Rated R

I've been listening to Rihanna's Rated R album the last few days. I twittered how much I was falling out, repeat falling out for Te Amo. The beats made me wild and the words took me for a ride. Listening to the album brought me back to countless conversations I've had with other music heads. We debate how much music has changed. We banter how the younger generation no longer listens to albums but instead download artist's tracks without ever hearing anything, except the song that gets radio play.

There is something special about hearing an artist's album in it's entirety. Better yet, hearing their music through a stretch of time. Think about witnessing the growth of MJB or Nas. How about all the albums Mariah Carey has dropped! Each taking a piece of our lives. Falling in love, falling out, breaking up, and getting back together. Her recent project Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel alright, cutting my goddess!!!! BUT!! I love all the way through. Isn't MC perfect for all the stages your love life takes?! Come on, who hasn't listened to one or two or all her albums and been in the middle of a break up or the start of a romantic journey or shoooooot fling? Look at what Native Guns has done collectively and as individual artists. I remember listening to Julie Plug's first album then picking up the second one. On the real, the first is still my favorite. I miss No Doubt, adore Natasha Bedingfield, and appreciate the bitter-sweetness of Me'Shell Ndegeocello's musings. It hurts when albums stop coming. ::Cough:: Lauryn Hill. Entire generations including mine are missing out. Missing HER. The pain is crucial.

My point is, there is something remarkable about taking in an album. We bare witness to a creative master plan sometimes process of an artist or group. We discover new ways of thinking or get reminded of the the things we forget. Music unplugged, I swoon over. Yes, listening to a record in stages geeks me the hell out. I love knowing as our favorite artists grow, we grow. Sometimes we surpass them and we stop listening to the new joints they drop. Maybe their music becomes irrelevant like seasonal friendships. We move on and rock to new genres.

Taking in albums is similar to a story you read at different times. You can gather something unique and new every time your eyes sweep the words. Each paragraph spilling into mirrors, of you. Albums do the same thing. Right now, Rated R has been on heavy rotation. I'm listening to her story, and seeing me in it. 'Nuff said.

If you pick up Rated R let me know what you think. Till the next ride on the blue line, make it a beautiful day everyone.