May 17, 2015

Maybe I need more time to digest it but on first listen this record kind of bored me. The production is incredible especially on the opening track and Dreams and Clean Weapons, however the emcee kind of lost me in the middle. His imagery is fascinating ("wearing a helmet in case the sky falls") is one that particularly stuck out. Idk I think he just lacks in the songwriting department. He can rap his a--- off, however the song structure on every track is the same--16, chorus, 16, chorus, 16. It gets pretty monotonous towards the end. He has potential, but it's just not my type of album I guess.

 

May 17, 2015

Fair assessments. They're a lot more formulaic on this than later releases.
I personally don't have a problem with 16-chorus-16 stuff. That's like the golden ratio of hip-hop imo.

 

May 18, 2015

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect out of the albums for the weekly listens, considering I know my taste if pretty different from a lot of your guys', but I gave this a spin on my way to work and heard 5 out of the 6 tracks. Actually enjoyed it a fair amount, so that was a pleasant surprise.

I'll give it full listen either tonight or tomorrow and then post my thoughts on it at some point soon.

 

May 18, 2015

So what I'm going to do is enter users who respond with a paragraph or two into a randomizer and that's how we'll decide who chooses next week's album. Sounds fair to me. Let me know if you think of a better way.

 

May 20, 2015

Sorry, it took me more time to get back to this and write something about it than I thought it would, mb. Anyways...

Was impressed with this guys flow, it's nice to listen to. Helps keep my attention most of the way through, which is generally hard to do with me and rap. His voice is also nice, and it doesn't scream generic bedroom rapper either... which is always a plus for a seemingly white internet rapper I've never heard of before. I do feel like the album loses a little steam part of the way through though.

High quality stuff where the mixing/recording/producing is concerned as well, and the production instantly brings me in from the first track. A lot of the tracks have a nice atmospheric quality to them, and to top it off, it's hip hop charged with raw bass filled synths and other electronics. My favorite. It's all sort of mellow and/or sort of gloomy, so again, my favorite. This is the kind of stuff I can vibe out to and at the same time, not feel embarrassed if other people hear it.

 

May 20, 2015

Favourite tracks: Kerosene and Fireflies, Dance in the Dungeon, Tremor Dancer

Least favourite tracks: Chasing the Shine

Production was really good. The MC had an urgency in his voice which drew me in and his flow is great. The first track 'Kerosene and Fireflies' was a highlight for me - production was on point and the changed up beats after each verse was engaging.

I'm not that good when it comes to reviewing a project but overall I enjoyed it. Would give it a 7.5/10.

 

May 20, 2015

if i were any good at rating things i'd say this was probably about where I'd put it too, maybe a 7

 

May 20, 2015

A bit of leeway each way really. I liked the project and some of the songs are great to the point where I'd bump them a few more times. As a whole project where I'd bump it front to back I'd maybe do it twice or three times at the most.

7.5 is most probably because of the production and creativity from the MC. As a project it was good but I dunno, lacked a spark to keep me engaged and satisfied.

Now that I think about it a 7 or strong 6 (Fantano-style) would fit this project.

<insert fantano smiley>

 

May 20, 2015

 

May 20, 2015

The production on this was amazing from the second I hit play. Kind of was hoping that it would be longer than an EP format, so I'm definitely going to check out whatever else they've put out in the past when I get a chance. The voice and execution of the MC in this group is great, as are his lyrics and content. This is a perfect example of a MC and producer duo with great chemistry as their respective styles bounce off one another perfectly, kind of like how Blu and Exile were a great match on BTH & GMMFWICSST. Even if you're not paying attention to a word he's saying, he flows extremely well and is a good listen regardless... like Young Thug

Didn't know anything about them before having heard this just now, so I would have to say the instrumentals hook your attention without dragging any away from Dix and his lyrics. Feel elements of multiple genres on this like @CharlieWork said before, so this was a very enjoyable listen for me.

I'm slightly partial to Kerosene and Fireflies as that was the first song I heard and it drew me in, but I think as of my first listen, my favorite track would have to be Dance in the Dungeon... But that will probably change. And rating after a listen I would go for an 8. This is the ideal project I would want to listen to when first discovering a new artist, didn't put me off but made me want to discover what else they've done. So, going to get on that.

 

May 20, 2015

 

May 20, 2015

lmao had a feeling they were from pnw

 

May 20, 2015

Great write up @Fazers . Glad it clicked with you as it does me. Definitely not for everybody.

I actually really like his voice @BigCountry
The Seattle hip-hop I can't listen to anymore really has to do with melodrama. Lucas Dix can be introspective without coming off whiny. Sadistik, for instance, has evolved his delivery into an insufferable high pitched moan. Makes him sound even more pretentious tbh.

 

May 20, 2015

Been having this on rotation for a bit and I really have adjusted to Lucas Dix's vocals which was an initial complaint. Still can't stress how good these instrumentals are, what would be the next project I can check from these guys to anyone that might be more familiar with their work?

 

May 20, 2015

Just go chronologically. They're only part time musicians and Lucas is a slow and methodical writer so they only have a few releases.
Their EP after this one is also free and only 3 songs:

Their first full length came out last summer. Also their first paid release:


If you get through those and still want more then check out Lucas Dix's original group Hives Inquiry Squad, The Great Mundane's various projects (Humdrum, When Falls Arrive, etc), and Gavin Theory's Escaping Stasis. (the other half of Hives Inquiry Squad).

 

May 20, 2015

 

May 20, 2015

d--- that's pretty awesome!