by CyPhEr777
When many think of Colorado, they think of buffalo roaming the wide open lush plains to the crisp cool air of winter, the champion Avalanche hockey team and purple mountains majesty; not Hip Hop. Well that’s about to change. Representing the Boulder State is a cat strictly known as 1865 who turns out an entirely self-produced album. This is sort of a throwback album, a return of the “Boom Bap” so to speak.
To start things off “Past Life” introduces a humorous skit where a “supposed” producer throws up an ugly, amateurish type beat until, 1865 decides to take over and drops an audio gem. A tight bass line with a down tempo drum in the back get things going until it all comes together. Lyrically he demands your attention right from the start, with style, substance and clever wordplay. His flow is beyond the normal braggadocio as he controls the beat like a seasoned vet. His rhyme patterns are sort of reminiscent of Common and remind me of the lyrical talents of Ras Kass in his multi-syllabic rhyme structure.1865’s production skills are dope, but not too varied. His formula seems to change from upbeat to lazy/grinding type beats. He pretty much keeps it simple enough for the beat to compliment his rhyme style. He would benefit in the future by being a little more experimental. Case in point, “First Step Life Form”, while being a good track, doesn’t hold your attention the whole time. Lyrically, it’s great stuff and not some braggadocio either, but some real pondering on some real issues.
“Summertime” is pretty much a track that’s self explanatory and shifts to the upbeat bubbly vibe again. But, what album would be complete without a summer based song. Next we glide to the realm of contemplation in the track “Light vs. Gravity.” 18’s rhetoric is “what is faster: light or gravity?” A very interesting and compelling topic that combines a varied mix of clever couplets, honest reflections and battle rhymes. To sum up this track in few words will not do it justice, listen to it for yourself.
“Heaven” slows things down a bit but, introduces a cameo from an emcee named A.L.. Handing the mic back and forth and the flow of the two makes them sound like a true duo. While the concept seems simple enough, it is still flipped brilliantly. The production to the track “Johnny Too Good” is average but, the rhymes are far from that. “Black Hole” is one of those tracks where you nod in agreement with every word said. Other tracks to peep are “What I Look At,” “One Day” again featuring A.L., and the hard sounding, and socially conscious “Social Brains.”
This is an excellent debut for an artist who handled the duties of emceeing and production. Not many artists can accomplish this and keep things crisp. For me this album put a smile on my face because it created an aural environment that not only got my head nodding but, pulled me into the essence of the music. This type of music barely exists anymore and has me eagerly waiting for what 1865 has to offer next; 21 tracks of pure dopeness! -CyPhEr777
