Portishead's Third has been a long time coming, the result of a lengthy creative topor following 1997's dark, distinctly underrated album Portishead. Importantly, though, they've shaken it. While the core trio of Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow, and Adrian Utley remains, this is quite a different band to Portishead's 90s incarnation: gone is the slo-mo turntable scratching and smoky jazz feel, replaced by heavy, brooding rhythms, vintage-sounding electronics, and spindly guitar. Still present, though, is that sense of emotional fracture and deep gloom. "Silence" opens with a dense drum loop which suddenly falls away to reveal Gibbons' voice, cold but magnificent: "Wounded and afraid, inside my head/Falling through changes". "Nylon Smile", meanwhile, is a fine example of Third's occasional folksy edge, an acoustic song reminiscent of Leonard Cohen that, around its midpoint, lifts off on a propulsive electronic rhythm, Gibbons holding one clear, hard note as synthesisers bubble beneath. At times, it's a harsh and foreboding listen: the electronic drums of "Machine Gun" might put off the listener hoping for smooth dinner party fare. But Third is a brave and forward-thinking return, and one great enough to justify its lengthy gestation. --Louis Pattison

Awful Awful Awful. , 26 Aug 2008
As you might guess from the title, I don't like this one bit. Loved their first two albums, and the live in New York CD, and have been waiting for this third album for years. But it is awful to the point where I can't listen to it. It's like Eric Morecambe said - all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order. It gives me a headache every time I turn it on. What were you thinking Beth? Look out my copy on Amazon Marketplace! Erm, it's brilliant, you must buy it...

The gap between releases shows...., 25 Aug 2008
We all know and love 'Dummy' and even quite liked the difficult second self-titled album but then we had to wait a long time for the 'Third' to show up - and I think that's it's problem.

Any good band should progress over time and change their sound and Portishead have obviously done so in the years they have been away. Trouble is, we were all expecting something Dummy-esque from Third but having missed out on the evolution got an album which is pretty far from it.

Some of the tracks are very hard to listen to (Machine Gun being the worst), others are fairly non-offensive yet ordinary and one or two are real gems and I wish they lasted a bit longer.

I think that if I had heard the evolution from 'Portishead' to 'Third' I'd be more forgiving but this is so different (and hence I am so disappointed by it) that I can only give it 2 stars and hope that the next album is not quite so far away, either in time or sound.

Not exactly easy listening, 22 Aug 2008
Strange, bleak, dark and slightly unsettling. Haunting vocals as per usual, but none of the commercial friendly drum and bass beats of the earlier Dummy album. More noise - it made me question whether my stereo was faulty (it wasn't!). The last couple of tracks turning to rock. Some folk rock sounding stuff, with others (Machine Gun) sounding like it's come straight from one of the early Terminator films.

Not worth the wait, 19 Aug 2008
Fine, Dummy was so cutting edge that it sounded horribly dated horribly quickly. But it was wonderful. This isn't. It's harsher, more electronic. Not necessarily a problem in itself. Only they forgot to write any songs. They've gone all Radiohead - I imagine they felt they were too popular so decided to disappear up their own back passage to show how muso and serious they are. Disappointing.

Not so good, 13 Aug 2008
I've been waiting some time for their third album to come out, I seem to remember their website said they were recording and it would be out soon - this was in the late 90s. Anyway after a longer wait eventually there it was. First listen - hmm, give it another go - is it a grower? Not so sure. After a bit of a break and a "third" listen I, unfortunately, have to say it's not a good album. There is virtually nothing here that makes me want to listen again. Fellow Bristolian Tricky has also released an album this year and while he's developed different styles throughout his career I feel his music has always stayed fresh. Portishead on the other hand appear to have tried to do something different, challenging and artistic here but there is no soul, message or feeling in it so most of the songs come across as w..k pretending to be art. Which they undoubtedly are.

Award-winning British artist Estelle never got her just desserts for her 2004 debut album The 18th Day. Though the record was a critical success, it failed to make the mainstream splash many had hoped for. Her sophomore project, Shine, seems hell bent on avoiding the same fate. Backed up by a coterie of high profile US starlets--Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Mark Ronson and Kanye West--Shine has surefire commercial success written all over it; though that's not to say Estelle has sold out. Despite the high-impact American-style production, Shine remains reassuringly British. Estelle's West London twang is as sharp as ever, and even Kanye drops rhymes about "WAGS" and "London Boys" (see single "American Boy"). It's every bit as diverse as its predecessor too, featuring dancehall party jams ("Magnificent", produced by Mark Ronson and featuring Kardinal Offishall), the will.i.am produced "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)" (which uses a twisted up sample from Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You") to lovers' rock ("Come Over") and, of course, some love ballads too, such as "Substitute Lover", overseen by Wyclef. A solid all-round follow up, Shine should give Estelle the commercial success she deserves. --Danny McKenna

Awful Awful Awful. , 26 Aug 2008
As you might guess from the title, I don't like this one bit. Loved their first two albums, and the live in New York CD, and have been waiting for this third album for years. But it is awful to the point where I can't listen to it. It's like Eric Morecambe said - all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order. It gives me a headache every time I turn it on. What were you thinking Beth? Look out my copy on Amazon Marketplace! Erm, it's brilliant, you must buy it...

The gap between releases shows...., 25 Aug 2008
We all know and love 'Dummy' and even quite liked the difficult second self-titled album but then we had to wait a long time for the 'Third' to show up - and I think that's it's problem.

Any good band should progress over time and change their sound and Portishead have obviously done so in the years they have been away. Trouble is, we were all expecting something Dummy-esque from Third but having missed out on the evolution got an album which is pretty far from it.

Some of the tracks are very hard to listen to (Machine Gun being the worst), others are fairly non-offensive yet ordinary and one or two are real gems and I wish they lasted a bit longer.

I think that if I had heard the evolution from 'Portishead' to 'Third' I'd be more forgiving but this is so different (and hence I am so disappointed by it) that I can only give it 2 stars and hope that the next album is not quite so far away, either in time or sound.

Not exactly easy listening, 22 Aug 2008
Strange, bleak, dark and slightly unsettling. Haunting vocals as per usual, but none of the commercial friendly drum and bass beats of the earlier Dummy album. More noise - it made me question whether my stereo was faulty (it wasn't!). The last couple of tracks turning to rock. Some folk rock sounding stuff, with others (Machine Gun) sounding like it's come straight from one of the early Terminator films.

Not worth the wait, 19 Aug 2008
Fine, Dummy was so cutting edge that it sounded horribly dated horribly quickly. But it was wonderful. This isn't. It's harsher, more electronic. Not necessarily a problem in itself. Only they forgot to write any songs. They've gone all Radiohead - I imagine they felt they were too popular so decided to disappear up their own back passage to show how muso and serious they are. Disappointing.

Not so good, 13 Aug 2008
I've been waiting some time for their third album to come out, I seem to remember their website said they were recording and it would be out soon - this was in the late 90s. Anyway after a longer wait eventually there it was. First listen - hmm, give it another go - is it a grower? Not so sure. After a bit of a break and a "third" listen I, unfortunately, have to say it's not a good album. There is virtually nothing here that makes me want to listen again. Fellow Bristolian Tricky has also released an album this year and while he's developed different styles throughout his career I feel his music has always stayed fresh. Portishead on the other hand appear to have tried to do something different, challenging and artistic here but there is no soul, message or feeling in it so most of the songs come across as w..k pretending to be art. Which they undoubtedly are.

Finest UK Female Artist Around!, 01 Jul 2008
Much like Her 2004 debut album, 'The 18th Day', Shine proves to be an outstanding contribution to the world of UK hip-hop. Featuring collaborations from Kanye West, Will.i.am, Cee-Lo & John Legend, the album had all the ingredients to be a major success. A very summer feeling on the record, and a 2008 must buy!!

Second Impression - Lacklustre, 18 Jun 2008
I gave this one some time. I really did. "Don't let first
impressions get the better of you" - That's what I told myself.

I want to like Estelle but there's something disingenuous
about this album which keeps me at arm's length.

Perhaps it's the celebrity pals. A pretty blatant US market launchpad.

Perhaps it's the uneasy slipping and sliding between West London
and American brogues...NB 'More Than Friends'.

Perhaps it's that the voice is pretty ordinary truth be told.
Lacking in dynamic variation and uncertain in tone.

Of the twelve songs in this collection only a couple rise above the middle of the road.

'Come Over' and 'Pretty Please' both possess a degree of sassy charm.

'So Much Out The Way' and title track 'Shine' however are real stinkers.

Unfocussed and disappointing.





One of the finer albums in 2008, 11 Jun 2008
This album is one of the best, solid, seamless yet diverse albums I have heard in 2008. Estelle, for me, is filling that void in the market of credible, soulful R&B/rapper which was ploughed by Lauryn Hill with her 'Miseducation' album. Estelle is no Lauryn Hill, but I am more than satisfied to listen to this until Ms. Hill chooses to return.

