Posts : 6865 Join date : 2009-06-12 Age : 247 Location : A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Subject: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 6:47 pm
Ah this is so good. I actually heard this a while back but I felt like I needed to give it a couple more listens to really let it sink in, so much is going on in this album. I don't know a lot about Co$$, but I'm pretty sure this is his debut. And what a debut it is. First of all, the production on this album has a sound that I think is best described as refreshing. It just sounds so vibrant and fresh, never overdone, but not too simple either. It has to be some of the best and most consistent production I've heard this year, up there with Dj Quik's The Book of David and Black Up by Shabazz Palaces. I have no idea who did the beats on this, as I don't have a physical copy of this right now. I guess it sounds like a mix of Nicolay, Damu the Fudgemunk, and Nujabes. Some of the production didn't click with me right away but after a couple of listens, everything sounded just right to me. As for Co$$, he's a pretty nice MC. He sounds dope over basically all of these beats. He isn't extremely lyrical but he drops nice lines and puts energy into his performance. Even on the more laid-back tracks, Co$$ really keeps it interesting on the mic. The subject matter is really varied; it starts off sounding like West Coast Life: The Video Game, but it later switches into tracks about dreaming and perception of reality. Also interesting is his discussion of religion and spirituality and how it seems like he's really conflicted about what to believe, most clearly evidenced by placing "No Allah" right before "Scriptures". This is a top 5 release of the year for me. I can only give it 4.25 stars though because the way the album ends bothers me. I wish he would have ended the album with Before I Awoke (No Rest), but instead it goes out on 3 tracks that are just ok to me. It kills some of the momentum he had going with the album. I highly recommend this to everyone on here. I can't guarantee you'll like it but at least give it a try. I know I'll be buying a copy of this for sure.
Listen to some tracks:
Half Paragraphs Relentless
Posts : 6865 Join date : 2009-06-12 Age : 247 Location : A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 7:03 pm
I just noticed that two of those videos were uploaded by a youtube user named CABNumber...
where you at CAB?
Tic706 Cinco De Mayo Hater
Posts : 5489 Join date : 2010-12-29 Age : 47 Location : Soul Heaven
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 9:16 pm
Off my very 1st impression off those trks for some reason Below The Heavens came to mind. So did Fashawn, Kendrick, Median, Shad, Kay, etc etc. So he's from that cloth of rapper and style. Thats good company to be in with talent wise but not if you want me to notice you for you. Like will I be listening to this because he reminds me of them or because off him alone.
The production is enough for me to want to hear more thoguh. This is some smooth live shit. I'll see if I can find a link, if not Half I hope you can hook me up.
Half Paragraphs Relentless
Posts : 6865 Join date : 2009-06-12 Age : 247 Location : A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 9:30 pm
TicNitty706 wrote:
Off my very 1st impression off those trks for some reason Below The Heavens came to mind. So did Fashawn, Kendrick, Median, Shad, Kay, etc etc. So he's from that cloth of rapper and style. Thats good company to be in with talent wise but not if you want me to notice you for you. Like will I be listening to this because he reminds me of them or because off him alone.
The production is enough for me to want to hear more thoguh. This is some smooth live shit. I'll see if I can find a link, if not Half I hope you can hook me up.
Well I listened to this a bunch of times on Spotify, but you could probably find one somewhere. Let me know how your luck is.
Tic706 Cinco De Mayo Hater
Posts : 5489 Join date : 2010-12-29 Age : 47 Location : Soul Heaven
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 9:37 pm
I just saw this album is 19 songs deep. Not a good look for a rapper with his style and being a rookie. His delivery is not attenion grabbing neither is his voice. Add in some smooth dreamy beats and you have a formula for long winded over kill.
Half Paragraphs Relentless
Posts : 6865 Join date : 2009-06-12 Age : 247 Location : A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 9:42 pm
TicNitty706 wrote:
I just saw this album is 19 songs deep. Not a good look for a rapper with his style and being a rookie. His delivery is not attenion grabbing neither is his voice. Add in some smooth dreamy beats and you have a formula for long winded over kill.
It's not that long of an album IMO. 16 of those tracks are nice if you ask me, it's just the last 3 that I think he should have left off, didn't really add to the experience.
Tic706 Cinco De Mayo Hater
Posts : 5489 Join date : 2010-12-29 Age : 47 Location : Soul Heaven
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 9:59 pm
I found a link for it so i'll check it out and see how it flows or not. Most of your true classic albums are 12-16 trks average. Usually guest heavy albums and established artist can get away with this many trks. I just hope I do not miss the boat because I get bored with his sound around trk 15.
Tic706 Cinco De Mayo Hater
Posts : 5489 Join date : 2010-12-29 Age : 47 Location : Soul Heaven
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 10:12 pm
On my itunes those last 3 trks are bonus cuts. So its really 16 trks deep. Reks did the samething with Grey Hairs.
Half Paragraphs Relentless
Posts : 6865 Join date : 2009-06-12 Age : 247 Location : A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 10:14 pm
TicNitty706 wrote:
On my itunes those last 3 trks are bonus cuts. So its really 16 trks deep. Reks did the samething with Grey Hairs.
Oh that's pretty interesting, I guess he did intend to end it with Before I Awoke after all. But still, they are on the album and he could have left them off. I do include bonus tracks when I rate stuff, because sometimes they can help (see my Honkey Kong review), but they can hurt as well, as in this case.
Xcel Hi, My Name Is!
Posts : 579 Join date : 2009-05-06 Age : 33 Location : California
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 10:41 pm
I'll have to check this out and Thanks Half for talking about Spotify. I'm enjoying the hell out of it...
Half Paragraphs Relentless
Posts : 6865 Join date : 2009-06-12 Age : 247 Location : A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Subject: Re: Co$$ - Before I Awoke Mon 29 Aug 2011, 10:45 pm
Xcel wrote:
I'll have to check this out and Thanks Half for talking about Spotify. I'm enjoying the hell out of it...
Cool, it's been helping me keep up with all the stuff coming out this year. I gotta thank SRP for putting me on to it.
I guess I'll give a small preview of what's coming up haha
Dela - Translation Lost Berner - The White Album (I actually already listened to this but I kept getting interrupted by stuff so I'll try again) Joe Blow - You Should Be Payin Me Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 Timbo King - From Babylon To Timbuk2 Pharaohe Monch - W.A.R.