Lupe Fiasco-LASERS

Photo Chic gives it 3.25 out of 5 sneaks

Let me just start by saying that I don’t buy half of these LASER album reviews.  In my opinion, I feel like one notable source will give a review and the rest of the blog world will follow suit like a bunch of lambs.  No one really writes their own opinions.  I feel they write to appear cool by agreeing with these bigger sources.  I bet some of them don’t even listen to the album.  So to all the people on the “LASERS sucks” bandwagon...you might as well stop reading now because I have my own opinions. 

I don’t think LASERS sucks.  Do I think it’s a great album?  Not really.  Will I listen to it more than once?  Absolutely, and I already have been doing so.  I like LASERS and not just because I like Lupe Fiasco.  Any dude off the street could have made this album and I’d still f*&k with it.

The album starts with “Letting Go,”  which I think is a great song to start the album, especially since it’s followed by my favorite track on the album “Words I Never Said.”  The album starts strong, and you can’t deny that.  These two songs are powerful.  The lyrics alone speak volumes.  “Till I Get There” is a cool track, too.  Reminds me of Lupe’s skateboarding roots.  Easy-going, mellow beat with a catchy hook.  It’s a feel-good track to me and it delivers a good message. “Imma keep it cool, and Imma do me, it is what it is and that’s how it’s gonna be.”  BE YOURSELF!

“I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now” is one of several collabs with MDMA on this album.  People have been criticizing this collaboration, but I think it’s pretty cool.  Why not go against the grain sometimes?  Music doesn’t always have to follow the same pattern.  Lupe dares to be different.  I like the hook of this song, but not necessarily the rest, but I don’t fault Lupe for trying something unique.

“Out of My Head” featuring Trey Songz is a major miss to me.  I hate this song a lot.  The lyrics suck.  I was very disappointed that Lupe included this song on the album.

“The Show Goes On” rescues me from the hot mess before it with a simple skip.  Nothing new about this song, since it was the first single released off the album.  I still love it though, even after hearing it about a million times.

“Beautiful Lasers (2 ways)” is the second collab with MDMA.  This song goes pretty hard. Lupe’s lyrics are raw and honest in this one (by now I’ve forgotten about the terrible Trey Songz joint).  “Coming Up” is the 3rd MDMA collab and I don’t really like it too much either.  Skip that and you get to “State Run Radio.”  I’m not a fan of the hook (rather annoying), but Lupe’s lyricism comes out again in full force on this track.  The hook was probably meant to be annoying to emphasize how irritating the radio really is with their repetition and tom foolery (just my theory, lol).  

I love “Break the Chain” cause I’m an 80s baby and it gives me that late 80s vibe with the hook.  This song also features Lupe’s only “rap feature” by UK artist, Sway.  I do like the fact that Lupe wasn’t a guest on his own album, keeping features to a minimum.

“All Black Everything” is another favorite of mine.  Lyrics with content.  This is what I love most!  “Never Forget You” features John Legend and it’s another that I’m not too crazy about.  It’s subpar to me, especially following “All Black Everything” and ending the album.

I got the iTunes album with the 2 bonus tracks.  “I’m Beamin” goes hard and I think it should have replaced that Trey Songz song instead of being a bonus.  Even though the track is old, it’s still good and album worthy.  “Shining Down” is a good track.  I was feeling it as a bonus.  Don’t know if I would feel the same way if it was an album track though.  

All in all, this is not a bad/terrible/horrible album like a lot of people are claiming it to be.  It’s good.  Not great, but good and it will get a lot of play in my iPod for a while.  I recommend you buy it.  It’s only $10 and definitely worth the money.  I’m sure a lot of people will probably like that damn Trey Songz joint anyway.  I know how some of ya’ll are.  ;-) 



Mixtape Chic gives it 3 out of 5 sneaks


This follow-up to The Cool is a hit and miss for Lupe. Unfortunately, his lack of total creative control is evident in the tracks on this record. All of the protesting by fans ended up making this record haphazard due to the labels' need for a different sound from Lupe.

