Underground Luxury is just 15 tracks which is somewhat low for a B.O.B. project. But like I said, lower expectations so I didn't mind. I just pressed play and hopped right in. The first four tracks are carried by pop heavy instrumentals similar to Eminem's Marshal Mathers LP II. But, it's the same classic B.O.B. lyrics about struggling with fame and missing his family. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought.
Then the flood gates opened. The next nine songs featured a club hit for any type of club you go to. The hooks and choruses are now longer than any of the verses. These are no longer pop inspired hip hop tracks, these are pop tracks in a hip hop styling. B.O.B. wasn't lying this album is made for the clubs. If you're looking for something to play at a party, this is the album for you.
The worst song on the album is "Ready" featuring Future. This isn't even a B.O.B. song. It's just B.O.B. adding a few subpar bars to a Future song, in Future's style. The best song on the album is.... None.
I can't do this. I've been a B.O.B. fan for a long time. I mean way back before Airplanes and I've bought both his albums. I was disappointed with half of "Strange Clouds" but I kept my faith in Bobby Ray. When I heard the song "Where Are You" I had hopes that he would return to his older style of music that created his fan base. I was wrong.
While there are going to be people who call this album great, because trust me, he's going to have some number one hits on this album, it's still a bad album. There's no silver lining in this cloud. Usually by the third album an artist has found out what works for them and is able to progress, but not B.O.B. this is pure regression. Before this album he was known for complex lyrical construction and live instruments, but not anymore.
B.O.B. is like the person you break up with, but they promise you they'll be a better person and then they let you down even more. B.O.B. initially talked about his disdain for fame and how the money has made him lose close friends. On this album he talks about how many women he sleeps with, luxury cars, getting high and making it rain. B.O.B. is now just another typical rapper now.
Maybe I missed something, but I honestly couldn't listen to this album more than twice. In the past B.O.B. never got a lot of radio play because he would sometimes focus on heavier topics. I guess he desired that radio play and he'll get it. There are no heavy topics on this album. I'll sum up this album in B.O.B.'s own words.
"Ain't this the dude that said that it ain't about the price tag
Now on your records all that you do is brag
Come on Bob, I thought you was better than that dog"
Now on your records all that you do is brag
Come on Bob, I thought you was better than that dog"
