Album Review: Living Things -Linkin Park

Wow. Linkin Park has changed. I remember back in their Hybrid Theory and Meteora days, they had so many copies sold and millions of fans. After that success they literally fell off the music world. With disappointments like Minutes To Midnight and A Thousand Suns, I was worried about the longevity of the group. Living Things has showed that Linkin Park is moving in a different direction, but still have reminiscence of old stuff. Songs like Lost in the Echo, Burn it Down, Victimized, Lies Greed Misery, and Powerless have that old flavor with new instrumentals. Then there is a song like Until it Breaks that is pretty much Mike Shinoda going ham over a trunk bangin beat. This album really surprised me, and I think it is come back for LP. We'll see what the future has in store for Linkin Park. (4 out of 5 stars)

Album Review: Self Made 2-MMG

When people think of Rick Ross they think of a fat, stupid rapper, who can't rap to save his life. That may be true, but this album has not shown it. The album starts off with the lyrically strong, Power Circle. This song showcases the lyrical talent of all the artists, along with Kendrick Lamar. Every artist has a memorable line, including Kendrick Lamar, who drops probably the greatest verse of his career. This song, along with This Thing Of Ours, Fountain Of Youth, The Zenith, and I Be Puttin On take me back to Rozay's Deeper Than Rap days. These type of songs are what define rap from any other genre in music. Not only does MMG have more of lyrical prowess than other groups, they also are hardcore G's. Songs like All Birds, Black Magic, Black On Black, and Bury Me A G have Teflon Don feel to it. The Maybach Music Group never ceases to stop showing their versatility in rap music. (4 out of 5 stars)