Kenn Starr - Starr Status - Album Review

Ok so I finally found an album I really wanted to review and in the same style as Hemz I'm goin Track by Track. I've had this album for a little while now but never really got around to listening to it until about a week ago an then i realised i was missin out on something good so here it is.....
____

Kenn Starr - Starr Status

1. Starr Status (Intro)
Like it says this is just an intro track. It is 2:54 and Oddisee gave a great beat to start this album off with. It's a nice piano laced beat with what sounds like a girl moaning sampled beautifully. Kenn just flows nicely over the beat and basically runs through what to expect after buying the cd. Nice intro and sets the feel for the album instead of wasting your time like so many others.

2. Against The Grain
This track starts off with a classical piano playing and Illmind adds some nice drums and although it's a simple beat it's really nice. Kenn shows of a bit of his flow on this track and spits pretty hard over this beat. This track is basically Kenn sayin that he knows how the game works but still chooses to "do it for the love" and not for the wealth hence the title. Great track and really liked the Illmind beat.

3. Relentless f/ Kev Brown
Okay, So I'm definatley a little biased on this track due to not only Kev Brown spittin on it but he also laced it with one of his classic soulful beats. There is something about a good Kev Brown beat that just makes me wanna lay back an zone out with the headphones on. This is no different. Starr spits some nice lyrics and him and Kev Brown basically throw it back an forth ridin the beat beautifully from start to finish. There is no hook on this track and its pretty much just a nice "Low Budget reppin, Maryland Hailin" Bragging track. Overall a tight track but nothin breakthrough.

4. The Same Pt. 2
Oddisee has takin a page out of 9th Wonders book for this beat with a nice set of drums and a dope sample it really has the feel of a 9th track to me. Kenn raps about how hip hop is polluted with Ice and capitalism. This track is alright the beat is nice Kenn's flow is nice but the hook is a little weak alright track overall but nothin to write home about.

5. Mr Nice Guy f/ Wayna
This is definatley one of my favorite tracks on the album. This is a great Oddisee beat and the hook with Wayna is great. Kenn spits about women and how they "Wanna thug but she dont want everything that goes along with it" and how nice's guys finish last. Kenn does a really nice job on this track all 3 verses are really well put together and does a great job gettin his point across. Great song

6. Middle Fingaz
M-phazes does the beat for this track and I'm not really feelin it that much. The whole story on this song is that Kenn is gonna do what he wants and only cares about those who care about him but the hook is weak and his verses seem rushed an unoriginal. One of the weaker tracks on the album.

7. U Will
The worst track on the album. Kenn Starr comes pretty hard on this track but the production by DJ Roddy Rod (???) is really bad its a very simplistic beat with a wierd bassline and just ruins the track it sounds out of place and makes it hard to focus on the lyrics. Had this been an acapella track I'd love it but the weak production takes away all enjoyment.

8.Never Too Late f/ Sean Born
After the previous 2 tracks this is a godsend The beat by Kev Brown is one of his best and the hook fits perfectly. Kenn Starr & Sean Born both spit real nice with Kenn definately comin out on top as they rap about stayin on the grind and doin there thing. This is one of the best tracks on the album both rhymin and production.

9. Carry On f/ Supastition & Darien Brockington
Oddisee comes through again with a nice piano laced track and Kenn & Supastition dont dissapoint either. With Darien Brockington on the hook this track is just Killer!! Hard to move on with the review as I could go on about this track for awhile My favorite track forsure! Really Really great track I can't stress that point enough!

10. Waitin' On You
Kenn Starr takes it down a notch on this great beat by Khrysis of Justus League fame. He spits some nice emotional lyrics and shows he can do a nice slow jam. nothin wrong with this track at all. Starr holds it down really well.

11. Inside f/ Wayna
This right here is Illmind at his finest a soulful beat with a nice keyboard base and a great sample used in the hook. Wayna does a nice job on the hook and Kenn spits some nice lyrics about how he feels about different situations in his life. Another great emotional track with a beat that showcases Kenn's Style perfectly.

12 Back @ It Again f/ Median & M-Phazes
M-Phazes redeems himself for his earlier beat with this one and Median flows over it like it was made just for him. M-phazes also spits on this track which is a talent I didnt know he had and really hold it down well. Kenn comes strong again with some nice lines. This is a nice track with your standard Braggin and Metaphors. Good track

13. Nothing but Time f/ Oddisee
This is an alright track and the beat by Young Cee is good but nothin special here. oddisee and Kenn rap back an forth about bein on top of the game an shit which seems almost stupid since its his first album but I guess thats just part of hip hop's nature so all in all not a bad track.

14. Another Day f/ Sean Born & Chronkite
This is one of those tracks that just feels like a ton of thought went in on it. The Kev brown beat is great and Chronkite kills it on the hook. Kenn Starr and Sean Born both bring nice verses to the track and just talk about payin the bills an stayin on the hustle. This is a beautifully put together track and a great listen every time.

15. Know Too Much (To Go Back)
Oddisee switches up his style a bit here and comes up with a great beat with quick drums and a fantastic sample on the hook. At times it sounds like Kenn falls behind the beat but always catches it again later in the verse. He raps about life, its struggles and being yourself. This is a real nice listen with the beat being the highlight.

16. If f/ Asheru & Talib Kweli
This is listed as a bonus track on the album and it is a GREAT way to finish things off. The Oddisee beat has another sample for the hook of the track which states "If it wasnt for this. If it wasnt for that. It would be a better world." Kenn Starr, Asheru & Kweli all bring fire to this track and follow suit with the Hook discussing the problems in the world. Fantastic track to finish.

I was really impressed by Kenn Starr's debut the production was solid all the way through minus a few tracks. Kenn really brought some great lyrics and a tight flow to the table. The collabo's were all good choices and didnt really disappoint or take away from Kenn's presence. In my opinion this album is one of the better ones from 2006 but it probably wont get the recognition due to poor promotions. Kenn Starr hasn't broken down any hip hop barriers or come with anything THAT different he just came to spit some great rhymes and brought some amazing beats with him. I would definitley recommend this album regardless of personal preferences. Hopefully my review here will get some people checkin out this album and maybe throwin a lil money his way. I tried to keep my review short an sweet hopefully I still covered all the bases for everyone.

Overall 8.8/10

Comments??