Comets on Fire, 'Blue Cathedral' (Sub Pop)

It seems almost tragic to think about a record as cosmically righteous as Comets on Fire's Blue Cathedral in terms of terrestrial numbers. But let's do the math. This is the Bay Area combo's third full-length (not counting a slew of one-sided, limited-edition 12-inches).

Jadakiss, 'Kiss of Death' (Ruff Ryders/Interscope)

Yonkers goes bonkers, son!

Let this be known from the jump: Listening to Jadakiss will not stamp your ticket to heaven. His second solo album offers little in the way of social commentary, colorful storytelling, playful humor--all the hallmarks that make albums by your average God’s son or college dropout compelling.

Jadakiss - Kiss of Death

Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Kiss of Death
Ruff Ryders/Interscope

 

The Roots, 'The Tipping Point' (Geffen)

The Roots play it straight.

We ask a lot of the Roots. Straddling mainstream gun claps, underground knapsacks, and jam-band woodsheds, they’re equally at home backing Eminem at the Grammys, sharing the mic with Common, or finding the pocket with Medeski, Martin & Wood.Hip-hop’s de facto house band have never been just a rap group.

The Roots - The Tipping Point

The Roots
The Tipping Point
Geffen

Young Gunz, 'Tough Luv' (Roc-a-Fella)

Gunz plentiful, ammo insufficient.

Jay-Z’s retirement and Dame Dash’s extracurricular activities have dominated Roc-A-Fella-related headlines during the last year.

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