Album Review: "The Adventures of Bobby Ray".

After three years, Bobby Ray Simmons a.k.a. B.o.B finally dropped his debut LP The Adventures of Bobby Ray. The man deserves to be getting the publicity he's finally getting. He's dropped countless free mixtapes and has been busting it to finally put out a record. Too bad it came out after the radio killed "Nothin' On You", a track he released last year. Here's the track-by-track review:



1. "Don't Let Me Fall" This was the second song leaked from the album and is a trippy, soulful intro to the album. This song is pure B.o.B and showcases his guitar playing. One of the best tracks. 9/10
2. "Nothin' On You" This is still a good song reguardless of how bad the radio has killed it. Great hook by Bruno Mars. 9/10
3. "Past My Shades feat. Lupe Fiasco" Another typical, trippy B.o.B song. Lupe doesn't exactly kill his verse like I was hoping and B.o.B's rapping isn't as tight. One of the weaker tracks. 7/10
4. "Airplanes Pt. I feat. Hayley Williams" Another leaked track. Hayley Williams absolutely destroys the hook. Not B.o.B's best rapping, but overall a good track. Wait on Pt. II... 8/10
5. "Bet I feat. T.I. and Playboy Tre'" This was also released as a single. I like hood rap and all, but I'm not too keen on this track. T.I. does his thing on his verse but Playboy Tre' is awful. 6/10
6. "Ghost in the Machine" One of my favorite tracks on the album. Really showcases his voice in this one. More of the soulful, trippy-ness. Starting to sound alot like a Kid Cudi album. 8/10
7. "The Kids feat. Janelle Monae" B.o.B rapping over a Vampire Weekend track? I'll take that any day of the week. 8.5/10
8. "The Magic feat. Rivers Cuomo" B.o.B brings in another A-list singer to get the hook. I was kinda skeptical about how Rivers had been losing his touch lately. This didn't really reassure me, but it was decient. Bobby Ray has some sick rapping on this one. 8/10
9. "Fame" Not one of my favorite songs. Seems to drag on at times. 6.5/10
10. "Lovelier Than You" You can feel a summer vibe on this one. Sort of reminds you of "Nothin' On You". Still an okay track, good singing by B.o.B. 7/10
11. "5th Dimension feat. Ricco Barrino" The Spanish-sounding guy named Ricco gets annoying. Tight rapping by B.o.B saves the track. 7.5/10
12. "Airplanes Pt. II feat. Eminem and Hayley Williams" Wow. This is one of the most epic tracks I've ever heard. Hayley Williams still brings it on the hook and B.o.B brings another couple verses to go along with Pt. I. But the Eminem verse is mind blowing. I've never been big on him, but he absolutely kills it at the end. By far my favorite track on the record. 10/10


Even though some tracks bring the album down, B.o.B does his thing as he has done so many times on his mixtapes. The guy has to be one of the best rappers in the game right now. Really, you should buy this album. If you're not convinced yet, click the here to download all of his mixtpaes for free. It will change your mind.
Overall: 8.8/10


Bonus tracks:
13. "Letters From Vietnam" This is an okay b-side that shows how well Bobby Ray can really sing. Not my favorite, but it's decient. 7/10
14. "I See Ya" Sounds alot like "Bet I". Not his best work. 6/10
15. "Satellite" Not too sure why this was left off the album. I really like it, resembles "Ghost on the Machine" and "Don't Let Me Fall". Best b-side from Adventures. 9/10

Everyone should watch this.

I stayed home from school today since I had toe surgery yesterday and found this. Real stuff.

Stanza '42.

It's war, you know?
Easy begin...
But so hard to end.
And neither of us
are getting out alive.
I don't want to be a soldier.

Stanza '76.

This is ridiculous.

Stanza '02.

Reality becomes obscene.
You can't tell what you've just seen.
Perry's got a grand.
And he's ready to make his last stand.
She and you makes two
and she's gonna leave you feeling blue.
I've been waiting.
You're not making any sense.
Call the shots (play by play).

Stanza '88.

Can I get back my lonely life?

Every little thing has got to be just right.
“The truth is, neither of us know where this relationship is headed.”
I’d build buildings for you.
One day, you’ll hear me cry,
which is why this love can’t stay.
But I like it now.






I’ve got a plan.

Stanza '59.

I don’t believe in education.
I don’t believe in women.
I don’t believe in murder.
I don’t believe in Waits.
I don’t believe in money.
I don’t believe in wars.
I don’t believe in opportunity.
I don’t believe in television.
I don’t believe in time.
I don’t believe in conservatism.
I don’t believe in technology.
I don’t believe in dynasties.
I don’t believe in summer.
I don’t believe in America.
I don’t believe in age.


“I just believe in me… and that reality.”


I don’t believe in numbers.
I don’t believe in McCartney.
I don’t believe in weapons.
I don’t believe in Churchill.
I don’t believe in hours.
I don’t believe in writing.
I don’t believe in sex.
I don’t believe in mountains.
I don’t believe in fate.
I don’t believe in books.
I don’t believe in grades.
I don’t believe in sleep.
I don’t believe in lawyers.
I don’t believe in fate.
I don’t believe in Jude.
I don’t believe in parents.

“The Dream is over.”


I don’t believe in rebirth.
I don’t believe in races.
I don’t believe in poetry.


“…yesterday.”



