Search - Clinton Sparks :: Maybe You Been Brainwashed

This is TRASH

Boston's Most Wanted | Jamaica Plains | 04/04/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This album is trash. Clinton Sparks is a clown. His own hometown hates this loser. I'm from the bean and he gets no respect out here. You wanna know why? Because he's a hater and hates on all the boston emcee's. He don't even sell mixtapes out here. He's so scared he can't even really come through boston. He sells his mixtapes online or in other states while he screams Boston. It's hilarious because everybody hates this dude. Nobody ever buys or bumps his mixtapes. He's a phony. You can't scream out a city when you out of town and make a point to say you a 'Boston DJ' so you can act like a hood is behind you but you don't play any boston records or support boston talent and are hated in your city. That's like me saying I'm a NY dj and releasing mixtape after mixtape with nobody from NY on it. And this album is no exception, not one boston emcee on the entire thing but you rocking a B hat on the cover.



Now after giving ya'll that little history on Clinton Sparks on to the review. The album is just flat out weak. The major problem is it's production or lack of good production. Clinton Sparks even with all his hating is a talented DJ. He's good at mixing and blending. Which is why he's so good when releasing best of mixtapes for other artists but his regular mixtapes are mediocre because he forces to much with his production. But he is no producer. And he chose to produce the entire album? lol The production is just bland, repetitive and weak and at times is truly horrible. Next is the lack luster special appearances. They clearly just showed up for a check and bounced. If he would have allowed outside production and not spread him self so deep with uninspired guests this could have actually been a decent album. And how you going to release a album when damn near 80% of the music you have already released on your crappy mixtapes. This album does not even come close to comparing to albums released by DJ's in the past like Kay Slay, DJ Clue, Funkmaster Flex ect.

"

Get Familiar With Mr. Sparks (3 Stars)

Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 04/01/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I waited for this to come out for some time now. I haven't quite figured out if it was worth the wait because it's not quite as tight as I was expecting it to be. There are some dope tracks, but there are plenty of suspect joints too. Rah Digga shows up alongside Busta and Rampage and drops some of the tightest lines on the whole album on "Get Down". And while I find P. Diddy just as intolerable as the next man, I have to say that the scratches and the beat to "Run This City" will make it one of my guilty pleasures of '05. As a DJ, I think that's what draws me to this album the most, the scratching. "Roc Cafe" is another standout that announces Joe Budden's signing to Roc A Fella Records. I've always liked Black Rob, so "Knock 'Em Out" was a welcome cut. And though it's not the best song on the album, I was really feeling "Hater Bug" from Kardinal Offishall. I'm a big fan of his. "State Prop Boyz" is another hot joint. The most well rounded song on the entire album would have to be "Whatever It Takes" featuring Joe Budden. I'd have to pick that one as my favorite. The record ends with a joint from the Notorious B.I.G. It's Biggie, so anything with him on it is always welcome. Though it's a studio LP, the album as a whole has a mixtape feel to it.



There are plenty of bricks on the album though. There are times where the production can be pretty boring or flat. I'll keep it short and sweet. "Still Can't Deny It", "Okay Dun", "Underground Legend", Let It Go", "Bidadidat", and "Stand "Daf*ck Up" are all real snoozers. There are some joints on this album that some folks may have heard already like "Pop Shots" from ODB or "Where You Been" from The Clipse. Also, the skits and interludes are long and drawn out, but they don't go anywhere.



It would seem that Clinton Sparks has taken a step in the right direction as far as getting his name out is concerned, but his production could use some work. Too many of the songs suffer from lame hooks and drowsy production. He gets props for throwing in the joint from B.I.G. though. Out of 22 joints (including 5 skits and the intro), I'd say 10 are good. If you're looking for this album to be as hot as his mixtapes, I suggest you download it first. I think this album is decent, but I could understand why many folks wouldn't like it.



Standout Tracks: Run This City feat. P. Diddy - Hater Bug feat. Kardinal Offishall - Get Down feat. Busta Rhymes, Rah Digga, & Rampage - Buck N 'Em feat. Freeway & Mulley Man - Knock 'Em Out feat. Black Rob - Roc Cafe feat. Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel & Joe Budden - Whatever It Takes feat. Joe Budden (My Favorite) - I Like feat. Notorious B.I.G."

Not Worth It

CONKRET | 05/13/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"DISAPOINTMENT!!!I BOUGHT THIS ALBUM AND THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY IS I'M DISAPOINTED!!!this album is a prime example of why if your not sure you should listen to a album before you buy it...what a rip off...album is boring and not creative at all...some of the just plain wACkest beats you will ever hear...you see all the big names and think it's going to be hot but it ain't...half the joints the beats are so wack that no matter who's on it it's going to stink...and the best song by Joe Buddens everybody already has it...came out a long long long time ago.if you don't have it DOWNLOAD it, don't waste your money on this...Clinton Sparks if you reading this you owe me money because this cd is crapola."