In a world as fast paced as ours, patience can be a rarity.
Fans of Lil Wayne and Red Hot Chili Peppers, however, had no choice but to wait until Aug. 29 to hear new material.
Lil Wayne’s newest effort is “Tha Carter IV.”
With a variety of producers and numerous contributions from fellow established artists, Lil Wayne’s most recent installment has the personnel to be rather eventful. It proves lyrically from the first track onward.
“And I don’t need a watch / the time is now or never,” Lil Wayne nastily raps over a pounding beat laden with triumphant horns and strings.
“She Will”, one of the album’s singles, features Drake’s signature vocals, which makes more than one appearance on “Tha Carter IV,” blending a catchy rhythm with a stark tone on the song’s dark but rewarding chorus. Nas, Busta Rhymes and T-Pain also make appearances, showing off their various skills over polished, modern, bass-heavy beats.
“President Carter” features a sample of the inaugaration of President Jimmy Carter, who shares the same last name as Lil Wayne.
A grim, almost march-worthy, cadence proves a far cry from Lil Wayne’s usual lyrical topics. “and we all want world peace,” Lil Wayne remarks over a ghastly pulse, staying in time as well as the computerized instrumental that fills this collection aptly. “Tha Carter IV” stays relatively eventful throughout but lacks lyrical and conceptual intensity in some tracks.
Chances are this album will be heard blaring on many car stereos, though, and overall the effort seems worth the wait for Lil Wayne fans.
California-based funk/rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “I’m With You” is the band’s first release since 2006’s double album “Stadium Arcadium.”
Flea, the bassist, drives this effort into funk/rock oblivion with his signature bass tone and riffs. Throughout the entire album his bass parts form the spine of the group’s sound, and it never seems to stray from definitive.
“The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie”, the album’s lead single, shines as an upbeat anthem, complete with sporadic guitars and well placed and well executed backing vocals.
Singer Anthony Keidis soothingly recites his choppy lines with grace on every track. On “Look Around”, an intense and active chant-worthy number, Keidis sings in triumph over a victoriously rhythmic tune.
The album rarely has a chance to be uneventful being that random horns and pianos fill in where the guitar and bass may lack. Chad Smith stays consistent on drums as well, providing well timed and appropriate percussion.
Lil Wayne and Red Hot Chili Peppers both have released solid and consistent albums. Fans of either artist should enjoy these releases considering that neither artist makes a significant change in sound.