The Velvet Rope (Virgin, 1997) by Janet Jackson

The part in that episode of Family Guy where Brian shoots at a copy of this album is really funny.  The album is too long and has too many interludes.  But I really like a couple tracks on here.  "Got 'Til It's Gone" with Q-Tip and the Joni Mitchell sample does Joni's "Big Yellow Taxi" justice, "Go Deep" is a great upbeat song, and "Together Again" is rightfully one of the biggest hits of Janet's career.  All the sexual material on the album is cool, but nothing is left  to the imagination and so it comes across as shock for shock's sake instead of intimate expression (the cover of Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night" and how Janet made it a song about lesbian love was pretty dope though).

To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With (Warner Bros., 1968) by Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby is such a skilled stand-up comedian that he performs it sitting down.  And this album has some of his best material.  The title cut exemplifies what makes Dr. Cosby one of the best comics ever- he is a master storyteller.  In 26:43, he describes what it was liking growing up and sharing a room with his brother.  It's these common experiences and emotions that Cosby is able to focus in on.  And as a result of his ability to do so, he gets a laugh from everyone.  Cosby is one of the greatest comedians of all-time and this album is one of the reasons why.

The Best of Both Worlds (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Jive, 2002) by Jay-Z & R.Kelly

This album certainly didn't live up to the hype.  The controversy surrounding R. Kelly at the time didn't help either.  The album still has its strong points though- Jay-Z delivers solid raps and The R brings catchy hooks.  The production suited both of these guys' strengths well too.  The problem is that the songs are very cookie cutter and generic both musically and lyrically.  And for two artists who forever changed their respective genres with their innovative styles and amazing talents, a lot more was expected from this project.  Some of this was redeemed though at Jay-Z's Madison Square Garden show when the two of them came out and performed the title track and "Take You Home With Me" while all of NY sang along.

Unfinished Business (Sleeping Bag, 1989) by EPMD

EPMD weren't as loud as N.W.A or as poetic as Rakim.  However, they were more relaxed like the latter.  This not only served as an excellent compliment to Erick Sermon's masterful production, but also forced the duo to deliver lyrically.  Not that they didn't before, but it was nothing that hadn't already been heard.  Fortunately, Erick and Parrish overcame the sophomore jinx and offered up "You Had Too Much to Drink"-a song speaking out against drunk driving and "Please Listen to My Demo"-one of the best records by rappers about wanting to be rappers ever.

The Invasion (n/a, 2002) by DJ Green Lantern

The first installment in this legendary mix tape series is famous because it, for all intents and purposes, ended Benzino's career as a rapper.  Eminem's "The Sauce" is a great diss at The Source and his "Nail in the Coffin" is more of a personal, damning record aimed squarely air the magazine's "co-founder."  Obie's "Welcome to Detroit City" is a great take on Cam'ron and Jay's "Welcome to New York City."  And 50's "The Hood", with a beat courtesy of Dr. Dre, and G-Unit's "G'd Up" are also standouts.  Other highlights include DJ Green Lantern's blend of "Lose Yourself" and The Flipmode Squad spitting over the remix to "U Don't Know."

Licensed to Ill (Def Jam, 1986) by Beastie Boys

"Now I chill real ill when I start to chill/When I fill my pockets with a knot of dollar bills/Sipping pints of ale out the window sill/When I get my fill I'm chilly chill/Now I just got home because I'm out on bail/What's the time? it's time to buy ale/Peter eater parking meter all of the time/If I run out of ale it's Thunderbird wine/Miller drinking chicken eating dress so fly/I got friends in high places that are keeping me high/Down with Mike D. and it ain't no hassle/Got the ladies of the eighties from here to White Castle"

                                                                                     -Beastie Boys, "Hold It Now, Hit It"

Stan & Judy's Kid (Warner Bros., 1999) by Adam Sandler

This is an underrated Adam Sandler album.  It is a pleasant return to skits, and his songs are an improvement from his previous effort as well.  The dirty humor is still there, but there is a bit more humanity in it.  "The Champion" is a really funny skit about a golf champion who falls apart while playing on the course.  "Inner Voice" is a skit about a guy nervously flirting with a girl while listeners hear his inner voice as it tries to play it cool for her.  And the most interesting of them all, "Whitey," is a fifteen minute plus conversation between two guys at a food court in the mall.  It shouldn't work, but it does.  It is very funny and  a bit touching at the same time.  My only issue with the album is that I wish it didn't end on a such a dark comedic note with "The Psychotic Legend of Uncle Donnie."  Other than that though, this is a great album and an excellent addition to Adam Sandler's impressive body of work.