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Editorial Reviews
Review
Dessa is a fluent lyricist. . . she recalls an old-fashioned high-quality singer-songwriter like Joni Mitchell or Rosanne Cash. --Robert Christgau, NPR
Product Description
Wry, literary lyrics over beats from Doomtree's all-star team of producers. The fifteen songs emphasize Dessa's wingspan as a singer, rapper, and lyricist - the tracks range from melancholy a cappella arrangements to vintage torch songs to infectious rap cuts. Featuring Grammy-nominated Matthew Santos and Jessy Greene, violinist for the Foo Fighters. Production from Lazerbeak, Paper Tiger, MK Larada, Cecil Otter, and Big Jess. Upon initial release this disc peaked at #6 on iTunes rap charts; #2 on CMJ rap charts; and charted in Billboard in R&B, New Artists, and Independent Label releases. Dessa toured with the Doomtree crew in 2010 and will be headlining a 2011 West Coast tour. The album art for A Badly Broken Code was designed by Doomtree's MK Larada.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Ralph Perez
Format:MP3 Music
Dessa(Darling) from Doomtree is not your average Female MC/Singer/Poet, although on paper it would seem like she sounds like every A typical woman releasing music in the hip-hop world today. As a member of the midwest power house crew DOOMTREE, Dessa stands out amongst carasmatic crew members like POS, Mike Mictlan and Cecil Otter, and not just because shes the sole female of the bunch. Aggresive, yet calculated and controled, Dessa made her power and pressence known on crew releases (False Hopes 12 "Flex", Doomtree official group album "the wren", "dots & dashes", and from POS's Never Better "Low life, low lights"). Now with her official debut solo album "A Badly Broken Code" finally out, Dessa is ready to really make her pressence felt, seen and heard. Doomtree out did themselves in the packaging (MK LARADA did the layout) and the production is flawless thanks to a bulk of the work done by Paper Tiger and MK Larada, with help from Lazerbeak, Big Jess and Dessa herself. The record starts out with a peek into Dessas life growing up as "Childrens Work" is deep and thoughtfull, yet haunting as dessa recalls her mother worrying about "...what she did, to raise such a serious kid". Nothing is purposeless or without meaning when Dessa does it, as every nuance and lyric is heavy with thought, love, pain,hurt and introspection. With stand out tracks like "Seamstress", "Matches to paper dolls" and the favorite "The Chaconne" which features Matthew Santos (known for Lupe Fiascos "Superstar"). "The Chaconne" is beatifully haunting and hypnotizing, and deserves every bit of praise it is getting. The year is new and fresh, but after this release, The year belongs to Dessa and Doomtree. If you dont have it, get it at [...], and while your there pick up everything else they've ever put out if you dont have it.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Hanna
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I didn't even know this was classified as hip hop--I heard Children's Work on the radio and thought, "I have to get that." Ordered it having only heard that one song, and I love the whole thing. She reminds me of Ani a bit, so if you like Ani you would probably like this. Try it even if you aren't sure you'd like hip hop!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Brian Hill
Format:MP3 Music
Doomtree deserves your respect, although they will never ask you for it. They will earn it kindly. In 2009 P.O.S exploded and now Dessa has followed with a triumphant release worth attention. As a crew Doomtree offers something for all and Dessa is the most accessible and arguably the most talented member which is why people who know about Doomtree have been excited for this record for a long time. Give it a listen and get hooked. Support your local artists!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By C. Slocum
Format:MP3 Music
I am actually more of a hard rock sort of gal, and really I don't tend to follow hip-hop as a genre. Her album was given to me by someone who was convinced I'd love it. And they were right. Every single song is fantastic. Some of the slower ones took a couple listens to digest, but I appreciate that it did. If I had to sum up her music in one word, it would be "Smart". Every word was clearly chosen to have punch and meaning, there's no fluff, and it was so refreshing to hear something off the radio with as much substance as Dessa has. She explores family, friends, people, and the state of hip-hop. Her lyrics are exceptional. Beyond that, the music is catchy, pleasing to the ears, and nourishing to the mind. She is now one of my favorite artists.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Keith Snyder
Format:Audio CD
After digesting everything I've heard that came out in 2010 this stands apart; a fantastic album start to finish with a variety of moods, a fantastic instrumental presence, and one of finest lyrical albums I've ever heard.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By HP
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
Simply put, Doomtree has some of the most talented people you have never heard of and Dessa is no exception. Dessa has put out an album that is deeply personal and fierce, both a headbanger and a sound you can sway to. 'A Badly Broken Code' starts off a little slow, seemingly starting deep within Dessa's psyche. We are serenaded with childhood memories and thoughts of ex lovers. As the album picks up, Dessa's humor, rhyme skills, and penchant for metaphors begins to shine through like a star sitting on a lightbulb or something. (Probably should have just cribbed one of her similes there).