After her debut THE 18th DAY I thought that we probably would not hear from her again and she would another talented British artist to disappear into obscurity because of a lack of penetration into the Top 10 yet alone the Top 40. This may be due to a number of American artists churning out R&B albums. So Estelle moves State-side to sign up with John Legend. I saw Estelle in concert with John Legend in 2005 and I am not surprised that they have teamed up. "American Boy" was a tremendous will.i.am produced Kanye West featured track (Kanye rapping about WAGs and Ribena!!) and there are a number of other track which illustrate Estelle's dexterity courtesy of production by Wyclef Jean (another Fugee), Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Jack Splash and others. This album is great for summer and I listen to it regularly on the tube in London.
Estelle bravely covers Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" (like Lauryn Hill did with Bob) and creates a George Michael inspired No Substitute Love. "Come Over" is an beautiful ballardy tune which shows off Estelle's softer side a bit more. "Wait a Minute" featuring will.i.am manages to show the I'm-nobodies-fool side of Estelle with some moving production from will.i.am.

Estelle flows between singer to rapper effortlessly in this album on a few tracks and features with artists such as Cee-Lo on "Pretty Please" -- which is the MOST genuine JACKSON 5 sounding song I have heard post Jackson 5. "You Are" features John Legend where they sing back and forth to each other. A song that manages to sound intimate like you're the only other person witnessing this exchange.

I fear that this album will not shift as many units as it should. It won't show internationally that the UK is not just Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy. I always say just to download individual tracks for albums but this one really deserves to be listened to from beginning to end as the album's mood is really a journey from beginning to end. Maybe leave off Shine with Swizz Beatz if you want to save some money. This album is the yardstick for others to follow for a while.

FAB ESTELLE !!!! :), 25 May 2008
Estelle is the singer we have all been waiting for. A singer that has talent, can sing great hip-hop, is beautiful and who actually looks a cool and down to earth girl. Her sounds on this album are very original and I am always bopping along to this. The songs are groovy, original and perfect for a summer party. This girl cheers you up just by listening to her album. I don't think the music industry has heard such a fab sound before. She is the talent we have been searching for !! All the songs are great and if you liked American Boy buy this album ):

Absolute awesome!, 18 May 2008
This is a great album, American Boy is such a funky song. Just love it. The whole album is really good. I`ve been a fan since her last album - 18th day. Looking forward to her next album already! Estelle rocks.

Awful Awful Awful. , 26 Aug 2008
As you might guess from the title, I don't like this one bit. Loved their first two albums, and the live in New York CD, and have been waiting for this third album for years. But it is awful to the point where I can't listen to it. It's like Eric Morecambe said - all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order. It gives me a headache every time I turn it on. What were you thinking Beth? Look out my copy on Amazon Marketplace! Erm, it's brilliant, you must buy it...

The gap between releases shows...., 25 Aug 2008
We all know and love 'Dummy' and even quite liked the difficult second self-titled album but then we had to wait a long time for the 'Third' to show up - and I think that's it's problem.

Any good band should progress over time and change their sound and Portishead have obviously done so in the years they have been away. Trouble is, we were all expecting something Dummy-esque from Third but having missed out on the evolution got an album which is pretty far from it.

Some of the tracks are very hard to listen to (Machine Gun being the worst), others are fairly non-offensive yet ordinary and one or two are real gems and I wish they lasted a bit longer.

I think that if I had heard the evolution from 'Portishead' to 'Third' I'd be more forgiving but this is so different (and hence I am so disappointed by it) that I can only give it 2 stars and hope that the next album is not quite so far away, either in time or sound.

Not exactly easy listening, 22 Aug 2008
Strange, bleak, dark and slightly unsettling. Haunting vocals as per usual, but none of the commercial friendly drum and bass beats of the earlier Dummy album. More noise - it made me question whether my stereo was faulty (it wasn't!). The last couple of tracks turning to rock. Some folk rock sounding stuff, with others (Machine Gun) sounding like it's come straight from one of the early Terminator films.

Not worth the wait, 19 Aug 2008
Fine, Dummy was so cutting edge that it sounded horribly dated horribly quickly. But it was wonderful. This isn't. It's harsher, more electronic. Not necessarily a problem in itself. Only they forgot to write any songs. They've gone all Radiohead - I imagine they felt they were too popular so decided to disappear up their own back passage to show how muso and serious they are. Disappointing.

Not so good, 13 Aug 2008
I've been waiting some time for their third album to come out, I seem to remember their website said they were recording and it would be out soon - this was in the late 90s. Anyway after a longer wait eventually there it was. First listen - hmm, give it another go - is it a grower? Not so sure. After a bit of a break and a "third" listen I, unfortunately, have to say it's not a good album. There is virtually nothing here that makes me want to listen again. Fellow Bristolian Tricky has also released an album this year and while he's developed different styles throughout his career I feel his music has always stayed fresh. Portishead on the other hand appear to have tried to do something different, challenging and artistic here but there is no soul, message or feeling in it so most of the songs come across as w..k pretending to be art. Which they undoubtedly are.

Finest UK Female Artist Around!, 01 Jul 2008
Much like Her 2004 debut album, 'The 18th Day', Shine proves to be an outstanding contribution to the world of UK hip-hop. Featuring collaborations from Kanye West, Will.i.am, Cee-Lo & John Legend, the album had all the ingredients to be a major success. A very summer feeling on the record, and a 2008 must buy!!

Second Impression - Lacklustre, 18 Jun 2008
I gave this one some time. I really did. "Don't let first
impressions get the better of you" - That's what I told myself.

I want to like Estelle but there's something disingenuous
about this album which keeps me at arm's length.

Perhaps it's the celebrity pals. A pretty blatant US market launchpad.

Perhaps it's the uneasy slipping and sliding between West London
and American brogues...NB 'More Than Friends'.

Perhaps it's that the voice is pretty ordinary truth be told.
Lacking in dynamic variation and uncertain in tone.

Of the twelve songs in this collection only a couple rise above the middle of the road.

'Come Over' and 'Pretty Please' both possess a degree of sassy charm.

'So Much Out The Way' and title track 'Shine' however are real stinkers.

Unfocussed and disappointing.





One of the finer albums in 2008, 11 Jun 2008
This album is one of the best, solid, seamless yet diverse albums I have heard in 2008. Estelle, for me, is filling that void in the market of credible, soulful R&B/rapper which was ploughed by Lauryn Hill with her 'Miseducation' album. Estelle is no Lauryn Hill, but I am more than satisfied to listen to this until Ms. Hill chooses to return.

After her debut THE 18th DAY I thought that we probably would not hear from her again and she would another talented British artist to disappear into obscurity because of a lack of penetration into the Top 10 yet alone the Top 40. This may be due to a number of American artists churning out R&B albums. So Estelle moves State-side to sign up with John Legend. I saw Estelle in concert with John Legend in 2005 and I am not surprised that they have teamed up. "American Boy" was a tremendous will.i.am produced Kanye West featured track (Kanye rapping about WAGs and Ribena!!) and there are a number of other track which illustrate Estelle's dexterity courtesy of production by Wyclef Jean (another Fugee), Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Jack Splash and others. This album is great for summer and I listen to it regularly on the tube in London.
Estelle bravely covers Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" (like Lauryn Hill did with Bob) and creates a George Michael inspired No Substitute Love. "Come Over" is an beautiful ballardy tune which shows off Estelle's softer side a bit more. "Wait a Minute" featuring will.i.am manages to show the I'm-nobodies-fool side of Estelle with some moving production from will.i.am.

Estelle flows between singer to rapper effortlessly in this album on a few tracks and features with artists such as Cee-Lo on "Pretty Please" -- which is the MOST genuine JACKSON 5 sounding song I have heard post Jackson 5. "You Are" features John Legend where they sing back and forth to each other. A song that manages to sound intimate like you're the only other person witnessing this exchange.

I fear that this album will not shift as many units as it should. It won't show internationally that the UK is not just Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy. I always say just to download individual tracks for albums but this one really deserves to be listened to from beginning to end as the album's mood is really a journey from beginning to end. Maybe leave off Shine with Swizz Beatz if you want to save some money. This album is the yardstick for others to follow for a while.

FAB ESTELLE !!!! :), 25 May 2008
Estelle is the singer we have all been waiting for. A singer that has talent, can sing great hip-hop, is beautiful and who actually looks a cool and down to earth girl. Her sounds on this album are very original and I am always bopping along to this. The songs are groovy, original and perfect for a summer party. This girl cheers you up just by listening to her album. I don't think the music industry has heard such a fab sound before. She is the talent we have been searching for !! All the songs are great and if you liked American Boy buy this album ):

Absolute awesome!, 18 May 2008
This is a great album, American Boy is such a funky song. Just love it. The whole album is really good. I`ve been a fan since her last album - 18th day. Looking forward to her next album already! Estelle rocks.

LAX, 22 Aug 2008
Iv been a huge Game fan since the beginning and he never lets us down once again this is a real Banger!every track is Dope,absolutely luv it,just sad this will be his last,
Please pick up this album on the 25th and support real hip hop
Also check out Ice Cube's 'RAW FOOTAGE'Also a realy great album.

Very Good Album, 21 Aug 2008
After listening to the album a few times it gets better each time there are a few very good tracks on the album to look out for My Life, Games Pain, Dope Boys, LAX Files and Money.

Awful Awful Awful. , 26 Aug 2008
As you might guess from the title, I don't like this one bit. Loved their first two albums, and the live in New York CD, and have been waiting for this third album for years. But it is awful to the point where I can't listen to it. It's like Eric Morecambe said - all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order. It gives me a headache every time I turn it on. What were you thinking Beth? Look out my copy on Amazon Marketplace! Erm, it's brilliant, you must buy it...

