CD Reviews

Tanya Morgan | Brooklynati

Interdependent (2009)

By CHRIS FARAONE | May 6, 2009

3.0 Stars

Von Pea, Donwill, and Ilyas must have a master plan. Even with so many elements against them — from their stupid group name to a brand of soulful horn-hop that know-nothings claim expired sometime between Little Brother's 2003 debut and the subsequent dawn of hipster-hop — the Brooklyn-and-Cincinnati-bred trio have climbed to the pinnacle of alt-rap's perpetually fluctuating landscape.

Whereas their 2006 disc, Moonlighting, was across-the-board impressive but a tad monotonous, their latest hinges on memorable and unpredictable style jumps. "Bang N Boogie" is a sweet slice of vaudeville watermelon, the slow-rolling Phonte-fucked "She's Gone" picks up where Haddaway left off, and "Never Enough" is as competent a Soulquarians jack as I've heard. "Hardcore Gentlemen" — a half-sincere Pharcyde/Lords of the Underground/Onyx tribute — is expertly executed throwback fodder, whereas its chaser, "Plan B," is mellow guitar gold spun with existentialist dramatics.

Even the skits are almost funny — I was nearly propelled to up my grade to 3.5 stars. But these guys need room to grow if they're going to outlive another dozen subgenre fads before their next album.

Donwill | Don Cusack In High Fidelity
It's hardly extraordinary that Donwill should cry a disc inspired by the Nick Hornby book and subsequent John Cusack film.
Brother Ali | The Truth Is Here
My "greatest rapper" list reads differently from most. Ghostface Killah resides at the zenith, beside Rakim's throne, and Minneapolis truth agent Brother Ali.
Slideshow: House of Pain at the Roxy
House of Pain come back from the dead at the Roxy on St. Patty's Day
From your biggest fan
I e-mailed but you're still not calling. (I left my cell, my office, and my home number at the bottom.) You must not have got 'em; there must have been a problem with your servers or something.
Photos: Wu-Tang Clan and Bad Rabbits at the Wilbur Theatre
Wu-Tang Clan and Bad Rabbits perform live at the Wilbur Theatre on January 3, 2011.
Take it personal: Chachi Carvalho's In Dust Real Evolution
Beloved Pawtucket lyricist Chachi Carvalho lost his dad to pancreatic cancer just over a year ago, an unexpected and devastating event for his family.
Shabazz Palaces | Black Up
The musical reincarnation of Ishmael Butler, the elusive Seattle rapper who makes up one-third of the semi-popular '90s jazz-rap act Digable Planets under the name Butterfly, is a lot to unpack.
Zumo Kollie expands his reach on The Last Showing
Providence-based wordsmith Zumo Kollie made his mark on the Rhody rap community with his 2009 debut, The Idiot Savant .
The fundamentals of Lady Essence
It's my job to listen to contemporary music, but I'll admit that it's completely baffling to me that Nicki Minaj is now the "highest-grossing female hip-hop artist of all time." Is she even hip-hop? Is she human?
Jay-Z + Kanye West | Watch the Throne
Kanye West has recently espoused the virtues of an album of raps suitable for home listening, as opposed to say club, or car listening.
Urban Fest gets ugly
It didn't take long for the largely suburban horde to erupt into a frenzy at the free outdoor concert, which was dubbed, somewhat ironically, the Boston Urban Music Fest (BUMF).
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Topics: CD Reviews , The Pharcyde, rap, Hip Hop, More

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