Group puts out an unfortunate repeat
Jurassic 5
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Jurassic 5 is one of the few hip-hop groups that I can actually stand. A lot of hip-hop these days is the same boring backbeat applied to the questionable-voice talents of whatever recording artist of the minute is being pushed the hardest. Jurassic 5, on the other hand, exhibits quite a bit of skill with vocals and its mixing board.
Several tracks on this album stand out, but foremost is the fourth track "Gotta Understand." With this track, the line between hip-hop and funk is deeply blurred; consequently, it's nearly impossible to keep your hips from moving. This is why this album is so disappointing. It doesn't really have anything in it to set it apart from 2002's Power in Numbers. Other than a misguided attempt to collaborate with Dave Matthews Band on "Work it Out," it's just more of the same. "Brown Girl," a collaboration with Brick & Lace, has a similar failing.
The tracks on this album may be original, but if they were culled from Power in Numbers rejects, I doubt anyone could tell the difference. If you liked the group's earlier album, then you probably won't mind this one. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer anything original.
If you like this, you might also enjoy:
Yell Fire! - Michael Franti and Spearhead
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Idlewild - OutKast
In My Mind - Pharrell
Album a fit for top-down driving
Tom Petty
Highway Companion
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Strangely enough, sometimes sticking with what you know manages to pay off. There is nothing particularly original on aging rocker Tom Petty's latest album, yet the album has a catchy overall theme. If a modern band had somehow created the same album, it would be derided as derivative crap. Petty's crooning voice goes a long way toward redeeming the overdone lyrics.
The fifth track, "Jack," particularly stands out, in large part because of the guitar work that connects the lyrical stanzas together. The following track, "Turn This Car Around," continues the theme with more subdued lyrics, but with a stronger instrumental component. I could see myself listening to this album on repeat while driving up a California highway. It's definitely got that top-down convertible, road-trip vibe to it.
The problem is this album is virtually indistinguishable from every other Tom Petty album that's ever been recorded. I could drive down the road with any Tom Petty album playing, and it would amount to the same effect. To be honest, I'd rather pick something else to listen to. If you don't like Tom Petty to begin with, don't expect this album to change your mind.
If you like this, you might also enjoy:
All the Roadrunning - Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
Living With War - Neil Young
American V: A Hundred Highways - Johnny Cash
Band still seeking style to call its own
Dirty on Purpose
Hallelujah Sirens
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Dirty on Purpose is what one would probably get if they were to take equal parts of the Cranberries, Coldplay and the Shins, mix them up in a blender, then set it to puree.
The female vocals set a nice counterpoint to the guitar work and the fairly heavy drums, especially on "Car No Driver." Most of the album jams fairly well, though the odd decision to split "Always Looking" into two tracks seems somewhat pointless, despite the long intro the combined track would have had.
Overall, the album is somewhat meandering. Some of the buildups never pay off like they should, leaving the listener feeling somewhat cheated. Other tracks come off as overworked and drawn out - they often attempt to play off a single hook far too much. Part of the problem is a lack of equal treatment for each track. Many tracks feel neglected, others over-scrutinized, and only "Car No Driver" sounds right.
Dirty on Purpose has a good core of musical talent, but it seems like the band is still trying to find its own style. Its problem, like many bands in the past 10 years, is it would have been revolutionary 20 years ago. Today, it pretty much sounds like everyone else.
If you like this, you might also enjoy:
Return to Cookie Mountain - TV on the Radio
Carnavas - Silversun Pickups
Let's Get Out of This Country - Camera Obscura