The gap between releases shows...., 25 Aug 2008
We all know and love 'Dummy' and even quite liked the difficult second self-titled album but then we had to wait a long time for the 'Third' to show up - and I think that's it's problem.

Any good band should progress over time and change their sound and Portishead have obviously done so in the years they have been away. Trouble is, we were all expecting something Dummy-esque from Third but having missed out on the evolution got an album which is pretty far from it.

Some of the tracks are very hard to listen to (Machine Gun being the worst), others are fairly non-offensive yet ordinary and one or two are real gems and I wish they lasted a bit longer.

I think that if I had heard the evolution from 'Portishead' to 'Third' I'd be more forgiving but this is so different (and hence I am so disappointed by it) that I can only give it 2 stars and hope that the next album is not quite so far away, either in time or sound.

Not exactly easy listening, 22 Aug 2008
Strange, bleak, dark and slightly unsettling. Haunting vocals as per usual, but none of the commercial friendly drum and bass beats of the earlier Dummy album. More noise - it made me question whether my stereo was faulty (it wasn't!). The last couple of tracks turning to rock. Some folk rock sounding stuff, with others (Machine Gun) sounding like it's come straight from one of the early Terminator films.

Not worth the wait, 19 Aug 2008
Fine, Dummy was so cutting edge that it sounded horribly dated horribly quickly. But it was wonderful. This isn't. It's harsher, more electronic. Not necessarily a problem in itself. Only they forgot to write any songs. They've gone all Radiohead - I imagine they felt they were too popular so decided to disappear up their own back passage to show how muso and serious they are. Disappointing.

Not so good, 13 Aug 2008
I've been waiting some time for their third album to come out, I seem to remember their website said they were recording and it would be out soon - this was in the late 90s. Anyway after a longer wait eventually there it was. First listen - hmm, give it another go - is it a grower? Not so sure. After a bit of a break and a "third" listen I, unfortunately, have to say it's not a good album. There is virtually nothing here that makes me want to listen again. Fellow Bristolian Tricky has also released an album this year and while he's developed different styles throughout his career I feel his music has always stayed fresh. Portishead on the other hand appear to have tried to do something different, challenging and artistic here but there is no soul, message or feeling in it so most of the songs come across as w..k pretending to be art. Which they undoubtedly are.

Finest UK Female Artist Around!, 01 Jul 2008
Much like Her 2004 debut album, 'The 18th Day', Shine proves to be an outstanding contribution to the world of UK hip-hop. Featuring collaborations from Kanye West, Will.i.am, Cee-Lo & John Legend, the album had all the ingredients to be a major success. A very summer feeling on the record, and a 2008 must buy!!

Second Impression - Lacklustre, 18 Jun 2008
I gave this one some time. I really did. "Don't let first
impressions get the better of you" - That's what I told myself.

I want to like Estelle but there's something disingenuous
about this album which keeps me at arm's length.

Perhaps it's the celebrity pals. A pretty blatant US market launchpad.

Perhaps it's the uneasy slipping and sliding between West London
and American brogues...NB 'More Than Friends'.

Perhaps it's that the voice is pretty ordinary truth be told.
Lacking in dynamic variation and uncertain in tone.

Of the twelve songs in this collection only a couple rise above the middle of the road.

'Come Over' and 'Pretty Please' both possess a degree of sassy charm.

'So Much Out The Way' and title track 'Shine' however are real stinkers.

Unfocussed and disappointing.





One of the finer albums in 2008, 11 Jun 2008
This album is one of the best, solid, seamless yet diverse albums I have heard in 2008. Estelle, for me, is filling that void in the market of credible, soulful R&B/rapper which was ploughed by Lauryn Hill with her 'Miseducation' album. Estelle is no Lauryn Hill, but I am more than satisfied to listen to this until Ms. Hill chooses to return.

After her debut THE 18th DAY I thought that we probably would not hear from her again and she would another talented British artist to disappear into obscurity because of a lack of penetration into the Top 10 yet alone the Top 40. This may be due to a number of American artists churning out R&B albums. So Estelle moves State-side to sign up with John Legend. I saw Estelle in concert with John Legend in 2005 and I am not surprised that they have teamed up. "American Boy" was a tremendous will.i.am produced Kanye West featured track (Kanye rapping about WAGs and Ribena!!) and there are a number of other track which illustrate Estelle's dexterity courtesy of production by Wyclef Jean (another Fugee), Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Jack Splash and others. This album is great for summer and I listen to it regularly on the tube in London.
Estelle bravely covers Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" (like Lauryn Hill did with Bob) and creates a George Michael inspired No Substitute Love. "Come Over" is an beautiful ballardy tune which shows off Estelle's softer side a bit more. "Wait a Minute" featuring will.i.am manages to show the I'm-nobodies-fool side of Estelle with some moving production from will.i.am.

Estelle flows between singer to rapper effortlessly in this album on a few tracks and features with artists such as Cee-Lo on "Pretty Please" -- which is the MOST genuine JACKSON 5 sounding song I have heard post Jackson 5. "You Are" features John Legend where they sing back and forth to each other. A song that manages to sound intimate like you're the only other person witnessing this exchange.

I fear that this album will not shift as many units as it should. It won't show internationally that the UK is not just Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy. I always say just to download individual tracks for albums but this one really deserves to be listened to from beginning to end as the album's mood is really a journey from beginning to end. Maybe leave off Shine with Swizz Beatz if you want to save some money. This album is the yardstick for others to follow for a while.

FAB ESTELLE !!!! :), 25 May 2008
Estelle is the singer we have all been waiting for. A singer that has talent, can sing great hip-hop, is beautiful and who actually looks a cool and down to earth girl. Her sounds on this album are very original and I am always bopping along to this. The songs are groovy, original and perfect for a summer party. This girl cheers you up just by listening to her album. I don't think the music industry has heard such a fab sound before. She is the talent we have been searching for !! All the songs are great and if you liked American Boy buy this album ):

Absolute awesome!, 18 May 2008
This is a great album, American Boy is such a funky song. Just love it. The whole album is really good. I`ve been a fan since her last album - 18th day. Looking forward to her next album already! Estelle rocks.

LAX, 22 Aug 2008
Iv been a huge Game fan since the beginning and he never lets us down once again this is a real Banger!every track is Dope,absolutely luv it,just sad this will be his last,
Please pick up this album on the 25th and support real hip hop
Also check out Ice Cube's 'RAW FOOTAGE'Also a realy great album.

Very Good Album, 21 Aug 2008
After listening to the album a few times it gets better each time there are a few very good tracks on the album to look out for My Life, Games Pain, Dope Boys, LAX Files and Money.

Rhythm up your summer.., 01 Aug 2008
This is a great compilation with an inspired combination of recent hits and old massive tunes.

It's worth buying for the first CD alone but if, like me, you do not have all the tracks on back catologue then, at 5 CDs, it's fantastic value for money.

Awful Awful Awful. , 26 Aug 2008
As you might guess from the title, I don't like this one bit. Loved their first two albums, and the live in New York CD, and have been waiting for this third album for years. But it is awful to the point where I can't listen to it. It's like Eric Morecambe said - all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order. It gives me a headache every time I turn it on. What were you thinking Beth? Look out my copy on Amazon Marketplace! Erm, it's brilliant, you must buy it...

The gap between releases shows...., 25 Aug 2008
We all know and love 'Dummy' and even quite liked the difficult second self-titled album but then we had to wait a long time for the 'Third' to show up - and I think that's it's problem.

Any good band should progress over time and change their sound and Portishead have obviously done so in the years they have been away. Trouble is, we were all expecting something Dummy-esque from Third but having missed out on the evolution got an album which is pretty far from it.

Some of the tracks are very hard to listen to (Machine Gun being the worst), others are fairly non-offensive yet ordinary and one or two are real gems and I wish they lasted a bit longer.

I think that if I had heard the evolution from 'Portishead' to 'Third' I'd be more forgiving but this is so different (and hence I am so disappointed by it) that I can only give it 2 stars and hope that the next album is not quite so far away, either in time or sound.

Not exactly easy listening, 22 Aug 2008
Strange, bleak, dark and slightly unsettling. Haunting vocals as per usual, but none of the commercial friendly drum and bass beats of the earlier Dummy album. More noise - it made me question whether my stereo was faulty (it wasn't!). The last couple of tracks turning to rock. Some folk rock sounding stuff, with others (Machine Gun) sounding like it's come straight from one of the early Terminator films.

Not worth the wait, 19 Aug 2008
Fine, Dummy was so cutting edge that it sounded horribly dated horribly quickly. But it was wonderful. This isn't. It's harsher, more electronic. Not necessarily a problem in itself. Only they forgot to write any songs. They've gone all Radiohead - I imagine they felt they were too popular so decided to disappear up their own back passage to show how muso and serious they are. Disappointing.

Not so good, 13 Aug 2008
I've been waiting some time for their third album to come out, I seem to remember their website said they were recording and it would be out soon - this was in the late 90s. Anyway after a longer wait eventually there it was. First listen - hmm, give it another go - is it a grower? Not so sure. After a bit of a break and a "third" listen I, unfortunately, have to say it's not a good album. There is virtually nothing here that makes me want to listen again. Fellow Bristolian Tricky has also released an album this year and while he's developed different styles throughout his career I feel his music has always stayed fresh. Portishead on the other hand appear to have tried to do something different, challenging and artistic here but there is no soul, message or feeling in it so most of the songs come across as w..k pretending to be art. Which they undoubtedly are.

