480: Raekwon, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx"

Before: So apparently he was a member of Wu Tang Clan. That's all I know. But that's not all I feel; Indeed, I greatly appreciate the spelling of his name. To me, it looks how it should be spelled, i.e. in a manner that "locks" the English language down so that everyone who tries to read it should be able to. Unlike words like "laugh" and "pencil", which are just cruel hurdles to everyone who learns our strange language.
Indulge me for another 20 seconds when I say that the word "inertia" should, by my standards, be spelled as such: anneurschia. Welcome to Sophie, girl of infinite quirks.
After a few weeks of not getting around to listening to this (I also have things to do, but I think I was unconsciously procrastinating too), I realize that I'm dreading listening to songs named "Shark N*****s (Biters)" and "Verbal Intercourse". And there are eighteen of these songs. Ugh. Well, in the name of a wholesome musical education, here I go.......

After: "Criminology", although it has its share of cursing and hard slang, was actually enjoyable. There's a cool bell in the background that marks the beats. What's unique about this music, as said by someone who grew up on the era where most music was digital, is that it sounds like it has this sheen of dust on it; it's not squeaky clean and shiny. I like that small veil of muffle.
I can't pick out every word they utter, but I do hear a good amount of political and social commentary. I appreciate that it's not all boastful rap- it's of substance with varied topics and musical backgrounds to the raps.
There's a spirit in this album... an energy.
I'm hearing some phrases that I associated with 2000s music and around there, like "word up" and "keep it real", and am realizing how old they actually are.
All in all, this record was not nearly as scary as I thought it'd be- it was like a cobblestone road! (Instead of a scary, haunted alleyway in the sketchy part of New Haven.) Sure, the words aren't clean, but they speak of real events. There's a musicality that is unexpectedly complex and groove-able. Raekwon, you're pretty cool after all!
These lyrics about "the hood" and social issues remind me of "Boyz in the Hood", an incredible movie that I recommend you watch for education about the 80s-90s era and the issues that surrounded the black community. I was extremely impressed by how moving it was and am grateful to have a smidgeon more understanding of the circumstances of the hood. Not that I can ever really get it, but it's wayyy better than staying ignorant because I'm embarrassed to learn about it.

481: D'Angelo, "Voodoo"

Before: Voo-who?

After: "Playa Playa" is surprisingly smooth and jazzy. Little crumbs of bwang and tsiiing sprinkled around the vocals. A little too structured to send me into a daydream, but it's very enjoyable nonetheless.
From the sounds in it, I'd assume "Devil's Pie" would be something of a non-fruit confection... perhaps shoofly or sweet potato pie.
"Left and Right": Gettin dirrrrrrrrrty up in heeeeya
"Send it On": mmmmmmmm loving these harmonies! They sound like delicate concave lenses hovering above a surface, uplifted by the high falsettos of the singers. It feels like eggshell density and infinitesimal gentleness. Like this:

These are very long songs. Most clock in over six minutes.
At this point, on the longest-name song of the album (too long and too little effort from me to name it- you'd know if you looked it up), everything just feels groovy. It's all groovin' here. Free and easy and if you have an amber-coated, silky voice, just spin it out here.

All in all, I'd give it a 6. The voices are clearly talented and the music is fresh, but it's not my jam. Glad I heard it!