Customer Reviews

Distortion

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Distortion is the debut solo LP from Rev. Run (Joseph Simmons), formerly one-third of pioneering rap trio Run-DMC.

The group had retired after the murder of DJ Jam Master Jay in 2002. Recently signing a new record deal with brother Russell Simmons' Def Jam-affiliated RSMG, the ordained minister and reality TV star seeks to start a new chapter in his career.

The LP opener, "I Used to Think I Was Run" is co-written by Detroit underground rapper Champtown. "Home Sweet Home" is Run's tribute to Jam Master Jay, sampling Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" not only for the rhythm track, but also leaving the older song's original chorus intact for the hook. It's a neat twist, but shouldn't it have been "Sweet Home Hollis, Queens?"

Lyrically, Run still raps as confidently as in his earlier days, and on songs like "The Way," he speaks with the acquired wisdom of an elder statesman of hip-hop: "Now I'm preachin for the people who ain't never gettin paid/ The suckers gettin' suckered who be slavin' for a wage/ The drug addicted brother cause he think he got it made/ Who never took a drug, but yet he needed to get paid/ I'm prayin' for the mother who just had a kid at 12/ Who gotta feed her baby, but can barely feed herself."

Bypassing Run-DMC's historical producers (Larry Smith, Davy D, Rick Rubin), Run nonetheless finds a solid collaborator in newcomer Whiteboy, who handles the entire album, merging heavy drum kicks with rock guitar licks.

Despite its positives, there is a slight downside to "Distortion." After listening to the LP, one major issue stands out - it's too short! Clocking in at less than 25 minutes, Run's brevity with his verses leave one wondering if he was subconsciously expecting Darryl "DMC" McDaniels to lay down his part on the tracks to fill in the gaps. Perhaps he needs a co-writer (like McDaniels) to help him craft songs with a little more heft. On the other hand, it certainly could not be said that there's any filler on this LP.

Despite this minor quibble, "Distortion" should please Run's older fans, and hopefully get some new ones, too.

Artist: Rev Run
Title: Distortion
Label: RSMG/Def Jam

Rev Run, a legend in the rap business, comes with his first solo album and he comes with a bang. Run brings hip-hop back to its originating old school sound with DISTORTION. Furthermore, vocally, he has the most unique voice in hip-hop today compared to how rappers rap these days...everything about him on this album is throwback, yet you can't help but to love how vintage DISTORTION sounds.

DISTORTION for the most part is a well rounded affair, yet it is way too short for its price and to be considered a full length album. At 23 minutes, you can't help but feel that the album is too short for its standard price of any other CD. However, for the most part, all of the songs are better average with the exception of the odd choice of sampling of "Sweet Home Alabama" on "Home Sweet Home", "Breaktime", and "Distortion". The best tracks are the lead single "Mind On The Road", The opening attention getter "I Use To Think I Was Run", "Boom Ditty", and "The Way". The other songs with the exclusion of the weaker above mentioned are good for the most part, if not stunning.

This album turns out ot be a decent listen that keeps the spirit of classic hip-hop alive. It won't sell perhaps like contemporary rap does, but it is a nice contribution to the rap of 2005. 3.5 stars.

This is more of an EP than a full length album. 10 tracks (Amazon forgot to include the last track, Distortion) totalling just over 26 minutes. While I liked it, it is a bit short, and Rev Run doesn't really break or preach new ground. Every song samples the same old same old Run-DMC beat, samples, or lyrics. That's fine with me because I love Run DMC. This is far superior to to Run DMC's Crown Royal which using the moniker DMC was a joke, but take this as a Rev Run solo effort. It's fast paced, refreshingly old school, and sits well with the early Run DMC albums. Also, for a rapper to release something nowadays without a million other guest rappers or producers, it's consistent.

Ok.. everyone has already pointed out that this is a short CD. So what?! Run is so old school, he just decided to make a CD that is barely a half an hour, yet FULL of hits, instead of doing what modern artists do, which is to make 18 minutes of good music and flesh it out with 50 minutes of utter garbage. This CD is knockin, from start to finish. This is the REVEREND folks, without RUN D.M.C. where would rap/hip hop be? Who knows. Anyways, the best thing I can say about Run is that he can make a CD that amps you up, makes you flip your volume to max, and yet it isn't about dope hos and cash flow.. his lyrics are so old school and original, and have you ready to bomb without even talking about anything violent. He can kick it harder than almost any rapper out now, and he's practically an old man. Give Run his props and buy this CD folks.

The single, "Mind on the Road," is great. I expected more of the same, and, while the rest is okay, 23 minutes is a rip off, even at $7.99 on sale. I expected at least a full 40 minutes of great rock rap in the style of RUN DMC. Was Rev. Run in a hurry or did he just need some fast cash? Buy the single if you can.

