Underground Luxury – B.O.B. – Yes, folks, the industry is napping but B.o.B., the Georgia rapper who opened for Eminem and Jay Z back when he was 22 years old is back and he has his moments here, though not enough to justify a purchase. “We Still In This Bitch” has an addictive hook, “John Doe” shoes he has learnt from Em and RiRi, and the 2 Chainz, Future and Chris Brown tracks are all good. But it is weighted down with bad stuff – B
Live From Space – Mac Miller – As live hip hop albums go this does the job, the samples snap your ears back, the flows are strong enough to remind you why Miller broke through in 2011, and “In The Morning” is a beauty left off his last release in June. On the nine live songs taken from the tour, he offers up “BDE (Best Day Ever)” so it isn’t just (the disappointing) Watching Movies With The Sound Off. And the five songs recorded at the same time as Sound aren’t any worse and, well, one is better – B
Sunshine State Of Mind – We The Kings – Sure you’re sick of emo, even the word makes you wanna punch somebody out, but you can get over it here because these Florida guys know how to write a song, and this is a very straightforward, very melodic set of emo rock pop with a good drummer and a singer you don’t hate: “Kiss me last I don’t care who kissed you first”? Good pick up line – B+