Album Reviews: July 2013 Week 2

Rittz - "The Life & Times Of Jonny Valiant" 2013

This dude is one of the newer people signed to Strange Music. Looking at all the press photos for him made me immediately think he was going to be super corny, but I should have known that Strange Music usually doesn't sign talentless people. Apparently Rittz was discovered by Yelawolf in Atlanta, who eventually brought him to the attention of Tech N9ne and the people at Strange Music. Rittz's flow is incredibly tight. He has a great sense of rhythm and timing with his rhymes, and it definitely fits right in with the record label's sound as well. As far as this album goes, it's not the greatest album overall, but it's still pretty tight. The only thing really bringing this album down is repetitive choruses that could be better, but that won't bother some people, and it's really a minor setback, because this album has a good flow all the way through it, and it actually feels like an LP and not a collection of songs. He has an interesting, but not 'out there' guest list including: Suga Free, Mike Posner, Yelawolf, Big K.R.I.T., and obviously Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko. I recommend this album to people who enjoy mainstream hip hop, but think it's maybe too simple or watered down at times. I would recommend this album to people who really enjoy Yelawolf, especially. Check out the videos for "Like I Am" (what's up with those retarded shoes he's got on? and the dude in the hazmat suit? haha), "Switch Lanes" (featuring Mike Posner), and "For Real". Also check out "Sober" (featuring Suga Free) and "Fuck Swag".

AM & Shawn Lee - "La Musique Numerique" 2013

Where do I begin with this? I found out about Shawn Lee through his collaborations with Money Mark, Tommy Guerrero and Clutchy Hopkins. They are all similar artists. People who can play multiple instruments that make mostly instrumental music that loosely has some element of funk in it. In 2010, Shawn Lee collaborated with AM (a singer who produces his own stuff), and the results were a very enjoyable pop album, "Celestial Electric". Not pop like Chris Brown or Robin Thicke or something, but more like Mayer Hawthorne, where it seems more timeless and less 'in the moment'. They really took it to the next level with this new one. This is like a pop album for all ages and eras. One of those albums where it gets to the end and you're like "already?! I want more". It's interesting to me how well this album works for me. AM's vocals are just right, not too commanding or overpowering, but they lay on top of the grooves perfect and provide the accurate directions for the moods the beats provide. And these beats! I'm glad I got sent the files for the instrumentals for this too, because this is enjoyable to listen to as an instrumental LP as well. Nice and funky, but not TOO funky. There also seems to be some slight background reggae mood present on this one as well. You'll have to listen to see what I mean. Check out this awesome TV Carnage-esque video for "Two Times". Also check out "Suffer Like Me", "Come Back To Me", "In The Aftermath", and "Louna".