I've always been of the opinion that Big Boi was some what underrated as far lyricism is concerned, the limelight always going to his more flamboyant group member. Lyrically this man says alot and the word play is insane, slept on by most people. Well the one half of arguably the greatest Hip Hop duo, has released his solo album.
It's been out for a minute August 14 to be exact, so i even slept on it. Musically, the album drips with 1980s synth-funk signifiers. The keyboards glimmer, and talkboxes mutter and blurt. But these tracks are itchy and fleet-footed. New melodic elements flit in and out of tracks just as you start to notice them, and there's a lot going on at any given moment.
After a brief feel-good intro, Big Boi provides a verbal tongue lashing on subwoofers with “Daddy Fat Sax”, a fantastic trunk rattler in which he firmly establishes his return while providing his savvy brand of social commentary and reminding listeners who may not be aware of his stature as part of Atlanta’s Dungeon Family royalty. Patton also takes listeners to church on the downright spiritual “General Patton”, mercilessly assaulting J. Beats’ anthemic production and leaving nothing but ruins in his wake. Organized Noize allows the veteran emcee to showcases his nimble, double-time flow in addressing the South’s (New Orleans, in particular) plight with George Clinton and Too Short in tow, turning in rock-solid cameos (“Fo Yo Sorrows”) while slowing it down for Sleepy Brown and Joi on the syrupy “Turns Me On”.
Daddy Fat Sax also manages to craft versatile records that are radio-friendly without sacrificing lyrical substance, which is evident on offerings such as the lead single “Shutterbugg” as well as the Vonnegutt-assisted “Follow Us”
As a rapper, Big Boi is something else. He just does so many things with his voice and cadence, letting his words fall over the snares one moment and fighting upstream against the beat the next. He never falls into any particular pattern of delivery, instead using his flow to knock beats back and forth with relish. In spite of all that the album feels too scattered, not finding a common theme/mood and riding that out, this is the risk one takes by enlisting different producers. The tracks are however strong, just the album doesn't flow like one would like it to. An album that should pump out a few radio hits, and be heard at many pool parties this Summer, shit Entourage did open with Shutterbug on their season premiere, and if it's good enough for Vince and the boys, it'll go down well with you.
My rating a slolid 3.5 out 5
L.G
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