Customer Reviews

Something Sacred

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Sacred: entitled to reverence and respect

I don't think "sacred" is a word that should be associated with this album. As a matter of fact, it's the exact opposite. Now, had Playalitical stayed behind the boards, we may have been able to leave the "sacred" discussion on the table. This guy really shouldn't be allowed in the recording booth. He's got the voice for it -- try to envision in your head R.A. The Rugged Man (minus the lisp), Ja Rule, and Xzibit morphed into one voice and you'll have an idea of what he sounds like -- but the problem is that he doesn't have the flow or presence of any of those guys and his occasional attempts at similies are embarrassing, to say the very least. He's much better when he's storytelling -- which isn't so bad to listen to...like on the dope track "Smoke Screen". Another thing is that, despite some good production, not too many songs stood out to this particular listener. Unless you stop everything you're doing and zero in on this album while it's playing, it's going to sound like one really, really long song.

Obviously, Chino XL is the saving grace on this album. That being said, even Chino is in rare form...and I don't mean that in a good way. His flow has slowed to a crawl over the years, but his similies are still as witty as ever, so that kept this listener hooked. Really, there aren't too many standout tracks, but there are some solid tracks here. The one thing that stands out the most to me is the production. It's pretty good. If you dig that Cali vibe, you should feel this production.

Something Sacred is an album that you can wait to get if you have other albums on your must have list. I mean, while the production is solid, no one is really saying anything worth hearing. Chino brings his wit occasionally, but I think he just went through the motions with this release. I think it's safe to say that we've all heard better from Chino XL. It's not the worst album out there, but it's definitely not the best. Average would be the best way to describe it. I'd recommend giving it a listen before you pay for it or buying it used.

Standout Tracks: Violate You feat. Spoke-In-Wordz, Jump Off, Posiden, Smoke Screen (my favorite), Its No Secret, and Body You feat. Supernatural

First off, lets set things straight. This is more of a Playalitical album featuring Chino XL. Chino is not on every track and I feel like I hear this other dude's voice on everything. I really don't know what this reviewer Christopher Green was thinking when he gave this album such high praises. I mean, for me, from the JUMP OFF it definitely wasn't the sound that I was expecting to hear. And come on people, this is CHINO XL, one of the hottest lyricists of our time. He's not supposed to be on anything wack. Maybe the CANIBUS syndrome has finally caught up with him. Even Chino's verses don't sound as hot as they usually do. 95 percent of the choruses are WACK, as well!!!

In general, most of the OTHER reviewers are on point about this album. Playalitical- broke a$$ Ra the Rugged Man, Ja-Rule and Xzibit voice (quoted from other reviewer, its TRUE!)but WEAK rhymes and beats were sub-par. Chino XL- flow not as fire as it usually is, and the sub-par beats don't help at all.

I would not recommend this album even if you're a die hard Chino XL fan. If you absolutely have to have some part of this album, I would recommend you download the DECENT tracks, and I use the word "DECENT" very loosely.

-Smoke Screen- Good idea, decent beat, but no Chino on the track
-Be With you- Beat mediocre, and pretty decent rhymes from Chino and Bizzy
-Its no secret- Pretty hot beat, good chino verse
-Posiden- Chino only... YES!
-Stay in the Lines- nice beat and decent rhymes
-Violate You- Decent feature artists, beat straight
-Bat Signals Up- beat straight, decent verse by Chino
-Jump Off- beat straight, Chino verse straight

Some of the Chino XL is decent. But this dude Playalitical is pure garbage. He needs to stop rapping and get back to the boards. The Beats all kind of had the same feel. Not good

Chino XL stands out so much more on this cd. It's not his best, but it's pretty good. I've never heard of Playalitical before this release and I see why. His rhymes were simply basic and plain. I thought Playalitical was a producer. Nope! They put a vet with a rookie. Chino must have done this cd for the money because I can't imagine a playalitical collab on a Chino XL cd. If you like Chino and want to support him, buy this. If not, download it and see for yourself. It's an okay cd, even if you really like Chino you're not going to be too impressed. There's 5 or 6 good songs and some good chino xl verses on the other tracks but as an album it's nothing sacred.

Standout Songs:
-In wordz violate you
-Stay in the lines
- Poisden
-Be with you

Playalitical does it again on "Something Sacred" with Chino XL!! The mellow blending lyrical context put together by Chino XL, Playalitical, Bizzy Bone, Duce Stabs, Supernatural, and Spoke-In-Wordz mixed by litical's pioneering sound is perfect.
Right off the bat with "Jump Off" I was bobbin'. The track has a familiar sound if you a Busta fan. Next is "Bat Signals Up" which some catchy abstract world tunes mixed with a "West Coast" knock, another definite 5 star. Then you have "All I Ever Hear" with Duce Stabs which goes back to Playalitical's indescribable style, a definite trend setter. "Voilate You" has a never tiring beat and provides the lyrical context we all hear about. You can put this one on repeat and not get bored. Another is "Things to do in Denver When You're Dead" which in my own opinion, matches right there with a Kanye production. The West Coast sounding "Posiden" could make Dre worried. Along with the rest, another favorite of mine is "Be With You" featuring Bizzy Bone, Playalitical, and Chino XL. Goes back to all of the Bizzy favorites and towards the top of the list. This track is to ride, reminisce, dedicate, and smoke to.. Above all, my pick off this album has got to be "Smoke Screen" simply because the sound, lyrics, production..... I can go on and on, the easiest way to describe it is unduplicatable. This album way just released and I have this song memorized. Its on every playlist I have.. You must get this album!! It's a must have for all collectors and fans. While you're at it, get the "Code Green" album too.. A different topic but matching review.

the cd quality was great , but the content and music of chino xl is horrible