This is a very good album. I thought it was going to be an embarrassment, another Crown Royal. Something that was just going to tarnish RUN-DMCs image some more.
That's not what this album gives.
I had no idea that Run would go back to the sound that made them a force in the 80's. If I would have been told that he was going to do it... I would have assumed it to be a failure.
Once again... that's not what this album gives.
It takes that old sound, but it doesn't come across sounding dated. It does serve as a much needed break from the monotonous hip hop beats that just get recycled today.
It's also nice to hear that Run has life in him. He rhymes on those tracks like he has something to prove.

I wish that the album would be longer. But, with what we were given, those get a 5 out of 5.

I didn't know what to expect when I bought this CD. I'm a big fan of Run DMC, but I'm not really a fan of more modern rap. I like Public Enemy, NWA, Whodini, Sugar Hill artists... I feared Rev Run's solo album might sound "California" like a new Dre or Snoop or Jay Z album. But Run holds true to his old school east coast roots, which for me is a good thing. Distortion sounds a lot like the old Run DMC records - tight beats, minimal fluff, catchy choruses, and a little lead guitar to make it rockin'. I was pleasantly surprised that there isn't really a weak track on the 25 minute EP-esque disc. Run proves why he is a founding father in rap music, and one of the few true artists in the genre. It's also interesting to hear Run because he doesn't need rhymes that degrade women or an avalanche of curse words to get his songs across. Run challenges the rap community by daring you to listen to lyrics with a positive message. I was also concerned that Rev Run's CD would be overly religious, and it's absolutly not. Some of the words do compare his past behavior with his current belief system, but it's never preaching, just storytelling. Distortion is just good music and skilled vocals from one of the best, Joe Simmons, aka Rev Run.

Standout tracks: I Used to Think I Was Run, Home Sweet Home, High and Mighty Joe, Distortion

The Reverend Run from Hollis Queens Drops his first Album Without His original Crew[DMC, & JMJ]. Distortion is the title and not a bad album at all. We want to hear more of his style, he has more styles in his flow, especially when he dropped his southern stlye rap a few years ago. This album is an intro to more of his music in his solo debut. "Home Sweet Home", is very catchy It's got that southern break with the country tempo. "Don't Stop y'all" is another hit with an old school break. " I used to think i was run" is a come back of his flow and the special echo effect he always had. "Mind On The Road" is another hit, the guitar rock melody is slamming. In "The Way" his droping knowledge to the masses he explains his way on reaching the misfortunate on changing their lives for the better." Boom Ditty" is catchy and upbeat overall i rate 4 stars for Distortion by Rev Run.

Former Run-DMC front man Rev Run has had a very big 2005. Sony Legacy recordings re-mastered and re-released four classic Run-DMC albums. Then his MTV series Run's House was a surprise smash hit. The show was picked up by MTV for a second season in record time. The reality show provided viewers with an inside glimpse into Rev Run's personal and professional life.

Distortion opens up with the old school flavored song "I Used To Think I Was Run." This song is followed up by the song "Home Sweet Home" which borrows a sample for the Lynard Skynard song "Sweet Home Alabama." "Boom Ditty" is another 80's flavored or Run-DMC sounding kind of song. "High and Mighty Joe" is another old school throwback song which utilizes chants during the chorus. The album's first single "Mind of the Road," is one of the highlights of the album and it kind of sounds like a Beastie Boys song. Another really good song on the album is "Take a Tour," but clocking in at just over 2 minutes the song is over way to quick.

Run's first solo album Distortion is ten songs deep, which is rather short for a hip-hop album. Although short in length, the album should please Run-DMC fans who have been waiting to hear Run on the mic again. The CD is so short it's almost like an EP or an album sampler. His musical style isn't very different than it was during Run-DMC's early days. Run is now a reverend, but this doesn't seem to have affected his music. The songs aren't very religious oriented, Run makes the same kind of feel good party hip-hop music that he and Run-DMC are known for. It's also one of those rare hip-hop albums that doesn't have a ton of features on it. Run rocks Distortion from start to finish. He shows these new rappers how things used to be when the star rapper actually carried his entire album. The CD includes bonus behind the scene material if you pop it into your CD player.

This album is great. Short (as most have said), but great for what you do get. Run, being in the game as long as he has, sounds more hungry and original than 99% of the emcees out there today.
He rhymes like he gives a damn too... like this is something he really wanted to do, you can feel it. About time too. The mainstream guys out there today are lazy, uninspired, and rhyme like fools (work them hips, run girl!?!?! I hope the 'mc' behind these lyrics gets punched in the mouth) and the underground guys think they're so damn important and try so hard to be deep.

I was thinking this album was going to have nothing to offer. I was completely wrong... buy this album.