Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (May 13th, 2022) Album • Page 38

gross

 

I paid $260 for a really good lower bowl seat for Houston

 

I don’t really go to concerts much so maybe I don’t get a feel for it but I feel like prices are going up way too much for them.

 

I got tix for $145/ea in Portland. I actually live close to LA, but I was already planning on visiting a friend in Portland and they're a Kendrick fan, so I opted for that. Just checked the LA show, and there are nosebleeds for $130.

 

There’s A LOT of platinum seats left for here. Probably cus they have them priced at like $550 before fees for lower bowl seats close to the stage

 

I think Crown may be my favorite on here

 

This album is so fucking good, I haven’t been in the mood for a lot of the deeper tracks on disc 2 but Father Time, Die hard, Count me Out and Rich Spirit are all dominating my listening the last two days

 

yeahhhh this slays. first impressions sucked.

 

Dublin sold out faster than Kendrick's flow on United in Grief, love that for him. (glad I had presale access, fuck)

 

I thought the official sale already happened, dreading dealing with Ticketmaster in a little over 4 hours but praying for Boston tix

 

Finally getting around to really listening to this album and man, for anyone who has ever known anyone or been involved in an abusive relationship, can We Cry Together hit any harder?

The way Kendrick paints a picture with his words I could actually see the actions in this song

 

I have a lot of anxiety about flying and was planning a trip to Miami for my buddy’s bachelor party. So I weirdly was saving my second listen for the flight to maybe take my mind off it. Anyways now I’m in Miami and just listening to this for the third time now and it’s so good. Auntie Diaries and Mother I Sober when I first heard them were through my car speakers. Now
That I have a chance to listen to them both through some good headphones I picked up on much more of the lyrics. Both songs are just incredibly impactful.

 

NEVER BUY PLANTINUM TICKETS....they are a scam by ticketmaster that come with no bonuses....in fact, if (or hopefully, when) they don't sell they become sold at regular prices

 

My first listen of this album was on a long flight so I was really focused on the lyrics too, which I think makes a huge difference when listening to Kendrick

 

Some of my best listens to this album were while taking a really long bike ride

 

I can't believe I just spent $160 on nosebleed tickets but at least I'll be in the building

The production of this tour had better be life changing for these prices

 

Feel the same way haha

 

Side A / Big Steppers really starting to click.
Had to break this into 2 separate albums so I could digest it

Played We Cry Together for my wife this AM. She was not thrilled with that at 7am

 

tell that to my wife!

 

(I’m not married)

 

Jake is here all week everybody, make sure to tip your waitresses, good night!

 

This is their best video in a while. All of these guys are great but I genuinely think Myke C-Town is a brilliant guy, he articulates his ideas so fucking well and I'm always fascinated by what he has to say, even when I don't agree with his opinions (sometimes especially so actually)

 

Only two listens in so no conclusions yet, but first impressions:

- So far I agree w/ takes ITT saying a lot of this seems like Kendrick's art therapy and a source of healing for him and listeners, plus an attempt to keep some of that savior mythos in check, expressing anxiety about being unfairly judged, etc. There might also be some less obvious artistic goals he's testing/revealing the general publics reaction to. Could be wrong but I get a sense there's stuff him and his team know that many listeners don't about the making of this album that could change some opinions if it was considered.

- There's at least two songs here with an emotional impact I haven't felt in music since hearing Sæglópur for the first time.

- Am I maulding or do most of this album's creative decisions sparking controversy not seem worse than ones from respected white artists throughout recent history who got less backlash for it?

- As someone who can relate to this album because of also growing up in traumatic environments that many are privileged to safely analyze from afar, lots of reactions don't seem very substantial to me as much as surface value-reads and armchair critiques or something, but I get it, this isn't an easy album to react to.

- There's moments I agree are yikes and questionable but also some that many listeners seem to interpret as being among the most disturbing moments in his discography that I don't think are that bad. Auntie Diaries is one of them. I've talked to enough gen Z folks who think you're crazy when describing how much worse the gaybashing in the 90's-early 2000's was compared to now, so you can't help but respect the creative approach to this track, especially since you can feel the genuine empathy in his words and in the composition itself. It's not coming from a place of prejudice, bitterness or sanctimony like a lot of opinions on this topic out there so I think it's difficult to find much issue with it, personally

 

When a hip hop album contains a song supporting trans rights, reflects on the hypocrisy of homophobia, and tackles issues of mental health and how much childhood can impact adult choices, even tackling misogyny, it is very refreshing and it makes it stand out as one of the boldest albums for that exact reason. There’s only a few artists in the genre who could pull it off. He’s not only telling his story, he’s literally saying celebrities, no matter how godlike their talent, shouldn’t be put on a pedestal which is something that has been discussed here extensively and I think it’s certainly been happening Less when you see the reaction to some former idols turning out to be shitty. Sorry if this is scattered, I do have more to elaborate on