Saturday, February 14, 2009

Review #174: Lil' Cali Presents Da Gremlins "The New Batch"

Reviewed on 2.14.2009 (Review No. 174)


Wat up? It’s FrankieThaLuckyDog. I wasn’t gonna do another review today, but after talkin’ to Way3000 briefly before, I feel more awake, so I finna do this shit! Here goes my review, as requested by One-i, for Lil’ Cali Presents Da Gremlins “The New Batch”! Da Gremlins are Carter Boy, One-i, G-Ryde, Chosen, Slugga, & Lil’ Cali. Start Time: 10:25 PM | Video Game Playing: The Legend Of Zelda – Ocarina Of Time (for Nintendo 64)



Disclaimer: I rate each song from 1.0 – 5.0; each rating iz my own opinion! I only please myself wit my ratings! I don’t care how lyrical you are, as long as it’s jammin’ enough for me to like it! I look for beats, then vocals, and then lyrics. To determine my favorites, I will differ tha 4.0 ratings. If a song gets at least a 4.0 rating from me, I love it already. If at least a 4.6 rating, I pretty much really love it, as it’s considered mindblowin’ when I hear it! Any song can earn up to a maximum of a 5.0 rating. Anything I type before “ >>> ” iz what I’m sayin’ before I listen to tha song; anything after I type “ >>> ” iz what I think of tha song while I’m listening to it. If you sound like anything too mainstream for me or have auto-tune in your vocals, I’m not buyin’ it!


© 2009 CD Review (Review #174) reviewed on 2.14.2009 by FrankieThaLuckyDog.


01. “Gremlin Intro”
How “gr”imy are we gonna start this thang off? >>> Cool that Lil’ Cali was in tha very beginning. :tu Hearin’ tha rappin’ in tha beginning, and it’s soundin’ pretty good. First dude (G-Ryde) did pretty good on his “intro” part. I’m likin’ tha 2nd dude (Slugga) on here; good shit. :tu Let’s hear tha 3rd dude… It’s Carter Boy, and he’s “doin’ his thang;” I like tha “feast” part. Good shit goin’ on here. I think One-i’s next… Yup, he called it before tha 4th part began. He “MVP’d up,” and he doin’ his thang on his shit. Let’s see who’s 5th… Sounds like Cali. Nope, it’s Chosen, and he’s just as good. Cali’s on tha outro too. :tu I’m glad err-one got to spit and shit (even though Cali only handled tha beginning and end). My Rating: 4.0


02. “Purped Up”
I wonder who gon be rappin’ on this one/tha order it’ll be in. This iz tha first official song (since tha “intro” was an intro track, introducin’ err-one), and wit that title, you know I’m lookin’ FORWARD to it!! Hope there’s live recordings of rollin’ up dat purp (which sometimes rarely happens)!! >>> Just went right into tha vocals! Nothin’ much goin’ on in tha beginning/goin’ wit tha title so far… Okay, at 1:03, tha “smokin’ by tha ounces” picked up, and now, tha hook. Looks like a lot of flowin’/lyrics goin’ on in tha hook; not bad. Okay, tha 2nd verse iz off to a better start! :tu I like tha “hoes suck me like a pacifier (sp?)” part! GOOD SHIT! YES, Cali on tha 3rd verse! I’m glad he’s goin’ wit tha flow/track here ‘cause he’s soundin’ good on this track. He usually sounds a lil’ more up-tempo’d on his attitude, but on this track, he’s goin’ good wit it. Nice lil’ verse from him. Pretty good song here as it picked up, startin’ wit tha 2nd verse. My Rating: 4.1


03. “Gangsta Walk”
OOH, CALI G-WALKIN’!! YEAH!! But will he spit on this? Let’s find out who’ll spit on it! >>> Ooh, New Orleans on tha length (meanin’ it’s 5:04)! Good “Heartbeats on tha track” thing… Yeah, Cali talkin’ in tha beginning!! Good beat so far, and YES, CALI DOIN’ THA “GANGSTA WALK” PART!!! YEAH, GO CALI!!! Looks like a good start to tha 1st verse! Likin’ tha “saggin’” part. Oh, iz this tha official hook? I liked it better in tha beginning instead of Cali sayin’ it like 4, 8 times; it all good though. Good thing “this ain’t no dance off!” First verse iz good, ain’t nothin’ to be fucked wit! Yeah, that hook again! FUCKIN’ LOVE tha Lil’ Cali part!! He worked GREAT to be on this track! Oh, he’s on tha 2nd verse too! Yeah, “he will punish you!” Uh oh, “he a dog off tha leash!” He did his thang on tha 2nd verse, and I just really love that hook from both Cali and tha dude on tha 1st ½ of tha hook! Let’s hear Chosen on tha 3rd verse… He sounds like he goin’ off and just spittin’. He absorbs dem hoes. So, that’s him on tha 1st ½ of tha hook, huh? GREAT combo here! This iz tha shit! It gon get a NICE rating wit me! Maybe a future song for me to play? We’ll see! Cali got tha “G” tatted on him! My Rating: 4.6


