It’s been six years since Joe Budden dropped his eponymous debut LP. During the delay, he’s graced us with his acclaimed Mood Muzik series and diss tracks aimed at Ransom to hold us over until the next album offering. He makes his long-awaited return by strapping himself into a straight jacket and putting on the Hannibal Lecter mask for his sophomore album, Padded Room. The album is, indeed, a little crazy, if his goal is to sell albums (which he says is the label‘s concern, not his). The producers are largely unheralded, the only high-profile feature is The Game, and there is nothing on the course of a club track, something for the ladies, or at least anything that is somewhat radio-friendly. But that’s not truly Budden’s style. Instead, he takes you inside the mind of a New Jersey rapper with some well thought-out concepts and an improved delivery.
The songs seem like psychiatric evaluations, with Joey as the patient and the audience as a fly in the psychiatrist’s room. The album unravels his dark and dreary thought processes. While many MCs today just throw a bunch of words together and see if they stick, Budden goes deep within himself and truly puts his thoughts on wax. “If I Gotta Go” addresses his thoughts on death through a haunting hook. His conversation with God on “Pray for Me” is the most thought-provoking and best written of the bunch on the album. It will strike a chord with anyone struggling with their own lives and seeing nothing but negativity around them while wondering where God is. Call me crazy, put me in a padded room, or whatever, but there absolutely are some answers in this song. The bonus track, “Family Reunion,” has a touch of irony, with guest verses from former rival Ransom and Fabolous; and a Fabolous guest verse is never a bad thing.
The album does have a good amount of filler, but none is more out of place than “Happy Holidays,” which really belongs on a compilation with “Christmas in Hollis” and “Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto.” The heavy metal-infused “Adrenaline” also sticks out like a sore thumb, and not in a good way.
The majority of drawbacks on the album come from the production. The album suffers from “Canibus Syndrome,” a common affliction of good rappers’ albums suffering from sub-par production. Many hip-hop heads would fail to recognize at least one producer on the album, but recognition has little to do with good production; if it’s hot it’s hot. To put it simply, the beats aren’t that hot. Production is always a crucial part of an album and is usually used to engage the listener. But without something to draw the listener in, such as the occasional Just Blaze joint (which is nonexistent here), heads are left to almost force themselves into the album. It’s really a shame, because Budden’s writing is on point throughout the entire album.
72/100
Standout Tracks:
Pray For Me
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Exxxes
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Blood on The Wall
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Just to let y’all know, family reunion isn’t even on the album. Somehow it got onto all of the leaks, but I own the album and it isn’t on it. (Not even with the online version)
Matt –
Since you own it, can you confirm the rumor that they spelled misspelled Budden’s name on the spine of the CD?
Damn, it doesn’t even have it as a hidden bonus at the end? shame
LOL, some writer I am, “spelled misspelled”. proofreading is my friend dammit
Damn, how is ‘ Now i Lay me Down ” not a stand out track??? its fucking insane
Confirmed….its spelled Joe Buddden. Its been all over the internet…..Def Jam stay listing the wrong sample credits in CD inserts…say word to Fishscale.
I didn’t finish my thought…..not sure why its a big deal though….labels stay messing stuff up like that….now *cue* in the Def Jam story.
Any before anyone says something…I know the album isn’t on Def Jam.
Yeh like Thomas said it does have 3 d’s. That’s the big “joke” over at JBTV.com Anyways, I just thought I’d let you know because that track was pretty horrible, IMO. I guess someone who leaked it thought it’d be funny to throw that on there. There were some bonus cuts if you ordered the album online from Amalgam. I had my preordered hard copy though, my computer sucks ass so I’d rather just have a physical form.
Interesting about the spelling. I think that’s a pretty big mistake though, a very big mistake…
Anyways, opinions on the album? I found this review thoroughly on point
Halfway House>>>>>Paddded Room by a mile
Rating is wack.
Lyrically alone the album is 80. The production isnt bad either.
I was very underwhelmed at the production. I would love for “Buddden” (that’s horrendous, btw) to release the a cappellas for this album and give some other producers a crack at this
The review is mos def on point. I checked the album this morning. And though, I’m not a “Buddden” fan, this album didn’t do anything to convince me otherwise. The only thing great about Joe’s first album was Just Blaze. This follow up could have just been another Mood Muzik. I’m rambling…. I’m a hater… lol.
Blaze had one track on the first album haha
White Boy did all of it
If I’m not mistaken, Jus had at LEAST 2 tracks…. “Pump It Up” and “Fire”. I think there was one more. But yeah, White Boy did the rest. Like I said, the only thing great about his first album was Just Blaze… lol.
i’m surprised that ppl are harping on the beats….not one single weak track, especially for an independent release….this sounds like 90’s album…
man… Focus was probably the best joint on that album and it was a WB beat.. that beat was hynotic as hell and Joe goes off.
I agree that Now I Lay is more of a standout track than Blood on the Wall. I like Pray For Me but I think the producer could have made it sound a lot better. The hook on “If I Gotta Go” irritated me.
Overall, you called it right, Fred. A few standout tracks, several average, and some definite misses. Production is definitely lacking and I can’t even make it through the song with Game or Adrenaline.
Minus 3 songs this album is “good” being a great rating. The production is pretty weak, but I expected that from Budden. Budden fans don’t listen to him for the beats, they listen for the lyrics and concepts. Being a Budden fan myself, to be honest, his beats are almost always wack and his engineer is horrible. Someone said this sounds like a 90’s album, and that is terrible because it’s nearing the end of the 00’s decade. Overall, Budden does his thing as usual but needs to pick better beats. He should put the best of both “Halfway House” and “Padded Room” together to make a better album. I hope the Slaughterhouse album doesn’t end up like this one. Peace!!
http://rapcredits.com/wiki/Joe_Budden_(Selftitled)
Just Blaze had 3 tracks.
I thought the album was closer to mid 70’s, but that’s just me. I would say two really bad tracks that are skip worthy…joint with Game, “Adrenaline”, and probably another on that I might skip depending on my mood. His concepts and lyrics are on point.
I just don’t get that hung up on production as others.
To be completely honest, I expected sub-par production on this album; for a couple of reasons. When you reflect on Joe’s catalog it’s clear to see that the dude is more a poet than a musician… He’s arguably one of the greatest story tellers of all time but he’s so immune to beats, He spits over trash so often I think it’s numbed his ability to recognize hotness. Padded room while not a complete failure is so close to trash its not even funny… Joe’s lyrical ability alone is the only thing that makes this album worthy of 2 to 3 listens. To be honest; even though its been almost 5 years since the first Joe Budden’s album he should have took so more time with this one, at least picking the beats the producers he chose tend to be repetitive on the album and thus you have an album full of introspective tracks and no versatility…
I’m revisiting this because of the Manio post. Now I Lay, If I Gotta Go, Exxxes, In My Sleep, I Couldn’t Help It, Pray For Me…all great writing, all solid tracks. Come on, now.
any know which sample was used for exxxes ??
http://www.sohh.com/2009/08/saigon_joe_budden_join_d-.html
28,000 of this album sold. smh. He’s got 1000’s of “internet soldiers.” SMH.