To Pimp a Butterfly's proper and oft-biblical follow-up arrived on Good Friday, 13 months after untitled unmastered., an intermediary release that eclipsed the best work of most contemporary artists. If Kendrick Lamar felt pressure to continue living up to his previous output, there's no evidence on DAMN. He's too occupied tracing the spectrum of his mental states, from "boxin' demons" to "flex on swole," questioning and reveling in his affluence, castigating and celebrating his bloodline, humble enough to relate his ...
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To Pimp a Butterfly's proper and oft-biblical follow-up arrived on Good Friday, 13 months after untitled unmastered., an intermediary release that eclipsed the best work of most contemporary artists. If Kendrick Lamar felt pressure to continue living up to his previous output, there's no evidence on DAMN. He's too occupied tracing the spectrum of his mental states, from "boxin' demons" to "flex on swole," questioning and reveling in his affluence, castigating and celebrating his bloodline, humble enough to relate his vulnerabilities, assured enough to proclaim "Ain't none of y'all fuckin' with the flow." Throughout, he intensely examines most of the seven deadly sins, aware all along that his existence is threatened by anyone who objects to the color of his skin or clothes -- or, in the case of the blind stranger who shoots him during the album's opener, nothing that is apparent. Compared to the maximum-capacity, genre-twisting vastness and winding narratives of Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City and To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN. on the surface seems like a comparatively simple rap album that demands less from the listener. There's relative concision in the track titles and material, and a greater emphasis on commercial sounds -- such as Mike WiLL's lean and piano-laced trap beat for the strong-arming "HUMBLE.," Lamar's first Top Ten pop hit, and a couple productions that are merely functional backdrops lacking distinction. In a way, however, DAMN. is just as lavish and singular as the preceding albums, its quantity and weight of thoughts and connected concepts condensed into a considerably tighter space. It contains some of Lamar's best writing and performances, revealing his evolving complexity and versatility as a soul-baring lyricist and dynamic rapper. Although it's occasionally distorted, stretched, smeared, and reversed to compelling and imagination-fueling effect, his voice is at its most affecting in its many untreated forms. Take "FEAR.," in which he switches between echoing hot-blooded parental threats to enumerating, with a 40-acre stare, various death scenarios. His storytelling hits an astonishing new high on "Duckworth," the album's finale. Over ethereal funk sewn by 9th Wonder, Lamar details a potentially tragic encounter between his father and future Top Dawg CEO Anthony Tiffith -- and the conditions leading to it -- that occurred long before Kung Fu Kenny was known as K. Dot. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi
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Add this copy of Damn to cart. $5.72, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Aftermath.
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Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
Add this copy of Damn to cart. $6.99, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Carrollton, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Aftermath.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Damn to cart. $8.99, good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Carrollton, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Aftermath.
Add this copy of Damn to cart. $21.41, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Aftermath.
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Add this copy of Damn to cart. $22.66, good condition, Sold by WeBuyBooks rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Rawtenstall, LANCASHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2017 by Polydor Group.Shipping outside the U.K.? see Shipping Alert details
Add this copy of Damn to cart. $22.68, good condition, Sold by WeBuyBooks rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Rawtenstall, LANCASHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2017 by Polydor Group.Shipping outside the U.K.? see Shipping Alert details
Add this copy of Damn. [2 Lp] to cart. $25.99, good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Carrollton, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Aftermath.
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Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Damn. [2 Lp] to cart. $32.10, good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Carrollton, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Aftermath.
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Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Damn. [2 Lp] to cart. $36.00, new condition, Sold by Napa Bookmine rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Napa, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Aftermath.
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