Finest UK Female Artist Around!, 01 Jul 2008
Much like Her 2004 debut album, 'The 18th Day', Shine proves to be an outstanding contribution to the world of UK hip-hop. Featuring collaborations from Kanye West, Will.i.am, Cee-Lo & John Legend, the album had all the ingredients to be a major success. A very summer feeling on the record, and a 2008 must buy!!

Second Impression - Lacklustre, 18 Jun 2008
I gave this one some time. I really did. "Don't let first
impressions get the better of you" - That's what I told myself.

I want to like Estelle but there's something disingenuous
about this album which keeps me at arm's length.

Perhaps it's the celebrity pals. A pretty blatant US market launchpad.

Perhaps it's the uneasy slipping and sliding between West London
and American brogues...NB 'More Than Friends'.

Perhaps it's that the voice is pretty ordinary truth be told.
Lacking in dynamic variation and uncertain in tone.

Of the twelve songs in this collection only a couple rise above the middle of the road.

'Come Over' and 'Pretty Please' both possess a degree of sassy charm.

'So Much Out The Way' and title track 'Shine' however are real stinkers.

Unfocussed and disappointing.





One of the finer albums in 2008, 11 Jun 2008
This album is one of the best, solid, seamless yet diverse albums I have heard in 2008. Estelle, for me, is filling that void in the market of credible, soulful R&B/rapper which was ploughed by Lauryn Hill with her 'Miseducation' album. Estelle is no Lauryn Hill, but I am more than satisfied to listen to this until Ms. Hill chooses to return.

After her debut THE 18th DAY I thought that we probably would not hear from her again and she would another talented British artist to disappear into obscurity because of a lack of penetration into the Top 10 yet alone the Top 40. This may be due to a number of American artists churning out R&B albums. So Estelle moves State-side to sign up with John Legend. I saw Estelle in concert with John Legend in 2005 and I am not surprised that they have teamed up. "American Boy" was a tremendous will.i.am produced Kanye West featured track (Kanye rapping about WAGs and Ribena!!) and there are a number of other track which illustrate Estelle's dexterity courtesy of production by Wyclef Jean (another Fugee), Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Jack Splash and others. This album is great for summer and I listen to it regularly on the tube in London.
Estelle bravely covers Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" (like Lauryn Hill did with Bob) and creates a George Michael inspired No Substitute Love. "Come Over" is an beautiful ballardy tune which shows off Estelle's softer side a bit more. "Wait a Minute" featuring will.i.am manages to show the I'm-nobodies-fool side of Estelle with some moving production from will.i.am.

Estelle flows between singer to rapper effortlessly in this album on a few tracks and features with artists such as Cee-Lo on "Pretty Please" -- which is the MOST genuine JACKSON 5 sounding song I have heard post Jackson 5. "You Are" features John Legend where they sing back and forth to each other. A song that manages to sound intimate like you're the only other person witnessing this exchange.

I fear that this album will not shift as many units as it should. It won't show internationally that the UK is not just Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy. I always say just to download individual tracks for albums but this one really deserves to be listened to from beginning to end as the album's mood is really a journey from beginning to end. Maybe leave off Shine with Swizz Beatz if you want to save some money. This album is the yardstick for others to follow for a while.

FAB ESTELLE !!!! :), 25 May 2008
Estelle is the singer we have all been waiting for. A singer that has talent, can sing great hip-hop, is beautiful and who actually looks a cool and down to earth girl. Her sounds on this album are very original and I am always bopping along to this. The songs are groovy, original and perfect for a summer party. This girl cheers you up just by listening to her album. I don't think the music industry has heard such a fab sound before. She is the talent we have been searching for !! All the songs are great and if you liked American Boy buy this album ):

Absolute awesome!, 18 May 2008
This is a great album, American Boy is such a funky song. Just love it. The whole album is really good. I`ve been a fan since her last album - 18th day. Looking forward to her next album already! Estelle rocks.

LAX, 22 Aug 2008
Iv been a huge Game fan since the beginning and he never lets us down once again this is a real Banger!every track is Dope,absolutely luv it,just sad this will be his last,
Please pick up this album on the 25th and support real hip hop
Also check out Ice Cube's 'RAW FOOTAGE'Also a realy great album.

Very Good Album, 21 Aug 2008
After listening to the album a few times it gets better each time there are a few very good tracks on the album to look out for My Life, Games Pain, Dope Boys, LAX Files and Money.

Rhythm up your summer.., 01 Aug 2008
This is a great compilation with an inspired combination of recent hits and old massive tunes.

It's worth buying for the first CD alone but if, like me, you do not have all the tracks on back catologue then, at 5 CDs, it's fantastic value for money.




average, 30 Jul 2008
This album is very disappointing compared to other nas albums..yes lyrically nas is on point as usual and delivers some great lyrics..unfortunately the production on this album is seriously mediocre..nas last couple of album especially have had top producers like kanye etc this however has largelly a roster of unknown producers who deliver some shockingly bad bland beats. thers a couple of tracks to be liked..like america but a lot of it is boring indeed.

Get nas last album..its way better than this

Nas' best album, 23 Jul 2008
To say this is Nas' best album is an understatement. After the controversy as to what the album title was going to be there was a lot of pressure for him to pull together a solid tight album. Importantly and long overdue, this album discusses the history, social complexity and street rule regarding the N word and, to be honest, it could not have come from someone with more erudite and articulate (runners up would be Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Ice Cube)

First theme side: This is fairly radio friendly but without much of the kind of material wealth normal talk that you usually get in mainstream hip hop music. Even the Polow Da Don produced lead single "Hero" featuring the Keri Hilson (who is fairly popular now) has a conscious thread discussing the controversy behind the former album name and poses the question of what chance do younger generations have if veterans are not allowed freedom of speech, discussion etc. "Make The World Go Round" (Cool & Dre & The Game production) with Chris Brown and The Game is another lighter production track where The Game's verse is hard to differentiate from Nas' which gives The Game a lot of credit. Chris Brown's voice is not really distinctive (!) and is heavily distorted. The track is very listenable. "Hero" is clearly the most commercial-radio song on the album but still fits in nicely and illustrates Nas' skill as a radio MC and a MC that can credibly discuss serious issues in black culture, politics etc.

Second theme: The album is very political with "Black President" - clearly is focused on Barack Obama, "America" and "Testify" - discussing institutional racism, "Sly Fox" - think Bill O'Reilly and his clique, which lyrical shots in all direction but very focused at the same time. N.I.*.*.E.R (The Slave and the Master) is another excellent track which analyses the same eponymous matter.

Others: one of my favourite tracks is Fried Chicken which somehow manages to weave and mock sexual and dietary stereotypes at the same time with Busta Rhymes.

There is not much of the typical hip hop swagger in terms of how fast is my car, look at my rims and being derogatory about women but rather the album is trying to push the boundaries. Nas really has not made an album that is more time relevant and yet the themes in his messages are perennial and will not age. I am glad that Nas did not name his album after the N word as the attention drawn to the album would only be negative and I am sure would reduce album sales etc. This is a great album. Normally I say download specific tracks but I strongly advise you download/buy the entire album. It is worth it and each time you listen to it, you hear more. This is better than Hip Hop Is Dead which was clearly reflective of a new label sign and lacks the focus of Untitled. Buy it!!


lyrically fautless, 22 Jul 2008
This album is phenomenal in a lyrical sense. Black president incorporates a 2pac sample which compliments nas hopeful lyrics that barack obama will change america for the better. Hero feat keri hilson is the obvious single its got a commercial but the lyrics and vocals are so tight its a great first single.

My top track off the album is Fried chicken feat busta rhymes and produced by mark ronson. its a wicked beat which suits nas flow perfectly and bustas verse sets the whole track off its genius.

Were not alone is a superb song with vocals by mykel whos tone is beautiful and is a perfect backdrop for the production and nas tight lyrics. Its a step up from hip hop is dead...and proves HIP HOP IS NOT DEAD!!!

Lyrically awesome. As always...., 19 Jul 2008
This album is a must have.

From start to finish its a great listen. Shows maturity and also displays Nas' lyrically capability to the max. His flow on this record: Incredible.
Some of my favourites are tracks like 'Breathe' which in my opinion is very similar to his old work, features a very laid back beat, with a lyrical style that is very similar to his 'it was written' days. 'Sly fox' a shot at media outlets and really gives an insightful look on what's really going on, the beat is crazy. 'Fried Chicken' a track rapping about a woman with clever use of metaphors, awesome track produced by Mark ronson.
All in all, the album shows a very philosophical side of Nas, and displays his thoughts and views in this album in a way that comes together very smoothly and on point, the fact that each song is represented like this on top of Nas lyrical capability is genius in itself.

The album is classic, and probably the most important hip-hop record since Public enemies 'Fear of a black planet.'
This album shows that Nas is stILL #1.

Nas...All you need to know., 18 Jul 2008
As usual, Nas cleans up the industry with a soulful and insightful look at America and the world today. Not a perfect record, with a couple of weaker tracks, but as a whole, classic hip -hop. Nas, 'nuff said.

Awful Awful Awful. , 26 Aug 2008
As you might guess from the title, I don't like this one bit. Loved their first two albums, and the live in New York CD, and have been waiting for this third album for years. But it is awful to the point where I can't listen to it. It's like Eric Morecambe said - all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order. It gives me a headache every time I turn it on. What were you thinking Beth? Look out my copy on Amazon Marketplace! Erm, it's brilliant, you must buy it...

The gap between releases shows...., 25 Aug 2008
We all know and love 'Dummy' and even quite liked the difficult second self-titled album but then we had to wait a long time for the 'Third' to show up - and I think that's it's problem.

Any good band should progress over time and change their sound and Portishead have obviously done so in the years they have been away. Trouble is, we were all expecting something Dummy-esque from Third but having missed out on the evolution got an album which is pretty far from it.

Some of the tracks are very hard to listen to (Machine Gun being the worst), others are fairly non-offensive yet ordinary and one or two are real gems and I wish they lasted a bit longer.

I think that if I had heard the evolution from 'Portishead' to 'Third' I'd be more forgiving but this is so different (and hence I am so disappointed by it) that I can only give it 2 stars and hope that the next album is not quite so far away, either in time or sound.

Not exactly easy listening, 22 Aug 2008
Strange, bleak, dark and slightly unsettling. Haunting vocals as per usual, but none of the commercial friendly drum and bass beats of the earlier Dummy album. More noise - it made me question whether my stereo was faulty (it wasn't!). The last couple of tracks turning to rock. Some folk rock sounding stuff, with others (Machine Gun) sounding like it's come straight from one of the early Terminator films.

Not worth the wait, 19 Aug 2008
Fine, Dummy was so cutting edge that it sounded horribly dated horribly quickly. But it was wonderful. This isn't. It's harsher, more electronic. Not necessarily a problem in itself. Only they forgot to write any songs. They've gone all Radiohead - I imagine they felt they were too popular so decided to disappear up their own back passage to show how muso and serious they are. Disappointing.

Not so good, 13 Aug 2008
I've been waiting some time for their third album to come out, I seem to remember their website said they were recording and it would be out soon - this was in the late 90s. Anyway after a longer wait eventually there it was. First listen - hmm, give it another go - is it a grower? Not so sure. After a bit of a break and a "third" listen I, unfortunately, have to say it's not a good album. There is virtually nothing here that makes me want to listen again. Fellow Bristolian Tricky has also released an album this year and while he's developed different styles throughout his career I feel his music has always stayed fresh. Portishead on the other hand appear to have tried to do something different, challenging and artistic here but there is no soul, message or feeling in it so most of the songs come across as w..k pretending to be art. Which they undoubtedly are.

Finest UK Female Artist Around!, 01 Jul 2008
Much like Her 2004 debut album, 'The 18th Day', Shine proves to be an outstanding contribution to the world of UK hip-hop. Featuring collaborations from Kanye West, Will.i.am, Cee-Lo & John Legend, the album had all the ingredients to be a major success. A very summer feeling on the record, and a 2008 must buy!!

Second Impression - Lacklustre, 18 Jun 2008
I gave this one some time. I really did. "Don't let first
impressions get the better of you" - That's what I told myself.

I want to like Estelle but there's something disingenuous
about this album which keeps me at arm's length.

Perhaps it's the celebrity pals. A pretty blatant US market launchpad.

Perhaps it's the uneasy slipping and sliding between West London
and American brogues...NB 'More Than Friends'.

Perhaps it's that the voice is pretty ordinary truth be told.
Lacking in dynamic variation and uncertain in tone.

Of the twelve songs in this collection only a couple rise above the middle of the road.

'Come Over' and 'Pretty Please' both possess a degree of sassy charm.

'So Much Out The Way' and title track 'Shine' however are real stinkers.

Unfocussed and disappointing.





One of the finer albums in 2008, 11 Jun 2008
This album is one of the best, solid, seamless yet diverse albums I have heard in 2008. Estelle, for me, is filling that void in the market of credible, soulful R&B/rapper which was ploughed by Lauryn Hill with her 'Miseducation' album. Estelle is no Lauryn Hill, but I am more than satisfied to listen to this until Ms. Hill chooses to return.

After her debut THE 18th DAY I thought that we probably would not hear from her again and she would another talented British artist to disappear into obscurity because of a lack of penetration into the Top 10 yet alone the Top 40. This may be due to a number of American artists churning out R&B albums. So Estelle moves State-side to sign up with John Legend. I saw Estelle in concert with John Legend in 2005 and I am not surprised that they have teamed up. "American Boy" was a tremendous will.i.am produced Kanye West featured track (Kanye rapping about WAGs and Ribena!!) and there are a number of other track which illustrate Estelle's dexterity courtesy of production by Wyclef Jean (another Fugee), Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Jack Splash and others. This album is great for summer and I listen to it regularly on the tube in London.
Estelle bravely covers Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" (like Lauryn Hill did with Bob) and creates a George Michael inspired No Substitute Love. "Come Over" is an beautiful ballardy tune which shows off Estelle's softer side a bit more. "Wait a Minute" featuring will.i.am manages to show the I'm-nobodies-fool side of Estelle with some moving production from will.i.am.

Estelle flows between singer to rapper effortlessly in this album on a few tracks and features with artists such as Cee-Lo on "Pretty Please" -- which is the MOST genuine JACKSON 5 sounding song I have heard post Jackson 5. "You Are" features John Legend where they sing back and forth to each other. A song that manages to sound intimate like you're the only other person witnessing this exchange.

I fear that this album will not shift as many units as it should. It won't show internationally that the UK is not just Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy. I always say just to download individual tracks for albums but this one really deserves to be listened to from beginning to end as the album's mood is really a journey from beginning to end. Maybe leave off Shine with Swizz Beatz if you want to save some money. This album is the yardstick for others to follow for a while.

FAB ESTELLE !!!! :), 25 May 2008
Estelle is the singer we have all been waiting for. A singer that has talent, can sing great hip-hop, is beautiful and who actually looks a cool and down to earth girl. Her sounds on this album are very original and I am always bopping along to this. The songs are groovy, original and perfect for a summer party. This girl cheers you up just by listening to her album. I don't think the music industry has heard such a fab sound before. She is the talent we have been searching for !! All the songs are great and if you liked American Boy buy this album ):

Absolute awesome!, 18 May 2008
This is a great album, American Boy is such a funky song. Just love it. The whole album is really good. I`ve been a fan since her last album - 18th day. Looking forward to her next album already! Estelle rocks.

LAX, 22 Aug 2008
Iv been a huge Game fan since the beginning and he never lets us down once again this is a real Banger!every track is Dope,absolutely luv it,just sad this will be his last,
Please pick up this album on the 25th and support real hip hop
Also check out Ice Cube's 'RAW FOOTAGE'Also a realy great album.

Very Good Album, 21 Aug 2008
After listening to the album a few times it gets better each time there are a few very good tracks on the album to look out for My Life, Games Pain, Dope Boys, LAX Files and Money.

Rhythm up your summer.., 01 Aug 2008
This is a great compilation with an inspired combination of recent hits and old massive tunes.

It's worth buying for the first CD alone but if, like me, you do not have all the tracks on back catologue then, at 5 CDs, it's fantastic value for money.




average, 30 Jul 2008
This album is very disappointing compared to other nas albums..yes lyrically nas is on point as usual and delivers some great lyrics..unfortunately the production on this album is seriously mediocre..nas last couple of album especially have had top producers like kanye etc this however has largelly a roster of unknown producers who deliver some shockingly bad bland beats. thers a couple of tracks to be liked..like america but a lot of it is boring indeed.

Get nas last album..its way better than this

Nas' best album, 23 Jul 2008
To say this is Nas' best album is an understatement. After the controversy as to what the album title was going to be there was a lot of pressure for him to pull together a solid tight album. Importantly and long overdue, this album discusses the history, social complexity and street rule regarding the N word and, to be honest, it could not have come from someone with more erudite and articulate (runners up would be Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Ice Cube)

First theme side: This is fairly radio friendly but without much of the kind of material wealth normal talk that you usually get in mainstream hip hop music. Even the Polow Da Don produced lead single "Hero" featuring the Keri Hilson (who is fairly popular now) has a conscious thread discussing the controversy behind the former album name and poses the question of what chance do younger generations have if veterans are not allowed freedom of speech, discussion etc. "Make The World Go Round" (Cool & Dre & The Game production) with Chris Brown and The Game is another lighter production track where The Game's verse is hard to differentiate from Nas' which gives The Game a lot of credit. Chris Brown's voice is not really distinctive (!) and is heavily distorted. The track is very listenable. "Hero" is clearly the most commercial-radio song on the album but still fits in nicely and illustrates Nas' skill as a radio MC and a MC that can credibly discuss serious issues in black culture, politics etc.

Second theme: The album is very political with "Black President" - clearly is focused on Barack Obama, "America" and "Testify" - discussing institutional racism, "Sly Fox" - think Bill O'Reilly and his clique, which lyrical shots in all direction but very focused at the same time. N.I.*.*.E.R (The Slave and the Master) is another excellent track which analyses the same eponymous matter.

Others: one of my favourite tracks is Fried Chicken which somehow manages to weave and mock sexual and dietary stereotypes at the same time with Busta Rhymes.