I don’t believe in Communism.
I don’t believe in Limbaugh.
I don’t believe in thieves.
I don’t believe in records.
I don’t believe in deadlines.
I don’t believe in Zimmerman.
I don’t believe in guns.
I don’t believe in magic.
I don’t believe in Locke.
I don’t believe in families.


“You’ll just have to carry on.”


I don’t believe in statistics.
I don’t believe in recessions.
I don’t believe in Faith.
I don’t believe in Thoreau.
I don’t believe in accidents.
I don’t believe in goodbyes.
I don’t believe in Kings.
I don’t believe in karma.
I don’t believe in pride.
I don’t believe in standards.
I don’t believe in gravity.
I don’t believe in chances.
I don’t believe in tomorrow.
I don’t believe in space.
I don’t believe in Ono.
I don’t believe in home.
I don’t believe in myself.
I don’t believe in contradictions.
I don’t believe in expectations.
I don’t believe in plans.
I don’t believe in dreams.
I don’t believe in Jordan.
I don't believe in chemistry.
I don’t believe in romance.
I don’t believe in Pepper.
I don’t believe in anarchy.
I don’t believe in dimensions.
I don’t believe in post-modernism.
I don’t believe in ghosts.
I don’t believe in parties.
I don’t believe in Steinbeck.
I don’t believe in futures.
I don’t believe in love.


“The Dream is over.”


I believe there’s meaning.
No, I believe there’s nothing.

Stanza '07.

Things have changed.
But is it
for better
or worse? (I can't tell)

Black and blue
meant for two.

I'm going to                                                       lose it.
If I have to come back here.
Is this a joke? Because it's not funny.
It's not your life, or your decision.
So don't.

Stanza '31 (Apologies to Kerouac)

I have a great memory. Ask me something and I'll probably remember it.
Reconstruction, pacing, noodles, a million different beach houses, "You're so last summer", road trips, fights, girls, mountians, ten years, mentors.
I remember it all.
I've always tried, sometimes succeeded.
Three real friends and one girl.
Lessons learned from Rushmore and Dylan.
Half of me believes, half of me doesn't.
You're gonna learnm alot from this.

The River: Reprise.

Oh God, I'm sorry. I have run you down. Take me to the river, make me clean with sound.
And oh King of Heaven, I am but a crater. Break my legs and show me the way back home again.
Oh Lord of mercy, for I have heard it. I am prone to wander, so break my legs again.
And oh Jesus Christ, I am but a sinner. Take me to the water and change my name again.

"Know you are forgiven." I am forgiven.

So what have we come to? A thousand tounges to slay.
But I have seen the money to pay my debts clean.
And I hope you're worth it, for I have trusted many. So take my face, destroy it and change my name again.

"Go, you are forgiven." I am forgiven.
Come back to me. Come home to me.

One thing leads to another.

Just something I wrote in chemistry after bombing another test...


She's such a sucker from her head to her toes.
She's such a sucker for a sweet talker.
Sweet talk isn't so sweet anymore.
"This just isn't working out anymore."
So he's gonna find a way to make this work.
And she's gonna find a way to make him hurt.
Johnny Cash had a ring of fire.
But all he has are rings around his eyes.
Those tired eyes have seen enough.
"But when do you know when it's ENOUGH?"
Don't you know who I think I am?
All I think is in my tree.
John was a hero.
Best friends 'til the end.
You take what you make.
And it can't go with you.

IKNOWAKIDWHOWEARSTHREEWATCHES: The Trilogy.

IKNOWAKIDWHOWEARS3WATCHES: Part 1.
Words are flying out like rain into this paper cup.
I’ve been seeing your eyes, they’re beginning to resent me.
I’m under the assumption that I’m gonna be the one leaving you tonight.
“No joke.”
The Atlantic was born today and I’ll tell you how.
Do you hear the whistle wail? I think the end is coming soon.
Take it to the floor with your head in the sky.
I can hold, hold out for now.
On the corner of Main Street…
Stand here with a mountain for a background.
I’ll take with me every single luxury when I go.
In the backseats on burnt out cars…
Like a cold day in August, I was not prepared for this.
Just allow me one more chance.
I can’t regret it… (Can’t you just forget it?)
“Pack up.”



IWANTTODECLAREAWAR: Part 2.
I read the news today, oh boy.
I better rest my eyes.
Sad, small, so sweet, so delicate…
I’m not alone.
And, in the dark, it comes to me:
Everybody sees me but it’s not that easy.
I heard all your reasons.
There’s no place for was.
All the clever things I could say to you.
I am still living with your ghost.
And the last thing that I want is for this feeling to end.
Out on the wall, sounds of banging…
When I say “promises”, I mean promises.
My heart is on my sleeve and I wear it like a black eye.
…like lions do.
Sell me, I’m a skeptic.
Like that smoke, you won for giving up on me.
Don’t call it a comeback.



ISAWAMOVIELASTNIGHT: Part 3.
In this house, there’s no order.
I’ve really got to hand it to you…
It looks like you’ve got a little situation.
You could never stop the rain.
But you talked about it.
Hold loosely because it’s a long road.
And neither of us knows where it goes or where it ends.
FALL SHORT! CONFORM!
Keep your head up.
“The whole truth and nothing but the truth.”
And that’s how I’m going to make it seem.
Find your Father and find your meaning.
I'm a loose bolt away from becoming a complete machine.
Why don't you scream my name for the first time?
"No one will ever feel like this again."