Educated Consumers - 'Write Hear'
Monday, December 3, 2007
Grade: C+
When the progress of an art form creates immense pressure to be original, sometimes it's better to just be good. Educated Consumers do just that. No groundbreaking ideas. No incredible concepts. No extraordinary rhymes schemes. Just good hip-hop music.
With a swagger similar to the likes of Dilated Peoples and People Under the Stairs, this is minimalist music. Good rhymes and good beats, blended nicely for a feel good sound, but still maintaining a gritty presence through the headphones.
This is my first time hearing of emcee Seez Mics and producer t.E.C.K., but after experiencing what these guys are made of, I am interested in hearing their first album as well.
A joint that stuck out for me is 'Steal', an ode to the 'ol 5 finger discount, but Ceez Mics talks touches on the topic metaphorically, while t.E.C.K. kills the track with a down trotting flute sample, dancing around a simple, but hitting boom bap drum pattern.
Another highlight is 'Dot Dot Dot', a violin themed head-nodder worthy of a rewind or two (also briefly featured at the end of their video for 'Steal'). And 'Roaring Flood', in my opinion Ceez Mics' best lyrical display with a crazy drum driven track with a simple yet hypnotizing 60's sounding guitar & key sample. 'Nothing Without' is another dope offering, sounding like a lost jewel from the late 90's.
As previously mentioned, there is nothing completely unforgettable about this album, but in all respects, it's a good casual listen for any fan of decent hip-hop.
http://www.myspace.com/educatedconsumers
http://www.educatedconsumers.com
Watch the video for 'Steal':
- Arablak
Labels: AlbumReviews
posted by Arablak @ 12:01 PM,
