|
|
|
RedCloud
Is This Thing On?
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 15 tracks
Street Date: April 3, 2001
|
|
When it comes to hip hop, there's one guy who can always be counted on. Hawthorne, California's own
RedCloud. Never heard of him? Check out his MySpace, and you'll see why he is one of the greatest in the
game today. Syntax Records thought so too, as he is now part of their family of artists (home to mostly hip
hoppers, but also bands like Transistor Radio and Olivia The Band). Is This Thing On? marks his debut album
with the label.
After a humorous intro track, we get a taste of what's in store with "Last of the Mex-Hee-Cans." It features
a none-too-common beat, and unique vocals (some have found them slightly annoying, others just
love them). Following is one of the songs that got Cloud noticed, "When Kenpo Strikes," a martial arts
anthem, of all topics. But the usage of the chorus from Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting" (albeit, a slightly
revamped usage) makes it one of the catchiest and entertaining songs on the album. And with lyrics like "I
walk out the front he follows closely/Reaching for his pistol, he's trying to smoke me/Backflip kick and chip
his front teeth/His homeboys blocking off the whole street...So freaking close I wrecked my clean
clothes/Koreans multiplying like sheets from Kinko's," you start to see the talent of his flows. That's not an
example of when he's at his peak, but it's good wordplay nonetheless.
For the next six songs, a plethora of guest emcees are enlisted. RedCloud's crew, Sackcloth Fashion, salute
their home state of California in "Cali Blacktop," while Playdough takes the hook of "RedClouds By Day," in
the midst of the impeccable lyricism of Mr. Cloud. Pigeon John, not being one to shy away from a guest
appearance (having appeared with artists like Grits, KJ-52, and even PAX217), takes over the mic for portions
of "The Pigeon John Song." The song itself is very good, with a cool reggae-ish beat and funny lyrics about
a joke obsession RedCloud has with Pigeon, but one thing that is hard to get over is the use of the "n word"
about halfway through the song. Granted, it's not in a racist or hateful way, it's used more in the
"homeboy" way, and it's used when RedCloud is mocking Pigeon (as Pigeon sometimes uses the word in his own
songs). But it still feels like it could've gone without being said.
The reggaeness continues into "Musical Aggression," and for what better reason than the fact that Christian
reggae artist Christafari makes an appearance in this song. It's another fast-flowed track and Christafari's rap
skills prove to be quite impressive, although he can be a bit hard to understand at times. Now if he could just
incorporate more of his rap ability into his own music, we would be set. The tempo slows down dramatically
for another of the quasi-popular songs from the album, "Otherside of the Pillow." "Zoom to the room where
clues are consumed/He's not in His tomb/He has blossomed and bloomed/He's cool, cool, cool like the/Cool like
the other side of the pillow." More on the cheesy side of the spectrum, but a good laid-back jam. More
serious lyrics - and some of my favorites from the album - are in the John Reuben-esque song "Final Daez":
"Son of Sam's on death row and born again/Still I sit still and watch the porn again/What is the point of
this flesh, so restless/If it can't do me justice in Heaven's guest list?" Christians face struggles like
that everyday. It may not be pornography, but when we see people on death row repenting, and we're sitting
around living for our flesh, when we realize it, it hurts.
Following is the low-key "Infinite Sonic," which then pumps its way into RedCloud paying homage to his Native
American heritage in "Koyote Gospel," where he tells a story about the persecution of his tribe. He is very
proud of his heritage, and it shows with this song of hurt and redemption. Bringing the pace back up with
some "Ridiculous Junk" is Braille, MaxOne, Man of War and Gibraan, and finishing off the album is the folky
and upbeat "Is This Thing On?".
It's not hard to see why Syntax picked up this wonderful artist. The label has a knack for finding the
freshest talent, and RedCloud is a perfect fit. Even if you do think his vocals are annoying at times (and
I'll be honest, I can see why some might say that, but also being honest, I love them!), you can't deny the
talent that emanates from this emcee, and is displayed through his music and ability to flow with the best.
If you can find this album anywhere, make sure to pick up a copy.
- Review date: 5/27/08, written by Scott Fryberger
|
 Record Label: Syntax Records
Album length: 15 tracks
Street Date: April 3, 2001
Buy It: JfH Music Store
Buy It: Amazon.com
- Pow Wow
- Last Of The Mex-hee-cans
- When Kenpo Strikes
- Cali Blacktop (feat. Sackcloth Fashion)
- Redclouds By Day (feat. Playdough)
- Telephone Company
- The Pigeon John Song (feat. Pigeon John)
- Musical Aggression (feat. Christafari)
- Otherside Of The Pillow (feat.martyr)
- Final Daez (feat. Eternal Soul & Dj Treyqel)
- Infinite Sonic
- Koyote Gospel (feat. Elijah One)
- Ridiculous Junk (feat. Braille, Maxone, Man Of War, Gibraan)
- Is This Thing On?
- Dismissal
|
|
|
