T.I. - Paper Trail (Lunatic's Grand Major Paper Trail Thread)

[Blood$]

AHH gave it a 7.5
http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/reviewsmusic/archive/2008/09/23/20520490.aspx

When T.I.P. ran his initial campaign in 2003 to be anointed “King of the South,” he made a compelling case with his dismantling of then commercially viable Lil Flip, and his breakout third LP Urban Legend. Met with little resistance, T.I. went on to further build his legacy and become a mainstream star with KING, T.I. vs. T.I.P., and the 2006 film ATL.

With the success came challengers, as rivals began questioning T.I.’s credibility as an artist and his claim of being the South’s premier MC. Now learning that defending the crown is harder than chasing it, T.I. seeks to continue his reign and quiet critics with his sixth studio album Paper Trail (Grand Hustle/Atlantic).

The album begins appropriately with the lyrical dexterity of “56 Bars (Intro).” With regal authority, TIP dissects then dismisses his less talented naysayers without ever having to call out a name. Reunited with the producer that’s crafted his biggest hits, DJ Toomp’s pulsing bass lines fit perfectly with the Bankhead star’s cocksure demeanor; setting a good start for the disc.

That focus continues on their second album collaboration “I’m Illy.” Again in battle mode, T.I. juxtaposes his achievements with a thinly veiled, local Atlanta rapper who aspires to the king’s throne in mind.

For the first time, TIP addresses in detail the events that lead to his gun prosecution on “Ready For Whatever.” Over Drumma Boy’s urgent but sprawling synths, T.I. makes a compelling argument for his need for weapons, explaining the murder of his best friend before his eyes despite the six figures he already pays for security. What makes the track work so well is that TIP is brave enough to leave his Rap persona at the door and reveal the fear that fueled his rash decisions.

The middle half of the album is dominated by a long string of commercial and pop tracks which contribute a mixed bag to the LP. “On Top of the World” features T.I.’s first partnership with former heated rival Ludacris and rising ATL newcomer B.O.B. Instead of a confrontational song, the Atlanta headliners produced a joyous track detailing their many accomplishments. While it works, the collaboration will likely do little to deter the talk of those still wishing for both men to pick up where “Stomp” left off.

The back to back syrupy singles “Live Your Life” and “Whatever You Like” follow next. Smart fans will recognize that these songs are necessary to appeal to the king’s pop constituency, but that doesn’t cancel out that they are commercial fluff that does nothing for the LP.

Danja’s bluesy, organ-tinged musicianship on “No Matter What” gets things back in order with T.I.’s assertions of triumph over his many personal struggles. “Swing Ya Rag” has him in lyrically weaving Swizz Beatz’s signature rhythms into another guaranteed infectious hit in the vein of “Bring ‘Em Out.”

On the all-star collaboration “Swagger Like Us,” Kanye West, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne all make convincing cases why their swagger supersedes all others. While some will undoubtedly find the continued auto-tune effects from Kanye and Wayne clichéd, both men deliver good set up verses for T.I., who in the coveted last spot slightly edges out a clever Jay-Z verse by dismantling the M.I.A. sampling track with a rapid closing succession of consonance-heavy lyrics.

Even with distractions ranging from legal woes to petty and childish territorial “beef,” T.I. has managed to craft an album that gives listeners the standout moments they expect from the Bankhead star. Paper Trail’s achievements are enough to remind fans why they fell in love with T.I. back in 2003, and keep his tenuous title as “King of the South” in place for the immediate future.

 

[Lunatic]

rap-reviews 9/10 and called best album of year

[Detox Iz Not Active]

rap-reviews 9/10 and called best album of year

rap reviews also gives everything a high rating

[Lunatic]

rap-reviews 9/10 and called best album of year

rap reviews also gives everything a high rating

usually 8
9 is good
and they don't call every cd album of the year 

[Blood$]

well I just finished typing a long ass paper for school, while bumping the album, and I'm in the zone so fuck it I'll post my review too lol

