Intuition – “Girls Like Me” (Album Review)
Chapter Thrive | Sunday, May 9th, 2010 | No Comments »
“Girls Like Me”
Intuition
Hellfyre Club Records (2010)
This album arrived in the mail last week, but I’ve had to take my time digesting it all since then. Something that i find a bit rare these days with the frantic torrent of music that hits me in the face every time I open my favorite internet browser.
Actually, I meant to take it easy this evening, but I stepped out into the rain to get a coffee and found myself taking the wrong turn to taking a half hour drive to listen to the album. Arrived back at my doorstep and went back to listening to the remainder over the course of the night.
Intuition puts in work, teaming up with his (apparently) producer-partner-in-flyness, Equilibrum. (Sorry, I keep hearing references to his first album “Stories about Nothing” and I’ve realized that the pair have been working together for a while, notably “The Buzz EP”) Anyway, I digress..
Point number one: The science between the two is apparent (Please note: from now on, instead of “chemistry”, I’m interjecting “science” to remain out of the cliche). Intuition keeps it extremely comfortable across almost every beat on the album. Second point: he MURDERS hooks. The writing is clever, to the point and stripped down to keep the point. Execution (not just on hooks, but specifically) is catchy and expressive. In transition, Intuituion’s writing moves from simple on the hook to flexible complexity in his verses. Here is what I like most about Intuition as a rapper: Not only does he exude personality in his recordings, but he maintains a healthy dose of intricacy that remains interesting to those listeners looking for technical substance. The balance is excellent. Old school heads and your 15 year old sister can each enjoy Intuition in their own way (no pedobear).
The beats on this album KNOCK (Otis Redding, WHAT?!) and are ear catching, moving across a number of distinct styles and structures. Thats a nod to both Equilibrum and the few cohorts behind the boards, as well as Deeskee on the mastering. In addition, it moves from song to song exceptionally smoothly, each song not lasting longer than necessary and in most cases, the perfect length. Only two interludes work their way into the tracklisting, showcasing Eq’s profession and setting the tone for the songs in the cue list. I have to remark on the way this album is put together, there are a string of songs (track 8 to track 13 for your helpful clue) that flow together SO well in terms of subject matter, flow of thought process and in sound. Interjecting pieces and small skits between songs are placed to move the process forward. You’ll hear it when you get your hands on this album and really appreciate the thought put into the construction of “Girls Like Me.”
All in all, this album is still staying in my rotation, and looks like it will fill my summer in the whip. “Al Bundy” is that perfect cruisin’ tune for hot afternoons; “All I Got” with NoCanDo and Ex-I is that emcees ode to the grind and will provide an iron will to anyone who listens to the track with an ear for lyrics; “Hold your Breath” with Raquel Rodriguez is an very fun track that keeps the tone moving and the beat boucing, the hook crafted meticulously.
In the end, I’m gonna hand this album 3 and a half pairs of forgotten pairs of underwear outt of a possible 5. You’ll catch the reference on your 3rd play through the album, don’t worry.
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Tracklisting:
1. Say Hello to Goodbye (prod. Equilibrum)
2. Hold Your Breath ft. Raquel Rodiguez (prod. Equilibrum)
3. Otis Redding (prod. Equilibrum)
4. Feeling the Emptiness (prod. Equilibrum)
5. All I Got ft. NoCanDo, Ex-I (prod. Equilibrum)
6. But Still Why Would You (interlude) (prod. Equilibrum)
7. Don’t Try ft. DJ Murj (prod. Equilibrum)
8. Ed McMahon (prod. Mike Gao)
9. Homegirl (prod. Equilibrum)
10. Lonely (prod. Equilibrum)
11. Summer Dreaming (interlude) (prod. Equilibrum)
12. Al Bundy ft. DJ Dstruckt (prod. Dibiase)
13. Future Ex-Wife ft. Travis Brown (prod. Equilibrum)
14. I Love California ft. DJ Murj and a bunch of folks (prod. Equilibrum)
15. Buzzkill ft. Sean (prod. Equilibrum) (background vocals by Open Mike Eagle)
Some tunes: Check em!