If you want to listen to an album full of talent from a member of one of the most slept on groups out there, give this one a shot.
If you want to listen to an album full of talent from a member of one of the most slept on groups out there, give this one a shot.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
My wife laughs at me when I sing along to women singers. She calls me a little girly man and then makes me wear a dress. That's how I know she's in the mood to get freaky.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Abyssalmang
Format:Audio CD
I remember in another review, which I cant remember whether it was on this site or not, someone said "Dessa is like a rap version of Sade." While I don't think she reaches Sade's, level of skill in a lot of ways and the comparison fails on that level, I still think its a good one in generally describing the appeal of Dessa and her music.
Dessa has a smooth and sweet sound that still has a sort of rough side to it. She isn't the most talented female MC on a technical level, but her music isn't about heavy and fast raps, its about relaxing and getting mildly introspective while trying to be entertaining in a sweet and sassy way. That somewhat underscores what shes trying to do, but I think it is generally true about her vocal talents, instrumentals and the image she tries to cultivate on her album and music videos.
Lyrically like I said before, this is mostly introspective raps, sometimes praising herself, sometimes not, it is mostly stories about her life and the people she knows. That isn't always the case, at least half the songs are just general raps about a mismatch of topics, but the main theme of this album seems to be Dessa and her life even in those tracks that aren't strictly introspective. Her life is interesting and the lyrics are well written given what she is trying to accomplish. Her rhyme schemes are more about flowing as nicely as possible and less about being complex or giving punchlines. She wants things to go down smooth and generally her vocals and lyrics accomplish that.
The beats and production also have a nice sound. Sometimes jazzy and or piano heavy. She relies more on instrumental sampling than other rappers do and it works really well.... Read more ›
Dessa has a smooth and sweet sound that still has a sort of rough side to it. She isn't the most talented female MC on a technical level, but her music isn't about heavy and fast raps, its about relaxing and getting mildly introspective while trying to be entertaining in a sweet and sassy way. That somewhat underscores what shes trying to do, but I think it is generally true about her vocal talents, instrumentals and the image she tries to cultivate on her album and music videos.
Lyrically like I said before, this is mostly introspective raps, sometimes praising herself, sometimes not, it is mostly stories about her life and the people she knows. That isn't always the case, at least half the songs are just general raps about a mismatch of topics, but the main theme of this album seems to be Dessa and her life even in those tracks that aren't strictly introspective. Her life is interesting and the lyrics are well written given what she is trying to accomplish. Her rhyme schemes are more about flowing as nicely as possible and less about being complex or giving punchlines. She wants things to go down smooth and generally her vocals and lyrics accomplish that.
The beats and production also have a nice sound. Sometimes jazzy and or piano heavy. She relies more on instrumental sampling than other rappers do and it works really well.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strong vocals!
Dessa could stand up to any male in the industry with her powerful delivery. Yet she still shows her feminine side on other tracks. Read more
Published 14 days ago by psychoinhell
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Actual Person
Dessa does tough. Dessa does vulnerable. Dessa does every emotion in between. It's almost like she's actually a real person...
Published 2 months ago by Alex Marianyi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliance!
Dessa is an amazing artist. Every song stands out in it's own way, and and she truly demonstrates soulful beauty and being a mean gritty MC at the same time. Read more
Published 11 months ago by JP
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Record
An extremely compelling release. Deep and smart with fantastic beats. Her delivery sounds a little forced on the first few listens, but you get used to that and come to accept it... Read more
Published 14 months ago by agnostic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maybe I'm biased...
...but this is truly a fantastic album. Dessa breaks away from any indication of normality in her vocals and instrumentation, and speaks in raw lyrics. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Priscilla Stilwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, truly distinctive, and wears well
This is without a doubt one of my favorite albums of the past year - doesn't quite fit any genre, but the songs consistently combine clarity, wit, and an emotional punch that flows... Read more
Published on March 26, 2011 by AlanDM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
Dessa is the sort of class act that gets better with every listen. Not only erudite, but also full of wit and respect for the listener's intelligence. Read more
Published on February 10, 2011 by William Sargent
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly solid
Truly great rap, hip-hop, r&b soul and real. This has a nice mix of all of the above. She can run her mouth on the mic and hold a pretty note. Read more
Published on February 4, 2011 by A. Towner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Be careful
Except for Dessa there is not a single hip-hop song in my library. I got chills listening to Children's Work. When I found the lyrics I got them again just from reading. Read more
Published on August 11, 2010 by T Post
