The title of Pitbull’s second official full-length, El Mariel, refers to the historical Mariel boatlift, in which some 125,000 Cubans left their homeland in 1980, landing on the shores of
But
The album jumps off with the inspiring “Miami Shit”, where he breaks down the local color over a busy beat, combining heavy drums, celebratory horns, and looming guitars. He follows with “Come See Me”, a surprising anti-drug message, where Pit confesses to a sordid past that found him having to choose between lifestyles of crime or entertainment. He carries on this sound for the bouncy “Que Tu Sabes d’Eso”, where he effortlessly rips through the track, next to collaborators Fat Joe and newcomer Sinful. The album takes a darker turn midway through, such as on “Blood Is Thicker Is Water”, where the rapper examines the micro/macro aspects of political betrayal, from wars overseas to wars outside the front door.
But Pit’s brigh
Among El Mariel’s 21 tracks, the album has its share of stinkers. The first of these is “Fuego”, which is anything but, tiredly robbing the medley from Debbie Deb’s “When I Hear Music”, instead calling out fake gangsters (yawn). Further question marks appear above listeners’ heads on the unbearable “Hey You Girl”, which finds Pitbull singing to the (sampled) tune of The B-52′s “Rock Lobster”. The deeper the listener gets into the album, we find more of his trademark Latin-tinged club stuff, such as “Decarada (Dance)” and “Voodoo”, but after an hour of this stuff, all it does is bore.
Despite being an overwhelmingly long album, Pitbull has a few brushes with greatness from time-to-time. His sound does become a bit formulaic at times, but he’s got enough good material here, as well as the potential to grow as an artist.
Comments
No Comments
Leave a reply
- Raekwon Sets A Release Date For “F.I.L.A.” Album
- BUSH: A Snoop Odyssey Produced By Pharrell Williams [Preview]
- Drake – “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” Surprise Album on iTunes Now
- Action Bronson “Mr. Wonderful” Cover Art and Tracklist
- Juicy J “Blue Dream & Lean 2″ Mixtape Cover Art & Release Date Revealed
- MF Grimm “MF Love Songs” Cover Art + Tracklist
- Lord Hakim – “Brass Knucklez” (feat. Vast Aire & Phizz Ed)
- IAMSU! – “Hella Good” (feat. Tyga)
- DJ Kay Slay – “I Declare War” (feat. Styles P, Sheek Louch, Vado, Raekwon, & Rell)
- Maverick Sabre – “We Don’t Wanna Be” (feat. Joey Bada$$)
- Cannibal Ox – “Blade: Art of Ox” (feat. Artifacts & U-God; prod. Black Milk)
- Asher Roth – “Blow Your Head” (prod. Nottz)
- It's Time To Say Goodbye...
Commented on by Yungplex - It's Time To Say Goodbye...
Commented on by geedubbleyoo - Fat Trel - "In My Bag" (feat. Wale)
Commented on by Katae - Kanye West's "Runaway": What Does It All Mean?
Commented on by fidgar - Sole Vs. El-P: Part One - Sole
Commented on by Reno Yakavetta - It's Time To Say Goodbye...
Commented on by Atom
26 November, 2006@12:00 am
0 comments