Joe Budden [PA] - Joe Budden > Reviews > Blast Of Fire

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
Value for Money

Advantages:	Production, Deep Lyrics, Guest rappers
Disadvantages:	Not much difference in the tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The first song I really heard from Mr. Joe Budden was Pump It Up and I'll admit I thought it was garbage. Of course the beat by Just Blaze was off the hook but the lyrics on the song were atrocious. I figured this was just another no talent commercial rapper Def Jam was gonna try to force feed the public. Damn if I wasn't wrong.

Since this is his first album it goes without saying that Joe slips in a few places. This isn't Illmatic or Ready to Die but it's a solid debut none the less. So lets get into the album.
1. Intro
2. #1 (Hot)
3. Pump It Up (Garbage)
4. Pusha Man (Filler)
5. U Ain't Gotta Go Home
6. Walk With Me
7. She Wanna Know ft. Lil Mo
8. Survivor
9. Fire ft. Busta Rhymes (Hot)
10. Ma Ma Ma ft. 112
11. Calm Down (Introspective)
12. Focus
13. Give Me Reason
14. Stand Up Nucca
15. 10 Mins.
16. Real Life In Rap
17. Porno Star

#1 is the first real track on the album and it is quite a nice surprise. This song is the opposite of Nelly's #1. Instead of rapping about he's #1 Joe raps about how far hip-hop has come and how it "feels good to see hip-hop sayin somethin". Budden even samples KRS-ONE's voice(From three different tracks) as he gives us a little history lesson. Since I know it will be hard to convince some of you of Joe's talent I'll pull a few bars from this song.

Let's go back before I burned the booth
when Tevin Campbell was ill before the whole world learned the truth
Hip hop had a message then dudes was droppin
I never got what I wanted on back to school shoppin'
Think about, used to be about sh**
That was back when I still got easter outfits
We all grew up all older folks
Its more than just music its a culture folks

Walk With Me is the next track that really got me to hit rewind. On this track Joe gets a chance to talk to us in a way that makes the listener get involved in his crazy life. Joe doesn't beg for sympathy, he's just asking for advice. I really felt Joe's pain on this track. The beat has a haunting sound to it and the chorus fits the song perfectly. Here's another brief quote,

Got bigger issues, if you went to Def Jam would you notice
If they was out for my best interest or do they just see a dollar in Joseph?
(Ugh) Guess I ain't sure how I feel anymore
Ever since I got signed I can't tell what's real anymore
I mean them same record execs that wanted me in
Don't care that I'm the next ni***, they just wanna see spins I swear
Guess I ain't sure how I feel anymore
Ever since I got signed I can't tell what's real anymore, you feelin' me dog

Fire featuring Busta Rhymes is another song that really caught my attention. The beat by Just Blaze will have you nodding your head long after the song is over but it's the last verse by Joe Budden that really made me take notice.

And f*** Sound Scan, I ain't BUYING that
Cause y'all sell em to the stores then buy 'em back
Now one hot storm, we'll fly and rap
If the rest of you provide is wack
I see creativity dying fast
I'm glad producers charge so high for they tracks (tell em why though)
Now they do it all, you just applying the rap
Honestly now, it's not the economy's down
Now rap dudes suck they own pee hole
The wacker the music the bigger the ego
Fans left suffering, gasping!
And it's embarassing! Jump Off I'm the aspirin
I'm still hungry, I'm still fasting
Y'all fade out, I'm just getting it cracking

The last song I want to quote is 10 Mins. This track is one that could have possibly went on forever but Joe cuts us off at 10 minutes. That's right this track is 10 minutes long. Over an acoustic guitar beat by newcomer producer White Boy Joe tells us how he just wants 10 minutes alone to smoke his cigarette in peace. The song is real descriptive as Joe tells us all the problems he's faced in the past. Joe gets real introspective and emotional on this track so be ready to feel his pain again.

And some days I don't shower, I don't wanna be clean
Look, sometimes the truth could hurt you
So I blow my cig smoke right at the Truth commercial
Some days I don't wanna be bothered
Some days I just miss my father
And even if by a miracle he makes it half way out
It won't be parole y'all, it be the half way house but NAH
That's not the right path for a Budden
Cuz we're addicts, addicts can't do half of nothin'

This cd does try to satisfy the heads at Def Jam by mixing the deep lyrics with the popcorn commercial lyrics America has become saturated with. Songs such as Pump It Up, Focus, and Ma, Ma, Ma were definitely written for the clubs. But these few fall offs are not enough to degrade the entire package.

Now I'm not saying that Joe has the most complex lyrics ever but it's what he's saying that makes you hit rewind. Joe is an admitted drug addict who must refrain from drinking or smoking lest he fall back into the arms of addiction. To put all this on wax takes a real man who is secure in himself and his talents. I recommend this cd to anyone who wants deeper material in the rap they listen to. The only thing that keeps this cd from being five stars is the blatant attempts at commercial rap.