There is not much of the typical hip hop swagger in terms of how fast is my car, look at my rims and being derogatory about women but rather the album is trying to push the boundaries. Nas really has not made an album that is more time relevant and yet the themes in his messages are perennial and will not age. I am glad that Nas did not name his album after the N word as the attention drawn to the album would only be negative and I am sure would reduce album sales etc. This is a great album. Normally I say download specific tracks but I strongly advise you download/buy the entire album. It is worth it and each time you listen to it, you hear more. This is better than Hip Hop Is Dead which was clearly reflective of a new label sign and lacks the focus of Untitled. Buy it!!


lyrically fautless, 22 Jul 2008
This album is phenomenal in a lyrical sense. Black president incorporates a 2pac sample which compliments nas hopeful lyrics that barack obama will change america for the better. Hero feat keri hilson is the obvious single its got a commercial but the lyrics and vocals are so tight its a great first single.

My top track off the album is Fried chicken feat busta rhymes and produced by mark ronson. its a wicked beat which suits nas flow perfectly and bustas verse sets the whole track off its genius.

Were not alone is a superb song with vocals by mykel whos tone is beautiful and is a perfect backdrop for the production and nas tight lyrics. Its a step up from hip hop is dead...and proves HIP HOP IS NOT DEAD!!!

Lyrically awesome. As always...., 19 Jul 2008
This album is a must have.

From start to finish its a great listen. Shows maturity and also displays Nas' lyrically capability to the max. His flow on this record: Incredible.
Some of my favourites are tracks like 'Breathe' which in my opinion is very similar to his old work, features a very laid back beat, with a lyrical style that is very similar to his 'it was written' days. 'Sly fox' a shot at media outlets and really gives an insightful look on what's really going on, the beat is crazy. 'Fried Chicken' a track rapping about a woman with clever use of metaphors, awesome track produced by Mark ronson.
All in all, the album shows a very philosophical side of Nas, and displays his thoughts and views in this album in a way that comes together very smoothly and on point, the fact that each song is represented like this on top of Nas lyrical capability is genius in itself.

The album is classic, and probably the most important hip-hop record since Public enemies 'Fear of a black planet.'
This album shows that Nas is stILL #1.

Nas...All you need to know., 18 Jul 2008
As usual, Nas cleans up the industry with a soulful and insightful look at America and the world today. Not a perfect record, with a couple of weaker tracks, but as a whole, classic hip -hop. Nas, 'nuff said.

Great Soundtrack!, 06 Jun 2008
This album is highly recommended to people that enjoy Urban music with that added extra energy. I heard a few of the tracks before the album came out and I was loving all of them. After watching the film - I just had to get the album, all of the tracks are very good. However, there were a few tracks missing, which I thought should've been on the album such as Timbaland - Bounce (I have his album so that was ok) and Swizz Beatz - Money in the Bank (both featured in the final dance scene).

The tracks that stood out for me were Flo Rida's Low, Missy's Ching-a-Ling, Cherish's Killa, T-Pain's Church, Plies - Hypnotize and KC's Say Cheese. The rest of the tracks are great and you will definately enjoy the album.

"I'm Down", 04 Apr 2008
WOW!!!!! i've now been to see step up 2 twice since it came out and i loved it both times!!!! It's fantastic - same may say it doesn't have a good story-line but who cares!?!? It still ace and the dancing is fantastic! It just makes you wanna go there and watch them for real!!!

And chase collins ... mmmm yum!

A must!!!!!!!!!!

AMAZING!!!, 01 Apr 2008
Step up 2 the sreets was the best film i have seen in ages!!!! but it was the music that made it... the whole soundtrack is class!!! Apple bottom jeans and church by t-pain even being in the top charts proves how good it is! definatly a cd to blast befor a night out to get you in the mood for a dance! wish they put the timbaland track on here as well though!!

Awful Awful Awful. , 26 Aug 2008
As you might guess from the title, I don't like this one bit. Loved their first two albums, and the live in New York CD, and have been waiting for this third album for years. But it is awful to the point where I can't listen to it. It's like Eric Morecambe said - all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order. It gives me a headache every time I turn it on. What were you thinking Beth? Look out my copy on Amazon Marketplace! Erm, it's brilliant, you must buy it...

The gap between releases shows...., 25 Aug 2008
We all know and love 'Dummy' and even quite liked the difficult second self-titled album but then we had to wait a long time for the 'Third' to show up - and I think that's it's problem.

Any good band should progress over time and change their sound and Portishead have obviously done so in the years they have been away. Trouble is, we were all expecting something Dummy-esque from Third but having missed out on the evolution got an album which is pretty far from it.

Some of the tracks are very hard to listen to (Machine Gun being the worst), others are fairly non-offensive yet ordinary and one or two are real gems and I wish they lasted a bit longer.

I think that if I had heard the evolution from 'Portishead' to 'Third' I'd be more forgiving but this is so different (and hence I am so disappointed by it) that I can only give it 2 stars and hope that the next album is not quite so far away, either in time or sound.

Not exactly easy listening, 22 Aug 2008
Strange, bleak, dark and slightly unsettling. Haunting vocals as per usual, but none of the commercial friendly drum and bass beats of the earlier Dummy album. More noise - it made me question whether my stereo was faulty (it wasn't!). The last couple of tracks turning to rock. Some folk rock sounding stuff, with others (Machine Gun) sounding like it's come straight from one of the early Terminator films.

Not worth the wait, 19 Aug 2008
Fine, Dummy was so cutting edge that it sounded horribly dated horribly quickly. But it was wonderful. This isn't. It's harsher, more electronic. Not necessarily a problem in itself. Only they forgot to write any songs. They've gone all Radiohead - I imagine they felt they were too popular so decided to disappear up their own back passage to show how muso and serious they are. Disappointing.

Not so good, 13 Aug 2008
I've been waiting some time for their third album to come out, I seem to remember their website said they were recording and it would be out soon - this was in the late 90s. Anyway after a longer wait eventually there it was. First listen - hmm, give it another go - is it a grower? Not so sure. After a bit of a break and a "third" listen I, unfortunately, have to say it's not a good album. There is virtually nothing here that makes me want to listen again. Fellow Bristolian Tricky has also released an album this year and while he's developed different styles throughout his career I feel his music has always stayed fresh. Portishead on the other hand appear to have tried to do something different, challenging and artistic here but there is no soul, message or feeling in it so most of the songs come across as w..k pretending to be art. Which they undoubtedly are.

Finest UK Female Artist Around!, 01 Jul 2008
Much like Her 2004 debut album, 'The 18th Day', Shine proves to be an outstanding contribution to the world of UK hip-hop. Featuring collaborations from Kanye West, Will.i.am, Cee-Lo & John Legend, the album had all the ingredients to be a major success. A very summer feeling on the record, and a 2008 must buy!!

Second Impression - Lacklustre, 18 Jun 2008
I gave this one some time. I really did. "Don't let first
impressions get the better of you" - That's what I told myself.

I want to like Estelle but there's something disingenuous
about this album which keeps me at arm's length.

Perhaps it's the celebrity pals. A pretty blatant US market launchpad.

Perhaps it's the uneasy slipping and sliding between West London
and American brogues...NB 'More Than Friends'.

Perhaps it's that the voice is pretty ordinary truth be told.
Lacking in dynamic variation and uncertain in tone.

Of the twelve songs in this collection only a couple rise above the middle of the road.

'Come Over' and 'Pretty Please' both possess a degree of sassy charm.

'So Much Out The Way' and title track 'Shine' however are real stinkers.

Unfocussed and disappointing.





One of the finer albums in 2008, 11 Jun 2008
This album is one of the best, solid, seamless yet diverse albums I have heard in 2008. Estelle, for me, is filling that void in the market of credible, soulful R&B/rapper which was ploughed by Lauryn Hill with her 'Miseducation' album. Estelle is no Lauryn Hill, but I am more than satisfied to listen to this until Ms. Hill chooses to return.

After her debut THE 18th DAY I thought that we probably would not hear from her again and she would another talented British artist to disappear into obscurity because of a lack of penetration into the Top 10 yet alone the Top 40. This may be due to a number of American artists churning out R&B albums. So Estelle moves State-side to sign up with John Legend. I saw Estelle in concert with John Legend in 2005 and I am not surprised that they have teamed up. "American Boy" was a tremendous will.i.am produced Kanye West featured track (Kanye rapping about WAGs and Ribena!!) and there are a number of other track which illustrate Estelle's dexterity courtesy of production by Wyclef Jean (another Fugee), Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Jack Splash and others. This album is great for summer and I listen to it regularly on the tube in London.
Estelle bravely covers Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" (like Lauryn Hill did with Bob) and creates a George Michael inspired No Substitute Love. "Come Over" is an beautiful ballardy tune which shows off Estelle's softer side a bit more. "Wait a Minute" featuring will.i.am manages to show the I'm-nobodies-fool side of Estelle with some moving production from will.i.am.

Estelle flows between singer to rapper effortlessly in this album on a few tracks and features with artists such as Cee-Lo on "Pretty Please" -- which is the MOST genuine JACKSON 5 sounding song I have heard post Jackson 5. "You Are" features John Legend where they sing back and forth to each other. A song that manages to sound intimate like you're the only other person witnessing this exchange.

I fear that this album will not shift as many units as it should. It won't show internationally that the UK is not just Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy. I always say just to download individual tracks for albums but this one really deserves to be listened to from beginning to end as the album's mood is really a journey from beginning to end. Maybe leave off Shine with Swizz Beatz if you want to save some money. This album is the yardstick for others to follow for a while.

