Passive 6 5 –Mr.Serebour OTC-Records
Mr. Serebour is a dirty, gritty, nasty, grimy LP. Not dirty like the “South” but, more in the same vein as Black Moon’s “Enta Da Stage”. It’s that good! There are a couple of things I must point out before I go on. First, this album is really avant-garde in the sense that you might be thrown off at first listen. But do not pass judgment right away. There’s a method to Passive’s madness. Beat wise, the album doesn’t sound like anything you’ve ever heard before. The beats are very mechanical and the arrangement is on the abstract side. Off the wall samples and sounds are used to fuel Passive’s strict accented vocals.
Mr. Serebour describes the hip-hop culture/industry as he sees it, and adding socio-political commentating on society’s ills and misconceptions. Lyrically, it is very deep. Passive’s lyrical style is not of any norm we are used to in hip hop. His words will rip you out of your relaxed state, with hectic audio sound blades. Though a steady beat anchors the songs, his accent is utilized expertly and the organic drums are thunderous. The beats create a range of varying backdrops for Passive.
There are tracks that are very well executed but take time to grow on the listener like the tracks “Slick” and the bouncy “Antfiddlin” but, the LP is one of those rare cases where the balance between the beat and the rhyme is perfect. He even gets comical on the track “Stabbaman Buckyfoot” where he talks about a deformed, angry female. Other notable tracks are “Brainwave”, “Asylum” and “Gamgee River Swimmers”. The song “Warmonger” is braggadocio explorations, with Passive’s fire burning a low flame, while the distorted piano adds a slight edge to the song. With a strong repetitive base and catchy tempo, Passive rides the track like that of perfection but with plenty of hard hitting lyrical punches. He adapts seamlessly to the serious beat that’s backing the words up.
“Mr. Serebour” takes us into the realms of his mind; a whole amalgam of different stuff that only guide the way, for small details, thrown in here and there. It’s an impressive album from an artist that understands the sonic conveyance of mental anguish. Dozens of spins through the headphones, CD player or whatever reveal so many more additional layers and levels of moods. It just gets better and better with the sound becoming fuller, bigger, and richer. Intellects would especially relish in the abstract concepts and sophisticated language. Mr. Serebour (17 tracks), strikes a balance between street mentality, social awareness, and topical emceeing. Please support by visiting Passive 6 5 at
http://www.myspace.com/mr65ive or http://www.otc-records.com CyPhEr777