04. “No Lie”
Rarely see a title like this, so I have anticipation! Curious to see which gremlins gon spit on this one! I have a feelin’ One-i gon do somethin’ on this one, but no Cali… >>> Goin’ jacked beat style here… I’m sure I remember One-i (not 100% sure) bein’ on this beat once before… “Emotionless” style… Already wrong ‘cause Cali on tha hook. That’s a pretty nice hook. I seem like I don’t get tired of people bein’ on this beat, as it was an underrated song. Ooh, Cali on tha 1st verse too… Already “got that snow” and “those pills,” so you know this ain’t a fuckin’ lame verse! Good thing he “keep it 110 on every damn song.” :tu Great 1st verse from Cali, and he fit for this hook too! Looks like tha dude on tha 2nd verse (sorry if I don’t recognize who you are at times) spittin’ a pretty nice verse. Can’t deny what any of y’all are spittin’ ‘cause it satisfies me. Hearin’ tha 3rd verse, and it sounds like a Lil’ Wayne flow, easily. I like that “get high like mileage” part! Catchy 3rd verse right there. A lil’ long ending/outro, but it was still nice to hear a lil’ 3 verses on this beat again. My Rating: 4.3


05. “Hit ‘Em Up”
Don’t know what to expect… Hoping for an original beat though! >>> Original sounding, shortest one on here (3:23). Let’s hear what goes on… I hear Cali in tha beginning, again. Cali greedy for dem verses, huh? LOL… Just playin’. He also on tha 1st verse, again. I like tha “Donald Trump” part; Cali wants to do EVERYTHING to EVERYONE!! He did a great job on his verse, and that hook, it went wit an attitude! Nice, up-tempo’d attitude on tha hook! Oh, Cali ain’t sharing on this shit, lol! He on tha 2nd verse too. Did a good job on his verse, and just “high as an eagle.” Short lil’ song, wit only 2 verses, and mainly just a Cali doin’ his job, but it turned out to be pretty good. My Rating: 4.0


06. “28 Grams”
Ooh, you know when there’s “grams” in tha title, that it gon be GOOD! What makes “28” tha special number? I’m really lookin’ forward to findin’ out!! >>> Ooh, “this iz a Stevie Drumma production, bitches!” 3:52 on tha length (pretty good). That hook DEFINITELY has it goin’ on wit tha “grams/pills/lean!!” :tu Slugga doin’ a pretty nice job on his verse, and he DEFINITELY doin’ it wit tha hook!! Nice shit here! Tha 2nd verse iz not bad so far… Tha “smokin’ purple/28 grams…” part made it sound NICE! :tu Nice shit, but there’s 1:02 left… Iz there another verse? Yes, there iz! :tu G-Ryde on tha 3rd verse… “Anticipate me like Tha Carter III.” That’s how I feel on this verse, dawg. I just feel anticipated… Likin’ tha “slang…” parts. Good shit here! My Rating: 4.4


07. “2 Miles”
What could I expect here? Betta be good enough for me! >>> Beat’s a lil’ light… I don’t know here… Looks like it gon be Cali, One-i, and maybe someone else? Much better as soon as it got to around :28! Great Cali/One-i hook wit tha “rollin’ thru tha trap/2 miles an hour.” :tu This iz gonna be some good shit instead of tha low anticipation when hearin’ tha beginning! Hearin’ One-i on tha 1st verse… A good 1st verse. I wonder if Cali has tha 2nd verse… Nope, lol. Great 2nd verse! Likin’ what tha dude spit, especially tha “purp/volume to tha max” part! Cali’s on tha 3rd verse here… Pretty nice, and it does feel like you goin’ “2 miles an hour” when you’re on a plane (only was on a plane twice). Nice jam here. My Rating: 4.2