FAB ESTELLE !!!! :), 25 May 2008
Estelle is the singer we have all been waiting for. A singer that has talent, can sing great hip-hop, is beautiful and who actually looks a cool and down to earth girl. Her sounds on this album are very original and I am always bopping along to this. The songs are groovy, original and perfect for a summer party. This girl cheers you up just by listening to her album. I don't think the music industry has heard such a fab sound before. She is the talent we have been searching for !! All the songs are great and if you liked American Boy buy this album ):

Absolute awesome!, 18 May 2008
This is a great album, American Boy is such a funky song. Just love it. The whole album is really good. I`ve been a fan since her last album - 18th day. Looking forward to her next album already! Estelle rocks.

LAX, 22 Aug 2008
Iv been a huge Game fan since the beginning and he never lets us down once again this is a real Banger!every track is Dope,absolutely luv it,just sad this will be his last,
Please pick up this album on the 25th and support real hip hop
Also check out Ice Cube's 'RAW FOOTAGE'Also a realy great album.

Very Good Album, 21 Aug 2008
After listening to the album a few times it gets better each time there are a few very good tracks on the album to look out for My Life, Games Pain, Dope Boys, LAX Files and Money.

Rhythm up your summer.., 01 Aug 2008
This is a great compilation with an inspired combination of recent hits and old massive tunes.

It's worth buying for the first CD alone but if, like me, you do not have all the tracks on back catologue then, at 5 CDs, it's fantastic value for money.




average, 30 Jul 2008
This album is very disappointing compared to other nas albums..yes lyrically nas is on point as usual and delivers some great lyrics..unfortunately the production on this album is seriously mediocre..nas last couple of album especially have had top producers like kanye etc this however has largelly a roster of unknown producers who deliver some shockingly bad bland beats. thers a couple of tracks to be liked..like america but a lot of it is boring indeed.

Get nas last album..its way better than this

Nas' best album, 23 Jul 2008
To say this is Nas' best album is an understatement. After the controversy as to what the album title was going to be there was a lot of pressure for him to pull together a solid tight album. Importantly and long overdue, this album discusses the history, social complexity and street rule regarding the N word and, to be honest, it could not have come from someone with more erudite and articulate (runners up would be Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Ice Cube)

First theme side: This is fairly radio friendly but without much of the kind of material wealth normal talk that you usually get in mainstream hip hop music. Even the Polow Da Don produced lead single "Hero" featuring the Keri Hilson (who is fairly popular now) has a conscious thread discussing the controversy behind the former album name and poses the question of what chance do younger generations have if veterans are not allowed freedom of speech, discussion etc. "Make The World Go Round" (Cool & Dre & The Game production) with Chris Brown and The Game is another lighter production track where The Game's verse is hard to differentiate from Nas' which gives The Game a lot of credit. Chris Brown's voice is not really distinctive (!) and is heavily distorted. The track is very listenable. "Hero" is clearly the most commercial-radio song on the album but still fits in nicely and illustrates Nas' skill as a radio MC and a MC that can credibly discuss serious issues in black culture, politics etc.

Second theme: The album is very political with "Black President" - clearly is focused on Barack Obama, "America" and "Testify" - discussing institutional racism, "Sly Fox" - think Bill O'Reilly and his clique, which lyrical shots in all direction but very focused at the same time. N.I.*.*.E.R (The Slave and the Master) is another excellent track which analyses the same eponymous matter.

Others: one of my favourite tracks is Fried Chicken which somehow manages to weave and mock sexual and dietary stereotypes at the same time with Busta Rhymes.

There is not much of the typical hip hop swagger in terms of how fast is my car, look at my rims and being derogatory about women but rather the album is trying to push the boundaries. Nas really has not made an album that is more time relevant and yet the themes in his messages are perennial and will not age. I am glad that Nas did not name his album after the N word as the attention drawn to the album would only be negative and I am sure would reduce album sales etc. This is a great album. Normally I say download specific tracks but I strongly advise you download/buy the entire album. It is worth it and each time you listen to it, you hear more. This is better than Hip Hop Is Dead which was clearly reflective of a new label sign and lacks the focus of Untitled. Buy it!!


lyrically fautless, 22 Jul 2008
This album is phenomenal in a lyrical sense. Black president incorporates a 2pac sample which compliments nas hopeful lyrics that barack obama will change america for the better. Hero feat keri hilson is the obvious single its got a commercial but the lyrics and vocals are so tight its a great first single.

My top track off the album is Fried chicken feat busta rhymes and produced by mark ronson. its a wicked beat which suits nas flow perfectly and bustas verse sets the whole track off its genius.

Were not alone is a superb song with vocals by mykel whos tone is beautiful and is a perfect backdrop for the production and nas tight lyrics. Its a step up from hip hop is dead...and proves HIP HOP IS NOT DEAD!!!

Lyrically awesome. As always...., 19 Jul 2008
This album is a must have.

From start to finish its a great listen. Shows maturity and also displays Nas' lyrically capability to the max. His flow on this record: Incredible.
Some of my favourites are tracks like 'Breathe' which in my opinion is very similar to his old work, features a very laid back beat, with a lyrical style that is very similar to his 'it was written' days. 'Sly fox' a shot at media outlets and really gives an insightful look on what's really going on, the beat is crazy. 'Fried Chicken' a track rapping about a woman with clever use of metaphors, awesome track produced by Mark ronson.
All in all, the album shows a very philosophical side of Nas, and displays his thoughts and views in this album in a way that comes together very smoothly and on point, the fact that each song is represented like this on top of Nas lyrical capability is genius in itself.

The album is classic, and probably the most important hip-hop record since Public enemies 'Fear of a black planet.'
This album shows that Nas is stILL #1.

Nas...All you need to know., 18 Jul 2008
As usual, Nas cleans up the industry with a soulful and insightful look at America and the world today. Not a perfect record, with a couple of weaker tracks, but as a whole, classic hip -hop. Nas, 'nuff said.

Great Soundtrack!, 06 Jun 2008
This album is highly recommended to people that enjoy Urban music with that added extra energy. I heard a few of the tracks before the album came out and I was loving all of them. After watching the film - I just had to get the album, all of the tracks are very good. However, there were a few tracks missing, which I thought should've been on the album such as Timbaland - Bounce (I have his album so that was ok) and Swizz Beatz - Money in the Bank (both featured in the final dance scene).

The tracks that stood out for me were Flo Rida's Low, Missy's Ching-a-Ling, Cherish's Killa, T-Pain's Church, Plies - Hypnotize and KC's Say Cheese. The rest of the tracks are great and you will definately enjoy the album.

"I'm Down", 04 Apr 2008
WOW!!!!! i've now been to see step up 2 twice since it came out and i loved it both times!!!! It's fantastic - same may say it doesn't have a good story-line but who cares!?!? It still ace and the dancing is fantastic! It just makes you wanna go there and watch them for real!!!

And chase collins ... mmmm yum!

A must!!!!!!!!!!

AMAZING!!!, 01 Apr 2008
Step up 2 the sreets was the best film i have seen in ages!!!! but it was the music that made it... the whole soundtrack is class!!! Apple bottom jeans and church by t-pain even being in the top charts proves how good it is! definatly a cd to blast befor a night out to get you in the mood for a dance! wish they put the timbaland track on here as well though!!

Totally average, 07 Aug 2008
I completey agree with the previous reviewer. The album does have some decent tracks, but it is very samey for the majority.

Depends what sort of mood you are in on the day in question, 24 Jul 2008
I have very recently purchased this cd and i have to say it is not entirely what i had imagined. Although that does not mean to say it is terrible. Disc 1 comprisess of 'street dance' most of the tracks i do already own, could of seen a few newer pieces on this disc, best track by far has got to be Prodigy-Girls, which is in fact the last track on this cd.

Disc 2 comprises of 'break dance' this has a few more classic songs on there such as run dmc etc, best track has got to be Shannon-Let the music play. If your i nthe mood for a good old dance before going out this is an ideal compilation to listen to.

It is still a worthy addition to my music collection, if not to myself a little samey.

Thank you for reading :)

Awful Awful Awful. , 26 Aug 2008
As you might guess from the title, I don't like this one bit. Loved their first two albums, and the live in New York CD, and have been waiting for this third album for years. But it is awful to the point where I can't listen to it. It's like Eric Morecambe said - all the notes are there, but not necessarily in the right order. It gives me a headache every time I turn it on. What were you thinking Beth? Look out my copy on Amazon Marketplace! Erm, it's brilliant, you must buy it...

The gap between releases shows...., 25 Aug 2008
We all know and love 'Dummy' and even quite liked the difficult second self-titled album but then we had to wait a long time for the 'Third' to show up - and I think that's it's problem.

Any good band should progress over time and change their sound and Portishead have obviously done so in the years they have been away. Trouble is, we were all expecting something Dummy-esque from Third but having missed out on the evolution got an album which is pretty far from it.

Some of the tracks are very hard to listen to (Machine Gun being the worst), others are fairly non-offensive yet ordinary and one or two are real gems and I wish they lasted a bit longer.

I think that if I had heard the evolution from 'Portishead' to 'Third' I'd be more forgiving but this is so different (and hence I am so disappointed by it) that I can only give it 2 stars and hope that the next album is not quite so far away, either in time or sound.

Not exactly easy listening, 22 Aug 2008
Strange, bleak, dark and slightly unsettling. Haunting vocals as per usual, but none of the commercial friendly drum and bass beats of the earlier Dummy album. More noise - it made me question whether my stereo was faulty (it wasn't!). The last couple of tracks turning to rock. Some folk rock sounding stuff, with others (Machine Gun) sounding like it's come straight from one of the early Terminator films.

