| Optometrist - Super Rhymes | 29 Apr '08 - 5:44pm |
| Super Rhymes by Staten Island artist Optometrist was a pleasant surprise. I got to listen to it a few times while on a flight home from Prague (awesome place, by the way). On the nearly 8 hour flight, I was able to listen straight through about three full times, plus skipping around to a few of my favorites. I can’t say that about many (or any) other albums that I review. That’s not necessarily a knock on other material – it takes a special album for me to be able to listen this often.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was definitely looking forward to it. The album cover was unique and fun. The beats – they totally bring me back to some of my favorite mid-nineties type music. Sounds like some beats the Rza would’ve cooked up during the peak of the Wu-Tang era. The lyrics are very New Yorkish without being repetitive. And Op’s flow really compliments the music. I would love to hear him rhyme with Culture VI’s own Tragic Allies – partnering with REU and flowing over a Purpose production. Wow! I think I’m showing a little favoritism because his sound reminds me very much of the original Culture VI sound. Terrific beat selection for the most part. Matter of fact, the first seven songs had tremendous beats, in my opinion. It’s here where I’ll start with my first negatives. I say this in almost every review – just because a CD can hold 120 minutes doesn’t mean you should fill it to the max. Op actually does a decent job of keeping it just under an hour – but I rarely see the reason for having more than 12 or so songs. Especially when you’re trying to build a fan base. My opinion is to include your absolute BEST material on the CD. Keep it to 45-50 minutes if possible. So someone can listen to the whole thing in one shot and if they’re really into it, they can either listen again or go find more of your music online (a great place to put bonus tracks or outtakes). Also, the more tracks you have, the more there is for the listener to remember. With 12 tracks, you can actually really remember your favorites easier. It gives the album more character. Capital Punishment is one of my favorite albums of all time – but I can’t remember the last time I listened to that whole album front to back. Remember LP’s?? 5 tracks on one side. Take a break, flip it over, and 5 tracks on the other side. Awesome! And on that topic, there’s a few tracks that could’ve been ‘internet-only’ type songs. Not saying they weren’t good – but it gets a bit repetitive at times. I think a couple of the songs in the middle, maybe Love Graveyard for example, could’ve used a different beat to change things up a bit. Lyrically, they’re all on point – but the sound got a bit tired after a while. “These A&R’s are looking for the next 50 Cent” – It’s all about I’m jealous, by the way. Me is a brilliant first-song title. I wish I would have thought of it myself. I don’t know if there’s a better way to start an album. I think everybody should have to start their first album off with a song called Me. Tidbit: there’s an awesome beat on Page Rampage! Since I’m getting picky (which is a good thing, cus I don’t get picky on projects I don’t think have potential), the quality really needs to be stepped up. I know that he’s going for the gritty, Wu-Tang feel – but it can still be cleaner and sound dirty (did I just contradict myself?). 36 Chambers was recorded before the digital age of music really came into the forefront. It leans towards feeling unprofessional and recorded on cheap equipment as opposed to sounding like this was what you were aiming for. The recording was okay, the mixing was decent – but both could’ve been done better. Sounded like it was recorded in someone’s room or basement. Stepping up to a better studio, using better equipment for the sampling, and finding some cleaner drums would make a world of different. Especially because the beats are REALLY good – I’d just love to hear them really done the proper way. Awesome sample on See Me Again, by the way. Hip-hop – I think every new artist has a song called ‘hip-hop’ these days. This one has a double-time flow. Not a huge fan of those in general. Not my taste. I think Northeastern rappers should stick to what we know. Having said that, I also did one on my first album, so I’m a hypocrite. Again, not that the song is bad, just not my personal taste. I’m not trying to sound negative, though. Just giving pointers on improving the album next time around. I think it’s fully of great music. What’s Ya Story has great storytelling. Especially second verse (my personal favorite) about an ex-con who starts off washing dishes until an opportunity presents itself…I won’t spoil the story. It’s very realistic. Decent hooks throughout the album. Could’ve used a little more variety. They were all pretty much rapping hooks, sometimes mixed in with an occasional sample. Maybe a singer mixed in or something might’ve helped it. But most of the are catchy and fit the song really well. LOVED the flow on Pen & Pad. One of his best on the album. A song titled “Pen & Pad” really should have a good flow on it, shouldn’t it? THC (screwed remix) was done well, for what it is. Again, not a huge fan of that type of music – but it was executed well. The 808’s really hit hard. Cool way to end. This is actually exactly what a bonus track should be. It’s very old school, adding a remix at the end of the album. So actually, it’s 15 tracks and a bonus. And a couple of them were short. Not too bad, but still maybe 2 or 3 tracks more than it needed to be. A very good listen, though. I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself keeping this album, or at least some of the tracks, in rotation on my iPod. I hope we don’t have to wait years before the next Op project. Would love to hear his growth over the next 6-8 months. This is the first album that I’ll official co-sign as a Culture VI Favorite. Pick it up if you get a chance. Pick up a bootleg copy if you’re broke so at least you can listen – but I always urge readers to support independent artists. That’s the only thing that will keep the music growing. Beats 7.5/10 Rhymes 8/10 Flow 8.5/10 Originality 8/10 Overall 8/10 -Wil |
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