08. “Hood Love” Feat. KT
We got a feature here… I wonder what this exactly gon sound like… >>> More lighter beat here… Okay start wit an okay hook. Cali’s on tha 1st verse, and he’s really into tha lyrics here! Likin’ his 1st verse there, as he was serious! Greedy Cali as he’s on tha 2nd verse, lol. Still comin’ through wit those SERIOUS lyrics! He did a good job on tha 2nd verse. VERY GREEDY CALI on tha 3rd verse, LOL!! A lil’ shorter verse, but he did a good job. No wonder why Cali was on all tha verses, and no one else: He sometimes goes outside tha Louisiana sound, and makes non-Louisiana music sometimes. This one I was able to feel though. My Rating: 3.9


09. “Wet Wet”
This again?? *Checks to make sure* Yup, but I’ll prolly get a full version here. Another solo Cali joint here. Heard this one on tha “Live From The Trap” mixtape I reviewed earlier today. I’m gonna re-review it since it’s tha full version… >>> Non-Louisianaish sound, except for tha dude on tha 1st verse. He’s got a Louisianaish delivery wit his flow; pretty nice. Tha hook iz okay. Hearin’ Cali on tha 2nd verse, and it’s not bad… He still seems into what he’s spittin’, so that’s good. A “double busser” on tha 3rd verse (LMAO)… Now, that 3rd verse DEFINITELY put this song on tha map!! That was EXTREMELY to tha topic! Best verse on here, and this iz better than tha small version on Lil’ Cali’s mixtape. Still, even though that 3rd verse was REALLY impressive, I still prefer stuff like Tha Camp’s “1 Rubber” as somethin’ that’s REALLY tight! My Current Rating: 3.8


10. “Come Follow Me”
No offense to Cali, but we need tha other members to contribute some more!! >>> Not bad start… Oh, “Lil’ Cali,” who else, lol! He’s in tha intro… Looks like tha intro makes this joint interesting… Okay, hook iz on point. Tha “pyrex/pots/zips/crack” part was good! I didn’t think it would be on here, but Cali’s on tha 1st verse… He did his thang, and still keepin’ it real! This 2nd verse iz on point too! Gotta love all tha shit that everyone be spittin’! :tu Tha 3rd verse was good too. I like how everythang was delivered on this shit. My Rating: 4.0


½time: What should I say, lol? It’s a GREAT CD of 6 rappers, and I enjoy listenin’ to what every one of ‘em has to say! Let’s keep this hot shit comin’!! Oh, and this ain’t nothin’ to be ashamed of, but I know everyone’s got a serious look on tha back cover. Lil’ Cali… That face gets me LOLin’ (no offense), but it’s still SO FUCKIN’ SERIOUS!! LOL!!!


11. “Real Nigga Music”
I saw tha “music” in tha title, and I thought of Rick Ross for a second… Anyway, hope tha title REALLY plays an effect in tha song itself!!! >>> Sounds like Max Minelli in tha beginning, but no, it’s Cali (who else)! :rofl Sounds like a serious hook! :tu That 1st verse was on a serious tip, and I like that MVP definition at tha end of it! I wonder who’s on tha 2nd verse… Prolly Cali, but I hope it’s someone that I don’t exactly know… Okay, it’s Slugga! Good, “time to blow somethin’” (referin’ to kush)! :tu I was definitely feelin’ that 2nd verse, and that hook can’t be fucked wit! Let’s hear tha 3rd verse… Yes, another different dude from Da Gremlins!! He did a nice job too. This IZ “dat real nigga music.” LOL @ it just endin’ wit “my nigga dis that-.” My Rating: 4.3


12. “Gettin’ Money”
If Cali even BREATHES on this song, you know tha serious effect gon pop out, lol! I wonder who gon be also spittin’ on this one… >>> 4:33 on tha length, so that’s good. “Exclusive,” huh? Let’s hear how special it iz… Young Jeezy sample on tha hook (good choice). *Dyes laughin’ wit excitement* Cali on tha 1st verse!! :tu “Tha tag ain’t shit! If I want it, I’mma pay it.” That’s watz good, Cali. If it comes to a review like this, or a commercial, gimme $11, $33, and/or $55, and I’ll appreciate it! One-i’s on tha 2nd verse… He ain’t frontin’ on this shit here. Likin’ tha vibe of this shit right here. Motivational verse from One-i right there. Let’s hear who’s on tha 3rd verse… Sounds good (iz it Chosen?) so far! Too bad it wasn’t tha whole thang ‘cause it broke down into a 2nd ½ from someone else. Good shit either way on this shit. Very cold ending as tha beat still went… My Rating: 4.2