Not worth the wait, 19 Aug 2008
Fine, Dummy was so cutting edge that it sounded horribly dated horribly quickly. But it was wonderful. This isn't. It's harsher, more electronic. Not necessarily a problem in itself. Only they forgot to write any songs. They've gone all Radiohead - I imagine they felt they were too popular so decided to disappear up their own back passage to show how muso and serious they are. Disappointing.

Not so good, 13 Aug 2008
I've been waiting some time for their third album to come out, I seem to remember their website said they were recording and it would be out soon - this was in the late 90s. Anyway after a longer wait eventually there it was. First listen - hmm, give it another go - is it a grower? Not so sure. After a bit of a break and a "third" listen I, unfortunately, have to say it's not a good album. There is virtually nothing here that makes me want to listen again. Fellow Bristolian Tricky has also released an album this year and while he's developed different styles throughout his career I feel his music has always stayed fresh. Portishead on the other hand appear to have tried to do something different, challenging and artistic here but there is no soul, message or feeling in it so most of the songs come across as w..k pretending to be art. Which they undoubtedly are.

Finest UK Female Artist Around!, 01 Jul 2008
Much like Her 2004 debut album, 'The 18th Day', Shine proves to be an outstanding contribution to the world of UK hip-hop. Featuring collaborations from Kanye West, Will.i.am, Cee-Lo & John Legend, the album had all the ingredients to be a major success. A very summer feeling on the record, and a 2008 must buy!!

Second Impression - Lacklustre, 18 Jun 2008
I gave this one some time. I really did. "Don't let first
impressions get the better of you" - That's what I told myself.

I want to like Estelle but there's something disingenuous
about this album which keeps me at arm's length.

Perhaps it's the celebrity pals. A pretty blatant US market launchpad.

Perhaps it's the uneasy slipping and sliding between West London
and American brogues...NB 'More Than Friends'.

Perhaps it's that the voice is pretty ordinary truth be told.
Lacking in dynamic variation and uncertain in tone.

Of the twelve songs in this collection only a couple rise above the middle of the road.

'Come Over' and 'Pretty Please' both possess a degree of sassy charm.

'So Much Out The Way' and title track 'Shine' however are real stinkers.

Unfocussed and disappointing.





One of the finer albums in 2008, 11 Jun 2008
This album is one of the best, solid, seamless yet diverse albums I have heard in 2008. Estelle, for me, is filling that void in the market of credible, soulful R&B/rapper which was ploughed by Lauryn Hill with her 'Miseducation' album. Estelle is no Lauryn Hill, but I am more than satisfied to listen to this until Ms. Hill chooses to return.

After her debut THE 18th DAY I thought that we probably would not hear from her again and she would another talented British artist to disappear into obscurity because of a lack of penetration into the Top 10 yet alone the Top 40. This may be due to a number of American artists churning out R&B albums. So Estelle moves State-side to sign up with John Legend. I saw Estelle in concert with John Legend in 2005 and I am not surprised that they have teamed up. "American Boy" was a tremendous will.i.am produced Kanye West featured track (Kanye rapping about WAGs and Ribena!!) and there are a number of other track which illustrate Estelle's dexterity courtesy of production by Wyclef Jean (another Fugee), Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Jack Splash and others. This album is great for summer and I listen to it regularly on the tube in London.
Estelle bravely covers Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" (like Lauryn Hill did with Bob) and creates a George Michael inspired No Substitute Love. "Come Over" is an beautiful ballardy tune which shows off Estelle's softer side a bit more. "Wait a Minute" featuring will.i.am manages to show the I'm-nobodies-fool side of Estelle with some moving production from will.i.am.

Estelle flows between singer to rapper effortlessly in this album on a few tracks and features with artists such as Cee-Lo on "Pretty Please" -- which is the MOST genuine JACKSON 5 sounding song I have heard post Jackson 5. "You Are" features John Legend where they sing back and forth to each other. A song that manages to sound intimate like you're the only other person witnessing this exchange.

I fear that this album will not shift as many units as it should. It won't show internationally that the UK is not just Amy Winehouse, Adele and Duffy. I always say just to download individual tracks for albums but this one really deserves to be listened to from beginning to end as the album's mood is really a journey from beginning to end. Maybe leave off Shine with Swizz Beatz if you want to save some money. This album is the yardstick for others to follow for a while.

FAB ESTELLE !!!! :), 25 May 2008
Estelle is the singer we have all been waiting for. A singer that has talent, can sing great hip-hop, is beautiful and who actually looks a cool and down to earth girl. Her sounds on this album are very original and I am always bopping along to this. The songs are groovy, original and perfect for a summer party. This girl cheers you up just by listening to her album. I don't think the music industry has heard such a fab sound before. She is the talent we have been searching for !! All the songs are great and if you liked American Boy buy this album ):

Absolute awesome!, 18 May 2008
This is a great album, American Boy is such a funky song. Just love it. The whole album is really good. I`ve been a fan since her last album - 18th day. Looking forward to her next album already! Estelle rocks.

LAX, 22 Aug 2008
Iv been a huge Game fan since the beginning and he never lets us down once again this is a real Banger!every track is Dope,absolutely luv it,just sad this will be his last,
Please pick up this album on the 25th and support real hip hop
Also check out Ice Cube's 'RAW FOOTAGE'Also a realy great album.

Very Good Album, 21 Aug 2008
After listening to the album a few times it gets better each time there are a few very good tracks on the album to look out for My Life, Games Pain, Dope Boys, LAX Files and Money.

Rhythm up your summer.., 01 Aug 2008
This is a great compilation with an inspired combination of recent hits and old massive tunes.

It's worth buying for the first CD alone but if, like me, you do not have all the tracks on back catologue then, at 5 CDs, it's fantastic value for money.




average, 30 Jul 2008
This album is very disappointing compared to other nas albums..yes lyrically nas is on point as usual and delivers some great lyrics..unfortunately the production on this album is seriously mediocre..nas last couple of album especially have had top producers like kanye etc this however has largelly a roster of unknown producers who deliver some shockingly bad bland beats. thers a couple of tracks to be liked..like america but a lot of it is boring indeed.

Get nas last album..its way better than this

Nas' best album, 23 Jul 2008
To say this is Nas' best album is an understatement. After the controversy as to what the album title was going to be there was a lot of pressure for him to pull together a solid tight album. Importantly and long overdue, this album discusses the history, social complexity and street rule regarding the N word and, to be honest, it could not have come from someone with more erudite and articulate (runners up would be Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Ice Cube)

First theme side: This is fairly radio friendly but without much of the kind of material wealth normal talk that you usually get in mainstream hip hop music. Even the Polow Da Don produced lead single "Hero" featuring the Keri Hilson (who is fairly popular now) has a conscious thread discussing the controversy behind the former album name and poses the question of what chance do younger generations have if veterans are not allowed freedom of speech, discussion etc. "Make The World Go Round" (Cool & Dre & The Game production) with Chris Brown and The Game is another lighter production track where The Game's verse is hard to differentiate from Nas' which gives The Game a lot of credit. Chris Brown's voice is not really distinctive (!) and is heavily distorted. The track is very listenable. "Hero" is clearly the most commercial-radio song on the album but still fits in nicely and illustrates Nas' skill as a radio MC and a MC that can credibly discuss serious issues in black culture, politics etc.

Second theme: The album is very political with "Black President" - clearly is focused on Barack Obama, "America" and "Testify" - discussing institutional racism, "Sly Fox" - think Bill O'Reilly and his clique, which lyrical shots in all direction but very focused at the same time. N.I.*.*.E.R (The Slave and the Master) is another excellent track which analyses the same eponymous matter.

Others: one of my favourite tracks is Fried Chicken which somehow manages to weave and mock sexual and dietary stereotypes at the same time with Busta Rhymes.

There is not much of the typical hip hop swagger in terms of how fast is my car, look at my rims and being derogatory about women but rather the album is trying to push the boundaries. Nas really has not made an album that is more time relevant and yet the themes in his messages are perennial and will not age. I am glad that Nas did not name his album after the N word as the attention drawn to the album would only be negative and I am sure would reduce album sales etc. This is a great album. Normally I say download specific tracks but I strongly advise you download/buy the entire album. It is worth it and each time you listen to it, you hear more. This is better than Hip Hop Is Dead which was clearly reflective of a new label sign and lacks the focus of Untitled. Buy it!!


lyrically fautless, 22 Jul 2008
This album is phenomenal in a lyrical sense. Black president incorporates a 2pac sample which compliments nas hopeful lyrics that barack obama will change america for the better. Hero feat keri hilson is the obvious single its got a commercial but the lyrics and vocals are so tight its a great first single.

My top track off the album is Fried chicken feat busta rhymes and produced by mark ronson. its a wicked beat which suits nas flow perfectly and bustas verse sets the whole track off its genius.

Were not alone is a superb song with vocals by mykel whos tone is beautiful and is a perfect backdrop for the production and nas tight lyrics. Its a step up from hip hop is dead...and proves HIP HOP IS NOT DEAD!!!

Lyrically awesome. As always...., 19 Jul 2008
This album is a must have.

From start to finish its a great listen. Shows maturity and also displays Nas' lyrically capability to the max. His flow on this record: I