Author Topic: Black Milk’s Track-By-Track Breakdown Of ‘Album Of The Year’ (Read 114 times)

Black Friday · « **on:** August 04, 2010, 02:24:55 PM »

Detroit emcee/producer Black Milk, most commonly known as the protégé of the late great J Dilla, is gearing up to release his latest album boastfully entitled, Album of the Year. Following his last effort, Tronic, the Detroit emcee explained that his new album is by far the most honest work he’s ever created. I know he said this because, well, I was fortunate enough to be sitting right in front of him when he said it. Then he reached over and hit play on the stereo. Here’s what I heard.

The track-by-track breakdown of Black Milk's Album of the Year

“365”
It’s the album opener hip-hop heads want from every project. Explosion. Drama. The song is comprised of horns and organs, a heavy funk bass, and of course, Black Milk’s signature drum. No chorus, either. Just bars of fury. The sweet spot comes at the end when he lets the instrumental play almost as if the music had its own verse to the song.

“Welcome (Gotta Go)”
Again, Black Milk presents a song with music suitable for a soundtrack. It evokes a sense of eeriness and almost feels like it could fit well with a Tarantino script. The lyrics outline shady industry trip-ups and the moxy that it takes to get through them. Black Milk throws in another music break at the end and adds some colorful nuances to the track .

“Keep Going”
The first words Black Milk says before the verse even starts is “Drums.” That’s pretty much all that needs to be said.

“Oh Girl” (featuring AB)
Sure, it’s something for the ladies. The ladies who love hip-hop. The track is still pretty gully, so to speak, but has a smooth undertone. And AB’s voice is the closest thing to D’Angelo’s I’ve heard, so the hook sounds great.

“Deadly Medley” (featuring Royce Da 5’9” and Elzhi)
This song is everything hip-hop heads want. Three of the dopest on one song. I thought to myself, “They should probably just form a group.” A standout line from Black Milk, “My sh*t is Martin Luther, your sh*t is Martin Lawrence.”

“Distortion” (featuring Melanie Rutherford)
The most interesting sound on this track is the wah guitar, which is different from the other sonic choices up until this point. The guitar licks instantly reminded me of something Fela would’ve done. Lyrically, Black Milk bares quite a bit as he talks about the struggles of losing people, including Dilla and Baatin, both of whom were early influences and mentors. The musical outro strays into a psychedelic spiral, complete with reverb and distortion. Fitting.

“Over Again” (featuring Monica Blaire)
A hymn for the hard workers who know that tomorrow will be a repeat of today, but press on anyway. This is one of the more “soulful” tracks, though at the end Black Milk throws some cuts and scratches in the mix which was nice, seeing as though cuts and scratches aren’t so popular in hip-hop anymore.

“Round of Applause”
This could have been at the beginning or the end, and been just as good. It’s a celebration song that ends with an all out live jam session, in which Black Milk says, “Give the drummer some.” You can even hear him calling out band directions. A maestro indeed.

“Black & Brown” (featuring Danny Brown)
It begins with darting violins and a steady high-hat, mafia movie style. Then, in comes Black Milk lyrically demolishing the track. Then, in comes Danny Brown lyrically demolishing the track. Simply, hard.

“Warning (Keep Bouncing)”
Distorted bass and a clap effect for the verses. Lush chords and snare hits for the chorus. Black Milk’s version of a dance song. The most lyrical dance song ever.

“Gospel Psychedelic Rock”
This is another song to be played in a movie somewhere. Possibly sci-fi. Maybe something that has to do with alien invasions would be the most suitable. The chorus is just that, a chorus, singing, “Oh no, here we come,” which is what I gather Black Milk meant by, “Gospel.” Either that, or the fact that “they” are coming, is the new “good news.”

“Closed Chapter” (featuring Mr. Porter)
This the manifesto of the album. It’s a soulful hustle song packed with punchlines about persistence and paying homage to the greats before him. He tips his hat to slain Detroit rapper, Proof, as well as Dilla. This one is for the dreamers.

And that’s it. After listening to it, and talking with him for a bit (he shared with me that on most of the songs he used a live band over his programmed mpc), I realized that naming his album Album of the Year was far from some sort of pompous horn-toot. Instead, what I am almost certain the title is, is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

- Jason Reynolds

Source: http://www.okayplayer.com/stories/music/black-milk_s-album-of-the-year-2010080411368/