The Bridge: Concept of a Culture - Grandmaster Flash
The Bridge: Concept of a Culture Image
Metascore
50 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The first studio album from the rapper in over 20 years features guests such as Big Daddy Jane, Busta Rhymes, KRS One, Q-Tp, and Snoop Dogg.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. RapReviews.com
    70
    Flash and his collaborators provide good beats and rhymes so if this is what a "studio album" is for Flash in 2009 let's just hope there are plenty more on the way.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    Truly, though, I like to think that The Bridge takes the best of early- to mid-’90s hip-hop from New York, the synthesized sound of the last five to ten years, an interesting blend of MCs, and an ear for a slammin’ beat, and puts them together in a package that isn’t necessarily mind-blowing, but that is at least complete, well-intended, and meaningful.
  3. Mojo
    60
    While beats like 'Shine All Day's' electronic bounce feel odd at first, they gradually begin to make sense, while KRS-One's 'What If?' and the Supernatural-helmed 'Tribute To The Breakdancer' will keep the most ardent old-schoooler happy. [Apr 2009, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Pitchfork
    35
    The production of The Bridge sounds like it came out of an extended catch-up session, the work of a man best accustomed to the breakbeat era's techniques trying his hand at the last ten years' worth of club-rap digitalism.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. NicoDaFlagburna
    6
    The title would suggest that this album is going to bridge the gap between hip-hop's origins and today's mainstream records. Unfortunately Flash's productions are underwhelming and his vocal collaborations are slightly off the radar. Sometimes I feel that Flash is just aimlessly mixing tracks in his attempt to find a balance between vibrant club hip-hop and old-school DJ looping. The end result is that the record lacks direction and is let down by generally weak vocal contributions. Overall its a mixed bag but the standout track "Shine All Day" is worth a listen. 6/10 62/100… Collapse
  2. AlexF
    3
    It's just not good. The beats sound very messy and Grandmaster Flash didn't just deliver his best on this one. Extremely disappointed.

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Rumours [35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] - Fleetwood Mac
    Metascore: 99
  2. Sunbather - Deafheaven
    Metascore: 97
  3. Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 2 - Miles Davis Quintet
    Metascore: 92
  4. Jama Ko - Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
    Metascore: 90
  5. Like a Rose - Ashley Monroe
    Metascore: 89
  6. Southeastern - Jason Isbell
    Metascore: 89
  7. Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Musgraves
    Metascore: 88
  8. Your Turn - Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog
    Metascore: 88
  9. The Graceless Age - John Murry
    Metascore: 88
  10. Minute by Minute - The James Hunter Six
    Metascore: 88
  11. M B V - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 87
  12. Acid Rap - Chance the Rapper
    Metascore: 87
  13. Beautiful Africa - Rokia Traoré
    Metascore: 87
  14. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
    Metascore: 87
  15. LSXX [Last Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition] - The Breeders
    Metascore: 87
  16. Yeezus - Kanye West
    Metascore: 87
  17. Annie Up - Pistol Annies
    Metascore: 87
  18. Without a Net - Wayne Shorter
    Metascore: 86
  19. Once I Was an Eagle - Laura Marling
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »