D'Angelo and The Vanguard - Black Messiah ALBUM REVIEW 

this album is aging like fine wine. sounds like it was recorded tomorrow

Still loving this D'Angelo LP:

This album aged better than Melon’s review. This is a masterpiece that has only improved with time.

My skin itches every time Anthony says "contemporary r&b" instead of Neo-Soul. D'Angelo's "Voodoo" & "Brown Sugar" were pillars in the Neo-Soul genre and it's important to acknowledge the difference.

"You will be doing this album an injustice if you just listen to it on your laptop speakers" This is so true

Black messiah is one of the best albums of the decade Masterpiece

9/10 for me . classic

I think this deserves a 9 man. This is right under Kendrick's TPAB.

"Occasionally there's a track on here that feels more like a groove or a motif or just some funk than it is a song... tracks like Back to the future..." Back to the future is so far my favourite. Can't stop listening to this track. Another classic album. Can't wait for the next album in 2030.

I wish you talked about "Ain't That Easy" the intro track. It's probably the best intro I'd heard to an album in 2014. The other songs are great but the production and instrumentation on that song is just so perfect and amazing.

It's more than a album. It's a movement. Something we desperately needed. This album, is on another level. People won't appreciate it, till about 2030

"really love" and "another life" were my two favorites off the album, but of course every track was dope

Gonna have to call you out on something here. Saying he embraces more live instrumentation here than on Voodoo is totally false, Voodoo was 100% live instrumentation, only Brown Sugar had programmed drums and such. Its also a bit off that you'd use Prince as an example of what influenced him there, since a lot of Prince's best work made heavy use of drum machines and synthesizers. Not that there isn't a lot of evidence of Prince influence here, but a better example for that particular point would have been Sly Stone or Funkadelic (although even Sly used a lot of drum machine on There's A Riot Goin' On)

ALSO, IS DEATH GRIPS REALLY GOING BACK OUT ON TOUR? WHAT'S UP WITH THAT????

How is this not a 10?

nah man definitely a least a 9

Should be at least a strong 9. Gonna be one of the top 5 best albums of the decade.

7 years later and this album is still a 10/10 MASTAPIECE

20 FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2014 VIDEO NEXT!

D'Angelo is truly the Messiah that R&B music has desperately been waiting for.

10 OUT OF 10, REVIEW IT AGAIN

god, i’m reading these comments and shedding tears of raw anguish and frustration thinking about what anthony’s comments have devolved into.

LIST WEEK STARTS NOW!!!!

"Definitely not a lap top speakers record." Thanks for saying that.

I usually don't disagree with your reviews and can be content with your opinion, but I think this record is something really unique and a special type of music that stands on its own as a untouchable achievement and the type of record that only comes once a generation, a future classic and a 10/10 if I've ever heard one in the past 15 years

It just won a Grammy! That's pretty dope.

This album is on Pitchfork's "Top 50" for 2015. WTF.

As someone who'd never heard of D'Angelo... I was blown away.

I just want some new D'angelo. This man was my favourite musician at some point, but I fell out bc I just went through everything of his that I could find. Even just a B sides record, or cuts that didn't quite make it to one of his albums.

BE READY!

9/10 for me. I agree we totally need more content from the R&B department. I always felt that D was heavily responsible for some of the soul fused hip-hop we heard back in the early 2000's, this might be a stretch but I thought that elements of Stankonia were reminiscent of Brown Sugar and shared some similarities with Voodoo. Soul Hip Hop is something I really miss, an I'm not talking about a song with a fucking Otis Redding sample on it.

"Black Messiah" gets 4.9/5(9.9/10). Took him long enough to return, but it was DEFINITELY worth the wait! D'Angelo announces his return in strong but subtle and soulful fashion. "Another Life" is what gave him the 4.9 b/c I put this track on repeat 8x so far! D'Angelo should hopefully sell as many copies as 2014 Forest Hills Dr (review tht one next if you haven't yet) the 1st week. This comeback debut is a MUST BUY!

It's interesting that two of the most commercially successful rap and r&b albums of 2014 came from artists who had little radio and club play. I guess good grown folks music can make you money in this age of pirates.

How the fuck is prayer your least favorite track

D'Angelo never disappoints.

D'Angelo has always been inspired by Prince. "Untitled" was intended to almost be a Prince cover.

who the fuck listens to music through laptop speakers

I actually think the best track is Till It's Done (Tutu). And I also think, you can't really talk D'Angelo, without mentioning Pino or Chris (and Questo of course). Those three really elevated the album, the bass is mindblowing. I think D'Angelo is very humble on this (concept?) album, steps back and just directs the whole thing from the back masterfully. I like that he made no music videos, no long buildup, just dropping it. Also, great (presumably full analog) mixing. But I agree with Anthony, great review.

Two words. Sly Stone.

I atleast expected that you would’ve listed out the individual musicians that make up The Vanguard. Pino Palladino, Chris Dave, Isaiah Sharkey and Roy Hargrove, to name a few incredible names.

Yup, this is a great album period. D'angelo is a genius!

This is easily an 11 out of 10

If any album deserves a 10, its definitely this one.

2020 and this is my favorite album. Personally I see it as D’Angelo at his best

Dude, I'm listening to this now. Fuckin' amazin!!!!

Good review, thanks for this. I am amazed at how well this album plays as both "backround music," and as an active listening experience. Picking out the inner melodies and finally grasping or deciphering a lyric here and there create a piece of work that almost seems to evolve the more I listen to it. Great album! Also, I'm from Virginia, and so is D'Angelo, soooo he can't really do wrong by me. I think you should dig around and do a few more contemporary R&B/soul reviews. There are definitely some hidden gems floating out there on soundcloud, music blogs, etc. that folks need to get hip to.

Was hoping for a shirtless Chuchesta cameo ala the "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" music video

i am not even a fan of d'angelo, but i'm really happy for him that he finally got this album out and that it didn't disappoint the fans, knowing how much time and effort it took to get done. he always seemed like a cool dude.

Things like vocal experimentation, variety in instrumentation, and conceptual diversity/fucking content have been M.I.A from this genre for the most part; So it's good to see that something actually ambitious is actually getting a lot of buzz and positive push from all sides.

Another Life is one beautiful piece of music.

Excellent review ,I agree with what you said about the album. It has some major funk and crazy sounds. I liked this album, new sound but still a listen is needed.

So glad you made this review, and really glad you liked it. He was relevant and fresh even without having released this, this just proves how much of an original he is, a unique voice in R&B!

TPAB of R&B

I appreciate ur analysis my friend. You were sincere, real, and gave truthful insight to how u felt. Thanks

Prayer may be just a single groove throughout but it is by far my favourite track on the album...that drums groove is soooo goood!!

Great album. I can't stop playing "Prayer". So funky. D'Angelo needs to be commend for his level of creativity and also for having the courage to push out a body of work so different from the current music in rotation.

You should make it where you can click on the album on the shelf - that's different every time - so we can check it out somewhere.

Glad to have you back, D'Angelo. Sorry it took me a year to realize you returned with a new album. Great review. "Artful", "eccentric", and "adventurous" are right. "1000 Deaths" especially stands out for me. I like to call it a "beautiful mess". It's so oddly structured and with strange vocals you can barely make out, but it all somehow comes together in a way that I really enjoy.

Hey Anthony, Modest Mouse just dropped the first single for their new upcoming album in March. Maybe do a track review of it?

Wow, you got the dälek record I sent you, and its featured in this video. Thank you and I hoped you liked it!

I don't know if you do upcoming artists or not, But I'd love to hear your opinion on the new Defiance album "Something To Die For". He's really good and very underrated.

Album of the Year! Thank you D'Angelo

As a musician and an artist I find this record to be very strong and well needed. I paint to music ever since listening to Queen for the first time in the ninties and a record like this made my mind escape into a creative head space. I can't wait to have time to play this record and paint at the same time. As a multi instrument musician I find this record to be a great release of musical tension that was well needed today. it felt good to hear this record from beginning to end without skipping. Sad part is I normally have favorite tracks on albums I hear and this is the first that I can't decide which one is my favorite. 9/10 for me

What is your opinion on the debut Something To Die For mixtape by Defiance?

It's 2021. I listened to this album for the first time 2 weeks. Why did I wait so long, this is amazing. 🔥

Still think you need to take a listen to the 10th Anniversary edition of Crying Over Pros for No Reason. Got the vinyl in yesterday would love to hear your thoughts on it, especially the newer tracks.

I'm so happy with this album. D'angelo has evolved his style from Voodoo and the quality of this album's production was worth the wait. Not a let down at all, and with all the positive buzz Black Messiah is getting, I hope D'Angelo releases something in the near-future (not 14 years lol). I'm surprised you didn't mention any criticism towards the lyrics though, they're not always mixed well enough to be understood

Currently listening to the album, the first few cuts up to really love don't tickle my fancy! I feel like d'angelo goes back to his roots on really love

Brought this album in January and i haven't took it out my cd player yet.. instant classic

Dude other than us you did a freaking fantastic job reviewing this. Enjoyed this review so much so just that subscribe button. Stay in touch man, let's collaborate some time.

This is an album well worth the wait. On listening to it you simply forget the time everyone's waited for this album. Ain't that Easy, The Charade, Back to the Future Parts one and two and Another life are my favourite tracks. D"Angels is a high calibre artist in a class of his own. Needle keep up the good reviews.

Damn, seems like a lot of people are really digging this new d'angelo album, and after this review, i'm gonna have to check this out for myself. Haven't heard any d'angelo since the age of 12 so this out to be interesting.

I've been in love with Demon Days and The Cold Vein for ages now, but this is seriously the first 14/10 album I've ever heard. The best albume of all time in my opinion. Makes me cry.

Friendly Holiday suggestions: Skull Defekts "Street Metal" (angular guitars from Sweden), Cassegrain "Center of Distraction" (darkish abstract techno from Berlin). Enjoy!

