Nas and The Hold Steady CD Reviews

After months of controversy, Nas' new album is simply Untitled.

Courtesy of Def Jam

Nas' controversial album is Untitled, and The Hold Steady urge you to Stay Positive. Check out this week's new reviews.

Nas :: Untitled

Nas has been more controversial than ever while producing and releasing this now untitled album, his ninth, which is an impressive feat in itself considering how much rap, hip-hop and music in general has changed over the years. This might be Nas’ best performance lyrically since It Was Written, which is saying a lot. He sounds more inspired than he has in a long time and is very political on the album, especially on Black President. The album's only downfall is everyone else who is featured on, or helped produce the album, because they give Nas good, but not great beats, and struggle to find a common sound to link the whole album together. Sometimes too many cooks spoil the soup, but luckily Nas is still the main ingredient, and raw and aged to perfection like a great steak.

The Hold Steady rock and want you to Stay Positive.

Courtesy of Vagrant Records

Fun Facts

This is Nas’ ninth studio album.

Fila will be financially supporting the album in exchange for Nas wearing the sneakers during shows.

Some producers of the album include DJ Green Lantern, Mark Ronson, and Stargate.

Artists appearing on the album include Busta Rhymes, Keri Hilson, The Game, and Chris Brown.

Hot Tracks

Black President, You Can't Stop Us Now, Sly Fox.

Rating:

The Hold Steady :: Stay Positive

This Brooklyn-based quartet with Twin Cities roots have been one of the most critically acclaimed American bands of the last five years. Now they're back with Stay Positive, and like previous releases, these songs are rock at its truest. Unlike anything anyone else is playing, Stay Positive is full of tragic heroes, religious metaphor and a dragged through the dirt rock and roll philosophy. Craig Finn's characteristic speaking/singing is as prophetic and poetic as ever, and guitarist Ted Kubler shines on every track, especially Lord I'm Discouraged. The Hold Steady are hard to describe, but are so good at what they do, which is produce melodic rock masterpieces which swell into raw anthems of youth through the good, the bad, and the ugly.