Summary:The debut solo studio release for the Odd Future rapper includes guest appearances from such guests as Domo Genesis, Mac Miller, Frank Ocean, RZA, Vince Staples, and Tyler, The Creator.
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Record Label:Columbia
Genre(s): Rap, Alternative Rap, Underground Rap, Hardcore Rap
I know it don't seem difficult to hit you up
But you not passionate about half the shit that you into, and I ain't havin' it
And we both know that I...
When listening to Doris, you're going to want to have lyrics nearby or else you're going to miss well over half of what's being said. It makes for an album that's hard to listen to without putting in some effort, but the results speak for themselves as Doris proves to be both a rewarding and engrossing listen, even if there are still a few kinks to be worked out.
It’s a work as notable for its technical achievements as its nuanced themes, and that’s almost as impressive considering that so many artists lack in one or both of those fields.
It often feels less like a finished work than a sketchbook, a jumble of beats and raps (about half of them from guests) with little in the way of hooks, choruses, or general songcraft to tie them together.
One of the greatest albums of recent history when taken as a whole. 'Burgundy', 'Sunday', and 'Hoarse' are absolutely tremendous feats. TheOne of the greatest albums of recent history when taken as a whole. 'Burgundy', 'Sunday', and 'Hoarse' are absolutely tremendous feats. The good outweighs the fault to such an extent that it can be given no score lower than perfection.…Expand
Earl Sweatshirt's Doris is by far the best hip hop album to be released this year and even one of the finest albums to be released this yearEarl Sweatshirt's Doris is by far the best hip hop album to be released this year and even one of the finest albums to be released this year as well. Earl's lyrical ability is more top notch than ever! With some of the best production from The Neptunes and RZA and special features from fellow Odd Future Members: Domo Genesis, Frank Ocean & Tyler, The Creator including Vince Staples, Mac Miller & Casey Veggies. Doris is definitely the album Earl fans have been waiting for and after listening will be begging for more and will forget Earl's debut in 2010.…Expand
Earl Sweatshirt is a wunderkind. Very few writers/vocalists develop this level of lyrical and rhythmic prowess at the age of 19, let aloneEarl Sweatshirt is a wunderkind. Very few writers/vocalists develop this level of lyrical and rhythmic prowess at the age of 19, let alone rappers. There is nothing average about Earl; Not his well-documented back-story, not his crew of talented misfits, and certainly not his rap abilities. His verses are packed with tightly interwoven alliteration, internal-multisyllabic rhymes and less obvious similes.
"Rawer than the skinned knee cap on the blacktop" -Hive
You may count on one hand the number of rappers who were as strong lyrically as Earl was at age 15/16, but you'd probably still have fingers left.
For Earl Sweatshirt's Doris, the standard of excellence has been set a level higher than any rapper his age due both to the skill he exhibited on his first release "Earl", and year-long absence somewhere between late 2010 and Early 2012. In this reviewer's opinion he met and exceeded the expectations hoisted upon by himself and his peers. Doris is a dark, brooding haze of atmospherics and minimal compositions. His bars so dense, it has been recommended you listen with the lyrics in front of you, less you become lost in his labyrinthine wordplay. His flow is like a slow and deliberate mass wasting of land. Simply a torrent of internal rhyme. The guest features complement the album's ominous sounds very well, especially Vince Staples' turn in Hive (a personal favorite from the album). The production features synthesizers in the style of underground UK Bass music punctuated with percussion with an Indie Rock groove. Molasses and Guild especially sound like Supreme Clientele era Wu-Tang, with the former assisted by The Legendary RZA. Tyler the Creator, especially on "Sasquatch" once again displays his deft production skills with strings reminiscent of Gza's Liquid Swords.
This album is all about making a subtle but menacing impact.
A personal favorite stanza from the album: "Breaking news, death's less important when the Lakers lose/There's Lead in that baby food/Heads trying to make it through/fishnetted legs for them eyes that she cater to/ ride dirty as the sky that you pray to."
This album is recommended for music fans of all genres, who enjoy masterful wordplay, clever similes and metaphors, tight flows, and bass-heavy but varied, minimalist production. Certainly, this album will compete for rap album of the year.
P.S. Earl commented on his dislike for Jay-z's Magna Carter album and received a bit of backlash, with some criticism questioning whether Earl is "qualified" or has achieved enough to speak on the subject. For what it's worth, Doris is 10x better than that album. Metascore: Magna Carter-59, Doris -86. Maybe he's qualified now?…Expand
Earl's debut album since his return from Samoa features simplistic beats with dark styles and undertones that allow Earl to show off hisEarl's debut album since his return from Samoa features simplistic beats with dark styles and undertones that allow Earl to show off his impressive lyrical ability and unbelievable flow, while also featuring the likes of many top rappers. One of the best rap albums I've ever heard.…Expand
Joke intro...Cool and consistent through out. Probably would have scored a point higher if he chopped off "Chum" in place of Captain Murphy'sJoke intro...Cool and consistent through out. Probably would have scored a point higher if he chopped off "Chum" in place of Captain Murphy's "Between Villains" Featuring Viktor Vaughn (DOOM) and Himself. Best Songs.."Hoarse","Uncle Al","Burgandy","20 Wave Claps" & "Sasquatch". Sick wordplay,Vomit Flow (Boring occasionally but not often) And Dead Expression Swag (He's a mini DOOM)..Productions filthy...but sometimes he doesn't sound like he's one with the instrumental if that's a creative choice then he needs to work on it..I digress..Hard Body Album not a classic but close.…Expand
I might have hyped it up a bit too much for myself but what can you expect after two years of waiting? I feel that RZA is incredibly underusedI might have hyped it up a bit too much for myself but what can you expect after two years of waiting? I feel that RZA is incredibly underused on the track Mollases. Overall it was a little disappointing but a good album non the less.…Expand
Snooze-worthy production, Monotone delivery. Just a generally boring project. I was waiting for the album to be over the entire time. TheSnooze-worthy production, Monotone delivery. Just a generally boring project. I was waiting for the album to be over the entire time. The reason I have given this album a 4 is because it contributes to my enjoyment of both Earl's and Tyler's later projects just to see how much they have both grown as a rapper and a producer respectively. A stepping stone to be sure, in a similar vein to Goblin.…Expand
