Quote:
|
Originally Posted by louder
ok so this Earl album is a huge letdown. it's lo-fi and really droney, i just find it boring. it actually made me appreciate Doris more though so congrats for that, i guess.
|
Dude... I feel your frustration with OF. Trust me. We first bonded over talking OF back in the days of Bastard and OF Tape 2... Remember?
Anyway I understand why the refusal of Earl and Tyler (specifically) to grow as musicians, lyricists and producers has put you on edge and disappointed you, because it's done the same thing to me. BUT- I don't think the new Earl album is that bit of a disappointment.
I do feel that Frank Ocean is far and away the most talented and musically varied artist in the entire group, which is frustrating in itself since he hasn't released an album in just under 3 fucking years (!), and I feel like those early claims about OFWGKTA being the millennial answer to Wu-Tang were EXTREMELY premature and unfounded. But I don't think Earl's making BAD work: he's growing as an emcee. His flow is picking up pace, and he's god a better vocabulary at 19 than most rappers have at the peak of their career.
It's not great. It doesn't floor me. And the video for Grief feels like a really desperate attempt to "stay hardcore" in an almost ICP fashion, with creepy imagery that detracts from the underwhelming lyrics.
But Domo Genesis put out a dope mixtape last year, and Frank's gearing up for a new album. So keep the hope alive.
I think what we need is a full length, official OF album. Something with equal input from all members. Something mature to offset the first few tapes, which no longer excite most of us.
I think Tyler needs to let go of the reins and they need to bring in some fresh production and work like a group. There are so many excellent producers out there who are up to the task of revitalizing the OF sound. Since Tyler's NOT RZA, and even RZA fucked up in the end, there's no reason he should be behind the boards all the goddamn time.
Don't lose hope man. Frank Ocean is still one of the best names in the game. He's up there. Like, seriously. One of the best artists in the world. "Pyramids," bro!