13. “Rock A Bye”
Tha title… :confused I don’t know… This either gon be tight (as in humor), or disappointing. Let’s find out now… >>> Uh oh, even a “rock-a-bye baby” sample… I’m gonna let tha verses speak for themselves… Serious start after tha sample... “Squeeze tha Desert Eagle…!” Talk about it, serious hook! Don’t let tha title/sample fool ya! Good 1st verse, and tha 2nd verse iz soundin’ good too. Yeah, this iz catchy, but GUTTA as well! One-i’s on this shit (3rd verse)! He did a nice job too, but it’s all about that hook, ESPECIALLY tha “squeeze tha Desert Eagle…” part! My Rating: 4.1


14. “When I Want It” Feat. Nobe
I think I spelled tha featured artist right… Wonder how it’ll sound… >>> Sounds like Adult Contemporary music in tha beginning… Very light start? Tell me this a Lil’ Cali song… Figures, I just heard him pop up at :30. Startin’ off “fuckin’” on tha 1st verse, lol. Tha hook sounds like it takes tha “2 occasions” part from somethin’, but it sounds hot wit tha “horny” part. Tha 2nd verse matched tha 1st verse, only it was shorter. Good 3rd verse too, as tha lyrics are great! Just by tha beat start, I knew this was just gonna be Lil’ Cali on tha whole song ‘cause I know that tha other 5 members wouldn’t spit on anything like this… My Rating: 3.9


15. “Top Of The World”
Looks like this’ll be a pretty good joint… >>> Oh no, another soft beat. Tell me “Lil’ Cali”’s on tha whole song, again… Oh no, a jacked beat… This was from Ace Hood’s album (I think). I remember that hook, and it was too light for him… Not bad 1st verse/good. Let’s hear tha 2nd verse… Okay. Nothin’ much to say here… Tha 3rd verse sounds like Cali didn’t know he’d expect some fame… Well, this was my least rated song on Ace Hood’s CD, and it looks like it’ll be tha same here too. My Rating: 3.5


16. “Talk 2 Me”
Please other Gremlins… Come into play!! >>> Okay, tha beat iz gettin’ better from tha previous 2 beats. I think… It ain’t a jacked beat now, right? This like 90’s R&B samplin’… Tell me it’s Cali on tha whole song again? I’ll be disappointed… Of course, him on tha 1st verse… LOL @ tha “that pussy runnin’ like a fountain” part; you just really into rappin’, huh? LOL! You crazy wit what you spit! Oh, Cali’s not on tha 2nd verse… I wonder which member this iz… LOL… It was a few seconds long… No comment. More Gremlins on tha 3rd verse… Sounds like Young Chris from tha Young Gunz… Well, okay then. This joint ain’t all that special to me, especially since these are more up Lil’ Cali’s way (he prolly should’ve stayed on tha whole entire song). My Rating: 3.6


17. “Want Me 2 Be”
Not really anticipated to continue… This CD’s kinda fallin’ off, and I want it to pick up!! >>> Kristy Kay “I Will Wait (Giuseppe D Radio Mix)” iz playin’ on Music Choice Dance (only comes on between 10 PM and 10 AM sadly), and I have it playin’ louder than this song (even before I was playin’ it). And look, it’s just mainly Cali in tha beginning… He was… I guess okay. I hear someone else on tha 2nd verse… Soundin’ better than Cali on this shit. Okay hook, even though kinda simple. Okay, tha dude on tha 3rd verse iz soundin’ better. I was losin’ anticipation when I heard tha beat ‘cause I thought it sounded like B.O.B. Feat. Lil’ Boosie & D.G. Yola “Fuck You” wit that Country style. My Rating: 3.5


18. “Bitches And Money”
Can we get back on track here? >>> Sounds like more jacked music. :( What iz goin’ on here?? Decent 1st verse… If this iz a jacked beat (which I’m assuming ‘cause this AIN’T Louisiana type of music), I get bored of those type of samples. Oh, WHO ELSE… CALI!!! On tha 2nd verse here… “Stand like a statue.” It does look like a Lil’ Cali statue on tha back cover! LOL! Uh oh, “a 9 on my hip,” so you know Cali ain’t playin’! I like tha “alphabet boy ‘cause I’m oh so G” part. :tu Cali passed on this one. What’s left… >>> Soundin’ like a good dude “chasin’ his currency.” :tu Dude did his thang on that verse. Tha verses turned out to be good on this, so this gets a pass. Not sure of tha beat though. My Rating: 3.8