01. 56 Barz - 4/5, nice way to open the album, T.I. spits nothing but heat and it is a good sign of what is to come
02. Im Illy - 5/5, this track is crazy... sick ass beat by Chuck Diesel and T.I. kills it... something like this was missing from the last album
03. Ready for Whatever - 4/5, it was good to see T.I. finally do a track speaking on his charges and it came out nice
04. On Top of the World (Feat. Ludacris and B.O.B) - 4.5/5, I'm loving this joint... B.o.B kills the hook and both T.I. and Luda go hard, beat is nice as well
05. Live Your Life (Feat. Rihanna) - 4.5/5, yeah it's more of a pop song but I don't care what people have to say, this is my shit... T.I. went in and Rihanna did her thing on this one
06. Whatever You Like - 3.5/5, I HATED this at first, especially T.I. singing the whole thing, but it did end up growing on me and I can play this one now
07. No Matter What - 4.5/5, liked it when I first heard it and it still isn't even overplayed for me yet... T.I. shows a lot of growth on this track lyrically and with his flow
08. My Life Your Entertainment (Feat. Usher) - 4/5, this was better than I expected, not that I thought it would be wack, but I thought it was going to be just another pop song on the album, but it's a good track, Usher killed the hook
09. Porn Star - 3/5, worst track on the album easily but it's not horrible, I don't think it will grow on me though
10. Swing Ya Rag (Feat. Swizz Beatz) - 4/5, I wasn't crazy about the hook at first but I always liked the beat and T.I. killed it, now I think this one is a banger
11. What Up Whats Haapnin' - 4.5/5, looove this track as well, everything about it is dope, and he basically puts the nail in Shawty Lo's coffin without even saying his name 
12. Every Chance I Get - 4.5/5, great followup to the previous song, T.I. remains on point and DJ Toomp provides another banger
13. Swagga Like Us (Feat. Kanye West Jay-Z Lil Wayne) - 4/5, I can see why this track is overrated by some but it's kool with me, nothing classic, but far from wack... everybody did their thing IMO, but T.I. had the best verse without question
14. Slide Show (Feat. John Legend) - 4/5, nice track, I don't have much to say about it really other than John Legend's hook was dope and T.I. was also dope on it
15. You Aint Missin Nothing - 4/5, one of the more personal tracks on the album, T.I. put a lot into it and I haven't heard any other prison tracks like this one
16. Dead and Gone - 4.5/5, this was the best song to end the album off with, Justin Timberlake did a good job with the hook and on the production tip and T.I. ended on a good note

overall I give this album a 4/5, this was one of the best albums to come out in 2008 and is definitely in my top 10 for the year... no wack songs on it and it can be played all the way through IMO... not quite a classic, but a solid release from T.I., and it shits all over his last album... some may not like this because it's too "pop" but it didn't bother me personally... I recommend y'all go out and cop this one and support T.I. cuz he deserves it for delivering a dope album

TOP TRACKS:
I'm Illy
On Top Of The World
No Matter What
What's Up, What's Haapnin'
Every Chance I Get

[Lunatic]

^props for ya review
Toomp didn't do I'm Illy though
Chuck Diesel did

[Blood$]

damn I thought Toomp did, gonna have to fix that error

[S P I C E]

it's crazy how old this album gets

you hate on everything that isnt westcoast, LAME

[Lunatic]

damn I thought Toomp did, gonna have to fix that error

all good
toomp did the intro and every chance i get
some (like me) thought he also did you aint missin nothin and on top of the world
you aint missin nothin - drumma boy
on top of the world - nard & b

[Chamillitary Click]

this is straight insanity!

[Rickdeeznutz]

Anyone get the bonus dvd?? I was wondering what was on it, if anyone seen it.

[Blood$]

Anyone get the bonus dvd?? I was wondering what was on it, if anyone seen it.

I have it, it's a 30 minute interview of T.I. basically just speaking on the album and what not... it's straight to watch one time 

[Lunatic]

^cool!

[hellrazor86]

it's crazy how old this album gets

here we go again

[Black Excellence]

Anyone get the bonus dvd?? I was wondering what was on it, if anyone seen it.

I have it, it's a 30 minute interview of T.I. basically just speaking on the album and what not... it's straight to watch one time 

you bought it from target ?