Customer Reviews

Hindsight

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm gonna go ahead and admit this: I'm not a huge fan of rap. Now before you get all judgemental on me and give me the look of death, let me explain. I just have a hard time listening to something that I have to force myself to understand what is being said. Now, this is very bad stereotype that I am putting on all rap/hip-hop music, and I realize this now that I listen to Hindsight, one of the best albums to land in my hands this year. John Reuben could easily be called Christian music's version of Eminem, just without the crotch grabs and foul language every five seconds. But, I don't want to compare him to something he's not. Reuben is a talent all his own. His lyrics are both hysterical and poignant all at the same time. He offers social commentary, while at the same time making fun of himself. With his latest CD, John Reuben has established himself as one of the top satricial lyricists out there, along side greats like Steve Taylor or Matthew Theissen (of Relient K). It's funny how Reuben can mix serious tunes like "Breathe" alongside hilarious songs like "Soundman". Well, it works, and it works well. With Hindsight, Reuben has taken satirical hip-hop to a new level. I'm curious to see where he heads on his next album! Go John Reu!

John Reuben is a great talent. The question "Can Christian rap be done well?" has been answered. Yes it can. But will it still be edgy, sharp? Yes it will. Will it actually sound good? It sure does.

Reuben writes his own rhymes, and they are at times funny, introspective, sobering and always catchy. I love the creativity, Reuben weaves through each track of this album. You feel like you get to know him.

His first track tells the listener that he always wants to keep it innovative, and I have to say I havn't heard an album like this one before. If you like rap, good rap, and you're tired of hearing about money, sex, drugs and violence, here's your album. Rap can be inspiring, and still be sharp. Give it a try.

I first heard John Reuben at a Christian gathering called BNYC. When I first heard him, I loved him. So, I bought his cd and I have been listening to him whenever I can. I think that this cd is one of his greatest.

I had no idea this dude was Christian, I didn't find any over the top references to the lord or JC. BUT, what I DID find was some nice beats and fun lyrics.

This dude is not a Christian rapper... he's just a rapper and he's tighty-tight-tight.

Christians and pagans alike will dig this album.

Out of all 4 cds i think this one just might be the best. It has the most songs,some humorous, some serious, and they all sound perfect! there isn't a single song that is skippable! THIS CD IS A MUST HAVE!!!!!!!!!

John Reuben burst onto the hip-hop scene with his debut album on Gotee Records in 1999. His original style and witty lyrics hooked thousands of fans from around the world, many of which will more than likely be scratching their head's when they pick up John's second release, Hindsight. If you have seen John in concert, then you know that his personality is pretty wacky. He's a funny guy and likes to play it up on stage, but unfortunatly, he brought some of his antics into the studio, and the result is pretty chaotic. It's evident from the beginning that while Reuben has certainly worked hard to master his craft, he doesn't take himself too seriously. Some say that's a good thing, but while I listen to John's hooping and hollaring and "funny" readings from his journal, one has to wonder how many late night recording sessions went way too late. There are some good tracks on the record including "I John Reu" and "Doin'," but most of the tracks seem disoriented and uncreative. It's almost as if he took a complete 180 degree turn from his debut. John almost seems to play into his own "new" style on the song "Doin" by saying "if you buy it and don't like it / feel free not to listen / i'm not sure about a refund / but you're welcome to diss it." He also says on "I John Reu," "this record won't ever sell a million." I think John has major potential to break out to the status of even tobyMac. He has great performace and mic skills, but it's almost like Hindsight was at half effort. Someone needs to pull the reins on John's creativity and intervene if he's going to continue releasing records. I give this album a C-. -Kevin For TSRocks.com

I love John Reuben, he's a great artist. Excellent in concert, and excellent on cd. However, this cd was a complete waste of my money. It seems like there wasn't any real songs on it, just a bunch of interludes and junk.

I do highly recommend John Reuben, just not this cd. His first one is my personal favorite "Are We There Yet?".

I stumbled across John Reuben when I was in my early teens, and unlike most of the artists whose CDs spun incessantly in my CD player (much to my parents annoyance), I still adore John Reuben. His music is just plain fun, and lyrics are quality without being preachy. I don't have a single friend who dislikes this CD, everybody from the diehard rap fans to the ones who would rather puncture their ear drums than listen to rap. He's fun, he's fresh. I liked his first effort a bit better than his sophmore release, but Hindsight has definitely grown on me.

Love at first sound!!! The cd grabs your flesh instantly, but after many listenings you start to feel the real spiritual aspects of the music and performers. I could do without the "breakin' ya balls" line, and think they could infuse even more of the Good News into the music, but all in all, the cd is the top of line experience for Christian music lovers. Non- Christians might dig it too, but I don't think they could handle the brightlights of the meanings and motives of the music

John Reuben's first album, "Are We There Yet?" was in the top ten on my list of Favorite CDs of 2000. This is John Reuben's second album, which also is on my list of Favorite CDs of 2002, but this second album didn't make my top ten.

This album is a lot of fun and has some interesting sounds, but the lyrics are fluff. His first album had much more in the way of challenging and interesting lyrics. On the other hand, there is a place for fluff--if you've just gotten finished with final exams and papers in school, or have just finished a heavily stressful, hard week of concentrating at work, you may need something with no lyrical depth; you need to just put on something to shake out all that tension from your brain and have a good time. This album is perfect for such times. Definitely party music.