Nas – Life Is Good (7.1/10)

The first time I listened to Life is Good, the only thing I focused on was the terribleness of the track Summer on Smash; easily one of the worst individual tracks to be presented from an artist of the supreme talent of Nasir Jones.

So far, I’ve written and subsequently scrapped like 9 reviews for this album (all without flattery) because, each time as I was typing, the only track that seemed to loiter in my sub-consciousness was that landfill of a wannabe pop single, Summer on Smash. (I can’t stress enough how bad that song is.

) In fact, Nas’ tenth studio album should have been more appropriately titled Peaks and Valleys, as the middle of the LP is a complete waste of sound waves. Thankfully, regretfully, and gratefully, if you give the album more than a few listens, there are several gems to be uncovered within the LP. Reach Out and Nasty are among the elite.

As always, Nas’ reflections on street life and his social commentary are ever-polarizing and poignant. In addition, the candor with which he discusses his highly publicized divorce with Kelis contributes to a fresh edge within the content of his lyrics. Ultimately, Life is Good ain’t that good; but Nas is Nas (one of the greatest of all-time) and he’s always welcome on my playlist.

Did I mention how awful Summer on Smash was?

-B.