I love this record. I'm interested what you, or others, might say about this. I feel like something that is notable is how current his CD sounds. In other words, it doesn't sound like some old neo-soul singer trying to make a come back. It still has this cutting edge to it, and a certain reflection of music and society of today. Do people agree? IF so, can you think what makes this CD sound so current with todays times? It an interesting thought I had because thinking back to Voodoo in early 2000's, that piece of work was already so ahead of it's time, and then 14 years go by and d'angelo STILL sounds very current and relatable. Another thought I had was the timing of the release. With all the craziness of Fergunson and Eric Gardner cases, I was one of the 30,000 people in New york at the protest! I came home, when I got up in the morning, I got an email that D'angelos new Cd was available on spotify. I listened to it the whole way through at 9:00am. Man, it was just such a blessing for this music much needed music to come out, in rough times. Especially that song "Prayer", it resonanted with me so much because, as I stated, we are going through rough times of racial tension and questioning the whole system, and on top of that, music is getting into such a commercialized state, it was such a blessing to hear this great piece of art be released. And in listening to "Prayer" it just soothed my soul, something I, and a lot of people, needed to hear after being overcome by whats going on in todays world.

I absolutely agreed with what Anthony said throughout the video, this is a great album to end 2014 with and we really do need more artists like d'angelo

You should review more mashup albums dude, give the genre some more exposure. In the past few years we've seen several albums/EP's from people like Bruneaux, Bosselmeyer, PennWallace, CakeEffect, and MakeCents.

Absolutely agree with you!! I LOVE the ENTIRE album! I been running it from day of purchase! I hope like you that we don't have to wait too long for the next!!

Awesome Review! I really enjoyed listening to your insight and I would concur just about everything you said about D'Angelo's artistic abilities, consciousness, multi instrumental talents, Soul, and so much more. Thumbs Up!

Dälek vinyl in the back!!! Awesome addition!!! 😳😁😁

I still think that is album is overlooked, maybe because of the release time (december 2014), but for me this album is the best album of '14! Great closure!

I don't even care who you review, I don't even know half of the artists you do reviews on. I just like watching you review music, the way you describe the vibes off these records are off the charts Cal Chuchesta

After a few weeks I finally agree with you on something Lmboo real talk though this joint made me re listen to the instruments he's using. I love the music not just his voice

Pinkshinyultrablast is putting out an album in January, and I would love to hear what you have to say about it.

The album is on another level. I have some Audio Technica headphones that I haven't listened to the album on yet. I cannot wait

This is easily on To Pimp a Butterfly level. Though it's still behind Voodoo, the best album of the 00's.

Review Defiance's new mixtape "Something To Die For' this guy is no joke

I didn't know you we're still making videos my brother used to watch your video all the time. Any advice for new RU-vidr?

This is the most beautiful album I've heard all year. Just wish it came out earlier in the year so it didn't get snubbed off of so many year end lists.

Anthony! You should do Black Star for classics week!

Hey Anthony, are you familiar with the metal band Flying Fortress? Be cool if you could review their new record, dirty rain

is there someone who can tell me another artist(s)/songwriters in R&B to look for with the same ambition as D'angelo? I'm looking for more people closer to the artful tasteful creative music (to borrow some of Fantano's words) that D'angelo makes.

I REALLY hope you give bo en's Pale Machine LP a go. Very interesting style of music that seems to be popping up at the moment.

This album is legit. My buddy shared it with me a few weeks ago and after dancing around a proper listen through, I committed myself to this record this morning. I'd give this album a 9.5/10 - His aesthetic is reminiscent of David Bowie to me, a very full orchestral sound going on. I dig it!

You can tell Fantano isn't well versed in D'Angelo's discography aswell as Neo-Soul in general. He said that D'angelo's Voodoo strayed away from the live instrumentation and funk sounds of the 70's, but that's one of it's biggest influences. Fantano also doubles down on this by stating that Black Messiah has much more live instrumentation. Really? There's only one song on Voodoo that doesn't have live instrumentation, Devil's Pie. The fact that he compared D'angelo's early work to artists like R Kelly and Aaliyah rather than other Neo Soul artists is telling aswell. He didn't even mention the fact that D'Angelo is a neo soul artist and pioneered the sound. That's one of the main things you see if you do a quick google search. usually Fantano is on point, but in this case, his "research" was shabby to say the least. His review of the music, however, was great as usual.

For those that don't know D'Angelo left the music industry to pursue a career in the N.F.L.. He played for 3 years with the Buffalo Bills before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks where he later became known as..BEAST MODE.

Hey, you should review Psycroptic's The Isle of Disenchantment. It may be in your realm of death metal and its like 13 years old now?

Why didn't you review the new Wussy album or the Mekons record that came out in 2011, out of curiosity? I normally love your reviews, just wondering.

please do slint-spiderland for classics week. it would be amazing to hear your take on such a strange yet great album.

He says Voodoo is hip hop inspired and this album has more live instrumentation. He does know all of Voodoo was live instruments expect “Devils pie”