The album starts off strong with “Letting Go”. This has to be my second favorite track on the album. The lyrics tell a story of a man fighting a battle with his inner self.  “My self-portrait shows a man that the wealth tortured. Self-absorbed with his own self-forfeit.”  “I’m begging me don’t let me go. We vow like the letter “Oh”.” “Tired of all the wardrobe changin’. Playing all these extra roles. Filled with all these different spirits. Livin’ off these separate souls.”

“I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now” was truly forgettable in my eyes. I forgot that it was even playing when I was listening to the album. All I can remember is the ridiculous screaming in the chorus. Of course, we have all felt this way so we can relate but I don’t need someone else yelling it in my ear. Unfortunately, the lyrics could not save this track if they tried.

The compelling force of ”The Show Goes On” brings the record alive. The music awakens your spirit and the lyrics give you the sense of “it’s all good” and if it’s not, it will be. The message is life goes on. Yes, I know, “heard it all before,” but it never hurts to hear it again. Lupe is telling you to stand up and do what you need to do to get what you want. Stand up!

Towards the end of the album you run into “All Black Everything”; and no he is not talking about his clothes, cars or whatever else those other ones talk about. This song is a ‘what if.’ It makes you think about the things that came before you. How would the world be if certain happenings hadn’t occurred before we even existed. This is by far my favorite track off of the album.

Overall, this album was not Lupe’s best but we all have to take into the consideration the things he endured to even get to this point. The album is disorganized and all over the place but all in all it is not as bad as most critics are making it seem. I could listen to most of it without any issues just like any other album. Of course, Lupe is not just any artist but he is in the sense of, control over what gets released.  Remember that people.

Love. Always. Shines. Every time. Remember 2. Smile.


Social Chic gives it 3 out of 5 sneaks

The album does not leave a lasting impression but I wouldn’t say it sucks.  The leak was over exaggerated regarding the album's lack of quality, but I did enjoy it.

Opening with “Letting go” this track was a good opener. It had strong lyrical content as well as a mesmerizing beat. Followed by “Words I Never said” and “Till I Get There” both of these tracks get you revved up for an enticing album, they accomplish what we know Lupe for; his calm lyricism and precision.

“I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now” is a little more upbeat and out of the box. Honestly, I did not really care for this one. I expected a different type of collab. It seems a little out of the box and I expected something different. “Out Of My Head” was also unexpected due to the mainstream quality of the hook and the incorporation of Trey Songz was sourly received.

“The Show Goes On” was an understatement. It sure did go on when I hit that skip button to the previous hot mess. Of course this song was enjoyable, being the first single released. This gives way to the “Beautiful Lasers (2 ways)” which, other than the previous MDMA collab, was quite enjoyable. Followed by yet another disappointing MDMA collab “Coming Up ”.

I honestly loved “State Run Radio”! Sadly my iPod is MIA and I have succumbed to the torture that is the local radio. “Break The Chain” is another song I enjoyed. The hook and second verse were interesting. I mean, honestly, who doesn’t think about breaking out and defying the standards of others, establishing one’s self as the new top?

Favorite track has to be “All Black Everything.” The lyrics had meaning! Exactly what real hip hop is; lyrics with menaing. My love for John Legend is obvious in the fact that I enjoyed “Never Forget You.” Although the hook does not canvas his vocal talents it’s an okay track; but not something Lupe should have ended the album with. “We put you in the ground but I see you in the stars” has to be one of my favorite lines in this track.

The bonus tracks could have easily been added to the album instead of the Trey Songz track or even “Coming Up”.

Overall, the album was….decent. It didn’t really hold my attention throughout but I didn’t feel the urge to throw my hard drive out the window either (If it was really horrible deleting the file wouldn’t have been enough).  I would say, go buy it. No, it’s not Lupe’s best work but half the people I know bought the Pink Friday album and that was not better than this. Go out and make it happen people.