Customer Reviews

Checks Thugs & Rocknroll

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Seeing a hip hop classic return from oblivion is good but if the music doesnt cut or it seems to be a rehash of oll track then who cares? I do. This stuff might not be cutting edge but it does have playabilty and with support of Kid rock Sarah Macgloghlin and Jam master J this is a an album to pay attention to. DMC does still have skills and in the hip hop world theres a lot to be said for a 40 plus person who can still lay quality tracks. This stuff is current and just plain good. If you are looking for a mix of old school and current music this is it. While the Raps arent as fast and furious as Run DMC was there is skill here and DMC should not be overlooked. While this isnt the classic album that "Raisin Hell" is it is definitley not to be over looked. DMC proves he is not a has-been - Enjoy this one.

Ted

The first time I heard WatchTower, I knew I wanted it in my music collection and bought the CD. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many other tracks on the CD that I liked too. This CD has positive messages and something for virtually everyone. It's DMC's solo album - not better nor worse than Run-DMC's albums ---- it's different.

It's puzzling to think that people cannot open up their minds enough to enjoy a new album from a man that has earned the title of "Legend". Some people can't accept the fact that an artist has changed while others can't accept the fact that they, themselves, have changed. I see it all the time. Many veteran bands struggle to keep their fan base. They're damned if they try a new sound and they're damned if they keep the old sound. 85% of the time the product they deliver is nearly as good, as good, or sometimes better than the music that gave them success. But the "fan" has their head in a different place then when they first were introduced to the music and places the blame soley on the musician rather than their current position in the world.

DMC has a very personal story behind his first solo album Checks, Thugs, and Rock N Roll. After a long struggle with various addictions, a horrible vocal chord condition that made him lose signature sound, the revelation that he is adopted, and the loss of his band mate Jam Master Jay, DMC needed a new direction in his life. He heard the Sarah McLachlan's song Angel and was moved to better himself. By an odd chain of events, McLachlan saw him by chance and approached him to say what a big fan she was of his music. Surprisingly it was DMC who turned the tables and began endlessly praising her for her inspirational music. A few years later after finding his biological mother he was inspired to write a song about his journey. He enlisted McLachlan to sing the chorus to Harry Chapin's song Cat's in the Cradle.

To my amazement, people have described the song as cheesy and cliche. I cannot begin to describe how wrong they are. The song is beautiful, inspirational, and has a nice rock n' roll edge to it. DMC has described this song as his anthem and I can't help but be filled with positive emotion while listening to it.

After picking up the CD I noticed a slightly uneven mixture of songs. However, it only took me a few listens to get hooked into this blend of rock, R & B, and rap.

If you do keep an open mind I guarantee you will like most aspects of this album. Because it is diverse, you may not like every song, but rarely there is an album that can do such a thing.

DMC has given us an inspirational glimpse into his life and I personally am thankful for that. I look forward to hearing more from this music legend.

I really appreciate what Run DMC has done for hip-hop. With that said, I was really suprised by Rev Run's solo album so I guess I was a bit too optimistic when I bought this CD...

Great music, great lyrical flow, if Run & DMC would collaborate on an album it would be a chart topper for sure. As great as DMC it is as if something (RUN) was missing.

I know DMC has health problems. I thought I'd support DMC by piking up his cd, but what waste of money. It seems he's hardly on the album. When he is rapping, it doesn't sound like his voice or his lyrics. The production is very vanilla. Probably done with no name producers. At least it was cheap.

Smart entertainers quit while they're on top so that the last thing we remember is their greatness. This album was made after DMC permanently lost his voice and one can't help but question if the slow weak style (but strong rhymes) on this album are a reflection of that. If you loved watching Jordan play for the Wizards as much as you did when he played for the Bulls then you'll love hearing DMC on this album as much as you did in the past. I unfortunately do not. Regretably this is not the same great POWERFUL DMC I remember from the good ol days.

This is one of the best albums ever made, with one of America's finest. DMC has returned to the scene with a constructive, positive and thought provoking album for 2006.

This album boasts some top names from the likes of Sarah McLachan, Elliot Easton (from The New Cars) and Joey Kramer (Aerosmith) to Doug E Fresh, MS. Jade and Gary Douran (C.S.I) the list is endless with too many names to mention, even Rev. Run features on a track called 'Come2gether' an ode to the late Jam Master Jay. For his first solo album it's very impressive and knocks spots off other established rappers, with a solid mix of heavy beats and wild guitars thrashed with bold lyrics. Songs to listen out for include, 'Watchtower', 'Just Like Me' and 'Lovey Dovey'. My personal favourites list: 'Cold', 'Rockstar', and 'What's Wrong?'.

The impressive thing is this album crosses all genres from Rap to Rock and everything in between.

I'm in full support of this album and wish DMC worldwide success, one for all ages, young and old. Once again whether as RUN DMC and Jam Master Jay or just DMC that adidas wearing lyricists' is back to claim the throne.

A couple months ago Rev Run released his first solo album, and now it's time for the other living half of the seminal rap group, Darryl "DMC" McDaniel, to throw his hat back in the game with his first solo outing Checks, Thugs and Rock N Roll. Whereas Run took the safe route, veering not very far from his previous sound, taking the minimalist approach coming in just over a half an hour with no guest appearances, DMC is more adventuress and packs in multiple singers and rappers to help him out clocking in just under an hour.

The album starts off with one of the most disturbing samples in which Puffy wasn't involved when DMC brings in the dude from Buckcherry and the less glamorous members of Aerosmith to rework Jimmy Hendrix All Along the Watchtower. And if that isn't weird enough for you, later he brings in Sarah McLachlan to recreate the Harry Chapin classic Cats in the Cradle and renames it Just Like Me. The song must be heard to be believed especially when they go over the top by bringing in the kids choir.

But that's it for the unnecessary samples even though Freaky Chick sounds a lot like Tone Loc's Wild Thing. But the guest parade doesn't stop there though. Kid Rock shows up on the life after death song Find My Way which is dedicated to Jam Master Jay and Joe C. Old school legend Doug E. Fresh shows up on Lovey Dover and new school go to hook singer Ciara lends her "talents" on What's Wrong. Even though it sounds a lot like Eve rapping on Cold, it's really Ms. Jade. And his old buddy Rev Run even spits a verse on Come 2gether that doesn't really congers up images of the good ol' days.

But the major problem with the album is that DMC's voice has change dramatically since he last put his rhymes on wax. In the classics days, he had a smooth baritone delivery but here his voice is higher and more nasally. The content is deeper though as if DMC has spent his down time listing to Public Enemy and watching CNN as there more than a few songs dealing with the world today including the many wars that are raging. Unfortunately it's hard to get past the voice to listen to the message.

DMC's voice is different because he had to change his voice. His higher "nasally" voice from back in the day was not his natural voice. The voice you hear on Checks, Thugs and Rock n Roll is his natural voice. After the Down with the King album, DMC went to a doctor because his throat hurt all the time. The doctor told him this was because he had been changing his voice for the last 12+ years in the studio as well as the stage. The doctor told DMC that he needed to stop or he was going to permanently screw up his vocal chords. The reason DMC wasn't on Crown Royal was because he felt people wouldn't accept Run-DMC with a different DMC sound. (By the way, we would have gladly accepted that). That's why that album took forever to get done and why it's really a Rev Run and guests album.

With that being said, this is a great album and solo effort. You can still hear a little bit of the damage he did to his vocal chords. I would say that D still needs a little more work on his voice before it's perfect. Great album and I hope the track Come 2gether is a sign that Rev Run and DMC will continue to work together and maybe some day release another album even though Jay is gone and Run said there was no more Run-DMC.

Well worth buying.