I dare somebody to come in here playing contrarian role and tell me they listed to the 13 tracks I did and came away with it being a good album.
I'm the one who thought The Hierophant was one of the best albums last year. He Still Think He Raw is utter trash. Weak free beats, no direction, redundant topics and underwhelming as fuck collabos.
Yeah I'm a bit annoyed because Cas is a fav of mine. Damn homie.
I bought this CD on the strength of how much I enjoyed The Hierophant, and loaded into my ipod to listen to today. After first listen, I just think these aren't the kind of beats I want to hear Casual on.
The Heirophant beats - Pretty Please, Sunday's Best etc - were perfect for him.
This record sounds like a tribute to growing up in Oakland with 808s and such.... I could be mistaken though.... I don't hate it but nothing will ever conquer "Fear Itself" my friends and that is where we have a disconnect with Mr. Jon Owens.....
J Rawls @J_Rawls
Nature Sounds - 9: J Rawls Vs. Hieroglyphics - http://itun.es/i6jW2gP #iTunes Yep I did a podcast of ALL my favorite @hieroimperium joints!
Collapse
Reply Retweet Favorite
5:44 PM - 23 Aug 12 via web · Details
This album had the potential to be a classic, there's just a few things that mark it down for me. I could do without Casual's penchant for the female soul singer hooks, which also blighted The Hierophant. It tends to change the whole dynamic of what would otherwise be a straight banger, and it sounds dated. His subject matter also sometimes sounds uncomfortable against the beat, E.G. there's a track on there called Craziest Story with a fucking awesome beat, but Cas kind of ruins it with some shitty rap about getting in trouble with wifey. If he'd rapped about anything, ANYTHING else - if he just spit a brag rhyme about being the greatest emcee - which is 80% of his back catalogue anyway - then this track would be fire, but as it is, it's just above average.
But I'm being harsh with my criticisms here, I rate it as a solid album and one of the best things I've picked up so far this year.
(I realise this opinion doesn't carry much weight considering it's a first post. Long time lurker, first time poster - i recognise one or two old Hoopla/DIY/VC heads on here )
)