Music Reviews of Hip-Hop, Rap, Urban, Turntablism, R&B
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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Current Top Ten Chart
Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
Converge - No Heroes
The Graduate - Anhedonia
Death By Stereo - Death Alive
Comeback Kid - Broadcasting
The Snake The Cross The Crown - Cotton Teeth
Dear and the Headlights - Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Hip-Hop, Urban, Turntablism, R&B
Day Blues — The Album Buy it at Amazon
MC Rob Wilcox joins forces with producers and beat connoisseurs Benu and Jamuel Saxon. “The Album” marries thought-provoking poetic lyrics with riddling synths, crunchy beats, and phat samples. Day Blues may not be well known now but as they storm through the underground of hip-hop, the mainstream will have to eventually pay attention.
- J-Sin
2 Tall Presents Dudley Perkins & Georgia Anne Muldrow — Beautiful Mindz Buy it at Amazon
Georgia Anne Muldrow adds a bit of her flavorful neo-soul influence into this new hip-hop album “Beautiful Mindz”. Gripping lyrics are deep and straight from urban strongholds. Sometimes the samples and loops employed are boring and bland though for the most part the over-arching critique of this album is good.
- J-Sin
Copperpot — WYLA? Buy it at Amazon
Chester Copperpot!? (Compulsory "Goonies" reference, I know.) “WYLA?” is the follow-up to “Chapter 7” and finds this dynamic force in hip-hop continuing his trend of intelligent hip-hop and intriguing production. Bass-heavy beats are part of his game and finds Copperpot showing why he’s one of Chicago’s premier beatmakers. Rarely does one in the hip-hop game send out a more terrific sophomore release.
- J-Sin
Ill Poetic — The World Is Ours Buy it at Amazon
Socially conscious hip-hop is the bright spot in the rap game nowadays. With so many obnoxious egomaniacs running the show in the mainstream, it’s up to clever rappers like Ill Poetic and his labelmate Illogic to bring the underground something unique, daring, and intelligent. The rhymes are fresh and smart, straight from the streets and the library. Wrapped in the dense beat jungle of “The World Is Ours” are engaging loops and stellar production.
- J-Sin
Blue Scholars — Bayani Buy it at Amazon
Northwestern hip-hop? Sure you can’t let the East and West Coasts enjoy it all, now can you? Geologic is the wordsmith, coming at you from the battle scene and the spoken word circuit. Sabzi is the DJ and producer of the group and his past includes his training as a classical and jazz pianist. Grooves are dashed alongside sultry funk beats and smooth hip-hop grease. Completing the sound is the witty socially conscious lyrics that are somewhere between urban spoken word and Jamaican jah boasts with a defiant almost militant appeal. This is the direction that hip-hop should coast towards.
- J-Sin
Batterie — Omni Buy it at Amazon
Australian hip-hop sensation Batterie fuses flamenco guitars, West Coast hip-hop thumps, and dancehall on his energetic “Omni”. Machinegun fast lyricism are delivered with perfectly spit ferocity. Meanwhile the beats chug along with a thunderous raunchiness inspired by down under urban rhythms. A nice breath of fresh air into the somewhat stale hip-hop world.
- J-Sin
Various Artists — Motown Remixed Vol. 2 Buy it at Amazon
Great Motown classics made bland and boring with salsa sleaze and Latin grooves along with reggae-fused funk, tropical fusion, and bossa nova trailing close behind. Disappointing downtempo lounge music covering classics like the Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye.
- J-Sin
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony — Strength and Loyalty Buy it at Amazon
You know I never really understood why anyone truly liked this group all that much. I guess I’m just missing out. “Strength and Loyalty” to me just seems like a continuation of the same old hip-hop anthem we’ve heard for the past couple of years with zipped up glitz and hardcore choruses. Ho-hum.
- J-Sin
Classified — Hitch Hikin' Music Buy it at Amazon
Canada has rappers? Yes they do and fine ones at that. Classified is one such emcee. His skills with the mike are daunting as he torches the listener with delirious rhymes and filthy visions. The production is strong and backed by gritty urban beats. Guests include Maestro Fresh Wes, Tash (Tha Liks), Jay Bizzy, J-bru, White Mic, and Preacher K. If you’re tired of the lame stuff in mainstream hip-hop, chew on this.
- J-Sin
Marco Polo — Port Authority Buy it at Amazon
Rawkus Records is ready for primetime again armed with Marco Polo’s debut long player, “Port Authority”. Eyebrow raising hip-hop is born and raised on Rawkus and Marco Polo is no chump that landed with luck and a thud. Instead it’s a boom boom with thick heavy beats and crisp lyricism that fuels the fiery landscapes that this sometimes bleak but always intelligent rapper brings.
- J-Sin
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