19. “Struggles” Feat. Akon
Not sure if this gon be me… I highly doubt it… What’s tha Akon feature? Must be a sample or somethin’ UNLESS it’s 100% CALIFUL, lol!! >>> Okay, not a sad beat… Okay Akon hook. Sounds like a nice 1st verse… Dude seems to be real wit it. I like that “livin’ in a glass pipe” part; fa’real, these gremlins ain’t playin’! I like tha “lottery” part also (you know I’m dat lucky dog, lol)! Good 1st verse, but I wish this was more in a Louisiana style so I could feel it more! HE’S STILL HERE… LIKE CRUMBS! LOL! Lil’ Cali on tha 2nd verse… Sounds more like a Westcoast song (that’s prolly why I feel it more than some of tha other songs on here). Likin’ that flowin’ of Lil’ Cali on here, and he did a good job on his verse. Good, One-i on tha 3rd verse… Great start wit tha history of some of your life/your patna’s life experiences. :tu “Even though it’s bad for our health,” gotta love that fried food though, lol. You did yo thang on tha 3rd verse! A verse like that iz how I feel tha verse when it comes to songs about strugglin’ and shit like that. Too many rappers make tha shit sound boring/depressin’; glad you didn’t! My Rating: 3.9


20. “Letter 2 TJ”
Maybe this’ll be depressing… Tell me it’s a sad ending… >>> Yeah, depressing start. OH, WHO’S FIRST… Lil’ Cali! Hope this TJ dude didn’t get shot and killed… Yeah, sad, but I’ll listen, and comment on this… I like all tha “dawg/nigga” parts. Sounds like a freestyle (thought there was gonna be a hook or somethin’). Lot of great lyrics goin’ on here (which they’re sad). Sounds like Faith Evans came outta nowhere… Oh, now I realize… Since tha title iz “Letter 2 TJ,” I’m assumin’ it’s tha “Letter 2 B.I.G.” beat. Great way to end tha song, wit tha Faith Evans part. I thought this was mixed good. However, these tracks are not tha ones I anticipate/want to feel, so that’s why my rating gon look low. Don’t take it to heart… I thought tha lyrics worked real good for this. My Rating: 3.7 (wasn’t too bad)


Overall: End Time: 12:32 AM. Well, let’s see… 1st ½: 8 of 10 songs I loved. 2nd ½: 3 of 10 songs I loved. I don’t understand what happened on tha 2nd ½… Too much Cali and shit (no offense). Just like wit Tha Camp’s CD, tha members were pretty much on most of tha songs (and there weren’t any solos and shit like that). I felt like there were too many Lil’ Cali solo jointz (or jointz that sounded up his “mainstream” alley) that didn’t belong on here. They could’ve belonged on an upcoming Lil’ Cali album, but yeah, I needed to hear more from tha members. Even like separate freestyles would’ve been cool as well (kinda like wit tha intro). Keep up tha good work though ‘cause that 1st ½ was what I wanted to hear, and I was lookin’ forward to hearin’ as much from all tha members (without Lil’ Cali bein’ over so many tracks). Oh, and One-i, how did Da Gremlins come to be a group? Was it Lil’ Cali’s idea since he’s “presentin’” Da Gremlins? Let me know! Lookin’ forward to Vol. 2; gon make it better!!


Rankings (according to my ratings):

20.       “Top Of The World” 3.5
19.       “Want Me 2 Be” 3.5
18.       “Talk 2 Me” 3.6
17.       “Letter 2 TJ” 3.7
16.       “Bitches And Money” 3.8
15.       “Wet Wet” 3.8
14.       “Hood Love” Feat. KT 3.9
13.       “When I Want It” Feat. Nobe 3.9
12.       “Struggles” Feat. Akon 3.9
11.        “Hit ‘Em Up” 4.0
10.       “Gremlin Intro” 4.0
09.       “Come Follow Me” 4.0
08.       “Rock A Bye” 4.1
07.       “Purped Up” 4.1
06.       “Gettin’ Money” 4.2
05.       “2 Miles” 4.2
04.       “Real Nigga Music” 4.3
03.   “No Lie” 4.3
02.   “28 Grams” 4.4
01.   “Gangsta Walk” 4.6

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