven"

"I wanna walk with Jesus but my legs too heavy/ I'm hopin' prayer works cuz they walls can't hear me"

"Ain't gotta get me out just get me through 'til the end"

2.Free From It All (Ft. Mathai)

Judging by what I said about "Walk With Me" its clear that these top 2 songs have to be amazing and yes, they are. "Free From It All" does something to me every time I hear it. Its a very well put together song and there's no denying the realness behind it. I love the message behind it and Mathais vocals are flawless. If "Walk With Me" is a classic then this is BEYOND that.

Notable Lines:

"None of its real its just photoshopped"

"The higher that I go the more unforgiving they are"

"Ladies spending time on they faces painting pretty lies/ To you and me its make-up to her its a disguise."

1.Falling Down (Ft. Trip Lee & Swoope)

I may or may not have some "nay sayers" about this song being number 1 but there's no denying that this is a top notch, high quality song. The beat is very well orchestrated, the song is put together very well, the flow/delivery was intense, the mixing/mastering is out of this world and the message is phenomenal! This is definitely my favorite song from Gravity.

Notable Lines:

"So psychotic we still partyin' like we not sick"

"I see them child souljahs they was loadin' up some AKs/ Ain't playing Modern Warfare dont you know ain't a war fair?/"

"Dreamers steady dreaming but ain't no hope here/Ain't no satisfaction in money, women, and clothes here/"

All in all the whole Gravity album was great but it was so great that I had to pick my top 5 favorite songs. This is the kind of project that its hard to pick one favorite song which makes it excellent. The order of this top 5 might change from the time to time(except for Falling Down) but at the end of the day this project is a classic.

You can find out more about Lecrae by following him on Twitter(@lecrae) or by going to www.reachrecords.com. 

All Honor & All Glory(FREE DOWNLOAD)

In a world where we were born prideful, arrogant, lustful, hateful, and easily influenced, Jesus came in to pay the price for it all with his death and resurrection. And even after all that we still don't acknowledge him or remember what he did. The hearts we were born with does not want to give him Honor & Glory and at times we become bitter and unforgiving to other people because of this. I'm not saying I have all the answers/solutions to this problem but I know some one who does! Download the mixtape and dig deeper into this problem. And ask your self this question afterwards...Who's controlling MY heart?

Click here to download All Honor & All Glory

Thi'sl Interview At Unashamed Tour 2012 Detroit

Thi'sl talks the need for the need for the gospel, new album/book "Free From The Trap" dropping 11/20/12 & more

Andy Mineo Interview At The Unashamed Tour 2012

Andy Mineo talks East Coast rap style, New Album & More

Derek Minor(fka PRo) Interview at Unashamed Tour 2012 Detroit

Derek Minor(fka PRo) talks Humble Rappers, the switch from PRo to Derek Minor & More. At the Unashamed Tour 2012 Detroit. 

NEW SINGLE: I Love You(Ft. Ello)

Here is my single "I Love You (Ft. Ello)". The mixtape will be available on this blog October 16th, 2012

Enjoy and feel free to leave a comment!

Propaganda "Excellent" Review

Excellent or Not?: What I Liked/Didn't Like About Propaganda's Excellent

Dictionary.com defines the word Excellent as "possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good." Websters defines the word Excellent as "very good of its kind : eminently good : first-class". Even Montgomery Burns in the Simpsons when he sees something pleasing to his eyes or hears something pleasing to his ears he says "Excellent".

If Montgomery Burns heard this album would he say "Excellent"? Well he's a fictional character so obviously I don't know. The question is did this album live up to its name? Well let's see!

If you are unfamiliar with Propaganda he's not exactly(for lack of better word) mainstream. But I believe everyone from the hipsters to mainstream listeners will enjoy this project.

"Don't Listen To Me" starts off the album on a tremendous note and trust me that note is held for a while as he transitions to the title track "Excellent". Which is a song that I skipped over at first and I fully regret doing that because it is fantastic!

"Redefine Cutter" is very edgy and bold. Lee Green is tremendous on this song and he really gives the song depth and wholeness. "Raise The Banner" draws me in with the real smooth beat and the catchy chorus. Propaganda's execution at this point is "Excellent'

But Oh Wait! Hes not hitting that high note! Because "Conquer" slows the listening down for me. Others enjoy this song but Theory Hazit didnt bring it on this one and Propaganda was sub-par. I could write a whole blog about what I liked/didn't like about "Precious Puritans" needless to say it was controversial. This song is by no means exalting "Puritans". But as a song I liked it(whether he exalted them or not).

"Forgive Me For Asking" is another bold yet smooth song. I love the way he approached it. Props is monstrous on this one.

"I Ain't Got An Answer" is definitely not a song I can relate to but I love the fact that this song is out there. Great work by Prop and my favorite MC Sho Baraka. "Warm Words" is my favorite song on the album. It really digs into that "hip-hop" feel which I think this album lacks. But that was somewhat Prop's intention with doing the spoken-word and rap in one album.

"Lofty" could've been better. Its good not great. I feel like Odd Thomas throws the whole song off and Propaganda wasn't being himself on here. Maybe I'm wrong but 'Eh'. "Be Present" was a tremendous live spoken word and it ends the album. But thats my problem. Why did he end the album with this? 

Is "Lofty" really where it ended or is it really with "Be Present". Why did the phone addiction song end the album "Excellent". It confused me and it kind of left me wanting to hear more. The album comes off as incomplete because of this. 

Nevertheless this album ranks at one of the top 5 albums of 2012 despite the cons about it. If there was a rank for "Before Excellent" or "Pre-Excellent" it would be there. I recommend to it everybody because its by no means a bad album.

Production: 9/10
Lyrics/Flow/Delivery: 8/10
Message: 9/10
Album Rating: 9/10


Tracklist:
1. Don’t Listen To Me
2. Excellent
3. Redefine Cutter (feat. Lee Green)
4. Raise The Banner
5. Excellent Analogy (feat. Alphonso McAuley)
6. Conquer (feat. Theory Hazit)
7. Precious Puritans (feat. Kevin “K.O.” Olusola (Cello)
8. Forgive Me For Asking
9. I Ain’t Got An Answer (feat. Sho Baraka)
10. Warm Words
11. Lofty (feat. Joel from Ascend The Hill and Beautiful Eulogy)
12. Be Present (live from Catalyst Atlanta)


Get this album on iTunes now by clicking here
Propaganda also offers the album for free at http://www.humblebeast.com/

Planet Mars

Planet Mars 101

With the release of my mixtape All Honor & All Glory I, John Mars plan to give you further insight with who I am as a person, rapper, church member, and overall servant of God.  You will see blogs on my songs from "All Honor & All Glory" to get a better understanding of it. 

Also my love for music has burdened me to write album reviews for new albums released in the Christian Hip-Hop genre. My first review will be for Propagandas "Excellent" which was released on 9/25/12

Also I will be interviewing artists a well. Coming soon I will have a Trip Lee interview & an Andy Mineo interview.

Expect new music, details on my upcoming music and even blogs addressing heavy issues in the church.

Until then follow me on twitter: @johnmarsx or contact me at johnmars16@yahoo.com

My mixtape All Honor & All Glory drops October 16, 2012 keep up with me and check out the latest single "Drop It Hard" below

Stay blessed and encouraged!