Don’t rake up the dead leaves. Just go out and spread seeds.
Posted: May 5th, 2009 | Author: Choppa | Filed under: austin hip hop scene, reviews | Tags: seasons change, southbound | 3 Comments »Southbound | Seasons Change
Self-Released, 2009
Rated: 4.5 out of 5
Southbound is something of an anomaly in rap music. The Caucasoid brother duo of Lowkey and Sandman (not to be confused with the former Re-Up Gang affiliate) straddle fine lines with their whole style. Hood but articulate. Over-the-top but nuanced. Straight-faced but funny. They do not fit easily into the boxes hip hop critics and fans like to paint within the genre. They don’t spit the hedonistic, materialistic raps that many of their peers do, but neither do they make an obvious effort to distance themselves from that in favor of “real hip hop” or whatever the rapping-about-rapping set likes to claim these days. They offer an authentic, objective look at street life that never strains for credibility or plays to obvious clichés. This album is a 10-track EP in advance of their second album, Vice Verses. This is no throw-away advance record, though, and both obviously have a lot to say.
On the mic, both members have a fairly flat delivery. They tend to pack bars full of syllables, often weaving double-time and triplet flows in with more straight-ahead delivery. They never over-do it though, avoiding awkward lines and rhymes that do not end on time. Like other brother groups (Clipse comes to mind), they can be hard to tell apart, but that just means a constant high level of quality, in this case. Subject matter ranges from personal turmoil to societal ills to clowning, but they never break their stoic character. This makes it necessary to listen closely, because there are a lot of intricate lines stuck in there, often vivid and moving, sometimes hilarious.
On “All Alone,” there is an intense discussion of the miscarriage of an unborn child. “Money Don’t Come” uses Barack Obama speeches and examines their own personal struggles and those of society. For all the heavy material, though, there are moments of straight comedy. Italia Blue goes off on a siddity fine girl turned pornstar (did they really know Italia Blue?). On “No Swagger”: Say look I’m sorry for yellin’/I’m just mad that Vice Verses ain’t out yet/But Lil’ Wayne just dropped Tha Carter 47/What the hell is the difference besides…you know/Talent faith and persistence, but those don’t matter, right? In today’s hip hop landscape, everyone from people who were industry heavyweights in the 1980’s to 19 year olds recording tracks in their bedrooms angrily declares that the game is rigged. It is refreshing to hear even a joking assertion that maybe the big bad industry isn’t the only barrier to success. “Sex In Da Morning” is exactly what it sounds like, a light homage to the best way to start a day, vivid and slick. Raps this varied require an equally diverse suite of beats.
The entire album was produced by Matt Schadd. It has a relatively restrained set of beats, sometimes jazzy, sometimes soulful, sometimes heavy and ominous. There is nothing very big and theatrical…and none of these beats are likely to find their way into the club. They match the raps perfectly, though. “Italia Blue” recycles the Galt McDermott sample from Busta Rhymes’ “Woo Ha,” but this flip uses a much lighter hand, more fitting the comedic story raps than Busta’s hollering. “Gowin’ Hard (Southside Chant)” is a mid-tempo track with energy coming from a slinky bassline and choppy bell sounds. On the more ponderous side is “All Alone,” with plodding organs and atonal bells. There is nothing to blow the listener away in the set, but it is all solid, and very appropriate for the raps.
In short, with an EP like this, I can’t wait for the full-length album to come out. Still not a marquee name in Austin, Southbound is nevertheless one of the best acts this town has. This EP provides an excellent opportunity for the uninitiated to get on board, because I foresee big things ahead for these guys, if they continue to put in work. I definitely recommend picking up this album.
Seasons Change f. Reggie Coby
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Sex In Da Morning
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