2676635, pretty much every Jay-Z album Posted by L.E.S., Thu Mar-22-12 07:04 AM
honestly, this is a recent realization for me. There isn't that one Jay record that is THE one when I go back and listen to the older ones. He makes the EPITOME of a 3.5 just about every time out.
Reasonable Doubt is a solid 4, at best 4.5. I know its a fan favorite, but still not a 5 imo. The Blueprint, which is one of the most overrated albums of all time, is like a 3.5 imo. That people call it a 5 mic classic is so crazy to me. If anything I'd argue that The Black Album deservers to have the highest rank. All the rest stand at about 3.5 (or worse)
Now please, before someone lashes out and calls me a 'hater' because I'm forgetting record sales, really think on it. I am and always have been a big Jay fan, but his albums don't stand up individually imo. He has a lot of great material, a prolific catalog, but imo that truly great album still eludes him.
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